Alonso = Future LFC Legend

[BobTheCharmer]

Where does Mascherano fit in is my question.

he doesn't. another player to bulk out the squad that merely serves to raise more questions than answers.

I often wonder if managers have a pre defined plan in mind, or just grab players they like when they become available and try & make them 'fit' into a team.

[ronanm]

Where does Mascherano fit in is my question.

He'd fit in very well in the League of Ireland

[Marky]

Alonso is one of the top midfielders in the world.

He is a sublime talent. The way he makes space and time for himself is second to noone. It's what roy keane used to do. And then he has the guile, touch, vision and the ability to spread passes around with ease. Quality passes for a simple flick with the outside of his boot, a 50 yard pinpoint crossfield pass, to a 40 yard pacy through ball (remember the ball for Gerrards goal away to Sunderland last year - one of the best through passes i can remember ever seeing).

His footballing brain is top notch and he is hardly lacking in the defensive side of the game either. He is a lot stronger and tougher in the tackle than some give him credit for. There was a debate a while ago about the fact that Xabi and Stevie in the centre don't offer enough protection but I think our recent run of clean sheets has put that one to bed! He dictates our play and will be the key man for us (along with Gerrard) if we are to win the league (which we will) within the next few seasons.

Also, i suggest to you to put him on player cam for ten minutes the next time you watch a game on TV, to track his off the ball movement. The way he makes space for himself and makes sure he's available at all times is nothing short of fabulous. Also, he alway's has a picture in his mind of what he's going to do before the ball even comes to him. He is PHENOMENAL.

He will go on to become an LFC legend.

Aye agree Nic lad, great fooking player is our Xabi, a joy to watch, not only is a great fotballer but also a great worker, his tackling and chasing is very much underrated and unappreciated, he even pops up for the odd header
in the middle of the park.
Future LFC legend without doubt, could see him staying with us for at least another 5/6 years, defo, he loves the club and strikes me a loyal guy.


On a seperate note Nic, had a quick pop over on 6CM's and that young Gooner was getting a right slating, think he stirred some **** though which did him no favours.

[JRG]

Alonso has class as well as vision and a good work rate, however he does have off days. Long way to go to legendary status IMO

[ronan]

interesting point about molby
the thing which has really changed in the modern game is pace
players are so much quicker now its phenomonal the pace some of them have
years ago coaches wouldnt really be that bothered if a player lacked pace but these days its one of the fundamental things you look for when scouting or looking at kids with potential

[lfc4ever]

interesting point about molby
the thing which has really changed in the modern game is pace
players are so much quicker now its phenomonal the pace some of them have
years ago coaches wouldnt really be that bothered if a player lacked pace but these days its one of the fundamental things you look for when scouting or looking at kids with potential

Yup, the old adage of "the first yard is in his head" thinking footballer has long gone, good or bad thing?

[johnp]

He'd fit in very well in the League of Ireland

Aye, coz the League of Ireland is littered with Argentinian internationals

[red g]

Any premiership manager would take an eighties molby to grace any XXL premiership shirt

[AFII]

The day when you can win the league playing a slow pass and move game is gone. Now you need pace all over the pitch. If you look at ALL the top clubs in Europe then you will discover than none of them have a player like Sissoko in the team, not a single one.

The reason is very simple, they can't afford to have that because it would slow down their game. Pace is now a must and not just an option.

I would play Mascherano before Sissoko just because he would give our game more pace than Sissoko do.

Alonso is a must just because he can give our team more pace. He isn't that fast but he use one or two touches almost all the time and that gives our team more pace.

Pace all over the pitch is the key to win the league.

[ronanm]

Aye, coz the League of Ireland is littered with Argentinian internationals

If it's good enough for the Brazilians, it's good enough for the Argies..Socrates did play for UCD afterall

[johnp]

If it's good enough for the Brazilians, it's good enough for the Argies..Socrates did play for UCD afterall

Only coz they'd let him smoke on the pitch

[lfc4ever]

Only coz they'd let him smoke on the pitch

Hahaha, hell yeh, bends down to tie his laces, quick draw on the old fag, stands up as if nothing happened.

[blacky]

I think there are aspects of Alonso's game that need improving i.e I'd like to see him chip in with more assists and goals

[tomasjj]

Xabi is better than Fabregas.
Defensively Xabi owns him, and Fabregas ain't that much better going forward.
Passing wise, Xabi is also a tad ahead imo.

[Shaggy]

The day when you can win the league playing a slow pass and move game is gone. Now you need pace all over the pitch. If you look at ALL the top clubs in Europe then you will discover than none of them have a player like Sissoko in the team, not a single one.

The reason is very simple, they can't afford to have that because it would slow down their game. Pace is now a must and not just an option.

I would play Mascherano before Sissoko just because he would give our game more pace than Sissoko do.

Alonso is a must just because he can give our team more pace. He isn't that fast but he use one or two touches almost all the time and that gives our team more pace.

Pace all over the pitch is the key to win the league.

HUH?

I'd agree that pace is a necessity in the modern game, but Sissoko slow?? Alonso adds more pace? Huh? Our tempo, when Sissoko plays, is always quicker than it is when he doesn't play. Sissoko isn't lightning fast, obviously, but his huge striding presence adds business (as in busy-ness, not biz-ness ) and a hastiness to our game.

If you look at ALL the top clubs in Europe then you will discover than none of them have a player like Sissoko in the team, not a single one.

Balls. IMO Bayern Munich's Hargreaves is in a similar mould to that of Sissoko - a harrier, a ball-winner in perpetual motion. Someone to add vigour to a midfield. Plenty of teams have them.