Stewart Downing (Liverpool -> West Ham)

An option I've not really seen discussed is:

                     Reina
Johnson    Carra   Agger   L.B
                     Lucas
     Gerrard    Suarez   Downing
               Kuyt     Carroll


Converting to a:

         Gerrard Lucas
Kuyt       Suarez   Downing
              Carroll

When off the ball, saving Gerrards legs and utilizing Dirk's engine.

Not really had a chance to play it and obviously cover in the striking position would prove a problem then with the 3 main on the field, just a thought.

It looks good, but the problems I see with it are:

1.  No backup striker to come off the bench!
2.  Charlie Adam - I think Kenny intends to have him fully involved in the starting 11.
3.  Jordan Henderson - Basically the same as Adam.

I think the players from last season whose starting spots are in danger are Lucas, Dirk, Raul, and Maxi.  However, I'm sure Kenny will field the strongest side he has at his disposal, regardless of who he has signed or the expectations he has for them. 

I know what you mean and did think about it just I couldn't see where Henderson fits yet. I do rate him and think he'll turn out to be a really good signing for us but at the moment I think he'll be used to fill in the blanks so to speak as he can play accross three positions in midfield. Adam I do feel will be used in a similar sense on the left hand side and to allow other players to have a rest, I don't think he'll have a full time role in the first 11, could of course be wrong but last season our bench always looked thread-bare.

I also raised the point about no recognised striker to come from the bench I feel it is a place we definitely need to strengthen as Ngog is clearly not quality enough to be relied upon. Rumours about Shane Long and Rodellega, not convinced by these either so I don't have the answer to that one, hopefully Kenny does. Kinda de-railing the Downing thread here though so apologies for that.

If we don't sign anyone else, I can see this being the first XI with Gerrard replacing Adam or Hendo at times (depending on fitness) or in some home games, Adam dropping in to replace Lucas with Gerrard playing in the middle.

                        Reina

   Kelly     Carragher  Agger    Johnson
                       
                        Lucas
     
 Henderson         Adam        Downing

                    Suarez
                            Carroll

If we don't sign anyone else, I can see this being the first XI with Gerrard replacing Adam or Hendo at times (depending on fitness) or in some home games, Adam dropping in to replace Lucas with Gerrard playing in the middle.

                        Reina

   Kelly     Carragher  Agger    Johnson
                       
                        Lucas
     
 Henderson         Adam        Downing

                    Suarez
                            Carroll

I'd have Kuyt ahead of Henderson but with those players, we would still play:

                        Reina

       Kelly   Carragher  Agger  Johnson

                      Lucas
                 Henderson Adam

          Suarez    Carroll   Downing

                           Reina

  Johnson   Carragher   Agger   Aurelio/New LF

                          Lucas
             Gerrard            Aquilani

  Suarez                                    Downing
                     Carroll/Kuyt

-----------------------------------------------
Doni                   =>
Kelly/Flanagan    => Johnson
Insua/Robinson   => Aurelio
Skrtel                 => Agger
Soto/Ayala          => Carra
Adam/Spearing    => Lucas
Adam/Henderson => Gerrard
Adam/Miereless   => Aquilani
Maxi/J.Cole         => Suarez/Downing
N'Gog                 => Carroll/Kuyt

A decent team.

                           Reina

  Johnson   Carragher   Agger   Aurelio/New LF

                          Lucas
             Gerrard            Aquilani

  Suarez                                    Downing
                     Carroll/Kuyt

-----------------------------------------------
Doni                   =>
Kelly/Flanagan    => Johnson
Insua/Robinson   => Aurelio
Skrtel                 => Agger
Soto/Ayala          => Carra
Adam/Spearing    => Lucas
Adam/Henderson => Gerrard
Adam/Miereless   => Aquilani
Maxi/J.Cole         => Suarez/Downing
N'Gog                 => Carroll/Kuyt

A decent team.

I quite like that team apart from i highly doubt Carroll would be back up to Kuyt (i know you're not saying them for definite). Left back should have been our second priority but obviously trying to see how many centre midfielders we can possibly get into the squad has been the main aim of this summer so far

My opinion on Stewart hasn't changed - An excellent footballer with a great future at our club. I'm sure he'll show us exactly why Kenny was trying so hard to get him and win over those who were sure he'd flop.

My opinion on Stewart hasn't changed - An excellent footballer with a great future at our club. I'm sure he'll show us exactly why Kenny was trying so hard to get him and win over those who were sure he'd flop.

Think it'll be like trying to nail a jelly to the wall trying to pin down the doubters.

Happy to have him, good player!

Think it'll be like trying to nail a jelly to the wall trying to pin down the doubters.

I don't know about that - I've already witnessed a change in opinion from some. Keep it going Stewart.

Good ball in for Carroll. Promising signs that he will lay on a lot of goals for Carroll and will hopefully prove me wrong about thinking we shouldn't have got him.

Very very impressed so far, he definitely has settled quicker than the other new boys.

Looks brilliant, was by far are best player in today's game, can't wait to see what him and Suarez can do together, he is so deadly on the right, if Johnson can sort out his defensive side of the game, on the right hand side with Downing and Johnson we would be deadly, not too mention the back post crosses he could drift to Carrolls head, hope to see big things from this lad.

Good ball in for Carroll. Promising signs that he will lay on a lot of goals for Carroll

Indeed. Loved the way he scrambled back to get the ball and then effortlessly pinged a cross up to Carroll. And Carroll did a great job of knocking it down and banging it home. 

Played great yesterday, hope to see more of it.

He's what we have been crying out for since Digger. I'm excited to see him play for us and I can imagine he'll be one of the first on the teamsheet every week.

Can't wait to see him wreak havoc today.

Downing was the real creative spark in the side today IMO, put in some dangerous crosses, got past his marke into good crossing positions and his pace was a real assist to our team.

Hopefully Carroll can get onto the end of his crosses soon. Sunderland next week, would be a fantastic time to get that partnership in full swing.

How good has he been in pre-season. Finally we have a winger capable of cutting on from the left or floating out and crossing pin point in to the box.

Great start.

Very creative yesterday & linked up with Aurelio very well.

Has really impressed me so far, he was a joy to watch yesterday. Keep it up and i can see £20m being a bargain.

Great game by Stewart, head and shoulders above the rest!

Thought he was brilliant yesterday. There will be games we've been frustrated but his width and pace will be vital.

Absolutely, teams trying to park the bus v's us will have a much harder task this season and Downing will be a big reason behind that.