Liverpool Banter Archive January 18 2018

18 Jan 2018 20:33:58
I'm very much for giving youth a chance as opposed to signing someone on ridiculous wages, also feel we have enough quality to finish in the top 2/ 3 without an addition this window. However I thought Sunderland was a good opportunity for Woodburn and if he's not going then he has to get some game time with us IMO. Already a shame to see Ward not given the chance to develop elsewhere hopefully this is the right choice for Ben and the squad.

18 Jan 2018 21:15:14
IMO woodburn isn't going to get a chance this year, he has stayed on just in case the squad is down t the bare bones.

As with ward they should have been allowed to leave on loan, what klopp has done with ward is ridiculous (unless something has happened behind closed doors) he should have had a decent crack at No 1 spot if staying on.

18 Jan 2018 21:35:39
Have to agree on Ward lavers does seem a strange decision! Understand if he's staying as a back up but maybe we could have had an option to recall him from Sunderland if our injuries got bad!

I actually think Wilson is more first team ready but that ship has sailed as klopp doesn't seem to think he's good enough.

19 Jan 2018 00:03:54
After throwing his toys out I think Ming's might well find he's nos 3 come the weekend.

19 Jan 2018 03:58:10
Whilst his chances may be limited, I hope Woodburn proves to be a competent squad member if called upon. The kid is still so young. Any chances he gets this season will be so valuable for him. Depending on how the squad shapes up after the summer window, maybe then it will be time for him to go on loan for the season.

18 Jan 2018 17:55:48
Hi eds

Is Rodriguez a realistic option?
Also heard brandt will soon have a 11 million buyout clause? Do you know if this is correct, as he has been a target?

{Ed002's Note - (a) Read the posts. (b) Ignore the "clauses".}

18 Jan 2018 18:08:18
Who is Rodriguez?

18 Jan 2018 18:17:03
Maxi?

18 Jan 2018 20:03:32
James? No. He is on a two year loan to Bayern right now except we wanna pay some serious dough in transfers and wages on a player who is lazy and overrated, all the "qualities" Klopp despises.

19 Jan 2018 04:03:50
Maxi. for some reason, and i can't quite work out why, i really liked him as a player with us. Far from spectacular, but popped up with the odd piece of brilliance now and then! Good memories!

18 Jan 2018 16:47:04
Hi ed's, readers, regarding Woodburn to replace Coutinho rumour. I just wanted to ask, with these inflated prices, do you think this is an incentive for Klopp to to use home grown talent.

18 Jan 2018 17:52:38
I think he'll always try to use home grown players if they're good enough.
We certainly have a few who have promise, love nothing more than to see local talent.

18 Jan 2018 20:47:25
Would love nothing more than to see Woodburn given a few games here and there. Aids his development, saves us a few quod if he’s good enough, raises his price regardless even if he’s not good enough! Personally after all the recent failures we’v had with players coming through, I’d love to see just one succeed. Wonder what’s going to happen with our current promising crop - Ojo, Kent, Grujic, Wilson, Brewster to name just a few.

18 Jan 2018 21:17:31
Ward, TAA, Gomez - I think we'll see at least two of those three succeed at Liverpool, maybe even all three, who knows.
Sterling, Canos, Brad Smith etc. have all come through and left for good money, so it's not been all that bad at all.

My biggest fears are for Wilson and Grujic, two youths who seem to have immense talent but not getting a regular run, we might regret that in a couple of years - think Pogba/ Suso to name just two high profile players of recent times who had to move from the UK and then suddenly are tearing up their new league.

I really hope we don't regret those two not getting enough game time.

19 Jan 2018 15:33:09
I still expect us to sign one player. Not a direct replacement for Coutinho but a midfielder.

18 Jan 2018 15:27:14
Paul Merson thinks Liverpool have no chance winning the champions league. Soo. I guess liverpool are all set to go and win the champions league then.

18 Jan 2018 16:02:19
Somebody needs to teach him some of the phrases pundits use to save themselves from future embarrassment. Like:

"I could be wrong but. "
"I don't know much about. "
"Football is a crazy game. "
"Anything is possible. "

Would really help him, I think.

18 Jan 2018 16:34:03
To be fair he has a point we won't win it and won't for a very long time.

18 Jan 2018 16:19:01
Says the same guy who along with other mouth-breathing pundits, said we would never make top 4 last season and how Arsenal and Utd would DEF overtake us OR we would struggle for top 4 after the Spurs loss. There is a reason Klopp always says that he does not listen to ex player who are pundits. I have adopted the same thing and frankly, they are a huge source of comedy esp. when they turn out to be wrong.

18 Jan 2018 16:44:58
Guys, there are hundreds of pundits paid to say stuff off the top of their heads to fill column inches and airtime. At least half of what they say will be wrong, just like half the predictions any of us make will be wrong. It's not important, don't waste time over analysing it.

18 Jan 2018 16:48:15
To be fair to them a lot of them still have us to finish 4th or 5th so they are sticking to their guns. I fancy a run at 2nd but it's all about opinions. Let's beat Porto and take one game at a time, this team is better than the one we won it with so you never know, fingers crossed.

18 Jan 2018 16:51:40
To be honest why bother reading them, I don't even bother listening to the ex red players never mind any others.

18 Jan 2018 17:43:26
People said the same thing in 2005, nobody knows.

18 Jan 2018 17:53:12
Paul Merson is one of footballs punditry oafs. I would rather listen to Donald trump go on about the wall than listen to Merson. Nothing he ever says makes sense and he never has a good word to say about Liverpool. He was a half decent player in his day but his pundit skills leave a lot to be admired.

18 Jan 2018 17:13:16
Paul Merson is an embarrassment to punditry, how he got a job beggars belief.

18 Jan 2018 17:19:59
I prefer us being the underdog with little to no expectation, take it one match at a time, and then see where we end up. I've been a Liverpool supporter for far too long to be over-confident even during a good run.

18 Jan 2018 18:12:25
Pundits are there too bring about debates, that's there only purpose.

18 Jan 2018 18:21:35
“People said the same thing in 2005, nobody knows. ”

Someone said it at 0-3 in the final “Game, well and truly, over”
But it wasn’t 😁.

Merson is one of the more foolish fools in punditry but the truth of the matter is there are 32 teams who could win it and LFC is one of them.

18 Jan 2018 18:45:27
Just a loveable cheeky cockney rogue who uses rhyming slang and amuses the kids. i think he is still on the ale!

{Ed002's Note - Merson isn't a cockney.}

18 Jan 2018 18:47:31
Walter, i don't mean to insult any love you may have for liverpool but is your account some kind of meme/ joke or are these your actual feelings about liverpool? If it was me id have sacked off football years ago and done something that makes me a bit happier.

18 Jan 2018 22:06:57
Merson never backed a winner in his life, he couldn't predict the date tomorrow.

19 Jan 2018 15:36:05
Might help him but would probably lose him his job. No one wants a sensible pundit, they'd prefer juicy soundbites!

19 Jan 2018 15:35:56
Jonesred I'm exactly the same mate, I won't waste my time listening to them.

18 Jan 2018 15:05:09
If no one comes in look on the bright side.

It gives us a chance to see if the likes of Woodburn can step up.

We have the likes of Harry Wilson who need to be tested.

If Wilson is ever going to step. up here is his chance.

Clynne is out and 2.have stepped in and saved us a fortune.

I want klopp to be far more effective time with his substitutions and especially if we have the luxury as we did against Swansea last time out, give ings, Woodburn etc a run out at least.

How else will. we ever find out if they make the grade.

18 Jan 2018 15:19:52
Replacing Coutinho was always going to be a difficult task, with teams wanting to hold on to their best players.
Getting a top class goalkeeper will not be easy either.
I am sure that Klopp and the team are doing their best.

18 Jan 2018 15:35:56
I actually think the rotation system Klopp has is working very well, the squad look fresh and with VVD in as a boost and Mane getting back to his best I am think we may not lose a premiership game until the end of the season, hell we may even win every game and man city drop 15 points after we damaged them and win the league. Then I am the forever optimist.

18 Jan 2018 16:02:08
Ray, I've already got my bet on just that. Returns 1k;)

18 Jan 2018 16:22:16
If we buy no one, it would mean we did not find anyone good enough to help offset Cou's creativity as we know that Klopp does not buy warm bodies for the sake of it, a position am very fine with.

18 Jan 2018 16:36:58
Liverpool will not win the league if city do implode I can't bare to say it but it utds.

18 Jan 2018 16:50:25
I appreciate that everyone wants to see woodburn get a run out but I think it's more likely that he will just get to sit on the bench a lot for the rest of the season, he needed a decent loan.

18 Jan 2018 18:02:22
We could just use the Coutinho money to buy an absolute top class keeper to try and stem the flow at the other end.

18 Jan 2018 18:22:49
We’ll finish ahead of Man Utd Walter 👍.

19 Jan 2018 00:51:31
I'm just glad I'm not Walter. Must be painful living life with no positive thoughts.

19 Jan 2018 15:35:11
Woodburn is over rated. Another over hyped Jay Spearing in my opinion.

18 Jan 2018 14:54:58
Found this site when the suarez rumours started but felt its time to write. think Ed.2 said "dont hold your breath", iv learned so much since on how transfers can turn quicker than maradonna. sinse than iv learnt so much more about the game than i thought possible. Ed.2-youvd tought me to be a grounded supporter, can't always agree but uv made me look at liverpools flaws and see it without tinted glasses. and see the game the way it really is, i thank you for you gandalf style knowledge.
Ed 1- the way you write has given us a chance to know you, a reactive, passionate man who reads like a friend.
Your insite and tactical knowledge has speewed out my mouth for years so thank you,
Truely devasting you lost your best lad but inspiring how many lads here reacted to it. shows whay we think of you eds.
Ed25-F**k man love to have a pint, born with the craic
Thanks lads,
Kev.

{Ed025's Note - your very welcome kev, we are all lovers of the beautiful game mate and we may well get to have that pint one day..cheers..

18 Jan 2018 15:36:24
No way Ed I'm first in the que😁.

{Ed025's Note - you certainly are barry mate..

18 Jan 2018 17:47:18
But ed will be drinking a pint of cherryade because we all know he is a teatotaller.

{Ed025's Note - i did try tea once harry, but you dont need a bag in a pint of moretti so im sticking with that mate..

18 Jan 2018 13:27:16
Eds 25 Im hearing the mayor of Liverpool has gone to the police again about Evertons signing of Theo walcot.

{Ed025's Note - yeah ace, he wants us to give arsenal more money because at £20m he believes we have robbed arsenal blind mate..

18 Jan 2018 13:37:10
Actually he could be a good signing for you if he steers clear of injuries.

{Ed025's Note - i hope s ace..

18 Jan 2018 15:25:58
he has gone to everton to win trophies! pure comedy gold.

18 Jan 2018 15:44:42
certainly gives credence to the notion that most footballers are brainless Kk.

18 Jan 2018 16:31:46
As Ed01 said, Big Scam needs someone to sprint after those long balls that look more like NFL kick offs than goal kicks.

18 Jan 2018 16:10:40
Always heard he was a Liverpool fan. Good lad.
Do us a solid, will ya?

18 Jan 2018 16:28:26
I think he’ll be a terrific signing for you ed. A decent run of games, some confidence and a home support who’ll be right behind him. Considering the lunacy of some transfer fees right now I think you’ve done well. I always want to bet Everton, but I also would prefer to see a strong Everton promoting this city, bringing European tourists in midweek and having their money spent in hotels, bars, taxis and having another all Liverpool fa cup final again.

{Ed025's Note - that would be great mate..

18 Jan 2018 16:33:33
Now Ed25 to your comment of Everton having robbed Arsenal blind, I think it is the other way around cos for a finished article (by finished, I mean washed up), 20m is a decent fee for him, IMO.

{Ed025's Note - only time will tell mate..

18 Jan 2018 17:50:01
its a shame they took the Anfield t-shirt off the everton webiste, theo and sammy would have loved it!

{Ed025's Note - they are as blue as the queens blood now conakry, in fact they are the ones who took it down..

19 Jan 2018 04:17:19
i think once theo starts playing for everton, we'll all breathe a huge sigh of relief and thank god that no-one gave rodgers the money to buy him!

19 Jan 2018 15:32:22
If he stays fit hell be a great signing! Although isn't he a big Liverpool fan?

18 Jan 2018 12:48:43
What ever happened to the Liverpool 'badge man'?

18 Jan 2018 13:21:20
I seem to recall a few years back a fellow poster believed he had unfortunately passed away.

19 Jan 2018 15:33:09
I remember reading a good while back that he was receiving death threats from fellow fans :L.

19 Jan 2018 15:34:10
I heard apparently he got death threats on online forums for "hogging tv camera attention" and decided to pack it in. - Unsure if he's passed on since then though. His name was Pete Sampara.

18 Jan 2018 12:26:33
If Ben Woodburn does stay and gets a run in the team I will be chuffed.

He was really good in preseason and he is a similar type of player to Coutinho (style, not ability yet! ) .
Obviously he isn't a top player yet but I think he would work his arse off and with a bit of confidence I think he can make a contribution and help out abit

Go on Benny Boy!

18 Jan 2018 12:45:33
I fear it will be another bad decision from the club, can't see him making the bench that often even if he stays, maybe if there is an injury crisis.

18 Jan 2018 14:14:54
He may not play often but we have to be prepared for injuries.

19 Jan 2018 15:31:53
Yup I hope Klopp doing this doesn't end up like the Ward situation, Give Woodburn a shot instead of Milner.

18 Jan 2018 10:53:22
How about we try to get ozil as coutinho replacement in summer on free transfer.
I mean if Klopp can motivate him to play like we know how he can he might be a good alternative. i certainly feel so. Wages can be a problem but i think anything around 250K a week is a great deal.
i think with so many pacy players around him he would work.
yea work rate might be a problem he won't track back much but i still think it can work.

18 Jan 2018 11:13:54
Make Ozil our highest paid player? No thanks.

18 Jan 2018 11:15:17
I was shocked when presented with his work rate stats yesterday. He did over 10k in 18 of 20 games he played yet Sanchez who I always thought of as a player who ran socks off had only managed that on 2 or 3 occasion in same amount of games! I feel at times his effortless style makes him look far more lazy than actually is. If he bought into Klopp style with pace and movement around him I feel he could be brilliant, but can't see it happening in my opinion.

18 Jan 2018 12:00:06
He is 30 years old and wouldn’t survive Klopp’s high intense set up! Another potential Milner there!

18 Jan 2018 12:28:05
i understand not being is fan but comparing Ozil to milner is ridiculous.
Ozil is a top top player and i think the one Macca was eluding to in a previous post.

18 Jan 2018 12:29:15
Comparing Ozil to Milner is pretty hilarious! You do post some gold sometimes Harry.

18 Jan 2018 12:44:30
Milner; a player who has relied on his running power and energy his entire career?

Ozil; a player who barely breaks into a brisk jog because he is intelligent in his movement and makes the ball do the work?

Ozil has never been reliant on pace, power, acceleration, explosiveness, or stamina. He is a supremely talented player much like David Silva is, who could easily play until he is 35 with very little drop off in quality, if any. In fact, just as Alonso did, Ozil could well get better right up until the day he retires as long as he escapes injury problems similar to what Iniesta and Xavi ran into.

Ozil will probably not be coming to Liverpool though considering our lack of interest!

18 Jan 2018 13:00:41
Well said MK Scouser, also because if Ozil comes and is instantly the highest paid player at the club, it will probably unsettle the likes of Firmino, Mane, Salah who would all want the same money because they are better players although different players.

18 Jan 2018 13:01:03
Milner was supposed to replace Gerrard and had a better stat than any other winger in the league. Not only he failed on the flanks, he also flopped in the middle. Thus moving to full back. Coutinho is widely criticized for not tracking back and I can’t believe the same want Ozil! He is 30 and would command a huge wage to finish off his career. No thanks! Let Arsenal have him!

18 Jan 2018 13:57:37
250k a week reasonable?

18 Jan 2018 15:45:52
Id take him in a heartbeat. Like firmino, just gets slagged off by people who don't understand what makes an intelligent and effective player. Im still holding out hope that the mystery player is ozil.

19 Jan 2018 07:32:04
Milner is our highest earner, id gladly change that to ozil. For all those worrying about his salary. He will come for free (may be a sign on bonus) . a player remotely as close to ozil in todays market would cost at least 50 million . Not even getting into money, if ozil wishes he can have any club he wants in the summer.
I think Ozil is one player Klopp can do wonders with. he is intelligent and does cover the ground and Klopp could use him perfectly. A front three of firmino, mane and salah being directed by ozil works for me.

18 Jan 2018 09:52:32
Can anyone tell me if Van Dijk is back in training yet and ready for Swansea?

18 Jan 2018 10:19:31
It was just a tight hamstring, so yes he should be fine.
Moreno and Sturridge should return to training next week, too. While Henderson is probably another week away.

18 Jan 2018 10:57:14
VVD will be ready for Swansea.

19 Jan 2018 15:32:24
Yes he was training today.

18 Jan 2018 08:26:48
Talking about the loan system, it would seem even Chelsea have got their act together with players sent out on loan. I fear honestly for Marko Grujic and am surprised he hasn't gotten the chance yet. To be honest he can't do worse than Wijnaldum at times. We have a loan system that doesn't work. Wether or not a player performs on loan we don't give him the chance to prove he can cut it at the big stage. We've had promising young players waste away. The likes of Jao Carlos Texeira, Seyi Ojo, Pedro Chrivella and many others. The loan system needs some work to make sure players that do well get a chance. What is the situation with Allan Rodriguez de Souza?

18 Jan 2018 08:45:36
Grujic was a wrong signing from the clubs point of view. I don’t know why they bought him when they had no clue what his role was on the pitch. We have been messing with young players career from a long time. Half of them are signed or developed to sell them for a profit.
Ryan Kent showed all promises during pre season and he was thought to learn and develop in Germany. What a pathetic move that turned out to be!

18 Jan 2018 09:00:43
For once, Harry is right. Ibe, Markovic, Suso, Teixeira, Grujic, Ilori, Ward etc. Our club has a habit of stifling young talent.

It is definitely getting better, but it's still not great. We sign young players up, don't manage their careers well enough, and then ask for too much money when we sell them so all potential suitors are put off and they waste months, if not years waiting around to resume their careers. It's not good enough.

18 Jan 2018 09:02:13
It's definitely a major problem for us, along with the intensity of distrust Klopp seems to have with the young players. How often with someone like Grujic or Woodburn on the bench has Klopp chosen to bring in someone like Milner in the last 15 minutes of a game that's already safe? It's valuable time on the pitch that they could use but instead they are sitting on the bench at Freiburg or Doncaster.

18 Jan 2018 09:21:20
I agree that the loan system needs to improve and we need to find the right club for our youngsters to thrive but if we were bringing these players on in the prem this year and we were sat in 6th you would be on here throwing abuse at the players and the eds. you can't carry players and make the top 4 the league is too competitive now.

18 Jan 2018 09:31:37
It is all very well banging on about young players but what do you want guys. We have built a side that potentially can challenge for the title over the next 12 months but already looking a good top 4 and in the champions league.
Every time we play one of the kids and the result goes a bit pete tong this site is flooded with discontent about the team. In fact half the time we moan about certain players even when we win and win well.
Some youngsters are making it through the system if they are good enough. We messed up on Suso IMO but Klopp wants to play a certain way and he and his coaches should have an idea if they are capable of stepping up.
As i understand it Chelsea appear to have the best system with players loaned out in terms of keeping track and responsibility for their well being but let's face it, in reality supporters want success and lots won't stomach the long term approach of bringing on the kids however much they claim they do.

18 Jan 2018 10:02:58
Patemondo

That is not the case. Young players should be eased into first team rather than piling up pressure on them. Someone rightly said above of Grujic or Woodburn ain’t good enough to play ahead of Milner or Lallana then they would never cut it at Liverpool. As notorious has been our loan system over the years, I wouldn’t send any players on loan! It’s a waste anyways!

18 Jan 2018 10:10:37
Patemondo, you'll probably find that the people who want younger players to get chances are not the same people who come on here after a bad result to bag them.

There seems to be this myth that the top teams have 2 top players in their prime for every position, but that's simply not true. The absolute top sides usually have 11 top players in their starting line-up, and maybe 3-5 more top players to offer options on the bench. After that you'll find that their squads are by and large, aging players in decline, unproven young talent, or players above their level who are therefore happy to play a bit part role in return for winning a few medals.

Manchester City, who are widely regarded as the best team in Europe have 21 players in their first team squad according to Transfermarkt. So anybody who thinks they have two top players in all 11 positions needs to firstly, work on their maths. Especially when you factor in that they have Zinchenko, Toure, Bravo, Kompany, Mangala, Danilo and Delph in that 21 man squad (all either unproven, aging or average) . City have 14 top players. They have 11 good players in their starting XI (supplemented by Delph whilst Mendy is injured), and then after that they have a handful of quality options on the bench such as Jesus, Bernardo Silva and Gundogan. It is a total myth that they have 2 top class players for every position. They have 14 top players in total. You quite simply do not need 22 worldies. You need the best starting XI and regular subs, and then you should fill in injuries/ fatigue using experienced and youth players who will happily play a lesser squad role without kicking off and disrupting squad harmony. The team which wins the league is usually the team which uses the smallest group of players, because understanding and togetherness amongst 14 top players and a few squaddies, is worth more than having 22 unsettled stars.

We should be giving players like Grujic and Teixeira key roles in the squad, but instead they both found themselves about 7th in the pecking order as we tried to keep 25 players wanting first team football, happy. We hoard too many average players and until that changes, our record at bringing through young talent will continue to be inconsistent at best. Mignolet will get bagged for his comments, but he has a point. Rotation is not healthy when it is two players who both want to play every week. You rotate with players who are happy to be squad players and they are either old (Bravo, Toure), young (Zinchenko, Foden) or have accepted they are average and are just happy to be at a big club (Delph, Danilo) .

We are playing with fire by trying to keep too many players who expect to be regulars, happy. It is all the more infuriating when we could just sell the likes of Mignolet, Ward, Clyne, Flanagan, Milner, Markovic, Sturridge and Ings; without the quality of our squad even being dented slightly. Why are we hoarding so many players who want first team football that we have no intentions of offering them long term? That is 6 players who have barely kicked a ball this season, and Milner and Mignolet who really shouldn't be kicking a ball for us as they're worse than Grabara or Ejaria from the academy. Just move them on so the kids can get on the bench! Stop wasting everyone's time.

Rant over!

18 Jan 2018 10:18:35
Come back to reality folks. Young players take time, make mistakes have inconsistency and have less tactical awareness.

For Klopp to be blooding TAA, Gomez and Solanke while pushing up the top 4 is a good performance from the manager.

Seems to me some people just look for something to moan about and as the team is doing so well need to find something to have a go about.

18 Jan 2018 10:48:03
MKScouser without detracting from the general well made points in your essay, I would dispute that Man City are ‘widely regarded as the best team in Europe’. The best team (currently) in the EPL yes, Europe no.

18 Jan 2018 11:13:41
Fair enough Limanen. Every one i speak to has them down for the quadruple, and i quote "Unless PSG can stop them" 😂.

18 Jan 2018 11:18:21
Was about to say the same thing Litmanenfav, they are nowhere near the best team in Europe and Scouser's point is mute here because all the players he mentioned Pep wants out and replaced by top quality players which will be happening in the summer. He also wanted Alexis Sanchez, Ryan Bertrand and a CB in the summer so NOPE Manchester City will have around 18-19 top top class players from the start of next season!

18 Jan 2018 11:21:27
They're favourites for champions league which definitely validates them being regarded as best in Europe right now.

18 Jan 2018 11:21:35
Spot on, MK. As I always say, if you are not willing to stick with young players that you truly believe in, you do not deserve the player@s) that you want them to be. The problem here is patience and endurance with a young player IS needed to get the best out of them if you believe with them.

Alas, patience has become poison with the modern day fan and that will always be the problem. I personally, could not give 2 FF's if a young player makes a mistake or is inconsistent cos guess what? It is part of the process. If you don't wanna go thru the process then sack the academy and scrap the youth policy and be done with it.

Look at guys like Solanke, who is young and still learning the game tho talented. People are starting to get on his back, saying he is not the quality in depth we need. They did that to Origi as well, a guy who as 3rd choice, scored 22 goals in two seasons, numbers you will NEVER find at ANY top club in the PL. Players like Gomez, TAA Woodburn, Grujic along with Solanke and Origi should be IN the squad instead of the Studge, Mings, Marko etc that are just there taking up space. Adding these young players to an already near quality squad will help them improve as they will learn and get chances as well. Ditch the average players NOW and fill the squad with the promising youth we believe in and be patient with them, end of story.

18 Jan 2018 11:37:40
If the argument for not playing the young players at all even when results are secured is that they aren't good enough (which isn't true but fine) to be bought on when we are 3 or 4 goals up against the likes of Huddersfield, West Ham, Soton, Stoke, Brighton, Maribor, Moscow, Bournmouth and Swansea then they shouldn't even be registered in the squad, they need to all be sold off and allowed to build a career elsewhere. Do you realise how bad you have to be to single handedly be the reason that a 3 goal lead in a match you're absolutely dominating slip for the last 15 minutes? Especially for the more attacking players - granted, it's much more difficult if it's a CB but even if Woodburn comes in and doesn't do a single good thing for 15 minutes, for that game to be dropped points could never be blamed on them. It's just excuses.

And the excuses are doubly stupid when we're bringing on someone like Milner who, bless him, could not handle city at all despite being fully fresh and them over an hour into a hard physical game. We bought him on, utterly lost control of the midfield and conceded twice. You can say the young players aren't good enough but neither are some of the older ones being used and at least the younger ones might be one day! It's exceptionally frustrating and it ruins careers.

Loans aren't a shop window, they are an opportunity to get vital development under players belts. If they aren't wanted, let them continue their lives. If they are wanted, give them some chances even if it means taking some small, managed risks occasionally for the sake of the future. There is no in between state that's acceptable.

18 Jan 2018 12:36:35
Legendary, my point isn't mute just because of what you think Pep wants. The last three teams to win the league were Man City, Leicester and Chelsea. What did all three teams have in common? They made the least number of changes to their starting XI that season. This year, Man City have made the least changes and guess where they are in the league!

There is a loose correlation between keeping a consistent side and where you finish in the table. Don't get me wrong, there are anomalies, and in England in particular, the winter period is an exceptional circumstance where rotation is arguably a necessity. In general though, making less changes improves results over the course of a season because it keeps momentum flowing and improves how the players on pitch link up.

If Pep signs Sanchez, it probably means Aguero is off to be honest. Pep has wanted Aguero since the day he got there. And whilst he did want Bertrand, Bertrand is not top class and for me would come under a squad player category at Champions League level. He's a good player and that's it. Besides, Pep signed Walker, Mendy and Danilo instead.

Seriously though, have a look at the squads Pep assembles. He always leaves gaps in the squad for younger players to fill. That is how players like Busquets, Pedro, Bojan, Tello, Thiago, Coman, Kimmich etc got their chances under him. He is fully aware of the importance of squad harmony, balance and the importance of a good blend of youth and experience. I do believe he'd probably like a couple more top class players. As i said, the top teams seem to aim for an XI and then 3-5 top class players for the bench. He only has 3 right now, and no top class defensive back ups with Kompany shot to pieces. So I'd not be at all surprised if he signs another top centre back. I highly doubt he'll go out and sign 6 more top class players though unless their is an exodus of players such as Silva, Fernandinho and Aguero.

It's a myth that too many people believe in. A close knit group of around 14-16 main players is far more effective than 22-25 all sharing the game time, and it always will be.

19 Jan 2018 15:26:15
who was the last Chelsea player to come through the academy and play regularly in there first team the only one I can remember is terry I know they have send loads of player on loan but none are getting anywhere with Chelsea. arsenal seem to do it most then they just seem to not get anywhere with them and leave after a few season like Coquelin. am not having a go at any of the teams and I know we need to get better but that is just football today to easy for managers to get sacked to risk young players getting in the teams know.

18 Jan 2018 04:00:40
Hello to everyone at the website! I just wanted to share the happiest moment of my life with you all. Yesterday i cleared my exams which are considered the toughest in our country. I just wanted to thank every single one of you, especially the Eds, for keeping me sane through these tough times by providing a platform where i can talk about my first love i. e football all day long.

{Ed0333's Note - congrats on passing your exams wave. Your saying this site keep you sane? Me thinks you been celebrating a wee bit too much mate lol

18 Jan 2018 06:26:46
Congrats! YNWA.

18 Jan 2018 08:04:57
Congrats man, fair play.

18 Jan 2018 09:46:12
Well done. Congratulations.

18 Jan 2018 09:33:02
Well done SW15!

18 Jan 2018 05:04:13
Haha ed333! You're not wrong on the celebration part! 😋😋.

{Ed0333's Note - what exams did you pass wave?

18 Jan 2018 17:05:04
Chartered accountancy!