I would take a 5-4 against a Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal or even Utd, at least in those games I'd expect the opposition to be good with excellent attacking players. However a 5-4 (or 3-2) against the bottom side who've been mauled by almost every other team, no thanks. A comfortable 1-0 win would be acceptable, where we have a number of chance but only one goes in but in the end 1-0 is enough. But really I expect at least to win by 2 goals. Entertainment is all well and good, and its better than watching Chelsea last season, but in the end I expect the defence to do their ****ing job and stop the other team from having so many chances to score
talking about results and goals scored isn't the point. **** happens in games ok.... you never know what the result will be but the vital vital thing is the performance. three key things.. 1. Intensity 2. Control 3. possession. For me LFC regulalary struggle for all 3. The only time i've seen us have the second is passing it about at the back when sides don't press on us. intensity is sadly lacking for me throughout the side and even point 3 is something we are struggling with. If you contrast to chelsea they won fairly handily v palace away despite two sendings off in game. after the game mourinho was interviewed in contrast to the prior seasons fixture and said they were always in control and comfortable. so in short if LFc controlled a game, had 60% possession, missed 6 chances and won 1-0 I'd be happy. If LFC look all over the place, unable to defend set piece, struggling for possession and under pressure constantly and luck to a 3-2 win when we shouldn't lost 3 goals first half? no i aint happy with that. If it was a totally open game where both sides had 10 chances and lfc took more in a pulsating game... yeah sure whatever I'd be happy if i had suarez and confidence. When you turn up with balotelli nobody can have confidence in the 3rd scenario so we should all be looking for the first scenario being developed but right now we are delivering scenario 2...
I'd take the 5-4. A wins a win. Each would end up with the same goal difference but the next separation is goals scored so we'd be better off in that column. Plus it would be fun to watch too Personally, I don't care what the scoreline is so long as we give it a go and get three points. Goal difference is very rarely a separating factor.
I much prefer the entertainment of a high scoring game, but then you do get that criticism of defences coming up all the time. It's fun though. I don't dread each game, I look forward to each one as the game where we start to get it together and click again. I'm still waiting.......
Depends on the nature of the game A 1-0 with complete control is fine because there is value in a clean sheet, but a 1-0 desperately hanging on for the last 15 minutes is not as good as yesterday where the players repeatedly picked themselves up (after mistakes they will hopefully learn from) and went again to win
Control is going into the last ten minutes with more than a one goal lead and maintaining possession as a result of pressure being lifted. We always drop deeper and deeper and invite pressure on ourselves when we have a slight lead.
Our defence was rightly criticised for being shambolic and lacking leadership. However, we were pinned in the last third for large parts of the game yesterday, and the midfield has to take much of the responsibility for that.
Lovren was never the leader of our CB partnership last season. That was Fonte. If you bought him for leadership at the back you will be disappointed.
Exactly this. I honestly don't believe our defence is that bad, it the system we play that offers no protection to the defence that's the issue.
It's not the system - it's the personnel. You have Skrtel, Migs, Johnson and Gerrard who naturally drop deep under pressure. This then creates a massive space in the middle which teams then move into and attack from. It all stems from Migs who is stuck to his line. This then forces the defensive line back, however Skrtel does this all on his own because he's a back foot defender. then you have Gerrard who has to play deeper because he doesn;t have the legs to track back large distances. Personnel continue to make silly individual errors but it's also down their natural instincts of playing deep.
I think its the system too. Brod's never used a out-and-out DM, he likes a 'quarter back' () sitting deep. Good luck finding a destroyer come playmaker It doesn't mean a big change is needed, just a holding role needs to be a recognised destroyer; aka a Mascherano type of player. Of course, that won't solve the set-piece problems though
Not just the midfield either. Over the last few seasons Suarez was one of our best defenders (not that we have much competition for that title). Defending doesn't just involve defenders anymore than attacking involves only strikers. Baloteskey gives us **** all in terms of harrying opposition defenders. Unfortunately he also gives us **** all going forward either
You don't need a destroyer who can play as a playmaker - look at Matic who is perfect in that role. Breaks up play intelligently and keeps the ball moving. It's about being quietly efficient in most aspects. And in terms of 'systems - I think the system failure can be attritubted to our appalling performances at set pieces. Well, having said that, I dont there is a system for set pieces!
