subs tonight

[Mike]

again wasn't happy when bellamy went off. we were doing fine until the changes.

[slapnuts]

like the subs at Newcastle weird.

[Mike]

the goal came about because pennant didn't track gudjonsen as gerrard would have where he had been playing.

[slapnuts]

whip Pennant like a goverment mule

[lawrie]

I thought we lost our shape after the substitutions were made but I think Barca would still have finished strongly irrespective of personnel changes

[Earl Hafler]

I thought we lost our shape after the substitutions were made but I think Barca would still have finished strongly irrespective of personnel changes

 

Personally i thought Kuyt was tiring after working so hard and they were finding it easier to pass out from defence. I'd have swapped Kuyt for Pennant, ask him to play in ' the hole ' and press Marquez.

 

And Pennant was marking Gudjohnsen. He checked back but slipped.

[Guz]

Personally i thought Kuyt was tiring after working so hard and they were finding it easier to pass out from defence. I'd have swapped Kuyt for Pennant, ask him to play in ' the hole ' and press Marquez.

 

And Pennant was marking Gudjohnsen. He checked back but slipped.

 

I thought the same but Kuyt obviously had some left in the tank when he made that block in the 90th minute or so really high up the pitch to win the ball back. Kuyt/Gerrard got less support from the wingers and full backs once Bellamy went off so we fell back as a unit.

[Cunny]

the goal came about because pennant didn't track gudjonsen as gerrard would have where he had been playing.

 

 

plus Arbeloa played him onside

[beejay]

I think Rafa is very conscious that Bellamy as a speedster is prone to muscle tears late on in games. He rarely gives him a full 90 mins and however we imagine we are tactical geniuses, we don't have the benefit of the pro-zone stats and the other scientific data that underpins most of Rafa's subs. He doesn't do these things on a whim and however baffling it might be to the Cascarino's of this world, I would back Rafa's judgement 99% of the time.

[Guz]

I think Rafa is very conscious that Bellamy as a speedster is prone to muscle tears late on in games. He rarely gives him a full 90 mins and however we imagine we are tactical geniuses, we don't have the benefit of the pro-zone stats and the other scientific data that underpins most of Rafa's subs. He doesn't do these things on a whim and however baffling it might be to the Cascarino's of this world, I would back Rafa's judgement 99% of the time.

 

Prozone probably has steam coming out if considering the effort our lads put in tonight

[lawrie]

Prozone probably has steam coming out if considering the effort our lads put in tonight

Which is why its probably a bit harsh to criticise the substitutions

[Guest Greasy Belcher]

lets face it, a lot of the time when the boss makes substitutions we all wonder "what the hell is he doing"...... but the beat goes on and we keep getting thophies. So I'll not be to worried.

[sean]

again wasn't happy when bellamy went off. we were doing fine until the changes.

 

 

Very much in agreement, didn't think Bellamy would make way.

[DanielS]

Very much in agreement, didn't think Bellamy would make way.

 

We were starting to give more and more possession and territory to them. They'd started dominating us and a new midfielder was a good idea.

 

Also harsh for Mike to criticise Pennant for their goal. He didn't slip on purpose and Arbeola was the one who played the scandinavian t*** onside.

[McBain]

Was surprised mainly because Bellamy is more effective as a counter attacker. And Kuyt looked knakered

[koppper]

I remember a couple on minutes before Bellamy was subbed, the ball came forward and we had no runners. Rafa noticed this and Bellamy put his hand up saying it should have been him. Possibly, he was just tired? He had a right to be!

[DanielS]

Was surprised mainly because Bellamy is more effective as a counter attacker. And Kuyt looked knakered

 

Bellamy plays higher up the pitch more naturally than Kuyt does though. Benitez was trying to fill midfield with bodies to stifle Barca where they were really starting to get it together.

[sean]

Pennant let him get the wrong side of him, he couldn't see or track the run and wasn't looking across the line to see whether it was high or not. I though Pennant should come on but not in that formation.

[Roscoe]

I think Rafa is very conscious that Bellamy as a speedster is prone to muscle tears late on in games. He rarely gives him a full 90 mins and however we imagine we are tactical geniuses, we don't have the benefit of the pro-zone stats and the other scientific data that underpins most of Rafa's subs. He doesn't do these things on a whim and however baffling it might be to the Cascarino's of this world, I would back Rafa's judgement 99% of the time.

 

agree with this. Bellamy has had far less injury woe this season than previously and I should imagine that is because Rafa has worked out that the damage is done in the last 20 mins of games.

[evilwoody4]

I think Pennant has improved steadily as the season has gone on, but if he's ever brought on to relieve pressure on our defence by keeping possession in the opposition half - he fails miserably.

[jimmylibel]

Would have had Crouch on for Kuyt much earlier. The ball was coming back at us far too quickly and Kuyt was clearly knackered. Think Crouch would have held the ball up better.

[smicer07]

I thought Bellamy looked absolutely knackered.

[Guest kring]

the goal came about because pennant didn't track gudjonsen as gerrard would have where he had been playing.

 

The goal came because Arbeloa couldn't keep the line....end off!!

[Rex Ham]

Pennant coming on has often had a negative impact for us. West Ham away, Watford away and last night. Dont understand it.

 

That ball he played in for Crouch was a peach though.

[Benitez]

agree with this. Bellamy has had far less injury woe this season than previously and I should imagine that is because Rafa has worked out that the damage is done in the last 20 mins of games.

 

 

no no no, you don't get it, Bellamy being subbed is a bad mistake by Benitez, he doesn't have a well thought out reason for doing so! Us the fans, who have no access to training, no thought to medical histories, no way to hear game plans, we know best!