Injuries And Suspensions

[wassy04]

We weren’t this hard up on forward options at the worst of last year’s injury crisis. At least we had Ayew on the bench. Wood really isn’t a 99min player but literally no choice.

We'll be fine we've got a much better squad this year I've heard...

:fishing:

Maybe this is Santos time to shine!

Are you seriously doubting that?

We're better in some positions but when Wood and MGW are the only fit attackers in the squad it's hard to think we're better in attack.

Like everyone else we can only name 25 players and like everyone else we have to deal with injuries.

Of course but the whole point of having a better squad is that we can cope better with injuries surely? Whereas it doesn't appear that way. It just feels like we're an attacker or two short in the squad and that's showing.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

We'll be fine we've got a much better squad this year I've heard...

:fishing:

Maybe this is Santos time to shine!

Are you seriously doubting that?

We're better in some positions but when Wood and MGW are the only fit attackers in the squad it's hard to think we're better in attack.

Like everyone else we can only name 25 players and like everyone else we have to deal with injuries.

Of course but the whole point of having a better squad is that we can cope better with injuries surely? Whereas it doesn't appear that way. It just feels like we're an attacker or two short in the squad and that's showing.

Then a defender or two and a midfielder or two have to make way in the squad. Then a couple of injuries in midfield or a couple of injuries in defence and we would have the same problem. Even Man City and Chelsea have both struggled to put teams out this season so far at the level they would have liked, it's not only us, it's the same for everyone else too.

[Reds73]

Is Osong injured. If not could he make the squad.

He’s injured.
Konate over 21 so he can’t be included.
Nobody else remotely near enough ready or able to effect things

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Elanga has been ill he is not injured so most likely be the same like last week MGW - Wood - Elanga.

If Elanga doesn't make it then I would imagine Williams will play depending on which system Steve goes with of course.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

This time last year there was loads of moaning about Lingard, how he was injured, when he played he was poor and we were paying him a fortune.

So far Origi has barely played and is currently injured, when he has played he has looked miles off the pace and his wages will be at least as much on top of a loan fee.

The lack of forward options is hurting us badly.

[zicorice]

This time last year there was loads of moaning about Lingard, how he was injured, when he played he was poor and we were paying him a fortune.

So far Origi has barely played and is currently injured, when he has played he has looked miles off the pace and his wages will be at least as much on top of a loan fee.

The lack of forward options is hurting us badly.

Considering we only play one up top we've been very unlucky -again- with injuries. Wood waited his chance to start, looks the part and then gets injured, Origi has not had much of a chance due to pecking order, but then when he would have started he's injured.

Last seasons order appeared to be 1. Taiwo  2. Ayew  3. Wood 4. Surridge 5. Dennis plus Jonno jumped in from time to time.

This season appears to be: 1. Taiwo   2. Wood  3. Origi Then it's wingers like Elanga coming in.

Problem is how much would it cost to get a better player in at each level? Clearly, we can't afford better than Taiwo now he is proving himself in Prem. Wood (who has shown us what he's all about this season) cost loads. So who comes in to be basically 3rd choice? Plus that's 4 squad spots for one position potentially. Tricky. Last season it was CBs  but at least you have to play 2 of them! 

Let's hope Taiwo stats fit and Wood and Origi rehab goes well-and quickly.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

I agree Origi looks a waste so far but we were saying the same about Wood when he first came in too but he is slowly turning into a decent signing.

It's not easy though to sign a second or third choice striker. Which top striker is going to sign for us knowing that he is going to play second fiddle to Awoniyi?

It's a difficult one.

[wassy04]

It's not the 3rd striker role we're missing, it's any attacking options.

We're playing 433 right now mostly, with a front 3 of MGW, Taiwo, Elanga/CHO (if all fit). So we really only have one backup in whichever of CHO/Elanga isn't playing plus Wood who can only play one position. I guess Origi was signed to play that final backup role but it certainly felt even at full fitness that another option in attack whether it be a wide forward or central was missing. Didn't think it was as big a deal when we were playing wingbacks but seems more so now.

Maybe as mentioned above, Origi barely playing/being available makes it look worse.

Pretty unlucky that Taiwo, CHO, Origi, Wood were all injured at the same time (and Elanga was sick too). Plus Danilo. I guess we will have known CHO was an injury risk though.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Agree you can’t persuade a top level striker to come here and sit on the bench.

I’m a bit disappointed we didn’t manage to land a promising youngster, even one on loan with a bit of pace to come on and change a game. No Elanga isn’t a proper striker although as a wide forward he looks decent.

As for Origi, I hope like Wood he gets to show us his ability but Ive seen literally nothing so far. He really should have buried the chance at the end vs Palace but seemed half asleep to the opportunity.

[DeesideRed]

Argument we should have kept Surridge as an able backup?

Or dare i say it, Dennis?

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Argument we should have kept Surridge as an able backup?

Or dare i say it, Dennis?

I don’t think Surridge was happy to hang around as 4th or 5th choice striker and I can’t say I blame him. Can’t have been easy watching Ayew get on ahead of him.

Dennis is an odd one. I would have kept him personally, thought he added something we don’t have and we have let him go on loan to a very poor Turkish team who wont be paying more than a fraction of his wages. However Cooper clearly doesn’t want or trust him seeing as he spent the summer training with the bomb squad. The likes of OBrien Mighten etc who were all surplus trained with the first team so there must have been a bit more we don’t know about with Dennis.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Thing is Origi must have something about him.

You simply cannot play 100 plus games for Liverpool, about 30 for AC Milan and have 32 caps for Belgium who are ranked 5th in the world if you are shit.

I know we haven't seen it yet but there must be more to come from him.