Liverpool FC Forum

bigmick wrote:I do hope that on the strength of one goal conceded against Chelsea people aren't going to start going on about Agger and making rash judgements. I'm aware that Stu doesn't really fancy him but I think he's wrong and is allowing his admiration for Hyppia to cloud his judgement, other peopel would be well advised to look at the goal in the cold light of day before blaming Agger for its concession.

I actually thought he played Drogba very well on the night and although he initially got muscled out of it for the goal (and lets face it he's not the first or last that Drogba will do that to) he got himself back right side before getting done with the self same trick which Sami fell for a couple of seasons back. Drogba at this point though wasn't in a shooting position, he'd made a yard to play a square pass.

Arbeloa had gone to sleep completely and allowed Cole to run in behind him. Dreadful piece of defending and the Dane was entitled to expect better from the right-back. Had Cole been covered, Drogba had nowhere else to go and would probably have gone for a highly speculative shot. Riise had gone walkabout initially allowing Carvallo to play it into the huge channel left by his absense. Quite why he deemed it necessary to commit himself forward so far at 0-0 in the away leg of a Champions league semi final only he would know. The Dane was entitled to expect the left-midfielder to be breaking his neck to get in bhind him and offer him some cover but unfortunately that left midfielder was Zenden and in any case Riise's foray forward was entirely a freelance operation.
Agger was not blameless, but he figures way behind Arbeloa and Riise in the blame stakes for me. Keeping tabs on Drogba and not letting yourself get muscled out of it is not easy against the best centre forward in the league, whereas not letting the other striker in a two man attack run past you is basic defending, as is staying somewhere near your position.  .
Agger is a good player and we need cover, not a replacement who will only play half a season.

Good post Mick.  I still have faith in "The Dagger" (who was that numpty that did up all the nick-names a few months back? ) and I don't think just anyone could have ousted Sami as a starter this season and cemented a place in an already--based on last season's form--outstanding back line.  Stu, I know, gives a lot of credit to the system we play for our defensive solidity which is fair enough, but the kid has adapted well to that system and has done the business.  Let's just see how he goes as he grows into the role, shall we?   

Fowler_E7 wrote:

Stu.Murph wrote:the other question I suppose I should have asked, if not Woodgate who?

i cant think of any obvious names that spring to mind, but i wouldnt mind a centre back with some good experience (around 28/29) being signed to come in to add to the competion for places. Also someone of that age would be good to step in for when Agger loses form. Agger is still only 22 and will have a few more terrible games like he did the other night before he is a top class central defender, BUT i believe he will come good and be as consistent as the other top Defenders in the league.

red37 wrote:Woodgate is a fantastic Defender of which there is no doubt. What is in question has already been said.

Alternatives?  Hell they're not exactly growing on trees thats for sure, but my shout (and was from the start of the season) is still Roberto Ayala. Even if only for one season maybe two at a push, to allow the rest of the younger ranks time to edge up the ladder. With him and Sami, along with Carragher leading by example, the likes of Agger and the lads further down the pecking order would certainly have few better opportunities to learn their craft.

The Manhattan Project wrote:

Anyone know how the hell Boro can afford 7 million for a centre half?

They mortgaged the entire city of Middlesbrough.

dawson99 wrote:Alonso never had a bad bad game? i take it you were watching a different game this week?

Well, I guess I was watching a different game too as I thought Alonso was solid.  Would all those who feel Alonso had a shocker care to provide some evidence to support this conclusion?  Just what did he do that was so poor? 

Sabre wrote:Agree Bigmick's point about defending Agger.

I'm not a coach, nor an expert in football, just a supporter. But one of my universal truths is that great centre backs have more than 200 games in their pockets, and the only way to have 200 games in the pocket is to give the lads GAMES.

"We have no time for that" some might argue. But in the case of Agger, I feel it's worth the try, as I think he'll be one of the best in the future.

You only can reach Cannavaro (great CB), Gabriel Milito (good point Lando) or Carraguer's level with experience. In fact, experience is the most valuable of things a centre back can have.

Woodgate is a centreback I like. He's injury prone, right, but that's a bit of a lottery. Meaning that I've seen players coming to clubs saying "Injuries respected me in my career", and have a big one at their 29. I have seen aswell injury prone players who at some point won't have more troubles. I woudn't discard Woodgate just because of that. I think he's quality.

It's the same case as Milito. Turned down by Madrid because apparently his knee was prone to injury -- rumour has it that he was turned down for not being "hollywood"-esque enough. No injuries in Zaragoza, great performances.

Other than Milito, and Ayala. Don't look to the Spanish Peninsula when you seek centre backs. Just the same way I think most EPL midfielders are shíte (with all due respect), I think that the level of centrebacks and defenders is much better in the English premier League.

Stu.Murph wrote:We've already got Riise and Finnan who aren't top players at the back