I think Assaidi should be playing more - didn't much of the ball today to be fair to him. Cole didn't do a lot wrong either but I wouldn't be picking him. I think youngsters have done all they can. Wisdom and Suso were very good again. Sterling had good moments but lacks that final ball I feel. Defence were shaky but did well. Suarez was wasteful but still creates a bundle of chances out of nothing. Sahin was quiet. For me - Gerrard is the problem. He plays in a central position, so everything will go through him. Stifles our attacks, tries the ambitious ball far too for often and we don't get a return. I know we lost against Udinese - but did you see the flowing football we played? The only way Gerrard won't play is if he is injured.
Cole did nothing but give the ball away after he came on, and I am not just saying that because it was Cole either
showing true class there dirty frank unfortunately for you theres 11 others like you representing your team at the moment
According to Opta stats, Joe Allen gave the ball away or lost possession 6 times today, Gerrard gave it away 36 times! Needs to be dropped for Shelvey next game.
Yeah, because the top of the league is where we aim to be this season and should totally be used as the gadge
Well done, you pointed out my grammatical error. Again you continue with the insults, I wonder whether you'd call me a prick for saying Suarez dived in real life? I somehow doubt. I think you'll find that wasn't my first post in the match thread so maybe you should get your facts right before spouting ****e? Are you just a little hurt because we're well and away above you in the league? enjoy the championship.
With Gerrard playing that high up, it's inevitable that he will give the ball away more times than Allen who sits deeper. But losing the ball 6x more than Allen? Says it all really. If BR has the balls, drop Gerrard, play Suso alongside Sahin and Allen with Assaidi on the wing.
I know what you mean... What kind of person would cast their vote after the game anyway. For the upcoming match threads, I shall try & set up the poll so that it closes just before kick-off or somwhere around that time.
It was his constant attempt at the hollywood ball that was the problem. Now, fair enough, we needed a goal so he was throwing it in there but for who? Suarez? Assaidi? Cole? Sterling? They are not going to beat the Stoke defenders in the air!!!!! We play "tika-taka" football and that means pass, pass and pass some more until an opening appears, not hoof it into the box
Not doubting it, just thought the percentages would tell a better story. As someone else said, since Gerrard was playing further forward you would expect him to "give it away" more but not six times more
Exactly - it was the wrong tactic to employ. It shows that Gerrard lacks intelligence in my opinion and he is seriously struggling in this system. He even said himself that he will not play short easy passes just to please BR or to be top of the pass completion charts.
Top of the league should always be used as a gauge imo, Gerrez. It's not where we need to be, but it shows how far we've fallen in the last few years. And I had hoped we would at least be in the top half of the table by now.
I agree with that but, at this moment in time, top of the league is a million miles away. We should focus on improving on the last couple of seasons rather than expecting miracles. Learn to walk before trying to run (or something like that)
Holy **** there's actually 2 of you. My congratulations. Your Added contribution to this MATCH thread?: same as your brethren so .... You can guess the rest right?
I didn't know this. If true, Rodgers should drop him out of principle. What better way to make your mark than to drop a legend from the side for not doing as you say? I think pushing Gerrard forward to one of the front three positions would be better. More for the team than Stevie but would he get a starting place with the players we have in the wide positions? If we play Gerrard as the focal point, Suarez gets pushed out wide, is Gerrard at CF better than Sterling, Suso or Assaidi in one of the wide positions...?
Here are the first batch of photos from today's 0-0 draw with Stoke City. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image