Pretty decent team - the left side of midfield is the concern.

Its good to know that we have good back up in Kelly, Shelvey and even Cole back at the club

first team i agree with, but for subs coates ahead of carragher and tempted to try sterling ahead of downing unless downing can seriously pull his finger out this season. i'd also include pacheco often on the bench as he's impressed me in the 2 games so far.

Yes i think its a decent squad. Especially with the likes of Downing, Henderson and Shelvey. Shelvey impressed me again last night i thought he did well.

One thing to note though from looking at the squad if Carroll does go i still think we would be short up top and would have to bring in another striker to boost the squad.

Then again i ahve just noticed i have not included pacheco in this list so maybe he will figure this year - again, he did well last night i thought

Same system as last few games:-

-----------------------------------Reina---------------------------------
--------------------Skrtel----------------------Agger------------------
Johnson------------------------------------------------------Enrique
----------------------------------Lucas---------------------------------
-------------------Gerrard-------------------Adam------------------
-------Suarez--------------------------------------------Downing--
----------------------------------Carroll--------------------------------

Doni
Kelly
Coates
Henderson
Aquilani
Bellamy
Borini

Gerrard needs to rediscover his best form

I'd argue a swap for Henderson in - Adam out TOOR

LlvL

I would swap Adam - out, Aqua - in. Just hoping that if Carrol goes we get someone and put a bid in for (again) Gaston Ramirez or a part money/part swap for Demba Ba

I think Adam's creativity is needed for this system. People keep saying such and such player isn't suited to Brendan's system, as they think the players are just going to be passing and moving the whole way down the pitch. However this doesn't work, you need players who can penetrate, score goals and assist, Adam does both of these. You can't have every player, a short pass and move player, you also need penetration. Adam had eleven assists in twenty-seven appearances last season and a few goals to boot.

Henderson needs to be a squad player, get more experience over the season and try to improve knocking one of the three out of the team.

.................Reina
Johnson..Skrtel..Agger..Enrique
............Gerrard.....Lucas
.................Aquilani
..Downing........Borini......Suarez

i also think joe cole could do a good job in the aquilani position. in the middle he could come alive. one thing is for sure we have plenty of options in midfield and up front, but i'm no sure how good these options are.

Adam and Gerrard offensively would be good an a three man midfield, but I would question their ability to press the opposition effectively like BR wants.

I'm assuming this is why Allen, who can press and keep the ball, is rumoured to be wanted by BR.

If we sign Allen then I don't think Adam will get near the team. I fully expect him to be sold but I doubt anyone would match his wages.

-----------------------------------Reina---------------------------------
--------------------Skrtel----------------------Agger------------------
Johnson------------------------------------------------------Enrique
----------------------------------Lucas---------------------------------
-------------------Gerrard-------------------Aquilani----------------
-------Suarez--------------------------------------------Cole--
----------------------------------Borini--------------------------------

Carrol won't be first choice if he does stay, and I suspect the Cole will get in on the left ahead of Downing or Pacheco (if the latter stays). Allen would play in midfield instead of Aquilani or Adam, but I haven't included him as he has yet to sign. Aquilani is better than Adam, so I've plumped for him.

I would not be impressed if Cole is playing on the left as our 1st choice.

We have Downing, Bellamy, Pacheco, Suarez and Sterling who can all do a better job there.

Cole is back up at best in my view.

Cobnob (U12084)

How can you say that? I find it bizarre that you think that Pacheco and, to a lesser extent, Sterling can do a better job there than Joe Cole.

What do you base that on?

I was genuinely thrilled when Cole signed for us. If he can recapture his previous form, he could really do a job for us. He played well for Lille, so I'd be happy to let him have a go until January.

Pacheco has played really well in the pre season, has worked really hard and has pace, some say Cole played well last night, he had a few good touches but was not that good. He was blowing out of his arssse and hardly worked off the ball, he is a massive luxary.

I may have been exagerating with Sterling.

Pacheco works in this system, he has much more natural talent than Cole. Managers who play good football appear to rate him highly.

I was really excited when Cole signed for us. The red card against Arsenal, which was never a red card, knocked him, in my opinion. He then tried too hard to force it. I think he should be kept on as a squad player and if he gets his performance levels up to where they should be, he stays, if not, moved on in January.

"I think Adam's creativity is needed for this system. People keep saying such and such player isn't suited to Brendan's system, as they think the players are just going to be passing and moving the whole way down the pitch. However this doesn't work, you need players who can penetrate, score goals and assist, Adam does both of these. You can't have every player, a short pass and move player, you also need penetration. Adam had eleven assists in twenty-seven appearances last season and a few goals to boot. "

You have Gerrard for that.
You need someone who will keep possession as well and i think Henderson is better suited than Adam

comment by Leiva la vida Lucas (U2720)
posted 28 seconds ago
"I think Adam's creativity is needed for this system. People keep saying such and such player isn't suited to Brendan's system, as they think the players are just going to be passing and moving the whole way down the pitch. However this doesn't work, you need players who can penetrate, score goals and assist, Adam does both of these. You can't have every player, a short pass and move player, you also need penetration. Adam had eleven assists in twenty-seven appearances last season and a few goals to boot. "

You have Gerrard for that.
You need someone who will keep possession as well and i think Henderson is better suited than Adam
=--------------------------------------------------------------
Lucas and Gerrard can keep possession, Adam is better at assisting, as proved last season. Gerrard needs to change his game, as he can no longer be a box to box player. He needs to play in front of Lucas, helping to break up play and move the ball onto the wings and attack.

I dont know TOOR.

For me Gerrard and Adam need 2 players behind them for them to be at their best in a midfield 3.

And also i believe in a midfield 3 you must have:

1. Your defensive minded midfielder
2. Your passer and dictator
3. Your high-tempo midfilder to provide the movement and pressing upfront.

So for me its either Gerrard or Adam and never both

For me, you need a player who sits back, breaks up play and moves the ball onto the player who is an all-rounder, who can pass the ball and break up play. You also need a player who gets forward and creates, as well as scoring.

I dont trust Gerrard for the passer role.

I do, although I think a bit of adapting needs to be done, not just for the team but for his long-term future, just like Scholes had to do.

I would like to see Lucas, Aqua and Shelvey given a half together against spurs.

Cobnob;

Pacheco works in this system, he has much more natural talent than Cole. Managers who play good football appear to rate him highly.
------------------------

Absolute bollox. Cole is widely regarded as having natural talent coming out of every orifice.

He has been on loan 3 times and scored 2 goals. Athletico did not even play him. He always does well pre-season but that does not mean anything.

Find me a manager that has backed him in top level football. I find your comments genuinely bizarre and it looks as though you have based the opinion on 45 minutes of football.