Match Day Thread vs Stoke (A)

I do think Allen was looking for it but him pulling out is irrelevant simply because his momentum still takes him into Allen. Such a clear decision ha.

 

First half couldn't fault anyone. All top draw, entertaining, good passing, good pressure, good movement, just need to learn to stick the ball in the net.

2nd half, with injuries and disrupted team, thought we defended well. They created a few chances but the front 3 have torn better defences than that apart this season so very impressive.

Thought Allen & Lucas were standout for me. They proved Souness wrong and dominated the midfield first half, and Lucas was brilliant at CB with a couple good headers and decent tackles.

Lallana, Allen, Firm all tired in the 2nd half and I think 1 of Lallana / Firm would have come off had Lovren not had to.

Ibe took his goal well but needs to up his game. Needs to do what he does best and run into space rather than keep trying to wait for the ball.

1-0 at HT in the tie and 2nd leg at Anfield in a few weeks, don't lose and we're into a final

 

Seems the reason stoke are not higher in table is front 4 don't really offer much defensively.

Tobes... given you saw them last week. Did you see the same?

 

Am I right in saying we have have 0 fit centre-backs for the next game?

To be honest we are probably better off signing someone to replace one of the muppets anyways? Either that of Klopp has some masterful new age attacking formation up his sleeve?

 

Can dominated. Allen was efficient. Kolo dealt with everything. And credit to Lucas - bar one lapse, he did well.

Firmino was our best attacker but not good enough for MOTM.

 

yep Can Allen were excellent
Kolo as good as he probably can be these days thought Milner was good as well
just think midfield / defence seemed better combination today
Firm 50/50
but overall good apart from Benteke who did himself no favours with that cameo

 

Totally different. That's when players have the ball at their feet.
When the ball is played into Crouch why stand behind him and try win the header? Hes a foot taller than you, and all he's going to do is flick it backwards into the space that you've just vacated as we saw..

You need to just stand back if your a CM challenging him, let him flick it on and be in position to win the flick... if he doesn't flick it on he brings it down but he takes an age to turn so gives others time to get round him.

 

I agree. Just having a snipe at Bisc.

 

Good summary that.

Got to give toure a wee mention too.

 

Disagree, if he brings it down then you get the midfield to get on his toes

 

Yeah, whatever.

As you young folk say.

 

Lucas deserves the motm really. Allen must've been close but ran out of steam.

 

Can't include Arnautovic in that. Guy offers just as much defensively than going forward, probably hardest working winger in the league.

 

Yup, forgot Toure, considering hasn't played in a while, he was very good. Even carrying on last couple mins with hammy gone.

 

Crouch looks good taking it down and all but he only runs 10 yards back then lays it off... seen it loads for us.

 

Bit gory in the second half (especially with no C/bs, as such, in the end), and we had the better chances to finish that off there. BUT, for all his faults, we play better with Firmino in that 'false 9' position than we do floating the ball atBentake.

Nod for Lucas as a stopgap, Moreno and Can (though he and Ibe tired badly in the second half). Like with City, we should have buried that game in the first 45, but never mind, we did far, far better than I feared.

Not worried about the tie on Friday (which is not to say we'll win - I just don't know) but I'd rather get to wembley (if we do) than get to the fourth round of the FA Cup, if that's what happens. Really hope the three injuries don't **** us though for January, with Arse and Uniturd coming up. I'd truly prefer Benteke tried at CB than CF.

 

So do we think Ilori might be coming back? Injuries to 4 CB's... could do with him back now to get some minutes against Exeter on Friday.

 

Question;

Its a response to klopp but can they sustain it in next games? Will they just revert

 

Good point that.

He's been sent back by villa

 

Has he? Know there was talk about it but not seen anything official?