You make a good point, first time, you do think, woof!, but then you see the replay and see there is nothing to it, will probably get rescinded, but not until Gary Monk calls us cheating diving scum.
In real time it looked a red to me because he clearly had thrown himself in two footed and had no control over his body. Winning the ball means **** all if you are dangerous and not in control. The fact he pulled out and didn't go in with his studs might get him let off Monk having a #meltdown is funny but Riley needs a slap Swansea vice-chairman Leigh Dineen doesn't need to be such a prick about it though
It was a tidy performance I felt - bit more fluidity and confidence to our play, however we still struggle in the final third. I thought the win was deserved overall. My thoughts on the match: - Manquillo and Coutinho were the standout players for me. Manquillo for being so defensively strong and is WELL ahead of Flannagan and Johnson for that role. Coutinho was just too good - not for the opposition but for our own players. He's on a completely different level to Borini and Lambert. - The defence was far more assured last night and I don't think it's a coincidence that Kolo at RCB helped. Granted, Swansea didn't threaten too much but the defence coped well. Kolo and Manquillo pretty owned the right hand side. Johnson was far better at left back but Moreno is 10x the player he is. - Lovren was still poor - at fault for their goal, and he continues to struggle to judge the ball. Both Sakho and Toure have to be in contention for a starting place. - Markovic had a better game but he's still stuck on the wing. Rodgers needs to play him more centrally IMO. Wasn't brilliant but we saw more glimpses of what he can do. - Borini was improved and his movement up top helped somewhat. Some decent efforts on goal as well. Whilst Sturridge is out, Rodgers can still play the diamond - we can use Sterling, Markovic or Borini as the second striker. Need to stop playing 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. Get two men up front! - I thought Henderson had an alright game. But it's quite clear to see that he's technically limited. He has the odd moment of brilliant - great throughballs and long balls at times but when he gets the ball, he doesn't know what to do with it. He just stops, turns and plays it back. It slows down the play. But having said that, he does have it in his locker and I hope he improves. He struggles to run with the ball. - Lallana was non-existent.
He did score a last minute winner Their goal was lucky that it needed 2 deflections to get through, but once it looped in the air someone should have closed Emnes down faster
I hope that goal doesn't make his poor performance. Skrtel got away with having a mediocre season last year because he scored a few goals. You're right - there were a few lucky deflections but Lovren was the one who switched off and failed to follow the scorer.
You need to get this bullshit of defenders scoring making them appear good out your head. Hardly anyone on here rates a defender after they've scored a goal, we all know they are there to keep goals out at the other end. You seem to use a defender scoring as a stick to beat them with to me!
No, I get frustrated with people who think sh*t defenders are actually good. And scoring goals is just one way to mask poor performances, making last ditch tackles are another that really annoy me. Lovren was poor - plain and simple. He was completely at fault for the goal because he simply didn't track the man. How is that being harsh on him? There was another example of a ball over the top, he completely misjudged it and gave away a clumsy foul. He's done that all season.
The fact that people think Skrtel had a good season last season is evidence that scoring goals masks poor performance. That comment is aimed at everyone, not neccessarily people on this board.
That's where he needs guidance from a big nasty goalkeeper. Migs and Jones are too much like 'nice guys' to spit their teeth out at defenders. So the whole unit of defence has to take part of the blame to be honest. Yeah defenders make indivdual errors, but when ours do the GK doesn't even have a word, let alone give them a bollocking. A few bollocking's would do our defenders the world of good. We should hire hecklers with microphones behind each goal, if the keeper sitaution doesn't improve!!
And I don't think there's any respect if I'm honest. Against Hull, Migs clearly shouted for a ball and Skrtel just heads it away. Lovren comes in and supposed to be the leader - Skrtel is older, more experienced. Is he really going to listen to Lovren? As much I don't rate Lovren, I rather see him alongside Sakho or Toure with Skrtel gone as I believe he is the source of the problem. Oh, and I agree with you on a commanding keeper
I think I remember that - Mig's then goes on to pat him on the back. He should have said I made the call you bald headed cock I agree it seems that Skrtel thinks he's the leader due to being here the longest, so you're probably right he is the hub of our failings. I just want to see Sakho and Lovren playing together - and Rodgers sticking to it, even if it doesn't work too well for a few weeks. They need to learn each others game properly and that's the only way it can be done. Sakho will pick up how to play with Lovren quite fast I reckon, he's a quick learner and can adapt his game. Whereas, Skrtel is just stuck in his ways and simply won't change. I'm not sure when Sakho is out until - but I'm sure I saw on SSN he's gone and picked up another niggle I don't think there is much point going on about our keepers, as I think BR is happy to stick with Migs. I don't see much to suggest otherwise from him, or even the media ffs!
I don't think even think Skrtel sees himself as a leader - he just comes across as a brainless, selfish defender who's not interested in what his partner does. I would love to see Toure and Sakho play together, but also Lovren and Sakho. As you say, those two can build a partnership and it did show signs of improving until Sakho was dropped for Skrtel. He's out for another 2 weeks.
Don't agree goals mask a performance at all. First and foremost he is a defender and will be judged as such. Scoring is a bonus, nothing more, nothing less. Tell me though, if defenders scoring goals contribute towards peoples opinions so much, why is Skrtel being praised for last season considering he scored many own goals then? Skrtel did play well last season, maybe it was a case of the defence was so poor he stood out but that doesn't take away from the fact he played well. You just don't like him. And that's coming from Skrtel's once biggest critic (not that I'm a fan of him nowadays)
Its harsh because the through ball was deflected and therefore unfortunate from our view. blaming any one individual is harsh!
And I get frustrated by people who imply that being critical all the time means they know more about football, and that those who are more willing to look for positives are somehow naive, or burying their heads in the sand. We all know there are faults, and we can all debate them in a balanced way, but refusing to see anyone's saving graces and calling them **** all the time seems to me pointless and disrespectful. I'm not having a go at you in particular, but just as you say that you see certain attitudes on here and in the fans and media in general, I see a lot of negativity all around as well. Footballers aren't perfect, but imo, we should balance their faults with their good qualities, so pointing out that Lovren scored is not "masking a bad performance", but mitigating against it and giving credit where it's due, as well as blame.
There are many similarities between Suarez and Ballotelli. Both attract lots of attention from the media and the press by being controversial. Whilst they share a lot of the negative points, they don't share a lot of the postives. Suarez would work at a phenomenal rate and would almost drive the team single handed. He would contribute lots of assists and would defend from the front. Balo is the exact opposite. He is the selfish but talented maverick, expecting to be fed the chances and he is does not contribute to the donkey work when the team is under pressure. So in a way, Rodgers has replaced Suarez with an exact opposite player. Not surprising that there is now a period of readjustment.
