by Sean » Thu Dec 09, 2004 11:14 am
Great night and brilliant result.....but I'm still concerned. The additional 5 million is badly needed and hopefully this result will boost our performances in the premiership as all our lads will be busting a gut to make the starting 11 for the champions league games in the spring. However, putting bias aside this is how I rate last nights team:
Kirkland: Has been touted as being the next England keeper. But at the moment i'm unconvinced. Robinsons's job is safe for now but hopefully Kirkland will get better the longer better with more premiership experience and prove to be our long term goal keeping solution. I certainly think Benitez should stick with him as reverting back to Dudek would be step backwards.
Finnan: Has the same build as Phil Neal and the best advice I could give him is to model his game on the legendary Liverpool right back. Just before Rivaldos run through on goal in the first half Finnan mis-placed a pass to Gerrard, which ultimately proved costly. Mistakes like that will be punished in the champions league.
Traore: Has improved this season but still not good enough. Ashley Cole, Gabriel Heinze and Wayne Bridge are in a completely different league to Traore, who simply isn't good enough.
Hyppia: Brilliant servant to the club but now lacks pace and his best days are behind him.
Carragher: Would walk on a bed of nails for our club and has been a success this season at centre-half but he needs a world class centre half with blinding pace alongside him. All teams that triumph in Europe have a top class centre half. Maldini & Baresi inspired Milan to several titles, United won in europe with Stam and haven't gotten near it since they sold him. Every time Arsenal are missing Campbell in Europe they crumble. Chelseas pertnership of Terry and Carvalho has been crucial to them on their champions league assault.
Nunez: Early doors.....but hasn't inspired confidence......he can't blame his lack of english or unfamiliarity with his team mates for ducking out of the wall last night.
Gerrard: Class act but even in the post match interview last night he hinted that his future might not be at Liverpool.
Alonzo: Class act also but if we'd gone out last night he'd probabaly had been left wondering why he chose us ahead of Real.
Riise: Over rated. Play him at left back or don't play him at all. Personally, I reckon a top left back is badly needed. I envy the scum where Heinze has done a great job since going to them. We need a similar warrior type left back...."no messing defender, great tackler and willing to charge forward when needed"
Baros: Our best option up front. Unlucky with the early disallowed goal last night but has given his all for us this season when fit.
Kewell: Big improvement last night but overall a disappointment. Kewell should have a good look at Duff and Robben at Chelsea. It's quite simple. We need the same impact from him at our club. If hes not capable of it we should give Warnock a run in the team or look elsewhere.
Pongolle: Big impact last night...hopefully this will be the turning point for him.
Mellor: Latched on to the loose ball to score a poachers goal in Fowler style. Also got a vital knock down or Gerrards goal. It took Ian Rush 10-15 games before emerging as a prolific striker.....maybe i'm just being optimistic but Mellor seems to be getting better with every outing.
Josemi: After a great early season, i'm having my doubts. He gave away a silly free kick against Rivaldo in injury time which could have cost us 5 million quid.
Overall: Lucky to qualify for next stage from a weak group. We're not good enough to win the champions league. In fact, when the draw is being made we will probabaly be viewed by other clubs as one of the weaker sides......but at least we're there.
Every Single Ball