That Fulham team was just really, really bad. I would still play Osvaldo and Davis if healthy, but I'm not too worried either way. I think we win 1-0.
That's not even the worst part of his analysis, which would be this tidbit: The extra man in midfield against us isn't necessary for defensive reasons...it's necessary so that the team has even a remote chance of getting the ball into our half without having it taken away. "Five in midfield = defensive setup" is so incredibly outmoded that it's hard to believe that someone can be considered an expert while suggesting it.
Its really a great omen if Mark Lawrensen the clueless fool of football tips us to lose, He knows as much about football as Greg James.
Damn, I was trying to remember that word today when having a conversation about how many daft words you hear coming out of people's mouth's these days. Sadly, my mate didn't hear it coming out of mine, though I did come up with pumped. He offered ripped, but I think that was just gym talk, in response to my pumped. Stoked..! Must remember.
I now look forward each week to Lawro's predictions just for their comedy value. The joke only works if we deliver the goods though. 0-2 Saints, J-Rod and Lallana.
I was too busy trying to work out whether I was stoked or not. To be honest the stokometer is currently registering a low to moderate level of stokedness. And im not surprised, it is stoke. Away. Here's a question; if we lose Will we have been stoked?
He's out of touch with the modern game. So is Hansen. The younger pundits are almost universally better now. Except Garth Crooks, who's just a lunatic. But I suppose Final Score have him as competition for Kamara on SS.
It may come as surprise, but Garth Crooks is one of the older ones. He played his football career at the same time as Hansen and Lawrenson. He's only a year younger than Lawro. I don't think Crooks is a lunatic. He just has a forthright way of putting his views over. Sometimes he hits the nail on the head. Sometimes he misses by a mile. One thing. During his few years of being President of the PFA, he almost single-handedly brought the issue of racism in football forward to the public attention. Before his time people weren't listening.
I didn't think he was that bad against United but I agree that he shouldn't get back in the team just because of who he is or how much he cost, oe even how good he might be if he plays to his potential. I would use Rodriguez in the way that Lallana was used early on, i.e. run himself into the ground and then bring on a fresh Osvaldo against a tiring defence.
Let's hope the clueless Hughes is reading Lawrenson's assessment and uses the tactics described. If Stoke go 4-4-2 and go for it they will get hammered. I can see them parking the bus big style here and just leave 2 up front with 8 on the 18 yard line. rather than dropping the 'extra man' in midfield they will probably have no one there at all. So lets hope for the same result as we got against his side about the same time last season. Ahem 1-3 he, he. Rodriguez to start with Osvaldo on the bench, maybe Davis in for JWP on a tactical basis. He may have more zip and bite around the edge of the box and an older head may be more advantageous against the likes of Huth, Shawcross, Adam etc.
No. Please no. Forget you ever heard such a ghastly word and just speak and write the Queen's English as we have all been taught. None of this American nonsense as it does not sound natural to an English ear.
I have seen every game so far this season bar Norwich away and Osvaldo has ran around , closed down and contributed as much as J rod has this season , he was more than a 3 rating at OT too (agree didn't play well but was not that bad) . J rod played very well against Fulham and I honestly don't know what I would do if it came down to him or osvaldo to start against stoke . But Osvaldo isn't as bad as you are making out .
Osvaldo flatters to deceive. He's obviously a very good player but he's not being as effective as he should be, and frankly he's missing too many good chances. I'm sure he'll come good but we simply play better without him in the team at the moment.
I don't know if I'd say he's missing too many good chances because he's only had 2 that I can remember - the great one against West Ham and the good one against Man Utd. I generally agree though. I think he's bothered by his lack of goals and that's affecting his play. I'm not sure whether dropping him to the bench is best for him but it might be best for the team.
