Boro: Post Match

[Mike]

As for Markovic, he does seem to be playing it safe right now which I can understand.

The only issue I have with him at the minute is that he cuts inside far too much for my liking. We need to stretch teams instead of playing everything in front of them centrally, and he offers very little width. Manquillo at times was isolated last night because Markovic had decided to cut inside and then get crowded out.

He'll get that coached out of him as he's still young, but that's the area he needs to address first. Way too early to judge, give him time.

[marcus50bucks]

I think Rodgers is gonna have to come with something different because it's clear as day teams know how to setup against us especially at Anfield. We really are struggling to break teams down and get in behind. I feel he will need to adapt his style slightly to accommodate Balotelli because as much as I want him to be constantly on the move, make runs in behind the defence, run the channels, it just isn't his game and it's so obvious to see. I saw it again last night he kept coming short but what peed me off was we didn't have enough players running beyond when he did this. Balotelli does some really good things but I personally don't think we are doing enough to play to his strengths. I was wrong to expect him to come here and play to our style just like that, it's got to work both ways.

[Fierce]

I thought he was terrible. Not so much some of the flimsy flicks and stupid dribbles that he tried.....but the lack of movement when other players such as Lallana and Sterling had the ball....

If he cost £5m then you'd say it was worth a punt to see if he could be coached. Suso was much better than Markovic (granted, Suso was playing against tired legs).

We had a free run at Markovic in the transfer market - nobody else in Spain, Italy, Germany or England were going to spend £20m on him. It was a waste of money.....

****ing hell!

[wiw]

Flimsy flicks..nice

Flipping it around, the fact that he has the composure and calm head to try a "flimsy flick" on the edge of the box is encouraging to me. I may be alone. You see time and again clips of players taking shots and spooning it and think "if only he had passed it" the next player would be clean through. In saying that, there was a moment late on where he definitely should have had a shot

[Carras_Shin_Pads]

Really hope we give Suso more opportunities, he looks silks on the ball and has a great left foot.

He made more of an impact in two touches than Markovic did the entire game, Markovic looks like he's been an enormous waste of money at the moment.

He's amazing on my Football Manager

[frank the tank]

Flimsy flicks..nice

Flipping it around, the fact that he has the composure and calm head to try a "flimsy flick" on the edge of the box is encouraging to me. I may be alone. You see time and again clips of players taking shots and spooning it and think "if only he had passed it" the next player would be clean through. In saying that, there was a moment late on where he definitely should have had a shot

there is a time and a place. His decision making was terrible.

[tanner]

I'm seeing some similarities between Markovic and Aquilani at this stage, seems a bit lightweight and weak mentally. Too early to write him off though, may just be early nerves.

[Alex]

If I remember correctly, Aquilani spent 5 months injured, and then when fit he was one of our better players.

The only similarity is the fee. But after a player signs, the fee is about as relevant to the conversation as his shoe size.

[tanner]

If I remember correctly, Aquilani spent 5 months injured, and then when fit he was one of our better players.

The only similarity is the fee. But after a player signs, the fee is about as relevant to the conversation as his shoe size.

No, he was very lightweight and lacked the mentality for english football, he was a bit of a ****house, even Rafa pretty much said the same thing.

[ronanm]

If I remember correctly, Aquilani spent 5 months injured, and then when fit he was one of our better players.

The only similarity is the fee. But after a player signs, the fee is about as relevant to the conversation as his shoe size.

And, if you squint, maybe the appearance

Way too early to write any new signings off, but I'd like to see more from Balotelli

[Gazzla]

It's also worth remembering that Markovic only had 45 minutes of pre season due to injury so he is still very much lacking in match fitness

[BigChief]

Finally...frank and tanner have spoken.

I'm now at ease with our now new definitely-to-be world class signing.

[DannyMan2006]

No, he was very lightweight and lacked the mentality for english football, he was a bit of a ****house, even Rafa pretty much said the same thing.

Aquilani came as an established player from a top level league. As mentioned he came in injured missing pre season and never got up to speed and as you make mention too, seemed a bit scared of getting injured again.

Markovic is obviously going to be shocked by the pace of the game and the commitment and challenges allowed in this country. Some players adapt and some don't. It is too early to say which will be the case for him. For me he needs to get stuck in more, get close on players and not allow them time on the ball, that's the point of a pressing game. But he's not the only one who rushes up to a player and then stands of them, allowing them space and time to pick a pass. It's where our game is falling down in comparison to last.

Of the new signings, I would say Moreno after a poor start v Navas is closing down correctly now. Manquillo seems good in that regards. All the centre backs half the time want to win the same ball, so too eager to press. Whilst the forward players not pressing often means our midfielders are either - pressing to high to compensate, or - getting caught out of position when the opposition break as a result of players higher up the pitch not pressing.

[dom9]

No, he was very lightweight and lacked the mentality for english football, he was a bit of a ****house, even Rafa pretty much said the same thing.

A ****house?

[Shaggy]