Topic: Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel Partnership

[scared_person]

We definitely need another centre back in the summer. The management doesn't trust Coates, we can't rely on Agger's fitness and Carra is sadly a liability nowadays.

[The 5th Benitle]

'The management don't trust Coates'
What a load of horseshit that really is.

[scared_person]

'The management don't trust Coates'
What a load of horseshit that really is.

Why isn't he getting a game then?

At the moment he's not seen as a first team player, otherwise why would he not be playing ahead of Carra?

[J-Mc-]

Why isn't he getting a game then?

At the moment he's not seen as a first team player, otherwise why would he not be playing ahead of Carra?

Because he's 20-21 and our defence is under intense pressure game in game out?

Flanagan just about coped against Newcastle and, although I'd like to see Coates start ahead of Carra, the pressure he'd be under would do more harm than good IMO, especially when he's looked shaky on a few occasions.

[Nin]

So Skrtel basically needs Agger to hold his hand otherwise he goes back to being shit?

[scared_person]

Because he's 20-21 and our defence is under intense pressure game in game out?

Flanagan just about coped against Newcastle and, although I'd like to see Coates start ahead of Carra, the pressure he'd be under would do more harm than good IMO, especially when he's looked shaky on a few occasions.

I understand that you've got to protect your youngsters but Coates is no untested rookie. He's a Copa America winning international centre back.

Yes he's looked shaky once or twice but he has barely played for us to be fair. At this point Carra looks shaky every game and that is not going to improve. If you're looking for the reasons as to why our defence is under constant pressure, look no further than Carra himself. The difference whilst Agger has been out has been stark.

If we were chasing something in the league I could understand the thought process (if not agree with it) in keeping Carra in. But with nothing to play for and Carra playing woefully I see no point in leaving Coates out.

The only conclusion I can come to is that the management don't fancy him.

[J-Mc-]

I understand that you've got to protect your youngsters but Coates is no untested rookie. He's a Copa America winning international centre back.

Yes he's looked shaky once or twice but he has barely played for us to be fair. At this point Carra looks shaky every game and that is not going to improve. If you're looking for the reasons as to why our defence is under constant pressure, look no further than Carra himself. The difference whilst Agger has been out has been stark.

If we were chasing something in the league I could understand the thought process (if not agree with it) in keeping Carra in. But with nothing to play for and Carra playing woefully I see no point in leaving Coates out.

The only conclusion I can come to is that the management don't fancy him.

He may be a Copa America winning CB Chris, but he's still young.

I'd rather us take time with him and watch him develop into a belter of a player instead of throwing him in at the deep end, when we're just about coping, and fucking him up like we did with Insua.

Agree that Carra needs to be dropped though.

[mart356]

So Skrtel basically needs Agger to hold his hand otherwise he goes back to being shit?

I think its more of a 'Carragher holds Skrtel's hand and drags him into the depths of the abyss'

[scared_person]

He may be a Copa America winning CB Chris, but he's still young.

I'd rather us take time with him and watch him develop into a belter of a player instead of throwing him in at the deep end, when we're just about coping, and fucking him up like we did with Insua.

Agree that Carra needs to be dropped though.

Totally agree that we don't want to see him end up like Insua. I think its different circumstances though. Insua was made de facto first choice in an incredibly pressured season when he was too young for it. He started pretty well but tailed off dramatically as the season continued.

To be honest this season no longer is pressured. We have fuck all to play for in the league. And if he struggled we would have another player to replace him with (unlike Insua). If you can't play your youngsters now then when can we?

I thought we brought through Flanno and Robinson in very similar circumstances last season and it worked out very well for them. Coates is much more developed now than those two were last season.

[Fromola]

Why isn't he getting a game then?

At the moment he's not seen as a first team player, otherwise why would he not be playing ahead of Carra?

Because the manager's got a blind spot with Carragher. It took Carragher getting injured for Agger and Skrtel to be first choice ahead of him.

[Juan Loco]

So Skrtel basically needs Agger to hold his hand otherwise he goes back to being shit?

I'm not sure if he needs hand holding or not, but it's surely preferable to having the pinless grenade that is a later-day Carra in the palm of your hand.

[Eeyore]

So Skrtel basically needs Agger to hold his hand otherwise he goes back to being shit?

Skrtel is the aggressive stopper who wants to play high up the pitch and win headers and tackles, Agger is the covering defender who sweeps up anything that gets past Skrtel. Carra at his peak was a superb covering defender at his best covering big Sami.

The problem now is that Carra is an aerially weak covering defender who needs covering, that means instead of Skrtel having the freedom to attack the ball with intent he is now far indecisive because he has to cover Carra.

Coates although tall is at his best when played as the covering defender covering alongside an aggressive stopper as he did for Uruaguay in the Copa, add in the fact that he is a natural left sided centre back and on paper you have a great potential partnership.

[Ryan M]

What was Agger's injury in the CC Final & what is the usual time out for that injury?

We are crying out for him to come back!

[1021]

I'd say that our progression to the final of the FA Cup pretty much hinges on whether or not this partnership takes to the field.

It will be absolute carnage if Carragher plays and we all know Coates cannot do a thing to command a start ahead of him.

Add to that the possibly of a youngster at right back, a reserve goalkeeper, and a weary but competent left back, and even Everton bring us cause for concern.

[The 5th Benitle]

Think there's a chance that Agger and Johnson will be fit no? We need them both. And I'd seriously consider Fabio, as you say Enrique looks knackered.

[1021]

Think there's a chance that Agger and Johnson will be fit no? We need them both. And I'd seriously consider Fabio, as you say Enrique looks knackered.

Praying on Agger.

Don't know about Johnson, he hasn't featured since the Cup final, and I thought he'd returned from England training as a precaution, then it was supposed to be a short stay on the sidelines but he's be out for over a month now. Hopefully he will be back but he'll be lacking match practise and sharpness required in big matches. Think it would be brilliant if Fabio got a run out in the next league game just to give Jose some restbite ahead of the semi final.

[Davidbowie]

Agger is the best ball playing centre back in the league and his ability to do that combined with Skrtels aggression is a great combo. Carragher has always lacked ability on the ball, he was always ok but never excellent. He now lacks pace as well so he only has his experience to count on. Thats clearly not enough and I would bet good money that results improve once Agger is fit and playing again.

[SamiSamiHyypia]

I really can't understand why Carra is starting games. Coates has looked very promising whenever he's played and we are never (I hope) going to be in a better situation than we are now to throw him in. We really have nothing to lose and everyone can see that Carra is not only losing us possession more than ever, but is also having a direct impact on Skrtel playing shite and is creating uncertainty across the whole back four.

I don't buy all the talk on here about him being some evil genius - I just think Kenny and Clarke see his experience as important to get us through our terrible form. They probably think Coates could get his confidence knocked by coming in now as well, but to be honest I'd personally rather come into a team playing shite than one challenging for the title where the slightest mistake could have massive consequences.

I'd rather have Soto playing than Carra at the moment. At least we wouldn't get bossed in the air as easily and at least he'd be a threat from set pieces.

It's been said before but there's no way he'd be starting at any other top side. That combined with the fact that he clearly doesn't bring the best out of the players around him makes it an easy decision for me.

Why isn't it for Kenny and Clarke?

[Discipline]

Coates thread is locked, so I'll post it here.

"In my spare time, I like to go to Liverpool One, or meet up in either Maxi or Luis's houses. We have some old customs, and we all like to share a drink which is called 'mate'. You may have seen Luis with this - it's a traditional Uruguayan tea."

[KirkVanHouten]

I think its more of a 'Carragher holds Skrtel's hand and drags him into the depths of the abyss'

  Jesus I just fell off of my chair. I think it's spot on though, Skrtel doesn't need Agger it's that he needs a partner that isn't Carra.

[scatman]

Skrtel is the aggressive stopper who wants to play high up the pitch and win headers and tackles, Agger is the covering defender who sweeps up anything that gets past Skrtel. Carra at his peak was a superb covering defender at his best covering big Sami.

The problem now is that Carra is an aerially weak covering defender who needs covering, that means instead of Skrtel having the freedom to attack the ball with intent he is now far indecisive because he has to cover Carra.

Coates although tall is at his best when played as the covering defender covering alongside an aggressive stopper as he did for Uruaguay in the Copa, add in the fact that he is a natural left sided centre back and on paper you have a great potential partnership.

well explained

[MushyQ]

My first post, so please don't bully me if I'm doing anything wrong 

Written a piece on Daniel Agger for TIA - http://www.thisisanfield.com/2012/04/is-the-absence-of-daniel-agger-hurting-liverpool/

Feel free to have a read.

[Camarero25]

My first post, so please don't bully me if I'm doing anything wrong 

Four eyes.

 

[Suspect Package.]

My first post, so please don't bully me if I'm doing anything wrong 

Written a piece on Daniel Agger for TIA - http://www.thisisanfield.com/2012/04/is-the-absence-of-daniel-agger-hurting-liverpool/

Feel free to have a read.

Lets get him round the back of the bikesheds lads.

[Robbo1980]

Wasnt sure where to post this.
Liverpool league results where Carra hasnt started or played a significant part in the match...

Sunderland - conceded 1 - Drew
Arsenal - CS - Won
Bolton - conceded 1 - Carra fault - Won
Stoke - Conceded 1- Carra gives away pen - LOST
Tottenham - conceded 4 - LOST
Wolves - conceded 1 - Won
Everton - CS - WON
man Utd - conceded 1 - DREW
Norwich conceded 1 - DREW
Stoke - CS - DREW
Arsenal conceded 2 - carra at fault for 1 - LOST
Everton - CS - WON
QPR - conceded 3 - LOST
Wigan conceded 2 - LOST
Newcastle conceded 2 - LOST

19 pts won in 15 games, conceding 19 goals in those games....of the 15 games 9 were at home

WITHOUT CARRA!

West Brom - CS - WON
Swansea - CS - DREW
Chelsea conceded 1 - WON
City - conceded 1 - Drew
Fulham - conceded 1 - LOST
QPR - CS - WON
Villa - CS - WON
Wigan - CS - DREW
Blackburn conceded 1 - DREW
Newcaste - conceded 1 - WON
City - Conceded 3 - LOST
Bolton - conceded 3 - LOST
Wolves CS - WON
Tottenham - CS - DREW
Man Utd - conceded 2 - LOST
Sunderland conceded 1 - LOST

23 pts from 16 games, conceding 14 goals............of those 16 games only 6 were at home

I think thats quite a marked difference overall, Not blaming Carra for everything and the post CC drop off does skewer results but maybe the effect he has on the team now and gaps that appear between our midfield & defence when he plays is telling, also Skrtels & Enriques form has noticeably dropped,  surely Coates has to be started from now on.

[Cpt_Reina]

With Flanagan now in the team Carra's got another 'in'.

We obviously can't play Coates AND Flanagan in the same team, that would be madness.

Best to have the old stalwart Carragher in there to talk Flanagan through the game, Skrtel could never do something so complicated.

[Aido LFC]

How much longer is Agger expected to be out for?

[rusty-la]

How much longer is Agger expected to be out for?

Until Glass is turned into Brass.

In the meantime he remains one of Europes best CB's when on the paddock.

[andspecks]

Was at Melwood today and saw Agger in full training. Looked like he was on the subs team though. Stopped to sign autographs as well.

[liverpoolfan1]

With Flanagan now in the team Carra's got another 'in'.

We obviously can't play Coates AND Flanagan in the same team, that would be madness.

Best to have the old stalwart Carragher in there to talk Flanagan through the game, Skrtel could never do something so complicated.

I'm sure we can. You have to remember these are not some inexperienced youngsters who have never played a first team game that we are talking about here. Coates already has a decent amount of experience playing in England and is a full Uruguay International + Copa America winner. Meanwhile Flanagan played quite a few games last and this season and has played better than Carra in the last couple of games.

I'm more than confident that both of them can be on the pitch at the same time without Carra. And personally I think we would be better off that way. I would be really saddened to see Coates on the bench against Villa (esp taking into account the fact that he got dropped right after he scored our goal of the season against QPR and that Carra has been pretty average the last few games).

[Alonso_The_Assassin]

I'm sure we can. You have to remember these are not some inexperienced youngsters who have never played a first team game that we are talking about here. Coates already has a decent amount of experience playing in England and is a full Uruguay International + Copa America winner. Meanwhile Flanagan played quite a few games last and this season and has played better than Carra in the last couple of games.

I'm more than confident that both of them can be on the pitch at the same time without Carra. And personally I think we would be better off that way. I would be really saddened to see Coates on the bench against Villa (esp taking into account the fact that he got dropped right after he scored our goal of the season against QPR and that Carra has been pretty average the last few games).

Mate, I think he was being sarcastic. Most on here can see that it's Coates' time and that playing Carragher is achieving next to fuck all. With Flanno occupying right back, or not.

[liverpoolfan1]

Mate, I think he was being sarcastic. Most on here can see that it's Coates' time and that playing Carragher is achieving next to fuck all. With Flanno occupying right back, or not.

Oops! My apologies then to Cpt_Reina.

But my points still stand in regards to the Coates vs Carra debate.

[RyanBabel19]

Kenny: Agger close to return

Daniel Agger is edging closer to a first team return after recovering from a cracked rib.

The Danish defender has been sidelined for the past six weeks since sustaining the injury in the Carling Cup final.

"Daniel is responding well to training and he's not too far away," said boss Kenny Dalglish.

"Glen Johnson (calf) and Martin Kelly (ankle) are progressing as well.

"But I would say Daniel is probably the one who will be first back."

/

The sooner he's back the better. Actually can't wait to see him and Skrtel side by side at the heart of our defence again

[anfieldanfield]

Sounds promising.

Need him back for Wembley.

[Cpt_Reina]

Your sarcasm detector on the fritz?

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

 Danny won't be back v Villa, will he? So, no Glen nor kelly neither.

Flanagan is still a very raw player and someone the opponents will be looking to exploit if he plays.

[lfcmaster]

great news that agger should be back for the cup semi

hopefully kelly and johno will be ready for next week aswell

[scouse29]

Let's hope dagger has a game before the semi.

[Eeyore]

With Flanagan now in the team Carra's got another 'in'.

We obviously can't play Coates AND Flanagan in the same team, that would be madness.

Best to have the old stalwart Carragher in there to talk Flanagan through the game, Skrtel could never do something so complicated.

Quite right that would be like United selecting against Arsenal.

De Gea...............21
Jones.................19
Smalling.............21
Evans................23
Anderson...........23
Cleverley............22
Wellbeck............20

If only United had selected someone like Jamie then they would of beaten Arsenal by 12 or 13 goals to 2 instead of the measly 8.

[liverpoolfan1]

Your sarcasm detector on the fritz?

It was for a bit.