[EL] BVB (A) - Post Match

[Daniel 7]

Still think we can, and should, improve loads in the next couple of years. Ball retention at certain times last night was poor.

Yeah, particularly Can, who had a period in the first half where he couldn't get anything right. Didn't think it was a particularly good performance from him, though he levelled in the second half with Allen alongside him.

[ntto]

watching the match last night (and purely based on that performance) I was wondering whether there were any of the Dortmund players I'd take over who we had.

Before the game I'd have said Aubameyang is one of the most sought after centre forwards in Europe at the minute, but Origi overshadowed him.

Only really Schmelzer stood out as being better than what we had on the pitch

[Daniel 7]

Hummels had a decent game - he looks the part, commanding and authoritative. He looks a classy player.

[ntto]

Hummels had a decent game - he looks the part, commanding and authoritative. He looks a classy player.

totally - that pass with the outside of the left foot was sublime.

was he better than Lovren or Sakho tho?

[RedReet]

On last night's performance, their keeper looked good. Although, so did Migs TBF.

[Daniel 7]

They struck me last night as doing well as last ditch defenders, and Sakho looked panicked under their pressing. Its all relative though, it might be the other way around next week at Anfield.

[Maxiedge]

I have to say, I'd be quite happy to go into next season with Sakho and Lovren as our first choice CBs. I's even go so far as to say that Mignolet looks a better keeper with those two ahead of him.

I would now prioritise 2 Centre-mids (one defensive) and a left-back (as a more solid option to Moreno) as what could really cement us into a solid side with realistic top 4 aspirations.

[G]

A goalkeeper is absolutely essential. Mig is decent, nothing more. Have you forgotten teams scoring with their first shot in about 11 games in a row? It's like sticking with Skrtel for as long as we have. He did a job for the most part but isn't good enough to take us to a higher level. The aim isn't make us a solid top 4 contender, it's make us a league title contender.

[Exiled_red]

I have to say, I'd be quite happy to go into next season with Sakho and Lovren as our first choice CBs. I's even go so far as to say that Mignolet looks a better keeper with those two ahead of him.

I would now prioritise 2 Centre-mids (one defensive) and a left-back (as a more solid option to Moreno) as what could really cement us into a solid side with realistic top 4 aspirations.

He looks better, but the problem is consistency, despite some great performances there is a mistake in him.

Also his distribution is poor and very slow, with him in goal I never feel we are capable of a quick counter attack, as he holds onto the ball for far too long.

[ntto]

I have to cover my eyes with my hands every time he has the ball at his feet from a backpass and he's pressed by the opposition forward

[RedReet]

He looks better, but the problem is consistency, despite some great performances there is a mistake in him.

Also his distribution is poor and very slow, with him in goal I never feel we are capable of a quick counter attack, as he holds onto the ball for far too long.

That's very annoying. Keep waiting for another ref to blow up and give an indirect FK.

[Fierce]

I have to say, I'd be quite happy to go into next season with Sakho and Lovren as our first choice CBs. I's even go so far as to say that Mignolet looks a better keeper with those two ahead of him.

I would now prioritise 2 Centre-mids (one defensive) and a left-back (as a more solid option to Moreno) as what could really cement us into a solid side with realistic top 4 aspirations.

Mignolet is one of if not the absolute top priority replacement for me

[Chris]

A centre back PARTNERSHIP!! Christ, I dont think I'll tire of saying how beautiful that is after years and years of Skrtel. Would happily pay £30m in the summer to keep them fit for 2 years but unfortunately we cant do that, fitness is the only doubt about them! That Sakho block was amazing then Lovren went and topped it on Aubameyang, holy ****. 10.5 games they've played together this season and we've conceded just 8, thats an excellent return and when you consider in that we've played Leicester twice, Spurs, Man Utd twice, Dortmund, West Ham, Southampton 45mins in that its even better. For comparison in Skrtel's last 4 games we've conceded 9!! V Watford, Newcastle, Soton and West Brom. Going by the bench last night the Southampton lesson has been learnt and thank god for that. Even if Matip is as boss as the German's say then he's going to have a right fight to get in the team which is nice.

Moreno was good again aswell, mental moment at the end aside. Clyne was Clyne, we are already taking him for granted. Can is god, amazing discipline from such a young player after that ****ing joke of a yellow early on, if anyone still doesn't "get him" it might be time to give up on football. Allen is a better player than Henderson, in that role anyway, if we can get a better version of Allen alongside Emre, someone who's good at Can's weaker things we'll be absolutely boss in CM. Football is funny, I thought we controlled the 2nd half much better than the 1st but we won the 1st and lost the 2nd!! Div has some potential, he's already contributing now but imagine how good he'll be in 2 years if he improves a bit and with those physical attributes?! Credit to Mig too. The others put in some shift. The ref was utter **** and considering there was barely an incident in the whole game that takes some doing. Why is he reffing us again so soon anyway? Bit weird that.

Feels like an opportunity missed with the chances we had and Gundogan out but we can put 3 past them next week if we are on it, can they do that at Anfield with the pressure we'll put on them? I'm not sure, still, they only need the 1st goal and we are in deep ****. They reminded me a bit of City not in style but in that their attack is to be feared but it also feels like you can shut them down and **** them on a good day.

Was most impressed with our reaction when they scored, usually you'd get penned in ya half at that stage, we went right back at them, should have scored and were comfortable for the rest of the match! Looking around there on twitter and **** there seems to be a load of bitter "Dortmund didn't try like they did v Spurs" drivel from the same people laughing at the draw saying we'd get smashed. It's funny how the likes of Dortmund, City, Chelsea etc don't seem to try v us, maybe we are doing something right or are just lucky. It might not be reflected in our league position yet but I think Klopp is doing an excellent job so far and I can't wait to see how good we are with a few more additions. We are becoming very, very hard to beat (unless we play Skrtel). Would be amazing to win this trophy and the bonus of CL football and about £50m extra with it would be lovely.

The atmosphere there is insanely overrated on that evidence. Maybe it'll be better in a more moody game with a few more in like v Schalke or Bayern but I found it tame and boring as ****. YNWA was good, they bounce around a bit but meh, not a patch on the Turk's or Lazio and Roma in full flow. The love in is getting on my ****ing wick aswell, it's good to have fun and a drink with the locals on ya travels, cool club, nice people, we dont need to hate everyone etc but these half and half scarves and that are ****ing embarrassing whatever team is on the other half.

Team on Sunday should be Ward, Flanno, Toure, Lucas (if fit, Ilori if not), Smith, Stewart, Brannagan, Tex, Ibe/Ojo, Firmino and Sturridge (or Origi if Dan is starting the 2nd leg) though I suspect we'll go as strong as we can. Very wary of that though, for all the talk of Stoke's improved football they are still a pack of animals.

[Maxiedge]

Mignolet is one of if not the absolute top priority replacement for me

I couldn't stand him a month ago but I think I'm starting to see his position a bit more diplomatically. He's not a keeper that will single handedly win games but he can do well in a functioning side; an attack that can score goals, a midfield that can retain the ball and a centre back pairing and back line that work well together. Personally, for now, I would hold judgement till end of season but if the bad mistakes creep back then would definietly replace.

I actually think if we just went all out and signed a player like Kante, that would be enough to see a massive improvement. Top 4 pretty much guaranteed.

[RedReet]

I couldn't stand him a month ago but I think I'm starting to see his position a bit more diplomatically. He's not a keeper that will single handedly win games but he can do well in a functioning side; an attack that can score goals, a midfield that can retain the ball and a centre back pairing and back line that work well together. Personally, for now, I would hold judgement till end of season but if the bad mistakes creep back then would definietly replace.

I actually think if we just went all out and signed a player like Kante, that would be enough to see a massive improvement. Top 4 pretty much guaranteed.

I made that mistake in his debut season. I felt bad criticising him so much when we were top of the league, so thought if we held on then I'd give him a by-ball. That was a mistake and it would be a big mistake not replacing him this summer.