It's been really poor. Villa look like scoring from every set piece. Couldn't pick out a good performance from anyone at the moment.
Llalana, Ballotelli and Markovic look good when they get it but no service because our midfield 3 are imbalanced, immobile and anonymous.
Coutinho's been really bad. I'd like to see Lambert or even Borini and Sterling on for Coutinho and Markovic and go to the diamond. It's probably more risky but Villa seem very content to sit deep and we need to take risks to get anything out of this.
Markovic has been good IMO, just hasn't got the ball at all - or he's received it in the corner when all 19 Villa players are back in the box. What can you really do? Just boot it towards the front three at this point, it's better than the slow Rafa-esque back passing.
This is one of the big reasons I disliked Balotelli at City (aside from his obvious arrogance and imo over rated ability), he's more of a stand still, give the ball to me type player rather than one who runs the channels and makes space. We're really missing movement up front - Sterling on the bench doesn't help that either because there's no one running beyond him to make up for it. We're seeing lots of the ball but there's nothing to do with it. Need more movement and more pace in the side.
Just remembered something, its the first game back after an International break. We're always **** after an international break. **** INTERNATIONAL BREAKS!!
I don't think he's been any worse than Lallana. Had some good touches and runs, but his final ball has been poor. Only reason I'd leave Lallana on instead is that he can play in central midfield alongside Henderson for the diamond. And I want to see Sterling in the hole so unless Markovic is going upfront I'm sacrificing him for the system.
It's utter tosh, too man debutants, too much getting to know you crap, too much inhibited play Markovic has been poorest debut I've seen in a long time, lallana.... No frigging Idea where he is playing and if Gerrard is following some tactic is total muck and he needs to sit in Goal down to sahko ****ing up and easy situation and the loverns marking was poor
I still believe we'l get the 3 points. I'd change the shape and bring Sterling on Markovic (not that's he's done bad). Have sterling as a number 10 and move Countino to one of the flanks - or take Coutinho off and bring Sterling on to play the number 10 role.
No changes A case of, go out there and show me why you shouldn't be subbed off in the first 10 minutes.
Not read everyone's comments but just wanted to say... can see what our movements are but we look very rusty. Marcovich looks promising but rusty. Lallana looks bad so far. 1st game but not very good... I'll give him time though.
If anyone should come off it should be Couthino. Straight swap for sterling straight down the middle behind Balotelli
And sanderos et al. have clearly been given orders to take out Mario, or frustate him so he see's red...
