Attacking midfield/wide options

[JohnDoe]

Kuyt and Jovanovic might just run most sides to death, our workrate from those wide areas could really be phenomenal. With Cole providing more craft I think it could be a winner, Jovanovic looks like he'll possibly be worth about the same goal return as Kuyt, both are strikers-cum-wingers and really could work in a 4-2-3-1; with Gerrard behind, Cole in the middle and Torres up top we should have enough flair, imagination and creativity to really utilise some tireless work ethic. So if we can keep everyone fit I'm not so worried about a lack of traditional width, though having it as an option would also be nice.

Work rate doesn't beat players and delivers good crosses into the box though. Kuyt and Jovanovic, are on paper, a good defensive set up. It will be terrible against inferior sides.

[Mattshark]

Work rate doesn't beat players and delivers good crosses into the box though. Kuyt and Jovanovic, are on paper, a good defensive set up. It will be terrible against inferior sides.

Kuyt does deliver good crosses though.

[Fernandinho]

Oh god no, if i see another stat....

[JohnDoe]

Kuyt does deliver good crosses though.

He can't deliver them if he's slower than most full backs though.

[Mattshark]

He can't deliver them if he's slower than most full backs though.

I can't agree there, his movement and positioning make up for his lack of pace.

[JohnDoe]

I can't agree there, his movement and positioning make up for his lack of pace.

No, it doesn't really, because he can't be isolated with a full back and be expected to deliver. His only crosses come from within the offense, when he gets space from the defence because something happened elsewhere.

Jovanovic is looking like the same player, albeit quicker.

I don't like this pairing for most games. We won't be able to break anyone down from out wide.

[Mattshark]

No, it doesn't really, because he can't be isolated with a full back and be expected to deliver. His only crosses come from within the offense, when he gets space from the defence because something happened elsewhere.

Jovanovic is looking like the same player, albeit quicker.

I don't like this pairing for most games. We won't be able to break anyone down from out wide.

mmm, I always found him good at keeping the ball, he has enough technique to make some space for himself and get the cross in.

[JohnDoe]

mmm, I always found him good at keeping the ball, he has enough technique to make some space for himself and get the cross in.

He's really not that type of player. Never has. We've struggled a lot with our wide options last season, and I don't see much improvement this year either (basically Benayoun, Riera out, Maxi and Jova in).

We need a mismatch out wide. We don't have it. No one is scared of our wide players, our main weapons are central, except Glen Johnson. Pack the middle and you hurt us.

[DannyMan2006]

I think this is why everyone wants Babel to be a success.

He's a speedy player that can beat a man and create something out of nothing, as well as having a cracking strike on him.

[TheElephantMan]

I think this is why everyone wants Babel to be a success.

He's a speedy player that can beat a man and create something out of nothing, as well as having a cracking strike on him.

Whilst I'm sure everyone would want Babel to be a success, I don't believe for a second that he will ever be a regular player for us or any other decent team. We should have sold him last summer, every year his value will decrease until he's worth zero to us in the transfer market. Babel is just a commercial value, he's not a tangible asset.

[Mostar]

Not fantastic options in terms of an out and out winger(s) but yeah the attacking midfield/off the front mans position is looking very strong.

I do however think Aquilani is a waste of space.

Those are pretty big words. We barely saw him play and when he did play he has demonstrated glimpses of his creativity, which imo would not categorize him as a waste in any way..

A bit harsh, let's give him a chance to impress now that he's getting himself fit.

Absolutely. He just need to get more playing time and then he can be properly judged. To me he is the one of the players I personally would like to see more this year.

[/B]

Lots of our team could do with looking at how quickly he moves the ball, he knows the pass before he get the ball
I think he needs confidence though as he needs to demand more of the ball

I couldn't agree more. Imo he sees things unfolding faster than his teammates but he needs more time on the pitch for him and others to start to click. I also see his confidence as a big problem and hopefully Roy will give him a chance. He is a too good of a player to be wasted on the bench.

I don't like our options out wide. We don't have one natural winger capable of beating his man and putting in a cross. Not one player who's a mismatch.

We are definitely limited there. I also see that area as a problematic one.

Sadly,I agree. I'm torn as to which I prefer. I really think Maxi has a massive season in him, but it's very hard to drop Dirk.

I hope Maxi plays more regularly this season. I personally was very pleased with progress especially at the end of last year.

He can't deliver them if he's slower than most full backs though.

He is a pretty good crosser when he is not covered but the problem is that he has no pace and when challenged he is pretty limited to short passes to the near by players.

[Rudo]

Anyone else like to see Maxi is a more central position this season?

He had a few good games there in the World Cup.