Xabi Alonso - the enigma

[stevie_gerrard_8]

People underestimate the importance of Alonso. Even if his passing is a bit off, he still keeps us ticking. He also reads the game exceptionally well and is along with his positional sense, is fantastic defensively.

You have to remember he is Rafa's brains on the pitch. Gerrard may lead by example, but it is him and Carra who are the ones barking out the orders and encouraging the players.

[Howard_lfc]

Bizarre thing to say.

Mascherano is playing well. You seem to have something against the lad but virtually everybody else can see what he gives us. Results haven't been great but you and I both know that he is not the problem.

Let me put this to bed. Masher is a good player. Not great IMO - but good.
My problem is that we're struggling like mad to create and score goals and yet we're looking to lash £17m on a holding midfielder which I believe (for us) isn't the right thing to do. If we had ManU's money or Roman's millions then it may be different but in our present state I think spending that much money on a DM is a mistake. We can all see our deficiences creating and going forward so do you seriously believe spending 17 on Masher and 6 on skrtl is going to help us improve? I don't. And that's my position.
Let me reiterate - I believe Masher is a good player - but it wouldn't break my heart if he went abroad and we spent the money on attacking or creative players. It's not as if we're short in the middle of midfield.

I don't expect many people to agree with me; but it's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. Much like you and your Alonso comment come to think of it !!! ha ha. Damn - walked straight into that !!!

[kurtangle01]

He's one of the best midfilders in the country when he's on form and playing regularly. You cant expect him to be on form when he's just coming back from not one but two injuries, can you?

Everybody needs a scapegoat though, eh?

[Shaggy]

Let me put this to bed. Masher is a good player. Not great IMO - but good.
My problem is that we're struggling like mad to create and score goals and yet we're looking to lash £17m on a holding midfielder which I believe (for us) isn't the right thing to do. If we had ManU's money or Roman's millions then it may be different but in our present state I think spending that much money on a DM is a mistake. We can all see our deficiences creating and going forward so do you seriously believe spending 17 on Masher and 6 on skrtl is going to help us improve? I don't. And that's my position.
Let me reiterate - I believe Masher is a good player - but it wouldn't break my heart if he went abroad and we spent the money on attacking or creative players. It's not as if we're short in the middle of midfield.

I don't expect many people to agree with me; but it's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. Much like you and your Alonso comment come to think of it !!! ha ha. Damn - walked straight into that !!!

Fair enough, and I can totally understand your logic. I just feel Mascherano is one of the best in the world in his position and £17m is the going rate. We have to snaffle him up.

The onus is on Alonso to improve, however.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

Let me put this to bed. Masher is a good player. Not great IMO - but good.
My problem is that we're struggling like mad to create and score goals and yet we're looking to lash £17m on a holding midfielder which I believe (for us) isn't the right thing to do. If we had ManU's money or Roman's millions then it may be different but in our present state I think spending that much money on a DM is a mistake. We can all see our deficiences creating and going forward so do you seriously believe spending 17 on Masher and 6 on skrtl is going to help us improve? I don't. And that's my position.
Let me reiterate - I believe Masher is a good player - but it wouldn't break my heart if he went abroad and we spent the money on attacking or creative players. It's not as if we're short in the middle of midfield.

I don't expect many people to agree with me; but it's my opinion and I'm entitled to it. Much like you and your Alonso comment come to think of it !!! ha ha. Damn - walked straight into that !!!

I can see where your coming from, but I believe that Masch is world class in his position. Torres recently said that he is vital in the team as it lets 5 defend and 5 attack.

[Jesus]

Four seasons down the line and he still hasn't got to grips with the pace and physical nature of English football, and is unlikely ever to.

He's living off one good season. Cash in on him and sew up Mascherano, who at least gives us some solidity, and bump Lucas up.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

Four seasons down the line and he still hasn't got to grips with the pace and physical nature of English football, and is unlikely ever to.
He's living off one good season. Cash in on him and sew up Mascherano, who at least gives us some solidity, and bump Lucas up.

[Shaggy]

He's one of the best midfilders in the country when he's on form and playing regularly. You cant expect him to be on form when he's just coming back from not one but two injuries, can you?

Everybod needs a scapegoat though, eh?

**** all to do with him being "a scapegoat" mate. He's not been at his best for ages and I thought it worthy of discussion. On a discussion forum. Sue me!

He's one of our most naturally gifted footballers and it pains to me to see him as sluggish and as sloppy as he's been in the last 12 months or so.

[Joe King]

**** all to do with him being "a scapegoat" mate. He's not been at his best for ages and I thought it worthy of discussion. On a discussion forum. Sue me!

He's one of our most naturally gifted footballers and it pains to me to see him as sluggish and as sloppy as he's been in the last 12 months or so.

I so agree.

Molby who played a similar role was so much better.

[Jesus]

Post all the silly smilies you like. When was the last time you saw him have a really great game and stamp his mark on the midfield?

Everton at home two seasons ago?

[Shaggy]

Everton at home two seasons ago?

That was an absolutely immense performance and will live long in my memory. Truly outstanding.

Of course Gerrard was sent off that day, and I think a lot of Xabi's exceptional performances have come when Gerrard hasn't played. He assumes more responsibility and seems to thrive on it.

[kurtangle01]

**** all to do with him being "a scapegoat" mate. He's not been at his best for ages and I thought it worthy of discussion. On a discussion forum. Sue me!

He's one of our most naturally gifted footballers and it pains to me to see him as sluggish and as sloppy as he's been in the last 12 months or so.

Your opinion is different to mine then.

Just one question. How do you expect him to be after two serious injuries? You can't just walk back in and be okay. It takes time.

As for the last 12 months. Seriously? He's been good for us and in his absence we've missed him sorely.

[Slinky Skills]

To be fair he's had on-off injury problems since he signed for us which has meant he hasn't been able to keep his place, the injuries he has had have kept him out for quite a while too. It's never easy coming back from an injury, it takes time to find your rhythm and fitness.

He is such a good player though. He's very like Hamman imo, not the quickest but very clever on the ball, more skilfull than the Kaiser I'd say and a better goalscorer too. He occasionally pulls out a few tricks and turns an opponent when he looks more like he's going to get tackled and lose the ball, not easy to do.

I like Alonso and still rate him very highly, he is still one of the best midfielders in the world. He has a very good attitude and mentality too. When he does interviews he always appears to be positive, especially when results aren't going our way, and he also loves playing for this club.

He has a real challenge on his hands regaining his place with Mascherano in there but I wouldn't want us to get rid of him. I'd still like to see him in a midfield alongside Mascherano with Stevie playing just in front of them. We'd annialate teams.

With Mascherano's tackling and Alonso's passing and eye for goal we could be a real threat.

[red g]

oh how fickle we are, Alonso's injury co-incided with our dip and form and many on this forum said how much we missed him, he has a couple of games under his belt from being a long time out, needs match fitness and you lot are baying for us blood......YNWA my arse!!!

[stevie_gerrard_8]

Post all the silly smilies you like. When was the last time you saw him have a really great game and stamp his mark on the midfield?

Everton at home two seasons ago?

He is there to make us tick. Not to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. That is Gerrard's job, although I believe Masch does that much better than him.