17 Jan 2018 06:58:21
Hi Eds,

What's the plan for TAA next season once a RB is bought in the summer? Is he facing a stint on the bench down the midfield/ right back pecking order?

{Ed001's Note - the same as this season, rotation option.}

1.) 17 Jan 2018
17 Jan 2018 07:46:16
Will it be rotation with Gomez ed or with Clyne? I’d prefer Gomez and TAA if Gomez isn’t given a shot at CB.

{Ed001's Note - I think you missed the original question mate. He was saying when a new RB comes in. I very much doubt Clyne will play for Liverpool again, it would be a big shock if he is at the club next season. Klopp has had issues with him for a long time. Gomez will be a rotation option for CB/RB and TAA for RB/CM I believe.}

2.) 17 Jan 2018
17 Jan 2018 08:07:58
Ed001, have we actually looked at any right backs recently? There was a rumour about Ricardo Pereira a year ago, and talk of Sime Vrsaljko in November.

Aside from that, I've seen nothing. I personally think there is a real lack of quality options around. The only good right back in the Premier League in my opinion is Azpilicueta, and he plays centre back! I'd happily throw the Cheque book at Chelsea for him though, if we were in a fantasy world. Unbelievable player.

{Ed001's Note - we have looked at a few mate, but nothing too serious as there were other positions that were more vital in previous windows. This summer is when it moves up the priority list.}

3.) 17 Jan 2018
17 Jan 2018 08:57:39
An option for CM ed. that's interesting mate. Tbh I didn't even consider him an option there.

{Ed001's Note - his long term future was always seen as being in midfield.}

4.) 17 Jan 2018
17 Jan 2018 09:41:18
There are a few good RB's around MK, think you're being a little harsh! Bellerin, Walker, Trippier, Davies, Clyne and Valencia are all not perfect but definitely better than just 'competent' RB's.

{Ed001's Note - I do not rate Trippier at all, Clyne is dreadful and who is Davies? If you mean Ben Davies of Spurs, he is a left back mate and he is exceedingly average on his best days.}

5.) 17 Jan 2018
17 Jan 2018 10:00:59
Cheers Ed. Have to say i was massively impressed with that Bailey Wright, Bristol City captain. He was fantastic against Man City in the first leg.

I'd be surprised if a few clubs didn't take a look to be honest. Though i suspect it's more likely to be a team such as Bournemouth, West Ham or Burnley who would show an interest, if he was to move to the top flight.

It's a shame we no longer have the courage to sign players directly from the lower divisions or Scotland. Just off the top of my head in recent years, we've spent big money of Robertson, Clyne, Van Dijk, Lallana, Ings, Mane etc. All players we could've signed for a drop in the ocean if we'd properly scouted the so called lesser leagues in Europe. If Ian Rush was playing today, Southampton would sign him for £2m, and then we'd pay £80m two years later!

{Ed001's Note - it is the way it is these days, none of the big clubs really pick up unproven talent.}

6.) 17 Jan 2018
17 Jan 2018 10:20:22
MK, I disagree. I would not want any of those players at LFC. Walker is a good thlete, not a good footballer. Bellerin can't defend vs a chair, Clyne is poor and Trippier is just ok BUT not an upgrade on Gomez or TAA.

7.) 17 Jan 2018
17 Jan 2018 10:56:47
Wasn't me BRover. Out of all of those players hijkle listed, Trippier is the only one i think is decent. The rest are average.

Walker, Clyne and Bellerin are sprinters, not footballers. Davies is an average left back, and Valencia has done an amicable job, but he is awful at stopping crosses into the box. Like the rest of United's defence, he is totally reliant on the brilliance of De Gea to bail him out, so his constant errors are not highlighted.

The best right back in the league this season has been Stephen Ward at Burnley. Azpilicueta is the best overall, but he is playing centre back.

Ultimately, your first job is to defend and none of the right backs hijkle listed can actually do that. Walker is probably still on the Anfield pitch trying to track Mane's run. Trippier and Valencia at least consistently offer a good end product offensively, but that's about it. They are liabilities defensively. Clyne, Bellerin and Walker all just smash the ball into the box as hard as they can and hope to get lucky. Ridiculously over rated players.

{Ed001's Note - Ward is a left back.}

8.) 17 Jan 2018
17 Jan 2018 10:59:06
Is that because Clyne is an arse, ed001?

{Ed001's Note - something like that yes.}

9.) 17 Jan 2018
17 Jan 2018 11:20:54
You are right Ed, he is! I stand corrected. He's been brilliant though. Never would've thought a player at his age could improve so much. Same goes for Phil Bardsley (the player I've mixed him up with) who has been brilliant when called upon, despite looking absolutely atrocious for the last decade! I'm not sure Lowton deserves to be picked ahead of him on this seasons form. Dyche deserves huge plaudits for the things he is getting out of some players. Bardsley, Tarkowski, Ward, Hendrick, Brady, Gudmunsson, Barnes and Wood are all bang average players, playing out of their skins under Dyche. The only players they have who are actually good are Pope, Mee and Cork. Those 3 would all fit right in at Liverpool by the way! Defour is good if he gets back to his best though.