the overall team preformance was just shockingly bad. It was one stupid mistake at the back that cost us the game but it was the lads in the middle of the park that cos us our dignity.
The lads in midfield had a shocker, all 6 of them. Yes, 6 because Dirk never stopped F***ing dropping too deep into midfield and leaving the final 3rd og the pitch empty. Lucas, Poulsen, Raul, Cole, Spearing and Kuyt could not pass or keep possession last night to save their lives. I lost count of how many times Braga had the ball, knocking it around and we would finally win it back, play 2 passes and the ball was lost again.
We can look at stats and chalkboards and whatnot but they mean sweet F**k all when you see the performance that the lads gave. Granted they can be used to back up a brilliant performance, but to try sweeten over a sh*t one, they mean sh*t. Not all the midfielders were as bad as each other, we all have our favourite or our least favourite and stick up for them more/slate them more retrospectively but as a collective they were terrible. Pass the F***ing ball to each other like. Singling out players in that performance is harsh I reckon, as they all should get equal amounts of stick. Not sure if any praise is deserved, stats or no F***ing stats.
There was F**k all movement whenever one of the lads picked up the ball deep, how the F**k are you supposed to pass to someone when there is nothing but static players ahead of you. You can't pass to statues. What happened to the brilliant attacking, free-flowing movement we saw against United?
Dirk Kuyt was F***ing terrible. If you are a lone striker, your job is to stay up top, work the centre-halves, work the channels, just work hard as you are the only player inthe final 3rd that is capable of doing damage or bringing other players into play. Dirk will work hard for us alright but that was his biggest downfall last night, he was working too hard. He kept dropping deep into midfield and pick up the ball, but then if he got it, who was up top? No-one. Who was the outlet ball to? No-one. IF the defence were in trouble and needed to hoof it forward? No-one. Obviously this all changed once Andy Carroll came on.
Overall the team, especially the midfield 6 was just sh*te and only Carroll really put in an shift of notice and the only shining light out of the fixture. Need to score twice now at home, that will be very happy to sit back and defend the whole 90 minutes. We seriously have to up our game for that, especially without Stevie.
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