by Owzat » Mon Apr 27, 2009 11:01 am
GYBS wrote:and yes agree that tevez would be better as a partner for torres . drops deep works like a dog and goes out wide both sides - would be very happy with tevez
Assuming the current system is best, and we don't want to risk losing effectiveness of any of Kuyt, Gerrard or Torres, then I'd bring in someone who scores more and maybe creates more than Riera on the left.
Working on the basis we stick to the formation that has served us so well through most of 2008 and 2009, I reckon the priorities are :-
LW/LWF : Riera is a good player, but if we can get someone like Kuyt for the opposite flank then we'd have four good sources of goals and that means we can stick with Alonso and Mascherano in more holding roles and get more goals (since those two are unlikely to turn out more than 6-7 between them in a Premiership season) Tevez might be ideal for that role, since Kuyt is naturally a striker then playing a striker on the opposite flank is a fairly obvious move. I like Riera, but needs must and he could still play a role if we switch formation or off the bench or as cover for Kuyt and Tevez/LWF
RB - I see mention of Arbeloa, I (too) am unconvinced he is good enough. Not solid enough defensively, not the best RB going forward either. I think he looks to lightweight when defending balls in the air, he has his moments but I'm not convinced he's any better than Finnan was.
CF - I could simply say Tevez, but I don't want to go to 4-4-2 so he'd have to used like Kuyt. If we could find a good CF, maybe a young one, who will start a few games a season but not be much more than a sub and squad player, then that's the kind of buy we need. Better than N'Gog, but not so much so that he wants regular 1st team action. That's why I've often said releasing Fowler was a mistake, he could have filled that role nicely (for a while at least)
LB - still a worry, anyone we play at LB has good games, sometimes a run of good games, but like Arbeloa don't offer quite what we need from full-backs. I assume Dossena will be a one season acquisition and be replaced, maybe Rafa will stick to Aurelio and Insua as his options.
CM - I think we need a bit of cover, Lucas is ok in what he does, but we need a slightly different player as cover. I'm not sure Barry would come to us, if he's any sense, because he'd have to displace someone and who is that going to be? Alonso? Gerrard? Mascherano? He might be better off where he is, playing regularly than no guarantee
RM - back-up for the Premiership 2nd best RM needed ( 
) I'd keep Benayoun as a sub and back-up for injuries, mainly to Gerrard. If we could find a pacy young winger at the right price then he could come on late in the game and play a role, it would certainly be cheaper than some people's shopping lists which would contain at least a couple of £20m signings and the usual £5m+ signings for a few other positions. RM is not nearly the biggest problem this season, if it is one at all.
CB - needs sorting more than needs more signings. I saw rumours that two clubs are after Sami, we'd need to secure him as a coach in the (near) future, or let him continue his playing career elsewhere. I'd rather Agger was given the chance to become the next Sami/Carra, but Rafa prefers Skrtel and Agger will no doubt move on sooner rather than later. I think Carra and Agger is our best pairing, if the defence can sort out problems from set pieces then I don't think it's that big an issue.
All that said I think continuity has a lot to be said for it, not making too many significant changes to the team. So while I think we could do with a few players in various positions, I still think we should be sticking with the current formation and most of the current options.
GK Reina
RB new signing
LB Aurelio
CB Carragher
CB Agger
CM Mascherano
CM Alonso
AM Gerrard
RWF Kuyt
LWF new signing (Tevez perhaps?)
CF Torres
seven home draws have been our problem, more goals and attacking prowess from a LWF could fix enough to make draws less of an issue - and maybe changing formation or personnel (Mascherano) against sides we should be beating at home. I think the above retains our better performers, maintains enough continuity and if we work on defending set-pieces then we can add a strong new addition every season, whether they are to be starters or squad players.Never buy from PC World, product quality is poor and their 'customer service' is even poorer
