Liverpool FC Forum

by **azriahmad** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 10:49 am

Supersub, what do you think of Smicer? I remembered the close season last year when he played well and scored a couple of goals in friendlies after the the arrival of Kewell and seem to be trying to show his worth/talent. I remembered you saying that he will start playing fot Liverpool like how he plays for the Checks.

During the early season, he got a run but as ever, he was his wasteful and ineffective self - losing possession and don't add anything to the attack. Then he got injured, I think and only came back towards the end of the season.

Personally, I find him infuriating. He is supposed to be this creative midfielder who is attacking minded and probably bought by Houllier because he used to play for Lens, Houllier's previous club (a bit like Hoddle who used to pick Spurs players for England religiously even though those fellas were useless and inconsistent). He has been inconsistent, very lightweight in the attack build-up, utterly wasteful ion passes and used to play too much, like Heskey. He is 31, on 25k a week which restricts who can sign him but has been really ineffective for us.

Any comments, Supersub?

by **LFC #1** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 10:53 am

A agree Azriah, I think Smicer should be sold.

by **azriahmad** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 11:03 am

LFC #1,
As much as we'd like fof the likes of Smicer and Diouf to be sold, there is this matter of their contracts.

Saints were interested in Smicer for 1.5 million but can't afford his wages of 25,000 per week.

As for Diouf, his agent has said there is no way Diouf will move to another club and take a pay cut even though he is no longer a part of Rafa's plans. "A contract has been agreed and my client has 2 more years of his contract left. This contract has been agreeb by both parties and should be honoured."

He is prepared to sit out in the reserves for the remainder of his lucrative contract or go to another club in Spain on loan. Loan arrangements are not so clear cut. In Chelski's case, they are subsidising Crespo's wages as inter refused to foot the whole amount. This may happen in Diouf's case as well but then, it is better to lose 10 grand or so a week than pay him the whole wages while he happily kicks his heels in the reserves.

by **Scousewil** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 12:37 pm

That's outrageous. Ok a contract has been signed but we're trying to build our club back up to great form after a terrible season and players like Diouf who never did anything for the club even when they were in the first team are 'prepared to sit out in the reserves for the remainder of his lucrative contract'. W@nker. I agree we need to strengthen the midfield some more - im not too concerned about the defence now after buying Josemi who can play in two positions. That's not to say I wouldn't strengthen it further if we had the funds but im more concerned about the midfield... i thought we definately would have bought another big name but Parry's ruled out any more 'big' spendin which makes me inclined to agree that we don't have the funds.

by **Stan Laurel** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 12:43 pm

Very unlucky for him, because he got 1 more year left on his contract.

Rafa will probably buy new right midfield player, I reckon it is going to be unknown player that I never heard of him.
It is same before, because we signed Josemi, that I have heard of him before.

by **ivor_the_injun** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 1:43 pm

Has Le Tallec actually gone anywhere yet? It wouldn't hurt to have him in the squad as cover for the midfield now that we're a man down.

by **LFC #1** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 2:19 pm

Beni said he can go out on loan if he wants, so i dount think he is part of his immediate plans.

by **JBG** » Sat Jul 31, 2004 2:35 pm

From what I have heard from America....

1. Benitez was "closing his cheque book" last week until Smicer got injured. Apparently he had earmarked Smicer as his first choice on the right of midfield. He now wants to buy a right sided midfielder.

2. There will probably only be one or two more signings and neither of them will be big stars, likely Angel of Malaga and another La Liga player.

3. Murphy appears to be very highly rated by Benitez.

4. Diao looks like he'll be given another chance.

5. Diouff's departure is imminent despite pleading for one more chance.

6. Benitez sees Le Tallec as a forward and not a midfielder and is unlikely to keep him as a replacement for Smicer.

I think the biggest problem is that there's no more money in the kitty and Parry won't spend anymore until fresh investment is brought in.

by **Dalglish** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 1:16 am

LFC #1 wrote:Dioa may improve under Benitez and i think he should get a shot, as his opportunities were limited under Houllier.

The problem with giving player a second shot at this level is that by the time you find out if the player has turned it around you have a 50% chance of getting it wrong and the title challenge is gone !

We need proven "QUALITY" in this right midfield position and personally I'd go all out for "Rosicky". he can play across the midfield and also just behind the forward line. Gives benitez a variety of options and i'd feel happier giving him a "chance" than bringing Daio or Biscan back !

We need to make a solid start and experimenting with Daio or Biscan on the basis that they played out of position under Houllier is being generous in the extreme in my opinion.

by **LFC #1** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 1:34 am

Dalglish wrote:
LFC #1 wrote:Dioa may improve under Benitez and i think he should get a shot, as his opportunities were limited under Houllier.

The problem with giving player a second shot at this level is that by the time you find out if the player has turned it around you have a 50% chance of getting it wrong and the title challenge is gone !

We need proven "QUALITY" in this right midfield position and personally I'd go all out for "Rosicky". he can play across the midfield and also just behind the forward line. Gives benitez a variety of options and i'd feel happier giving him a "chance" than bringing Daio or Biscan back !

We need to make a solid start and experimenting with Daio or Biscan on the basis that they played out of position under Houllier is being generous in the extreme in my opinion.

no doubt it would be a risk, and i am not advocating starting Diao, but as a squad player I still think he can do a job as he has shown glimpses in the past of being a good player, but we defo need a new RM and probably CM to play with Stevie G to have a top quality midfield.

by **Dalglish** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 2:53 am

I beg to differ there Scott. I've yet to see him have a good game apart from for Senegal in the World Cup.

Players often find their form after losing it but the quality has to be to start with and for me Daio hasn't got it ....

Walk on ...

by **LFC #1** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 3:21 am

fair enough Ian.
I am still willing to give Diao another chance, namely because if we don't sign any midfielders then we need back up in case of injuries, if we had've signed Ballack, Rosicky etc i would probaly be saying he is surplus to requirments, but with our lack of depth in midfield currently i don't think we can afford to sell him just yet.

But we will see what Rafa does.

by **akumaface** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 3:45 am

Diao has to go. You just don't see him have any sense on the field at all. He seems lost most of the time. Besides, how many games do you give him until you accept the fact he simply don't have it. By that time, it would be too late. I would rather give the chance to our youngster like welsh than to waste it on Diao.

by **115-1073096938** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 1:23 pm

Maybe.

But he did play in a side that went 12 league games unbeaten and climbed to the top of the league in his first full season and i also remember the Sunderland at anfield game, Basle away and Spartak Moscow where he had blinders.

by **fivecups** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 2:23 pm

John Barnes' Granny wrote:I think the biggest problem is that there's no more money in the kitty and Parry won't spend anymore until fresh investment is brought in.

Emphasises the importance of qualifying for the Champions League.

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