Dossena= the new Biscan?

[JudgeRed]

After him scoring in the last couple of games, it got me thinking- is he the latest Liverpool player that could have a cult following in the mould of Igor and Erik Meijer? Or am I just getting carried away with the weekends result?

[Rafael Benítez Maudes]

he'll come good.

just never play him at left back.

[red g]

no they were both ****/liabilities with the odd good game, its quite obvious dossena has ability.....dont really see cult status in this lad.

I mean Biscan was woeful thoughout his career apart from when it mattered in the CL

[JudgeRed]

Fair comments, but its not often your 2/3 choice left back scores against Real and the scum in the same week

[dww]

Defender goes from 'doss' to 'boss' at Anfield
uefa.com, 17 March 2009

Italian defender Andrea Dossena believes he has put his troubled first months at Liverpool FC behind him after he followed up his strike against Real Madrid CF with a goal in Saturday's 4-1 win at Manchester United FC.

Precious payback
The six-timed capped international came off the bench to make only his 13th Premier League appearance for the Reds at the weekend, registering in the last minute at Old Trafford to follow up his late strike in the 4-0 UEFA Champions League first knockout round win against Madrid last week, scored four minutes after coming on as an 84th-minute substitute. "It made me very happy, of course," Dossena said. "It has been a tough fight to get into this team but if you work hard every day and don't give up, even in bad times, you get these moments and makes it worthwhile."

Reds retreat
Dossena, 27, joined Liverpool from Serie A side Udinese Calcio last July as a direct replacement for the AS Roma-bound John Arne Riise and has had to adapt to a less attacking role than he was used to at the Stadio Friuli. "Compared to last season, I have changed my position - I have gone back 20 metres," he said. "This change and adapting to English football gave me some difficulties to start with, but with the help of a great coach like Rafael Benítez, I'm starting to understand how to play in the team. You adapt to step by step."

‘Never say never'
This is Dossena's first taste of football outside of Italy in a ten-year career and despite a lack of first-team opportunities at Liverpool, the Lodi-born player appears determined to see out his contract at Anfield, though he has not ruled out a return to Serie A in the future. "I have a three-year contract and I am happy here," he said. "Of course, I keep an eye on Italy - it's my homeland, so never say never. But as I said, I feel very good here after a difficult start. I will discuss it with Benítez and the club and then we will see."

[dww]

I really like his attitude - I think the difference between the likes of him and say Pennant is that they have accepted the need to work and adapt. He hasn't perfected it and with the form of Aurelio and Insua he faces a battle to get a first team place but he has gone about his business the right way. Unlike some I thought his last few fullback performances were sound enough.

I think he should be allowed to forget his abysmal start and we should judge him on how he performs in the rest of the season.

[DannyMan2006]

I really like his attitude - I think the difference between the likes of him and say Pennant is that they have accepted the need to work and adapt. He hasn't perfected it and with the form of Aurelio and Insua he faces a battle to get a first team place but he has gone about his business the right way. Unlike some I thought his last few fullback performances were sound enough.

I think he should be allowed to forget his abysmal start and we should judge him on how he performs in the rest of the season.

If the lad was 24 or so I would see a point in sticking with him. But he is at his peak now and therefore I think we should let him go in the summer. If Insua hadn't come through, or Aurelio was still made of glass I would keep him. But I am happy with two left backs for the squad and both are good enough I feel for the team.

I agree his latest performances at full back were fine, and his cameos at LW may have helped with his confidence even more. I think at the very least him, us, and the team will now feel okay if he is put in the starting line up for the remaining games.

[BFG]

If the lad was 24 or so I would see a point in sticking with him. But he is at his peak now and therefore I think we should let him go in the summer. If Insua hadn't come through, or Aurelio was still made of glass I would keep him. But I am happy with two left backs for the squad and both are good enough I feel for the team.

I agree his latest performances at full back were fine, and his cameos at LW may have helped with his confidence even more. I think at the very least him, us, and the team will now feel okay if he is put in the starting line up for the remaining games.

I think the point about his age would be much more pertinent if this wasn't his first year in a foreign league as there aren't many pleyers who play to their peak in their first year abroad regardless of age.

He's shown enough promise in the last few weeks to show he's worth at least this full season before any conclusions are drawn on him and as DWW says his attitude is superb.

[RedReet]

I presume his contract has 3 years left and was not originally a 3 year contract?

Working under Rafa I can only see Dossena’s defensive side improve, which could make him into a very very decent player. As mentioned it’s unfortunate he has Aurelio in front of him and I wouldn’t like to see him hamper Insua’s progress.

The only way I can see a future for him here next year is if Insua goes on loan. I don’t think Rafa or anyone at the club would have been too surprised at Dossena taking time to settle, but I do think Insua slotting so seamlessly into first team football might have surprised a few. Now Insua knows he’s definitely good enough, will he be as content with another year at least at reserve level?

[DannyMan2006]

I think the point about his age would be much more pertinent if this wasn't his first year in a foreign league as there aren't many pleyers who play to their peak in their first year abroad regardless of age.

He's shown enough promise inthe next few weeks to show he's worth at least this full season before any conclusions are drawn on him and as DWW says his attitude is superb.

I am not drawing conclusions and saying he's ****e. I was one of the only people on here supporting him when he was regularly called "Drossena" (and still is by some). I said he needed time and if he got it he would prove to be a good player. I think signs are that this is the case.

But at the start of the season we needed a left back. Aurelio was always injured and Insua was not quite ready. Well since then Aurelio has shown how good he really is and Insua has proved he is first team material. So I see no point anymore in sticking with a player who COULD prove to be good enough when we already have two full backs who ARE good enough at LB.

[wiw]

Until we've all seen his knob I'm not convinced

I agree with Dave though his attitude is great and what Rafa would be looking for. I think if we hang on to him he could easily come good and add a new dimension to our attacking play, he just needs to sort the defensive side a bit better

He's a good shout for the LW as well as a few people have said

[DannyMan2006]

I presume his contract has 3 years left and was not originally a 3 year contract?

Working under Rafa I can only see Dossena’s defensive side improve, which could make him into a very very decent player. As mentioned it’s unfortunate he has Aurelio in front of him and I wouldn’t like to see him hamper Insua’s progress.

The only way I can see a future for him here next year is if Insua goes on loan. I don’t think Rafa or anyone at the club would have been too surprised at Dossena taking time to settle, but I do think Insua slotting so seamlessly into first team football might have surprised a few. Now Insua knows he’s definitely good enough, will he be as content with another year at least at reserve level?

More to the point, why would we send Insua on loan when in his displays at LB this year he has been better than Dossena?

[DannyMan2006]

Until we've all seen his knob I'm not convinced

I agree with Dave though his attitude is great and what Rafa would be looking for. I think if we hang on to him he could easily come good and add a new dimension to our attacking play, he just needs to sort the defensive side a bit better

He's a good shout for the LW as well as a few people have said

Is he though? All he has really shown is that in the dying minutes, against a team who are tired and who are pushing men up, he has the ability to run up the other end of the pitch and get in behind the opponents defence.

Hardly great evidence that he should start LW. Yes they were two great goals, the technique for the Manc goal was incredible - Had it been Alonso or Stevie we'd probably have six threads running on it - But it doesn't suddenly make him our answer to Ryan Giggs.

Still, he does have a good cross on him and is obviously able to cover for a lB who bombs past him so you never know. But it's unlikely for me.

[dww]

Is he though? All he has really shown is that in the dying minutes, against a team who are tired and who are pushing men up, he has the ability to run up the other end of the pitch and get in behind the opponents defence.

Hardly great evidence that he should start LW. Yes they were two great goals, the technique for the Manc goal was incredible - Had it been Alonso or Stevie we'd probably have six threads running on it - But it doesn't suddenly make him our answer to Ryan Giggs.

Still, he does have a good cross on him and is obviously able to cover for a lB who bombs past him so you never know. But it's unlikely for me.

I have no idea how he would be long term (his comments certainly don't indicate that it is something Rafa is working on) but I think with Riera's drop in performance we have lacked the balance that allowed us to be effective with Kuyt/Benayoun on the right earlier in the season. Whether starting or from the bench I think that Dossena has shown enough to be considered as a temporary solution to that.

[wiw]

Is he though? All he has really shown is that in the dying minutes, against a team who are tired and who are pushing men up, he has the ability to run up the other end of the pitch and get in behind the opponents defence.

Hardly great evidence that he should start LW. Yes they were two great goals, the technique for the Manc goal was incredible - Had it been Alonso or Stevie we'd probably have six threads running on it - But it doesn't suddenly make him our answer to Ryan Giggs.

Still, he does have a good cross on him and is obviously able to cover for a lB who bombs past him so you never know. But it's unlikely for me.

I'm not basing it on that alone. He's said himself that he's used to playing 20 yards further up the pitch so it's not beyond him. At the moment you can take your pick from Insua/Dossena/Aurelio and they would all do a better job than Riera at the moment. Dossena must be just as quick as Riera and like you say he has a good cross on him