Jay Spearing

[Galb]

Anyone else think the signings may mean more for Raul than Spearing? I can see Spearing being a useful squad player who's happy to do a job when needed - something that's very hard to buy in.

Gerrard brings dynamism, Lucas is solid defensively and keeps things ticking over, Adam might bring some additional creativity (as would Aquilani), Spearing gives us dedicated and reliable cover but what does Meireles bring anything to the squad that the others dont? He links the play neatly and keeps the ball moving but Henderson looks to be from the same mould from the little Ive seen.

Plus if we believe all the stuff about the FSG model, it would make sense to move on an older international player and replace him with a younger version with more potential to develop.

The plan may be to keep them all to give the squad depth but Meireles looks the odd one out to me.

[Mostar]

It seems as though we'll almost always been playing with three in the center of the park. Stevie, Lucas + one other. Hendo,Spearing and Miereles will have to fight it out for that spot.

I think Shelvey should go on loan.

Surely we're not signing Charlie Adam as well ?

We don't have playmaker type of CM so imo he'd be nice addition.

[Craig_H]

I think Henderson may play on the right of midfield more often than people are assuming.

Can play there if Kuyt needs a rest or the system requires it. Personally, i think Kuyt's effectiveness on the right is far greater when we play 433 (so as a right sided forward) than a regular RM in a 442 - which is where i think Henderson would excel far more.

Also frees up Kuyt as another striker option if we play 442 or 4411, and he's worked very well with Luis Suarez. Also gives an extra option for when Andy Carroll is hungov....injured.

[Robbie-fowler999]

I think Henderson may play on the right of midfield more often than people are assuming.

Can play there if Kuyt needs a rest or the system requires it. Personally, i think Kuyt's effectiveness on the right is far greater when we play 433 (so as a right sided forward) than a regular RM in a 442 - which is where i think Henderson would excel far more.

Also frees up Kuyt as another striker option if we play 442 or 4411, and he's worked very well with Luis Suarez. Also gives an extra option for when Andy Carroll is hungov....injured.

I think Kuyt will still be a starter next season before henderson and any other addition

[Craig_H]

Oh aye, i think Kuyt will start ahead of Hendo. But as the season goes on, i wouldnt be surprised to see the kid play on the right at times. Could play them both, Hendo RM and Dirky up front.

[Exiled_red]

Spearing and Lucas are probably still our only two defensive midfield players, so I'd imagine his chances would be limited mostly to Lucas' back up but he may also feature in some of the bigger games where we want to keep things tight, work hard and not push too many men forward leaving ourselves exposed.

[RedReet]

I think Kuyt will still be a starter next season before henderson and any other addition

Not even debatable although I often do.

[BobTheCharmer]

Not even debatable although I often do.

I hope not, I really do. I'm fairly confident kuyt won't be playing as many games next season. In fact playing less would probably benefit him, when you close down as much as he does then your legs will obviously tire and when you get older it affects you more. So less kuyt could equal a better kuyt.

[Exiled_red]

I hope not, I really do. I'm fairly confident kuyt won't be playing as many games next season. In fact playing less would probably benefit him, when you close down as much as he does then your legs will obviously tire and when you get older it affects you more. So less kuyt could equal a better kuyt.

I'm not sure sure he won't be playing regularly. IMO Kuyt isn't the sort of player you'd want to fight for a place in the team

[dww]

The fact we are not looking for another defensive midfielder seems to suggest that we will be aiming for a pressing based defensive system, in which I think Kuyt will be a vital member. Whether he starts as many games is probably debatable but I think he will play in most of the big ones.

[the rev leeroy brown]

The fact we are not looking for another defensive midfielder seems to suggest that we will be aiming for a pressing based defensive system, in which I think Kuyt will be a vital member. Whether he starts as many games is probably debatable but I think he will play in most of the big ones.

which IMO is a better tactic to use if we are going to try and adopt a more attacking / passing game.

the defensive part played by mash / hamman / sissoko was well suited to the style we played with houllier and rafa (solid counter attacking) but with the style and tactics kenny tried to implement in the last couple of months it makes more sense to have better passing players in the middle and to press the oppo players when on the ball rather than makes the bone crunching tackles. this will win us more games i reckon.

lucas and spearing should be able to do this for us IMO.

[dww]

which IMO is a better tactic to use if we are going to try and adopt a more attacking / passing game.

the defensive part played by mash / hamman / sissoko was well suited to the style we played with houllier and rafa (solid counter attacking) but with the style and tactics kenny tried to implement in the last couple of months it makes more sense to have better passing players in the middle and to press the oppo players when on the ball rather than makes the bone crunching tackles. this will win us more games i reckon.

lucas and spearing should be able to do this for us IMO.

I think Rafa had quite a pressing orientated game and was much more possession based than Kenny has been since his return. If anything I think since Kenny took over we have been very much a counter attacking team.

I agree that a pressing game would fit better with a team designed to play a game based on shorter passing. That said whenever Arsenal have tried to go without a physical presence in the centre they have really struggled.

I think there is a real worry that if we go into next season with no aerial improvement at CB, fullback and Lucas and or Spearing as our defensive midfielders we will have a real weakness from set pieces. It looked like we did at times last season.

[SB]

Gerrard will pick up injuries and when Kenny is looking for a bit of bite in midfield on a tough away trip I can see him looking to Spearing.

In all honesty, did you ever think that you'd say that say 6 months ago ?

[RedReet]

I hope not, I really do. I'm fairly confident kuyt won't be playing as many games next season. In fact playing less would probably benefit him, when you close down as much as he does then your legs will obviously tire and when you get older it affects you more. So less kuyt could equal a better kuyt.

Considering how strong he finished the season after a world cup year and little chance for rest, I'd be surprised if fitness is ever an issue next year after a full summers rest. Yes, he'll be a year older, but he'll also have less games to play and a full summer to recharge his batteries.

Kuyt will obviously play less games because the team will have less games, but I’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t play the majority of league games. He started 32 times last year because of injury, but if he was to remain fit next year then I wouldn't be surprised to see him better that total. He may get rested for the cup games though.

A lot of people disagree with me (as they do every summer), but only time will tell.

[RedReet]

In all honesty, did you ever think that you'd say that say 6 months ago ?

I always thought he was worth keeping, especially for the HG quota and though he looked comfortable enough in the first team.

I didn't think I'd ever be calling for him to start on the opening day of next season though.