Liverpool v Man Utd - Post match celebrations/told you so thread

[RedReet]

[B]Liverpool v Man Utd - Post match celebrations/told you so thread

I’ve strongly felt all week that Mascherano is gonna put in a world class performance against United and that will be the platform for a victory and a change in fortune.

Although I still feel it, I’m now worried that I have scudded him and he might get another red.

I told you so!!!

(well maybe not world class, but getting back to his best)

[dww]

Players do get rotated, but in the big games it's generally the best XI players fit and available that play. Hence, I mentioned the set starting XI.

In recent years though you have seen Chelsea and United have at least one player who you could argue for in the best XI left on the bench for big games. United are less like that this season although Fergie would probably argue that Owen is as good a sub as he could wish for. I don't see a set starting XI for big games as something that you should necessarily aspire to, although obviously a stable spine is hugely valuable.

[red g]

In recent years though you have seen Chelsea and United have at least one player who you could argue for in the best XI left on the bench for big games. United are less like that this season although Fergie would probably argue that Owen is as good a sub as he could wish for. I don't see a set starting XI for big games as something that you should necessarily aspire to, although obviously a stable spine is hugely valuable.

not sure if they are left on the bench......they just have better squads than us

[dww]

not sure if they are left on the bench......they just have better squads than us

That's kind of the point though isn't it - last season it wasn't clear whether their best eleven included Anelka or not. This season he certainly is because they have changed formation. In general though the aspiration should be to have a squad strong enough to give that sort of problem.

[DannyMan2006]

That's kind of the point though isn't it - last season it wasn't clear whether their best eleven included Anelka or not. This season he certainly is because they have changed formation. In general though the aspiration should be to have a squad strong enough to give that sort of problem.

Cech
Bosingwa
Cole
Terry
Carvalho
Essien
Lampard
Ballack
?
Anelka
Drogba

Only one place up for grabs in Chelseas team, all the rest would start a European Cup Final. If Cole continues to impress I would guess he'd take the final spot.

Alex, Ivanovic, Malouda, Zhirkov, Deco and Mikel are all decent players that can step in and not upset the team balance. But like us, they lack a top class striker to fill in.

[dww]

Deco and Cole would be an obvious case in point surely they would probably happily start either against a big team. Malouda as well this season and the end of last (when admittedly they had a different standard tactic).

If they are wedded to the 4-4-2 then I agree with you about their lack of striker - if not I think that they have great strength apart from the fact that some key players will be of for the ACN.

[red g]

Cech
Bosingwa
Cole
Terry
Carvalho
Essien
Lampard
Ballack
?
Anelka
Drogba

Only one place up for grabs in Chelseas team, all the rest would start a European Cup Final. If Cole continues to impress I would guess he'd take the final spot.

Alex, Ivanovic, Malouda, Zhirkov, Deco and Mikel are all decent players that can step in and not upset the team balance. But like us, they lack a top class striker to fill in.

difference is they have 2 that start!! and they have Kalou who does a not bad job....and sturridge as well who is prob a year or 2 ahead of ngog on development

[The Birdman]

Deco and Cole would be an obvious case in point surely they would probably happily start either against a big team. Malouda as well this season and the end of last (when admittedly they had a different standard tactic).

If they are wedded to the 4-4-2 then I agree with you about their lack of striker - if not I think that they have great strength apart from the fact that some key players will be of for the ACN.

Chelsea play 4-1-2-1-2 pretty much all the time just like we played 4-2-3-1 yesterday even if most pundits want to say Rafa played 4-4-2.

[RedReet]

difference is they have 2 that start!! and they have Kalou who does a not bad job....and sturridge as well who is prob a year or 2 ahead of ngog on development

Not having a go, but why do you think that? I heard people complain because Rafa didn’t go in for him, or use him as an example for other teams having superior youth players, but barring the youth cup final, what has he done that has impressed so much?

I posted this before, but I thought him and N’Gog were quite similar, capable of some nice football, but very rough round the edges.

[dww]

Chelsea play 4-1-2-1-2 pretty much all the time just like we played 4-2-3-1 yesterday even if most pundits want to say Rafa played 4-4-2.

Fair play when I said 4-4-2 I did mean their current diamond formation. They have had Drogba and Anelka fit and available though so the question is what they do when that is not the case for a decent period.

I agree that we didn't significantly alter formation just personnel.

[Le Chef]

difference is they have 2 that start!! and they have Kalou who does a not bad job....and sturridge as well who is prob a year or 2 ahead of ngog on development

I'd rather have Voronin than Kalou

[PTP]

what a game and what a result. I fully expected the worst from this game. I just couldn't see how we were going to turn it round following the previous performances. As i sad after the lyon game, we just looked shot to pieces.

I think rafa got the starting XI spot on, it was as good as we could get without gerrard in there. - Carra was fired up, a great performance by him as he came out fighting. Agger settled in well and looks to be improving as he regains match fitness. Mascherano stepped up 100%, yossi was outstanding again and torres is simply the best striker in the world and vidic is terrified off him.

We pressed high, we played with a high tempo, and we just looked like a different team. ****ing made up - lets hoope we can take the confidence from this game and build on it, get some momentum and go on a good winning run in the leageu to try and get us in the mix by christmas.

[RedReet]

Anyone else think Aurelio looked one of the best players on the pitch?
Brilliant from start to finish. Passed the ball well, crossed it, kept it simple when it was needed and played it forward when needed. Also covered Insua when required.
His use of the ball and intelligence is top class. Quality player.

Surprised no one else has mentioned this really.

His composure on the ball was very much needed and posed a great threat from set-pieces. With Insua having a few shaky moments in recent games (I like Insua BTW), he provided great cover for him and helped him through a difficult game.

Thought it was an astute move by Rafa, and one he deserves a lot of credit for (Unless of course it was forced upon him by the Riera injury )

[The Birdman]

what a game and what a result. I fully expected the worst from this game. I just couldn't see how we were going to turn it round following the previous performances. As i sad after the lyon game, we just looked shot to pieces.

I think rafa got the starting XI spot on, it was as good as we could get without gerrard in there. - Carra was fired up, a great performance by him as he came out fighting. Agger settled in well and looks to be improving as he regains match fitness. Mascherano stepped up 100%, yossi was outstanding again and torres is simply the best striker in the world and vidic is terrified off him.

We pressed high, we played with a high tempo, and we just looked like a different team. ****ing made up - lets hoope we can take the confidence from this game and build on it, get some momentum and go on a good winning run in the leageu to try and get us in the mix by christmas.

I'm not sure we would have seen Gerrard pushing Giggs and the rest of the Man U players away from the ref at half time making sure he wasn't influenced

[fah-q]

Someone should photoshop that