Our biggest issues are Skrtel and Lovren. They are both equally liabilities. I wanted to think that Lovren had improved, but more than likely it was just that he wasn't really tested. Neither of them were able to organize the defense, neither can communicate, and both made detrimental mistakes (which is bound to happen with the two of them back there).
Skrtel is defended by many and he's had some quality games with us, but on the whole he's consistently too edgy to be a top club's center back. He looks good at times with his sliding clearances and timely headers, but he's a walking liability in my opinion. Would really like to see Ilori and Sakho given a game back there together at some point with Lucas in front of them. Understand that's a bit knee-jerk, but this game was a little too reminiscent to last season for comfort.
Next is the fact that our team is yet to adjust to Benteke's style of play. Can't blame him for much today, he was doubled up all day and not only could our midfielders not find him, but they were clueless to the fact of: if he's doubled, then someone else must be open. He's a good striker, certainly capable of bagging goals, but needs to get the right service, and our team looks completely incapable of providing it up to now.
Brendan needs to wake up and smell the coffee and he needs to do it quick, I was positive until this result due to the fact that we were still bagging the points, but the play this far really hasn't been worthy of note.
Logged