Topic: Liverpool 4-1 Steaua Bucharest: post game revisionism

[Mad Men]

We won. Can't get over the fact some people would wish we lost so they could start moaning about how shite we are.

[banksybanks]

I only caught the first half, but must say I thought Spearing had a cracking half; winning tackles, spraying passes around, clearing up at the back. Babel looked pretty lively too; I'm glad they've both put a decent shift in there. It's good for Roy to have other decent options.

Thought Meireles looked quality early on, but faded a bit towards half time. Obviously, not seeing any of the 2nd half, I don't know how he did, but he's one of those (like Aquilani) who looks like a very good footballer.

[And Could He Play]

Take the piss all you like, still doesn't change the fact that hodgson's clueless, the jobs to big for him and Purslow made a monumental fuck up by apponting him, I'll hold my hands up if I am wrong, but I'm sorry to say I don't think I will be.

Supporters hoping that he is the answer will be disapointed. I wonder how long ST holders will take 11 behind the ball at home to everyone?

so 9 games in, lost 1, yes one game out of nine, and won 6 of them, just finished a 4-1 home european tie and this is how you react. strange.

[CorKopite]

Delighted with the result,couldnt of predicted that at the start of half time,really thought it was going to be a half where Steuea would dominate again.They were far superior in the first half in all fairness but Im glad we showed some bottle to come out in the second half and stop giving them so much time on the ball,get it ourselves and use it effectively.Cole was very good as was Raul once he got settled in,really do think hes a quality addition to our squad,a very forward thinking player.IMO the reason he didnt look great in the first half was because there was fuck all movement for him,but in the second once people started making runs for the ball,our attack improvement leaps and bounds and a lot of it was starting at Raul,cam close enough with that half volley too.Delighted for Lucas too,fantastic strike and Ngog did well again aswell.Lets try look at the positives more than the negatives for a change though eh 

[tboz]

Overall backline pace is too slow and was exposed today, Defensively konchesky is a worry, his willingness to get forward provides balance going forward across the pitch but against teams like united or a solid winger he is going to real weak spot. Although against a weak opposition his positional sense clearing was not fully there, and he seemed unhurried to get back in position.

When we play team with a supportive full back and a winger who hugs the flanks and runs at us i can see him chasing alot of shadows.

Also n'gog seemed to find himself out wide a fair bit in the first half.

[Dubai_Red]

Really enjoyed the second half, the best we have played for long time. It was refreshing to see the midfielders moving the ball forward at pace as appose to the usual sideways and back to defence. Yes, it was poor opposition, bit you can only beat what's in front of you.

Agree about Raul looking really good and was nice to see an energetic performance from Cole.

Looking forward to the sunday now as the team may well surprise a few of us, so long as we go there with the right attitude and am hoping Torres shuts Redknap up for his comments last week.

We have the players, just need then to perform now.

Onwards and upwards.

[Mr Dilkington]

Few thoughts , Merieles was tidy , but not as spectacular as some are making out , he moved the ball forward very quickly which gave our front three more of a chance to spring a few flicks , Joe Cole in paticular reeped the rewards of Raul's presence in the centre.

I was also pleased with the link up between Cole and N'gog , how many times did Joe sweep past his marker on the half turn , fire a ball into N'gog and take the lay off and either have a shot or lay it off to Maxi or Babel.

Babel....... i think it's time to give him a run through the middle , the left wing is becoming a bit of a grave yard role for him , because he is so one footed , he can't take the right back by suprise , and due to his lack of guile he ends up cutting inside and just shooting , even when the angle is against him.

Konchescky was solid , in all honesty it's just nice to see a natural left back on the side , he knows when to get forward and when to stay back.

All in all , a good performance and nice to see a few goals been scored again , Sunday is a big one obviously , but we need to get after there full backs , i'm far from convinced of Neville and Evra , that's why Raul must play , so he can get the ball out to them quickly.

[Cracking Left Foot]

Our best performance under Roy, especially the 2nd half.

Spearing, despite my misgivings, was immense. Joe Cole was man of the match for me, and chuffed to bits for Ngog and especially Lucas. What a goal.

Hopefully we can keep it going against the Mancs. I don't think they're anything like the side they were a couple of seasons ago.

[jaygraham]

We won. Can't get over the fact some people would wish we lost so they could start moaning about how shite we are.

So true these days mate!

Anyway, second half was good, first half we were shite, same old for this season. Infact, during the first half my mind wandered to a topic on RAWK calling for us to describe LFC in three words. "DONT BOTHER ATTACKING" were the three that sprang to mind.

Alls well that ends well, a scoreline that flattered us a bit I think, but much needed and a superb goal by Lucas.

Oh and Babel got ironically applauded off a la Danny Murphy.

[jaygraham]

Hopefully we can keep it going against the Mancs. I don't think they're anything like the side they were a couple of seasons ago.

Sadly neither are we.

[Harry_Wong]

I thought J.Cole was MOTM. He played well through the middle and from the left. He just edges out Ngog who had another excellent game as lone striker.

A brilliant goal from Lucas, so pleased for him personally.  Especially to score a goal like that into the Kop end, which should shut a few critics up for a little while. 

I thought Kelly had another good game at right-back.  Meireles was impressive, mainly for energy and dynamism in the centre.

[astowell1]

Sadly I had to miss the game tonight but I will catch it ASAP.

However this all seems like one more step in the right direction.

[pooley]

Nice to read so many different opinions about the same match, that's what football is all about. Considering the team we had out and the standard of the opposition, I thought it was a pretty good performance. Steaua did well to get back in the game after Coles goal and had a good go at us for about 20 minutes. I thought it was an important game for Spearing to rebuild his confidence after a few bad peformances in bad teams last season. Ngog is improving all the time and it was a good run out for Cole. obviously there is no comparison to the Prem but if Hodgson keeps winning he may start getting a bit of respect. Lets hope Torres has had a t-shirt printed, with 'Rednkapp is a twat' on for after he scores against the Mancs.

[Mad Men]

I thought Martin Kelly was outstanding for us. He did a solid, solid job without being spectacular.

Deserves credit.

[rednich85]

Cant help feel that we papered over the cracks with the second half performance.

Not doom and gloom.

Martin Kelly just gets better and better.

Another questionable performance from Konchesky...not too bad but there are flaws there.

Jay Spearing....didnt do too much wrong but it wont be long before he is shipped out to a lower premierl league team (if he's lucky).

Danny Agger should play every game.

Meireles looked lively and I'd assume he'll look much better playing with Gerrard and Torres....players more on his wavelength

Joe Cole is looking much fitter and he'll get a run here.....we really could see the best of him...like a Beardsley type player.

David N'gog is looking like a goalscorer. Had supreme confidence in him with the pen.....I just thought back to home to the mancs last season....clean through...kept his head. Second goal was an instinct finish and poacher like goal. Of course other aspects of his game can improve but he is still young and loads of time to develop.

Maxi showed how good an actual footballer he is. Clever little player who's movement and ability to spot a pass could be watched by a few others

Babel tried....err....thats about it.

Great seeing Pepe with the armband. Fits well.

Great goal by Lucas. Love the lad.

Defo some positives to take. would of liked Pacheco to have had more time but looked lively again.

Massive test for us now on Sunday.

[rednich85]

I thought Martin Kelly was outstanding for us. He did a solid, solid job without being spectacular.

Deserves credit.

Agreed mate. He gets better and better each game he plays

[ThatYungstarrYNWA]

Good rebound game from Maxi after the Birmingham game but Cole looked VERY impressive.

[KopThat]

Kelly just needs to improve his crossing, too many time he tried to cross without making space first and they were easily blocked,
rest of his game was good.

I think in the end the scoreline flattered us, with that non penalty giving us momentum, and a cracker form Lucas,
and Ngog looked really pleased with himself for the 4th.

The atmosphere in the ground was another thing, most of the time I could hear my pins wrapped in cotton wool drop.

[Mr Dilkington]

What would people think about Roy trying a Kelly-Agger centre half partnership ?

[Another Red]

Never thought much of Spearing until today. He was our best player in the first 45 minutes making some excellent tackles. A couple of times he played the wrong pass but overall he impressed me.

Meireles came alive in the second half and we looked much better.

Kelly played his heart out and didn't do too much wrong.

Pleased to see Cole and Lucas get off the mark.

[aerorossi29]

All in all cant grumble about a 4-1 win regardless of who we played. We werent perfect, far from it but i aint going to pick apart a good result which hopefully can spur us on a bit. Thought joe cole was good, lovely goal. Ngog is proving that he could be a massive player for us and i was chuffed for lucas. Cant really say anymore than that.

[And Could He Play]

just watched a bit of the game again, commentator says after coles goal "its a dream start at arsenal" also says after their goal, "they have the away goal as well'...... erm.

[rednich85]

What would people think about Roy trying a Kelly-Agger centre half partnership ?

In a year or two....

[DanA]

First half was woeful. Besides the well taken goal by Cole (the quality of the finish really impressing me) we really lacked class. To much time was spent passing the ball around our back half, with nobody taking the game. Spearing was excellent at winning us the ball but we did nothing with it.

Second half a new team came out. Roy must have given them a bit of creative license because suddenly Maxi, Babel & Cole were spending a lot more time on the ball running at defenders and Steaua Bucharest couldn't handle it.

Play of the day has to be N'gog's last goal. Pacheco fired in a bullet of a pass to Cole who showed a bit of skill and touch getting it to N'gog. Pacheco made an intelligent run which opened up a bit of space for N'gog his finish didn't disappoint. He fired a perfect shot in the corner hitting the back of the net. Great play by all three of them and while the other goals were in part due to poor defense that one was just great play IMO. Would have pulled apart any defense.

The goal we conceeded was far too easy and in general Kyrgiakos looked sluggish (the questionable offside call which Reina saved comes to mind). He was the wrong type of defender for that game.  Agger was a rock and I thought Konchesky & Kelly were solid all game.

N'gog is a good player, very underated by the fan base.

I'd like to see Pacheco start in the Carlington Cup, Biggest diasppointment was only seeing him get 10 minutes. I have a feeling he'll put on a clinic and force his way into the squad ahead of Maxi and Jovanovic if given the chance. 

[Mr Dilkington]

In a year or two....

I agree that will probably be the case , but Kelly is hammering on the door and i really think he deserves a chance.

[rednich85]

I agree that will probably be the case , but Kelly is hammering on the door and i really think he deserves a chance.

He is hammering mate. He'll need a bedding in at CB.

[Wish Matrix]

Should have been a clean sheet for us.

[DanA]

In a year or two....

If we had another rightback I would have played that way. But really with Johnson the only alternative and rightback unlikely to be a foucs in January it's something we can look at until next season.

Kelly is the perfect replacement for Cara though and I think it will be really good timing too. I think Cara still has two good seasons in him and then maybe look at being cover for a season or two.

[Red_Isle_Chap]

Should have been a clean sheet for us.

Can't deny the quality of their goal though, well worked and well taken. Shame it came about because of a slip by Spearing, but he recovered from it well to have a decent game, and full credit to him for that

[And Could He Play]

can i just say Joe Coles boss.

[rednich85]

I think Cara still has two good seasons in him

I think Carra has one.....this.....at a stretch.

[aerorossi29]

Cant help feel that we papered over the cracks with the second half performance.

Not doom and gloom.

Martin Kelly just gets better and better.

Another questionable performance from Konchesky...not too bad but there are flaws there.

Jay Spearing....didnt do too much wrong but it wont be long before he is shipped out to a lower premierl league team (if he's lucky).

Danny Agger should play every game.

Meireles looked lively and I'd assume he'll look much better playing with Gerrard and Torres....players more on his wavelength

Joe Cole is looking much fitter and he'll get a run here.....we really could see the best of him...like a Beardsley type player.

David Ngog is looking like a goalscorer. Had supreme confidence in him with the pen.....I just thought back to home to the mancs last season....clean through...kept his head. Second goal was an instinct finish and poacher like goal. Of course other aspects of his game can improve but he is still young and loads of time to develop.

Maxi showed how good an actual footballer he is. Clever little player who's movement and ability to spot a pass could be watched by a few others

Babel tried....err....thats about it.

Great seeing Pepe with the armband. Fits well.

Great goal by Lucas. Love the lad.

Defo some positives to take. would of liked Pacheco to have had more time but looked lively again.

Massive test for us now on Sunday.

Which other questionable game has konchesky had? Imo he was of our better performers against birmingham, in only his other game for us!

[rednich85]

can i just say Joe Coles boss.

Looks a lot fitter and sharper....

Didnt realise how reckless he can be at times with those stupid lunges.

Looked delighted to open his account too.

[rednich85]

Which other questionable game has konchesky had? Imo he was of our better performers against birmingham, in only his other game for us!

Work it out Einstein.

[Red_Isle_Chap]

can i just say Joe Coles boss.

He annoyed me in the first half an hour. The "round the back of the other foot" pass that he played for babel summed up his first 30 mins, bar the goal. Tried to be fancy and didn't need to. Once he'd settled down he did look good. Like all players of his ilk (skillful and flair type) he's annoyingly selfish at times, but that can be a good thing. A couple times in the second half Meireles overlapped him on the left in their half only for Joe to ignore him. One he went on a nice dribble and won a free, the other he wasted a pass and the move fizzled out. But that's ok, as one of the things he does well is keeps people guessing.

Was it me or were the 3 behind N'Gog all swapping positions in the second half? Kept seeing Ryan and Maxi far away from where they should be, again not a bad thing but slightly unexpected.

I do think Cole needs to do more to make the position in behind the striker his own, but that's just me. I'm never happy

[Terry de Niro]

I've just woke up from a coma.

Did we win?

[Barney_Rubble]

Yeah, and we're top of division 1

[DanA]

I think Carra has one.....this.....at a stretch.

I know you're not alone with your opinion but when was the last time he had a really poor game or cost us. I'd just about have to go to before Christmas last year to think of more than the very rare occasion.

[CHOPPER]

4-1 sounds like a hiding, were we that good or were they that shit?

[NZ Red]

He annoyed me in the first half an hour. The "round the back of the other foot" pass that he played for babel summed up his first 30 mins, bar the goal. Tried to be fancy and didn't need to. Once he'd settled down he did look good. Like all players of his ilk (skillful and flair type) he's annoyingly selfish at times, but that can be a good thing. A couple times in the second half Meireles overlapped him on the left in their half only for Joe to ignore him. One he went on a nice dribble and won a free, the other he wasted a pass and the move fizzled out. But that's ok, as one of the things he does well is keeps people guessing.

Was it me or were the 3 behind Ngog all swapping positions in the second half? Kept seeing Ryan and Maxi far away from where they should be, again not a bad thing but slightly unexpected.

I do think Cole needs to do more to make the position in behind the striker his own, but that's just me. I'm never happy

I thought performed well to be honest. I think we've been lacking a tricky, skillful player such as him for the last few years. Of course sometimes it doesn't come off and can be very frustrating, but I think he offers us something different on attack and causes defenders a lot of problems.

I was particularly impressed by the pressure he applied in the first part of the game, notably the first goal. So often we don't pressure the opponent on the ball and work hard enough to win it back, and those opening 30 seconds proved how effective it can be.