Carra

[Fox]

I heard some folk on here questioning Carra last year and his form.

With Agger and Martin do we think Rafa might rest carra a few times this year or play him every game bar mickey mouse cup

I suppose its been rare when Danny and Martin have been fit at the same time so Carra hardly challenged, Sami is gone now of course.

Are Carra's legs going, is he still world class as a central defender stopper. He certainly has improved his skill in the last few years,worked on his passing and coolness on the ball. He launches it less and thinks about his distribution.

What ever, still love the guy ;D Interesting season for Carra.

 

[Billy Bollocks]

He's finished, obviously.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Carra can't play 50+ games this year ... He needs a break more often - I hope he gets 35-40 games, and Rafa allows Skrtel/Agger (IF, and it's a huge IF, both are healthy) to play in the FA/Coca Cola cup and easier league fixtures.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Billy Bollocks link=topic=34954.msg913357#msg913357 date=1248777506]
He's finished, obviously.
[/quote]

That's a touch harsh, I know it's Fox, but I swear some posters just react to the poster rather than the post.

It's like a fucking playground on here of late, like the Summer Holidays aren't bad enough, it was a fair post that actually praised Carra.

 

[Roopy]

[quote author=Billy Bollocks link=topic=34954.msg913357#msg913357 date=1248777506]
He's finished, obviously.
[/quote]

I heard he reads these forums.

He's going to unleash his gangsters on to you after that comment 😉

 

[LeTallecWiz]

[quote author=Billy Bollocks link=topic=34954.msg913357#msg913357 date=1248777506]
He's finished, obviously.
[/quote]

Thanks for that lovely comment - Can you please tone down your rhetoric, or at least 'let loose'? Cheers boet.

 

[spider-Neil]

he should only play in the league and champions league, maybe the latter stages of the fa cup. he will be fresher come the business end of the season.

 

[Paddy]

He will play the majority of league and CL games. As someone said above will probably be given a rest every once in a while when a supposed "easy" fixture comes along where not much defending is required.

 

[Bradley]

Have Skrtel and Agger ever played together?

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Paddy link=topic=34954.msg913370#msg913370 date=1248778038]
He will play the majority of league and CL games. As someone said above will probably be given a rest every once in a while when a supposed "easy" fixture comes along where not much defending is required.
[/quote]

he should play every single league game, as games look easy on paper but they rarely are in reality.

 

[Billy Bollocks]

Last game of the season.

Jamie is our rock at the back but I think it's time he sat out a few more games while we nurture the Skrtel/Agger combo, especially at home against the fodder. If only to prolong his career.

 

[Richey]

Fair post but for me Carragher is still our best centre back. He doesn't offer as much going forward as Agger but for actual defending - which is the most important thing - and in organising the defence he is still essential to us.

I don't think its fair to suggest that he has only remained in the side because others have not been fit at the same time. I get the impression that Benitez rates him very highly indeed.
He's only 31. That's not especially old and I would say he has a few seasons in him yet.

 

[Farkmaster]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=34954.msg913373#msg913373 date=1248778185]
[quote author=Paddy link=topic=34954.msg913370#msg913370 date=1248778038]
He will play the majority of league and CL games. As someone said above will probably be given a rest every once in a while when a supposed "easy" fixture comes along where not much defending is required.
[/quote]

he should play every single league game, as games look easy on paper but they rarely are in reality.
[/quote]

He'll definitely get rested around xmas. There's no way he'll play every game, even if injury free.

 

[Squiggles]

This has been done before, hasn't it?

Anyway, I still think Carragher will play more games than any of the other CB's.

We should have kept him fresher last season by using Sami Hyypia more frequently. Hopefully this season Rafa will realise he can't run him into the ground and give him a week off here and there.

 

[keniget]

He's an automatic starter, of course, but yeah we need to be a bit clever about resting him this season - he did look pretty knackered at times last year.

 

[Oncy]

He should play every game in which hes our best option at cb. Which is every game. Hes our best defender.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=34954.msg913378#msg913378 date=1248778338]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=34954.msg913373#msg913373 date=1248778185]
[quote author=Paddy link=topic=34954.msg913370#msg913370 date=1248778038]
He will play the majority of league and CL games. As someone said above will probably be given a rest every once in a while when a supposed "easy" fixture comes along where not much defending is required.
[/quote]

he should play every single league game, as games look easy on paper but they rarely are in reality.
[/quote]

He'll definitely get rested around xmas. There's no way he'll play every game, even if injury free.
[/quote]

if he ONLY plays in the league and CL he should be able to play every game, although it's fair to say agger/skrtel should look to build a partnership, they can do this in the fa cup.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=34954.msg913383#msg913383 date=1248778438]
He should play every game in which hes our best option at cb. Which is every game. Hes our best defender.
[/quote]

he can't play EVERY game, he's legs would drop off.

 

[Billy Bollocks]

The bottom line is we need at least 3 top class centre backs and all will get plenty of game time due to inevitable tiredness, injuries and suspensions at some stage of the season.

We could do with another cheapo one for cover as I don't think the youngsters are up to it.

 

[Oncy]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=34954.msg913385#msg913385 date=1248778491]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=34954.msg913383#msg913383 date=1248778438]
He should play every game in which hes our best option at cb. Which is every game. Hes our best defender.
[/quote]

he can't play EVERY game, he's legs would drop off.
[/quote]Surely you know me well enough by now to know i couldnt give a fuck about cup games. Im talking about the 38 that mean something.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Billy Bollocks link=topic=34954.msg913387#msg913387 date=1248778643]
The bottom line is we need at least 3 top class centre backs and all will get plenty of game time due to inevitable tiredness, injuries and suspensions at some stage of the season.

We could do with another cheapo one for cover as I don't think the youngsters are up to it.
[/quote]

Rafa definitely looks like he's willing to have a look at the youngsters and give them a shot. It's still a slight worry though if we lose one of our main three for a lengthy spell.

 

[keniget]

There is always the Jan transfer window if we find ourselves in a bit of trouble.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=34954.msg913389#msg913389 date=1248778696]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=34954.msg913385#msg913385 date=1248778491]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=34954.msg913383#msg913383 date=1248778438]
He should play every game in which hes our best option at cb. Which is every game. Hes our best defender.
[/quote]

he can't play EVERY game, he's legs would drop off.
[/quote]Surely you know me well enough by now to know i couldnt give a fuck about cup games. Im talking about the 38 that mean something.
[/quote]

in that case I agree.

 

[Billy Bollocks]

If we bring in 10/11 million for Arbeloa and Dossena, lets hope Rafa has got another young versatile defender lined up who can cover all along the back four. Rather that than shell out most of it for someone like Distin.

 

[Fox]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=34954.msg913392#msg913392 date=1248778727]
[quote author=Billy Bollocks link=topic=34954.msg913387#msg913387 date=1248778643]
The bottom line is we need at least 3 top class centre backs and all will get plenty of game time due to inevitable tiredness, injuries and suspensions at some stage of the season.

We could do with another cheapo one for cover as I don't think the youngsters are up to it.
[/quote]

Rafa definitely looks like he's willing to have a look at the youngsters and give them a shot. It's still a slight worry though if we lose one of our main three for a lengthy spell.
[/quote]


rafa must have a "replace sami" plan surely Mark

 

[Richey]

The problem is (and its not a bad problem!) that we have 3 very good centre backs, so already one will have to miss out. If Benitez were to spend big on another one now they would either not get games, another of our current centre backs will miss out or we would be rotating a lot, which is never a good idea in the defence.

Not many top class players will want to move here and not play - especially with a World Cup on the horizon - and buying a second rate type defender will mean the money won't be there in the future for a top class one.

I do share the concerns that we will be in trouble if one of the three gets injured for a long time, and we were very lucky to still have Sami around before now, but maybe Benitez is hoping a fully fit Agger is the replacement?

 

[mark1975]

We definitely need some versatility as cover.

 

[Squiggles]

I still reckon Agger should be tried at LB in the remaining pre-season games. We're weak on cover there and Agger has the footballing talent to become more versatile.

He's naturally left-footed, is at home the other side of the half way line, and can strike a ball beautifully.

Nothing to lose.

 

[cochyn]

Can any of our fullbacks adequately cover?

or

Can any of our youth/ressie players step up to cover?



I am sure that there must be one of the ressie/youth that can do it. I liked the look of kelly in the one game i a have seen in pre-season!!

 

[Delinquent]

I wouldn't mind seeing Skrtel and Agger given a go in cup games but for the vast majority of league games it should be Carra +1 as far as I'm concerned.

I'm not sure about Agger's ability to organize the defence but he'd need to take on that role in the absence of Carra. As much as I like Skrtel, I think he'd be all at sea without Carra screaming instructions at him.

England vs Slovakia anyone?