*IF* Villa signs, are you worried about Torres role?

[slimbimjim]

****ing right on. Let's please sign him then!

Two Spanish and two Dutch players in attack. Two Englishmen pulling the strings and a hard as **** Argie telling the opposition to call him Sir.

[Reaper]

You forgot the defence there mate but a hell of a post

But im sure be playing only 3 there eh

[Sarb]

Villa and Torres are the perfect partnership. Rafa should be going all out to get Villa paired up with Torres. Get Silva too and **** Barry off. Them are the two we need to win the title

[Reaper]

You reckon a 4-1-3-2 formation then?

[badpiggy]

I dont want to sound like a heretic but here are my observations on torres:

- I didnt expect him to score as many goals as he did for us and I'd be astounded if he reached 30 next season.
- his first touch isnt brilliant but because of his pace he can get himself out of trouble.
- His overall link up play isnt terrific either and his passing leaves a lot to be desired.
So i dont believe he can play anywhere else for us apart from up front as he doesnt have the touch to play on either flank. He has the pace and the power to cause havoc up front and for me that's where he should be played as he terrifies opposing defenders, something Villa cant and wont do.

Villa can play deeper and has better all round team play than torres, but that's like playing gerrard at right back because he can get defend. Villa is a no.1 stiker and so is Torres.

Cant have 2 1's in an 11.

fair play. now that we've cooled down after his first season, his shortcomings are easier to talk about. well not shortcomings but areas where he can improve.

[Parm]

Interesting I see:

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

Babel---Gerrard/Villa---Villa/Gerrard

yup same here, as you said earlier we could also revert to 442 and have villa up top with Nando.

[refugee]

As much as I would love to see Villa as Liverpool, wouldn't this change the role Torres plays in the team and perhaps turn him into a Kuyt type player?

IE Playing for the team and not scoring as much...

This exact same question popped into my head at work and I made a mental note to post it, alas you beat me to it.

The conclusion that I came to was that I'd rather Villa didn't sign if Torres was going to be played out wide or deeper, because I think Torres can get better in that role where as Villa is currently at his peak.

[dww]

I kind of think the effect on Torres is the wrong thing to look at - what we want is the best team. Villa and Torres have shown in the two games this Euros that they have a potentially complimentary style and have the intelligence to work together - despite most people feeling they are both out and out strikers. For me it is always about the way your front four complement one another - United this season succeeded with neither Tevez or Rooney leading the line in a conventional fashion because they worked and made space for Ronaldo and Giggs, Scholes and Carrick in particular provided intelligent balls to make the most of their work.

I think the main problem for a pairing of Torres and Villa for us would be getting width into the team. With Gerrard seemingly determined to stay central we either put him deeper and loose his impact play and destabilise our possession keeping from deep or force him into a position he is no longer happy to play.

Carrying on the Manc comparison as their style is the most similar tactically to our own: United had the advantage that players like Giggs and Rooney still had a fearsome reputation and this allowed them to be effective despite runs of less than sparkling form, from the former in particular, Babel so far does not have that. He is also not quite the finished article. This means that we rely on Kuyt to step up to some degree - whereas for me he might best be viewed as a superior player with the same role as Park has for United.

[Parm]

Dave you have far too much sense for this forum.
Villa and Torres can and work together very well, if we can get him and also get the best out of Babel and SG then our front 4 will be fearsome.

[sonsofthedesert]

Villa can play deeper and has better all round team play than torres, but that's like playing gerrard at right back because he can get defend. Villa is a no.1 stiker and so is Torres.

Cant have 2 1's in an 11.

It is working fine for Spain at the moment.

[shanks59]

Square pegs in round holes. Leave Torres where he is

[Shaggy]

Villa can play deeper and has better all round team play than torres, but that's like playing gerrard at right back because he can get defend. Villa is a no.1 stiker and so is Torres.

Cant have 2 1's in an 11.

But Villa IS playing off/behind Torres in the Euros and it's working pretty well, no?

[dww]

They have been working bloody hard in the Euros together. Both have gone deep and wide to make the other space. If Torres could learn to cross then they would be a natural evolution to the Rooney/Tevez type partnership but this time with both players scoring rather than making space for Ronaldo.

[shanks59]

But Villa IS playing off/behind Torres in the Euros and it's working pretty well, no?

Not sure they are a pair at the moment

I'd argue that Villa/Silva have been looking for each other all tournament

[Vermilion]

Don't see any problem at all playing Villa & Torres together at Lfc, would be a joy to see, lets all remember, they would considerably improve the partnership, their understanding & knowledge of each others play & movement would be enhanced by playing & training together every day/week.

Even if there was any little areas that needed work, no problem for me, they would have time & a brilliant coach to help them, making them even better.