So, what of Aquilani?

[Craig_H]

Not even included in the 18 yesterday, presumably fit but even just saying that makes me feel foolish.

Made of glass, apparently never far away from an injury, very talented we're reliably informed, but at 26 years old, has only managed just over 200 total career appearances and never seems likely to string together 5 consecutive appearances.

Signed for £20m but payment made in staggered installments (if only we knew the details of this) and unlikely to fetch a great deal more than about £10m if sold now. That's assuming he'd make it to the contract signing without tripping over the kerb or being run over.

With Joe Cole apparent front runner for the 'in the hole' role, Gerrard as a more than adequete deputy and Pacheco being someone we'd like to see given a chance, where does our poor hapless Italian come into things?

Personally, i dont doubt that he has talent, but judging by the brief time we've seen him in a red shirt and on a pitch, he looks a little timid, and in need of too much time on the ball. Not sure if he'll come to terms with the pace and physicality of english football and even less sure he'll come through a season unscathed.

Even for a paltry £10m, i'd be inclined to take it on the chin, chalk it up to 'experience' and sell him off, using the funds to sign a striker, and equally importantly IMO, to make sure we dont have to sell Mascherano.

[Bender]

Unless he was injured/lacking match fitness then Roy doesn't want him and he will be sold.

[SB]

He's going nowhere IMO. We have, and need options and he will get game time.

[PTP]

he's going to struggle though - i slated him last year, maybe harshly because of injuries, but he has a lot to prove. He is at the moment behind Gerrard, Mascher if he stays, Lucas and npw probably poulsen for any centre mid role, and behind gerrard and cole for an attacking mid/in the hole role.

So you could say he is even competiting with Shelvey for the next midfield berth after the above. - If mascher leaves it will improve his chances a little.

I guess for now, he's got to hop he gets a game in the europa and he has to take those chances and proves he is up to it.

[Slinky Skills]

Unless he was injured/lacking match fitness then Roy doesn't want him and he will be sold.

Or perhaps he just didn't want him in the team for a particular reason??

We needed a hard working midifeld yesterday against the Arse otherwise they'd have ran riot. He obviously felt that the team would have been better served without Aquilani in it as he's not much of a grafter. It doesn't mean he's going to sack him off after one match.

I think he'll be in the team for the City match to be honest. I'm prepared to give him a chance, if he doesn't have a good year then yes, he may get binned come the end of the season.

[Bender]

He's going nowhere IMO. We have, and need options and he will get game time.

Then by that remark he should have at least been on the bench!He couldn't even get in with these 3 midfielders on the subs bench yesterday Maxi, Lucas, Babel ........don't think Aquilani will stay

[SB]

Or perhaps he just didn't want him in the team for a particular reason??

We needed a hard working midifeld yesterday against the Arse otherwise they'd have ran riot. He obviously felt that the team would have been better served without Aquilani in it as he's not much of a grafter. It doesn't mean he's going to sack him off after one match.

I think he'll be in the team for the City match to be honest. I'm prepared to give him a chance, if he doesn't have a good year then yes, he may get binned come the end of the season.

I think he'll play against Trabzonspor on Thursday

[Craig_H]

I'd like to see him play on Thursday, but not at City.

[Rowan]

I'd like to see him play on Thursday, but not at City.

Even if Cole is suspended? I would have thought, given his barnstorming position yesterday, that Gerrard is a cert for centre mid, so unless Roy's planning two up top who would you have in the hole?

[Craig_H]

Even if Cole is suspended? I would have thought, given his barnstorming position yesterday, that Gerrard is a cert for centre mid, so unless Roy's planning two up top who would you have in the hole?

Nah, I'd play Gerrard in the hole and Lucas alongside Mascherano.

If we appeal the Cole red, the suspension will get delayed though and he'll probably end up missing West Brom at home

[SB]

Nah, I'd play Gerrard in the hole and Lucas alongside Mascherano.

If we appeal the Cole red, the suspension will get delayed though and he'll probably end up missing West Brom at home

Sounds like the plan to me I know which game I'd rather he missed

[meffin]

Not even included in the 18 yesterday, presumably fit but even just saying that makes me feel foolish.

Made of glass, apparently never far away from an injury, very talented we're reliably informed, but at 26 years old, has only managed just over 200 total career appearances and never seems likely to string together 5 consecutive appearances.

Signed for £20m but payment made in staggered installments (if only we knew the details of this) and unlikely to fetch a great deal more than about £10m if sold now. That's assuming he'd make it to the contract signing without tripping over the kerb or being run over.

With Joe Cole apparent front runner for the 'in the hole' role, Gerrard as a more than adequete deputy and Pacheco being someone we'd like to see given a chance, where does our poor hapless Italian come into things?

Personally, i dont doubt that he has talent, but judging by the brief time we've seen him in a red shirt and on a pitch, he looks a little timid, and in need of too much time on the ball. Not sure if he'll come to terms with the pace and physicality of english football and even less sure he'll come through a season unscathed.

Even for a paltry £10m, i'd be inclined to take it on the chin, chalk it up to 'experience' and sell him off, using the funds to sign a striker, and equally importantly IMO, to make sure we dont have to sell Mascherano.

We aren't selling Masc for the money, he wants to go and we cant stop him. No ammount of money we recieve for Aqua will help us keep Masc

[poorscousertommy]

Sounds like the plan to me I know which game I'd rather he missed

Surely he then misses the away game against the mancs? If he takes the 3 game hit now he misses City, Brom and (is it?) Birmingham. He'd be back for game against Mancs.

You also risk the chance of an extra game ban

[Parr_Zee]

Nah, I'd play Gerrard in the hole and Lucas alongside Mascherano.

If we appeal the Cole red, the suspension will get delayed though and he'll probably end up missing West Brom at home

But won't the 3 game ban then turn into a 4-game ban because of a frivolous appeal?

[Vermilion]

He's going nowhere IMO. We have, and need options and he will get game time.

It's a long old season, there will be plenty of games for him to play himself into fitness at his pace, and to regain match confidence if any is needed, a few good performances before the jan window then we look again at our options.