FA Cup: v Blackburn (H): Post Match

[Muddled]

You could equally view it as using just 3 defenders instead of the 4 most use.

And Johnson was pretty much parked in Blackburn's half. We may have lined up with three and did so when defending, but it was in no way a hindrance to attack.

CaptainFog is Est1892's new pantomime villain.

[Phoenix07]

The replay will work out like this.

Saturday 4th April - Arsenal (A)
Tuesday/Wednesday 7/8th April - Blackburn (A)
Monday 13th April - Newcastle (H)

Just a standard mid-week game. No excuse in terms of rest.

[Shaggy]

You could equally view it as using just 3 defenders instead of the 4 most use.

That's how I view it. 3 defenders, arguably 1 centre half (against their 1 striker) two wide CBs covering almost full back areas, and then Markovic and Sterling (very attacking players obviously) on the wings. It's attacking. The team yesterday had a ridiculous amount of attacking players in it.

[BigChief]

The replay will work out like this.

Saturday 4th April - Arsenal (A)
Tuesday/Wednesday 7/8th April - Blackburn (A)
Monday 13th April - Newcastle (H)

Just a standard mid-week game. No excuse in terms of rest.

Has that been confirmed? That's the best possible outcome we could have hoped for really.

[dww]

That's how I view it. 3 defenders, arguably 1 centre half (against their 1 striker) two wide CBs covering almost full back areas, and then Markovic and Sterling (very attacking players obviously) on the wings. It's attacking. The team yesterday had a ridiculous amount of attacking players in it.

I think the thing is that it is easier to advance more players in a systematic way in a back four based system. Both fullbacks can push on and leave just the DM and two CBs to defend if you are on top. In a back three if you leave only your centrebacks to defend then you also leave a gap in front which gives the opponents an out ball, if you keep the DM back too then you are losing an extra player from the attack. You also get to double up on the flanks with a 4 , which helps to stretch teams.

All that said, we have been playing well in a 3-4-2-1 system and there is little reason to deviate unless you are adding specific threats. We just played badly and were obviously disrupted mentally by the Skrtel injury.

I think the big mistake was moving Can from CB. It helps massively to have a playmaker back there.

[Chris]

The replay will work out like this.

Saturday 4th April - Arsenal (A)
Tuesday/Wednesday 7/8th April - Blackburn (A)
Monday 13th April - Newcastle (H)

Just a standard mid-week game. No excuse in terms of rest.

Ooh thats a beauty. I'm kinda glad of the draw, wanted these away in the first place, we'll take over that ground providing the police arent cunts and limit tickets, shouldnt do. Spring, midweek, FA Cup aways

[danperkins]

Let's smash these cunts and drink the blood of their children

[Fosterbloke]

Let's smash these cunts and drink the blood of their children

Calm down...

[Yozza]

Has that been confirmed? That's the best possible outcome we could have hoped for really.

It does say 'date subject to change for tv' on the FA website

[Tribute]

Don't think their pitch is going to be better...
Gary Bowyer: "I know Brendan Rodgers was complaining about the pitch here but wait until he sees Ewood. It makes Anfield look like Wembley."

[Lecter]

Fantastic by Blackburn. Had a go first half then rock solid second half.

They did what most teams haven't done v LFC at Anfield. They got in our faces and closed us down very quickly. On that state of pitch if a team closes down quickly and works hard, we will struggle & that's exactly what happened. LFC couldn't really speed it up as when they tried the control of the bouncing ball just wasn't happening.

To me today, it looked like they were up for it more than us & we didn't quite fancy it.

They were tactically spot on

Played 1 up top who was physical and led the line well, swamped midfield and pressed well

I think its readily accepted that what we dont like is teams that press us and put pressure on us when in possession

[Lecter]

Can has been atrocious in midfield nearly time he's played. Had Allen played we'd have won 2-0 minimum. Can needs to learn that role fast and we know he will.

The entire team have struggled when teams have swamped midfield and gotten in our face (Besiktas & Blackburn)

We really dont like that as a team no matter what system, tactics, formations or personnel we play / have on the pitch

I really dont think Joe Allen would have made any difference yesterday

Lucas on the other hand might of

[Buzzo]

A bit depressing to see the Mario and Johnson threads prominent with the usual suspects commenting after yesterdays performance.

Scapegoats.

It was a lethargic team performance yesterday with a new back 3, one game too many after a great week. Simple as that.

[RedReet]

A bit depressing to see the Mario and Johnson threads prominent with the usual suspects commenting after yesterdays performance.

Scapegoats.

It was a lethargic team performance yesterday with a new back 3, one game too many after a great week. Simple as that.

We've been pretty crap in the cup so far this year, but we're still in the competition and it was good to get a clean sheet for our makeshift defence, who should each be a bit more confident when called on again.

There is no point in reading too much into the performance, it was an off day for most of the players, but they’ll get over it and we’ll no doubt see a much better performance against Swansea.

[RedReet]

Looking forward to this Arsenal match tonight. Hopefully loads of injuries and a replay.

Although in saying that, I'll not be too disappointed if United fluke a win.