Liverpool vs Birmingham match thread

[DannyMan2006]

Well that was poor. I hope the reasons I will suggest are the main reason, otherwsie we are going to have an average year once again.

Clearly the main fault with our team is the midfield. Our options out wide so far this season seem very poor. They seem like they run out of ideas when in possession.

But out wide isn't the main problem. The main problem is the the two DM's. We were so average last year because we played two players in the centre with zero creativity between them and zero inclination to get forward and support the attack - step forwards Masch and Lucas.

Today was pretty much the same as it was against West Brom - Poulsen and Lucas. And they were poor. They did what I expected of them - they kept it solid in the middle of the park. Brum had to go down the flanks to get any joy as we were very solid in the middle.

The problem starts when we have possession. We just can't work the ball forward well enough. Compare the first 75 minutes of the game today to the last 15. Far different.

In the last 15 Meireles came on for Lucas and Gerrard went CM. All of a sudden we were a different prospect. Was thia because Meireles played well? Not at all. He didn't really get much of a chance, though he looked tidy when he got the ball.

We looked much better because Gerrard has creativity in him. He can pick a pass. He can and does get forward to support the attack. He will cause the opposition problems. He has everything that both Poulsen and Lucas lack.

Problem is during the last two games we have missed Joe Cole and have only just signed Meireles - who needs time to intergrate. So basically neither was available to start today.

To avoid the ****e we have seen so far this season we need two of Gerrard, Cole and Meireles to be available. That way One of them can join Poulsen or Lucas at DM (Gerrard/Meireles) and one of them can sit behind Torres (Gerrard/Meireles/Cole).

This way we have creativity in the centre of midfield, as well as some one to open the doors whilst operating off Torres.

--------------

The Good News.

IMO, Hodgson knows this. He went with Gerrard in CM v Arsenal with Cole of the striker but Coles sending off meant that didn't last long and meant we have been deprived of Cole.

In the next game v City he took a gamble when Masch dropped out and tried two attackers to try and solve the problem that way. It failed spectacularly.

So against West Brom he's gone back to 4231. To play this system the only player we had capable to really play in the hole was Gerrard - same today if we consider Meireles wasn't ready to start.

----------

The Bad News.

Against Liege it will be a mixed bag I think. I reckon Babel will start up top, Torres rested along with a whole host of other changes. But it's the Europa League and I don't care. Just don't expect miracles.

Against United though, I think we will see changes. I fully expect Meireles to play Thursday and sit the United game out. But I do expect Gerrard in the centre and Cole playing off Torres.

After then we'll see how Roy plays it all. But we will see major changes once Meireles, Gerrard and Cole are all ready to start together.

[IN_RAFA_WE_TRUST]

i think you mean Steaua Bucharest.

[Tatterdemalion]

Well that was poor. I hope the reasons I will suggest are the main reason, otherwsie we are going to have an average year once again.

Clearly the main fault with our team is the midfield. Our options out wide so far this season seem very poor. They seem like they run out of ideas when in possession.

But out wide isn't the main problem. The main problem is the the two DM's. We were so average last year because we played two players in the centre with zero creativity between them and zero inclination to get forward and support the attack - step forwards Masch and Lucas.

Today was pretty much the same as it was against West Brom - Poulsen and Lucas. And they were poor. They did what I expected of them - they kept it solid in the middle of the park. Brum had to go down the flanks to get any joy as we were very solid in the middle.

The problem starts when we have possession. We just can't work the ball forward well enough. Compare the first 75 minutes of the game today to the last 15. Far different.

In the last 15 Meireles came on for Lucas and Gerrard went CM. All of a sudden we were a different prospect. Was thia because Meireles played well? Not at all. He didn't really get much of a chance, though he looked tidy when he got the ball.

We looked much better because Gerrard has creativity in him. He can pick a pass. He can and does get forward to support the attack. He will cause the opposition problems. He has everything that both Poulsen and Lucas lack.

Problem is during the last two games we have missed Joe Cole and have only just signed Meireles - who needs time to intergrate. So basically neither was available to start today.

To avoid the ****e we have seen so far this season we need two of Gerrard, Cole and Meireles to be available. That way One of them can join Poulsen or Lucas at DM (Gerrard/Meireles) and one of them can sit behind Torres (Gerrard/Meireles/Cole).

This way we have creativity in the centre of midfield, as well as some one to open the doors whilst operating off Torres.

--------------

The Good News.

IMO, Hodgson knows this. He went with Gerrard in CM v Arsenal with Cole of the striker but Coles sending off meant that didn't last long and meant we have been deprived of Cole.

In the next game v City he took a gamble when Masch dropped out and tried two attackers to try and solve the problem that way. It failed spectacularly.

So against West Brom he's gone back to 4231. To play this system the only player we had capable to really play in the hole was Gerrard - same today if we consider Meireles wasn't ready to start.

----------

The Bad News.

Against Liege it will be a mixed bag I think. I reckon Babel will start up top, Torres rested along with a whole host of other changes. But it's the Europa League and I don't care. Just don't expect miracles.

Against United though, I think we will see changes. I fully expect Meireles to play Thursday and sit the United game out. But I do expect Gerrard in the centre and Cole playing off Torres.

After then we'll see how Roy plays it all. But we will see major changes once Meireles, Gerrard and Cole are all ready to start together.

That's an interesting assessment.

[IN_RAFA_WE_TRUST]

Dannyman what you posted,we already know
My problem is with Lucas,I expect much much more,only 1 match did we see him do something that we waited almost a lifetime to see.
I want Roy to allow him to make runs into the box when we are attacking.I feel we are not getting the best out of him.

[DannyMan2006]

i think you mean Steaua Bucharest.

I do, sorry

Dannyman what you posted,we already know
My problem is with Lucas,I expect much much more,only 1 match did we see him do something that we waited almost a lifetime to see.
I want Roy to allow him to make runs into the box when we are attacking.I feel we are not getting the best out of him.

If i'm pointing out the obvious I apologise.

I've already posted the same thing a week or so back, so I'm probably covering old ground. I only posted it again because I was so frustrated today it was unreal, but the last 10-15 minutes showed me what are side is capable of.

I've not been happy with Jovanovic so far but with a defensive minded Midfield I don't think he's had a fair crack of the whip. And I guess we have to take into consideration it does take time for some players to settle into the league.

Once we start getting on top of teams he will see more of the ball and will be less likely to snatch at things that come his way - same could be said for Torres tbh, who we know will improve sharpness as time goes on.

Get United out the way and we will start seeing improvements. I think we'll be better against them but to ask for three points at their place is asking a hell of a lot after the start we've had.

[Shaggy]

Wow that was ****ing depressing, again.

Konchesky was average but average today means one of our better players. He spotted a few nice balls to feet but also played a few hospital balls too. On the whole though well done.

Our man to man marking is all at ****ing sea and we seemed to give away a chance at every set piece.

Lucas and Poulsen were - shock horror - ****ing garbage.

Still early days re Jovanovic but he was complete wank again.

Maxi doesn't get many opportunities and when he does he needs to do a lot better than that. Rubbish. He's technical and talented but games too often just pass him by.

Johnson is playing as though he has something on his mind ....his form this season has been abysmal.

Reina - world class.

Meireles looked a proper footballer as soon as he came on. Lucas & Poulsen need to take a ****ing look at him and how he carries himself. Good touch, strong and plays with authority.

We just can't pass the ****ing thing though and it's little wonder with those two in the middle.

Two ****ing goals in four games is ****e, we never look like scoring, first halves are just a black hole and seemingly no matter who play, we're 2nd best. It's got to improve sharpish but sickeningly I think we're in for a three or four goal drubbing next week.

[IN_RAFA_WE_TRUST]

I'd settle for a draw at OT.What team would you play against the scum,dannyman?

[wiw]

We're essentially playing 442 with the same personell we had for 4-2-3-1 FFS. It's ****ing insane. Fullbacks offering **** all, compounding the averageness of the two in the middle and rendering the 4 attacking options useless

We're so flat

[Shaggy]

We're essentially playing 442 with the same personell we had for 4-2-3-1 FFS. It's ****ing insane. Fullbacks offering **** all, compounding the averageness of the two in the middle and rendering the 4 attacking options useless

We're so flat

Aye, totally lethargic. Johnson has played so conservatively under Roy. His form is wank but it does look as though he's under instruction.

[DannyMan2006]

I'd settle for a draw at OT.What team would you play against the scum,dannyman?

------------------Reina----------------
Johnson-----Carra-----Agger-----Konch
-------------Gerrard--Poulsen----------
Maxi--------------Meireles---------Cole
----------------Torres-----------------

But I think we'll see:

------------------Reina----------------
Johnson-----Carra-----Skrtel------Konch
-------------Gerrard---Poulsen---------
Maxi--------------Cole-------Jovanovic
----------------Torres-----------------

[Reece]

Aye, totally lethargic. Johnson has played so conservatively under Roy. His form is wank but it does look as though he's under instruction.

I thought he played really well for England in midweek, which gave me hope that his form for us might pick up. Unfortunately not.

[danperkins]

Disagree. Xabi Alonso is not a defensive midfielder. He's a Midfielder. He can defend, attack, create, score goals etc etc. He controlled the midfield the year we finished 2nd. He was the foundation for many of our attacks. He is NOT a defensive midfielder.
Poulsen, Lucas? Defensive midfielders. Close down, break up the opposition play they do. Attack they don't. Play passes which get us attacking, they don't.

zero comparison between our 2 DM's and Spain's.

[Shaggy]

I thought he played really well for England in midweek, which gave me hope that his form for us might pick up. Unfortunately not.

Same. He's making some brainless decisions at the moment. Dire.

[DannyMan2006]

Aye, totally lethargic. Johnson has played so conservatively under Roy. His form is wank but it does look as though he's under instruction.

Johnson looked a bit lethargic today.

He was in the RB position (as in in his set position and not advanced in the opposition half) and was trying little flick passes or flicks past the opposition and they were just bouncing of other team and leaving us short at the back.

I have no problem with him doing this further up the pitch as he has to try things, but he chose the wrong areas of the pitch to try those today.

Depsite what others may say he normally picks the right areas of the pitch to try things. I think today he was just getting a little bit desperate.

[wiw]

Aye, totally lethargic. Johnson has played so conservatively under Roy. His form is wank but it does look as though he's under instruction.

It's really worrying me, we're going in the complete opposite direction to which Rafa was starting (trying) to take us