Pompey Post Match

[DannyMan2006]

Skysports saying 'FA to take no action against Steven Gerrard over clash with Michael Brown'

Good stuff, can't see why they would. It was more clumsy from Gerrard than a pre emptive strike. Brown came across Gerrard and put his arm up towards him, Gerrard thinks he's gonna get a whck in the face so brings his arm up to defend himself and pushes out. It is the forearm because Brown has come across and he's unable to put his hand up to push out.

In the end Brown stopped his arm movement and pulled his arm away and as such gets a whack on the back of the head. Unlucky Brown.

[squaddie]

Just looked like Brown was pissing him off so he whacked him to me.

[The_weatherman]

Skysports saying 'FA to take no action against Steven Gerrard over clash with Michael Brown'

This is a blatant thread hijack, there is a very boring on/off target debate going and you are disrupting it!

[dww]

Just looked like Brown was pissing him off so he whacked him to me.

That's the way it looks to me too. Brown begins to raise his arm slightly but Gerrard goes in much beyond an attempt to defend himself. Also the look down after and possible words make it look even more like a deliberate attack to me.

[Chazza]

This is a blatant thread hijack, there is a very boring on/off target debate going and you are disrupting it!

So sorry, for the record I think hitting the post is 'off target'

[The_weatherman]

So sorry, for the record I think hitting the post is 'off target'

Oh FFS, who cares!

[The_weatherman]

That's the way it looks to me too. Brown begins to raise his arm slightly but Gerrard goes in much beyond an attempt to defend himself. Also the look down after and possible words make it look even more like a deliberate attack to me.

I agree, I don't like this from our players. He just can't see past his nose sometimes.

[TartanTerror]

Thought that Mashers distribution was considerably improved. His long balls are usually inconsistent. I thought some of his long balls to switch play were great and resulted in play opening for us on the wing. Maybe this is down to him having more time. Which leads me to a question for the master tacticians . . . Is there a best way to counter teams that press the holding midfield players to a great degree? It seems that all the teams which have had success against us have utilized that tactic.

[The_weatherman]

Thought that Mashers distribution was considerably improved. His long balls are usually inconsistent. I thought some of his long balls to switch play were great and resulted in play opening for us on the wing. Maybe this is down to him having more time. Which leads me to a question for the master tacticians . . . Is there a best way to counter teams that press the holding midfield players to a great degree?

I think this is maybe due to him having more options, the movement was good in team and players usually had options, as opposed to the one option "pass back to defence/keeper"

[DannyMan2006]

That's the way it looks to me too. Brown begins to raise his arm slightly but Gerrard goes in much beyond an attempt to defend himself. Also the look down after and possible words make it look even more like a deliberate attack to me.

Disagree. Try running full pelt and if you see something out the corner of your eye images and your views can become distorted. I think the usual good character shown by Gerrard should count for something. Our captain is not exactly a hot headed teenager anymore and is used to being wound up on a regular basis by now.

I agree, I don't like this from our players. He just can't see past his nose sometimes.

I think if Liverpool actually showed more fight and bottle in games we'd be higher up the table. How often do we see Torres and co kicked of the park. We should do more of that ourselves.

[squaddie]

Beyond silly (even if it is quite funny, as Brown is a cunt).... Particular with the way things are at the moment.... Very lucky to get away it.

[dww]

Thought that Mashers distribution was considerably improved. His long balls are usually inconsistent. I thought some of his long balls to switch play were great and resulted in play opening for us on the wing. Maybe this is down to him having more time. Which leads me to a question for the master tacticians . . . Is there a best way to counter teams that press the holding midfield players to a great degree? It seems that all the teams which have had success against us have utilized that tactic.

The way teams like Chelsea have handled it is ensuring that there are always several options for the player. When Lampard and Makelele combined under Mourinho Lampard was always close to Makelele ready to break forward and the back four all presented options willing to move the ball forward if there was space.

I suppose a variant of the same is what United and Arsenal tend to do which is have a less well defined holding player meaning that the opposition find it harder to single any one player out to make the effort with.

In the end though what counts is that no matter where you are on the pitch players should be moving to give you options. We did that well last season and not so well this season.

[The_weatherman]

Disagree. Try running full pelt and if you see something out the corner of your eye images and your views can become distorted. I think the usual good character shown by Gerrard should count for something. Our captain is not exactly a hot headed teenager anymore and is used to being wound up on a regular basis by now.

Tried it and don't see how that explains his elbow.

I think if Liverpool actually showed more fight and bottle in games we'd be higher up the table. How often do we see Torres and co kicked of the park. We should do more of that ourselves.

IMO, we can show fight and desire and still play within the letter of the law. This was not called for besides he should have focused on our attadck, not Brown.

[Kenneth]

I actually don't think it was that bad. I don't think he intended to elbow him full pelt but Brown ran across in his direction.

[DannyMan2006]

Play within the letter of the law? Are you mad? Every defender in the country gives a sly boot to the attacker at the earliest available opportunity. I can assure you they do not play within the laws, but outside.

To many people on here dreaming of football in the 20's when it was a gentlemans game. Different era and different standards. It's not the 70's anymore, but we still need to get stuck in. Of late Liverpool haven't done that enough in my book.

The best midfielders of the 90's, Keane and Viera were always booting the opposition. If you think good conduct breeds a winning side in England, you've lost your marbles.

And whilst I wouldn't condone Gerrard giving Brown a good pasting on the pitch, I've already given my opinion and explained myself as to how I saw the incident. And just because you disagree it doesn't make me wrong.

When you are privvy to gerrards mind and thoughts I'll accept that you have a better opinion than mine. Until that distant far off day, I'll continue to give my ten pence worth and encourage discussion.