Hysteria

[Squiggles]

[quote author=ibromurph link=topic=35440.msg931914#msg931914 date=1251149082]
[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=35440.msg931889#msg931889 date=1251148603]
what makes this worse is Villa are average and offered nothing only SET PIECES but then we lacked a spark to get back into it and make them cave.

maybe because the team isnt fit etc. I dont know but it was lacking.


[/quote]

Thinking about it, we've conceded all our goals thus far through set pieces.
[/quote]

Apparently this is irrelevant because Rafa is a great defensive coach.

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=Frogfish link=topic=35440.msg931927#msg931927 date=1251149345]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=35440.msg931905#msg931905 date=1251148895]
[quote author=vikas link=topic=35440.msg931891#msg931891 date=1251148609]
                    Torres
Riera   Gerrard  Benayoun  Kuyt
                Mascherano
Insua Carragher Skrtel Johnson
                   Reina

From now until Aquilani is fit please.
[/quote]

Agreed

I do think Yossi could learn the LW spot, but posters are right, it's costing us in terms of width.

And Lucas just isn't good enough to make up for Mascherano's...specialist nature.
[/quote]

Don't agree Squiggs. We saw plenty of width in the 2nd half. Insua went to the byline more than a couple of times and he did so much better than in the first half. Same with Johnson - second half he was hardly 10 yds from their penalty box in 45 mins.

Difference was pace.  In the 2nd we upped the tempo and it created space.
[/quote]

I do agree the tempo has so much to do with it, and I find it odd that Rafa uses the word 50 times a day but we're coming out and playing like we're half arsed.

As for the LW issue, Riera offers a lot more balance than any other left sided player we have - we saw this last season. And because Insua is, at best, is inconsistent with his overlapping, crosses and general attacking play, we only have one real outlet down either side, Glen Johnson, which simply isn't enough. 

 

[Sunny]

We were fucking shite last night. We were static, sloppy and making stupid basic mistakes all over the field. Too many below-par performances in my view. We played to ball side to side all night and lacked width especially in the second half and spent far too long playing in front of a Aston Villa defence (that played really well). We needed to get round the side of them. In the 1st half we played a few good balls into the box but no-one was taking a near post gamble or getting in front of the defender. That said, if we'd have scored that goal line scramble at the start of the game the whole game may have been different.

 

[Mors]

[quote author=Hardcastle link=topic=35440.msg931794#msg931794 date=1251147179]
Lets all take a step back.

It wasn't that bad. If we played against Chelsea or any decent side tonight, we could've been on the end of a royal spanking, as it is.

It was a nothing match, we bossed the first half, creating very little and were very unfortunate to go in 2 down, let alone 1 down.

Second half was slack too, it's hard to pin the blame at any one door as there's so many places it should go but at the same time; fair play Villa, they pinned back Glen and Insua very well. Thus giving us zero width.


One count of blood rush to the head and one Own goal seperate the two sides.

We're still without Aurelio - I'm less convinced with Insua with the more frequently he starts.

Still without Aquilani - Lucas is average at best

Riera - not fully fit - Was a very useful player last season regardless of doubts about him long term

then there's Dogger, we'll have a better squad when he's back,obviously

Roll on Bolton and prepare for a Stoke like backlash, Megson 😉
[/quote]

I don't have a doubt that Bolton will get spanked mate, but the Villa and Spurs games are signs of what is to come this season - We've no one to bring off the bench to change a game, and when Torres isn't in the mood/rested/broken, we've fuck all else to put upfront to stick the ball away.

I'm worried about this season 🙁

 

[gkmacca]

We played like our reserves did last season - get the ball up, then play it into the edge of a congested area and hope that Pacheco or someone can twist past three players or thread a ball through someone's legs. Over and over and over again. They need to go back to basics at Melwood: pass and move, and for god's sake use the full width of the pitch.

 

[Spionkop69]

[quote author=FoxForceFive link=topic=35440.msg931826#msg931826 date=1251147702]
passing is not theproblem. It's movement, there isnt any.
[/quote]

There is the problem right there.

Two players came out of last night with credit. Skrtel and Johnson (again). Lucas did some good stuff but you could sense the crowd was waiting for a mistake and when it came people were on his back. Gerrard was no better than Lucas and Torres' head was elsewhere again.

 

[Molbystwin]

[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=35440.msg931865#msg931865 date=1251148173]
at least the yanks won't get away with the shit they've pulled this summer.
[/quote]


Yes they fucking will.

FACT.

 

[Farkmaster]

[quote author=Molbystwin link=topic=35440.msg932127#msg932127 date=1251189949]
[quote author=Skullflower link=topic=35440.msg931865#msg931865 date=1251148173]
at least the yanks won't get away with the shit they've pulled this summer.
[/quote]


Yes they fucking will.

FACT.


[/quote]

I think they may throw a bit of money Rafa's way. Here's a (short) rope, hang yourself. Things would be easier for them if he wasn't around. Things would also be more difficult for Rafa if the owners weren't there, as they end up absorbing some of the scrutiny that would be on him.