Agger rising to the challenge

[Darkon]

I'm certain Skrtel and Agger will be our centre back pairing for the next decade or so, injuries and form permitted.

Agger is topshelf quality. Absolutely delighted with the way he played yesterday, was my MOTM. Showed some brilliant awareness and anticipation to cut out passes, etc. He stopped many of the Chavs 'moves' before they even started.

He did play excellent yesterday, as did the whole team.

To add to what you say, I am really impressed with the way he goes forward now, seems to be even better than before he got injured. He takes the ball forward, and moreover he goes in to small one-twos and makes further runs in to spaces!

As I said in another thread he offers us someone quite unique in that, and I can only think of Puoyl and Pepe who is at the level of Agger in this aspect.

[Darkon]

Oh, and forgot to say that I am really impressed he does it against an opposition like Chelsea as well, where the spaces are shorter and the room for error much less.

In some way he reminds me a bit of a sweeper when he does his run forward...

[AFII]

I have always said that Agger is the best central defender in the world, no reason to change that opinion.

[rage]

I have always said that Agger is the best central defender in the world, no reason to change that opinion.

indeed. he's been out for a season, of course he'll be a bit rusty but game by game he's getting better and playing his way back into form. come xmas it's skertl who'll have to wait for his opportunity.

i actually agree with harvey, at some point i'd like to see agger at left back. aurelio as good as he his will never manage a run of 10 games and i think dosenna is a liability. when we're defending a tight lead with 10 minutes to go i'd like to see 5 at the back. rafa's done this in the past with traore and riise.

in any case i'd rather have the headache of agger, skertl and carra rather than kvarne and babb

[Mike]

Skrtel and Agger are the future

I would personally prefer Skrtel to Agger.

[ukfootballfan101]

I work in the north west with a few Everton and Man U fans and they laugh when I say Skrtel and Agger are in the same league as Ferdinand and Vidic...it does my head in.

[Craig_H]

I work in the north west with a few Everton and Man U fans and they laugh when I say Skrtel and Agger are in the same league as Ferdinand and Vidic...it does my head in.

Why do you give a **** what they think?

[Marky]

Skrtel was the choice for the first part of this season...but this was also the part of the season that we dropped goals early and needed to come back?? just a thought

What a pathetic statement.WTF like?
Skrtel was in brilliant form prior to his injury, forming a great partnership with Carragher.

[Marky]

Why do you give a **** what they think?

100% spot on there sir.
All this crap that we're not getting enough praise and so on does my head in tbh...we're top of the league, we've got our best squad since Rafa took over we're winning matches. Surely that's enough?

[Skunk]

I think Skrtel is Carra's long term replacement.

When do you think Carra will retire?

These comments really do baffle me. What more does Carragher have to do to get a bit more respect from these FM purists?

I wouldn't even mind if Skrtle was much a better defender.

Fancy ball playing centre backs might look good on paper, but in the heat of the battle give me the grit, steel, and world class organisation of JC every time.

Never underestimate the extra desire and determination that local players will give the team.

[bobbyfallon]

i still believe there is a case for playing 3 at the back against lesser teams to accomodate skrtel carra agger..

or even agger at lb if needs be??

[Skunk]

I have always said that Agger is the best central defender in the world, no reason to change that opinion.

What's he done to get that ludicrously over the top label?

[Reece]

These comments really do baffle me. What more does Carragher have to do to get a bit more respect from these FM purists?

I wouldn't even mind if Skrtle was much a better defender.

Fancy ball playing centre backs might look good on paper, but in the heat of the battle give me the grit, steel, and world class organisation of JC every time.

Never underestimate the extra desire and determination that local players will give the team.

Eh? Where has he disrespected Carragher? He's asked when people think he might retire. And that when he does he sees Skrtel as his ideal replacement.
Stop trying to act like the perfect fan the whole time.

[Skunk]

I work in the north west with a few Everton and Man U fans and they laugh when I say Skrtel and Agger are in the same league as Ferdinand and Vidic...it does my head in.

This guy is a manc, nailed on.

[dww]

i still believe there is a case for playing 3 at the back against lesser teams to accomodate skrtel carra agger..

or even agger at lb if needs be??

What benefit does having an extra CB in the team give? I'm not seeing it at all.

I like a flexible replicable tactic that can be used game in game out. Part of our success this season has been founded on the fact that we now have players good enough to mean that minimal changes in emphasis in the formation or the alteration of the roles in a settled pattern can make a big diffrence to the problems we set the opposition. The back four to me maximises the ability to switch between defensive and attacking play.

Agger at leftback is probably more of a possibility although I would need to see more of his crossing before committing to the idea.