Liverpool FC Forum

by **RedSi** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 1:00 pm

........watching Malbranque turning it on last night yet again has me yearning for us to sign him, do we know if GH has ever shown an interest......?

by **115-1073096938** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 1:18 pm

Yes he has... for two seasons. He wanted him last season only Fulham wouldn't sell. I didn't think he'd be an improvement last year but he seems to have come on leaps and bounds. He's always scored goals from midfield, now he looks a more complete player.

Would be a very good signing for us imo.

by **JBG** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 2:05 pm

I agree with you again Stu but then I've been advocating Malbranque for years. He's a class act with great footballing intelligence. I think we should pick him up this summer before one of the others pinch him. I'd have a lot of faith in him doing a great job for us and with him and Kewell either side of Hamman and Gerrard then our midfield will grow in creativity.

Plus, Malbranque is a great penalty taker and can score goals from midfield.

by **Owzat** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 2:06 pm

Trouble is we'd probably have to pay over the odds to secure the signing of Malbranque

by **Cool Hand Luke** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 4:17 pm

Stu I slightly disagree on your squad outline.

3 Goal Keppers, a clear first choice, a second choice who will happy to be second choice, and a third goal keeper who is younger and can learn his trade in the reserves.

7 Defenders, 3 Centre backs 2 right backs and 2 left backs, Defenders must know each others games well.

8 Midfielders, this is the area that requires most cover as it is very tough playing in midfield, 2 players for each poistion.

3 main strikers, 1 or 2 young strikers, We have Owen, Baros, personaly I don't count Heskey as a striker, and then we have Le Tallec and Pongolle who we can dip in and out for experience.

In addition to this it is important to have younger players who could make the first team in the future, i.e. Welsh, Otsemobor

by **115-1073096938** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 8:15 pm

3 Goal Keppers, a clear first choice, a second choice who will happy to be second choice, and a third goal keeper who is younger and can learn his trade in the reserves.

7 Defenders, 3 Centre backs 2 right backs and 2 left backs, Defenders must know each others games well.

8 Midfielders, this is the area that requires most cover as it is very tough playing in midfield, 2 players for each poistion.

3 main strikers, 1 or 2 young strikers, We have Owen, Baros, personaly I don't count Heskey as a striker, and then we have Le Tallec and Pongolle who we can dip in and out for experience.

In addition to this it is important to have younger players who could make the first team in the future, i.e. Welsh, Otsemobor

Ok i didn't make myself clear. Yes i agree with 3 keepers but one as a youngster. 3 main strikers one as a youngster ie Pongolle.

I can't agree with three centre halfs tho. has to be 4. Hyypia, Henchoz, Traore and another one (boumsong, ferdinand or gallas mould) then we'd have Traore and Henchoz as a backup pair which is more than good enough as Djimi is a decent player and Stephane is quality.

by **Owzat** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 9:07 pm

Carragher could be a reserve centre-back, using Traore as a left-back and cover as well, only a third centre-back would be needed

CB Henchoz, Hyypia AN OTHER
LB/CB Traore, Carragher

Keeping four quality centre-backs happy in a squad is unlikely, especially if we want a consistent back four as I get the feeling most of us do

by **115-1073096938** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 1:18 am

Carragher can't be a backup centre half as he's already in the side and is the reserve right back. You need 2 teams in terms of numbers to have the complete squad.

As for keeping them happy thats balls mate. Am sorry but you deal with unhappiness as it arises. You don't think oh i'll sell incase they become unhappy otherwise you'll never build a squad.

Dudek is happy to rotate with Kirkland, both have stated this many times.

Henchoz would get sufficient games as a third choice. Traore would play his usual role as a 4th choice centre half which is effectively what he is at the minute. If you replace Biscan with a class act (mentioned in the above posts) you improve the squad greatly.

My first team would be...

Code: Select all: Owen Cisse Kewell Hamann Gerrard(cpt) Malbranque Carragher Hyypia Boumsong Finnan Kirkland

second string first team squad...

Code: Select all: Pongolle Baros Smicer Welsh Le Tallec Murphy Vignal Traore Henchoz Riise Dudek

Obviously the full backs aren't spot on because the reserve right back is first choice left back but to me that second string looks to be quite strong and have alot of potential especially Pongolle, Baros, Vignal, Le Tallec and Welsh.

And i know we can't get Boumsong but you get the jist of what i'm saying.

by **Cool Hand Luke** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 1:47 pm

On the subject of centre backs we should 3 of them, and Carragher and Diao can cover in any emergency.

by **Cool Hand Luke** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 1:50 pm

Cutting The Size Of The Squad

First of all I would try to cut the size of the squad. The following players will be aloud to leave with out replacements coming in: Babbel, Smicer, Troare, Partridge, Warnock and Michael Foley Sheiden. These players are unlikely to command much transfer fees, so some may have to agree settlements.

Babbel: Not the same player of old, and surplus to requirements.

Smicer: Has failed to make any real impact in the Premership, stopping younger players getting a chance.

Troare: Not good enough and surplus to requirements.

Partridge: Will be 23 next season, too late for him, contract is up in the summer.

Warnock: Will be 22 next season, too late for him, has failed to make any sort of impact.

Foley Sheridan: Will be 21 next year, has failed to make any impact what so ever.

Improving The First Team

STRIKER: Next I would look at improving the first team. The first area to look at is a partner for Owen. I would push through the transfer of Cisse, though it is something of a risk. I have a feeling that the price will be closer to 10MIL rather than the 14MIL being talked about.

RIGHT SIDED MIDFIELDER: Next the right side of midfield needs to be improved. My first choice would be Simon Davies, and if we were to get into the Champions League we would have a realistic chance of getting him for around 8MIL. But in case we could not get him I would have Steed Malbranque as a back up option, I am sure if we pushed the issue we could get him for around 5MIL.

CENTRE BACK: The last position I would try to improve is centre back, this would not be the top priority as it is very hard to find what I am looking for, an accomplished and pacey centre back. The Boumsong deal is dead but I would have loved to get him, and I think that the chances of getting Gallas are next to nothing. I would be tempted to go for Anthony Gardner of Tottenham, he seems to be developing into a top class centre back, and is one of the quickest centre backs in the Premership. This would be the right time to try to get him, because the price will not be to inflated. Another option would be Yobo of Everton, I have always liked him, he marked Owen out of the Nigeria game in the World Cup and did the same against Henry last season, again if we pushed hard enough we could get him. The problem with both of these is whether they can cut it at the top level on a regular basis, but I would take the risk if the funds were there.

These three signings would mean the end of Heskey,Diouf and most likely Biscan. I would have to sit Henchoz down and explain that he was no longer first choice but he would get games through injuries suspensions and cup competition, if he were happy with that I would keep him, but if not I would sell him and keep Biscan

Heskey: Just a huge liability to the team, Middlesborough may pay around 5MIL for him.

Diouf: Talented player but lacks a real position. Doesn’t score enough to be a striker, and looks out of place in the midfield.

Biscan: Surplus to requirement once the new centre back arrives, does not posses the quality to command a first team place.

Dudek?

The other thing I would contemplate doing is to sell Dudek, not that I don't think he is a good keeper, it is just that Kirkland is my number and I want that to be clear, Dudek has said that even if he is not in the side he still wants to stay, I’m sure his attitude would change when it comes to December next year and the only game he has played is a Worthington Cup match against Barnsley, selling Dudek would also help cut the wage bill, The Possibility of getting Jones is now gone, so I would look for another experienced and preferably British goalkeeper.

Squad Analysis

GOALKEEPERS: Kirkland is the clear number 1, How ever comes in is the experienced back up, Luzi is the young third choice who does not moan.

DEFENDERS: Gardner and Hyypia is the first choice centre back pairing, Henchoz will play in the event of injuries, suspensions and in the lesser cups. Finnan is the first choice right back, left back would be decided through form between Carragher and Riise. Vignal would stay at Anfield and play in the lesser cups and rotation, I do not believe in rotating the centre backs though. I feel those seven are adequate cover, and will get to know each other games better because there are less of them. I would loan Otsembor out but have a clause that says we can have him back if injuries kick in. Medjani and Whitbread will continue there progression in the reserves.

MIDFIELDERS: Kewell, Hamann, Gerrard and Davies/Malbranque would be first choice. Cheyrou, Welsh, Diao and Murphy would provide enough cover. I would encourage Gerrard to get in to the box more, and tell him that he needs to link up regularly with the strikers. I would try to loan Diarra out to another Premership side, if not then a Division 1 side, and if not then to a top French Side and allow him to play in the Champions League for them.

STRIKERS: Cisse and Owen as first Choice, though Baros would rack up enough starts due to Injuries, Suspensions and Rotation. I would leave the 4th spot open in order to give Pongolle and Le Tallec games. I would loan Mellor out to a club that can guarantee him first team football.

First Team

Kirkland

Finnan Gardner Hyypia Carragher

Davies Hamann Gerrard Kewell

Owen Cisse

Other Issues To Be Considered

TRAINING GROUND: We really need to work on keeping the ball better, Shooting( more long shots), and most importantly MOVEMENT. Movement off the ball is vital if only to create space for others, pass and move would be drummed into their heads.

TACTICS: The pacey centre back is vital, because when we play at home against teams who defend deep we will need the defence to play a high line in order to give us a better chance of braking teams down and also he full backs need to provide width against teams like these. The strikers and midfielders(except Hamann) would effectively be given a free role when we have the ball, but when we lose it, it is vital that we regain our shape.

YOUNGSTERS: I would not be afraid to chuck youngsters in at the deep end in order to give them a taste, you don't know if there good enough unless you play them. Also, releasing players like Partridge and Warnock will allow players from the academy to play in the reserves.

by **Owzat** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 2:08 pm

stu_the_red wrote:Carragher can't be a backup centre half as he's already in the side and is the reserve right back. You need 2 teams in terms of numbers to have the complete squad.

He can be a reserve in any position, limiting him is limiting his versatility.

by **115-1073096938** » Fri Feb 06, 2004 6:41 pm

Ok now take out 6 of those players as have happened to us on 5 occasions this season.

Say for example Finnan, Carragher, Kewell, Hamann, Cisse and Owen all get injured.

Then who would you play??

As for selling Dudek... Kirkland is injury prone like mad and until this clears you need class backup. Again something i think is nothing short of bad management.

So this would Leave you with

Baros Pongolle
Cheyrou Gerrard Diao Murphy
Riise Hyypia Gardner Henchoz?
Kirkland

Subs...
Le Tallec
Vignal
Welsh
??

Yeah and i can see that team competing with Arsenal. And if injuries where to happen in the match or you needed to win you don't have a subs bench to change the game. Aren't you one of the ones moaning at Houllier this season for exactly this? I can't even see where your substitutes are coming from loaning the likes of Mellor out etc.

Smicer is a better player than Diao. Simple as that and i'd take him in the starting line up any day of the week over Diao. Selling Dudek is a mistake as he's class and Kirkland is injury prone, the logic behind this is simply a joke, nothing less. Davies lacks the phyiscal pressence to play in a Liverpool side. Gardner is just not good enough. He's a decent player but he's certainly not particulaly quick and he's very sloppy in possession, positionally aswell he'll be found wanting. There is a reason spurs are a midtable side. Keane, Kanoute, Carr, Dalmat and Davies are there best players... beyond that theres nothing else really. Diouf.... see if you'd kept him you'd as a minimum be able to have him as a sub. He's also a better player than Cheryou at present.

you don't know if there good enough unless you play them.

boll##ks.

How many players have left LFC or any of the tops sides and gone on to be something special without being given a chance by there old club? Yeah my thoughts exactly.

On the subject of centre backs we should 3 of them, and Carragher and Diao can cover in any emergency.

A back 4 of Riise, Diao, Carragher, Finnan? Are you having a laugh? Carragher is a full back who can "do a job" at centre half. Diao is a centre mid and not a very good one at that. He lacks the discipline and intelligence to play centre half. I'd rather see Biscan there.

Nuff said.

by **Owzat** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 10:04 am

Hey chaps, can we cut down on the mini-dissertations. I haven't read one of your long posts because I have neither the time nor the inclination.

by **115-1073096938** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 9:08 pm

So you'll slag me off for making a valid point. You then make your own stupid arguement which suits yourself... then not back up what your saying when questioned.... presumabley because what i was saying in the first place is correct.

You slate Houllier for not being able to cope with injuries... but then you expect a squad of less quality to compete.

Interesting.

by **big al** » Sat Feb 07, 2004 11:22 pm

Who are you talking to Stu?

??

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