RedHarvest

I think Insua's coming along nicely. Another season of intermittant appearances, some steady improvement and we have a potentially excellent attacking left full for the future.

We played well within ourselves, were sloppy at times, got the win. I deliberately turned off the after match stuff knowing it'd be trumped up s**** in the absence of any real talking points.

Kuyt Benayoun Skrtel

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Love Dirk, he's the perfect example of a player who plays to his strengths. He looks bad when he has a bad game because he's not prodigiously gifted. I got so sick of defending him to non LFC fans, now I just tell em to f*** off, he's brilliant!

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It's a shambles at the moment...no communication, no trust, no confidence...rather than make a scapegoat of our best and most committed defender you have to question the coaching.

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The curveball will be Lucas starting again Pepe Johnson Carra Kyrgiakos Insua Masch Lucas Kuyt Gerrard Riera Torres

ah sorry - gotcha now,,

What's so funny? That's true. Going up against the mancs for Robben doesn't leave us much chance...unless the crafty little prick has a preference for us.

hope Itandje leaves...he's a c**k coat please

That's pretty much what most are advocating if Gerrard moves back. If Lucas' form completely collapses who in the squad can do a job? Plessis? Spearing? Last night should be no indication of Gerrards ability to perform any role. I think you're right about Benayoun, that hole position seems to be ideal for him with the bonus of Riera providing width on the left, and I think he and Torres were linking well and showing signs of an understanding early in the game last night.

All true...plus new baby syndrome perhaps.

Amen to that. Maybe Kyrgiakos would have dealt with the 2nd goal last night but he also would've been killed for pace by Agbonlahor.

Thought we looked fit and sharp enough for the first 20 mins, would have been a very different story if any of Torres, Gerrard or Yossi converted that first chance...the most worrying aspect was how badly we reacted to that jammy OG and the increasingly panicked and clueless build up play - it betrays a tactical confusion in the absence of Alonso. We upgraded on Garcia with Yossi - he just had a mare last night. Most distressing for me is our vulnerability from corners and FKs, it was the same last season and did for us in the CL. It's an ongoing problem that doesn't seem like it's being adressed. Similarly our lack of potency from our own set pieces...Gerrard taking corners will never work, it's so frustrating. Having said that I'm not worried just yet,,,yes it's concerning but three games in is no indicator of the outcome.

Carra - showed some fight and passion 2nd half. Johnson - another good game, inspires confidence on the ball. Skrtel - consistent, marshalled Agbonlahor well.

Everything went right for Villa, every f***ing break went their way and at exactly the right time...it was just one of those nights. I think we're really gonna struggle to adjust to life without Xabi. We have no player able or willing to demand the ball in the middle and link the play...as Mike suggested after Spurs, in the absence of Aquilani it should be Gerrard and let Yossi fill his position behind Torres - he (Gerrard) had a stinker last night but it might be the only answer in the short term. Feel sorry for Lucas, he seemed to slowly be building confidence, this wont help him any.

Shame the Greek isn't match fit, this is a game we're gonna need arial presence against the threat of Carew/Heskey,,I can see Villa lumping it into the box at every opportunity. Big game for Ayala if he plays. my guess at Rafas lineup: Reina Johnson Carra Ayala/Skirtl Insua Masch Lucas Kuyt Gerrard Riera Torres

Speaking of whom - any news on him signing for Villa?

just something about the big Greek psycho that seems to make it scan.

to the tune of Mr. Misters "Kyrie elesion" Ky-ree-akos down to old Trafford you must travel Ky-ree-akos it is Rooney you must smite Ky-ree-akos you're a red and we must follow Ky-ree-akos for the title is our right