JobyRB

Sunday S*n?

Heskey?

Thought that Rafa maybe had them lining up the wrong way - would have preferred to see Babel up front and Kuyt wide. Pennant is worse than Yossi - although as he's more of a winger I can understand the thinking. But apart from a few deft touches he just looked rubbish. Gerrard was OK, but his link up with Kuyt was awful. Stevie seemed to have his back to goal too much, rather than finding himself running on to things. The midfield and forwards harassed Portsmouth well, and we did get the ball back really quickly. But we just didn't look like breaking open their banks of four. We really missed the width of Albert - Pennant just kept turning back or failing to really beat his man. Lucas was good. Lots of tackles, short passes, high tempo. Thought Arbeloa was really good too - great to see a full-back bombing into the box (once).

Xabi (really controlled the pace of the game, great distribution, bossed midfield) Kuyt (normally don't rate him but fair play - he was really good) Riera (gave width, got at them)

If Rafa wants to go 4-4-2, then we've nobody top class for the right unless we move Gerrard out there. Then Masch and Alonso probably aren't the best pairing for the middle, as neither can really drive forward that well. Which would explain the need for Barry. If Rafa wants to stay 4-2-3-1, then presumably Keane would take Gerrard's place in the centre of the 3, and Gerrard would move right, more often than not. Then Alonso and Masch look like a better pairing in the centre - although it works well with Gerrard in the middle as this gives the driving force in the centre. But then Keane on the right is out of position. Either formation, don't really see that Kuyt offers enough offensively for a team wanting to win the league. He's a decent squad player on the right, and isn't as rubbish as some make him out, but he's not at the calibre of Gerrard, Torres, Babel, Keane - i.e. players who can win a match on their own with a touch of magic, or bully their opponents with sheer quality.

Alonso Torres (not really in the game, but doesn't need to be if he's that clinical) Gerrard

Why does Olympic football start before the Olympics. That's really odd. Joke tournament - not even a genuine under-2x thing. Stupid qualification criteria. Would be more fun if they let the qualifying teams pick players from clubs one at a time, but only one player was allowed from each club. But no age limit. And clubs had to let them go. Would be hilarious.

Keane and Silva, and keeping Alonso, would make a lot of sense. Xabi really benefits from having intelligent runners ahead of him. He played well with Luis for that reason. Gerrard plays well attacking from the right, but could interchange with the others too. Makes a lot of sense, this selection. Could see Carra being pushed out to RB too, with Skertl in the team - for some games. Keep Xabi, sign Silva!

What's the rule about players buying out their contracts? Could Barry not buy his out and come to us?

Kuyt is like Ian Rush used to be, but without the ability to play as a striker... He's more like a hard-working defender playing up-front. If we're playing to win, he shouldn't be in the side.

Yossi needs to sort out his positioning defending corners. He was playing everyone onside, yet not staying on the post. Obviously made no difference, but it was really stupid none-the-less.

Watched a bit of him for the reserves vs Wigan on Setanta and he looked much better than for the first team. He was trying things, showed some great skill (against lesser players, but still). Think for the first team he seemed a bit nervous, perhaps a bit scared to try things, so he doesn't have a huge amount to his game as he's just playing it safe a lot of the time. Can't really judge until he starts to settle a bit. Think the same can be said for Lucas too actually. Hard to come in as a youngster and play in a side with some of the best players in the world. Not all players develop early...

I failed to get for the Everton game once, and for the Mancs game once. Spurs game went on sale on the back of the 6-0 win, so demand was higher. Reckon the T&Cs are pretty clear about 5000 tickets for 10000 cards, so if they sell out I reckon it's just fair enough. Do think they should make the seats better though. They're worse than the General Sales seats.

Ordered online about an hour ago, nothing showing yet, just "No Satellite Signal is Being Received". Should have been more on the ball and done this weeks ago. But they do say the signal will turn on in 15 minutes to an hour, so maybe it will...

Richie Partridge was the next big thing. Only he wasn't.

He would replace Pirlo at Milan Makelele at Chelsea Iniesta at Barca (national managers never know what they are doing) and Gilberto at Arsenal. That wasn't that hard... I think Xabi is better than some of us give him credit for. With great attacking movement, he would be unbelievable. One of the best passers of the ball in the world. Like Jan Molby, but thin, and with more pace (but worse players to pass to). Really hope he stays, not just because he's a good player, but because he's good to watch. Some of his passes are worth the ticket price alone.

Good idea.

Perhaps the best part of his game is his anticipation and speed off his line/out of his box. Effect of this is that our 'sweeper keeper' has far fewer saves to make than if we had somebody else in goal. Because this part of his game isn't about saving shots, it can seem mundane, but it's actually spectacular. Looks like the defence are playing well, but Reina is actually contributing massively. Think he's one of the best, and will develop. A very few errors when he needed to hold the ball or steer it away from follow-up, but far more contributed in other ways. Could probably even say that our ability to attack (when we actually can) depends upon his ability to play sweeper, allowing the defensive line to push up and squeeze play.

I think he would make a better right winger than Pennant, to be honest.

Maybe because he cost so much more?

They are a bunch of dirty *****, but we should be able to get something out of the game. We've got no real attacking threat down the right - Pennant isn't in the game. His runs aren't dangerous enough - even when he's hugging the touchline he doesn't move up and down enough. Would seriously think about Luis - who does well against Bolton - on the left and Gerrard on the right. Can't believe the free kick against Reina. Could ask why he bothers risking it though - not that it's his fault if the decision is so blatantly wrong. Kuyt was fouled in the box. Would have been soft, but he set himself, and was pushed...

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