by banana » Tue Aug 30, 2005 4:50 pm
As it is right now we are desperately short in some positions. Assuming Rafa favours 4-4-1-1 i'd gusee this is the current status:
GK:
1st Reina
2nd Carson
3rd Dudek
Position obviously well covered. 3 quality players, possibly 1 big name goalie too much. Wouldn't be surprised to see Dudek walk out the door in January.
RB:
1st Finnan
2nd Josemi
And we could switch Carra to RB if a crisis is coming or even use Barragan. Finnan was ok last season, but to be honest he must do at least as good this year if he want to secure his future at an european top team. Josemi is below average. Position not as good as I think necessary.
CD:
1st Carra
2nd Hyypia
3rd Josemi?
4th Traore?
5th Whitbread
6th Riise?
Only 2 real centre backs in our squad. I guess that is why Benitez has tried Josemi in that position lately. Josemi is maybe a bit small and rash to play there. If there is a crisis (and I fully expect our centre backs to get injured or suspended at some part during the season) I wouldn't be surprised to see Traore or even Riise covering at centre back. Whitbread is a rookie and should only play against Carlisle or Hull in cup competitions.
LB:
1st: Traore
2nd: Warnock
3rd Riise
Well covered
RM:
1st: None really
2nd: Garcia
3rd: Cisse
4rth: Zenden, Pongolle, Finnan, Potter, Barragan,,,,,
No real winger at our club. Garcia will probably play there a lot, and also Cisse. I would expect a big number of players being tried in that position.
CM:
1st: Gerrard
2nd: Alonso
3rd: Sissoko
4th: Hamann
Covered!
LM:
1st: Riise
2nd: Zenden
A bit frustrating this is. No wingers on the right, and on the left not enough flair and pace to threathen the defenders. Both players are solid, don't get me wrong. Let's gat some chilean pace and flair in january.
AM/F:
1st: Gerrard
2nd: Garcia
3rd: Cisse
4th: Pongolle
Benitez will use either a midfielder or an attacker in this position.
S:
1st: Crouch
2nd: Morientes
3rd: Cisse
4th: Pongolle
Maybe enough if Crouch becomes a success, if not a potential disaster area.
Best 11 4-4-1-1
Reina
Finnan
Hyypia
Carra
Traore
Riise
Sissoko
Alonso
Garcia
Gerrard
Crouch
If football is banned in heaven. I'd rather go to hell.