View Full Version : Bugger ...
Matt Clark
30 Jul 2003, 08:41 AM
Hamann out till November (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N141184030730-1304.htm)
That makes the midfield an interesting place now.
Mattbro
30 Jul 2003, 08:59 AM
Language, Timothy.
fatboy slim-fast
30 Jul 2003, 09:32 AM
this is great, no Gerard or Hamann vs Chelsea....so would this mean Cheyrou and Murphy in the middle with Kewell on the left and Diouff on the right or is there a better option?
Matt Clark
30 Jul 2003, 09:40 AM
It's going to have to be something like Diao and Murphy in the middle, with Kewell and Diouf either side. Or possibly even Carra as the holding midfielder.
kopiteinkc
30 Jul 2003, 09:56 AM
Originally posted by Matt Clark
Hamann out till November (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N141184030730-1304.htm)
That makes the midfield an interesting place now.
This really is terrible news. Let's hope the surgery goes well and he comes back in November fully fit.
I am really depressed right now. Gerrard just misses the one match, but that Chelsea midfield is getting stronger by the day. Veron is next I hear.
Let's hope they haven't had time to gell for the first match and Murphy plays a blinder. Kewell is gonna have to hit the ground running too.
I agree with Kewell - Diao - Murphy - Diouf for the first match, with Gerrard coming in for Diao in the second match.
Lanky134
30 Jul 2003, 10:06 AM
We'll get through OK. Those who have been suggesting that Didi should be on his way out while we can still get some value for him can now see what we can do without him for an extended period.
It looks like the Kewell signing will be more importand than previously thought, because Gerrard will have to drop back into Didi's role.
Theo
30 Jul 2003, 10:23 AM
maybe Diao is ready to really step up, as in the World Cup.
i guess he'll have to do that against Chelsea (a midfield of...what...Geremi, Duff, Veron, Lampard, Petit...ooops, i guess they all can't play at once)
kopiteinkc
30 Jul 2003, 10:32 AM
Originally posted by Theo
maybe Diao is ready to really step up, as in the World Cup.
i guess he'll have to do that against Chelsea (a midfield of...what...Geremi, Duff, Veron, Lampard, Petit...ooops, i guess they all can't play at once)
Like I said, maybe the best time to play them is early in the season. If they begin to play as a unit that is a tough midfield to overcome.
A trashing by the Reds in their first match should put a kink in their plans :)
fatboy slim-fast
30 Jul 2003, 10:41 AM
Originally posted by Theo
maybe Diao is ready to really step up, as in the World Cup.
i guess he'll have to do that against Chelsea (a midfield of...what...Geremi, Duff, Veron, Lampard, Petit...ooops, i guess they all can't play at once)
i will be laughing the hardest is that midfield doesn't gel at all!
RedKnight
30 Jul 2003, 10:58 AM
Originally posted by Matt Clark
Hamann out till November (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N141184030730-1304.htm)
That makes the midfield an interesting place now.
What about Carra and Diao vying for that midfield spot? Not ideal in either case--but the ideal is out until November. . .
----
kopiteinkc
30 Jul 2003, 11:42 AM
Originally posted by RedKnight
What about Carra and Diao vying for that midfield spot? Not ideal in either case--but the ideal is out until November. . .
----
This is possible, but I think it is more likely we'll see Gerrard and Murphy in the middle.
They could do this as a "two-way" midfield without a holding midfielder or have Gerrard play deeper in the (Didi) holding role.
Then you have Diouf on the right and Kewell on the left. If Smicer stays on form he'll pressure Harry to perform right from the outset.
kopiteinkc
30 Jul 2003, 12:14 PM
Originally posted by fatboy slim-fast
i will be laughing the hardest is that midfield doesn't gel at all!
I think there is a lot of fans who are thinking this :D
655321
30 Jul 2003, 12:18 PM
Gerrard and Murphy would clearly be the best option until Didi comes back. Gerrard taking the main defensive role, and Murphy doing what Stevie would normally do. Kewell and a settled Diouf on the wings ain't too bad.
I hope it never get's to the point that we're putting in Carragher as center mid.
Matt Clark
30 Jul 2003, 01:01 PM
Originally posted by RedKnight
What about Carra and Diao vying for that midfield spot? Not ideal in either case--but the ideal is out until November. . .
----
Well, we're only talking about one vacant spot in all but the Chelsea game. Once SG is back from suspension, he will play. In the Chelski match, we will have to wait and see. Personally, I think Diao will be most likely to play, although Biscan hs been getting a lot of attention from GH recently - and it was that position he was signed to cover. Carra would be third choice, although by no means a bad one. It's where he started out (scoring a goal on his debut, remember? That's right - Carra! A goal!) and it is where he spent his entire England U-21 career.
Above and beyond that one game, the only tried partnership we have at senior level without Didi is the SG/DM one. Including away at the Skip, so I guess we can mark that as "Approved". I should imagine the midfield until Didi's return will be something like
Diouf - Murphy - Gerrard - Kewell
Which is not bad at all ...
655321
30 Jul 2003, 01:56 PM
Originally posted by Matt Clark
Carra would be third choice, although by no means a bad one. It's where he started out (scoring a goal on his debut, remember? That's right - Carra! A goal!) and it is where he spent his entire England U-21 career.
True, but I think we can all agree that Carra at center mid would mean that our bench is thoroughly worn out.
LiverpoolFanatic
30 Jul 2003, 02:23 PM
I think I'd prefer Carra at d-mid to Diao. Carra is good defensively and very versatile. Diao had too many lapses last season for my tasts. Perhaps a season in the Premiership will have helped him, but I'll not be convinced until he shows it.
kopiteinkc
30 Jul 2003, 02:52 PM
Originally posted by LiverpoolFanatic
I think I'd prefer Carra at d-mid to Diao. Carra is good defensively and very versatile. Diao had too many lapses last season for my tasts. Perhaps a season in the Premiership will have helped him, but I'll not be convinced until he shows it.
Funny LF, all this time on BS and previous posts on SAG (do you still post there?) and this is the first time I have ever disagreed with you.
I have never seen Carra play there, so maybe he could do it. Diao is our defensive mid. of the future. It seems the future starts now. Well at least for one match anyway and then Stevie G is back from suspension.
LiverpoolFanatic
30 Jul 2003, 03:03 PM
How dare you disagree with me. ;)
No I don't post at SAG anymore it went downhill. I just think Carra is versatile enough to do it. IIRC he was a striker at one point very early in his career.
kopiteinkc
30 Jul 2003, 04:08 PM
Originally posted by LiverpoolFanatic
How dare you disagree with me. ;)
I can live with that, especially as you have the best signature line on BigSoccer.
Carragher and Owen up front it is. Let's see Wildman on that one! :D
kopiteinkc
30 Jul 2003, 04:40 PM
Back to the point about Carragher vs Diao (assuming Didi gone and Gerrard suspended or some other reason)
I think Diao is the better passer of the ball and while Carragher's defensive qualities would be an attribute in that position, you still need a certain amount of creativity in midfield (even in the defender role). I think Diao has that and Carragher doesn't.
I'd be glad for Jamie to prove me wrong as he is a solid pro who deserves first team football.