Our left hand side...

[Paul12]

I read somehwere that Riera is unhappy and wants to leave. Is that right?

[RoadEnd]

Hopefully, we can use the Consumer Trading Law "not fit for purpose" and get a full refund.

[Exiled_red]

I read somehwere that Riera is unhappy and wants to leave. Is that right?

Where did you read this?

[BillobShaisley]

The problem wasn't the left side, it makes sense to sit a little deeper on the side they are strongest on. The problem is our lack of movement off the ball leading to the midfield becoming pressurised in possession without any options, passing back to the keeper and ending up with a hurried hoof up field. When people talk about working for eachother, that's not just in defence but more importantly when in possession, the TV viewer can be forgiven for not always noticing what's going on off the ball, but thats why so many in the game respect players like Heskey and Kuyt.

We've had this problem since Evans left and Gerrard unfortunately is a key reason, he's simply not that bright as a fotballer in the way Alonso, Xavi, Fabregas etc are so when we build a team around him, it's all about one or two pass moves. We should be drilling waves of runs both to make space and create angles for passing in the final 3rd without hurrying for a hollywood ball.

[red g]

Where did you read this?

it was in the echo that he had an argument with benitez beginning of september but it was all sorted .........maybe not?

[BrianF80]

it was in the echo that he had an argument with benitez beginning of september but it was all sorted .........maybe not?

Ballague did mention something about Riera angling for a move back to Spain, copping an attitude and getting benched as a result.

[billy_mac]

The problem wasn't the left side, it makes sense to sit a little deeper on the side they are strongest on. The problem is our lack of movement off the ball leading to the midfield becoming pressurised in possession without any options, passing back to the keeper and ending up with a hurried hoof up field. When people talk about working for eachother, that's not just in defence but more importantly when in possession, the TV viewer can be forgiven for not always noticing what's going on off the ball, but thats why so many in the game respect players like Heskey and Kuyt.

We've had this problem since Evans left and Gerrard unfortunately is a key reason, he's simply not that bright as a fotballer in the way Alonso, Xavi, Fabregas etc are so when we build a team around him, it's all about one or two pass moves. We should be drilling waves of runs both to make space and create angles for passing in the final 3rd without hurrying for a hollywood ball.

Spot on. We're a hoofing team for the reasons you've suggested. A thing I've noticed is Aqualini is always on the move and showing for the ball, but then who is he going to give it to? Triangles of possession with the points of the triangles moving and drawing a team out to chase the ball to create space is the beautiful game. Barca and Arsenal have this down to a tee. John Barnes orchastrated this brilliantly under Evans. Us now? We're like rugby, kick and chase, wasted energy all over the pitch.

[ronanm]

...is so bad it makes me miss Riise and Kewell.

Insua and Aurelio were absolutely woeful today.

Kewell was permanently injured.

[Guest]

Kewell was permanently injured.

Kewell was a waste of space.

[Assassin]

Kewell was and is a waste of fresh air

[Elrond]

Doing quite well in Turkey though ... Was always going to happen wasn't it ? hehe

[anfieldanfield]

Doing quite well in Turkey though ... Was always going to happen wasn't it ? hehe

They love him out there.

[kenny_89]

Spot on. We're a hoofing team for the reasons you've suggested. A thing I've noticed is Aqualini is always on the move and showing for the ball, but then who is he going to give it to? Triangles of possession with the points of the triangles moving and drawing a team out to chase the ball to create space is the beautiful game. Barca and Arsenal have this down to a tee. John Barnes orchastrated this brilliantly under Evans. Us now? We're like rugby, kick and chase, wasted energy all over the pitch.

Totally agree with this.