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The missing piece

A.V.B.

By A.V.B.,
in FF - Football Forum

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A.V.B.

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With Allen all but through the door I believe we are missing one vital piece to our starting 11 and that is a player to play in the position that Downing occupied today.

 

Now before anyone starts I'm talking about challenging the top 4, not winning the league but that said it's amazing what a manager with fresh ideas, one new player and a new beginning can give you in terms of optimism.

 

Our goalkeeper though I believe he isn't as good as some of those he is compared to throughout the world is excellent.

 

Our back four has had time to play together for a season and though people think Enrique is a weak link I believe he has real talent and am prepared to put his second half of the season down to teething problems.

 

With Joe Allen on the way in our midfield 3 has real balance. Lucas - Allen - Gerrard. All have work rate and we have a nice balance of passing ability and drive there as well. They should have no problem closing down, winning the ball back, keeping the ball and distributing it.

 

The problem I believe arises when you see Borini and Suarez and then look over the other side and see Stuart "The Castle" Downing. Why the castle? Because he only moves in straight lines forward and sidewards. He is a one dimensional limited player whose work rate (admirable though it is) doesn't hide his lack of creativity or end product.

 

Imagine if you will a side that consists of a tricky wide player who can create space, has the work rate and attitude of Suarez and Borini and can chip in with assists and goals, it would be some site wouldn't it.

 

This is what I believe is the key. A lesser but important addition would be a player who can cover Lucas and Allen from the bench as I'm not comfortable with Adam as a holding player, Shelvey as a central midfielder or Spearing in general.

 

If we get those 2 positions sorted then I truly believe we can challenge for fourth place.

 

I'm hearing a lot about Spurs but I really don't see the hype. There are only two players in Spurs starting 11 I'd rather have than ours and that's Bale and Modric. Newcastle? Well with the pressure well and truly back on them to exceed expectations (they're a funny bunch them Geordies) I can see them falling flat on their face and there's no one else outside of Arsenal, Chelsea and United, with City I believe winning the title again that we need to be challenging.

 

So who is that missing piece? Well I don't know is the simple answer. I could offer a few names but I'd just be guessing.

 

I've decided I don't want Johnson because he doesn't have the work rate and watching two players work their ass off while the other showboats regardless of how talented he is is not something I'd like to see. People are talking (Johnson included) about how he is more focused this year but if you didn't have the right attitude in the first place, you probably won't have it now.

 

So just to sum up, find a new Suarez/Borini but with the balance and obviously with assists being more of a premium but work rate and the odd goal not being sacrificed.

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Nikrunner Newbie

Nikrunner

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A player like... Bellamy. It's a shame he can't hang around for another year, but perhaps a more suitable replacement will arrive. I agree, though. I think Downing will still start many games because of his versatility and Premier League experience helping out with rotation and injuries. I am concerned with our depth, as most of the players that did not start today have either yet to fully prove themselves at this level or are making the step up from the youths. I think it will be a project that takes a few seasons. It has been a great couple of days to be a Liverpool fan with the Suarez extension and the first real glimpse of what a full-strength team might look like this season. I also think if Downing can have a couple more performances that yield goals and assists, the pressure and negative attention might lift from his shoulders and we could have what amounts to a new signing on our hands. Joe Cole, should he stay, is also a decent option from the bench. Carroll also coming on in the right games... I don't think things are any way near as bad as many on here seem to believe.

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Dan Community Regular

Dan

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Sterling perhaps?? If he's good enough he's old enough and in my opinion he is hood enough to be introduced into that role...that saying there is 6 weeks left in the window All i know is from what i seen tonight we are looking good. Downing will do if he is not replaced- and i think walcott would be that missing piece

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