Match Day Thread Pre-season

Coates actually looked like the Coates we bough btw. Not a bad problem to have. Johnson though.......

 

Is this a finish the sentence game?

I'll go first.

Johnson though, needs surgery on both his legs to remind him he was once a decent footballer, the greedy good for nothing **** bag.

 

Is Coates being put in the 'shop window' or does BR feel he can be one of our CB subs?

 

Coates came with a good rep, but then never really settled before he had a serious injury. He is a bit impetuous at times going forward, but other than that I think he can do a job for us. Also gives us height at set pieces.

 

Sloppy goals conceded by us again. Don't think we have conceded a " good" goal yet. Worrying.
Henderson showed his importance to us..very good game and sterling just impresses more and more.
It's a shame lovren couldn't get out there but sakho gave us a better strength when he came on.

Overall a decent performance but still look light in midfield and city looked very powerful at times. Still they are champions and we won!

 

And Johnson is sooooo s**t. Not that Kelly, Enrique or Robinson looked particularly great. Definately need at least one full back ( is flanno injured? Hasn't featured at all) Rodriguez,Rojo or Moreno surely one of them must come!

 

Yes.

 

**** it play Coates up front as plan B/C

[video=youtube;9rlEg_GOyiA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rlEg_GOyiA[/video]

 

It's wierd watching the celebration and the first four players have all left - Suarez, Kuyt, Downing and Spearing. Almost half a team!

 

Just watched the highlights from last night, Brief observations:

-the two conceded goals were abominations that should never have been allowed - I feel Mig could have been better but also defensive errors ultimately to blame
- Henderson's goal is what I've come to expect from him and we've seen him do similar in the prem. Great curling snap shot - I swear he scores more when he has less time to think
- Sterlings goal was even better, what I loved was the perfect touch he took on his left peg to bring the ball down perfectly for a great shot
- Sturridge's pen - what the ****? Lambo and Gerrard need to give him some pen advice
- Mignolet did what he did best at the shoot out - stopped shots. Which proved what we know - he's a superb shot stopper but his distribution and positioning in the box needs work
- Toure has got a right beer belly on him

Could someone give me their opinion on Enrique and Can? How did they play?

 

Can was superb in the 2nd half. Enrique not so good.

Sorry it's brief, but I'm feeling lazy.

 

Enrique wasn't great but in fairness his side of the pitch was awful. Even navass had trouble controlling it first half. Even so looked well short of match fitness. He's not the answer
Can looked good but needs time to settle in.
Truth is we looked better when Gerard went off
More cohesive. Not because Lucas came on necessarily but maybe it coincided with Allen going off ( he was poor) and can coming on

 

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James Bond gets to meet his hero

 

To Quote The Wilburys "Last Night, talking about last night".

It appeared the both 'teams' - they weren't truly teams merely collections of players. However, from the start City's players looked bigger, faster and more organised than ours. Enrique came in for some stick from the commentators but he was suffering from the surface just as much as Navas was! Jones has looked confident but quite dull in goal. Coates looks stronger and more confident. I'm begining to think that he may be a keeper and bench-warmer. Toure shows both class but also his age - he runs out of puff. Kelly was OK but got skinned with the same trick too many times!

I do like the way that Gerrard is defining his new role. Dropping into the back 3 certainly gives our full backs so much scope - good thing as in the 1st half our 'midfield' was non-existent with Coutinho pushed-up.

Up front Sturridge was a waste of space in the 1st half. This left his 'partner' totally isolated and exposed. Henderson looked 'rusty' - his usual failure to control the ball first time robbing him of opportunities time and time again. For me Allen proved that he does not have the quality we need.

2nd half changes brought a much needed injection of pace. The game opened and the goals eventually came. The penalties were good and overall the experience held some promise.

 

That's why I never read too much into pre-season and find it all a bit meh!

Pool had 5 players who'd start in the strongest XV and city 2!! The teams will be vastly different on Aug 25th

Still not long to wait, It's August tomorrow .

 

Gerrard does look broken though.

 

Yes he does

 

Problem is that will lead to more mistakes next season, guaranteed. He even tripped again last night.
I hope he turns it around as he deserves a stellar end to his career, not to phase out meekly.

 

Ive been saying this for years. The guy is clearly a front man...he had a moustache ffs

 

Sterlings goal was brilliant. The first touch to take out 2 players then the finish.

Shane the 2nd wasn't given as it was even better. Hart looked like he was still trying as well.

Reminded me of Henry, playing if the left cutting in and curling into the far corners.