The NON-GERRARD Summer Speculation Thread.

[quentinc]

I don't want to hear Gerrard's name mentioned (outside of this post) in this entire thread since we have one pertaining to that already. Rather, this is intended for discussion on players that we should let go of, or players we should attain.

[SuperElf]

I don't want to hear Gerrard's name mentioned (outside of this post) in this entire thread since we have one pertaining to that already. Rather, this is intended for discussion on players that we should let go of, or players we should attain.Exactly what kind of "speculation" are you envisioning, and why wouldn't that fit in the tried and true "Transfer Rumors, Lies, and Other Nonsense"?

Also: Gerrard. Gerrard Gerrard Gerrard. Steeeeeeeeeevie Gerrard. (*cough* Chelsea. 40 million pounds. *cough*)

[liverbird]

Exactly what kind of "speculation" are you envisioning, and why wouldn't that fit in the tried and true "Transfer Rumors, Lies, and Other Nonsense"?

Also: Gerrard. Gerrard Gerrard Gerrard. Steeeeeeeeeevie Gerrard. (*cough* Chelsea. 40 million pounds. *cough*)

Because I've got a copyright on "Transfer Rumors etc" :D :D

[quentinc]

Exactly what kind of "speculation" are you envisioning, and why wouldn't that fit in the tried and true "Transfer Rumors, Lies, and Other Nonsense"?

Also: Gerrard. Gerrard Gerrard Gerrard. Steeeeeeeeeevie Gerrard. (*cough* Chelsea. 40 million pounds. *cough*)
I was sort of envisioning a place that was free from incessant discussion of the person that shouldn't be mentioned in this thread. Which is an embellished way of saying that I forgot about that sticky we had going.

[usscouse]

Jeezus!!!

[quentinc]

Jeezus!!!
Jesus...?

[nicephoras]

So, where do you think Gteven Serrard is going to go? Relsea, or Ceal Madrid?

[nicephoras]

Jeezus!!!

Sure, he's fast and immortal, but he's got a crap left foot.

[TruReds]

So, where do you think Gteven Serrard is going to go? Relsea, or Ceal Madrid?

Crappage. Try to follow the thread.

[soccer365-old]

Certainly Arsenal will be in the running to purchase Shaun Wright Phillips this summer but I wouldn't be surprised if Rafa makes an attempt to get the City player. He'll cost around 15M but we should be able to raise some funds with the sales of Kewell and Diouf.

[Bjornebye]

Summer temperatures and rainfall will be near normal. The hottest temperatures will occur in mid- to late August. Watch for a tropical storm in mid- to late July.

Stig

[Liverpool_SC]

I still want to see a speedy young central defender that Sami can help groom over the next year or two. If not Kompaney (sp), why not try for another very highly-rated youngster in Belgium: Oguicihi Onyewu. This young American center back is a physical monster (athletically superior to Jean-Alain Boumsong) and is rated as Standard Liege's best player and a best XI player in Belgium.

I would rather spend more money on such a player than go after the Shaun Wright-Phillips goose-chase. He is going to cost way too much. Especially if we fail to win Champions League and/or pip Everton for fourth place. Besides, I think that Luis Garcia and Steve Finnan along the right side is turning into a pretty good combination. Especially in the 451, where Luis has a lot of freedom.

To be honest, I would rather play around with trying to barter a year or two of Figo from Real Madrid instead of blowing the wad on SWP.

Sadly, we also may need to begin thinking about replacing Didi as well. I am sad in a way that it might come to that, but it may, as the contract talks keep dragging. One has to wonder if John Welsh is going to be stuck in the reserves until he is 28 - surely he is getting closer to making it into the first team (in domestic competition). There is also Diarra to be thinking about in that position.

Our left side midfield position seemed pretty weak until John Arne Riise got on his role. And left back looks fairly solid, with Traore and Warnock both developing into solid options at that position.

If we do continue our roll in Europe, it is going to be sad to see Biscan go. He has been a real force in our Champions League games this season.

I hope that in the Summer, Rafa is able to put a lot of time into thinking of ways to improve our defense on set pieces. I also hope that Carson develops very quickly so that we are not stuck with only one and a half options at 'keeper. I am concerned (based on his "stiffness") that Kirkland is always going to be delicate. Finally, I hope that our existing strikers figure out how better to play off one another. There have been few opportunities for these guys to train together in the first team, much less play together. So hopefully having a Summer and full preseason together (esp. without the Owen distraction) will make a big difference.

Depth:

'Keeper
Dudek (solid B)
Kirkland (B-)
Carson (?)
Luzi (C)

Right Back
Steve Finnan (B+)
Josemi (B-)
Jon Otsemobor (C)

Left Back
Djimi Traore (Defense:B+, Offense:C-)
Steven Warnock (B and appears to be rapidly improving)

Center Half
Sami Hyppia (A- unless he is facing Luis Boa Morte or his ilk)
Jamie Carragher (A- would be a solid A but for mediocre pace)
Djimi Troare (C)
Mauricio Pelligrino (B- so far)
*We badly need cover here*
Zak Whitbred (not ready)

Right Mid
Luis Garcia (B+- league, A- Europe)
Antonio Nunez (C+)
Vladimir Smicer (likely gone)
Richie Partridge (C-)

Left Mid
John Arne Riise (B to A- depending on form. This is definitely his best position)
Harry Kewell (B- based on average form)
Steven Warnock (C+ or B- so far)
Foy (?)

Central Midfield
Steven Gerrard (A+)
Xabi Alonso (A- or A)
Didi Hamann (A- could be gone)
Alou Diarra (sounds very promising based on performances for Lens)
Igor Biscan (likely gone)
Bruno Cheyrou (C)
Salif Diao (C-)
Tony Le Tallec (C-)
John Welsh (?)
Darren Potter (?)
Mannix, Smyth, etc

Striker
Fernando Morientes (A- so far)
Djibril Cisse (B+ so far - incomplete)
Milan Baros (B to B+ - not an elite striker of the Van Nistelrooy or Henry class)
Neil Mellor (B or B+ but does he have any more developing to do?)
Florient Sinama-Pongolle (B good sub, but not likely to ever be an elite starting forward)

The way I see it, we:
+ need to add depth to central defense. It would be great if the next signing could be a plus athlete so he could be a better complement to Sami or Jamie and help us defend better against very pacy counterattacking forwards
+ need to upgrade the 'keeper position if Carson is not ready.
+ need to add depth in central midfield (whether Welsh or Diarra are answers is yet to be seen)
+ add depth (optimally someone with tons of class for when Garcia or Riise are not in form, though I think that on their day, both players are excellent)
+ sort Harry Kewell out if it can be done or wash our hands of him. He needs to be a left-sided player and be content in that position for this to work.
+ maximize the utility of assets like Diouf, Diao, Cheyrou, etc in order to improve our situation at other positions (no need keeping them in the team if they are not going to work out at our club).
+ sort out our striker partnerships and maybe upgrade that position if necessary (my concern is that Baros - as a confidence player - needs to be an ever-present to be most effective. But I am not convinced that he is good enough to be an ever-present for a championship contender. Cisse is still raw, but obviously has a lot to offer. I don't think he would be an especially good bench player either. Morientes is the real thing. We need to find a partner who suits him and be fairly ruthless in doing so. Too bad we never got a chance to see a Michael Owen - Fernando Morientes partnership).

[soccer365-old]

Great post SC. I agree with a lot of what you said. I think Rafa is going to have to make some tough decisions this summer because quite frankly a lot of players have been inconsistent this season. As for Rafa bringing in some talented youngsters I really doubt it. I think Rafa is going to bring in proven talent. Players who have succeeded abroad playing for good teams. I just can't see Rafa going to Stevie G and saying "Next year I want to bring in a youngster from Belgium." Our captain would simply say, "Well....I won't be around to see it." Rafa has already felt the pressure to win in his first season. This summer he is going to do everything he can to bring in the best players for his system.

[Matt Clark]

Certainly Arsenal will be in the running to purchase Shaun Wright Phillips this summer but I wouldn't be surprised if Rafa makes an attempt to get the City player. He'll cost around 15M but we should be able to raise some funds with the sales of Kewell and Diouf.

Yeah, but once we've paid for his taxi, what about the transfer fee? ;)

[The Potter]

Yeah, but once we've paid for his taxi, what about the transfer fee? ;)


A quick young CB is a must. You could also do with another left footer to complement Risse.

[liverbird]

Summer temperatures and rainfall will be near normal. The hottest temperatures will occur in mid- to late August. Watch for a tropical storm in mid- to late July.

Stig

There is truly only one Stig!

[TruReds]

There is truly only one Stig!

Except there's also Stig Inge Bjornebye :D

http://www.sporting-heroes.net/files_football/BJORNEBYE_Stig_19981213_NF_R.jpg

[ise_bashis]

how about those lyon midfielders?

wiltord and that other black geezer... do you think that it would be a good buy?

[soccer365-old]

The way I see it, we:
+ need to add depth to central defense. It would be great if the next signing could be a plus athlete so he could be a better complement to Sami or Jamie and help us defend better against very pacy counterattacking forwards


Liverpool are ready to make a £5m bid for Birmingham's Matthew Upson, who is reported to be keen on a move to a bigger club to boost his England chances (Mirror).

[usscouse]

Summer temperatures and rainfall will be near normal. The hottest temperatures will occur in mid- to late August. Watch for a tropical storm in mid- to late July.

StigThat my young friend, was an old "Goon Show" joke. But Spike Milligan would end with "Further outlook, Fine, fine, fine...!"