Centre Backs, Man United Fail, Latest Rumours and Aquilani Only Cost £4.25m!
Monday, 10 August 09, 06:54 AM · Comments (15)
Good Afternoon Kopenders.
I hope you all had a good weekend and enjoyed watching Man United lose their first high profile game, a game in which Alex Ferguson was left fuming and Michael Owen showed everybody what he isn't capable of.
I'm going to start with our loss against Athletico. Ok, its probably not the best topic to start with on a Monday, but its best to just get out of the way. We started with both Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel injured, meaning Daniel Sanchez Ayala was played at centre back next to Carragher. It took less than 15 minutes before we were hit with a double blow when Ayala was caught ball watching, leaving Kun Aguero free to header Antonio Lopez's cross into the back of the net. San Jose was then substituted on in place of Jamie Carragher who had to limp of with an ankle injury - a subject I will touch on in a bit.
Speaking from a bias point of view, we were unlucky not to have been given a penalty in the 21st minute when Torres was blatantly fouled, but such is football I guess. With little more than half an hour gone, Diego Forlan was keen to show everybody why he is rated so highly in Europe by sending a peach of a curler past the despairing Reina. I'm probably going to have to pinch myself after saying this, but Lucas was one of our better players and it showed when the Brazilian calmly buried a Steven Gerrard through-ball in the 81st minute.
I can't say I'm surprised in all honesty, we never really do well in pre season games. The only thing that does worry me is the injuries we have sustained. I actually thought I was going to have a heart attack when Carragher was forced off the pitch with an ankle injury. The gafa spoke about the injury to Carragher and said that is was just a precautionary measure in taking him off. Rafa also admitted that they are working on getting Skrtel and Agger fit, but may have to explore the option of bringing in another defender or use one of the younger centre backs. Click here to read full article.
The Daily Mail reports that Benitez is interested in acquiring the services of Stoke centre back, Ryan Shawcross. Having already had a bid for Michael Turner turned down by Hull, Rafa looks set to try and capture the signature of yet another defensive player. Shawcross was a product of the Manchester United youth system but was released. However like all good players he bounced back and had an impressive first season at Stoke, helping the club gain promotion. With the possibility of this ridiculous 6 + 5 rule coming in, this could be a smart signing, but for the price of £5M, I would rather see the club make a cheeky bid for Micah Richards.
With the start of the season only days away things are not looking good, and with this international friendly coming up on Wednesday there is a possibility that 4 more players could join the ever growing injury list. The only solace us fans can take from the fact we have practically no central defenders, is the fact that Spurs have even less options than we do...
In other news, Roma have released the information surrounding the Aquilani deal. It seems that we have only paid an initial sum of £4.25M with the rest of the transfer fee being spread out over 2 to 5 years. Aquilani passed his medical but is currently out for 6 - 8 weeks after undergoing an ankle operation... One can only wonder how a physical on an injured player actually works. Whilst Rafa wasted little to no time in replacing Alonso *wipes tear*, I don't understand why he would purchase an injured player. Aquilani must really be something if the boss man paid so much for him. Personally I think Alberto will bring more of an attacking edge IF he stays fit, but that's a big IF. Rafa also spoke about Glen Johnson being his "Top Target", a comment which will no doubt confuse the fans. I don't understand Rafa sometimes. He is a great manager, there is no denying that, but he has a very negative outlook on the way that he sets up the team. Personally I would much rather have seen a top notch striker come in to partner Torres and play a more attacking formation. Fernando just looks so isolated upfront on his own, surely something has to be done about this.
Which leads us to this weeks Debate: Click here to join in.
Keep your eye on this blog during the next few days. There will be more links added for your viewing pleasure, and come Saturday I promise that this will be in full flow.
Till Tomorrow... Walk on, with hope in your heart.
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Posted by Neverwalkingalone
| Comments (15)
15 Comments · Add yours
From what i have seen Aquilani is a great player whebn fit and his name is Alberto not Roberto!!!
Yeah, when fit.
I have spoken to a few Italy fans, all seem to think he will be just a fringe player.
Time will tell.
Good spot by the way.
Alberto Aquilani is a good player. Nothing great but maybe at Liverpool he'll make that "raise". Alonso sure was very good when at Sociedad but became world class at Liverpool. The funny thing is neither Alonso or Aquilani are starters for their national sides. Senna is preferred to Alonso and Gattuso and Pirlo are preferred to Aquilani.
the centre back thing really is an issue. personally, i hope rafa takes this as an opportunity to bring through some of the young players. kelly has realy impressed me at both central and right defence. also, if we do manage to keep aquilani fit(fingers crossed) i think he'll be a good replacement for alonso.
is a good player,but i prefer xabi alonso!!!
Errrrr.... Man Utd didn't lose - they drew 2-2!
Did they go home with the trophy?
No!
That means they lost.
£4m for an Alonso replacement? Unbelieveable. Just how much money have we been wasting at Spurs in comparison? We're starting to get a grip, but had to splash a bit just in the nick of time to have a defence to try and deal with Torres and co. Personally I think you lot will be well in the race, but I'd be glad if you simply spank and take points away from our two local sky4 rivals. Good luck after Sunday.
Aquilani may just need a chance I mean look a Riera. No one really took note of him at Man City but he seems to be at home at liverpool. It all has to do with staying fit and playing in a system that suits you.
Oh Man U played like they were affraid of something and Chelsea palyed like they were hungry. Anceloti has brought the italian passion to Chelsea. Look i like Man U and hate Chelsea but that's just my analysis.
pity scousers.. they wanna win the charity shield but lost both pl and fa cups last season.. and ucl too.. what a loser.. lmao
hahaha i have to say i did enjoy watching manchester united losing and seeing alex ferguson's face (: i have to say i am quite worried about the central defence thing, but im sure rafa will come up with a genious solution *crosses fingers*. either that or martin skrtel will get fit again in time for spurs !
man.utd were over-confident..they're a strong club,yes everybody noes...but they'd lost bcoz of their over-confident action..in my opinion, they like to under-estimate other..(clubs)..
hey beegee...yes, they drew 2-2 but in football, dat means lost..to me, if liverpool draw wif other clubs, to me it's a big lost..it worry me a lot..=/..
oya,.im worry when liverpool's players having injuries...r they will get better soon??.
a
From what i have seen Aquilani is a great player whebn fit and his name is Alberto not Roberto!!!
Yeah, when fit.
I have spoken to a few Italy fans, all seem to think he will be just a fringe player.
Time will tell.
Good spot by the way.
Alberto Aquilani is a good player. Nothing great but maybe at Liverpool he'll make that "raise". Alonso sure was very good when at Sociedad but became world class at Liverpool. The funny thing is neither Alonso or Aquilani are starters for their national sides. Senna is preferred to Alonso and Gattuso and Pirlo are preferred to Aquilani.
the centre back thing really is an issue. personally, i hope rafa takes this as an opportunity to bring through some of the young players. kelly has realy impressed me at both central and right defence. also, if we do manage to keep aquilani fit(fingers crossed) i think he'll be a good replacement for alonso.
is a good player,but i prefer xabi alonso!!!
Errrrr.... Man Utd didn't lose - they drew 2-2!
Did they go home with the trophy?
No!
That means they lost.
£4m for an Alonso replacement? Unbelieveable. Just how much money have we been wasting at Spurs in comparison? We're starting to get a grip, but had to splash a bit just in the nick of time to have a defence to try and deal with Torres and co. Personally I think you lot will be well in the race, but I'd be glad if you simply spank and take points away from our two local sky4 rivals. Good luck after Sunday.
Aquilani may just need a chance I mean look a Riera. No one really took note of him at Man City but he seems to be at home at liverpool. It all has to do with staying fit and playing in a system that suits you.
Oh Man U played like they were affraid of something and Chelsea palyed like they were hungry. Anceloti has brought the italian passion to Chelsea. Look i like Man U and hate Chelsea but that's just my analysis.
pity scousers.. they wanna win the charity shield but lost both pl and fa cups last season.. and ucl too.. what a loser.. lmao
hahaha i have to say i did enjoy watching manchester united losing and seeing alex ferguson's face (: i have to say i am quite worried about the central defence thing, but im sure rafa will come up with a genious solution *crosses fingers*. either that or martin skrtel will get fit again in time for spurs !
man.utd were over-confident..they're a strong club,yes everybody noes...but they'd lost bcoz of their over-confident action..in my opinion, they like to under-estimate other..(clubs)..
hey beegee...yes, they drew 2-2 but in football, dat means lost..to me, if liverpool draw wif other clubs, to me it's a big lost..it worry me a lot..=/..
oya,.im worry when liverpool's players having injuries...r they will get better soon??.
a