Liverpool vs Fulham post mortem

[EwarWoo]

Well, Chelsea dropped points too, so did Arsenal, we just need to hope the Mancs do too then we can move on no damage done.

Bad days will happen, but so far we're lucky on this one. It's not time to have a cry yet.

[Dhav]

Thing is, Keane is an intelligent player Dhav, he's just not using it for us. Nothing he does in our system currently looks natural, he looks tense and is snatching at balls, and not taking chances to have a hit when he's got a sight from outside the box. It all looks forced to me.

We're a different team with Alonso in it, especially our wingers as the ball gets spread to them in space and accurately. I can see in theory why Rafa started Lucas today but in hindsight it was a big mistake, it compressed our play and left Riera and Kuyt with far too much to do when they got possession, doing them no favours at all.

Mike, you may be right about Keane, but obviously now he's playing for us I've seen him much more closely than I ever did before (which was mainly on highlights on Match of the Day) and what I've seen so far he's constantly been making the wrong decisions. Wrong shot selection, passing when he should shoot and vice-versa, wrong choice of pass etc. Even when we serve it up on a plate for him and all he has to do is tap it in he is making the wrong choice. I hope that when he is more confident he will instinctively make the right decisions, but on the evidence so far that doesnt seem likely.

Playing lucas was insane. I dont agree with the crowd booing Lucas and the Mascher sub, but I could certainly understand their exasperation. Lucas is the obvious weak link and I will despair if I ever see him play a meaningful league for us again, unless he improves about ten-fold.

[FatTony]

If that's the case, then it's quite a contrast to the inept performance we put up today.

Yep, we were dire, it almost looked as though we'd put 11 strangers out there today.

[FatTony]

Mike, you may be right about Keane, but obviously now he's playing for us I've seen him much more closely than I ever did before (which was mainly on highlights on Match of the Day) and what I've seen so far he's constantly been making the wrong decisions. Wrong shot selection, passing when he should shoot and vice-versa, wrong choice of pass etc. Even when we serve it up on a plate for him and all he has to do is tap it in he is making the wrong choice. I hope that when he is more confident he will instinctively make the right decisions, but on the evidence so far that doesnt seem likely.

Playing lucas was insane. I dont agree with the crowd booing Lucas and the Mascher sub, but I could certainly understand their exasperation. Lucas is the obvious weak link and I will despair if I ever see him play a meaningful league for us again, unless he improves about ten-fold.

I think Mascher was rested for the CL game, the table (CL) has got a little too tight at the mo, one slip and the other result go against us and its ass twitching time

[RedReet]

Fine, I can accept that (even though I think Rafa should have learnt the lesson re Lucas a lot sooner), but if I see Lucas play another league game while we still have something to play for then I will seriously despair. Up against Bullard and Murphy inept does not begin to describe his performance.

What about Mascherano? He was as poor if not worse, at least Lucas came into it in the second half. It was a poor performance all round.

The booing was a disgrace by the way.

[Dhav]

I think Mascher was rested for the CL game, the table (CL) has got a little too tight at the mo, one slip and the other result go against us and its ass twitching time

I thought the EPL was the priority this season, but today's selection smacks very much of a one eye on Europe attitude. Pairing Lucas and Mascher was overly cautious and we lacked any creativity in there. I thought Murphy and Bullard bossed it more than our pair.

[Dhav]

What about Mascherano? He was as poor if not worse, at least Lucas came into it in the second half. It was a poor performance all round.

The booing was a disgrace by the way.

I can understand the exasperation of the fans, but agree with you that the booing was not on. Agree that Mascher wasn't particularly good today, but I still think he did more to justify his inclusion today than Lucas. the way Lucas strolled around and half-heartedly went for challenges pissed me off no end.

[RedReet]

I thought the EPL was the priority this season, but today's selection smacks very much of a one eye on Europe attitude. Pairing Lucas and Mascher was overly cautious and we lacked any creativity in there. I thought Murphy and Bullard bossed it more than our pair.

It obviously backfired, but if home to Fulham isn't a match to give others in the squad a chance, and an opportunity to rest players, then I don't know when is.

[RedReet]

I can understand the exasperation of the fans, but agree with you that the booing was not on. Agree that Mascher wasn't particularly good today, but I still think he did more to justify his inclusion today than Lucas. the way Lucas strolled around and half-heartedly went for challenges pissed me off no end.

I thought he got stuck in quite well and once he got his confidence spread the ball relatively well. Don't get me wrong, it was still an awful performance and he should have did more after getting this opportunity, but I think his biggest problem is confidence. (Excluding first half of course)

[rage]

bring back owen in january. sell lucas and as for keane - what a waste of 20 million.

just hope utd drop points and we've got out of jail this week

we really struggle at home with teams like this, desperately need someone who can make the magic happen rather than try to pass the ball sideways and hope something happens.

rafa got it wrong big time today.

[EwarWoo]

I thought the EPL was the priority this season, but today's selection smacks very much of a one eye on Europe attitude. Pairing Lucas and Mascher was overly cautious and we lacked any creativity in there. I thought Murphy and Bullard bossed it more than our pair.

The thing is but, if Rafa hopes Lucas as a future with us, and wants to find out once and for all, he can't do so without sticking him on for the occasional match.

So he's picked a match where he thought it would be fairly safe, given him a chance, and it's not worked. He was clearly wrong. It will happen at times, no-ones perfect.

But is it an eye on Europe or an eye on development of the club and it's players? I think people are way too quick to jump to the whole rotating for Europe conclusion with Rafa.

[Darkon]

I know keane was ****e today, but in fairness noone besides Torres and Alsonso looked good today (not counting the CD and GK had nothing to do).

Keane will come good, it might take him a bit of time as with Crouch, but he has to much quality to do otherwise. As soon as he gets a rhytm with Torres we will do wonders up front, and I have confidence in him. Might not be worth 20 mill but IMO no player is!

[Dhav]

The thing is but, if Rafa hopes Lucas as a future with us, and wants to find out once and for all, he can't do so without sticking him on for the occasional match.

So he's picked a match where he thought it would be fairly safe, given him a chance, and it's not worked. He was clearly wrong. It will happen at times, no-ones perfect.

But is it an eye on Europe or an eye on development of the club and it's players? I think people are way too quick to jump to the whole rotating for Europe conclusion with Rafa.

I know Fulham's away record is poor, but it is deceptively so IMO. Murphy and Bullard is actually quite a strong midfield pair, and they bossed it today much more than Lucas did.

Not playing Alonso today after he played 90 mins during the week when he has been outstanding and our key player this season very much smacks of one on Europe to me.

Rafa dropped the ball today.

[EwarWoo]

Not playing Alonso today after he played 90 mins during the week when he has been outstanding and our key player this season very much smacks of one on Europe to me.

Rafa dropped the ball today.

We're more than a 3rd of the way through the season and sitting 2nd only on goal difference.

If nows not the time to stop judging Rafa and trusting his motives when is? Will we ever be happy?

[Nicey]

Nahh Fulhams away record is **** because Danny and Bullard are light weight and get man handled .. we were utter ****e against a pretty ordinary team on their travels ..