Did we really need to sign Dossena?

[Jan-Erik]

Dossena is class. Will turn out to be a brilliant signing by Rafa. Aurelio is always injured and Insua isnt good enough yet imo.

[alex1982]

Im not trying to knock Dossena he looks a good player so far Im just worried again about the games against the teams who put 10 men behind the ball. We will be relying again on gerro too much to find the passes to break through.

[the rev leeroy brown]

against teams who put 10 men behind the ball we would be better off with bennayoun who can unlock defenses with skill rather than an out and out winger.

[alex1982]

But in all honesty how often do you see Yossi creating these chances with skill?
9 times out of 10 he tries taking on too many players and loses the ball.
Be honest how many times did you shout at him last year for giving the ball away in good positioins?

[the rev leeroy brown]

yossi created quite a good few chances last year. i think i shouted more times at gerrard trying hollywood passes that failed rather than yossi losing the ball.

[alex1982]

But the games against the ****ty 10 men behind the ball we were so narrow we could not stretch these teams. It was easy too easy for them they knew all they had to do was form a blockade on the edge of the box to stop us.
It was games like this and the inability of others to create anything that frustrates gerro and makes him try these hollywood passes.

[TartanTerror]

against teams who put 10 men behind the ball we would be better off with bennayoun who can unlock defenses with skill rather than an out and out winger.

But I would imagine it is not just a question of individuals breaking down the opposing defenders in a one on one but of pulling the defending team out of shape. When teams park the team bus it is hard to stretch them the length of the field (a la Torres on the last defender's shoulder) however an overlapping wing-back stretches them more the width of the field. When someone has to account for Dossena that will open up more vertical space through the defensive line. Furthermore, it would seem to me that wing-backs with a good motor are a more economical way of acheiving this width (ie. Dossena at 5m vs. a Silva type @ 17 - 22m). Esp when all we really need at this time is service. . . .any of Torres, Gera, or Kean should be able to finish.

[Exiled_red]

I think Rafa sees the need for attacking fullbacks which we're lacked previously

[alex1982]

I cant remeber which game it was last year but I remember the opposition were all back and macher had the ball in midfield he looked left and Aurelio was being picked up by their right then he looked right and Arbeloa was being picked up by their left back and everyone else was on the edge of the box and he just held out his arms to say 'what the hell am I supposed to do' and all he could do was loft the ball in and they cleared it no probs.
Its situations like that we saw far too often cos our winger arent wingers and dont stay out wide enough.

[bigfooty]

Insua is vulnerable defensively. He's been caught out of position / beaten for pace quite a few times during pre-season and whilst I think he can develop into a very good player he needs to work more on that side of his game.

Aurelio is the new Harry Kewell so Dossena was a must with Riise departing.

[ineednewfootwear]

You giva a good argument but maybe the 7mil for Dossena could have been put towards an out and out right winger which is so badly needed?

from what i've seen this pre-season dossena is the best RW we've had in a while.

[-V-]

from what i've seen this pre-season dossena is the best RW we've had in a while.

Dossena is the best Right Winger we have had in a long while? Errrr you sure about that??

[slimbimjim]

You giva a good argument but maybe the 7mil for Dossena could have been put towards an out and out right winger which is so badly needed?

Perhaps in your fantasy football team, maybe not in Rafas...

[mersey86]

Dossena is class. Will turn out to be a brilliant signing by Rafa. Aurelio is always injured and Insua isnt good enough yet imo.

[Nicey]

Having seen Aurelio improve so much last season before he got injured again, Emilio Insua showing that he has so much promise, Arbeloa and Carra who can play at left back if needed, did we realy need to sign Dossena?

Have you seen him ****ing play in pre season ? ... He is probably our best of crosser of the ball now ... he has been immense .. revolutionises our game