Full backs

[Dan]

Although Arbeloa has played well I think i still prefer Finnan at RB. His distribution, particularly crossing is better than Arbeloa and defensively he's sound enough. I know he had a couple of dodgy games but i'd like to see a recall next game.

 

On the left Aurelio is obviously first choice LB, hopefully he won't have to play in midfield again. As soon as Kewell is back i hope Riise is benched. I know its like groundhog day with him but he was sh*t in both positions again last night. I'm sure Rafa pushed Aurelio up because Riise had squandered a couple of good openings on the left. The thing that p*ssed me off most though was when Mascherano had the ball in the corner after Crouch's header onto the bar and he needed support and Riise just stood there and shirked it, not offering himself when he could have got another cross in.

[Raj]

Aurelio's technique, when he strikes a ball is very good. His crossing is excellent too. Let's hope he can stay fit.

Edited November 11, 2007 by roegahnn

[Cooldude]

Arbeloa is just at good at left back and should probably play there. Both of them are comfortable enough defensively while being effective when going forward.

 

Still concerned about Aurelio at left back, while he is absolutely wonderful on the ball and passes beautifully, defensively he can be suspect and better right wingers might exploit his weaknesses. If anything I wouldn't mind having him at left mid. As long as they can keep Riise from getting a game then all is well

[Benitez]

in home games like the two this week, I'd prefer to see Arbeloa remain at right back. Just think he offers more there than Finn these days, in an attacking sense.

 

I'd prefer to see Aurelio stay at left back all the time, so long as he's fit!

[Stevie H]

aurelio's defensive game is about getting back to match sharpness. he's not a bad defender at all. and his use of the ball is just top class, always seems to find a team-mate.

[Owen1978]

Alves for RB!

[Magic8Ball]

Alves for RB!

someone like Alves may be as vital as Torres for us developing as a team.

Alves with his good engine and ball skills would be able to play both as a RB and a RW, this would provide width while allowing Rafa to play Benayoun or Gerrard on the RW. Playing Gerrard on the RW solves the problem of midfield where Mash and Alonso can play - now with Kewell at LW and Torres as striker we have our best players in their most effective positions! The missing player is Torres's strike partner - Voronin, Babel, Benayoun - I would go for Babel or Benayoun as these players could also cover on the right when Gerrard starts roaming

[Buzz]

Arbeloa reminds me a bit of Josemi - he always seems to be the first person to reach the goalscorer and start the celebrations!

[kop205]

For me, there is little to choose between Finnan and Arbeloa at RB so I'm happy for them to fight it out and may the best man win. Having said that, although I've never really been taken with Alves when I've seen him play, I can see the argument that we need that kind of player with the ability to maraud forward up the right as especially if Benayoun plays out there (and at the moment he should be) we don't have much true width.

 

At LB, I'd go with Aurelio when fit. He's not as bad defensively as some have made out and as someone said the other day, how many right midfielders are there around who you would back to really give him a tough time? Ronaldo? And then...? If needs be, Arbeloa can always be shifted across to allow a bit more solidity on occasions but on the whole I'd go with Fabio.

[Knox_Harrington]

Get shut of Riise for whatever silly money Villa are offering, get Alves in. Fullbacks boxed off for three seasons.

[Stevie H]

Arbeloa reminds me a bit of Josemi - he always seems to be the first person to reach the goalscorer and start the celebrations!

arbeloa's goal celebrations are f***ing boss. josemi just seemed to appear there like some kind of sick spanish 'where's wally?'. arbeloa bombs up there and launches himself at the scorer. top man.

[Sion]

I think Arbeloa and Aurelio should be our first choice full-backs, when playing lesser opposition for sure anyway. They offer much more of an attacking threat and an outlet from defence than if it was Riise and Finnan. You can see the effect especially Aurelio has, in that Hyypia/Carra/Reina looked for him everytime they got the ball in the last two games, rather than the usual hoof tactics.

[L19red]

I think Arbeloa and Aurelio should be our first choice full-backs, when playing lesser opposition for sure anyway. They offer much more of an attacking threat and an outlet from defence than if it was Riise and Finnan. You can see the effect especially Aurelio has, in that Hyypia/Carra/Reina looked for him everytime they got the ball in the last two games, rather than the usual hoof tactics.

 

spot on. At the beginning of the year rafa said "If its on then go for it" arbeloa and aurelio do that far more than Finnan and Riise.

[DarthVader]

When fit Aurelio should be LB.If we require a bit more solidity away from home then it should be Arbeloa.Finnan is not getting any younger and I think the perfect replacement for him is Alves.It's amazing that he is still at Sevilla after so many seasons of transfer rumours.He is the type of attacking RB that could really add a new attacking dimension to our offensive play,especially in games like yesterday where we seemed to run out of ideas until Torres was unleashed.

[kick316]

arbeloa's goal celebrations are f***ing boss. josemi just seemed to appear there like some kind of sick spanish 'where's wally?'. arbeloa bombs up there and launches himself at the scorer. top man.

 

Yesterday, Arbeloa's goal celebrations were less energetic than normal. If I'm not mistaken for the first goal, Pepe ran up to Torres and celebrated before Arbeloa caught up. And for the second, did he even launch himself at Gerrard?

 

His standards are slipping! Get rid!

[Buzz]

arbeloa's goal celebrations are f***ing boss. josemi just seemed to appear there like some kind of sick spanish 'where's wally?'. arbeloa bombs up there and launches himself at the scorer. top man.

Maybe they should put that on the back of the mags instead of Johnnie Cash!

I do love to see Arbeloa do that, he seems as happy as when he has scored himself, gotta be top for team spirit having players like that.

Edited November 11, 2007 by Buzz

[Benitez]

A class Alvaro goal celebration

 

 

He's a fecin loon

[Guest petelfc]

Arbeloa is my first choice for both right and left back. Defensively there's not much to choose between him and the others, but he's a lot more positive going forward, which is a must at home.

[_00_deathscar]

I was just mentioning this to a friend of mine - I love our Spanish contingent!

 

Crazy Pepe

Looney Alvaro

Cool Xabi

Classy Torres

Calm Rafa

 

Would've been the complete family with Happy Luis!

[abc]

Finnan was excellent against Arsenal and Blackburn in the attacking third of the pitch I thought. Remember his little turn which setup Stevie's shot that led to Alonso getting tripped for the free kick against Arsenal? And against Blackburn Finnan was one of our best players on and off the ball, attacking and defending.

 

Arbeloa has more pace and therefore can bomb forward with less inhibition and has good attacking sense, but Finnan is the better defender and crosser. Depends on Rafa's tactics for the day I suspect.

 

In any case, that's the right back position covered by two excellent players.

[oran]

arbeloa should be first choice.he is good defensively and much better then finnan going forward.finnan may cross better,but arbeloa can dribble past players and he looks up before he crosses.it also seems like he has better understanding with benayoun.

[usualsuspect]

arbeloa should be first choice.he is good defensively and much better then finnan going forward.finnan may cross better,but arbeloa can dribble past players and he looks up before he crosses.it also seems like he has better understanding with benayoun.

 

You, my man are SPOT ON!

We always talk about how the opposition should worry about us rather than us worrying about them. Arbeloa is better than Finnan attacking wise and is much more comfy on the ball. Seemingly our one and only consistent by-line threat. His supports Bennie well who likes to drift in-wards.

We have Masch to cover any gaps he leaves behind

[Gunga Din]

still think we are in dire need of a good left back, Arbeloa is decent, but our left back spot is still a weak link in the team, and i'm not overly convinced with any of the ones that currently play there, Arbeloa is probably the best LB at the minute, but Finnan is woefully out of form, and Arbeloa is better at RB than LB for me.

[Guest JV]

A class Alvaro goal celebration

He's a fecin loon

[The_MC]

I really like Aurelio as left back, he's such a classy player and he's got the vision and execution to make things happen from there, which is hard to find. Arbeloa has probably been our most consistent full-back this season (apart from Riise who's been consistently poor), so i see no reason why we shouldnt stick with them two. Use Finnan in away games when we're against forward-minded teams, but at home i agree we have to be the team forcing the opposition into changing their style, and Arbeloa looks very good from an attacking perspective.

 

I think the time has probably passed for Alves. We should've paid the £15million when we had the chance instead of being so tight-fisted, because he wont go for less than £25million now and with us already having two quality right-backs that money could be better used elsewhere (Villa probably wouldnt cost much more). I think we should have another stab at getting in Chiellini from Juve; he's still young and would offer cover for left back and centre back equally, both of which we need.