So, What do you really think of our Squad?

[SimonNo7]

I tend to think the main problem with our squad is not individual quality but a lack of players who get the best out of one another and a complete absence of intelligent leaders.

It looks like an exaggerated form of what it has been since the summer before last - a squad in transition but without the means to complete the job.

Another thing we lack is creativity. We have very little of this.

[Fredo]

I'm not a Sky convert (I don't even have Sky Sports) and please don't come out with that line just because some fans don't think that a number of our players are not good enough for our team.

What I put against each of our players is what I genuinely think about those players and have done for some time, not since Roy came in but over the period of Rafa's last season, Roy's short tenure and up to present day with Kenny in charge.

Please copy my list and put your comments against each player, I would genuinely be interested to see what you think although I would suggest you take off your RSG first (just kidding) .

I don't have the time nor the inclination to analyse in depth the ability of each player mate. I think I've said in another thread which players I think are not good enough at this point in time. The majority of whom come from Hodgson's summer buys.

My assessment of it is that the squad have come into the summer disillusioned and it has gotten worse with the appointment of Hodgson, which does unfairly picture something wrong with the players. I think this squad is good enough to be challenging for 4th place in this league this season. It's no coincidence that Kenny has intimated that the main problem of the players is confidence in their abilities.

Then, it's too early to judge anything, let the current manager implement his methods and then we'll talk about whether our players are good or not in a couple of months. I've seen enough to state that we'll see a marked improvement sooner rather than later.

[SimonNo7]

I don't think the 08/09 team relates anymore. That team was on the rise and built up to that point. Key players have left and others have aged and are not the players they once were. Momentum was lost at the attitudes have changed. The Liverpool of 2011 is nothing like the time which finished in 2009 and rather than trying to build a team around the few remainding players from the 13 or 14players from that team who played week in week out, when the only players who are still young are Agger and Torres, is never going to happen. We need to build on the young while phasing the older players out...

Fair play for saying the 08/09 team doesn't relate anymore, and that we are talking about the team today.

Whilst I agree we need to build on the young while phasing the older players out, I do think we need to bring in a good few established players around the early to mid twenties in, IMO

[SimonNo7]

Alonso and Mascherano were instrumental in the successful run in 08/09! Neither were replaced successfully, although Aquilani proved a decent replacement the end of last season. We don't have that type of player anymore, a machine of the midfield that the opposition would struggle to cope with - just look at the number of tackles made on him/free kicks/red cards etc. As good as Lucas is it's a gradual improvement and I'm not entirely sure he's in the Xabi mould. As for Mascherano, we miss the constant 'hounding' of the opposition! A bit like Kuyt he had great stamina and would always press to win possession back. Poulsen is clearly not up to scratch in this area, mainly due to his age, and unless we sort this problem, along with a Xabi replacement we won't be aiming for a top 4 position for quite some time.

Forgot about him in my initial post as well.

For what it's worth I thought he was showing promise when he did play, he was one of the only ones who actually seemed to like creating or moving into space rather than just stand still and wait for the ball to come to him, I would like to see him come back but my worry is we do not seem to know how to use creative players like him anymore.

[SimonNo7]

We've a bunch of fairys playing at the moment. We can't win a tackle or go into a tackle properly. That had a lot to do with Gerrards sending off against united in his frustration of seeing teammates bottling it. Until we get that sorted we're in serious trouble, because its a battle when your down at the bottom and we're not equiped for a battle.

Don't start me on the passing.

The fact a professional footballer can't tackle or pass should result in a sacking and that's what most of our sqaud needs is sacking not selling.

I was just saying the same thing this morning. Its shocking how weak we are in the tackle.

Our lot definitely don't like a battle.

[SimonNo7]

to some up

desperate for (in no particular order)

A new big strong organised dominating centre back
a good left back
a centre mid dynamo
a left winger with pace
a creative right mid, bit of pace would be nice too
a striker capable of covering/partnering torres as needed

I can't disagree with that. The CM dynamo needs to be able to both a defensive job and a creative job and this person is not Gerrard. Ideally he would have a solid DM next to him creating balance.

[PTP]

Suso!

well he's a kid and i've not seen enough of him to comment or even know when he'll be ready

[Fernandinho]

You can just say you forgot him rather then making excuses

[SimonNo7]

I don't have the time nor the inclination to analyse in depth the ability of each player mate. I think I've said in another thread which players I think are not good enough at this point in time. The majority of whom come from Hodgson's summer buys.

My assessment of it is that the squad have come into the summer disillusioned and it has gotten worse with the appointment of Hodgson, which does unfairly picture something wrong with the players. I think this squad is good enough to be challenging for 4th place in this league this season. It's no coincidence that Kenny has intimated that the main problem of the players is confidence in their abilities.

Then, it's too early to judge anything, let the current manager implement his methods and then we'll talk about whether our players are good or not in a couple of months. I've seen enough to state that we'll see a marked improvement sooner rather than later.

Fair enough although I must admit to being a little disappointed that you haven't got the time or inclination to share with us your opinions on all the players and not just Roy's purchases as I think we know what you think of those.

I haven't based my opinions on last nights performance, it is based on the last 18 months performance or lack of performance for three managers which has led me to think that a number of players and not just Roy's purchases need moving on and the squad getting quite a comprehensive refreshing. I think it goes deeper than just confidence.

Of course Kenny needs time and I would not for one minute question his position two games into his tenure. For me his job is to keep us in the EPL and get us as high as possible. I don't think 4th is possible because I don't think the players are actually good enough, maybe with a lot of luck, but highly unlikely.

[DannyMan2006]

Agree with PTP.

On who we should buy first, as much as we miss quality out wide, we have for years. Our past efforts show that with a quality spine you can control games and pick up a lot of points. I'd seriously consider signing a CB, CM and someone to cover Torres, who ideally could also play off him or out wide when Fernando is fit.

My targets this window:

Cahill - Big money but be good for 5-8 years so worth the cash.

Adam - Not first choice but good enough for the first team and cheap option. If we had the cash I'd get M'Vila.

Suarez - Not the best option available to play alone up top, but he can do a good job. Main selling point is ability to play wide or as a second striker.

Big out lay though. Talking nearly £45m. Probably just over £50m if we figure in M'Vila instead.

[RichC]

Main issues with the team at the moment are mental problems, serious lack of confidence throughout the side which is worrying.

We also currently look a bit soft down the middle, I really don't think Skrtel is up to it at the moment which is probably mainly due to his confidence being shot but he's not looked at the races for quite a while/

Also we could really do with someone that'll take control of the middle of the park and dominate, Lucas has been probably our best outfield player this season but we need someone with him to dictate and control the tempo, maybe Raul can do it but so far he's not been showing it.

Obviously Nando needs a willing and able deputy as we are sooooo short up top it's not funny.

All in all the squad isn't as bad as some make out, not brilliant either but I think there is a massive confidence problem throughout which needs to be improved and rapidly.

[Frog83]

Main issues with the team at the moment are mental problems, serious lack of confidence throughout the side which is worrying.

We also currently look a bit soft down the middle, I really don't think Skrtel is up to it at the moment which is probably mainly due to his confidence being shot but he's not looked at the races for quite a while/

Also we could really do with someone that'll take control of the middle of the park and dominate, Lucas has been probably our best outfield player this season but we need someone with him to dictate and control the tempo, maybe Raul can do it but so far he's not been showing it.

Obviously Nando needs a willing and able deputy as we are sooooo short up top it's not funny.

All in all the squad isn't as bad as some make out, not brilliant either but I think there is a massive confidence problem throughout which needs to be improved and rapidly.

To be fair I think that can be said for the whole central defence and arguably the fullbacks too! The fact they don't have anyone to mop up their mistakes/missed passes just highlights their frailties even more! As soon as we get a PROPER replacement for Monster the defence will look a whole lot better! I dream of another Masch-Alonso midfield partnership....

[SimonNo7]

To be fair I think that can be said for the whole central defence and arguably the fullbacks too! The fact they don't have anyone to mop up their mistakes/missed passes just highlights their frailties even more! As soon as we get a PROPER replacement for Monster the defence will look a whole lot better! I dream of another Masch-Alonso midfield partnership....

Can you imagine Masch-Alonso just sitting in front of the defence with two proper wide midfielders/wingers either side and Gerrard ahead just behind Torres...

[Craig_H]

Maybe not ****e but not good enough. Some are ok but not compared to what we paid.

Glen Johnson, Jovanovic, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Babel, Aquilani, Degen and Insua. There are more I think who have already been sold on.

Jova free, Soto £1.5m, Degen free and Insua about £1.5m.

So i'm not sure the argument holds water, for those four. What do you expect to get for £1.5m these days?

[Fredo]

We've got a fitness issue as well. The team wasn't used to playing pressing football under Hodgson, so they ran less. It showed on Wednesday.