Davvo

CB? No, me neither, I meant if we are playing Lovren, then I'd go 2 at the back ie alongside Skrtel, and put Can in the midfield mix. Quite a number of games coming up, so need some rotation in CM.

I'd agree, but I'd say that as a fullback he's marginally more capable, or at least should be, in that role. I don't think either suit the position, but I can see why he'd throw Johnson there ahead of Lovren. In reality, without Sakho, maybe we are best switching to 2 CB's, especially with Kolo absent, and Sturridge fit. Not ideal, but we've been performing better recently not just because of the formation, but the fact the formation suits the available players.

Whilst I don't think Skrtel can be held responsible in any way for the goal, I do think Earl has a point with regards to the positioning there, we seem far too content to let them get where they want to be. If that's our free kick, I'm not convinced we get 3 big lads in positions where they have got a virtual free header. Would be interesting to hear the post match breakdown of that by the coaching staff, there must have been some finger pointing.

100% . I didn't get it the first time, but as Sky showed about 37 replays at various points, I did eventually pick that up. He's quite clearly put his right leg across to a place that is no use to him whatsoever, other than to come into contact with Skrtel and go down. He's forgotten the ball at that point.

A fat kid doesn't need pie though, or to be called a fat kid for that matter.

The edge of a 3 doesn't suit Lovren at all i don't think. One of two, or central in a 3 only for me, looked very exposed for pace/ability to turn and cover the run, when he did play there.

He didn't look out of place in that League Cup game at West Brom (more than 2 years ago?) , so yes, off the bench he'd surely be a better option than what we have.

Matic would have just had to hold off Martin's clawing at his back and head into an empty net. Still, it was quite clearly Balotelli at fault.

This content is not viewable to guests.,This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.,This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.,This content is not viewable to guests.

This content is not viewable to guests.,This content is not viewable to guests.

Indeed, and that he's recovered from a MOM performance on the 27th.

You could argue that we may aswell have been at times this season, in terms of the lost goal threat. Don't you think we'd have quite a few more points this year if Suarez was in the team ?It's not a one man time argument, just that a top class forward can be a matchwinner.

No, they are pretty much static/slightly down over the course of their reign, whilst income has risen. All our rivals are on a steady/large increase in line with increased revenue from TV etc.

I don't agree with those that say he needs to add goals to his game to be a great player, but there's no escaping that his shooting technique often looks dreadful.

It's official, last season didn't happen.

Bit Berger-esque for me.

Given the right tools, the familiar old caveat, I think you're right. He's far from the finished article as a manager, and I guess you can understand people thinking we need an experienced winner at the helm, if we finally want to win back the title, but all things considered I think he's done remarkably well so far. A settled defence/keeper may well be the key. He'd be the most inexperienced manager to win this league mind, at least for nearly 30 years since Kenny as player/manager.

I wouldn't take it personally, we all interpret things differently, make generalisations and assumptions etc, all part of the weird world of the Internet I think.

It seems to me like a completely ingrained technique issue. I've decided it's from playing so much futsal or whatever that short game is they play in Brazil. He's hit one or two quite sweetly lately actually, so maybe he is working on it.

Yeah, agenda was unfair to be honest. I just think you can't have your cake and eat it, when it comes to how we played last year, and as it happens, don't think we played our usual style against Chelsea at all, much more conservative and patient.

Exactly, Kop205 nails it there. Any other wildly different interpretation is just an attempt to fit an agenda, which I find really odd. Also, to suggest that drawing vs Chelsea makes no difference to the outcome of the League, is equally bizarre. The Palace game changes completely, and in reality probably results in something more similar to the Newcastle approach, get in front then play the possession game. A draw vs Chelsea, and we only needed 2 wins, by any margin. I think knowing we only needed a point that day, led to some nerves and increased caution, which in hindsight meant we just weren't as fluent as we had been. True, they were also very well drilled, but us not needing to win didn't help us at all I don't think.

Clean sheet away from home in horrible conditions. Bit of confidence for the lad.

Yep, good away performance in the circumstances.