The little things that managers love that miss the highlights

[tomasjj]

I find it highly ironical that Mascher gets lauded for his defensive work, where as Xabi gets slated for not doing the wonderful 50 yard passes to the same extent as he did the first season(before teams had him man marked to stop our play...), in addition his ever improving defensive work that he does every match he plays.

But this is not just about Xabi and the quality of the other great midfielders we have at our disposal.

I might be judgemental here, but I feel much of the work Alonso does off the ball defensively, his tackling, positioning and intelligent short passing does go unnoticed by a fair share of fans who lack some insight into the finer points of the game we all love. Arrogance on my part some might say, I don't care.

These same fans appear to me to be blinded by the more visibly pleasing football attributes and actions - I blame Sky pundits and highlights and C.Ronaldo for deceiving the young showpony step-over generation. There is more to football than what appears on the highlights or even on TV, as the cameras can’t show the whole field.

The same lack of appreciation was often shown Henchoz, who made Sami look even better than he is, and Hamann who could mop up like no one else.
Nowadays, to a lesser extent, some of Kuyt's brilliant work also suffers in this respect.

[Shaggy]

Certainly agree re Alonso. Tactically and positionally he is immaculate and extremely disciplined. He is our metronome.

[Nic83]

I find it highly ironical that Mascher gets lauded for his defensive work, where as Xabi gets slated for not doing the wonderful 50 yard passes to the same extent as he did the first season(before teams had him man marked to stop our play...), in addition his ever improving defensive work that he does every match he plays.

But this is not just about Xabi and the quality of the other great midfielders we have at our disposal.

I might be judgemental here, but I feel much of the work Alonso does off the ball defensively, his tackling, positioning and intelligent short passing does go unnoticed by a fair share of fans who lack some insight into the finer points of the game we all love. Arrogance on my part some might say, I don't care.

These same fans appear to me to be blinded by the more visibly pleasing football attributes and actions - I blame Sky pundits and highlights and C.Ronaldo for deceiving the young showpony step-over generation. There is more to football than what appears on the highlights or even on TV, as the cameras can’t show the whole field.

The same lack of appreciation was often shown Henchoz, who made Sami look even better than he is, and Hamann who could mop up like no one else.
Nowadays, to a lesser extent, some of Kuyt's brilliant work also suffers in this respect.

Hear hear.

Great post. I also rated Henchoz even higher than Hyypia too. He was a colossus at the back for us getting in front og anything and everything.

[Fubar]

well said. i swear if hadnt of taken me so long to read carheex's ridiculous thread i would have posted this. Xabi is an amazing footballer who deserves so much more credit than the (minority of) mindless t!ts give him

[Tee]

I think it would be interesting to see Xabi and Mascher playing - Mascher playing the more defensive whilst Xabi is pushed another 10 yards forward. There is more to Xabis attacking game IMO than we have seen.

[Jazzmaster]

Very good point. Tv coverage tends to laud only the spectacular dynamic happenings on the pitch, whereas anyone know knows the game realises that these is an awful lot done by some players that is never pointed out by the pundits. Although i must say Johnny Giles on RTE is good at doing this from time to time.

[sonsofthedesert]

Great post mate, need Carheex to read it and try to understand now.

[The_weatherman]

I think it would be interesting to see Xabi and Mascher playing - Mascher playing the more defensive whilst Xabi is pushed another 10 yards forward. There is more to Xabis attacking game IMO than we have seen.

I think that Xabi is not dynamic enough to pose a real attacking threat, unless Gerrard would be playing as well on the wing or in front os those two. Agree with the first poster though

[Darth Marty]

We all have favourite players, myself included, but what I really care about is that Liverpool Football club is succesfull. We now have the strength in depth and its not any of our jobs to keep the players happy, thats what Rafa is for.
I am ecstatic that we have started off so brightly and long may it continue!
Lets keep all the players I say!!

[Gordy Boy]

Xabi would walk into any other midfield in the Premier League.

[anfieldanfield]

Certainly agree re Alonso. Tactically and positionally he is immaculate and extremely disciplined. He is our metronome.

Which means **** all defensively when an opposition uses a bit of pace or a sharp turn to skip past Xabi as though he's not there.

[Shaggy]

Which means **** all defensively when an opposition uses a bit of pace or a sharp turn to skip past Xabi as though he's not there.

No it doesn't mean "**** all defensively" at all. You've cited one out of about 100 possible examples.

[Redlife]

I find it highly ironical that Mascher gets lauded for his defensive work, where as Xabi gets slated for not doing the wonderful 50 yard passes to the same extent as he did the first season(before teams had him man marked to stop our play...), in addition his ever improving defensive work that he does every match he plays.

But this is not just about Xabi and the quality of the other great midfielders we have at our disposal.

I might be judgemental here, but I feel much of the work Alonso does off the ball defensively, his tackling, positioning and intelligent short passing does go unnoticed by a fair share of fans who lack some insight into the finer points of the game we all love. Arrogance on my part some might say, I don't care.

These same fans appear to me to be blinded by the more visibly pleasing football attributes and actions - I blame Sky pundits and highlights and C.Ronaldo for deceiving the young showpony step-over generation. There is more to football than what appears on the highlights or even on TV, as the cameras can’t show the whole field.

The same lack of appreciation was often shown Henchoz, who made Sami look even better than he is, and Hamann who could mop up like no one else.
Nowadays, to a lesser extent, some of Kuyt's brilliant work also suffers in this respect.

Sensible and reasoned. I'm not sure it belongs on the internet.

[Pacman]

Which means **** all defensively when an opposition uses a bit of pace or a sharp turn to skip past Xabi as though he's not there.

But you don't like it when Rafa plays 2 defensive midfielders?

[Nic83]

Which means **** all defensively when an opposition uses a bit of pace or a sharp turn to skip past Xabi as though he's not there.

His positioning can make up for his lack of pace ALA Senor Hyypia.