Liverpool vs Birmingham match thread

[Neil Young]

I dont see a draw as a good result, at least last year Ngog missed 3 sitters, Maxi missed 1 and hit the bar etc, we actually looked like scoring (and did get 1). This was horrendous, dismal line up and substitutions left way to late. His use of subs is infuriating already.

[Fredo]

I don't know if you were at the game Nige but watching on tele there were times when Meireles seemed to be playing in CM with Gerrard more advanced. It may have been short-lived though and I realise that conflicts with what the boring man on the tele said.

Perhaps someone at the game could enlighten me please.

No, I wasn't at the game but I remember when Meireles came on, he signalled to Gerrard a tactical change, which to me intimated that they were going to have the reversal of the roles. Maybe it was a sign that they needed to do it in turn but as you say, it's hard to state for certain when you've only got your short term memory for recollection and inarticulate commentators/analysts on TV.

[Scratch]

Why does it always take that to happen though, before we 'up our game' ?

Always the way.

I dunno...i hate watching us sit back, only to concede, cos then we attack and we look like a far more accomplished side and we cause the opposition all sorts of problems, even if we don't score.

Still, i'll reserve judgment til we've had a few games with a more settled, attacking side (Raul and Joe)...if we're still sat back with them in the squad then i'll despair.

[dww]

I don't know if you were at the game Nige but watching on tele there were times when Meireles seemed to be playing in CM with Gerrard more advanced. It may have been short-lived though and I realise that conflicts with what the boring man on the tele said.

Perhaps someone at the game could enlighten me please.

If you look at the Guardian chalkboards for the passes both made after RM came on they both seem to have been operating fairly deep with Meiereles making more passes from deeper. Gerrard also made a couple of tackles outside the opposition box in that time. Far from definitive but I would suggest Gerrard remained in the same position from that data (especially if you look at the minimal change from the data collected for him in the rest of the game).

[spanky]

Cole hopefully will make a creative impact when he finally starts to play week in, also Meireless looks like he could do a job in midfield. Just need to get all our best players in position with hopefully a few home bankers coming up to build up the confidence and system of play. Keep the bench warmers/reserves and kids for europa and carling cup.

we just need to string some good positive results together and a good start would be a win at old toilet.

[Neil Young]

No, I wasn't at the game but I remember when Meireles came on, he signalled to Gerrard a tactical change, which to me intimated that they were going to have the reversal of the roles. Maybe it was a sign that they needed to do it in turn but as you say, it's hard to state for certain when you've only got your short term memory for recollection and inarticulate commentators/analysts on TV.

I was just wondering. I heard someone (can't remember if it was Gray or that t*t of a touchline reporter) on tele say something along the same lines as you, that's all.

If you look at the Guardian chalkboards for the passes both made after RM came on they both seem to have been operating fairly deep with Meiereles making more passes from deeper. Gerrard also made a couple of tackles outside the opposition box in that time. Far from definitive but I would suggest Gerrard remained in the same position from that data (especially if you look at the minimal change from the data collected for him in the rest of the game).

Cheers. Do you mean he continued in the role supporting Torres?

[the rev leeroy brown]

I dont see a draw as a good result, at least last year Ngog missed 3 sitters, Maxi missed 1 and hit the bar etc, we actually looked like scoring (and did get 1). This was horrendous, dismal line up and substitutions left way to late. His use of subs is infuriating already.

a draw against a side who have lost only 2 games in 13 months against villa and bolton at home is a good result.

[Neil Young]

a draw against a side who have lost only 2 games in 13 months against villa and bolton at home is a good result.

I think that might be going too far. How many of those games have they actually won? It's surely not all, not by a long chalk, I'd guess.

I'd agree a draw is certainly not a bad result. I wouldn't say that's quite the same thing though.

[the rev leeroy brown]

I think that might be going too far. How many of those games have they actually won? It's surely not all, not by a long chalk, I'd guess.

I'd agree a draw is certainly not a bad result. I wouldn't say that's quite the same thing though.

2 defeats show they are hard to break down at home so to come away having not won after so many others tried and failed is not too bad.

[Mostar]

I dont see a draw as a good result, at least last year Ngog missed 3 sitters, Maxi missed 1 and hit the bar etc, we actually looked like scoring (and did get 1). This was horrendous, dismal line up and substitutions left way to late. His use of subs is infuriating already.

Absolutely. He really waits until it's already too late to brings the subs and I really don't get that at all. It is not like we are clicking at all cylinders.

The way we played it was pathetic. We really didn't deserve a point and we should really consider ourselves lucky.

Not even one scoring chance for the whole game and that is truly worrying...

Mancs will have us for a breakfast..

[Neil Young]

2 defeats show they are hard to break down at home so to come away having not won after so many others tried and failed is not too bad.

Sure. I think we're in danger of splitting hairs - it's not bad and it's not great.

Looking at it another way, a draw is a fantastic result given how ****e everyone bar Reina was.

[the rev leeroy brown]

Absolutely. He really waits until it's already too late to brings the subs and I really don't get that at all. It is not like we are clicking at all cylinders.

The way we played it was pathetic. We really didn't deserve a point and we should really consider ourselves lucky.

Not even one scoring chance for the whole game and that is truly worrying...

Mancs will have us for a breakfast..

torres had 2 good chances to score but fluffed both and ste had a drive well saved - thats 3 chances off top of my head.

[the rev leeroy brown]

Sure. I think we're in danger of splitting hairs - it's not bad and it's not great.

Looking at it another way, a draw is a fantastic result given how ****e everyone bar Reina was.

now we're talking - every cloud and all that jazz

[el matador]

we've had a pretty mediocre start and its not been great. Roy needs time to get his ideas across and we've got to be patient.

However, if we get dicked by united there may not be a way back for him.

[dww]

Cheers. Do you mean he continued in the role supporting Torres?

Looks like it to me - although obviously the data only refers to when he had the ball as opposed to what he did off the ball.