Was out all day today so only just watched the game on the old Sky plus.
Firstly, well played Arsenal. Text book away performance, defend solidly and take your chances on the break. Wenger seems to have finally realised they need to be better tactically as a unit and 3 clean sheets in a row is testament to that (Steve Bould's doing?). They fouled tactically when they needed to and actually looked like a team not just a bunch of good individuals. I will be amazed if they don't finish top 4 and actually top 4 could be a bit dull this season as Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City and Arsenal look stonewall to me.
On us, well it just highlighed what we all already know. We don't get enough players in and around the box (or have enough who really want to score a goal), and if Gerrard and Suarez are not 'at it' we find it very difficult to create anything. Three games in and our only goals this season have both come from set pieces.
BR has been totally dicked by the failure to sign more attacking options. I was surprised Morgan or Yesil weren't on the bench, but lets be honest they would have been very unlikely to make an impact against a well-drilled Arsenal back line. Jenkinson dealt with Sterling pretty well though he still showed enough danger. Gerrard was awful and Suarez wasn't much better. Downing did ok when he came on, and Shelvey really upped our attacking threat even if was just long-range shooting in the main.
Pepe again lets a poor goal go through him. It is becoming more than just a blip now, his poor form has been going on for far too long and if he doesn't buck his ideas up we will simply have to get a new keeper. It might be an idea to cash in on him while he still holds good value because if we can get the £15-20m price that was being banded about a couple of years ago that can go a long way to helping the squad. I know this will be sacrilege to some but come on, Pepe has been really poor for well over a year now and is making mistakes what seems like every game.
I don't personally buy the 'he doesn't have any competition' argument. Loads of top keepers have relatively poor back ups and are nailed on starters (Casillas for example for Real), it doesn't make them go to pieces.
Sahin did ok on his debut, tidy without doing a lot. We can't expect miracles from him straight away as he gets his fitness and used to the Premier League. I doubt we will see the best of him until Jan onwards, unfortunately he will just be looking really good when he goes back to Real.
Shelvey is the man who is knocking at the first team door now saying 'I must be in the team'. He was good against City and good again today, and he deserves to start our next league game, stick Gerrard on the bench if we have to.
We have to be realistic guys we are going to be well off the pace for 4th in all likelihood. I thought that before today and this just confirmed it. Sounds like BR might consider a free-agent signing if we can, so that is something at least as it will add to our options.
All I am looking for this season is to get better as the season goes on and to stay in the EL as long as possible. Hopefully we can finish higher than 8th but even if we don't I am not going to cry about it. We need some stability and some time, so lets be patient.
My Thoughts
posted on 2/9/12
Drop pepe and gerrard...its not knee jerk its based on several performances.
posted on 2/9/12
I was at the game today and agree to some extent with your views, these are my opinions.
Firstly i thought Borini was our worst player by far and Rodgers was right to sub him just after half time. Suarez was poor his touch wasn't there today and nearly everything he tried didn't come off.
Sahin was ok first half but seemed to fade but thats to be expected after so long out and joining a new team.
Joe Allen was by far our best player.
Personally I think with limited striking options Gerrard should go on the right of the three with Suarez central and Sterling on the left. Allen, Sahin and Shelvey as the three in the middle. Gerrard seemed to keep looking for the "hollywood" pass and our play broke down to often because of it. Get him out the middle and pushed further forward where he's a threat to the opponents goal.
It pains me to say it but I got to admit Diaby was fantastic today
posted on 2/9/12
Maybe PPD, does Doni still exist? There were rumours about his departure but they didn't seem to materialise.
Brad Jones is ok, he is not brilliant but maybe giving Pepe a rest to sort himself out is the best thing. He goes on a lot of trips with Spain and though he doesn't play has the bizarre existence of winning everything in sight and then coming back to us having been in an almost constant state of flux for the last 3 years. It must be a bit weird.
posted on 2/9/12
I also wouldn't say Pepe should be dropped his distribution was good and he made a very good save in the game, Carzola's goal was not solely his fault, we wasn't shutting them down early enough and we had the warning signs several times before that second goal.
posted on 2/9/12
Pepe's slump is now nearly 2 seasons.
I think we should have signed Lloris. Rui Patricio would be my top choice now.
posted on 2/9/12
LFC for LIFE, I though Borini started quite well but then seemed to bottle a couple of tackles and then disappeared. I feel a bit sorry for him because I don't think he is really a right sided player. I hope Assaidi will be ready to play there soon.
Gerrard on the right is not a bad idea, we know it works from when he played there under Rafa. Personally I think he has always been a great right midfielder and should have been played there more in his career for club and country. If he doesn't like it, tough.
posted on 2/9/12
I have been saying that Gerrard needs to be moved further (left or right) for a long while.
Given what he has said about playing a similar role (the graveyard shift) under Rafa I doubt he would be enamoured with it.
Tough t!ts. He is still the best crosser of the ball we have and his performances as a central midfielder, this season and last have been poor.
posted on 2/9/12
Righteous
I suppose I'm being a bit hard on Borini its just that I was in the Anfield Rd end so first half he was running towards me. He seemed to go down blind alleys all the time and had a couple of opportunities to cut in and shoot but hesitated and then the chance was gone. Maybe he needs time or maybe Suarez could go out to that side with his trickery and let Borini go down the middle. I forget he's only 21!
posted on 2/9/12
Paisley
Your right Gerrard's power in the middle is declining especially as he's no longer a box to box midfielder. Allen and Lucas is the midfield 2 now but not sure if Shelvey is ready for the attacking role maybe we need another midfielder there if Sahin isn't secured permanantly?
posted on 2/9/12
I think Shelvey needs games and he will get better and better.
He was very controlled against Man City.
He has the potential to be a top player but will only realise that by playing games now. It's time for him to become a regular and learn now for me. He will have bad games but he will be a better player at the end of the season.
He won't improve half as much if he is only playing sporadically.