Agger, Alonso out | Translator sacked
By: ed_ | September 20th, 2007News that we all feared to hear has come out of Melwood. One of our central defenders, the position we are woefully short of back-up in, has been ruled out for six weeks with the dreaded broken metatarsal. Yes, we’ll be missing the Great Dane, Daniel Agger until, I believe, early November.
This means that Xabi Alonso, also out with the same injury, will miss fixtures against Birmingham, Reading (A), Wigan (A), Marseille (A), Tottenham, Everton (A), Besiktas (A), Arsenal and Blackburn (A). Depending on the length of recovery, the boys may also miss the return leg against Besiktas and the home tie with Fulham.
In my mind, there are two issues that stem from this mini-injury crisis.
One, will they be missed? There are “no easy games in the premiership” but apart from Tottenham, Arsenal and a potentially tricky derby match, we’ve got a relatively straightforward programme in the next six weeks. Marseille and Besiktas are both going to be tough games but the Champions League is generally played at a slower pace so his experience may even help us.
Two, leading on from the thought on Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton, is who will replace Agger at center-back? Hyypia has been a mainstay of the back four for years but all three of the mentioned teams have a slew of pacey forwards and, cult hero or no, the aging Finn has the turning circle of an aircraft carrier and the acceleration to match. Is it too soon for Jack Hobbs to be promoted from the reserves? Does Arbeloa have the physicality to play in the middle? How about Godwin Antwi? The Spanish-Ghanian has the build to play in the premiership but will he, or any of the youngsters, be risked this early in the season when building on our strong start is all-important?
A third thought. Should players stop wearing boots that have the protective abilities of carpet slippers? Do the ultra-light boots of today really give that much of an advantage over the heavier, older boots to justify using them, especially if your players keep on getting injured?
And finally, apparently some small club in London lost a translator.
 |
EPL Match Schedule |  |
 |
Discount Travel to Liverpool |
| Liverpool Scores |  | Anfield information & hotels |
Category: Daniel Agger
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
Besiktas won’t put up much of a fight. They’re probably even less deserving than Toulouse of a spot.
The loss of Xabi will be fine, the central midfield is stacked, but Agger is another story. This ain’t 2000 and Hyppia won’t be anywhere near vintage.
btw, nice to have a friendly ambassador at the Liverpool offside finally. I root for two teams, Roma (duh) and Pool, though to a much lesser degree. But keep that quiet.
Posted from
United States
-
Nothing to worry about, Arbeloa’s natural position is centre back. He’s probably been our most consistent player overall this season as well and with Aurelio back and Riise fit, he won’t be needed on the left anymore.
Complaining about Finnan’s pace and quickness seems a bit out-of-line. What he lacks physically, he more than makes up for in football IQ. He wasn’t the best right back in the league last year for nothing.
Have you seen Jack Hobbs play? Ugh. Not ready. He barely has a Reserves spot at this point. Godwin Antwi is out on loan at Hartlepool and I believe injured at the moment. I have yet to see San Jose play nor enough of Ronald Huth to make a fair assessment.
The only Reserves players in defense that seem even close to making the leap are Emiliano Insua, Robbie Threlfall, and Stephen Darby. Insua could probably play now but unfortunately plays on the left where he’ll have to sit behind Riise, Aurelio, and Arbeloa. Ditto for Threlfall, who is further down the list. Darby seems pretty solid and could play in the Carling Cup ties on the right, none of those three are centre backs though.
Hey, chris, I thought all Premiership fans were ‘dumb’. Oh, you don’t remember writing that, do you? I guess you can write what ever you want and are above everyone else to suffer the consequences. Now you cheer for ‘Pool. That is so sweet. Cheers.
Posted from
United States -
No, I believe I said some Prem fans shouldn’t be allowed to procreate. You being a prime example.
And I’ve always maintained I root for the team.
(Know your history, Domo)
Posted from
United States -
when i said “the aging Finn” i meant it. hyypia really is from Finland and is getting pretty old and slow.
i saw hobbs play a fair bit for the reserves last season and he’s looked solid to me. as for arbeloa, while he can play as a central defender, the font of all knowledge has him predominantly as right-back. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81lvaro_Arbeloa
ed
Posted from
Canada
Comments are closed
Home 
