22 Jan 2016 13:53:07
Question for ya Lads, Ed01.

It's been a long time since i myself have seen ilori play, it would be back when he was with sporting. Now he hasn't played enough since then but I would imagine he hasn't regressed a whole lot in that time either. He still has a decent bit of pace, can pass well with composure and control, likes being on the ball, can put in a decent challenge and was/ is somewhat tactically aware and technically gifted. Would there in your opinions be an opportunity for him to apprentice himself to Lucas. Instead of becoming an out and out centre back does he have what's required to become a decent defensive midfielder? Either sitting in front of the back 4 with 2 cm in front or part of CM partnership alongside say a Can or Hendo?

Lucas is our most effective player in that position and when he is not there and we need a player like him we struggle. It's not looking like a priority to buy a DM and there's not a whole lot out there to buy anyway.

It's just a thought, I'd prefer Can and Hendo to be box to box with more emphasis on driving us forward and from what I've seen of Thiago and the type of player he is he could be ideal for DM. Think he might get more chances to show what he is about playing there.

Could be a terrible idea or it could be brilliant, would be interesting to read others thoughts and opinions on whether he could do it.

In this moment, I Believe.

{Ed001's Note - I didn't think he did a lot wrong at centre back, he was very composed in the Exeter replay, though he was never under enough pressure to judge him properly. I would like to see him get more games in that role, though it might be worth training him up as a holding midfielder, he has the mobility and range of passing to be extremely effective in a holding role. Maybe try him coming on late, in the way Kolo Toure has been used, to just sit and defend a lead late on, see if he does have promise.}

1.) 22 Jan 2016
22 Jan 2016 14:34:14
I'm really only replying because that was a great post Jax. I don't know enough about player positioning to know if that's a great idea but you convinced me!

2.) 22 Jan 2016
22 Jan 2016 15:13:52
Cheers lads, I thought he looked ok against Exeter considering the lack of match fitness he would be dealing with. He has shown to a degree that he will become a good defender in time, he has what it takes to be great to be fair to the lad but if we can sort our defensive issues out and Ward answers all our prayers in goal I think Thiago could become the rock in front of our defensive while being a major contributor and pivot point to our team when we switch from defence to attack. The only negative I could ever lay at Lucas' feet would be pace, apart from that he has pretty much everything you want from a DM whilst being steadfastly loyal, passionate, determined and having nothing but love for our great club, to have Thiago learn from and be mentored by Lucas (among others) could produce not only a top talent and great player for us but one filled with pride of who he plays for and love for the club and family that is LFC. It's an old school way to look at things to an extant but it's one that's sorely missed and could really work wonders for us. It's part of the reason why I admire and wanted Klopp so much, he instils this into his players and builds his teams with these things in mind.

3.) 22 Jan 2016
22 Jan 2016 15:17:49
Interesting thought although with his pace I could see him being a very good centre back as he would be able to utilize the pace sweeping more than he would in defensive midfield where for me it's more about positional knowledge for me and I'm not sure how he is on that as we can't really judge.
His pace could make up for his possible mis positioning however this for me is what a lot of poor cdms are like at the moment big and pacy and run slot but usually because they're at full pace when they make the tackle. Good thought for sure.

4.) 22 Jan 2016
22 Jan 2016 16:02:15
Let's see him get some sub time against PL opposition and see how he copes with those guys, would be great to have a CB or apprentice CDM in the club already rather than spending more money.

5.) 22 Jan 2016
22 Jan 2016 16:49:46
That sounds a great idea if the club was wise enough to actually release all the players we need too and utilise our current younger players a bit. I really like what he has to offer but I worry if he can naturally dominate his own box in the air. Premiership teams already try to attack us in this way so its defiantly a question mark over him atm. With his pace and ball playing it could be a perfect role for him.

{Ed002's Note - Financial disaster of course.}

6.) 22 Jan 2016
22 Jan 2016 19:30:33
Spot on, Ed01. I thought Ilori did a decent job and was very calm and collected in possession. He does need games and training to develop but is quite a useful player.

7.) 22 Jan 2016
22 Jan 2016 21:18:48
He was training as a DM at Aston Villa after they bought Richards.

8.) 22 Jan 2016
22 Jan 2016 17:15:35
Ok for release substitute sell Ed002, my mistake ;)

{Ed002's Note - Money, that would be the issues N.}