Boro V Liverpool - Post match thoughts and rants

[El Jefecito]

I have no credibility FFS.

We're a better attacking side with Stevie playing in the middle.

With Mascher and Alonso in there we have nobody breaking from a deep central position to worry the defence. It makes us even easier to defend against.

BTW Alonso was absolutely shocking when he came on. Then again they all were.

Of course all this is irrelevant because we just can't pass the ball to save ourselves.

We need a playmaker in the middle not an impact player. SG CANNOT bring others into the game. Xabi may be off form, but at least he can link up.

[FatTony]

Has anyone seen..

an improvement in the quality of football we now play, is so what?

People keep talking about the squad being better (which I believe it is) but I don't see any more quality in the actually football played.

We still hoof the ball around a lot, rarely move forward with any conviction or fluidity and rely on goals from moments of magic from SG and FT. We only seem to see our best when we're chasing a game.

[Joe King]

In one word. No.

We lack everything a championship winning side should have.

[Radar]

A Few Observations...What Do You Think?

Torres - Works his socks off even though we were **** but he kept on battling. A couple of years ago Owen/Baros would have just stayed on the last defender and sulked.

Benayoun - Predictable every time he gets the ball and goes forward. Always tried to come inside with the ball and ends up just passing the ball a couple of seconds late

Carra/Hyppia - hoooof everytime

Rafa/Babel - Why not play the lad behind Torres from the get go???

Riise - Really has not been good at all this year. His better years seem to be behind him now.

[paulcooper4]

Paul, it's about time you stopped holding back and say what you really think!

[slimbimjim]

In one word. No.

We lack everything a championship winning side should have.

Such as a great striker?

I'd love to know what Rafa is coaching on the training pitch. I'm sure it's not this ****e.

[DannyMan2006]

Torres - Works his socks off even though we were **** but he kept on battling. A couple of years ago Owen/Baros would have just stayed on the last defender and sulked.

Benayoun - Predictable every time he gets the ball and goes forward. Always tried to come inside with the ball and ends up just passing the ball a couple of seconds late

Carra/Hyppia - hoooof everytime

Rafa/Babel - Why not play the lad behind Torres from the get go???

Riise - Really has not been good at all this year. His better years seem to be behind him now.

Can ask why you moan about Riise, when Arbeloa was far worse in the first half. It looked like Arbeloas first game in the prem! Out muscled and out played. Riise did a far better job.

[215liverpool]

Totally agree, they seem unsettled, preoccupied even. I dont know whats true or false, i know the written press are mainly scum, ok so i know thats true, but on Rafa i think there is only one story that the club needed to put to bed once & for all over the last fort night & we know the one, now this from Germany, i just want it sorted, Rafa given money to TRULY challenge & a guarantee of this season & atleast 2 more for him, then assess.

The fact that near enough all the papers ran the Klinsmann taking over story makes me think there is something in this.

"No smoke without fire" is how the saying goes.

[FatTony]

In one word. No.

We lack everything a championship winning side should have.

To be completely honest, and I'll take some stick in this, but other than bringing in Torres I see no difference in the quality of this side from when Rafa took over. There are some players with potential, but its just that, and then only a couple, Babel and Lucas.

We're no nearer Rafa's Valencia than we were 3 years ago. We have a few "better" players (for all the good its done us), but theres hardly any difference in the quality or effectiveness in the football we play. Its 3 years ago now not 3 months and I just can't see any real improvement.

[redblood]

an improvement in the quality of football we now play, is so what?

People keep talking about the squad being better (which I believe it is) but I don't see any more quality in the actually football played.

We still hoof the ball around a lot, rarely move forward with any conviction or fluidity and rely on goals from moments of magic from SG and FT. We only seem to see our best when we're chasing a game.

In quite a few games this season, yes I have.
I think a lot of our problem is that Agger and Alonso we're out for so long both can carry a ball and pick a pass rather than hoof it long.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

I think if Rafa played Benayoun, Crouch, Babel together with Stevie and Torres more often we'd look a lot better.

Also having Agger at the back would help, as would Aurelio at left back.

It's no co-incidence that when we have Voronin, Riise in midfield especially and Kuyt playing in advanced positions we look poor.

[Red Chilli]

You can't pick one game out and say we're ****e.

Look at the way we played against Besiktas and Derby. We can play good football, we just suffering from a lack of confidence and consistency

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

We need a playmaker in the middle not an impact player. SG CANNOT bring others into the game. Xabi may be off form, but at least he can link up.

Cannot bring others into the game?

Complete nonsense mate.

What we need, as you say, is a playmaker infront of Stevie and behind Torres, and better wingers.

Work to be done.

[Radar]

Arbeloa has been great for us this year and had one bad half, got taken off which he deserved.

Riise just isn't the same player anymore IMO. Missed a couple of tackles today, that 40 yard shot he took , couple of crosses for Benayoun to beat Huth in the air. Not very smart football.

[Red Chilli]

Arbeloa is suffering a bit from the delayed "Josemis"

Bad day at the office today, needed a bit of Torres magic to keep us in it.