Evening lads.
Before the inquest into that horror spell, let’s start by being happy with the 3 points.
Secondly, let’s not take anything away from Salzburg. I seen a few dismissive comments on here this week but others sensed that this team could present a real threat and boy did they.
Even in the first half when Liverpool were admittedly breathtaking, they still posed a threat on the counter.
It was almost like watching a Brendan’s Rodgers game from a few years back and I forgot just how nervy those kind of games where.
As to the collapse - I think a few factors were at play. Firstly, the goal before half time was a huge boost. Their team talk would’ve been massively boosted by reducing the deficit.
Secondly, and more importantly for me was the individual errors. In that opening 15 minutes of the second half, we must have given the ball away cheaply a good 10 times and in our own half. Adrian nearly had a repeat of the St Mary’s disaster.
When you do that, you knock everyone’s confidence and throw a charge into theirs. In fact, once they equalised, I was convinced they’d win it. We just couldn’t deal with their attack. Their players showed some lovely intricate play in and around our box.
The positive of course is that at 3-3, it seemed to dawn on the players that this game was slipping away from us and they started to apply the pressure once again.
Milner was a good sub and his positioning alone helped to stop those deadly passes into their frontline.
Headaches averted and 3 crucial points in the bag but make no mistake about it, this is going to be a tough group to get out of. We’ll likely need a result in the last match against this lot.
Enjoy the rest of the night lads
What the hell happened ?
posted on 3/10/19
comment by (kash) I'm the Mané - 6 Times Baby (U1108)
posted 49 minutes ago
comment by Michael Edwards FC {Proud owner of the 5 000 0... (U2720)
posted 5 minutes ago
What the hell happened ?
Henderson.
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Its not one player. Gomez was shaky all game and even VVD had a rare off night.
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If us conceding a few goals to a team that scores lots of goals is all down to Henderson this team isnt half as good as we thought it was.
posted on 3/10/19
Gomez was allowing himself to be pulled out of position.
he was chasing up like he was free to do so.
If you look at the first goal he pops up out of the line anticipating a pass that never was and then is out of position so the ball is played into where he should be and next thing vvd is trying to come over and block.
Not the guy did well in turning and shooting off other foot... BUT vvd had to rush over and cover.
It was constantly the same story. He was never in a solid line with vvd, he was either miles ahead or behind vvd making playing offside difficult.
Frankly the only things he did well were when he was in a direct run or phyiscal battle with opponents.
As a display of defending is was rubbish TBH.
Now he wasn't helped by the midfield running forward and walking back but still. good shape is crucial. the team works on drills every session on this.
posted on 3/10/19
One of his better attributes is stepping up and intercepting passes
posted on 3/10/19
comment by Michael Edwards FC {Proud owner of the 5 000 0... (U2720)
posted 5 minutes ago
One of his better attributes is stepping up and intercepting passes
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Yes but he was constantly in a suicidal press, from centre back!
I know he's trying to get back in ahead of Matip but just settle, don't try to force it, that's why he has been so good in the past, he never looked nervous or trying to force it.
I have to agree that he was poor. His positioning was awful. Added to the midfield abandoning their positions for 15-20 minutes, you can understand why they scored three.
posted on 3/10/19
Still had a better game than Van Dijk.
posted on 3/10/19
comment by Michael Edwards FC {Proud owner of the 5 000 0... (U2720)
posted 1 minute ago
Still had a better game than Van Dijk.
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Disagree but they were individuals when they were supposed to be a partnership. For me that was down to the suicidal pressing from Gomez. That's not to say that he didn't do a lot of things excellently but just like the team, all the excellent play was nearly undone by the 15-20 minutes of craziness.
posted on 3/10/19
the only issue with VVD for me was he wasn't talking to joe gomez and getting his line sorted.
joe was all over the place from the 1st minute. They didn't hurt us until near the end of the half but the signs were there constantly. I thought they'd sort it out between them after 15/20mins but it never got better which was more concerning to me than anything.
posted on 3/10/19
I think this new high line we are playing is causing us issues.
Our midfield don't know their positions.
Every attack last night Gini was way up the field and Hendo and Fab were streched leaving massive gaps in front of the defence.
Gomez is a class player and did a lot better in the 2nd half but he was still looking rusty. Not the best game to start back in against a team who have scored 57 goals in 18 games.
I think we will see a different game at the weekend
Jurgen needs to stop playing the same 3 in the middle every game. They looked shattered last night. We hardly won a second ball which is one of our main strengths.
posted on 4/10/19
comment by TBone Steak Roysters (U3947)
posted 18 hours, 34 minutes ago
I think this new high line we are playing is causing us issues.
Our midfield don't know their positions.
Every attack last night Gini was way up the field and Hendo and Fab were streched leaving massive gaps in front of the defence.
Gomez is a class player and did a lot better in the 2nd half but he was still looking rusty. Not the best game to start back in against a team who have scored 57 goals in 18 games.
I think we will see a different game at the weekend
Jurgen needs to stop playing the same 3 in the middle every game. They looked shattered last night. We hardly won a second ball which is one of our main strengths.
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Spot on. I think people forget when Gomez got injured
after a great 1st half of last season, Matip struggled first few games before being great for the end of the season. For me Gomez is the better defender but Matip is the form man and deservedly warrants the the first 11 starting spot.
posted on 4/10/19
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator