Why do we look so ordinary?

[reds123]

You watch Barcelona, Real Madrid (this year), Valencia, the scum, Arsenal, etc. you realize that there is class there, not only names but the way they play as well. Just watched the Arsenal game they got players who are so confident on the ball and you know that there is so much potential. The scum the same but they got so much money so here we've got a good excuse!

But when you see us playing you can see walking football, a team that it's first priority is not to concede a goal,the old Italian way sort of.

Liverpool's last great team terroroized teams just like the scum do today and Arsenal as well by the way they played one touch football. Those of you over 35 can remember them!

Today why do we look so ordinary? Is it Rafa, Is it lack of money???? Is it Hicks to blame????????????????

[MattB]

Because, one or two stand out players aside, we are ordinary

[bigfooty]

I don't think it helps that our best player spent most of yesterday in his own half, picking up the ball from the defenders and sharing a pint with Xabi.

Gerrard is an attacking threat, therefore he has to be played in positions that hurt the oppo. That means, for me, on the right of midfield with a solid defender behind him so that he can focus mostly on going forward.

[Bari]

Similar Thread somewhere, states quite simply Average transfer buys = Average players = Average Team = Average performance = Average Manager

[Exiled_red]

I think that when we are struggling in a game, we don't have enough of the types of players that will grab hold of the game and do something most of the players wait for someone else to do something (usually Gerrard or Torres)

[Shaggy]

Valencia??!?!? They're worse than us!

[Morph]

Valencia??!?!? They're worse than us!

yep certainly an odd choice

[Red Chilli]

We lack the basics.

Pass and move, it's a very simple concept, but our players haven't grasped it.

It's hoof and stand

[Assassin]

Why do we look so ordinary?

Because we are currently a mediocre team owned and run by tossers

[andyhanrahan]

Benitez is too cautious he starts each game with the philosophy of not losing instead of going out to win. This belief exhibits itself in the players sitting back,letting others take the risk of attacking,cautious set piece attacks,everybody in the box to defend a corner.
He plots each game like a military commander( probably due to to board game he plays) who reacts to the movement of others instead of instigating his own offensives..

[carheex]

Benitez is too cautious he starts each game with the philosophy of not losing instead of going out to win. This belief exhibits itself in the players sitting back,letting others take the risk of attacking,cautious set piece attacks,everybody in the box to defend a corner.
He plots each game like a military commander( probably due to to board game he plays) who reacts to the movement of others instead of instigating his own offensives..

That's the best tactic by far. You can't win a game unless you don't lose it!

[Radar]

Why do we look so ordinary?

Because we are currently a mediocre team owned and run by tossers

I agree **** The Yanks

[MattB]

Which works in a slower, more tactical game (e.g. La Liga/some champs league games), but not the bread and butter

[Radar]

Anybody actaully think Rafa is trying to get fired to get a payout on his contract

[dww]

Benitez is too cautious he starts each game with the philosophy of not losing instead of going out to win. This belief exhibits itself in the players sitting back,letting others take the risk of attacking,cautious set piece attacks,everybody in the box to defend a corner.
He plots each game like a military commander( probably due to to board game he plays) who reacts to the movement of others instead of instigating his own offensives..

Other than Chelsea pretty mcuh every team seems to do this now.

I think your plan is a characature of the way Rafa goes when things are going against him. At times we have seen much better than that - using the solid base as a platform for good football started by controling posession and the game. It was also seen at Valencia.

The problem is that the way he organises the team everyone has to be united and confident in everyone doing their jobs. I think that sometimes his persistance with certain players may erode the confidence of others in the team as a whole.

I think he needs a strong assistant to bounce ideas off and to kick him out of a groove at times. It has been seen at United that a good assistant helps even the best managers a great deal.