Thoughts

[mark1975]

Meireles is quality, our static play just shows how much we miss his movement off the ball, he's quality and I think he's been vastly dismissed over the Summer as too easy a sale. He'll get and create goals, him and Luis dragged defenders all over the place.

When Suarez isn't there we have massive issues regarding pace and movement, that said, Plan B held them off and Plan A finished them off, with Torres there was no plan B. Not his fault but it's nice to finally have options.

Carra was a fucking ROCK today, despite the hoofs, and Enrique has that thing that often lets fullbacks down - positioning. Good signing so far.

Kenny - Brave putting Suarez on the bench, even braver taking off his star signing and risking the backlash of questions about whether he's good enough. Today was all about the 'team' and it worked a fucking treat.

 

[DHSC]

I think Carroll suffered a bit today due to lack of support from Kuyt and Henderson. There was one incident particularly when Carroll looked well pissed with Kuyt for not following up after a cross from the right flank. I posted a lineup earlier in another thread which I feel can get the best out of Carroll. Suarez, Meireles and Downing should start alongside Carroll with himself as the spearhead. He can occupy the defenders and win the headers, and Suarez and Meireles will support him more than Kuyt and Henderson. We have a potential 3 headed monster here, once Suarez and Meireles start learning where Carroll's knockdowns will land we should see the goals start going in.

Really pleased with Enrique and Kelly today too, provided good width yet defended really well. Took both Arshavin and Walcott out of the game.

 

[Hansern]

Yep, agree fully with that.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=DHSC link=topic=46533.msg1383180#msg1383180 date=1313854827]
I think Carroll suffered a bit today due to lack of support from Kuyt and Henderson. There was one incident particularly when Carroll looked well pissed with Kuyt for not following up after a cross from the right flank. I posted a lineup earlier in another thread which I feel can get the best out of Carroll. Suarez, Meireles and Downing should start alongside Carroll with himself as the spearhead. He can occupy the defenders and win the headers, and Suarez and Meireles will support him more than Kuyt and Henderson. We have a potential 3 headed monster here, once Suarez and Meireles start learning where Carroll's knockdowns will land we should see the goals start going in.

Really pleased with Enrique and Kelly today too, provided good width yet defended really well. Took both Arshavin and Walcott out of the game.
[/quote]

arseshaving took himself out of that game. shite. hard to believe he put 4 past us.

 

[DHSC]

So many words and you only comment on Arshavin? :-\

Agreed though, Arshavin was brutal. I would be tearing my hair out if I was an Arsenal fan. The one 'veteran' that Wenger signs in recent years and he turns out to be bloody inconsistent.

 

[Fabio]

He touch was worse than dirks! Which is odd for a player like that who we've seen school teams


like us

 

[Dylan]

The back 4 - superb. Enrique has slotted right in and he's so much better than the average PL left-back Ryan said he was. I love the protection Enrique offers the CBs. Kelly looks like he's got 100 first team games behind him already.

Henderson - needs to accept that he's a Liverpool player now. The ability is all there and he did fine today but I'd like to see more belief from him and when that comes, the creativity will follow.

Adam - bit disappointing so far. He's trying but the famed quality of delivery is missing. Needs to settle.

Downing - loving the way he's already changing so many people's minds. If he stays fit, he could be ever -present for us this season. Provides so many options even in the course of a game. Real quality amd well worth £20m.

Meireles - hopefully did enough today to rule out a move. Quality player who will form a great partnership with Suarez and who will be even more important if ever Suarez is out (God forbid).

Carroll - he needs a goal. I actually think he can fit our style of play providing he's got real craft, pace and mobility around him, in other words, Suarez. Fitness is still a problem but longer term, i want to see him pack in the Torres-style whinging.

 

[Fabio]

Fuck me Dylan. You'll get bollocked for talking that much sense in 1 post.

Completely agree

*edit* slightly disagree over adam actually. He's not been great but I like how he's done

 

[red_maradona]

today for the first time u started to see what people see in adam - i am more hopeful, he was willing to fight for the ball, kept possession well, maybe trying to work too hard. in the long run, i am unsure if he has the pace and athleticism to go the next level, then again many said the same of xabi...

 

[Frogfish]

Merieles again made a mockery of attempts (if true) to sell him. I will be right pissed off if he is sold, he makes Henderson look what he is, a kid learning the ropes.


We will have a damn fine team when Stevie returns. 4 points is what I 'expected' after two games and that's what we've got. I expect us to 2nd or 3rd after 5 games (United top).

 

[Jürgen4PM]

We should be 6 points ahead of the Gooners in the race to 4th after the next round of fixtures.

 

[RolandG]

Best formation to maximise our attacking talent is 4-1-2-3

Magic-----Carra--Agger-----Enrique

-------------Lucas--------------

---------Meireles-----Gerrard----------

Suarez-----Carroll------Downing

A bench of Kelly, Adam, Kuyt, Shelvey, Henderson is a massive improvement on the previous years.


The starting XI offers us creativity, great movement, intelligence and pace on the counter attack not to mention the ability to play to our strengths.

Any thoughts?

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=RolandG link=topic=46533.msg1383618#msg1383618 date=1313920172]

Magic-----Carra--Agger-----Enrique

-------------Lucas--------------

---------Meireles-----Gerrard----------

Suarez-----Carroll------Downing

[/quote]

that's our best team but I can't see kenny picking meireles over adam.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

I'll tell you what tho' - this team needs Captain Marvel.

Everything is more or less ready. All the personnel for problem positions that we've been talking for years are in place.

But it's still lacking in cohesion and confidence - which is understandable 'cos they're still newbies in this team. But once they've settled, everything will fall into place and flourish.

It needs the verve and pizzazz of our captain. When you have the cocksure gusto of Stevie G in your team, suddenly you have a leader on the pitch whom you can trust to take the pressure of your own selves and that's when you become more confident in your own abilities and you can't wait to strut your stuff on the field. No more worries about that hefty price tag the entire world is watching you justify every week.

Stevie G is the most crucial jigsaw piece.

I for one can't wait for his return.

 

[Dylan]

[quote author=My_Blood_Bleeds_Red link=topic=46533.msg1383759#msg1383759 date=1313930052]
I'll tell you what tho' - this team needs Captain Marvel.

Everything is more or less ready. All the personnel for problem positions that we've been talking for years are in place.

But it's still lacking in cohesion and confidence - which is understandable 'cos they're still newbies in this team. But once they've settled, everything will fall into place and flourish.

It needs the verve and pizzazz of our captain. When you have the cocksure gusto of Stevie G in your team, suddenly you have a leader on the pitch whom you can trust to take the pressure of your own selves and that's when you become more confident in your own abilities and you can't wait to strut your stuff on the field. No more worries about that hefty price tag the entire world is watching you justify every week.

Stevie G is the most crucial jigsaw piece.
[/quote]

Controversial I know and I love Gerrard as much as the next man yadda yadda yadda...but he's not nearly as important to us now as he was 5 years ago. In fact, it will be so much the better if the side develops to such a standard that he is no longer considered an automatic choice. We've been over it a million times before but sometimes, Gerrard's presence has almost overawed the other players, especially new signings or kids. It may almost be a blessing in disguise that Adam, Henderson, Downing and Kelly are being given a chance to settee without Stevie in the side.

 

[RolandG]

Dylan, you got it wrong. Gerrard may not be theplayer he once was, but he is pivotal to this team. He will lead us to glory.

 

[Spionkop69]

[quote author=Dylan link=topic=46533.msg1383764#msg1383764 date=1313930395]
[quote author=My_Blood_Bleeds_Red link=topic=46533.msg1383759#msg1383759 date=1313930052]
I'll tell you what tho' - this team needs Captain Marvel.

Everything is more or less ready. All the personnel for problem positions that we've been talking for years are in place.

But it's still lacking in cohesion and confidence - which is understandable 'cos they're still newbies in this team. But once they've settled, everything will fall into place and flourish.

It needs the verve and pizzazz of our captain. When you have the cocksure gusto of Stevie G in your team, suddenly you have a leader on the pitch whom you can trust to take the pressure of your own selves and that's when you become more confident in your own abilities and you can't wait to strut your stuff on the field. No more worries about that hefty price tag the entire world is watching you justify every week.

Stevie G is the most crucial jigsaw piece.
[/quote]

Controversial I know and I love Gerrard as much as the next man yadda yadda yadda...but he's not nearly as important to us now as he was 5 years ago. In fact, it will be so much the better if the side develops to such a standard that he is no longer considered an automatic choice. We've been over it a million times before but sometimes, Gerrard's presence has almost overawed the other players, especially new signings or kids. It may almost be a blessing in disguise that Adam, Henderson, Downing and Kelly are being given a chance to settee without Stevie in the side.
[/quote]

Yep, I very much agree with this. The fact that we can get results without him is pivotal to our future success. We need more than just the Plan A we've had for years and years.

As an example, last year, we would have drawn that game because Meireles and Suarez would not have been coming off the bench to inject fresh ideas and influence at the point where the Frimpong got sent off. We would have consolidated what we had not looked to take the all 3 points.

Gerrard is still important to us, but we are getting back to the team being more important than certain individuals.

 

[OLD_Lewy]

we've moved on from a 2 man team of gerrard and torres to a one man team of suarez......



*this post was inspired by sven*

 

[Ryan]

Lucas was absolutely terrific.
Same for the back four.
Henderson is taking Meireles' place.
100m later and we've still only got 2 world class players.
Carroll needs a summer in the gym.
We created very little against a shit side for 75 minutes.
Our shape in attack is woeful.
Henderson is the most unfit footballer I've ever seen.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=46533.msg1383806#msg1383806 date=1313933234]
Lucas was absolutely terrific.
Same for the back four.
Henderson is taking Meireles' place.
100m later and we've still only got 2 world class players.
Carroll needs a summer in the gym.
We created very little against a shit side for 75 minutes.
Our shape in attack is woeful.
Henderson is the most unfit footballer I've ever seen.
[/quote]

you mention henderson twice. agenda?

 

[Fabio]

Ryan actually liked hendo before we signed him so I doubt its that. I can understand frustrations against hendo though x

 

[spider-Neil]

I don't have a lot of thoughts on the game because I was pretty much pleased with everything I saw. I thought the subs were spot on and removing kuyt and carroll at the same time meant everyone left on the pitch were comfortable on the ball and able to pick up the pace of the passing. we gave arsenal a taste of their own medicine and they were to tired to cope.

we gave a very proffesional away performance and this bodes well for our campaign because if there was one thing that was going to kick our challenge into touch, it was the away form.

just a few points

1. henderson
is feeling his way into the team. first and foremost away from home you keep possession and frustrate the crowd. he is 21 years old and yes he cost a shit load of money but to me he looks a classy player, his touch, control and movement is excellent. when settled he will become a threat, tidy players don't create the amount of chances he did last season. I hope kenny continues to show faith in him.

2. kuyt
needs to move the ball along faster. not an agenda, that's just how I see it. he collects the ball, runs a little and then lays the ball off to the person he should have laid the ball off to in the first place with one touch (is this a lie?) it allows the opposition time to get organised.

3. adam needs to cut out the spectacular speculative shots
it just gives the opposition the ball cheaply.

4. lucas
should have taken one for the team when nasri was running past him. with most of our attackers still in the arsenal half, that could easily have resulted in a goal and right now away from home if we go a goal down I don't see us coming back.

5. carroll
if carroll is occupyin g arsenal's best defender then move into the gaps that defender leaves, also gamble when a ball is played into carroll, what is it costing you except a lung bursting run?

all in all though I was pleased, we were solid, organised, we mostly moved the ball quickly and crisply and despite the presence of carroll we kept the ball on the deck. without jumping to conclusions we already looked better equiped to take points away from home than we did last season.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

[quote author=Dylan link=topic=46533.msg1383764#msg1383764 date=1313930395]
[quote author=My_Blood_Bleeds_Red link=topic=46533.msg1383759#msg1383759 date=1313930052]
I'll tell you what tho' - this team needs Captain Marvel.

Everything is more or less ready. All the personnel for problem positions that we've been talking for years are in place.

But it's still lacking in cohesion and confidence - which is understandable 'cos they're still newbies in this team. But once they've settled, everything will fall into place and flourish.

It needs the verve and pizzazz of our captain. When you have the cocksure gusto of Stevie G in your team, suddenly you have a leader on the pitch whom you can trust to take the pressure of your own selves and that's when you become more confident in your own abilities and you can't wait to strut your stuff on the field. No more worries about that hefty price tag the entire world is watching you justify every week.

Stevie G is the most crucial jigsaw piece.
[/quote]

Controversial I know and I love Gerrard as much as the next man yadda yadda yadda...but he's not nearly as important to us now as he was 5 years ago. In fact, it will be so much the better if the side develops to such a standard that he is no longer considered an automatic choice. We've been over it a million times before but sometimes, Gerrard's presence has almost overawed the other players, especially new signings or kids. It may almost be a blessing in disguise that Adam, Henderson, Downing and Kelly are being given a chance to settee without Stevie in the side.
[/quote]

I hear ya brother.

What I meant was they need someone to handhold them first IN THIS TEAM and once they've gained their footing, then we let them fly.

In any aspect of life, experience still counts and is vital to success.

I mean, ask Wenger. He knows best.

 

[singlerider]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=46533.msg1383841#msg1383841 date=1313939488]

4. lucas
should have taken one for the team when nasri was running past him. with most of our attackers still in the arsenal half, that could easily have resulted in a goal and right now away from home if we go a goal down I don't see us coming back.

[/quote]

To be fair, he tried.

Nasri was too nimble and he couldn't get near him

 

[Squiggles]

I've only seen 20 minutes of highlights for this match because I was stuck in work and I cannot find it on Sky Player.

I thought Kelly and Enrique both looked very good and the backline looked settled.

Meireles and Suarez were hugely important players to bring on, as their movement exposed a tiring ten men Arsenal side.

I hate the saying that luck evens itself out, because it frequently doesn't, but I believe the saying is right for our last two matches. We were incredibly fortunate to be playing Arsenal at this stage in the season with their teamsheet an absolute mess, even more fortunate that Frimpong got red-carded, and the goal, well, let's just say God was wearing dark grey yesterday.

It's a confidence boosting win though. We need to turn this into a streak.