Morning all, Hope everyone had a good weekend. It's been a fairly decent start to our campaign - 3 wins and 4 good performances. However, my concern is our inability to really kill the game when we're in control. We've seen it against Wolves, Arsenal (we were in control but it took us a while to get that goal), Stoke (we had the chances but didn't take them) and Sunderland. I wonder why this is? Fitness Levels - Perhaps we are unable to maintain our high tempo especially with the likes of Carroll and Adamn who seem to be really slow. Suarez has played a lot of football as well and he presses quite high up the pitch. Poor Finishing - It's clear that we've had chances but just simply wasted them. I'm hoping that it's just down to bad luck as opposed to lack of composure and ability. Nerves - It's quite a common theme that our second half performances drop considerably - I remember under Hodgson where wins were scarce and we would become so nervous once we took the lead. Perhaps we haven't completely shaken this off? Interested in any other reasons as to why we can't put the game to bed early.
I can think of another reason. We've had an influx of new players and it takes time for those new players to gel as a cohesive unit. They have to get used to one another.
You could argue that players need to get to know each other but I don't buy that......we should of won 5 from 6.....we've created the chances; a sign that the team is already gelled to some degree....we're just finishing poorly...that's all....but we need to stop being so wasteful because as with Sunderland and Stoke, it will cost us points.
Another possible reason is that there may be a lot more pressure on the strikers because of our leaky defence. In recent times (mainly Rafa and Houllier era), we could score one and that would be enough to win the game.
We need a proper finisher in our team. Like Fowler used to be, or Torres used to be. Just someone on the shoulder of the last defender and always in the box waiting for a chance to score. Carroll isn't a natural goalscorer, and he always drops deep, same with Suarez.
Finishing a chance I believe has nothing to do with gelling. With strikers like Fowler,Owen and to some extent Torres you expected a one on one situation to lead to a goal. Right now we don't have that natural finisher. As much as Suarez has the skills to beat his marker as well as the movement, he can be wasteful. United have Chic pea, Man City have Aguero. Unless Carroll decides to find his scoring boots we will struggle to kill teams off. Maybe with Gerrard back we can have more options to score goals from other outlets.
Bellamy?? I agree about finishing teams off, I think it will only be a matter of time before we start smashing teams, we've just got to start clicking in the final third as everything is there
It could be something simple like a lack of leadership in the centre of midfield. Gerrard isn't the most vocal but he leads by example. I reckon as soon as he's in the centre of midfield he will knit things together at both ends of the pitch.
I think EMF has hit the nail on the head. It's simply an issue of leadership. And whether your 'leader' is vocal or not, he leads by sheer presence and by example. That's really what we've missed with Stevie G being injured. It's also why Arsenal will remain in the doldrums for some while yet; and why I believe Spurs (with Scotty Parker) WILL be threat this season, notwithstanding 'Arry's own shortcomings as a manager. As an aside, there was a lot of bleating over the weekend about the Suarez 'Bottlegate' incident. I hope he does it every game he gets pulled off - because he gives a ****. And that's why I want to see Bellamy and Kuyt starting more games ahead of Hendo and Carroll - sheer focus and commitment for me, every time. GKRK.
Comment of the day. In certain games you need as many characters as you possibly can. Some people call them gee-er uppers. Liverpool have Gerrard, Carragher, Kuyt and Bellamy, Bellamy may be a loose cannon but when he's in the sort of form he was in last wednesday, theres no bloody stopping him. He was definitely my man of the match. Suarez is of a similar ilk, the lad never stays still, he's like a bull in a china shop. The reason why he gets the hump because he's subbed is not because he's arrogant, and I've seen players like that ie James Milner who got the hump when subbed, even though he was anonymous. It was like ''I'm James Milner, I'm an England international how dare you sub me''. If you performed James, you wouldn't be subbed. With Suarez its different, he got annoyed because he wanted to keep going. He gets told that he's going to be rested and he goes beserk and Kenny has no choice but to play him. He's a character and he cares, and thats what makes him so special.
Was thinking about this subject this afternoon actually. I don't think it's one single reason as many have stated, one thing I will say and it will sound strange - but I think it was a good thing that we didn't get the third goal on Saturday. This would have instilled a confidence through the team that we can infact hang on if needs be. Getting gerrard fit and back in that midfield will also do wonders for everyone. YNWA
the reasons proferred above are all good points. I think that away from home first of all we are inhibited and scared almost and it has been that case for 3 years. even with different players! i don't get it but FEAR that there are a few players who transcend the period. namely skertl and carragher. i FEAR our CBs are making the whole side defensively minded and scared to commit forward. Confidence since 09 and those victories v utd and real has been low.... fitness is certainly an issue..... but most of all i think the demands o nthe players are not where they need to be. simply put utd's manager demands every week the same home or away... arsenal are falling apart as thier manager doesn't.... rafa used to demand it but he went loco.... i hope kenny will demand ultimate effort and urgency to score each game cos to be frank i couldn't give a flying F what they do in training. when they play a game they are earning their 90k+ and had better put the bloody effort in. They've had thier one and only "bad day" already... to me if they do that again they can be rightly booed off the park. adam and skertl let everyone down but downing and others were dross on the day as well.
