Match Day Thread Proper football is almost here! PRESEASON TIME!

Never mind...

 

Well, that was a good performance against a strong Napoli side!!

I know we keep doing this to ourselves but Sturridge could be the ultimate impact player off the bench. Forget his speed and running, it’s his ability ON the ball which is top class. His passing and vision are really underrated and I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays in a deeper role.

Keita is just class. The PL isn’t ready for him.

Alisson had some shaky moments but overall decent. His distribution was Reina-esque. So calm and composed on the ball.

Shaqiri is continuing to impress with each match - playing in the central role. Could prove to be a great signing.

Fabinho is getting to grips with the new style but he’s been solid. I’m sure he will continue to grow in the role because he’s one of the best DM’s in the world - something we’ve lacked since Mash.

Love how this team is evolving - our recent signings are first and foremost brilliant on the ball. Even Alisson is more comfortable on the ball than hendo! It’s great to see

 

This team is evolving into quality technicians (sound bite from Rodgers!).

Alisson was playing balls into our central midfielders (Gini and Fab) who were marked but he still expected them to control and turn on the ball.

Hendo can’t do this - he’s slow on the turn unless he has acres of space and ****s himself whenever pressed and ends up passing backwards.

 

yeah but Hendo is the more more likely to actually a hold a shot so perhaps he should be the GK.

 

This fair or a hatchet job by Sky...

 

He played well enough for debut and pre season ....

Tbh that sounds reasonably accurate couple of ooof moments and couple of oh yeah baby moments without having to make any world class saves or anything

 

I hope Allison has a strong start as he's going to be under massive scrutiny, it's not just the price tag, it's like people are waiting for him to make a blunder so they can compare him to Karius.

 

I'm keeping an open mind. I have no preconception about him. I'm not assuming he will be great for the price nor am I assuming he will flop.

If he does flop I will be annoyed that we spent so much on him instead of getting other players... But I will ultimately judgement him on his performances at our club.

 

I am hoping and think he will be a bit like Reina. Fantastic distribution and player with some good saves in him, but also the odd mistake.

 

As a stinker, Karius comes back in and has a worldie season...

 

If he makes a mistake, I reckon the press will be all over him, and there are always the idiots and knee jerkers who will jump on his back straight away.

Every keeper has a mistake in him, I just hope he's given time to bed in before he gets any grief.

 

Grobbs and De Gea are good examples of that happening in the past too

 

De Gea looked tripe in his first half season if I remember rightly, he had the opposite problem of following some excellent keepers though.

 

Completely pointless #summary. He was constantly receiving the ball, inviting opponents to come forward, then finding a teammate with a good pass.

 

Reina was like a performing seal for some time after he first arrived.

 

I've been impressed with all our new signings. Alisson maybe a bit nervy in his first game because all eyes were on him but did remarkably well. Fabinho and Keita are classy; Shaqiri strong on the ball. On the other hand, Solanke and Origi aren't improving at all and both are very poor decision makers.

 

solanke isn't up to it. nice lad though.

origi is lazy. he isn't committed to it so it shows.

hopefully origi and ings tenure will be over in next 3 days.

 

Loan moves maybe unless there's been a lot of paddling beneath the surface.

 

He certainly sealed up the goal better that Dudek or those that came after him.

 

Cant badmouth dudek. That reaction save in Extra Time was incredible. It never really gets mentioned or looked at but to put it over the back from there was crazy. Then the pens he did what he needed.