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Post Match - Portsmouth (H)

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[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=39317.msg1070449#msg1070449 date=1268731539]
1 defensive midfielder is fucking ample against Wigan, Sunderland, Hull, Birmingham, Fulham etc it's being spoken about as though it's Mascherano vs the entire attack if Lucas doesn't play. Well Ha ha. What about Carragher, Agger, Insua and Johnson....what about Reina? Even with ONE defensive midfielder, that still means over half the team is employed to stop the opposition. And it's not like Torres, Gerrard et al just fucking stop and stare when we lose the ball, they work like fuck, in fact the only 'lazy' player in our whole team is Babel. Bottom line is Rafa is over cautious and we have failed to beat many MANY shit teams because our creative fulcrum of Lucas and Mascherano is fucking awful.
The Lucas -Mascherano partnership is fucking anti football and I hate it.
Against the bottom 13 teams last nights formation should be played, and if Aqui can't do the leg work, against the top 7 Gerrard should drop deeper and Aquilani push on.

[/quote]

I agree I'm just saying why I think rafa uses two out and out holding midfielders.
 
I agree with a lot beeing said.

About Sundays game, well, a lot will depend on how things fare come Thursday against Lille.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the exact same line-up against the French, everyone outthere deserves another go.

Will we then continue this beautiful football from last night then? Perhaps, there's a good chance. But it's obvious that players like Kuyt and Lucas will come in contention for the Mancs game. And rightly so.

Not only because I want us to be a bit more defensive-minded but simply beacuse I can't see neither Aquilani nor Babel play anywhere near to 3 x 90 minutes withing 7 days.

Lille same as yesterday preferable.

Lucas and Kuyt for Aqui and Babel come Sunday. Perhaps even Riera or Benayoun for Maxi. And I'm still sure we can win that game as Rooney United these days are all about one player. Park, Fletcher, aging Scholes and Giggs aren't any better than what we've got so it's all about closing that man down and make a few counter-attacks setting up Torres against Vidic and we'll be fine.
 
[quote author=the_khl link=topic=39317.msg1070527#msg1070527 date=1268736793]
I agree with a lot beeing said.

About Sundays game, well, a lot will depend on how things fare come Thursday against Lille.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the exact same line-up against the French, everyone outthere deserves another go.

Will we then continue this beautiful football from last night then? Perhaps, there's a good chance. But it's obvious that players like Kuyt and Lucas will come in contention for the Mancs game. And rightly so.

Not only because I want us to be a bit more defensive-minded but simply beacuse I can't see neither Aquilani nor Babel play anywhere near to 3 x 90 minutes withing 7 days.

Lille same as yesterday preferable.

Lucas and Kuyt for Aqui and Babel come Sunday. Perhaps even Riera or Benayoun for Maxi. And I'm still sure we can win that game as Rooney United these days are all about one player. Park, Fletcher, aging Scholes and Giggs aren't any better than what we've got so it's all about closing that man down and make a few counter-attacks setting up Torres against Vidic and we'll be fine.
[/quote]

the team v manu (regardless of what happens midweek)


------------------------pepe----------------------------
johnson-----carra------------agger----------insua
kuyt--------lucas-----------masher-----------yossi
-----------------------gerrard------------------------
-------------------------torres------------------------
 
I enjoy reading Ryan's analysis and whilst I find myself having a different opinion more often than not and did not like his aloofness with the Kuyt 'know nothing about football' thread, I do agree with him on the point that the formation yesterday would have had us raped on the counter by any good team.

Thing is though, I'd guess there's only about 7/8 'good' teams in the PL capable of consistently punishing us with such a tactic. The rest are mediocre especially on the counter (where pace, good movement and the right ball is needed). I couldn't see Bolton countering us with pace and technique, or Hull, or Burnley, or Blackburn, or Stoke, for example. And I'd like to think against the mid-top teams, like a Birmingham or Fulham that we could still play with the same players (and thus carry the same attacking threat) but just be slightly more disciplined with our forays forward.

Against your Sunderlands' and Wigans', you'd have to be slightly more wary of as they both have half decent pacey forwards, but again, I've seen United play it against them on a bigger pitch and not get punished. Most likely due to their pace at the back, especially full back when Evra and Rafael are there. Ferdinand's mobile and whilst Vidic is hardly lightning (much like Agger) he's mobile enough not to be intimidated by pace (save against Torres who combines *electric* pace WITH skill and can rape any defender).

I think to employ a more attacking game, like last night, we certainly need a few more pacey, more mobile defenders who won't be intimidated by a bit of pace themselves AND can defend well one-on-one. Defenders who don't need their hand held throughout a game.
 
If we want to beat ManU, we need to have a go at them.
Thats how we beat them twice last season and again this season.

Lets play deeper with Lucas/Mascher and Kuyt and we'll get thrashed.

Id play Lucas, Kuyt, Riera vs Lille and then pick last night's team against ManU
 
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=39317.msg1070613#msg1070613 date=1268744003]
If we want to beat ManU, we need to have a go at them.
Thats how we beat them twice last season and again this season.

Lets play deeper with Lucas/Mascher and Kuyt and we'll get thrashed.

Id play Lucas, Kuyt, Riera vs Lille and then pick last night's team against ManU
[/quote]

Lucas has played in the last 2 games we've won against them. So did Kuyt. I wouldn't say we played swashbuckling football against them either. We stayed tight and strong defensively first and foremost. Doing anything else would be silly.
 
[quote author=Halmeister link=topic=39317.msg1070620#msg1070620 date=1268744699]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=39317.msg1070613#msg1070613 date=1268744003]
If we want to beat ManU, we need to have a go at them.
Thats how we beat them twice last season and again this season.

Lets play deeper with Lucas/Mascher and Kuyt and we'll get thrashed.

Id play Lucas, Kuyt, Riera vs Lille and then pick last night's team against ManU
[/quote]

Lucas has played in the last 2 games we've won against them. So did Kuyt. I wouldn't say we played swashbuckling football against them either. We stayed tight and strong defensively first and foremost. Doing anything else would be silly.
[/quote]

...and that´s something we used dto do week in and week out. It was quite boring at times but I miss those days.
 
Yes, we used to bemoan too many draws and how we had to get rid of them. We've done that alright this season only turning them into losses, not wins.
 
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39317.msg1070382#msg1070382 date=1268714872]
As an aside, I see Harry Redknapp signed a defensive midfielder from Brazil for 9M today, claiming that he wants him to play alongside their other defensive midfielder Palacios in the big games.
So that's two defensive midfielders he wants to deploy. Madness.
[/quote]
 
[quote author=Hansern link=topic=39317.msg1070647#msg1070647 date=1268747656]
Didn't we play with Lucas and Kuyt last season at OT?
[/quote]

Yeah.

Kuyt was in great form then, though, as was Yossi. I'm not sure looking at last seasons team is enough to be positive if we do play Dirk and Lucas, but we'll see I guess...
 
[quote author=Hansern link=topic=39317.msg1070647#msg1070647 date=1268747656]
Didn't we play with Lucas and Kuyt last season at OT?
[/quote]

Yeah, and last Monday at Wigan.
 
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=39317.msg1070613#msg1070613 date=1268744003]
If we want to beat ManU, we need to have a go at them.
Thats how we beat them twice last season and again this season.

Lets play deeper with Lucas/Mascher and Kuyt and we'll get thrashed.

Id play Lucas, Kuyt, Riera vs Lille and then pick last night's team against ManU
[/quote]

You're completely ignoring the way we've beaten them in our recent triumphs. That is, by playing Lucas and Masher, soaking up pressure, and hitting them on the break.

There is a winning precedent for the tactics you denounce. Last night's team and tactics would likely get torn apart by the Mancs in current form.

That said, I would like to see Aquilani retain his place, as I think a MOM performance deserves to be rewarded with a bit of faith. However, I will completely understand if (or when, more like) that doesn't happen. After all, we've beaten them three times in a row using precisely the players and tactics you deem unsuitable. To ignore those successes and try and play Champagne football at Old Trafford would be foolish in the extreme.

I would not be so forgiving however, if Aquilani didn't start the Lille game on Thursday, or indeed the league game against Sunderland. It's horses for course after all, and Man Utd and Chelsea aside, I can't see a reasonable excuse for not starting Aquilani in each of our remaining games.
 
[quote author=Delinquent link=topic=39317.msg1070650#msg1070650 date=1268748251]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=39317.msg1070613#msg1070613 date=1268744003]
If we want to beat ManU, we need to have a go at them.
Thats how we beat them twice last season and again this season.

Lets play deeper with Lucas/Mascher and Kuyt and we'll get thrashed.

Id play Lucas, Kuyt, Riera vs Lille and then pick last night's team against ManU
[/quote]

You're completely ignoring the way we've beaten them in our recent triumphs. That is, by playing Lucas and Masher, soaking up pressure, and hitting them on the break.

There is a winning precedent for the tactics you denounce. Last night's team and tactics would likely get torn apart by the Mancs in current form.

That said, I would like to see Aquilani retain his place, as I think a MOM performance deserves to be rewarded with a bit of faith. However, I will completely understand if (or when, more like) that doesn't happen. After all, we've beaten them three times in a row using precisely the players and tactics you deem unsuitable. To ignore those successes and try and play Champagne football at Old Trafford would be foolish in the extreme.

I would not be so forgiving however, if Aquilani didn't start the Lille game on Thursday, or indeed the league game against Sunderland. It's horses for course after all, and Man Utd and Chelsea aside, I can't see a reasonable excuse for not starting Aquilani in each of our remaining games.
[/quote]

Del, how would you feel if you were Aqua and were dropped at OT? And for Lucas, at that? The type of game you signed for. We're talking about a seasoned 25 yr old Italian International here, not a 17 yr old kid.

If it was me, I'm not sure I would be that happy with the way things were going for me. And I'd assume that the Manager trusts Lucas more in big games. Fair enough?
 
[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=39317.msg1070654#msg1070654 date=1268748560]
[quote author=Delinquent link=topic=39317.msg1070650#msg1070650 date=1268748251]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=39317.msg1070613#msg1070613 date=1268744003]
If we want to beat ManU, we need to have a go at them.
Thats how we beat them twice last season and again this season.

Lets play deeper with Lucas/Mascher and Kuyt and we'll get thrashed.

Id play Lucas, Kuyt, Riera vs Lille and then pick last night's team against ManU
[/quote]

You're completely ignoring the way we've beaten them in our recent triumphs. That is, by playing Lucas and Masher, soaking up pressure, and hitting them on the break.

There is a winning precedent for the tactics you denounce. Last night's team and tactics would likely get torn apart by the Mancs in current form.

That said, I would like to see Aquilani retain his place, as I think a MOM performance deserves to be rewarded with a bit of faith. However, I will completely understand if (or when, more like) that doesn't happen. After all, we've beaten them three times in a row using precisely the players and tactics you deem unsuitable. To ignore those successes and try and play Champagne football at Old Trafford would be foolish in the extreme.

I would not be so forgiving however, if Aquilani didn't start the Lille game on Thursday, or indeed the league game against Sunderland. It's horses for course after all, and Man Utd and Chelsea aside, I can't see a reasonable excuse for not starting Aquilani in each of our remaining games.
[/quote]

Del, how would you feel if you were Aqua and were dropped at OT? And for Lucas, at that? The type of game you signed for. We're talking about a seasoned 25 yr old Italian International here, not a 17 yr old kid.

If it was me, I'm not sure I would be that happy with the way things were going for me. And I'd assume that the Manager trusts Lucas more in big games. Fair enough?

[/quote]

We're going to have to attack Lille to go through in to the next round and therefore play Aquilani. I doubt he's fit enough at the moment to play 3 games in a week.

It's understandable why he'd start Lucas at OT, both for the reason above and tactically too.
 
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=39317.msg1070657#msg1070657 date=1268748817]
[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=39317.msg1070654#msg1070654 date=1268748560]
[quote author=Delinquent link=topic=39317.msg1070650#msg1070650 date=1268748251]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=39317.msg1070613#msg1070613 date=1268744003]
If we want to beat ManU, we need to have a go at them.
Thats how we beat them twice last season and again this season.

Lets play deeper with Lucas/Mascher and Kuyt and we'll get thrashed.

Id play Lucas, Kuyt, Riera vs Lille and then pick last night's team against ManU
[/quote]

You're completely ignoring the way we've beaten them in our recent triumphs. That is, by playing Lucas and Masher, soaking up pressure, and hitting them on the break.

There is a winning precedent for the tactics you denounce. Last night's team and tactics would likely get torn apart by the Mancs in current form.

That said, I would like to see Aquilani retain his place, as I think a MOM performance deserves to be rewarded with a bit of faith. However, I will completely understand if (or when, more like) that doesn't happen. After all, we've beaten them three times in a row using precisely the players and tactics you deem unsuitable. To ignore those successes and try and play Champagne football at Old Trafford would be foolish in the extreme.

I would not be so forgiving however, if Aquilani didn't start the Lille game on Thursday, or indeed the league game against Sunderland. It's horses for course after all, and Man Utd and Chelsea aside, I can't see a reasonable excuse for not starting Aquilani in each of our remaining games.
[/quote]

Del, how would you feel if you were Aqua and were dropped at OT? And for Lucas, at that? The type of game you signed for. We're talking about a seasoned 25 yr old Italian International here, not a 17 yr old kid.

If it was me, I'm not sure I would be that happy with the way things were going for me. And I'd assume that the Manager trusts Lucas more in big games. Fair enough?

[/quote]

We're going to have to attack Lille to go through in to the next round and therefore play Aquilani. I doubt he's fit enough at the moment to play 3 games in a week.

It's understandable why he'd start Lucas at OT, both for the reason above and tactically too.
[/quote]

The Man U game is much more important that the Lille game. We need our best team at OT. So, who is in the best team, Aqua or Lucas?
Surely, anyone who thinks tactically we are a better team with Lucas in, whether its Benitez or you Squiggs, shouldn't be signing Aquilani. Coz when are you going to play him over Lucas? In gimmes at home against relegation fodder?
 
We could play with both Lucas AND Aquilani:

Reina

Magic - Carra - Agger - Insua/Kelly

Mascherano - Lucas

Gerrard - Aquilani - Maxi/Babel

Torres


Our real problem is the left flank. A shit LB and no reliable LW who's actually comfortable playing there.
 
[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=39317.msg1070661#msg1070661 date=1268749114]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=39317.msg1070657#msg1070657 date=1268748817]
[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=39317.msg1070654#msg1070654 date=1268748560]
[quote author=Delinquent link=topic=39317.msg1070650#msg1070650 date=1268748251]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=39317.msg1070613#msg1070613 date=1268744003]
If we want to beat ManU, we need to have a go at them.
Thats how we beat them twice last season and again this season.

Lets play deeper with Lucas/Mascher and Kuyt and we'll get thrashed.

Id play Lucas, Kuyt, Riera vs Lille and then pick last night's team against ManU
[/quote]

You're completely ignoring the way we've beaten them in our recent triumphs. That is, by playing Lucas and Masher, soaking up pressure, and hitting them on the break.

There is a winning precedent for the tactics you denounce. Last night's team and tactics would likely get torn apart by the Mancs in current form.

That said, I would like to see Aquilani retain his place, as I think a MOM performance deserves to be rewarded with a bit of faith. However, I will completely understand if (or when, more like) that doesn't happen. After all, we've beaten them three times in a row using precisely the players and tactics you deem unsuitable. To ignore those successes and try and play Champagne football at Old Trafford would be foolish in the extreme.

I would not be so forgiving however, if Aquilani didn't start the Lille game on Thursday, or indeed the league game against Sunderland. It's horses for course after all, and Man Utd and Chelsea aside, I can't see a reasonable excuse for not starting Aquilani in each of our remaining games.
[/quote]

Del, how would you feel if you were Aqua and were dropped at OT? And for Lucas, at that? The type of game you signed for. We're talking about a seasoned 25 yr old Italian International here, not a 17 yr old kid.

If it was me, I'm not sure I would be that happy with the way things were going for me. And I'd assume that the Manager trusts Lucas more in big games. Fair enough?

[/quote]

We're going to have to attack Lille to go through in to the next round and therefore play Aquilani. I doubt he's fit enough at the moment to play 3 games in a week.

It's understandable why he'd start Lucas at OT, both for the reason above and tactically too.
[/quote]

The Man U game is much more important that the Lille game. We need our best team at OT. So, who is in the best team, Aqua or Lucas?
Surely, anyone who thinks tactically we are a better team with Lucas in, whether its Benitez or you Squiggs, shouldn't be signing Aquilani. Coz when are you going to play him over Lucas? In gimmes at home against relegation fodder?


[/quote]

You cannot simply ignore the opposition when you pick your team. We're playing Man Utd in blistering form at Old Trafford and we could really do with a result. Making Aquilani feel wanted sisn't going to feature in the team selection, nor should it. He's still very new to this league so it should come as no surprise to him if, after so little experience (Benitez's fault, granted), he doesn't feature in such a notoriously combative game, where we'll likely be defending for prolonged periods.

I'm not against him starting - in fact, I would prefer it, but it would be difficult to argue against fielding the same team that's beaten them in our last three encounters. There are certain times when a more measured approach is necessary, and I would suggest this game is one of them. I would hope that if Aquilani doesn't feature this season against the Mancs, he would be sufficiently adapted and embedded into the team and league to be considered for the same fixture next season.

My real concern, as I said, would be if Benitez didn't deem him worthy of a start in our other remaining games, and indeed as a certain starter in the vast majority of our games going forward.
 
[quote author=Delinquent link=topic=39317.msg1070678#msg1070678 date=1268751069]
[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=39317.msg1070661#msg1070661 date=1268749114]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=39317.msg1070657#msg1070657 date=1268748817]
[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=39317.msg1070654#msg1070654 date=1268748560]
[quote author=Delinquent link=topic=39317.msg1070650#msg1070650 date=1268748251]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=39317.msg1070613#msg1070613 date=1268744003]
If we want to beat ManU, we need to have a go at them.
Thats how we beat them twice last season and again this season.

Lets play deeper with Lucas/Mascher and Kuyt and we'll get thrashed.

Id play Lucas, Kuyt, Riera vs Lille and then pick last night's team against ManU
[/quote]

You're completely ignoring the way we've beaten them in our recent triumphs. That is, by playing Lucas and Masher, soaking up pressure, and hitting them on the break.

There is a winning precedent for the tactics you denounce. Last night's team and tactics would likely get torn apart by the Mancs in current form.

That said, I would like to see Aquilani retain his place, as I think a MOM performance deserves to be rewarded with a bit of faith. However, I will completely understand if (or when, more like) that doesn't happen. After all, we've beaten them three times in a row using precisely the players and tactics you deem unsuitable. To ignore those successes and try and play Champagne football at Old Trafford would be foolish in the extreme.

I would not be so forgiving however, if Aquilani didn't start the Lille game on Thursday, or indeed the league game against Sunderland. It's horses for course after all, and Man Utd and Chelsea aside, I can't see a reasonable excuse for not starting Aquilani in each of our remaining games.
[/quote]

Del, how would you feel if you were Aqua and were dropped at OT? And for Lucas, at that? The type of game you signed for. We're talking about a seasoned 25 yr old Italian International here, not a 17 yr old kid.

If it was me, I'm not sure I would be that happy with the way things were going for me. And I'd assume that the Manager trusts Lucas more in big games. Fair enough?

[/quote]

We're going to have to attack Lille to go through in to the next round and therefore play Aquilani. I doubt he's fit enough at the moment to play 3 games in a week.

It's understandable why he'd start Lucas at OT, both for the reason above and tactically too.
[/quote]

The Man U game is much more important that the Lille game. We need our best team at OT. So, who is in the best team, Aqua or Lucas?
Surely, anyone who thinks tactically we are a better team with Lucas in, whether its Benitez or you Squiggs, shouldn't be signing Aquilani. Coz when are you going to play him over Lucas? In gimmes at home against relegation fodder?


[/quote]

He's still very new to this league so it should come as no surprise to him if, after so little experience (Benitez's fault, granted), he doesn't feature in such a notoriously combative game, where we'll likely be defending for prolonged periods.

I would hope that if Aquilani doesn't feature this season against the Mancs, he would be sufficiently adapted and embedded into the team and league to be considered for the same fixture next season.

[/quote]

Sorry to chop your response Del but he cost 20 million pounds. Call me knee-jerk but, if you need 18 months bedding in, you ain't worth it. We'll be out of next season's title race by then.
 
I'm just interested in getting enough points to try and rescue fourth place Larry. Whether Aquilani is worth what we paid for him or not is the least of my worries at this stage, and certainly wouldn't be a factor in my team selection.

And the price tag doesn't automatically dictate a player's ability to adapt to a new league, or indeed their suitability for any given game. Particularly when the player in question is returning from a long injury lay-off, and has had so few opportunities in the first team. There are plenty of players who have come to a new league, taken a little time to settle, and then established themselves as top footballers. Different players adapt at different speeds. Besides, I didn't state a time frame for Aquilani's progress - I simply said it would be understandable if he doesn't start against Utd at Old Trafford, when we're likely to be under the cosh and need some steel in the midfield. I really don't think that's a particularly radical proclamation.

You're over-simplifying things.
 
[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'll give you that there are those who think it's their duty to demonize everybody them deem unworthy, but it has become almost pantomime at this stage - There are a few on here that you can set your watch by when Lucas or Insua or N'gog or Kuyt, etc... do something wrong. But if you know it's coming and it's always the same shite, why give them any creedance?

And in fairness, although Lucas has improved on last year, Insua has been dreadful for practically all of this season. Though the personal vitriole may be unwarranted, the initial critisism most certainly is not.
 
In fairness both Ryan and Whaddapie have valid points. He isn't performing well and needs dropping for his own good. However the points around him being 20 and in an underperforming team are equally valid. He does need a rest at least though.
 
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=39317.msg1070673#msg1070673 date=1268750639]
We could play with both Lucas AND Aquilani:

Reina

Magic - Carra - Agger - Insua/Kelly

Mascherano - Lucas

Gerrard - Aquilani - Maxi/Babel

Torres


Our real problem is the left flank. A shit LB and no reliable LW who's actually comfortable playing there.

[/quote]

That line out might well be worth a whirl.
 
[quote author=the count link=topic=39317.msg1070809#msg1070809 date=1268767941]
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=39317.msg1070673#msg1070673 date=1268750639]
We could play with both Lucas AND Aquilani:

Reina

Magic - Carra - Agger - Insua/Kelly

Mascherano - Lucas

Gerrard - Aquilani - Maxi/Babel

Torres


Our real problem is the left flank. A shit LB and no reliable LW who's actually comfortable playing there.

[/quote]

That line out might well be worth a whirl.
[/quote]

It's a shame Skrtel is out, we could have used Agger at left back if needed.
 
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39317.msg1070372#msg1070372 date=1268710187]
Sorry Dreamy, one other thing re your points about the manager. We've been shy of our best players for nearly the entire season, that's reason number one why we're in the situation we're in. Not tactics or formations.
[/quote]

We should after 6 years have a style of play that means others can come in and at least play something similar.

Utd do it year after year and this season they have had some spells with incredible injuries, yet they have kept playing the football they always have and more importantly kept winning.

Yes losing key players was a massive blow, but the fact Rafa has not been able to adapt or fill his squad with players capable of plugging a hole for a few games speaks volumes. Rafa's football only works when he has 90% of the team fit and his big players playing well.

Any 11 he puts out after 6 years should have enough to beat the likes of Wigan, Portsmouth etc.
 
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39317.msg1070370#msg1070370 date=1268709749]
[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=39317.msg1070352#msg1070352 date=1268705858]
Hmm speed of movement and interchance.
Who dictates how we do that?
The manager, the coaches, tactics and team selection.
Tonight was one of a few times all season we actually had that movment. Why?
Because we played attacking players in attacking positions.
And I doubt Rafa had anything to do with our sudden one touch football. It came from good players high on confidence after scoring a goal.
Which brings us to the point of what the hell Rafa is doing in the first place.
Let the shackles off and let our attacking and creative players do just that.
That team is good enough to beat all but 3/4 teams that come to Anfield, yet we find ourselves in the situation we are in.
Everything will change against Utd and rightly so as its a completely different game, but against Lille that team should start.
No question about that.

Ryan you always blab on about the finer details, but tonight is a perfect example of how simple football can be. Good players playing well and creating chances when confidence is high. Rafa had little to do with it once he picked the side.

You said that team could not win. Guess what they did and comfortable. Why? Because they were full of confidence after the first goal and had plenty of attacking players who can pass the ball, move off it and interchange. And if there were given the change more often you would see similar results. You have to take risks to win the league. Utd do it week in week out. Sometimes they come up short but more often than not their free flowing attack minded football bulldozes most teams in England.

I would love to think Rafa learnt something tonight but sadly we all know thats not the case.

Aquaman proved again he should be played and show some confidence by the manager. Babel proved that if nothing else pace will unsettle the opposition, and Gerrard and Torres proved yet again when they have another midfielder who can spot a forward pass quickly (ie like Alonso last season) then they are electic.

It will be interesting to see who plays wide left against Utd. The rest picks itself at this stage.
[/quote]

Dreamy I've been banging on about speed of ball movement, and getting better players beside Gerrard more than anyone on here for quite some time.

Tonight's formation isn't a long-term one, regardless of the result, which will be evidenced by the amount of times Rafa plays it in the future. Sure, I got the selection wrong, but I'll maintain with the stance that decent (not even great teams) will pick us apart if we play that side regularly.

[/quote]

So wy haven't we seen this movement? Either he's been picking the wrong team or not instructing his players to do it?

Either way poor management no?
 
Ryan said that a team with Aquilani and Babel in it couldn't win. Not only did the team win but it was thanks in huge part to those two. I think you should have started with an apology for being completely wrong while claiming others don't know anything about football. That team would beat more than half of the Premiership teams 9 times out of 10 and that what is important after all.

Also it was a blessing for me to be able to watch a Liverpool game without Lucas and Kuyt in it.

That being said I wouldn't go to OT without Lucas and probably Kuyt too.

I hope we poach Belhadj off of Portsmouth when they go down. He'd be useful as a LW and a good option at LB.
 
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=39317.msg1070427#msg1070427 date=1268728697]
There's a little bit of a difference between Alonso and Lucas though.
[/quote]

This.
 
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