Bringing in Suso and Downing to support Suarez worked very well as we all saw. I think we saw the Downing that played very well for Villa 2 years ago with pace and a final ball. Please support any player who is giving 100%. Poor form and confidence can be forgiven. I would not defend any player who was not trying but Downing is playing for the shirt.
Suso has obvious quality but didnt have his best game vs Fulham. Despite that he was a great player to have in the game with his nice touch and simple passing which kept moves flowing.
Gerrard, brilliant. A goal and a performance which proves he's still got it. Not every week but while he can get about he's still magic.
With two away days coming up we need to hope that the players who are coming in for these games have a good attitude and we take our CHANCES.
That's why we won.
Stay loyal.
YNWA
Sensible squad rotation key to Fulham win
posted on 24/12/12
Agreed Jav, we were crying out for some freshening up. I'd have taken Stevie off at some stage though, with the games coming so thick and fast. It was fairly apparent that we were going to win because Fulham had nothing.
Also thought Sterling looked extremely bright coming off the bench, full of purpose. Downing was great, even if he hadn't scored I'd have been fairly impressed, it's the sort of thing you want from him. Commit defenders, have a few goes at goal and try and get deliveries in from dangerous areas. It was good to watch him actually trying to make things happen rather than freezing/ passing the ball back.
What's bugged me about him for the vast majority of his time here wasn't the lack of goals or assists, it was that he wasn't even trying to do anything decisive. On the weekend he tried taking players on, shooting and creating real chances, sometimes it didn't come off, but more importantly, sometimes it did. It's NEVER going to come off if he doesn't show the balls to try it like he did on Saturday though.
posted on 24/12/12
What I didnt get what BR said before the game that Allen and Sterling need a rest which is true but then why did he bring them on when we were 3-0 up? Players like Hendo and Sahin need game time but for some bizzare reason he brings on tired players?
posted on 24/12/12
When managers say ' they needed a rest ' they usually mean something like ' I dropped them from the starting line up so that they don't get too complacent ' or ' He gave me some backchat so i'm showing him who's boss '
posted on 24/12/12
(kash) Guldoser 6's (U1108)
It was strange that the others didnt come on instead but expect a few more changes for the Stoke and QPR games
Dr Seven Grater - filled with a nameless dread (U13441)
I have wanted Downing to show this all season. He scored a nice one vs Anzi and has had flashes but that was his best 90 mins on Saturday. Yes he took chances and was looking to take players on. He has the pace to do it. I did say to people that he was lacking confidence and I though last season he played well. We didnt score enough under Kenny and confidence wasnt an issue for me.
This season the players have a new manager again. I said that we need to give Rodgers more time to help players improve like Downing and Henderson and we are seeing that now.
Good managers can help players confidence and thats what we have, a good manager.
Like we have said many times already. Give it time, dont over hype a win and dont go mad over a defeat. We are getting better each month and dont forget BR has only had ONE transfer window and the squad has changed a lot.
(But we have the quality spine still from 08-09....)
posted on 24/12/12
Reina
Skrtl Agger
Lucas Gerrard