THE TINKERMAN

[mattster]

I think not. The players were all left scratching their heads about Rafa's team selection for today's game, and I can understand why, we were on the back foot as soon as the team sheet went up. It's early days, but 4 from 9 is not the start we wanted with a tough game at Stamford Bridge looming, especially when you budget for a likely 7-9 (possible 9-9). Benitez is already an Anfield legend and I'm convinced we shouldn't be overreacting at this stage, but his tactics today were naive - Burnley naive - and we were made to look second rate at times. Okay, we had a few great chances to get back in the game, but that's always exaggerated when a team are sitting back and I thought Everton deserved their victory, as much as I hate to say it. Where was the width today? It was non-existent.

[allez les rouges]

mate thats a knee jerk of the highest order.

[Digger]

No.

 

 

Houllieresque today, defender for a striker when your two down, Hamman and Leverkusen spring to mind

[Clay Davis]

when he was f***ing tinkering and we won you wouldn't be up your own a*** like this.

 

you need a big squad, it wasnt the tinkering itself today that was bad - it was the selection

[Guest Paris 81]

Didn't take long for the c**** to show up did it?

 

I bet he's not around when we win.

[mattster]

It's not knee-jerk, why is it knee-jerk, I've put a thread up for discussion, yet you make it sound like I'm slagging the management - I'm not.

[Guest Paris 81]

No.

Houllieresque today, defender for a striker when your two down, Hamman and Leverkusen spring to mind

 

 

You're clueless.

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

shocking result, and we all hate losing derbies. We deserved to lose, too.

 

But you'll be embarrassed by "Tinkerman" headlines in a few days time.

 

Knee-jerk is right.

 

And Digger - stop making exactly the same points in every thread.

[CaptainXabi]

I think not. The players were all left scratching their heads about Rafa's team selection for today's game, and I can understand why, we were on the back foot as soon as the team sheet went up. It's early days, but 4 from 9 is not the start we wanted with a tough game at Stamford Bridge looming, especially when you budget for a likely 7-9 (possible 9-9). Benitez is already an Anfield legend and I'm convinced we shouldn't be overreacting at this stage, but his tactics today were naive - Burnley naive - and we were made to look second rate at times. Okay, we had a few great chances to get back in the game, but that's always exaggerated when a team are sitting back and I thought Everton deserved their victory, as much as I hate to say it. Where was the width today? It was non-existent.

Calm the f*** down.

[Swipe]

I hope he's still trying to find his best team.

 

But if not, and he's gonna continue making a lot of changes for every game then i don't think we'll challenge.

 

Don't think it's possible to.

 

Just my opinion, but you need to get a rhythm going. We did that last season when he played his best team week in week out.

 

I'd like to think he's just assessing the squad and finding the right formula.

[allez les rouges]

Didn't take long for the c**** to show up did it?

 

I bet he's not around when we win.

 

i didint realise he was held in such regard on here !

 

this team had only one different player in the starting line up from last year. our leftback . the rest have played under rafa for many months before

[Shanklyanfield]

 

You're clueless.

 

So it was a good move when you are 2-0 down to bring on a Left-Back for a Striker?????????????

[Guest Sabre]

No.

Houllieresque today, defender for a striker when your two down, Hamman and Leverkusen spring to mind

 

You don't have a f***ing clue.

[charlie clown]

Didn't take long for the c**** to show up did it?

 

I bet he's not around when we win.

 

he's been around here a lot longer than you have.

[drvegapunk]

I think he tried to go with as few new additions to the team as possible, but to still try and play a more attacking way then last season. Unfortunately it backfired, with usually steady players (i.e. Carra, Alonso) looking very poor.

 

He came out in midweek and stated that the new boys were ready for this match - so why didn't he use them from the off? Crouch and Fowler will probably only work with Gonzalez and Pennant playing, i.e. players with pace to get in behind the opposition defenders.

[Guest Paris 81]

he's been around here a lot longer than you have.

 

Not when we win I bet.

[Swipe]

What does everyone think of Aurelio?

 

I'm really not convinced.

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

What does everyone think of Aurelio?

 

I'm really not convinced.

 

today's probably the wrong day to decide

[mattster]

Captain Xabi, I'm very calm, just making a point about today's game with the rest of the season in mind. Let's not forget Kvarme, before you get on your high horse, the Premiership is the one we want above all others. The topic was raised to discuss today's team selection, not to go slagging each other off. I've got my views, hopefully I've put them across welll enough for others to make a reasoned argument one way or the other and panic doesn't come into it. I know we'll be there or thereabouts, but I'm hoping for first place this season, not second, third or fourth.

[uppsala]

I think not. The players were all left scratching their heads about Rafa's team selection for today's game, and I can understand why, we were on the back foot as soon as the team sheet went up. It's early days, but 4 from 9 is not the start we wanted with a tough game at Stamford Bridge looming, especially when you budget for a likely 7-9 (possible 9-9). Benitez is already an Anfield legend and I'm convinced we shouldn't be overreacting at this stage, but his tactics today were naive - Burnley naive - and we were made to look second rate at times. Okay, we had a few great chances to get back in the game, but that's always exaggerated when a team are sitting back and I thought Everton deserved their victory, as much as I hate to say it. Where was the width today? It was non-existent.

LOL get a grip mate.

 

you sound like we've just appointed bryan robson as manager.

 

This is rafa benitez. As much as it hurts to lose the derby we will move on. As for everton, to quote Cahill this week, "it was their european cup final" now their final is out the way their finished.

Rafa is just starting.

[Cooldude]

We won't win the league if we defend like we have this season

 

Who gives a f*** about tinkering? Least of our concerns

[CaptainXabi]

What does everyone think of Aurelio?

 

I'm really not convinced.

He defends well enough eventually, but I think his style is less stable and predictable than Riise's and so that worries Sami a bit which leads to him going out of position and then Carra getting worried, etc, etc. That's not all Aurelio's fault, but it just seems to be a fact.

[Maldini]

Ridiculous thread, it was out strongest team apart from up front where we've 4 players of a similar level.

[Guest Sabre]

What does everyone think of Aurelio?

 

I'm really not convinced.

 

He's very skilful but he's not a left back for the English league. He was often caught out by long balls or by the bounce (!) but when he goes forward he's very good. Looks like Riise will be out for a few weeks at least so he's got some learning to do, but Hyypia was left exposed too often by the lad unfortunately.

[CaptainXabi]

Captain Xabi, I'm very calm, just making a point about today's game with the rest of the season in mind. Let's not forget Kvarme, before you get on your high horse, the Premiership is the one we want above all others. The topic was raised to discuss today's team selection, not to go slagging each other off. I've got my views, hopefully I've put them across welll enough for others to make a reasoned argument one way or the other and panic doesn't come into it. I know we'll be there or thereabouts, but I'm hoping for first place this season, not second, third or fourth.

Fair enough. My fault for being a bit harsh there.