Utd - Liverpool post match

[Pablo]

Don't know if this is the right place to bring this up, or if it's been done before;

Is there a case for playing a Roy Evans-style 3-5-2 in games like this with Agger, Skrtel and Carra in the middle of defence, Johnson more of a right wing-back and Konchesky or Aurelio left wing back. This helps cover for Johnson and Konch's defensive frailties.

Then you could have Poulsen and Meireles in centre mid, with Gerrard and Cole further forward supporting Torres.

Just a thought

dww likes this

[Tee]

Don't know if this is the right place to bring this up, or if it's been done before;

Is there a case for playing a Roy Evans-style 3-5-2 in games like this with Agger, Skrtel and Carra in the middle of defence, Johnson more of a right wing-back and Konchesky or Aurelio left wing back. This helps cover for Johnson and Konch's defensive frailties.

Then you could have Poulsen and Meireles in centre mid, with Gerrard and Cole further forward supporting Torres.

Just a thought

Only problem would be half the game being spent by the CBs passing to each other in pretty patterns before either i) playing it back to Pepe's weaker side for a panicked clearance, or ii) hoofing it forward Carra style.

[Neil Young]

Might be a case of seeing a different game from what i may have seen if i'd watched it on tv, but i thought we were pretty good today. First half wasnt great, but it was Man Utd away, we're in the mire at the moment and we were never going to come racing out of the traps. But we eased ourselves in and gradually asserted ourselves, while preventing them from really creating anything of note. The goal before half time was a kick in the teeth, we deserved to go in level.

2nd half started slow, and frustratingly, we didnt get ourselves going until they scored the second goal. If we went for it more before we'd conceded a two goal defecit, we might've got something. Even then, we were unlucky to lose IMO.

Our spirit and character to come back was excellent, albeit the penalty sparked us into life. Biggest frustration is that after we equalised, they were on the back foot and we had all the momentum (and should've been full of confidence). I felt the game was there for us, but we just stopped playing and went into our shell. Even with 10 mins left, we were far too deep and just inviting pressure. Their winner seemed inevitable, we were virtually rolling out the red carpet for them to come to our goal.

Overall though, i'm a bit more upbeat. If we'd played with that kind of character at City, it would've been different. 3 (or even 4) of our first 5 games have been horrible and while 5 points is disappointing, if we'd just held on against Arsenal, we'd have a healthier 7. Fine margins 'n' all.

But the excuse is gone now, those first 5 are gone now and we can at least say we wont have Arsenal, United or City again now for half a season. The 'easy' run starts now, so no more excuses. 6 points in our next 2 games (at home) is a must and could take us into the derby nicely.

Re today, i was quietly impressed with Meireles and Poulsen too, Gerrard was well disciplined & put in a real captain's display - and Cole was lively, if inconsistent. N'Gog made a difference when he came on. Torres was a mixed bag, won the penalty and the foul which led to the equaliser - but his body language was poor and he was the only Liverpool player (IIRC) who didnt come over to clap the fans - that's not on for me, he's incredibly frustrated and acting the brat right now. I'm convinced he's gone in January, or next summer at the latest, but while he's here, he needs to ****ing stop acting like a spoilt kid and man up.

Furthermore, when he's in strop mode and not performing, he cant play as a lone striker because he's far too easy to deal with. When he wants it, then yeah, for sure. But he looks disinterested at the moment and it's not on.

From what you've said I don't really see how you conclude we were anything but somewhere between uninspiring and crap for almost the whole game. I agree their second sparked a change in approach, meaning we somehow got back to 2-2 without, as I recall, creating a single chance from open play, but even then, as indicated afterwards by our captain himself, we were playing to hang on for the draw.

I know being at the game means you can see more than you can on TV but I wonder if the feeling of excitement generated by the comeback - a feeling which can only be heightened if you're there in person - might be shrouding the glaring deficiencies in both tactics, ability and even character.

I hope you're right and there are signs for optimism but, apart from Gerrard's commitment (which I feel has gone up a couple of notches since last season - he was pretty good yesterday I thought), I've yet to see them.

[Lecter]

I was hoping that Roy would bring a siege mentality to the club and the new manager would instill belief in our players and the gloom somewhat be lifted. Not sure Roy can do that to be honest.

Roy has brought the siege mentality to the club but where some men man the battlements and rally the troops Roy appears to have them cowering in the towers

[Pablo]

Roy has brought the siege mentality to the club but where some men man the battlements and rally the troops Roy appears to have them cowering in the towers

I'd say he's brought more of the "Under Siege" mentality where most of our players are too busy fantasizing about the scene were Erika Eleniak pops out of the cake topless, rather than concentrating on defending.

[Lecter]

From what you've said I don't really see how you conclude we were anything but somewhere between uninspiring and crap for almost the whole game. I agree their second sparked a change in approach, meaning we somehow got back to 2-2 without, as I recall, creating a single chance from open play, but even then, as indicated afterwards by our captain himself, we were playing to hang on for the draw.

I know being at the game means you can see more than you can on TV but I wonder if the feeling of excitement generated by the comeback - a feeling which can only be heightened if you're there in person - might be shrouding the glaring deficiencies in both tactics, ability and even character.

I hope you're right and there are signs for optimism but, apart from Gerrard's commitment (which I feel has gone up a couple of notches since last season - he was pretty good yesterday I thought), I've yet to see them.

There is so much wrong with our play at the moment its frightening

If we were frustrating under Rafa we are a ****ing shambles under Roy

[red g]

Roy has brought the siege mentality to the club but where some men man the battlements and rally the troops Roy appears to have them cowering in the towers

his personality maybe whats needed upstairs for the owners, But we need someone to get in there and give every player a kick up there ass and a ****ing good head shake.

Yes we are in turmoil but they are all still picking up fortunes week in, week out ......its us who suffer not them.

[red g]

I'd say he's brought more of the "Under Siege" mentality where most of our players are too busy fantasizing about the scene were Erika Eleniak pops out of the cake topless, rather than concentrating on defending.

easily done

[malg]

There is so much wrong with our play at the moment its frightening

If we were frustrating under Rafa we are a ****ing shambles under Roy

Your so so right, it worries me deeply under Hodgeson seems a nice guy and would hate him to fail (as I would for any LFC manager) but I jst cannot see a future whilst Hodge is in charge.

[Lecter]

I'd say he's brought more of the "Under Siege" mentality where most of our players are too busy fantasizing about the scene were Erika Eleniak pops out of the cake topless, rather than concentrating on defending.

Our defending is shocking at the moment

We lack bite, desire, tactical nous, organisation

There is so much wrong at the moment its scary

Take Carragher I keep reading that hes finished he should be dropped etc... and whilst its difficult to argue that his career is in decline I think his performance levels are being grossly magnified by the ****e around him

He has to contend with a rightback who cant defend to save his life, a centrehalf alongside him who lacks concentration and is too wayward and a leftback who stands off his man and lets him play. Then in front of him he has Poulsen who is far to slow and is being dragged out of position easily

At least last year Carragher had Mascherano protecting him and Agger alongside him and whilst that doesnt mask his own problems it mitigated them

I honestly fear this is all going to end badly under Roy

If he doesnt get 6 points in the next 2 games hes going to be under real pressure

[Maxiedge]

There is so much wrong with our play at the moment its frightening

If we were frustrating under Rafa we are a ****ing shambles under Roy

Yeah unfortunatley I agree with this.

I think we were talking a few weeks back Lec and I said I wanted to wait a bit before passing judgement on Roy. Well, so far I'm worried, really worried.

[Tee]

Should have given the gig to the King. Really was what we needed right now.

[Lecter]

Should have given the gig to the King. Really was what we needed right now.

I agree

At least Kenny would have inspired something both on the pitch and in the stands

Have the fans sang Hodgsons name yet as I cant remember hearing it

[reds123]

Roy's mentality is that of someone who expects to lose big games away from home. His idea of a good result is a draw.

Up to now, you' re right, but how many times Rafa's reds won away vs Arsenal, Man.Ud or Chelsea ?

[dww]

Roy is playing 4-2-3-1 without attacking fullbacks. That is probably why we play so narrow. Don't have a clue who will create the width in a 4-2-3-1 when the fullbacks stay back.

We are also very passive in our pressing game. It's not like we hunt them down to win the ball back.

We have now played a few competitive games with Roy as manager and I have still not seen a pattern of how Roy want us to play. No sign of a game plan at all.

Glimpses for a few minutes is really all we got so far.

I don't think you have to have attacking fullbacks to make a 4-2-3-1 work. You do need them or at least one winger though. In the last two PL games we have had no one even vaguely looking to give that option on a regular basis.

Cole actually looked pretty decent on the left actually - at least moving out occasionally to make room in the middle.

Must admit I thought the same yesterday. We had some spells when we kept the ball quite nicely, certainly better than a lot of the hoofing we've seen lately, but it was just passing for passing's sake. We did little or nothing with it. There is no discernible pattern of play as far as I can see.

I'd go along with that. I think though there were signs of things we could build on in those periods of possession though - which I hadn't seen in previous Hodgson games. If we could move a bit higher up the pitch then I think we would start finding more gaps. Perhaps the obvious fear we had of United was the reason for us not really pushing on. Hopefully against lesser teams Roy will give us a bit more freedom.