meepins

Keep in mind that Reading didn't attempt to tackle at all... and also had very very little possession.

I don't know how Pennant and Zenden could be considered average. They have been downright garbage as per usual . Yet again we are weak on the wings.. tiresome.

That piece of play leading up to Kuyts header in the 45th really summed up the half. We are under no pressure whatsoever in possession and we are laboured in our play, creating opportunities. There is no flow to it , doesn't fill me with much confidence. Hopefully Rafa will change the wingers because they have been as weak as expected. Shining light has been Gerrard.He's been decent in places. That's a possibility.Reading have been dire and aren't even attempting to tackle.

Well Reading haven't done a thing, and we haven't done much either.

ain't looking too hot... solid nonetheless

If it ran like an FA cup competition where everyone could play in it then it would recapture it's prestige. I don't know how it would work with fixtures but really it's UEFAs fault it has been devalued.

..could do with some wingers running through defences.

Setanta Sports Ireland is showing the match.

laughing myself silly. Genius.

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Well what can be done about the culprit?

Where did he have a pop? He merely gave his opinion which is contrary to a mainstream opinion i.e. Rotation is not the problem, Quality is. Agree with it or don't but don't start demonising someone paid to give their opinion from the viewpoint of an ex professional player. Ye love it when someone starts praising and sucking up and then chopping down anyone who says anything otherwise. Cake , want, eat it, and

I'm appalled.

When you say 'backed up by Steven Gerrards book' what do you mean? I haven't read it nor have any intention.

Zonal Marking.

very good. It was wishful thinking the team was going to pull this one out of the bag. You don't just suddenly go from playing as flat as a pancake to top form and whoop your main rival. We are so badly missing a spark at the moment and can only hope someone like Gonzalez or Bellamy is going to step up and give something we can get behind. Theres still plenty of time in other competitions to get this team playing football.

Unfortunately there is a very cliche answer to it, which is why the violence problem will ever fully be removed.

I can't believe Zenden gets his game... any capable youth players to put in his stead? It looks like we are in for a wait before this team gets it together.. if this mix is capable of that at all. I'm a bit puzzled that Bellamy hasn't been more of a threat.Hopefully demolishing Utd will prove to be the catalyst we are looking for.

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Theres really a lot of good points brought by everyone in the thread. We do have the players to pass like Arsenal but we certainly do not pass like them. Back when arsenal were at their peak the passing had all of the incision , urgency and precision we are lacking at the moment for which there is very valid reasons such as balance and the relative immaturity of the squad as a team. We've only seen glimpses of what the team is capable of and there is no better man than Rafa Benitez to get it working like it should.

I called the league and european double and am sticking with it. Happy to be aboard the deluded bandwagon.

I like how he ran with the ball a bit tonight.The midfield were all very good tonight getting up to support the attack.It makes a welcome change from the sporadic play of late.

I caught the highlights of the first half goals.For some reason Hypia was unnecessarily pushing out into left back. Bizarre decision and both times Everton got a goal out of it because the centre was so exposed. Has anyone noticed him doing this before?

I think if any of those Gerrard misses had crept in, we would have went on to spank them.Not to be on the day unfortunately.