My match thoughts....

[Tom]

That's the plan I believe. By the way, Rushian on rawk has said that Parry is in Dubai all next week. Might be eventful.

[Morph]

I think in time we will not play with orthadox wingers but with two attacking fullbacks, then we will see the true benefit of Alonso, Momo and Stevie in the same midfield.

I hope so, and I think that's part of the reason we started slow. I reckon Rafa was prepared for Alves to be in the team, so we could play with attacking full backs instead of wingers, and had formulated how we would play, but when that deal fell through he had to adjust.

[Howard_lfc]

agreed on that, but doubt we'll see it. Think he'd be good in a 4-3-3 as well, on the right if the middle 3. Disagree that our captain should be competing for a spot in the team vs Alonso and Sissoko tho. Captain should be in the team week in week out, thereofre one would have to make way, or captainship should be taken off him.

Week in week out is hard these days though - esp with all the CL games.

Look at the hoo hah over Ronaldinho being knacked at the moment. SG has played as many games as him in the last 2 years.......

[Morph]

Week in week out is hard these days though - esp with all the CL games.

Look at the hoo hah over Ronaldinho being knacked at the moment. SG has played as many games as him in the last 2 years.......

True true, but what I mean was that Stevie should have his spot in the team and others should be challenging him for it like Xabi or Sissoko, not the other way round - if he's the captain.

[Howard_lfc]

True true, but what I mean was that Stevie should have his spot in the team and others should be challenging him for it like Xabi or Sissoko, not the other way round - if he's the captain.

If he was a centre half then yes - but not when you play cm and cover the amount of ground he does. I see no harm giving it to Carra when he's not there.

[Morph]

If he was a centre half then yes - but not when you play cm and cover the amount of ground he does. I see no harm giving it to Carra when he's not there.

I do, if that was the case then Carra should be the captain end of, I was never convinced Stevie should have been the captain in the first place but thats a different discussion.

[Howard_lfc]

I do, if that was the case then Carra should be the captain end of, I was never convinced Stevie should have been the captain in the first place but thats a different discussion.

Neither of them is in the Souness/Keane mould so it really doesn't make any difference to me.

[Rowan]

Alonso was magnificent today. Alongside momo he bossed the midfield and Villa couldn't go near them. If we can start imposing ourselves on away matches like we do on home soil, we'll be gunning for that title no doubt.

I'll second that. Alonso put in a superb performance today, but then so did everyone. Excellent fayre all round.

[paulcooper4]

Sorry disagree with you about alonso. He was spraying passes short and long, through the air and on the ground. Today's was his best performance for us this season. He was also aggressive. Top performance all round.

[carrsim]

for the first time this season xabi, momo and luis all found some form.

sami played well, in amongst the occasional pinged 50 yarder there were the usual hoofs. still exposed for pace now and the in the 2nd half.

stevie looked like he's coming out of the slump slwoly but surely

but the big thing for me was xabi. his radar looked like its back on

[Howard_lfc]

sami played well, in amongst the occasional pinged 50 yarder there were the usual hoofs. still exposed for pace now and the in the 2nd half.

Sami has been getting 'exposed for pace' for years now - and yet the big fella keeps getting the nod in the first team - and putting in commanding performances such as today. I do wish people would stop trying to replace him simply because of his age; people should remember that at Balenthia - Rafa's left back was Amadeo Carboni - who was still going strong at 38/39. If you're good enough - your age doesn't matter - and Sami is deffo still good enough to play for us. Agger will have to wait a while longer yet.

[alunevans]

i missed the match yesterday as i was recording. first league match i've missed in years!

i ensured Football First was taped for me though.

I thought we looked quality. We kept the ball moving and it was a joy to watch. Second half when it got more physical we seemed happy to put it about a bit.

Some great football. And once again Kuyt and Crouch prove they can play togteher very happily and look our number 1 striking partnership.

[alunevans]

Sami has been getting 'exposed for pace' for years now - and yet the big fella keeps getting the nod in the first team - and putting in commanding performances such as today. I do wish people would stop trying to replace him simply because of his age; people should remember that at Balenthia - Rafa's left back was Amadeo Carboni - who was still going strong at 38/39. If you're good enough - your age doesn't matter - and Sami is deffo still good enough to play for us. Agger will have to wait a while longer yet.

He's been written off for numerous seasons now. So well said. Agger does look very good though and he's under more pressure now than he ever has been as a result.

[carrsim]

Sami has been getting 'exposed for pace' for years now - and yet the big fella keeps getting the nod in the first team - and putting in commanding performances such as today. I do wish people would stop trying to replace him simply because of his age; people should remember that at Balenthia - Rafa's left back was Amadeo Carboni - who was still going strong at 38/39. If you're good enough - your age doesn't matter - and Sami is deffo still good enough to play for us. Agger will have to wait a while longer yet.

generally i agree with you mate. i've just noticed the pace issue a bit more this season. add in a couple of hesitant moments per game and i don't think he is quite at his dominant best.

he started the same way last season, then played 60 games and was immense so whether its a terminal decline or just the way it is now the limbs take a little while to get up to full speed remains to be seen.

judging by what i have seen of agger he will certainly be banging on the door this season and next in a big way as its rare to see a centre half as young as that with so much talent.

either way, its great for the squad, cause sami is a legend and if someone can oust him then they're obviously no mug.

[Shaggy]

Sorry disagree with you about alonso. He was spraying passes short and long, through the air and on the ground. Today's was his best performance for us this season. He was also aggressive. Top performance all round.

Agreed. His ball to Gerrard in the build up to the third may have looked simple but it was a terrific pass.