Real Madrid post match thread

[SB]

Same team against Chelsea except Henderson for Allen, and Sterling for Markovic

Hendo is a shoe in but maybe Sterling off the bench would be better for him long term

[frank the tank]

Aye the right back slot is an issue imo love to see Flanno back to push these two.

anyone know when Flanno is back???

In reality i think the right back options of Flanno and Wisdom are better than Johnson and Manq. I kind of wish that Andre Wisdom had the wisdom (see what i did there) to say "**** you....i ain't going to Derby....i'm fighting for my place" to Brendog in the summer. Like Flanagan, he could have ****in made it...

[Paddy]

Even though I want Hendo in for Allen on Saturday, I really think Allen had a good game.
He tailed off toward the end yes, but he must have been exhausted. He won the ball back very well tonight and helped Toure and Skrtel out massively at times.

[danperkins]

Decent display.. never going to cause much trouble in an attacking sense with the way we lined up but good solid display. Toure & Skrtel looked a good pairing, Moreno was very good but unfortunately Manquillo had a mare and left if really exposed. Mig made some good saves, wish he catch a few instead of punching but sure still saved them.

Thought Allen & Markovic were ****e. Lucas & Can gave us much more balance in there & that's the key for me, we looked much more cohesive & organised. Borini had a thankless task up top but he done his usual run around like a headless chicken. At least he tried though & to be fair made a few good tun in first half into the box that weren't spotted.

All in all not bad.

[SK]

so

mig
manq-škrtel-kolo-moreno
can-lucas-hendo
lallana/cout/sterling
borini-balo

for chelsea?

[Kenneth]

Dirk Kuyt like? Probably be his best role at a big club.

He needs to toughen up a lot to be a Kuyt type, but he's got the skill and work rate. Looks more suited than Markovich.

[Maxiedge]

Those asking for Henderson to replace Allen, I think you'll be surprised how much that would have disrupted us today. Allen always gets involved whether it's good or bad. Henderson can go missing and they would have cut through us like cake. Thought our midfield and defence were fine bar Markovic.

[DannyMan2006]

Bar spurs that's probably our most complete performance. The defence and mignolet looked very solid for a change and Lucas was outstanding just in front. He has to be in our team vs Chelsea, he stopped Madrid playing infront our our centre backs.

I was impressed with emre Can. He can take the ball in any position and rarely loses it, just ran out of legs second half. I thought Joe Allen also played really well despite giving the ball away a few times. He covers the ground so quickly and gets interceptions and tackles in and did his best to stop Madrid getting any rhythm.

Borini never stopped running and always made himself available. Manquillo and Moreno were both excellent throughout. It was just a very good performance all round.

Finally something to be positive about.

It's a different way of playing. Sitting back all game as opposed to pressing the opposition high. Toure and Lucas may be fine at sitting near the 18 yard line, but higher up the pitch? It could be like Chelsea asking Terry to play high up the pitch, or when AVB was getting Dawson to play in a high line at Spurs.

I think the team worked hard tonight. But I think they have pretty much showed similar effort all season. It's in possession where we've lacked the zip of our passing and the lack of tempo. We're still struggling to find a balance and tonight showed nothing other than we have better players in reserve than maybe we thought.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

He needs to toughen up a lot to be a Kuyt type, but he's got the skill and work rate. Looks more suited than Markovich.

I meant in the sense that you're not going to get Sterling like quality but his defensive work rate and persistence might make him a solid option in big games. Much like Park for United over the years too.

[BobTheCharmer]

I'm a big fan of sterling, always have been but he has reverted to the player of 18 months ago. Just hope as the team improves so does his form. Came on and looked to pass rather than run with it, can't seem to work out staying onside near corner flags following throws in lately and his choice of pass was awful. No flair in his game. He has class so no worries long term but the sooner he gets his mojo back the better, I want the raheem at norwich, grabbing the game and looking dangerous.

Thought we played well. Toure and keeper excellent. Well done Rodgers. Now to get revenge on Chelsea and kick on.

[Maxiedge]

No complaints, pride restored and we looked like we gave a ****. Polar opposite of that ****e on Saturday and we looked so much more solid without Lovren. Same team for me at the weekend without the woeful Joe Allen who once again put in a nothing performance

That's just judging him on some sloppy passes. As part of our midfield unit, he did really well.

[G]

I can see a case for Coutinho in for Lallana and even Johnson for Manquillo but what it boils down to for me is the midfield had balance and Toure didn't make mistakes.

Johnson wouldn't be anywhere near any of my teams if I'm honest. He's the past, Moreno and Manquillo/Flanagan are the future, they'd be the ones I'd be playing the most, let Johnson do the squad role.

[frank the tank]

Cant wait for Saturday now, rip in to these cunts, get a result and everyone is buzzing again.

you have possibly hit the nail on the head there.... a win against Chelsea, with hopefully Danny Sturridge back - and we are suddenly cooking on gas again....especially with games against Palace, Stoke, Leicester and Sunderland......lets make some ****in hay..

[DeanoUK]

Agreed, sod Johnson.

[Fivex]

Scholes is probably the most awkward looking cunt ever