Here are some assorted thoughts from the game from where I was sitting. Shelvey started the second half very brightly, was much better than Adorjan and Cole but once again, Cole started taking control on that side. It's a positive that he wants to succeed but if that's the level he's playing at... For example instead of letting Shelvey or Suso take the free kick (which they were discussing) he took it and promptly kicked it behind into the stands. That was our final attack wasted. I disagree that Sterling would need to go out on loan. It appears (from what I saw) that he has learned 80 percent of the skills needed to succeed. These 20 percent left can't be learned at lower level teams, on loan, or anywhere but with us. He really was a cut above the rest in the second half. Whenever he got the ball he knew exactly what he wanted, where to run, where to pass. Loaning a player out isn't magically making him better. It's passing the responsibility on to another club to take on their learning. Would you want Sterling to start training hoofball? He's only going to succeed at a few types of clubs, why not us? That's a year he's wasting without learning Rodgers style in and out and not getting used to his teammates. In the first half Pacheco was electric. Best player on the pitch and even impressed me more than Sterling. The entire stadium could tell that when he got the ball he could DO something with it. The Toronto defenders were confused how to defend against him as he kept variating from pass and move to an individual skill based game. He does need players to run up beside him however, he was largely isolated when he ran forward. He had good link up play with Enrique. Enrique was caught out a few times and he can't let himself get stripped of the ball in the Prem, one specific mistake he made would have led to a goal. Jones was solid. Overall we played too far back but you could see Rodgers style creeping in. Instead of pressing in the opponents half we sat too far back and didn't have any penetration. I'd like to see this fixed. It's understandable in the first full game in charge but we've got to play further up the pitch or we'll struggle to break down teams again.
Think Sterling could benefit from playing 20-25 games, which he won't get from us. Maybe a loan to Swansea or QPR.
Possibly but he doesn't need 20-25 starts. Give him starts in the Carling Cup and the Europa, that's got to be at least 15 games and keep him on the bench for half and hour here and there in the league. It's virtually the same for his development and it benefits us and him more than having to go through another year of breaking back into the squad. You're right though. Were he to go on loan I'd choose those clubs.
I mean as a sub or starting, if he was at Swansea he'd be third or fourth choice on the wing and would be guaranteed minutes replacing Sinclair or Dyer, and in basically all their cup games, surely. QPR will play decent football I imagine. Forgot about Europa, admittedly. He could stay and play Carling Cup/Europa League I suppose.
Pacheco did look good, but so did Sterling. Obviously we'll see more of these players in the next games. Promising.
Also would they want him? We can't just pick a club and tell them, oi, play our 18 year old please. QPR just signed about 200 new players so he'd not be getting much time there (they'd probably also rather focus on an academy player who stayed). Swansea have probably top 10 ambitions this season and being 4th choice doesn't seem as if it would really help him develop. Here he would be competing with Downing... So he'd have a very good chance of breaking into the squad.
Could Dani pachecos Beard have the same impact as Xabi Alonsos? Dont feel its quiet time for an 'I told you so yet!' But I religously followed Dani Pacheco at Rayo last year, and became a bit of a Rayo fan. They play a very good pressing game and really were the Swansea of La Liga last year. Just by training and getting a bit of game time with them last season will put him in a very good position for this season. Think he has had a change of attitude and will be a key member of our first team squad for next season. As i said, its far too early for I told you sos, but really good to see that Dani has the right attitude and is not finished with us yet...... Having Dani, Aquilani, Suso and Sterling coming into the first team squad is like having four top signings over the summer for me..... Really want him to go get him self a goal/assist and kick on from here.
At Rayo? Well he started well enough making regular appearances from the bench, which is all you would expect given his limited experience.....Then got injured around christmas which kept him out for a good two three months.....Towards then end of the season he started making sub appearances again, but it was too late in the season to start trying new things. Rayo were only promoted to La Liga last season and did very well for the most season and avoided relegation. One area that they do shine is in interceptions high up the field. In terms of pressing and interceptions the stats have them up the top end with the top teams and Dani will have learnt aslot from that. The addition of this to Danis game has made him a more complete player rather then just a skillful player with potential. Dani has gone full cicrle in the last few years...From nothing, to over hyped (sorry about that,) to warming benches, to being completely forgotten..... He now has a new opportunity, a new beard and as soon as I saw him sat in the front row at the first training session, I was sure he had changed mentally. Bitt of time in the wilderness does everyone good........I think tyhe reason Sterling may be going out on loan is down to Dani....A year at Rayo certainly dampened the hype and has made him a better player......
and if they ever find out what they are blessed with then they may be dangerous. Until then they remain deluded
Kopite the man upstairs must have had a soft spot for you lot, putting our North Walian brothers so close to liverpool.
