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DeLorean
12/11/2010, 12:52 PM
He did steer Fulham from relegation definites to 7th place to European Finalists in little over two years. Yes, that's 7th place, the same position that the untouchable Rafa guided Liverpool to last season.
Roadend
12/11/2010, 2:22 PM
He did steer Fulham from relegation definites to 7th place to European Finalists in little over two years. Yes, that's 7th place, the same position that the untouchable Rafa guided Liverpool to last season.
Oh yawn, did they finish 7th last year, no, they disimproved. Liverpool's win at Bolton was his first away win in just under a year and a half. Martin O'Neill got to the UEFA cup final too, should he have been brought in too? Not on your nelly. He's a mid table manager and belongs nowhere near Liverpool. And since you brought RB into it (again yawn) why did Inter not go after european finalist Hodgson??????
Was listening to John Giles over the weekend saying Liverpool need to get rid of him asap. In fairness he's right. He got the job on the back of getting Fulham to a Cup Final. Says it all really. I got shouted down by the bar stoolers that know the game telling me he'd deal with the media in a nice way and would steady the ship. I can safely say on both counts the man has been a disaster. What game was he watching on Saturday because i'd really like to know. Don't get me started on his famous Bolton win quote.
shakermaker1982
15/11/2010, 11:24 AM
Who do you want to replace Roy?
Kenny?
Keegan?
Rafa? (doing a great job at Inter).
I think you've got to give him the January transfer window. Let him bring in Hangeland, Zamora and Murphy & see how you get on. Hodgson was a cheap choice and you get what you pay for.....
DeLorean
15/11/2010, 11:58 AM
Oh yawn
If you're tired, go to sleep, save yourself the bother of replying like an idiot
did they finish 7th last year, no, they disimproved. Liverpool's win at Bolton was his first away win in just under a year and a half. Martin O'Neill got to the UEFA cup final too, should he have been brought in too? Not on your nelly. He's a mid table manager and belongs nowhere near Liverpool.
Maybe you're right, he might prove to be a failure at Liverpool, I'm not saying he won't. Of course Fulham's league position disimproved last year. It would have been minor miracle if they maintained a top 7 standard with their resources, not to mention the 19 extra matches they had in Europe, where incidentally, they had some impressive away results. They also managed to pick up a point at Rafa's Anfield, so maybe they weren't quite that much of a pushover on the road, despite their low win count. That away win count seems to be your main stick to beat him with, but I'm sure he won't be too far off emulating Benitez's huge tally of 5 away wins last season!
And since you brought RB into it (again yawn) why did Inter not go after european finalist Hodgson?????
Because they probably rate Rafa very highly, it's all about opinions. He did an amazing job with Valencia, no doubt about it. 2 Spanish titles and a UEFA Cup was a massive return. Added to that, the Champions League in his first season with Liverpool, and I admit the man is entitled to have a big reputation. Over the full period at Anfield, however, I think he was for the most part extremely poor. Bizarre team selections, crazy substitutions, really awful style of play, rubbish in the transfer market (possible exceptions Reina, Alonso and Torres, fool proof though he was). I wonder are Inter regretting it now? Early days I know but he has already lost their incredible home league record, Mourinho didn't lose a home league game in the two years he was there. He's turned the meanest defence in Europe into a fairly charitable outfit, as Gareth Bale would testify. Anyway, I'll let you get back to sleep.
DeLorean
15/11/2010, 12:00 PM
Was listening to John Giles over the weekend saying Liverpool need to get rid of him asap. In fairness he's right. He got the job on the back of getting Fulham to a Cup Final. Says it all really. I got shouted down by the bar stoolers that know the game telling me he'd deal with the media in a nice way and would steady the ship. I can safely say on both counts the man has been a disaster. What game was he watching on Saturday because i'd really like to know. Don't get me started on his famous Bolton win quote.
Maybe Hodgson is rubbish, but why weren't you slating Benitez after similar appalling performances, especially last season when they were all kinds of crap?
Maybe Hodgson is rubbish, but why weren't you slating Benitez after similar appalling performances, especially last season when they were all kinds of crap?
I did! Anyway not going over all this old crap again. It's the here and now we are dealing with. I was informed by those that know Roy would be good with the media and steady the ship. If anything he is taking us further backwards than last season. I rest my case.
29 July 2010 – “It’s a massive step up.”
(Describing the challenge facing the squad he took to Macedonia. A squad that included Cavalieri, Soto, Skrtel, Agger, Aquilani, Lucas, Jovanovic and N’Gog.)
* * *
30 July 2010 – “I don’t think I’ve ever said the squad is in need of a major overhaul,” said the boss. “We need to add one or two players to the team.
“It is important we keep the nucleus from last season and a nucleus of players who are maybe just behind the first team.”
Contrast with:
9 September 2010 – “We should be very happy [with summer dealings].” “We were unbelievably overstaffed when I came to the club and, if the truth be known, we still are overstaffed.” [Could mean fringe players here. But his own signings have only added to the deadwood.]
29 October 2010 – “There are a lot of things here that the club has got to get right. We have got a lot more expensive failures on our list than good players that we have brought in for next to nothing.”
and
29 October 2010 – “I do not want to be taking people’s leftovers. We have got those type of players ourselves. If we are going to improve, we need better.”
10 September 2010 – “I preferred to put my weight behind David Ngog and Ryan Babel, who’s never really been given a proper chance at centre-forward at the club.” “We have Fernando Torres, we have good players who can play behind a lone striker.” “I will be using David Ngog and Ryan Babel in certain games to give Fernando Torres a rest and it’s up to them to prove to me that there’s no need to look further than them.” (Saying he didn’t regret not signing a striker in the summer.)
Contrast with:
31 October 2010 – “A club like Liverpool shouldn’t have to rely on non-specialists like Dirk Kuyt or Ryan Babel ‘doing a job’ up front when they are primarily wide players.”
“In training, I can’t have practice games where each team plays a 4-4-2 because I don’t have the front players to do that.”
* * *
25 August 2010 – “I thought for long periods of the game it was fairly even and both teams passed the ball fairly well in the middle of the park. But the difference, as in all games, is goals.” (After Man City 3-0 loss. Simply not an accurate reflection of the game.)
* * *
Describing the Trabzonspor win as “a famous victory”.
“Today was a famous victory because we hadn’t won more than once away in the whole of 2010,”
* * *
16 July 2010 – “He’s a player I know very little about.” (About French international striker, Loïc Rémy.)
* * *
4 October 2010 – “There are 31 games left, but when you are in the relegation zone you are in a relegation battle.” (After Blackpool defeat.)
“Unfortunately, when you give yourself an uphill task with a 0-2 you’ve got to expect it’s going to be very difficult in the second half against a team of Blackpool’s quality.”
Liverpool hadn’t lost a home game to a promoted side since 1999.
* * *
16 September 2010 – “You don’t play in the Europa League to play against poor opponents.”
* * *
22 September 2010 – “They’ll be a formidable challenge – there’s no question about that.” (About Northampton Town. Who were at the time 17th in the 4th tier of English football.)
* * *
23 September 2010 – “Northampton were clearly better than one would have expected from a team playing where they play.” And on 18-year-old Shelvey’s debut…. “He did well but the fact is he came on in extra-time and people were tiring.”
26 September 2010 – “…in many ways it was the performance we wanted.”
“I think over the 90 minutes we were certainly more than worth the point we got.” (After dreadful Sunderland performance. A team we had dispatched 3-0 the previous year.)
* * *
1 October – “So it’s a good point to take back to Liverpool. Four points out of two games. It’s the first time we haven’t won one of these games but to be honest it would have been unfortunate for them if we’d won the game tonight. They would have felt hard done by. For me, a draw was a more than satisfactory result.” (After Utrecht 0-0. They’re not even in the top 100 European clubs by UEFA coefficient.)
* * *
2 October 2010 – “What do you mean do my methods translate? They have translated from Halmsteds to Malmo to Orebo to Neuchatel Xamax to the Swiss national team.”
* * *
17 October 2010, after 2-0 defeat at Everton “This was always going to be a difficult game to win.” (It wasn’t for the previous two Reds’ managers.)
“To get a result here and win the game would have been utopia.”
“I hope that fair-minded people see the game the same way. I think it’s a bit unfortunate that after such a good game of football, everything revolves around the fact that Liverpool didn’t win it.”
“We didn’t score goals and Everton did but I refuse to accept that we were in any way outplayed or any way inferior. I watched the performance and the second half was as good as I saw a Liverpool team play under my management that is for sure.”
* * *
21 October 2010, responding to alleged interest from Manchester United in Torres – “With Torres, I think we will cross that bridge when we come to it,” said Hodgson. “There will always be speculation.
“When a great player like Wayne Rooney is looking to leave his club, Manchester United will be a position to target a lot of players around the world.
“I don’t think Fernando Torres will be the only striker they target and I don’t think that we will be the only club that will be worried their striker can be targeted.
“I am not naive to believe that there won’t be any danger and we will never lose a player like Torres.”
* * *
“I hope we don’t get beaten too heavily” … before the friendly with Al Hilal
“I hope we don’t get beaten 6-0” … before the Man City game.
* * *
Do you think, Torres is more suiteable to playing alone, or with a striking partner?
RH: “I don’t know.”
DeLorean
15/11/2010, 1:55 PM
I did!
Oh right, just not on here is it? I challenge you to find one of your posts slating Benitez? I know you'll just say you couldn't be bothered, but the truth is there are none.
As for the Hodgson quotes, nobody is suggesting he's doing a good job so far so I'm not sure if it was worth the hassle (wherever you copy & pasted it from).
Roadend
15/11/2010, 2:25 PM
Because they probably rate Rafa very highly, it's all about opinions. He did an amazing job with Valencia, no doubt about it. 2 Spanish titles and a UEFA Cup was a massive return. Added to that, the Champions League in his first season with Liverpool, and I admit the man is entitled to have a big reputation. Over the full period at Anfield, however, I think he was for the most part extremely poor. Bizarre team selections, crazy substitutions, really awful style of play, rubbish in the transfer market (possible exceptions Reina, Alonso and Torres, fool proof though he was). I wonder are Inter regretting it now? Early days I know but he has already lost their incredible home league record, Mourinho didn't lose a home league game in the two years he was there. He's turned the meanest defence in Europe into a fairly charitable outfit, as Gareth Bale would testify. Anyway, I'll let you get back to sleep.
Point A: Hold on, we talking about Hodgson here, I thought you wanted me to cut him some slack.
RB has the same win/loss record at inter as JM did when he took over.
Point B: Thanks, you've aided me immensly in that respect.
DeLorean
15/11/2010, 2:37 PM
Point A: Hold on, we talking about Hodgson here, I thought you wanted me to cut him some slack.
The state Benitez left the club has a huge amount to do with the job that Hodgson faces.
RB has the same win/loss record at inter as JM did when he took over. Kind of a silly point, Mourinho didn't take over the reigning European champions. Don't worry though, you'll probably still get your customary 'Thanks' from Rafa B.
Point B: Thanks, you've aided me immensly in that respect.
Any time.
Oh right, just not on here is it? I challenge you to find one of your posts slating Benitez? I know you'll just say you couldn't be bothered, but the truth is there are none.
As for the Hodgson quotes, nobody is suggesting he's doing a good job so far so I'm not sure if it was worth the hassle (wherever you copy & pasted it from).
You challenge me! LOL
I don't rate Hodgson i never did and never will. He was and never will be as good a manager as the previous one. A change was needed but a change to bring the club forward not backwards. The man is out of his depth end of nothing personal against him. If i want to copy and paste his crazy comments so what big deal. What are you going to do call me an idiot as well for having an opinion on a forum! LOL
The state Benitez left the club has a huge amount to do with the job that Hodgson faces.
Kind of a silly point, Mourinho didn't take over the reigning European champions. Don't worry though, you'll probably still get your customary 'Thanks' from Rafa B.
Any time.
Thanks Roadend! PMSL
DeLorean
15/11/2010, 2:49 PM
Yes, I challenge you to find one post of yours slating Benitez, as you claim to have done. Otherwise you are pretty much just admitting that you're lying through your hole. All the girly LOL's in the world won't change that.
I didn't call anybody an idiot for having an opinion on a forum, you must have misunderstood.
Yes, I challenge you to find one post of yours slating Benitez, as you claim to have done. Otherwise you are pretty much just admitting that you're lying through your hole. All the girly LOL's in the world won't change that.
I didn't call anybody an idiot for having an opinion on a forum, you must have misunderstood.
Grow up!
DeLorean
15/11/2010, 2:59 PM
Grow up!
Okay Rafa, you have shown me the error of my ways. I do apologise.
Okay Rafa, you have shown me the error of my ways. I do apologise.
If you say so! LOL
Roadend
16/11/2010, 8:45 AM
The state Benitez left the club has a huge amount to do with the job that Hodgson faces.
Explain using reasoned response and do not regurgitate tabloid clap trap
Kind of a silly point, Mourinho didn't take over the reigning European champions. Don't worry though, you'll probably still get your customary 'Thanks' from Rafa B.
How so, after winning a treble do you think the team still has the same hunger, a lot of the players are another year older and at between 30-37 after their big push last year do you believe they still have that same desire in them.
Any time.
Between 10.30 and 11pm preferrably, I like to get an early night.
Closed Account 2
16/11/2010, 9:34 AM
It seems some Liverpool fans want Kenny Dalglish to take over from Hodgson, whatever you say about Hodgson I'm all for sentimentality but why on earth would anyone want Dalglish (who has been effectivly out of the game for over a decade) at the helm, it would be an unmitigated disaster.
It seems some Liverpool fans want Kenny Dalglish to take over from Hodgson, whatever you say about Hodgson I'm all for sentimentality but why on earth would anyone want Dalglish (who has been effectivly out of the game for over a decade) at the helm, it would be an unmitigated disaster.
I would have agreed with you before the season started but now i think Kenny would do a better job. Ok i know it wouldn't be hard considering the mess Hodgson is making of the job so far.
Who do you want to replace Roy?
Kenny?
Keegan?
Rafa? (doing a great job at Inter).
I think you've got to give him the January transfer window. Let him bring in Hangeland, Zamora and Murphy & see how you get on. Hodgson was a cheap choice and you get what you pay for.....
Any of the three you mentioned would do a better job than Hodgson. Not his fault i suppose he's just out of his depth.
DeLorean
16/11/2010, 10:33 AM
Explain using reasoned response and do not regurgitate tabloid clap trap
I don't read tabloids, or papers in general for that matter. Why do you find it so difficult to believe that you're not the only one with a mind of your own? I believe that Benitez left Liverpool with an extremely limited, unmotivated squad devoid of any sort of confidence. It seems fairly obvious that his man management skills leave a lot to be desired. The squad he left is even worse than the one he inherrited from Houllier, in my opinion. It's all well and good saying he came close to breaking even financially in the transfer marker, but there were still plenty of bad decisions along the way when players coming in weren't as good as the ones going out.
How so, after winning a treble do you think the team still has the same hunger, a lot of the players are another year older and at between 30-37 after their big push last year do you believe they still have that same desire in them.
I agree it was always going to be a difficult job to follow what Mourinho had achieved. That said, is it not the managers responsibility to keep these players motivated and playing to their capabilities? Are you suggesting Rafa isn't capable of doing that? Inter had 3 Serie A titles in a row when Mourinho took over and their motivation only grew. Also, they are only a couple of months older than the team that won in Madrid, so I think it's a bit early to use the age card!
Closed Account 2
16/11/2010, 12:17 PM
I would have agreed with you before the season started but now i think Kenny would do a better job. Ok i know it wouldn't be hard considering the mess Hodgson is making of the job so far.
I think it would be a massive risk to get him in charge. In the last 15 years he's only won one Scottish Cup, and it's over a decade since he last managed. I fear he would be out of touch with the modern game. Keegan was only out of management for 3 years (since leaving Man City) and he had a fairly big hand in Newcastle's relegation. I think Liverpool would be at a greater risk of being relegated if Hodgson was replaced with Dalglish than if they just kept Hodgson. I don't think there is a massive case for changing managers halfway through a season unless you're in dire straits (e.g. West Ham), you would be limited in who you could buy in the January transfer window and you would probably only be able to get a manager who was out of work (which might not be the best choice). If you did get Dalglish (or whoever else) in, would you give him the rest of the season to prove himself ? Or a full season (ie to end of 2011-12), you could end up in a Mancini-esque situation where 12 months into a job he'd have done no better than the person he replaced (Hughes) but was able to hide behind the "give me a full season excuse".
Roadend
16/11/2010, 3:32 PM
I don't read tabloids, or papers in general for that matter. Why do you find it so difficult to believe that you're not the only one with a mind of your own? I believe that Benitez left Liverpool with an extremely limited, unmotivated squad devoid of any sort of confidence. It seems fairly obvious that his man management skills leave a lot to be desired. The squad he left is even worse than the one he inherrited from Houllier, in my opinion. It's all well and good saying he came close to breaking even financially in the transfer marker, but there were still plenty of bad decisions along the way when players coming in weren't as good as the ones going out.
I agree it was always going to be a difficult job to follow what Mourinho had achieved. That said, is it not the managers responsibility to keep these players motivated and playing to their capabilities? Are you suggesting Rafa isn't capable of doing that? Inter had 3 Serie A titles in a row when Mourinho took over and their motivation only grew. Also, they are only a couple of months older than the team that won in Madrid, so I think it's a bit early to use the age card!
Worse than Houllier's?
Squad GH left: http://www.thefootballnetwork.net/main/s46/st8532.htm
Squad RB left: http://eurorivals.net/squad/liverpool.html
On the motivation side of things, as I previously stated they won the treble last year, it was the culmination of two years building towords that ultimate goal. Sustaining that kind of hunger in that team was a task that was always going to be tough. Having said that we're talking about a guy who motivated a poor squad to a CL title so he clearly has motivational talents. Is he supposed to win the CL again or something to prove he can do that? No team has retained the CL as you well know. Its also early days in the league.
Roadend
16/11/2010, 3:36 PM
It seems some Liverpool fans want Kenny Dalglish to take over from Hodgson, whatever you say about Hodgson I'm all for sentimentality but why on earth would anyone want Dalglish (who has been effectivly out of the game for over a decade) at the helm, it would be an unmitigated disaster.
I don't favour this either but the thinking of some fans behind it is that he understands what it is to manage a club of their stature and is available, whereas so far RH has brought in a totally mid table attitude in his stlye of play, purchases, team selections and press conferences.
DeLorean
16/11/2010, 4:03 PM
Worse than Houllier's?
Those squads aren't world's apart. There was more substance in the one that Houllier left, especially in midfield. Couldn't see that squad losing 19 matches in one season.
On the motivation side of things, as I previously stated they won the treble last year, it was the culmination of two years building towords that ultimate goal. Sustaining that kind of hunger in that team was a task that was always going to be tough. Having said that we're talking about a guy who motivated a poor squad to a CL title so he clearly has motivational talents. Is he supposed to win the CL again or something to prove he can do that? No team has retained the CL as you well know. Its also early days in the league.
Being fair, as I have mentioned already, that Inter job is a very difficult one. It's almost a no win situation for him. Having said that, I also felt the same way when Mourinho took that job. They had already won three Serie A's in a row so winning the Champions League was the only way he would be seen as a real success. I honestly thought they hadn't a prayer of doing that, even under Jose. My critisism of Benitez is from his time at Liverpool, as you say, it is early days at Inter.
Roadend
16/11/2010, 4:27 PM
Houllier's squad (complete with players the wrong side of 30) is worse in my opinion so we'll agree to disagree.
Jose couldn't win the CL with Chelsea......:cool:
I don't favour this either but the thinking of some fans behind it is that he understands what it is to manage a club of their stature and is available, whereas so far RH has brought in a totally mid table attitude in his stlye of play, purchases, team selections and press conferences.
We,d just beat Chelsea 2 zip , with the majority of the starting 11 being Rafas lads, and all the Owl could wait for was
to to slag the so called rumour mongers etc that wanted him out of the job...
Bitter , twisted , clueless ... please dont be here in 12 months........................
DeLorean
17/11/2010, 9:48 AM
We,d just beat Chelsea 2 zip , with the majority of the starting 11 being Rafas lads
What's your point? he can't claim any credit for the performance because they're mostly Rafa's players? I presume this means he shouldn't be critisised for their poor performances, seeing as the majority playing in those games were Rafa's players too? It was mostly Houllier's players that won the Champions League in 2005. I really don't know why I bother, I'll just put it down to being bored at work.
What's your point? he can't claim any credit for the performance because they're mostly Rafa's players? I presume this means he shouldn't be critisised for their poor performances, seeing as the majority playing in those games were Rafa's players too? It was mostly Houllier's players that won the Champions League in 2005. I really don't know why I bother, I'll just put it down to being bored at work.
Shouldn't be following me around the site so nit picking LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeLorean
17/11/2010, 10:03 AM
Houllier's squad (complete with players the wrong side of 30) is worse in my opinion so we'll agree to disagree.
Fair enough, although I'd prefer to have the likes of Hamman, the wrong side of 30, than Lucas, the right side of 30.
Jose couldn't win the CL with Chelsea......:cool:
True. Suppose the PL was the holy grail at Chelsea though, certainly in his first season there. I'd say he still has nightmares about Gudjohnsen's miss in injury time in front of the Kop, he'd have done a lap of Anfield had that went in.
Houllier's squad (complete with players the wrong side of 30) is worse in my opinion so we'll agree to disagree.
Jose couldn't win the CL with Chelsea......:cool:
Yeah and 05 & 07 will haunt him forever. He still goes on about the ball that crossed the line sorry the ball that never crossed the line. I remember after the 07 semi he was getting back onto the coach and this fella beside me said Jose i agree the ball never crossed the line in 05. How i LOL!
DeLorean
17/11/2010, 10:15 AM
I could never understand the fuss about that anyway. If I remember correct, had the goal not been given it should have been a penalty and a sending off. Chances are they would have been one down anyway and having to play over 80minutes with ten men.
DeLorean
17/11/2010, 12:52 PM
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/1117/kranjcarn_tottenham.html
Could be a handy signing for somebody. Don't think he's quite in the top drawer bracket but would fit well into most teams, very tidy.
Another Spurs player bombed out by the man manager. Gotta love the media's love of Arry. Anyone any news on Robbie Keane? Did he have a falling out with Arry? Hardly makes the bench let alone get a few minutes on the pitch. Terrible way to treat a player. "Shocked" NOT!!!! that the media haven't picked up on this.
DeLorean
17/11/2010, 1:16 PM
So Redknapp should play these guys even though he feels he has better/more effective players at his disposal, just to keep them happy? They have a big squad with lots of good players in reserve, somebody has to miss out. Keane started against Man Utd a couple of weeks back. He's injured now.
So Redknapp should play these guys even though he feels he has better/more effective players at his disposal, just to keep them happy? They have a big squad with lots of good players in reserve, somebody has to miss out. Keane started against Man Utd a couple of weeks back. He's injured now.
Unreal.
DeLorean
17/11/2010, 1:27 PM
Unreal.
Thanks my friend.:embarrassed:
Thanks my friend.:embarrassed:
No problems Ronnie or is it Ray! LOL
Closed Account 2
17/11/2010, 1:31 PM
Palacios is another decent player who might end up moving, maybe Çorluka too as Hutton seems to have taken over his place in the team.
Palacios is another decent player who might end up moving, maybe Çorluka too as Hutton seems to have taken over his place in the team.
Yeah Hutton seems to have worked his way back in and done ok. I remember Arry was more or less saying last season he would need to move on. Think it was around the time he was trying to off load Bale on loan.
Closed Account 2
17/11/2010, 2:44 PM
He doesn't seem to rotate his squad that much given the number of competitions they're playing in. Upfront he seems to go for Crouch playing off Van Der Vaart, with Pavyluchenko sometimes starting ahead of Crouch. If Defoé is back in the next few weeks then it will be interesting to see how/if he is able to fit him in. I can't see him dropping vd Vaart and I think he'll still want the aerial threat of Crouch or Pavyluchenko. He might move the Dutchman further back (esp as Huddlestone* is now injured) but then you would have Modric and vd Vaart in the center, which could see them exposed in terms of defensive midfielders.
* I still think he is grotesquely overrated
DeLorean
17/11/2010, 3:08 PM
* I still think he is grotesquely overrated
I'm a bit surprised by this. I think he's a lovely footballer, always available to take a pass and a beautiful striker of the ball. Not nearly as lazy as his reputation would suggest either, but his good positional sense allows him to do less running. I think Spurs badly miss him when he's not playing, especially last season when Jenas came in for him a few times. Overrated by who anyway may I ask? Didn't think there was too much of a fuss made about him to be honest.
He doesn't seem to rotate his squad that much given the number of competitions they're playing in. Upfront he seems to go for Crouch playing off Van Der Vaart, with Pavyluchenko sometimes starting ahead of Crouch. If Defoé is back in the next few weeks then it will be interesting to see how/if he is able to fit him in. I can't see him dropping vd Vaart and I think he'll still want the aerial threat of Crouch or Pavyluchenko. He might move the Dutchman further back (esp as Huddlestone* is now injured) but then you would have Modric and vd Vaart in the center, which could see them exposed in terms of defensive midfielders.
* I still think he is grotesquely overrated
Yeah would agree with you there. I know Arry said he was as good as Alonso and something about Hoddle as well.
Closed Account 2
17/11/2010, 3:48 PM
His flirtations with England's World Cup squad caused a few articles that, imo, overrated him:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7123436.ece
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1278946/MARTIN-SAMUEL-We-wasted-talents-Tom-Huddlestone-pass-master.html *
I just don't think he's a very good midfielder, and can think of a few other centralish midfielders even limiting it to London clubs who are a lot better than him (the obvious being Fabregas, Essien, but I'd also say Alex Song, Parker, Dempsey, maybe Danny Murphy would be pushing it). I agree that Jenas can't really replace him but I would argue that Palacios is a better player in a similar position to Huddlestone - I'm a bit dissapointed that Sandro Ranieri hasn't settled that well there as he was good in that role at Inter in the last few years, but from what I've read he's not even in their CL squad.
DeLorean
17/11/2010, 3:50 PM
I know Arry said he was as good as Alonso
Is he as good as Gareth Barry though, that's the question!
On a serious note, I wouldn't go that far, but he is still only 23.
DeLorean
17/11/2010, 3:59 PM
His flirtations with England's World Cup squad caused a few articles that, imo, overrated him
Fair enough. I honestly think England are crying out for a player like him, instead of the headless chickens they've got running around after the ball everywhere it goes. He retains possession very well, which is very un-English. He does drift out of games at times but I think that will become less of a problem with time.
I just don't think he's a very good midfielder, and can think of a few other centralish midfielders even limiting it to London clubs who are a lot better than him (the obvious being Fabregas, Essien, but I'd also say Alex Song, Parker, Dempsey, maybe Danny Murphy would be pushing it). I agree that Jenas can't really replace him but I would argue that Palacios is a better player in a similar position to Huddlestone
I wouldn't be foolish enough to claim he's in the Fabregas/Essien bracket but find it interesting that you didn't mention Lampard. Maybe it's because they're very different types of players. That said, I think Song and Dempsey aren't really comparable either. Palacios and Huddlestone made a really good partnership last season, Palacios doing the grafting but Huddlestone very much the brains of the operation. I really like his style of play so hope he reaches his potential, and if he does, I'd definitely have him a class above Scott Parker.
OwlsFan
06/12/2010, 2:01 PM
Chelsea juggernaut grinds to a halt. Arsenal now according to Sky the best think since sliced bread (or "fried bread" if you're Bill Cullen) because they're top of the league. Home defeat by Newcastle and poor performances away from home in the CL soon forgotton.
Although all 4 teams have qualified for the knock out stage of the CL it appears to me that the standard of the EPL's top teams has dropped. Hard to predict which team will now win the league.
Credit to Lucas thought he was outstanding again last night. Winning the ball and using it well. Considering how how much he was slated in the past it's great to see.
shakermaker1982
07/12/2010, 11:01 AM
You liking Woy now Rafa?!
You liking Woy now Rafa?!
Maybe if he started winning a few more famous away games like the Bolton win!
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