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Round Table Rumination: The 10 men of Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool

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Hinesy:
So, what could be better than a derby day win the sun. Unless its one of them unfairly sent off and the Moyes' face twisted like a cheap gurner with indignation. To be honest, actually, I don't think it was a sending off but it was a godsend(ing off) to us.

After the sweet taste of victory has disappeared, as long as that may take, this was a game that the scoreline probably flattered in some respects and not in others. Once again we're a team in fluctuation, slowly settling into a pattern and shape, albeit slowly.

Like most games this season, there were times when we were on top and in control and times when we were hanging on a bit, and that's with Eversmall having 10 men.

Carroll at times seems bewildered, other times, his runs into the box aren't met instantly with crosses leading to his and our frustration; and then at times we crossed it to find no-one there. One thing I've noticed about him is the fact he drops off and away in the box, never trying to get in front of the defender, or at least yesterday, there was always one in front of him til the goal when he shoved thingy out the way...


Discussion points:

1.Adam should be a bonus player in midfield, someone who adds, not is the basic need. He doesn't control, read nor make a game. Lucas already is better than him. Which means we're still missing and not controlling the centre of the field a lot of the time. That basic control of the space in front of Carra et al makes us vunerable. So, with Gerrard fit, what's the best formation for us in the centre?

2. Carroll and Suarez: starting to show a little understanding but no Keegan and Toshack. Is Carroll at fault for his 'sluggish' appearances or are we not playing to his strengths?

3. Everton looked at times like they wanted it more.. true or false?

Garstonite:
Edit: I'll write more in time too. Just a few concerns/ramblings to get the ball rolling:
Still a few concerns - namely, Adam's inability to read the game off the ball and Carroll's lack of movement up front. Everton had no way of exploiting our weaknesses at the back either.

But a win in the derby. Fuck it. Everton have their excuse, we have our three points. Natural order restored.

No666:
Initial rumination is simply: this time last year we were third from bottom and facing oblivion off-the-pitch. Happy days.

BabuYagu:
I think I will have to sit down and watch that one again before I really make comment. Watching and doing the comms, I was WAYYYYYYYY too tense and was ready to punch someone with every misplaced pass. Maybe it wasn't so bad and it was exagerated by my importance to winning and playing well.

Negatives
Ball retention - We didn't pass the ball that well. I think our possession stats were high because everton struggled more with this than we did.
Carroll Whilst he is playing much better and scoring, very little of his work was in and around the box which is where I want him to be. He can be a deadly goalscorer once he gets going.
Downing - probably his poorest game for us that. He's been very good so far but wondering if he is feeling a little jaded?
Adam - left Lucas very exposed at times in midfield. Done well in Evertons half and looked dangerous at times. Needs to do far more defensively though.
Closing down Saha - Too many times he took 3 or 4 touches then had a shot un challenged. Why? He's a lone striker FFS! One marks him, the other covers.

Positives
Lucas - Holy shitfuck this guy can run. And run and run and run. Covered so much ground again today and broke up play well. Some very nice passing too, particularly that ball to Bellamy for the first goal.
Kuyt - Definately a big game player for us. Personally I thought he did everything right with the penalty.... sometimes the keeper guesses right, that's all. That aside he was outstanding today and I think having him popping up in the box when Carroll or Suarez dropped out to get involved in the build up really helped us.
Enrique - Solid again. I'm starting to see him as a more technically gifted, attacking Arbeloa. Doesn't get beat for pace. Tough, strong and loves getting forward. I just feel our left side is safe with him in the team regardless of the opposition.
Carragher - Predicted beforehand this would be a big game for him and this was MUCH better. He relishes these battles I think. Held the line reasonably high as well.
High Line - much approved again and makes such a difference. Everton couldn't keep the ball at all as we gave them no time in defense and less space in midfield. It was also easier to stiffle their knock downs from Fellaini and Cahill as they had less space.
Decisions going our way - After the week JWH has had he must feel like the world is against him. Good to see some decisions go our way then to even it up a little :D
Carroll - Goes in both categories. Was VERY happy today again with him. Clearly things weren't working for him and he's been told to come out of the box away from the defence, get more involved in the build up and it's working out well for him. That said, he needs to find the right balance. He spent so much time deep this game his average position was further back then Charlie Adam. Really like the guy though and think he'll start banging them in now.
Suarez - Had one of his quieter games and yet was still brilliant. Very intelligent play for the penalty. I would like to see him get coached like Rafa did with Gerrard to conserve his energy better. He runs like a maniac all game and looks shattered by the 70th minute. I think if he could tone it down a little and still offer that in the final 10 minutes when defenders have heavy legs, he would be an even bigger thread for us. I pity the Manchester United defence.
Skrtel - Thought he was immense!
Bellamy - We've needed a real impact player off the bench for a very long time. Now we have one.

Quick question though, when you look at Carraghers heat maps/average position, it seriously looks more like a right back than a center back. Any idea why? Kelly needs the help more? I noticed everton rarely attacked down our left. Enrique just owned Coleman all game! Maybe with more of the play coming down our right, Carra backs up Kelly more, Skrtel ends up more central and Enrique tucks in a little?

SMD:
We were shite in the middle portion of the game and I thought it was a matter of time until they scored.

They didn't, we did and somehow kept a clean sheet. I'll also come back to this (cos fuck it, I want to enjoy today) but really glad with Gerrard slotting in with Carroll, Suarez and Bellamy for the first time. Andy looked brighter and ironically Lucas looked more relaxed. I'm hoping we'll have a captain willing to share the load now and his brief cameo also answered the question of where we might slot him in.

4-4-2 with Adam in the middle doesn't work. It hurts.

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