But you can only buy who is available and decent value for money. I think it's pretty clear we tried to buy another central defender in the summer but there wasn't anyone around who ticked all the boxes: already world class, value for money, can pass it out, wants to join us, not older than mid-late twenties.
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Liverpool - post match thread.
- Thread starter FantasyIreland
- Start date
Lancet Fluke
Well-Known Member
I usually think it is too easy for fans to say players aren't arsed or don't try, it isn't something I tend to do (I much prefer to blame a manager if I'm being honest). But, we all know that Pep's way requires exceptional intensity particularly when not in possession otherwise the whole thing is likely to unravel and it is definitely reasonable to ask whether the players we have are either able or inclined to put in those extra yards. For me the players did put in those extra efforts that are required for the first couple of months and by and large haven't in the last couple of months. Someone like Silva was working like a bastard to win the ball back from the very first minute of matches for a while, now he is doing it for the odd spell here and there but by and large for me has just gone back to the Silva of previous years who didn't press especially well. The reality is that if we are going to play with a high line then if every one of those front players doesn't work their balls off to press from the very first minute then we are going to be horribly exposed to shitty counter attack goals where the opposition have to do virtually nothing to earn their goals. That second half against Arsenal, the main difference for me was that we started pressing properly and winning the ball in their half like we did in most matches in August/September. It changes absolutely everything for us and I don't really know why we only do it for the odd half in the odd match these days (usually at the point where the shit appears to be hitting the fan). Makes me think some players are choosing when they can be bothered carrying out one of the fundamentals of our system. If they are physically not up to it and were already knackered by October/November then fair enough but still worrying, if it is a choice to not press then that's not on.It'a pretty obvious that I wasn't talking about players that don't put a shift in - that's a different matter altogether. I didn't see a lack of motivation yesterday - I saw Liverpool, in the first half at least, do a slightly better job in negating our attacking threat than we did theirs. That doesn't equate to players not trying or not putting enough effort in. Maybe you're one of those that thinks every time we get a negative result means the players haven't tried.
I'll also add that footballers, no matter how good they are, can't always play at their best level and they can't turn it on and off like a light switch. Furthermore, you can't just expect us to steamroll every team we play - it'a 11 v 11 and as far from an exact science as you can get.
It sounds like you're suggesting we get rid of not just the manager, but also some of our best players as well because they committed the cardinal sin of being human and having an off day.
geoff clipp
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No I'm not kidding I said it on here while Milner was still with us, a good man manager tell Milner you want him as your right back, be a regular part of a great side who go on to win many things
Perfect right back, reads the game, can tackle, be great going forward, puts good ball in
We've really missed a chance to strengthen our defence
But we had one of the best right backs in the premier league two or three seasons ago when this conversation would need to have been had. Doesn't matter anyway as I've come to conclusion that he left for the money rather than game time.
Tommy_Catons_Perm
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Some massive overreactions on here but I share the concerns about whether the current players can adapt to Pep's system.
Aguero had a poor game and was not really involved in any of the buildup play. If we had a tall, powerful striker in the middle then I doubt teams would be so willing to let us have so much possession. If we had a Niall Quinn/Andy Carroll type player on the pitch instead of Kun yesterday then the outcome might have been different.
I am not advocating that we move to this but as a plan B it has some value as Arsenal have proved with the late goals snatched by Giroud this season.
Agreed. Bring Back Dzeko? How many goals do we score like the Liverpool goal ?
Prestwich_Blue
Well-Known Member
Aguero wasn't PL proven when we bought him. Neither were Drogba, Henry, Costa, Bergkamp, Suarez or Sanchez when they were bought. So that's a nonsense argument.None of whom are prem proven except Sanchez whose record does not compare to Sergio. Lacazette and Icardi not fit to lace aguero shoots imo. Aubameyeng had the chance to sign and has stated he wants Madrid and again isn't at sergios level. Griezmann would be a great addition but not sure he's an upgrade.
deano ou812
Well-Known Member
Agreed,but zab is more attack minded hence why pep picks him ahead of sagna kolarov can't defend but is again attack minded doesn't make it right but it's his decision and the buck stops with him ..
Lancet Fluke
Well-Known Member
Aubameyang may or may not be up to Aguero's level generally but he offers something very different from Sergio and I suppose it is about whether what he offers will suit Pep more than what Sergio offers.None of whom are prem proven except Sanchez whose record does not compare to Sergio. Lacazette and Icardi not fit to lace aguero shoots imo. Aubameyeng had the chance to sign and has stated he wants Madrid and again isn't at sergios level. Griezmann would be a great addition but not sure he's an upgrade.
Prestwich_Blue
Well-Known Member
And that's the key point. A team is the sum of its parts and currently ours is ten men plus Aguero. And the stats don't lie. We're better off without him.Aubameyang may or may not be up to Aguero's level generally but he offers something very different from Sergio and I suppose it is about whether what he offers will suit Pep more than what Sergio offers.
The-Dogs-Pollocks
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But you can only buy who is available and decent value for money. I think it's pretty clear we tried to buy another central defender in the summer but there wasn't anyone around who ticked all the boxes: already world class, value for money, can pass it out, wants to join us, not older than mid-late twenties.
We could have gone for a solid centre half. They dont all need to be world beaters. Just better than what we've got. Spurs and southampton have managed to get some decent centre halves in for reasonable dosh. We won the league with Joleon Lescott!
Correct Aguero is currently not right for us he needs to change his way or leaveAnd that's the key point. A team is the sum of its parts and currently ours is ten men plus Aguero. And the stats don't lie. We're better off without him.