OK its easy to see whats going wrong. We can spend all day saying "So and so was sh*t, bench him and sell him".
But how would you solve the on pitch problem, if you were in charge?
I'm thinking the "lite solution" which will help matters. And the full blown, probably next Summer, more substantial work being done.
This is my idea:-
1)An experienced top class keeper. I don't know if Valdes will be fit. But that sort of thing. Someone who reads the game, bosses the defence, comes for crosses etc. Not someone who's just a shot stopper. Fast, effective distribution. A COMPLETE keeper. (I wonder if Bayern might sell us Reina..
)
2)Defence. Ok its not perfect. But the players (even with Agger gone, and Johnson looking to be fading away) aren't THAT bad. I don't think replacing the defenders is a priority. I think we need a better defensive coach. And a better midfield infront of them.
Manquillo and Moreno need to be nurtured. So I'd use Enrique and Flanagan, maybe Johnson if he gets back to the requisite level, intermittently with the 2 young Spaniards.
3) Central midfield. THIS is a big area. And its a major reason why we are crap defensively. AND why we are looking so clueless going forward. I don't think there's a SINGLE top class player in the whole midfield. Gerrard obviously used to be. But NEVER as a defensively midfielder.
Henderson is ok, but he's more of an able lieutenant than a leader. Coutinho lacks the breadth of skills, as does Allen.
Lucas is a crock, in PL terms. Can has potential, but again has some rawness which will take time to iron out.
I'd happily shift atleast both Lucas and Allen on. And use Gerrard pretty sparingly. My solution would be to buy a WORLD class midfielder in the mold of Viera, Pogba or Yaya Toure. Thats gonna cost money yes. And guess what? The club already HAS that, in abundance. Once a player is bought, he could be a lynchpin of a CL team for the next 5, 8, TEN years even. A big fee would be a small price worth paying. IF the board are serious about us as a top level club...
The rest of the team, I'll address later.
