Pacheco was played as the player that was supposed to lead the line, when he's more of a number 10. He's not a very good number 10. He's got the talent, but for me there is something missing. He would do well at somewhere like Athletic Bilbao.
Yeah, you're right. Though I think a part of what's missing is the mentality of a winner. This tweet best sums it up: "Putting crosses in for 5'6 Dani Pacheco when all last season they refused to do it for 6'3 Andy Carroll."
Bollox, that cross that resulted in the first goal was an absolute stunner, it was inch perfect, right bang in the middle of the 6 yard box. Now if only there was a Liverpool player within 10 yards of it. Carroll would have nutted that into the net, alas he is not here, and Pacheco was just a total waste of space. We were playing with 10 men while he was on the pitch. Overall Downing does a few of them, only for the rest of the forwards to be AWOL. I know Downing isn't excellent, but he doesn't deserve the wrap he gets on here.
Bollox. That cross which he knocked in when there was no one in the box at all, not even close, was inch perfect to giving possession away to any half competant team - we got lucky. We do not play that way, so why is Downing suddenly charging down the line 8minutes into the game and knocking it in, knowing full well there'll be no one there? If we didn't get an own goal from it, you'd be asking why the hell he was crossing it in. You can use the 'what if Carroll was there' card all you like, but Carroll isn't here and he probably won't ever be again. We play the ball to feet and Stewie isn't that kind of player. You say Pacheco was a waste of space, I say he's a small, technical player who isn't supposed to be in the box heading the ball in. He wants the ball to feet and he wants players running around him, linking up. Point to me where those players were? Wtf is Dani meant to do with 40yard air balls launched his way and no one near him? Downing isn't excellent, nope. He's ok - in a team where he's meant to cross the ball to a big number 9, which this isn't.
I like Sahin from what I've seen but I wouldn't play him in this game where there'll be a need for every midfielder to be 100% defensively. He's not quite up to speed yet defensively and he's playing within himself offensively so I'd ease him in when we've got easier games. Playing him against Arsenal, in hindsight, was the wrong decision and I think Shelvey would've done much better than him. Can't blame Rodgers for that though because we were all calling for a midfield of Sahin/Allen and Gerrard! Pacheco has been at Liverpool under 4 managers. None of them have given him opportunities because none of them have rated him. He's also been on loan at two clubs and none of them rated him enough to sign him permanantly. Tells you all you need to know about Pacheco.
I never said he was good or will be good enough, but I fail to see how he can be criticised for tonight's performance as harshly as a 'waste of space' when it was the team's failure to support or feed him properly which was the main fault. That's all I'm saying :>
On tonight's performance I don't see how you can either praise Downing or lambaste Pacheco. For me the important lesson that we haven't learnt in either our 1st 11 or tonight's side is the softness of our midfield when facing counter-attacks. It happened at WBA, Arsenal exploited it to the max and even Sunderland used it effectively.
Downing was miles better than Pacheco tonight, as he actually got himself involved and on the ball. I know you may argue that Pacheco got no service up front but Borini came on for what? 20-30 minutes and had plenty of the ball and was involved loads. The lack of movement from Pacheco and Suso stopped them getting the ball and forced us to go to the wide options and end up putting crosses in. If they had shown for the ball, as Borini and Shelvey showed later on, they would have got the ball in good positions. Not a fan of Downing but to condemn him and to defend Pacheco after tonight is ludicrous. Good point. I think that's down to adapting to the system though, and obviously missing Lucas. Our defence just backs off when teams are counter attacking instead of making the pitch compact they give them more and more room. I hope that'll be rectified within time when we get used to the system.
"so why is Downing suddenly charging down the line 8minutes into the game and knocking it in, knowing full well there'll be no one there?" There's an answer to that, and as much as I love pass-and-move, God help us when the day comes that it's acceptable or even expected that when a cross comes in none of our forwards should be there, be they 5'6" or 6'3".
Once again, all I'm saying is that he was not a 'waste of space' as other posters seem to hashly describe his performance. Would you play Downing against United based on that performance? In fact, would you ever play him this season as first choice? The blind crosses to no one, the 5 misplaced passes in the first 20 minutes alone (I counted, I was that interested to see if he'd actually step up as a senior player), the running aimlessly to the corner then seeing what his options were, the lack of incisive forward passes...all this, as a senior squad member fighting for his position in the first 11 and as a role model to the young players on the team. Yeah, I feel I can be negative about his performance. Pacheco didn't do well, but at least there are things we can defend about him...Downing is fast running out of excuses.
Well first off, it was 4 minuted in, and I would be thinking what I was thinking, "Why isn't there a Liverpool player within 10 yards of that?" The cross deserved a goal, and it got one, no thanks to our **** formation. As Donga says, you expect someone to be there, and that is why we are not scoring goals. Over all it was a worthwhile game, we figured out that Pacheco should never get to play for the club again, ever, and it didn't cost us the match to find that out.
I would imagine the answer to why Downing does this, that or the other is because he's been told to. Dani Pacheco's been around for a while now and has never taken his chances when he's had them. I take the point that he may not be getting the support, but he's never sparked in any game I've seen him in. Borini may not be knocking in the goals yet, but his movement off the ball and the way he creates space for others shouldn't be undervalued. I think all the young lads show good technical ability but obviously need time to develop as team players. I won't say anything about Wisdom- the lad said it all himself.
If anything Downing should go back to basics and look up, hold the ball to let the forward/s catch up with play before aiming crosses over.
Bit harsh on Dani on herew this evening. The guy pressurised in defence and was involved in some good inter play when he came deeper and on the counter. Had little to no impact as a CF, but should be playing deeper or wider. By no means a classic by him, but what he was involved in he did well. That said he really will have to do some impressing if he is looking to stay at Liverpool past January, there is just too much other young talent in his position
I reckon we should have kept hold of Incey, we've got many 'promising' youngsters but we cant keep or play them all.
Same old story Red, he or they might not fit into the managers plans or style here but they fit like a glove at the club's they go to.
