Author Topic: The (Level 3) Sanctuary (Read 390441 times)

amoh · « **Reply #4040 on:** April 8, 2009, 03:26:28 PM »

Quote from: Juan Loco on April 8, 2009, 03:12:12 PM

Got no problem with Lucas tonight. He usually puts in an acceptable - thought not awesome - performance in the bigger games. At the end of the day I don't think he's a worse player for us than Obi Mikel is for them, and if he's up against Lampard (or God forbid Essien) he'll be dealing with a worse player than they have to.

Was touching wood throughout typing that.

Essien's the player that worries me more than anyone for them.

Juan Loco · « **Reply #4041 on:** April 8, 2009, 03:29:19 PM »

Quote from: amoh on April 8, 2009, 03:26:28 PM

Essien's the player that worries me more than anyone for them.

Yup. But I don't think Essien is better than Gerrard (at least not right now). As much as there is pressure on Lucas and he will have a hard time, we've got the best player on the pitch. If it we play our cards right then they'll be more worried about him than we are about them. It could end up being the case where they put Essien on him because he's the only one that can live with Gerrard.

Lawson · « **Reply #4042 on:** April 8, 2009, 04:04:37 PM »

I didn't think Essien offered Chelsea much this past weekend against Newcastle. He was taken off right after their opening goal but, rather than simply being a case of resting him, it appeared that substitution was already being readied. He's had sufficient time to recover if it was purely a tiredness related to Ghana's international game(s?) but if it's the fabled lack of match practice then his threat will, hopefully, be much reduced tonight.

A lot of what he attempted against Newcastle, particularly in the 11 second-half minutes he lasted, went astray. Equally helpful for us was that he kept trying - kept making runs, kept looking for the ball, and then kept losing it - so that's a lot of extra yards he might hand to us. Or, if his main task is to watch Gerrard then I'm confident he'll lose the battle.

I'm probably reading too much into one post-break performance but I wouldn't be all that surprised if he didn't start tonight. Either way he'll be more of a threat in a fortnight and we'll have Masch back for that.

EDIT: A post-game edit. So, on reflection, he just had a solitary poor game.

royhendo · « **Reply #4043 on:** April 8, 2009, 04:55:14 PM »

Quote from: Juan Loco on April 8, 2009, 03:12:12 PM

Was touching wood throughout typing that.

That's often my preferred approach when surfing the web.

Edit: God speed dudes!

abhred · « **Reply #4044 on:** April 8, 2009, 09:39:49 PM »

Tactical masterclass by Hiddink there. First time ever, there's been a manager to outwit Rafa.

Credit where it's due.

royhendo · « **Reply #4045 on:** April 8, 2009, 09:43:05 PM »

That's what we get for believing our own press.

Chelsea played well but the way we played at times...

I'm off to my bed. Best not to post when angry.

Edit: it's half time and we need to respond, but the lesson is clear. Blackburn better get hell at the weekend.

Degs · « **Reply #4046 on:** April 8, 2009, 09:48:37 PM »

Quote from: Degs on March 18, 2009, 05:12:27 PM

Hiddink scares the shit out of me, hope he doesn't say on for next season.

And that's why.

He's Rafa.
But he's Rafa in 15 years time, wise, old, wiley. And a man who knows when and where things have gone wrong for him.

He motivates his team in the same way, and for the first time since Abramovich took over the players are playing for each other. Not Mourinho, not money, not themselves. It might be trivial but taking them out to paintball combines with the hours and hours of extra work you know Hiddink is making them put in behind closed doors - and he's making them a fucking force.

Never have I seen us run off the park before. Every second ball a Chelsea midfielder was one yard ahead and straight on to. Every tackle that went in a Chelsea player came out of the other end, every header, every pass, we were dominated. Dominated.

And here it comes, you knew it was coming but you can't comment about this match and ignore the elephant in the room. The difference between 2 sides on top of their game is miniscule, it's about exploiting the innefficiencies of the other side. Something we've done to full effect this month and it's something Hiddink is just as good at. So what was this game decided on, and possibly the tie, to add to the hard work, slick passing, and pressure of Chelsea it was that old chesnut...you guessed it...zonal marking.

Yep it's shit, yep if a player on the other side is good enough he'll score every time, and yep it's cost us again. Change the fucking record I'm sick of posting that once a month.

But to put it down to same old same old is to ignore the wake up call we got tonight. There are others out there, other managers who will drill thier team like the fucking paras, will have their players in your face and leave your players isolated and feeling alone.

Never write us off, but if we go out next week we've been Liverpooled out of Europe by Rafa Mk. II.

Come on Russia.

royhendo · « **Reply #4047 on:** April 8, 2009, 09:53:22 PM »

Degs, we made it easy for them.

We were lucky not to concede more and blew our great start.

Barca did well.

Bed.

Degs · « **Reply #4048 on:** April 8, 2009, 09:55:12 PM »

Quote from: royhendo on April 8, 2009, 09:53:22 PM

Degs, we made it easy for them.

Isn't that the old chestnut that comes out whenever we outclass somebody, "poor opposition", "It's only because Madrid/Inter/AC/Barca/Juventus were poor" - I'm in the camp where if the opposition play badly it's because you've made them play badly.

I'm ready to give full credit where it's due, we were outclassed, forced to play narrow and then intimidated when we did, disorganised at the back, and to top it off one of our main frailties was exposed yet again.

We were poor, but against an average side we would have won.
Against Scolari that match was ours.

abhred · « **Reply #4049 on:** April 8, 2009, 09:57:23 PM »

Quote from: royhendo on April 8, 2009, 09:53:22 PM

Degs, we made it easy for them.

Chelsea made it difficult for us.

Hard to believe what I've seen. It's almost unreal. Thing is, how Rafa responds, now he's met his equal. Surely next week is out of his reach? Or is it?

BazC · « **Reply #4050 on:** April 8, 2009, 09:58:05 PM »

Wow. 2 goals we gave away from Ivanovic were just... well, I can't believe how easily he got free headers. Xabi, Skrtel and Stevie- don't think Rafa will be too happy with you lot tomorrow morning.

Reina had no chance and he stopped it being a humiliation.

They nullified Gerrard completely and after a bit Torres wasn't getting into the game much. We were just done. I reckon Mascherano coming back will definitely help but winning by 3 goals?!

Hiddink took full advantage of the week points in our team- aerially and through the middle- but that was probably as much to do with their strength in midfield than the fact we didn't have a full strength midfield.

Aurelio- I was so happy he was starting but he gave away 2 chances to them on a plate- luckily they didn't score from them but he was woeful.

Just don't know how it's happened. Weary of Hiddink but thought we were still good for a 1/2-0 win. And that joy after Torres scored as well... slowly it became apparent Chelsea would at least score 1, but then they just took over the whole game.

Next week... Mascherano and Alonso, Gerrard will probably be marked out the game again and Rafa'll need to deal with that. Yossi, Babel... we need to change it and one of those will figure. Perhaps both will. I would hope Hyypia's being considered because we need his strength and aerial presence. Chelsea will be pure counter attacking next week and that means long balls when they break. Aurelio's poorness today will give Rafa a headache he didn't want.

Just gutted with that really. What's more is that we probably got off lightly as well- that's the bad thing about it.

killer_heels · « **Reply #4051 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:00:58 PM »

Quote from: royhendo on April 8, 2009, 09:43:05 PM

That's what we get for believing our own press.

Chelsea played well but the way we played at times...

I'm off to my bed. Best not to post when angry.

Chelsea were brilliant at times and lets be fair, they deserved the win.

As for us, I thought we looked a bit puzzled in what to do when we went 1-0 up. I guess we wanted to keep the momentum going but that in turn gave Chelsea space.

Terrible to let in 2 goals from set pieces. Players just didnt look like they knew what they were doing and the 3rd goal was inevitable.

But we shouldnt take away from what Chelsea did. They overpowered us in areas of the field where very few teams do.

Hopefully this doesnt knock our confidence for Saturday and the rest of the League campaign.

abhred · « **Reply #4052 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:02:07 PM »

Incredible how the game turned after 20 mins. We were absolutely dominating initially, you'd see quick passes, Arby making runs up and down the flank, Lucas looking confident, passing the ball, and making runs.

And then, BAM! All over. I don't think Rafa ever expected Hiddink to do a Rafa. Counter the other team. Now we know how Inter, Juve, Milan, Arsenal, Barcelona, Real have felt over the years.

I'm speechless. It's over for me. Thank god we've got Allardyce next, who's got the tactical nous of a wooden plank

Degs · « **Reply #4053 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:03:42 PM »

Quote from: abhred on April 8, 2009, 10:02:07 PM

I'm speechless. It's over for me.

Not a chance.

It's only just begun, get ready for another wild Liverpool ride.

BazC · « **Reply #4054 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:06:33 PM »

Quote from: Degs on April 8, 2009, 10:03:42 PM

Not a chance.

It's only just begun, get ready for another wild Liverpool ride.

Exactly. It's not looking great but is it fuck over. Istanbul- as big a margin (factoring in away goals) and that's over 45 minutes. We've got another 90 left yet.

It may not be likely but not way can we give it up. As long as our defence sorts out it's act then we're capable.

Zeb · « **Reply #4055 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:10:27 PM »

Quote from: Degs on April 8, 2009, 10:03:42 PM

Not a chance.

It's only just begun, get ready for another wild Liverpool ride.

It'll be a really, really tough ask - but who knows? Without Terry, will Chelsea be vulnerable defensively? Something has to give, no matter how Hiddink shuffles the cards. Guess there's always hope - it's what's getting me through the missus' ribbing

Good performance by Chelsea. They should have won by more. But we looked out of sorts. Tiredness after the Fulham late late show? Complacency after going ahead?

Degs · « **Reply #4056 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:15:09 PM »

------------------Reina-------------------

Arbeloa-----Carra-----Agger-----Insua

-------------------Masch-----------------

------------------Alonso------------------

Kuyt---------------------------------Riera

-------------Gerrard---------------------
---------------------------Torres---------

With no John Terry in their back line.

Bring the fuckers on, we mightn't win, and we might go down by another 3, but it's only half time, just go fucking man marking and go at them.

royhendo · « **Reply #4057 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:24:24 PM »

Quote from: Degs on April 8, 2009, 09:55:12 PM

Isn't that the old chestnut that comes out whenever we outclass somebody, "poor opposition", "It's only because Madrid/Inter/AC/Barca/Juventus were poor" - I'm in the camp where if the opposition play badly it's because you've made them play badly.

I'm not denying Chelsea set up much like we do at our best, but there's a difference. Players who had space at times and options found themselves finding touch or a Chelsea player with their passes. Torres on another day makes it 2-0 when he robs Lampard. They were gifted two goals.

We made it easy for them and we're a better team than we showed tonight. It's not all down to Hiddink and Chelsea. We are culpable.

I thought Chelsea showed their potential at times, but let's not forget Spurs did them a week or two ago.

We talk in extremes at times. Man Utd aren't finished. We're not perfect. Chelsea aren't either, but they played well tonight...

And Barca were Barca and I'm looking forward to watching that.

As for that being the first time Gerrard's ever been man marked... surely not.

BazC · « **Reply #4058 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:33:42 PM »

Quote from: royhendo on April 8, 2009, 10:24:24 PM

I'm not denying Chelsea set up much like we do at our best, but there's a difference. Players who had space at times and options found themselves finding touch or a Chelsea player with their passes. Torres on another day makes it 2-0 when he robs Lampard. They were gifted two goals.

We made it easy for them and we're a better team than we showed tonight. It's not all down to Hiddink and Chelsea. We are culpable.

I thought Chelsea showed their potential at times, but let's not forget Spurs did them a week or two ago.

We talk in extremes at times. Man Utd aren't finished. We're not perfect. Chelsea aren't either, but they played well tonight...

And Barca were Barca and I'm looking forward to watching that.

As for that being the first time Gerrard's ever been man marked... surely not.

We have weaknesses, but it's the opposition that plays on those weaknesses... Chelsea did that. We haven't looked completely solid in zonal marking last couple of seasons- they took advantage. Twice. We look vulnerable on the counter (especially with Masch around) and they got the 3rd (and could have got at least 2-3 that way as well).

That's the sign of a good team isn't it? Identifying weaknesses (which are always there) and then targeting them.

I think Chelsea did just that tonight.

Mimi · « **Reply #4059 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:41:43 PM »

Quote from: Degs on April 8, 2009, 09:48:37 PM

Never have I seen us run off the park before. Every second ball a Chelsea midfielder was one yard ahead and straight on to. Every tackle that went in a Chelsea player came out of the other end, every header, every pass, we were dominated. Dominated.

Middlesborough

I'm with royhendo on this. Chelsea were fantastic and grew stronger as the game went on. Even Ashely Cole who comes in for a lot of stick did his job quietly and effectively. Cech was awesome. No weakness in them.

But we let just stood aside and let them get stronger. Starting with the first Drogba shot. I thought we should have learned our lesson but we got progressively worse. Hopefully this is a good kick in the ass for some of them who thought they could get away with weaker games as long as the others pulled their weight. We tried carrying the left half of the pitch in the first half as Aurelio and Riera were both useless, but you can't do it all game.

It's not even the set pieces which did us in. But losing the ball in the middle of the park then chasing them back and kicking it out for the corner was what killed us. That type of slopiness we can't even get away against the weaker teams. So no surprise we were crushed by Chelsea.

As for Gerrard, I think Essien stuck with him for the first half but after he got into his head and isolated him there, Essien pretty much left him alone and did his own business on the pitch. Hopefully that's Gerrard's offday. But's a bit scary that if they shut him out, there's nobody else on the pitch to step up and orchestrate our forward play.

royhendo · « **Reply #4060 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:42:33 PM »

Is that not pretty much exactly what I said Baz?

If you guys believe that Alonso and Aurelio have suddenly lost their incisiveness purely down to Hiddink, then that's up to you. Clearly it was a massive factor. But we still fell short of our own level, both in possession and in defence (open play and especially set piece). Rafa was right, and did well again not to head butt a gloating Shreeves. But then he has dignity. I would have banjoed him.

BazC · « **Reply #4061 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:46:43 PM »

Quote from: royhendo on April 8, 2009, 10:42:33 PM

Is that not pretty much exactly what I said Baz?

If you guys believe that Alonso and Aurelio have suddenly lost their incisiveness purely down to Hiddink, then that's up to you. Clearly it was a massive factor. But we still fell short of our own level, both in possession and in defence (open play and especially set piece). Rafa was right, and did well again not to head butt a gloating Shreeves. But then he has dignity. I would have banjoed him.

Yeah, I was just supporting your view.

I didn't see the interview with Rafa after so can't comment on that. I tell you what though, I wish I was fucking banjoed- wish I was back at uni- would have been pissed by now.

Juan Loco · « **Reply #4062 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:47:31 PM »

Hiddink seems to be one of these coaches - like Mourinho - that people fall over themselves to praise.

I mean he obviously got something right, but tactical master class? The killer goals came as a result of set pieces, which is down to sloppiness on our part. Their performance was very good, but I don't think it was to do with being out-thought.

We missed the player that epitomised our pressing and harrying game. They had the heir to Gerrard man-marking him and Drogba on song.

It was a brilliant performance, but a tactical master class? Alonso had space - irrespective of what Gray says - but just wasn't at the level he's been at this season. We got some really soft opportunities in the first half that we could have buried as well.

Outplayed undoubtedly, but I'm going to take a step back before I go slapping Hiddink on the back for a job well done. The biggest thing he did tonight wasn't down to tactics, formations, or thoughts. It was getting into Drogba's head. A psychological masterclass more than a tactical one.

Mimi · « **Reply #4063 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:47:40 PM »

Quote from: Degs on April 8, 2009, 10:15:09 PM

------------------Reina-------------------

Arbeloa-----Carra-----Agger-----Insua

-------------------Masch-----------------

------------------Alonso------------------

Kuyt---------------------------------Riera

-------------Gerrard---------------------
---------------------------Torres---------

No Insua for CL

Maybe leave Riera off and start with Benayoun. It's going to be hell for leather, so might as well go out blazing

Mimi · « **Reply #4064 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:50:10 PM »

Quote from: Juan Loco on April 8, 2009, 10:47:31 PM

We missed the player that epitomised our pressing and harrying game. They had the heir to Gerrard man-marking him and Drogba on song.

Spot on, Juan. Essien was very good.

Missed Masche tremendously because when we were on the backfoot there was no one doing pressing in their half.

royhendo · « **Reply #4065 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:50:35 PM »

Completely agree with Mimi and Juan.

killer_heels · « **Reply #4066 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:54:10 PM »

With the way our midfield played today and how we rued the lack of Mascherano, does this now mean that if we are to sign another central midfielder, we need a more competent defensive midfielder rather than Barry?

Juan Loco · « **Reply #4067 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:54:14 PM »

Oh... and just to have a bit of a moan away from the gen-pop...

Does anyone else remember us being linked to Essien when Ged was incharge and he was about 19-20, playing as a centreback at Bastia?

... Being ignorant at the time I was of the "Oh shite, not another useless frenchman we're linked with" mindset.

Turns out that it was just Ged that was going mad. There were good players out in that league...

killer_heels · « **Reply #4068 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:55:47 PM »

Quote from: Juan Loco on April 8, 2009, 10:54:14 PM

Oh... and just to have a bit of a moan away from the gen-pop...

Does anyone else remember us being linked to Essien when Ged was incharge and he was about 19-20, playing as a centreback at Bastia?

... Being ignorant at the time I was of the "Oh shite, not another useless frenchman we're linked with" mindset.

Turns out that it was just Ged that was going mad. There were good players out in that league...

I remember reading in a newspaper about being linked with someone called David Villa who played for some random Spanish team (not Valencia) and thinking "....why the hell are we going for someone with a stupid name like that"

Degs · « **Reply #4069 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:57:17 PM »

Quote from: Mimi on April 8, 2009, 10:47:40 PM

No Insua for CL

Surely he's on our "B" list. He HAS to be.

# "7.13. Each club is entitled to register an unlimited number of players on List B
during the season."

# "7.14. A player may be registered on List B if he is born on or after 1 January 1986
and has been eligible to play for the club concerned for any uninterrupted
period of two years since his 15th birthday by the time he is registered with
UEFA."

Edit: With him joining in Januray 2007 it may have fucked us up a bit when it came time to register for the later stages.

BazC · « **Reply #4070 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:57:44 PM »

Alright- so if we're saying that we were poor and Chelsea targeted and highlighted our vulnerabilities- to what extent was it down to Mascherano and him not being there?

Komic · « **Reply #4071 on:** April 8, 2009, 10:59:01 PM »

Just a bit of thinking on the Gerrard being man-marked situation. I say we shift him out left like he plays for england, would say right but I want Kuyt there. Bring Benayoun or Ngog in if you want 442.

Thoughts?

Degs · « **Reply #4072 on:** April 8, 2009, 11:00:39 PM »

Quote from: Komic on April 8, 2009, 10:59:01 PM

Just a bit of thinking on the Gerrard being man-marked situation. I say we shift him out left like he plays for england

Look Guus you got the better of us tonight, no need to be trying to do us in for next week already.

Sorry mate

, only messing (but no, not for me), on the right maybe or in centre mid but no the left.

Mimi · « **Reply #4073 on:** April 8, 2009, 11:01:15 PM »

Quote from: killer_heels on April 8, 2009, 10:54:10 PM

With the way our midfield played today and how we rued the lack of Mascherano, does this now mean that if we are to sign another central midfielder, we need a more competent defensive midfielder rather than Barry?

I'm not sure why incompetence is suddenly associated with Barry. Fucking hell, look at any stats, he's up there for the midfielders.

What we needed today was someone to spread energy. It's not so much Masche's defensive abilities that were missed today (at least on corners, he wouldn't be involved in the goals that were scored today), it's the fact that when we're down, he'll energize the team. He often plays his best when we're down and need to be pulled up.

To some extent we lacked leadership throughout the team today. We don't need another defensive midfielder, we need a mad fucker like Masche.

Degs · « **Reply #4074 on:** April 8, 2009, 11:04:09 PM »

Quote from: killer_heels on April 8, 2009, 10:54:10 PM

With the way our midfield played today and how we rued the lack of Mascherano, does this now mean that if we are to sign another central midfielder, we need a more competent defensive midfielder rather than Barry?

Javi Martinez please, every time I watch this kid I see a star in the making

Juan Loco · « **Reply #4075 on:** April 8, 2009, 11:05:27 PM »

Quote from: Komic on April 8, 2009, 10:59:01 PM

Just a bit of thinking on the Gerrard being man-marked situation. I say we shift him out left like he plays for england, would say right but I want Kuyt there. Bring Benayoun or Ngog in if you want 442.

Thoughts?

This isn't the first time he's been man-marked.

The difference tonight was that it was Essien. To me Essien is the best midfielder in the world. Not many - in fact, not any - team has a player like him.

Lassana Diarra, who was earning rave reviews, was destroyed by Gerrard. He's one of the better defensive mids out there and he couldn't deal with him. I think tonight was just a case of Gerrard living with the only guy around who can match his ability, tenacity and athleticism. No need to reinvent the wheel as a result.

Juan Loco · « **Reply #4076 on:** April 8, 2009, 11:09:17 PM »

Quote from: Mimi on April 8, 2009, 11:01:15 PM

What we needed today was someone to spread energy.

I'll go along with that. I don't think tonight was too much about putting the foot in. Lucas can disrupt play and Alonso is a superb tackler. It was about being quicker to press and having a bit more legs in the middle of the park. Xabi and Lucas play their own pace. There's nothing wrong with that at all. There are dozens of games each season where we need a couple of guys who can just pass the ball, because teams will sit off us. Chelsea aren't one of those teams however. Tonight there was a lack of energy in the middle of the park. As much as he's about tackling, how many times a match do you see Masch drive past an opponent in the centre and carry the ball forward with a bit of pace?

It was all a bit laboured today, irrespective of whether the players were attack or defence minded. Pressing is a huge part of our game and there just wasn't the energy in there to do so.

Robinred · « **Reply #4077 on:** April 8, 2009, 11:22:22 PM »

Quote from: Juan Loco on April 8, 2009, 10:47:31 PM

Hiddink seems to be one of these coaches - like Mourinho - that people fall over themselves to praise.

I mean he obviously got something right, but tactical master class? The killer goals came as a result of set pieces, which is down to sloppiness on our part. Their performance was very good, but I don't think it was to do with being out-thought.

We missed the player that epitomised our pressing and harrying game. They had the heir to Gerrard man-marking him and Drogba on song.

It was a brilliant performance, but a tactical master class? Alonso had space - irrespective of what Gray says - but just wasn't at the level he's been at this season. We got some really soft opportunities in the first half that we could have buried as well.

Outplayed undoubtedly, but I'm going to take a step back before I go slapping Hiddink on the back for a job well done. The biggest thing he did tonight wasn't down to tactics, formations, or thoughts. It was getting into Drogba's head. A psychological masterclass more than a tactical one.

Yep - agree almost totally with this. Chelsea are essentially the same group of players we beat twice this term, so it's very tempting to assume that Hiddink did a 'Rafa'.

So we are suddenly crap?

Well, we were crap at conceding unnecessary corners.
And we were crap at defending some of them.
And we were second to any number of 50/50s
And we were unlucky, in that any number of loose ball following challenges fell to Chelsea players - it was at times uncanny - the stuff of football imponderables where your little inner voice tells you that the football gods have this one pre-ordained.

And so it proved.

But we should not get carried away. This is still a work in progress and if the last month has any message it is this: Rafa has won an important internal battle. The players he wants and needs are far more likely, now, to be bought than was the case.

I've always felt that at this time in a season, in the really crucial games, you find out about your weaknesses. I DO think we missed Mash tonight - and I said so on these boards this afternoon. We were riding the crest of a wave, and now maybe we can appreciate just how well Rafa has done with a squad with deficiencies in a number of areas.

Rafa will get it right, and it's comforting to know that he won't sleep any better than us tonight.

Robinred · « **Reply #4078 on:** April 9, 2009, 12:31:49 AM »

And I would'nt be surprised if many of you now got your wish - albeit in circumstances you didn't want.

Agger I would suggest, is nailed on for a few starts.

At who's expense I'm less sure...

killer_heels · « **Reply #4079 on:** April 9, 2009, 12:48:35 AM »

I think Saturday is a massive game now. The loss of confidence today will be quite big and we MUST win on Saturday to get it back.

Not going through on Tuesday wouldnt dent the confidence of the players as much as today. The players are realistic enough to know that next week is a monumental task and the pressure isnt really on them.