First choice midfield...

[JohnDoe]

I like that formation

mine would be:

Aquilani Mascherano
Maxi Gerrard Benayoun

However I don't think Benayoun is very good when he is stuck on the left, so with the 3 attacking midfielders i'd have them rotate positions as the game goes on.

Benayoun is still better than any of the other options even he's on the left. He makes things happen, and his understanding with Gerrard/Torres is very good. When he's got the ball, we're dangerous. Kuyt is there because he tends to get into positions to score, Maxi's not going to give you that.

[Exiled_red]

I like that formation

mine would be:

Aquilani Mascherano
Maxi Gerrard Benayoun

However I don't think Benayoun is very good when he is stuck on the left, so with the 3 attacking midfielders i'd have them rotate positions as the game goes on.

Against 'lesser' teams i'd change Mascher for Lucas.

I think this is one of the problems we have is we sign these attacking players who aren't wingers or central midfielders but don't don't really know where to play them. They tend to get played out wide as we've nowhere else but they aren't as effective as they should be. At the moment we have Benayoun and Babel, previously we've had the likes of Smicer and Berger etc

[Imy]

Benayoun is still better than any of the other options even he's on the left. He makes things happen, and his understanding with Gerrard/Torres is very good. When he's got the ball, we're dangerous. Kuyt is there because he tends to get into positions to score, Maxi's not going to give you that.

It's a sad indication of our attacking players that Benayoun who is frankly inconsistent is still better then anybody else on the left.

Kuyt is a decent squad player, he does score goals which in a team that so relies on Gerarrd and Torres is good, but once again what a sad indication of our attacking players that we have to player a slow, technically inept grafter in a role where creativity, pace and guile should be a pre-requisite.

I think this is one of the problems we have is we sign these attacking players who aren't wingers or central midfielders but don't don't really know where to play them. They tend to get played out wide as we've nowhere else but they aren't as effective as they should be. At the moment we have Benayoun and Babel, previously we've had the likes of Smicer and Berger etc

It can work though with the right players, Arsenal with Pires for example have been really successful. We just haven't got the right blend of attacking players, the last really consistently good one was probably McManaman?

[Shaggy]

I agree that it seems premature to give up on Aquilani but I do think he needs to do more when given a chance to earn a run.

Exactly, I don't think anyone's "given up on him", rather he just hasn't earned a run in the side. Nowhere near. He should not be "given a run" on the basis of his fee. He needs to show a damn sight more, he must earn his place, and for now is firmly ensconced on the bench.

[Exiled_red]

It can work though with the right players, Arsenal with Pires for example have been really successful. We just haven't got the right blend of attacking players, the last really consistently good one was probably McManaman?

I rate some of these types of players that we've had, but we've never really found a way of making it work consistently, which makes me wonder if we are looking at the wrong types of players to sign, or signing players that can't play in the desired system.

[squaddie]

Benayoun is still better than any of the other options even he's on the left. He makes things happen, and his understanding with Gerrard/Torres is very good. When he's got the ball, we're dangerous. Kuyt is there because he tends to get into positions to score, Maxi's not going to give you that.

Not yet anyway, give it time though and im sure he'll be bangin them in regularly. Plus he gives you width.... Something we only have in Riera.

[JohnDoe]

Aquilani has started 4 Premier League matches. We've won all of them and haven't conceded a goal. He's also provided two assists in those games. Lucas and Mascherano together, have two assists in the Premier League during the entire season (one each).

[Shaggy]

Aquilani has started 4 Premier League matches. We've won all of them and haven't conceded a goal. He's also provided two assists in those games. Lucas and Mascherano together, have two assists in the Premier League during the entire season (one each).

And?

Are you seriously trying to tell me you think he's played well enough to have earned a regular place in the side?

[JohnDoe]

And?

Are you seriously trying to tell me you think he's played well enough to have earned a regular place in the side?

He should play because he can take control of the ball and pass it, consistently. This is an attribute that seems to have been forgotten around here as essential for any central midfielder.

[kev776]

Babbel---Masher---Gerrard---Riera

--------Kuyt---------Torres

[Shaggy]

He should play because he can take control of the ball and pass it, consistently. This is an attribute that seems to have been forgotten around here as essential for any central midfielder.

I've no doubt he's capable but so far for the most part he's passed it consistently to the opposition.

[red g]

And?

Are you seriously trying to tell me you think he's played well enough to have earned a regular place in the side?

he hasnt but then the alternative is, well you summe dit up pretty well......Grim!!!

i am with JD here.....apart from maybe Chelsea, scum games i would honestly opt for aquiliani every time.

[JohnDoe]

I've no doubt he's capable but so far for the most part he's passed it consistently to the opposition.

The 'so far' bit is where I've lost you. He's barely played, yet still produced in four games more than Lucas has done the entire season. I'd rather have someone good who tries and fails sometimes than someone who knows he can't do it and runs around a lot to make himself look not as terrible as he is.

[red g]

I've no doubt he's capable but so far for the most part he's passed it consistently to the opposition.

but whats better.........giving it to the opposition constantly with a sprinkle of quality attacking passing...( and i mean sprinkle!! ) or keeping possesion and doinf **** all with it?

[Shaggy]

he hasnt but then the alternative is, well you summe dit up pretty well......Grim!!!

i am with JD here.....apart from maybe Chelsea, scum games i would honestly opt for aquiliani every time.

Don't get me wrong, if he ever gets up to speed I'd want him in the side, but it appears he's not cut out to be one of the '2' in a 4-2-3-1, no-one's sure of his best position and his form has been ****.