Liverpool FC Forum

by **dmf** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 5:18 pm

We've seen Fowler return and now with birmingham going down maybe we'll see the return of heskey which is what we all wana see, right guys?

by **account deleted by request** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 6:12 pm

i think gareth barry would be a good squad player but maybe we are sorted on left already but villa need to sell!
pennant is worth a gamble at 4-5 million
gera is class - captain of hungary so should be ok without having behavioral problems of pennant
i think curtis davis will finish up going to arsenal but if we go for another c/d we should get one with more experience i.e bonara off parma or mexes from roma
heskey? would be cover for crouch and maybe rafa could get more out of him. if we could get him for 3 million - maybe.
personally i think its time we stopped looking for squad players and started buying players who will actually improve the team i.e. mexes/tevez/simao/swp

by **7_Kewell** » Tue May 02, 2006 6:48 pm

bring back Heskey for 3 million???

by **stmichael** » Tue May 02, 2006 7:18 pm

like it or not, i think pennant is pretty much nailed on for the summer.

by **Ace Ventura** » Tue May 02, 2006 8:15 pm

stmichael wrote:like it or not, i think pennant is pretty much nailed on for the summer.

Really ?

I hope so i really think he would be a great signing, the amount of space we have out wide in the last 2 seasons (since we signed Alonso, his early raking balls out wide are first class) is amazing, and someone like Pennant would really add to our attacking options.
Gerrard has been unbelievable there and it would be great if he was happy to play there, but he wants to play in the centre, well he is also an awsome centre midfielder with Xabi and Momo patrolling behind him, so either way we are in a healthy position.
Signing someone with the pace trickery and crossing ability of Pennant would really increase our options imo.

by **stmichael** » Tue May 02, 2006 8:22 pm

Ace Ventura wrote:
stmichael wrote:like it or not, i think pennant is pretty much nailed on for the summer.

Really ?

I hope so i really think he would be a great signing, the amount of space we have out wide in the last 2 seasons (since we signed Alonso, his early raking balls out wide are first class) is amazing, and someone like Pennant would really add to our attacking options.
Gerrard has been unbelievable there and it would be great if he was happy to play there, but he wants to play in the centre, well he is also an awsome centre midfielder with Xabi and Momo patrolling behind him, so either way we are in a healthy position.
Signing someone with the pace trickery and crossing ability of Pennant would really increase our options imo.

I think the point we need to consider is the following:

1) Is Rafa going to stick SG on the right from now on?

2) Based on point 1 - do we really need a TOP world class RW costing us quite a bit or do we need a winger who we know to be inconsistent to the point where he does well in 70% of games but is average for the rest. Pennant probably fits into that category.

I am begining to think that with the progress of Momo and how well we play with Alonso and Momo in the middle rather than SG and Alonso - we may be better off getting a RW who is a support act to SG. You have to remember that Garcia also plays there at times and that Rafa is looking to get that Argentine midfielder so what role will he play ?

Then there is the question of Anderson. This season has come too early but if he is as good as he has looked on the occasions I've seen him, we may well see him break through in the middle of next season.

But yes, from what I have heard, contact has already been made with Birmingham regarding Pennant in the summer and we could well see him arrive for 3-4 million.

by **GunGod** » Tue May 02, 2006 8:30 pm

stmichael wrote:
Ace Ventura wrote:
stmichael wrote:like it or not, i think pennant is pretty much nailed on for the summer.

Really ?

I hope so i really think he would be a great signing, the amount of space we have out wide in the last 2 seasons (since we signed Alonso, his early raking balls out wide are first class) is amazing, and someone like Pennant would really add to our attacking options.
Gerrard has been unbelievable there and it would be great if he was happy to play there, but he wants to play in the centre, well he is also an awsome centre midfielder with Xabi and Momo patrolling behind him, so either way we are in a healthy position.
Signing someone with the pace trickery and crossing ability of Pennant would really increase our options imo.

I think the point we need to consider is the following:

1) Is Rafa going to stick SG on the right from now on?

2) Based on point 1 - do we really need a TOP world class RW costing us quite a bit or do we need a winger who we know to be inconsistent to the point where he does well in 70% of games but is average for the rest. Pennant probably fits into that category.

I am begining to think that with the progress of Momo and how well we play with Alonso and Momo in the middle rather than SG and Alonso - we may be better off getting a RW who is a support act to SG. You have to remember that Garcia also plays there at times and that Rafa is looking to get that Argentine midfielder so what role will he play ?

Then there is the question of Anderson. This season has come too early but if he is as good as he has looked on the occasions I've seen him, we may well see him break through in the middle of next season.

But yes, from what I have heard, contact has already been made with Birmingham regarding Pennant in the summer and we could well see him arrive for 3-4 million.

Good point bout SG on the right and Momo, Alonso in the centre.

But the thing is SG won't settle for a permanent RW spot I suppose.

Yeah Pennant is a good option and I just hate to see SWP's talents wasted at Chelsea. Just wonder how much he could do for us.

Heskey for 3m? I would pay him not to play for us. :laugh:

by **Ace Ventura** » Tue May 02, 2006 8:31 pm

stmichael wrote:I think the point we need to consider is the following:

1) Is Rafa going to stick SG on the right from now on?

2) Based on point 1 - do we really need a TOP world class RW costing us quite a bit or do we need a winger who we know to be inconsistent to the point where he does well in 70% of games but is average for the rest. Pennant probably fits into that category.

I am begining to think that with the progress of Momo and how well we play with Alonso and Momo in the middle rather than SG and Alonso - we may be better off getting a RW who is a support act to SG. You have to remember that Garcia also plays there at times and that Rafa is looking to get that Argentine midfielder so what role will he play ?

Then there is the question of Anderson. This season has come too early but if he is as good as he has looked on the occasions I've seen him, we may well see him break through in the middle of next season.

But yes, from what I have heard, contact has already been made with Birmingham.

Yeah you could be right from what i have read the argentine seems to be another defensive style central midfielder that would mean that with the fantastic form of Sissoko and Alonso that maybe Rafa has spoken to Steven and persuaded him after his best ever season that he is better suited to the freedom of playing wide.
Tbh i play a bit myself and given the option of RM or Centre i would take the wide role. You get more time and space and it offers the flexibility of swapping wings and really being difficult to mark.
Someone of Stevens ability in that position is lethal as proved 21 times or so this season.
If we can get Pennant for 3 or 4 million, it will only add to our options, over a long season we need plenty of different options especially in an area were we are weak.
I hope the majority of BIG money is spent on strengthening the forward line. Two top class forwards and Pennant could really make a big difference for a title push next season.

by **GunGod** » Tue May 02, 2006 8:34 pm

Ace Ventura wrote:Tbh i play a bit myself and given the option of RM or Centre i would take the wide role. You get more time and space and it offers the flexibility of swapping wings and really being difficult to mark.

Indeed, but from my own experience playing on the wings saps more energy than any other positions because it requires constant bursts of speed (and tracking back).

whew!

by **bigmick** » Tue May 02, 2006 8:40 pm

I've said for about the last six months that Gerrards most effective position to start from is on the right-hand side of midfield. This doesn't mean he is a "winger" in any sense of the word, it just means that he lines up there, closes off the oppositions left-side and begins his attacking movement from there.
He is without any question the best right-sided midfielder in the Premiership and quite possibly the best around right now., His mobility and power make him almost impossible to deal with when he is coming from out there and provided you have a midfielder who can cover when he goes awandering, then he has to to pkay there in my view. That we have the metronomic engine of Sissoko to cover dictates to me that that is where he must begin games, failing that and a close second he must play in and around the main striker.

by **Ace Ventura** » Tue May 02, 2006 8:41 pm

GunGod wrote:Indeed, but from my own experience playing on the wings saps more energy than any other positions because it requires constant bursts of speed (and tracking back).

whew!

Thankfully i am naturally fit

And so is our skipper, constant bursts of speed and tracking back are 2 of his better qualities.

by **stmichael** » Tue May 02, 2006 8:41 pm

I think the question should be, would he improve the right side of our team? I think yes. He'd strengthen the team as it is at present, is a good age, pacy, and would be reasonable if not cheap now. So yeh, why not?

Is there better without breaking the bank? Now that's a different question!!

I find the statements like "not good enough for LFC" somewhat arrogant. Great players cost great sums, and we are working on a limited budget. I mean, a few months ago some people on here were saying Robbie Keane is not good enough for us. I'd give anything for him now!

by **Bad Bob** » Tue May 02, 2006 8:51 pm

stmichael wrote:2) Based on point 1 - do we really need a TOP world class RW costing us quite a bit or do we need a winger who we know to be inconsistent to the point where he does well in 70% of games but is average for the rest. Pennant probably fits into that category.

I am begining to think that with the progress of Momo and how well we play with Alonso and Momo in the middle rather than SG and Alonso - we may be better off getting a RW who is a support act to SG. You have to remember that Garcia also plays there at times and that Rafa is looking to get that Argentine midfielder so what role will he play ?

An interesting question to say the least, mate...

Assuming for a moment that Stevie is fine with playing on the right a fair bit again next season, then it really does change the complexion of the RW question this summer. As you say, we may be much better served taking a chance on the likes of a Pennant (or, a Gera) to be used in more of a back-up role to Stevie.

BUT, for me, the question becomes will that strategy work if Stevie is required in the middle due to injuries, suspensions, etc. Will Pennant be able to step up and deliver over an extended run in the first team?

This, of course, is a question that is impossible to answer now. It'll depend on the lad's attitude and his ability to bed into the system--something that can't be established with certainty beforehand. This constitutes the 'gamble' with Pennant...can he step up?

Having said that, any "Top Class", high-priced winger we look to bring in will also be a gamble, IMO. Such a player is certainly going to come from another league, given the silly money required to secure proven, top-class premiership talent (not to mention that the teams such players currently play for would not be keen to sell to rivals like us). In other words, we're looking at a Joaquin or a Giuly rather than a Cole or a SWP. But, as we have seen with Nando, buying "Top Class" talent from abroad is no guarantee of success.

Soooo, like any move in the transfer market, bringing in someone for the right side of our midfield will be a gamble. The question is, what type of gamble do you prefer? The "Pennant Type" (established quality in England with some question marks about consistency and attitude) or the "Joaquin Type" (arguably world class quality abroad eith some question marks about adaptability)? All things being equal (including the notion that Stevie's on board with continuing on the right some next season), I'm inclined toward the Pennant gamble.

Incidently, the exact same decision will need to be made up front (call it the "Bellamy Type" vs the "Villa Type" gamble if you want...) but without the comfort of having the likes of a Steven Gerrard to fall back on in that position if it doesn't pan out!

Interesting dilemma this...

by **Bad Bob** » Tue May 02, 2006 9:03 pm

stmichael wrote:But yes, from what I have heard, contact has already been made with Birmingham regarding Pennant in the summer and we could well see him arrive for 3-4 million.

Having said what I just said above, if Pennant is available for this kind of money it becomes a no-brainer for me. He would definitely strengthen the squad and give us more options (like playing Stevie just behind the striker(s)) so we'd be crazy not to go get him for 3-4 million.

But, I suspect that this figure will go up as negotiations proceed. Like Crouch last year, Birmingham will try and squeeze us for an extra million or two. I wouldn't be surprised if the end figure is up around Crouchy's 7 million.

So, is the Pennant gamble worth it for 7 million? Or 8 million? It depends on what other funds we have for forwards, I suppose, but I'd still consider him for that kind of money. If he does what he's capable of, he'll make us a better and deeper team and that's the bottom line.

by **pur3 rav3r** » Tue May 02, 2006 9:18 pm

dmf wrote:We've seen Fowler return and now with birmingham going down maybe we'll see the return of heskey which is what we all wana see, right guys?

he aint who i would like to c come back,he has got talent but not gd enough if we want to pose any problems in europe

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