Pompey v Redmen match thread

[Jayesh87]

This game needs Torres and Gerrard as soon as possible.

and Babel

[sonsofthedesert]

Torres for Crouch and Gerrard for Benayoun would be good.

Don't want to see Gerrard on the wing which is what that would mean.

[bigfooty]

I don't deny that Crouch has showed an unusually poor touch a few times but it's like the Toulouse away game in that all we're doing is humping long balls up to him and hoping something breaks. I've yet to see Arbeloa or Finnan get a decent cross in yet whilst Yossi is cutting infield a lot.

[sonsofthedesert]

Agree. But we know Rafa don't we, he won't change things until it's too late.

He wont change things at half time, first sub at about 70-75 mins.

[Imy]

HT thoughts. Crouch is providing Zero to the cause, he is being well looked after by the Pompey defence and his lack of mobility is shocking. The fact that he is on the pitch means we are playing route one football trying to seek the long tree out.

Freekicks, we've had plenty and ALL have been crap, some imagination is needed and bloody hell beating the 1st man/wall.

Benayoun and Pennant started well but became very quiet as the half went on.

The defence (Reina included), momo and the crow have done OK

Rafa needs a HT rethink

[kurtangle01]

Don't want to see Gerrard on the wing which is what that would mean.

He'd do a better job there than Yossi has today though.

[red g]

He wont change things at half time, first sub at about 70-75 mins.

60 mins tops for changes

[Revo]

I'm trying not to be overly critical but on todays evidence Crouch has no right to moan about not being in the side.

dunno what rafa is on at times scott. campbell and distin are 2 of the toughest players in the league, crouch has no bizzness on this form to start the 2nd half. **** the critical stuff its the truth

[red g]

55 gerrard 65 babbel and torres

[The Erectile Banana]

I think Torres would make a huge difference up front.

Crouch has been very poor, very static and constantly giving away the ball.

The Crow hasn't done much and seems to have a habit of going in for a sneaky dive every so often, something I don't like to see in a Liverpool player.

We've had too many aimless punts into the box and not enough quality passing.

Big improvement needed for second half.

[Imy]

I don't deny that Crouch has showed an unusually poor touch a few times but it's like the Toulouse away game in that all we're doing is humping long balls up to him and hoping something breaks. I've yet to see Arbeloa or Finnan get a decent cross in yet whilst Yossi is cutting infield a lot.

He's the tallest man on the pitch and he can't head , his supposed good touch has deserted him and my days he is SO imobile, run and spin/turn is certainly not a strength.

Having him on the pitch is causing this route one crap.

[kurtangle01]

dunno what rafa is on at times scott. campbell and distin are 2 of the toughest players in the league, crouch has no bizzness on this form to start the 2nd half. **** the critical stuff its the truth

You're spot there, revo. Torres would give Campbell and Distin nightmares with his movement where as Crouch basically stands in front of them, has zero mobility, and is open to be tackled at every opportunity. It's been an easy afternoons work work for Pompeys 2 centre halfs so far.

I wouldn't be dissapointed to see Crouch taken off at half time.

[Gazzla]

I think Crouch has spent too much time in Hells Kitchen

[bigfooty]

Not true Frodo. Was it route one went he scored a hat-trick against Arsenal? No, we got the ball wide and made telling crosses into the box.

Crouch is at his best when we attack down the flanks, today we're just hoofing it up to him from deep.

[bigfooty]

I mean, how many times in that first half did we try and hit him in the left-wing position, targetting Johnson? Sometimes it paid off and he got the ball but mostly it was a waste as it meant we had nobody in the middle of the pitch.