Liverpool 09:30 - Aug 21 with 3717 views | flykickingbybgunn | Do we think that considering the number of incomming players that the Liverpool game was the last hurrah for some of the old Div 1 players ? I hope not because they have given us so much happiness and pride over the last couple of seasons. Lets hope they can step up. |  | | |  |
Liverpool on 09:45 - Aug 21 with 3593 views | RegencyBlue | Harsh to say it but we can’t let sentiment get in the way of PL survival if the club is going to make the most of the opportunity it now has . The chances of more than a small number of our League 1 players being able to make the step up to PL levels on a regular basis are remote frankly. |  | |  |
Liverpool on 09:51 - Aug 21 with 3522 views | BiGDonnie | I think so. A fit Phillips, Broja, Cajuste and Smzodics and the second half against Liverpool is a different story. Love all the players who have done amazing for us, but do think this is the end of the road for some of them with ITFC. |  |
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Liverpool on 09:55 - Aug 21 with 3477 views | Bluefields | I think so, yes. It was a very positive and brave performance against one of the best teams in the world but I did think that Chaplin and Burns looked a bit lost tbh. |  | |  |
Liverpool on 09:56 - Aug 21 with 3463 views | Help | Look at it like this. The rise from league one to prem was a 2-2.5 year cycle for KM. There are very few that can make the grade in the prem. So with the players and more coming in, and the league one and lower champ players on their way out. Consider this the start of a new two year cycle of prem class players and upper champ players under KM. Young able to be coached to a higher standard. Quicker, faster of mind and body. See possibly more changes as per previous years in January and next summer depending on the outcome of our foray in the prem. |  |
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Liverpool on 10:02 - Aug 21 with 3409 views | itfckenty | unfortunately yes, but as other have said - sentiment is a dangerous tool, and we will never be able to keep everyone. some players will definitely stay (especially those who KM believes can step up) and the rest most likely squad players for the moment, and they can train hard to prove they can indeed step up - if not, most likely moved on by the end of the season. I think a few will go before the window shuts, i.e the ones that couldn't make the cut in the champ. |  | |  |
Liverpool on 10:07 - Aug 21 with 3364 views | thebooks |
Liverpool on 09:55 - Aug 21 by Bluefields | I think so, yes. It was a very positive and brave performance against one of the best teams in the world but I did think that Chaplin and Burns looked a bit lost tbh. |
I thought Burns looked good against Liverpool and we missed him when he went off. Chaplin maybe more at risk. It was great seeing so many L1 veterans start on Sat, but I guess any season brings in changes. Of last season’s regulars, I’m guessing Davis, Woolfie, Tuanzebe, Morsy, Hutchinson and possibly Burns will be regulars. Three of those were with us in L1 as well, so there’s still a thread there. |  | |  |
Liverpool on 10:54 - Aug 21 with 3140 views | Ftnfwest | Likely though I'd thought from the end of last season that those in what you would call our strongest first XI would be automatically retained squad players this year at least, which i think will still be the case, of course with Leif, Morsy, Burns (plus hutch having bought him) at least remaining as regular starters. |  | |  |
Liverpool on 11:04 - Aug 21 with 3027 views | Steve_M |
Liverpool on 10:54 - Aug 21 by Ftnfwest | Likely though I'd thought from the end of last season that those in what you would call our strongest first XI would be automatically retained squad players this year at least, which i think will still be the case, of course with Leif, Morsy, Burns (plus hutch having bought him) at least remaining as regular starters. |
Yes, a continuation of the transitional evolution we have seen in the last few transfer windows under McK rather than a wholesale binning off of loads of players in one go*. *And, as an aside, what sort of idiot manager does that? |  |
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Liverpool on 11:06 - Aug 21 with 3004 views | pointofblue |
Liverpool on 11:04 - Aug 21 by Steve_M | Yes, a continuation of the transitional evolution we have seen in the last few transfer windows under McK rather than a wholesale binning off of loads of players in one go*. *And, as an aside, what sort of idiot manager does that? |
Whoever's in charge of Chelsea at any given time? Though, in fairness, that isn't really down to the manager. |  |
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Liverpool on 11:22 - Aug 21 with 2907 views | Churchman | Yes. I’m afraid so. I think it’s very much last season’s fringe players move on, last season’s first teamers (some of them) become fringe players or, like Hladky, move on. It feels sad and a little harsh on people who have done so wonderfully well for us, but it’s the way of things. Nothing can take away what they achieved. Watching Liverpool’s players I firmly believe some of our players will be good enough, some not or through age will have a reduced role. I hope so. Continuity and cohesion are vital if we are to have a good season staying up or better. |  | |  |
Liverpool on 11:41 - Aug 21 with 2826 views | Len_Brennan | I felt that McKenna more or less suggested it in his pre-Liverpool press conference, when he said that the lineup would be a reward for those that brought us on the journey from League 1. We'll have a squad with 2 'quality' players for every position & a few others who are adaptable replacements in case of injuries & suspensions. This was the case last season & the one before, but the step up is severe this time & required a serious overall. The reality is that that bulk of last season's preferred starting XI are now going to feature as the replacement XI, with those who featured off the bench moving on. Obviously there are a couple of exceptions, but we have (are still) mostly recruited for upgrades who will be expecting to start when up to fitness & familiar with the system/expectations. [Post edited 21 Aug 2024 11:46]
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Liverpool on 11:47 - Aug 21 with 2776 views | Garv |
Liverpool on 09:55 - Aug 21 by Bluefields | I think so, yes. It was a very positive and brave performance against one of the best teams in the world but I did think that Chaplin and Burns looked a bit lost tbh. |
I think you'll end up being wrong about Burns. If he stays fit he has all the physical attributes to compete comfortably at the level, and he's probably as suited to how we love to play as much as anyone. Easy to forget how important pace and strength is in a league that is known for it's technical quality. Outside of the top 8 I'm not convinced the technical side will trouble us too much. Chaplin more likely to drop out but I think he'll still get a healthy amount of minutes over the year. |  |
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Liverpool on 12:03 - Aug 21 with 2671 views | heavyweight |
Liverpool on 10:07 - Aug 21 by thebooks | I thought Burns looked good against Liverpool and we missed him when he went off. Chaplin maybe more at risk. It was great seeing so many L1 veterans start on Sat, but I guess any season brings in changes. Of last season’s regulars, I’m guessing Davis, Woolfie, Tuanzebe, Morsy, Hutchinson and possibly Burns will be regulars. Three of those were with us in L1 as well, so there’s still a thread there. |
I think you could add Hirst to the regulars once he gets fit. I wouldn't be unhappy with any of these starting games - but likely to have appearances limited Walton, Burns, Broadhead, Luongo, Clarke, Burgess, Chaplin which leaves Edmundson, Harness, Ladapo, Taylor, Al-Hamadi very much fringe players or leaving/loaned Possibly Burgess moving to the 2nd group if another CB comes in. |  | |  |
Liverpool on 12:32 - Aug 21 with 2588 views | Vic |
Liverpool on 09:55 - Aug 21 by Bluefields | I think so, yes. It was a very positive and brave performance against one of the best teams in the world but I did think that Chaplin and Burns looked a bit lost tbh. |
Chappers - agree (sadly). Not so sure about Burns - I think with his pace he could well make the step up. Don't know how long he's out for but trying to be positive about it, this few weeks on the sidelines gives him the opportunity to watch pitchside and see how things are working so that when he comes back he can take advantage of what he's learnt. |  |
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Liverpool on 12:36 - Aug 21 with 2550 views | Vegtablue | I'm not sure we're there quite yet, if by 'last hurrah' you mean relegated to pretty much never playing, rather than just squeezed out of the preferred XI. Further signings and yes. Taylor and Luongo may/will find themselves nearer the periphery if Cajuste and Phillips quickly find form and fitness, but I see both being involved at times providing we sign no more CMs. One may find themselves mostly outside the matchday squad, but injury, suspension and freshness considerations should see us wanting five players for rotation here. Phillips can't play at the weekend. We're a CB signing away from someone being squeezed out altogether perhaps, if Edmundson isn't already a couple of injuries away from the lineup. Tough to know McKenna's thoughts here, if Woolfenden's current first-choice replacement is actually Tuanzebe coming inside or Greaves moving across to the right, rather than Edmundson receiving his opportunity. In attack we will soon have Broja, Delap, Szmodics, Hutchinson, Chaplin, Al-Hamadi and Harness available. I don't think we're close to Hirst or Broadhead returning, but hopefully Burns' injury is minor. Unless or until we sign more players here, we do appear to have room for everyone for a good few weeks at least, given our liberal use of subs. Maybe one or two won't now be seen in our finishing rotation much regardless, if McKenna decides that say Omari with 70' on the clock is now the better option than a bench player's fresh legs, but too soon to know those are his thoughts IMO. |  | |  |
Liverpool on 12:47 - Aug 21 with 2475 views | SuperKieranMcKenna |
Liverpool on 11:47 - Aug 21 by Garv | I think you'll end up being wrong about Burns. If he stays fit he has all the physical attributes to compete comfortably at the level, and he's probably as suited to how we love to play as much as anyone. Easy to forget how important pace and strength is in a league that is known for it's technical quality. Outside of the top 8 I'm not convinced the technical side will trouble us too much. Chaplin more likely to drop out but I think he'll still get a healthy amount of minutes over the year. |
I think Burns has always been technically excellent as well. I think he’ll stay around the squad if fit. Personally, I dislike the ‘league one players’ tag that many rival fans use. It lacks any context. Players like Morsy and Broadhead dropped down for the project and had no right to be playing at that level. Woolfie was only really breaking through - his ceiling is certainly very much higher than L1. Luongo, Taylor, Harness etc probably have reached their ceilings. All played their part, and I’m sure will get some good moves. It’s a daft label really - nobody in their right mind would call Toney or Vardy League One players for having played there. |  | |  |
Liverpool on 12:49 - Aug 21 with 2454 views | GlasgowBlue | Not so much a last hurrah, but bench options from last season will move on and 70% of last season's starters will become bench options. They'll come on and some times will start if we have injuries and suspensions. Thought Burns did ok on Saturday. I'd start him when fit. [Post edited 21 Aug 2024 12:50]
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Liverpool on 12:51 - Aug 21 with 2431 views | ibbleobble |
Liverpool on 09:51 - Aug 21 by BiGDonnie | I think so. A fit Phillips, Broja, Cajuste and Smzodics and the second half against Liverpool is a different story. Love all the players who have done amazing for us, but do think this is the end of the road for some of them with ITFC. |
If that were like for like that's only x 2 League one players though: Morsy and Luongo / Taylor Phillips for Morsy Broja for Delap Cajuste for Luongo / Taylor Szmodic for Chaplin Most at threat is Chaplin for me. Needs some big performances soon. |  | |  |
Liverpool on 12:52 - Aug 21 with 2418 views | GlasgowBlue |
Liverpool on 12:51 - Aug 21 by ibbleobble | If that were like for like that's only x 2 League one players though: Morsy and Luongo / Taylor Phillips for Morsy Broja for Delap Cajuste for Luongo / Taylor Szmodic for Chaplin Most at threat is Chaplin for me. Needs some big performances soon. |
Hutchinson is the best fit for the Chaplin role but injuries on the right and left haven't allowed that so far. |  |
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Liverpool on 13:28 - Aug 21 with 2275 views | portmanroadblue |
Liverpool on 12:51 - Aug 21 by ibbleobble | If that were like for like that's only x 2 League one players though: Morsy and Luongo / Taylor Phillips for Morsy Broja for Delap Cajuste for Luongo / Taylor Szmodic for Chaplin Most at threat is Chaplin for me. Needs some big performances soon. |
Delap will push out wide, when required. |  | |  |
Liverpool on 14:37 - Aug 21 with 2106 views | Garv |
Liverpool on 12:47 - Aug 21 by SuperKieranMcKenna | I think Burns has always been technically excellent as well. I think he’ll stay around the squad if fit. Personally, I dislike the ‘league one players’ tag that many rival fans use. It lacks any context. Players like Morsy and Broadhead dropped down for the project and had no right to be playing at that level. Woolfie was only really breaking through - his ceiling is certainly very much higher than L1. Luongo, Taylor, Harness etc probably have reached their ceilings. All played their part, and I’m sure will get some good moves. It’s a daft label really - nobody in their right mind would call Toney or Vardy League One players for having played there. |
Good point, although I think generally the tag is innocently used simply to indicate where we were when they joined. Add Chaplin, Hirst and even Luongo to the list of players that probably shouldn't have dropped down to L1. Morsy especially was at walking pace during some games it was laughable. I'd also love to know how much competition, if any, there was for Burns' signature. Surely a couple of low end Championship teams were tempted? He was probably the player who settled in quickest. |  |
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Liverpool on 14:38 - Aug 21 with 2104 views | flykickingbybgunn |
Liverpool on 12:47 - Aug 21 by SuperKieranMcKenna | I think Burns has always been technically excellent as well. I think he’ll stay around the squad if fit. Personally, I dislike the ‘league one players’ tag that many rival fans use. It lacks any context. Players like Morsy and Broadhead dropped down for the project and had no right to be playing at that level. Woolfie was only really breaking through - his ceiling is certainly very much higher than L1. Luongo, Taylor, Harness etc probably have reached their ceilings. All played their part, and I’m sure will get some good moves. It’s a daft label really - nobody in their right mind would call Toney or Vardy League One players for having played there. |
I did not mean that they were league 1 players but they were with us in that division. They clearly played above that level in coming within a whisker of winning the Championship. It is just that after such a 24 months you get attached to some players that you have seen give everything and you care when they struggle to get into the team. I accept that we are in different times and everybody needs to move on. It's just me. I'm a little bit sentimental. |  | |  |
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