Comments on: Luis Suarez: First step in Torres leaving?

By: Roy Hodgson Takes Over at West Brom In Hope Of Getting England Call | Betsandpoker

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 13:54:40 +0000

[...] After explaining how Torres was central to the health of the club going forward, and how in most probability that Hicks and Gillett would pocket any monies accrued from his transfer, he decided to stay for one more year, or until the club was stable. [...]

By: Neil Sherwin

Neil Sherwin — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 08:19:18 +0000

“The only questions being touted around are by the stupid ‘wannabe internet hacks’ with nothing else to spout rubbish about.”

Oh dear! Looks like somebody owes Willie an apology, and he isn’t the only one

By: Bobby

Bobby — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 06:43:31 +0000

Well done, Willie! At first I dismissed your article as drivel but now this could really be a possibility with Torres handing in a transfer request….I think your article is vindicated by this recent rumour development.

By: Willie Gannon

Willie Gannon — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:54:15 +0000

It would definitely be nice to see Liverpool playing good progressive football again.

I mentioned Barcelona because Torres was heavily linked with a move to them in the summer.

They are really fighting a battle for the hearts and minds of the Spanish public with Real Madrid and see the easiest way of winning as by playing as many of Spain’s World Cup winning team as possible.

Torres is a very real target for both Real and Barca next summer.

By: Willie Gannon

Willie Gannon — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:50:24 +0000

Some excellent points there, particularly the one about Gerrard aging.

By: Willie Gannon

Willie Gannon — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:49:06 +0000

I wouldn’t be so sure there.

By: Willie Gannon

Willie Gannon — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:48:04 +0000

While he is capable of playing out wide, he never really does.

Ajax used him as a traditional centre forward up until this season. The 451 that Martin Jol used was one of the main reasons he was sacked, and this year under De Boer they have gone back to 433 with Suarez either playing up through the centre or slightly towards the right.

Most times however the formation they end up with looks like a 4312 with Suarez and El Hamdouai up front.

What you say about Manchester United doesn’t really translate towards Liverpool for a couple of reasons.

United are challenging for the league, have a bigger squad and a bigger budget.

On Torres and Suarez, they may play well together, but that means some form of 442 and Gerrard dropping back away from his best postition.

By: Willie Gannon

Willie Gannon — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:45:15 +0000

Charlie Adam hasn’t got the pace to play out wide Rouman, he played there for Rangers and did very little before Ian Holloway signed him.

He would do a job in the centre though.

By: Willie Gannon

Willie Gannon — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:43:35 +0000

The point with United is that they were challenging for the league.

Even with Torres and Suarez up front Liverpool won’t win the league.

I think it has been proven over the years that Steven Gerrards best position is as a supporting midfielder.

If he was good enough to dominate and dictate midfield from the centre then Rafael Benitez would have played him there and that his record at international level would stand for itself.

By: Willie Gannon

Willie Gannon — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:40:42 +0000

I agree completely that Liverpool need a good striker to take up the burden when Torres is out.

The idea of selling Torres doesn’t work unless they replace him, I believe his replacement is Suarez.

The rational behind that is buying Suarez at 23 for around £20m, selling Torres, 27, in the summer for £40m and then having enough money to buy another striker and use that cash injection to revitalise the team.

This is what NESV do and it is what Comolli and sabremetrics is based on.