The Liverpool Thread

[Alcaraz]

Tbf I think Chelsea do have a solid squad, one of the best keepers in the league, great wide players in Hazard and Willian who improved vastly last year and one of the best creative midfielders around in Cesc and with Batshuayi (spelling) coming in too that addresses striker issues if he settles. The problem for chelsea is that the spine needs work, a centre back is needed and someone for the pivot which if we are all being honest is an area they needed to strengthen for a while. These two signings need to be of first team quality, they make them signings they'll be in the mix they don't then they won't is how I see it.

This is essentially the same squad that romped to the EPL title with a month to spare. Not sure what rebuilding job we need. Everytime Chelsea have a poor season and sack a manager, suddenly everyone says how they need a rebuilding job.

 

[Alcaraz]

'Someone' being yourself. . You think you've a solid squad. I disagree. Is what it is.

The last part I'll leave and smile to save another go-around.

Why do you think our squad needs rebuilding? Which are the 5-6 positions where we desperately need new players? I have seen you make this statement for six months now and yet I have never heard you back it up when someone questions you. You can smile all you want Scouse but if you cannot back up this assertion of yours then stop making it to support your arguments because its getting downright frustrating now to see it over and over again.

 

[Tezzz]

Yes but the league is not the same as last season either. United have just gotten heck of a lot stronger with Mourinho and their player signings. City will also be much stronger with Pep. Tottenham should also go from strength to strength under Pochettino. Arsenal will be Arsenal and do their thing. And despite your reservations, Chelsea also do not have European football and should do much better than last season.

Plus as we all know, you can never discount any of the 'smaller' teams giving the big boys a run for their money!

I actually look forward to a further demise for United under Mourinho. I rekkon it'll be the refs vs United by at least Xmas, or De Gea is leaking tactics out to the press.

And I can't ******* wait. **** off Mourinho, **** off mourinho.

 

[epic terrorist]

This is essentially the same squad that romped to the EPL title with a month to spare. Not sure what rebuilding job we need. Everytime Chelsea have a poor season and sack a manager, suddenly everyone says how they need a rebuilding job.

You don't need a rebuilding job at all mate just address those two positions and maybe a right back too, unless you are going to play Baba left back and put dave back on the right I dunno, didn't watch Chelsea much last year I am just going off in thread people moaning about Brana a lot.

If you can sort the pivot out and that allows Cesc to do his thing you guys should be right in the mix and by all accounts it looks like you guys are addressing that with your pursuit of Nainggolan/Kante. If Hazard has his mojo back especially you guys will be dangerous.

edit - but I am curious Alcaraz, do you disagree with me that you don't need a CB and CM? LIke I say I don't think you need wholesale changes at all, and the squad is stacked you have some interesting youngsters especially but you definitely need first team quality players.

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

Why do you think our squad needs rebuilding? Which are the 5-6 positions where we desperately need new players? I have seen you make this statement for six months now and yet I have never heard you back it up when someone questions you. You can smile all you want Scouse but if you cannot back up this assertion of yours then stop making it to support your arguments because its getting downright frustrating now to see it over and over again.

Dude, aside from the fact this is opinion either way, and as such the 'backing up' line is complete bunkum, neither yourself nor anyone else has ever asked that question of me. So play the condescending, false **** with someone who does give a ****. That's one road you DON'T want to travel down.

That said, as you have now asked, in my opinion, you've glaring holes across the board, both in the starting XI and depth.

One position you are as strong as anyone, if not out on your own, is in goal. So no need to touch that. The defence however is another story. RB's a mess. Ivanovic has dropped off a cliff, with little else to replace him. Even inverting the Spaniard there, you'd be starting what should be depth in Rahman at LB. So you're at the least lacking depth behind him. And he ideally needs upgrading IMO. Centre half is even more of a cluster ****. You're bringing back Terry FFS. His influence might be sorely needed in that dressing room (more on that in a moment), but there comes a time when you just have to accept you can't cut it at this level. For the club, even if he won't, that time should be now. But he's currently in line to start with Zouma being out. Cahill has followed Ivanovic off that same cliff, so unless I'm missing someone, there's only Zouma coming back off his injury outside of those two VERY iffy vets. I actually like Pedro, so your wider options are sound with the excellent Willian and Hazard. Although the latter's attitude over the course of last year would be starting to ring alarm bells for me. But we disagree there as we have discussed previous so we'll move on. The middle is very weak to me. Matic is quality in his role if he regains his form, but there's no one of any note either backing him up or alongside him. Fabregas may come back to the fore, but he's dipped considerably the last few years and is coming off another very poor Euro's showing. Oscar? Great if you only want him to play the first 3 or 4 months of the year. Mikel is a useful squad player, but then you're down to inexperienced kids. Traore and Kennedy I know little about so I can't say what they may or may not become. Loftus-Cheek looks fairly promising, but has a ways to go to be anything like a regular. And up front you've even less. Costa I've never rated as anything approaching a top striker. Two good career years over a decade and more and never cutting it at all on the International stage does not a top striker make. Remy who should be decent depth doesn't get a look in at all for some reason. You've started to address that in the Belgium who a French friend tells me has the potential to be a very good forward, if currently well over priced. (Although that wouldn't bother me. It's the market today with the extra TV money.). So at least you're acknowledging that. But I wouldn't want to rely on him as the main man coming from Ligue 1. BIG step up to put that on his shoulders. Not least when he's still developing. You certainly need another at the least anyways.

So that's a a VERY light squad on quality, not only in depth, but in some key starting positions for me if you're seriously considering getting back up there. Certainly the worst by far IMHO of the now big 5. 6 if we say Tottenham's now in that traditional discussion. And after the disgraceful attitude of most of the players week in, week out last year just mailing it in and sulking, I'd be seriously concerned to the overall attitude within that camp with no real leaders there pulling everyone together in the Chelsea cause. But that's just me. Maybe Conte harmonises the group.

Don't see you as any sort of a threat to the top 4 spots at all as you currently stand but time will out on that.

This is of course just my opinion that I know from reading you greatly differs to your own. But thank you for finally asking. Do that earlier next time hey mate when you have a problem instead of letting things fester, then resorting to the arrogant **** and inferring things that never were?

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

Interesting look at some of the more promising U-18/ 21's that you wouldn't know much about without watching them. Myself included.

10 Liverpool academy players to keep an eye on in 2016/17 - This Is Anfield

 

[Alcaraz]

Dude, aside from the fact this is opinion either way, and as such the 'backing up' line is complete bunkum, neither yourself nor anyone else has ever asked that question of me. So play the condescending, false **** with someone who does give a ****. That's one road you DON'T want to travel down.

That said, as you have now asked, in my opinion, you've glaring holes across the board, both in the starting XI and depth.

One position you are as strong as anyone, if not out on your own, is in goal. So no need to touch that. The defence however is another story. RB's a mess. Ivanovic has dropped off a cliff, with little else to replace him. Even inverting the Spaniard there, you'd be starting what should be depth in Rahman at LB. So you're at the least lacking depth behind him. And he ideally needs upgrading IMO. Centre half is even more of a cluster ****. You're bringing back Terry FFS. His influence might be sorely needed in that dressing room (more on that in a moment), but there comes a time when you just have to accept you can't cut it at this level. For the club, even if he won't, that time should be now. But he's currently in line to start with Zouma being out. Cahill has followed Ivanovic off that same cliff, so unless I'm missing someone, there's only Zouma coming back off his injury outside of those two VERY iffy vets. I actually like Pedro, so your wider options are sound with the excellent Willian and Hazard. Although the latter's attitude over the course of last year would be starting to ring alarm bells for me. But we disagree there as we have discussed previous so we'll move on. The middle is very weak to me. Matic is quality in his role if he regains his form, but there's no one of any note either backing him up or alongside him. Fabregas may come back to the fore, but he's dipped considerably the last few years and is coming off another very poor Euro's showing. Oscar? Great if you only want him to play the first 3 or 4 months of the year. Mikel is a useful squad player, but then you're down to inexperienced kids. Traore and Kennedy I know little about so I can't say what they may or may not become. Loftus-Cheek looks fairly promising, but has a ways to go to be anything like a regular. And up front you've even less. Costa I've never rated as anything approaching a top striker. Two good career years over a decade and more and never cutting it at all on the International stage does not a top striker make. Remy who should be decent depth doesn't get a look in at all for some reason. You've started to address that in the Belgium who a French friend tells me has the potential to be a very good forward, if currently well over priced. (Although that wouldn't bother me. It's the market today with the extra TV money.). So at least you're acknowledging that. But I wouldn't want to rely on him as the main man coming from Ligue 1. BIG step up to put that on his shoulders. Not least when he's still developing. You certainly need another at the least anyways.

So that's a a VERY light squad on quality, not only in depth, but in some key starting positions for me if you're seriously considering getting back up there. Certainly the worst by far IMHO of the now big 5. 6 if we say Tottenham's now in that traditional discussion. And after the disgraceful attitude of most of the players week in, week out last year just mailing it in and sulking, I'd be seriously concerned to the overall attitude within that camp with no real leaders there pulling everyone together in the Chelsea cause. But that's just me. Maybe Conte harmonises the group.

Don't see you as any sort of a threat to the top 4 spots at all as you currently stand but time will out on that.

This is of course just my opinion that I know from reading you greatly differs to your own. But thank you for finally asking. Do that earlier next time hey mate when you have a problem instead of letting things fester, then resorting to the arrogant **** and inferring things that never were?

Never inferred anything mate. I can point out several times when you said Chelsea needed a rebuilding job and not back it up when questioned. Maybe you never noticed or it was a misunderstanding which does get annoying. If you found my post confrontational then I do apologise, it was never my intention.

Back to squad discussions then. Our goalkeeper position is excellent. Defense needs 2 players and thats the only part where I agree with you. Fabregas and Matic are world-class midfielders when on form. Mikel is good if unspectacular depth. Oscar is a very talented player albeit inconsistent. RLC is up and coming and good depth. At most we need one first team player here and maybe some squad players if we sell anyone.

Up front now. You said the same about Diego Costa when he first arrived in England. 'Oh he only had one good season, he is not a top striker'. Then he went and led us to the EPL title. Even last season he scored 16 goals when we were absolute wank. By that logic, Sturridge is also not a top striker as he too only had two good seasons and never really lit up the international stage. Remy is going to be sold and Falcao/Pato left which is why we need players here especially if Conte sticks two up front. You also forget we have the very talented Bertrand Traore who was wonderful whenever given a chance next season.

Add to that some of the excellent youngsters coming through. I already mentioned RLC and Betrand Traore. We also have Christensen and Kenedy. Whether they get a chance or not is besides the point. They are available and good enough to play if need be.

So at most, we need 4 new players one of whom has already been bought. That hardly constitutes a major rebuild. If thats your definition of a rebuilding job, clubs will be having one every summer.

 

[Alcaraz]

You don't need a rebuilding job at all mate just address those two positions and maybe a right back too, unless you are going to play Baba left back and put dave back on the right I dunno, didn't watch Chelsea much last year I am just going off in thread people moaning about Brana a lot.

If you can sort the pivot out and that allows Cesc to do his thing you guys should be right in the mix and by all accounts it looks like you guys are addressing that with your pursuit of Nainggolan/Kante. If Hazard has his mojo back especially you guys will be dangerous.

edit - but I am curious Alcaraz, do you disagree with me that you don't need a CB and CM? LIke I say I don't think you need wholesale changes at all, and the squad is stacked you have some interesting youngsters especially but you definitely need first team quality players.

Agree with you completely. We need a CB, CM, ST and FB. Already addressed one of those positions. Hardly a major rebuild imo. People forget this is exactly the same squad that romped to the EPL title just a year ago. A title winning squad does not need a major rebuild overnight.

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

Never inferred anything mate. I can point out several times when you said Chelsea needed a rebuilding job and not back it up when questioned. Maybe you never noticed or it was a misunderstanding which does get annoying.....

Then the stage is yours. Please, feel free to show me.

If I'm legitimately mistaken and I have been asked/ been perceived to of just ignored that question I'll readily apologise. (Not that I should have to on an ambiguous message board but you want to push this line then so be it.).

Good luck all the same with your search I'm sure you'll now do. In the interests of the all important 'backing up' thing and all right?

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

.....
Up front now. You said the same about Diego Costa when he first arrived in England. 'Oh he only had one good season, he is not a top striker'.....

I wasn't aware I know you off of here, as I presume I must being as I joined this site the summer after you signed Costa yet you apparently are sure of my views on him when he was signed.

What's your name again? I hate forgetting friends.

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

.....

So I was thinking the other day, whatever happened to the proposed Base 'meet?' Or did it never get off the ground?

I'd be even more open to that in a year with no European trips mate if others were likeminded.

 

[Alcaraz]

Then the stage is yours. Please, feel free to show me.

If I'm legitimately mistaken and I have been asked/ been perceived to of just ignored that question I'll readily apologise. (Not that I should have to on an ambiguous message board but you want to push this line then so be it.).

Good luck all the same with your search I'm sure you'll now do. In the interests of the all important 'backing up' thing and all right?

I have no reason to do a search. This site is not conducive to conducting one. If you are forgetting then just flip back the pages in the Chelsea thread. This happened very very recently (2 weeks ago maybe if memory serves me right). Also back to the original point, I see you conveniently ignored my counter argument on why Chelsea does not need a rebuild which settles the matter in any case

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

I have no reason to do a search. This site is not conducive to conducting one. If you are forgetting then just flip back the pages in the Chelsea thread. This happened very very recently (2 weeks ago maybe if memory serves me right). Also back to the original point, I see you conveniently ignored my counter argument on why Chelsea does not need a rebuild which settles the matter in any case

How convenient. But others need to 'back up' their posts to you. Funny how that happen's huh?

I seriously don't get you man. You never know when to quit when it's long past time to walk away from something and just deflect whilst digging a deeper hole for yourself. You're a smart guy as far as I can tell. Educated. You often make some very salient points that you present well. But sadly more often, presumably because you like playing games as it happens with a multitude of different posters, you think you're a lot smarter than you are and come off as being a complete ****.

Don't be that guy mate. It's not becoming of you.

 

[Tezzz]

I can point out several times when you said Chelsea needed a rebuilding job and not back it up when questioned.

I have no reason to do a search. This site is not conducive to conducting one. If you are forgetting then just flip back the pages in the Chelsea thread.

Wondering why you refuse to quote scouses posts despite being so sure of them?

 

[Mike.]

'Someone' being yourself. . You think you've a solid squad. I disagree. Is what it is.

The last part I'll leave and smile to save another go-around.

You can't have it both ways Scouse, they either can do it or they cant, and Pep having seamlessly transitioned in two leagues, its bizzare to say otherwise against him fitting in first time based on evidence.

 

[Mike.]

Also this site isnt RAWK, or Redcafe, or weaintgotnohistory. Stop acting like baseline moronic fans, season hasn't even started yet.

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

You can't have it both ways Scouse, they either can do it or they cant, and Pep having seamlessly transitioned in two leagues, its bizzare to say otherwise against him fitting in first time based on evidence.

Well, we'll know soon enough either way.

6 weeks this weekend until we start all over agin. Can't come soon enough.

 

[epic terrorist]

So I was thinking the other day, whatever happened to the proposed Base 'meet?' Or did it never get off the ground?

I'd be even more open to that in a year with no European trips mate if others were likeminded.

I forgot all about that, thread got buried in general chat forum, its something that can easily be arranged though, just need a good time and central enough location for everyone

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

I forgot all about that, thread got buried in general chat forum, its something that can easily be arranged though, just need a good time and central enough location for everyone

I'd be up for it if something got boxed off that fit everyone interested. And smaller numbers wouldn't be a bad thing at all if there wasn't the interest.

 

[epic terrorist]

I'd be up for it if something got boxed off that fit everyone interested. And smaller numbers wouldn't be a bad thing at all if there wasn't the interest.

yeah I wouldn't expect a massive turnout but so long as it was say 10 or so I would be happy to come along, its just the when and the where for me right now. I am so busy right now working and planning a new business venture (why the **** I am taking a year out of uni to go self employed is anyones guess), but have to guage interest and see the lay of the land