Starting to get the impression there is something going on with Couts,maybe something in his private life. His head isn't on the game
Lets be honest though Lovren goes for the occasional long pass/tries to switch the play which probably lowers his percentage a little when they don't come off. Sakho doesn't try that, and to be fair, his passing usually is really good & crisp as Sky says but once a game (in most games) he'll make a terrible pass straight to one of their players that leaves us open and gives the opposition a great chance.
Least we've reverted back to the diamond (41212) system. Coutinho has rightly been dropped too although I'm not convinced by the two upfront! Migs Mankiller - Skrtel - Lovren - Moreno Gerrard Hendo - - - - - Lucas Sterling Balotelli - Borini
Not surprised to see Couts dropped. Am disappointed that Suso hasn't the chance to take up the Couts role, not even from the bench. I guess BR knows this will be a slog and has selected as such. Also disappointed that Sakho not playing. With all this Sakho talk today and the Italian contingent upfront, I have a brilliant name for Greez: Balosakho - It's Italian for scrotum . Or you could always go with: Bal-sakh-ic - For those particularly sweaty days.
Couts deserves this slap (unless it's another hidden injury). Test of character right now to see if he steps up and works harder. Not so sure about disrupting the back two yet again.....
I think we need Borini (or someone) upfront along side Balotelli because the latter does sweet **** all off the ball movement. Sure, he closes down and does his fair share of defensive work, and I'm glad he does because it's a large part of how we play as a team, but we're also heavily reliant on forward movement. Sturridge, Suarez and Sterling worked brilliantly because of the space they made each other. Balotelli plays very much as a static man who wants the ball to feet where he can then turn and go towards goal himself or play a midfield runner in who's running beyond him, unlike Sturridge who does that and also makes runs beyond. Last game, it was very obvious that without the forward movement we had nothing to work with and our attacks were slow and cumbersome. I think Sterling at the tip of the diamond will work better with Balotelli now rather than out wide. I think Balotelli will play better with someone next to him so he'll have more space to turn. I also think our midfield (well, Henderson since the other two won't get forward much) will be more involved with Borini making space in the final third. Happy overall, just would prefer anyone in the team ahead of Lucas.
That's pretty much what I was getting at. Borini is Borini, we know we'' get energy, movement and runs from him, he's not the greatest striker in the world but the effort is there. Balotelli is the concern for me, far too static which undermines the style we play; the whole reason I didn't want us to sign him!
Playing Borini alongside Balotelli could be a very a good move. Borini will run his socks off drift wide ect. etc. - Hopefully leaving Balotelli the space to do what he does best - score goals. Rodgers has basically put Borini up front for more movement as we've looked static recently. Borini will do what Sturridge will do when he returns, just Borini obviously doesn't have the same ability as Sturridge, but the same idea is there.
Coutinho and Lallana useless midweek and Suso still doesnt get a chance in the squad. Disappointed. But at least we are set up the right way. Looks like Gerrard will be playing every game again this season. Happy for Borini. he will work his socks off
Suso has apparently agreed a deal with AC Milan, so I'd guess that means he's not going to be used unless for possibly the carling cup games or if we have an injury crisis.
Same here. Never wanted Balotelli for a few reasons; don't think he's particularly great and that his 'undoubted talent' is hyped by his ego, I also think he's selfish and doesn't suit our style too much. That said, he's here and we've got to get behind him and I think the only way to get anything out of him is to play someone next to him who'll make that space. Ideally, it'll be Sturridge, but failing that, Borini.
On the Suso issue. There has to be issues there. How many times do you get overlooked before it's an attitude problem? He's a dead man walking I feel.
Not really the right game for him, much like Coutinho. Away game against a Fat Sam team who are all 6foot+ he'd get bullied out the game.
Is that true? I heard it had been said by the italian media, but thought that was probably just unsettling tactics. He is not allowed to agree a deal with anyone until January. If we are just going to lie down an let a player like Suso leave for free whilst buying similar players for 25m we are mugs.
But in this instance you are right Bisc. Edit- meant you're a right in your reasoning not that this is the only time you've been right lol!
