Emre Can (Liverpool > Juventus)

No one replaces Jordan.

Very good.

So... if you had to actually answer the question, instead of Harry, where would you play him baz; alongside Jordan or somewhere else?

                Can
     Hendo
                    Gerrard

Would work for me.

Very good. So... if you had to actually answer the question, instead of Harry, where would you play him; alongside Jordan or somewhere else, baz?

What I like about Can is how versatile he looks. He seems to have a good skill set for his age and is both physically imposing and technically strong so he can play anywhere in a midfield three. I would play him next to Jordan in the centre of a diamond with Stevie sitting behind and Raheem at the top. But we can change the diamond during the game as Stevie and Can can swap positions. There is an argument of coarse for Allen to play next to Jordan. But I really want to see more of Emre.

                Can
     Hendo
                    Gerrard

Would work for me.

I would play him next to Jordan in the centre of a diamond with Stevie sitting behind and Raheem at the top. But we can change the diamond during the game as Stevie and Can can swap positions...

... But I really want to see more of Emre.

Fair enough lads but that then leaves you/us with the 'dilemma' of where we start the other new signings. Where do Markovic or Lallana fit, as starters, (if at all)? Do we also drop Coutinho from the starting line-up?

See that's one of the issues with the [midfield] signings we made - they can't all start unless... they play instead of what we have.

It's a toughy alright - thank F**k I'm not Brendan.   

Fair enough mate but that then leaves you/us with the 'dilemma' of where we start the other new signings. Where do Markovic or Lallana fit, as starters, (if at all)? Do we also drop Coutinho from the starting line-up?

See that's one of the issues with the [midfield] signings we made - they can't all start unless... they play instead of what we have.

It's a toughy alright - thank f**k I'm not Brendan.   

Actually I forgot about Lallana. He definitely starts I would rest Raheem for a few games and start Lallana at the front of the diamond. Amazing how light we looked in midfield last few weeks and suddenly we are spoilt for choice! Much better complaint 

Fair enough lads but that then leaves you/us with the 'dilemma' of where we start the other new signings. Where do Markovic or Lallana fit, as starters, (if at all)? Do we also drop Coutinho from the starting line-up?

See that's one of the issues with the [midfield] signings we made - they can't all start unless... they play instead of what we have.

It's a toughy alright - thank F**k I'm not Brendan.   

Squad options.
None of us are used to this dilemma.

Actually I forgot about Lallana. He definitely starts I would rest Raheem for a few games and start Lallana at the front of the diamond.

So we start Can and Lallana - leaves us Sterling, Coutinho and Markovic on the bench.

Definitely a new look first XI there baz. I'd never have thought Can and Lallana would have replaced Sterling & Coutinho as starters but there you go... whatever's best for the team.

Squad options.
None of us are used to this dilemma.

Indeed buddy and it shows. 

                    Can
            Hendo
                       Gerrard
   Lallana                     Sterling
                 Sturridge


Harsh on Allen and Coutinho?

                    Can
            Hendo
                       Gerrard
   Lallana                     Sterling
                 Sturridge


Harsh on Allen and Coutinho?

Not harsh on Allen, in my opinion [I saw Lallana as a definite starter, in front of Allen anyhow] and it's definitely another 'option' - again, I'm not sure how long-term it would be. If I had to start Emre, right now, it would be like this...

                            Gerrard

        Henderson                           Can

                           Lallana

                 Sterling      Sturridge

But then... that would mean that there's no place, in our first XI, for our new signings - Balotelli, Markovic (and Origi) who would, then, obviously take their place in the squad.   

                    Can
            Hendo
                       Gerrard
   Lallana                     Sterling
                 Sturridge


Harsh on Allen and Coutinho?

Given Coutinho's form this season its not harsh on him at all IMO, hardly covered himself in glory like.

Given Coutinho's form this season its not harsh on him at all IMO, hardly covered himself in glory like.

He's had no one and I do mean no one, playing in front of him (off the shoulder of defenders) to pass to but that's for another thread where folk, with football nous, can discuss it, I suppose.

So we start Can and Lallana - leaves us Sterling, Coutinho and Markovic on the bench.

Definitely a new look first XI there baz. I'd never have thought Can and Lallana would have replaced Sterling & Coutinho as starters but there you go... whatever's best for the team.
Indeed buddy and it shows. 

Well I think Sterling and Coutinho have been poor this season. Markovic hasn't turned up yet, might take a season. So yes I would start Can and Lallana ahead of them for a few games using Raheem and Cou as impact subs until their form improves.

Well I think Sterling and Coutinho have been poor this season

See post above.

So yes I would start Can and Lallana ahead of them for a few games using Raheem and Cou as impact subs until their form improves.

No problem; maybe their presence [and Danny's return] would indeed create movement up front.

Then again, maybe Danny's return will see Sterling and Couts flourish, with someone to play to and off. 

Actually I forgot about Lallana. He definitely starts I would rest Raheem for a few games and start Lallana at the front of the diamond. Amazing how light we looked in midfield last few weeks and suddenly we are spoilt for choice! Much better complaint 

From a purely PR point of view we should rest Raheem for this game, or at least just use him as a sub.

From a purely PR point of view we should rest Raheem for this game, or at least just use him as a sub.

What PR problem? Raheem got his rest, I'm sure the game was on Sunday 7 days ago by the time the QPR game is played.

Not harsh on Allen, in my opinion [I saw Lallana as a definite starter, in front of Allen anyhow] and it's definitely another 'option' - again, I'm not sure how long-term it would be. If I had to start Emre, right now, it would be like this...

                            Gerrard

        Henderson                           Can

                           Lallana

                 Sterling      Sturridge

But then... that would mean that there's no place, in our first XI, for our new signings - Balotelli, Markovic (and Origi) who would, then, obviously take their place in the squad.   

I liked how we looked when Gerrard moved further up the pitch,
although I'm not sure how much of that was to ensure Balotelli stayed high up the pitch.
Can or Hendo could equally do that job, so I've no issue with that being an interchanging 3.

Would be great to have the options to have Coutinho linking up with Sturridge and Sterling
and if it wasn't working bring Can in.

I think Lallana has probably played his way into being a starter at this stage.
If he's fit I'd start Can, but then we don't get paid the big bucks.

Where would you see Emre play as a starter Harry; instead of Jordan; alongside him in a diamond or somewhere else?

If all of our CM's are fit (Gerrard, Lucas, Allen, Can, Hendo, Lallana, and Coutinho) then it will depend on who is in form at the moment. However, I have to say I really like the thought of Stevie playing as the quarterback with the energy and athleticism of Can and Hendo on either side of him. On paper this just has the look of a midfield that could really boss a game with both technical ability and brute force!!

He's had no one and I do mean no one, playing in front of him (off the shoulder of defenders) to pass to but that's for another thread where folk, with football nous, can discuss it, I suppose.

This is a good point (regarding Coutinho). He has played some of the most delightful through balls in the last 12 months -- a beautiful ball over the top that led to a Sturridge chip, and another sexy little cushioned ball around the corner for Danny in the preseason game against Dortmund both spring to mind. He does seem to require a player who can stretch the field and threaten in behind for him to really flourish.

If all of our CM's are fit (Gerrard, Lucas, Allen, Can, Hendo, Lallana, and Coutinho) then it will depend on who is in form at the moment. However, I have to say I really like the thought of Stevie playing as the quarterback with the energy and athleticism of Can and Hendo on either side of him. On paper this just has the look of a midfield that could really boss a game with both technical ability and brute force!!

Gerrard

Hendo    Can

Sterling  Sturridge  Lallana

This kid is boss. Can played very well tonight.

Thing is, too, he's only going to get better.

This kid is boss. Can played very well tonight.

Thing is, too, he's only going to get better.

I agree. Though 1 negative about him is his composure and passing. He really needs to work on it, and if he does, I can see him becoming a beast of a player!

Has to start against Chelsea with Henderson.

We really need to start prioritising with this man starting our games from now on.