Sturridge is injured. But yes to that team just put Lucas as the DM in the diamond and Sterling at the tip.
Well my idea would be more like ----------Lucas ---Henderson----------- ----------Sterling Sturridge-Balotelli-Lallana I wouldnt wasted Henderson in deep role.
He wasn't any worse than the other muck around him. He was "yanked out" because Moreno is more attacking so when we changed to 3 at the back, it was natural to leave him on and take the other FB off.
Wasnt our millions spent that got us throught tonight but goals from players who came through the u18 and u21. Good to see
Quick assessment of our players tonight, simply not good enough. Only considering those in the first 11, or those that should be fighting for starting positions: Mig - Doesn't claim enough (any?) crosses or balls into the box, not commanding at all. Needed to rush their striker in the 2nd half where they almost played through us and scored, did not move at all! Sakho - Solid game, always tried to play it forward, good passing but gave away silly freekick for their 1st. Manquillo - Only ok defensively today, offers nothing going forward but is a trier. Enrique - Solid defender and got involved attacking for our 2nd. Lucas - No longer our destructor and creator, very slow, but always an outlet. Offers nothing going forward and doesn't have the burst to cover defensively very well. Still better DM option than Gerrard. Lama - Our best player today, every attack went through him, got involved and lots of nice interplay and tricks. Still a lot to come from him I hope. Sterling - Good attacking play, without being outstanding today but THAT pass could have been costly. Markymark - With £20m spent on him, he should be a contender for starting 11, but was nervous and ineffective, poor decision making and where is this killer pace? Balo - Ineffective performance again, tried long range pot shots and didn't do much at all. Given the supposed lower caliber of our opponents tonight, that performance was terrible. This team really needs to start gelling or we will be in trouble. Well done to Suso, the forgotten man, our shape changed as soon as he came on and got his rewards.
Jeez.....crazy ****,pleased to go through. Well played Boro took it right to the wire. (and beyond) Chuffed for Suso,would like him to stick around. Sakho had a solid game,Lallana getting there. Markovic.......****ing SHOOT Argh............we stumble on
Yes first half, he got up and passed the defence and produced a number of lovely crosses that would have been great if Ballotelli and co had bothered their arse getting into the box. Weirdly last section of match when the "target man/plan b" was brought on he seemed to have been told to stay back more.......strange when he was the only player actually getting crosses in!
Whatever, they were all dross over the weekend. Balotelli and Sterling were the only ones to come out with any credit.
