Really frustrating first 30 mins in the moment. But think in hindsight have to realise that we aren’t full of confidence and Ajax knew they needed a win, at home, and would be trying to come out the block fast. Yes got a little lucky didn’t score in first couple mins and again when TAA blocked the 3v1 (although reckon would have been disallowed for clear shove on vvd). After that, would say we did the important thing of staying in the game when weren’t at our best. Then took our first chance, came out second half, got the 2nd and 3rd goal quickly and then was all game management. On the whole would say was a very good performance in an away CL game that was just not lose. Hopefully the forest was a bit of a blip as city game we played well, West Ham was good for 45 mins and now decent in this for 60 odd mins. Time to try out on a little run of wins
Game of two haves-ish. All three goals were very well taken. Elliott put a proper shift again. Improving with each game. Be interesting to see who we have available for Saturday night. Tough game as Leeds are desperate for a win.
I have to say i cannot wait to see konate back in. Watching gomez flounder about last night was frustrating as there were about 20 times on the left ajax just recycled the ball out then ran behind him for another pass and he was absolutely square on not seeing a thing. Trents passing was bloody awful in that first 30. the front line was completely malfunctioning. nobody knew who was doing what and Nunez was running about doing his own thing. I love the fact nunez tacked lads back into our box, robbed the ball and started a break. that's the stuff. But the state of that 2nd goal lol... a good run down the channel but his left foot is a swinger. He tries his best to make a cross but hits it do badly the ball goes at goal and their old man keeper palms it out for corner. That was never a shot imo, it was an awful cross. grea run for nunez for corner but he closed his eyes heading it. you can see it and the ball flies off and goes to corner. Its really funny at times but he's another trier is our darwin! but **** me..... i'd rather be born Lucky than good eh? 4 goals in 5 games. 1. Scores v arsenal - good run, good play from diaz. good run from darwin and a sliding finish that goes up in air. did he know where it was going? no not really but its good. 2. awful v rangers and scores finally, how many did the poor fella miss? slotted this one after hammering a series of shots at their old man keeper 3. really good work v west ham, lots of shots again but finally gets the header we've been waiting for. heads it down after fighting for the position. 4. Now ajax. Another header from a corner, good run then closes eye and it flies in. 13 games , 6 goals, 1 assist. 4 games missed so far. 1 injury and 3 suspended. first CL games he was subbed on for last 25mins. the only game he's played 90 in was the arsenal one. more to come imo.
I didn't enjoy that first 30. Our goal came from nowhere but we were "trying" to take the heat out of the game knocking it about aimlessly at times or playing head tennis so i don't mind that. In fact i have been saying a point was enough for weeks based on beating rangers so I would be more than happy watch us **** house 0-0 at HT. They were fairly ****, they had how many efforts? most of them were wild swings in the end as the game was over. Once we scored the team did ok thereafter. ajax were exposed really. they had to atack as i said pregame and they did so, that left the space for nunez and salah to run really. Anyone can "enjoy" us winning. Its a bit harder enjoy a blocking European performance but more than possible for me. Nobody can enjoy watching us flounder about like we did first 30.
Even in that first 30 I expected us to win (though their early miss was a bit of a challenge). I don't know why, I just did.
Taken from elsewhere... "The scary thing about Darwin is that the guy is barely playing in 2nd gear. I have never seen a more mindless criticism of any LFC player. He's chaos, and he's going to become the definition of wreaking havoc. He's constantly running, pressing, crossing, heading, taking wild shots and even defensive midfielding. We're threatening anywhere in front of the halfway line with him around. He's a striker, just 22, can't speak English, he's playing with a midfield and defence that is miles off it's best, in a team that's been ravaged by injuries, and he hasn't played full 90 yet. Snd he's still doing fine. When things fall in place, this guy is just going to be giant problem, literally unplayable. On top of that, he's clearly here for the shirt, not the money so I fully expect him to go hell for leather after the world cup. If you understand Football and watch him play Football, you are either relaxed or terrified depending on weather you are a Liverpool fan or not. The critics can have their last bit of mindless fun. I'm good, enjoying the 2nd gear and triple checking my seat belt before the next 3 gears come in." ...
Tbh I thought we were a bit lucky that the game didn't turn out differently. I think the game as a whole did show that if we did concede then we would've turned it around, but it doesn't bode well for better opposition.
Sounds about right. We ended up seeing a lot of wild swings after we scored the 3rd. Made it really easy for us
By the time thst happens it'll all be different (or better bloody be) we have 3 league games to struggle through now and I think 7 points would set us up for a decent run at 4th. We can then put this behind us but if we don't get serious with a full preseason style camp working on shape and systems as soon as we can get players back then we will **** this. Hopefully Diaz and jota can be part of that
Clearly wrong. He's 23. Everything else I've said myself many times but the less he has of the ball and the more running he does the better.
Ajax may not be a European super-power these days but still they must be better than most teams we face domestically. Having said that, I had to laugh at the commentator reeling off stats to try and show a relatively equal footing for both teams - completely disregarding the fact that one plays in the toughest league in the world, and the other is Ajax.
The thing i really like about Nunez is he keeps making the runs to stretch the defence plus he always seems to get chances even if he doesn't always take them .
Ajax have a great stadium, great fans and the pick of Dutch footballers but they simply can't pay the wages or retain the players so are always having peaks and troughs. They are in a trough this season after losing 5 or 6 players and manager. Simple as that. I didn't think they were much good first game and they were no better last night. It's very hard go from beating up semi pros to playing a proper team.
If we had any talent in midfield like a De Bruyne, I think Nunez would be scoring even more. Or at least getting the chances. Noticed yesterday too how many runs just end with nothing
also the midfield aren't really used to having a forward who constantly tries to run in behind the defence .
