View Full Version : Solid back four...
Finnan----Sami---Carra---Riise
That was one of the best back fours in Europe last season, I see no reason to change it, despite the promise shown in glimpses by Paletta, Aurelio and Agger.
First game of the season away to Sheffiled United, that should be our back four - Agreed???...
unless injuries have a bearing, then yes! that should be the starting back four.:handshake:
there is two spots up for grabs though.
LB: Riise should start instead of Aurelio, but i would expect Aurelio to have taken his place in the starting eleven.
CB: If Paletta continues to impress Sami's position would be under threat, but it would be unlikely that Rafa would throw Paletta straight in. Agger also has some say in this...he impressed me last season when he played, he just has to get fit.
One things for certain! Our back four looks very very tight.:rock:
I'd have Riise starting in ahead of Aurelio against Sheff Utd, even if Aurelio is fit. The reason is that I can see Sheff Utd turning up to battle and fight their way to the victory - we need our strongest and most aggressive players out on that pitch to fight fire with fire.
Keep Aurelio for some of the easier games, until he gets to grips with the pace of the English game.
sorry i meant he would of taken Riise's place by the end of the season:o
Peter Delvechio
31-07-06, 10:27 AM
I'd be very surprised if that's not the starting back 4 and the back 4 that plays most of the games this season.
Maestro
31-07-06, 10:27 AM
Finnan----Sami---Carra---Riise
That was one of the best back fours in Europe last season, I see no reason to change it, despite the promise shown in glimpses by Paletta, Aurelio and Agger.
First game of the season away to Sheffiled United, that should be our back four - Agreed???...
I'd agree with that -it ain't broke, so no need to fix anything. The back four know that we have solid players who can replace them if their performance is not up to standard, and the new guys know they'll have a job getting into our team - it's great ... we now have real quality in depth, and hungry players which is crucial for a top team.
True about the Strength in depth - not many teams can call upon a second XI back four of:
Kromkamp (Dutch International) - Paletta (Soon to be called up?!) - Agger (Danish International) - Aurelio (International 'quality', he is Brazilian after all!!)
I'd be very surprised if that's not the starting back 4 and the back 4 that plays most of the games this season.
I think if he is fit Aurelio will probably end up as first choice left back. I think that while Riise has improved defensively he gives the ball away and the added passing skill of Aurelio will in the end be Rafas favoured option.
I agree that Riise should play against Sheffield though.
I'd be very surprised if that's not the starting back 4 and the back 4 that plays most of the games this season.
Exactly Peter.
Finnan----Sami---Carra---Riise
That was one of the best back fours in Europe last season, I see no reason to change it, despite the promise shown in glimpses by Paletta, Aurelio and Agger.
First game of the season away to Sheffiled United, that should be our back four - Agreed???...
Agreed, although ideally Aurelio will replace Riise in the long term as I don't think JAR is good enough at the very highest level. In the longer term, Sami will obviously need replacing and we have Agger and/or Paletta to step in. Nice.
I still think that Sami is going to be around for at least the next 2 years, maybe longer. He is still easly one of the best headers of the ball in the Premiership, and I don't think we have anybody at the moment that can match Hyypia for his aerial powers.
Also, he might get slower as he gets older, but he's never been fast, so it wont effect his play too much.
Rafa proved with his time at Valencia that age ain't nothing but a number, with the back 4 he picked time and time again....
MrMichael
31-07-06, 11:48 AM
Considering the achievements of that back line last year I think it would be foolish for Rafa to mess with it for the start of the season. The first few league games are often so crucial in setting the tone for the whole season, and we must start quicker than we did last season to really be in with a genuine shout. Looking at our urchases so far this summer I think the only 2 in with a real chance of starting the first few games (injuies allowing) are Pannant and Bellamy, the 2 players with Prem experience. In the long term Aurelio may well push JAR for his place, and Agger or Paletta will definately replace Sami in time, but I doubt that time is yet.
Our backup defence of Kronkamp - Paletta - Agger - Aurelio looks to have a lot more strength and potential to push for first team spots than anything we've had for time, but on the basis of last year the back four ain't yet broke, so I wouldn't fix it at all :D
i really do have my concerns about Agger.
There's just something not quite *right* about it, and I can't put my finger on it...
Might have something to do with the fact he *still* doesn't have his picture on the offal site......
Peter Delvechio
31-07-06, 11:57 AM
I'm worried about him too and he wasn't cheap.
It's so quiet that it's almost like he never signed at all.
His 'Harry Kewell-like' persistently anonymous injuries concern me.
I think the key here is depth. Riise is good but after him who? Traore and Warnock are not good enough so Aurelio adds depth and competition to the LB spot.
Same with Paletta and Agger.
Looking at our urchases so far this summer I think the only 2 in with a real chance of starting the first few games (injuies allowing) are Pannant and Bellamy, the 2 players with Prem experience.
I think due to Kewells constant niggles that the left mid position may well be up for grabs. I know you said injuries allowing but I think it is unlikely that Kewell will be fully fit wether injured or not.
MrMichael
31-07-06, 01:38 PM
I think due to Kewells constant niggles that the left mid position may well be up for grabs. I know you said injuries allowing but I think it is unlikely that Kewell will be fully fit wether injured or not.
True. I wouldn't be suprised if Zenden started there against Sheff U in that case (if he is fit). Or Risse with Warnock behind. We've played them under Rafa before haven't we and he knows they'll basically try to kick lumps out of us so I'm just not sure he'll start the first game with Gonzales, or Aurelio if he is fit. But then I'm almost invariably wrong about stuff like this, as you will find when we get to score prediction times :D
stevenage_kop
31-07-06, 01:49 PM
that would be my starting back 4. But its godd we are finally getting cover for defence if any1 is injured or suspended
Infadel
31-07-06, 03:03 PM
We can all give our opinions on what the back four should be or who should be in the starting line-up, but it's just that - opinions, and and not even informed opinions at that. Rafa will make the decisions based on how the players have trained, how fit/sharp they are and how they have adapted to his tactics.
Having said that, it's great that the season is nearly here and we can all say what we would do and who we would play! It's all about "opinions"!!
We can all give our opinions on what the back four should be or who should be in the starting line-up, but it's just that - opinions, and and not even informed opinions at that. Rafa will make the decisions based on how the players have trained, how fit/sharp they are and how they have adapted to his tactics.
Having said that, it's great that the season is nearly here and we can all say what we would do and who we would play! It's all about "opinions"!!
Isn't that what a forum is for? :o
calvoboy
31-07-06, 03:20 PM
Finnan----Sami---Carra---Riise
That was one of the best back fours in Europe last season, I see no reason to change it, despite the promise shown in glimpses by Paletta, Aurelio and Agger.
First game of the season away to Sheffiled United, that should be our back four - Agreed???...
Definitely. It's nice to have proper cover in every position though, so that if you see that one of them are injured you're not going to the game thinking "oh shite, it's traore at left-back again"!
If we can just sign another striker then we'll have two specialists for every position and lots of "possibilities"
Hamstrung
31-07-06, 03:32 PM
I think Aurelio will play more as a Left midfielder than left back, and that Sami will get rested a lot more than last season, just because he can be. That'll be the 1st choice for the majority of "big" games though, and the one that starts the season I should think.
Infadel
31-07-06, 03:52 PM
Isn't that what a forum is for? :o
Partly it is - it's also a place where you can post silly rhetorical questions!:shake: :D
Le Chacal
31-07-06, 03:52 PM
That will be our back four.
Stevie M
31-07-06, 03:57 PM
Absolutely no reason at this point that we should play anything other than our back four from last season. With Reina in nets and Alonso & Gerrard certain starters, the only question marks are wide midfield areas and upfront.
You'd think Bellamy's pretty certain to start with either Crouch or Fowler to partner him (if we don't sign anyone else). Current injuries may mean it's either Gonzalez or Zenden on the left.
The big decision is whether Pennant starts of the right or Sissoko starts in the centre... and I wouldn't like to predict that one just yet.
The more I think about it, the less I'd be surprised to see Alonso on the bench for the Sheff Utd game. With Zenden on the left, Sissoko and Gerrard in the middle and Pennant on the Right. Crouch and Bellamy starting up top.
Nope I dont agree
Aurelio if fit should start against Sheffield
I dont think Riise offers us anything special in defense and going forward he is ordinary considering the amount of ball he gets.
Rafa may go conservative however I think he will have the courage of his convictions if Fabio is fit
Jack D Rips
31-07-06, 04:32 PM
Nope I dont agree
Aurelio if fit should start against Sheffield
I dont think Riise offers us anything special in defense and going forward he is ordinary considering the amount of ball he gets.
Rafa may go conservative however I think he will have the courage of his convictions if Fabio is fit
And have you seen enough of Aurelio to convince you that he should play there?
And have you seen enough of Aurelio to convince you that he should play there?
Exactly.
A free transfer who's never kicked a ball in the Premiership, and he should automatically be brought straight back into our back 4?
Rubbish.
Johnny Riise's a smashing defender, who's always given us great service, plenty of goals, and was an integral part of our very solid back four last season.
He does not deserved to be replaced.
Exactly.
A free transfer who's never kicked a ball in the Premiership, and he should automatically be brought straight back into our back 4?
Rubbish.
Johnny Riise's a smashing defender, who's always given us great service, plenty of goals, and was an integral part of our very solid back four last season.
He does not deserved to be replaced.
You're right insofar as Aurelio will have to earn his place in the side and shouldn't walk straight into the side at Riise's expense.
That said, I don't think Riise is quite good enough at the highest level. He's one of our very worst offenders for hoofing the ball aimlessly and while he can run all day and has a tremendous engine, he's painfully one paced and even more painfully one footed. His total lack of a right foot is utterly frustrating and frankly a bit shameful on Riise's part.
Credit to him though - last season was probably his best for us and Rafa seemed to get the best out of him. At the time of Houllier's departure, I probably would have had him sold.
Le Chacal
31-07-06, 04:53 PM
Nope I dont agree
Aurelio if fit should start against Sheffield
I dont think Riise offers us anything special in defense and going forward he is ordinary considering the amount of ball he gets.
Rafa may go conservative however I think he will have the courage of his convictions if Fabio is fit
Rafa's convictions are very clear: Riise is our number one LB.
True. I wouldn't be suprised if Zenden started there against Sheff U in that case (if he is fit). Or Risse with Warnock behind. We've played them under Rafa before haven't we and he knows they'll basically try to kick lumps out of us so I'm just not sure he'll start the first game with Gonzales, or Aurelio if he is fit. But then I'm almost invariably wrong about stuff like this, as you will find when we get to score prediction times :D
Zenden has been earmarked for Didi's previous role at the club.
You'll find several quotes from rafa on this on the web somewhere.
I have to say i think he's more suited out wide though who am i to argue against the great man!!
I think that he is better in the middle. He did alright for us on the left in the couple of matches he filled in but I still remember his failure at Chelsea. He was good for Boro though.
I think Warnock might get a chance against Sheffield at left mid (unless Harry is fit).
Exactly.
A free transfer who's never kicked a ball in the Premiership, and he should automatically be brought straight back into our back 4?
Rubbish.
Johnny Riise's a smashing defender, who's always given us great service, plenty of goals, and was an integral part of our very solid back four last season.
He does not deserved to be replaced.
The stats from last season prove we were our most effective when Riise was at the back. However that is probably more of an indictment of our cover! Technically Aurellio is a better player, and once he's blooded into our game i expect him to be our first choice LB. Yes, i watch a lot of Aurellio - Sky offer good coverage of spanish football (Ryan - hint ;) ). This is all my humble opinion and although Riise is not perfect he's certainly a very good player who i feel will play a big part in our future whether at LB or LM!
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