I would like to point out that any comments I make about players that are negative, are not a reflection on there overall performance, but are my thoughts on how they can improve further. As for my views on who should be in the starting lineup, again that is not me saying so and so is better than him, or that I would make a better manager, it’s just my opinion and if you ask nicely I will go in to detail and explain. Feel free to argue my choice but don’t ever call me “a so called fan”!
Now for the Wolves game and wow what a difference. We are now seeing the influence of good player management and an emphasis on movement off the ball. The first 20 minutes where still nervy by the Reds, but once we got the running off the ball going, it helped push back Wolves and gave our Midfield a bit more time on the ball, we could knock it about and create some space in behind. Last week I had a moan about Spearing and Lucas, my main gripe was working out who was holding. I’m gutted I we did not see Spearing again this week, but Lucas was awesome running off the ball and supporting Raul and Torres, so will it be Lucas replaced Gerrard, or Gerrard coming in at the holding position instead of Spearing or Poulson? Personally now I would like to see Gerrard come back in where he made his name and keep Lucas as the support player. Yes I know that’s a bit of u-turn, but I also said last week that Lucas is a far better player when given licence to go forward, especially his link work around the box.
In the second half we let Wolves back into the game, by sitting back and not getting in there faces when they had the ball, we were 2-0 up and letting them have a go at us. At least when we did win the ball back and finally put a foot through it and cleared, the whole team followed it out, from that we had some good breaks, but also relieved the pressure. What I would like to see more of though in the coming weeks is more possession. We do not need to get forward so quickly all the time, use the width and patience, pull them out and create space for the off the ball movement!
I would like to hear what you think of Skrtle at the moment, to me he looks very unsure, slow and a liability at time. Against Everton and Wolves I was worried about players getting 1 on 1 with him, he also does not look great in the air. Is it just me or should Kyri be in alongside Agger?
YNWA
Personally i think skrtel has been struggling this season and for me he is a liability at the back. He looks unsure about everything he does and i agree i think we would be much firmer at the back with agger and kiri. Might take them a few games but i think they would be a far better partnership for us.
neither Kyri or Skirtel are fit for purpose.Lets hope both are shown where the exit is
James it makes a refreshing change to see someone who is willing to explain their comments and for that i take my hat of to you i agree it would’ve been nice to see Spearing in the starting 11 instaed of Poulsen although i don’t think he had a bad game its just after staring the Everton game i think it would’ve boosted the lads confidence to know he did enough to warrant another start in Gerrards absence. Skertl at the moment seems to have lost a little of what he’s had over the last 2 years i thin it’ll come back but he is a bit of a liability at present maybe give Wilson a try he’s played first team football at Rangers which included Champpions League so i think he could handle it would like to say how nice it was to have a saturday night when the reds had won away and in good style
We have 2 good cbs they are carra n kelley, kelley is phenomonal at rb though
honestly i am more unsure about Kyri than Skrtel, of course i definitely want Carra back soon, but maybe kenny will give some chance to wilson ?
Hey m8. With.the skrtle thiing. I think he misses the guiding presence of carra constantly keeping him in check. Unfortunately for him i see him now as 3rd choice cb under kenny with agger and carra as the main pairing. Also kyrgiakos is nearly only any good in the air. As soon as its around his feet he is average at best. Also expect young danny wilson to get the nod ahead of sotiros as kenny is outspokenly keen on him and other ball playinh centre halves such as wilson and agger
To me, our midfield situation is obvious. Lucas should be the primary holding midfielder. Gerrard should play the attacking role behind Torres. When he plays further back, he is less effective and gets buried in the game. Even when playing for England, he is more effective playing higher up the pitch. Miereles should play in more of a central position. Being given the liberty to make some of those great forward runs and also disrupt the opponents flow in the center of the pitch, as he is a solid defender. He reads the game well. I’m glad he finally put one in! Lucas and Raul are getting some good chemistry in the midfield. Its still not the same as having Mascherano and Alonso, but it could get to that point.
As for Skrtel, I can’t wait for Carra to get back. Agger and Carra should be our two centre-halves. I’d still go with Skrtel over Kyrgiakos. Kyrgiakos has a tendency to make really stupid challenges; he needs to stay on his feet more. I’d also like to see Wilson get some action before the season is over.
Our defense has been leaking too many goals since Roy abandoned the zonal marking system that Rafa utilized. Zonal marking wasn’t perfect, but as a whole I think it is a better defensive philosophy to use in the EPL.
Well if we are thinking where Gerrard will play then what will be the case if we land Adams ? But i guess that wilk good dellima . And for soto i think both of then are worrying remeber blackburn second goal and how they player held the ball and turned against soto and scored
i have never been 100 confident in soto skrtel is way better than him but skrtel himself hasnt been solid enough he’s cost us so many matches,i think by the time king drills him he would be better off..play raul in the centre of the park allowing him freedom to make forward runs and joining our attacking front,raul is a box to box player he’s never tired of running,having steven g playing a free role in the hole right behind torress but i hope stevie wouldnt be manmarked as it has previously been done to him by opponents in the past thereby nullifying stevie’s input to the game
Skrtel has been a liability for over a year now. Don’t have the numbers, but wouldn’t be surprised if he was a direct cause for over half our goals against this season. Absolutely horrible.
Actually think a CB is more in need than a wide player this transfer window but haven’t heard any rumours at all. -gutted-
Carra and Agger will do for this season when he comes back, but even Carra is human and getting old. Maybe getting S. Kjær in would be a smart move. Exchange w/Babel at Hoffenheim.
Skrtel better than soto any day but agger has been terrific maybe Wilson and agger would be a good pair but kelly playing great at rb he should be a worldclass player in future
Personally I think the midfield will see Lucas as the deepest sitting player, Meireles occupying a position a little further forward and then Gerrard taking up a spot where he can easily push ahead and occupy the space between the opposition’s defense and midfield lines. In my mind Gerrard is a superior player to Meireles in this position. He’s a better passer in the final third and offers more in terms of his movement and link up play.
Meireles can operate more centrally and have the opportunity to start the plays and then push on, in something of a Xabi’ish role (clearly not as deep as Xabi is often played).
All three will have license to make forward runs, with one simply making sure that he holds back to provide cover. It’s the way to ensure that all three can play while also taking advantage of each one’s attacking potential.
Come on lads, Lets not forget how immense Skrtel was for us in the past. The boy has quality and is a proper hard man defender. His confidence is a bit low, what with Woy going on about how our squad is crap and all, and Martin is out of form but I’m sure that’ll change. He’s physically built for the EPL. I think right now Kenny is focusing on getting Nando, Raul and the lot up front straightened out and he’ll defo work on Skrtel. He’ll be back to his best
Badd Thadd, first what a name! Fair enough you say Gerrard is ineffective even for England when holding, but he is still better than most midfielders in that position (though a couple of times a season he would play a silly back pass.). I would rather see a good player hold ad have 2 guys going forward who can do the job, not 2 mids who look uncomfirtable under pressure in a conjested midfield scrap. At worst we see Lucas drop back and Gerrard will be link to Meriles and Torres!
@james barlow – I don’t understand why you would want Meireles playing in behind Torres. He’s not that type of player and certainly lacks the creativity and attacking edge that Gerrard possesses in such a role. Meireles has always played his best football as a central midfielder where his stamina, passing range and added defensive capabilities can aid the team.
He’s only scored 12 goals in all competitions (including national team games) since 2005, and while he’s capable of brilliant strikes, he’s nowhere near Gerrard’s finishing ability.
As I said, I expect the three central players to be fairly fluid in their ability to push forward or shift back defensively. I still think that Gerrard will be at the tip of the triangle though.