Ok, I know Xabi scored two yesterday, but I think of the regular starters, I think his position is most under threat. He played ok yesterday, but in other games this season, I think he got caught in postion a lot and gave away needless free kicks. I believe Rafa is gently introducing Masher this season as he was at the Copa America. Once the season settles down, I can see Stevie G and Javier starting the big games, like Chelsea in the Semi last season. With Momo and the lively long haired Lucas (capped by Brazil) also breathing down his neck, Xabi will have to be on his game. Anyway, I not having a major go at Xabi, but ut shows that this season more than ever, players have to be at their peak every game, as there is almost two players ready to take your place.
I agree mate Masch and Stevie for the big games. Xabi is awesome on his day though, he needed that Derby game more than anyone for a confidence boost, lets hope he kicks on from here... Just shows the strength of our squad theres not many teams in the world where Xabi wouldn't merit a starting place.
As ive said on here recently im a huge Alonso fan but hes not hinself last year at all. I feel he is great when given space and time but not so when he harried and hassled. Fingers crossed he gets back to his best,Saturday he was great because he had loads of time and space. Masch is class,great worker,ball winner,can pass.
2 completely different players I think Alonso was on his way out last season in his own head and was not totally focused but looks like to me he has sorted his head out pledged his future here and is back to the Alonso we know dictating the game from the middle of the park
I think his position is not as much under threat with rotation system Rafa uses he will get his fair share of games. He has been one of our top performers so far this season and has stepped it up a few notches since last season.
I think alonso is our best passer of the ball. Sets everything up for us and when he plays we are more constructive with the ball. Don't think he is under threat at all in fact I'd rate him the same as gerrard and he has much more creative ability than masch or momo
I am a big fan of Alonso; he always work hard and is a great passer of the ball alright and then there are the goals; don't know if scoring goals from inside the box is in his vocabulary. He did have a fairly average season last year but he certianly looks like he is back to form; he needs to be with all the competition for his place in midfield.
Like the majority of players, Alonso will probably see his fair share of rotation this year. However this season we seem to be seeing the benefits of rotation, players who have come into the team are hungry, have a point to proove and generally have played well. The team performance hasn't suffered as a result of changes, players seem to fit in seamlessly. So to answer the original point, Alonso will see plenty of action. However I would agree that if i was to pick 2 centre midfielders, I would probably go for Gerrard and Mascherano
Alonso will no doubt see plenty of action due to us having "The best midfield in the world (c)" and rotation having a huge influence on our season. For me Stevie G and Masherano are just awesome together, with Alonso and Sissoko more than ample replacements. I'd still prefer to have Alonso in ahead of Sissoko, but I don't think he has lived up to his highly impressive performances from the first season.
Masher compliments Stevie excellently. He is the perfect foil for Gerrard to bomb forward. I love Alonso but when it comes to crunch games I want to see Masher's name on the teamsheet.
Said it on here' after the Sunderland game that Alonso was very poor and should have been wiped off after 60 min's. He was abit like last season, just doing enough to get by. But thats not good enough in this team with Masher' and Sissoko breathing down his neck looking for his jersey. Think abit like Agger taking over from Sami'. Masher' will be brought in nice and slowly game here two games there. And he'll bed in with Stevie. Its a nice problem for Rafa, 'As we do have the best midfield in the world'....
Hes crucial to our ambitions....hes the best passer we've got and is ideal to have for spreading the ball out wide which was absolutely devastating against Derby!! More play down the wings, we finally have flair in these positions..... hes excellent at just dinking in there for a blistering wingers run!! Always want him in there to face Lampard...Lampard struggles with him.....real bite about their battles!!
I agree Lampard always struggles against him and always seems to have it in for him too,maybe as a result
Alonso had alot more space against derby on saturday than he would normally get against better teams in the premiership, and played well but still doesnt do it for me he seems to drift in and out of the big games, in europe he gets more time and can spread it around more. Hopefully this season we will see him more in the big games (now his bro is in prem too maybe he wants to show his class more) anyway with the midfield we have now it doesnt matter who plays they are all good (best midfield in the world) roll on the rest of the season and lets all hope we keep playing as well as we have been.
Best passer of a football anywhere IMO. Certainly not played as well for us a he did in his first season but as somebody's tagline says...class is permanent.