Lets use this situation to weed out the Dross

[ElRobbie]

Were in an awful situation and to me it feels like someone is looking down on us and its happened for a reason as if to say someone at the club needs to wake up and realise we need more strength in depth.

I'm not someone who looks at things through rose tinted glasses, but I think provided Torres and Gerrard stay at the club this could be the big kick up the arse the team and lot of individuals in it need, and a chance to shine or even just prove themselves. As well as an opportunity to re-assess our squad, strengthen and move to the next level.

I think we should keep Babel, there's no point selling him because we probably won't get a replacement. Then we should play Babel up front with Kuyt, maybe one behind the other, I know both aren't out and out strikers but Babel claims he is a striker. Maxi on the right, Riera on the left, Lucas, Mascherano and Aquilani central.

What that will do will once and for all is put any doubts about Babel to bed and the same for Kuyt, it will test their ability in their favourite positions and whether they can cut it at the top level and handle the responsibility, if they can't then they should be sold.

It will also do the same for Riera and Lucas. Its too early to judge Aquilani and Maxi, we just have to hope they can help us out and prove to be good buys.

So lets give them a chance a shine and say goodbye if they don't.

[ric.williams]

drossena has already been sold to napoli i believe

[Fierce]

Were in an awful situation and to me it feels like someone is looking down on us and its happened for a reason as if to say someone at the club needs to wake up and realise we need more strength in depth.

I'm not someone who looks at things through rose tinted glasses, but I think provided Torres and Gerrard stay at the club this could be the big kick up the arse the team and lot of individuals in it need, and a chance to shine or even just prove themselves. As well as an opportunity to re-assess our squad, strengthen and move to the next level.

I think we should keep Babel, there's no point selling him because we probably won't get a replacement. Then we should play Babel up front with Kuyt, maybe one behind the other, I know both aren't out and out strikers but Babel claims he is a striker. Maxi on the right, Riera on the left, Lucas, Mascherano and Aquilani central.

What that will do will once and for all is put any doubts about Babel to bed and the same for Kuyt, it will test their ability in their favourite positions and whether they can cut it at the top level and handle the responsibility, if they can't then they should be sold.

It will also do the same for Riera and Lucas. Its too early to judge Aquilani and Maxi, we just have to hope they can help us out and prove to be good buys.

So lets give them a chance a shine and say goodbye if they don't.

3 at the back?!

Regardless, 5 in midfield works when the furthest forward of the 5 is Steven Gerrard; and the one lone striker is Fernando Torres

Don't think anyone would expect it to be anywhere near as prolific if you substituted those two with Lucas/Aquilani and Dirk Kuyt

[javier_monsterano]

Too bad our manager can't even say to the team they are playing for their futures.
it's him that is fighting for his.

[ElRobbie]

3 at the back?!

Regardless, 5 in midfield works when the furthest forward of the 5 is Steven Gerrard; and the one lone striker is Fernando Torres

Don't think anyone would expect it to be anywhere near as prolific if you substituted those two with Lucas/Aquilani and Dirk Kuyt

No mate, not 3 at the back just 2 of those 3 in central midfield, preferably Aquilani and one other as he is probably more likely to venture forward than the others. Obviously I would expect Kuyt to drop a bit deeper at times

I know what your saying mate but we don't really have any goalscoring midfielders thats why I've gone for two up front.

[ElRobbie]

Too bad our manager can't even say to the team they are playing for their futures.

I would be if I was in his position. The players play the game, a coach or manager can only do so much.

I mean Reading managed to beat us with a caretaker manager, thats because their players pulled together and and made the extra effort needed.

[Kenneth]

Insua cannot be our best left back. Drop him.

Kuyt needs to be dropped too. Drop him.

[badpiggy]

of all teams, i just can't see kuyt being dropped against stoke. no way. actually i wouldn't want him dropped against them as he's unbreakable.