Daniel Agger frustrated by Roy Hodgson’s style of play at Liverpool

[Lecter]

Key points here. If we had a target man hoofing the ball is fine as whilst the striker holds it up the rest push on and pick the ball off him.

[DannyMan2006]

We need a balance in defence, just as we do in midfield. Carra and Agger suit each other IMO.

[dww]

Ouch!

Can that be verified by any of our Danish posters?

This IMO would reinforce what I mentioned in the Glen Johnson thread, that his attacking instincts are being curtailed because Roy thinks defenders should defend and that's it. It's not good.

I think if it teaches Johnson to defend it will be a good thing. He needs to balance his game better and he should start with defending and his natural ability will do the rest. I think Arbeloa is a good model of a modern fullback in a way - decent at defending and capable of bringing the ball into midfield when necessary. Johnson has the potential to do that and more but he should be concentrating on getting the defending right, then learn how to work the percentages when bringing the ball out from deep.

I don't think that is true of Agger who has always seemed a good reader of the game and when to try and bring the ball out to me. He is also solid in his primary role - at least as good as Skrtel and the current vintage of Carragher in my view.

[red g]

IF this is true and we are in essence becoming long ball merchants then maybe this is what is doing Torres's head in to? and the reason he is soooo pissed off and body language not right?

If he thinks he is just going to be a target man and get bundled to the ground every time a long ball comes in he is maybe getting pissed of at that.

[Pablo]

Yeah it does, but not as much as it first did, watching the way the interview flowed afterwards he seemed to understand he may have to change his style. With just the quotes about different style of play it sounded like he was seriously pissed off.

I think you're missing the point. The worrying this isn't Agger getting pissed off. It's Hogdgon's alleged view on the way defenders should play in general.

[dww]

IF this is true and we are in essence becoming long ball merchants then maybe this is what is doing Torres's head in to? and the reason he is soooo pissed off and body language not right?

If he thinks he is just going to be a target man and get bundled to the ground every time a long ball comes in he is maybe getting pissed of at that.

To be honest I think that is to misread the situation. Look at the United game - once into midfield we obviously looked to keep the ball on the deck (even if we did bugger all with it). We even passed the ball back to the defenders and back out short at times - the thing was we did it for possessions sake and with no speed and without defenders bringing the ball out to initiate breaks or start moves in general.

Our midfield is sitting too deep at the minute but I don't think that Roy intends to be a 'long ball team' - although I do think he looks like he really wants the option of a target man.

[Lecter]

IF this is true and we are in essence becoming long ball merchants then maybe this is what is doing Torres's head in to? and the reason he is soooo pissed off and body language not right?

If he thinks he is just going to be a target man and get bundled to the ground every time a long ball comes in he is maybe getting pissed of at that.

IF this is true then its ****ing baffling

To play the system effectively you need a better target man than Torres

You need to have a very organised back four, well protected by a midfield because you are constantly surrendering possession and its coming back to you over and over

You also have to have midfielders who are capable of getting up and supporting the target man

I dont see any of that happening at the minute

[red g]

Also didnt Hodgson say in his original interview's about bringing back pass and move......not hoof and hope!!!

[red g]

IF this is true then its ****ing baffling

To play the system effectively you need a better target man than Torres

You need to have a very organised back four, well protected by a midfield because you are constantly surrendering possession and its coming back to you over and over

You also have to have midfielders who are capable of getting up and supporting the target man

I dont see any of that happening at the minute

also in Johnson and Agger we have 2 of the best in terms of comfortable in possesion on the ball.

This is one of the most worrying things i have heard from Roy/Players. Deeply worrying

[Fredo]

I think that against the lesser teams we've hoofed it up but tried to pass it against the better ones. We were out-passed against West Brom because we tried to hit them with long balls all the time. That might be Hodgson's philosophy - i.e. against lesser teams it doesn't matter if we lose the ball because they aren't that good to hurt us, but try to hold it against better teams.

[Fredo]

I've also noticed that at many times in post match interviews after the Old Trafford game, especially from Hodgson himself and Stevie, they've said that at 2-2 you'd want to 'hang in there for a point'. Shows a small time club mentality to me, we should be trying to win any game.

[Darkon]

Ouch!

Can that be verified by any of our Danish posters?

This IMO would reinforce what I mentioned in the Glen Johnson thread, that his attacking instincts are being curtailed because Roy thinks defenders should defend and that's it. It's not good.

It's pretty accurate the translation

I still think it's obvious that Agger is not happy by being put on the bench, and he is frustrated that the reason behind it is that he doesn't hoof the ball like the other central defenders we have. He is a more modern defender, and as such I understand his frustration having to play the game like it was done 15 years ago.

[Lecter]

To be honest I think that is to misread the situation. Look at the United game - once into midfield we obviously looked to keep the ball on the deck (even if we did bugger all with it). We even passed the ball back to the defenders and back out short at times - the thing was we did it for possessions sake and with no speed and without defenders bringing the ball out to initiate breaks or start moves in general.

Our midfield is sitting too deep at the minute but I don't think that Roy intends to be a 'long ball team' - although I do think he looks like he really wants the option of a target man.

Then he should sell Torres and use the money to build his side

Its ****ing pointless playing a system that needs a target man and having that target man as Torres

Torres needs the ball played in behind defenders on the deck hes most effective running the channels

On Sunday we often hoofed it and when we did play it into the midfield we made the type of passes that earned Ray Wilkins the nickname "The Crab" (because he could only go side to side)

United didnt even need to pressurise us in midfield because they knew we were going nowhere

I just dont get what he is trying to do, you are either one thing or another. You cant instruct your defenders to belt the ball down the pitch and then encourage your midfielders to assume a passing game. You would be far better constructing from the back and letting players carry the ball committing opposition players

Its ****ing mental and to be honest just watching us its symptomatic of how we have looked so far. A ****ing shambles that has no direction and dont know what they are doing

[Lecter]

I think that against the lesser teams we've hoofed it up but tried to pass it against the better ones. We were out-passed against West Brom because we tried to hit them with long balls all the time. That might be Hodgson's philosophy - i.e. against lesser teams it doesn't matter if we lose the ball because they aren't that good to hurt us, but try to hold it against better teams.

But hang on West Brom got between the lines on a number of occasions and on another day could have hurt us and thats before we move to Birmingham who ****ing arse-raped us and we were lucky to escape with a 0-0 draw

I dont see that system working with the players we have, just like I didnt see 4-4-2 working either

[dww]

Then he should sell Torres and use the money to build his side

Its ****ing pointless playing a system that needs a target man and having that target man as Torres

Torres needs the ball played in behind defenders on the deck hes most effective running the channels

On Sunday we often hoofed it and when we did play it into the midfield we made the type of passes that earned Ray Wilkins the nickname "The Crab" (because he could only go side to side)

United didnt even need to pressurise us in midfield because they knew we were going nowhere

I just dont get what he is trying to do, you are either one thing or another. You cant instruct your defenders to belt the ball down the pitch and then encourage your midfielders to assume a passing game. You would be far better constructing from the back and letting players carry the ball committing opposition players

Its ****ing mental and to be honest just watching us its symptomatic of how we have looked so far. A ****ing shambles that has no direction and dont know what they are doing

I tend to agree although I did think there were signs of us at least having a shape (particularly in the second half at United). I think Roy made a massive error in not prioritising a Crouch like signing to allow him to make the transition if he wants a target man. At the very least it would have taken some pressure off Torres.

I have no idea why we only tried to get deal done for Babel on the last day of the window. He now seems an entirely pointless squad place filler as Roy seems to not consider him as an alternative on the wing and he is clearly way behind Ngog in the striking pecking order.