I was disappointed with the way we played on Saturday, particularly the last 20 minutes where we joined Evertons approach of the previous 70 in settling for the draw. My friend made a valid point that there was probably some tiredness as several of the players (the key ones at any rate) had played a lot of high tempo football since the turn of the year.
I mentioned at the start of the season that the manager was young, and relatively inexperienced and therefore will make errors. One being that the team could play the same way minus Suarez. Something needed to change and to his credit the manager did that. He has also learned to rotate players far better. We have seen that odd change here and there from game to game thats helped keep things fresh without disrupting the side too much.
Suddenly all this adds up to make our team, and squad, actually look pretty strong. Markovic, Can, and Lucas are now key to the sides fortune after being bit part players at the start. Coutinho has rediscovered his form and Sterling has improved to another level again from last season.
We have a very busy and important period of the season coming up. Saints away and City at home are our next two league games, between two legs against Besiktas. Then after playing Burnely and Swansea its games against United, then Arsenal. The evidence last night suggests Coutinho need a bit of a rest, but with the manager showing more faith in a range of players the side may well have the capacity to do that with better effect than before.
We still need goals, and Sturridge staying fit is absolutely critical to that. The rise of Harry Kane may well inadvertantly aid Liverpool as it gives that buffoon at the head of the England team another striking option instead of simply running our best forward into the ground.
Strength in depth and a manager learning
posted on 11/2/15
I was disappointed with the way we played on Saturday
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Likewise. I though Everton were there for the taking and it was an opportunity missed.
A little more composure and we'd have taken 3 points.
But I read this morning that since Christmas, we've collected more points than anyone in the league - credit must go to Brendan and the team for turning the season around for at one stage, it looked like going down the pan.
posted on 11/2/15
We are on a good run and everyone is contributing, which is what you need.
Lovren did well as a sub, Lallana got an assist, Balo got a goal.
Borini and Lambert got the goals against Villa.
We are functioning well as a unit and each individual is coming in and doing their bit.
I can't help but feel we are going to run out of legs soon though.
I am struggling to see us getting through the next 5 games without losing at least one. Hopefully it's a dead rubber Beskitas leg that doesn't knock us out.
Got a feeling we will lose at either Palace or Saints though.
posted on 11/2/15
I wasn't particularly dissapointed with the draw. Everton still have some good players, it's an away Derby and the had 8 at the back. We controlled the game but needed a goal to open them up which we couldn't quite get. It's only our results earlier in the season that give that Derby result so much meaning.
I guess though that if we miss out on top four by four points then the two games against Everton will be the ones we look at.
Beat Southampton and Utd and we'll get top four though I would have thought. The improvement of Can, Markovic and Moreno (who is becoming very consistent) plus the addition of Ibe gives me a lot of hope though. Let's see how we get on once Europe starts up again but we're entertaining and that's the main thing for me.
posted on 11/2/15
If we end up missing out on top 4 then I think it will be the 2 wins in 9 games from game 4-12 that did it.
Defeats against Palace, West Ham, Villa and drawing with Everton and Hull in that run. We also fluked a win at QPR so it could have been even worse. We really were dire for the whole of September, October and most of November.
posted on 11/2/15
I think BR is proving a lot of the jerkoffs on here wrong. He is a good tactician and you can tell that by the way he changes styles and systems unlike LVG who just sticks on bogbrush head and punts it long.
I was disappointed against Everton as well. I thought that Coutinho looked tired last night and was not as influential. I think now that Lallana is back we could rest him for a game.
posted on 11/2/15
He is a good tactician and you can tell that by the way he changes styles and systems unlike LVG who just sticks on bogbrush head and punts it long
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Looking at it as a whole a 0-0 away in the derby isnt a bad result. But I was referring to our approach in the last 20 minutes more than anything, exactly because that game was there for the taking but we seemed to settle in and join them for the 0-0
posted on 11/2/15
We were dead frustrating in the final 3rd in the derby. That's what happens when the opposition stick so many men behind the ball. We needed a bit if magic to get in behind.
I said before kick off last night it'd be a more open game. We seem to be coming good, at last. Tough games to come. We need the same intensity as last night against Southampton and City.
posted on 11/2/15
I also think having Gerrard up there didnt help. He is a yard off the pace these days and doesnt have the movement to create the space.
posted on 11/2/15
TalksRubbish (U3303)
posted 3 hours, 29 minutes ago
I also think having Gerrard up there didnt help. He is a yard off the pace these days and doesnt have the movement to create the space.
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He had a poor game. However Everton negated the space available to the WF's. It was a sorry spectacle really and Gerrard should have been hooked rather than Coutinho imo.
Still 4 points out of six, playing a good Spurs side and an away detby is a decent return really. We are in the middle of a crucial part of the season for us. FA Cup game, Europa and two tough league fixtures.