Mig's shot stopping has never been in doubt although in the last couple of years he was still making the odd mistake with that but since he's come back I don't remember him making a mistake from a shot. To go alongside that he's actually coming out and claiming crosses or punching and punching well. There were a couple yesterday where he came and punched clear from a crowded 6 yard box and got it 30 yards out and wide of the goal for a throw. Yes his distribution isn't great but it's improving slowly. MY problem is with the defenders who pass the ball back to him in awkward positions. They either play it back across his body meaning he has to take a touch, or the pass it to him when he's going to be immediately under pressure so he panicks a bit and his kick goes no further than what the defender could have done. I certaintly wouldn't be looking to spend £10m plus on a replacement keeper, instead maybe a couple of mil on a younger one that can learn and challenge in a year or two. McCarthy is at QPR and not getting a chance ahead of Green but he would have been an ideal back up for us. The fact he's not getting a chance at QPR means he would probably want to go somewhere guaranteed to be first choice though. The other option is an older keeper like Schwarzer/Given who is at the end of their career and happy to be on the bench most of the season but is still decent enough back up.
You can always find some fault, and see some need for improvement, in any position, but to progress steadily as a team it must be better to address the weakest areas first. Amazingly, the defence doesn't seem too much of a problem currently, so I'd prefer we prioritised other areas. The obvious one being goalscoring. 43 from 29 isn't good enough. I think we're creating enough chances, but not converting enough of them. We were never going to match last season's tally without Suarez, but we need to do better than we are.
Do remember that Sturridge had been injured for about five months. If he had not been injured he should have at least score six extra goals.
I don't think we are creating enough to be fair. We're resorting to quite few long shots here and there but the quality of chances is certainly lower than last season (for obvious reasons). Playing with 1 striker is hindering to the attack but also the striker himself - Sturridge cannot play as a lone striker and his game is suffering. Since Sturridge has come back from injury, he has shown patches of decent form - but on closer inspection, he has played a lot better when Mario comes off the bench to partner him.
Are re we not creating enough because we're more solid in defence? No coincidence that teams that attack more concede more (unless you're a wc team). If we attacked more would it mean our defence became poorer again? If so where do you draw the line? Finding that balance is tricky
I do remember. The problem is that that could happen again, and we need a viable contingency plan. Also, I think we should be looking at a dozen more than we have. We had 76 at the same stage last year.
- I think our striker (Sturridge) is not suited to the lone striker role. - As a result, he is isolated and Coutinho can't play his throughballs. - Lallana is a waste of space who offers little, and it means others have to move around to accomodate him. - Little drive from midfield. Hendo and Allen are good solid players but they won't provide that impetus i.e. someone who can carry the ball from deep and run 30 yards to drive the team forward. - Sterling is out of position so he's not as effective as last season but still doing a decent enough job.
I think it's easier to do so with some positions. A keeper is one of those. Other positions have too many variables to say, for sure, that x will be better than y...we've seen as much with Lovren! I rate Hart highly. You watch the game tonight. Hart was outstanding....I rest my case
You watched Migs every game this season? He's had a few top quality performances too. Consistency and concentration are key for a keeper.
