Just a word on Senderos, think he is better than Hughes. Can see forward and can pass better. No disrespect to Hughes and his contribution so far. As if he had to be sent off for the foul I dont't think so as he ws not the last player and definitely not a goal scoring opportunity. Agree with Bandit on Zamora but he was playing alone up front. If a good offer comes on the table we might have to accept it. Don't want to see him leaving but the passion is missing.
Some good performances from Etuhu enjoying being able to pass forward to the 3 Amigos (Ruiz, Dembele and Dempsey) instead of just sideways to Murphy, and Kelly did well. Not sure I'm convinced about Senderos being better than Hughes, maybe at passing, but last night I was waiting for a mistake by Senderos to cost us the game. Riise has lost his box to box style, he struggles to get back in position after rushing forward, and Hangeland has to come over to cover, leaving the center open. Still think Baird has done well in the center. Got a sneaky feeling we might be seeing Sunderland or Newcastle testing us for Zamora in January, and papers have already said Johnson might be a target for Sunderland.
Senderos is not better than Hughes, but he's not a liability, either. I'm quite sure I've been Senderos' biggest detractor in the last year, but I confess I've been happily surprised by his performances. And I thought he did very well Monday. Even his tackle just outside the box was a pretty smart move considering Suarez was certainly going to get passed him and put a shot on goal. His professional foul was the best possible solution to what would likely have been a disaster for us. So no, he's not as good as Hughes (IMO), but he's good enough at this point. I don't see any urgency to run out and find another center back. Nobody's really commented on the configuration Jol came up with, effectively a 4-2-3-1 with Dembele, Dempsey and Ruiz all switching positions all game long. With Etuhu fronting the back four and Murphy distributing up the middle, this could be a very effective setup for us. It will be interesting to see if it continues. Jol said in the post-game interview that Murphy might be out a couple of games with a sprained ankle.
I've been arguing for Senderos over Hughes all season, largely due to his better distribution but also due to having less concern over his defensive powers than some. Hughes has been slack a couple of times this season and not got slaughtered for it here the way Senderos would have been - we tend to cut our favourites a bit more slack than we do for newer players. On the subject of centre backs, let's not forget how well Baird has done there recently. I think there's now a genuine three-way fight for the place alongside Hangeland (and a challenge to Brede if he starts to coast). With Murphy injured, Bairdinho is also a possible to play centre midfield in the next game or two, provided that his 'personal reasons' are sorted. Does anyone know what they were and why he was missing for the last two matches?
He's not been well, Bandy. He joined in with this discussion a while back: http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/79525-Article-Where-should-we-be-Football-Fulham and hasn't been heard from since. I hope he's still doing okay. I miss his dry wit and his dispatching of wums. If you're reading this, Rocky, get well soon.
Senderos passing is better. Plus Senderos willing to dribble with the ball as well, sometimes in a most entertaining way. My preference is for Hughes when Hughes is fully fit. I think he has more pace and better defensive instincts. Jol is apparently chomping at the bit to get Sidwell back for the game Saturday, though Sidwell is still recovering from surgery.
Got back from the game late on Monday - thanks tubes - then off early Tuesday for a family commitment. So a strange last couple of days no papers or WiFi, only a quick ‘phone conversation with a work colleague who went to last night’s Christmas bash, and just catching up on the posts here. Won’t comment on Suarez or Spearing other than to say they will get what they deserve. What a cracking game! Apart from the last 5 weak at the knees minutes, the time flew past - credit to both teams. L’pool were so fast up front, especially on the break; we tended to pass the ball around looking for openings. And because of that I believe we were more effective and had more shots on target, certainly in the first half. The team showed intelligence and grit in abundance. I remember saying at one point, “Great to see them getting stuck in” (well that’s the family version). Very difficult, again, to pick out one player but for me Hangelandwas immense. Mention in despatches though to - Senderos who was a revelation. I’ve never before seen him bring the ball out of defence so often and so purposefully. Murphy for so many interceptions (my colleague says the word is that he may have broken something). Etuhu for continuing his recent good form. His usual 5 to 10 yard passes were mainly forwards rather than sideways or backwards and as a result ’telling’. Can’t leave of course without touching on 3 players who have taxed us a fair bit of late. Bobby was poor. He didn’t hold the ball at all and worse never attempted once, to turn his marker. Trademark stuff for him of old. He did have a problem with his left ankle after only 4 minutes and could jump from then on and he did get a bang on his knee later but all is not well. Maybe an enforced rest will help. Ruiz was mobile, agile in thought - not many would have had the presence to make that chip from almost the half way line. A few short passes that went awry - over confident or complacent ? Can only see him getting better with more games. AJ let himself down again in the last minute with a stupid blast past the the post with Reiner helpless. A class act would have put a 2-0 icing on the cake. I don’t say that lightly - wherever we end up in the league, goal difference could play a big part - POINTS MEAN MONEY. But what a performance. COYW.
Agree DR. Sad about Danny, but Siddy and Dicksa is a fairly frightening combination. Folk have commented about BZ - to be fair to him he got an early bang on his achilles from Agger - where he his a long history of injuries - I think may have slowed him down.
I can understand Jol wanting to bring Sidwell back with Murphy and Baird now out of the game. Does anyone know the 'personal reasons' as to why Bairdy wasn't able to play against Liverpool? I think both Gecov and Kasami are both too raw to be starting these type of games (Swansea) and would be better coming off the bench to freshen things up.
I don't know what happened with Kasami, Jol seemed to be giving him a lot more game time earlier in the season and he was looking good, if a bit inconsistant.
Bidders, Kasami is a fantastic talent. That said I think the problem that Jol has found with him is that he does not hold his position well enough. If he plays on the right he keeps drifting in field too much and we are left exposed to the counter. He is unfortunately another one for the list who would be best played in the middle. I think he is the man that makes things tick when he plays for Switzerland, maybe he could play instead of murph's. Would be a hell of a gamble though. COYW
