Agger rising to the challenge

[Joe Le Toff]

What an imperious performance today from Daniel Agger.

If Agger continues in this vein of form, Rafa is going to have a serious headache when Skrtel returns to fitness. I suspect we'll finally get an indication of who Rafa views as the first choice partner for Carra.

When Agger was out, Skrtel came in and made the place his own. As the man in possession and with results consistently good, the Slovakian's claims were irresistible and Agger had to bide his time. Will Rafa apply the same policy and keep Skrtel amongst the subs or does he come back into the side?

Centre-back isn't really a position that can be 'rotated' so it's going to be intriguing to see how it pans out. Which way would you go and how do you see Rafa playing it?

Totaaly agree, i thought he was magnificent on Sunday, hard to believe it was his 2nd game back after such a long lay-off.

Also agree that CB shouldnt be rotated, clearly Rafas long term view is for Agger/Skrtel to be the partnership but Carra continues to do it for us virtually week in week out so itll be interesting to see what develops.

Agger is the more cultured player than the other 2 and bringing the ball out the way he does really adds another dimension to our game, he's got the shirt at the moment so its up to him to keep it.

[Marky]

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.

Pick up a nasty injury and then we'll see the same people dismissing Carragher crying about when we miss him on the pitch.
He's been back to his brilliant best this season, long may it continue.

[Reece]

Pick up a nasty injury and then we'll see the same people dismissing Carragher crying about when we miss him on the pitch.
He's been back to his brilliant best this season, long may it continue.

Who is actually dismissing Carragher though?

[Skunk]

Pick up a nasty injury and then we'll see the same people dismissing Carragher crying about when we miss him on the pitch.
He's been back to his brilliant best this season, long may it continue.

But, but, but, we need 'ball playing centre backs', especially if they aren't popular local lads.

Not sure 'ball playing centre backs' would have been much use yesterday, mind, but they know best.

[Scratch]

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.

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.

Try and keep your OOT bitterness in check.

It's obvious, though, that these FM queens can't wait to put him out to pasture, even after world class performances like yesterday.

**** me, someone asks a simple question about how much longer a 31 year old can keep playing at the top level, and you jump all over them?

And what's with the FM jibes, did you lose your partner to and FM addiction?

Stop geting your knickers in a twist over a simple, genuine question.

[Skunk]

**** me, someone asks a simple question about how much longer a 31 year old can keep playing at the top level, and you jump all over them?
.

Ooooh, 31, eh, the arl get.

I mean, defenders lose it when they get past 30 don't they?

Give me my FM wet dream pairing of Skrtel and Agger, please.

[bobbyfallon]

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.

we have been here before

its just my personal opinion that we can be more attack minded if we play 3-5-2 i think against weaker oposition where they park the bus we can afford to leave 3 covering inevitably one lone striker thus putting emphasis on attack and having an extra man higher up the pitch where we can hurt them more

of course rafa hasnt spoen to me now in approx 27 years so my opinion probably doesnt matter a ****

[ukfootballfan101]

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.

I'm a big fan of Carragher, but he's 31 in January, only 3 years behind Hypia, so he's going to retire (or loose his pace) sooner rather than later, all I was saying is I think Skrtel is the ideal replacement - Agger is more in the Hansen, silky smooth mold.

This guy is a manc, nailed on.

What the f**k have I said to make u think i'm a manc?

[Skunk]

Hey, I've got a short fuse and don't suffer fools gladly, especially when they're ripping a ledge like Jamie, who was nothing short of stupendous yesterday.

[Reece]

Hey, I've got a short fuse and don't suffer fools gladly, especially when they're ripping a ledge like Jamie, who was nothing short of stupendous yesterday.

Right I've cleaned up this thread so lets try to get back on topic and stop the insults and accusations flying around.

I really don't see what you are getting at though. Show me in this thread where someone has ripped into Carragher?

[Scratch]

I'm a great fan of Carraghers, and defended him to all comers back in the days when he was being played at LB/RB and getting derided by many, cos altho he's never been the greatest going forwards, the lad knows how to defend.

But at some point, all careers will come to an end (for example, you're Est career will be a short lived one i feel) and managers and fans will start looking to the future...and as the original poster pointed out, before you threw your rattle out of the pram, was how long will that be in Carra's case.

[Scratch]

Hey, I've got a short fuse and don't suffer fools gladly, especially when they're ripping a ledge like Jamie, who was nothing short of stupendous yesterday.

Suicide is your only option then

[DannyMan2006]

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.

To be honest I can see why this fella is getting so wound up. The same things wind me up. Carragher is by a country mile far and away our best defender at the club, and yet countless times I have seen people post that Skrtel, Agger and even both were better than him. They are nowhere near in the same league as Carra.

Skrtel and Agger are good players and may one day be as good, or maybe even better than Carra. But that day is a long way away. People should watch us play and count the number of times he bails us out, it's unreal. He is also the organizer at the back - the key man.

If Agger and Skrtel do not improve before Carra leaves us then you can forget the golden gloves awards for Reina. Hopefully they will improve.

[Skunk]

So according to you Carra only has 2 seasons left at the most, when it's been proved time and time again, especially with Hyppia, that top class defenders can carry on long into their 30's, and we should be looking at phasing him out now?

Why not just admit that Skrtel and Agger together have the FM X factor?

[bobbyfallon]

carra has 2 years left as first choice imo. then another 2 seasons as a 20 game a year. then life first as a defensive coach and eventually as a manager