2 Points Behind

[Don Quixote]

Right, there's no need to make a massive deal out of this, I guess. Especially as Chelsea and Man Utd could easily just lose their next matches (we hope). But Rafa (who I am a BIG fan of generally, and one of his staunchest supporters over several issues) made some stupid mistakes at the weekend and I hope he learns from them quick. I don't hold TOO much faith, though, because it took him ages at the start of last season to iron out errors like:

Gerrard as a link-man.
Riise on the left-wing.
Warnock at left-back.
Garcia on the right-wing.

...If Zenden plays a lot of games in CM this season we aren't winning any league titles. And it won't be because we couldn't. It'll be because we made stupid team selections.

Same goes for Fowler leading the line, home or away - it's a handicap. He lacks pace, agility, height and strength. You have to have SOME of these attributes at least, surely. Both Fowler and Bellers need to play off a Kuyt or a Crouch.

It's just the rules.

[Rich]

I agree with some of your points. Rafa did make a mistake in team selection and then was unable to alter it, due to the injuries. I would have expected us to win, if he'd have been able to put Pennant and Crouch into battle as the game progressed.

Fowler looked rusty to me, and was generally off the pace, but I do think he'll have an important part to play this season. To me he isn't a handicap.

Zenden, completely agree! I fail to see what we brings to our team? Do we have any Zenden fans in the camp? I'd love to see a defence of Bolo, cos I'd love to be proved wrong on this one.

[Don Quixote]

I never said that Fowler is a handicap *full-stop*. That's silly, he can be an amazing player when used for us correctly. He's a handicap leading the line. Especially in an away game.

[Rich]

Where do you play Fowler other than up top?

[Don Quixote]

It's about who you partner him with. If it's Bellers then Fowler has to do a lot of work he isn't cut out for. Bellers is usually on the wing or roaming around. Also they don't have enough height and strength between them.

[Rich]

I think Fowler and Bellamy can work together - we just needed to be smarter with the ball. For example, the game on Saturday should have had Pennant starting on the right, with Gerrard in the middle, and Zenden making way.

[Don Quixote]

I think we're making life hard for ourselves to play this way and I don't believe Rafa would ever have done it against a better side. He underestimated the opposition.

I *guess* it's a matter of opinion that they aren't a good partnership, but I know I'm right.

[Rich]

I think we're making life hard for ourselves to play this way and I don't believe Rafa would ever have done it against a better side. He underestimated them.

I *guess* it's a matter of opinion that they aren't a good partnership, but I know I'm right.

I guess we'll see!

[G]

It'll be Kuyt and Bellamy up front I think which only leaves a place on the bench for one striker.I hope I'm wrong but i think Robbie might watch more games from the stands than then bench this season.We have to go with Alonso in the middle,Rafa never drops Momo(much like Ged with Heskey) so that means Stevie on the wing.

[Shanks65]

Re: Zenden.

I really can't see anything in the lad which makes me think he can do a job as a tackling midfielder. He just can't seem to do it.

I'd be happy to see him as cover 'in the hole' where his tackling weakness isn't exposed. Or even as a last resort on the left flank. But he should never be put in that combative CM role from what I have seen so far.

He was pretty good for Boro in behind the front 2, but Rafa isn't using him there.

[Rich]

Didn't Zenden have his (one and only) good season for Boro playing in a 3-5-2 formation, where, like you say, he had little defensive duty and played behind a front two?

You can't fault his work rate, but he just isn't suited as a CM. No tackle, no range of passing, no real pace, no strength, no threat from distance, no nothing really.

[Shanks65]

Spot on mate. He was very good in and around the front 2 of Boro. anywhere else on the field and he seems to be found wanting.

It's like playing a blonde Vladi in the LFC midfield engine room!

[Rich]

Only Vladi was/is far more mobile and can carry the ball. Zenden does neither.

[FowlerLeftFoot]

Fowler and Bellamy both started on saturday, so why do u only pick on Fowler?
He made a penalty, converted it, thats not enough for some of you?
Our midfield were **** in the last game, they couldnt get anything going especially in the first half and they didnt create many chances the whole game either, hyypia useless long balls isnt going to find a ziraffe up front, so why blame the striker(s), especially some of you lot who keep picking on Robbie?

[paulcooper4]

Only Vladi was/is far more mobile and can carry the ball. Zenden does neither.