Xabi Alonso and our lack of goals

[Dhav]

Puppet master sounds a bit derogatory but it does sum up his importance to the rhythym of our play.

I meant it as an analogy in terms of the way he pulls the strings, not in any derogatory way at all.

[Nic83]

Gerrard is the dynamic all action midfielder while Xabi has the Guile, technique and the vision. For me the best and most complimenting central midfield pair in the world.

[kurtangle01]

We've sorely missed Xabi. We just don't have the same quality in our play with out him. He's as important to us as quarter backs are in the NFL. He spots a pass before the ball even reaches him and more often than not he succesfuly completes that pass.

A great player for us, imho, and it's been obvious that we've missed him in recent weeks. The sooner he's back the better!!

[bigfooty]

Our lack of goals stems from having players that are just not good enough in wide areas.

[Nic83]

I once started an interesting thread about Xabi and stevie and I put forward the argument about who is actually more important to the on the ball side of our play. I also said, on the whole, if Xabi was the scouser and gerrard the Spanish signing, who would be more important on the whole. Or something along those lines, i can't remember exactly.

Suffice to say, it made for an interesting thread.

IMO, Xabi is just as important on the 'playing' side. Gerrard obviously excels over him in attributes such as determination and desire, and ability to get the crowd going etc but he can't do what Xabi does.

They are both massive for our club along with Carra and Torres. Throw Reina in there and even Agger and what a spine we have.

[Tee]

We miss Xabi, no doubt. Any team would.

As I have mentioned on another thread I really hope Rafa plays Xabi and Masher in teh middle and plays Stevie in the hole just behind Torres

[Nic83]

Certainly a good option for certain matches.

[kurtangle01]

We miss Xabi, no doubt. Any team would.

As I have mentioned on another thread I really hope Rafa plays Xabi and Masher in teh middle and plays Stevie in the hole just behind Torres

Or put Stevie back on the right. The balance just seems better that way but then we'll get every rent a gob on tele telling us just how Stevie should be in the middle and can't be happy playing on the right!

Like it or not, Stevie seems to be more effective there and there's a better balance to the team with him out there. In my opinion of course.

[Dhav]

Or put Stevie back on the right. The balance just seems better that way but then we'll get every rent a gob on tele telling us just how Stevie should be in the middle and can't be happy playing on the right!

Like it or not, Stevie seems to be more effective there and there's a better balance to the team with him out there. In my opinion of course.

I agree. Gerrard is not the most disciplined of a players in terms of positional play and so I think both he and the team actually benefited from the free role he would have when playing on the right.

[Abro100]

I think the fact that we have to defend alot deeper plays a major part and although Alonso has been off form recently or not as good as the Astonishing first year, we do miss his ability to shift the ball around quickly and move flanks.

[CAD]

Yeah, I forgot to add that this is a carheex free thread!

If Xabi had played the last 6 matches, I'd say we'd have won 5 of them. I'd say he'd have carved up Pompey in that game if he played. Sorely missed in the home games against B'ham and Marseille.

That's lovely. It just so happens that he did play and carved absolutely **** all.

Xabi would have had little or no impact on how many goals we score. Just like he had the season before and the season before that.

Anyway - as you were...

[mancdetester]

That's lovely. It just so happens that he did play and carved absolutely **** all.

Xabi would have had little or no impact on how many goals we score. Just like he had the season before and the season before that.

Anyway - as you were...

If you cant see the importance of Alonso right now , then you never will

[kewellnthegang]

The more I think about it the more I agree with my Manc supporting boss that Xabi is the most underrated player in the league.

Xabi

[CAD]

If you cant see the importance of Alonso right now , then you never will

I can see people wanking on about him because the bad results happens to coincide with Alonso missing.

I can see people writing that we would have carved Pompey a new hole if he had been ready. He actually did play. So thats wank and nothing else.

I think losing Agger has hurt us more as we have lesser cover for his position.

Of course I can see the importance of Alonso but you people are overemphasizing it and acting like he's the Messias. He's not. There is little he could have done to make us look better forward. What did he do for us against Pompey? He played the HM and he did very little for us going forward. He would have played HM in the other matches as well with 90% certainty = Little impact up field. Look at his stats for goals and assists as a HM and you will see the picture.

And take your and shove it up your ass.

[kewellnthegang]

I can see people wanking on about him because the bad results happens to coincide with Alonso missing.

I can see people writing that we would have carved Pompey a new hole if he had been ready. He actually did play. So thats wank and nothing else.

I think losing Agger has hurt us more as we have lesser cover for his position.

Of course I can see the importance of Alonso but you people are overemphasizing it and acting like he's the Messias. He's not. There is little he could have done to make us look better forward. What did he do for us against Pompey? He played the HM and he did very little for us going forward. He would have played HM in the other matches as well with 90% certainty = Little impact up field. Look at his stats for goals and assists as a HM and you will see the picture.

And take your and shove it up your ass.

bang on fella well said