Let's call a spade that. Flanagan has not been doing well from the pre-season- late tackles, poor passing. Kelly should have started. And must Carroll be in the starting 11? Thought KK said he is for the future? Looping all these balls to him only to drop them down for the opponents defenders is not The Liverpool Way.
Alright lads. From an SAFC point of view I think LFC looked very good. Your lads did flag a bit in the second half but then this was the first game and fitness levels are maybe a bit low. Also both teams have a lot of new faces, they need time to gel. We looked very shakey in the first half but came together in the second half, LFC did the opposite. Don't be too tempted to see our teams streangths as your teams failings. I think a draw was a fair result over the 90 mins. If LFC play the rest of the season like they did in the first half, you will do very well, and likewise us for the the second half. Early days for both teams but some very good signs for both too.
Excellent first half dreadful second half. I was amazed by the decision for play flanaghan over Kelly and I think that cost us as he was at fault for the goal and looked a bit of a liability in the second half. I think one thing the game shows is we still lack a bit of magic coming off the bench. There were tired legs out there but we had nobody with any pace or ability to run at people to bring on. Think thats the only thing is going to stop us challenging this year.
The 1st half was very encouraging, all the new signings looked good. Fitness seemed to be the problem Suarez was understandably tired but Downing and Adam faded, more importantly Lucas seemed to get tired and the midfield was then lost. Overall I was pleased with the team and feel that we will only get better. 1 point I would really like to make is that Adam needs to be fitter, he is well know for fading late in games and did the same yesterday he needs to last 90 mins.
I just hope we decide to keep Aquilani as Meireles' fitness levels haven't been the same since he went on a goalscoring run last season. Fair enough he had half a game in pre-season but we need players who can really show flair and creativity when we need it. If the following changes were made I have a feeling the result might have been different: Out - In Henderson - Kuyt Flanagan - Kelly Suarez - Maxi Kuyt behind Carroll, Maxi and Downings taking up the right and left flanks. Suarez and Aquilani on the bench, if we the scoreline was at 1-1 around the hour mark bring on Aquilani and Suarez for Downing and Maxi. Slightly confusing but if you get your head around it its fairly simple
Realy disappointed we have dropped points already. No disrepect to Sunderland, but we need to be winning these games. Not good enough, realy poor result. I think Kenny's choice of players in our pre-season has hurt the team. Lacking match fitness.
We didn't take all 3 points and we have to accept it and move on. Arsenal could be vulnerable without Cesc, Nasri, Gervinho and possibly Alex Song (Depending on Monday's verdict)
Yeah that is true. We need a good game to settle everyone down. I think our midfield should be able to stop them from playing.
Definetly. The fact my younger brother (Arsenal fan) is seeing the return of a 19 year old Jack Wilshere as 'consolation' is good news for us. If they lose Song they lose a major player. He covers the back line and generally has some good tackles (Lucas style player). I hope we can do well and I'm sure if everyone can sort out their fitness we can come away with three points.
I'd love us to win at Arsenal, we never do any more! We are the team that has beaten Arsenal more than any other, but in the last ten years I never expect too much when we play them. Cannot believe Wenger has let them get into such a position as he has. They're still very capable, but they have just gone backwards 2 years.
Sounds like you guys got off to a flyer. I haven't seen the game as yet but my mate said you flew out the traps, slick passing, confidence flowing and generally looking good. Second half was the opposite. Without it kicking off a massive argument as per usual, for this season I feel the way he described the game may well be how your season pans out. First half you will be on fire, but second half you will tire and fall off the pace.
All points to match fitness. The dross we generally put out in pre-season are now fit, where as our regulars are not.
Arsenal will sack Wenger by new year imo. Hes lost it completely. However the club and Arsene will claim its by mutual consent purely out of respect for what Arsene did for the goons early in his time there.
Yup 100% agree. He needs a miracle. So stubborn. To compete he needs to spend, and in doing that he breaks his policy of the past 5 years which would lead to the question, 'why didnt you spend before?". And thus the past 5 years woud look a total waste of time, making him look an idiot. I think he will go end of the season.
Flanagan go majorly found out and once Fathead seen that he got his players playing directly at him and he just couldn't handle it, and hopefully people can now see that our youth players are massively over-rated (including Kelly). Defence wasn't the biggest problem yesterday though. The omission of Kuyt from the starting 11 was an awful decision cos that was the sort of game he is made for, Aquilani not even making the bench???? Our best preseason player? If he didn't play because he's being sold then why did he play preseason???? Would have been great off the bench yesterday First 30 minutes were very promising but after that it was depressing to watch, Hendo was nowhere to be seen, Carroll was isolated, Adam and Lucas don't look to be a good pair (maybe, in time?) Luckily enough, Arsenal were complete **** so a good chance to try again next week but changes need to be made for me
Quite pessimistic Kenny! I think our youngsters are good - but just young! We need match fitness, and a decision made on Aqua. Leaving Kuyt out was a mistake I agree.
It may not be a bad result seeing as the goonies and the chavs both drew. Maybe just maybe a lot of teams including ourselves are still in pre-season mode. Man Ure winning is not a foregone either, as they are away and their away form isn't what you call brilliant. We ran out of gas and our first half performance was encouraging. I believe Kennys only mistake was putting 4 newbies into the team at once. He actually had to because Aurelio pulled up injured. The fitness will improve and if we perform as well for 90 minutes next week we will have too much for Arsenal.
Looking at ours, Arsenal, Chelsea & United performances this weekend I don't think we should be too disappointed. Neither Arsenal or Chelsea looked dangerous infront of goal and we all know Arsenal are dodgey at the back (even though Newcastle failed to test them). Untied are currently drawing, and although playing some decent football their keeper looks shakier than Pete Doherty when he's gone 30mins without a a dose... I think we can say that Sunderland will probably finish higher than WBA, Newcastle & possibly Stoke so even though we were at home, comparing our results to those we are hoping to be around, it's been a half decent weekend. My rating (if United stays 1-1) 7 out of 10.
