Match Day Thread Pre-season

We lost?! What happened? Were 1-0 up when I went to sleep at half time!

 

#jinx

 

Had high hopes for Kelly 18 months or so ago but the injury seems to have knocked him down, bit like Lucas. Now he just looks average and don't think he is good enough for us. Would do well at lower prem or championship side.

We shouldn't get down about this result but I have noticed that we do seem to lack that cutting edge. Not that Suarez ever shone in pre season. And last year he was banned anyway ( again) . We haven't seen lallana yet and virtually nothing of markovic. But we Definately need that quality striker. But who's available and who would you be happy with ?

 

It's ok we only lost the second half. So it was a draw really and they couldn't be arsed with penalties.

 

I think I'm in the minority that believe Ballotelli could do a job for us. The lad has issues, but he's 24 (!) and we could snap him up for £15million. And if it fails I bet we could flog him on for the same. On his day I think he is a great striker and BR could work wonders with him.

I'm also warming to the idea of Bony (oo err) but not for more than £20million

 

Liverpool and Tottenham are ready to move again for Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Bony, 25, as Swansea are set to drop his £19m release clause. Daily Mirror (via BBC transfer rumous page).

 

As it gets later and later, the chance of us getting a quality striker lessens. BR has to consider all of the following:

Who is available?
Who could we realistically attract?
Who represents value for money? (Bony @ £20m ffs)
Who would mind playing 2nd fiddle to Sturridge?

I am convinced that BR plan is to play the diamond again this year with Sturridge and Sterling up top with Couts behind them at the top of the diamond.

 

If possibel, I'd rather someone who will challenge Studge for a starting position, for a decent price. Sadly, I don't have any names though.

 

That's exciting, I think Bony for say £15m could be a tasty option tbh

 

I'm convinced Sturridge will spend at least a third of this season (on and off) out with various injuries. I hope I'm wrong though. So there is real scope to be the main striker.
Plus if they link well we could always have two strikers up front (one in just behind as second striker)

 

Agree. I can also think of worse options than Bony at 15m and wouldn't be too unhappy.

We also still have Borini and have Origi and Aspas to come back next year, as things stand.

 

I meant play 2nd fiddle to Sturridge in terms of ego. This year, Sturridge is the main man no doubt just like last year Suarez was. Last year we saw how two very talented players were managed well, working together despite both capable of being the big name. Despite a couple of arguments, the chemistry worked but it was clear that Suarez was deemed the more important. Can BR find someone to compliment Sturridge again this year, while being 2nd tier?

And no, I can't think of any names either.

 

I think it's a shame we had to loan back Origi. Looked good in WC. Could have done a job I think.still think Borini will go in the end. Aspas...don't want him back.

I don't see a lot of options other than Bony. Shame Remy deal fell through..think he would have been a bargain.

 

We lost... we're doomed...
We lost....
.....


















Oh, pre-season you say... never mind, panic over

 

I'm liking the idea of Bony now.

I can also see Rodgers trying Lallana as a false 9 inbetween and behind Sturridge and Sterling.

Not to different from a diamond, but Lallana will be forward more often and Sterling will get to start from wider areas, which will most likely suit him better.

 

I thought he looked up and down at the world cup. He was mostly decent but I dont think Belgium played to his strengths.

Lille played him as a right sided wide forward/reverse winger last season and in the highlights I'v seen he looks awesome there.

I think his game needs refining though and the loan can help that. The loan also most likely made the deal cheaper.

 

Reading the thread is quite funny, people are speaking like we lost the opening game of the season to Sotuhampton!!

Man U playing a formation which highlights their weakest position, center backs. Rodgers got the tactics spot on, press high when the defence have the ball and it will lead to mistakes, other managers need to take note.

We played well, you could tell we weren't bothered by the defence ca usually passing the ball back and forth, whenever Man U scored they celebrated like they just won an important game.

The hate on Johnson is strong but I'm really questioning Allen now, literally did nothing in that game and has looked awful all pre season, for me he's our last choice to bring on (Henderson, Gerrard, Coutinho, Can, Suso, Lucas and Allen in that order).

Sterling needs to look up when on the wing, too many times he decided to just run at the defender instead of looking for Lambert in the box.

On Lambert, he plays best when he gets good delivery and support, we played last night like everyone wanted to have a go and not play the passing game, against Ac Milan we had some brilliant passing plays which I felt Lambert would of benefitted on.

For me Johnson, Allen and Kelly should be moved on.

 

Watched that game last night (and the Milan game) and seems you need a striker who holds the ball up and gives an aerial option, Bony might be the man for you.

I have seen 3 of your games pre-season (Brondby being the 3rd) and looks to me like Coutinho is going to be ****ing superb this season.

United have been very impressive on tour, but that doesn't mean they are magically back ahead of you lads, you just need a focal point.

 

Wtf is a reverse winger? Is it like Johnson is a reverse full back?

 

Cheers for your comment


Coutinho has played better in the past without Suarez so we'll have to wait and see, and yes we need another striker!