Liverpool Banter Archive August 04 2015

04 Aug 2015 23:09:47
Hi,
Slightly confused as my posts don't seem to be being uploaded? Can any of the eds tell me why?
Thanks,
Josh

{Ed002's Note - Try the Other pages.}

04 Aug 2015 22:11:58
Just wanted to say a thank you to the eds for bothering to run all these pages.

I found it two seasons ago and now I can't not check about a thousand times a day. Sky sports who.

You should definitely take them on. Edsources and all that. Get yourselves a banner.

I would love each page to have personal news from the club and news about the youth etx. Could any of that be run by individual users? Ie someone takes the u18 and posts updates. Results, injuries, motm, great performers and also someone to follow the loanees.

Thanks again

Keep up the good work.

04 Aug 2015 21:09:37
I've gathered were not getting the boy now, but where do you think Traore (Barcelona) will end up??

Hope it's villa. I'm excited to see them next season haha (weird from a Liverpool fan) but I think there going ti be a surprise this season.

04 Aug 2015 22:26:18
What? Aston Villa? Why are they going to be exciting?

04 Aug 2015 22:59:10
What's this I hear about a buy back clause that barca insist on? They're always at that!! How can they consistently do this!?

04 Aug 2015 23:03:02
A friend in work, a huge Villa fan, is adamant they'll be top half no bother.

I think a good season for them would be to avoid relegation comfortably and to discover one or two good young players from their academy or a signing to do superb.

05 Aug 2015 07:35:49
They've lost their 2 stand out players and have a plonker of a manager. They'll be in as much trouble as they usually are if not more!

05 Aug 2015 07:37:25
I think they've signed some really good players, and a lot of unknowns instead of recycled players that you already know.

Think they will do alright top half easy like

05 Aug 2015 08:34:26
We said the same two years ago when Southampton lost three players.

05 Aug 2015 08:47:36
Forever96, I have to disagree. I think the general mood from villa fans is less than optimistic and you can easily see why - they've sold two international players and the replacements are not of the same level.

05 Aug 2015 08:53:43
Last year may have been slow and painful Harry but it still only counts as one year ;) agree with Sean though a good season for villa is to stabilize themselves maybe get to about 10-12 places but try not be involved in a relegation scrap and be safe with 5-6 games to spare would be a decent building platform

05 Aug 2015 09:26:30
Shanek

Southampton got the correct replacement and we all know y Lovren excelled at saints.

They ll struggle this time. Morgan is one hell of a player.

05 Aug 2015 12:29:50
fair comment harry on saints,

i do think however that they were a decent side who lost good players. villa are a side who have been poor for a few years now and lost their best players.

koeman is well above sherwood though. it staggers me that he is a football manager. he managed to breathe some confidence into a struggling villa team and just about got them out of trouble. but once that initial impact is lost, you're left with the same struggling team.

04 Aug 2015 20:20:04
Anybody else noticing this?
aren't we a bit (wee) weak in the right back position at the moment. we have clyne as an automatic starter and flanagan (injruy prone) and gomez whos actually starting as left back it seems.

So who else as back up!

We saw trent arnold. but he's only 16!

04 Aug 2015 20:55:05
If Clyne is out, Gomez will go right back with Moreno left back. Emre Can can also play there if we are desperate.

Red Rum

04 Aug 2015 21:27:34
Do you want us to go buy another RB?

Do you think Bellerin or Debuchy will be Arsenal's first choice RB this season? The answer isn't my point, my point is it's a very fair question. If clubs overstock in every area then the Bellerin scenario never occurs. He just becomes a 22 year old free transfer with nothing other than maybe a few lower league loans.

It's looking like McLaghlin won't get his chance, Flanagan looked like he wouldn't get his chance, Randall is next. I don't know if Randall is good enough to make it but I would rather have a smaller squad so that youth have some chance of getting a break.

04 Aug 2015 22:17:06
Arsenal didn't intend to use bellerin.

They purchased chambers and debuchy but both got injured. It was a forced upon decision like the ones Brendan gets associated with.

04 Aug 2015 22:29:28
We can play Mario there. ;-)

05 Aug 2015 02:23:15
@Forever96, missing the point.

Anyway yes Debuchy did get injured and he was first choice. Chambers was purchased and he was intended to cover RB (yes ahead of Bellerin) with the long term he would be for CB. Arsenal stayed light in numbers for CB so the likes of Chambers would actually get a game there too.

Bellerin got in because of Debuchy being injured and then it was simply a combination of Chambers showing some poor form and Arsenal being short at CB. Bellerin took his chance extremely well.

I'll compare that situation to our RB situation. Debuchy = Clyne so we'll pretend Clyne gets injured for an extended period. Gomez = Chambers, both of a similar age, stature, etc. so the intention is that Gomez is to fill in for Clyne. So now like the Arsenal scenario you can either say that Gomez is needed for LB or CB for us or he just needs to be taken out as he is playing poorly. Then we will say that Randall is next in line for RB from the youths and Randall in this instance is akin to Bellerin.

We also could very easily, and would most likely, use Kolo Toure for backup RB, or maybe even shunt Can back there again.

All in all, I am saying we don't need another RB.

05 Aug 2015 07:42:17
I know we don't need another rb. I was just not letting winger get a well done for something he didn't intend to happen.

All Liverpool football need is a gk and left footed winger (ojo next season perhaps) and we're done.

If lucas can prove his fitness this year then that will be terrific but if he can't then we need to part ways and being in abother dm.

05 Aug 2015 09:05:22
Don't worry Brendan will drop Benteke into the right back slot if required

05 Aug 2015 18:11:34
A cover for right back? Isant that clearly why we are signing Lacazette. Kovacic, Reus, kroos, traore, cheryshev and illaramendi?

04 Aug 2015 19:18:42
The Real AG ,
I saw down the page that you disagree with me that we need to bring in a disciplined central midfielder if we want to challenge next season. When I say central midfielders, I mean the ones that sit in front of the defence and control the game with their passing, whilst also providing protection for the defence.

Attacking midfielders are not central midfielders. Their primary objectives are to provide assists for the strikers and to chip in with goals. You can't shoe horn an attack minded player into a disciplined role and expect him to perform just because, in your own words, he's a "multimillion pound footballer".

You need specialist players in these positions. Even Chiravella did a better job in that role in the 13 or so minutes he got pre season, than Allen in all the games he played. Emre Can is a box to box player, he could be moulded into a disciplined cdm role over time, but that would be a waste as he is clearly talented and a threat in the final third. Milner spent the majority of his career as a wide player, but we know he can also play anywhere behind the striker, however, he's certainly not a player who you'd waste as a disciplined central midfielder and Henderson is a box to box player who is more effective when given freedom than when he's shackled to a disciplined role.

It's quite ironic how many people moan about Rodgers playing players out of position yet would be happy with him playing attacking midfielders in defensive roles.

Coutinho, Firmino, Ibe, Markovic, Lallana and Milner are attacking midfielders. Hendo, Can and Allen are box to box midfielders, who need to played WITH a disciplined central midfielder, and Lucas is our ONLY disciplined central midfielder.

As I said, if Lucas picks up an injury, we are going to struggle both defensively and when in possession. Just try to think back to last season when Lucas was injured, we had no defensive protection and the goals we conceded were laughable. When in possession our centre backs had no options to pass to in midfield and no one dropped off showing for the ball. This is something that's needed attention for years but fans don't seem to be bothered at all. Just blame the defence, seems to be a reoccurring theme, instead of fans actually acknowledging our true weakness, which is central midfield.

Bringing in a player for this position will be the difference between a 1-4th place finish and a 4-8th place finish.

Red Rum

04 Aug 2015 19:39:50
Not sure we need another midfielder.
Lucas will hold with Can as backup.
Then you have a load of players who will fill the other midfield positions. Hendo and Milner mostly.

04 Aug 2015 20:02:04
I do agree that Can could do the position well and has all the attributes to do so. He has played left back and in a back 3 for Liverpool last year. Is he going to get many opportunities playing further up the pitch this season? I don't think so.

04 Aug 2015 20:09:39
I am by no means advocating what BR is trying to do (I think), just trying to decipher it. I think his core belief is to play essentially a 4 3 3, where the midfield as Individuals are expected to create when in possession, and defend when not. So if Hendo wins the ball for example, he will have licence to push forward, whilst (presumably) his CM partner Milner will pivot back as defensive cover. Or vice versa. Great in theory, but very difficult in practice. A Mourinho esq 4 2 3 1 is far simpler as long as players obey instruction. One of the 2 deeper lying midfielders will be under strict licence to purely be a DM, breaking up the opposition play and protecting the defence. No fancy stuff, no urge to be a hero, no delusions about 'assists' or goals. Makele Being a typical example.
BR is not wrong to set up without an out and out DM, but I don't think he grasps the complexities of the system he is trying to implement. Barcelona (who I'm sure Brendan might have watched once or twice whilst while writing his dossier. ), play the 4 3 3 BR craves. The difference between Barca and Brendan is. BUSQUETS. Barcas system doesn't define such a rigid DM as a Mourinho team, but Busquets is most definitely a traditional DM by nature. His instinct regardless of the system, is to protect the back four and break up play. BR and Barcas system of not having an out and out DM actually works when you shoehorn a true DM into one of the midfield roles. Hence Lucas success when he plays. Believing that your system doesn't feature an out and out DM so you don't actually need one may well prove to be BRs downfall. We shall see.

04 Aug 2015 21:10:19
Personally I'd wait until next season rummy lad. Can can cover for Lucas and too many changes isn't good. We should do no more business

04 Aug 2015 21:16:58
Defensive midfielders : Matic, Lucas , Busquets, mascherano, naingolan ( Roma, spell error )

Ball winning midfielders / working midfielders : Ramirez, Henderson, Milner, Bentalab, Herrera

Ball playing midfielders : Modric , Xavi , Fabrigas, Pjanic, Cabaye, Allen, Kovacic

Deep lying playmakers : Alonso , Pirlo

04 Aug 2015 21:33:56
@RedRum, you clearly referred to the term "central midfielder" in the post below and now what you are describing is a "defensive midfielder".

It's a mixup in the use of terms. We have plenty centre mids. We only have one proper experienced defensive mid. I'm happy to have Chivarella provide some backup and I think Can Henderson and Milner as a midfield 3 in Lucas' absence is more than good enough, including defensively.

04 Aug 2015 21:46:02
I did an account of what I think he is up to last week and it's posted on the teams page. Not to dissimilar to what BBB posted.

04 Aug 2015 22:24:19
Just read your post Simon. Great minds. 😊
The irony in all this is that one of the biggest sticks that everyone uses to beat BR is 'playing people out of position'. All the bitching about Ibe/Sterling/Markovich at RB/RWB is actually a smart use of players. Instead of trying to find a really really attacking FB who can play as WB, just find a winger who can defend. A bit. (I suggest all those clamouring for Klopp look at how he lines his players up) Where it all goes t*ts up for BR is that he can't see that Lucas playing a 'non DM' role should still be the first name on the team sheet.

04 Aug 2015 22:43:01
By central midfielder, I mean what I said above, someone who can dictate the play AND defend. So they can either play alongside Lucas or as cover for him. I believe Lucas, Henderson and Coutinho is potentially a title winning midfield 3, but if Lucas picks up an injury or is rested, I wouldn't trust anyone in the squad to adequately fill in for him. Chiravella has potential, and I'd probably pick him over Allen for that role, but is he ready and capable of a long run if Lucas picks up a long term injury? I honestly don't know.

Illarramendi should be considered in my opinion. He wouldn't cost too much and is available.

Red Rum

04 Aug 2015 23:31:26
''The irony in all this is that one of the biggest sticks that everyone uses to beat BR is 'playing people out of position'. All the bitching about Ibe/Sterling/Markovich at RB/RWB is actually a smart use of players''


Sorry but it is not a smart use of players in the slightest. It's an overcompensation for the lack of defensive capabilities he has in place thus needing 3 centrebacks to deal with attacking pressure,1 of which is primarily a DM by trade.

Wing backs are meant to get back. Sterling did very little of this,infact it was almost non existent to the point of embarrassment

Ibe did ok,but it negated his attacking threat,constantly the teams pressurised him upfield with Can next to him,some 1 simply stuck close to him giving him a distinct lack of space. We had glimpses of what he could do as a winger,but far too intermittent because he started so deep and was attempting to ball carry and run 50/60 yards everytime,instead of starting in the opponents half,pegging back their left back.

Finally we have markovic, who regardless of how you want to analyse and put it,is not in any way shape or form a defensively minded player.

05 Aug 2015 00:00:24
BigBad, your earlier post makes a lot of sense. BR claims to love the way Barca play and possess the ball YET the style he plays regarding possession has no comparison to how Barca do it. Same with the DM use. Busquets is a DM, plain and simple. He might not be the Matic type (who I think is technically better than people credit him for) but a DM, nonetheless. That's why Masche plays CB there because his type of DM does not suit the Barca style but they still use one. BR wants to play a DLP but Barca don't use one and they are rare. Hence, he shoehorns SG and Allen there who are or were aweful at it. Instead of going back to Lucas who has shown his quality, he persists with it and like you said, it will b the end of him

05 Aug 2015 07:02:58
redohio

Barca plays with a creative CM alongside Busquets So does Roma, Chelsea, Arsenal and many more.

05 Aug 2015 07:30:10
Lucas joined the club as a box to box player. I don't agree that a Dm is required. Central Midfielders who are disciplined and can defend are just as capable. Jordan Henderson, Milner and Can are all CM, box to box as you call them, but the term actually means they can defend and attack. On many occasions, against opposition that put every man behind the ball, a DM is not required. Milner, Henderson and Can, all have the ability to help the defence and support the attack. I am sure now Gary Mac is coach that our Midfield will be fine.

05 Aug 2015 08:43:42
T Mony

There is a misbelief among people, midfiedlers who press high up, work hard, close down their markers could also play the Defensive midfield role which is not correct.

A defensive midfiedler is a completely different player and attributes. he doesn't run around nor need to press high ( but yes could disposes ) They are great readers of the game as they dictate the pace of the game.

If you being a manager, The DM / DLP is your vision. Your two eyes to read the game. Stand behind a DM and you could see the whole footbll pitch and 11 players infront of you.

There are some other midfielders who could do both. Carrick and Morgan are Examples. Some needs to be played alongside a DM, Scholes-Keane, Alonso-Masch.

Its the manager who decides what he wants from a player.

Ask henderson to hold the line along with Lucas, He becomes a CM. Ask him to push high up pitch, He becomes a B2B player.

But not every midfielder could dictate a game from the middle. That requires skill and vision.

A very underrated such midfeidler is Cabaye.

05 Aug 2015 09:48:10
EG you have completely missed the point T mony was making. That if you have 3 competent players who can tackle and get back,you don't need a strict DM who offers little going forward.

There is nothing to say you need a strict DM to be able to play football and win.

Barcelona,and Man city have proven you can win titles without and sort of capable defensive midfielder,as theirs are woeful.

You need to stop just assigning roles to midfielders,and saying they can be only 1 type. Every game is different and requires a different set up and role to be played. The way you analyse players roles seems very football manager esque.

05 Aug 2015 10:44:44
Bob

You would be the only football fan to claim Busquets is a poor player. I stop watching the game mate.
City had always played with a DM ( undertated, poor, average) no matter what you call them.

Liverpool 2 seasons ago proved, you cannot win the title without a DM. We had two of the best strikers on the planet One exciting winger, A top class CAM, An energetic Midfeidler in Henderson and Pass master Gerrard.

05 Aug 2015 10:51:29
Red-Rum: YOUR definition of a central midfielder is different to the rest of the footballing worlds'. You can give them names like box-to-box or deep-lying playmakers, but they are still central midfielders because they play in the central of midfield and their primary job is not all to attack, but to defend too. Just think for a second here: box-to-box implies someone like Henderson goes from OUR box to the opposition box. Are you telling me his job when he is in our box to score own goals? Or to NOT defend?

Milner, Henderson, Allen, Can and Lucas are all central midfield players, with varied primary objective and skills.

05 Aug 2015 10:58:53
It's amazing how many people disagree with such an obvious point. I think many will see what I mean as the season goes on, especially when Lucas picks up an injury. I think Bobatron has a point that we don't necessarily need a strict DM, but we do need someone who will come deep for the ball and dictate the play, but can also do the defensive stuff. Regardless, Harry is on the right track accepting that we are weak in that particular area, which shows more knowledge and understanding than most fans who just disagree because they want more attacking players.

Red Rum

05 Aug 2015 11:12:56
E G. My point is Jimmy Case G Souness and T McDermott, were all classed as CM. all could attack, all could tackle, all could pass. Souness was more central in terms of protecting the back 2,but he was positioned more on the half way line. They all defended when needed. Whelan, Mcmahon and Molby they protected but non were nailed down as your DM position, One went in support of each other. attack and defend, that was my point

05 Aug 2015 11:14:20
for a Def-Mid is only needed when you play a certain formation and if the team you are playing are not all out defending , we have come unstuck in plenty of games when we have played team at anfield and they have parked the bus and we have been beat by this system , in these games we don't need a DM , i'm not a lucas fan , he gives away too many fouls around our area in very dangerous positions and he loses the ball too often which leads to goals , you only have to watch the last 2 games of the season to see this , it was down to his individual mistakes that led to 2 goals against us in 2 games , but we do need a DM because all the top teams have very good ones who make the difference in where the team finishes

05 Aug 2015 11:29:33
AG, I've specifically stated my definition of a central midfielder. It's those that specifically operate in the middle of the park. Either, as a holding midfielder, a defensive midfielder or a deep lying playmaker. Maybe I should be more specific in future.

Technically you're right, Henderson, Can and Allen, all play centrally, but they struggle when told to be disciplined. Yes, Hendo gets back to help out when defending, but he struggles when asked to be disciplined, and protect the defence.

Red Rum

05 Aug 2015 11:30:44
Henderson missed the run in when we failed by 2 points, that's without your coveted DM. Proved we can reach top 4 without one.

05 Aug 2015 11:36:19
Red-Rum: It's disappointing to see you accuse other fans without any base just because they do not agree with your point, and see things differently. At no point have anyone above said they wanted more attacking midfielders. You just made that up to suit your argument.

As for Harry: He just contradicted himself in this very same thread in two posts. First he defines Henderson as "ball winning midfielder" and then in a later post in this thread, he claims Henderson plays two roles, depending on who he plays alongside and what his manager wants him to do.

His second point is somewhat understandable. Nobody is born with a DM, CM or AM tag. Depending on the opposition, the situation and how the manager wants to play, he should have the flexibility to play these players to suit him. If you think the likes of Henderson are not flexible enough to play a certain way depending on how the manager wants him to, then you are the one who is missing the point.

05 Aug 2015 11:52:35
T Mony

Neither Xavi, Gerrard, Scholes were good at defending yet they control the game with their other attributes. They are always well covered and protected by certain Keane, Busquets, and Mascherano

When you press high up the pitch or carry the ball forward you need someone to stop the opposition running towards you which might come from any part of the ground.

A DM is the first one to anticipate and rush to the danger calling them positionally astute players.

These players are excellent readers of the game just like the best snakes ( on a good note ). They smell the danger first.

Some of these breeds over the years have improved their offensive attributes. Matic is the example.

Without Lucas our team wouldn't survive. It is a fact regardless of how many midfielders you have with you Liverpool FC has had only one DM in Lucas since 6 years.

Chelsea never went into a season under various managers without a top class DM ever from Makelele to Matic.

05 Aug 2015 11:59:43
I must add that my previous post was in reply to the post before your last one Red-Rum. I do not mean to come across as rude, but I thought it was unfair to criticize others.

I feel talks about buying central midfielders at LFC are counterproductive as any more central midfielders if bought, will only be likely next summer. A LOT could have happened by then.

I still disagree with your definition of these players though. I do no mean to sound presumptuous, but I would bet that Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Can and Milner are the players who will play the most in central midfield. We will definitely see Henderson play more centrally, taking the responsibility of defending and attacking rather than just attacking. Coutinho on the other hand, a player you also likened to as a n attacking midfielder alongside Henderson, will likely play more advanced, on the wings or behind the striker and occasionally with Henderson.

05 Aug 2015 12:11:08
EG there are a great many that don't rate biscuits,he gets called that because he's crumbled under the pressure of xavi and iniesta not dominating the play. especially last 2 seasons when xavi played a lot less and barcas posession stats have declined.

What city proved is that you can wina title with a good spine. Aguero,Kmpany,Silva,Toure,Hart. Their 2 DM's are piss poor and they made a huge mistake letting Barry go for either of them.

Real Madrid won a title without a true destroyer/break up player in the defensive mid role.
Juve have dominated the italian league (I don't rate it much myself) without a true DM,when they've played with Marchisio,Vidal,Pogba.(and at times the vastly overrated Pirlo) I see the first 3 as simply central box to box mids who can attack and defend,with a great work rate,nut none were ever truly forced to just sit. Pirlo,certainly can't defend when he's played.

05 Aug 2015 12:20:22
I base my argument solely on what I see. We were abysmal last season until Lucas came in. I don't think you would deny that. The season before, Stevie played the deep lying playmaker role and apart from his defensive weakness he played it well, that season, we had Suarez and Sturridge to make up for our defensive weaknesses. Last season we were found out, until Lucas came in. Do you think it will be any different next season if Lucas picks up an injury?

Yes, nobody is born with a label, but there's a difference between someone playing a particular role who knows how to play a that role and shoving someone in who will struggle.

Its a simple and clear observation AG. I guess we will have to agree to disagree, but time will tell, and we will see what happens.

Red Rum

05 Aug 2015 13:56:57
Bob

Real lost the title when they sold Alonso and Carlo paired Kroos with every other players he had with him.
Those names are world beaters at Real, But the fact they don't have a holding playe.

Xavi wouldn't move an inch wihout a DM ( but he ndds one ). Scholes was the same at UTD.

AG

I did not contradict. You could always ask Henderson to do a diffent job which is not his primary strength. He was deployed as CM in an away match ( CL/EL). we were so boring in the first half and lost the second half.

Henderson's best attribute is his energy and if you contain him to play the CM role, you are taking away his biggest strength.

Ballack is a magnificent player But not a typical CM.

I agree with red rum here, Lucas holds the biggest key and let's forget how many we score next season, Who would dare to stop Aguero and Hazzard coming to us?

05 Aug 2015 14:29:23
What point are you making with xavi exactly or the Real madrid and Alonso one? neither really seems to take on what I said to you?

04 Aug 2015 15:47:20
Can Danny Ings play for LFC against Stoke? We haven´t paid anything for him yet, but I assume that LFC would like to finalize the deal as quickly as possible.

{Ed002's Note - He can, Liverpool are committed to pay the determined amount if they cannot agree a fee with Burnley. Right now the clubs are still a couple of million apart.}

04 Aug 2015 17:25:34
Thanks ed, it´s very much appreciated.

04 Aug 2015 19:01:53
Ed, has the date for the tribunal been pencilled in, do you know?

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of a date.}

04 Aug 2015 20:28:29
Thanks Ed

04 Aug 2015 12:48:28
Is it just me or is anybody else starting to get that kid before Christmas feeling.

What sort of season is going to be ahead? Happiness and elation? Anger and frustration? Probably a lot of both.

Either way it's time for another roller coaster ride and I can't wait for it to start.

Onwards to the Britannia.

04 Aug 2015 15:08:34
Yeah then you open your presents and it's not what you wanted haha

04 Aug 2015 16:18:35
But sometimes it is, and this time it frelst like brendan have the right tools, and ingredients for a great gift. Let's hope he puts it right together.

04 Aug 2015 12:11:02
Hi eds uv just read Toni Kroos is on our radar and we are looking to buy him for 35mil is there any truth in that and are we looking to buy any other players if so who are they cheers dude 👍

{Ed002's Note - RTP.}

04 Aug 2015 12:21:28
Scientologists playing games there . Kroos would not join. Mission impossible

04 Aug 2015 12:53:55
The reports said Kroos is unsettled. Lols seriously?

05 Aug 2015 00:08:44
This really needs to stop

04 Aug 2015 07:53:47
Ed s I've seen a rumour re sakho and aresnal? Anything in that? Hope not also moreno,,? Seems out of favour and rumours earlier in the windows re roma or return to Spain? If that were true who would come in ? Digne? Interest seems to have gone or going elsewhere. Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of interest in Sakho from Arsenal. I am also not aware of efforts being made to sell Moreno.}

04 Aug 2015 12:26:25
Thanks ed.

04 Aug 2015 14:16:23
steviep62, you say you saw a rumour of Sakho to Arsenal, could you please say where you actually saw it as I would be interested in reading it

04 Aug 2015 09:43:00
R.I.P Lenny from Wigan.

If anyone knows him, lifelong fan has finally been beaten by cancer today.

YNWA

04 Aug 2015 10:25:23
Rip and sorry for your loss

04 Aug 2015 12:28:23
Rip from saints red.

04 Aug 2015 15:33:22
Rip, ynwa

04 aug 2015 17:19:10
rip

ynwa

from belfast

04 Aug 2015 20:40:41
R.I.P YNWA

04 Aug 2015 09:10:16
Eds, stupid question maybe but do you see Lallana being the 'surprise' sale that was discussed earlier in the window?

With Traore supposedly arriving plus having Ibe, Firminho and Coutinho playing similar(ish) roles I can't see a place for Lallana in the team really.

{Ed001's Note - no, it has been discussed, Markovic was the player but Liverpool were asking too much.}

04 Aug 2015 13:02:45
Cheers Ed. Looks like we're definitely going for the 2-8-0 formation in 2015/16 then!!!

04 Aug 2015 06:36:46
Hi eds

Was just wondering, simply because there is a massive lack of quality out available atm, have you guys ever considered doing or being open to anybody doing some podcasts for the site? whether it be team specific or by league to give a bit of further insight and knowledge into the sport each week or so! i love listening to a good premier league podcast but since the official barclays one has stopped they are very hard to find

cheers!

{Ed001's Note - we have often considered it and looked into it, but we never seem to find the time to put one together.}

04 Aug 2015 08:13:27
I think this would be a great idea. even if it was a fan made podcast, or occasionally a special Ed-guest podcast, certainly is a lot of work but would add a very dynamic and creative addition to the website.

{Ed001's Note - trouble is they are expensive to host, as well as time consuming to make, so it always ends up being something that gets put to one side for later.}

04 Aug 2015 08:15:03
Off the ball podcasts are usually good. But they are not only for football.

04 Aug 2015 12:56:21
I used to speak a bit on radio as well as hosting xbl podcasts. Wouldn't mind giving a fair opinion each Monday after a game? Could send you a 5 minute segment this Monday on the Stoke game via email if you like ed?

{Ed001's Note - I have emailed you benny.}

04 Aug 2015 02:05:00
Interesting to read in the Telegraph that Gomez was bought on the recommendation of Sean O'Driscoll having worked together at England youth level. Not sure I'd read that anywhere else.

03 Aug 2015 23:24:45
edd1 and indeed anyone, out of who has came in whom are you looking forward to see playing the most, or expecting the most from?

{Ed001's Note - Firmino.}

04 Aug 2015 06:18:26
Firmino for me. He is a top player. Sometime you need to pay over the odds to get the right player.

04 Aug 2015 07:36:24
EG, while I agree that Firmino is a quality player, the fact we paid significantly more than any other team offered for him, is quite frankly ludicrous and ridiclous. Then people wonder why this club has no money when we continue to waste it.

04 Aug 2015 07:36:10
Ed001, ever get the feeling your being stalked?

{Ed001's Note - always mate! It is even more worrying as I noticed someone had been going through the bins here last night.....}

04 Aug 2015 07:56:04
Brisbane

I agree with your sentments, But what are the other attractions for the player to join us?
No CL
NO Title
No Star Names

I am a firm believer, had we not bought Firmino, The club would have wasted it anyways on another potential player?

04 Aug 2015 08:16:54
The expectations on Firmino has been raised firmly. I still think it best to not expect him to be a world-beater. I would be surprised if he scored and assisted in double figures.

04 Aug 2015 08:28:57
Benteke for me

04 Aug 2015 08:42:22
Forget about his price.
By the end of the season he might look ridiculously cheap at that price you never know.

04 Aug 2015 08:50:11
The fact we paid more for him than any other team was prepared to pay, shouldn't have any reason not to look forward to seeing him play. The players worth to the club should be judged at the end of his contract.

04 Aug 2015 08:54:57
Hahahahaha ED001, I think a certain young poster will be getting night vision goggles for his Birthday, whatever you do ED, don't buy a bunny rabbit or a large black cocking pot!

{Ed001's Note - a cocking pot? I don't think I want to even know what a cocking pot it!!!}

04 Aug 2015 09:19:31
Defo Benteke he could be the difference between 4th an 5th

04 Aug 2015 10:49:41
It's a fatal attraction reference ED, you may be a touch to young to remember that movie.

04 Aug 2015 10:51:55
Hahahahaha, what a big dope I am ED, didn't even notice that typo, hahahahaha what a tot, 😆😆😆

04 Aug 2015 11:18:46
When and why did fans get completely obsessed with prices. I know I've said it before but leave that to the people that know the ins and outs rather than looking at it from miles away and making judgements on nothing more than the word of other people. let's just focus on what they do on the pitch I don't mind wether it's firmino benteke or ings that proves the best attacking signing all I hope is they all bang in a few goals forget the money aspect.

04 Aug 2015 12:46:05
it's seems quite hard to get an answer to a a simple bit of banter these days :(

03 Aug 2015 23:41:17
The only way the Traore rumours could be true is if:

1) Markovic is going out on loan.
2) Rodgers has decided against a move for Cheryshev (a left winger) and will try to play Traore on the left.
3) Traore is not a threat to Lallana because they are completely different type of players. Lallana is the classic attacking midfielder, while Traore is the classic out and out winger, just like Ibe. Ideal situation when playing a balanced 4-4-3.

If Rodgers is not going to play Traore on the left, then this loan/purchase (whichever it turns out to be) makes no sense at all. Both Ibe and Traore play the same positions, and are almost identical with their "in your face" style of running at defenders. Or maybe Barca have decided that Traore playing for the LFC Under 21's is better for his development than playing in the Spanish 3rd League (LOL). Just thinking out loud.

04 Aug 2015 02:39:00
Did you mean 433 or 442

04 Aug 2015 04:41:14
i read this article that for some reason barcelona are to be selling 12 of their barcelona B players. it could be for that reason they are looking to sell and might as well sell to the highest bidder or loan some to the best club for good development. either way the move makes no sense for LFC as we already are in need to trim down our own squad
we could say as it is we have no room for allen markovic in our squad. So if the reports are true it could be that we are moving either two of lallana, markovic and allen may be. but then again i wouldn't bet against rodgers loaning markovic to get traore on loan. it happened last year too with manquillo and wisdom. we all know how that turned out. It would just mean that the club learnt nothing.

{Ed001's Note - Traore was one they were looking to keep and only send on loan though. Didn't the B team get relegated hence the squad cuts?}

04 Aug 2015 06:20:52
Traore would bench Lallana as the only place Lallana could occupy is on the flanks where he is not effective.
Traore and Ibe either side of Benteke with Moreno and Clyne overlapping is typical counter attacking set up.

04 Aug 2015 08:20:18
Traore wouldn't "bench Lallana". What a ridiculous statement. Lallana had no problem playing out wide and doing pretty well for large periods while int he PL with Southampton. Tell us Harry, where will Lallana, Coutinho, Frimino, Henderson, Milner, Can, Lucas and Allen be fitting in if Ibe, Traore played out wide? Oh that's right, you want us to buy Kovacic, play him alongside Lallana and drop everyone else right?