While I agree(I said it lol), who else? Obviously a Coutinho or Sturridge would be there , a later sterling was just as ineffectual. Just a poor bench. That was the other prob. He didn't even have a yellow after 7 fouls by himself! Anyway. We are still, with backs to wall, win or lose; the most entertaining cup club!
Top effort by the players. Thought Assaidi did well when he came on. Not so much Shelvey and Sterling didn't get enough time.
He just joined Zenit and is probably on a staggering pay packet, but he does look a talent and reads the game well but he seems to have a bit of David Luiz in his game!
Agree entirely. Some of our players will never be good enough IMO. Spirit there, in parts, but quality truly lacking.
pity they left their feet at home. Shelvey sucked, all he did was manage to take up ineffectual positions clogging up play and get booked. Sterling refused to use his best asset, his pace. Downing refused to look up as did many others, it aint enough to just get a cross in, when we did manage it, it would be nice to actually try find someone with a cross or cutback
I've spent a season watching spineless performances lacking in character. Tonight seeing us play with heart and desire, especially after going behind for me was a great performance.
Recurring theme for us really. We can get goals, but you wouldn't bet on us keeping a clean sheet. At least One top level defender needs to be brought in, plus some competition for Reina (or a decent replacement)
I think it was a good performance...until we got to the penalty area as usual. You could see how much Gerrard wanted it but some of those around him just don't share the same passion. Downing (who tries but just isn't good enough) shelvey (bloody useless) sterling (lightweight) just don't have that same....ummmph! It also shows the weakness of the squad when we are bringing on shelvey,sterling and Assaidi to try and get us that goal. In fact had the opposite effect,looked far more dangerous when Henderson and Allen were on the field. But Suarez,Gerrard,Lucas,Enrique and Agger were immense for us. Make no mistake they are a decent team and hulk is a very dangerous player. Whoever gets them in the next round will be in for a tough game. And yet we should have won with just one chance converted over there or carra putting it in row z.
I think Zenit look quite a good side and unfortunately you gave yourself too much to do tonight. The truth is English sides are no better than a lot of teams on the continent, there are some quality (and expensive - like Carroll!) players in that squad.
I said above average in effort. But lets not beat around the bush, the zenith midfield were left back in Russia tbf and we still failed
Yeah totally agree. One beast centre back and that would sure up defence. Reina doesn't give me confidence. However he is a confidence player, and with a strong back four in front of him and, as you said, some competition he could be quality again.
I know what you mean by David Luiz, he gave away three free kicks on the edge of the box (none of which he got booked for either) and we scored from two of those free kicks
Does anyone else think Agger would make a decent CDM for us? Reminds me of Yaya Toure in a way. We do need another decent CB, I did think at the start that Skrtel should be playing because of Hulk but despite Carra's mistake I thought he played okay.
