San Jose and Others

[Shaggy]

Because he's not technically great when Skrtel is poor I think he looks terrible whereas Agger can have a poor game but still look elegant and composed if that makes sense.

Yep.

Similarly with Vidic, he can be made to look a real chump on occasion.

[dww]

To be honest while I think they have many talents I think there is a real problem with Skrtel and Agger in that neither of them take responsibility or look to organise. I think they are both too reactive as defenders. I agree that Aggers positiveness and technical ability hide that to some degree and allow him to have confidence in that area of his game when things are against him. It is a problem that seems to run throughout our team at the minute - not enough game aware leaders.

When the task at hand is simplified for him like Stoke with their long range bombardment I expect Skrtel to do fine, when a wider variety of challenges are presented this season I have expected him to struggle. Partly it is a confidence thing but part of it is more than just temporary (for an example of an attitude that makes you less susceptible to these problems look at the CBJT thread).

[BrianF80]

To be honest while I think they have many talents I think there is a real problem with Skrtel and Agger in that neither of them take responsibility or look to organise. I think they are both too reactive as defenders. I agree that Aggers positiveness and technical ability hide that to some degree and allow him to have confidence in that area of his game when things are against him. It is a problem that seems to run throughout our team at the minute - not enough game aware leaders.

When the task at hand is simplified for him like Stoke with their long range bombardment I expect Skrtel to do fine, when a wider variety of challenges are presented this season I have expected him to struggle. Partly it is a confidence thing but part of it is more than just temporary (for an example of an attitude that makes you less susceptible to these problems look at the CBJT thread).

I noticed this too, so made a point of downloading a few denmark games. It doesn't happen in those games. My conclusion is that should a vacuum appear, it will be filled. It is after all difficult to perform a role that someone else is already filling.

[dww]

I noticed this too, so made a point of downloading a few denmark games. It doesn't happen in those games. My conclusion is that should a vacuum appear, it will be filled. It is after all difficult to perform a role that someone else is already filling.

Who does he partner for Denmark?

[peekay]

Who does he partner for Denmark?

Simon Kjaer I think.

[BrianF80]

Simon Kjaer I think.

Yeah those were the games he stepped up. There were a couple with some old guy though. Never heard of him.

[dww]

Quick bump to see if anyone has an update on how San Jose is doing?

Also is he any good at bringing the ball out of defence?

[Scratch]

He's gone out on loan and will therefore never make it at Liverpool. It's a common occurance.

[barnes10]

its a common occurrence at all top clubs. those who arent quite good enough go on loan to see if they can step up with regular first team football.

either they come back and into the team or they get moved on. i thought thats quite normal.

[dww]

It's almost as if most players don't make it at the very top level.

I'm still interested to see whether he is looking more like a Johnny Evans prospect or a Ryan Shawcross type prospect.

[SK]

its a common occurrence at all top clubs. those who arent quite good enough go on loan to see if they can step up with regular first team football.

either they come back and into the team or they get moved on. i thought thats quite normal.

or players between the youth setups and the first team badly need game time to improve and gain experience of playing competative football, if they don't get game time they regress in their development. i think rafa's too strict with sending out players on loan and he should do it more often. imagine if insua had two seasons of first team football in the championship or even at a smaller premier league team behind him, and how that would have improved him as a player.

[dww]

or players between the youth setups and the first team badly need game time to improve and gain experience of playing competative football, if they don't get game time they regress in their development. i think rafa's too strict with sending out players on loan and he should do it more often. imagine if insua had two seasons of first team football in the championship or even at a smaller premier league team behind him, and how that would have improved him as a player.

I think you tailor it to the player though. Insua for example came from Argentina at a young age and it was possibly best to keep him at Liverpool where there were a number of other Argentinians and more Spanish speakers.

I think Rafa has been a lot more keen on loans than previous managers.

[PTP]

He's gone out on loan and will therefore never make it at Liverpool. It's a common occurance.

!!! don't say that - i got abused last time i said that

[SK]

I think you tailor it to the player though. Insua for example came from Argentina at a young age and it was possibly best to keep him at Liverpool where there were a number of other Argentinians and more Spanish speakers.

I think Rafa has been a lot more keen on loans than previous managers.

might be, and also the fact that he'll be a "home-grown" player next year (or is he from january onwards?) as he stayed at the club.

i still think a lot of the players would benefit from going to the champioship for a season or at least half a season to bluckle them up a bit and get them ready for the physical side of the english game.

players like plessis come to mind.

but to be fair to rafa he has been sending players out on loan more often lately so that is a step forward imo.

[dww]

!!! don't say that - i got abused last time i said that

I was trying not to have a re run of the same argument. I still think that the opinion held by you and Scratch is reductive and short sighted.