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RedLaz
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RedLaz
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I think we will get more funds in January regardless!
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,007
Under 23 Player
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Under 23 Player
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,007 |
I think 3rd or 4th is not that far away. All we need is for spurs and arsenal to lose two more games.
I am quite excited about the team now. This is bellamy's second chance and I hope he comes good. Henderson is slowly making his mark and Adam is really starting to revel in the role. I don't necessarily think that Gerrard is an automatic starter so some competition is good. I have some belief in Carroll that he will burst into life soon and really make him unplayable.
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thundyr
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thundyr
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The squad looks stable. We have cover for most areas, though we're in the unfortunate situation where Gerrard, Johnson, and Kelly are injured, meaning we will need to rely on Flanagan at right back once more and our attack/midfield are not at full strength out the blocks. Flano did well last season, but he'll be under a lot more pressure now because our midfield is stronger, and we got one of the best left backs in the league. Opposing teams will target him, not just because of his inexperience, but also because there is no one else to target.
I'm not entirely happy with another season of a million appearances by Skrtel, but hopefully Coates will be as good as Suarez! Seriously though, with Carra and Agger to learn from I have high hopes for the lad (at 6'6" will Kenny call him "wee" because of his age?)
Bellamy can play anywhere across the front-line, which N'Gog could not, and he brings a lot of experience with him. I do not think he'll be much more impressive than a Benitez-era Kuyt, but that is still a step up from the Frenchman.
My only concern is what happens if Downing misses a long stretch of games? We have no natural cover for him, and Carroll will struggle under those conditions. I'm hoping we can get another wide player in Jan to lessen that effect. The other potential issue is that Lucas too has no real backup. Spearing looked okay once or twice, but he's nowhere near Lucas's quality, and I think we'll struggle when he's out as well. Our 8 to carry the piano are many, but the 3 to play it come only from Suarez, Gerrard, Lucas, Downing, and Reina.
On the whole though, we're degrees of magnitude stronger than the start of last season, with a manager that has united the club and has the backing of the owners, and with the fans (mostly) onside (there's just no pleasing some people - there will always be something to complain about). Perhaps we won't win the league (immediately), but this is just about as encouraging as it gets.
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 679
Under 18 Player
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Under 18 Player
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 679 |
I think 3rd or 4th is not that far away. All we need is for spurs and arsenal to lose two more games.
I am quite excited about the team now. This is bellamy's second chance and I hope he comes good. Henderson is slowly making his mark and Adam is really starting to revel in the role. I don't necessarily think that Gerrard is an automatic starter so some competition is good. I have some belief in Carroll that he will burst into life soon and really make him unplayable. no need to worry about bellamy he is the finished artical and a very good comitted player...if only the same was true of carrol!
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8,564
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8,564 |
The squad looks stable. We have cover for most areas, though we're in the unfortunate situation where Gerrard, Johnson, and Kelly are injured, meaning we will need to rely on Flanagan at right back once more and our attack/midfield are not at full strength out the blocks. Flano did well last season, but he'll be under a lot more pressure now because our midfield is stronger, and we got one of the best left backs in the league. Opposing teams will target him, not just because of his inexperience, but also because there is no one else to target.
I'm not entirely happy with another season of a million appearances by Skrtel, but hopefully Coates will be as good as Suarez! Seriously though, with Carra and Agger to learn from I have high hopes for the lad (at 6'6" will Kenny call him "wee" because of his age?)
Bellamy can play anywhere across the front-line, which N'Gog could not, and he brings a lot of experience with him. I do not think he'll be much more impressive than a Benitez-era Kuyt, but that is still a step up from the Frenchman.
My only concern is what happens if Downing misses a long stretch of games? We have no natural cover for him, and Carroll will struggle under those conditions. I'm hoping we can get another wide player in Jan to lessen that effect. The other potential issue is that Lucas too has no real backup. Spearing looked okay once or twice, but he's nowhere near Lucas's quality, and I think we'll struggle when he's out as well. Our 8 to carry the piano are many, but the 3 to play it come only from Suarez, Gerrard, Lucas, Downing, and Reina.
On the whole though, we're degrees of magnitude stronger than the start of last season, with a manager that has united the club and has the backing of the owners, and with the fans (mostly) onside (there's just no pleasing some people - there will always be something to complain about). Perhaps we won't win the league (immediately), but this is just about as encouraging as it gets. Good post. I agree. Flanagan may struggle, but hopefully Kelly won't be out for long and the same goes for Johnson. I think now that we have Coates, Carra at right back is an option if Flanagan is struggling. If downing is out, well we still have Maxi, who is capable of getting in good positions and scoring goals. And Aurelio or Bellamy as a possible backup if we're desperate. I think the squad is in decent shape. Right wing still remains a weakness. And we don't have a commanding centreback pairing. Carra and Agger just isn't convincing enough for me. I agree except on the centerback pairing. I thought they were fine. But even so, we just signed Coates, so we should be fine.
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thundyr
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thundyr
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If downing is out, well we still have Maxi, who is capable of getting in good positions and scoring goals. And Aurelio or Bellamy as a possible backup if we're desperate. I think the squad is in decent shape. Right wing still remains a weakness. And we don't have a commanding centreback pairing. Carra and Agger just isn't convincing enough for me. I agree except on the centerback pairing. I thought they were fine. But even so, we just signed Coates, so we should be fine. Maxi: He does bring something to the team as he links up well with Suarez and Kuyt as a "front 3", but not being an out-and-out wide player means starting Carroll is flawed strategy as he'll be just another Crouch, though admittedly one with a better leap. So the problem is not so much that we don't have a LM, but that injury to Downing essentially robs us of a player and a half. Coates: He's a ball-playing CB who is good in the air. When last did we have a player that fit that description? Sami? And he's only 20 so he could easily become our first choice within a season or three and then stay there for another 7-10. He's a fantastic prospect, and if his desire to succeed is anything like that of his countryman who convinced him to come here then we made a very smart buy. But that doesn't mean he will be playing every game this season. It's a very different league, and he's still a bit raw, so he'll need some time.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 170
Under 16 Player
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Under 16 Player
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 170 |
For some reason I've got the feeling that Carroll will be battling Bellamy for a spot more than he thinks (and I'm not a Carroll-basher). I think Bellamy will really come alive this time around. I'm pretty excited to see him make his debut again!
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 679
Under 18 Player
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Under 18 Player
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 679 |
Yes i believe that as well.bellamy is a livewire who left too soon last time.just hope kenny does not show carrol favouritism because he cost 35m.early signs are its a deliver or your out ultimatum to carrol which is good.if kenny realises hes been duped and carrol is not what he thought he was i expect him to be ruthless just like mancini has been with the like of adeybyor robinho and others at man city regardless of their cost.
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 679
Under 18 Player
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Under 18 Player
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 679 |
I hope this to be true if carrol is no good for i well remember kenny buying jimmy carter from millwall and the hype was that he was the next big thing...despite being relativly expensive at the time keny used him sparingly..sent him on once as a sub only to take him back off 10 minutes later.the ultimate snub it was called at the time and carter never played again for lfc.so there is huge hope that despite some mistakes in the transfer market,once kenny sees this close up just what he has realy bought,he will finish them ruthlesley if he has to if they mess him about.ive faith that will sooner or later happen with carrol too if he is not up to it,i see signs kenny is already doing this with him.
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