Liverpool FC Forum

MilitiaRusher wrote:What makes me think that defenders aren't worth as much as other outfield players is that they are after all not as skillful and gifted as those who orchestrate the attack. There are exceptions of course. But no doubt 28 million for Rio Ferdinand is a major rip off. 28 million could literally buy you 3 Alonso's.

MilitiaRusher wrote:

LIVERPOOLANYTIME wrote:

MilitiaRusher wrote:What makes me think that defenders aren't worth as much as other outfield players is that they are after all not as skillful and gifted as those who orchestrate the attack. There are exceptions of course. But no doubt 28 million for Rio Ferdinand is a major rip off. 28 million could literally buy you 3 Alonso's.

So defenders are not as skillful as those that 'orchestrate' the attack.
For me this is completly wrong and i think you may be basing what you saying in aesthetic terms. Meaning because it is nice to watch and pleasing on the eye, such as the Kaka pass for Milans third, and Crespo's exquisite finish in the same move.
It is fair point if you are basing your point on this, because obviously a rugged barge off the ball, or towering header from a goal kick (as Hyppia does) or a full-blooded slide tackle may not be the nicest things to watch and dont exactly oooze class, this I accept, however this does not mean a lack of skill.

Defenders possess DIFFERENT skills and attributes (apart from the universal ones that are physical, such as - pace,strength, etc; which can be compared between positions ie; Defoe may not do well against Sol Campbell because of the strength difference {just an example})

The skills that a defender has are the ones needed in his position, there is no point Carra being able to do a Cruyff, as he wont be able to utilise that skill as well as it could be used in the attacking third.
However, the heading ability of Hyppia is essential as a CB, and did he not score a both classy but more importantly VITAL goal in the QF against Juve. If he didnt have skill, he would not have been able to finish so coolly. It is becasue he is always defending that those are the skills he will use first. Dont be fooled, I bet you Sami and Carra can do MANY more kick-ups than you with no problem, or if you had a game with those two they'd be megging ya all over the place, thing is, this is NOT their job and basically NOT what they are EMPLOYED to do, they are EMPLOYED as defenders and thus MUST play as defenders.

Also a lot of a defenders job, is not always physical as there is also the Mental part to the game. This comes in the way of positional play, the TOP defenders are always in the right place a the right time and can read the game so well and anticipate what will happen.
Again, as i say, defenders and attackers have to possess  and utilise the correct abilities and skills for their OWN position.

To argue that defenders have LESS skill, IMO is simply unfair. Look it is IMPOSSIBLE TO LOSE A MATCH BY NOT CONCEDING (penalties aside). What is better - drawing or losing a match if the strikers or forward players are having an off day or oppo keeper having a good day. I would take a point over none anyday, and it is those points here and there that make the difference.

You mention Rio Ferdinand, and say basically he is a rip off, maybe, but why do you say that??  Although he plays for the Mancs, I know a good player when i see one and will always admit to a good player.
Rio oozes class, but i hear many say that he doesnt do anything, and for me this is a sign of how good he is. He reads the game so well that he hardly ever has to tackle, as he intercepts the ball the majority of the time. He just sweeps up.
Whereas Carra is a blood and guts type of player, sort of in the mould of a Keown (THE RASH), all over the striker, never giving them peace and quiet, put his head anywhere even if it means getting one in the face.
So just as midfielders and attackers have differing skills and can bring different things to the attack, the same can be said for defenders.

ie; Mori/Cisse, Hamaan/Nedved, Rio/Carra.

And you say that the Money of Rio could buy three Alonso's. Again you cannot gaurantee this, as really we got Alonso for less than he was worth. Players of his quality to not always come as cheap as that, unless you happen to be Arsene F.ucking Wenger FFS!!!

All GREAT teams are built with A GREAT FOUNDATION at THE BACK. Maybe you can name a team that has done well without this (aside from BRAZIL    )

I dont understand so what do you see defenders as then, just three/four/five (formation depending) players to either lump it up the pitch or to just give it to the 'orchestrators'.
If Defenders were not important then we wouldnt have given new contracts to Traore/Carra, we wouldnt have bought Reina, Barragan and we wouldnt be in the market (supposedly!) for a CB either.

Show a little more respect for THE ART OF DEFENDING please !!!!

You have got the point but I still think attackers are and should be the more skillful players on the pitch, therefore it's still a tendency that attackers should be worth more then defenders.

Think about it, why do people play in defense? This is mostly because of their lack of technical skills which would not allow them to be more comfortable on the ball, therefore they have to resign to doing the 'dirty' and 'rough' work in defense.