well ill be suprised ifnwe dont buy a fullback this summer

is enrique ever going to recover, seems serious

as much as it would disappoint me, I could see us looking for a replacement for Johnson.

I don't think we could find better but he's getting to an age where it might be necessary

hes not been great this season though, been very good last of games mind tho

interesting summer ahead

Johnson has been great now he is back fully fit.

I reckon he might still sign a new deal after the World Cup, on reduced terms obviously.

If he does then I can't see us signing a right back.

You can't replace players based on their performances in a injury hit season, that's crazy, for two reasons. One he could come back to the good player he was and two, his value would have dropped.

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I reckon we might loan Wisdom back to Derby if they get promoted.

Or another Prem club if they don't.

He will only be 21 next season and another full season on loan would be better for him than making 10 appearances for us IMO.

i think hed of played over flanno had he been here possibly

I'm still not sold on Wisdom as a full back. Like Flanagan he doesn't do enough in attack. In our system we need attacking full backs not solid one's. However there's certainly games when we need to change it up.

For me Wisdom is a centre back, you can see it clear as day.

yeah, i agree, but its useful that hes had this time played at rb incase of injuries in the future ect

comment by There'sOnlyOneReds(Spurs 0-5 LFC Know you... (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 22 minutes ago
I'm still not sold on Wisdom as a full back. Like Flanagan he doesn't do enough in attack. In our system we need attacking full backs not solid one's. However there's certainly games when we need to change it up.

For me Wisdom is a centre back, you can see it clear as day.
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I'm not sure how true that is. Our attack is better than any in the league, its our defense that is the problem. Id prefer a solid back 4 who don't attack, so that the offensive players can do their thing, over 2 full backs who leave the centre halves exposed.

comment by Igor Biscan's Missing Goal Celebration (U15416)
posted 17 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneReds(Spurs 0-5 LFC Know you... (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 22 minutes ago
I'm still not sold on Wisdom as a full back. Like Flanagan he doesn't do enough in attack. In our system we need attacking full backs not solid one's. However there's certainly games when we need to change it up.

For me Wisdom is a centre back, you can see it clear as day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not sure how true that is. Our attack is better than any in the league, its our defense that is the problem. Id prefer a solid back 4 who don't attack, so that the offensive players can do their thing, over 2 full backs who leave the centre halves exposed.
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That's the problem though. When the full backs don't attack, it doesn't allow our wide players to come in. When our wide players come in and they have the option of the full back overlapping, their defence becomes stretched and that allows Suarez and Sturridge to get much needed space which would be closed up as a tactic by most managers in the league, if they had the chance.

It allows allows us to pen them in and hassle them further up the pitch.

The other problem with no having fullbacks who are good in attack is that we lose the ball high up the pitch due to them not knowing or having the ability pull defenders away and get the ball into the spaces it creates for the attackers and we have only the two centre backs to be got at, if there is a quick break or a clever long pass.

It's much to simplistic to say what you're saying, it's sort of like when people scream, we need a goal and he brings on a midfielder instead of a striker!

Rodriguez

There'sOnlyOneReds

I'm afraid I disagree and part of that is that the last couple of games we've not played with wide players at all and still scored 9 goals with Flanno barely crossing the half way line.

I'm not sure BR is that into Enrique either and were it not for the fact he is left footed I'm not sure he'd get back in. He does provide balance though.

For me you don't have to be a great attacking full back but rather know when to push forward and create the space you mention and when not to, be that as an option to drag a defender with you or to actually receive that pass.

As iCraft said Flanno is actually very good positionally and does this well.

I actually think Flanagan will rack up hundreds of games for us and BR compared him to Steve Nicol which is high praise indeed.

You can say on paper we haven't played with wide players but when we have attacked we have played wide. The full backs have pushed up, the 'wide midfidlers' have dropped in, whilst the attacking midfielder and one of Sturridge or Suarez have went wide. This has been highly successful in an attacking sense.

I don't think Flanagan is as good positionally as some make out, especially not in attack and certainly defensively yesterday.

I do agree that he could go on to make a load of appearances if, and I'm sure he will, shows the same passion and commitment, whilst being a squad player used for cover.

Rodgers seems to rate Enrique for me as when he's fit, he has played and he only brought in cover for him, with a loan deal.

There was a period when Enrique was struggling but he then seemed to click into the system before he was injured. He does seem to have an issue when he'll play badly for a period of time, at least since he's played for us.

However for me there's no point getting backup for him as we have that already but if we can get somebody better in, then great but I just don't think we will get better without bursting the bank and is much rather have that in other positions than one we've got a good player in.

Personally I'd have a backup goalkeeper as Jones is nowhere hear good enough. One of Agger or Skrtel or even both could be sold so we will need to buy in that position as a priority and we need a strong midfielder to have as an option for certain types of games and Champions League games will definitely need that against some opposition. Wide we have Sterling and Coutinho but not much else so I'd look to bring somebody in there and then we may have an issue with Johnson also.

For me Enrique has the qualities already to fit into what Rodgers wants the full backs to do. Not to panic, stay calm in the ball and pass your way out instead of blasting it up the pitch, giving away possession. Flanagan has been decent at this lately and I like the player but he doesn't have what Enrique does and in Europe especially Enrique will excel when it comes to us keeping possession and attacking at pace.

Enrique is an unknown quantity at the moment but I think that Flanagan could kick on. He is unfazed and that's a big thing when playing for a big club in big games. You can't teach it.

I bet if we were to look at a 19 year old Gary Neville, Zabaleta or Azpilicueta then you would not see much difference.

None are lightening quick, amazing on the ball or the most gifted going forward but all are very good full International full backs who know the game, have a great attitude and big game temperament.

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