The balance of the team

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

I think the team under the current guise is showing a lot more balance than at any other time since early-Sept. And that with Xabi & Agger to come back plus Kewell to hopefully work his fitness levels up. It doesn't bode well for Kuyt though.

 

Yes, it was only two games against relatively poor opposition, but the last 20 against Blackburn were positive, although not positive enough to erase the painful first 70.

 

Yossi & Voronin have contributed very positively & I think Crouch, although he didn't have the greatest game yesterday, helps that balance; he's a footballer, not that you'd know if you paid attention to the commentators. Crouch is best with the ball at his feet. If Torres can produce moments of magic like he did yesterday, we could be having a happy Christmas which people didn't feel for a week ago

 

I can see Pennant having a tough time getting back into the team too

[Lee W]

I think the team under the current guise is showing a lot more balance than at any other time since early-Sept. And that with Xabi & Agger to come back plus Kewell to hopefully work his fitness levels up. It doesn't bode well for Kuyt though. Yes, it was only two games against relatively poor opposition, but the last 20 against Blackburn were positive, although not positive enough to erase the painful first 70. Yossi & Voronin have contributed very positively & I think Crouch, although he didn't have the greatest game yesterday, helps that balance; he's a footballer, not that you'd know if you paid attention to the commentators. Crouch is best with the ball at his feet. If Torres can produce moments of magic like he did yesterday, we could be having a happy Christmas which people didn't feel for a week ago I can see Pennant having a tough time getting back into the team too

I thought Crouch had a good game. Agree about Kewell though because the sooner we get Riise out of the team the better. He's the imbalance.

[Cooger]

The team has more balance when Kuyt, Riise and Momo don't play.

 

These players don't have the best control, don't keep the ball well, aren't the best at passing and therefore they don't help our brand of football.

[PLY]

Personally I think having 2 fullbacks who are prepared to bomb forward has given us something we've missed for a long time - width. Against teams who come looking for a point they will make a huge difference

[growler]

that was the first game in ages that I enjoyed watching. Even the Derby game, that was more about how bad they were, then how well we actually moved the ball about.

 

yesterday, we kept the ball, passed the ball to our own players, it was a great performance.

 

If I was Sissoko or Pennant, I would start packing.

[Siang]

dont mean to damper the party but i WILL be very surprise that Rafa will field the same line up against Newcastle away..

 

if i am correct, he had fielded Momo on away games but base on current form of the XI that started the last 2 games, that XI can handle Newcastle's XI anytime anywhere

[Siang]

that was the first game in ages that I enjoyed watching. Even the Derby game, that was more about how bad they were, then how well we actually moved the ball about.

 

yesterday, we kept the ball, passed the ball to our own players, it was a great performance.

 

If I was Sissoko or Pennant, I would start packing.

 

aye.. it was fun to watch but at that point, i was thinking, when the hell were we going to start scoring after all those move n pass!! and it took Torres to do that late in the game... happy like feck

[JonShar]

dont mean to damper the party but i WILL be very surprise that Rafa will field the same line up against Newcastle away..

 

if i am correct, he had fielded Momo on away games but base on current form of the XI that started the last 2 games, that XI can handle Newcastle's XI anytime anywhere

 

Especially since Benni is out injured.

[Siang]

Especially since Benni is out injured.

 

eh? since bloody when?????

 

this is just so typical of LFC in recent years... just when a player (or rather a key player) starts hitting form, things / s*** happens!!!

[Rimbeux]

You gotta move, it's that simple

[fyds]

eh? since bloody when?????

 

this is just so typical of LFC in recent years... just when a player (or rather a key player) starts hitting form, things / s*** happens!!!

He may be back for Newcastle - he has 15 days to fix a small adductor tear - just about possible with luck. More to the point, Torres is back and Babel and Lucas are looking sharp either from the start or the bench. Agger is also back in full training.

[JRC]

aye.. it was fun to watch but at that point, i was thinking, when the hell were we going to start scoring after all those move n pass!! and it took Torres to do that late in the game... happy like feck

Ironic that we hardly reverted to the hoof at all on Saturday, despite having Crouch up front (and Sami and Riise both playing), yet got the goal from the most Route 1 piece of play all day, which either MOTD or Goals on Sunday chose to make a point of (although Pepe had no option but to put his foot through it as the backpass was a bit short)

[Leo No.8]

I think the balance between creativity and work rate has been restored somewhat. We just looked like a team of marathon runners during that poor run - all sweat and no guile.

 

Benayoun, Aurelio and Crouch have been the major factors in that change, as they are all players who will try to keep the ball at all costs. With Kewell and Torres back as well to add some serious pace and threat in the final third, we'll be looking like serious contenders again.

 

Lucas and Babel are fantastic options from the bench as well. They are the type of players I like to see as subs - promising, talented, hungry young footballers who can come on and make a real difference. With everyone fit, I probably couldn't even find a place for Riise or Sissoko even on the subs bench now.

 

Reina, Finnan, Aurelio, Carragher, Agger, Gerrard, Kewell, Mascherano, Alonso, Torres, Crouch or something along those lines as a first team (I'm sure people have their own variations with Voronin instead of Crouch etc).

 

Subs: Benayoun, Lucas, Babel, Voronin, Itandje, Hyypia, Arbeloa, Kuyt to name eight without the need for Momo and Riise who have in the past been regular first team players. We are definitely still evolving, and I think the useful but more technically limited players may be moving on either in January or next summer.

 

Riise has looked so out of place to me with technically stronger players around him in the last couple of games.

Edited November 12, 2007 by Leo No.8

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

Ironic that we hardly reverted to the hoof at all on Saturday, despite having Crouch up front (and Sami and Riise both playing), yet got the goal from the most Route 1 piece of play all day, which either MOTD or Goals on Sunday chose to make a point of (although Pepe had no option but to put his foot through it as the backpass was a bit short)

there's a big difference btw an aimless 80 yard punt & an 80yd pass.

 

Reina always seeks his man whether a fast throw or a kick

[John am Rhein]

Ironic that we hardly reverted to the hoof at all on Saturday, despite having Crouch up front (and Sami and Riise both playing), yet got the goal from the most Route 1 piece of play all day

 

Using 'route 1' sparingly often makes it more effective

[IgPig]

The team has more balance when Kuyt, Riise and Momo don't play.

 

These players don't have the best control, don't keep the ball well, aren't the best at passing and therefore they don't help our brand of football.

 

Disagree about Kuyt (I would, wouldn't i?) - particularly when Torres is playing. The only time we look really odd up front is when its Kuyt & Voronin. I think any combination of strikers apart from those two is fine.

Edited November 12, 2007 by Post Kuytal Glow

[The_Adder]

I think the balance between creativity and work rate has been restored somewhat. We just looked like a team of marathon runners during that poor run - all sweat and no guile.

 

Benayoun, Aurelio and Crouch have been the major factors in that change, as they are all players who will try to keep the ball at all costs. With Kewell and Torres back as well to add some serious pace and threat in the final third, we'll be looking like serious contenders again.

 

Lucas and Babel are fantastic options from the bench as well. They are the type of players I like to see as subs - promising, talented, hungry young footballers who can come on and make a real difference. With everyone fit, I probably couldn't even find a place for Riise or Sissoko even on the subs bench now.

 

Reina, Finnan, Aurelio, Carragher, Agger, Gerrard, Kewell, Mascherano, Alonso, Torres, Crouch or something along those lines as a first team (I'm sure people have their own variations with Voronin instead of Crouch etc).

 

Subs: Benayoun, Lucas, Babel, Voronin, Itandje, Hyypia, Arbeloa, Kuyt to name eight without the need for Momo and Riise who have in the past been regular first team players. We are definitely still evolving, and I think the useful but more technically limited players may be moving on either in January or next summer.

 

Riise has looked so out of place to me with technically stronger players around him in the last couple of games.

 

And the award for the persons posts I most like reading goes to... Shows what a bit of thought and effort does.

 

You don't have to include Pennant in there either (when fit). . .

[meepins]

Lucas and Babel are fantastic options from the bench as well. They are the type of players I like to see as subs - promising, talented, hungry young footballers who can come on and make a real difference. With everyone fit, I probably couldn't even find a place for Riise or Sissoko even on the subs bench now.

 

Reina, Finnan, Aurelio, Carragher, Agger, Gerrard, Kewell, Mascherano, Alonso, Torres, Crouch or something along those lines as a first team (I'm sure people have their own variations with Voronin instead of Crouch etc).

 

Subs: Benayoun, Lucas, Babel, Voronin, Itandje, Hyypia, Arbeloa, Kuyt to name eight without the need for Momo and Riise who have in the past been regular first team players. We are definitely still evolving, and I think the useful but more technically limited players may be moving on either in January or next summer.

I think now is the time to strike while the iron is hot. We could really see Babel and Levia flourish in this moment. Not to get too carried away with two performances, but it seems the team has finally 'clicked'. Lately we were lamenting the lack of direction within the team, a lack of a clear idea or style on this forum. We are now moving the ball at speed - accurately. There is plenty of movement off the ball and players are showing for it, making themselves available. If were to see Babel and Levia play a more frequent role as subs or even starters against the coming supposedly weaker teams - we could make bigger gains in the long term than if the workhorses were to play more. Mostly I hope to see Babel playing alongside Torres, if Kewell is indeed back, to see how that would work out.

Edited November 12, 2007 by lfc-dub

[Ronnie Whelan]

Its absolutely frightening how opinions can change from one week to the next. Almost Schizophrenic.

[meepins]

Its absolutely frightening how opinions can change from one week to the next. Almost Schizophrenic.

You could say the same about the performances.

[Ronnie Whelan]

You could say the same about the performances.

 

Neverthess opinions should not be one match or even a handful of matches. People were calling for Rafa's head, now, one game later, the balance of the team is correct.

[Puskas]

I think the balance between creativity and work rate has been restored somewhat. We just looked like a team of marathon runners during that poor run - all sweat and no guile.

 

Benayoun, Aurelio and Crouch have been the major factors in that change, as they are all players who will try to keep the ball at all costs. With Kewell and Torres back as well to add some serious pace and threat in the final third, we'll be looking like serious contenders again.

I agree that it was all sweat and no guile for a bit - although it's interesting that Rafa's reaction to some indifferent results was 'we will just work harder'.

 

Personally I think that Mascherano and Gerrard both discovering a bit of form at pretty much the same time has been just as big a factor as the ones you mention above. No team works well when it's engine room is misfiring. You also left Pennant out of your list of more technically accomplished substitutes... although that might have deliberate

[beejay]

I think it's a bit premature to say we have clicked back into form, but the signs are there. We ran out of form gradually and are now hopefully progressing in the right direction courtesy in part of a couple of easier fixtures and the return of key players.

 

A 2 week recharge of the batteries for the likes of Carragher, Aurelio, Kewell & Torres and the time for injuries to heal with Alonso, Agger & Benayoun so unless more injuries crop up (mocker alert) the portents are good.

 

We are still unbeaten, tucked in behind the front two and one of the main causes for optimism I think is that Rafa will now have a much clearer idea of the strengths & weaknesses of his squad from the turbulence of the last 2 months yet we have emerged relatively unscathed and still in the mix. Benitez is highly intelligent and a true analyst not a pseudo-techno like Fat Sam who some of the media drool over because he has a f***in exercise bike for the subs strategically placed for the cameras. Rafa will be much more aware of his go-to players now and that bodes well for the hectic period up to Christmas.

[meepins]

Neverthess opinions should not be one match or even a handful of matches. People were calling for Rafa's head, now, one game later, the balance of the team is correct.

Likewise a handful of opinions shouldn't count for the majority even if the negative ones tend to be more prominent. I agree it's too early to say the balance is correct, but it seems a noticeable shift has occured.

[kopindian]

--------------------Reina

 

 

 

Arbeloa--------Carra-------Agger--------Aurelio

 

 

--------------Alonso--------Mascherano

 

 

Gerrard------------Yossi/Babel--------Kewell

 

 

---------------------Torres

 

This I think is our most balanced team.