Interesting line-up. I, like a few others expected to see Aquilani start, but so be it. Goes to show that it doesn't really matter who you put in there, so long as the tempo's frentic from the off, and we pressure them deep into their own half. Gerrard allows you to attack them deep out of fear mostly; sides shit themselves when he's charging from deep, and today Sunderland sat about 5 yards from Craig Gordon for most of the first 45.
I actually think we've started quite a few games like that this season; strong, aggressive, and upbeat. The key is in getting an early goal (a lot more difficult when Torres aint in the side obviously). You can dictate everything from there, as the 70% first-half possession stat demonstrated.
What a first goal. Bardsley spent most of the first 45 right inside Babel's sphincter. Even when Ryan went deep to collect it around the halfway line, Bardsley was snapping at his heels not letting him turn. Bruce must have had a word at half-time, cos Babel was allowed to receive as deep as he wanted without Bardsley straying from position after the break. Anyway, the right-back's pressuring left space in behind. Plenty of times. I'd have liked to have seen that 'Babel goes short, Torres in behind' trick a few more times than we actually did, but if one goal came from it that's enough.
I've never understood this defensive tactic of waiting until the striker's got into the box before you attempt to tackle him either. Fernando picked it up on the sideline, and Turner waited until he was 18 yards out before a challenge was attempted. (Also, for me - Turner and Ferdinand play in the wrong slots, why's Turner at the right of the back two pairing, when it's Ferdinand who's the ball player? Strange). Marvellous finish though. Absolutely brilliant. Gordon's been in decent form of late too. Not much he could have done about that.
And from there the game's dead. Sunderland have to press, but need the ball to do that. Pity they couldn't get fucking near it. I actually got a touch frustrated as the game wore on, because 2/3 goals wasn't a fair measure of the game in the slightest, 6 or 7 would have been more appropriate. Kinda the way we finished last season. Gerrard was imperious, Torres found space where there was little, Maxi was again excellent (really reminds me of Freddie Ljungberg for some reason), and the others did things simply and fucking QUICKLY. Anybody notice Masher taking less touches than usual to move it along? Nice.
Solid performance from the back four too, namely Agger and Johnson. I like that touch of 'fuck you' Glenjo has about his attitude and game sometimes. He pretty much played in 2nd gear today, and still monstered Malbranque. Agger's contribution was significant. As per usual - the only player on our team with no direct opponent, thus space in front of him - but he used it well. He's also removed the long raking cross-field ball into touch from his game recently too which is fucking pleasing.
And tactics spot on. Sunderland sorta played into our hands I felt, but you've got to be good enough to take advantage. In that Spaniard up front, we've still got the best number 9 in the world. In more clinical form, he could have had four or five today.
Excellent performance.
I actually think we've started quite a few games like that this season; strong, aggressive, and upbeat. The key is in getting an early goal (a lot more difficult when Torres aint in the side obviously). You can dictate everything from there, as the 70% first-half possession stat demonstrated.
What a first goal. Bardsley spent most of the first 45 right inside Babel's sphincter. Even when Ryan went deep to collect it around the halfway line, Bardsley was snapping at his heels not letting him turn. Bruce must have had a word at half-time, cos Babel was allowed to receive as deep as he wanted without Bardsley straying from position after the break. Anyway, the right-back's pressuring left space in behind. Plenty of times. I'd have liked to have seen that 'Babel goes short, Torres in behind' trick a few more times than we actually did, but if one goal came from it that's enough.
I've never understood this defensive tactic of waiting until the striker's got into the box before you attempt to tackle him either. Fernando picked it up on the sideline, and Turner waited until he was 18 yards out before a challenge was attempted. (Also, for me - Turner and Ferdinand play in the wrong slots, why's Turner at the right of the back two pairing, when it's Ferdinand who's the ball player? Strange). Marvellous finish though. Absolutely brilliant. Gordon's been in decent form of late too. Not much he could have done about that.
And from there the game's dead. Sunderland have to press, but need the ball to do that. Pity they couldn't get fucking near it. I actually got a touch frustrated as the game wore on, because 2/3 goals wasn't a fair measure of the game in the slightest, 6 or 7 would have been more appropriate. Kinda the way we finished last season. Gerrard was imperious, Torres found space where there was little, Maxi was again excellent (really reminds me of Freddie Ljungberg for some reason), and the others did things simply and fucking QUICKLY. Anybody notice Masher taking less touches than usual to move it along? Nice.
Solid performance from the back four too, namely Agger and Johnson. I like that touch of 'fuck you' Glenjo has about his attitude and game sometimes. He pretty much played in 2nd gear today, and still monstered Malbranque. Agger's contribution was significant. As per usual - the only player on our team with no direct opponent, thus space in front of him - but he used it well. He's also removed the long raking cross-field ball into touch from his game recently too which is fucking pleasing.
And tactics spot on. Sunderland sorta played into our hands I felt, but you've got to be good enough to take advantage. In that Spaniard up front, we've still got the best number 9 in the world. In more clinical form, he could have had four or five today.
Excellent performance.
