Post match wash-up/reaction/moan thread

[Shaggy]

But, on a more serious note...

How much have we improved compared to last season?

Not much, if at all.

In fact we looked more convincing last season.

[tomasjj]

We haven't.

I will wait until after the season to pass judgment, but I am getting worried.

[tomasjj]

Not much, if at all.

In fact we looked more convincing last season.

Somehow I think we looked more solid defensively.
Didi...and also, Sami to some extent.

There seemed to be better team cohesion when defending.

[lfc4ever]

Rafa brought Momo back today, and we lost, coincidence?

What if Momo had better distribution when he won the ball, currently I admit he gives it all for the cause, but seriously, what does he bring to the team trying to push forward after winning the ball? So are we sacrificing something by playing him?

[nbryan1764]

But, on a more serious note...

How much have we improved compared to last season?

we had a very good season last season which helped fuel the belief that we were one step away. I think one fact that people overlook in this however is the length of seasons we have had to endure.

At the end of 2004 our best players were in euro 2004 - not much of a break
At the end of 2005 we had to qualify for the champions league - not much of a break
At the end of 2006 our best players were in the world cup - not much of a break

I think early season we looked a jaded team. Lately we have been out of that rut a little but too little too late unfortunately. I think this is a big reason for the rotation and some of the players coming in have not been good enough. Quite simply we havent had the money to have that much quality in reserve.

However...I for one am hoping that two factors will change that, 1) we will have money to but real quality. Not the whole team but maybe 3-4 players and 2) We will have a proper break so the players can recharge

If those factors occur and we still lag 20 odd points behind then we obviously have a problem. But I a happy to bet with anyone on here that next season we will not be that far behind and with a bit more quality and a bit of luck that you need we could even be champions.

[Revo]

kuyt brings many many more dimensions to the team than slouch. crouch is a bench player with the odd start here and there at best.

[Shaggy]

kuyt brings many many more dimensions to the team than slouch. crouch is a bench player with the odd start here and there at best.

Dimensions? Crouch has contributed more goals and more assists in fewer games so, if you don't mind, you can keep your 'dimensions'. :bird:

[tomasjj]

kuyt brings many many more dimensions to the team than slouch. crouch is a bench player with the odd start here and there at best.

I agree, but Steve McLaren disagrees with us, so we must be right then.

[Revo]

Dimensions? Crouch has contributed more goals and more assists in fewer games so, if you don't mind, you can keep your 'dimensions'. :bird:

shaggs yer can **** off with your stats, show me slouch making tackles, show me slouch chasing back after the ball and whilst your at it show me the stats on how many headers slouch has missed
btw are you still taking the break dancing classes with crouch:bird:

[Shaggy]

shaggs yer can **** off with your stats, show me slouch making tackles, show me slouch chasing back after the ball and whilst your at it show me the stats on how many headers slouch has missed
btw are you still taking the break dancing classes with crouch:bird:

Balls to 'making tackles' and 'chasing back' - I deal in goals mate, the game's most vital currency. And besides, have you forgotten Rafa saying that Crouch sometimes covered more ground in a game than Sissoko? They both have tremendous work-rates.

As for the break dancing classes...well, I'm still teaching him robotics if that's what you mean.

[Armchairkopite]

we had a very good season last season which helped fuel the belief that we were one step away. I think one fact that people overlook in this however is the length of seasons we have had to endure.

At the end of 2004 our best players were in euro 2004 - not much of a break
At the end of 2005 we had to qualify for the champions league - not much of a break
At the end of 2006 our best players were in the world cup - not much of a break

I think early season we looked a jaded team. Lately we have been out of that rut a little but too little too late unfortunately. I think this is a big reason for the rotation and some of the players coming in have not been good enough. Quite simply we havent had the money to have that much quality in reserve.

However...I for one am hoping that two factors will change that, 1) we will have money to but real quality. Not the whole team but maybe 3-4 players and 2) We will have a proper break so the players can recharge

If those factors occur and we still lag 20 odd points behind then we obviously have a problem. But I a happy to bet with anyone on here that next season we will not be that far behind and with a bit more quality and a bit of luck that you need we could even be champions.

Good post mate

[AFII]

Crouch is to slow. I know that Bergkamp and Zola wasn't that fast but they had the brain to make it anyway.

Crouch makes some good things but that doesn't happen often enough.

Bellamy have missed far to many easy chances this season. A top class striker would probably have scored at least 10 more goals than him this season IMO.

We create more chances than any other team in the league IMO but we are a long way off the top. Replace Bellamy with Villa and we would still be in with a chance to win the league this season.

One excellent player can make a lot of difference.

[Revo]

id love to see kuyt as the out and out centre forward with garcia tucked in behind him almost given a free role. i think peter crouch is a good player mate but he is not good enough for us and i cant believe im gonna say this but the way we play now with kuyt playing the deeper of the forwards, i wonder just wonder how mr cisse would fare today as the lone striker?

[tomasjj]

Thinking about it, I don't think Kuyt, who is a decent player, make no mistake about that, is a 6.5 million improvement on Morientes. No way.

[Armchairkopite]

ffs AF Crouchies pace is not the problem, the fact is he squanders too many chances ditto Bellamy.

I agree one WC number 9 will make the difference.