Sabre wrote:Just for the sake of discussion Ironically for the Luis Garcia, trickster and ball waster camp, LG is playing on the starting eleven, where as the so much desired Joaquin is not. Is it just me or we just don't appreciate King Luis as much as we should?
Definitely a bit under-appreciated in my opinion, Sabre. The trouble is, in a standard 4-4-2 where midfielders rather than fullbacks provide the width most of the time (as is usually played in England), Garcia struggles a bit when stuck out on the right or left. His natural inclination, as today's game illustrated, is to collect the ball on the wing and then cut infield. Conversely, he likes to drift infield on the weak side (when the ball is on the opposite flank) and show for the ball in the "hole" or at the edge of the box. Maintaining width by hugging the touchline and stretching opposition defenses down the flank is really not his game at all.
Which leads to my, "for the sake of discussion" question...
Given that we seem a little strapped for cash this transfer season, especially since Cisse will likely remain on the books. Might we consider bringing in one 'proven' striker and playing Luis more as a second striker next season. We've seen him take some wicked shots from distance, get into the box to latch onto lose balls/through balls and also to create chances for other players (such as Villa in the second half today). That seems to be the brief for a 'second striker.' I think we might get a lot more consistency and potency out of little Luis in that role and it provides the added benefit of saving us some cash. Just a thought.