I'm a big fan of you not calling him 'flannel'
Lucas Leiva today
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I'm a big fan of you not calling him 'flannel'
Flannel Again?
Hmmm not sure about that last bit. Allen was playing on the left of the diamond of late and usually was in top 1/2 players for ground covered.
It's more accurate to say Flanno has been caught out a lot because he's young and inexperienced. He's learning but most definitely the weakest link currently in the back 5
Regardless of what you think re: Lucas, since his injury, we've not lost ... and we've destroyed 3 of the top 6 teams in the League (2 at home, 1 away). That doesn't mean - as most fans I think realize, and he proved yesterday - that he doesn't have a role to play in this team, and can't be important in winning games.
This.
I actually thought it was important that Rodgers started with the flat midfield 4 at the start. Thought he could have changed it a littler earlier but, until the last minute, we were leading the half so why bother.
I think Rodgers knew that there was no way Allardyce could change the game mid stream to counteract a change to the diamond.
West Ham were, if I'm honest, pretty good in the first 45. Certainly not real pretty but they did actually try to play rather than park the bus. If I'm honest they looked as dangerous as we did for the first 35 and Carroll's thumping header in the 2nd half would be in the net 9 times out of 10. But where they looked capable of creating that chance throughout the 1st half they looked completely lost in the 2nd half.
Lucas was fantastic in the 2nd half and he'd be a starter every week if he hadn't been injured. I'm ok with him on the bench at the moment though it will be interesting to see what Rodgers does for City. What made him good in advanced areas before coming here is his excellent first touch and knowledge of where players are before he receives the ball. Piss off to any prick who says I'm comparing him to Xavi but I do remember the Spaniard explaining that Barca players are taught from the age of 10 to know where their team mates are before they receive the ball. This seems a foreign concept to most players who get the ball under pressure and then look around for a place to pass it. Lucas doesn't - he generally knows where the support is before the ball comes to him which is why he can generally appear un hurried.
Flanagan, by the way, was up against far more dangerous an opponent to Johnson. I don't think he's anywhere near Johnson's level yet but no surprise that he struggled. Most fullbacks would have trouble with him - heart condition or not.
Finally, slightly unrelated but I've got to comment on what a gobsmackingly good job Martinez has done at Everton. I picked them about 8 weeks ago to finish top 4 ahead of Arsenal but I did not think they could out play Arsenal. Win - yes. Outplay them - no. What they did to Arsenal was nothing short of remarkable for that club - the way Wenger's "total football" team couldn't get a touch in the last 15 minutes was extraordinary. I'll be stoked for Martinez if he gets them in the CL - deserves it and, if I'm honest, I'll be pretty happy for some of my blue nose mates. They stuck with Moyes and supported him - him pissing off has been fantastic for that club and seeing them in the CL while the mancs are either in Europa or nothing at all will be hilarious. What's more, unlike the last time they made it, I'd back their manager to negotiate them through the qualifying. He's proved himself as far as I'm concerned.
This post is odd.
A starter every week? He was on the bench already a few times before his injury - rightly or wrongly - so that point is obviously wrong. Considering how Rodgers has handled his own signings, or players not named Gerrard & Suarez, he plays players who are on form or who can work best in the formation he needs. Lucas would be getting rotated most likely.
With regards to the passing comment - I remember a few of his passes that were off (one right outside the box that would have set up a shooting opportunity). He looked pressurized and hurried - ironically enough - quite a bit as he adjusted to a role he's probably not played in a while. His pass to Flanno was great, and if that is what we can expect for him (I can't believe you compared him to Xavi 😉), then he's going to be another excellent option for Rodgers to entertain as he prepares this squad for the challenge of the CL & PL.
Wizz, I did tell people at the start of the season that Everton had a very good team. Having 3 best mates who evertonians, I watch them a lot more than most people. They are a really good team, forget Lukaku and Deufeleo (who doesn't even play that much).
Howard, Jagielka, Baines, Coleman, Barclay, Mirallas, Osman, etc. Good players.
Howard, Jagielka, Baines, Coleman, Barclay, Mirallas, Osman, etc. Good players.
I remember us trying to get him whilst he was at Hamilton and he turned us down. I guess the decision to take things slowly looks to have paid off.
Good player. If Everton can keep a hold of him and Barkley, they're set in midfield for a good while.
Interesting. Didn't know that...
Oh yeah, forgot about that!
Apparently in Rodgers system only Mignolet is allowed to hang back for most of the game, every other fucker has to try and score.
It's beautiful!
Is it so stiff you could surf on it?
@Wizardry such was Evertons domination in that game I had to ask someone of Arsenal were down to ten men. Everton are indeed doing very well. I can't think why not many are talking about it. I mean it's a mystery, I can only think there's another team on a good run...
Seriously though, if they want to qualify for CL they will have to better out current run, and that would be a remarkable achievement.
Seriously though, if they want to qualify for CL they will have to better out current run, and that would be a remarkable achievement.
It would be a great effort them to qualify - agreed. That said, they've got Sunderland, Palace, Hull and Southampton in their next 6. They've also got the mancs at home where you'd expect the team to be at fever pitch to give it to Moyes and united both. They've also got City at home which will obviously be a massive game for them.
There's 4 games there that are easily winnable plus the mancs which I'd say is also very winnable. Arsenal have an easier run but the mental state their in - they could easily drop points.
City at Goodison may turn out to be the biggest match of the season for both halves of Liverpool.
Agreed. I was discussing with a rabid blue today and he was playing it all down, but conceded that arsenal are mentally weak and also that they could help Liverpool win the title if they want to qualify. If they win the game in hand and Arsenal drop points in next game then Arsenal will have to pick themselves up quick and they don't look capable. I've never seen them so clueless. Well not since January in Liverpool!
Yep, agreed.
Plus I think they're only hope at any sort of redemption is the FA Cup. I reckon they're absolutely wetting themselves about getting beaten in that and the pressure could destroy them.
I've always thought Wenger was as good as Arsenal could get but I'd now say he looks like he's stayed a season too long.
Plus I think they're only hope at any sort of redemption is the FA Cup. I reckon they're absolutely wetting themselves about getting beaten in that and the pressure could destroy them.
I've always thought Wenger was as good as Arsenal could get but I'd now say he looks like he's stayed a season too long.
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