I sensed before going this evening that this could have been the match where the fans turned on Rodgers. As it happened, an improved performance, a fairly comfortable win and an away support that deterred any sense of disunity meant that it was a much more positive evening than it might otherwise have been.
Here are my ratings:
Schmeichel: 7 - Saved the penalty, but sometimes they just don't stick.
Castagne: 7 - His best game for a while. Looks more comfortable to me as a full back than a wing back.
Amartey: 7 - Came in for Evans at short notice; had a good game except for one incident where he tried to shepherd the ball back to Schmeichel and let an opponent through on goal. One blot on an otherwise strong performance.
Soyuncu: 8 - I finally saw some command and direction from him this evening, actively issuing orders. Out of position occasionally but his best game of the season. My choice for our MOTM.
Thomas: 8 - Very good interchanging with Barnes in the first half and showed more pace than he has done in the past, including going past an opponent into the box and setting up Daka for a decent but ultimately scuffed chance.
Soumare: 5 - Still bugging me. Better than on Saturday - although bar actually putting on an opposition shirt that's not difficult - but continues to frustrate when not on the ball. Gets caught just gazing at the game and watching it go by, although Rodgers did give him a role with the team in possession that somewhat covered for that.
Ndidi: 7 - Had a difficult start to the game with a number of errors; improved considerably after his goal, suggesting he might be having confidence issues.
Lookman: 6 - We always seem to get the same performance from Lookman - mostly keen, interspersed with some switching off, looks kind of exciting, but doesn't demonstrate a lot of end product.
Maddison: 8 - A player who looks potentially like he might be finding his form. Gave Legia a lot of problems in the first half and got a lot of power behind the shot for his goal.
Barnes: 7 - Far improved from late, keener to get involved in winning the ball and keener to properly run at opponents and ask them questions. Needs to keep this up first, then the end product should improve.
Daka: 7 - An incomplete player thus far, still learning his craft. What he does have is a knack of finishing when the chance arrives and the pace and acceleration to get away from opposition defenders. As tricks go, it's a good one.
Dewsbury-Hall: 6 - More solid positionally than Soumare when he came on, helping to close the game down as needed. Not as dynamic on the ball as Soumare /can/ be.
Perez: 7 - Did some diligent work in winning the ball back in various places across the park. Got in some good positions on the counter, but couldn't provide the killer pass.
Albrighton: 6 - Got a yellow card for kicking the ball away; didn't see much of him other than him generally holding his end up. Although it was quite difficult to concentrate on the match for periods of the second half.
Iheanacho: 5 - Didn't really get in the game; didn't need to. Difficult to fit him into the side when we play four at the back, which I think suits the team better.
It's tempting to say that it's only Legia Warsaw at home in the Europa League, but given our performances at home in all competitions this season, a good performance is to be welcomed. One would imagine there wouldn't be many changes for Watford on Sunday, especially if Evans is unavailable. They will likely present a far bigger threat to our back line, which will need better midfield protection than it got at times in the first half. Not naming names, but regulars will know who I mean.
P.S. Yes, I'm playing with bolding. It's a night for celebration after all.
Player ratings vs. Legia
posted on 26/11/21
Joby
On a couple of your points here: I think the defensive issues yesterday were caused by way too many of the team not looking interested in defending. And I'm looking primarily at Soumare, Barnes and Lookman there. I thought the back 4 had good games (as reflected in my ratings), but they didn't get a lot of cover. It was helped as the subs came on, with all of KDH, Perez and Albrighton helping in that regard. But yes, our defence will continue to be put under intolerable pressure as long as that lack of commitment across the team continues.
On Soumare, what I will say for him is that he looks technically very good. He has a range of passing - albeit not Tielemans standard but still good, and shows glimpses of having a strong skillset. But this is massively overridden by the fact that much of the time he ambles around the pitch with a giant question mark over his head. Whether he'll come good or not, it's hard to say.
posted on 26/11/21
Just going off topic for a minute, what's happened to Stringer (not on RL any more)?
posted on 26/11/21
comment by Jobyfox (U4183)
posted 5 hours, 33 minutes ago
I've a few mixed feelings after this performance. Yes we won (and that's ultimately all that matters) and there were improved performances. Positives were the contributions from our creative players: Barnes and Maddison - and of a greater intensity all round.
Negatives are that they seemed to play through us far too easily. Whether this is down to individuals or the way the team is set up I don't know? Maybe a bit of both, but it allowed Legia to expose a back four who still look like they've got a dodgy moment in them. Amartey dithering is one incident that comes to mind and also the near post header from a corner that was headed off the line preventing a case of deja vu.
Like others I'm worried about Soumare as I can't see what he offers currently. He carries the ball reasonably well, but is weak defensively, positionally poor and can't pass very well. He's new to the league and only 22 (younger than KDH) so time will tell.
I thought Lookman did ok, but I can't help thinking that we won't see him beyond this season and the hunt for a right sided midfielder/winger will continue.
Finally, what was the point in the Vestergaard and Bertrand signings? We're rightly bemoaning our luck with injuries, but our recruitment to cope with these absences hasn't helped. Vesty is now 5th choice (behind Amartey) and Bertrand is arguably behind Thomas and whichever RB is fit enough to play LB out of Ricardo, Castagne or Justin.
We won! Better performance all round. But I'd like the evidence of a turnaround to be repeated against Watford before I draw too many conclusions.
PS Still love the match ratings articles Dunge. The best LCFC ones on the internet
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I second this. Massively love the match ratings. More than life itself.
posted on 26/11/21
I'm going out on a limb to say that Daniel is turning into a very assured and confident defender, in fact he's challenging both Evans and Soyuncu on quality at the moment.
When so many have failed to step up this Season he certainly has, he should surely get the ' most improved' award, if were doing better ( and we may yet ) I'm sure he'd get more recognition and the Daily Rags would be matchimng him with Barcelona etc.
I agree with Mersey as well that Lookman is being underated by many, he won't get too much game time, far too exciting for a Rodgers squad.
Soumare I'm middle of the road with, I don't think he's anywhere near as bad as some make out but I can understand their frustration with him.
Tillyesque comes to mind.
posted on 26/11/21
PS - Will Rodgers go back to Rodgers Ball in the League, I'm guessing so, defensive and cautious is the name of the game in the League, in the Cups he lets himself loose in a no risk situation.
posted on 26/11/21
comment by Nuneaton_fox (U7936)
posted 4 hours, 47 minutes ago
Just going off topic for a minute, what's happened to Stringer (not on RL any more)?
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I believe taking a break due to some mental health troubles.
Doing ok, but needs the rest.
posted on 26/11/21
comment by True Blue (U9486)
posted 3 hours, 45 minutes ago
PS - Will Rodgers go back to Rodgers Ball in the League, I'm guessing so, defensive and cautious is the name of the game in the League, in the Cups he lets himself loose in a no risk situation.
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I think a lot depends on how organised the opposition are. If you come with any sort of plan (high press, low block, etc.) and execute it with reasonable success, we don't have any answer to it.
posted on 27/11/21
So as I suspected any half decent can counter Rodgers one dimensional tactics.
posted on 27/11/21
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 9 hours, 46 minutes ago
comment by Nuneaton_fox (U7936)
posted 4 hours, 47 minutes ago
Just going off topic for a minute, what's happened to Stringer (not on RL any more)?
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I believe taking a break due to some mental health troubles.
Doing ok, but needs the rest.
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Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
posted on 27/11/21
comment by True Blue (U9486)
posted 1 hour, 2 minutes ago
So as I suspected any half decent can counter Rodgers one dimensional tactics.
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Except that he has other tactics in his locker, he just doesn't bring them out until we have leaked goals and are in a desperate situation!