I hope Alonso was watching closely

[carheex]

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

I hope so, but based on his last 50 games I can't see it happening. Maybe he'll be instrumental in only a way that people like you can appreciate.....

[The_weatherman]

I'm not on any "bandwagon" but if you're suggesting Alonso is more important to our team than Gerrard then you are either seriously disturbed or just having a laugh!!
Alonso "used" to be good for us in the same way kewell "used" to be quality. Get over it - neither have performed for so long now it's embarassing. If they both get back to form I'll be over the moon but until then I'm not going to have this blinkered view that they are so important to the team.

I dont see why you feel the need to jump on Xabi's back right now, the season has just started and Xabi has played well so far, he has consistenly been one of the (or THE top) top tacklers in the squad. He not fast or dynamic but he doesn't need to be, just watch him closely.

Rafa will choose between Mascher and Xabi on on hand and Gerrard and Momo on the other hand. Barring disaster I don't think we'll ever see Momo and Gerrard together or Mascher and Xabi (Unless Gerrard plays on the wing).

Lucas will probably be eased in to the first team over the season and maybe next season as well. So effectively that gives us two pairs of midfielders in direct competition, they are of similar standard and just so happens they all bloody good, no need to get on their back really. At least three out of the four senior CM's would get into the Scums first XI, says it all really.

[BillobShaisley]

Alonso is class but he's not been producing it !! Not for about 18 months. A bit of bench time to focus his mind is exactly whats called for. We'll have him back hungry and determined.

And to eloquently explain the miriad of reasons and subtle technical factors leading to my stance : Anyone who knows anything has to agree with me or they are gay, end of.




NB : Sarcasm

[Assassin]

At the end of the day we are blessed with an embarrassment of riches in the middle of the midfield........long may it continue

[redlancer]

Xabi is class.

Sugest anyone who thinks otherwise take a trip to Anfield and just watch the player for 10 15 minutes. His reading of the game and technical approach is 2nd to none.

He's a player who's worth the entrance fee.


I'd say Mascher, Xabi and Stevie are the options for the middle 2 in all but the easy/cup games.

[pondus]

Form is temporary, class is permanent


Some great vids here, and I am sure we will see much more of this in years to come, xabi

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=xabi+alonso

[BillobShaisley]

So to slightly broaden the debate, given the strength in depth we have, should form be a baisis for team selection or only potential?

[pondus]

So to slightly broaden the debate, given the strength in depth we have, should form be a baisis for team selection or only potential?

To some extent, yes, form should be a baisis for team selection, but you also need games to hit top form. This is xabi we are talking about, right, not some youngster with "potential".

[BillobShaisley]

Xavi has had plenty of games and long runs in the team over the last 18 months and at the start of this season so far. By his own high standards, IMO he's been falling short. The alternatives are hardly donkeys either are they, so that's the question. Sissoko and more importantly Macher are both...22 ?? Certainly young! Why should Xabi have some divine right to be ahead of these 2?

[spider-neil]

I know I'm in a minority here but alonso is better than masherano, he simply has more strings in his bow whilst masherano main asset (shielding the defense) he does better than anyone else.

to cut a long story short alonso will keep the team ticking over (even when the team is under pressure) and has the ability to find our (now lightning quick) wingers qiving them an extra yard of space.

masherano is argubly the best holding midfielder in the world currently but imho alonso is better for the team i.e. he will help us win more games, how much protection does a defense actually NEED?

[Rocket]

great thread

lets start a new thread in a few months saying momo is crap and alonso is god.

[tomasjj]

I know I'm in a minority here but alonso is better than masherano, he simply has more strings in his bow whilst masherano main asset (shielding the defense) he does better than anyone else.

to cut a long story short alonso will keep the team ticking over (even when the team is under pressure) and has the ability to find our (now lightning quick) wingers qiving them an extra yard of space.

masherano is argubly the best holding midfielder in the world currently but imho alonso is better for the team i.e. he will help us win more games, how much protection does a defense actually NEED?

Well, at least I agree with you.
That is a start.

[dww]

So to slightly broaden the debate, given the strength in depth we have, should form be a baisis for team selection or only potential?

I think you have to factor both in. Although I'm not sure they are very easily seperable as for example Momo has improved vastly going by the last two games is it just a blip or is it a genuine step up in class? Much the same could be said about Gerrard in that last season he seemed to try very hard to understand what Rafa wanted from a CM player and as a consequence improved vastly at playing the role in our team - he always had the potential but for my mind he did not use to have the tactical awareness to be a solid choice against a lot of teams (I know this will be a controversial point but nevermind).

I think the key will be pair of players developing an understanding. Alonso and Gerrard seem to have it and together controlled the flow of the Villa and Chelsea games. The latter showing that they have the ability to do it against a top team. While Alonso has not been on top form creatively his defensive play has been superb and he hasn't been giving the ball away in dangerous areas and has allowed Gerrard the freedom to attack.

It is a tough call but I think Gerrard - Alonso is the first choice partnership and it is up to Momo, Mascher and Leivia to take their chances, such as now when Gerrard is out.

[BillobShaisley]

great thread

lets start a new thread in a few months saying momo is crap and alonso is god.

Or we could all stop being fickle and have some consistency. No one says Xabi is ****!!! He's a cracking player but if he's not at his best then what? Keep playing him until he comes good (Or realises that 90% is good enough) or use dips in form to rotate and maybe increase the motivation?

Tollouse hardly put any decent crosses in, they tried to play through the middle, so a compact centre midfield was right on the night. Next to Gerrard in midfield Macher/Sissoko gives him more freedom etc etc etc

Is Almunia actually better than Lehamn? No, but Lehman has been in poor form so he's dropped. When Lehman gets back in he'll be concentrating harder. Is it wrong to do the same with Xabi?

[Red Chilli]

XABI

Form is temporary, class is Alonso