Norwich (A) Post Match

[Exiled_red]

I think that the problem today was that in midfield we essentially had two players in Allen and Lucas playing roles that the aren't really used to, Allen has played there a bit at times but hasn't been a regular, while Lucas I don't think has ever played the Henderson role.

[RedReet]

What is the deal with Allen - has he played 90 mins for us this season? He always seems to either get subbed on or subbed off.

Not sure, but he covered some ground today though so not surprised he tired.

They have done more than enough to deserve more time.

Think the criticism of Johnson and Lucas is OTT too. It was a collective problem today IMO. We came through though in a situation where Man City and Chelsea have both not in recent weeks. Like you suggest a bit of perspective is needed.

Every one of our midfield and defence guilty of some sort of mistake today (maybe not Allen actually). Hardly that surprising under the circumstances, they aren't machines.

[TheElephantMan]

Sunderland did us a massive favour and we returned it today.

[Chris]

Sunderland did us a massive favour and we returned it today.

Yep, hopefully Chelsea remember how we rolled over for them to win the title a few years back and let us ease to a 2-0 win ourselves this time.

[MrMichael]

****ing hell that was mad

5 points clear Had to be difficult, do we know any other way?

When things started to go wrong it exposed Mignolet and Sakho somewhat and both had a number of dicky moments. However I don't really think that was entirely their fault. Several of our more experienced players had poor games, Johnson especially who was awful and Lucas who at least has something of an excuse.

More than that though we can now see that particular lineup just doesn't really work to our strengths. Allen, Lucas and Gerrard all want to take up the same space really and it impacts on Coutinho too. With Sterling and Suarez in the team we always have attacking threat, but our strength this season has been far more in incisive & dynamic running and use of the ball rather than maintaining possession calmly and methodically in deep midfield / defence. Too many cooks basically. Our shape, even if it was mainly enforced by the absences, and the way we then played for 80 minutes put individual players under so much unnecessary pressure and not all of them coped brilliantly. At least the Chelsea game should play out a very different way.

Bit late now, but maybe we should have played Aspas instead of Lucas

[Leyton388]

I can't see Chelsea sending out the big guns at our game with us now being 5 points clear and being right in the middle of a CL semi. Even more so if they get a **** result againt Mardid this week.

[danperkins]

****ing hell that was mad

5 points clear Had to be difficult, do we know any other way?

When things started to go wrong it exposed Mignolet and Sakho somewhat and both had a number of dicky moments. However I don't really think that was entirely their fault. Several of our more experienced players had poor games, Johnson especially who was awful and Lucas who at least has something of an excuse.

More than that though we can now see that particular lineup just doesn't really work to our strengths. Allen, Lucas and Gerrard all want to take up the same space really and it impacts on Coutinho too. With Sterling and Suarez in the team we always have attacking threat, but our strength this season has been far more in incisive & dynamic counter-attacking running rather than maintaining possession calmly and methodically in deep midfield / defence. Our shape, even if it was mainly enforced by the absences, and the way we then played for 80 minutes put individual players under so much unnecessary pressure and not all of them coped brilliantly. At least the Chelsea game should play out a very different way.

Bit late now, but maybe we should have played Aspas instead of Lucas

[Exiled_red]

****ing hell that was mad

5 points clear Had to be difficult, do we know any other way?

When things started to go wrong it exposed Mignolet and Sakho somewhat and both had a number of dicky moments. However I don't really think that was entirely their fault. Several of our more experienced players had poor games, Johnson especially who was awful and Lucas who at least has something of an excuse.

More than that though we can now see that particular lineup just doesn't really work to our strengths. Allen, Lucas and Gerrard all want to take up the same space really and it impacts on Coutinho too. With Sterling and Suarez in the team we always have attacking threat, but our strength this season has been far more in incisive & dynamic running and use of the ball rather than maintaining possession calmly and methodically in deep midfield / defence. Our shape, even if it was mainly enforced by the absences, and the way we then played for 80 minutes put individual players under so much unnecessary pressure and not all of them coped brilliantly. At least the Chelsea game should play out a very different way.

Bit late now, but maybe we should have played Aspas instead of Lucas

Hopefully Sturridge will be back next week and we can revert to a more normal line up (albeit without Henderson).

[JohnDoe]

****ing hell that was mad

5 points clear Had to be difficult, do we know any other way?

When things started to go wrong it exposed Mignolet and Sakho somewhat and both had a number of dicky moments. However I don't really think that was entirely their fault. Several of our more experienced players had poor games, Johnson especially who was awful and Lucas who at least has something of an excuse.

More than that though we can now see that particular lineup just doesn't really work to our strengths. Allen, Lucas and Gerrard all want to take up the same space really and it impacts on Coutinho too. With Sterling and Suarez in the team we always have attacking threat, but our strength this season has been far more in incisive & dynamic running and use of the ball rather than maintaining possession calmly and methodically in deep midfield / defence. Too many cooks basically. Our shape, even if it was mainly enforced by the absences, and the way we then played for 80 minutes put individual players under so much unnecessary pressure and not all of them coped brilliantly. At least the Chelsea game should play out a very different way.

Bit late now, but maybe we should have played Aspas instead of Lucas

[Exiled_red]

I can't see Chelsea sending out the big guns at our game with us now being 5 points clear and being right in the middle of a CL semi. Even more so if they get a **** result againt Mardid this week.

If they win they have a real chance at it. I guess it depends how the first leg of the semi goes and how much they have to put in for that game

[G]

I can't see Chelsea sending out the big guns at our game with us now being 5 points clear and being right in the middle of a CL semi. Even more so if they get a **** result againt Mardid this week.

Hoping for a score draw or narrow Madrid win.

We badly missed Henderson's energy today.

[MrMichael]

They have done more than enough to deserve more time.

Think the criticism of Johnson and Lucas is OTT too. It was a collective problem today IMO. We came through though in a situation where Man City and Chelsea have both not in recent weeks. Like you suggest a bit of perspective is needed.

I disagree about Johnson. He was appallingly sloppy with the ball. He is capable even on a mediocre day of being so much better than that, and as a senior player we have to expect more in a situation like that. Lucas looked off the pace and not comfortable with the formation. Johnson, unless he's carrying an injury, was simply shocking.

[Sarb]

Johnson is not justifying his wage. Only way he stays is if he takes a cut. Expect better from him

[dom9]

Sakho = Traore. Get rid.



He needs a kicking.

[vlahka]

Not surprised you had to check, were you reading the match thread?

I try my best not to be on the forum during the game. I checked it at the end though. It was only amusing to read because we'd won. But we made that harder than it should of been. My poor heart. Its those sorts of problems we saw in this game that could screw us horribly against chelsea, so I'm going to pass that off as why everyone was so frustrated during this specific game. I know I'm ****ting it royally.