There's only one player i want to see here in January. David Silva. We need an out and out winger, a winger who'll take people on and put quality balls into the box.
Have to agree with DLS, the youngsters must be given a chance. Kelly's performance against Lyon is proof of that, if any was needed. The team needs a psychological boost just now, and Kelly's passion and raw energy shone through against Lyon, sending a message to the senior players around him.
Babel, N'Gog, Voronin or Pacheco as back up for Torres? Pacheco every time for me, the other three have shown no desire to cement a place in the team when given chances.
Lucas or Spearing? I've had enough of people patting Lucas on the back for sub-standard performances, constantly sitting too deep, instead of in front of Mascherano and offering the offensive tenacity of a fieldmouse. A good player he is, but he is way too similar to Masch, way too defensive to play the link role. Spearing showed us what he's capable of against Madrid, i'll let the Sunderland perfomance go, as nobody really showed up that day, it was more a case of the players around him not responding. So, i'd say, give Spearing a go.
Now for the cruncher! Johnson or Kelly? Insua or Aurelio? Last season our defence was almost impenetrable, one of the main reasons i thought we'd walk this league this season. Carra,Skrtel,Aurelio and Arbeloa, coupled with Reina, made our defence a daunting prospect for anyone we played. We had authority, and some strikers gave up, even before they kicked a ball, such was our dominance. Arbeloa left and Aurelio got injured. Johnson was signed and everyone thought we'd improved the right back berth, after paying a phenomenal amount of money for his services.
Arbeloa didn't possess Johnson's attacking prowess, but F**k me, the lad knew how to defend. Yes, we have gained an attacking dimension with Johnson, but his defending at times this season has been shocking to say the least. It's as if he forgets he's a defender once he's in the opposition half. Insua has had a very good season so far, but i think Aurelio should be put in at left back now. Insua needs to curb his attacking instinct as it is affecting the teams defensive stability. The lad is still young and learning his trade. As for Kelly, he was a joy to watch against Lyon, solid, dependable, giving the defence that calming influence that Carra provides when he's on top of his game.
Our lack of creativity in the middle of the park is increasing the onus on us to attack from deep on the flanks, and that is having a detrimental effect on the team. I'm not going to criticise the zonal marking system as it wasn't a problem last season, so why is it this season?
Some players need a kick up the F***ing arse, and just because someone is the most expensive defender in the team, doesn't mean their 'un-droppable', does it? As other people have mentioned, back to F***ing basics. Let defenders defend, wingers take people on and cross the ball, defensive midfielders defend, offensive midfielders create chances and strikers convert the chances. Sounds easy doesn't it, well it was last season, so let's get back to where we were. Come on you Reds! Let's smash these Scum wankers on Sunday, send them back to Old Toilet in tears. And let Sunday be the start of the turning of the corner onto the long straight of Champions League glory and the Holy Grail that is number nineteen, we're all behind you.