Sterling as a centre forward the solution?

Discuss...

Concerned about better quality opposition but he can be a serious option or behind sturridge

He's been getting into decent positions in the two games he's played at CF and does a much better job than Lambert or Borini, so yea it's probably a decent short-term option until the transfer window opens.

I would play Borini as the #9 with Sterling behind. I feel Borini is capable of making the runs Sterling does... and who knows, with better creative players around Borini, he might actually do well.

Alternatively, Sterling and Borini up front with Lallana behind.

Your man will score twice all day against Championship sides.
We are way down in the Prem, out of the CL, is that not  definitive answer to the perusal in this half arsed thread?

I would play Borini as the #9 with Sterling behind. I feel Borini is capable of making the runs Sterling does... and who knows, with better creative players around Borini, he might actually do well.

Alternatively, Sterling and Borini up front with Lallana behind.

I agree, with 2 pacy forwards up front we'll be pulling defenses apart and creating much more space for Lallana, Markovitch and Henderson to exploit, plus hopefully Sterling has fully found his scoring form again, his goals were very nicely taken yesterday.
Even though Bournmouth are a championship side they are currently flying in that league so they are not exactly as sh!te as we made them look at times yesterday.

Been screaming for it for ages. Scares teams with his pace so straight away they are having to drop 10 yards which in turn gives the likes of Coutinho, Lallana and more space to play in. Having him up there also brings the skipper to life because suddenly he has someone to aim for and someone who will make intelligent runs. In fact it brings our entire midfield and passing game to life, suddenly defenders are guessing again, Sterling doesn't just sit on the centre halves, he pops up all over the place and naturally creates space for midfield runners or wide players to move inside. Forget Borini, if he plays then you are forced to take off one of Lallana, Coutinho (and even Markovic who is actually looking like a player since coming back). Borini for me isn't good enough to replace one of those players but he certainly is an option off the bench.

Quite a few posters were screaming at Rogers for playing without a striker at toilet at the weekend but we created more in that game than we have any previous with the statuesque Lambert and the lazy as fook Balotelli up there. I know I shouldn't say but the the truth is I'd have no problem if Balo wasn't fit to play for the whole Christmas period.

We need pace, movement, mobility and skill up (and a genuine goal threat). Raheem is the ONLY one who can offer that until Studge is back

In a word NO, he's to lightweight ,big bruising bustling cb's would get the better of him ,
He did well last night and fair fucks to him and no doubt if asked he'll do so again but he's not the answer,
Of course his pace will help but he's at his best running at defences rather than being in amongst them, if you catch my drift,

Nah, leave it to the specialists like Suarez, Sturridge , Fowler, Rush's of this world who just have that instinct to be in the right place at the right time ,

I'm guessing we won't be seeing our Danny until the new year, we need a proven top class finisher , and since we are oot of the CL, let's go and put a cheeky bid in for Tomas Muller, we've probably got as much chance of landing him as we have of signing neymar, but never say never eh. !

YNWA

In a word NO, he's to lightweight ,big bruising bustling cb's would get the better of him ,
He did well last night and fair fucks to him and no doubt if asked he'll do so again but he's not the answer,
Of course his pace will help but he's at his best running at defences rather than being in amongst them, if you catch my drift,

Nah, leave it to the specialists like Suarez, Sturridge , Fowler, Rush's of this world who just have that instinct to be in the right place at the right time ,

I'm guessing we won't be seeing our Danny until the new year, we need a proven top class finisher , and since we are oot of the CL, let's go and put a cheeky bid in for Tomas Muller, we've probably got as much chance of landing him as we have of signing neymar, but never say never eh. !

YNWA

Agree with you as a long term option but right now he is by far the best option we have. Surely you agree with that Billy?

Agree with you as a long term option but right now he is by far the best option we have. Surely you agree with that Billy?

Yeah fairy muff mate, I can see the advantages of playing him up there, but only as a temporary measure or our lone striker has to go off ,

I'd much prefer we or I should say FSG lift their wage restrictions and let us at least offer a deal that would attract a top drawer forward, rather than give them food for thought and make do with what we have kind of attitude,
Wouldn't you ?


YNWA

Agree with you as a long term option but right now he is by far the best option we have. Surely you agree with that Billy?

Right now he is the only option we have mate.

Yeah fairy muff mate, I can see the advantages of playing him up there, but only as a temporary measure or our lone striker has to go off ,

I'd much prefer we or I should say FSG lift their wage restrictions and let us at least offer a deal that would attract a top drawer forward, rather than give them food for thought and make do with what we have kind of attitude,
Wouldn't you ?


YNWA

Once again the JWH discipline of only paying what he thinks is a fair price for a player comes into play, off topic but in that context any talk of Rafa coming in is ludicrous. 

He ends up on his arse too much and when the goal is wide open he fluffs it .He just can't finish it off .

Yeah fairy muff mate, I can see the advantages of playing him up there, but only as a temporary measure or our lone striker has to go off ,

I'd much prefer we or I should say FSG lift their wage restrictions and let us at least offer a deal that would attract a top drawer forward, rather than give them food for thought and make do with what we have kind of attitude,
Wouldn't you ?


YNWA

Aye, Jackson Martinez and Carlos Tevez in the window would work nicely enough for me.

In a word NO, he's to lightweight ,big bruising bustling cb's would get the better of him

Owen was 'lightweight' too, he did alright.

He ends up on his arse too much and when the goal is wide open he fluffs it .He just can't finish it off .

Still put two in the net last night. He will get better as well.

Right now he is the only option we have mate.

What about Borini , he's a more natural striker than Raheem , put him up there in a run of games surrounded by Raheem , Lallana, Markovic Coutinho and you never know, he's no Suarez I know but ......
Tbh I think he's been treated abysmally, but then again Brendan sees what he sees each day.. Or is he trying to hold his value by not playing him... F**k knows, personally I don't think he's been given a big enough crack of the whip, maybe just maybe he'd come up trumps ,


YNWA

Owen was 'lightweight' too, he did alright.

Ha , the difference being tho mate Owen had natural ability , by playing sterling up front your trying to mould a player out of him, and could end up hampering his natural instincts , could get confusing for the lad !


YNWA

Aye, Jackson Martinez and Carlos Tevez in the window would work nicely enough for me.

Now your cooking with gas mate, either would do just fine thank you kindly


YNWA

Still put two in the net last night. He will get better as well.

If he can do it against Arsenal the weekend i'll eat my words Scott , he has a habit of over doing it with the fancy footwork and when the goal mouth is there for the taking he scutters it away  .I hope i'm wrong but i think he's regressed on last seasons performances . He should have been building his confidence to a new level after last season instead of it slumping . 

If he can do it against Arsenal the weekend i'll eat my words Scott , he has a habit of over doing it with the fancy footwork and when the goal mouth is there for the taking he scutters it away  .I hope i'm wrong but i think he's regressed on last seasons performances . He should have been building his confidence to a new level after last season instead of it slumping . 

Just a reflection of our general malaise and poor transfer dealings I think mate, don't forget he had one incredible and one very good player to take the brunt of defenders attentions last season. This year it's just him. I actually think a stint up top will do him a lot of good

What about Borini , he's a more natural striker than Raheem , put him up there in a run of games surrounded by Raheem , Lallana, Markovic Coutinho and you never know, he's no Suarez I know but ......
Tbh I think he's been treated abysmally, but then again Brendan sees what he sees each day.. Or is he trying to hold his value by not playing him... F**k knows, personally I don't think he's been given a big enough crack of the whip, maybe just maybe he'd come up trumps ,


YNWA

Come one mate, he's sh*te! You know it I know it and your average premier league defender knows it. No one is scared of him, he doesn't have the pace of Sterling, isn't a threat to beat them with a trick or make something all by himself. Admittedly he makes some intelligent runs but I'd argue we are pretty toothless with him up there.

Just a reflection of our general malaise and poor transfer dealings I think mate, don't forget he had one incredible and one very good player to take the brunt of defenders attentions last season. This year it's just him. I actually think a stint up top will do him a lot of good

if Rodgers can keep Hodgsons mitts off of him for a while he may well fill a void for us .

Sterling is no Rush, suddenly he is asked to play the centre forward role and we can come to expect those 1 to 1 misses, and I'm sure he will improve. I'm not defending him but just trying to be fair here as I cursed as much as many here did when he missed some sitters.

More importantly is who plays along side Sterling inside the box? No one, eventhough there's one, nowhere to be seen.

That's what I've been harping along, this is one of the combo attacks that BR can try while Sturridge is still off injured, he has no choice and he can't continue to work on his failed projects of a lone Lambert or Balo striker. He has a quick Sterling, a skilfull Markovich/Cou a robust Lambert and a swashbuckling style Lallana, he has to somewhat work on some combos to make these players gel. Give these players to any top attacking coach, we will most probably be a high scoring team.

What we really needed to do is get players inside the box fast when Sterling is running towards it so that we can open up spaces and create scoring chances not ball watch outside the box and expects Sterling to dribble the ball into goal, that's what he's doing exactly now

Lallana and Markovic are the ones that can run into the box, moreso Lallana, watch his Southampton days, not camping outside the box or at the sides, it has taken the effectiveness out of him.

However, Sterling needs to be more aware of our players inside the box, at times he tend to over dribble while a simple side pass to someone in the box would have gotten us a goal.

He will miss a lot of chances but he will score the odd one too. The big plus is he can stretch defences creating more room for our other creative players to flourish as well as offer a threat in behind for the likes of Lazar, Coutinho and Lallana to find.

I think if we can find a way in the future to have Lazar, Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling and Sturridge in the same line up we can get back on track. Balo and Lambert have really stopped our fast counter attacking flow I feel.

As for now Sterling will give defenders problems and they will not like playing against him one bit but we have to expect his final product may be some way short of a recognized striker.

Sterling as a centre forward?

Yes, yes yes yes and more yes. I always wanted this with Lambert and Balotelli struggling like hell - and now I think Markovic should be playing behind him.

That's a sh*t load of pace right there - with that pace, and stretching defenders as a result, we can create a lot of space, which lads like Lallana and Coutinho could exploit with ease.

What about Borini , he's a more natural striker than Raheem , put him up there in a run of games surrounded by Raheem , Lallana, Markovic Coutinho and you never know, he's no Suarez I know but ......
Tbh I think he's been treated abysmally, but then again Brendan sees what he sees each day.. Or is he trying to hold his value by not playing him... F**k knows, personally I don't think he's been given a big enough crack of the whip, maybe just maybe he'd come up trumps ,

YNWA

Borini is more lightweight than Sterling and hasn't got the tenacity Raheem has in abundance, to be honest mate I don't rate the lad - wouldn't hear a word said but now the charity has worn thin. 

I don't know whether it was his new haircut or what but he looked more balanced and had an extra gear in his pocket last night..
He's really quick when he set's off after the ball and I think in certain games playing him up the middle up top is good..
He had Markovic, Lallana and Coutinho to feed off last night and it worked well..
Should he play in the same position against Arsenal?... Dunno..

Short term, definite option. Longer term, we sign a recognised striker and Sterling can go back to the mid/wing where he did so well last year.

Short term, definite option. Longer term, we sign a recognised striker and Sterling can go back to the mid/wing where he did so well last year.

Definite short term option until we get a quality striker, but by far the best option.

His best position is in the number 10 role running and scaring the sh*t out of defenders.
As others have said he is not a natural goal scorer and will miss as many as he scores, as a short term measure with no Sturridge might be worth continuing.

No, he's not clinical enough, no where near. He's a stop gap measure but the final solution is what the first solution was - buy a mobile striker who has clinical finishing.

No, he's not clinical enough, no where near. He's a stop gap measure but the final solution is what the first solution was - buy a mobile striker who has clinical finishing.

I hate that phrase. Else than that, I agree.

Not a long term solution, however needs are a must here and we really have no one better in that position so we got to hope Sterling continues to produce good performances up until the new year, at least.

Sterling is better in the deeper position, allowing him to pick the ball and run at defences. Not with his back to the goal.

Plus he isn't particularly clinical, however i am surprised with how well he has done, but he needs to score some PL goals.

I think BR experimented with a plan B for many reasons. In Europe the gung ho style may see you punished given the quality of each opponent and the stakes involved. We didn't have Suarez and couldn't replace him. To be tactically more versatile and to offer a change from last year so teams don't rumble us. He also likes to learn/borrow form others. I think he leant towards the Mourinho style in our current set up. It didn't work. Whether it was personnel or the mix of free movement and possession with a rigid attack was combining to mess it up I don't know.Whether Brendan can't organise a defence or his ultimate style doesn't make for a good defence once again may be an issue. The use of Sterling, Lallana, Coutinho and now maybe Markovic must be encouraged.If this means no Balotelli or Lambert fine. I don't think sticking Sterling on a CB is the way forward. If we were going to  do that then stick Borini up there, at least if they kick the crap out of him it won't be as bad. I think Sterling is better when he roams and can go left or right or pick a pass. He is great.

He ends up on his arse too much and when the goal is wide open he fluffs it.  He just can't finish it off.

well he does have several children, so apparently he can finish off quite well actually....

He can play anywhere along the front line. Switching him about and having him up top, will do him the world of good, and only bodes well for the future.

Yes Sterling should absolutely be our main striker until Danny returns. He offers exponentially more of a threat up front than Lambert and Balotelli.

As said above, he can play any position at the front , I think he is the only one ,apart from sturridge who can make those runs we were used to Luis making,
So yes till Danny is back he is the better option playing there, and I would consider too playing him along danny when he returns if markovic continue to improve his performances, which he should

YNWA
 

well he does have several children, so apparently he can finish off quite well actually....

Who says he hasn't spent enough time in the box? 

If we aren't promoting Sinclair or any other forward from the u21, then he maybe the temporary solution.

But if anyone is in any doubt about him being our long term forward, watch the highlights from Mold Trafford... You'll see he clearly isn't the answer!

If we aren't promoting Sinclair or any other forward from the u21, then he maybe the temporary solution.

But if anyone is in any doubt about him being our long term forward, watch the highlights from Mold Trafford... You'll see he clearly isn't the answer!

Why not? He's only 20 and hadn't played as a striker in years. He scored two goals in his second games for us up front. His finishing is only going to get better. Thierry Henry was 24 before he started scoring consistently after being converted from a winger to a striker. Raheem has just as much potential. So why can't Raheen follow suit and become a striker for us long term?

I don't think he is the solution.

I think Raheem is at his best when he is within 10-15 yards of Coutinho and like wise Coutinho is at his  best when playing close to Raheem. Both seem to compliment each others play styles perfectly with Raheem offering the movement and Coutinho the clever passes.

A problem that I think exsists in our playstyle is that the distance between the two is too great or when they are in close proximity of each other it is usually tight down one flank.

What i'd like to see is both of them behind a striker as I believe this will give us that creative edge that's been missing. As for who would play in the #9 there are only two real contenders. Lambert has the technique to play there but is seriously lacking in movement. So i'd be playing Borini. His movement is very good and with Coutinho feeding him and Raheem causing mayhem with his pace I think it'd be a decent trio that would be able to trouble any defence in the league.

He ends up on his arse too much and when the goal is wide open he fluffs it .He just can't finish it off .

You say that, but he playing as a centre forward would also help him become more clinical. I personally think it could help both him and the club.

No - I actually think if we had full squad he would benefit from a rest. Hasn't looked anywhere near as dynamic or decisive as last year.

But in answer to the opening hypothesis - no that isn't the solution for me.

Not the solution but right now I don't see many other options. He's played two games there and I already have more faith in him than Borini. Lambert just doesn't have the pace to play for us there alone.

Mario sucks so it leaves Raheem.

A front four of Lallana, Markovic, Coutinho and Sterling could work until we get Danny back or another striker.

F***ing love the boy, he's the only player that even when he's having an off game, scares the sh*t out of the defenders.

I like him up top to be honest. Works hard and super quick.

maybe a solution but definetly not in the long term

Willing to try anything at this point

well he does have several children, so apparently he can finish off quite well actually....

He has got one little girl.

Edit: he's obviously aware of the rumours though.....

https://mobile.twitter.com/sterling31/status/497082199293067265/photo/1

He has got one little girl.

Edit: he's obviously aware of the rumours though.....

https://mobile.twitter.com/sterling31/status/497082199293067265/photo/1

Now that's actually quite funny - showing a level of self awareness that often seems to be lacking in footballers.

Nice one kid.

I think we could be an exciting outfit next season IF we supplement the weak points in our team during the summer transfer window. The pace we would have in our team would be frightening. Those 5 new players would cost no more than £50m.

Handanovic

Montoya - Schar - Sakho - Moreno

Carvalho

Henderson - Can

Lallana

Sterling - Sturridge - Markovic

Subs: Mignolet, Flanagan, Skrtel, Delph, Coutinho, Ibe, Origi

I think we could be an exciting outfit next season IF we supplement the weak points in our team during the summer transfer window. The pace we would have in our team would be frightening. Those 5 new players would cost no more than £50m.

Handanovic

Montoya - Schar - Sakho - Moreno

Carvalho

Henderson - Can

Lallana

Sterling - Sturridge - Markovic

Subs: Mignolet, Flanagan, Skrtel, Delph, Coutinho, Ibe, Origi

The only way we'll have 50 million to spend in the summer is if we sell a sh*t load of players, including Sterling!

Just a couple of things:

Isn't the thread asking whether Sterling is a decent short term solution? Surely that's what we're talking about? I'm not sure it has been suggested that he is the long term answer in that position are they?

And secondly I think my head might explode if I read again that we would be better off with Borini up there. Has everyone seen Borini play? Just checking

And secondly I think my head might explode if I read again that we would be better off with Borini up there. Has everyone seen Borini play? Just checking

Doesn't matter if he's sh*t or not, his style of play would be good for us. He presses, good movement and can play off the shoulder of the last man. Would offer a lot more than Lambert & Balo put together. It's more about the team than individual skills for me.

Sterling is a monster as a #10, he'll be more involved in the game and with movement up front and players working the channels, it'll open space up for Sterling to attack  as well as giving passing options for our midfielders.

I would love us to try this vs weaker opposition to allow Borini to get match fit. Gradually, I think an understanding will form and we'll see more of a cohesive and fluid game which could possibly revive Sterling, Coutinho, Hendo etc.

Doesn't matter if he's sh*t or not, his style of play would be good for us. He presses, good movement and can play off the shoulder of the last man. Would offer a lot more than Lambert & Balo put together. It's more about the team than individual skills for me.

Sterling is a monster as a #10, he'll be more involved in the game and with movement up front and players working the channels, it'll open space up for Sterling to attack  as well as giving passing options for our midfielders.

I would love us to try this vs weaker opposition to allow Borini to get match fit. Gradually, I think an understanding will form and we'll see more of a cohesive and fluid game which could possibly revive Sterling, Coutinho, Hendo etc.

Today for instance? 

Why not? He's only 20 and hadn't played as a striker in years. He scored two goals in his second games for us up front. His finishing is only going to get better. Thierry Henry was 24 before he started scoring consistently after being converted from a winger to a striker. Raheem has just as much potential. So why can't Raheen follow suit and become a striker for us long term?

+1

The only way we'll have 50 million to spend in the summer is if we sell a sh*t load of players, including Sterling!

Don't think I've seen a post about spending or owners where you haven't chimed in with criticism.

Don't think I've seen a post about spending or owners where you haven't chimed in with criticism.

I call it like I see it crouch.

I call it like I see it crouch.

Over and over and over and over again.

And then again.

We spent a F**k load in the summer and it's all been on muck so far besides Lallana. The committee and Brendan are the reason for any holes in the squad.

Last season we had Sturridge and Suarez knocking them in for fun, today we had Borini and Lambert and a teenage midfielder who had played there twice before in his career.

If we don't spend money in January it's not the owners fault. It's the clowns who scouted for a replacement for Suarez and came back with Balotelli and Lambert as their solutions.

After good night vs Bournemouth, found it tough today. Control wasn't up to normal standards and didn't really have a chance. Was better after changes made and he moved back to wing.

Sterling's not a centre forward in a month of Sundays
Anyone who thinks he is needs a trip to specsavers.
Putting the ball in the net is the worst part of his game.

(Skrtel as centre forward did you say ?)



In all seriousness ..... there was a forum member on here who put the Sterling playing in front of Lallana and Coutinho idea about a month ago as an alternative solution.
Cant remember who posted it.

This forum seems well read ...

We spent a f**k load in the summer and it's all been on muck so far besides Lallana. The committee and Brendan are the reason for any holes in the squad. Last season we had Sturridge and Suarez knocking them in for fun, today we had Borini and Lambert and a teenage midfielder who had played there twice before in his career. If we don't spend money in January it's not the owners fault. It's the clowns who scouted for a replacement for Suarez and came back with Balotelli and Lambert as their solutions.

I agree with the sentiment that the committee and the gaffer need to be held responsible for any transfer failing, chiefly the striker's position. I don't agree that it's all been muck though mate. Lallana, agreed, is looking like a 25m player. Markovic is looking like some prospect too don't you think? Can is the same,  just needs more playing time. Moreno also has shown glimpses of being brilliant, and glimpses of utter disappointment. Lovren, Balo and Borini have been the big disappointments...but I don't know any manager who gets them all, or most, right.

I am interested in your views on Markovic, Can and Moreno though.

He looks more comfortable playing out wide so i cant wait to get our strikers back in form so Raheem could get back to his natural position.

I agree with the sentiment that the committee and the gaffer need to be held responsible for any transfer failing, chiefly the striker's position. I don't agree that it's all been muck though mate. Lallana, agreed, is looking like a 25m player. Markovic is looking like some prospect too don't you think? Can is the same,  just needs more playing time. Moreno also has shown glimpses of being brilliant, and glimpses of utter disappointment. Lovren, Balo and Borini have been the big disappointments...but I don't know any manager who gets them all, or most, right.

I am interested in your views on Markovic, Can and Moreno though.

Markovic is promising but still very raw and we spent quite a bit on him. I dont mind that, i like investing in quality young players with huge potential. All reports suggest he struggled mentally early on to deal with being here and hopefully that improves.

Moreno is sh*te. He isnt good enough to be a winger in our system because he hugs the wing and crosses it in. And he is garbage in defence. I dont think you can transform him enough to make him a reliable defender. He got abused by Valencia and it was clear as day what he was doing all game - get it on his right foot and cross it in. Moreno didnt stop one cross and kept letting him get wide. Still early but enough to suggest, in my view, that no one watched him beyond a highlights clip before signing him.

Lovren is complete crap and we mucked away 10x what we got for Agger on him. I watched a lot of Southampton last season and they never really got battered in any game i watched them, enough to see Lovren defend properly. He is utter sh*te.

Can, i have wanted him to play a lot more. Allen and Hendo got their shot and have failed. Time to put faith in this kid who showed so much promise against Chelsea. I dont understand reluctance to play him. He has a bit of class on the ball, energy and built like F**k. But again, we spent a decent bit of money on him and have given him no chance to impress. Thats what irks me. His talent isnt my issue because we havent seen him enough.

Just shits me that we spent over £100m on player acquisitions and Lallana is all we have to show for it. We had to nail it this summer and so far we have failed.

C

Markovic is promising but still very raw and we spent quite a bit on him. I dont mind that, i like investing in quality young players with huge potential. All reports suggest he struggled mentally early on to deal with being here and hopefully that improves.

Moreno is sh*te. He isnt good enough to be a winger in our system because he hugs the wing and crosses it in. And he is garbage in defence. I dont think you can transform him enough to make him a reliable defender. He got abused by Valencia and it was clear as day what he was doing all game - get it on his right foot and cross it in. Moreno didnt stop one cross and kept letting him get wide. Still early but enough to suggest, in my view, that no one watched him beyond a highlights clip before signing him.

Lovren is complete crap and we mucked away 10x what we got for Agger on him. I watched a lot of Southampton last season and they never really got battered in any game i watched them, enough to see Lovren defend properly. He is utter sh*te.

Can, i have wanted him to play a lot more. Allen and Hendo got their shot and have failed. Time to put faith in this kid who showed so much promise against Chelsea. I dont understand reluctance to play him. He has a bit of class on the ball, energy and built like f**k. But again, we spent a decent bit of money on him and have given him no chance to impress. Thats what irks me. His talent isnt my issue because we havent seen him enough.

Just shits me that we spent over £100m on player acquisitions and Lallana is all we have to show for it. We had to nail it this summer and so far we have failed.

Completely agree on Lovren, he's wrong footed everyone. He was good last year though, so not sure whether he deserves another chance.
Moreno, I kind of disagree. I think he's class going forward, but can't defend to save his life. Is that down to youth? Can he learn?
Markovic and Can will provide excellent value for money. We have needed a big, strong, powerful lad in the middle like Can since Mascha and Hamman were bossing the  midfield.

I think the biggest issue is the sheer amount we've spent. People have expected a lot more for that amount, and I guess they're right. It's a big label for the return we've had so far, and that's the fault of the committee, of which BR is a member. Our scouting has simply not been good enough.

Moreno i can see where people come from. His goal vs Tottenham was superb. Hopefully he can show that more often and clean up his game defensively.

However when he said "Liverpool are very strong and tough to score against" in his interview when he signed for the club I'm worried fingers crossed.

C
Completely agree on Lovren, he's wrong footed everyone. He was good last year though, so not sure whether he deserves another chance.
Moreno, I kind of disagree. I think he's class going forward, but can't defend to save his life. Is that down to youth? Can he learn?
Markovic and Can will provide excellent value for money. We have needed a big, strong, powerful lad in the middle like Can since Mascha and Hamman were bossing the  midfield.

I think the biggest issue is the sheer amount we've spent. People have expected a lot more for that amount, and I guess they're right. It's a big label for the return we've had so far, and that's the fault of the committee, of which BR is a member. Our scouting has simply not been good enough.

Agree Can and Markovic will be excellent players.

Moreno is a odd one, he's Young has played for Spain, he's quick so Deffo can improve but as a converted winger will he ever be able to defend like a fullback. I have a feeling he may turn out to be like Glen Johnson.
Interestingly Rodgers was gushing over Bertrand and Ben Davies in the summer so I wonder if Moreno was another one of those committee buys?

However when he said "Liverpool are very strong and tough to score against" in his interview when he signed for the club I'm worried  fingers crossed

Haha, many footballers with less iq then the number of notches on their bed post have become a success. Let's not judge those less fortunate...

I thought yesterday highlighted the negative aspect of having Sterling as a #9. Despite making good runs, he wasn't that involved. Remember first game of the season, Sturridge was largely anonymous but his only major contribution was to score that winning goal? unfortunately, that as we all know can be the life of a striker.

Did anyone else feel playing our talisman further back and bringing on Borini to allow Sterling ball time made us more of a goal threat? I think it did. With Borini suspended for 1 match, I would keep Sterling as a #9 until Borini is back, then I would move Sterling in the #10 role.

Yeah Raheem will never really impose himself enough to be a consistent threat up front. Strongest team for mine is:

Lucas

Gerrard     Can

Coutinho

Lallana     Sterling

OR:

Lucas

Gerrard     Coutinho

Lallana     Sterling     Markovic

This spell up front might benefit us and Raheem in the long run though, as he'll learn a new aspect to his game. But he clearly isn't the solution. Neither is Rickie, Fabio or Mario (sounds like an Italian mob gang) and the only one i have faith in finding the net is Rickie who doesn't fit in to the team.

We have to stick this one out, pray Sturridge gets back soon and lament the poor business we made in the summer finding a replacement for Suarez.

(Skrtel as centre forward did you say ?)



In all seriousness ..... there was a forum member on here who put the Sterling playing in front of Lallana and Coutinho idea about a month ago as an alternative solution.
Cant remember who posted it.

This forum seems well read ...

Think that was me when talking about going for a false 9 formation.

We have to stick this one out, pray Sturridge gets back soon and lament the poor business we made in the summer finding a replacement for Suarez.

There was no attempt at replacing Suarez.
JWH's statement/mantra about not paying what he thought excessive for signings saw to that.
Prompts the question how can somebody who knows F**k all about soccer make such a complex judgement?

There was no attempt at replacing Suarez.

Absolutely.
No genuine attempt.

Disgraceful, and not befitting of a club that seriously harbours ambitions to succeed at the top level.

Disgraceful, and not befitting of a club that seriously harbours ambitions to succeed at the top level.

Is correct of course mate, it must be asked 'tho if that aspiration exists at the highest levels of the club.
Those words are a contradiction to the wishes of every true Liverpool supporter. 

Seeing as we didn't start negotiations over Sanchez until Barcelona tabled a bid for Suarez, I'd say Sanchez was supposed to be the Suarez replacement.

Seeing as we didn't start negotiations over Sanchez until Barcelona tabled a bid for Suarez, I'd say Sanchez was supposed to be the Suarez replacement.

Most definitely the case, but when that failed fairly early on how did it end up being Mario Balotelli as our back up choice so far down the line in the window?

Complete mess of a situation. The whole committee fu**ed up big time.

There was no attempt at replacing Suarez.
JWH's statement/mantra about not paying what he thought excessive for signings saw to that.
Prompts the question how can somebody who knows F**k all about soccer make such a complex judgement?

Stuey, mate, I'm sick of seeing this comment over and over. We bid for Sanchez 35 million so the money was there. It's not his job to make decisions on players. It is Ayre, the scouting team and Brendan. JWH doesn't know who half the players were we signed. He and the rest of FSG just sign the cheques.

Do you think he ran the rule over signing Can, Markovic and Moreno etc? He didn't know who the hell they were. But he signed the cheques which totalled nearly 50 million pounds for the three of them because the people in charge said they're worth it.

And how can you say JWH specifically, didn't want to spend excessively? We bought Lallana for 25m, Lovren for 20m, Markovic for 20m, made a 35m bid for Sanchez, bought Moreno for 12m, Balotelli for 16m and Can for 10m etc. We spent a F**k load of money and the men in charge for making the signings have got it completely wrong.

Fans can't use the excuse to criticise Ayre, Brendan and the committee saying they got signings wrong and then come in to a thread and say the owners didn't back the manager up enough and are too scared to spend money. A massive contradiction to use for an agenda against people at the club.

Either the owners backed the manager and the committee and they fu**ed up.

Or the manager and committee weren't backed up.

Which one is it? It's very clear to me which one is the case.

And the result of the mess that was the 2014/15 Summer transfer window, is that we have this thread where Sterling is our first choice striker.

Think that was me when talking about going for a false 9 formation.

I'm sure it was Racer.


Job maybe going in L4.
100k a week mate.
Watch this space.
Panamera or equivalent chucked in.

Most definitely the case, but when that failed fairly early on how did it end up being Mario Balotelli as our back up choice so far down the line in the window?

Complete mess of a situation. The whole committee fu**ed up big time.

Huge F**k up indeed. At least Sanchez and Remy fit Brendan's style.

Was much more of a peripheral figure against the gooners BUT bottom line for me, from box to box that was by far the best we have played all season. Passing, movement, tempo, pressing, creating chances. It was all there so it is a sacrifice that is worth making. We haven't got anywhere close to that sort of performance going forward with anybody else up there. And did anyone notice they were all over Raheem? He got lots of attention and it was to the benefit of Coutinho and Lallana.

Stuey, mate, I'm sick of seeing this comment over and over. We bid for Sanchez 35 million so the money was there. It's not his job to make decisions on players. It is Ayre, the scouting team and Brendan. JWH doesn't know who half the players were we signed. He and the rest of FSG just sign the cheques.

Ayres is in situ at the behest of FSG, he is they're eyes and ears, JWH has made his opinions known about the cheques and the figures involved on them.

How many signings got fu**ed up the same way, take Sanchez - it was well known he wanted a London club and anything above 35m would get him - it was dead in the water. Conveniently.

Do you think he ran the rule over signing Can, Markovic and Moreno etc? He didn't know who the hell they were. But he signed the cheques which totalled nearly 50 million pounds for the three of them because the people in charge said they're worth it.

All the mentioned players are deemed  to have potential, the Suarez fee would have been better spent on a like for like striker, as well as providing dosh for potential signings.

And how can you say JWH specifically, didn't want to spend excessively? We bought Lallana for 25m, Lovren for 20m, Markovic for 20m, made a 35m bid for Sanchez, bought Moreno for 12m, Balotelli for 16m and Can for 10m etc. We spent a F**k load of money and the men in charge for making the signings have got it completely wrong.

JWH stated unequivocally that he would not spend more than he thought appropriate, modesty was the order of the day, as was subsequently borne out.
Except for Balotelli those players are kicking on - it will take time.
As stated the 35m Sanchez bid was dead in the water.

Fans can't use the excuse to criticise Ayre, Brendan and the committee saying they got signings wrong and then come in to a thread and say the owners didn't back the manager up enough and are too scared to spend money. A massive contradiction to use for an agenda against people at the club.

Criticism was never more deserved mate, in spite of the fine words four years ago we are in a similar situation football-wise as we were when FSG 'rescued us', it's as if the owners have got a pre-ordained image of the club's status and will not be deflected from that entity.
They employed a mid-table manager in the hope that the mid-table economics would not prove too taxing financially.
BR surprised everyone not least of all the owners by attaining 2nd place in the Prem., but it was no surprise that we were ill equipped to address the challenge; but help was at hand.
To retain the services of Suarez promises were made the previous season, none of which were acted upon and with Barca sniffing Suarez was gone.
85m was available to BR to make a stripped down squad CL material - yesterday.
Predictably it didn't go to plan FSG's deputy had ensured that JWH's prudence about transfer fees was observed.
The phrase quantity not quality come to mind.
In that light the flak the manager is subject to is misplaced.
 

Either the owners backed the manager and the committee and they fu**ed up.

Or the manager and committee weren't backed up.

Which one is it? It's very clear to me which one is the case.

And the result of the mess that was the 2014/15 Summer transfer window, is that we have this thread where Sterling is our first choice striker.

The 14/15 transfer window is a culmination of under investment, broken promises and boardroom contrivance.

I think you're going a bit over the top with the criticism at JWH.

We had money, we spent money, we have little return. Ayre, committee and Brendan are the people who are at fault.

JWH may have said we won't spend more than appropriate but why are you taking that quote in isolation? We spent hefty sums on players in positions we desperately needed to improve so that quote of JWH is rather meaningless.

How many signings got fu**ed up the same way, take Sanchez - it was well known he wanted a London club and anything above 35m would get him - it was dead in the water. Conveniently.

None of these rumours were known to the public before we made a bid. He was off to Juventus at one point if you remember.

We could go back to many players we bid for and they didn't arrive for any reason. But the double edged sword is that either we bid for players and they say no, or we don't bid for players and fans ask why we aren't targeting elite level footballers.

I think money spent is a silly thing to criticise the owners for. However i do think whoever it is that is deciding who to spend it on is clearly inept and should be allowed to find another job. We have spent 215 million pounds (on 25 players) since Brendan came in and so far who would you say has impacted the first team other than Coutinho, Sturridge and even though its early, Lallana? Thats a lot of money to piss away in not even 3 seasons.

If Sterling could finish better, we'd soon be comparing him to Michael Owen. He makes similar runs behind the defence, and has th same speed.

I'm not sure how much he can improve his accuracy, but he is getting on the score sheets

I read an article yesterday where the lad said or maybe even Brendan said, that after the Manc game and the missed opportunities, that he stayed behind after training and worked on his goal scoring. Seems to have paid some dividends with him scoring in the Bournemouth and Burnley games.

Keep practising Raheem and keep banging in those goals.

I read an article yesterday where the lad said or maybe even Brendan said, that after the Manc game and the missed opportunities, that he stayed behind after training and worked on his goal scoring. Seems to have paid some dividends with him scoring in the Bournemouth and Burnley games.

Keep practising Raheem and keep banging in those goals.

Now to work on his passing!

 Not in a million years.   Well a few anyway...... He brings so  much more to the side from a wide position or in the hole behind two recognised strikers.  O.k. it's probably  the best option we've got at the mo, if the boss wont blood any of the youngsters, but not in the long term surely ?

Please note the word 'RECOGNISED'

Now to work on his passing!

And his crossing for when he plays out on the flanks.

As I was saying in October, Sterling is the most suited "striker" we have if we want to play like last year.
http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,46880.0.html

Can't believe it took 4 months for Brendan to read my post, what an amateur.

Reports that his family advised him not to stay here because of over playing. And are worried about future injury problems and burn out.

Wee fella had a tough time yesterday but he keeps pluggin away doing his best and thats all you can ask IMO