Best away record in the league & 2nd place nearly wrapped up

[SK]

i think we only need one more player, and put it simply it's ribery...or someone else who can play across the attacking three, and is in the "world class" bracket, and capable to grab the game by the neck and make things happen.

our first eleven is good enough, it's who we have to put on, to make the difference in games we struggle, is imo been the problem this year

[dww]

I'm genuinely unconvinced that we could have done better than Riera for the money. I think we had to buy a left back or risk being cruelly exposed. The only really unnecessary/hard to justify transfer was Keane. I can see a reasoning behind it in that we needed another goal threat but in retrospect it should have been obvious that he would take things away from Gerrard and Torres and that he was not a good enough player to justify that.

Having said that it is far from clear that he was Rafas choice.

I also think as much as anything else we were caught out by a lack of quality squad players. In this regard the situation is in my view quite complicated. Part of the problem has been that some failed experiments (Babel and Pennant) have hung around but equally it could be argued that we should having spent on a lot of players in the last few years we should have a better squad. I think the balance for me is in whether any of the young players can kick on - if any two of Ngog, Nemeth, Spearing, Derby, Plessis, Anderson or Kelly kick on then his development program will probably be judged the right way to go. We have increased competition and sold on players which has balanced out any short term ill effects of the purchasing policy in my view but the jury has to be out on whether it has impeded the progress of our young players both from the academy and those bought in.

[Craig_H]

its not easy tho is it. what we're basically saying is that we should have someone who can replace torres or gerrard when either are unfit.

but they have to be happy with a bench place for the rest of the time since stevie and nando are the first choice.

who on earth fits that description?

Well no, it can be someone who can play wide, but also up front or in the hole.

When SG and FT are fit, he plays wide.

[fah-q]

Like Babel could if he had a brain to go with his talent.

[barnes10]

i was thinking babel if his head was right would be the perfect foil for torres

[barnes10]

Well no, it can be someone who can play wide, but also up front or in the hole.

When SG and FT are fit, he plays wide.

who do you have in mind for that?

we have kuyt who on paper is exactly this player. but he's not clinical enough to replace torres and i'd prefer benni if it was gerrard who was out.

[Craig_H]

who do you have in mind for that?

we have kuyt who on paper is exactly this player. but he's not clinical enough to replace torres and i'd prefer benni if it was gerrard who was out.

As i've said, i think Tevez would be good, or RvP too.

[red g]

who do you have in mind for that?

we have kuyt who on paper is exactly this player. but he's not clinical enough to replace torres and i'd prefer benni if it was gerrard who was out.

I would go for Silva

[Craig_H]

I worry about Silva not being strong enough. Physically and mentally.

[MrMichael]

I honestly think we've laid down a marker for next season and, despite the likely fact that United will be champions, we will be the team to beat. For the first time in years, I will be predicting us to win it. This campaign has given us genuine belief.

I've been very impressed by the way we have refused to let ManU walk away with it even when we've known its not been in our hands. Everyone has to take us seriously now.

Rafa needs to buy well this summer, without overdoing it.

It's not wholesale changes we need, just one more 'make a difference' player.

I agree. For me that player could be Silva..... I think he would fit extremely well into our existing system. Money may be a problem, but I would not be at all surprised if he is a target.

Edit - I find this quote quite encouraging

Benitez said: "The spine of the team is there and if we have to change players it will be to improve a little bit in different areas.

"If we can keep this season's consistency, one or two players could make a massive difference. But everyone knows we are so close and that makes it easier to bring top-class players in.

"We can say to them that if they come to Liverpool, they will win lots of trophies in the future. I think that they will come."

[BG1973]

I worry about Silva not being strong enough. Physically and mentally.

And he doesn't score many goals which is a must - whoever comes in needs to be another match winner. We basically need a messi, ronaldo, ribery quality attacker / wide player with a massive goal threat and then a young striker with more quality than Ngog as backup who will be happy not to be a regular starter. Maybe Nemeth is up to it? I've hardly seen him but he sounds like a proper striker.

First choice has to be Gerrard and Torres up top, it's the best in the league. If Rafa made a mistake with Keane it was bringing him in to play 4-4-2 and disrupting a formation that was working great at the end of last season. I hope he doesn't make the same mistake twice.

Thinking about it what Rafa might do is bring in another out and out striker and rest torres occasionally as this season has been a struggle for him physically. We could probably bring in an Eto'o and keep him happy as he'll get plenty of games when a) rafa rests nando b) either gerrard or torres is injured. Eto'o or Henry for that matter.

[red g]

And he doesn't score many goals which is a must - whoever comes in needs to be another match winner. We basically need a messi, ronaldo, ribery quality attacker / wide player with a massive goal threat and then a young striker with more quality than Ngog as backup who will be happy not to be a regular starter. Maybe Nemeth is up to it? I've hardly seen him but he sounds like a proper striker.

First choice has to be Gerrard and Torres up top, it's the best in the league. If Rafa made a mistake with Keane it was bringing him in to play 4-4-2 and disrupting a formation that was working great at the end of last season. I hope he doesn't make the same mistake twice.

Thinking about it what Rafa might do is bring in another out and out striker and rest torres occasionally as this season has been a struggle for him physically. We could probably bring in an Eto'o and keep him happy as he'll get plenty of games when a) rafa rests nando b) either gerrard or torres is injured. Eto'o or Henry for that matter.

Messi, Ribery and Ronaldo are a class apart for there roles and goalscoring hence why they are all 40m+

Silva has mainly played on wings when i ahve seen him and he is a definite goal threat.

For me Eto'o or Henry would be awesome as well

My onyl concern with Tevez is if he isnt playing regularly his form seems to drop dramatically. RVP is an awesome player but he is always getting niggles

[BG1973]

Messi, Ribery and Ronaldo are a class apart for there roles and goalscoring hence why they are all 40m

Indeed but it is that quality that is requried to make the next step. If we can't afford them now then our scouts have got to find the next versions. All great teams have had top wide players and we've lacked them for a long time. Kuyt we can accomodate as he brings a hell of a lot to the table, Reira should move to the bench.

Not at their level but maybe Joe Cole could be worth a shout. Very good player. Might be tempted away..although injuries seem to be a worry these days.

[red g]

Indeed but it is that quality that is requried to make the next step. If we can't afford them now then our scouts have got to find the next versions. All great teams have had top wide players and we've lacked them for a long time. Kuyt we can accomodate as he brings a hell of a lot to the table, Reira should move to the bench.

Not at their level but maybe Joe Cole could be worth a shout. Very good player. Might be tempted away..although injuries seem to be a worry these days.

but we cant afford the finished versions and the likes of ribery its only the last 2 seasons his goals tally has soared.

We were in for Ronaldo....but for every ronaldo you get 5 tony le t's and Nani's.

I mean for goalscorers Tevez does know where the goal is when playing regularly

[BG1973]

Bloody Nani eh. Ha. How much did he cost? As much as Keane. When does anyone criticise rednose for not playing him? Never.

Not sure on Tevez. He is no wide player and where does he play if not wide? I'm not exactly sure what he is to be honest apart from expensive.