New right back...?

[Harv]

Really can't be doing with Arbeloa. He annoys me every time I see him, either by giving away stupid free kicks, picking up unnecessary bookings, being caught hopelessly out of position, putting in ineffective crosses from a position 30 yards from goal, rarely pushing on to the bye-line or getting beyond the opposing full back, or losing possession cheaply. He's just not the kind of player I have much time for, which is disappointing because after his first few appearances he looked very promising.

As for last night's goal, he showed no awareness whatsoever of what was going on around him. You can't expect to be given that sort of time on the ball when you're 10 yards outside your own penalty area. I've just watched it again and there was really nothing wrong with Carragher's ball to him, he was just completely asleep.

Perhaps I'm being harsh, but I'm feeling fairly unforgiving at the moment, so nah!

I fully agree mate. He can be diabolical, a disaster waiting to happen. The amount of stupid FK's he gives away are infuriating. He's a solid 5/10 player IMO. Ok at everything, spectacular at nothing

[Tee]

that may be so...but at least GJ can swing a nice cross in and is a goal threat.

Arby is shocking at crossing the ball. Very weak crosses, that defenders love to see coming in.

Hope he goes back to Spain, he's not good enough, and would fetch a nice fee i reckon (£8m+)

We should be all over Rafinha, he would form a cracking right side partnership with Dirk. He gets to the byline at will

Fair enough, but it is about balance. For me a RB first and foremost should be able to defend. In that respect I would trust Arbeloa ahead of Johnson, and when I say trust I also mean trust his tactical discipline and awareness of working with the CBs.

If we were playing 3-5-2 then I would feel alot better about bringing in someone like Johnson.

Personally I think that is a shocking call to say that Arbeloa is not good enough and should go back to Spain. He has nailed that RB position this season and has been outstanding IMO, barring the last couple of games where a few others have also not performed.

[nevelator]

I fully agree mate. He can be diabolical, a disaster waiting to happen. The amount of stupid FK's he gives away are infuriating. He's a solid 5/10 player IMO. Ok at everything, spectacular at nothing

Totally agree with that - He will always 'do a job' for us. We need someone who can overlap and deliver quality balls into the box. His decision making at times leave an awful lot to be desired.

[Harv]

Fair enough, but it is about balance. For me a RB first and foremost should be able to defend. In that respect I would trust Arbeloa ahead of Johnson, and when I say trust I also mean trust his tactical discipline and awareness of working with the CBs.

If we were playing 3-5-2 then I would feel alot better about bringing in someone like Johnson.

Personally I think that is a shocking call to say that Arbeloa is not good enough and should go back to Spain. He has nailed that RB position this season and has been outstanding IMO, barring the last couple of games where a few others have also not performed.

no he hasn't, far from it. He does a job, and is generally solid. But he still makes some horrendous gaffs, and needs Carra/Skrtel to bale him out a lot of the time.

We have a RW that works his socks off, and defends really well. To balance this lack of attacking prowess, i believe we need a better RB who can cross and beat a man (Rafinha). He would link superbly with Dirk IMO. Dirk can cover for Rafinha when he bombs forward. Rafinha is no slouch defensively either.

[Tee]

no he hasn't, far from it. He does a job, and is generally solid. But he still makes some horrendous gaffs, and needs Carra/Skrtel to bale him out a lot of the time.

We have a RW that works his socks off, and defends really well. To balance this lack of attacking prowess, i believe we need a better RB who can cross and beat a man (Rafinha). He would link superbly with Dirk IMO. Dirk can cover for Rafinha when he bombs forward. Rafinha is no slouch defensively either.

Sounds good, but don't know anything about him tbh.

I don't think Arbeloa has been THAT bad though and would not be surprised in the slightest to see him starting at RB for us next season.

[Kenneth]

I fully agree mate. He can be diabolical, a disaster waiting to happen. The amount of stupid FK's he gives away are infuriating. He's a solid 5/10 player IMO. Ok at everything, spectacular at nothing

Stupid freekicks, yes. He has performed very well for most of the season. Some of his overlapping and passing around the edge of the box has been class and he provides a good outlet on the right for Alonso and Stevie. Has his ropey monents but there aren't many right backs in the league better than him.

[kris90210]

Sounds good, but don't know anything about him tbh.

I don't think Arbeloa has been THAT bad though and would not be surprised in the slightest to see him starting at RB for us next season.

We were strongly linked with Rafinha last Summer but obviously nothing came of it. He's supposed to be quite similar in style to Alves, although I have to say, I haven't been overly impressed when I've seen him. Then again, Ive only seen him play once or twice so not much to go by there...!

[Joe King]

Really can't be doing with Arbeloa. He annoys me every time I see him, either by giving away stupid free kicks, picking up unnecessary bookings, being caught hopelessly out of position, putting in ineffective crosses from a position 30 yards from goal, rarely pushing on to the bye-line or getting beyond the opposing full back, or losing possession cheaply. He's just not the kind of player I have much time for, which is disappointing because after his first few appearances he looked very promising.

As for last night's goal, he showed no awareness whatsoever of what was going on around him. You can't expect to be given that sort of time on the ball when you're 10 yards outside your own penalty area. I've just watched it again and there was really nothing wrong with Carragher's ball to him, he was just completely asleep.

Perhaps I'm being harsh, but I'm feeling fairly unforgiving at the moment, so nah!

Totally agree

Glen Johnson would be a shout, has done well recently for Pompey as right winger and shown he has the potential for crossing good balls at the byline.

Pantsil would be another one. Very athletic, runs up and down like a horse, incredibly powerful.

Alexis or Miguel from Valencia also...

[kris90210]

Totally agree

Glen Johnson would be a shout, has done well recently for Pompey as right winger and shown he has the potential for crossing good balls at the byline.

Pantsil would be another one. Very athletic, runs up and down like a horse, incredibly powerful.

Alexis or Miguel from Valencia also...

Ilunga from West Ham?

[Joe King]

Ilunga from West Ham?

Has been good for West Ham this season.

[JohnDoe]

Pantsil would be another one. Very athletic, runs up and down like a horse, incredibly powerful.

The guy's definitely not good enough for us. He's erratic and will be out of his depth here.

[lucas]

And the first thing I was taught as a CB was "when in doubt, **** it out!"

Carra shouldn't have even been thinking about a difficult pass to a player who was marked in that situation, he should just have hammered it away.

Thats what I thought anyway the moment I saw him head the ball like that.

[dww]

Ilunga from West Ham?

Isn't he a left back?

[The Birdman]

Johnson is probably the best from those within our price range and he's english.
The new contract he signed would have had a buy out clause at around £8-10m.

[Ben_Itez]

Johnson was caught woefully out of position for Utd's first goal tonight and in general doesnt look arsed when he's defending. I think he'd rather play in midfield.

Skillful player but doesnt have the right attitude for us IMO and he got caught shoplifting a toilet seat FFS