We welcome Konchesky and Meireles, straight swaps for Insua and Mascherano. In my view both of these are an improvement.
But yet again Babel stays and I’m glad for one. I know there are many more of you out there that are glad to see the Dutchman stay, and many more who are a little gutted. We must sit back and review this though.
Since he arrived, Babel has not shown us what he can do, day in day out. We see glimpses of his wizardry and when he does show it, it tends to be a brilliant goal and we think “why don’t you do that day in day out!”.
The reason we have not see the best of Ryan is simple really, he has never been given the chance to play where he was playing before he was signed, up front! The goals he has scored for us over the past few years, have said it all, he collects the ball with his back to goal, turns and puts his laces through it, power, accuracy, goal. Where does he collect the ball, in a strikers position, not on the left. If he gets it out there, he bumbles his way down the line and once in a blue moon finds someone. He is wasteful in possession on the left and wasted being played on the left.
Play him up front Roy, with Torres, not only will he leather the lay off’s but he will provide them as well. I see it like this. He could sit in the pocket in front of the oppositions back line, receive the ball to feet, chest or head lay it back to an on coming Gerrard, turn and shoot, or turn and slide it through. if he had been doing this for 3 years, Ryan would be hero by now and comparisons to Bergkamp would not surprise me! Torres meanwhile being doing what I call a Rushie, sitting on the last man waiting for his chance to make that diagonal run beyond the defence, then shoot or knock it square to either winger, Gerrard or Babel as they come up in support (hopefully passing to Torres and then following through and not standing there admiring there pass!).
I could go into greater detail about tactics and how it would fit together in different scenarios, but I do not have the Sky sports computer programme or patience to write book!
I’m glad that we kept babel but not bringing in another striker is a huge blow, once again we ask what happened to the money? We spent only about half of what we brought in.
Each club must submit its 25-man squad tommorrow and on my current count we will be submitting a squad of only 18 or 19 surely thats just to thin. I know we have some good young players but surely we should have a squad of 20+ senior players.
I cant agree more Babel has been overlooked completely and has HUGE potential, He must get more game time to show what he can really do.
I too think Babel should be played up front… I’m scheptical about the youngsters that Roy is booting out though. Dalla Vallle & Plessis was said to be tallent for the future and I’m left wondering if Roy dosn’t rate them or can’t be bothered to see them play. I thought Plessis looked good as a DMF, and neva saw Dalle play. I know that Raffa was neva too sure about them being in the first team but it is a bit soon for Roy to get them out.
I dont know about any else but im worried about where our club is headed.The fact we failed to sign a striker in this window is a signal we are falling behind further.Not having back up for torres was the main problem we needed sorted this has not been addressed.Being linked to carlton cole didn excite me he is not good enough for the pool.we need money, we need them yanks out.I dont want to see us turn into madrid buying players for the sake of buying and not having a team just good individuals.I do want us to be able to compete for players when we need too and should be able too.we are liverpool.
liverpool til i die.
A underwhelming transfer window…we’ve not solved the two problems we have…creativity going forward and a second striker to complement Torres. Joe Cole may have some creativity but he’s not world class. Not buying a second striker however is suicidal and after last season it should have been our priority. All in all it doesn’t look good again for the new season and it’s another missed opportunity. It also looks like we’ll be losing Torres sooner rather than later…if not through injury at the next transfer window. The only consolation is that Spurs didn’t buy quality this window but I can’t see us keeping the pace with the likes of Utd and Chelsea. Could it be that that there’s no buyer in sight for LFC and that the Board decided to cut down on costs to satisfy RBS?
I dont know about any else but im worried about where our club is headed.The fact we failed to sign a striker in this window is a signal we are falling behind further.Not having back up for torres was the main problem we needed sorted this has not been addressed.Being linked to carlton cole didn excite me he is not good enough for the pool.we need money, we need them yanks out.I dont want to see us turn into madrid buying players for the sake of buying and not having a team just good individuals.I do want us to be able to compete for players when we need too and should be able too.we are liverpool.
liverpool til i die.
This was a transfer window that ultimately showed us exactly where we stand. No proven back up striker for our brilliant but injury prone Torres. No real creative player in the final third that could help us unlock a stubborn defense. Wide players that all operate in exactly the same fashion ie cutting inside and taking away our width.
I’m not one to jump on the doom & gloom trail but this season is shaping up as a very difficult one. I don’t see us challenging for 4th, rather I think we’ll be in the mix for the Europa spots.
Under the circumstances (ours!), I think we have done fairly well. Yes, we still need a striker and someone WILL arrive. I find the acquisitions we have made are all positive. I am also happy the team has more ‘England’ content (with or without home grown quotas). Not all will agree with me, but I would have loved Carlton Cole to join us. He would be an excellent partner for Torres and his workrate up front is second to none in my view (and yes, he is another England candidate).
I totally agree…..now, who knows Roy so we can tell him?
glad all of this stupidity is over so we can focus on getting down to work ..
And then you know what guys, many have been saying Babel should be played up front, so why not give him a run of games to partner Torres and prove his worth. Having said that, the market window is no closed, but we can still get strikers ‘on loan’ with option to purchase….so it’s not totally over yet!
Glad that babel is staying. Quality player. C.Cole aint LFC material.
Hmm Tonio but for how long ?
we all know where we are and where we stand. in january we were promised that the problems will be sorted out in summer. since robbie keane we haven’t bought a striker … now we just hope torres won’t get injured again. in the meantime, i prefer that we didnt buy c.cole … and didnt sell babel. i guess babel, if given a chance, will prove as a new signing. we must give him and pacheco a chance. but there we are … more sold players than signings. … we are even short in the 25 men squad. it’s true chelsea and utd didnt buy … but i guess there is a difference in the quality of the players. don’t know where we’re heading. we lived in dreams for two/three months hoping that a quality world class player will come. the issue from today … the new investment. it’s obvious. us supporters … all we do is HOPE. :(