I hope Alonso was watching closely

[Morph]

Sissoko is a very limited footballer. He is a fantastic spoiler and ball winner but not much more. Masher is another great ballwinner and has some good passing ability and other attributes. Neither are a goal threat (and DO NOT say "what about Sissoko's goal on sat - what about his other 99 shots for us).

Xabi has it all. Respect the Xabi.

Xabi's not a goal threat either tho, so that doesn't really prove anything, although i;m not bashing Alonso here, he's just not

[bazza76]

There is nobody better in the team at finding space in a tight midfield a passing the ball around than Xabi at the club, his rane of passing is top class.

[Nic83]

Xabi's not a goal threat either tho, so that doesn't really prove anything, although i;m not bashing Alonso here, he's just not

He'll chip in with a few but will get many many assists. Aswell as having every attribute under the sun needed to be a top midfielder. He controls our game. Simple as that. He is the key man for me. He sets the tempo and allows Gerrard off the leash.

Now I like Sissy and Mashers. I think we have 4 superd mids there but Alonso and Gerrard are streets ahead of Sissoko with Masher somewhere in between IMO.

Four of the prems best mids though and the reasion why we will win the league

(along with Fernando of course) oh and rafa!

[Morph]

He'll chip in with a few but will get many many assists. Aswell as having every attribute under the sun needed to be a top midfielder. Now I like Sissy and Mashers. I think we have 4 superd mids there but Alonso and Gerrard are streets ahead of Sissoko with Masher somewhere in between IMO.

Four of the prems best mids though and the reasion why we will win the league

Still don't think Alonso is the way forward, I think stevie is more comfortable playing with a Mascherano type player who will sit, make the important tackles and has a decent range of passing, thus leaving Stevie to stay further up field. But differen't games will call for different players, and Alonso will play when we need to be creative.

[Johnny]

Still don't think Alonso is the way forward, I think stevie is more comfortable playing with a Mascherano type player who will sit, make the important tackles and has a decent range of passing, thus leaving Stevie to stay further up field. But differen't games will call for different players, and Alonso will play when we need to be creative.

[Nic83]

Still don't think Alonso is the way forward, I think stevie is more comfortable playing with a Mascherano type player who will sit, make the important tackles and has a decent range of passing, thus leaving Stevie to stay further up field. But differen't games will call for different players, and Alonso will play when we need to be creative.

You've just described Alonso there although Alonso has a much bigger array of attributes on top of that.


Alonso's tackling stats last season were tops. He really does have it all. Obv not as good as the other 3 in the tackle department but effective none the less.

[MrMichael]

Hmmm. Initial post is a little over harsh and dramatic imo. However, on curent form, I'd struggle to pick Xabi ahead of any of Gerrard, Mascherano or Sissoko.

[Johnny]

Hmmm. Initial post is a little over harsh and dramatic imo. However, on curent form, I'd struggle to pick Xabi ahead of any of Gerrard, Mascherano or Sissoko.

He`s slipping down the pecking order and must be worried that Lucas had a good debut.Competition is healthy if they are prepared to stand and fight for their places,hopefully it won`t backfire on Rafa.

[Nic83]

He`s slipping down the pecking order and must be worried that Lucas had a good debut.Competition is healthy if they are prepared to stand and fight for their places,hopefully it won`t backfire on Rafa.

Yeah I'm sure he's ****ting himself at the arrival of Lucas.

[Morph]

You've just described Alonso there although Alonso has a much bigger array of attributes on top of that.


Alonso's tackling stats last season were tops. He really does have it all. Obv not as good as the other 3 in the tackle department but effective none the less.

I take it you're a xabi fan, seriously he's obviously a good player but his main assest is his passing, thats the only thing he does better than our other options. Sissoko and Mascherano are better tacklers, and both are faster and seem to have bigger engines than Xabi, Stevie G is better at shooting bursting forward and maybe through balls.

Xabi has his range of passing and his ability to play well with any of the other 3, he can tackle adequately can take the odd shot from distance and is disciplined (but so is mascherano).

[Nic83]

I take it you're a xabi fan, seriously he's obviously a good player but his main assest is his passing, thats the only thing he does better than our other options. Sissoko and Mascherano are better tacklers, and both are faster and seem to have bigger engines than Xabi, Stevie G is better at shooting bursting forward and maybe through balls.

Xabi has his range of passing and his ability to play well with any of the other 3, he can tackle adequately can take the odd shot from distance and is disciplined (but so is mascherano).

Oh yes, being a midfielder myself I appreciate what he does even more.

For me, his most important ability is the way he controls and sets the tempo of the game. His game intelligence and awareness of potential counters/moves is superb (these are the things that go unnoticed by most fans). And then comes the passing to actually make the moves come off or slow/quicken the game up. For me, him and Pirlo are the 2 best passers of the ball (all ranges) in world football. It's an absolute pleasure for me to watch him play. Not in that way though

[Darth Marty]

Disgraceful post.

Anyone who knows their footy knows Alonso and Gerrard is the way forward.

no! completely DISagree....for me the way forward is stevie and masch. Sell xabi and keep momo and lucas as backup/cup games.
Xabi hasnt done anything wrong per se but he just is the least important of the three (stevie, masch, momo) and id like lucas to at least have a chance with us.
Thanks Xabi...but enjoy Barca

(not that im expecting him to go...tbh if Rafa can keep them all happy im all for them all staying)

[Nic83]

On a sidenote, I think Xabi will initate the absolute demolition of Derby County on Saturday.

[Rhys]

i think we've all become accustomed to players of xabi's quality. he IS a better player than momo and i cant see why rafa would want to sell him at all. i think its a case of being happy with what we have, which im sure we'd be fine with. losing xabi would be a compete step down in my eyes and any other team in the world would relish the chance of having him on board. we've rejected numerous big money offers from spain for him, clearly rafa rates the guy...plus he obviously loves playing for the club, and is settled here, what bloody more do you want?

[Morph]

On a sidenote, I think Xabi will initate the absolute demolition of Derby County on Saturday.

If stevies fit, i don't think he'll play