Still think it's a start to improve on. I felt we wanted the result away from home and play with little risk
First games are always going to be a bit rough around the edges, no amount of pre season games prepare you properly. It's 3 points no huge issues and some encouraging performances. As good as can be expected at game 1.
Esp with 4 players being eased back in and one out. Firmino did well coming on. Fabinho was on cruise control. Henderson isn't ready (England's gift) and thiago is not fit. Robbo only a few weeks away with internationals to help. The midfield did OK and will be stronger next game, the forwards got a sighter and vvd got a run about properly. Deffo rough edges being knocked off quickly.
Anyone know what the homophobic chanting aimed at Gilmour was? Seems an odd one to pick on him, young kid, barely played any football, doesn’t seem to be a reason to pick on him? Not great from the fans (albeit im sure prob only a very small section)
No idea. Its low though and I hope the Norwich TV can identify culprits for the ban Apparently he was targeted before as well.
That’s the point. If someone gets accused of delusion and their prediction turned out to be true is this still delusion? Of course not. If someone says he believes that the team is good enough to win the title, is this delusion or shouting from the rooftops? The thought police on this board is unbelievable.
James Milner slaps for giving the ball away. https://site-cdn.givemesport.com/images/21/08/15/78ef8fb8304b74647e52b8e65d2579e8/650.jpg
Good result, but what an awful midfield 3. We really need Thiago, Henderson and Fabinho fit. More so we need a new midfielder
So turns out fans were signing chelsea rent boy at Gilmour. It’s apparently sung quite often at chelsea games so seems odd it’s suddenly picked up now as a homophobic chant by Liverpool fans. Not saying it’s not offensive, term rent boy is obviously derogatory but if gonna be outraged by it, press need to be outraged every time it’s sung. Not just one time it’s sang at a chelsea loan player
I'm glad that it has been highlighted, personally I think it's the same people who spout racism that come out with other types of abuse. It's not just our fans though it's widespread.
Well sounds like it’s sung at most chelsea games for years, as I say, doesn’t make it right. Just odd it’s been highlighted now and not before. As you say, good it has been, let’s see if it continues to be highlighted.
I thought the midfield was good. Naby especially was impressive. Ox was busy if unspectacular. Milner did well his milner thing. I'm unsure what people expect from our midfield, they close down and maintain shape, Henderson and thiago arnt going to change that. We looked better once fab had come on, but I wouldn't put that down to ox going off, much more having him at number 6 rather than milner. All in all I was inordinately pleased naby and ox made it through without breaking down. I'm unsure where the idea they are ****e has come from, ox was excellent until his injury and navy has shown he more than good enough on the rare occasions he's played. The unsure isn't quality it's fitness.
Our midfield is always tricky. No one can replace the tackling that Fabinho does so it’s easier for him to stand out in that regard. The rest as you say are mainly in the team to press, break up play and distribute the ball to the forwards or full backs. It’s hard to really shine in that aspect.
The midfield was decent, they did the job required. Plus its first game of the season so reading anything into players/performances isn't ideal. We will need them all over the course of the season. I do agree with Jaffa that we need another body in there though, the injuries will come.
The midfield was decent but there was a reasonable our % possession was so low. We struggled to get it through their lines and keep it. We also took few risks in paying quicker. Imo keita was good. Milner is not a no 6. He did alright but did better pushed up a bit. Ox imo was not as snappy as I wanted to see. He filled space but they found it just too easy to get out. Drop fabinho in there and that midfield improves 50% drop thiago in and the ability to get the ball through the lines increases. I'd keep keita in til he breaks for that high pressing stuff.
Ironically, Keita is supposed to be the player (and Thiago but he arrived later) to help us keep that possession.
If he is deployed higher up pressing then he is not there where milner was to pass and control? Anyway it's never the game style of failed wingers like ox and milner to be playmaker is it