Newcastle Post match thing

[Daniel 7]

Lovren is a dim-witted clown, I used to get really angry about other expensive signings, but they look like value for money compared to this bloke. I'd rate that squandering of funds as a sackable offence - he has nothing in him to suggest he's good enough for Liverpool. If he wasn't trying to injure his own players, he was shaky and nervous, and then trying booming cross field passes that made Charlie Adam look like the Scottish Xabi Alonso.

At least Glen Johnson used to be good. You can accept that he's past his peak and doesn't have it in him anymore to a degree on that basis.

[Fosterbloke]

There's got to be another Sami out there somewhere.

[Lecter]

It was disheartening seeing Allen pushed off the ball so easily, and I'm a fan of his. He doesn't make up for it with deft touches and passing either. A better team (Utd? Arsenal?) would have made mincemeat of him.

Henderson looks jaded. Despite having a positive impact in our attacks his touches and control seem to be lacking. Lucas was great though!

United did make mincemeat out of him and Arsenals "hugely physical midfield" dominated him as well

Lucas was our best midfielder by a country mile last night but even he is slow to go for second balls and the amount of times teams play through our middle is a worry for me

[Lecter]

Allen was playing.

So were Henderson and Lucas and to me only Lucas showed up

[danperkins]

Allen wasn't great but was a lovely goal IMO & Henderson does look tired but Lucas was fantastic. Henderson does look a bit burned out and unfortunately we can't afford to rest him... but I thought he did very well last night.

[Phoenix07]

You can see why we're linked with Geoffrey Kondogbia and James Milner. Energy and power much needed.

[Lecter]

Really? I though Lucas was very good, Henserson was very creative and unlucky to only get 1 assist and although Allen wasn't at his best, still scored an important goal.

What did you find so shocking?

Theres not enough pressure on the ball for my liking

We are generally physically weak, we dont compete for tackles often enough, we are shrugged off the ball to easily (both Henderson and Allen on this point) and we just dont compete for 2nd balls

I think the midfield needs major major surgery frankly

A 3 man midfield of Lucas, Henderson & Allen is nowhere near good enough or physical enough to compete at the highest level

[Doc_Piptorious]

There's got to be another Sami out there somewhere.

The closest to Sami I can think of in terms of leadership, size, playing style, and aerial ability captains Inter Milan. Andrea Ranocchia

[Lecter]

Allen wasn't great but was a lovely goal IMO & Henderson does look tired but Lucas was fantastic. Henderson does look a bit burned out and unfortunately we can't afford to rest him... but I thought he did very well last night.

I dont think Henderson has been as effective (defensively) this season. Hes lacked energy most of the season. Last season he was all over closing people down but this season he hasnt done that anywhere near enough

I've no problem with his contribution in terms of goals and assists, but defensively I have come to expect more from him and it hasnt happened this season for one reason or another

[BigChief]

You can see why we're linked with Geoffrey Kondogbia and James Milner. Energy and power much needed.

Do not want Milner. We need to push on from technically limited players. Even if he bolsters our squad on the cheap/free.

Not sure what Kondogbia's touch is like.

[Lecter]

Do not want Milner. We need to push on from technically limited players. Even if he bolsters our squad on the cheap/free.

Not sure what Kondogbia's touch is like.

Is there any players out there that are technically great but offer a physical presence

I think there is some give needed, we've gone down the technical route too much, we need more balance in the side frankly

[Doc_Piptorious]

Do not want Milner. We need to push on from technically limited players. Even if he bolsters our squad on the cheap/free.

Not sure what Kondogbia's touch is like.

Good enough that he was standing out in La Liga at 19 or 20. He has a nice mix of skill and power. What stands out about him is how cleanly he wins the ball from other players without having to leave his feet. He just nicks it and is then motoring away with the ball.


More recently he was one of the stand out players for Monaco against Arsenal in the CL.

[danperkins]

I dont think Henderson has been as effective (defensively) this season. Hes lacked energy most of the season. Last season he was all over closing people down but this season he hasnt done that anywhere near enough

I've no problem with his contribution in terms of goals and assists, but defensively I have come to expect more from him and it hasnt happened this season for one reason or another

He hasn't pressed as much this season i agree with that. IMO i think he wasted so much energy covering for Stevie in the first half of the season.. that he burnt himself out a bit. His passing though IMO is hugely improved. That's the gift of having an out and out DM beside Henderson.. means he can burst forward and effect the game high up the pitch. He has definitely been more productive this season & IMO unlucky not to have more goals and assists on the board. The Lucas/Henderson partnership for me is by far our best in the midfield.

[The Birdman]

Pretty certain that Ibe was played to get some minutes into him so he wouldn't be as rusty on Sunday.
He was way off the pace as you'd expect after being out for 6 weeks.
In the context of last night's game only then starting Borini or Markovic and using Ibe as a sub for 20 minutes made more sense.

That wouldn't have helped as much for the Semi Final though

[Lecter]

In the context of last night's game only then starting Borini or Markovic and using Ibe as a sub for 20 minutes made more sense.

There is no sense whatsoever in starting Borini in a game