Topic: Mikel Merino

[The Ideal Crash]

He started well but got injured and wasn’t quite the same for us after for whatever reason. Rafa didn’t seem that keen on giving him game time, yes he had a release clause but he could have said no, which he might have if his situation had of been different here.

[Cronky]

Good player. We always seemed to play better the minute he came on. I don't know why Rafa didn't rate him. Maybe a workrate / defending issue.

[triggs]

Diame becoming an absolute beast the second half of that season kind of ruined his chances

[Paully]

Good player. We always seemed to play better the minute he came on. I don't know why Rafa didn't rate him. Maybe a workrate / defending issue.

He got an injury and Diame and Shelvey turned undroppable!

[neesy111]

He also got homesick as well which is understandable.  I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often.

[ManDoon]

Loved Merino, so rare we get a midfielder like him. Shame

[Optimistic Nut]

Midfield three of Hamann, Cabaye and Merino would be droolworthy.

[HawK]

Midfield three of Hamann, Cabaye and Merino would be droolworthy.

Tbf most established PL teams grabbing players from their whole PL history could make an amazing first XI. Personally I'd have Lee or Batty in for Cabaye, though. Always liked Merino, don't think he did enough for long enough to be one of our best 3 though.

[Optimistic Nut]

I think Batty & Lee are ahead of all three but that three would be easy on the eye.

[gjohnson]

I think Batty & Lee are ahead of all three but that three would be easy on the eye.

I wanna play a game.

Batty vs Tiote...who wins? You decide, make your choice

[Infinitely Content]

He also got homesick as well which is understandable.  I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often.

Yeah, genuinely seemed like the primary reason he left so early. Iirc he came alone as a 20/21 year old on loan for 6 months before we signed him. Not always easy to settle/transition seamlessly I imagine, couple that with a pretty bad injury and it's no surprise he was longing for Spain/home comforts, particularly being from Pamplona with an opportunity to play for Sociedad.

[Manxst]

I think Batty & Lee are ahead of all three but that three would be easy on the eye.

I wanna play a game.

Batty vs Tiote...who wins? You decide, make your choice

Tiote in the one in 20 games when he had a stormer. Batty in the other 19 to do the consistent stuff.

[Infinitely Content]

I think Batty & Lee are ahead of all three but that three would be easy on the eye.

I wanna play a game.

Batty vs Tiote...who wins? You decide, make your choice

On their day, the pairing of Cabaye and Tiote could be competitive with just about anyone. They were excellent together. Used to start games expecting to win the midfield battle (unless Yaya Toure was involved). Imagine that.

[ManDoon]

I still think Tiote's performance against Man United under pards was one of the best midfield performances I've ever seen in our shirt

[Infinitely Content]

Rooney was having an incredible season and Tiote bullied him out of the game to the point where Fergie just took him off. Was f***ing scenes.

[ManDoon]

Yeah he was, incredible performance. It used to be on YT but was taken down I think. I used to watch it all the time

[Infinitely Content]

Same, I used to show it and wax lyrical about how supreme this performance was to people who had literally 0 interest... and I wonder why I don't have a big friendship circle 

[Cronky]

I'd opt for Batty, but with some reluctance. I don't think he made best use of his all-round talent. I actually saw him play for Leeds when he was about 20, and he displayed a lot of skill and creativity on the ball. At some stage of his career, he seemed to opt for a more conservative, defensive role, and to take on the persona of a hard man. He was a better player than he looked, if you get what I mean.

[Sima]

Batty and it’s not even close.

[TRon]

Midfield three of Hamann, Cabaye and Merino would be droolworthy.

Hamman was the standout signing of Dalglish's time here, although his time here was wasted by Kenny's ultra-defensive line ups.

[neesy111]

Midfield three of Hamann, Cabaye and Merino would be droolworthy.

Hamman was the standout signing of Dalglish's time here, although his time here was wasted by Kenny's ultra-defensive line ups.

He played 2 games under Dalglish.

[TRon]

Midfield three of Hamann, Cabaye and Merino would be droolworthy.

Hamman was the standout signing of Dalglish's time here, although his time here was wasted by Kenny's ultra-defensive line ups.

He played 2 games under Dalglish.

Didn't realise he was out for so many games, but he was a good player. He would still have been wasted in a side with was usually filled with central midfielders and no width.

[Optimistic Nut]

Hamann and Speed were a great pairing.