2012: The Ideal Path to #19

[Galb]

I don't think he has the discipline to play that role to be honest, he likes to get ahead of the ball too much and gets frustrated when we lose posession and doesn't track back immediately.

For me Gerrard will either play as the attacking midfielder of the 3 CM in a 4-3-3, an off the forward player or as a narrow right sided player.

[yamiedo]

righty ho -


1)

-----------------------------reina-------------------

kelly/johnson-----carra/srtkel---new CB/agger-------baines or cissokho


-----------------gerrard-----lucas----new centre mid

Suarez-----------------------------------------------young

---------------------------carroll--------------------


With options on the bench
Friedel
Aurelio
Meireles
Kuyt
Maxi
Another winger
A new striker
And the youngsters coming though - flannagan/robinson/spearing/shelvey etc


the two wide men just given the freedom to go 'roam', switch sides etc - gerrard attacking and pushing foward, lucas sitting, and the other midfielder to be in the mould of sissoko with a bit more technical ability going box to box - width from the full backs when needed, plenty of good cover and balance/options from the bench to change things when needed.

Im in agreement with this as the roaming thing works really well right now. Id personally use Kuyt on the right and Suarez on the left but apart from that I like the idea of Carrol spearheading the frontline and the two wide men given the free role behind him.

[Fosterbloke]

It seems to me that Lucas and Spearing are being asked to defend higher up the pitch and push teams back which perhaps explains why they have both been involved in more goal scoring opportunities and even shots from both of them.

They are never far from each other and this leads to a quick release of the ball and an attack to be started quicker and from higher up the pitch.

Just my observation from the last couple of games.

[danperkins]

I think we will obviously strengthen in necessary areas but as regards the rest of the other top sides, IMO there will be massive money spent in the premier league this summer by several teams:

Man United: IMO they will finally get a top CM/DM that they have missing, GK,prob a left winger aswell.

Chelsea: They'll buy another CF,Winger,DM & if Essien/Lampard get back to playing the way they can, especially Essien (IMO best all round player in world on his day) who has been medicore this season, he'll be like a new player.

Arsenal: New GK,CB,DM,CF.

Spurs: New GK,CB,CM,CF

Man City: **** knows, i'm hoping they go for likes of Ibra,Kaka etc that kinda of mould, lazy players that disapear on a cold winters night in Stoke. Think everyone is hoping City spend stupidly and not in a way that concerns a "team" as such. Wishful thinking maybe as they can attract pretty much anyone with Champs League footie and a blank cheque.

[Rudo]

I think we will obviously strengthen in necessary areas but as regards the rest of the other top sides, IMO there will be massive money spent in the premier league this summer by several teams:

Man United: IMO they will finally get a top CM/DM that they have missing, GK,prob a left winger aswell.

Chelsea: They'll buy another CF,Winger,DM & if Essien/Lampard get back to playing the way they can, especially Essien (IMO best all round player in world on his day) who has been medicore this season, he'll be like a new player.

Arsenal: New GK,CB,DM,CF.

Spurs: New GK,CB,CM,CF

Man City: **** knows, i'm hoping they go for likes of Ibra,Kaka etc that kinda of mould, lazy players that disapear on a cold winters night in Stoke. Think everyone is hoping City spend stupidly and not in a way that concerns a "team" as such. Wishful thinking maybe as they can attract pretty much anyone with Champs League footie and a blank cheque.

That's one bold feckin statement fella

[Mostar]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Alex-Ferguson-has-warned-Manchester-United-that-revitalised-old-rivals-Liverpool-will-challenge-them-for-title-next-season-article735201.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Ferguson warns United of Liverpool threat

Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Manchester United’s jubilant fans that Liverpool will be determined to climb back onto their old perch next season.

United need just a point at Blackburn today to knock the Liver Bird off its perch, eclipsing their hated rivals’ haul of 18 league titles by chalking up a record 19th success.

However Fergie believes Liverpool will come again under his old foe Kenny Dalglish and says his champions-elect will face a real fight to defend their Premier League crown.

“Liverpool will be galvanised next season, I’m sure of that,” said the United manager. “Kenny has signed a three-year contract. That settles the club down and I’m sure there will be plans to add to the players they’ve already signed.

“That just makes it more interesting next year and the Premier League has become tighter and tighter.

“We’ve spoken for years about the big four, but teams like Tottenham have not got back into the Champions League this year and they’ve had a fantastic season. Liverpool also didn’t finish in the top four, so it’s going to be really difficult next year.”

[CincyRed]

-----------Lucas/Spearing---Adam/Shelvey-------------
Suarez/(New RF)---Gerrard/Raul-----------Young/Maxi
----------------------Carroll/Kuyt-------------------------

Out:
Cole
N'gog
Jova
Poulsen
PFK
Soto

I show it like this to demonstrate two players at each position, not necessarily as first choice and direct subs.

In terms of non-defenders, I think the club needs three first-choice quality players. Here that'd be left winger, a CM, and Right-sided winger/striker. As to CM, seems like Adam has been high on the list, so I'd be surprised if hes not signed. There is also Aqua for this position and he could well be an option here too. I've included Young, bc he also looks likely to join and I think fits well into this system.

The final player is perhaps harder to identify. Of course Dirk's going to play out wide for some portion of the year, but he's really done an excellent job up top with Suarez and I'd like to see him play CF regularly next year. Suarez and Young are probably capable on either flank as the inside forward and so another player capable of both the RW/RS roles makes sense. Maybe Ezquiel Lavezzi would be a good fit. I'm not sure how strong they are as strikers, but Juan Mata and Ibrihim Affelay I think are of the quality we need.

That would give the club:

Strikers:
AC, Dirk, Suarez, New RF

Wingers/Inside Forwards:
Dirk, Suarez, Young, Maxi, New RF

CAM:
Gerrard, Raul, Suarez, Young, Aqua, Shelvey

CM:
Lucas, Adam, Spearing, Gerrard, Raul, Shelvey, Aqua

As to defenders, RB is sorted, between Johnson, Kelley, and Flano. Carra and Agger are probably first choice. But neither will probably play every game so another first-choice quality player is probably required as I rate Skrtel as fourth choice. I think someone like Per Mertesacker who is dominant in the air and smooth on the ground would complement both Agger and Carra very well. Truly though, there are probably many available CBs of the quality needed and I would be content with someone Premier League proven like Gary Cahill. Obviously, left back is another need, but I'm not sure who is out there of the quality we need. I'd also think Friedel would be a good shout as backup keeper; does he qualify as homegrown?

I think with Kenny at the helm and that squad the club should make the champions league and possibly even challenge for the title. Our form at the end of the year makes it seem like anything is possible next season.

[RedReet]

I would be surprised if you don't.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but what evidence is there to suggest that Dirk might be dropped? We’ve now had three different managers that play him every game, plus he’s a regular for Holland, yet every summer fans are still writing him off saying he’ll be dropped. Even excusing that logic, one of the first things Kenny did was offer him a new contract, plus he’s finished the season as one of our best players and on a great goal scoring run. What am I missing here, or what does he need to do to convince some people that he’s worthy of a starting position in a top class team?

[Exiled_red]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but what evidence is there to suggest that Dirk might be dropped? We’ve now had three different managers that play him every game, plus he’s a regular for Holland, yet every summer fans are still writing him off saying he’ll be dropped. Even excusing that logic, one of the first things Kenny did was offer him a new contract, plus he’s finished the season as one of our best players and on a great goal scoring run. What am I missing here, or what does he need to do to convince some people that he’s worthy of a starting position in a top class team?

I've said before I think that increase competition for a place will bring the best out of Kuyt. Like Carragher c1999-2002 the likes of Babbel and Ziege etc came in but he always adapted and found a place in the team, I imagine Kuyt will be similar in that respect. Carroll coming in seems to have seen him step up a gear, I have no doubt that we'll see the same next year.

[Mostar]

Let's wait and see.

Great end of the season in terms of productivity and he rightfully deserves all the praise he can get.

Next year imo things will be a lot different.

[BrooklynRed]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but what evidence is there to suggest that Dirk might be dropped? We’ve now had three different managers that play him every game, plus he’s a regular for Holland, yet every summer fans are still writing him off saying he’ll be dropped. Even excusing that logic, one of the first things Kenny did was offer him a new contract, plus he’s finished the season as one of our best players and on a great goal scoring run. What am I missing here, or what does he need to do to convince some people that he’s worthy of a starting position in a top class team?

Fixture on the team sheet in 2011-12.

[Leyton388]

I think we could see it coming, all records are beaten and in a way it's a monkey off our shoulder. ManUtd now have the record, Fergie wwill probably quit as will vdSar, Giggs, Scholes. Shortly followed by Ferdinand, Berbatov and probably Carrick. United are about £590m in debt, these debts need to be cleared between 2013/2017.

It's took 35 years to lose the record, it will probably take 3-5 to get it back!

However

I think it's a time for a bit of anger myself. That we have, from such a position of strength, not won the league in 21 years is a ****ing disgrace and is surely a time for finger pointing. Moores and Parry have allowed this to happen. The most damaging double act in the entire history of the club. Those two ****wits did more damage to this club than Ferguson could only ever dream of, absolutely shameful.

[Mattshark]

If we 'only' signed a left back, Cahill, M'Vila and Young, would everyone be happy enough ?

No, that'd be ****

[Red_Polo]

No, that'd be ****

Can't help but feel you're playing to the crowd when you come out with remarks like this.

[Mattshark]

Can't help but feel you're playing to the crowd when you come out with remarks like this.

I really do not think Cahill or Young would be good. Cahill is not good enough to be anything other than 4th choice and for his price that would not be good and Young is a headless chicken. I would be severely unimpressed with the club if we do this.