Spearing, Adam, Pacheco, Sterling, Suso and Morgan were my standouts.

Yeah, watched Morgan a few times; reminds of Fowler in that he gets a chance he normal scores, and he always seems to in the right place.

I thought Aqua was the architect to the way we played in the first half and he kept coming deep to form a triangle with midfield 3. He did well. Spearing was boss and Adam kept it going.
Pacheco would do well under Rodgers with his footwork and intelligence.. First half was better than second IMO.

Shelvey did well in the second half and so did Sterling and Morgan. Cole was poor and nice to see Lucas back. I don't think Rodgers was happy with the way we played in the second half.

Pacheco motm for me

I thought the passing in the second half
Was slower and more long ball which was a shame.
First half was crisp but lacking a good striker.
I hope someone comes in for cole as I don't want him in or near a red shirt next season.

Aqua sprayed too many long high balls. Spearing played in his best position, and played well. Sterling really cannot be sent out on loan, that is madness. Fantastic to see Lucas back in a Red shirt. Best of all? Adam scoring that goal. By a country mile!! JimmyTheRed

I think Ibe deserves a mention too! Looks like he's got a lot of potential.

Agree with those who preferred the first half. I thought we played with a clear structure and it was great to see us dominate possession and barely hoof it once.

We broke down in the final third but that's no big deal considering the youngsters we had up there.

Really worried about Cole, he costs a fortune but was out of position and slowed our play down...ohh and his freekicks!!

It was said he has been told he is going on loan (sterling) Jimmy which I agree with if they can guarantee first team football. But good football team please not stoke lol.

Why has no one mentioned Jamie? Very good today not one hoof!

Preferably a premier league side too, I don't see the point of loaning players to championship clubs, top players need experience at the highest level.

It wouldbe madness, stupidity to judge Cole, or any other player, this was the first game under our new manager. I don't know about anyone else but, 75% possession. Can anyone imagine that under KD? Or RH? or even Rafa? That having been said, Joe lacked the sharpness of yesteryear. But lets wait and see. JimmyTheRed

I wouldnt loan him out at all; we have the Europa, Carling Cup and FA Cup to play for. Surely he can be in some of them squads. Id play him in the CCup and Europa early rounds...whats wrong with that?

Jimmy,

I'll be the first to admit I've never been a big fan of Joes. That being said of course it would be great if he does come good for us. From everything I've seen and heard about him he's a good guy and popular with the other senior guys.

I didn't really think Shelvey played well today. He put in a few good tackles but he was out of position for their goal, he was clearly the DM in second half as he was dropping deep to take the ball from the centre halves like Jay did in the first half.

Also thought he tried to force the play too much, he played several long balls to no one when he could have played it short.

He wasn't dreadful or anything but thought out of all the lads to play in the middle he had the poorest game.

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Shelvey is a future star. Anyone who has watched over the last year would recognize this. Joe Cole was $h!te. Aquilani looked as languid and disinterested as ever, Morgan done what he does; score a goal, Adam was gawdawful, sterling tried too hard....

Enjoyable all the same. We did draw with what is, despite being Canadian, the worst team in America. But it's preseason so the results and performances for the most part, don't mean $h!t. Bring on the Fenway Roma party. Maybe we can send Aquilani home with them.

I thought Adam, Spearing and Aqua were very good in the first half. They weren't attacking enough though..

I'd be mighty worried if we started Adam Aquilani and Spearing in any game this season.

1st half - Structure excellent and the players kept to it, but the tempo was too slow so we didnt create anything.

2nd half - More youngsters on show, especially in te key area of midfield and it showed as we lost our shape a bit. We did play at a much higher tempo though so we looked more dangerous.

Best players overall were Spearing, Pacheco, Sterling and Carra.

Worst were Ecclestone, Aquilani, Adorjan and Cole. Adorjan just a kid but Aqua didnt look like a player desperate to play for us and Cole always tries very hard, maybe too hard.

Looks like Pacheco suffered from our previous systems. He seemed comfortable in BR system, will definately improve and probably change our perception of him too. Jay surprised me too! Carra minus hoofing was great. Cole???? Not much can be said about his performance yesterday.

Sporty - it would be crass to pass any adverse comment on Joe after one game. But I agree; he didn't look comfortable.
Kneerash - fully agree friend, I thought Spearing played the better DM midfield position than Jonjo. I thought Jonjo was trying too hard.
Stars of the game? Pacheco, Sterling and Adam Morgan. JimmyThered

Cole may be a great guy off the pitch but when he's on it he's a selfish .

Spearing is still a poor player in general, while Shelvey was played out of position. Shelvey will get much much better in time, while Spearing is already hit his limits imo