The weekend's thoughts

[red_in_oz]

The game went exactly as I thought it would - lots of noise from their fans, we couldn't silence the crowd with an early goal. We make the big mistake early in the second half. They shut up shop. We can't break them down more than the one time (I reckon it was a penalty but would have been pissed off if I was Sheff Utd!). We try the one touch stuff but it doesn't come off. We get the draw I thought we would. (Last three seasons away from home on opening day = 3 draws.Different result if we had been at home?)

Positives? If we keep having a go like that we will win 25+ games again this year. We will see a better performance on Tuesday night when Xabi and Crouch are back. We have yet to see Kuyt play for us.

One down. 37 to go. let's have a win in Kiev and then three points at home next Saturday.

COME ON YOU REDS!!!!

[Taffy]

That's why I'd consider bringing in Warnock. If nothing else, Hyypia & Finnan know his game and he should be able to cope with the threat of Haifa. How does a back line of Finnan - Agger - Hyypia - Warnock sound?

Warnock is an option, but will Rafa play him - he hasn't had much playing time so far this season (and pre-season). I did think of him as our left back but he seems to be well down the pecking order this time around. I'd put him in.

[El Jefecito]

well IMO it's fairly evident that we wouldn't have conceded that goal if Riise was playing. Aurelio totally neglected his defensive duties. I don't think Riise would have done that. After Riise went off, it was Aurelio's "zone" and he done sweet FA to defend it.

Disagree Riise always take the near post zone. Fabio probably would have been in the same place even if JAR was on.

[univofchicago]

These are my thought on this weekend's happenings:

Disappointed that we could only manage a point away to a team that's just got promoted. If we want to have any hopes of really giving the title challenge a good go this season then we simply must beat teams like Sheff Utd away from home.

The hard facts were that we just didn't perform, and only showed any kind of urgency and form after we conceded - we should be doing that straight from the off, especially as we've played two 'competitive games' before then and should have been 'match sharper' than them. However, Brammall Lane will be a tough place to go this season, and Warnock will have them lot fired up over there all season I guess.

So, having looked at the facts of the game - we just didn't perform, they did and battled well, and teams will have a tough time of it at their place this season then I suppose a point isn't that bad - but I've been saying all last week that we need to get out of the blocks well so it adds more pressure to get results in the next few games ( it was our slow start that cost us a real challenge last season so it must be addressed this time around).

What I feel is worse though is the loss of Carragher and Riise. These two are crucial to us and will be greatly missed, especially in Tuesday's game. In fact, I am quite worried now for the Haifa return leg as we need players like Carra and JAR in that one! One goal and they're through, end of, and if they get an early one I can see them just trying to hold on in the hope we can't break them down. Sheff Utd almost managed it after they scored, and I'm sure Haifa would have noted that.

An early goal will do us the world of good on Tuesday so I'm just hoping for that at present, but I'm praying that Finnan will be fit, as a defence of Kromkamp, Agger, Hyypia and Aurelio (if that's what we play) doesn't fill me with confidence, I'm sorry to say. I sound like a real moody sod don't I, and I should just be glad that the proper footie is back. The league is a marathon and not a sprint, so I'm not going to be jumping off a bridge just yet!

So, here's to LFC getting through on Tuesday followed by some success in our league games to keep pace with both Chelsea and the mancs, who both got off to convincing winning starts today.

Good Post

More or less sums up my thoughts as well...

[univofchicago]

well IMO it's fairly evident that we wouldn't have conceded that goal if Riise was playing. Aurelio totally neglected his defensive duties.

I havn't seen the goal again (too depressing...) but wasn't other players playing the United player onside as well? From what I remember, the whole back four got their offside trap horribly wrong...

I guess the silver lining is that this is something that can be worked on in training...Cmon Rafa!!

[red_in_oz]

Hulse was bale to sit right between two of our defenders and Aurelio had responsibility for marking him. Aurelio watched him move but never went with him to even pressure him. Just gave him a free header. Very poor. Bet Rafa didn't like that.

And Aurelio should have been familiar with Rafa's zonal marking from Valencia.

Must improve.

[Taffy]

Good Post

More or less sums up my thoughts as well...

Cheers mate.

[Nic83]

i apologise for being the first to repky to your welthoughtout post

bearing in mid we were never going to play Chavs, Arse, Manc or Evertn, a away fixture agianst a promoted side was the worst possible fixture,.

had we not lost riis end carra we could probs play ****e but have made the changes to strecth ther game and win even wehn playing crap.

we were rubbish but still couldbve won

first xi not good enoyugh on the dat, injuroes forced into subs we wouldn't hasve made til later.

shame, but e'rll mve on./

haVE TO bweat west ham chavs and everton now

Are you drunk AGAIN, Miss B?

[Mumsafan]

I bet she arrives on Saturday with either a hangover or pissed from two bottles of Buckfast she's necked on the train.