Creative Midfielder

[Shooter 83]

Yeah if we sold Elano I wouldnt mind either Sneijder or Van der Vaart. Good age,quality players and getable.

 

[TonyM]

I'd love if our starting lineup against Blackburn was...

.............Given.............
Zabba Dunne Terry Lescott
....Ireland Alonso Barry.....
Tevez ...............Robinho
...........Adebayor.........

Subs: Taylor, Onouha, Bridge, DeJong, SWP, Bellamy, RSC

I'd see Ireland and Barry in particular battling for everything in midfield, while Alonso would constantly be available to use the ball (linking attack and defense perfectly). Tevez and Robinho would make themselves busy up and down the wings (if not tackling particularly well, at least being a nuisance). And Adebayor making the runs that'll keep the opposition mindful of the fact that just one long ball and he could be off.

Basically what I'm trying to get across is that Alonso would be the perfect signing to strenthen our midfield.

(By the way I hope we keep Dunne too. Richards needs rest I suspect and though I think Onouha was great last season I think we could be putting too much pressure on his young shoulders - especially after the bit of a struggle at the U21s)

 

[magoo]

We dont need alonso imo, since we got gareth barry. We can shoe horn any number of existing creative players in, if stevie is missing, even if elano goes. Swp, or binho for two.

yeah but it would piss off rafa big time...alonso would be something special playing for a manager he liked

 

[Cobwebcat]

If Elano went I'd love Denilson or Arteta but really...it's all about a defense now.

 

[ST Coleridge]

Yeah if we sold Elano I wouldnt mind either Sneijder or Van der Vaart. Good age,quality players and getable.

Really gettable, by the sound of things. Weren't we linked with a Real player a few weeks ago, in a thread that quickly decided upon shitey Sergio Ramos. Can't believe we're not looking at these two (or even Robben, as a Robinho alternate should Petrov depart), they had a really good Euros I thought, particulary Wesley.

 

[Teavee75]

Do we reckon Barry will play on the left, or in central midfield? Guess it depends on the formation.

Do we regard our current holding midfielders, De Jong and Kompany as 'top 4' class players? Thats the standard every player has to meet now. With abundent attacking option, its holding midfielder that will be the key position...

 

[mcfckb]

I would be happy if Elano stayed if not, then Arteta would be an excellent addition.

 

[ST Coleridge]

I'd love if our starting lineup against Blackburn was...

.............Given.............
Zabba Dunne Terry Lescott
....Ireland Alonso Barry.....
Tevez ...............Robinho
...........Adebayor.........

Subs: Taylor, Onouha, Bridge, DeJong, SWP, Bellamy, RSC

I'd see Ireland and Barry in particular battling for everything in midfield, while Alonso would constantly be available to use the ball (linking attack and defense perfectly). Tevez and Robinho would make themselves busy up and down the wings (if not tackling particularly well, at least being a nuisance). And Adebayor making the runs that'll keep the opposition mindful of the fact that just one long ball and he could be off.

Basically what I'm trying to get across is that Alonso would be the perfect signing to strenthen our midfield.

(By the way I hope we keep Dunne too. Richards needs rest I suspect and though I think Onouha was great last season I think we could be putting too much pressure on his young shoulders - especially after the bit of a struggle at the U21s)

I like your thinking, with regards to Alonso linking defence and attack, and the idea of Ireland and Barry breaking up play - that said, I think he'd have to sit alongside a purely destructive, zero-goals-a-season man like De Jong (like Mascherano before). The premiership's too tough these days, and I'd love to give Ireland (despite his kung fu stamina) a bit more solidity behind him, to free him up.

 

[ST Coleridge]

Do we reckon Barry will play on the left, or in central midfield? Guess it depends on the formation.

Do we regard our current holding midfielders, De Jong and Kompany as 'top 4' class players? Thats the standard every player has to meet now. With abundent attacking option, its holding midfielder that will be the key position...

Yes, I regard the pair of them as top-four standard. It's about harrying and concentration, and they're hard-working boys. I think that bit's covered.

The thing is, in the current default 4-5-1/4-3-3, the top three (Arsenal are still 4-4-2) have a:

Destroyer: Fletcher/Mikel/Mascherano (De Jong)
Tick-It-Over: Carrick/Ballack/Alonso (Barry)
Arrive Late: (Argumentbreaksdown)/Lampard/Gerrard (Ireland)

 

[TonyM]

Before this season I made the assessment that Ireland was making himself into a Keane type player rather than an attacking midfielder. Last season convinced me of the fact. He'll score many goals,because he'll break into the box at the right time, but not much more (or maybe even less) than this season. He enjoys the battle in the center and IMO he'll never be a true attacking midfielder (like Iniesta). He's what I'd call the complete midfielder (ala Lampard, Gerrard, Keane).

Just my opinion but I fear I'll need a tin hat. :-)