re: Match day 2-8-14 Thread

We have to face Liverpool again, which sucks because it could mean we are out of all major comps by the end of March, if we continue this form. I can't see us beating Munich without Walcott and Ramsey, Liverpool look rapey, and we aren't as deep as Man City and Chelsea. I suppose there's always next year.

Allen for Sturridge

This is still a single match in isolation. Rodgers got his tactics right and the squad was on point, but it's still a 1 in 1,000 match for LFC.

Chelsea vs Newcastle should be a decent match. Chelsea have a fantastic young attacking core.

It was a tough matchup for Arsenal. No doubt you lot can out-pass most teams on earth, but against a young, energetic midfield like LFC's you will have problems. Gerrard sitting deep let Henderson, Coutinho and Sterling run at will against Arsenal's almost immobile midfield today. It seems like Arteta and Ozil were an awkward pairing in the fact that they both need to be surrounded by runners. Which Wenger didn't have today.

On top of all of that, Liverpool are a good passing team as well, with those energetic players also being technically gifted. Sterling and Sturridge's pace clearly was a problem for Per, and Kos wasn't able to cover for him without leaving another player unmarked. Quick, decisive counter-attacking was on display from LFC, and there is just too much magic and energy from Coutinho, Sterling, Suarez and Sturridge.

Also, like you said, the opening goal was clearly huge with momentum. Arsenal were shaken after that. Anfield has become a fortress the last 2 seasons.

Wes Brown is a damn idiot. 3rd red card of the season. It's been 5 minutes

The only person who is immobile in our midfield is Arteta, which poses a major problem because he's supposed to shield the back four. With Ramsey, who is one of the most energetic players in the PL, Arteta's mobility is disguised.

I mean, Henderson and Sterling are good athletic players, but I don't consider them supremely technically gifted. Sterling has gotten better, but he and Walcott have about the same technical ability, from what I've seen. And Henderson is much more of a runner than a passer, though he's a much better option in midfield than a player like Allen. Not to discount anything you say, but we should have been able to deal we those two players. We've dealt with better players this season and kept them quiet. Sterling's work rate was particularly impressive.

Coutinho is a magician on the ball, and his play was key in linking midfield to attack, and he was especially good at keeping Wilshere from dropping his shoulder and driving into the defense.

Outside of Suarez's superb half volley, we should have defended everything better, as it was mostly simple direct football. All three open play goals were the result of direct balls through the defense, which points to an athletic disadvantage and not a technical one. The fact that we can't break a press has more to do with the fact we don't have midfield runners, which makes pressing easy. It wasn't a particularly strong press either, which was especially annoying. It was simply a defender pressing the man in front of him, though 'Pools defensive positioning was superb.

ETA: I don't mean to say any of this to discount 'Pool's play though. It wasn't at all fancy, thoughtful possession play. It was good pressing, direct balls played onto direct movement, and excellent set piece delivery.

Ledley scores for Crystal Pulis on his debut





ETA:

And this is what S was talking about earlier