Liverpool FC Forum

stu_the_red wrote:Look at his record at Norwich, he adapted like he's been in the prem for years and almost single handedly kept them up. He had crewe on the verge of the play offs untill he left... the lads genuine class, i said it about Defoe when he was at west ham, and i was right, am sayin the same about Ashton.

Gotta hand it to ya Stuey lad. You're amazing  

stu_the_red wrote:Jerzy Dudek - 6. Had a decent season but made one or two costly errors again. He's not the same goalkeeper as the one we signed. He's lost confidence and doesn't command his box properly, his distribution is very slow and he often costs us counter attacks. He is also positionally quite average. I would think he'll move on in the summer. A good keeper, not a great one.

Kirkland - 5. Time to let Kirkland go i would think. He's been average when given the chance and simply isn't fit for long enough to stay. He had massive potential, possibly still has, but i've lost patience with him now. Its been three years and he's been fit for maybe a third of the games if i'm being kind.

Carson - 6. Made some great saves against Juventus and looks a cracking shot stopper. Quick off his line aswell. Can't command his box though and his communication with his defence is poor. In fairness he's a young lad, but he's not first team standard yet but he has time to improve. After looking very shakey at first there was an improvement. In a few years time he may improve to a first teeam standard.

Finnan - 8. Done this season what i expected last season. Looked good defensively and shown he knows how to use the ball well and attack. Intelligent player rather than physical. He's probably the second best right back in the league behind Ferreira of Chelsea. He's got a very good first touch for a full back aswell. I hope he maintains this level again next season.

Josemi - 6. After a good start he drastically lost form and his head. A good player though and i think we'll see the best of him next season, i fully expect him to make Finnan work as hard as he has this season to keep his place in the side.

Traore - 6. Good in the tackle, good pace, tall... thats about it. One or two half decent games but he doesn't have the ability to play at his level in a great side. He's to poor on the ball and he lacks the intelligence to play at this level. The main reason we have conceeded goals this season is Traore, as harsh as it sounds, alot of goals conceeded from set peices and open play have come from him not being in the correct position or losing his man at a set play, he nearly cost us against Juventus in the first leg. I hope he's sold this summer.

Warnock - 7. When he's had the chance he's impressed, he's got a touch, can pass, can beat a man, solid, aggressive, intelligent and a generally good player. Another Carragher in the making i reckon.

Carragher - 10. I just wish he'd scored a goal. Everyone who's slagged him off over the years should be ashamed of themselves instead of jumping on the bandwagon. He nearly scored one of the goals of the season against Villa the other day aswell. Absoloutely faultless season.

Hyypia - 7. Solid as ever but has been exposed not having a decent left back next to him most of the season. Still a class act, anyone who tells you otherwise is talking out of there .

Pellegrino - 5. Good tactical sense, physically though, not upto it i'm affraid. Looked poor then improved then poor again.

Luis Garcia - 8. 13 goals, superb. He started well and was full of confidence, his movement is great and he's very lively. Benn a really good signing. He had a dip after the first few games but he's come back a better player. He does need to decide what he's going to on the ball quicker though. Sometimes he takes so much time and finds himself under pressure, he doesn't have the strength to take his time either. He is often quilty of overplaying the ball aswell, he'll improve next season though i think.

Nunez - 5. Has to improve. I think he looks to have a bit of potential. He's quick and can definately get crosses into the box. Needs to learn how to defend better and become a bit more physical, he's a big lad so it shouldn't be hard. Could become a useful player next season.

Kewell - 5. I'm being generous because he's looked slightly better after coming back from injury. Had a poor season, not enough goals and not enough good performances. May move on in the summer.

Riise - 8. Crackin season. Full of energy, effort, pace and powerful shots. Not the long term answer at left mid, but i think he's definately an important player for our future. Hopefully he won't drop his standards next season.

Alonso - 8. Had he not been injured he'd have ran Carragher VERY close for player of the season. Class player. He always finds players in space with a superb range of passing. The players need to make better use of it. He's got everything in his locker aswell, although he's not athletic he gets around the pitch and is a trong and aggressive player. He's brilliant defensively and breaks up opponents attacks superbly, his tackling, marking, anticipation and positional player are nearly in the same league as Didi Hamann's. His return against Juventus was something else aswell. What a player he's going to be next season.

Gerrard - 6. Not good enough from the captain. He's sulked his way through far to many games this season and intimidated his own players far to often. He needs an attitude transplant. He'd do well to remember this club has sold better players than him and survived and will continue after he's gone, we owe him nothing, he owes us everything. The thing that annoys me, is when he gives everything, not many can touch him. If he stays he MUST improve his attitude next season. Hopefully he'll stay, but if he goes and we get good money i won't be to upset. We've often looked a better side this season when he hasn't played.

Hamann - 7. Well past his brilliant best, but the lads still got loads to offer in terms of experience and backup. Still a quality player and more than useful. May leave this summer though. Been a great servant. Hopefully he'll stay on backup for one more year.

Biscan - 7. Done well in europe. Shown glimpses of real class. However he still goes missing. He's a good player, but needs to learn to influence a game for 90 minutes as apose to showing the odd flash here and there.

Baros - 6. Had his chance to replace Owen, done nothing but moaned, missed chances and cried like a baby all season. Running down blind alleys and not passing might fool idiots like Banana but it doesn't fool real fans and people who know the game. Good player not a great one. Get off your high horse, realise you're never going to be more than a third choice striker at a good club then maybe you'll have a decent career. Not good enough, shut the door on your way out.

Mellor - 7. 110%, scored some vital goals and set up one of the most important goals this season with a great header. Not really premiership class but hasn't let anyone down this season.

Sinama-Pongolle - 7. Looked really lively all season. Was poor in his first game against Birmingham, after that he started to come into his own. He's a good player with intelligence, pace and trickery and he'll work hard and fight for the cause. Needs to improve his finishing but i think he could become a really good player over the next few years for us. Shame he got injured when he did.

Morientes - 6. Clearly struggled to settle. Shown glimpses of class but in general hasn't had the service he needs. Wouldn't suprise me if he left this summer but he'll hopefully stay and show us what he can do next season.

Cisse - 6. Before his injury he looked like he was trying to hard to impress and didn't look happy. His work rate wasn't the best and to be honest i think the fee and expectation got to him. Since he came back he's been a breath of fresh air and looked lively and likely to score a goal. He's a got a decent brain, unbelievable pace and is generally a good athlete. My only critisism is he doesn't really work hard enough without the ball, hopefully this will improve next season. He has serious potential and i hope he reaches the level he's capable of, if he does he'll be a £15m player.

Benitez - 7. He's been faultless in europe. In the league cup he was very, very good. The FA cup and League though were a disgrace if i'm honest. On saying that, he's had injuries to deal with (even so we had enough to finish above Everton) and its his first season. He should have learnt ALOT of harsh lessons this season to prepare him and his team for next season. I do expect a top three finish next season and i expect better results against the top 6 sides.

Players to leave:

Kirkland
Dudek
Traore
Pellegrino
Cheyrou
Diao
Diouf
Le Tallec
Vignal
Baros
Gerrard (possibly, not as likely as three months ago)

Squad for next season.

GK - Carson
RB - Finnan, Josemi, Carragher
LB - Riise, Warnock, Carragher
CB - Carragher, Hyypia
RM - Nunez, Luis Garcia
LM - Kewell, Riise, Warnock
CM - Gerrard, Alonso, Hamann, Biscan
CF - Morientes, Cisse, Sinama Pongolle.

We desperately need a class keeper, we desperately need a top class striker. Those two positions will improve away results when you need big saves and someone who can get you a goal anywhere. The main reason we've been so poor away this season is a lack of Owen's goals away frmo home and the fact that other teams don't need to do anything exceptional to beat our goalkeepers.

The next two priorities are the wings. Luios Garcia is better in the centre behind the front man 1 striker not 2, Nunez hasn't produced and Kewell hasn't hit top form for over a year. Riise isn't really a midfielder and neither is Warnock although both CAN opperate there.

After that we need either cover at the back or a better player than Hyypia to replace him. However i feel that defence we have now with Warnock/Riise, Hyypia, Carragher, Finnan would be much much better with a superb commanding goalkeeper behind them.

Players i'd recommend.

GK - Robinson, Given... POSSIBLY Robert Green (although i'm not sure if he's better than we already have, my guess is probably not).
CB - Woodgate (if fit) if not then i'd struggle to name one of the required standard.
CM - Baraja. If Gerrard does stay and we can't afford him i'd like to see Nolan or Parker brought in.
RW - Pennant (gone), Joaquin
LW - Downing, Vicente (i reckon Downing can become a superb player over the net few years, pace, crossing, skill and intelligence, has proved he can handle the physical side of the game aswell and is only young. Suffered burn out at the end of the season though, still only young so understandable).
CF - Owen and i'll get slated for this but if Morientes does leave i'd like Ashton to be his replacement, considering we'd have Cisse and Luis Garcia there already he'd be fourth choice but i believe he's a player who can and will improve to become international class. He's great in the air, two footed, clever, aware and can handle the physical aspect of the game. He also single handedly had Crewe pushing for a play off place untill he left.

A squad i'd love to see:

GK - Robinson, Carson, +1 (Paul Jones type thing, experience if possible)
RB - Finnan, Josemi, Carragher
LB - Riise, Warnock, Carragher
CB - Carragher, Woodgate, Hyypia, +1 (someone with experience but who still has something to offer or youth and potential)
RM - Joaquin, Nunez, Luis Garcia
LM - Downing, Riise, Warnock
CM - Gerrard (Baraja if he leaves), Alonso, Hamann, Parker
CF - Morientes (Ashton if he leaves), Cisse, Sinama Pongolle, Owen.

I'd probably get Biscan to sign and sell him and i'd look to let Kewell, Baros and the two goalkeepers leave. The chances are i think we'll see a new goalkeeper this summer, AT LEAST one new winger and a striker. POSSIBLY a quality centre half although i wouldn't be suprised if Benitez stuck with Sami and Carragher for one more season.

Its a long one.

Got as far as Traore and me eyes started playing me up 

A.B. wrote:

Look at his record at Norwich, he adapted like he's been in the prem for years and almost single handedly kept them up. He had crewe on the verge of the play offs untill he left... the lads genuine class, i said it about Defoe when he was at west ham, and i was right, am sayin the same about Ashton.

So Ashton is doing well for Norwich City and therefore he's automatically good enough for this club? He's a good player but not good enough just like Baros.

Diouf is doing well for Bolton, should we also bring him back and make him our starting striker?

stu_the_red wrote:Jerzy Dudek - 6.

Carson - 6.

Josemi - 6.

Traore - 6.

Nunez - 5.

Kewell - 5.

Gerrard - 6.

Baros - 6.

Morientes - 6.

Cisse - 6.

mrcool2003 wrote:i can't imagine rb doing out his list of quality european players and going right, strikers, dean ashton have to try and sign him, theres no way in the world hes interested, hes not world class or the sort of player we need to be challenging for the league etc

stu_the_red wrote:I've seen Ashton play 6 times live, i've played against him when i played for Stockport reserves on one occassion for 30 minutes, out of all the players i've seen in my life, he's the best player i've played against without question.

hang on a minute stu... i'm sure you said that about carlton palmer once too... 

but back to being serious, i reckon ashton is a decent enough player. when everyone is going round picking up the pieces of the relegated teams i wouldn't mind if we were in there sniffing about for him as a bargain. but only for cheap and only as cover. i'd rather that than going abroad again for squad players.

harking back to your original post i'm glad to see you giving nunez the patience he deserves and pongo the credit he deserves. i'm thinking they're both going to be good players for us in the next 2 or 3 seasons. neither of themm are going to be automatic first choice but both deserve planty of chances. just before pongo got injured last season he was starting to really excite me and i seriously believe we'd have done better towards the end of this season if we'd had have him fit and baros out.