We ain't been the same since Pako left...

[Man71]

I think you may find when Fergie lost Querioz (when he went to Real) Man U performed badly. Signs are there we are going down same route

[Neil Young]

I think you may find when Fergie lost Querioz (when he went to Real) Man U performed badly. Signs are there we are going down same route

And, IIRC, when Bergues left under Houllier.

[El Jefecito]

We haven't been the same since Xabi got injured and SG lost his form. Our poor performances have been a result of not controlling the midfield. So i'm pretty sure we'll survive Pako leaving and will be back on track once Xabi is fit.

It also doesn't help that Agger is out, the quality of our distribution from the back when he is out is awful. That in itself puts even more pressure on the midfield.

[Neil Young]

We haven't been the same since Xabi got injured and SG lost his form. Our poor performances have been a result of not controlling the midfield. So i'm pretty sure we'll survive Pako leaving and will be back on track once Xabi is fit.

It also doesn't help that Agger is out, the quality of our distribution from the back when he is out is awful. That in itself puts even more pressure on the midfield.

I think you're right - they are important factors. It's probably a combination of causes, as these things usually are.

[Red Chilli]

I think you're right - they are important factors. It's probably a combination of causes, as these things usually are.

It's:
Rotation, the international break, referees, Pako leaving, Agger being injured, Xabi being injured, Kewell being injured and Rafa's beard.

It doesn't help the situation that the players are playing poorly either.

[Neil Young]

It's:
Rotation, the international break, referees, Pako leaving, Agger being injured, Xabi being injured, Kewell being injured and Rafa's beard.

It doesn't help the situation that the players are playing poorly either.

F*ck it, who cares, it's only football.

[Pacman]

F*ck it, who cares, it's only football.

**** off Fredo

[dww]

I blame Fredo.

[Neil Young]

**** off Fredo

I blame Fredo.

Of course. Why didn't I think of that?

[rushscored4]

We haven't been the same since Xabi got injured and SG lost his form. Our poor performances have been a result of not controlling the midfield. So i'm pretty sure we'll survive Pako leaving and will be back on track once Xabi is fit. It also doesn't help that Agger is out, the quality of our distribution from the back when he is out is awful. That in itself puts even more pressure on the midfield.

Whilst I agree we are missing Alonso and Agger, wouldn't Mascherano have controlled the midfield more than Sissoko last night?

I'm not knocking Momo, although he was terrible last night, but to me he's more effective away from home when we've got to break up the play and win the ball back. At home, on a European night against (let's be honest) what should have been relatively easy opposition, we needed someone who could keep possession and pass the ball more effectively.

The worrying thing for me is that Rafa picks "horses for courses" but recently he seems to be backing all the losers...

[El Jefecito]

Whilst I agree we are missing Alonso and Agger, wouldn't Mascherano have controlled the midfield more than Sissoko last night?
I'm not knocking Momo, although he was terrible last night, but to me he's more effective away from home when we've got to break up the play and win the ball back. At home, on a European night against (let's be honest) what should have been relatively easy opposition, we needed someone who could keep possession and pass the ball more effectively.

The worrying thing for me is that Rafa picks "horses for courses" but recently he seems to be backing all the losers...

He probably would have, but the El Jefecito / SG combination hasn't worked in the last 5 or so games. I'm sure Rafa thought it might be risky (i.e. not playing a holding midfielder), but his only other option would have been to drop Stevie.

So I think it was a brave decision, that unfortunately, backfired. Although to be honest Momo had been very good up until yesterdays game, that his performance was SO bad will have come as a suprise.

[Colemere]

We have played some **** football over the past few seasons but it has got worse since Pako left us for the Pompey game.

[calvoboy]

That's one hell of a typo.

Alright - I know it wasn't the best gag in the world

[Kiwi]

I think you'll our dip in form has coincided with Agger being absent from the team. As Dan allows us to play a high line.
Unlike when Sami plays ala last night where we are scared to move up the pitch and press the play. Sami may be
able to read the game really well, but his lack of speed is being shown up more often. We need another quick centre
half in Jan. We also missed Alonsos distribution .

[rushscored4]

I think you'll find our dip in form has coincided with Agger being absent from the team. As Dan allows us to play a high line. Unlike when Sami plays ala last night where we are scared to move up the pitch and press the play. Sami may be able to read the game really well, but his lack of speed is being shown up more often. We need another quick centre half in Jan. We also missed Alonsos distribution .

Rafa knew that Marseilles were going to play a solitary quick striker last night which is why the defence played deeper, just like Birmingham did against us. I agree we missed Agger but, as there was no aerial threat, would Arbeloa have been a better partner for Carra than Sami?