Next year's preferred central midfield

[OC Red]

We've all seen how Xabi plays the midfield. Stevie obviously prefers the middle of the pitch to the wing. Javi has come on and is going like gangbusters. Momo, well he's Momo. So the question is, what is the preferred pairing for next year?

Myself, I'd like to see Stevie and Javi as the preferred central partnership. I really like the high motor and energy that Javi provides, while still playing under control and completing passes, something Momo doesn't yet seem to grasp. Stevie is Stevie. Dynamic, passionate, and with that bullet shot that he finally pulled out yesterday against Boro. I think his passing is somewhat forgotten, but he is as good as Xabi. I drop Momo because, while he is a master at distrupting the attacking flow of our opponents, he disrupts our own attacking flow with equal aplumb. I'm not ready to give up on him yet, but he needs seasoning. I might even go so far as to loan him out to get more experience. Xabi is rock solid, but one thing that I cannot get over is the relatively slow pace at which he plays the game. I'm sure this has to do with his Spanish roots, but I'd like to see him play with a bit more urgency.

[AussieLFCfan]

Next season's midfield - Hopefully:D

Alves(Pennant)----Gerrard(Sissoko)-----Alonso(Masch)----Simao(Kewell)

Looks quite promising if I do say so myself. ;)

[ULL NEVER WALK ALONE]

well, it realy depends on what happens in the summer........as much as i want a striker, i think what we realy need is world class wingers.....alves could be a choice, but rather than simao(who is in the garcia mould) i would go after vicente. my sritker would be iaquinta and the rest of the money for the wingers.

now back to the question, will xabi go or not???....will rafa pay the 10 million to sign mascherano??...i think mascherano should be our first summer signing, and then think of the rest.

hopefully well be able to see more of Paul Anderson/Hammill this year.

[SiriuslyCold]

where's Xabi going?

we need a winger but Pennant seems to have turned a corner or something lately - certainly a lot more confidence

[adammac19]

now back to the question, will xabi go or not???....will rafa pay the 10 million to sign mascherano??...i think mascherano should be our first summer signing, and then think of the rest.


The number that is going around is 16m quid after the end of next season when the loan is up so I dont see us signing him on perment basis until the end of next season. I would like to think that we would sign a winger with the ability to play both flanks so it can give us options. Simao or Quresma would fit the role nicley.

As for the middle I think Alonso is a key part, he is a good tackling and his passing ability helps set the tempo and gets the other players out wide into the game and with new winger this is important. I always found that when Xabi wasnt in the line-up we seem to not play as well so I would think him and Stevie are going to be first choice but who knows what Rafa got in store.

[Ghostface]

Call me a purest but Gerrard, Xabi, Mascherano, Garcia is just fine by me. Not to mention Pennant has been absolute class for the last 8 or so games. I'd much rather see money well spent on that great constant striker we need then add even more depth to our already top class midfield. But depending on who leaves (Xabi, Garcia, Lord knows what will happen to Kewell next season..), a solid Midfield signing may be neccasary.