Winning the big games would not decide the title or top four finish, but can be very helpful.In the past, big games are games between Liverpool and any of these: Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.For the past two years Machester City and Tottenham are coming to the equation. Who can forget what Blackppol did to us last season or West Brom at Anfield.? It is when QPR comes to Anfield, somehow they score the first goal and what to defend it, they refuse to get out of their own half and prepare to counter attack. Swansea coming to Anfield, and their plan is to stop us from playing. Norwich coming to Anfield, and their plan is in no way different to that of QPR and Swansea. It is our plan "B" when things are not going according to plan either home, or away I am sure Kenny Dalglish knows the game in and out.
You're right, we've had no plan B to speak of for a while now. I think our new signings are designed to give us more options. Suarez has the guile to unlock defences and the other option is to get more crosses into the box where Carroll is strong enough to cause problems for any defence. With Kuyt, Gerrard, Maxi, Mereiles or whoever bombing into the box to get onto the loose balls I think we have a better goalscoring potential than we've had for a long time. Say it quietly, but I've still got a slight concern about us being a bit leaky at the back.
in 2009 our scone place was secured primarally on a might performance agasint chelsea, utd and arsneal. (record was 4 wins 2 draws) it turned 4th into second. last year we lost and beat utd and city beat up chelsea but as per were not so hot v arsenal... in other words we were actually holding our own there. simply put its not the big games that put is 6th, no it was lousy away form and to be frank a disasterous managerial decision and run. If we even just improve at home we'll be closer to 4th. i'm not sure its plan b but rather not having players half working, back passing, hoofing and such that allowed people like blackpool simply blow us away. if we work harder than the opposition then we'll do well. oh and yes some sides will come to defend but you know what, those guys either get thier draw or lose, its the guys who come and put on some pressure that beat us. to finish top 4 we need to fix the away form and be consistent.
We now have more options in attack. Before, we only had Torres running in behind defenders. Now, we have Suarez doing this but we have Carroll to bully defenders and hold up play, Downing can create space and use the full width of the pitch, Aquilani and Adam spread the play and dictate the tempo. Can't wait for the new season!
Fergie's opinion-any of six teams is capable of winning the title. 1.Manchester United. 2.Chelsea. 3.Manchester City. 4.Arsenal 5.Tottenham 6.Liverpool Source:http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,12040_7037822,00.html
Agreed. Winning games against the so called 'Smaller Teams' is just as important as winning against the so called 'Top 4 Teams' At the end of the day, it's 3 points. You don't get more points for winning against an Arsenal or a United compared to a Swansea or a Wigan. Having different formations and players ready to change a game is going to be massively important. I've got confidence in Kenny and Steve Clarke to have these plans ready so that we can break down the more stubborn teams.
This is just my opinion but Kenny has made two signings that will definitely improve our away form without a shadow of a doubt and they are Adam and Downing.Adam as the tempo setter that slows it down..Henderson playing wide right will be his legs.Downing on the left will be the outlet putting enormous pressure on the opposition full-back.Carroll and Suarez will cause numerous problems for the opposition,Carroll due to his size and power and Suarez due to his skill.
I don't believe in plan B's. You have subs. That comes from depth in the side. And that is bought with £££'s
I do believe in Plan B's.However they must be the right plan B's and not Jose Mourinho plan B's.His plan B was to put Robert Huth up front.Or Rafa's on occasions was to put on Nabil El Zhar and to take Benayoun off.
Redconn. Rafa's was just stupid..It was replacing a good player with a useless player.Why not put a good player on to replace a good player.Ryan Babel was on the bench at the same time.
The teams Downing scored against last year: Blackpool, West Brom, West Ham, Blackburn, Stoke, Wolves All teams we struggled with.
Whether by complete chance or unknown inspiration, we won nearly all those matches. Many times coming from behind or were drawing. I still don't get it either, but it definitely worked. A bit like subbing Gerrard off for Lucas in the derby.
Skrtels Nips. At OT he frightened Man United to death.He pulled them all over the place,but it didn't lead to anything because Aston Villa at the time had less up front than Posh Spice.It wasn't until Villa signed Darren Bent before Downing flourished.Now this is Darren Bent...not a top finisher.Now if SD can supply Bent with bullets and he converts the majority of the chances created then,quality like Kuyt,Suarez and Carroll will thrive on the service he provides.
Darren Bent not a top finisher ? He is as good finisher as anything you currently have (imo ), not as good a player as your strikers but he can certain at least match them for finishing. You also seem to forget that Villa did have Carew who wasn't bad in the air.
He's pretty much always in the top 5 goal scorers in the PL, if not higher, so I don't know what that opinion is based on.
Darren bent couldn't finish a sandwich! I've seen him miss plenty of sitters, yes he scores goals and in that respect he's good - manages to get in the right place at the right time. The amount of times he's been faced with an open goal and missed though is astonishing.. let's not even get started on his actual shooting accuracy. He is completely overrated in my books.
Not a big fan myself but his league tally for the last two years has been ok. He does not get enough assists though.
