Post Match - Portsmouth (H)

[Ryan]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=39317.msg1070432#msg1070432 date=1268729107]

Yeah, Spurs' success this season is pretty much the definitive counter to Ryan's 'four defensive midfielders' bollocks. They generally play with two wingers and two strikers, and they generally win easily against the weaker teams in the league. Which is why they're currently ahead of us, and favourites for CL qualification.

But Ryan's never really advocated four "defensive midfielders" as such, just pointed out that some teams play with three or four midfielders who aren't exactly "attackers".

I have no problem with two midfielders who sit deep, as long as the players in front of them all possess some pace, goal threat and guile.
Arsenal produced one of the Premiership's great teams with two midfielders who could both arguable be classed as "sitting/ holding/ defensive" in Vieira and Petit.
Valencia did it with Baraja and Albelda.
We did it last year with Masher and Alonso.

The first crucial part of two deeper midfielders is that they're both good players. The problem with a Masher/ Lucarse combo is that Lucarse is not a good player. He's a hideous mediocrity.

The second crucial part is that one (or both) needs to have *some* attacking instinct and ability. Alonso, Baraja, Vieira, Petit et al could all chip in with goals and were happy to get forward when possible, knowing that their partner would hang back and cover. They were also good passers, and looked to play their game facing forwards at all time.

[/quote]

And most of this.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Sunny link=topic=39317.msg1070455#msg1070455 date=1268732365]
My thoughts. It was a big imrpovement. We moved the ball around quickly and it was obvious Aquilani was key to that. The one touch football between Maxi, Purple, Torres and Gerrard was excellent at times. Much improved performances from Gerrard, Torres and Babel although the latter can still do much better. On a negative note we still look defensively shakey and I disagree with Ryan about Agger. I thought he looked a bit suspect at times defensively although he did bring the ball out well. Carra on the other hand defended slightly better but was frustrating with his sideways passing. There were numerous occasions when Maxi dropped inside for the forward pass and it was on - and instead chose to pass it sideways. Johnson missed many opportunities to drive forwards and overlap at times too. That said, a great improvement overall and a match I actually enjoyed. Let's not forget though that Portsmouth are complete gash. Aquilani was easily MOTM and made the whole team 'tick' last night which we've been missing all season since Alonso left. That was the largest positive of the whole match. Now fucking play him Rafa !


[/quote]

Mate, I wasn't really making any comments on Agger's performance, just emtnioning the difference he makes in moving us up in the park in contrast to Kyrgiakos. The difference between last night and Wigan away was night and day in that respect.

 

[themn]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39317.msg1070390#msg1070390 date=1268717680]
[quote author=Whaddapie link=topic=39317.msg1070385#msg1070385 date=1268715580]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39317.msg1070381#msg1070381 date=1268713814]
Insua.

He's started the last 7 games in a row due to Aurelio's injury, and played 90 minutes in every one of them. He's played 38 games already this season (he only started 11 games in whole of last year) in an underperfoming team, with differing centre-backs and left-wingers around him just about every week.

We all know about his weaknesses re pace, explosiveness, and susceptibility, but...

He's what, 20 years old? This is his first season playing regularly, his attitude is spot on, and he's a fucking kid. All this "useless tubby fucker" chat is absolutely disgraceful. God help the likes of Pacheco, Dalle Valle, San Jose, Kelly et al if they're not Wayne Rooney in their first season.
[/quote]

Oh, for Christ's sake, Ryan. He's been atrocious, and you know it.
[/quote]

I'm not trying to argue that he's Paolo Maldini Whaddapie, just that the treatement dished out to him by some fans has been woeful. As it has for quite a few of our youngsters - N'Gog, Spearing, etc...
[/quote]

I agree.

 

[Sunny]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39317.msg1070961#msg1070961 date=1268779016]
[quote author=Sunny link=topic=39317.msg1070455#msg1070455 date=1268732365]
My thoughts. It was a big imrpovement. We moved the ball around quickly and it was obvious Aquilani was key to that. The one touch football between Maxi, Purple, Torres and Gerrard was excellent at times. Much improved performances from Gerrard, Torres and Babel although the latter can still do much better. On a negative note we still look defensively shakey and I disagree with Ryan about Agger. I thought he looked a bit suspect at times defensively although he did bring the ball out well. Carra on the other hand defended slightly better but was frustrating with his sideways passing. There were numerous occasions when Maxi dropped inside for the forward pass and it was on - and instead chose to pass it sideways. Johnson missed many opportunities to drive forwards and overlap at times too. That said, a great improvement overall and a match I actually enjoyed. Let's not forget though that Portsmouth are complete gash. Aquilani was easily MOTM and made the whole team 'tick' last night which we've been missing all season since Alonso left. That was the largest positive of the whole match. Now fucking play him Rafa !


[/quote]

Mate, I wasn't really making any comments on Agger's performance, just emtnioning the difference he makes in moving us up in the park in contrast to Kyrgiakos. The difference between last night and Wigan away was night and day in that respect.
[/quote]

Can't disagree with that mate.