Should we sell SG?

[Michael]

I also think that if Rafa had spent better in the Summer then we wouldn't have to be saying that Stevie is better than anything we have on the right. There I've said it.

He was meant to be buying players to plug the gaps in our squad. If we still have to force Gerrard out there because our right flank is so poor then I'm bemused at what we bought Pennant for.
.

Gerrard played on the Left!

[alunevans]

Gerrard played on the Left!

eh?

[alunevans]

oh now i get you. i'm discussing the season mate. one view expressed by many fans is that gerrard should be played on the right, not the centre because he's better than anything we have. hence my comment.

[Morph]

How many times gerrard been on the left, twice?

The first time v Chelsea, was a bit of gamble, but I think it made sense at the time, Rafa wanted him to rip Bouhlarouz appart, because he knew he was weak on that side, unfortunately it didn't quite pan out, as Stevie always wanted to cut in.

He tried it again yesterday, against another dodgy right back in Hunt, but again it didn't work. I expect Rafa to give up on that idea now, because he will be wanting to get more of Aurelio and Gonzalez into the team, and I just don't think he thought away to Bolton was the best game to play them in.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

How many times gerrard been on the left, twice?

The first time v Chelsea, was a bit of gamble, but I think it made sense at the time, Rafa wanted him to rip Bouhlarouz appart, because he knew he was weak on that side, unfortunately it didn't quite pan out, as Stevie always wanted to cut in.

He tried it again yesterday, against another dodgy right back in Hunt, but again it didn't work. I expect Rafa to give up on that idea now, because he will be wanting to get more of Aurelio and Gonzalez into the team, and I just don't think he thought away to Bolton was the best game to play them in.

The only reason Stevie's playing on the left is to accommodate Pennant on the right and Momo and Xabi in the middle, and because Rafa won't change the formation.

Why not play all three in the middle with a front 3 of Gonzalez and Garcia wide with Kuyt or Crouch central in away games. I see no reason why Rafa shouldn't try this, the personel is there to make it work.

[Morph]

I don't think he is playing him there to accomodate Pennant, I think he really thought Gerrard could do some damage on that side, and seeing as we now also have an out and out right winger, he now has the opportunity to try it.

but it doesn't work so he should now bin it.

[Sir Bob]

although SG has been on the left only twice thats more than he's played in the middle. Whichever way you look at it, he's not in Rafa 1st choice 11 in CM, and that must be a major concern for SG.

[alunevans]

How many times gerrard been on the left, twice?

The first time v Chelsea, was a bit of gamble, but I think it made sense at the time, Rafa wanted him to rip Bouhlarouz appart, because he knew he was weak on that side, unfortunately it didn't quite pan out, as Stevie always wanted to cut in.

He tried it again yesterday, against another dodgy right back in Hunt, but again it didn't work. I expect Rafa to give up on that idea now, because he will be wanting to get more of Aurelio and Gonzalez into the team, and I just don't think he thought away to Bolton was the best game to play them in.

It doesn't take a great deal of rocket science though to assume that a right footed central midfielder played wide left would incline towards cutting inside.

If you are playing a dodgy right back, doesn't it make even more sense play a capable left sided player against him, rather than let him off the hook by playing a right footed central midfielder?

[Morph]

I didn't say it was the right decision, I just think it was worth a one time shot, but a lesson should have been learned when it didn't work v Chelsea, and that should have been that.

[Sir Bob]

I think the central issue here is that we have a £40m player who plays largely on the right of midfield. Would we be better playing him there with occassional appearences in the middle, or selling him & letting rafa spend the dosh on players he really wants such as alves.

My heart says never sell SG but i'm beginning to think if Rafa doesn't rate him 100% in the middle we maybe should sell him.

[alunevans]

My problem with that Bob is that if Rafa has a weak spot as a manager its his judgement of a player.

Of the 5 brought in this pre season I'd say it contains three no's, a possible and a very likely.

I'd rather have the known calibre of Gerrard than gamble on what would be brought in.

[Sir Bob]

My problem with that Bob is that if Rafa has a weak spot as a manager its his judgement of a player.

Of the 5 brought in this pre season I'd say it contains three no's, a possible and a very likely.

I'd rather have the known calibre of Gerrard than gamble on what would be brought in.

Thats a fair point mate, only Kuyt looks likely to make a real impact at this stage. Gonzalez is a maybe at this stage as is Paletta. i've never been a huge fan of Pennant & Aurelio is simply not a good enough LB. bellamy was 100% bought based on price rather than a player Rafa was desparate to get.

However, do some of Rafa's signings look questionable because he's shopping in the bargain basement. Alves was 1st choice & who knows who Rafa would buy if he had the financial muscle £40m from the sale of SG would give him.

I'm arguing against myself here as I don't want SG sold. I want him as our heartbeat, driving us forward, but you can't really do that from wide right.

[kop-al-74]

Thats a fair point mate, only Kuyt looks likely to make a real impact at this stage. Gonzalez is a maybe at this stage as is Paletta. i've never been a huge fan of Pennant & Aurelio is simply not a good enough LB. bellamy was 100% bought based on price rather than a player Rafa was desparate to get.

However, do some of Rafa's signings look questionable because he's shopping in the bargain basement. Alves was 1st choice & who knows who Rafa would buy if he had the financial muscle £40m from the sale of SG would give him.

I'm arguing against myself here as I don't want SG sold. I want him as our heartbeat, driving us forward, but you can't really do that from wide right.

Only kuyt looks the part of the signings rafa has made this season.Rafa has to be held accountable for the poor start to the season.Imo,you don't leave a player out of the side who scored two goals(one of them a dream goal for any striker)out of the starting line up.
I have been watching football for 25 years now and playing compentitive for prob 20 years,and no one can ever hold the arguement that a player on form,should not play the next game.Don't get me wrong,i respect Rafa and all that he stands for and would not want another manager at the club.But,just like he got the line up at Burnley in the FA cup drastically wrong in his first season,he is taking all this rotation stuff to an extreme where he is actually unsettleing the team to have an adverse affect.
I am a firm belliever in that if a team plays well and gets a result for you,you have to play the same team in the next game, to balance players beliefs in there own ability and not to have in thier mind that the first mistake they make will result in them being dropped.It gives a player a whole lot more pressure.
We won't win the league by changing the team for every game we play.Not possisble.

[Shaggy]

We won't win the league by changing the team for every game we play.Not possisble.

It is.

Champions.................Different Starting XIs...............Most Starts by one XI
Man Utd 1996-97....................38.........................................0

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=418421&CPID=8&clid=&lid=1490&title=Rotation+in+Premiership

[kop-al-74]

It is.

Champions.................Different Starting XIs...............Most Starts by one XI
Man Utd 1996-97....................38.........................................0


http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...in+Premiership

I bet none of the strikers were dropped for the next game after scoring two goals midweek.