Match Day Thread Pre-season

I think it's fine at home with Hendo and Milner working hard in there and looking to attack the opposition, away from home I'd be more concerned and if we're not buying then I'd start with Lucas in there with them and adjust the formation.

 

I haven't seen one pre season game this year. So I haven't had chance to see how we are playing. Sorry for all the questions.

 

Milner and Hendo will provide a solid engine but they're glorified workhorses. What will make them succeed is having specialists behind them and in front of them i.e. a proper DM who can protect the space, and specialist attackers in front of them who will changes games.

Milner and Hendo's will be good at supporting both areas but that's all they're doing - supporting. We still won't be able to dominate a midfield or dictate tempos but they are still limited. They will need a specialist DM or Can at the very least.

But I suppose it will be better than last season, particularly without Gerrard.

 

I know it's pre season but nice to see a few of the newbies scoring to get confidence high

 

CM will be fine, just need a DM, wondering if Rodgers sees Can as that man? And more importantly, can he play there?

Again, things that stick out to me from this pre-season so far -

- Gomez can compete for a spot in the team
- Clyne is a massive upgrade on Johnson, and Milner for Gerrard
- Origi and Ings are far better options than Lambert and Borini, but not ready yet to start
- Is Sakho out of favour with Rodgers?
- Big season for Ibe

 

Firmino - not played
Ings - 2 goals (one incorrectly offside)
Milner - 2 goals (one incorrectly onside)
Origi - 1 goal
Gomez - bossed it
Clyne - at least 2 assists
Bogdan - not thrown the ball in his own net
Benteke - owning the medical

 

Can is an interesting one. Personally, I don't think he's ready to play a holding role. But that's not to say he doesn't possess the ability - just that he needs to be coached and develop into such role.

Gomez is good but he's hardly been tested. He will be a good option to have in the squad but I don't want him wasted in a fullback position, same with Wisdom or Ilori.

 

Hopefully Sakho isn't out of favour - Lovren made yet another mistake against League 1 level opposition today. He's horrendous.

There is no way Sakho does not start and if that does happen, then Rodgers clearly is clueless.

 

I agree. I think what's most likely is having Can, Milner and Henderson as a fluid interchanging three. They all possess both attacking and defensive ability, so maybe as a base two you could Henderson alongside Can, with Milner operating just ahead.

 

If we have just a midfield 2 - most likely to be Milner and Henderson, then I worry. As I say, neither are specialist defensive players and both have a lack of positioning and spatial awareness.

Supplement them with real quality, and they have their uses.

 

To me it seems that BR is reluctant to go in the market for a specialised DM. Lucas was first team material when he took over but since his first season it's clear that we never had anyone of real quality there, I'm worried that Lucas or Allen will get the nod, and Can gets relegated to the bench.

 

Are we in the EL qualifiers this year? If so - what round?

 

We're straight into the group stage...

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2016/accesslist/listofparticipants/

 

i'd not worry. I'd say shako has yet another "twinge"

moreno apparently had a slight knock so only played a bit today to get up to speed... not sure i beleive it.

In the end............. lovern is a guy to send out attacking the ball and you set up to sweep up around him. Rodgers hasn't a clue how to use him, He's not horrendous.

 

please log in to view this image

Skrtel, Lovren, Henderson and Milner try to look mean, Origi and Clyne try to look casual, Ibe and Lallana want to be in a Burton's catalogue and Mignolet wants to look fabulous.

 

I'd 100% rather a kid play first team than sit back and not as his position is CB. no question for me. if he can grab a slot great.

Can... I think he can do the job. he's got the attributes.

 

I take it Allen's just given up on cutting hair?

 

He is. Far too aggressive and has poor judgement. It's all well and good him stepping out but most of the time, he misses it thus exposing us further. Sakho is far superior in every department.

 

I rather Gomez/Ilori play ahead of Skrtel, who adds little to the backline.

 

Indeed, if you're good enough, you're old enough!
Granted.. its Pre-season, teams haven't been that tough.. but I like what I've seen so far from the lad!
Can has the attributes and can and should play as the base of the Diamond, if that's our chosen formation to start the season with..
Until Sturridge is fit, I'd start with...

------------- Ming
Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno
-------------- Can
---- Milner ------- Henderson
------------- Coutinho
---------- Firmino
---------------- Benteke
Bench from the likes of Gomez, Lovern, Ings, Origi, Lucas, Ibe, Lalana, Allen..