Spurs v Liverpool Match Thread

[PTP]

totally - it's what has frustrated me the most, although he is a stubborn ******* I love benitez and wouldn't swap him for anyone at the moment, but he doesn't half do some strange things at times, and the squad - whether it's down to lack of belief, ability, depth or something else just doesn't seem flexible.

Watching united and chelsea not just this weekend, but over the last few years, seem to be able to change things on the pitch, with no arguements - ie - say if the midfield is struggling to keep possesion, they might drop rooney into left mid, and move one of the midfielders futher forward, or chelsea, similar might make a slight change within the XI on the pitch - we just don't seem capable of changing something even for 15mins - ie yesterday, the midfield was struggling, why not drop gerrard alongside mascher, move lucas out wide for a bit, Johnson would still give us width down the right, and then get kuyt up alongside nando giving him support - it may be a load of bollocks what i think? but surely there has to be something different, or someway off being flexible enough to change our shape for 10-15 mins when it's obv what we have is not working

[Leyton388]

Was anyone surprised by the result? Our preseason form has been awful at the best? We need a center back asap and a striker to help nando out. We have big problems which need sorting asap.

[Maxiedge]

It was especially frustating because we could all see the goal coming. Was any change made after Robbie Keane had 3 glaring chances?

I wouldn't swap Benitez for anyone else either but I there are certain aspects of other managers I wish he would embrace. Personally, I would've liked to have seen Babel taken off in the first half after he gave the ball away for the fifth time in a row. His confidence was shot and was going to offer absolutely nothing. Some would argue what that would to to him in the long run but **** that, it's a cut throat game now and with the wages they're on I'm sure they can go home and recharge nicely and get themselves ready for the next game. It it was done on a regular basis then it wouldnt be taken personally just part of the rule. You're playing ****, you're off.

[Vermilion]

Putting aside Babel starting ahead of Benayoun, I'm still really disappointed with our tactics yesterday. I thought we had one of the most astute tacticians as our manager with emphasis on attention to detail but we were outfoxed by Harry Redknapp who is just a man motivator by all accounts.

I'm still perplexed by this.

I don't know, it seems many of our players are out of form, for whatever reason, even our most consistent performers have been struggling for touch, awareness, you name their struggling for it, seems that way to me anyway, i saw no signs of it improving either as pre-season drew to an end, and it's still with us now.

[PTP]

Was anyone surprised by the result? Our preseason form has been awful at the best? We need a center back asap and a striker to help nando out. We have big problems which need sorting asap.

to be honest no - i thought we would struggle - we had three players in key positions (two centre backs and gerrard) struggling for fitness, we have looked slightly off the place, going away to a tough place, first day of the season, against a team bang up for it, would come flying out the blocks and make it difficult.

Oh to be drawn at home against hull or birmingham on the first day of the season.

[Craig_H]

Was anyone surprised by the result? Our preseason form has been awful at the best? We need a center back asap and a striker to help nando out. We have big problems which need sorting asap.

Not directed at you, but apparently, as i was told when i mentioned the woeful performances in preseason, it 'doesnt mean anything' and 'doesnt matter'.

Well there we go.

Does a poor defeat on the opening day matter? I suspect so.

[cream]

Was anyone surprised by the result? Our preseason form has been awful at the best? We need a center back asap and a striker to help nando out. We have big problems which need sorting asap.

The root of the problem yesterday was the midfield, they failed to do what they were supposed to do which resulted in a bad team performance. Masch and Lucas let the team down.

[Craig_H]

The root of the problem yesterday was the midfield, they failed to do what they were supposed to do which resulted in a bad team performance. Masch and Lucas let the team down.

Totally disagree. The problem was all over the whole team.

Backline far too deep, lost touch with the midfield, who in turn had to move back to keep in touch with them, and then lost touch with the front two.

There was an absolute chasm of space between the front two and the rest - that's why we had trouble playing it out from the back - because the gaps were huge and Spurs were pressing us.

[red g]

The root of the problem yesterday was the midfield, they failed to do what they were supposed to do which resulted in a bad team performance. Masch and Lucas let the team down.

The biggest problem is Lucas, he looked good in preseason but so did vrononin last year.

The lad may grow to be a quality player.......but he just doesnt have that creative spark, that invention that alonso had.

thank **** we have a reasonably easy next few fixtures, i fear for the team with Lucas in it i really do

[Leyton388]

Not directed at you, but apparently, as i was told when i mentioned the woeful performances in preseason, it 'doesnt mean anything' and 'doesnt matter'.

Well there we go.

Does a poor defeat on the opening day matter? I suspect so.

Agree mate. I have not commented on any of the preseason games but i have ben worried by our form preseason as it was not going to magically change when the season started.

We need cover in defence and a striker.

I have no faith in lucas to be a replacement for Alonso and all i can say is thank **** we managed to keep hold of Mash. I just hope Aquilani is able to fill the boots left by xabi as i can not comment on the lad as i have never seen him play.

[cream]

The biggest problem is Lucas, he looked good in preseason but so did vrononin last year.

The lad may grow to be a quality player.......but he just doesnt have that creative spark, that invention that alonso had.

thank **** we have a reasonably easy next few fixtures, i fear for the team with Lucas in it i really do

You're not the only one.

We may have easy fixtures but Spurs have shown teams how to play us, I hope Rafa changes things around a little for Stoke.

[Leyton388]

When is Aquilani back?

[Craig_H]

When is Aquilani back?

They said 4-8 weeks out when we signed him. Hardly specific.

I wouldnt expect him to feature til October.

[cream]

They said 4-8 weeks out when we signed him. Hardly specific.

I wouldnt expect him to feature til October.

I think the 8 weeks was to get him properly match fit as he hasn't played for quite a while. We could see him on the bench in 2/3 weeks.

[Leyton388]

They said 4-8 weeks out when we signed him. Hardly specific.

I wouldnt expect him to feature til October.

Wonderful. Nice to see the alonso money go to RBS as well. If glen johnson is worth £17m i am worth £10m. I said i was worried after the england game because Babel kept skimming him.