Will Aquilani make a difference?

[Shanks]

Can he make that difference based on our games so far?
It looks like he could be due back for the away game to Chelsea.







Hopefully he can offer Stevie and Torres a bit more service with some vision but I'm looking forward to seeing the extra attacking option that we've never really had in the middle of the park, since Gerrard was pushed forward.

Let's hope we can keep some consistency, as this could be a great return signing for us.

[fin7]

hopefully, thats an interesting return date tho, at this stage its a game we cant lose, chelsea are going well at the moment

[DannyMan2006]

I doubt he'd make his debut against Chelsea, maybe Sunderland.

I think Aquilani could improve us a great deal, but he is a different player to Alonso/Lucas so the team will take time to adapt and get the best out of him. But I'm hoping he can come straight in and do at least a decent job to help the transition.

But I think his start will be key. If he starts well it will give the whole club a lift. At present I think we are all getting through this dreafull start by clinging to the idea that Aquilani will show why Alonso was nearly sold last season.

If he flops, well I don't know where we go.

[peekay]

I doubt he'd make his debut against Chelsea, maybe Sunderland.

I think Aquilani could improve us a great deal, but he is a different player to Alonso/Lucas so the team will take time to adapt and get the best out of him. But I'm hoping he can come straight in and do at least a decent job to help the transition.

But I think his start will be key. If he starts well it will give the whole club a lift. At present I think we are all getting through this dreafull start by clinging to the idea that Aquilani will show why Alonso was nearly sold last season.

If he flops, well I don't know where we go.

Cannot say with our Rafa. He threw in Riera against Man United when he barely had a couple of training sessions.

[-V-]

Well we never bought him for £15m for no reason.

Lucas and Mascherano showed again today that they are not a good pairing as they both sit too deep and can't influence our attacks. Im afraid from the pair its Lucas that shows no purpose. I had hoped he would start to impose himself but its just not happening. Aquaman will hopefully be alot more direct and more creative than Lucas who just seems invisible at times

[Shaggy]

I can't wait to see him in a Red shirt. I think he will make the difference.

[Shanks]

He is an unknown quantity in the premiership and should be able to make a difference for us this season.

[Lee]

Only seen the YouTube clips (obviously) but he looks a good player. He'll certainly improve our set pieces. Though to be fair, I could probably improve our set pieces

Not a like-for-like Alonso replacement either from what I've seen so I do wonder where he'll fit in. Is he going to play next to Mascherano or will he slot into the front four perhaps?!

[saj]

Cannot say with our Rafa. He threw in Riera against Man United when he barely had a couple of training sessions.

Riera hadn't come back from a serious injury though. And he had been training anyway with Espanyol

[saj]

Well we never bought him for £15m for no reason.

Lucas and Mascherano showed again today that they are not a good pairing as they both sit too deep and can't influence our attacks. Im afraid from the pair its Lucas that shows no purpose. I had hoped he would start to impose himself but its just not happening. Aquaman will hopefully be alot more direct and more creative than Lucas who just seems invisible at times

Don't think many people noticed but Lucas was playing a different role today - he was playing a lot further up the pitch (watch the game again if you don't believe ne). He was so far forward, he was getting on the end of crosses. And yes he was woeful and went completely missing until he was asked to play in front of the back 4 when Masch was subbed off.

[-V-]

No mate, Lucas only moved further forward once Bolton were down to 10 men. I did watch it

In the first half he was fairly deep and creating nothing im afraid. We looked hopeless

[saj]

No mate, Lucas only moved further forward once Bolton were down to 10 men. I did watch it

In the first half he was fairly deep and creating nothing im afraid. We looked hopeless

He was getting on the end of crosses in the 1st half. They were reduced to 10 men in the 2nd half. I've never seen him get on the end of crosses from open play before. I'm telling you - just watch the 1st half again. There was times when he was further ahead of Torres. It was so obvious Rafa had given him a different role today. He probably knew Gerrard was going to be man marked (as he was by Bolton last season) therefore they would have 1 less man in the middle thus allowing Lucas to push forward. But Lucas was woeful and just went missing

[Nick77]

He would DEFINITELY improve the team as Lucas wouldn't be playing - that alone would be an improvement!

[saj]

He would DEFINITELY improve the team as Lucas wouldn't be playing - that alone would be an improvement!

The only thing I can disagree with in your istatement is the way you have spelt the capitalised word. The rest is spot on

[Shanks]

It's not about "Is Aquilani better than Lucas"

He's a different player,
so no need to compare and turn this into a Lucas bashing.