Aquilani - stay or go?

[Red_Polo]

I think people are going to be in for a shock when they watch him play from up close and realise he's very good. Excellent passer with an incredible engine and work rate, he'll end up being a fan favourite down the road, in the Kuyt mold.

Agreed.

Does need to learn to tackle though from what I've seen.

[JohnDoe]

Agreed.

Does need to learn to tackle though from what I've seen.

Judging from Kenny's midfield signings, he'd rather teach players how to tackle than teach them how to pass.

[Red_Polo]

Judging from Kenny's midfield signings, he'd rather teach players how to tackle than teach them how to pass.

Adam's not bad in that respect, but on the whole that does seem the case. It's better and easier that way around I think. Plus I think the work rate of Downing and Henderson closing people down counts for a lot defensively.

[JohnDoe]

Adam's not bad in that respect, but on the whole that does seem the case. It's better and easier that way around I think. Plus I think the work rate of Downing and Henderson closing people down counts for a lot defensively.

Completely agree, and it will make this midfield work:

Henderson Gerrard Adam Downing

Despite people believing Gerrard/Adam isn't possible in a 4-4-2, I personally believe this is exactly what Kenny's planning and he's bought the players to make it work.

Also, Henderson and Adam have a lot of potential as a midfield partnership in case Gerrard's injuries get the better of him. Kuyt will get plenty of game on the right and up front. It just makes complete sense.

In that 4-4-2, I don't see Aquilani or Meireles ever fitting in. Suarez will play up front, not out wide and Carroll's a certain starter. We're gunning for 4-4-2, not 4-3-3.

[Red_Polo]

I've been wondering about this. It'll be interesting to see if Adam does get played in that role.

It'd be nice to have one as an option ideally, but I think we're well stocked enough that I'd be happy with both Meireles and Aquilani going if it meant us improving at LB/CB.

[Mattshark]

I've been wondering about this. It'll be interesting to see if Adam does get played in that role.

It'd be nice to have one as an option ideally, but I think we're well stocked enough that I'd be happy with both Meireles and Aquilani going if it meant us improving at LB/CB.

I have to say that I think that would be a strong decline in the quality of our midfield.

[JohnDoe]

I have to say that I think that would be a strong decline in the quality of our midfield.

Is our central midfield not deep enough with Gerrard, Adam, Lucas, Henderson as well as young players such as Shelvey, Coady and Spearing?

I'm not saying that Aquilani and Meireles are better than Shelvey/Spearing/Coady, but for what they earn (over 70k+ p/w), does it really make any sense to keep them when it is obvious they'll be 5th/6th choice. Make no mistake, Henderson and Adam were signed by Dalglish, Gerrard is our captain and you love Lucas as if he was your own son, they will all be ahead of them.

If Meireles' only chance to get games is to play out wide, I'd rather see him not play at all, and how many chances will Aquilani get playing off a lone striker? Not gonna happen.

[Mostar]

Is our central midfield not deep enough with Gerrard, Adam, Lucas, Henderson as well as young players such as Shelvey, Coady and Spearing?

I'm not saying that Aquilani and Meireles are better than Shelvey/Spearing/Coady, but for what they earn (over 70k+ p/w), does it really make any sense to keep them when it is obvious they'll be 5th/6th choice. Make no mistake, Henderson and Adam were signed by Dalglish, Gerrard is our captain and you love Lucas as if he was your own son, they will all be ahead of them.

If Meireles' only chance to get games is to play out wide, I'd rather see him not play at all, and how many chances will Aquilani get playing off a lone striker? Not gonna happen.

Except Gerrard there isn't a difference maker/game changer in that group.

[red g]

I think people are going to be in for a shock when they watch him play from up close and realise he's very good. Excellent passer with an incredible engine and work rate, he'll end up being a fan favourite down the road, a bit like Kuyt.

a harder working Kuyt seen him live a few times, The lawnmower will indeed gro into an amazing player still lacks game intelligence but he is only a kid.

WIll be a superstar in a couple of years.

[JohnDoe]

Except Gerrard there isn't a difference maker/game changer in that group.

Charlie Adam say hi.

[RedSince1964]

I think the point of balance is important - Cole, Meirieles and Aquilani is far too much redundancy for similar players, it's worse when you consider Gerrard and Shelvey could be listed as competing for the same places.

I'd back which ever pruning from that group Dalglish favoured. I do think though that we might well need 2 players capable of playing most games in attacking central midfield + Gerrard in the squad.

I see Adam as playing a bit deeper and Meireles or Aquilani could do a job there whereas Cole might cover a wing. I think we have more cover for wide positions with Maxi and Kuyt. Thus I'd prioritise selling Cole. I also think people are going to have to accept some games with Meireles on one flank with Downing pushed higher up the pitch on the other.

Good points made their dww

[red g]

Agreed.

Does need to learn to tackle though from what I've seen.

never did that cheeky little scamp Scholes any harm did it

[Mostar]

Charlie Adam say hi.

Ciao

[Mattshark]

Charlie Adam say hi.

I don't think he is a game changer in the slightest.

[Mostar]

I don't think he is a game changer in the slightest.

And he is not. He's a cog.