Liverpool vs West Ham United: Match Thread

[alunevans]

Your argument would be valid IF the goals scored were all goals that he would normally thrive on

First goal came from a set piece, second from a penalty and the third goal was partly created by a run from Torres

I remember reading a book on Torres that included an interview with Cannavaro. He was talking about Torres saying at Atletico he was too soft mentally and that going to Liverpool changed him massively because they played to his strengths. The quote was something like Torres is a horse he likes to run about in open spaces and that Benitez’s system played very much on that premise. Torres should be our fulcrum he should be given balls into areas he can run into and then get support to him or around him from the midfielders

We have not done that anywhere near often enough and on the odd occasions we have it has invariably led to him scoring

The general play is ****ing lumping hopeful balls for him to put his head onto

I don’t agree with his behaviour but I can understand and sympathise with his frustrations playing under Roy’s system because it doesn’t play to his strengths

I can too, but I don't know why he needs to express those frustrations by deciding not to challenge for the ball when in a challenge with a defender.

I do get what you're saying Lec, I just don't see how he can switch off against such a **** team at West Ham when goals were there to be had. Surely ANY centre forward playing against West Ham must take the attitude with them that they've a decent chance of scoring a goal.

The least I expect is someone going into a challenge with more than half a heart.

So yes, I hear you, and I've said similar things myself, but against West Ham there was no excuse and he needs to get his finger out.

[Craig_H]

To be fair to Nando. Check out him celebrating the goals against Chelsea. He bloody loved it then

Yeah, he's up for the big games. Cant be ****ed about the others, most of the time.

**** off Craig showing unity by bollocking teammates when it was he himself who ****ed up? Gerrard was abysmal last year his attitude ****ing stunk and what is more he blamed those around him for his own shocking failings

So Torres didnt celebrate yesterday


FLMAO at accusing him of not chasing the ball and not closing down player - have you ****ing watched us this season - NOBODY does that not one player

I dont agree with him going down the tunnel thats wrong BUT frankly if I had to sit in close proximity to Roy I'd probably strangle the ****er

I was talking generally - he generally doesnt get involved with celebrations.

As for not chasing the ball and closing players down - N'Gog and Kuyt managed it yesterday, why not Nando? Or is he too good for that?

The others manage to go and sit on the bench - why cant he?

[alunevans]

I dont agree with him going down the tunnel thats wrong BUT frankly if I had to sit in close proximity to Roy I'd probably strangle the ****er

[Craig_H]

I can too, but I don't know why he needs to express those frustrations by deciding not to challenge for the ball when in a challenge with a defender.

I do get what you're saying Lec, I just don't see how he can switch off against such a **** team at West Ham when goals were there to be had. Surely ANY centre forward playing against West Ham must take the attitude with them that they've a decent chance of scoring a goal.

The least I expect is someone going into a challenge with more than half a heart.

So yes, I hear you, and I've said similar things myself, but against West Ham there was no excuse and he needs to get his finger out.

I was thinking the same yesterday, West Ham are so **** and cant defend to save their lives, Nando should've been up for it and hunting goals - any hungry striker should be looking at West Ham yesterday and thinking "I could get a hat trick here" and be up for it.

[JHP]

There are some serious agendas against SG around here.

Add to that Carragher and Torres.

Also remember some serious agendas against Broughton but guess it's par for the course for Internet forums.

[johnly]

I was thinking the same yesterday, West Ham are so **** and cant defend to save their lives, Nando should've been up for it and hunting goals - any hungry striker should be looking at West Ham yesterday and thinking "I could get a hat trick here" and be up for it.

I get what you mean mate. I've said a few times this season that he needs to pull his finger out. If he carried on that form from the Chavski game he'd be ripping folk apart like he can do

[alunevans]

I've no agenda against Gerrard, Carra or Torres personally.

[Buzzo]

Torres is a thoroughbred centre forward. He would cut the same disconsolate figure playing for my pub Sunday League team I'd imagine. He is so isolated and having to fight tooth and nail for every punt forward is just not playing to his strengths.

When was the last time we saw Torres played in on goal, to use his pace and skill. Hodgson is totally to blame for Torres just now and the comments Fernando came out with saying he supports the manager seem horribly contrived and forced to me, another reason perhaps why he cuts a forlorn figure?

Not to worry though eh. when he ****s of to Man City and we replace him with Carlton Cole or Bobby Zamora everything will be magic.

[Neil Young]

I think Torres is the best striker we've had since Rush. It's ****ing disgraceful the way he is being misused by our brontosaurus of a manager.

So I'll give him a pass for being unhappy and unmotivated.

[Rudo]

Torres didn't try against West Ham??? are people taking the piss here???

I thought he was well involved throughout, especially first half when the whole team were on form
- he linked the play, he ran the channels, he chased down, he created goalscoring opportunities for himself.

**** me fellas, talk about something of nothing.

[Kenneth]

I think you're overplaying it. It's not as if he's been played out wide or something, like he often was for Athletico. He's heading our team and if being played into space is all he excels at, then he isn't a great striker, he's Michael Owen +. I don't buy it really, he's great in the air, he's a strong boy and when we're actually attacking rather than sitting on the edge of our box, he's being asked to do what a striker is paid to do. All of our attacking players are wasted when we drop off, but I don't think there's anything specific that Roy is asking Torres to do that should be a problem for him.

[Buzzo]

I think you're overplaying it. It's not as if he's been played out wide or something, like he often was for Athletico. He's heading our team and if being played into space is all he excels at, then he isn't a great striker, he's Michael Owen +. I don't buy it really, he's great in the air, he's a strong boy and when we're actually attacking rather than sitting on the edge of our box, he's being asked to do what a striker is paid to do. All if our attacking players are wasted when we drop off, but I don't think there's anything specific that Roy is asking Torres to do that should be a problem for him.

The problem is that because we are playing so deep, when Torres does fight for the ball or win the ball it takes the rest of the team so long to join him that he has struggled to bring them in to play. It is not playing to his strengths, or ours and is the main reason that most supporters don't like Hodgo. At his best (which was playing for us) he had gerrard and any other number of midfielders supporting him quickly, and we played some quite nice fast intricate stuff often leading to him being played through on goal. There has been none of this for torres this season he is often having to create his own chances, which inevitably is frustrating.

[Neil Young]

I think you're overplaying it. It's not as if he's been played out wide or something, like he often was for Athletico. He's heading our team and if being played into space is all he excels at, then he isn't a great striker, he's Michael Owen +. I don't buy it really, he's great in the air, he's a strong boy and when we're actually attacking rather than sitting on the edge of our box, he's being asked to do what a striker is paid to do. All of our attacking players are wasted when we drop off, but I don't think there's anything specific that Roy is asking Torres to do that should be a problem for him.

That's the point. The whole ****ing point.

Obviously I'm angry at Hodgson, not you.

[Craig_H]

Torres didn't try against West Ham??? are people taking the piss here???

I thought he was well involved throughout, especially first half when the whole team were on form
- he linked the play, he ran the channels, he chased down, he created goalscoring opportunities for himself.

**** me fellas, talk about something of nothing.

No, that's just not what is being said.

[DannyMan2006]

Torres didn't try against West Ham??? are people taking the piss here???

I thought he was well involved throughout, especially first half when the whole team were on form
- he linked the play, he ran the channels, he chased down, he created goalscoring opportunities for himself.

**** me fellas, talk about something of nothing.

He's looked discontented this season, but looked fine yesterday.