I went to one of our games at 'Boro @ 2003. Houllier had Heskey on the wing and Owen playing centre-forward to long diagonals against what was then the form centre-back pairing in the league. No wonder Owen was keen to get away.
Agree 100% on benteke. Ings has impressed me too, maybe it's lower expectations or Maybe I like a player that gives everything. cough cough Baloteli you ****, how do you pick up a wage for playing football I went to the Helsinki game, even there Ings worked his arse off, got a goal I think, cant remember. Mind you HJK are not Leicester
Firmino deserves a bit of time. Again.... he did get in good positions as you said but equally it'll be interesting to see what klopp does
Remember it well for poor old Emile, and he did it without any primadonna crap and he was boss at Leicester was it? Just got on with it even though it was destroying him. He was no winger workhorse.
Needs to keep unlearning. Right - look at positives: - 3 points - Sakho and Lovren getting stronger. Sakho had a tough start against Defoe but grew into the game. - Can is the best CM at the club and by a distance
Sakho and Lovren are the best CB pairing in the league #notconfirmed but they have something like 5 clean sheets in 7 games together And at the same time Sakho is the most creative CB
You sweep away the stats about Lucas but are quick to use them when defending one of your favourites. I prefer to use my own eyes mate, he's bogstandard. Benteke has shown flashes too when he's smashed the ball in the net and won us points - not pulling off a fancy trick now and again. Firmino should of took that chance on, or at least had the confidence too. I'll get behind Firmino, I want him to succeed and yes you're right, on the odd occasion he has shown glimpses. It's just all a bit hypocritical Jimmy, here you are highlighting individual moments that Firmino has had, Benteke created three in the second half, I'm sure that'll be conveniently ignored. Talking about Bentekes misses? I haven't got enough time to write out the chances Firmino has fluffed this season.
Got into great positions but my god, his touch has completely deserted to him. I felt he did grow into the game but looks like he's low on confidence. Bit of time, I'm sure it will come good. But we badly need some signings asap. More speed !!
Agree MFG, He's been a lump it to the big man man too long, Klopp needs to flush the Villa out. Firmino is low on confidence imo. Big tag, new league, new team, he probably unjustly expects himself to deliver right away
Re the section in bold i agree that we have to stop this ridiculous churn of players in then out again the following season. i;m not convinced by Firminho but can we actually show some patience for once unless they are totally abd obviously wrong i.e. Balotelli and yep Jimmy i have certain double standards regarding Balo
Because Lucas's job is to tackle!! He's judged on his effectiveness of his tackling, not the volume. Firmino's is to create - which he has done to some extent. You said Firmino doesn't get stuck in or work hard - he does which is why I said he makes the most tackles for an attacker but it shows how hard he works ! He just doesn't run around like a headless chicken ala Lallana to give the illusion of working harder than the rest. I'm not sure why you're comparing Firmino and Benteke - both were poor!!
