Taarabt is a bloody liability. He tried a shimmy on the touchline, lost it and it ended up with Fuller just having to beat Kenny but blasted it wide. The same happened against the Arsenal when Van Persie should have punished his sloppiness. For all the tricks that come off, one day hes gonna cost us dearly. Mark my words.
Another good report col. This game was always going to be a tight cagey affair and I knew one goal would decide it. We are beginning to see the effects of Sparky's 'short sharp drills' and the 95 minute fitness agender that he instills into his teams. Hence the strong finish. As for the varied comments about Taarabt, I think he should of started in Buzsacky's position. Like you said Buz was ineffective again yesterday and at times it was like playing with ten men. I think Adel can have more freedom playing behind Zamora and will hurt teams playing a more central role. I'm not bothered by his new found defensive prowess, I want his fitness used so that he can hurt teams where it matters. So with Adel inside, I would then have Traore out left which would have given us an option to stretch Stokes defence. They gobbled everything up that was played in from in front of them, and we needed width to get beyond them and make defending less comfortable than they had it. Traore also has the speed and engine to cover both defensive and attacking duties out on the flank. Also, with Traore being a natural left back it would offer better cover when Taiwo makes the occasional raid forward. As it turned out, we all went drinking after the game in great spirits. Another great atmosphere inside the 'Old Girl' that is Loftus Road, we'll miss her when she eventually goes ( although my knees won't. ) As Tony Gale said on Sky Sports Match Choice, ( I tried to watch it again through bleery eyes when I eventually got home. ) '' I call this ground the Bear Pit, It is absolutely rocking! It feels and sounds like there are seventy thousand fans in here! '' Ps Did anyone see what happened with Dean Whitehead on the touchline as he was warming-up? It seamed like someone said something to him and he really reacted to it. He started offering fans out in the east paddock. They were going mental at him.
Great post Nines. You and Col ARE talking sense. Tarbs is a great player. He just annoys me at times! I think Sparky should drop Buz this weekend and hopefully be able to bring in Diakite. (Its a pity they didn't take Whitehead up and chin the fu*ker)
Your posts do make me laugh swords. I think your right though and Diakite will play on Sunday. In fact I'd go as far to say that he will set the Stadium of Light alight. ( ****ing arsonist! I hate 'em. )
I've calmed down a bit too Swords I obviously get your frustration with Adel, but I just love watching players like him. Yes, they cost you goals, but for me, the risk is worth the season ticket money!! I also agree with nines. I was going to post something very similar. Taarabt should be played in the centre if we play 4-2-3-1 behind the forward. This would minimise the times Adel gets caught in possession in bad areas and get him right in the areas where he can hurt the opposition most! I was also going to suggest playing Traore on the left of the 3 on Sunday. Great minds nines? This would be my team: ---------------------Kenny------------------- Onouha-------Ferdinand---Hill-----------Taiwo ---------------Barton------Diakite------------ Mackie-------------Taarabt------------Traore ---------------------Cisse-------------------
Totally agree though I think MH will play Derry and move Adel out to the left. As always nice report Col, I agree with the setup in the first half, I would have been more aggressive and I (just) turned out to be wrong, MH mentioned this was always his plan and he wanted the stability in the first half. I must admit I got a little emotional when Cisse scored, started to get a hold of myself when we heard the Bolton score and a small relapse, not good for my image.
Bloody good report Col I too was worried/disappointed when Cisse didn't start. But who's to know if it would have been better than what Sparky chose? As you said, it worked out well in the end. And to use an old cliche, scoring to early can be dangerous, especially against a team like Stoke. I have a feeling we would have sat back if that would be the case, thereby inviting an airial bombardement. Having Stoke throw their kitchen sink at you, and that kitchen sink being 6 ft 3 in, made in Germany of massive steel, I dread to think of the result of that. What a day, fantastic atmosphere when we scored, tension throughout, can't ask for more than that. To see all three sides rise in what looked like a frantic Mexican wave, and the noice! Incredible, there's no place like Loftus Road on days like that. Re our lineup against City, for me the central position behind the front man should be occupied by a more defensive player than Adel. Against City that role will be absolutely pivotal. We need to have a real engine there that can hurry City's build up play and get close to both Yaya and Barry. And Barton will be much better suited than Adel doing that job imo. This for me: ---------------------Kenny------------------- Onouha-------Ferdinand---Hill-----------Taiwo/Traore ---------------Derry------Diakite------------ Mackie--------------Barton------------Taarabt ---------------------Cisse-------------------
I think it may well be a 4-3-2-1 totally swamping the midfield and denying space in front of the back four. I would expect something like this: -------------Kenny---------- Onuoha--Ferdinand--Hill--Taiwo ----Derry--Barton--Diakite---- -------Mackie---Taarabt------ ------------Zamora----------- Probably see Cisse around the hour mark...
no i would play cisse as the front man & quicker when we counter attack, apart from that your team is the one i would play sooperhoop. if valehoops was getting emotional sunday wait till this coming sunday!
I think he was more involved than people are making out. I remember a couple of blistering runs down the left-side. That couple with the way he celebrated the winner, no wonder he was shattered!
I'd rather see Cisse upfront but think MH will stick with Zamora. I hope he's sharper than he was last Sunday!...
I think Kompany and Lescott will eat BZ for breakfast!! Much rather see Cisse up top to stretch them with his pace!! I take the point about having Barton in the middle of the midfield in place of Adel and I think MH will do this!!
What i meant to say is a i love Liverpool Taarabt is a bloody brilliant. He tried a shimmy on the touchline, nailed it and it ended up with Fuller just having to beat Kenny but missed because he is very poor. The same happened against the Arsenal when Van Persie should have punished his sloppiness but he didn't. For all the tricks that come off, one day hes gonna be the best player in the division. Mark my words.
