Top to Bottom

[New York Red]

They are all to blame. Including Rafa.

 

Pepe -- Still great. I wouldn't have any other.

GloJo -- Great going forward, terrible defender. Been exposed. May need to move forward. Permanently.

Carra -- Stick a fork in him.

Agger -- Getting dragged down by this.

Insua -- He's not good enough is he? It's tough to admit he was a mistake.

Kuyt -- The work rate just isn't enough mate. You're just not great. Good, not great.

Marcherano -- I'd still take him, but I wonder if his mind is out of here.

Lucas -- Not good enough. Squad player at best.

Reina -- Quite unimpressive overall.

Stevie -- Has he packed it in? Not a great captain. I hope we're not seeing the beginning of the end.

Nando -- I wouldn't have anyone else.

Benny -- Love the guy.

Babel -- Rubbish. It was obvious a while ago.

Auerilio -- Great player but you can't rely on him. A luxury really.

Degen -- Pointless

Dossena -- Waste of 8 million.

Skrtel -- Maybe he'll turn things around. I suspect not. His weaknesses have been exposed.

Ngog -- I'm optimistic. Our third striker in the future.

Aquilani -- I'm puzzled. I still don't have a clue about him.

Voronin -- Why wasn't he sold when his value was highest with the Germans? An opportunity lost.

Spearing -- Crap. He'll never make it. Does he get a pass because he's a local lad?

Kyrgiakos -- OK I suppose for a proper fourth choice. Carra would be the best fourth choice though.

Plessis -- He'll never make it. Liquidate.

Nemeth -- The reports seem good. Maybe a third choice.

El Zahr -- Just not good enough either. Bye bye.

Darby -- Just not good enough either. Bye bye to you too.

Kelly -- I have high hopes for him.

Pacheco -- Looks great. Why isn't he playing more?

Ayala -- Looks a bit lightweight, but the jury is out.

 

Rafa -- The jury is well and truly out now. He seems to have lost the team and frankly, a change would at least gee the team up a bit. But we're stuck aren't we? He's not going to get paid off with us in the financial situation we are in. But his tactics are negetive, he's made some terrible personnel decisions, he seems to have lost the ability to inspire the players, and I suspect that he may have been exposed as lacking in ideas to break out of a malaise. He needs to look hard at himself and address his shortcomings. What he is doing is clearly not working.

 

Sammy Lee -- Another shouter in the mode of Thommo. Can't we have a pit-bull who is a bit more inspiring than him? Could he handle things if Rafa went down? He should be able to. I don't think he could. Our number two should be in demand to take over somewhere else.

 

Pellegrino -- Seems decent enough. Rafa seems to love him. Is he technically as good as we can get?

 

Macia -- He hasn't set the world on fire. In fact, our pipeline is rubbish.

 

Purslow -- He may have the right contacts and ability to run our club well. He has been tainted by his bosses. I think he's been impressive financially. He's got a herculean task on his hands, and I think he done well with sponsorships. With the right ownership, he could be brilliant. Needs to hire a top notch director of personnel. I doubt it is his forte and frankly I don't think it's Rafa's either.

 

The Owners -- There is no more to be said about them. Without them gone, all of these issues are moot points. With them in place, we'll never really get where we need to be.

[Benzo-13]

When we're losing that lot lot look bad but they're better than this and we all know it.

[New York Red]

I think we've been exposed Benz. Everyone has. Including Stevie and Rafa.

[crisps]

 

Pepe -- Still great. I wouldn't have any other.

Reina -- Quite unimpressive overall.

 

 

 

...but overall I agree!

Edited December 19, 2009 by crisps

[New York Red]

Ha! Thanks for that. Reina, Riera, these foreign names are all so bloody confusing. I like the baldy bloke. I'm not keen on the other one. I forget what positions they are now...

[muleskinner]

I think we've been exposed Benz. Everyone has. Including Stevie and Rafa.

 

Gerrard has been exposed for what exactly? He has been injured and is surrounded by mediocrity this season. He hasn't hit his straps this year for a variety of reasons but he is among the top 5 best players in the world.

[New York Red]

Gerrard has been exposed for what exactly? He has been injured and is surrounded by mediocrity this season. He hasn't hit his straps this year for a variety of reasons but he is among the top 5 best players in the world.

 

He's been exposed as being a poor leader for starters. He's also been incredibly lethargic considering how much we need him for inspiration.

[Murphman]

I think we've been exposed Benz. Everyone has. Including Stevie and Rafa.

 

 

F*ck off M. Seriously, don't get sucked in to talking b******s like the others on here, we were second last year with Rafa at the helm and Gerrard as captain, exposed as what exactly?

[allawee]

Shankly once said:

 

“A lot of football success is in the mind. You must believe you are the best and then make sure that you are.”

 

I think the opposite of that is our problem at the moment and probably quite few of our players as well. 2 o3 back to back wins and it will all change I assure you and I will remind you of the this post.

Edited December 19, 2009 by allawee

[Murphman]

Shankley once said:

 

“A lot of football success is in the mind. You must believe you are the best and then make sure that you are.”

 

I think the opposite of that is our problem at the moment and probably quite few of our players as well. 2 o3 back to back wins and it will all change I assure you and I will remind you of the this post.

 

 

His name is SHANKLY. FFS!

[allawee]

His name is SHANKLY. FFS!

Blame google chrome, it auto corrected the text for me. I am terrible with my spelling!

[Zoob]

2 o3 back to back wins and it will all change I assure you and I will remind you of the this post.

 

I agree with that - the problem is that we've not managed 2 league wins in a row since the end of September

 

And I'm beginning to shudder every time I hear 'our season starts now' or 'we've turned the corner' (disturbing reminder of Houllier's last season)

[Murphman]

Blame google chrome, it auto corrected the text for me. I am terrible with my spelling!

 

 

I would normally accept that but FFS Shankly? This week of all weeks.

 

You are forgiven my son go in peace.

[muleskinner]

He's been exposed as being a poor leader for starters. He's also been incredibly lethargic considering how much we need him for inspiration.

 

He is clearly not fit, but don't let that stop you.

[floyd the barber]

regarding just the players..

 

Pepe -- outstanding, wouldnt have any other keeper in the world - FIRST TEAM

GloJo -- basically we all knew what we were getting, great going forward..horrible defender....honestly think we overpaid..and if he wasnt good enough for chelsea..why will he good enough for us?! hes the new Riise in my book - JURY OUT

Carra -- slow, past it....is saved by his fantastic passion including some unbelievable last ditch challenges (including one today) but is it enough?? - KEEP SQUAD

Agger -- fantastic player....he really needs a consistent run to see how good he really is - KEEP

Insua -- think hes ok.....needs a rest, definetly one for the future...not good enough right now though - KEEP-SQUAD

Kuyt -- yes he works alot....but we need alot more, shouldnt be a first choice - KEEP SQUAD

Marcherano -- love him...great player - FIRST TEAM

Lucas -- a decent player, but surely not of the standard we need - GET RID

Reira -- completely average player...again if he wasnt good enough for man city...why did we offer a 2nd chance?? - GET RID

Stevie -- looks lost right now....but he`ll be back - FIRST TEAM

Nando -- legend - FIRST TEAM

Benny -- a good player...but good enough to be first choice?? i dont think so.....we should be looking at a step up - KEEP SQUAD

Babel -- ha - GET RID

Auerilio -- injury prone, pretty good when fit....-KEEP SQUAD

Degen -- huh ? - GET RID

Dossena -- actually think hes a good player, doubt he`ll be around long...nor do i think hes the quality we need - GET RID

Skrtel -- a player who looks better than he really is, very poor in the air.....seems to make bad decisions - JURYS OUT

Ngog -- gonna be a good player, has done a good job while torres was out - KEEP SQUAD

Aquilani -- i honestly dont think he will be here long....in the brief times we have seem him...he looks a little sluggish and slow....but hard to judge the guy really - JURYS OUT

Voronin -- ha - GET RID

Spearing -- hes alright, cannot for the life of me seeing him make the grade..for the benefit of his career..he should move - GET RID

Kyrgiakos -- maybe a good squadie....but again wasnt that great for Rangers..so why is he with us?? - GET RID

Plessis -- average - GET RID

Nemeth -- one for the future- KEEP SQUAD

El Zahr -- average - GET RID

Darby -- hard to judge, young needs games - KEEP SQUAD

Kelly -- looks a great prospect - KEEP SQUAD

Pacheco -- one for the future..deserves to be on the bench more - KEEP SQUAD

Ayala - looks ok, again hard to judge - KEEP SQUAD..

 

so i make that 5 players who are good enough (right now) to be first team players.......

 

Looking at the list..we really do have alot of deadwood..

 

voronin,babel,lucas,the greek,el zhar,plessis,dossena,degen,Riera

 

none are good enough for us...surely?!?!?! shanks would be shocked at some of the average players in our squad.

Edited December 19, 2009 by Lets get Masched

[Jim D]

Reina -- Great, one of the best Goalkeepers in Europe

Cavalieri -- Back up, nothing more

Johnson -- Great going forward, needs to work on his defending particularly his awareness, right midfield slot maybe?

Carra -- Congrats on 500 games but he's becoming a shadow of the player he once was, back line have to compensate for his lack of pace, we sit deep meaning huge gulf on the pitch to the front men. Put him in the Sami role.

Agger -- Suffering, not seen enough of him with the ball at his feet making those forward runs, lack of confidence in himself and his team mates.

Insua -- Looked great last season, confidence gone, making elementary mistakes, opposition target him as a weak link, can't seem to compensate/adjust for his lack of height.

Kuyt -- Workaholic, still scoring but he's not a right winger, good player but not great.

Mascherano -- Good player, one of the best players in the world for his position but isn't right upstairs at the moment

Lucas -- Trying to establish himself into the first team, replacing Alonso, huge burden on his shoulders, looking a squad player at best, too similar to Mascherano in approach.

Riera -- Squad player, hit and miss, looking injury prone.

Gerrard --On a downer, one of the best players in the world but with the team going through a rough patch is it showing he isn't true material to be captain of the team? Is he still injured and playing through the pain barrier?

Torres -- World Class player wouldn't swap him for anyone, frustration starting to creep in, who can blame him

Benayoun -- Came on leaps and bounds last season, established himself as a first team player, suffering from the lack support from his team mates.

Babel -- Should have gone in the summer, he'll never make it here not through lack of ability but through lack of mentality

Aurelio -- Looks decent when he gets a run in the side but injuries will stop him from becoming an established full back for us

Degen -- Glass man II, like NYR said, whats the point?

Dossena -- Decent in Italy, s**** in England, not adapted at all to the pace and strength of the English game. Why did he get a start today, baffling.

Skrtel -- Looked solid last season, decent defender but early season collision has affected him mentally, confidence low

Ngog -- Promising, one of the few positives from this season so far, deserves an extended run

Aquilani -- What is going on?

Voronin -- Should have gone in the summer when we had the opportunity, mediocre player

Spearing -- Just another Mascherano/Lucas type player, do we need any more of those? Not good enough for the first team

Kyrgiakos -- Purchased for back up, price reflects ability of the player, should be moved on at the end of the season

Plessis - See Spearing

El Zhar -- Not good enough

Edited December 19, 2009 by Jim D

[muleskinner]

regarding just the players..

 

Pepe -- outstanding, wouldnt have any other keeper in the world - FIRST TEAM

GloJo -- basically we all knew what we were getting, great going forward..horrible defender....honestly think we overpaid..and if he wasnt good enough for chelsea..why will he good enough for us?! hes the new Riise in my book - JURY OUT

Carra -- slow, past it....is saved by his fantastic passion including some unbelievable last ditch challenges (including one today) but is it enough?? - KEEP SQUAD

Agger -- fantastic player....he really needs a consistent run to see how good he really is - KEEP

Insua -- think hes ok.....needs a rest, definetly one for the future...not good enough right now though - KEEP-SQUAD

Kuyt -- yes he works alot....but we need alot more, shouldnt be a first choice - KEEP SQUAD

Marcherano -- love him...great player - FIRST TEAM

Lucas -- a decent player, but surely not of the standard we need - GET RID

Reira -- completely average player...again if he wasnt good enough for man city...why did we offer a 2nd chance?? - GET RID

Stevie -- looks lost right now....but he`ll be back - FIRST TEAM

Nando -- legend - FIRST TEAM

Benny -- a good player...but good enough to be first choice?? i dont think so.....we should be looking at a step up - KEEP SQUAD

Babel -- ha - GET RID

Auerilio -- injury prone, pretty good when fit....-KEEP SQUAD

Degen -- huh ? - GET RID

Dossena -- actually think hes a good player, doubt he`ll be around long...nor do i think hes the quality we need - GET RID

Skrtel -- a player who looks better than he really is, very poor in the air.....seems to make bad decisions - JURYS OUT

Ngog -- gonna be a good player, has done a good job while torres was out - KEEP SQUAD

Aquilani -- i honestly dont think he will be here long....in the brief times we have seem him...he looks a little sluggish and slow....but hard to judge the guy really - JURYS OUT

Voronin -- ha - GET RID

Spearing -- hes alright, cannot for the life of me seeing him make the grade..for the benefit of his career..he should move - GET RID

Kyrgiakos -- maybe a good squadie....but again wasnt that great for Rangers..so why is he with us?? - GET RID

Plessis -- average - GET RID

Nemeth -- one for the future- KEEP SQUAD

El Zahr -- average - GET RID

Darby -- hard to judge, young needs games - KEEP SQUAD

Kelly -- looks a great prospect - KEEP SQUAD

Pacheco -- one for the future..deserves to be on the bench more - KEEP SQUAD

Ayala - looks ok, again hard to judge - KEEP SQUAD..

 

so i make that 5 players who are good enough (right now) to be first team players.......

 

Looking at the list..we really do have alot of deadwood..

 

voronin,babel,lucas,the greek,el zhar,plessis,dossena,degen,Riera

 

none are good enough for us...surely?!?!?! shanks would be shocked at some of the average players in our squad.

 

Can't be f***ed going thru your list but Glen Johnson chose us OVER Chelsea last Summer.

[floyd the barber]

Can't be f***ed going thru your list but Glen Johnson chose us OVER Chelsea last Summer.

 

i know he did...cos he wanted guaranteed first team football, something he didnt get when he was originally at chelsea..

 

dont get me wrong, i want the guy to succeed...i just believe we did overpay for a full back when really the money could have been spent in better areas....Arbeloa might not have been as good going forward, but he was a much better defender...

[New York Red]

F*ck off M. Seriously, don't get sucked in to talking b******s like the others on here, we were second last year with Rafa at the helm and Gerrard as captain, exposed as what exactly?

 

 

Well my ancient compadre, I think we may have been exposed as over-achievers last year. We may be exposed as just plain crap his year. We may be exposed as being amazingly deficient in assembling the right squad for this campaign. We may have exposed that Stevie has lost his passion for us; it's not like he hasn't before (remember the summer of 2005?

 

Whatever it is Murph, clearly there is a terminal illness in our club. It's heartbreaking.

[Gunga Din]

we have Reina, MAscherano Gerrard and Torres. the rest are all easily replaceable, and an argument could be made to replace the rest of them. there isnt another one other than those i would be annoyed if they left

[floyd the barber]

we have Reina, MAscherano Gerrard and Torres. the rest are all easily replaceable, and an argument could be made to replace the rest of them. there isnt another one other than those i would be annoyed if they left

 

Even Agger? think hes a great player and our best defender when fit......

[Hassony]

we have Reina, MAscherano Gerrard and Torres. the rest are all easily replaceable, and an argument could be made to replace the rest of them. there isnt another one other than those i would be annoyed if they left

 

that's actually true

 

I suppose Agger is next but he injury prone, after that it's probably Pecheco :-(

[Gunga Din]

Even Agger? think hes a great player and our best defender when fit......

 

Agger gets better in peoples minds the longer he is out injured. everytime he comes back i'm expecting Hansen or Beckenbaur

[Earl Hafler]

Agger gets better in peoples minds the longer he is out injured. everytime he comes back i'm expecting Hansen or Beckenbaur

 

 

And Gerrard's bad games disappear from memory as soon as he returns to form.

[Rocheteau]

Main problem, confidence is shot, simple solution, refocus on the basics - I am Phil Thompson and I claim my fiver

 

 

(actually its probably very good advice watching our defending recently)

Edited December 20, 2009 by ChaoticPrimate