Topic: Spurs vs Liverpool 2-1 Post Match Reaction

[Alf]

Yossi and Reina apart we were Fucking awful today.

[indi_lfc]

All this negagtivity about lucas is bullshit. He played well today. I agree lucas has not got the passing like alonso but no need to slate the guy or compare him to alonso. There are not many players we could buy that could replace alonso.

 

[fowlermagic]

Babel was given a real chance and a real show of confidence today and simply shat all over it. When you see performances like that today, and being honest you see them more often than the Madrid ones, you begin to wonder if he'll ever cut it here. He was just completely on the periphery and lost the ball when he did occasionally have it. Riera as average as he can be sometimes just doesn't play that badly and at least retains possession.

Basically one …Babel…..may remind you of a shit that was a little runny while Riera has more of a solid shit feeling about him. All told neither  are good enough to be our #1 guy on the left. Benayoun should be that guy even though his best is always on the right thus you have to wonder why is not one of the shits sold at this stage for a new guy?

[wet echo]

He doesn't have to be Zidanesque on the ball, he doesn't even need to be Xabiesque. Look at Roy Keane, not the most naturally gifted or creative on the ball but he was well able to run a game and Masch is more than capable of it too. I've seen him do it for Argentina enough times, especially in the Copa America of 2007.

The fact is we're not replacing the Alonso role, its clear Rafa has other ideas such as one holding player (Masch) and one roaming midfielder with license to support a bit more (Lucas/Aquilani) as opposed to the two deeper lying midfielders we used previously Xabi/Masch/Hamman/Momo/Igor.

I know Lucas is the one that's going to carry the can in the next few weeks and that's very unfair. Masch is going to have to step up and do more as well and like I said I believe he's more than capable, but he didn't show it today and if anything Lucas was the better of the two.

very sensible post my friend

[buchigo!]

very good points notayesman-i think if ever we had a luxury that was xabi (doesn't score goals a lot for a midfield but when he's gone you just notice... oh yeah. that's why...). agree with you with our upcoming change in philosophy to a more attack minded one; once albert arrives, you'll probably see gerrard and alberto swapping a lot with an occasional cameo from masch and we'll be much fluid.

think you're a bit hard on masch though- to me he does what makelele did but in a more mobile role- he doesn't use his positioning to break plays as a classic dm would but rather uses his agility and movement to disrupt the opposition. add to that he can carry the ball upwards too, way beyond than claude did in his pomp.

[AmericanPoolFan]

A lot of our players looked un fit. Players haven't had enough game time in pre season. Gerrard has to play instead of lucas. Yossi needs to play gerrards role.

I don't think he'll do it though, my guess is he'll do a one for one switch Benayoun for Babel.  But I'd much rather have what you recommend.  Benayoun in Gerrard's role behind Torres and Gerrard in for Lucas.

[Notayesman]

But Gerrard is better than him back there. We are in the business of winning games, and many of us feel that Gerrard in central midfield with Yossi in front is better for the team than Lucas in midfield with Gerrard in front. I'm sorry if that pushes Lucas out of the picture but if we send out the same team as last year for 40 games with the only change being Lucas for Alonso then we aren't going to be as good.

Well I don't and Gerrard showed very little when he did drop back there apart from give the ball away more times than Lucas did in the whole game. And surely Aquilani is going to make an appearance at some point.

[Father Ted]

Riera's a million times better than Babel. Which says as much about Babel's never ending capacity for shitness as it does about Riera.

Riera is a decent player actually, we'd all like John Barnes back on the left wing but unfortunately that's not gonna happen so Riera it is, and the Spaniard deserves more credit than he gets around here.

Babel however, deserves none. He's fucking rubbish and we should've already got shot of him.

[alan dixon]

lucs ws ok today lpool deserved fuck all they were shit  absoulte bollocks didnt play on the deck and were shite babel fuckin awful had a free headrer and lost it fuckin dreadful !

[cowtownred]

Well, like us all, I'm fucking depressed.  Here starts the rollercoaster of footy weekends again. This one is the bad kind, where we lose ground, there'll be others when we are euphoric...  its another season.

I actually thought Lucas stepped up really well, bit disappointed in Mascherano and (in a lesser way) Gerrard. Given that Lucas as a young lad was given the anchor role to replace Alonso in the engineroom, and that he was abused by the 'supporters' last year.. I'd have hoped the senior players might try to help him a bit more. Just my thoughts, but Lucas was one of our better performers.  Re Mascherano, I wonder if the Barcelona tap-up has gone away?  Babel was a real disappointment.  Handed the chance to make a starting place in our team for the season, once again he completely shows disinterest and a serious lack of quality and desire. I don't see a future for that fella. Well, not at Anfield. 

Seems to me we need Aurelio, Riera and especially Agger back fit ASAP.  I really think Agger needs in (sadly ahead of Carra now)..   makes such a difference to the way we set up to play.

Yossi take a bow.  Wonder how he was benched today? Our best player for a big part of last year.  Made us a different team when he came on.

But the thing that disturbs me most.  How the hell can a team, which for the most part has been together for 2 years, look like they were badly prepared and like strangers for the first hour. Can't fathom that.

[fowlermagic]

He doesn't have to be Zidanesque on the ball, he doesn't even need to be Xabiesque. Look at Roy Keane, not the most naturally gifted or creative on the ball but he was well able to run a game and Masch is more than capable of it too. I've seen him do it for Argentina enough times, especially in the Copa America of 2007.

The fact is we're not replacing the Alonso role, its clear Rafa has other ideas such as one holding player (Masch) and one roaming midfielder with license to support a bit more (Lucas/Aquilani) as opposed to the two deeper lying midfielders we used previously Xabi/Masch/Hamman/Momo/Igor.

I know Lucas is the one that's going to carry the can in the next few weeks and that's very unfair. Masch is going to have to step up and do more as well and like I said I believe he's more than capable, but he didn't show it today and if anything Lucas was the better of the two.

The thing is when you had Keane doing his thing you had others piling in the goals from areas we don’t, ie defense, wings (left hand side at least) and one other striker scoring 10 plus league goals. 

I can live with Masch & Aquaman (when he returns) doing what we have seen for the past few years when Alonso was there but I cant stand seeing average lads getting run outs in creative areas where class is required. Our left hand side and back up strikers are aching for improvement and we should do it now when we have the chance.

[guyko21]

The only players who turned up for us were Pepe, Glen, Yossi and Lucas ... Yes, Lucas.  Was very solid in midfield, didn't put a foot wrong and cleared up a lot of mess for us. 

Have never been a fan of his, but truly he was good today.

[Notayesman]

The thing is when you had Keane doing his thing you had others piling in the goals from areas we don’t, ie defense, wings (left hand side at least) and one other striker scoring 10 plus league goals. 

I can live with Masch & Aquilani (when he returns) doing what we have seen for the past few years when Alonso was there but I cant stand seeing average lads getting run outs in creative areas where class is required. Our left hand side and back up strikers are aching for improvement and we should do it now when we have the chance.

Which makes it all the more puzzling as to why the Left mid wasn't addressed given that most of us would have identified it as a weak point. The point though is still that Masch needs to step up and take on the role of the senior mid, he didn't do it today.

[stockdam]

How do people think Ayala did when he came on? Just out of curiosity. In ll fairness, i thought he handled the game pretty well for an 18 year old making his debut in a team where everyones being a bit shit.

i think he played very well.

[Dickie_Mint]

Sluggish start. Looked mighty short of ideas and fitness today. This performance reminded me of the one against Marseille at Anfield last year. Lots of hopeful punts down the wing, poor passing, and almost zero in the final third.

Players need a fucking kick up the arse.

How many chances does Babel need?

 

[bobadicious]

Basically one …Babel…..may remind you of a shit that was a little runny while Riera has more of a solid shit feeling about him. All told neither  are good enough to be our #1 guy on the left. Benayoun should be that guy even though his best is always on the right thus you have to wonder why is not one of the shits sold at this stage for a new guy?

Maybe the shit wont flush.

[BCCC]

I really do think the Harlem Globetrotters style pre season tour of Asia did us no favours. Spurs played far more competitive games during their pre season. How that affects the long term I don't know but it certainly helps in the first month getting out of the blocks.

[rafathegaffa83]

I really do think the Harlem Globetrotters style pre season tour of Asia did us no favours. Spurs played far more competitive games during their pre season. How that affects the long term I don't know but it certainly helps in the first month getting out of the blocks.

Last time, I checked Spurs went to Asia too

[Red_Isle_Chap]

I'll be in the minority again with this, but I didn't think that Voronin looked all that bad when he came on. Interested, ran the channels and should have had a penalty. Not bad considering there was only Yossi giving service to the entire team

[redpride9]

I just don't get babel, he's got all the attributes to be a top player, but just bottles it. I don't understand how a professional player cannot have mental strength!! He needs a right bollocking and a kick up the backside!! 

[buchigo!]

Basically one …Babel…..may remind you of a shit that was a little runny while Riera has more of a solid shit feeling about him. All told neither  are good enough to be our #1 guy on the left. Benayoun should be that guy even though his best is always on the right thus you have to wonder why is not one of the shits sold at this stage for a new guy?

you do know riera didn't even play today?

[BCCC]

Last time, I checked Spurs went to Asia too

Look at who they played during their pre season.

[RdJRed]

Really poor performance as has been said over and over on this thread.  I feel kind of like I did after Boro last season - it was that shite.  When the centre halves have the ball you really notice the difference now the Spanish player (won't mention the name..) has gone.  I don't know what Lucas has been told or the rest of the team for that matter but in Lucas's case, he wasn't looking for the ball from Carra or Skrtel - that's a big difference.  It meant that we were a bit stifled and the long ball was used too often.

I am sure Rafa had his reasons for starting Babel.  He is a different player to Yossi - much stronger and with loads of pace.  I was happy he got a start and seem to remember a few on here were too.  He just didn't perform which was disappointing but there were other more experienced players who were shite today also.

Last year we drew 11 games.  Take 6 of those and replace with 3 wins and 3 defeats we are champions with 92 points.  A defeat is a bitter first day pill but not the end of the world.  I still believe.

I expect a monster atmosphere at Anfield on Wednesday and 3 points.  If we get 3 points we will have done better compared to corresponding games from last year.

Oh yeah - we're still above the Bitters.

[Shanks1965]

Dissapointing but game for game we are in the same place as last season, no points at Tottenham.

[Sat1]

We were awful in every way possible

Fucked right off

[reniformis]

Well I don't and Gerrard showed very little when he did drop back there apart from give the ball away more times than Lucas did in the whole game. And surely Aquilani is going to make an appearance at some point.

But surely you can't deny we looked more threatening as a team when Benny came on and Gerrard dropped back, just as we did against Atletico? You could argue that we can play Gerrard behind Torres, Benny wide and keep Lucas in the team but my belief is that Benny plays best centrally, in fact in Gerrards role. I'm not having a pop at Lucas, I'm really not, I thought he played well today, but I'd just rather have Gerrard and Benny dictating things in the middle than Gerrard and Lucas. Sorry, it's just my personal opinion.

[MOZ]

Didnt think today was as bad as people are making out. Tentative start against a vastly improved Spurs team.
We still need to work on defending and taking set pieces and we can be much sharper in the final third.
Lucas actually played ok today but is going to get stick every time we dont win, so no change there.
Man of match: Reina.

[lauy]

Yossi was fantastic when he came on.

Should have started imo.

The ref didn't help today, but we really didn't play well so I guess we got what we deserved in the end.

[Stussy]

Actually, made up with that result, got our loss out of the way, now its a red torrent and tsunami for the rest of the season believe me. League is ours. Well happy about that.

[Notayesman]

But surely you can't deny we looked more threatening as a team when Benny came on and Gerrard dropped back, just as we did against Atletico? You could argue that we can play Gerrard behind Torres, Benny wide and keep Lucas in the team but my belief is that Benny plays best centrally, in fact in Gerrards role. I'm not having a pop at Lucas, I'm really not, I thought he played well today, but I'd just rather have Gerrard and Benny dictating things in the middle than Gerrard and Lucas. Sorry, it's just my personal opinion.

Yes but because of Benni not because Gerrard was in midfield. He didn't offer anymore than Lucas did there and gave away the ball a lot more. And I believe Yossi is just as much of a threat cutting in from the left as he is centrally.

[shelovesyou]

Its only one game so no panic just yet but what does worry me is our strength in depth - we have none and for whatever reason yet again we have a weaker squad than the mancs and chelsea , even spurs had a stronger bench than us today . Here's hoping Rafa can buy some players soon.

[Gnurglan]

Dissapointing but game for game we are in the same place as last season, no points at Tottenham.

True and it's a new season as well. What we did last season does not count now. Many negatives to find if we look for them though. We didn't play well, this was a game where we could have "gained points" from l last season etc.

But the game is over and we can't change anything now. If we look forward: we'll need 25+ wins to win the title. We have 37 games to go still. It's time to start putting things right on Wednesday. It's well within our reach.

[fowlermagic]

you do know riera didn't even play today?

He was not out out there? Thought he was doing an impression of what we saw from Nov – May last season pretty much., ie pretty much non extistent.

Kidding aside our best bet for the left hand side is Benayoun and Rafa has already showed his preference to go with someone else already. Lets hope he sees what we all see and makes Benayoun one of our must plays by the next match.

[Morientes-19]

Twelfth in the table, level on points with the likes of Hull and Everton and outside the European places.

We're done for!

[GoldenFleece]

Gerrard always the same when half carrying an injury. Defence looked frail (thank god they didn't start crouch) Babel woeful.. wants half an hour when he gets the ball, instead of knocking it ten and letting the full back know he has his work cut out. Benny was great when he came on. Torres was isolated the whole game cos the skipper had one of his rare bad uns!
The bench was shit to look at... Rafa must feel incredibly let down again by the owners, we needed to spend this summer to win the league and we are in profit from sales??? A shit day at the office almost all round... hope there is better to come.

[Phil M]

Actually, made up with that result, got our loss out of the way, now its a red torrent and tsunami for the rest of the season believe me. League is ours. Well happy about that.

That's the spirit mate. I'm with you. We'll get things going on Wednesday night.

[smicer07]

Has this "no strength in depth" thing come directly from Martin Tyler and his pet monkey? Fact is, we have injuries, without the injuries we have plenty of depth.

[El Campeador]

                                                               REINA

JOHNSON                        CARRA                           AGGER/SKRTEL            FABIO (WHEN FIT)



KUYT                            STEVIE                                MASCH                            ALBERT

                     
                                                     YOSSI


                                                                 NANDO

That's not a bad shout actually, as an option. Gerrard will still make the runs, if Mash is in dominating form, and with two mobile targets in front of him (one who likes to dribble), he might even be better than he is playing level with or in front of Yossi. But I don't think it will come to that.

That's because The squad appears barer than it really is. With Aquilani, Riera, and Aurelio as starters or options off the bench, with Yossi starting matches, we're a much more technical and dangerous side. Add Agger into the mix as a mobile central defender with ball skills, and the sort of cluelessness we saw out there today should dissipate, and Rafa's favourite 4-2-3-1 formation still looks the business.

We had everything going against us today - the lacklustre preseason preparations, midweek international friendly, key injuries, the collision, the peno shout - and we still came close to a result. Add in the technical nous of this team, and we'll be eating teams for brekkie.

It's just a shit start, that's all.

[Mr Boat]

It just had the feel of one of those games when, near the end of the season the chance of winning the league has gone and we've got a big CL game mid week.

Johnson looked OK along with Yossi and Pepe.......should have been a second penalty but we didn't deserve to win. If losing today means no home draws I'll take it on the chin but somehow I'm not so sure.

[Jonny J]

One game in and already some spectacularly knee-jerk posts; brilliant.

We were poor. Piss poor. IMO because our shape was awkward and rigid, with little genuine creativity until Yossi; but that doesnt mean we should be calling for heads or writing off our payers lads.
The fact that Reina was clearly our mom sums it up, but we're going to have off days.
Lets hope a couple of good sessions at melwood get the lads fired up, and just as importantly we're all fired up behind them for 3 points vs Stoke.








If we can't manage that then we need to get shot of that fat Spanish twat, along with anyone he's signed. Pronto.