Im a bit surprised at how happy everyone is. Now I dont want to be a grump so Ill break my post up into positives and negatives from the game. Start with the positives
1)Most obvious was winning. With 8 minutes to go it didnt look likely but in fairness to our boys if one of the other big 3 won that way wed be told how great the fighting spirit is and how they believe theyre never beaten well our lads won today like that so credit there
2) Robbie Keane looks like hes growing more into his game. Linked well at times with nando and was unluckey that some things didnt come off for him
3) El Zahr. Wanted to run at boro with the ball and I believe if he gets a run of games can cause trouble on the wing
Now the negatives
1) Passing at times was embarrasing even Alonso was woeful at times. Needs to be sharpened up if were hoping to challenge. Also why do we insist on hoofing long balls out of defence at times? Pogatetz and Huth would have loved that. If theres nothing on carry the ball out until someone is in a position to take a pass
2) set pieces. Pathetic to put it simply. How many corners dont clear the 1st man? Huge improvement needed here
3) Players form. Arbeloa stinking again Rafa may need to rethink his leaving out of Finnan. Yossi was great pre season but poor the last 2 games that count and its not good enough for a team hopng to win titles
4) Crowd. At times seemed very quiet today especially when team needed them the most. All well and good singing when we score but what about when things arent going well thats when the singing and encouraging is needed
We Won! So everyone's happy.
Benanyun is a brilliant players that makes incursions into the opponent's defence. But he is being played way out of position.
Our defence was often susceptible to their counter attack because, Sketel was trying to attack too often. He is adding this to his game in order to compete with Agger and Hyypia. That exposed us a bit. Not his usual game.
Passing. At times we become complacent. Gerrard & Alonso had balls taken off them that shouldn't have been taken.
You missed a key point Brian. Crappy Refereeing. How many penalties did he ignore? 2 - 3 infringements against Torres? and 1 - 2 against Gerrard?. That was totally Biased refereeing.
When Mascherano returns, we will probably change formation and the defence wont be under so much pressure. Having Alonso and Mascherano as defensive midfielders will reduce the pressure on our dear Reina. He was brilliant today too.
« Last Edit: Aug 23, 2008 07:59:49 pm by solodee »
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