This whole ‘more contact’ thing really annoys me. Like fine if that’s way want to go. But then you see defenders fall over near their own touchline under absolutely minimal contact, or a player back into another and fall over and it’s an instant free kick. If going to allow more physical contact then you can’t keep giving defenders stupid fouls for absolute nothing.
Oh I agree - Robbo isn't the only issue. But that left is a big structural issue which needs addressing. Better protection for Robbo will stop him from vacating his space and leaving gaps. Gakpo was a massive waste at LCM - he had been doing really well in the attack over pre season and it made no sense for him to start in midfield, especially when we had a Jones. Mac was very good - love his passing and work rate but he;s not a 6. He can play there in certain games but I'm looking forward to seeing in the 8 role. Trent was poor but we just couldn't get him in the game at all. With only 35% possession, he was unable to get on the ball in the central areas. The one time we did that, he created the chance for Mo's offside goal. But this was an overall problem with our build up - it's not measured. It's pure chaos - it's like we want to hit the hollywood pass all the time when in reality, if we're patient with our build up, we can play so much better - look at the first 20 mins. We need a Gini-esque midfielder who can just be an oulet and recycle possession. Then we need a LCB who is confident on the ball and can build from the back. Matip and Gomez's passing ability was so underrated and both were key in our build up .
yes we needed anyone to hold the ball for 30 seconds and get the pressure off and us up the park slightly. This is why i'm shocked at the salah apologists. "oh he'd score" every ball that went near him second half he was out paced for and he held up nothing. when we needed an out ball he didn't offer it and for me he might as well be hooked.
i've been moaning for years about those things and cannot understand how the refs haven't realised they are being conned -see the foul given against Szob that ledto Klopp having a Monty Python moment
This irritates me as much as anything else on a football pitch, and it's not just at the touch line either. There was one yesterday where Diaz is behind the defender who has possession, Diaz didn't touch him at all, just stood his ground. Defender is backing into him and as soon as he feels Diaz is there, goes down. Ref now instantly, ****
Maybe he takes his time to make sure it's a good choice? He'll do it quickly if the options there, just like with corners
That was absolutely ridiculous - the whistle was so late that it was just plainly obvious that it was never a foul - but he's won it back in far too dangerous a position for him not to blow up. Bottle job.
I was really annoyed at our own performance but now looking back and reading the comments, the officials were just atrocious. Combined with the incompetence we saw last night as well.
we need to get in tune and play the game. we went backwards and deep not onto front foot. James basically could play like a winger rather than be panicked about his junior rcb getting mauled. we don't foul cynically, or hardly at all. refs will let you have 10 fouls but not 1 single moan now. moan and insta yellow. kick someone to stop play? no issue.
Yep it's a shame because we started really well and played good football. Unfortunately, Enzo then woke up and dominated - he was class. Add a serious DM / ball winner to midfielder will not only improve that area of the pitch but it will improve Mac as he will get to go into LCM role as well. I hope the club will get a couple of signings over the line soon!
I understand and support giving bookings for asking for cards what I dont get is why that was negating the original tackle. Konate and whoever tackled Mac both deserved yellow cards but didnt get one because the player fouled asked for a card. Surely you can book for the foul and the asking for a card not one or the other.
imo these players can only do one thing now. honesty is simply not in any players dna. the only instruction that will sink in is to scream and roll about dramatically as you can't be booked for that. if you can't demand a yellow or say how many times ref any more than all you can do to gain advantage is to cheat even more. and they will