Ok Stevie has gone, let's try and move on
What on earth was that performance yesterday?
Beaten 1-3 at Anfield by Crystal Palace, who, despite 2 dodgy goals, fully deserved their victory. Let's not forget they blasted against the bar too and should have scored at least another goal first half.
I hear people go on about how the players couldn't even get up for Stevie's last match, that they look like they can't be bothered. I honestly don't see that. I just think we were poor because we were poor. A few observations as I see it
Gaffer has to stop picking Lovren, who had his worst game for us (and he's had a few). Truly terrible defender
Can is not a defender and his decision making proves that. His runs and energy through midfield are promising and with Steive gone, surely he has to have his chance there.
Moreno never made a single tackle all game. I don't think he's a wingback and I don't like the wingback formation because it asks too much of those who play in that position. It's gruelling playing there for 90 minutes.
Similar with young Ibe. He's looking lost and isolated so far wide and his body language is starting to worry me (that's right, I'm a body language expert
); he's never a wingback
I think it's time the Gaffer had the courage to stop picking Sterling because he's in such shockingly poor form. I'd honestly drop him against Stoke and start sending out messages to the players that he's the boss (possibly wouldn't send those messages out in envelopes though)
Just stop playing wingbacks - every goal (and pen) we conceded was a direct result of threats coming at us down the flanks. Bolasie blasted us all game and even Zaha scored and seemed to enjoy running at us for the short time he was on. Wingbacks aren't working.
Twice in a row the Gaffer has taken off Lallana when he's clearly been the only player looking like he should stay on the pitch. But then, mostly all season the Gaffer's substitutions have been quite poor. That said, you take one look at our bench and it looks like we've actually gone backwards since spending over £100m last summer.
On that subject, please no messing about in the summer transfer months; a top class player to replace Gerrard is now demanded
So many crosses into the box for 5' 6" Sterling doesn't work
If Soton, Spurs and Swans win and we lost to Stoke - we finish 8th, and if this slump carries on, I really do worry about our next season