Momo and Xabi?

[Red Chilli]

(Following on from all the Gerrard threads...)

Does everyone agree that this is our best and strongest central midfield pairing?

I'm not so sure anymore. I can't believe they were over-run SO easily against Man Utd's midfield.

What's the alternative?

[paulcooper4]

diao and zenden

[einar]

When the attack is not playing well they look bad.

So yes they are.

[Morph]

I think they most likely are, but we haven't seen enough of Gerrard and Sissoko.

Idealy i'd just stick all three in, but that's another story for another thread.

[Charlie_B]

Alonso's not warranting a first XI place at the moment, and we need to play two up top, so I'd go for Gerrard abd Sissoko in the middle. Only problem is, we still have the old right-hand-side issue.

[Parm]

Alonso's not warranting a first XI place at the moment, and we need to play two up top, so I'd go for Gerrard abd Sissoko in the middle. Only problem is, we still have the old right-hand-side issue.

pennat certainly is not the answer on the right.

[Charlie_B]

That was what I was getting at without saying "I hate Pennant"

[dww]

I think it is our strongest pairing, they do however require good outlets and of late none of the other 2/3 midfield players have offered anything. Our movement and energy levels have been poor.

Xabi has excellent distribution but lacks the mobility to create passing angles unless our midfield and attack are creating gaps. Momo on the other hand lacks the passing ability and so needs people to create easy balls for him by finding space and offering him options. When our midfield is as flat as it was Sunday both suffer.

I'm not sure what the answer is at the minute as our defence is poor aswell so I'm not sure we can safely play Stevie in the middle. Maybe the dynamism of a Sissoko/Gerrard partnership is the way to go though.

[Morph]

What about our 4th midfielder Zenden?

[carheex]

Alonso's not warranting a first XI place at the moment, and we need to play two up top, so I'd go for Gerrard abd Sissoko in the middle. Only problem is, we still have the old right-hand-side issue.

Are we more effective with Garcia on the right or Gerrard in the centre?

[Depth_Charge]

Momo and Xabi avoid the opponents penalty box like they might catch the clap if they enter it - we need at least one of our midfielders to make the occasional penetrating run - we're leaving the front men with far too much to do at times...

[BobTheCharmer]

People talk about Garcia as a luxury well that applies to Alonso imo.

He's very flat footed, never gets in the box, slow to get back. His main attribute is his passing but even thats been off this season. Play Momo & Gerrard in the middle.

[kop1te]

I would like to see Gerrard and Momo given a few games together while Xabi is struggling. I cannot see Xabi and Gerrard working well together as Stevie doesn't get back quickly and Xabi doesn't cover for him as well as Momo does. If Stevie is to play in the middle he has to be more disciplined than he currently is.

[Red_Polo]

People talk about Garcia as a luxury well that applies to Alonso imo.

He's very flat footed, never gets in the box, slow to get back. His main attribute is his passing but even thats been off this season. Play Momo & Gerrard in the middle.

With Xabi's current form I can't disagree.

[Le Chacal]

Momo and Gerrard is our best midfield