Mascherano wants to quit West Ham

[anfieldanfield]

Build a squad then dismantle it, yeah good idea. Rafa wants 4 quality central mids, he'll have them and theirs plenty of games/different formations so all get loads of games.

There's no need for FOUR quality central midfielders.

[Shaggy]

I'm not sure why everyone seems to be suddenly creaming their pants over a player who has been, quite frankly, pants for one of the poorest teams in the league. Sure, we've all seen he's good on Champ Manager & Pro Evo, but if he's struggled to adapt at West Ham why will he suddenly be a different player with us - at the end of the day he'll still be playing in the same league.

I don't mind us getting him on a no-risk loan, but I'm not getting my hopes up that he'll be anything special because most of the time this season he's looked like a lost little kid. You could argue that Pardew didn't like him/had a boner for Mullins instead, but if that's true why isn't he even on the bench for Curbishley?

I’m pleased, rather than creaming my pants, but still….I think you’re being harsh on him. He’s hardly had the opportunity to be “pants” in his five appearances.

He’ll be happier with us – a bigger club with more Spanish-speaking players. He looked a very good player in the World Cup.

[Shaggy]

There's no need for FOUR quality central midfielders.

There is, especially when Zenden’s the fourth choice. Surely you wouldn’t prefer to have three quality central midfielders and one absolutely ****e one?

[Fiddy]

There's no need for FOUR quality central midfielders.

Yup. You need two clear starters and one capable back up, then a younger talent coming through who doesn't mind a lot of time on the bench/in the stands. We're spoilt with Stevie/Xabi/Momo, but it's the younger talent we're lacking. Our other option is Bolo Zenden...

[Chris]

I'm not sure why everyone seems to be suddenly creaming their pants over a player who has been, quite frankly, pants for one of the poorest teams in the league. Sure, we've all seen he's good on Champ Manager & Pro Evo, but if he's struggled to adapt at West Ham why will he suddenly be a different player with us - at the end of the day he'll still be playing in the same league.

I don't mind us getting him on a no-risk loan, but I'm not getting my hopes up that he'll be anything special because most of the time this season he's looked like a lost little kid. You could argue that Pardew didn't like him/had a boner for Mullins instead, but if that's true why isn't he even on the bench for Curbishley?

And jesus, even AA is excited/optimistic, something must definitely be wrong

He's only started 5 games for West Ham and that deal has been a farce from start to finish, Tevez has been outstanding lately yet Curbishley keeps leaving him on the bench playing a 40 year old or Marlon Harewood instead of him, its just a weird deal dont think it reflects on either of their abilities. West Ham is supposedly clique ridden with Mullins, Zamora and Reo Coker etc whinging every 5 seconds that they have to play. People are bound to get excited over a player who was phenomenol in Argentina, Brazil, very good at the World Cup and was being linked with £25m moves last Summer.

[Chris]

There's no need for FOUR quality central midfielders.

Isnt there? Could of swore we've had to play Guthrie and Carragher in midfield recently (No disrespect to the Guthrie but i'd rather have a classy player to come on), then theres the option of playing other formations, even all 4 could start some games in a 5 man midfield. In short, you're talking **** as always.

[anfieldanfield]

There is, especially when Zenden’s the fourth choice. Surely you wouldn’t prefer to have three quality central midfielders and one absolutely ****e one?

Zenden's not quality though, is he Shaggy ?

I'd be more than happy with...

Gerrard/Sissoko/Mascherano and a young inexperienced lad as fourth choice.

EDIT Besides, we know Carra can play there too!

[Fiddy]

I’m pleased, rather than creaming my pants, but still….I think you’re being harsh on him. He’s hardly had the opportunity to be “pants” in his five appearances.

He’ll be happier with us – a bigger club with more Spanish-speaking players. He looked a very good player in the World Cup.

Maybe I am being harsh, but he's yet to show me any sign in the Prem that he'd be anywhere close to the player he was in the WC. Maybe he can adapt, only time will tell. But he's just seemed overawed by the pace of the game, in a similar way his compatriot Veron was over here. I always think truly class players don't have a problem with that - I mean look at Xabi. He oozed it from day one...although with foreigners that's the exception rather than the rule.

Who knows, maybe Mascherano will turn out like Essien has. I'm just not getting my hopes up

[Shaggy]

Zenden's not quality though, is he Shaggy ?

My point exactly.

[Fiddy]

Zenden's not quality though, is he Shaggy ?

I'd be more than happy with...

Gerrard/Sissoko/Mascherano and a young inexperienced lad as fourth choice.

EDIT Besides, we know Carra can play there too!

Erm, think you've forgotten someone there...

[anfieldanfield]

My point exactly.

Ok...er...cool.

*high five*

[Rich]

Isnt there? Could of swore we've had to play Guthrie and Carragher in midfield recently (No disrespect to the Guthrie but i'd rather have a classy player to come on), then theres the option of playing other formations, even all 4 could start some games in a 5 man midfield. In short, you're talking **** as always.

Don't think there is a need to be so aggressive in your posting Chris.

[Morph]

A talented player, worth a gamble especially on loan.

I'm excited about this.

I had real hopes for you at this point

If Mascherano was a massive hit, I'd be tempted to cash in on Alonso....

then you went and ****ed them all off with this one

[Fiddy]

He's only started 5 games for West Ham and that deal has been a farce from start to finish, Tevez has been outstanding lately yet Curbishley keeps leaving him on the bench playing a 40 year old or Marlon Harewood instead of him, its just a weird deal dont think it reflects on either of their abilities. West Ham is supposedly clique ridden with Mullins, Zamora and Reo Coker etc whinging every 5 seconds that they have to play. People are bound to get excited over a player who was phenomenol in Argentina, Brazil, very good at the World Cup and was being linked with £25m moves last Summer.

Sure and I'd completely understand that - but since he's been over here he's done very little. Hell I'd have been excited myself if we'd got him at the start of the season. Just pointing out that maybe people shouldn't expect too much, AA already has him replacing Xabi for example

[Morph]

back on topic tho, seriously then would Gerrard, Sissoko, Alonso, Maschereno (if he came good) be the best midfield selection in the prem?