Rafa's best team in his own mind...

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

I reckon that would be Rafa's best 11. As for what he sees in Kuyt, well it's bizarre. He probably wouldn't even make the bench at Arsenal, United, Spurs or Chelsea. He's a nice guy who gives 100% but he's a very poor footballer.

Wouldn't make the bench at Aston Villa, Blackburn or even West Ham if they had everyone fit.

[Sir Bob]

He's not a player that people notice so much as other impact players like SG but the old cliche comes to mind: "You don't know what you've got till it's gone".

I think we have suffered greatly in his absense and if he'd been in the team we'd be right up there in the table IMO.

I think to suggest with Alonso we'd be in the mix with Arsenal & Utd is way off the mark. We are some way short of those 2 clubs in my view.

I just don't see that Alonso is that great a player. To suggest as some have that he's the best passer in the world is way OTT. Lets face facts he's not a patch on SG as a player and many fans would also play Masher ahead of him.

[marcus50bucks]

It is easy to forget the unbelievable range Alonso has because he hasn't shown it for such a long time. A couple of seasons ago, he used to give a passing masterclass every week.

He is a long way short of perfect though.

For the sake of the team, I would pick Masher ahead of Xabi because his skillset complements our captain better. In addition, while Masher's distribution is not as good as Alonso's, it is good to enough along with the energy and bite he contributes to more than compensate.

This is a generalisation though - there are teams against whom and circumstances in which Alonso should start.

Why do you think Alonso's passing has dipped over the past couple of seasons. All though I'd have him in my team I have always said that he has not been the same player since he broke his ankle against Chelsea and I still stand by that. I'm not sure if that has effected his passing though.

[Alpha]

Why do you think Alonso's passing has dipped over the past couple of seasons. All though I'd have him in my team I have always said that he has not been the same player since he broke his ankle against Chelsea and I still stand by that. I'm not sure if that has effected his passing though.

Don't you think his passing has dipped?

I supposed it could be that he gets closed down a lot quicker due to the opposition becoming wise to his threat when he has time on the ball.

But I don't see him as having the influence he used to. In his first two seasons, there were times when I would have picked him ahead of Gerrard.

[marcus50bucks]

Don't you think his passing has dipped?

I supposed it could be that he gets closed down a lot quicker due to the opposition becoming wise to his threat when he has time on the ball.

But I don't see him as having the influence he used to. In his first two seasons, there were times when I would have picked him ahead of Gerrard.

[DaHongDe]

Once Babel gets a bit more experience, I think the following could work very nicely.

---------Reina-------------

Finnan--Carra--Aggar--Arbeloa

Babel--Mashc--Alonso--Kewell
---------Gerrard-------------

--------Torres--------------

4-5-1 when we need it, easily becomes 4-2-3-1 when going forward. As we saw with Arsenal a few seasons ago the formation should be flexible even within a game.

[kopash]

Given the fact we don't have a decent right winger (still!) and two top, top CMs other than Stevie G I would play Steive out there. Perhaps he is wasted but until we buy a top player to play there I think it could benefit the team.

[kopash]

that said given our lack of top strikers bar Torres play all 3 CMs with Babel/Kewell supporting out wide and Steive in a free role (but not right up top as he struggles there)

[Rashid]

I think if Gerrard wasn't his best player and hell bent on playing in the centre this would be Rafa's best team in his own mind.

Reina
Finnan Agger Carragher Arbeloa
Gerrard Mascherano Alonso Kewell
Kuyt Torres

[Revo]

how come the usual suspects are not giving kuyt credit for yesterdays performance? he played well. he may not be the long term solution but credit due where its due

[Nic83]

What? He was ****ing muck yesterday. as per. U on the sauce again? over and out.

[Revo]

What? He was ****ing muck yesterday. as per. U on the sauce again? over and out.

nic get some christmas cheer you miserable ****. kuyt stretched those ****ers at the back creating holes nearly as big as your own. worked hard, needs to work harder on possession, happy new year

[Nic83]

But Sally gunnell could do that. I feel for him and I wish he would start to produce some stuff to shut us all up but alas, he's just not got enough quality...

[JohnDoe]

I genuinely believe Rafa does not have a 'best team' in his mind.

[Howard_lfc]

It is easy to forget the unbelievable range Alonso has because he hasn't shown it for such a long time. A couple of seasons ago, he used to give a passing masterclass every week.

He is a long way short of perfect though.

For the sake of the team, I would pick Masher ahead of Xabi because his skillset complements our captain better. In addition, while Masher's distribution is not as good as Alonso's, it is good to enough along with the energy and bite he contributes to more than compensate.

This is a generalisation though - there are teams against whom and circumstances in which Alonso should start.

Nonsense Alpha.
Xabi's tackling is under-rated and his distribution and ability to dictate the rhythym of our game allows Stevie to do what he does best; back up the forwards and 'come onto the ball'.
Lately SG has been paired with Masher and IMO he's been playing too deep to affect the game the way we know he can; take the ManU game as an example.