Having just got home & managing to avoid hearing the final score, I'm about to settle down and watch the game. Got a beer or two & thought I'd record my thoughts as I watched a game most have witnesses. Never really wrote a match report before and I apologize beforehand for waffling on.
Starting line up is ambitious, though I'm wondering how Jovanovic & Pacheco will play, I'm suspecting they'll play like inside forwards, pulling wide when the balls in the middle, cutting inside when it's on the opposite flank. An added bonus is that Cole can switch around with them at will (hopefully) and create a lot of space for Gerrard, Johnson & possibly even Lucas to maraud into. Unsure if we'll see Kelly bombing forward, but will be interesting to see how he copes at left back.
Well 9 minutes in, but my question about Kelly was answered fairly quickly and he has been up supporting Jovanovic and he looks more than comfortable at left back, though not a long term solution for me. Skrtel early on tried a couple of through balls that didn't come off, since then thankfully, he has kept it simple. Johnson has lost sight of the ball a few times whilst in defensive mode, but bringing the ball forward he has been a joy to watch, I've heard of tricky right wingers, but is Glen the only tricky right back in the world? Ngog looks like he has bulked up a little, though maybe that is just the widescreen, and hasn't just bounced off defenders. Apart from that, typical pre-season-ish affair, both sides being caught in possession fairly often, but not a bad game.
18 gone and we starting to control the game. Been some wonderful & inventive attacking passing, even if the majority of it hasn't come off as envisaged. Ngog spurned a glorious chance, to me it looked like he couldn't make his mind up between chipping or going around the keeper, needs to bemore ruthless. Commentators are chatting some ill-informed, read it in a paper, tabloid sh*te. I don't mind the slagging off if the facts are right, but they spout fallacies as truths. Liking the look of Jovanovic so far, dogged and a deft touch at times. A bit disappointed with the fans, most the players have lost possession poorly at times tonight, but a noticeable groan when Lucas loses possession for the first time - that's poor lads, very poor.
27 gone, completely in charge now. Ngog's leap for the goal was excellent and a great cross from Cole. Cole, Pacheco & Jovanovic are really starting to interchange well & Gerrard & Lucas's movements behind are giving far more options than we had last season. On a more comical note, any one see the player try & Rabotnicki palyer try and 'hug' Jovanovic and Jovanovic pushed him off and made a cheeky grab for his balls. Nice to see Carragher get his first crunching tackle in to.
36 gone, probably the drabbest part of the game so far. Been some nice one touch stuff involving Gerrad, Cole, Pacheco, Lucas & Jovanovic and a couple of good blocks by Carragher, but that's about it.
Half-time, well deserved penalty, nice take down by Ngog, who was then not so nicely taken down by the opposition. calmly slotted away by Gerrard. Ngog again shows why he needs a ruthless streak, should have taken that chance himself.
54 minutes gone, never a shot but Cole hits the woodwork anyway. Jovanovic made a lovely jinking run and gets away a good shot - he seems to bulldozer through challenges. Skretl has been dominant in the air thus far. Beautiful through ball by Lucas for Cole to get a testing shot away.
63 gone, Cole & Pacheco are linking up well, but with no end product. Aquilani on for Gerrard. Ngog gets up well for a header and our pressing game, when without the ball is impressive. Dullest 9 minutes so far.
72 gone, Kelly has done his chances no harm tonight and deserved something from his cross/shot. Maxi on for an impressive Jovanovic, Cole has another shot well saved & Lucas has bubbled along nicely tonight. Ngog gets up well again, but no direction to his header. Superb break down the right involving Maxi, Aquilani, Cole & Johnson, but it comes to nowt.
81 minutes gone Lucas off, Spearing on. Aquilani goes in hard and lives to tell the tale, wonders will never cease
.Lots of nice build upp play with little end product, Brilliant sliding block to prevent Maxi from scoring.
Full-time It seems the fates are conspiring to prevent Cole from scoring and a last minute defensive clearance sees Kelly further improve his chances for a 1st team call up. All in all, a good performance, if still a little pre-season-ish.
Cavalieri - 6, had nothing to do.
Johnson - 5, good going forward but I'm deducting two points for that ponytail.
Kelly - 8 Ready for the first team now.
Carragher - 6, had nothing to do.
Skrtel - 7, won every aerial ball.
Lucas - 7, saw a glimpse of something tonight.
Gerrard - 7, good movement.
Jovanovic - 7, impressed me tonight, useful looking player.
Cole - 8 MoM for me
Pacheco - 6, you can see the potential, but didn't do much.
Ngog - 6, hot and cold, needs to be more ruthless.
Subs
Aquilani - 6, solid and really started to show in the last 5 minutes.
Maxi - 6, couple of neat touches.
Spearing - 5, didn't really see him after he came on.
