We were able to deal with the majority of long balls over the top because we had defenders who were great in the air but also had pace and had great positioning. We did start to get caught out by these long balls but VVD and co would still be able to deal with the large majority of this. By nullifying this threat, teams were forced to attack by others mean - either overcommitting men forward (which we would then counter) and score or try to play through us (good luck when we had Fabinho, Hendo and Gini blocking all the space). Our entire defensive stability has been compromised by the loss of VVD, Gomez and Matip. Defence is a unit and it was great unit when you had Ali, VVD, Gomez / Matip and Fab in front. We often talk about the gulf in quality when we have to drop one of the front 3 and bring in Origi but we've done the exact same at centre back and we've had to do it week in week out for most of the season. Kabak has been good tbf but he's still a young lad and then you have Phillips who simply is championship level. Now, none of this explains why the likes of Mane and Bobby are regressing. That is a separate issue but our attack is built on a solid defensive structure which allows us to commit men forward. If we're getting caught out my long balls over the top, it instantly puts us back under pressure.
It's glaringly obvious. Actually you can throw Ings and Lallana in there too. Since they left, the injury gods have had to look elsewhere. Although the effect on Salah is just down to Lovren.
We were so **** on so many levels in that first half. Can't see us overturning it with no fans but can still hope.
That first half was sickening but let's not forget our prior performances. We were on a mini run and started playing some decent football. Hopefully we can continue to build on it.
I've not been as angry after a game as I was after this one for a while, although I think Mcmanaman commentating had a big contribution to that #****
I've said for a long time that Macca's commentary drives me nuts. I find most commentators dreadful, tbh - and them reeling out an endless line of stats peppered by their own opinions rather than commentating on the action is really irritating. Macca's the worst of a rather bad bunch for me though - it's as though he's never watched a football game before and his rising inflections as he goes through increasing stages of incredulity really grates. I'd sooner have Rat-Boy any day (God forgive me).
The worst part from Tuesday's match was his insistence that what happened at the other end of the pitch (clear foul on Mane that should have seen a red card for the Real Madrid player) had no baring on us conceding a few seconds later Him claiming it wasn't a foul on Mane despite the defender looking at Mane, having zero attempt at winning the call and just barging Mane over wasn't great either
Did you notice he sort of went all Statler and Waldorf from 'It was never a foul', through "Okay yeah, it was clumsy, there was contact" to " Okay, he clearly fouled him and there was little effort to play the ball, but, er, er, other end of the pitch.." ? It's not the reason we got beat on Tuesday, and it could have been more. But as, presumably, that could have been a sending-off, I'm surprised nobody in the media made much of it at all. Then again, I'm probably not.
