Post match thread v Man City

[Darkon]

It has, but the longer a season goes on the more correct it becomes.

But I have honestly never quite understood that a pro footballer can't play 2 games a week on average? Look at the NBA for example, they don't seem to complain.

[Chazza]

Every single match report I read mentions City tiring because of the midweek Champions League game.

Firstly, wasn't the whole point of them spending ludacris amounts of money was so that they have a squad that can deal with two games a week?

Secondly, isn't the mid-week Champions League excuse just becoming a bit old? It's part and parcel of the game and if you don't like it then don't finish in the top 4.

I was thinking about this yesterday with all that money they still have not bought a real world class CB to play with Kompany (I'm not even convinced he is world class to be honest)

A couple of injuries and they are a light in that area

[dww]

I think so too.

Craig's pace and trickery and Maxi's intelligence, 1-2 touch passing and very good understanding with Suarez would have made just enough of difference yesterday imo to get us the win.

Bellamy as an option from the bench would have been very handy but I think you have to say that the players likely to be replaced (two of Downing, Henderson and Kuyt) contributed strongly to our good defensive work and we would have lost at least some of that by replacing them.

I think being able to chose Bellamy for Kuyt (or Downing) as a substitution though might have made a real difference. I don't think Maxi was particularly well suited to playing that game. I hope he gets a chance in the up coming games though as his goal threat could really change the way we play against weaker teams.

[Scratch]

I don't get this "Maxi would have made a difference" stance...he may have done, but he may also have left our midfield slightly more open to City...Maxi is an intelligent player going forwards, and links up well, but in terms of what the match needed, then Henderson and Kuyt were definitely the better options. Maxi should maybe have come on at about 70 mins, as Dirk had faded and we were on the ascendency.

[Shaggy]

Weird how Maxi *never* gets brought on. If he's left on the bench, that's it, he stays there. I believe he's had 13 minutes PL action this season as a sub (one instance) and the start at Chelsea. That's it.

[RichC]

strange that, really strange.

I do think if Bellamy had started we'd have seen Maxi start as well in place of Henderson or Kuyt.

[kris90210]

I don't think Maxi really has a future at the club to be honest. Kenny just doesn't seem to rate him.

[Craig_H]

Add to that we have a relatively easy programme bar the Newcastle game perhaps, and I think we have shaken of the rest of the pessimists by January

5 Dec 2011 Barclays Premier League Fulham A 20:00
10 Dec 2011 Barclays Premier League QPR H 15:00
18 Dec 2011 Barclays Premier League Aston Villa A 14:05
21 Dec 2011 Barclays Premier League Wigan A 20:00
26 Dec 2011 Barclays Premier League Blackburn H 15:00
30 Dec 2011 Barclays Premier League Newcastle H 19:45

Not sure about that, there's a couple of real testing home games in there against QPR & Blackburn...

[dww]

strange that, really strange.

I do think if Bellamy had started we'd have seen Maxi start as well in place of Henderson or Kuyt.

I'm not sure you could get the two into the team and play the way we did. Downing and Henderson both contributed strongly to us competing with and eventually getting the better of the City 3 CMs + Silva and Nasri in midfield I thought.

I do think it was a shame that Maxi seemingly wasn't considered as a sub when Balotelli went off and we had less need to worry about City in an attacking sense (especially as at times we seemed to entirely vacate the deeper positions in midfield - such as for the Silva chance).

[Darkon]

Not sure about that, there's a couple of real testing home games in there against QPR & Blackburn...

Blackburn at home is the game I would pick as far the easiest of the lot. Fulham away is tricky, they are a decent side but the rest should be winable especially if we gotter better at finishing our chances up front. As long as we don't any game can be a challenge I guess.

[Craig_H]

Blackburn at home is the game I would pick as far the easiest of the lot. Fulham away is tricky, they are a decent side but the rest should be winable especially if we gotter better at finishing our chances up front. As long as we don't any game can be a challenge I guess.

Aye but this is LFC you're talking about, master craftsmen in the art of cocking up easy games.

When i see a fixture list containing Blackburn & QPR at home, i just think "Oh ****, we've got a couple of those really hard games against **** teams coming up"

[Darkon]

Aye, we have not exactly been ruthless against the 'lesser' opponents this season

[Mostar]

Fanzone. Check out liverpool fan especially his celebration when Adam scored and what happens at 5:20 m

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid761333525001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAAnV5Z0~,xyoxShbYDLGSh2yu4XruBQh1N8XmHpc9&bctid=1298017934001

[Craig_H]

Fanzone. Check out liverpool fan especially his celebration when Adam scored and what happens at 5:20 m


http://link.brightcove.com/services/...=1298017934001

[Craig_H]

The Liverpool fan taking the piss....

"We are City, we sing about the moon, we've won nothing, we sing about the moon"