Critique our squad

We are definitely weaker than last year. We lost Alonso, one of the best central midfielders in the country, and replaced him with Aquilani, who is a very good player, but we can't expect him to work miracles in his first season.

But we DO have a squad. We have at least 1 adequate back up for each position, barring striker and right back. What we need is the so called 'squad players' (That's you Babel) to start F***ing performing. If one of our first XI get's injured, our squad players just aren't doing the business at the moment. That's the main issue, IMO.

Is this the thread to speak with your brain and not with your heart, then?

Well certainly I do admit the team isn't as strong as last season, we've sold off 2 top players in Alonso and Hyypia, it needs some replacing. As of now, we can't be sure whether Alberto or Glen will step it up and make the position their own. To be continously challenging for the title we need to ensure that we get the right funds, the manager gets the right support in the team.

However, for me though the other 'Big Four' teams hasn't particularly strengthened as well, so we ain't the only one, and although we have weakened we are still in a good position to challenge for the title.

We do not have good backups in our ranks, or even near decent at least to be honest. When one first choice defender is out we have got no reliable backups but to draft a few youngsters in, and then give them an emergency run out if anything bad happens (eg. the game at Spurs). In defence our team is thin especially in the centre for me, but up on top I do think we are just sufficiently well covered, we have the likes of Yossi who, for me is one of the most underrated players in the league, can operate left right centre, and scores crucial goals when we need it.

I actually thought that when we had Keane last season it disrupted the harmony of our rhythm. It required us to change a title winning formation in 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-2, pushing Gerrard back just to accomdate Keane, which for me isn't a wise thing to do at all. As much as he is a top striker, proven with quality, he has been an absolute flop at Liverpool and during his time here I would rather have N'gog up front than Keane.

It was only after Keane left that our results started to pick up, and I thought that with his moaning to the press and negativity at Liverpool it was best that he left in January. After he left for the rest of the season, bar February, we have been consistenly producing top results and during the big teams a good whack in the arse as well.

Now we have Voronin, Nemeth, Pacheco, and maybe N'gog, but none of them look to replace Torres up front. I wouldn't mind though if we put Yossi on the right, Kuyt up front who runs circles at defences allowing Steven Gerrard more space through the centre.

The yanks haven't given Rafa enough funds, they have instead taken the profit from transfers away and put them in their pockets. It is these act of selfishness, the act of unwillingness to open their purses to finance that club that have literally spewed the club into a laughing stock since they came here. The stadium, if I'm not wrong, was due for opening at 2010/2011 season initially but it hasn't even started construction, they and their pricks mouths tell us that its due to the rising costs of building materials. Rubbish.

Unless the yanks realise the need to give Rafa funds then only then can we continue strengthening out squad. With funds like these where it comes from prize money, revenues, we are not going to go near anywhere the title if this continues, seriously speaking. Can't wait for the summer to be done and over with, what started as all hope and optimism of signing big stars like Silva look to be up in flames because of the yanks' inability.

I'm not liking all of these negative topics lately.

For F**k's sake - we've lost ONE game!

I wish the fans will stop trashing the players though.

What is with these negative topics.

What is people's problem with discussing different aspects of the team? It is clear looking from a totally unbiased perspective that our squad has weak points, and I don't see why these points can't be debated? What is it with this recent trend of labelling anyone highlighting the weaknesses of our players and team as negative?

Those who show up to say someone is "sh*t", without any real argument is negative, but if someone has a valid point to make, can't we just read and debate the point? If you don't agree, instead of sticking labels on people, prove them wrong. This would be one very boring place if we all agreed and we were never allowed to say how we feel.

That being said, I appreciate the timing if some of these threads looks a bit of a knee-jerk reaction on the back of the Spurs defeat, but if we're analysing this year's squad compared to last years, for example, then why not?

On topic: Defensively I think that when all our players are fully fit then we have one of the strongest units in the country. Indeed, I feel that we are hugely unlucky at the moment to have three top class CB's injured or returning from injury, and I don't think it is a problem that will be presented often, I'm not really worried about that position. LB looks sound as well, it's only the RB position where we might struggle should Johnson be out for a while.

Really, the same can be said for the midfield and attacking positions. Fully fit, we have an excellent and versatile group of players. It's only when two or three injuries start piling up that we look weak. That being said, I am slightly worried about a replacement for Torres. In all honesty, in the event that he is out for a while, I hope that N'Gog or Voronin could do the job, but I won't be holding my breath, a quality back up would not go amiss.

Anyway, in a couple of weeks almost all our players should be available, in a month we could have everyone back, at which point we would have to be very, very unlucky to have the same numbers out again at one time this season. Yes, our squad lacks a certain quality in depth, but I feel it can still put up a strong challenge over the year, and that to hit the panic button after one game is exaggerating things greatly.

I agree that our team has some negatives, but there also a lot of positives. Now the start to the season hasn't been the most fantastic but this could work in our favour - the less pressure on us, and the more people write us off - the easier it will be on players and management to battle through and get that title next May.

To be fair though Ayrton, these threads wouldn't be turning up if we hadn't lost the game.

This whole subject is a particular bugbear of mine. Time after time I've sat back and read threads on players we're linked with and watched on, biting my tongue, as board members dismiss 'linked' players. All to often I read that "he won't want to warm the bench" or "our one striker system works, he won't be able to replace Stevie or Nando." These posters miss the point, again and again; we need top class players to compete for places. We need top class players to compete for titles. Our young lads ain't coming through because we can't afford the luxury to blood them in a strong set-up.

Our squad is weak in strength and depth and anyone denying this either knows f**k all about football or is half mental. Loyalty to the team is one thing (and very admirable) but burying one's head in the sand, hoping we can push on without strength in depth, is idiotic. Like it our not, them's the facts. I'm sick, sore and tired of other Red's loyalty being questioned or being labeled as 'negative' when they dare point out the obvious.

I'll put it like this: Do any of you believe that if Rafa had unlimited funds that he wouldn't have signed the likes of Silva, Tevez, Hangeland, Barry, Amorebieta, Adebayor or Villa? Or do any of you believe that them, or players of the same quality, wouldn't have signed for us? Of course not!  Players like these know they would get their chance to play for a team able to dominate at home and in Europe.

Instead we are again relying on luck in the hope that our strong starting XI don't suffer too much with injury and suspension.

To be fair Res, these threads wouldn't have to pop up if we won every game.
 
*Rant ends. YNWA

To be fair though Ayrton, these threads wouldn't be turning up if we hadn't lost the game.

That being said, I appreciate the timing if some of these threads looks a bit of a knee-jerk reaction on the back of the Spurs defeat, but if we're analysing this year's squad compared to last years, for example, then why not?

Did you read my post thoroughly?

I'm still half asleep 

I'm still half asleep 

On the razz again last night?

Oops, this is critique the squad, not the staff.

Did you read my post thoroughly?

Hi Ayrton, mine was all to do with it being the fact this topic has come about after 1 game. And i agree with you theres no need for knee-jerk reaction after 1 game.
Its not just on here though i was playing footy with the lads and the Rafa bashers were out in force last night, i had to plightly remind them that Rafa has once again had to work with no money given to him but just solely the money he has made.

I had to plightly remind them that Rafa has once again had to work with no money given to him but just solely the money he has made.

FYI  he doesn't even get the money that he's made form transfer even that's sucked out of us !

This post is a critique of the squad; not a critique of our performance against Spurs. Whether we won, lost or drew on Sunday; the squad at Liverpool would still need debating. I think some people are right and teams like Spurs won't be able to satisfy Keane, Defoe, Crouch and Pav forever as ultimately someone will have to give whether that is because of personal ambitions or a desire to play in World Cup year but they still have a healthy squad and that is integral for a long season where are aspirations are to end it as champions.
I don't like talking up Scum but even Manure's defensive problems highlight their strength in depth...losing Ferdinand and Vidic, they still have Evans, O'Shea, Brown. They may not be as good as the original centre pairing but it's still strong enough to compete. In midfield they have a mix of strong kids, experienced elders and foreign talent to pick from. Elsewhere, Stoke have 5 strikers vying for 2 places. Abu Dhabi FC have 5 strikers vying for two places. Spurs have midfield options coming out of their ears. The options are endless. Liverpool don't have this...
This doesn't mean we can't win the league as some of you have rightly said; it's a similar squad that run us v close last term BUT add a bit of strength and we could turn last years draws into wins and indeed bring back number 19

I agree with Glen Hoddle in that our squad is very weak. Its a point I've discussed many times with friends how Chelsea, Man United have a far better squad than us. In my opinion our first XI can beat any club in the country, or world even. But our squad is incredibly weak.
This transfer season we have lost Xabi, Hyypia and Arbeloa. Hyypia was a fantastic squad player, 4th choice centre back yes, but extremely valuable for his height and experience in defence. Arbeloa was first XI, many people here didn't rate him but he was first choice, that you cannot deny. And Xabi.. well Xabi was a midfield maestro, the ultimate deep lying midfielder, his passing and vision was arguably the best in the world, plus his experience including that wonderful night in Instanbul 2005 was massively important even though it was often overlooked.

We have just two players left from Istanbul, our captain Gerrard and our Vice Captain Carragher. That was only 4, now 5 seasons ago. Experience is something which is greatly needed to win titles and be a successful club. This transfer window we have brought in Glen Johnson to replace Arbeloa as first choice right back, a step-up, I don't know, maybe he is maybe he isn't we'll have to wait and see. Aquilani was brought in to replace Xabi, but being injured for the start of the season has weakened our first team, not only our squad, but in the long term we will have to see what he adds to the team.

Look at Man United's depth for instance. They have Scholes/Giggs, Owen, Hargreaves/Fletcher, Anderson, Nani all coming off their bench. Yes they have lost players, Ronaldo and Tevez were massive players for their team but their squad is strong enough to provide adequate replacements for them. Not as good obviously, but still good players. Now look at our back-up if Torres, Mascherano or Gerrard gets injured. To play as a striker we have Voronin, NGog, or Kuyt who was moved out on the right wing because he isn't suited as a striker in the premierleague. For Gerrard our back-up is Babel or Benayoun, not bad but no where near Stevie G's level. For Mascherano we have Lucas who has faield to impress despite regular action in the first team and Spearing who is barely out of the academy.

Someone needs to start singing Wind of Change by the Scorpions... Bc thats whats blowing thru Anfield at the moment

Someone needs to start singing Wind of Change by the Scorpions... Bc thats whats blowing thru Anfield at the moment

I was listening to that song after the Tottenham game ....it made me feel much better ! 

am listening atm!!!

Our first XI is probably one of the best in the world. But as soon as injuries kick in and the whole squad is exposed, I have to say United's and Chelsea's squad are a lot stronger.

We have a brilliant 1st team squad however we don't have the depth of most of the top half teams let alone the top 4

Investing in youth is a good way for a club like ours to have world class players and also it can help the club financially in years to come

However we are a huge club and any youngsters that do get into our team should be amazing we should have a squad filled with 10-15mil rated players, who would seriously claim any of the yougsters we have at the moment come close to that evaluation?

Every year we see players going for 10-15 mil that are a lot better than some of our own cover weve spent 40 million on two players this year and although we had to replace Xabi which we knew would be expensive did we really need to pay such and ammount to replace Arbeloa? In my opinion we didn't there are a lot of players out there that would fill the gap (I actually rate Kelly enough that he could of done this) for a fraction of the price and then we could of spent some more money either bringing a veteran premierleague forward to help with the workload Torres has or bringing in another defender.

This isn't a rant about our manager as he is being smart and investing in youth but i feel that even doing this won't help us only the owners bank balance

I'm just grateful they havent cashed in on Torres

Our primary problem?

- Transfer funds unavailable. The owners are starving the club of funds and we shop from the bargain basement.

This is absolutely the truth. Of course, that does not justify Rafa for some obvious mistakes he has made but the majority of our problems is coming from the financial side. And definitely our youngsters haven't developed as much as they were expected in order to become a proper backup for the star ones.

My problem is our bench. We lack quality off it to really turn a game on its head should we be struggling.

Strength in depth is my main issue with the side. We have as good of a first XI as anybody but just lack that extra player or two to really get us going and get some competition in the side.

We dont necessarily have to sign world class talent, just some good players to push each other and we'll see a stronger side for it.

In saying that last bit, bring me Silva anyway and while we're at it that Villa fella would be handy backup.