Quite a memorable match, and not just for the return of Claudio Ranieri. In fact, it felt like quite a historical moment seeing him and Rodgers shaking hands before the match, knowing that one won us the Premier League and the other won us the FA Cup. Our two most decorated managers, competing in opposing dugouts.
And then it snowed.
Here are my ratings:
Schmeichel: 8 - Made a sharp low save in the first half, handling was good throughout, and recognised that we couldn't play out from the back in the second half conditions.
Castagne: 5 - However much he might complain about a foul, it wasn't the first time he had disrespected the conditions and got caught in possession. Was very lucky to get away with it the first time and should have learned his lesson.
Evans: 6 - Not always given the support needed and had a bit of a fight on due to it.
Soyuncu: 6 - After a couple of good performances, some mistakes crept back in today.
Thomas: 7 - Had a quietly very good game, the highlight of which being a two-part job done on Dennis in the second half that led to the Watford winger injuring himself.
Ndidi: 7 - A silly penalty conceded, but was very effective defensively in an open game. Provided a moment of hilarity when he cleaned Soyuncu's clock with a piledriver volley.
Soumare: 6 - Still going missing, but a little improved today. Managed to get a bit more involved.
Lookman: 8 - Easily the best game I've seen him have so far. Improved defensive work rate and threatening in attack.
Maddison: 9 - Not entirely happy in the second half snow, but produced genuine quality in the first half. Fine outside-of-the-foot assist and a finish that was a lot more difficult than he made it look. My choice for our MOTM.
Barnes: 7 - Further signs that he's at least starting to find some more form, although he's not entirely there yet. Still lacking stamina and disappearing defensively the longer the match goes on.
Vardy: 8 - Afforded a lot of space to attack, and one wonders why Ranieri allowed that having managed him to a Premier League title. Excellent finish to Maddison's lofted through ball.
Albrighton: 6 - Provided support without standing out.
Dewsbury-Hall: n/a - Spent much of his time covering for where Barnes should have been. Helped to solidify the defence.
It was certainly an exciting an open match, even before the blizzard arrived. In that, Watford probably played into our hands somewhat. After the blizzard arrived it was, for a while, mayhem. Some players reacted well and understood what needed to be done: Play in Watford's half. Others not so much. But more than that, there was some masterful killing of the game in the second half, particularly from Schmeichel.
Aside from that, the obvious to say really: Important win, some unsteady defending, much improved performance as compared to a few weeks ago.
Player ratings vs. Watford
posted on 30/11/21
The walk back to the car when it's freezing cold is always better after a win, but still an unconvincing performance.
I agree that the midfield has more holes than a sieve at the moment, but I hope that Brendan keeps his nerve and isn't tempted to plug them with an extra defender or midfielder. As an attacking unit we look far better than we have recently and we'll play ourselves back into form with high intensity attacking - not passing it around our defence.
Madison's return to form is a timely boost. We need him without Tielemans, but also when Youri is back if we want to threaten the top six.
On the ratings specifically: I agree with the comment above than an 8 is too high for Kasper. His poor distribution led directly to chances and pressure against us.
I agree, however, with the rating for Castagne. You have to call it as you see it and being out muscled twice in one game leading to one goal and one very near miss is not a good day at the office. I think RB (and not RWB) is probably his best position, but he needs to be careful not to be infected by the defensive jitters that seem to have infected everyone else this season.
posted on 30/11/21
The reason I gave Kasper an extra point here was because of game management in the second half. Not only did he take charge of not playing out from the back, he slowed everything down to a crawl whenever he had the chance, realising that a continuation of the fast, open game we had in the first half would lead to big problems for us in those conditions - it was highly likely otherwise we would have backed off and seen the game played in our half, along with the inevitable mistakes that would have come with it.
posted on 30/11/21
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 25 minutes ago
The reason I gave Kasper an extra point here was because of game management in the second half. Not only did he take charge of not playing out from the back, he slowed everything down to a crawl whenever he had the chance, realising that a continuation of the fast, open game we had in the first half would lead to big problems for us in those conditions - it was highly likely otherwise we would have backed off and seen the game played in our half, along with the inevitable mistakes that would have come with it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry Dunge, that has to be down to Brendan not Kasper. Him being responsible for tactics 'n all. Unless you are claiming that Kasper was ignoring what Rodgers said about only playing Rodgersball, which as we all know is the only way to start an attack (ie with a back/sideways pass). So he remains solidly on a 7 for me, which fully appreciates his contribution; 8 is simply too high for someone whose distribution was at the lower end of his normal range on Sunday.
posted on 30/11/21
I’ll give Kasper a 7.5 for hearing the tactics from Rodgers and executing them well.
posted on 30/11/21
They couldn't be certain how the pitch was going to play in the second half, what the conditions were going to be, how long the weather was going to last. Rodgers could advise all kinds of scenarios, but that period of the match was about judgement of the players on the pitch. Castagne got it badly wrong, Schmeichel got it vitally correct.
posted on 30/11/21
7.75 then Dunge?
posted on 30/11/21
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 3 hours, 40 minutes ago
They couldn't be certain how the pitch was going to play in the second half, what the conditions were going to be, how long the weather was going to last. Rodgers could advise all kinds of scenarios, but that period of the match was about judgement of the players on the pitch. Castagne got it badly wrong, Schmeichel got it vitally correct.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting. So you reckon that Rodgers is just standing in the technical area as a nice place to watch the game, rather than issuing directions through the match?
posted on 30/11/21
Not at all. I just think there are things that the players have to read and understand themselves.
posted on 30/11/21
comment by Nuneaton_fox (U7936)
posted 1 hour, 56 minutes ago
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 3 hours, 40 minutes ago
They couldn't be certain how the pitch was going to play in the second half, what the conditions were going to be, how long the weather was going to last. Rodgers could advise all kinds of scenarios, but that period of the match was about judgement of the players on the pitch. Castagne got it badly wrong, Schmeichel got it vitally correct.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting. So you reckon that Rodgers is just standing in the technical area as a nice place to watch the game, rather than issuing directions through the match?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Have you ever seen him doing anything during a match, playing noughts and crosses with himself maybe in his note book ?
posted on 30/11/21
To be fair, Klopp often talks about players needing to take responsibility and adapt to the game on the pitch.
I’m with Dunge in that you can do all the prep and take instruction, but there are nuances in any game that players need to respond to. This for me is one of them.