Positives from tonight

[JPK]

Gerrard and Torres are the perfect parnership.Thats 2 assists now for him.

[The Erectile Banana]

Admittedly, didn't see tonight's game but when Aurelio played LB prior to his injury his defensive capabilities didn't thrill me.

No disputing his technical attributes though.

I don't think he's any worse a defender than Riise is - not the best but certainly capable of doing a decent job - technically he's a couple of notches above Ginger.

[The Erectile Banana]

Agree with the positives but what are we gonna do about having Tupac Shakur in goal? He puts the fear of god in me.

I thought he did pretty well considering he's been dead for ten years.

Relax, Les, he's only a back-up. Unless we sell Reina to Atletico in the January window.

True.

Also, it was only the lad's first game and he looked a bit nervous.

I'm sure he'll improve with time - and as Mr. Young said he's strictly back up.

Let's hope Pepe doesn't get injured anytime soon though.

[Howard_lfc]

True.

Also, it was only the lad's first game and he looked a bit nervous.

I'm sure he'll improve with time - and as Mr. Young said he's strictly back up.

Let's hope Pepe doesn't get injured anytime soon though.

If he does we're truly knackered.

[Cormack74]

I don't think he's any worse a defender than Riise is - not the best but certainly capable of doing a decent job - technically he's a couple of notches above Ginger.

Agreed I'm not sure I'd have either of them defending if my life depended on the result. It's a lack of pace as much as anything else.

[Lee]

Agree with the positives but what are we gonna do about having Tupac Shakur in goal? He puts the fear of god in me.

Indeed, I haven't felt like this about a keeper since the days of James, Arphexad, Friedel, Westerveld & Dudek

Nah, we're just very very lucky to have such a great keeper like Reina

[mick the click]

I got a second offer on my flat.

Well...up the price immediately!

[Neil Young]

Well...up the price immediately!

It's not that easy. It's worth more but I accepted the first already. It's a dilemma.

[Morph]

I'd love to see Aurelio as our left back, his passing and crossing skills could add a new dimension to us going forward.

Not at Left back for me, I don't think he's good enough defensively. I know we were playing largely attacking game today, but there were plenty of times he left so much space in the LB spot, if they'd had a decent right winger, we'd have been caught out a few times. The problem I have with Aurelio is that we don't play the formation that best suits him. He's an out and out wing back for me and we don't play 5 at the back or 5 in midfield to capitalise on this. So as such I think more often than not we'll see him left wing.

[Red Chilli]

Not at Left back for me, I don't think he's good enough defensively. I know we were playing largely attacking game today, but there were plenty of times he left so much space in the LB spot, if they'd had a decent right winger, we'd have been caught out a few times. The problem I have with Aurelio is that we don't play the formation that best suits him. He's an out and out wing back for me and we don't play 5 at the back or 5 in midfield to capitalise on this. So as such I think more often than not we'll see him left wing.

Agree with that Morph. Lacks good positional sense IMO

[AFII]

Not at Left back for me, I don't think he's good enough defensively. I know we were playing largely attacking game today, but there were plenty of times he left so much space in the LB spot, if they'd had a decent right winger, we'd have been caught out a few times. The problem I have with Aurelio is that we don't play the formation that best suits him. He's an out and out wing back for me and we don't play 5 at the back or 5 in midfield to capitalise on this. So as such I think more often than not we'll see him left wing.

Well, Rafa has been after a right wing back for a while, first Alves and then Cicinho, so a guess is that he want to play with wing backs with the left and right sided midfielder cutting inside a lot.

[Morph]

Well, Rafa has been after a right wing back for a while, first Alves and then Cicinho, so a guess is that he want to play with wing backs with the left and right sided midfielder cutting inside a lot.

Can't afford to play with wing backs if he's only going to play 4 at the back imo

[kopash]

Quite a few positives as have already been discussed. Massive to have players break their duck and get their first goal so delighted for Yossi.

I liked Lucas. Very tidy. Reminded me of Xavi.

Crouch was trying to be a playmaker at times deep in our own half which was odd!

[AFII]

Can't afford to play with wing backs if he's only going to play 4 at the back imo

I don't agree. Mascherano is the best holding midfielder in the world and he will cover in the middle if Carra or Agger need to cover on the right or left behind our wing backs.

[Morph]

I don't agree. Mascherano is the best holding midfielder in the world and he will cover in the middle if Carra or Agger need to cover on the right or left behind our wing backs.

Leaves too much to chance, maybe we'd play with wing backs at home like vs bham were they offered little going forward, but for a defensive minded Rafa playing wing backs would leave too much to chance