Chelsea vs Liverpool Post Match Thread

[GorbyPeacePrize]

I think that we have to be careful when we use it - it is a largely reactive formation unless the opposition is using wingers. Chelsea look a shadow of the team they were even last season (and even more so the start of this), the creative spark has gone and Torres, Drogba and Anelka didn't link at all.

It was a perfect choice to seek a draw and hope for a win against a superior team. In the long run I don't think it is the way we should be aiming to build a team if we want to win things.

I agree. Added to the fact that Torres has been ineffective many times this season it wasn't really a big surprise that his was ineffective yesterday, and can't be solely attributed to the formation he was up against.

[dom9]

I do count them as one of the better teams. The initiative the system gives the opposition is in terms of possession and space.

Chelsea shaded posession. I'm not sure they had much space. We had more shots on target, plus we hit the bar.

We did not really look threatened apart from the 2 Torres efforts which resulted from mistakes.

[dom9]

I agree. Added to the fact that Torres has been ineffective many times this season it wasn't really a big surprise that his was ineffective yesterday, and can't be solely attributed to the formation he was up against.

Drogba, Anelka and Lampard were ineffective too, as was Kalou when he came on.

[GorbyPeacePrize]

I agree with that.

If we use it sparingly, it is another tool in the armoury. If the opposite can not predict which way we will be set up, it makes their job harder.

For that reason, I do not 'hope we get shot of this formation'.

It worked on Sunday. It will have it's uses in the future.

That reeks of a horses-for-course policy, and I'd hate us to go down that route.

[dom9]

Kenny did it loads in his first spell.

Rafa changed things around a lot too.

Evans, Souness and Hodgson were predictable to play against and nullify.

[wiw]

SB do you still need links for the game? Msg me if you do

[Arn]

Hansen and Lawrenson

Hansen wasn't an out and out defensive defender and time has changed. When they played they wasn't up against the type of foreign players that play in the league now. Better pitches also means that you need defenders with very good technique.

I looked at the chalkboard and it wasn't a surprise to see that most of our attacks was down our left side, the Agger and Johnson side. The defenders that is excellent with the ball. The right side isn't close to be as good with the ball, Carra and Kelly.

[Vermilion]

That goal was anything but an easy tap in.

Was a beautifully taken goal, a real quality strike taken at height while almost jumping to strike the ball, lovely technique from Meireles there, and great composure too.

[SB]

SB do you still need links for the game? Msg me if you do

Thanks mate. PM sent

[GorbyPeacePrize]

Kenny did it loads in his first spell.

Rafa changed things around a lot too.

Evans, Souness and Hodgson were predictable to play against and nullify.

Kenny did it mostly toward the end of his first spell (and was criticized for paying too much respect to the opposition) but I think it was more to do with a fading team - particularly defensively - than trying to maintain an air of unpredictability. In 87/88 for example, we didn't give a **** about anyone and just stormed in everywhere. Fast forward a couple of seasons with basically the same team and we're going to Arsenal playing a back 4 plus 2 defenders in the wide midfield positions, or playing 5 at the back with the idea of funneling Arsenal's wide play into the heart of the bolstered defence - and both times we ended up losing.

Continually disrupting the formation to be 'less predictable' will end up being counter-productive. Just pick the best team and formation and stick with it as much as injuries and form will allow.

Rafa was more about rotating players than changing formation, and we played a stack of games looking less than cohesive.

Souness and Evans were ultimately unsuccessful because their teams weren't good enough, not because they didn't change formations often enough - and I wouldn't call Evans' team predictable.

Bodge requires no explanation.

[BigChief]

Hansen wasn't an out and out defensive defender and time has changed. When they played they wasn't up against the type of foreign players that play in the league now. Better pitches also means that you need defenders with very good technique.

I looked at the chalkboard and it wasn't a surprise to see that most of our attacks was down our left side, the Agger and Johnson side. The defenders that is excellent with the ball. The right side isn't close to be as good with the ball, Carra and Kelly.

What are you talking about? Kelly is, was and always has been very good on the ball. He's the reason our right side is a lot better if anything.

With Carra I would agree he's a hoofer, but wasn't unnecessarily hoofing against Chelsea - probably under instructions as only Kuyt was up there. Change in system brings about change in play from individuals. Houllier and Rafa liked the ball up to strikers quickly, which confused Carra. Dalglish is making us play like Arsenal = no hoofing.

[BigChief]

Was a beautifully taken goal, a real quality strike taken at height while almost jumping to strike the ball, lovely technique from Meireles there, and great composure too.

Not to mention running at it at top speed with Chelsea defenders diving in the way. Most players would have blasted over, or tripped over their own feet. One of his best goals for us so far.

[dom9]

Kenny did it mostly toward the end of his first spell (and was criticized for paying too much respect to the opposition) but I think it was more to do with a fading team - particularly defensively - than trying to maintain an air of unpredictability. In 87/88 for example, we didn't give a **** about anyone and just stormed in everywhere. Fast forward a couple of seasons with basically the same team and we're going to Arsenal playing a back 4 plus 2 defenders in the wide midfield positions, or playing 5 at the back with the idea of funneling Arsenal's wide play into the heart of the bolstered defence - and both times we ended up losing.

Continually disrupting the formation to be 'less predictable' will end up being counter-productive. Just pick the best team and formation and stick with it as much as injuries and form will allow.

Rafa was more about rotating players than changing formation, and we played a stack of games looking less than cohesive.

Souness and Evans were ultimately unsuccessful because their teams weren't good enough, not because they didn't change formations often enough - and I wouldn't call Evans' team predictable.

Bodge requires no explanation.

I disagree about 87/88. I remember them playing with 3 at the back then too. But this has been done to death in other threads so I won't persist with the point.

Kenny also left us top of the league at the end of his first spell. Not too shabby really.


Rafa changed the formation of the attack and midfield regularly. Sometimes 2 forwards, sometimes one, with Gerrard or somebody behind. Sometimes one sitting midfielder, sometimes two.

[TheStig]

Not to mention running at it at top speed with Chelsea defenders diving in the way. Most players would have blasted over, or tripped over their own feet. One of his best goals for us so far.

Still had to get it into the corner, Cech was getting across well after his initial mistake.

There was a great pic of it somewhere, where he had all feet off the ground just after making contact with the ball.

[Mattshark]

These were key incidents. Key! At least, the miss was. And the pass could well have been. Couldn't bloody believe that.

Those two apart, he was alright. But bloody hell. He could quite easily have cost us yesterday. But the stats don't tell that story do they? No. It goes down as a missplaced pass and a shot off target. Big wow.

I think you rely too heavily on stats to make your judgements sometimes Matt.

I don't rely on stats mate, but when you watch the game live you miss a lot, especially when it is one that is very emotionally charged one as RedReet I'm sure can testify too.

Yes they could have cost us, but they didn't. Any time you give the ball away it can cost you though, every time you miss a shot it can be costly.