ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Final Piece of the jigsaw?

From David Moyes's most recent comments about his diminutive midfield, it would suggest that he clearly views this area of the team as one that requires strengthening. In looking at what is coming through the academy, Kissock is probably the only midfielder with a chance of making the step up; however, questions have already been raised about his stature and physical presence.

Carsley, although continuing to perform admirably, is getting no younger; Gravesen is probably also a stop-gap in real terms, and evidently there is money in the transfer kitty left over from the summer, with Moyes also reiterating that cash will be made available.

Speculation has continued around the red-herring Riquelme transfer with his continuing non-selection for Villarreal this season and the collapse of his move to Atletico Madrid. It will be interesting to see who Moyes moves for in January or next season; he tried hard for both Fernades and Porto's Lucho so he clearly views a player with skill, physical presence and athleticism as a requirement.

A player in the mould and with the experience of Stefan Frings would also be an ideal candidate. One thing's for sure: the next signing will be crucial to our continuing improvement... so let's hope DM gets it right.
Peter Laing, Liverpool Posted 07/11/2007 at 16:46:17

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Comments

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Michael Kenrick

We've had a number of "We are nearly there" mails, and I can't help but feel the need to remphasize this point: football is ongoing. The squad must be continually built upon if you are going to keep making progress; you can never rest on your laurels; younger better more skilful players must be continuously brought in and older slower players continuously moved out. It never ends!

And the way our game worlks, we can easily lose a few of the vital jigsaw parts for long periods through injury... I understand the point but I think the analogy is flawed.

David Barks
1 Posted 07/11/2007 at 17:57:29

Lets try this instead then Michael. I think what we will have if we can sign that top central midfielder is a team that can maintain a high position in the league, Cup runs, and another year in Europe. Now what that allows is the financial ability to continue to sign the better players which will allow us to stay high in the league, and continue to build a reputation in Europe, allowing us to hopefully attract even better players and be competing seriously for the Champions League. I think that is what we are close to having now. And with that comes investment in the Club by a serious backer. But I think this Robert Earl might already be that guy without an official announcement being made yet.

Joe Jennings
2 Posted 07/11/2007 at 18:58:42

Stephen Appiah is the man

However I dont think we only need a dominate central midfielder to be the finished article.

I still think there are a few positions that need to be addressed

An out and out left winger would be one I would puruse, if Boro go down or struggle again Downing will become available

Seems a Moyes type player

Brian Finnigan
3 Posted 07/11/2007 at 19:14:40

If Moyes is looking for a potential Viera-type he could do worse than try Lescott in central midfield.

Mark Perry
4 Posted 07/11/2007 at 19:21:25

Oh God no, Lescot is a very good centre half with the ability to form a great partnership with Yobo. Its best to have dedicated players in the spine of the team - we a need a central midfield player in the carsly mode but with better range of passing and vision.

Charlie Percival
5 Posted 07/11/2007 at 19:46:11

Yobo would be better suited to the defensive midfield role. Main reason is because he can lose concentration now and again, but I think he would be a great holding player.

Defence is very light, if Lescott got injured we’d be desperate. we only have Yobo, Stubbs, Lescott and Jagielkas only played 70 minutes for us there So we are in need of a good centre half!

On the midfield subject....Vidarsson seems to be something special unless im mistaken?!

We need a Moutinho, Riquelme, Appiah type player. anyone who will improve our ranks.

David Barks
6 Posted 07/11/2007 at 19:52:45

Yobo and Lescott are both very good defenders, why do we want to move them???? If we moved one of them then we would need to sign another defender. We just need to sign a central midfielder and keep the defense the way it is. Getting another midfielder in would have to finally move Neville to right back, where he is pretty damn good, and in my opinion give us a pretty damn good first team.

Tom Morris
7 Posted 07/11/2007 at 20:18:19

Charlie,

Yobo has played as a holding midfielder and was shite at it. Don?t you remember ?

Also, Jagielka?s best position is centre half, so we?re not desperate for a another one. There?s a kid in the youth team (Jack Rodwell) who looks the business so I don?t see that area as a priority.

A dominant presence in central midfield is what we lack. Someone with a bit of everything, pace, power, passing ability. I?ve no idea who, mind.

Gavin Ramejkis
8 Posted 07/11/2007 at 20:19:27

Peter great shout on Torsten Frings not Stefan and would add Schweinsteiger the two of them are solid reliable and classy midfielders but think they would still attract the so called top four before us yet still be cheaper than an English carthorse.

Phil Jones
9 Posted 07/11/2007 at 20:44:18

I think a case ought to be made for Hugo Viana. He’s a Portuguese International, a brilliant player, and plays in a club that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere (Osansuna). And he’s youngish at 24. Thoughts?

Allan Hobbs
10 Posted 07/11/2007 at 22:55:06

Didn’t Viana turn out for Sunderland with zero distinction for a while? Or was it Newcastle? Either way I seem to recall him being average at best.

Lescott in midfield would be like putting Hibbo in goal, or Howard up front - pointless! Lescott couldn’t trap a a bag of cement, his passing is piss-poor and he has very little ball control; he’s good at what he does - defending, leave him there.

Phil Jones
11 Posted 08/11/2007 at 03:06:18

Viana was with Newcastle, and he was very young then. Another one to think about is Mark Breschiano. He’s an ozzie teamamte of Chaill’s, could be a good addition...

Seamus Murphy
12 Posted 08/11/2007 at 10:25:30

Allan - cant agree with your assessment of Lescott.