Xabi Alonso

[Charlie_B]

Alonso definitely needs to regain the form of his first season.

However,

in terms of what players play with who, Sissoko's footballing ability is miles below the other 3, of that everyone pretty much agrees.
Mascherano's vision, passing, etc is top notch, but for me, his position is too deep for him to ever play with Sissoko in the centre.
For me, Sissoko is the problem; in terms of the fact that Gerrard, Mascherano and Alonso can play well with whomever their partner may be, but Sissoko needs Gerrard or Alonso as they're further up field.

[CAD]

You saying Rafa knows **** all then?

Pretty confident this morning are we?

I think we established that fact in the CL final

Mascher is a natural HM. Alonso has been shoehorned into that position. He is and never will be a natural HM.

Mascher should always play HM if fit. It's a no brainer.

[Lecter]

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.

Also look at our goal its started by a great piece of awareness by Xabi. He spots the run of Gerrard and heads the ball exactly where he would have wanted it

Mascherano is the better holding player no doubt about it

The thing about Xabi is his game has evolved massively over the last few years. When he initially arrived he was the passer supreme, now much of his best work goes unnoticed (positionally / tactically he breaks up so much)

I think more and more teams concentrate on shutting him down and stopping him because they know if they dont he can dictate the rhythm and tempo of our play

[carheex]

I didn't think he was that bad actually. Infact he and Stevie seem to be forming a very effective partnership now that they are finally getting a run together. I admit that Alonso is not at his imperious best but he was still largely effective last night and against Villa. He managed to piss Lampard off last night to the point i thought Frank was going to get sent off.

I'd wait a little longer before making any definitive decisions about Xabi. I am sure he will get better very quickly.

How much longer should we wait?? Alonso's been our weakest link for nearly 18 months!!!

[Lecter]

How much longer should we wait?? Alonso's been our weakest link for nearly 18 months!!!

[Harv]

How much longer should we wait?? Alonso's been our weakest link for nearly 18 months!!!

FFS

seriously are you a WUM?

[carheex]

FFS

seriously are you a WUM?

?? is that some kind of girly text-speak? try again in English please....

[Mattimetal]

I've been saying this for the last year, but too many people keep defending him - he's lost his form consistently over a season. Time for him to warm the bench!!

[Jayesh87]

Also look at our goal its started by a great piece of awareness by Xabi. He spots the run of Gerrard and heads the ball exactly where he would have wanted it

Mascherano is the better holding player no doubt about it

The thing about Xabi is his game has evolved massively over the last few years. When he initially arrived he was the passer supreme, now much of his best work goes unnoticed (positionally / tactically he breaks up so much)

I think more and more teams concentrate on shutting him down and stopping him because they know if they dont he can dictate the rhythm and tempo of our play

Top post there lecter

[Tee]

Xabi is top class and I would keep him in the team, but he must be made to cut out the most basic error that seems to be in his game - dwelling on the ball sometimes that bit too long.

[Harv]

?? is that some kind of girly text-speak? try again in English please....

how bout you suck my balls, douche

[thesilverfoxlfc]

how bout you suck my balls, douche

If you were a Tranny he would

[CAD]

Also look at our goal its started by a great piece of awareness by Xabi. He spots the run of Gerrard and heads the ball exactly where he would have wanted it

Mascherano is the better holding player no doubt about it

The thing about Xabi is his game has evolved massively over the last few years. When he initially arrived he was the passer supreme, now much of his best work goes unnoticed (positionally / tactically he breaks up so much)

I think more and more teams concentrate on shutting him down and stopping him because they know if they dont he can dictate the rhythm and tempo of our play

That's true. He is better off the ball than he was the first season here. I agree. Would be interesting to see what alonso, masch, gerrard could do in a 3-5-2.

As long as we are playing a 4 man midfield I would prefer mascher/Gerrard at HM/CM. Everytime please

[Harv]

If you were a Tranny he would

no doubt.

seriously the guy has got to be on a continuous wind up. I dont think ive seen him post on positive point.

[cobain]

Fair enough. I don't agree with any of you two.

If Xabi was **** last season, which I don't think he was - he was awesome at holding the team together, I raise you a Steven Gerrard, even if that is a bit of a crappy argument

I think opposition are paying more attention to Xabi, making his job worse.
Also, since we got Mascher, whom I think is a fantasitc player, quite a few on here start saying that Alonso must be benced....
Well, Mash is great, but him and Xabi have different qualities.
Last two PL games we have also done well with Xabi and SG in the middle.

Oh...**** it. I can't be arsed. First day at work after 3 weeks of holiday... h:

It's just that I expect more from the guy. I've seen him play waaaaay better than he is playing at the moment. His first season at Anfield was quality! Scored a few goals, but most importantly, he made killer passes that resulted in a goal. I'll never forget his pass to Luis Garcia v. Sunderland. Or some passes he made to split defences. He doesn't do that anymore unfortunately. Maybe because he leaves that to Gerrard, I don't know. But I won't be satisfied until he does more than just pass it to the nearest red shirt that's next to him.