[quote=“farmerinthecity”]I never understood the logic in buying Keane particularly for so much money. After the incredible rotation that occurred in the first half of last season it finally looked as if Liverpool had settled on a proper formation (4-2-3-1) incorporating Gerrard in the team off Torres with Mascherano and Alonso behind in midfield. Surely the area to focus on was the flanks and perhaps an out and out striker as back up for Torres as well as another central midfielder also possibly. Instead he blows his budget on Keane who plays in the Gerrard role meaning Gerrard has to be accommodated again.
I feel sorry for Keane. There is no doubt that he is a decent player but he has never got the chance to play for a considerable length in his best position. I also think now that Benitez realizes that he doesnt fit in and constantly substitutes him. Someone mentioned that he is playing now looking over to the bench constantly to see if he is going to be taken off. Thats true. And taking him off for the useless pile of shite Ngog took the biscuit and for the first time Keane looked pissed off.
I take Clarkeys point though on the fact that we are top of the league. I dont want to keep sounding negative but I saw something horrible in Liverpool on Monday night. Panic, lack of shape, lack of guile and most worryingly of all lack of knowledge from the bench to know what to do.[/quote]
Agree with that a crazy signing. It was like he hadnt scouted Keane at all. I couldnt understand it as surely Gerrard and Torres was the partnership. I can see Keane being traded off in January. Modric maybe in a swap deal.
Does that FIFA rule still apply whereby you can’t be registered for more than 2 clubs from any 12-month period beginning on 1 July? If so, Robbie and/or Liverpool can’t agree on a parting of ways until next summer at the earliest. It’s the same rule that prevented Daniel Cousin from joining Fulham last January having only joined the Huns from France the previous July or August. Some LOI players, including Colin Healy, were also caught out by it and tried to get an exemption by arguing the cut-off date wasn’t a natural fit with leagues that are played through the summer months.
Fuck me, an actual relevant point Bandage. Think your correct there. If so, unless Keane big time pulls the finger out, it is very bad news for Ireland. I think we are playing Georgia in Feb. Anyone know when the games against Bulgaria, Italy and the home game against Montenegro are on? Lets hope Stephen Ireland comes back by then so at least we have the option of 4-5-1.
[quote=“farmerinthecity”]I never understood the logic in buying Keane particularly for so much money. After the incredible rotation that occurred in the first half of last season it finally looked as if Liverpool had settled on a proper formation (4-2-3-1) incorporating Gerrard in the team off Torres with Mascherano and Alonso behind in midfield. Surely the area to focus on was the flanks and perhaps an out and out striker as back up for Torres as well as another central midfielder also possibly. Instead he blows his budget on Keane who plays in the Gerrard role meaning Gerrard has to be accommodated again.
I feel sorry for Keane. There is no doubt that he is a decent player but he has never got the chance to play for a considerable length in his best position. I also think now that Benitez realizes that he doesnt fit in and constantly substitutes him. Someone mentioned that he is playing now looking over to the bench constantly to see if he is going to be taken off. Thats true. And taking him off for the useless pile of shite Ngog took the biscuit and for the first time Keane looked pissed off.
I take Clarkeys point though on the fact that we are top of the league. I dont want to keep sounding negative but I saw something horrible in Liverpool on Monday night. Panic, lack of shape, lack of guile and most worryingly of all lack of knowledge from the bench to know what to do.[/quote]
Aye, a strange signing and I don’t think things will work out for Keane tbh. He just doesn’t suit Liverpool. The only way would be if Gerrard got injured.
Can’t understand why Babel isn’t getting more game time either. Surely he should’ve been brought on rather than Ngog.
Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill has admitted he is ready to make a move for Wigan striker Emile Heskey.
O’Neill has already confirmed he will be looking to his squad during the January transfer window.
Heskey played under O’Neill during their time together at Leicester and the two could be reunited in the New Year.
O’Neill admits that he will be looking to take advantage of the fact that Heskey is out of contract at the end of the season and his club Wigan do not want to lose him for nothing next summer.
“I am sure Emile Heskey will not be short of offers,” O’Neill told the Daily Star.
"That is what happens when players run into the last six months of their contracts.
So O’Neill’s scouting budget has been upgraded to a UK railway annual pass for 1 person then.
KIB Man, I saw an interview with him last night where he said he wasn’t averse to spending in January and was happy with getting Carew and Young in Januarys past.
Are there areas other areas he’ll be looking to address or just upfront?
I wonder is Torres’ back the real issue too. It can cause a lot of hamstring problems. If so, bad news for Liverpool. They could do it with him, but without him - I don’t think so.
[quote=“Bandage”]So O’Neill’s scouting budget has been upgraded to a UK railway annual pass for 1 person then.
KIB Man, I saw an interview with him last night where he said he wasn’t averse to spending in January and was happy with getting Carew and Young in Januarys past.
Are there areas other areas he’ll be looking to address or just upfront?[/quote]
That was cracking business at the time. He swapped Baros for Carew.
Where to strengthen? Bouma is due back in a few weeks but left back is a problem anyway. Shorey hasn’t done well. He’s been ok in some games actually but when someone runs at him it isnt good.
MON man management has done him no favours. When ever Shorey was playing and we were making a change near the end he was always taken off. Despite the main problem being elsewhere. This cost us big time in the Newcastle defeat, Shorey was taken off, Luke Young who was cleaning Duff was moved across to left back and Reo Coker moved to right back. The correct change was for Barry to be taken off. Last wkend against Fulham, Shorey should definitely have been starting. He is good going forward anyway and Fulham were only going to defend. Instead MON plays one of the best right backs in the league completely out of position on the far side to keep Cuellar happy.
Wayne Bridge would be a quality addition. I’d love to see a bid for Gareth Bale, Harry Houdini seems to have some clown playing left back ahead of him. He’ll probably buy Hreidarsson tho.
We badly need competition for Young and Milner out wide. Again like with the Heskey link I wouldnt be surprised at all to see McGeady coming in. That Polish geezer playing for Dortmund would be better tho. Ben Arfa would be class too and could cover up front.
The dream is to buy a top quality creative central midfield playmaker and drop Barry down to the reserves for a while until he shuts his mouth. I suggested Van der Vaart last summer but I doubt we could get someone of his quality. Elano aint as bad as his recent form suggests but he hardly has the presence to play centrally in a 442.
Striker options, Ben Arfa is the one im hoping for. I do not want Santa Cruz, Bellamy, Heskey, Owen or as much as it pains me say it, Doyle.
Wayne Bridge would be a quality addition. I’d love to see a bid for Gareth Bale, Harry Houdini seems to have some clown playing left back ahead of him. He’ll probably buy Hreidarsson tho.
[/quote]
anytime i’ve seen Bale play for spurs he was muck…he can’t defend at all…he’s too timid aswell…pulls out of a lot of 50/50 tackles…he’s made of glass also…
Timo Hildebrand has been released by Valencia. Mad how a previously quality keeper turned to shit in one move. No idea who he’s going to join but I presume he’ll head back to Germany.
Ivica will not be leaving Hamburg to join Juventus according to his agent.
[quote=“Bandage”]Timo Hildebrand has been released by Valencia. Mad how a previously quality keeper turned to shit in one move. No idea who he’s going to join but I presume he’ll head back to Germany.
Ivica will not be leaving Hamburg to join Juventus according to his agent.[/quote]
What exactly happened him…18 months ago he was first choice ahead of Canizares…Presume he was shocking during Koeman’s time in charge
He was shambolic from the get go even when he was in the team. I recall one home Champions League game against Rosenborg last season where he shipped some ridiculously bad goals. Unai Emery dropped him from the squad completely this season.
[quote=“KIB man”]That was cracking business at the time. He swapped Baros for Carew.
Where to strengthen? Bouma is due back in a few weeks but left back is a problem anyway. Shorey hasn’t done well. He’s been ok in some games actually but when someone runs at him it isnt good.
MON man management has done him no favours. When ever Shorey was playing and we were making a change near the end he was always taken off. Despite the main problem being elsewhere. This cost us big time in the Newcastle defeat, Shorey was taken off, Luke Young who was cleaning Duff was moved across to left back and Reo Coker moved to right back. The correct change was for Barry to be taken off. Last wkend against Fulham, Shorey should definitely have been starting. He is good going forward anyway and Fulham were only going to defend. Instead MON plays one of the best right backs in the league completely out of position on the far side to keep Cuellar happy.
Wayne Bridge would be a quality addition. I’d love to see a bid for Gareth Bale, Harry Houdini seems to have some clown playing left back ahead of him. He’ll probably buy Hreidarsson tho.
We badly need competition for Young and Milner out wide. Again like with the Heskey link I wouldnt be surprised at all to see McGeady coming in. That Polish geezer playing for Dortmund would be better tho. Ben Arfa would be class too and could cover up front.
The dream is to buy a top quality creative central midfield playmaker and drop Barry down to the reserves for a while until he shuts his mouth. I suggested Van der Vaart last summer but I doubt we could get someone of his quality. Elano aint as bad as his recent form suggests but he hardly has the presence to play centrally in a 442.
Striker options, Ben Arfa is the one im hoping for. I do not want Santa Cruz, Bellamy, Heskey, Owen or as much as it pains me say it, Doyle.[/quote]
Is Ben Arfa not precluded by the 3 clubs in a year rule that Bandage mentioned yesterday. He moved in the summer did he not?
