The Alberto Aquilani Show

[Craig_H]

And plays a different role. Which people seem to completely ignore on top of the ignorant **** they put about his passing.

As for Kuyt and the **** about him on here, would like to point out how many vital goals he has gotten in big games and is the second highest scoring player in our team, can't let facts get in the way though can we.

You're so defensive, almost to the point where you make yourself look like you're SO determined to prove a point, that you might actually be know deep down that both players have their weaknesses, and that when people have pointed them out, they're spot on. Protesting too much, and all.

Nobody's denying Kuyt's value, and of course he scores lots of crucial goals. Pace and tempo though, he lacks. Same with Lucas, he plays a more passive role, keeps things solid and keeps the ball relatively well. He's good in front of the back four and adds solidity. Going forward though, he offers little.

Fact is, over the course of the season, you'll get various different games and situations, which between them, require all different kinds of players to carry out different tasks. No doubt Kuyt and Lucas have their roles and play them, but they shouldnt be undroppable, as was seeming to be the case, even if they dont perform.

In the case of last night, their ommissions helped us play at a higher tempo, something their own respective games are not entirely condusive to.

It seems that unless people suggest Lucas and Kuyt are brilliant at every aspect of football, you're unhappy and get defensive. They have their strengths and weaknesses, like everyone. For a high tempo game, involving lots of pressing and getting the ball in advanced positions quickly, they're not ideal. For a visit to Old Trafford, where you have to be organised, and deliberate in most of what we do, they're more suited.

[Craig_H]

I'm not Kuyts biggest fan. I'll tell you why.

Because he just slows our attacking play down. I like to see wide players capable of beating a man, especially when our team plays with only 1 forward and two DM's. Kuyt lacks vision, control, pace and a good range of passing. His finishing is good, and his tracking back and hard graft shown is immense.

If I was Bolton manager I'd pick Kuyt over the likes of a babel type player every time. Bolton come under the cosh and need to work hard and stay solid. They win by battling, not by quality play.

But we are not that type of team. We are Liverpool. A side who should be taking the game to others, not sitting back and getting hammered. As such we need players who can take the game to the opposition and open up tight defences.

I wouldn't say we will find many wingers who will score more than Kuyt. But i would say we would easily find a winger who in the long run would be more heavily involved in the build up to goals, be it by drawing two players to them (as Babel always does) despite being below par, or going on a dazzling run and beating two men with skill.

If we had more creativity elsewhere then I guess Kuyt would be fine. But we play a solid compact system and so need creativity in the wide areas. Just my opinion.

I would seriously look at selling Kuyt and bring in a more speedy, tricky winger.

aside from the selling him part, i agree. Kuyt offers what he does, and there are games where that's needed. Not every game though, he's so rarely dropped and it's not proportionate to his level of ability.

[Mattshark]

You're so defensive, almost to the point where you make yourself look like you're SO determined to prove a point, that you might actually be know deep down that both players have their weaknesses, and that when people have pointed them out, they're spot on. Protesting too much, and all.

Nobody's denying Kuyt's value, and of course he scores lots of crucial goals. Pace and tempo though, he lacks. Same with Lucas, he plays a more passive role, keeps things solid and keeps the ball relatively well. He's good in front of the back four and adds solidity. Going forward though, he offers little.

Fact is, over the course of the season, you'll get various different games and situations, which between them, require all different kinds of players to carry out different tasks. No doubt Kuyt and Lucas have their roles and play them, but they shouldnt be undroppable, as was seeming to be the case, even if they dont perform.

In the case of last night, their ommissions helped us play at a higher tempo, something their own respective games are not entirely condusive to.

It seems that unless people suggest Lucas and Kuyt are brilliant at every aspect of football, you're unhappy and get defensive. They have their strengths and weaknesses, like everyone. For a high tempo game, involving lots of pressing and getting the ball in advanced positions quickly, they're not ideal. For a visit to Old Trafford, where you have to be organised, and deliberate in most of what we do, they're more suited.

Actually a few are, some only post to deride those 2 players in fact. That is my problem.

[Craig_H]

If people only post for that reason, they're idiots. Why lower yourself to giving them the time of day? Just ignore it.

And if people dont see the value in Kuyt/Lucas, it's their perogative and they're entitled to their opinions. Why not just let it be?

[Pablo]

If people only post for that reason, they're idiots. Why lower yourself to giving them the time of day? Just ignore it.

And if people dont see the value in Kuyt/Lucas, it's their perogative and they're entitled to their opinions. Why not just let it be?

Trying to catch another one there surely?

[Craig_H]

Well it's funny isnt it? Seems like it's not just me who clings to a point.

[Kronenburg1892]

Good little compilation of him from last night here...

http://www.footylounge.com/films//milankakabaros/alberto-aqulani-v-portsmouth-15032010-video_bd4165f64.html

[Redspin]

Funny thing is Aqua and Babel will make way (IMO) for Lucas and Kuyt, probably on Sunday at OT.

There's the small matter of Lille on Thursday too, so I fully expected the changes he made on Monday. There'll be changes on Thursday from that side and then changes for Man U. Benitez, like all top managers, likes to use his squad fully when there are three games in a week.

It's not a question these days of picking 11 players and sticking with them week in, week out so expect two or three changes in lineup in each of the next two games. That's modern football

[Redspin]

Normally I'd agree with this but the form they're in at the moment, I think sitting back deeper (as we will if playing those 2) will only encourage Man U to attack and it will only be a matter of time before we concede.

We played both Kuyt and Lucas at Man U last season. Lucas was the best midfielder on the park and Kuyt had a great game too. I think they're both certainties for Sunday.

[Redspin]

Playing 2 defensive mids at Old Trafford would be a major risk as we would be going back to everything thats been frustrating us all for the past month. It may have worked at Anfield where we had the crowd behind the players but if we do that on sunday I can honesly see us losing 1-0

So explain how we went there last season, played two defensive midfielders, dominated from start to finish and won 4-1.

[Redspin]

I'm not sure it's even open for debate tbh. The Lille team will be the same with Benny replacing Maxi (imo) and the Utd team will be Lucas for Aquilani, Maxi on the left instead of Babel, Kuyt on the right and for what it's worth I think that is the right decision.

Evra bombs on so Kuyt needs to track him leaving amssive space for Torres to tear Vidic yet another arsehole.
Wonder what the odds are on Vidic being sent off 3 games in a row.

Er...it's already happened. He's been sent off in the last three games against us - both games last season and at Anfield this season

[lickedlollipop]

alberto is a proffesor for lucas. please sell him to some russian club for at least 20mil euros. ray:

[little dave hedgehog]

Actually a few are, some only post to deride those 2 players in fact. That is my problem.

it's literally the only thing I've ever posted about.

[5europeancups]

Does Aquilani remind anyone else of Ray Houghton?

Or is it just me?

[ronanm]

Does Aquilani remind anyone else of Ray Houghton?

Or is it just me?

Completely different type of player imo.