West Ham post-match

[danperkins]

I agree in terms of Skrtel, he for me is just not good enough and there are far too many mistakes on far too a regular basis

At least with Soto you know what you're getting, he'd have been a better bet today.

exactly mate

[chadrtc]

20 - Steven Gerrard misplaced 20 passes v West Ham, the highest total by any LFC outfielder in a PL game this season. Turnover.

From Opta Joe on Twitter

[Baracus]

I do not want to call certain players names. But I really Hate Joe Cole as a player. Awful.

[Lecter]

The same 3-5-2 that got us an away win at Chelsea?

I think the system is deployed because of the players we currently have, not becuase Kenny sees it as the way forward, although it works so much better with Agger in it as he can step out from the back and become an extra midfielder.

I honestly think its almost a lottery no matter what system you put in place

I genuinely believe there is not any one system that is a perfect fit for us

3-5-2 and or 4-3-3 and or 4-2-3-1 are about the most effective but all of them we would still struggle to play comfortably week in week out with the current squad we have

[wiw]

We played 4-4-2 the whole of the second half!!!

3-5-2 like most formations works when you do the basics (put pressure on the ball!!!)

When you dont do that you struggle

first half there was zero pressure on the ball

Second half it was an improvement but not by much really

I know, still too late imo It was painfully obvious the whole first half we needed to change

Zero pressure on the ball fair enough, but it was in-part due to our our shape. We were pressing the wrong areas and getting caught out

[Mostar]

Most worryingly is that Reina hasn't looked at the races recently.

He just didn't look right.

Got caught out too far out on the first and the third he should have stopped that with ease.

[danperkins]

I've expected this you cant turn things around overnight

The best you can hope for is a steady improvement with the occasional dip in form

Provided the general trend of the curve is upward then thats about as good as should be expected

Worrying thing is now the injuries are mounting and we look dreadfully short

Definitely Lec, think it shows the lack of real quality in our squad when we get a few key injuries. But i suppose nothing we didn't know already.

6th for me is the highest we can expect. We need to have a wee clear out in the summer and get a stronger first team and squad together. I reckon we'll be a different prospect next time around

[RichC]

Agreed, but the media and many fans absolutely REFUSE to accept that argument with Gerrard.

Gerrard is not a centre mid IMO, he should play off a main striker that is easily his best position. Centre mid is not all about drive and being a great athlete it's about controlling and dicatating the game like Xabi, Fabregas, Scholes, Xavi and Pirlo does; Gerrard is a great player but he's not that type of player.

Gerrard might be best used next season out on the right, he's not a CM and with Carroll and Suarez being the attacking pair that would make the most sense to me, one thing Stevie usually has is good delivery which when having Carroll in the side would be quite handy!

[danperkins]

Biggest problems today was tactics. We were outnumbered and overrun in cm for most of the game. But this was partly because gerrard and cole in midfield were off the pace and unable to impose themselves. When they attacked, Wilson and skrtel were not up to it defensively.

Ultimately though we just couldn't match their intensity. They were playing like their lives depended on it, too many on our side were playing at half pace either due to ability or fitness.

spot on

[Maxiedge]

Kuyt and lucas are consistent regulars in the side so i think my crticism of them is wholly justified.

I think they are good footballers but i just dont like their style. I dont like the way they play football. Kuyt slows the game down for us and lucas is quite annoying with his short passes and reluctance to take more positive touches. He'll put in some very good performances but when we require a little bit more he hasnt got it in his locker to produce.

I think they fantastic squad players but not regular starters as they have been.

[Mattshark]

He didn't play on the right but on the left until Kelly's injury and even though that is not his preferred side he was biggest threat we had in the first half.

Imo we should keep him as we need to have players compete for each and every position.

Today was a prime example of that where for example Kuyt and Lucas played terrible and we just don't have anybody to properly replace them.

Lucas wasn't the best today, but he was still our best midfielder.

[danperkins]

Ah well sure not to worry, a strong enough finish to the season will suffice. Once Chelsea don't make Champs League that'll take the edge of things

[RichC]

Lucas wasn't the best today, but he was still our best midfielder.

that sadly is true as well, I thought Lucas was pretty poor but the best of a bad bunch

[danperkins]

Kuyt and lucas are consistent regulars in the side so i think my crticism of them is wholly justified.

I think they are good footballers but i just dont like their style. I dont like the way they play football. Kuyt slows the game down for us and lucas is quite annoying with his short passes and reluctance to take more positive touches. He'll put in some very good performances but when we require a little bit more he hasnt got it in his locker to produce.

I think they fantastic squad players but not regular starters as they have been.

all fair points

[Mattshark]

Kuyt and lucas are consistent regulars in the side so i think my crticism of them is wholly justified.

I think they are good footballers but i just dont like their style. I dont like the way they play football. Kuyt slows the game down for us and lucas is quite annoying with his short passes and reluctance to take more positive touches. He'll put in some very good performances but when we require a little bit more he hasnt got it in his locker to produce.

I think they fantastic squad players but not regular starters as they have been.

Lucas is our only mid who can hold, that is his role, break up attacks and play it out keeping the ball. He does that well. The vast majority of his passes are forward. If we have all 3 cm's charging forward we will have a problem.