Other games - 23/24th April

[Rudo]

Yes, i didn't envisage we would see Flanagan and Robinson at all this season(nor did anyone i'd have thought) so that's certainly a big bonus and does make ya think maybe we don't need to go out and spend big money on positions that can be filled by our promising youngsters coming up through the ranks.

Still think we need 6-8 new players and by having a squad overhaul, it's as much about players leaving as it is ones arriving.

[McDermotX]

It's very unsatisfactory because it's one of the easiest run-ins we've had for a long time and we didn't take our chances many times. That's frustrating because you feel the potential is there. We still lack maturity, experience and calm in important situations
Arsene Wenger after todays game BBC

More codswallop from Wenger......03-04 was the last title they won (05 was the last trophy).
Problems with maturity etc with his team has been highlighted ever since.......not to mention the goalkeeper crisis and defensive misgivings. They've been choking ever since, and the buck stops with one man.
Time to go I think, as he isn't learning anything apart from balancing the books.

[DannyMan2006]

Do you still think we need the 'major overhaul' that you've previously mentioned, in light of the emergance (albeit early days yet) of the likes of Flanagan and Robinson, and the accomplished displays of Spearing?

To win the league? Yes. To get 4th, no.

[Craig_H]

I certainly wouldnt say that Flanagan and Robinson are now 'established' or anything, way too early.

But the way our side battered Brum yesterday, without Gerrard, Agger, Aurelio, Carroll and Johnson, suggests to me that maybe the 'squad' players, whilst not amazing or world class obviously, are perhaps better than we thought and can certainly hold their own in the right circumstances.

[Rudo]

No i don't mean they're established or fully fledged first teamers, but as i say it does make you think.

[Rudo]

To win the league? Yes. To get 4th, no.

Every man has their own view, but that's a big shout.

Have to keep in mind that Man City will be a constant threat from now - £££, United will always be there, Chelsea are still a top side although they do need new players, Arsenal are always in the top 4, and Spurs have plenty of top players and will strengthen for next season.

Going to be a real tough ask for us to get back into that top 4.

[Craig_H]

It gives another reason as to why i dont think we need a mental mad 'overhaul'.

We need to get rid of a few but if we bought well, we'd only need to bring in maybe 3 or 4 quality players.

[Rudo]

Including the ones that are on loan atm, there's about 10-12 players that ought to be departing Anfield this coming summer.

[Craig_H]

Maybe so. Sounds like a hell of a lot though, when you look at those numbers.

But of those 10-12, maybe nearly half are either not at the club now, or not playing ever and therefore not making any impact. So a good load of those wont really need replacements because they're not offering any contribution anyway.

In that respect, we could ship them out, get in 3 or 4 quality players and maybe another 2 or 3 'squaddies'.

[dww]

Maybe so. Sounds like a hell of a lot though, when you look at those numbers.

But of those 10-12, maybe nearly half are either not at the club now, or not playing ever and therefore not making any impact. So a good load of those wont really need replacements because they're not offering any contribution anyway.

In that respect, we could ship them out, get in 3 or 4 quality players and maybe another 2 or 3 'squaddies'.

I really don't get the idea of bringing in any pure 'squaddies' at the present time. Developing young players has to be a priority and bringing in players between them and even the bench seems counter productive. I do think that 3-4 signings in would make a real difference to the squad though.

Actually during posting I've slightly altered my thinking - I guess agree with you in the case where we decide we don't have a developed enough striker in the youth/reserve ranks and chose to sell Ngog. I like Ngog but it doesn't look like Kenny is a big fan. Although he might just be a massive Kuyt fan. Which is understandable.

[Baracus]

If you look at Kenny's tenure and the players used; Maybe it would be better if the players he shiped out where not replaced with squad filler players.

Jova, Cole, Poulson, Brad Jones & Ngog. 5 players.

Neither are essential to the make up of the team at present or in the future under kenny. On many occasions they have been overlooked for youth players.

If you add players out on loan too Konk, Aquilani and Insua. Thats 8 players in the 'lets get rid' category. You could potentially buy 3-4 quality players to replace them all and you would still have enough room on the bench for the youth players.

[Craig_H]

I really don't get the idea of bringing in any pure 'squaddies' at the present time. Developing young players has to be a priority and bringing in players between them and even the bench seems counter productive. I do think that 3-4 signings in would make a real difference to the squad though.

Actually during posting I've slightly altered my thinking - I guess agree with you in the case where we decide we don't have a developed enough striker in the youth/reserve ranks and chose to sell Ngog. I like Ngog but it doesn't look like Kenny is a big fan. Although he might just be a massive Kuyt fan. Which is understandable.

I just think, if we're going to lose people like Jovanovic, Cole, Konchesky, Poulsen, N'Gog, Insua, Auilani etc (plus whichever others might make up the 10-12 which Rudo mentioned), it will leave a gap in terms of numbers and whilst the kids we've used this season have looked decent, it's a bit of an ask and a risk IMO, to lose that many 'established' players (in terms of first team football experience) and expect kids to just fill in for them.

What we need is squaddies who can come in and do a decent job when they're needed in the team (obviously they wont come into the side and be world class). As opposed to the likes of Poulsen, Konchesky, Jova etc, who would basically come into the side and be actually ****, rather than just 'not brilliant'. If you see what i mean.

That kind of depth is what has done for the mancs over the years, where they bring in players like Park, Jonny Evans etc, and they do a decent job, without putting the team/result in jeopardy too often.

[wiw]

Anyone else reckon Blackburn might win?

[RichC]

yes, they need the points and have a fairly decent home record.

Not having Tevez in the side is a big loss for them as well

[dom9]

Anyone else reckon Blackburn might win?

I really hope so.