hicks SORT IT!

[Marky]

Actually think he'll be sold in the summer.

Surely Rafa can't be happy with him?

Too late then, we need to make efforts to win the title NOW.(we still can btw).
Kuyt isn't good enough, end of.

[Nic83]

Thought Masher did Ok to be honest, but others were missing- most noticably SG. Babel did look really good when he came on, but we should have started with Crouch. Said this befire kick off FFS. He's the only player we have that has scored against them since RAfa has been in charge.

i thought you didn't rate Crouch and were a member of the Voronin and Kuyt fan club?

I take it back, confusing you with Postman Pat!

[Roboklopp]

For years, for some ****ing reason, we've played against the Mancs with a huge inferiority complex...especially at Anfield.

It's the same old story year in, year ****ing out. Huff, puff, get mugged on a set piece with their only shot on target, and lack the guile to move them around and open them up.

I'm ****ing sick of it.

that sums it up really, doesnt it

[vonk]

What about Rafa tactically though?

As Big footy pointed out it was a bit of a shambles.

And why does Rafa wait until 65 minutes to make a change when it was painfully clear it wasn't working?

With the players I still think it's a mental thing, we have the players, but when your manager picks a silly team against Reading, then gives up on the points what message does it send to them?

Our players didn't have the composure today, especially in the final third, dare I say the belief. It was hit and hope, only Babel seemed to play without fear.

Agreed CMS. See my post in the other thread. I don't actually think our players are that bad except Kuyt and Riise. The lack of ideas or confidence alarms me most. Ferguson/Wenger could put out the reserves and have them believing they would win. Rafa just doesn't have that effect on the players. I get the impression even the players don't know what the plan is. A case in point is Carra - surely Rafa must have told him that hoofing the ball to an isolated Torres game after game is pointless, no? I'm all for supporting the manager and giving him time but I can't see an obvious improvement like some of you. I think we will fiinish fourth again and I'm not exactly wowed by our passing game... Am I wrong?

[redlancer]

Yes defensively he did well, especially against Ronaldo. Fair play to him for that.

But when we have possession he's a total liability.

Riise seems to be the scape goat recently.

He did his 1st job well and wasn't any worse than any one else when it came to attacking.

Granted i think its an area we need to improve. But today the lad did his job.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Yep I agree. It's depressing to see us launching it hopefully whenever we need a goal against one of the top sides.

People - sorry, idiots - will blame Crouch for that, or at least his presence, but that is missing the point completely.

For years, for some ****ing reason, we've played against the Mancs with a huge inferiority complex...especially at Anfield.

It's the same old story year in, year ****ing out. Huff, puff, get mugged on a set piece with their only shot on target, and lack the guile to move them around and open them up.

I'm ****ing sick of it.

But Kuyt works so hard mate.

Looking at the way Arsenal play makes me so jealous, because we used to have that.

But I blame Rafa for our turgid style at times, and the ****in ****e players that he keeps picking. We have too many who can't trap, pass and move the ball. And there's no excuse for it.

Remembering Rafa's Valencia side, it doesn't make sense to me that we hoof it so much.

[Roboklopp]

i thought you didn't rate Crouch and were a member of the Voronin and Kuyt fan club?

I take it back, confusing you with Postman Pat!

Think you have me confused mate. Always rated Crouchie once he was actually ours- even when he didnt score for 14 games I could see what he brought to the table.

RAted Kuyt last year, but this season has really shown up his limitations & wouldnt be sad to see him go if someone (much) better was to come in. Happy to have him as a sub tho cos I think he is underperforming.

Voronin has no place in the 1st 16 barring dreadful injuries.

We need someone skillful to play up top with Torres, no question.

[Nic83]

I'm a Riise fan although I've been playing close attention to his use of the ball in recent matches. It's been piss poor but I'd put that down to form, not ability.

For me, I actually think we have the best squad in the prem, strength and depth wise. If you take out kuyt, Voronin, Sissoko and Aurelio, we have an abundance of quality. Unfortunately the striking position is the most importnat and 2 of the 4 players I've mentioned make up %50 of our strikeforce.

[Nic83]

Think you have me confused mate. Always rated Crouchie once he was actually ours- even when he didnt score for 14 games I could see what he brought to the table.

RAted Kuyt last year, but this season has really shown up his limitations & wouldnt be sad to see him go if someone (much) better was to come in. Happy to have him as a sub tho cos I think he is underperforming.

Voronin has no place in the 1st 16 barring dreadful injuries.

We need someone skillful to play up top with Torres, no question.

Yep I was, with Postman Pat! Soz

[Roboklopp]

I'm a Riise fan although I've been playing close attention to his use of the ball in recent matches. It's been piss poor but I'd put that down to form, not ability.

For me, I actually think we have the best squad in the prem, strength and depth wise. If you take out kuyt, Voronin, Sissoko and Aurelio, we have an abundance of quality. Unfortunately the striking position is the most importnat and 2 of the 4 players I've mentioned make up %50 of our strikeforce.

Mebbe the best squad (altho I'd take a bit of convincing), but by no means the best 1st team. We dont have enough game-chinging players. Too many plodders.

Interesting, the Chavscum also look in a similar position despite the fortunes they have spent.

[Alpha]

No excuses but compare the combined cost of Man U's side that played today against ours.

If that doesn't spell out to Mister Hicks where the difference lies between the two clubs, nothing will.

[blacky]

what positions need strengthening????
We were better in every position today.

left wing - kewell had a lot of possesion but no end product
striker - kuyt played everywhere except up top....poor first touch throughout game
left back - riise's decision making is poor.
right wing - benni is a squad player

don't confuse having 60% possesion with being better

[Nic83]

I'd go allout to bring Anelka back in Jan if I was Rafa.

Imagine Anelka and Torres, and Crouch as third choice/rotation

[AFII]

No excuses but compare the combined cost of Man U's side that played today against ours.

If that doesn't spell out to Mister Hicks where the difference lies between the two clubs, nothing will.

Sell Kuyt and Crouch, sign Diego or Aguero. Would probably cost around £3m-£4m to do that and we will have a much better team.

Sell Sissoko, we don't need to replace him. Now we have made a profit than we can use to sign Kaladze.

[Nic83]

Sell Kuyt and Crouch, sign Diego or Aguero. Would probably cost around £3m-£4m to do that and we will have a much better team.

Sell Sissoko, we don't need to replace him. Now we have made a profit than we can use to sign Kaladze.

we'd have to offer AT LEAST 30mil to even TEMPT Atletico to sell Aguero. It won't happen!