Topic: Andy Robertson (Andrew Henry Robertson MBE)

[suede lady]

A full back able too cover both sides could potentially get quite a few games under his belt. Not the big games though, so unclear who would want to come for that.

Or how common players like that are...

[Fordy]

A full back able too cover both sides could potentially get quite a few games under his belt. Not the big games though, so unclear who would want to come for that.

Or how common players like that are...

We've one in Milner.

[killer-heels]

We cannot really rotate much vs Napoli but our next few games after that are Brighton at home, Everton at home, Bournemouth away, Salzburg away and Watford at home. If we can beat Napoli then we can rest Robertson in maybe 3 or 4 of those games.

[Redcap]

We should definitely play both Robbo and Mo from the bench against Brighton. Where possible let's give them a rest. It's not a bad time for it anyway because it gives them a little mid-season break before the fixtures really pile up.

I'd be pretty happy for him to start the CWC games from the bench as well, although I imagine he would want to start those.

[harleydanger]

Our fullbacks are so fundamental to the way we play that top quality alternatives are a must.

We're not signing a player better than the ones we've let go, or the ones we have, simply because they're not getting a game unless Robbo breaks his leg.

So have faith in El Burro and our talented kids. Every elite club in the world has a similar drop off in key positions because they have the elite players in those positions and full backs for us are a key position.

[Redcap]

We're not signing a player better than the ones we've let go, or the ones we have, simply because they're not getting a game unless Robbo breaks his leg.

So have faith in El Burro and our talented kids. Every elite club in the world has a similar drop off in key positions because they have the elite players in those positions and full backs for us are a key position.

This is such a hackneyed argument though.

Yes, there's a drop off between first choice and second choice for most clubs in the world, including elite teams.

But the drop off between Robbo/Trent and Milner is quite a bit more than say, Aguero and Jesus, or Suarez and Griezmann, or Muller and Coutinho, or Benzema and Jovic.

You're right that it would be difficult to get someone who would take many games off Robbo, but there are other options, like players that can fill in across a number of roles - like Milner but younger.

Someone like Zinchenko works wonders for City, for example.

As for the kids - we talked a lot about them and they've acquitted themselves well, but we're now thinking of loaning Brewster, and Larouci I think hasn't made it onto the bench for a PL/CL game yet this season? It doesn't exactly say "ready to take over from Robbo".

With that said, I don't think we're signing anyone in January unless major injury strikes, and we may have to get someone to replace Milner if he leaves without signing a new contract anyway, so I imagine this debate is moot.

[CraigDS]

We're not signing a player better than the ones we've let go, or the ones we have, simply because they're not getting a game unless Robbo breaks his leg.

So have faith in El Burro and our talented kids. Every elite club in the world has a similar drop off in key positions because they have the elite players in those positions and full backs for us are a key position.

Loads of elite clubs have elite subs. Weird to suggest otherwise.

[Caligula?]

We cannot really rotate much vs Napoli but our next few games after that are Brighton at home, Everton at home, Bournemouth away, Salzburg away and Watford at home. If we can beat Napoli then we can rest Robertson in maybe 3 or 4 of those games.

Brighton and possibly Watford. Bournemouth away can be a tricky game so we're going to have to be full strength in that one as well. Who knows, if Watford's results pick up until then we may go full strength in that one as well. It's that time of the season. Games come thick and fast and there really are no easy matches.

[Sangria]

This is such a hackneyed argument though.

Yes, there's a drop off between first choice and second choice for most clubs in the world, including elite teams.

But the drop off between Robbo/Trent and Milner is quite a bit more than say, Aguero and Jesus, or Suarez and Griezmann, or Muller and Coutinho, or Benzema and Jovic.

You're right that it would be difficult to get someone who would take many games off Robbo, but there are other options, like players that can fill in across a number of roles - like Milner but younger.

Someone like Zinchenko works wonders for City, for example.

As for the kids - we talked a lot about them and they've acquitted themselves well, but we're now thinking of loaning Brewster, and Larouci I think hasn't made it onto the bench for a PL/CL game yet this season? It doesn't exactly say "ready to take over from Robbo".

With that said, I don't think we're signing anyone in January unless major injury strikes, and we may have to get someone to replace Milner if he leaves without signing a new contract anyway, so I imagine this debate is moot.

If we hadn't already had experience of him, someone like Downing would be a useful option, someone who can play at LB/LW with an emphasis on providing width and going up and down the flank. We don't really need someone who can play in both FB roles, as we have more than enough for RB.

[harleydanger]

Loads of elite clubs have elite subs. Weird to suggest otherwise.

So do we. What no club has is elite subs in every position.
So basically cover for the full backs needs to be a utility player, or else they’re just not getting enough games. Klopp loves an 18-20 man squad, so I just don’t know where we’re fitting an elite utility fb in, someone happy to be 2nd choice for the foreseeable future (considering our FB’s are 21 and 26) who’ll play maybe 15 games a year and never the big ones unless there is an injury to our two non-injury prone fb’s. Who’ll take games away from Milner, and block the path of youngsters.

Just doesn’t make sense to me.

[Redcap]

So do we. What no club has is elite subs in every position.
So basically cover for the full backs needs to be a utility player, or else they’re just not getting enough games. Klopp loves an 18-20 man squad, so I just don’t know where we’re fitting an elite utility fb in, someone happy to be 2nd choice for the foreseeable future (considering our FB’s are 21 and 26) who’ll play maybe 15 games a year and never the big ones unless there is an injury to our two non-injury prone fb’s. Who’ll take games away from Milner, and block the path of youngsters.

Just doesn’t make sense to me.

It really depends how important you think Trent and Robbo are to the way we play. We don't need elite backups in every position, no. But we do need to have a squad strong enough that our form doesn't drop off a cliff if a couple of key players are unavailable.

My current thinking is that we will change the way we play if Robbo and/or Trent are injured. Whereas right now they are the key creators and potentially ball progressers, while our midfield is fairly stodgy, I think we would go to a more attacking midfield and more defensive fullbacks if one or both are out.

The best thing would be to have a player that can be very effective in either position as well as further forward, such that they can effectively play 3-4 positions. That would give them plenty of game time and allow different people to be rested.

As for Milner and youngsters. The person blocking the path of the youngsters right now is... Milner. If the youngsters were good enough they would be playing and Milner would not be. The fact that we don't trust them to play, means there's no path currently available. If and when Milner leaves/retires, we'll have a decision to make about whether those youngsters are good enough to play the Milner role, or whether we should bring someone in. If they are not good enough then, I don't there there would be any qualms about bringing in someone who is.

[CraigDS]

So do we. What no club has is elite subs in every position.
So basically cover for the full backs needs to be a utility player, or else they’re just not getting enough games. Klopp loves an 18-20 man squad, so I just don’t know where we’re fitting an elite utility fb in, someone happy to be 2nd choice for the foreseeable future (considering our FB’s are 21 and 26) who’ll play maybe 15 games a year and never the big ones unless there is an injury to our two non-injury prone fb’s. Who’ll take games away from Milner, and block the path of youngsters.

Just doesn’t make sense to me.

I’ve not suggested we have elite subs in every position.

I’ve said that the way our fullbacks play is so fundamental to the way we play that have top cover for then should be something we look to have. If either was out long term currently I think our form would really suffer and that should be something we look to avoid.

[Roger Federer]

So do we. What no club has is elite subs in every position.
So basically cover for the full backs needs to be a utility player, or else they’re just not getting enough games. Klopp loves an 18-20 man squad, so I just don’t know where we’re fitting an elite utility fb in, someone happy to be 2nd choice for the foreseeable future (considering our FB’s are 21 and 26) who’ll play maybe 15 games a year and never the big ones unless there is an injury to our two non-injury prone fb’s. Who’ll take games away from Milner, and block the path of youngsters.

Just doesn’t make sense to me.

2 goalkeepers, 4 CBs, 3 fullbacks, 6 midfielders, 5 forwards - that's 20 senior players. We currently have 2 fullbacks and 7 midfielders instead. And it works as both Milner and Gomez can cover that position, but I think the squad as room for another specialist fullback, especially at left back. Not necessarily an elite player, but someone you'd feel comfortable playing 5-10 games in a row should something happen to Robertson. I probably would with Milner now, but can he still play that often at the required level at left back? Maybe, but it is a risk.

Almost every elite team has more than two regular fullbacks in their squad, even if no one's got a pair quite as good as ours.

[Chris~]

So do we. What no club has is elite subs in every position.
So basically cover for the full backs needs to be a utility player, or else they’re just not getting enough games. Klopp loves an 18-20 man squad, so I just don’t know where we’re fitting an elite utility fb in, someone happy to be 2nd choice for the foreseeable future (considering our FB’s are 21 and 26) who’ll play maybe 15 games a year and never the big ones unless there is an injury to our two non-injury prone fb’s. Who’ll take games away from Milner, and block the path of youngsters.

Just doesn’t make sense to me.

They don't have to play so few games. Trent and Robertson weren't this good when they first broke in to the team, if we buy someone and they play well enough to take more minutes off them then that's great. If it's an academy player we decide to promote then great, i doubt this though. Also not sure taking games away from milner is that big a negative given his age and contract situation.

Having good players shouldn't stop us buying more good, young players. You need to keep your squad fresh and not run players in to the ground to try and stay at this sort of level.

[CraigDS]

Having good players shouldn't stop us buying more good, young players. You need to keep your squad fresh and not run players in to the ground to try and stay at this sort of level.

It's imperative to do this to stay at the top and is probably one of the main reasons clubs fail to stay there.

[Agent99]

Would love to unearth a player who is as two footed as Lallana and can play LB and RB.

[Robinred]

Would love to unearth a player who is as two footed as Lallana and can play LB and RB.

Maybe you just named one?

[JackWard33]

2 goalkeepers, 4 CBs, 3 fullbacks, 6 midfielders, 5 forwards - that's 20 senior players. We currently have 2 fullbacks and 7 midfielders instead. And it works as both Milner and Gomez can cover that position, but I think the squad as room for another specialist fullback, especially at left back. Not necessarily an elite player, but someone you'd feel comfortable playing 5-10 games in a row should something happen to Robertson. I probably would with Milner now, but can he still play that often at the required level at left back? Maybe, but it is a risk.

Almost every elite team has more than two regular fullbacks in their squad, even if no one's got a pair quite as good as ours.

Yes. The thing is we don't have fullback replacements who can replicate the style of play we use when the main 2 are in. It was a mistake not to address it in the summer.
People on here are having a false argument about whether you can have elite replacements - obviously they'll be a drop off from your first choice or they wouldn't be your first choice.
The problem we have at full back is not putting someone else in its the demands of that position in our set up - we play through our attacking full backs but only have 2 attacking fullbacks close to first team level in the entire squad
So gomez and milner and fabinho etc etc can play at full back at a competent level but they can't play the 'more like a wing back' attacking, pacy role we've designed in the first team

It's probably our biggest vulnerability in the league this season. Because the front 3 are incredibly durable players and we do have options there with other players, changing the shape etc ... where as at full back there's really no great answer that doesn't change how we play if they're out.

[jepovic]

2 goalkeepers, 4 CBs, 3 fullbacks, 6 midfielders, 5 forwards - that's 20 senior players. We currently have 2 fullbacks and 7 midfielders instead. And it works as both Milner and Gomez can cover that position, but I think the squad as room for another specialist fullback, especially at left back. Not necessarily an elite player, but someone you'd feel comfortable playing 5-10 games in a row should something happen to Robertson. I probably would with Milner now, but can he still play that often at the required level at left back? Maybe, but it is a risk.

Almost every elite team has more than two regular fullbacks in their squad, even if no one's got a pair quite as good as ours.

The fact that Moreno was offered a new contract suggests that Klopp agrees with you. This is thinner than the ideal situation.

[RobbieRedman]

would be good if he practiced the odd corner ffs

[Caligula?]

He's had a mare tonight to be fair. Maybe he should have been rested instead of Trent. It could be that injury acting up.

[stockdam]

Not his best half of football tonight.

[RobbieRedman]

He's had a mare tonight to be fair. Maybe he should have been rested instead of Trent. It could be that injury acting up.

he's been no worse than anyone else but to continuously fuck up corner kicks is so frustrating

[killer-heels]

He's had a mare tonight to be fair. Maybe he should have been rested instead of Trent. It could be that injury acting 

Nah he was alright plus he wound up those Neopolitan shit hole c*nts which is always a good thing.

[proudred]

Didn't play well passing was wayward & crossing was bad.Buy a replacement for him in January?

[El Lobo]

With Trent moving into midfield I could actually see Robbo moving to RB and then Gomez at LB.

[farawayred]

I actually thought the Robbo was trying to compensate for the team imbalance too hard. This got him out of his normal role.

[SteveZissou]

Our players are going to be run ragged in December and possibly January if we win an FA Cup/get a replay. As we all know.
I think we need to bring somebody in in January to help Trent and Robbo. At the mo Milner and Gomez are there, but I feel Milner will be needed to rotate the midfield and Gomez the central defensive position. I understand if we can't find someone suitable then we can't sign anyone, but I hope we at least make a great effort to try and find someone worthy. Everyone is going to say, who wants to come and sit on the bench... well, then don't sign someone for the bench, sign someone who will compete with our boys. We know that's easier said than done, but bring it on and let them have some healthy competition. In any case, even if we discover the great right-back in history who performs like Fifa 20 all edited 100s, we can still move Trent to midfield . It's not like having a great player is going to mean we have to send Trent to Siberia to work in the winter.

[nico 8]

Yes. The thing is we don't have fullback replacements who can replicate the style of play we use when the main 2 are in. It was a mistake not to address it in the summer.
People on here are having a false argument about whether you can have elite replacements - obviously they'll be a drop off from your first choice or they wouldn't be your first choice.
The problem we have at full back is not putting someone else in its the demands of that position in our set up - we play through our attacking full backs but only have 2 attacking fullbacks close to first team level in the entire squad
So gomez and milner and fabinho etc etc can play at full back at a competent level but they can't play the 'more like a wing back' attacking, pacy role we've designed in the first team

It's probably our biggest vulnerability in the league this season. Because the front 3 are incredibly durable players and we do have options there with other players, changing the shape etc ... where as at full back there's really no great answer that doesn't change how we play if they're out.

I would agree. In the absence of buying a specialist fullback covering both left and right (highly unlikely to be found in the January window), I would suggest AOC especially in home games where teams look to defend deep. We can use Naby as the 8 in place of instead of with AOC.

[HeartAndSoul]

Our players are going to be run ragged in December and possibly January if we win an FA Cup/get a replay. As we all know.
I think we need to bring somebody in in January to help Trent and Robbo. At the mo Milner and Gomez are there, but I feel Milner will be needed to rotate the midfield and Gomez the central defensive position. I understand if we can't find someone suitable then we can't sign anyone, but I hope we at least make a great effort to try and find someone worthy. Everyone is going to say, who wants to come and sit on the bench... well, then don't sign someone for the bench, sign someone who will compete with our boys. We know that's easier said than done, but bring it on and let them have some healthy competition. In any case, even if we discover the great right-back in history who performs like Fifa 20 all edited 100s, we can still move Trent to midfield . It's not like having a great player is going to mean we have to send Trent to Siberia to work in the winter.

Was coming in to say just this. Our front 3 and full backs are going to be running on fumes come January. We've got an insane amount of games coming up and we can't seem to afford to rest either Trent or Robbo as we seem to so unbalanced without the two of them out there. The back up in Milner and Gomez are ok players but neither are much of a threat going forwards. If we are to rest them throughout the month, we need to adapt to a different style by maybe playing more through midfield and playing some of our players who are brave on the half turn. 

It's the same situation with the front 3. When one of them is missing the drop in quality is massive. Chamberlain is better through the middle,Origi is hit and miss and Shaqiri is just back from injury and barely featured in the second half of last season.

Just hoping the players aren't ran into the ground come January.

[Dougle]

I would agree. In the absence of buying a specialist fullback covering both left and right (highly unlikely to be found in the January window), I would suggest AOC especially in home games where teams look to defend deep. We can use Naby as the 8 in place of instead of with AOC.

Was listening to The Pink, on the Wrap, coming to work this morning and Neil was saying something similar. The way we play it's perhaps better to substitute Robbo and Trent with midfielders rather than defenders like Joe Gomez. It makes sense as we have a surfeit of midfielders and obviously no-one like Trent or Robbo.

[disgraced cake]

I like how he tried pushing one of their players near the lower centenary. The best was when he done it in Rome in the semi final, still one of the best things he's done here.

Wasn't great last night though, and it's unfortunate there's not really a game coming up we could rest him. The Villa game doesn't count because we're playing in Qatar anyway. Maybe rest him in the semi for Milner and play him in the final, if we win.

[classycarra]

I like how he tried pushing one of their players near the lower centenary. The best was when he done it in Rome in the semi final, still one of the best things he's done here.

Nah that was dumb even if the guy overegged it. Wasted our time when we were trying to get a winner, wasn’t thinking about the team momentarily.

[nico 8]

Nah that was dumb even if the guy overegged it. Wasted our time when we were trying to get a winner, wasn’t thinking about the team momentarily.

Is right.

[Geppvindh's]

Nah that was dumb even if the guy overegged it. Wasted our time when we were trying to get a winner, wasn’t thinking about the team momentarily.

That and it isn't going to end well for the player being pushed some day. Second time in a short space he's done that. I like that he's got a bit of a nasty streak and winds players up but he needs to cut this out. We were all furious when Holgate pushed Firmino. That was worse than anything Robbo has done but there's other ways to wind opponents up. Like grabbing their head and giving it a big shove after you've dumped them on the ground in a heap.

[7777]

Didn't play well passing was wayward & crossing was bad.Buy a replacement for him in January?

I’d get rid now to be honest. One wayward crossing performance is too much for me

[Ravishing Rick Dude]

That and it isn't going to end well for the player being pushed some day. Second time in a short space he's done that. I like that he's got a bit of a nasty streak and winds players up but he needs to cut this out. We were all furious when Holgate pushed Firmino. That was worse than anything Robbo has done but there's other ways to wind opponents up. Like grabbing their head and giving it a big shove after you've dumped them on the ground in a heap.

Overdramatizing a bit?

[God's Left Peg]

Can someone please post a gif of Renton when he gets hit by the car then stands there laughing manically. That's our Andy.

[planet-terror]

,

[newterp]

He’s a snide fucker.