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Newcastle were the better side up to the sending off which obviously changed the game. Frustrating not to get three points but a point is a point. On another day, Suarez could have had a hat-trick.
A point away to Newcastle is certainly not the worst, under the circumstances we should of took 3. Frustrating that we can never seem to score late on, we showed a lack of urgency going in to the last 5 minutes. With that said, 22 shots, on another day we would of won, but we didn't lose, so we should dust ourselves off and bounce back against West Brom next week.
We once again found that Moses cannot play as the number 10. It simply doesn't work. 3-5-2 is fine with a quality playmaker to control the game and bring the wing backs into the game. Moses isn't that person, he's a wide forward in a 4-3-3. Never looked in control of the game. Skrtel, I thought, had another very good game overall. Cissokho looked rusty and never got up to speed - Agger should have started at LWB, or just played 4 at the back with Sakho or Agger at LB. Our bench looked shoddy and too negative. Three defenders and a keeper meant spots for Sterling, Allen and Alberto. None of those are going to hugely change a game. Fair play to Newcastle, but I'm not convinced on this formation without a proper playmaker in there.
Agree re Moses and the bench. I think we really need to have a striker on there. I would have taken a point before the game tbh but disappointing considering they had 10 for so long. Still we did come from behind twice which is encouraging, just wish we could sort out our defending from set pieces, we have plenty of big players so we really should be doing better
Moses were poor but as others have mentioned, it's not his natural position. Sooner Coutinho is back, or even play Alberto as the number 10 - the better. Very disappointing given the circumstances however despite possibly our worst attacking performance, we still scored 2 goals which should have been enough to win the game. 2 lapses in concentration cost us - who was closing down for the first goal?? Cissokho looked shaky but overall was very good considering he only just came back from injury - such a strong, powerful runner and his low drilled crosses could cause a few problems. Skrtel was very good IMO - really bossed it and looked good. What annoys me still is our inability to control a match. Personally, I'm not a fan of Gerrard and Lucas as our partnership - I don't think they are suited to this system, but at the same time, the tactics aren't suited to the personnel we have. Rodgers is after a DM in January but I do hope we get a classy deep lying playmaker as well.
I turned my stream off in the end cause it was awful, but how was Alberto? I haven't had a chance to see what he's about properly but from what I've read it sounds like he may turn out to be a good little player. I'd much rather see him come on than Sterling.
The tactics changed to 4-4-2 once he came on and we then controlled the game (funny how it took long to dominate against 10 men). Looked very tidy and composed on the ball, and is one for the future. Would rather he plays the number 10 role than Moses.
Me too, I can't understand why he continues to play Moses in the number 10 role when it's evident he's gash there. Especially when we have Alberto on the bench. Coutinho should be back next week right?
Let's not mask the fact that we pissed two points away playing against ten men for 50 minutes. And that was against one of the worst defences in the Prem, missing their centre-back captain. True, I'd have bitten your hand off for a point after half an hour when we were one down and being palpably outplayed, but that was then. Not good enough. Didn't matter that we were playing awful and we'd lost the midfield, we had fifty minutes against ten men with the scores level. And that ****ing statuesque defence for set-pieces! Well done Newcastle. Good luck with the rest of the season.
Sloppy throughout for me. Even when Newcastle were down to 10, we never really had any control over the game and looked vulnerable on the counter. Cissoko looked, understandably, rusty for me but improved as the game went on. No pressing throughout the game, Cabaye and Ben Arfa gave us plenty of warning not to back off before Cabaye scored the first. Alberto looked good, although his choice to shoot towards the end was a poor one. Should have taken all 3 points though in the circumstances, and without being a doomsayer, we need to avoid drawing games we should be winning. We learnt that the hard way in 08/09.
I'm good, they'd want a **** load of cash. Would rather Cabaye out of the two, although you can get better or at least cheaper players who are just as good abroad.
ashley would take 12-15m, which really is his actual worth. i would rather buy players who have played in the premier league before, it's always a gamble with the abroad players
Carroll, Downing, Adam, Cole, Konchesky, Chelsea's Torres Suarez, Michu, Aguero, Silva, Benteke, our Torres A good player will play well in most league's, it's rare you get a good player who can't play well in other leagues.
They won't be willing to sell their most creative player for 12-15m, believe me. They'd want 20m+ and he isn't worth no way near that.
It isn't his best position and if we are to persist with the 3412 system then he needs to be dropped. Whilst Lucas has been out, Henderson as done a great job and he was even spraying passes about today too. Until Coutinho returns, why not play Henderson and Lucas together and push Gerrard into the hole?
Hopefully I just hope Henderson isn't the one to suffer from his return. I'd go 4312 to them all in (not square pegs in round holes though)
Its about the team and getting the best out the squad. We are clearly going to play Suarez, Studge and Ford. BR doesn't want any of them playing wide. That means Ford will be behind the others. If that is the case then I can't see a place for Moses other than on the bench as a option to switch things around. As I said, I'd go 4312 (based on above): Migs Johnson - Toure - * - Enrique Gerrard - Lucas - Henderson Coutinho Suarez - Studge * Sakho or Agger depending on form / opponent Harsh on one of Sakho/Agger, Skrtel and Moses but thats the benefit of having a competitive squad PS...In reality, I'd stick to 4231 with Moses and Suarez either side of Ford with Studge up top.
