Alonso

[marcus50bucks]

We are owed a big performance by him on tuesday. He really needs to up his game. For me, Alonso hasn't been consistent for a while now. I am not just talking this season either. In fact I don't think Alonso has been the same player since he broke his anke two years ago. I have thought about this for some time now but have never really mentioned it. Before his injury he was absolutely suberb, his passing was ridiculously good and people were rightly comparing him to Jan Molby.

I have no idea whether the injury has affected his passing, only Alsono can answer that. What I can say is that it is nowhere near as crisp as it was pre ankle injury and the level of consistency has dropped too.

I also had the same feeling about Baros when he came back from his broken ankle. The pace and trickery had gone. He was a top player before the injury but you could see he lost his sharpness when he returned.

[Morph]

don't think the ankle injury has anything to do with it, I think a lot of ppl take alonso for granted now, he still pulls off perfect passes with ease but that's what we expect from him now. True, I don't think he's been as good as previous seasons, but the same could be said of a certain mr gerrard as well, hopefully it's just because of the non stop footy and a good summer break will sort it

[Shaggy]

You might have a point, Marcus.

Alonso has had a very disappointing season.

[Bob]

don't think the ankle injury has anything to do with it, I think a lot of ppl take alonso for granted now, he still pulls off perfect passes with ease but that's what we expect from him now. True, I don't think he's been as good as previous seasons, but the same could be said of a certain mr gerrard as well, hopefully it's just because of the non stop footy and a good summer break will sort it

I think that is the case.

Very telling that Chelsea are becoming more and more tired.

[bradsdad]

yeah marcus i agree...but we are owed a big game from a few players...kuyt..bellamy..even dare i say stevie himself

[anfieldanfield]

Alonso has had a poor season, but it must be incredibly difficult for him with zero attacking movement in front of him.

He owes us a big game on Tuesday, as does Stevie, and Kuyt and Pennant and Riise....etc

[Revo]

if todays first half has anything to do with it, he wont play on tuesday. ****in shiite

[Kopite_Colin]

We were better again when Pennant came on. HE must start oN Tuesday. Liked the look of Insua - not a bad debut.

[Johnny]

We were better again when Pennant came on. HE must start oN Tuesday. Liked the look of Insua - not a bad debut.

[Guest]

Alonso will play on Tuesday. His passing is too important. He may well play with Mascherano in central midfield with Stevie on the right and Pennant on the left.

[Revo]

Alonso will play on Tuesday. His passing is too important. He may well play with Mascherano in central midfield with Stevie on the right and Pennant on the left.

riise will play left midfield

[Kopite_Colin]

Only if Finnan's fit.

[Guest]

riise will play left midfield

I don't think so.

[EST_1892]

I thought by playing Xabi today, it pointed towards Masher and Stevie starting in the middle with Pennant on the right. Left wing could be JAR, but i wouldn't put a bet on it.

[Guest]

I thought by playing Xabi today, it pointed towards Masher and Stevie starting in the middle with Pennant on the right. Left wing could be JAR, but i wouldn't put a bet on it.

I can't see Rafa leaving Xabi out. He's our best passer of the ball and he needs to play.