Agger the key?

[The_weatherman]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/chalkboards/create

Which games since the Bolton game has Agger started? And which games did we win? According to this, he is one of our top passers. Just scroll through recent games and you'll see that if Agger is playing he is among the top passers. Neither played against Wigan and that was apparent in our non-fluid play.

Another thing that struck my is that we seem to play the ball very much sideways, maybe we should try Gerrard in the middle alongside Xabi with Agger and Carra in defence?

We have to tie him down and get him playing ASAP.

[Chrono]

I always thought we played really well with Gerrard on the right even if it doesn't fully utilise him.

[meffin]

why hasnt agger been playing?

i totally agree, think he is better than skrtle as he brings an attacking side to the game as well as defending

[The_weatherman]

Agree, but I was thinking of getting more direct, forward passes to our forwards.

[The_weatherman]

why hasnt agger been playing?

i totally agree, think he is better than skrtle as he brings an attacking side to the game as well as defending

Calf injury I think, but the whole contract situation has been suspicious IMO.

[dww]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/chalkboards/create

Which games since the Bolton game has Agger started? And which games did we win? According to this, he is one of our top passers. Just scroll through recent games and you'll see that if Agger is playing he is among the top passers. Neither played against Wigan and that was apparent in our non-fluid play.

Another thing that struck my is that we seem to play the ball very much sideways, maybe we should try Gerrard in the middle alongside Xabi with Agger and Carra in defence?

We have to tie him down and get him playing ASAP.

I think that as was the case last year he is part of the solution to how to make us play best. The problem at the minute as far as I see it is that we are struggling to control games and to decide where the game is played. In general I think it is a problem with collective responsibility - particularly in midfield. However it is certainly made easier when the defenders can play ball and this helps push the midfield forward which of itself creates pressure and allows us to get the likes of Xabi into more dangerous positions to create things.

[The_weatherman]

I think that as was the case last year he is part of the solution to how to make us play best. The problem at the minute as far as I see it is that we are struggling to control games and to decide where the game is played. In general I think it is a problem with collective responsibility - particularly in midfield. However it is certainly made easier when the defenders can play ball and this helps push the midfield forward which of itself creates pressure and allows us to get the likes of Xabi into more dangerous positions to create things.

Which he is not doing at the moment. To easy to defend against us as a consequence.

[dww]

Which he is not doing at the moment. To easy to defend against us as a consequence.

Also too easy to attack. When we are one nil up if we are further up the pitch a player like Alonso can keep us playing where we won't get hurt. As it is we knock the ball about two deep and are easy to counter.

[The_weatherman]

Also too easy to attack. When we are one nil up if we are further up the pitch a player like Alonso can keep us playing where we won't get hurt. As it is we knock the ball about two deep and are easy to counter.

That's a good point, I thought teams have been pressuring us much higher recently, or deeper from our point of view, than usually is the case.

[Cormack74]

Definitely think that when Agger plays we have a different facet to our attacking game.

[Woobus]

Rafa was saying in his interview that Agger is fit again, hopefully he will get back to his best again.

[SimonNo7]

I always thought we played really well with Gerrard on the right even if it doesn't fully utilise him.

Completely agree with you. Said it many times and would have us with a midfield of Riera, Mascha, Alonso, & Gerrard with Keane playing off Torres.

I would say that is our strongest midfield and forward line-up and should start every game!

[the rev leeroy brown]

I always thought we played really well with Gerrard on the right even if it doesn't fully utilise him.

Completely agree with you. Said it many times and would have us with a midfield of Riera, Mascha, Alonso, & Gerrard with Keane playing off Torres.

I would say that is our strongest midfield and forward line-up and should start every game!

the trouble still exists with gerard on the right. we need gerard to play centrally which is where he is his most effective and can influence the game. i know trying to accomodate gerard into a 4 man midfeild and having keane in too is difficult which is why the only solution i can think of is to go 3 at the back. sacrifice the fullbacks to allow keane torres and gerard to play as a trio up front.

----------------gerard-----------
----------torres-------keane------

[SB]

the trouble still exists with gerard on the right. we need gerard to play centrally which is where he is his most effective and can influence the game. i know trying to accomodate gerard into a 4 man midfeild and having keane in too is difficult which is why the only solution i can think of is to go 3 at the back. sacrifice the fullbacks to allow keane torres and gerard to play as a trio up front.

----------------gerard-----------
----------torres-------keane------

i agree but i don't think we'll see 3 at the back on sunday

[rudedog]

the trouble still exists with gerard on the right. we need gerard to play centrally which is where he is his most effective and can influence the game. i know trying to accomodate gerard into a 4 man midfeild and having keane in too is difficult which is why the only solution i can think of is to go 3 at the back. sacrifice the fullbacks to allow keane torres and gerard to play as a trio up front.

----------------gerard-----------
----------torres-------keane------

From an attacking perspective, 3 at the back would be great - however, I think we would be even more suspect from free kicks, corners etc if we had one less CM on the pitch.