Agger's mental strength

[wiw]

Wasn't Reinas fault in the slightest. Was Aggers fault but fair ****ing play he immediately made up for it, he is so composed on the ball it's a joy to watch

[MrMichael]

I don't understand this view. It's not like it doesn't happen pretty often during a game. Zaki was about 15 yards from Agger. Not ideal granted but he had enough time to control the ball properly and shift it to a full-back, or even just launch it. His first touch was awful and he was very slack and overly casual. No blame for Reina from me.

Yup, totally agree. Initially I thought it was a dangerous pass from Reina, but when you see the replays he beckoned Agger towards him then played the ball when Zaki was miles away from him. It was good pressing for Zaki to come in like that but Agger was definitely not awake to the danger and his bad touch created the real problem. Not Reina's fault at all for me.

Have to say I also thought Carra was emmense in that game, especially in the first half when we were under pressure and Agger was still getting to grips with the pace of his first game back.

Wasn't Reinas fault in the slightest. Was Aggers fault but fair ****ing play he immediately made up for it, he is so composed on the ball it's a joy to watch

Absolutely, the way he responded with the run for Kuyt's first, and his overall increase in composure and confidence in the second half was great to see.

[Harv]

I don't understand this view. It's not like it doesn't happen pretty often during a game. Zaki was about 15 yards from Agger. Not ideal granted but he had enough time to control the ball properly and shift it to a full-back, or even just launch it. His first touch was awful and he was very slack and overly casual. No blame for Reina from me.

He was casual about it, but i think he had no idea Zaki was steaming in behind him. His first touch wasn't awful though, he just knocked it into a bit of space, he knew what he was doing...he just didnt know he was under so much pressure.

Pepe could see it all happening, yet he called Agger in to get the ball. He should of either a hit it long, or b told Agger he was under pressure.

It was half Pepe's fault and part Aggers fault IMO.

[Harv]

PS: I Love Agger

Seeing a CB carry the ball out like he does, its a joy. Only wish he had of let one of his howitzers go yesterday.

[Darkon]

PS: I Love Agger

Seeing a CB carry the ball out like he does, its a joy. Only wish he had of let one of his howitzers go yesterday.

It is brilliant seeing defenders that can contribute offensively, and very few can. I can only think of Agger, Pepe and Puyol that can really fire up offensively and help moving the front-line so far up on the pitch.

I really hope i he can re-win his place as he offers more than Skrtel does IMO (Skrtel is a great def. as well)

[friedk]

He's a fantastic footballer who should improve game by game as he gets used to competitive matches again.

Our strength in depth at central defence can't be matched by any other team. Considering their age and current level, Agger & Skrtel (both 23) have the potential to be up there with our greatest ever CB pairing.

[pondus]

Agger has the potential to be a monster of a CB, both defensive and attack-wise, and our number one priority should be to get him to sign another long-term deal as soon as possible.

[Darth Marty]

Agger has the potential to be a monster of a CB, both defensive and attack-wise, and our number one priority should be to get him to sign another long-term deal as soon as possible.

yes yes yes!! Come on you financial fellas, get him signed up!

[Rich]

I don't understand this view. It's not like it doesn't happen pretty often during a game. Zaki was about 15 yards from Agger. Not ideal granted but he had enough time to control the ball properly and shift it to a full-back, or even just launch it. His first touch was awful and he was very slack and overly casual. No blame for Reina from me.

Wasn't Reinas fault in the slightest. Was Aggers fault but fair ****ing play he immediately made up for it, he is so composed on the ball it's a joy to watch

Yup, totally agree. Initially I thought it was a dangerous pass from Reina, but when you see the replays he beckoned Agger towards him then played the ball when Zaki was miles away from him. It was good pressing for Zaki to come in like that but Agger was definitely not awake to the danger and his bad touch created the real problem. Not Reina's fault at all for me.

Have to say I also thought Carra was emmense in that game, especially in the first half when we were under pressure and Agger was still getting to grips with the pace of his first game back.



Absolutely, the way he responded with the run for Kuyt's first, and his overall increase in composure and confidence in the second half was great to see.

While the majority of blame should lie with Agger, Reina isn't blame free for me. Wigan had about 3 players high up the pitch at the time, Zaki through the middle with a player on both sides of the pitch, there wasn't a quick and easy sideways ball on offer for Agger.

Ideally Reina should have seen 3 Wigan players were high up the pitch and played it longer.

[Shaggy]

He was casual about it, but i think he had no idea Zaki was steaming in behind him. His first touch wasn't awful though, he just knocked it into a bit of space, he knew what he was doing...he just didnt know he was under so much pressure.
.

The first touch was a shocker! He chipped it up in the air about two feet away from him and had to go scampering after it. Rubbish. It would've been a fine first touch if the nearest opponent was 40 yards away. He wasn't aware of the danger, making it a very careless and sloppy first touch. He should've killed it and moved it.

[Joe Le Toff]

Agger/Skrtel should be our CB pairing for years to come provided theyre both up for competition for places because i dont see Carra going anywhere for the next couple of years.
Rafa has got exactly what he wants, 3 top class CB fighting it out for 2 places, it concerns me that Agger especially might want guaranteed football at some stage.

[dww]

While the majority of blame should lie with Agger, Reina isn't blame free for me. Wigan had about 3 players high up the pitch at the time, Zaki through the middle with a player on both sides of the pitch, there wasn't a quick and easy sideways ball on offer for Agger.

Ideally Reina should have seen 3 Wigan players were high up the pitch and played it longer.

I don't think thats fair - Agger had plenty of time and Reina to go back to if he had needed it. It was Aggers blame completely for me - Reina should be looking to let us start with possession deep - playing it to an out field player (who doesn't have a man on him, which Agger didn't until he dawdled) is the high percentage option retain the ball with it on the ground and easier to control should be the first choice. If there is no option for the player then they can go back to the keeper and plan B, the hoof, can be enacted.

[Paul12]

I don't understand this view. It's not like it doesn't happen pretty often during a game. Zaki was about 15 yards from Agger. Not ideal granted but he had enough time to control the ball properly and shift it to a full-back, or even just launch it. His first touch was awful and he was very slack and overly casual. No blame for Reina from me.

Agger is left footed but, because he was facing Reina, the ball was delivered to his right foot and he did not know what was behind him. He had three alternatives: (a) return it to Reina; (b) take it with his right foot and turn the way he did, or (c) let it go past him and turn and take it with his right foot. In these situations goalkeepers are coached to deliver the right ball with a message to the player as to what he should do with it. By delivering it to Agger's right foot, Reina was encouraging him to do (b). If he had put it wide of his right foot he would have been encouraging (c), which I think would have been equally unwise. In my view Reina was to blame more than Agger.

On the other hand, I thought Agger's movement when we let in the second goal was that of a school-boy. When he was passed around, he should either have gone back to the penalty area or covered Dossena but from Dossena's left, not his right. (Dossena IS awful though isn't he; he makes pre-school boy errors!)

I agree he played well in the second half though.

[Harv]

The first touch was a shocker! He chipped it up in the air about two feet away from him and had to go scampering after it. Rubbish. It would've been a fine first touch if the nearest opponent was 40 yards away. He wasn't aware of the danger, making it a very careless and sloppy first touch. He should've killed it and moved it.

Just because he knocked it away from himself doesnt make it a bad touch, he was knocking it into space so he could run onto it. I do it all the time. He just had no clue that Zaki was steaming in

I can see your point mate. But Pepe isn't blameless either, he should of been in Aggers ear as soon as he saw Zaki coming for him. Agger didnt have the slightest, which of course is careless,but Pepe should of been wiser.

[Harv]

It is brilliant seeing defenders that can contribute offensively, and very few can. I can only think of Agger, Pepe and Puyol that can really fire up offensively and help moving the front-line so far up on the pitch.

I really hope i he can re-win his place as he offers more than Skrtel does IMO (Skrtel is a great def. as well)

Puyol? nah, Ramos is your man