Xabi Alonso - the enigma

[Shaggy]

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.

This thread isn't about his form since his injuries. He came on as sub today so he's hardly culpable for today's failure!

We do miss his presence and I prefer to see him in the side rather than out of it - every time - but I just feel he's got so, so much more to offer than he's shown.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

This thread isn't about his form since his injuries. He came on as sub today so he's hardly culpable for today's failure!

We do miss his presence and I prefer to see him in the side rather than out of it - every time - but I just feel he's got so, so much more to offer than he's shown.

But then again, you could say that to all of our players bar Reina, Masch and Torres.

[Shaggy]

But then again, you could say that to all of our players bar Reina, Masch and Torres.

But not all of them, if any, are as talented as Alonso is.

[Howard_lfc]

This thread isn't about his form since his injuries. He came on as sub today so he's hardly culpable for today's failure!

We do miss his presence and I prefer to see him in the side rather than out of it - every time - but I just feel he's got so, so much more to offer than he's shown.

It would help if he knew were people were gonna be (when he picked the ball up). He should have a mental image of where he would expect players to be - and then prepare himself to hit the pass into that space. However - we change our shape/formation/personnel/name/identity/underpants/address so fookin often he hasn't got a cat in hell's chance of building an understanding with his team-mates.

just a thought like.

[Jesus]

Not to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

Wrong. That's exactly what he's there for. Gerrard is Mr Roy of the Rovers and possesses neither the brains or guile to control the game from midfield.

[stevie_gerrard_8]

But not all of them, if any, are as talented as Alonso is.

Alonso is the most talented player in our squad. But like I said, he needs better players around him. If players make the runs, he will find them.

[Shaggy]

It would help if he knew were people were gonna be (when he picked the ball up). He should have a mental image of where he would expect players to be - and then prepare himself to hit the pass into that space. However - we change our shape/formation/personnel/name/identity/underpants/address so fookin often he hasn't got a cat in hell's chance of building an understanding with his team-mates.

just a thought like.

Alonso is the most talented player in our squad. But like I said, he needs better players around him. If players make the runs, he will find them.

Yep, the fact that we're so ****ing static definitely has a negative effect on Xabi's game.

[Jesus]

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.

Best midfield performance I've seen in a long while. Like Souness in his pomp, with the flair of Big Jan.

Christ, where has that spirited team gone.

Very good point about Gerrard, too.

Maybe it's he and his surly presence that's the real problem.

We certainly didn't miss him earlier in the season. Some might say that was our best run of form.

Hmmm..

[stevie_gerrard_8]

Wrong. That's exactly what he's there for. Gerrard is Mr Roy of the Rovers and possesses neither the brains or guile to control the game from midfield.

Alonso is the brains on the pitch. Almost every pass he makes is the 'right' pass. He may not make blistering runs, and get into the box, but you cant underestimate the job he does for the team, both defensively and offensively.

Just look at how our performance changed against Arsenal when he got injured again.

[kurtangle01]

It would help if he knew were people were gonna be (when he picked the ball up). He should have a mental image of where he would expect players to be - and then prepare himself to hit the pass into that space. However - we change our shape/formation/personnel/name/identity/underpants/address so fookin often he hasn't got a cat in hell's chance of building an understanding with his team-mates.

just a thought like.

I agree with this. Rotation of players is one thing but tactically it happens quite a bit to.

A settled side is what's needed for a run of matches.

[Slinky Skills]

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.

Totally agree there fellor. Alonso can tackle but he's no Mascherano who does the defensive role better than anyone else in the Premiership, he is however a very intelligent player who we've missed massively of late.

We need a fully fit Alonso back in the team to dictate the play asap and let Mascherano and more importantly Gerrard do their jobs with maximum effect. Once they do that the rest of the team will all click and we'll go back to the way we were at the start of the season...blowing teams away.

Having Alonso back is a massive boost to Rafa and the team.

[Howard_lfc]

Yep, the fact that we're so ****ing static definitely has a negative effect on Xabi's game.

Yeah Shags and movement tends to come from the wide areas which is where we're so short. Even after Rafa being here for 4 years. Which is why I'm 'against' spending £17m on Masher.

[JPK]

A player like Alonso needs quick players with good movement in front of him.
We have Torres who is marked by two defenders normally and Gerrard who gets man marked these days.The rest are crap if you ask me.
My point is that until we sign better attackers we wont see the best of Xabi again.
When he came we had Garcia,Baros,Cisse,Gerrard and our fullbacks used to get past the halfway line back then.They dont now and Yossi cuts in and congests the play,Pennant marks the touch line and is easy for a defender to mark and Kewell is as slow as a turtle.

Our other 3strikers have crap movement and dont make good runs.
Put Xabi into Barca's side or Arsenal's or the Manc's and you would see the old Xabi again.Fact.

[Howard_lfc]

A player like Alonso needs quick players with good movement in front of him.
We have Torres who is marked by two defenders normally and Gerrard who gets man marked these days.The rest are crap if you ask me.
My point is that until we sign better attackers we wont see the best of Xabi again.
When he came we had Garcia,Baros,Cisse,Gerrard and our fullbacks used to get past the halfway line back then.They dont now and Yossi cuts in and congests the play,Pennant marks the touch line and is easy for a defender to mark and Kewell is as slow as a turtle.

Our other 3strikers have crap movement and dont make good runs.
Put Xabi into Barca's side or Arsenal's or the Manc's and you would see the old Xabi again.Fact.

Good post. It's correct what you say.

[Joe King]

A player like Alonso needs quick players with good movement in front of him.
We have Torres who is marked by two defenders normally and Gerrard who gets man marked these days.The rest are crap if you ask me.
My point is that until we sign better attackers we wont see the best of Xabi again.
When he came we had Garcia,Baros,Cisse,Gerrard and our fullbacks used to get past the halfway line back then.They dont now and Yossi cuts in and congests the play,Pennant marks the touch line and is easy for a defender to mark and Kewell is as slow as a turtle.

Our other 3strikers have crap movement and dont make good runs.
Put Xabi into Barca's side or Arsenal's or the Manc's and you would see the old Xabi again.Fact.