Superb stuff

[alunevans]

Sadly I couldn't watch last night's game til today. Somehow I managed to steer clear of the final score.

I thought we were fab. We did exactly the sort of thing I've been calling for. Passing the ball and moving.

Crouch playing was a big plus in my view. The Yossi doubters must surely be converted.

I know it was only Besiktas but the point is that we have played poorer teams in the past and sunk to their level, hoofing the ball too much rather than letting our class show.

This time we did it the right way. The keeper was passing the ball out from the back. We were choosing to pass the ball round. When the ball needed to go long Crouch was bringing it into play. It was pretty much textbook play, with some lovely one touch footy thrown in for good measure.

And for anyone who taped this, watch it again and look at Masher. His movement off the ball is a masterclass.

We did everything right. We played Crouch, we used the width of the park, our movement was good, we passed the ball and fashioned chances through skill rather than dicethrowing.

Terrific stuff. And Babel up front was great too.

More of this pattern of play please. It works.

[Shaggy]

Well said Al

[Jazzmaster]

Confidence. Simply confidence.

Its amazing the difference it can make to a team.

[alunevans]

Confidence. Simply confidence.

Its amazing the difference it can make to a team.

I don't think it was simply confidence because I was analysing it that way up to the 2-0 mark, in fact even before the opening goal.

We played the Liverpool way basically. It was a joy to behold.

Once we were assured of the win then yes confidence kicked in too.

But it wasn't simply confidence. We played the right way, it brought the results that playing the right way brings, and that GAVE us confidence.

[Los Rojos]

Sadly I couldn't watch last night's game til today. Somehow I managed to steer clear of the final score.

Have you been locked in a soundproof cupboard or something Al? How can you steer clear of an 8-0 hammering?

[-V-]

Exactly, how did u manage to avoid the scoreline? Especially in pool

[rob_247]

There definately looked like their was a belief in the team from the kickoff. Although things went better after 2-0 up even before then everyone looked like they wanted the ball and like they wanted to get forward and score, well everyone except Masch who's positional play was fantastic.

I noticed early on - and even the missus commented - on how much better we were using the width of the pitch. Arbeloa probably won't ever be afforded that much freedom to play as a right winger again!

It was only Besiktas and it was only 3 points but you can only play the team you're up against and we played them off the park.

[akjs123]

Carra and Sami were both looking to pass rather than hoof. This was more due to fact that Besiktas forwards werent pressuring them at all. When Agger comes back, I am sure we would be able to do the same against much better opposition.
Having two fullbacks confident in possession was also a big plus.
Finally, for those calling for Rafa's head over tactics, yesterday showed that what has been missing most from our game past few games was good accurate passing

[badpiggy]

There definately looked like their was a belief in the team from the kickoff. Although things went better after 2-0 up even before then everyone looked like they wanted the ball and like they wanted to get forward and score, well everyone except Masch who's positional play was fantastic.

I noticed early on - and even the missus commented - on how much better we were using the width of the pitch. Arbeloa probably won't ever be afforded that much freedom to play as a right winger again!

It was only Besiktas and it was only 3 points but you can only play the team you're up against and we played them off the park.

i think there's a bit of rose-tinting going on here. they harried us very well for about 15 minutes. arbeloa was caught a couple of times out wide under pressure. on about 5 minutes SG was caught with the ball in the centre circle and not one player showed for him for a simple pass to get us out of trouble until Sg went down for a foul. at that point i though "here we ****in go..." but crouch was somwthing they couldn't manage and he made his own luck to get us off the mark. footue hinge on luck and we were seriously due something to go our way. and when it did boy did those guys fold and totally give up. and we played some great footie too even in the first half. there were few class one-touch moves that gave me hope and will continue to give me hope that it was a glimpse of what rafa wants us to do.

[dww]

i think there's a bit of rose-tinting going on here. they harried us very well for about 15 minutes. arbeloa was caught a couple of times out wide under pressure. on about 5 minutes SG was caught with the ball in the centre circle and not one player showed for him for a simple pass to get us out of trouble until Sg went down for a foul. at that point i though "here we ****in go..." but crouch was somwthing they couldn't manage and he made his own luck to get us off the mark. footue hinge on luck and we were seriously due something to go our way. and when it did boy did those guys fold and totally give up.

I'm not sure - I think we went out with a lot of intent. We were almost too eager at the start and were sloppy which gave them a few half chances.

I remember the Gerrard moment but he had options of people earlier and they had just bombed on up field expecting him to move the ball before he got stranded. However for once his looking pissed off seemed to have the right effect and people started playing a bit more sensibly and gradually we completely dominated the game.

I'll agree they completely folded but at times in the past we wouldn't have pressed home the advantage and it was a joy to see us properly thrash someone in Europe.

[Nic83]

Confidence. Simply confidence.

Its amazing the difference it can make to a team.

How was it confidence? Confidence comes with good performances. NOW we may see confidence but why do you say the team was confident before last nights match?

[Nic83]

Exactly, how did u manage to avoid the scoreline? Especially in pool

Do you KNOW where this man works?

[bazza76]

attitude is what brought us through this game, everyone approached it in the right frame of mind. We knew it was a must win game, that also helped.
I posted during the week, it was good to see the squad enjoying themselves, well I think training sessions like that help to take the pressure and edge off players and help them relax more, Rafa is quite aware of the psychology of making sure the lads enjoy themselves and the effect it has on team spirit.
I was delighted to see it.

[badpiggy]

I'm not sure - I think we went out with a lot of intent. We were almost too eager at the start and were sloppy which gave them a few half chances.

I remember the Gerrard moment but he had options of people earlier and they had just bombed on up field expecting him to move the ball before he got stranded. However for once his looking pissed off seemed to have the right effect and people started playing a bit more sensibly and gradually we completely dominated the game.

I'll agree they completely folded but at times in the past we wouldn't have pressed home the advantage and it was a joy to see us properly thrash someone in Europe.

i know it's splitting hairs and my overall feeling is delight at ****in thrashing someone but arbeloa, hyypia, carra, masher and maybe one more (aurelio?) were all either inside our half or halfway and didn't move to help out when we looked like giving possesion away for want of a simple outlet - he was stranded for long enough for anyone to get back. actually if kuyt was playing he would've done it - ACTUALLY THAT'S IT!!!! WHAT SORT OF MANIAC WOULD START A CRUNCH EURO GAME WITHOUT KUYT? RAFA OUT!!!

[badpiggy]

How was it confidence? Confidence comes with good performances. NOW we may see confidence but why do you say the team was confident before last nights match?

sometimes you need a bit of luck and crouchie deserved it more than anyone and got it. that luck and their collapse give us the freedom to be a bit expressive for once and the confidence game then in bucketloads. those guys lost because of total gutlessness but if they'd held us till half time or longer or nicked a goal...