Stoke (A): Post Match

[Lecter]

First of all a great result, thanks to a moment of magic from Coutinho

The performance itself was quite flat, I thought we were trying too much to play everything to Benteke, but the other attacking players were too far from him alot of the time meaning he was quite isolated, I think what he did was fine but we didn't get him involved enough that was the problem of the midfield. Ibe is still quite raw and his decision making at time could be better but that will come. Lallana seemed to be involved alot first half in particular but didn't really do much. I am unconvinced that the midfield of Henderson and Milner is the right way to go I thought we improved when Can came on and joined them in midfield. Firmino's cameo apperance showed alot of promise.

Defensively we kept a clean sheet but the defending didn't inspire confidence. That said Lovren was of our better defenders, Skrtel made quite a few mistakes, Gomez was decent but caught out a few times due to inexperience, I think we needed to play a defensive minded player at LB Moreno bombing forward would unbalance the side and leave us exposed. Clyne had a solid debut.

Hopefully we can work the problems we saw today and the improve the performances for the coming games.

Thats pretty much my take on things

Looking at that game reminds of last season at home v Southampton

We looked slow and sterile then as well and devoid of creativity but managed to get over the line just like yesterday

We will see how things pan out over the next few weeks

[wiw]

I'm not saying the plan was to make it a borefest for 80 minutes and for then Coutinho to smash in a worldie, but I like how we approached it yesterday. For periods of the game at least, especially at the start, the defence was on the half way line and we really tried to press. The plan seemed to be stay compact, compete for everything, see what we can create, and then from 70 mins really go for it. After seeing some of the messes from last season it's nice to see evidence of an actual plan (and it working)

[RedReet]

Excellent result.

Match may not have been the greatest spectacle, but 3 points are all that matters. Had planned on watching a full replay this morning, but just skipped to the last 35 mins for obvious reasons.


Despite a few individual errors, I thought our defence looked as cohesive a unit as I've seen for some time. They held a decent line at times and looked well organised on set-pieces (although it was noticeable that Henderson and Milner took a lot of control during these).

Was also quite impressed with the Milner/Henderson partnership, despite some of the negative comments on here. I thought they protected the back 4 very well for most of the match and pressed forward well for the last 30 mins when we were going for the win. Their workrate and pressing is essential for how we set up, but their leadership qualities and organisational skills were just as important. I can see why Rodgers wanted Milner as vice captain.

Was also good to see such a strong bench and to have the option to bring on genuine game changers. I can actually see us scoring a lot of late goals this year, as not only do we have the game changers as mentioned, but I think Henderson and Milner's impressive fitness and pressing will force quite a few errors late on in matches.

Was very impressed with Clyne too, he looks a very solid signing. (Although I did think Johnson was good for them also)

Gomez did well too, as did Lovren and Coutinho has picked up were he left off last year.

Hopefully we'll benefit from the extra few days rest before Bournemouth and we'll blow them away early doors and get a good morale boosting performance before Arsenal.

[BigChief]

Milner and Henderson had to look after Lovren behind them and a cobweb-ridden Coutinho/Lallana partnership ahead of them. They did extremely well, the cogs that turn the whole machine.

I did watch the whole recorded match last night and glad for it. Milner doing shuttle runs on 80 minutes (as the commentator said) to stop Stoke breaking into a counter attack was heartening. Moments like this give you hope for the season. Him and Henderson played like a 3 man midfield and you could see how knackered Adam and Whelan in particular were as a result.

[Lecter]

Milner and Henderson had to look after Lovren behind them and a cobweb-ridden Coutinho/Lallana partnership ahead of them. They did extremely well, the cogs that turn the whole machine.

I did watch the whole recorded match last night and glad for it. Milner doing shuttle runs on 80 minutes (as the commentator said) to stop Stoke breaking into a counter attack was heartening. Moments like this give you hope for the season. Him and Henderson played like a 3 man midfield and you could see how knackered Adam and Whelan in particular were as a result.

Adam always looks knackered after about 60 minutes, it was the same when he played for Blackpool then us

[ntto]

i'd have liked to have seen Benteke press their centrebacks a lot more when they had possession.

It was too easy for them at times at the back and some clever pressing would have made a massive difference to us

[Exiled_red]

i'd have liked to have seen Benteke press their centrebacks a lot more when they had possession.

It was too easy for them at times at the back and some clever pressing would have made a massive difference to us

You need to press as a team, Benteke was fairly isolated up there so easily out numbered by the defenders, who would always have an easy out ball. With out someone else pressing with him he would have just worn himself out.

[The Birdman]

Surprised by the negative feel to this thread, while we weren't spectacular we got the job done and kept a clean sheet.
Defensively we were much better, our distances and compactness were good, it was noticeable how Lovren led the back line up when Stoke passed backwards.
Clyne and Gomez are athletes, Clyne offered width and Gomez was very good for a young lad on debut.

We improved massively after Can came on, it kept the protection in front but allowed Hendo and Milner to press in the 4-3-3.

If Rodgers is to make his preferred 4-3-3 work than they are key, we got closer to Benteke after that change and stopped just launching it, Firmino looked lively and think Ibe will be used as an impact sub in the PL and played in the cups.

Personally I was very encouraged, we looked solid, balanced and compact - loads to scope to improve going forward from there

[SB]

Big fan of Ibe, but if we're going to fit Can and Firmino into the starting XI (which I think is right) then Ibe has to be sacrificed. What a great sub to bring on against tiring legs though.

He makes the subs bench. He needs to learn to make better decisions and release the ball quicker.

I agree that Firmino will replace Ibe but I didn't expect him to start so soon. I'd be giving him a few more cameos personally to ease him in.

[inijjer]

Surprised by the negative feel to this thread, while we weren't spectacular we got the job done and kept a clean sheet.
Defensively we were much better, our distances and compactness were good, it was noticeable how Lovren led the back line up when Stoke passed backwards.
Clyne and Gomez are athletes, Clyne offered width and Gomez was very good for a young lad on debut.

We improved massively after Can came on, it kept the protection in front but allowed Hendo and Milner to press in the 4-3-3.

If Rodgers is to make his preferred 4-3-3 work than they are key, we got closer to Benteke after that change and stopped just launching it, Firmino looked lively and think Ibe will be used as an impact sub in the PL and played in the cups.

Personally I was very encouraged, we looked solid, balanced and compact - loads to scope to improve going forward from there

inverted the triangle.

[Pablo]

Can you imagine the mood on here if it had finished goalless! A draw away there would still have been a decent result anyway.

It was dull, I think that's most people's problem. We'd waited ages, we were all excited to see all the goals we'd "bought", and instead we were all dozing off until Coutinho produced his moment of magic.

I think we'll set up much more attacking against Bournemouth though. They will have a real go at us too and if they finish better than they did the other day, they will give us another tricky game.

[wiw]

Hadn't noticed Sean O'Driscoll on the sidelines in any of the pre-season games, but seeing him yesterday he has a very calm, almost smug/arrogant looking way about him He looks very punchable but in a good way. I like him. Basing this on nothing but the 3 second clips you see obviously but he looks like a calming influence, a good old head to have around.

[kingfunk]

"Very punchable but in a good way" this makes my brain hurt.

[wiw]

As in...if he was another clubs assistant manager you would instantly hate him, but because he's our assistant manager he is no less punchable, but you let him off.

[Chazza]

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