If we are still in the hunt come January...

[Joe King]

Seriously, I think a right back is essential. With Arbeloa only a booking away from being suspended so early in the season, I have no faith in Degen. I know Carragher can do a job there however can he do the same job that Arbeloa has been doing so far this season. We would have to rely on Kuyt to hug the line a lot more which isn't his strength.

Therefore the Polish dude (Jakub something) or Dario Srna would be the players Rafa would be looking at the most.

[Marky]

Left back will surely be Rafa's first port of call?

We cant wait too long for Dossena to show us what he's all about and although Aurerlio's a fine left back on his day he gets injured too often, not the best defensively either.

[Leyton388]

Left back will surely be Rafa's first port of call?

We cant wait too long for Dossena to show us what he's all about and although Aurerlio's a fine left back on his day he gets injured too often, not the best defensively either.

Don't think he will go out any buy a left back as he has just spunked £8m on Dossena and if money is short he will use it to buy a RW IMO.

[billy_mac]

A right winger and a right back is what we need. And we could do worse than go to Newcastle and get both of theirs. Not sure about Degen. I think the intention is for him to bomb forward if he is ever fit rather than to defend. So we'd play a bit like Chelsea with Boswinga and Cole, with Dossena on the left. Beye as been very impressive for me in what is a shambles of a team. He's a good defender and decent going forward. Jonas is a Rafa type player. He did trojan work up and down last night and switched wings comfortably with Duff. He fact he puts a spiderman mask on when he scores probably put Rafa off.

[Craig_H]

If we could find someone solid, that is equally comfortable at RB or LB, that'd be useful.

[RedReet]

A right winger and a right back is what we need. And we could do worse than go to Newcastle and get both of theirs. Not sure about Degen. I think the intention is for him to bomb forward if he is ever fit rather than to defend. So we'd play a bit like Chelsea with Boswinga and Cole, with Dossena on the left. Beye as been very impressive for me in what is a shambles of a team. He's a good defender and decent going forward. Jonas is a Rafa type player. He did trojan work up and down last night and switched wings comfortably with Duff. He fact he puts a spiderman mask on when he scores probably put Rafa off.

He's 31, not exactly long term. Degen can't be written off because he's injured and was a free. Agger hardly has the best injury record either and was injured at the start of his LFC career.

[memzey]

If we are still in the hunt come January, I don't actually think we'll need any major signings. We always finish the season like a train so no need to fear anybody IMHO.

[billy_mac]

He's 31, not exactly long term. Degen can't be written off because he's injured and was a free. Agger hardly has the best injury record either and was injured at the start of his LFC career.

We don't need long term. We need til May to win the league and CL. Degen seems more wing back as does Dossena. Arbeloa is going to miss matches. Carra deserves to stay in CB. There is a weakness in the squad there. It was bonkers getting rid of Finnan, a non footballing decision.

[PTP]

good question - and remarkably one i am struggling to answer due to our start - usually this time of year we would have threads all over the place demending we sign snoogy doogy etc. Quite refreshing

As things are and if everyone was fit and firing on all cylinders at christmas it would be very difficult to sign anyone. Esp if money was tight.

In an ideal world - we had some cash to splash - then i'd look at maybe a rb or lb, an attacking midfielder/right winger (ie sell say yossi and pennant and bring in someone who would replace and improve on them both) and maybe a decent third choice striker to offer something different up front as N'gog hasn't set the world alight and i don't see the youngsters stepping up.

but again thats an ideal world - i think if we continue to progress like this, maybe just a good loan signing for six months just to freshen things up a bit could do the trick.


i don't know!?!? it's a tough one

[RedReet]

We don't need long term. We need til May to win the league and CL. Degen seems more wing back as does Dossena. Arbeloa is going to miss matches. Carra deserves to stay in CB. There is a weakness in the squad there. It was bonkers getting rid of Finnan, a non footballing decision.

But would incorporating Beye into the team be less risky than relying on Arbeloa, Degen or even Darby for the rest of the season?

I’m not saying the RB position can’t be strengthened, but I’d be more inclined to go for a longer term solution.

I do agree about Finnan though, not sure what Rafa had against him.

[Tee]

I think that the RB position is covered even though it may seem a bit vulnerable. IMO Arbeloa has been excellent in that position and I find the criticism he seems to be getting a bit hard to understand.

Hopefully Skrtel will be back by Christmas and if necessary Carra can move across to RB and Skrtel/Agger as CBs.

[billy_mac]

But would incorporating Beye into the team be less risky than relying on Arbeloa, Degen or even Darby for the rest of the season?

I’m not saying the RB position can’t be strengthened, but I’d be more inclined to go for a longer term solution.

I do agree about Finnan though, not sure what Rafa had against him.

Surely we didn't need 1.5m or 2m that badly to get rid. Something happened there.

To me its less risky bringing in a proven premiership right back than relying on an injured player who has never played in the league ?? (maybe he has) and a youth team player with i think 2 appearances. Darby could be the future, he looks a good player. As it stands its Arbeloa's position. He's done nothing majorly wrong to lose it, but competition is healthy. Would you have felt confident if you saw Darby or Degen on last Sundays teamsheet?

[Dessy]

I think that the RB position is covered even though it may seem a bit vulnerable. IMO Arbeloa has been excellent in that position and I find the criticism he seems to be getting a bit hard to understand.

Hopefully Skrtel will be back by Christmas and if necessary Carra can move across to RB and Skrtel/Agger as CBs.

I think the jist of it , and rightly so, is that Arbeloa will miss matches. He's already one yellow away from an automatic suspension. I don't think there's any issues with him at RB other than the lack of cover given Degen's ill fortune since his arrival.

[RedReet]

Hopefully by Christmas Degen will have a few games under his belt and settled at the club. More or less every new player that joins the club mentions that they initially struggle with the strenuous training routine Rafa puts them through. Added to the fact Beye would have to get used to playing with new players and a new system (zonal marking etc.) I wouldn’t be any more confident that he could slot in right away and deputise comfortably any more than Degen or Darby. He could possibly be a better player, but the experience the other two have with working with Rafa and training with the rest of the team could prove more valuable.

[dww]

Jonas Gutierrez. Why didn't Rafa go for him? Very versatile, quick, decent delivery, work horse, speaks English and Spanish.

I'm only saying the above because I am watching the Toon match now

Yeah he's impressed so far this season. Looks a really good player.

He's played what 4 full league games so far. Looked anonymous in two I have seen. He showed he had something in his performance against United but given our funds it would be him or Riera, no? I have to say so far this season in equally few games Riera has looked the better choice.