Fairplay to Liverpool, I actually thought they were the better side over the 90 mins. They were solid at the back, kept Bale quiet and caused us problems going forward. But at the same time, we were our own worst enemy today. I'm forgetting the mistakes, these things happen. Yes they are unfortunate and costly, but we had 90 mins to do something down the other end of the pitch, but couldn't. All we managed to achieve was a goal from our defender against the run of play, followed by a scrappy goal from the same man. The set up was wrong, as many of us had concerns about before we kicked off. Narrow football isn't us. We ruined ourselves today by not having any pace on the wings. bale should have been made to play on the wing (even if he'd swapped), just to get in behind Liverpool. - it would have shaken things up a bit, as they'd have planned for him to be playing central. Dembele had a very good game, but was out of position. He and Parker seem to have only just gained an understanding with one another, which shouldn't have been broken up. Livermore and Parker together was a recipe for disaster against midfielders with creativity such as Gerrard and Coutinho. There seemed to be a constant barrier of Liverpool players between Livermore+Parker and our other 4 attacking players. As a result, we didn't keep the ball on the ground. Too many passes were in the air as we looked to try an alternative method of breaking through. -which in turn meant high balls that each of our players were trying to control at waist-chest height. - not ideal for a footballing side like ourselves. But this is what happens when the two of them line up alongside one another. we cannot turn defence into attack fast enough or efficiently. They both pass sideways or backwards, and in Livermore's case, he makes mistakes, where as Parker rarely does. Having one player in that defensive role going backwards or sideways is fine, as a player like Dembele can provide the other skillsets in the partnership. But two of them? it's painful. - especially as one of them just isn't good enough, IMO. It also meant that Defoe got no service as he can't win high balls. - Carragher and Agger ended up getting a much easier game than they probably would have predicted. I thought we'd get beaten today and mentioned it several times. Our run had to come to an end and Liverpool are much improved. The top 4 is very much open. 1/4 of the season still remains and anything can happen. It's all about how we bounce back, as the players haven't tasted defeat for quite some time. COYS!
It's annoying that we seem to think that setting up with two pure holding midfielders is a good option to deal with other footballing sides. I was hoping that ship had sailed with Redknapp, as I think it cost us badly in the second half of last season, but we've reverted to it now. I know we have a few options out at the moment, but Livermore and Parker as a starting pairing seems to compromise our attacking options too much, for me.
Despite the problems with the set up as some have mentioned, I thought we were pretty impressive at a difficult place against a decent 'pool. The galling things are the mistakes by Walker and Defoe. Yes, Lloris could and should probably have done better and Benny probably the same, but the damage was done beforehand in both cases. And whilst I am not complaining about the pen in itself - those can be given - the theatrical dive by Suarez was pathetic. (And on that note, why want Sturridge booked for the dive after tangling with Verts. Disappointing result, but a decent performance and some positives in the performances of Dembele and Sigs particularly. Onward and upwards Boys!!
I agree with just about everything you said, Roo. We had a dizzying array of bad choices with Lennon out, the reason being we really don't have another right sided midfielder who can give us width. But as many good moves as AVB has made lately, this time he didn't pick the least bad one, I think. If you never change a winning game, when you have to change, maybe you should change as little as possible. Replacing Lennon with Walker and bringing in Naughton would probably have changed things the least, maybe along with sticking Holtby in on the right and hoping for the best. But a team deserves where it finishes based on how it handles adversity and bounces back from bad games. Spurs played decently under the circumstances. As long as they keep up this level of effort, I think they'll be in good shape. Also, if I have a gripe, it's 0 penalties all year for us, two or three cards for simulation--while Greg Louganis never dived as intentionally as Sturridge did, and it's play on...
Hopefully! We've got the quality in most areas now. Its just the consistency we need and the mentality to close games out.
That's a staggering statistic isn't it? - and that was Liverpool's 4th in 3 games. Penalties are game changing decisions that not only enable you to potentially pick up 3 points, but can also make an impact on your goal difference. How we could have done with a handful this season...
It should also be pointed out that today proves we aren't a "1 man team". Today Lennon, one of our catalyts this season was missing. What happened? - our "1 man" was barely in the game. - as a result....no creativity, which just goes to show how important the likes of Lennon are in bringing out the best in Bale, and the rest of the team.
Well we hoped for an open game of football. It wan't quite that but you couldn't take your eyes off it. We've played far better than that and lost and you probably have played far worse and won. For us it was another sign that we are moving in the right direction but you did shine a searchlight on the nub of our defensive weakness. For me your best 2 players were Vertongen and Dembele. I thought we took care of Bale very well. Well at least we are above Everton and we have the opportunity to catch Arsenal given the run of games that we have coming. See ya next season.
3rd place for you. You scored your first when you'd been on top for 15 minutes, were still on top when you got the second and looked like making it three or four until Walker's gaffe. Made up with the 3 pints (I thought it would be a draw), but you're a better team than us atm.
Bale's free kicks that you scored from were both "simulated". The Liverpool penalty was a stonewall, and a second stonewall penalty was denied. The referee was very generous to let you keep 11 players on the pitch. Good game.
Disagree darko. Spurs showed today that strategically they are a one trick pony with a few flashy bits added. Show me any penetrative football that they managed? Show me any sustained pressure? Control of the ball I'll give you but not really much use of it! As a team I truly believe that we are better because we do have more options. Time will tell but I back us to have a better 2013/14 than Spurs.
We badly missed Lennon today against what is essentially a bang average Liverpool side. It is really the combination of him AND Bale that causes the problems for defences. Playing 2 defensive mids against a midfield with Gerrard of 5 years ago I would understand, but he is a shadow of the player he was. With no width whatsoever we basically invited them onto us as we had very little creatively. I would have played with JD as the lone striker and Bale back on the left and shifted Siguardson inside to at least stretch the play a little as a winger. The guys not Superman and he can't save us from crap performances every week. Poor today, although Dawson and Vertonghen and Dembele were excellent. Two crazy moments away from a victory, I thought we were at least good for a point.
Spurs are at their peak. We are still building. AVB is a good manager but I don't know if the fee/wages structure is sufficient for him to challange consistently for the Champions League. If Bales leaves/gets injured/has poor form then it's hard to claim the rest of the squad is a top 4 team.
You were also two defensive headers away from a 3-0 humiliation. Possibly 4-0 with the second stonewall penalty.
