FC Gomel vs Liverpool

[Muddled]

The pressing and defensive side of thing is the easiest thing to organise and put into place quickly

I would expect to see progress on this in the next few weeks

I hope so, but the pressing in zones and when to go - in my opinion - will be trial and error. He's got a solid defensive foundation to build on, which will be even more resolute when Lucas is back and firing on all cylinders - but if it's easy to bypass the midfield (like it was last night), the defence will need to be on their toes.

[SB]

A footballer scoring a goal in a Europa League match isn’t that meritorious an incident in itself unless it’s Stewart Downing who has scored.

People have been poking their heads warily out of their doors this morning as we enter the brave new world where Stewart Downing scores a goal.

The Liverpool left-winger hadn’t scored a goal in the 2011/2012 season and indeed became the subject of a lot of ridicule as the big-money signing became the first Premier League player to miss three consecutive penalties that he took.

He put all that behind him last night with the above cracker against Belarusian*side*FC Gomel in a Europa League qualifying match to give Brendan Rogers’s side a 1-Nil win to bring back to Anfield for the return leg.

One social network commenter mentioned the fact that Downing had now scored more goals in competition than Messi this season.

We’ll see how long that lasts.

[Muddled]

But Downing *did* score in the 2011/12 season - he didn't score a *league* goal.

[SB]

But Downing *did* score in the 2011/12 season - he didn't score a *league* goal.

Spoken like downing himself. That one solitary goal ! How could anyone forget that.

[RedReet]

Spoken like downing himself. That one solitary goal ! How could anyone forget that.

2.

Stoke and Oldham.

[SB]

2.

Stoke and Oldham.

Impressive stats for his CV. Stoke and Oldham. It doesn't get any better than that. No really, it doesn't.

[RedReet]

No, it does. FC Gomel now too.

[saj]

Swansea had the lowest (or one of) pass completion rate in the final third.

[SB]

No, it does. FC Gomel now too.

3 teams that strike fear into all wannabe clubs like ours. Downing

[Muddled]

Spoken like downing himself. That one solitary goal ! How could anyone forget that.

As already said, t'was two, but still, the article contains false information.

Maybe I'm just a stickler for that.

[SB]

As already said, t'was two, but still, the article contains false information.

Maybe I'm just a stickler for that.

Fair do's but it doesn't change "People have been poking their heads warily out of their doors this morning as we enter the brave new world where Stewart Downing scores a goal."

That's gold.

[Muddled]

Fair do's but it doesn't change "People have been poking their heads warily out of their doors this morning as we enter the brave new world where Stewart Downing scores a goal."

That's gold.

Tru fax.

I certainly wouldn't be upset if Downing was sold and I think it would be best for all parties involved. If he's here come the end of August though, I sure hope he builds on yesterdays goal.

[SB]

Tru fax.

I certainly wouldn't be upset if Downing was sold and I think it would be best for all parties involved. If he's here come the end of August though, I sure hope he builds on yesterdays goal.

Personally I think he's worth a punt for another season with the new manager but that's not my call. BR has time to assess him & hopefully he'll make the right call.

[dww]

Swansea had the lowest (or one of) pass completion rate in the final third.

http://www.eplindex.com/9035/premier-league-passing-trends-2011-12.html

Yeah, but then we had some of the best and we had a frustrating season. It is an intriguing fact though.

[BrooklynRed]

Ran into Spearing this AM, asked him about his performance against Gomel. His reaction?