Left, right, back four

[kenny_89]

Yep, we were all over the place once again, as my title might suggest these are the areas we need to rebuild and fast. Because our best defender today was Darby, now as for the other three they might as not have been there, now I know its the cup, but that was bloody embarrassing stuff. Our whole team seem to be terrified of any player who runs at them and it certainly doesn't help when Carragher, Skrtel, et al constantly hoof the ball straight back to the bloody opposition. Also did anybody see any tactical game plan out there, because we looked completely rudderless, no plan, no shape. I'm awfully sorry Mr Benitez but last orders at the Bar. A new year and a new start please.

[fah-q]

Do you believe for a second that Rafa would send his team out without a plan?

[kenny_89]

Do you believe for a second that Rafa would send his team out without a plan?

Well its starting to look that way and it hurts

[kubrickscube]

It is purely psychological. We went into the game scared, Reading smelt blood, raised their game and thought they could win - but crucially didn't - we have lost plenty of cup games against plucky lower opposition in the past - so the main thing is we are still in it.
Defensively, we missed the composure of Agger. Skrtel reverts to hoofing when pressed and the Aurelio/Insua double act didn't work when closed down by Reading. We also missed Mascher. Lucas did his best, but he's simply not as good tackling and closing down.
Gerrard had a terrible game by his own high standards, too many optimistic but inaccurate balls, and would've been better working higher up the pitch. There was sod all threat from the wings. Kuyt worked hard, and delivered some decent crosses, but with the space he was allowed - we needed a selfish forward to delve into the box and have a go himself (perhaps maxi would give us this option if he arrives)
It was telling that when Torres and Ngog went down the channels with pace, we slipped right through them - only for no-one to be in the middle to receive a ball.
Aquilani was a real worry. He's obviously talented but he needs to take more responsibility for our build up play, little lay offs and simple passes are not what we need from him, we demand a playmaker in the middle of the park, but he's getting acclimatised and the main thing is he's getting game time and not getting injured. So - don't freak out. We didn't lose -but we need more maturity from our players, a few more older heads to keep things calm and take responsibility off Gerrard and Torres (which Xabi did). We're still in it. Chin up.

[SimonNo7]

It is purely psychological. We went into the game scared, Reading smelt blood, raised their game and thought they could win - but crucially didn't - we have lost plenty of cup games against plucky lower opposition in the past - so the main thing is we are still in it.
Defensively, we missed the composure of Agger. Skrtel reverts to hoofing when pressed and the Aurelio/Insua double act didn't work when closed down by Reading. We also missed Mascher. Lucas did his best, but he's simply not as good tackling and closing down.
Gerrard had a terrible game by his own high standards, too many optimistic but inaccurate balls, and would've been better working higher up the pitch. There was sod all threat from the wings. Kuyt worked hard, and delivered some decent crosses, but with the space he was allowed - we needed a selfish forward to delve into the box and have a go himself (perhaps maxi would give us this option if he arrives)
It was telling that when Torres and Ngog went down the channels with pace, we slipped right through them - only for no-one to be in the middle to receive a ball.
Aquilani was a real worry. He's obviously talented but he needs to take more responsibility for our build up play, little lay offs and simple passes are not what we need from him, we demand a playmaker in the middle of the park, but he's getting acclimatised and the main thing is he's getting game time and not getting injured. So - don't freak out. We didn't lose -but we need more maturity from our players, a few more older heads to keep things calm and take responsibility off Gerrard and Torres (which Xabi did). We're still in it. Chin up.

One thing I would say about Aquilani from the games he has played so far is that he is always in space to receive the ball which is more than can be said about the rest of the players. At least he knows about movement to create space because the rest of the team don't!