1.) 20 Feb 2017
20 Feb 2017 08:54:05
My critique of the list is that it says it is being picked on this seasons form, so are unable to have Matip or Bailly as choices because of injuries etc. But Romagnoli was picked on potential and Fonte was picked on past season form. Having said that, i would love to have any one of those players to partner Matip next season.

2.) 20 Feb 2017
20 Feb 2017 09:07:46
Thanks for the write up mate, great read. Interesting to see Jerome Boateng, Varane and Thiago Silva were omitted.

{Ed001's Note - Boateng has been injured every time I have seen Bayern play, Thiago Silva is not that good and Varane has not played regularly enough to progress.}

3.) 20 Feb 2017
20 Feb 2017 11:23:37
Interesting read ed001 thanks.
Hopefully Matip is on that list of yours sooner rather than later, we need a strong defence so badly.

4.) 20 Feb 2017
20 Feb 2017 12:08:30
Boss read ed, thanks a lot for that.
Any chance you can do more on other positions at all (CMs, FBs, CAMs etc. )
Only when you get time obviously; don't wanna be too pushy!

Incidentally, what's your opinion on Scott Dann?
Not saying for one moment he should be on this list at all, just think he could be a good option for us?

I know he's not world class, but think he is an out and out defender and alongside a good ball playing CB like Matip, we could be on to something?
Scores a few, is a Scouser/ Red and probably wouldn't be too expensive either?

{Ed001's Note - yes mate, I will try and do these inbetween other things. Might take a while but I will carry on doing them, with left backs next to do.

As for Dann, he reminds me a lot of Jose Fonte, severely underrated and someone who makes his team mates better. Remember he even made that donkey Roger Johnson look top quality? Excellent defender, a few years back, but he lost what little pace he had and is a midtable Prem player now, imo. Still he is a good example of what can come from being patient after a long term injury, as he took a few years to come back from it.}

5.) 20 Feb 2017
20 Feb 2017 13:26:37
Spot on ed, it's much appreciated.

Definitely share your opinion on Scott Dann. Haha, exactly yeah!

Probably is a bit past it for us to be honest though yeah, although maybe a good stop gap while Gomez gets back to the level we expect of him?

On a separate note, what do you think of Oriel Romeu? Not 100% convinced we need a dedicated DM under Klopp (plus we have Stewart, who I like), but I like the look of what I've seen from Romeu.
Certainly makes Vin Dijk look better (along with Fonte, when he was there) .

Imagine the uproar if we went for ANOTHER Southampton player though?!

{Ed001's Note - I think it is just too late for Dann, we should have signed him years ago, before his injury, when we had the chance. Wasted opportunity imo.

I really liked Romeu at Chelsea to be honest, he has something about him, he had a dip in his level, as all youngsters do, but now is growing again as a player as he matures. Not sure he is what we need though.}

6.) 20 Feb 2017
20 Feb 2017 13:43:09
Probably right on Dann, yeah.

Same here; liked Romeu years ago and then lost track of him really. But looking quality this year and a big part of what makes Saints tick when they play well, in my opinion.

Yeah, I'm not 100 on whether we need that specific player either, but he would be a good option if Klopp does thing it's a position he'd like to strengthen?

7.) 20 Feb 2017
20 Feb 2017 13:47:40
First time poster but have been following this site since the days of the proposed DIC takeover. Great read Ed001, always look forward to hearing your views on players. It'd be very interesting to see similar reviews done for all the positions!
Always look forward to reading a detailed review/ answer from Ed001/ 002! Keep up the great work, it's much appreciated!

{Ed002's Note - Thanks Dave.}

8.) 20 Feb 2017
20 Feb 2017 13:48:51
Like Sokratis of BVB as well. Looked solid and dominant whenever I have seen him play. Subotic before his injury problems was a total beast too. Pepe is not too bad either (antics aside of course)

9.) 20 Feb 2017
20 Feb 2017 13:49:28
How is Skrtel not in this list Ed001! Clearly you are still bitter about his departure ;)

Quicker than Ronaldo, more skillful than Messi, reads the game better than Beckenbaur, passes with more accuracy Paul Scoles, and has less hair than Phil Mitchell.

Absolutely world class.

10.) 20 Feb 2017
20 Feb 2017 15:05:51
Was talking to my cousin earlier about who we need. I mentioned Romeu if Stewart and Lucas were to move on. Every time I see him play his is immense, wins his battles every time and just does what he's there to do!

11.) 20 Feb 2017
20 Feb 2017 15:32:18
Yeah, think he's really good too. And definitely a good shout if either, or both, of those leave.

Just don't think Klopp wants a DM in all honesty though.
Hendo plays deepest for us now and even that isn't what you'd call a traditional DM.

I would like to see us revert to a 4-2-3-1 for the tougher opposition though, with Hendo next to someone in the 2. Think it'd give us an extra bit of needed stability. If the partner for this couldn't be Stewart (don't see why not personally? ), then would love us to get Romeu.

This set up wouldn't actually be any less attacking either; Couts, Lallana, Mane and Firmino could all still start in the front 4 positions.
It would just mean no Wiji (or Can), but they could play against the 'lesser' teams in a 4-3-3, like usual?

Stewart would be perfect, as seems happy to be a squad player and is good enough, in my opinion.
But as mentioned before, if Klopp doesn't fully trust him, maybe someone else should be targeted?
Whether or not Romeu (or anyone else, for that matter) would be willing to just be a squad player though, is up for debate?

However, with European football and hopefully good runs in both domestic cups, there should be enough game time to please everyone?

Just a thought.

12.) 20 Feb 2017
20 Feb 2017 16:33:54
I agree with your analysis Mane but not when to deploy it.

I think the 4-3-3 is perfect against better opposition because the front 3 creates a very effective high press, with the three mobile midfielders pouncing on any loose passes and therefore creating turnover possession high up the pitch that we often score goals off. It works best against teams that come out and play and with relatively even possession stats, with recent Tottenham match a perfect example.

Where 4-3-3 struggles IMO is against the "weaker sides" who nullify the high press by foregoing possession and sitting deep.

With a 4-3-3 setup that means for most of the match the majority of our players are sitting in or around their box (including our fullbacks who sit really high to create width) and we're left playing the ball around the back using our CBs and Hendo. When we turn over possession in that situation, we are often exposed to a 3 on 3 with only Hendo and our CBs facing a fast break with the opposition having the majority of the pitch to run into. Burnley is a classic example where we had most of the possession, created few chances and got stung in exactly this way, and Hull is another.

Against those sides that choose to sit deep, I think a 4-2-3-1 would be perfect, allowing us to use our 2 midfielders to dictate play in a double pivot, our forwards and fullbacks to have the confidence to push forward, and our CBs to sit in behind to provide cover.

13.) 20 Feb 2017
20 Feb 2017 19:35:30
Conte should be high up the pitch considering he has made the entire team looks good. Little surprised you put Koscielny down in the list. For me he is one of Wenger's best signing and arguably the best player at Arsenal. He is terrific in reading the game and his passing is sublime. Hardly seen anyone shutting him down in the league. Aldervield is excellent atm. Godin is decent the way they play and is would be exposed playing a high line. Koulibaly is excellent in fact the best in the world right now. He is a beast at Napoli and I seriously think he will end up at Chelsea. The rest are good.

I would love Monalas at Liverpool the way we play he is perfect.

14.) 20 Feb 2017
20 Feb 2017 20:15:43
He may be a good option to come in and help Hendo out at the base of midfield.

15.) 23 Feb 2017
23 Feb 2017 07:12:52
super stuff, thanks Ed.

{Ed001's Note - thank you Ore.}