Our midfield

[JohnBonham]

With Zenden and possibly Momo out for season I´m a little worried over the rest of the season. Didi and Xabi is in my opinion not the ideal partnership. The can rotate in the holding role but Gerrard will have a very heavy workload if he is going to play every game in front of either of them. And neither Cisse nor Garcia is an ideal solution on the right. Maybe Kromkamp can play there? I would´nt want to split up our excellent defence by playing Finnan at rm.

 

Furthermore it´s vital that Didi, Xabi and Gerrard stay healthy, because now we don´t have adequate replacements for them. Is anyone from the reserves ready to step forward?

Edited February 23, 2006 by JohnBonham

[Falconhoof]

Shows what a blinder Rafa played by getting Momo and Zenden in. He's transformed the squad in key areas in a short space of time.

 

 

There are lads in the reserves that are doing really well at that level but its a hell of a step up. One of those young midfielders may get a place on the bench soon though.

[JohnBonham]

Shows what a blinder Rafa played by getting Momo and Zenden in. He's transformed the squad in key areas in a short space of time.

There are lads in the reserves that are doing really well at that level but its a hell of a step up. One of those young midfielders may get a place on the bench soon though.

 

Who is the closest of making the step in your opinion (in central midfield)?

[Falconhoof]

I haven't been the reserves for a couple of months so i'm not that well qualified to comment.

 

AdamS ?

 

I'd say Jack Hobbs is consistent, has the stamina that a replacement for Momo would need, is a strong tackler and has the physical presence, he could also cover for centre half.

He's only been at the club a short time though.

 

Maybe we'll see Anderson come onto the right wing to release gerrard to play in centre mid again.

 

In all honesty though, I think its too early for them to go into Premier League games. Who knows though, it might be a case of having to.

[Guest AdamS]

I don't think any of the midfielders are ready if there is a choice.

[Guest Sabre]

Hobbs would get the runaround at this stage in his career

[JohnBonham]

Furthermore Alonso and Hamann are both just one yellow away from suspension in the champions league, if I remember correctly.

[Stevie H]

can we recall salif diao from loan?

[IgPig]

i think we should try kromkamp on the right and move gerrard infield.

 

at the very least kromkamp is going to stay out wide and offer something defensively. Maybe Garcia/Cisse for the easier games

[12twelve]

Can we get Sinama back? At least he could do a job on the right

[Serko]

Howabout Barragan for right mid?

[Case]

can we recall salif diao from loan?

 

Shout. Pairing him with "neu enforcer de France" Bruno Cheyrou in the middle of the park would be ideal AND would give Stevie and Xabi a rest at the same time. Possibly permanently.

[Gilps]

can we recall salif diao from loan?

 

or Bruno Cheyrou?

 

Bugger. A case where reading a Case post might have been useful.

Edited February 23, 2006 by Gilps

[Andy-oh-six]

Shout. Pairing him with "neu enforcer de France" Bruno Cheyrou in the middle of the park would be ideal AND would give Stevie and Xabi a rest at the same time. Possibly permanently.

 

 

[Flight]

With Zenden and possibly Momo out for season I´m a little worried over the rest of the season. Didi and Xabi is in my opinion not the ideal partnership. The can rotate in the holding role but Gerrard will have a very heavy workload if he is going to play every game in front of either of them. And neither Cisse nor Garcia is an ideal solution on the right. Maybe Kromkamp can play there? I would´nt want to split up our excellent defence by playing Finnan at rm.

 

Furthermore it´s vital that Didi, Xabi and Gerrard stay healthy, because now we don´t have adequate replacements for them. Is anyone from the reserves ready to step forward?

 

 

Couldn't agree more and its been on my mind a lot.

 

We've got 15-22 games left to play in the next two months, one game every 3-4 days and the some of the lads are already knackered. We're risking serious injury.

 

 

Horrible thought, but with our squad it wouldn't be all bad news to get knocked out of both cups, so we could concentrate on second place. Second place is absolutely vital for the extra time it will give us next pre season, what with it being a WC year.

[Case]

or Bruno Cheyrou?

 

Bugger. A case where reading a Case post might have been useful.

 

[Guest westang]

i think we should try kromkamp on the right and move gerrard infield.

 

at the very least kromkamp is going to stay out wide and offer something defensively. Maybe Garcia/Cisse for the easier games

 

this looks like the most sensible call. but it also seems that with kromkamp playing at right mid and finnan at right back their understanding between each other is not so good: defensively they often run into each other's space and this partnership has yet to offer anything promising going forward... i know they have only played together for a short period of time, just hope rafa could sort that out ASAP.

[Guest Jack Bauer]

We could play Carragher in center midfield if we get desperate.

[fred milne]

I don't see a major problem with a Xabi-Didi CM pairing, provided Stevie is at RM.

 

The problem we had against Benfica was that Stevie was missing so the side looked very short on cutting edge.

Edited February 24, 2006 by fred milne

[magneto]

Problem we had against Benfica is that when we won the ball in midfield we didn't have someone to drive us forward. This forced us to hoof the ball up and lose impetus.

[Guest AdamS]

Problem we had against Benfica is that when we won the ball in midfield we didn't have someone to drive us forward. This forced us to hoof the ball up and lose impetus.

True, but Gerrard isn't the only player who can provide this. Kewell, Riise, Garcia, Finnan are all normally attacking outlets, they just happened to be piss poor the other night!

[madaboutlfc]

tailor made for Hammill to claim that right hand spot

[Guest AdamS]

tailor made for Hammill to claim that right hand spot

What are you basing that on?

[madaboutlfc]

What are you basing that on?

Ive seen the lad play loads of time and imo if given the chance he could be the solution. I would love it if he makes it here

[Guest AdamS]

Ive seen the lad play loads of time and imo if given the chance he could be the solution. I would love it if he makes it here

At what level have you seen him mostly, under 18's or reserve level? I've only seen him for the 18's once and he was outstanding. I have seen him for the ressies loads of times and while he does have the odd excellent game he is far from ready to step up in my opinion. A few months at Melwood could change him if his improvements mirror those of Guthrie, but he's far too lightweight and wasteful at the moment.

Edited February 24, 2006 by AdamS