Alan Hansen commented that we have too many players that look good when the going is good but when we're up against it we're relyant on one or two. Tonights game only cemmented his comments as pretty much fact.
Take nothing away from Gerrard that was truly inspirational stuff from the Liverpool captain it really was.
Yet it shouldn't take away the fact that Roy is out of his depth tactically at LFC with the first half highlighting this and it shouldn't take away the fact we have too many players who are not able to work as a team and dig themselves out of the s.hit. And this isn't all Roy's doing I'm afraid it's been this way for a while but with him in charge we look even more desperate for someone like Gerrard or Nando to pull the team through.
I hope Henry wasn't fooled by the result in the end, as a new man to football it could be quite easily perceived that he is now caught up in the euphoria of the win and loses focus over the fact that Gerrard has papered over the cracks.
My player ratings:
Reina 6 - Was kept busy in the first half and did well, he couldn't have done much more about Napoli's goal and was a virtual spectator in the second half.
Johnson 6 - Didn't have a good first half (like many of his teamates) looked a little low on confidence at first. Perhaps could have attacked Poosen's assist better for their goal when the ball was on the bounce. Second half he was better as he was the only player in our side to offer genuine width and ran at their defence.
Carragher 6 - When the chips were down in the first half he looked to knock it long too often for my liking. Defensively was solid and never really put a foot wrong, made a very good challenge in the second half.
Soto -7 Pretty solid throughout, had a couple of positional moments of adversary in the first half but never really put a foot wrong. He looked composed in defence and solid in the tackle. He is a real goal threat from set-pieces too, something we've lack in recent years, though I hope Roy doesn't rely on this kind of gameplan to win us matches because we're unable to play football. Soto's threat should be treated as a bonus because that is what it is.
Konchesky- 6 Sturdy game defensively, I don't remember the bald fella doing too much wrong in this aspect of his game, though there is certainly room for improvement regarding his passing, doesn't offer a great deal of threat down the flank like Johnson but can whip in a cross or two. He did okay for me tonight.
Shelvey- 5 It's the first time Jonjo has dissapointed me in a red shirt I thought he had quite a poor game by his set standards, his passing was wayward which didn't help when we needed to build up attacks.
Spearing - 5 Him and Poosen were dicated to in the first half by Napoli's midfield, in the second half he showed that he didn't have what it takes to 'step up' and take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Poosen - 5 Didn't help Spearing even with all that experience and arguably made life hard for Spearing and his teamates, wasteful in possesion and constantly looked to play sunday league balls over the top from to n'gog only to conceed possesion. His biggest contribution to the game was the helping hand he had in their goal.
Meireles - 4 For me this bloke was the biggest dissapointment of the night (even worse than Poosen!). His touch was dreadful it really was and he was wasteful in possesion, not one of his better nights. He is exactly the kind of player we need to spark inspiration into the team when Gerrard or Torres aren't playing, instead he inspired frustration.
N'gog - 5 When a side like we are at the moment isn't producing enough chances it's imperative your strikers take what opportunities come along, he had at least two good chances, one in the first half where he should have used his left foot when through on goal, and the second half chance where Meireles played it back to him. Continues to frustrate, not good enough although his service at times was non-exsistant.
Gerrard - 9 You really couldn't ask him to do more in 45 minutes of football, legend, footballing genius are terms to be associated with him and his performance tonight.
Lucas - 6 Did well and showed tenacity for Gerrards third goal.
Eccleston - 6 Did quite well considering and actually looked to take a man on.
Note: I think Hodgson has 'limelight syndrome' where because he is now manager of a big club he can rest his star players like the other top sides. But when he does this only serious questions are asked, he's never had the opportunity or luxury of resting players like Nando, and on current for he still doesn't have that luxury. Torres should have at least been on the bench tonight, I would have started him and played him for 60 mins and then brought Gerrard on in the second half, so both got a game. Good knows Torres needs the confidence to his game right now and if the chances N'gog had fell to Torres it may have been the perfect tonic to get his confidence up. Instead Roy left him out, and when N'gog got the knock he could oly bring on another surprise surprise ... central midfielder, if that doesnt show a lack of planning and forethought into his selections I don't know what will.
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