Thoughts on the match??

[JCC87]

Honestly, Terry was once the best the league had but I don't think so anymore, and Cahill has never been world class. The attack and midfield in this team are looking superb - ironically it is the defence that looks in need of a rethink. Hummels would be fantastic, as would Varane. If our defensive troubles continue Zouma might end up playing. Poor Courtois is getting very sketchy cover at times.

Zouma might actually be the hidden gem that becomes Joses Varane at Chelsea. Varane was never expected to play with Pepe and Ramos at Madrid but Jose gave him a chance and he took it. Jose has shown he is not afraid to ditch experience if a youngster can take his chance.

 

[SpursDisciple]

Why not both I have never rated Cahill that highly anyway, so why not change both CB's
Might cause a problem with our home grown quota tho.

Why have you become the fugitive?

 

[Bodinki]

Why have you become the fugitive?

Because I didn't kill my wife!

It's a thing on the Liverpool page, the Mafia thread.

 

[tjblonks]

Imo Cahill is definitely world-class, his positioning, anticipation and tackling is amazing, not to mention being comfortable on the ball. The only downside to him is that he doesn't seem to be a natural leader, which could create a problem when JT is no longer next to him.

 

[StanDMan]

I know Costa got a hat trick and Fabregas got a couple more of assists but i thought Hazard was our best player. No goals or assists but there will be games we score 4 and he's involved in every one of them. Ramires changed the game though, we were getting overrun in the first half but that extra midfielder gave us the control and allowed us to go and win the game. Some more good subs from Jose.

JT was horrible though and the rest of the Defence weren't that much better. I'd probably give Filipe a game at LB and switch Azpi across maybe. I know we're scoring a lot but we are conceding a fair few. I do reckon we'll play a bit more cautiously against City though.

Rambo great. Our Entire defence is unbalanced due to Ivan playing second striker. Can't single out JT.

I get the feeling that JT is becoming our "new" Frank. He is starting to feel his age, but will be an excellent player for us for the rest of the year ,but will need to be used more sparingly and thoughtfully.

Completely agreed - he had lost some pace - and what he might have thought straight forward clearance was made horrible miscue due to his lack of pace.
Need to blend in Kurt & Ivan at CB sooner than later.

Oscar & Rambo could bring part of what Cesc does. So shouldn't be a major risk there. Rambo's touch is improving every day.

Yeah I got a bit of stick yesterday for saying JT was the weak link in defense. I was trying to avoid getting into an argument based just around the OG. I just felt that there is a lack of communication going on and it is JT's responsibility to get that right.

As for the OG it seemed to me the defense were in a good line. To JT's right both guys were with him, I think he knew there was an attacker behind him. Dave was right there behind him perfectly placed and JT either didn't know he was there, or trust he would be there.

Last season our big problem was defending while running back to goal, a hard thing to do, but even so we were/are poor at it. Cahill made many great last ditch tackles from the side from being behind. Too often though from a long range indirect FK in the middle of the pitch, lobbed into the box, we lost the ball and left attackers free and needlessly double teamed others. JT leaving Eto'o against Everton was sort of an example of this. I thought we had cleared this up when I saw JT make the back line hold hands and then break earlier in the season.

Again - Naismith goal & JT's own goal this week look very similar. Eto'o's is one off set piece and very lucky to score from there through that crowd.

 

[Varier2]

Imo Cahill is definitely world-class, his positioning, anticipation and tackling is amazing, not to mention being comfortable on the ball. The only downside to him is that he doesn't seem to be a natural leader, which could create a problem when JT is no longer next to him.

I am afraid I have to disagree. His positioning leads to lot of his excellent defending being him recovering - which admittedly he does do well. He also has a horrifically annoying ability to back off strikers on the edge of our box letting them shoot.

He is strong technically and strong in the tackle, and surprisingly fast, but he doesn't leave me with the confidence that he will stand up to potent attacks - and with Terry seeming to hit the decline, Cahills problems will only be accentuated.