Xabi Alonso

[Joe King]

I was still screaming at the telly for him to wake up 70 mins into the game...I thought everyone else was good to excellent but he was poor, after a couple of minutes he got a massive 'man on' from the crowd but still let Dogbreath catch him from behind...and too many of his long passes went frustratingly astray. It was lucky their central midfield was fairly ****e cos otherwise he'd have been shown up even more

He was lucky Gerrard helped him out a lot of times at the back

[anfieldanfield]

I'm getting concerned about Xabi. His first season he was class but the last 2 have been ropey. If todays performance is an indicator of whats to come I would not feel to optimistic about this.

Considering the amount centre mids at the club, if Xabi has another poor season, maybe we should consider selling him next summer for big money.

Sadly I agree with this.

[MascheredUp]

Sadly I agree with this.

I'd never thought I'd say this, but make that two.

[Shaggy]

Rafa talks more to Xabi on the pitch than he does anyone else. It's almost as if he's Rafa's voice on the pitch. His general. Yes his influence appears to have waned - his passing isn't as precise and he's become ponderous in possession - but tactically and positionally he is immaculate and that can't be over-estimated.

[anfieldanfield]

Rafa talks more to Xabi on the pitch than he does anyone else. It's almost as if he's Rafa's voice on the pitch. His general. Yes his influence appears to have waned - his passing isn't as precise and he's become ponderous in possession - but tactically and positionally he is immaculate and that can't be over-estimated.

Christ, 'Rafa's voice on the pitch', that's pushing it a bit I think Shaggy. We can 'tick' perfectly well without Alonso in the side, Carra, Stevie, Kuyt, Reina all make themselves heard too.

It's all very well being 'tactically and positionally immaculate', but that becomes irrelevant when a quick shift, turn or change of pace leaves Xabi stranded. Xabi is incredibly flat-footed and at times very sluggish. When we dont have the ball, he is often completely bypassed.

Ultimately although Mascherano is a very different player, he performs a similar role for them team whilst playing alongside Gerrard in a two man central midfield.

It will interesting to see where Lucas and Sissoko fit in too ?!

We're not short of options, that's for sure.

[Shaggy]

Christ, 'Rafa's voice on the pitch', that's pushing it a bit I think Shaggy. We can 'tick' perfectly well without Alonso in the side, Carra, Stevie, Kuyt, Reina all make themselves heard too.

It's all very well being 'tactically and positionally immaculate', but that becomes irrelevant when a quick shift, turn or change of pace leaves Xabi stranded. Xabi is incredibly flat-footed and at times very sluggish. When we dont have the ball, he is often completely bypassed.

Ultimately although Mascherano is a very different player, he performs a similar role for them team whilst playing alongside Gerrard in a two man central midfield.

It will interesting to see where Lucas and Sissoko fit in too ?!

We're not short of options, that's for sure.

I agree and Mascherano should play next week, but when Xabi comes out of the side we usually look so much worse for it. I remember Villa away last season and Sissoko and Masher played in the middle. We were woeful, until Xabi came on after about an hour and within seconds of his introduction we looked a better side. He makes us tick and knits things together.

He's a class act and a spell out of the side might provide the rocket he needs.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Well at least it's now Gerrard and one other.

[Biff]

If we drop him who else is gonna score those 60yd screamers.....??

[anfieldanfield]

I agree and Mascherano should play next week, but when Xabi comes out of the side we usually look so much worse for it. I remember Villa away last season and Sissoko and Masher played in the middle. We were woeful, until Xabi came on after about an hour and within seconds of his introduction we looked a better side. He makes us tick and knits things together.

He's a class act and a spell out of the side might provide the rocket he needs.

That's very true and I'm not for one moment suggesting Xabi doesn't have a role to play, I'm just expressing concerns.

Anyway, I hope you're right and Xabi comes good, 'cos "ShaggyMascherano" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

[anfieldanfield]

Well at least it's now Gerrard and one other.

I wonder what the lad Lucas is thinking.



Will he even get 10 games this season ?

[bazza76]

I am just worried about unsettling the likes of Levia, Mascherano and Sissoko.
I know, we can't have our cake and eat it. But in normal circumstances it would be a shame to loose such players.
I have a very bad feeling slur Alex may make a cheeky bid next summer.
Isn't it strange though, how all of a sudden Rafa decides its time to play Stevie in the middle more often after we sign Levia and tie up a long term deal for Sissoko aswell as having Alonso on board. 5 into 2 of that calibre really doesn't go.

[Shaggy]

That's very true and I'm not for one moment suggesting Xabi doesn't have a role to play, I'm just expressing concerns.

Anyway, I hope you're right and Xabi comes good, 'cos "ShaggyMascherano" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

The moniker ain't lastin' too much longer anyway - I'm retiring the name when I hit twenty ******* thousand posts.....i.e. in about an hour .

[andyinswinton]

I wouldn't mind playing all three in the team with Gerrard pushing a bit further forward.

If we played with Masher and Alonso in more holding roles, Gerrard would get the licence to attack rather than get involved with defending. I guess I would compare it with Lampard at Chelsea.

If we are going to play 4-4-2, its got to be Gerrard plus one in the centre and Alonso isn't playing as if he is going to be the plus one.

[anfieldanfield]

The moniker ain't lastin' too much longer anyway - I'm retiring the name when I hit twenty ******* thousand posts.....i.e. in about an hour .

What's your new name going to be ?

[Shaggy]

I dunno...Shaggy, or summat.