I think we all love Rafa..

[Guest rickyjohn]

but there comes a time when criticism is fair and expected. That time is now.

 

This f**king nonsense of sticking with Crouch and Morientes is a complete joke. Cisse might be erratic, a whinger, head down, infuriating bloke, but he can score, he can makes runs FORWARD and into SPACE, he can pull defenders around with his MOVEMENT. In short, he a much better option than those other two right now, even if he plays off ones of them. Defenders must *iss themselves at the easy afternoon they get against Crouch and Moro. No movement or pace, ALWAYS back to goal and even their touch is often poor.

 

I've lost count of the number of times the ball has bounced 20 foot away from Crouch after trying to chest it. The ultimate emabrassment for me (and this happens every game), was halfway through 2nd half today when Gerrard burst forward with the ball towards the edge of the penalty area and flicked it through to, well, through to nothing in the end cos Crouch actually ran TOWARDS him, away from goal. Fecking cringable it is.

 

I'm sorry Rafa, but whatvers gonna happen in the summer with player sales, you've got to realise we've got a massive problem, not just scoring but actually causing defenders problems. Our midfielders are putting in double the effort to create chances for our strikers cos every pass and chance has to be placed in a sixpence due to their lack of pace and movement.

 

I won't even go in to the Garcia stuff.

 

If others don't like this criticism of Rafa, then I'm sorry, but it's just my opinion and think he's making a rod for his own back. I can accept poor performances as every team has them, what I can't accept at the moment is our embarassment in attack when its a problem of our own making and there is a part solution waiting there. We are becoming a laughing stock, and as I say only the doubled efforts of the rest of the team to keep clean sheets and score from midfield is why we are as high in the league as we are. But it could get a whole lot worse in the coming weeks.

Edited March 12, 2006 by rickyjohn

[Benzo-13]

but there comes a time when criticism is fair and expected. That time is now.

 

This f**king nonsense of sticking with Crouch and Morientes is a complete joke. Cisse might be erratic, a whinger, head down, infuriating bloke, but he can score, he can makes runs FORWARD and into SPACE, he can pull defenders around with his MOVEMENT. In short, he a much better option than those other two right now, even if he plays off ones of them. Defenders must *iss themselves at the easy afternoon they get against Crouch and Moro. No movement or pace, ALWAYS back to goal and even their touch is often poor.

 

I've lost count of the number of times the ball has bounced 20 foot away from Crouch after trying to chest it. The ultimate emabrassment for me (and this happens every game), was halfway through 2nd half today when Gerrard burst forward with the ball towards the edge of the penalty area and flicked it through to, well, through to nothing in the end cos Crouch actually ran TOWARDS him, away from goal. Fecking cringable it is.

 

I'm sorry Rafa, but whatvers gonna happen in the summer, you've got to realise we've got a massive problem, not just scoring but actually causing defenders problems. Our midfielders are putting in double the effort to create chances for our strikers cos every pass and chance has to be placed in a sixpence due to their lack of pace and movement.

 

I won't even go in to the Garcia stuff.

 

If others don't like this criticism of Rafa, then I'm sorry, but it's just my opinion and think he's making a rod for his own back. I can accept poor performances as every team has them, what I can't accept at the moment is our embarassment in attack when its a problem of our own solution and there is a part solution waiting there. We are becoming a laughing stock, and as I say only the doubled efforts of the rest of the team to keep clean sheets and score from midfield is why we are as high in the league as we are. But it could get a whole lot worse in the coming weeks.

 

A) Cisse: He's an embarassment. Can't hold the ball up and his second touch is a tackle (If he can be bothered).

 

B) Garca: Typical performance from him today. Messy until his goal then he got going..

[Guz]

OK. So in summary drop Crouch, Garcia and Morientes (who didnt even get on the pitch today) and play Cisse. Who plays alongside him? What happens when he puts in a poor performance?

[Morgul]

As wasteful as Garcia is with the ball, the fact is that he is the only player in our squad (maybe with the exception of Fowler) who really knows how to find space in and around the box. It is no accident that he is the one that gets the chances, it's due to the fact that he's better at finding space in the area than all our strikers put together (again, maybe with the exception of Fowler). For this reason, he must play. We will have to accept the fact that he is messy, for the time being.

[Guest Kev]

but there comes a time when criticism is fair and expected. That time is now.

 

This f**king nonsense of sticking with Crouch and Morientes is a complete joke. Cisse might be erratic, a whinger, head down, infuriating bloke, but he can score, he can makes runs FORWARD and into SPACE, he can pull defenders around with his MOVEMENT. In short, he a much better option than those other two right now, even if he plays off ones of them. Defenders must *iss themselves at the easy afternoon they get against Crouch and Moro. No movement or pace, ALWAYS back to goal and even their touch is often poor.

 

I've lost count of the number of times the ball has bounced 20 foot away from Crouch after trying to chest it. The ultimate emabrassment for me (and this happens every game), was halfway through 2nd half today when Gerrard burst forward with the ball towards the edge of the penalty area and flicked it through to, well, through to nothing in the end cos Crouch actually ran TOWARDS him, away from goal. Fecking cringable it is.

 

I'm sorry Rafa, but whatvers gonna happen in the summer with player sales, you've got to realise we've got a massive problem, not just scoring but actually causing defenders problems. Our midfielders are putting in double the effort to create chances for our strikers cos every pass and chance has to be placed in a sixpence due to their lack of pace and movement.

 

I won't even go in to the Garcia stuff.

 

If others don't like this criticism of Rafa, then I'm sorry, but it's just my opinion and think he's making a rod for his own back. I can accept poor performances as every team has them, what I can't accept at the moment is our embarassment in attack when its a problem of our own making and there is a part solution waiting there. We are becoming a laughing stock, and as I say only the doubled efforts of the rest of the team to keep clean sheets and score from midfield is why we are as high in the league as we are. But it could get a whole lot worse in the coming weeks.

 

You want get an arguement off me with this post.

[anfield]

Drop everyone and play no one up front? Its all about choosing between a rock and another rock, they are all crap

[Earl Hafler]

I think the best point there is the need for more players who have the ability to take opponents on. We have Kewell and at a stretch Gerrard and Garcia.

Too many crosses to our forwards from deep because we rarely get into wide forward positions.

 

The lack of pace upfront is hurting us and the lack of it even as an option today seems odd.

[_00_deathscar]

Still think the best forward partnership going into this season would have been Garcia & Baros.

 

Interesting that would've been.

 

It also seemed that Morientes and Baros had found some form during pre-season...Crouch/Baros would've worked too.

[Guest Aussie_Red]

I think our tactics and performance today epitomise everything that has been wrong with us since the post-World Club Championship period. I haven't been satisfied with our football since then. Benitez is really starting to concern me with a few key principles. His tactics, his negative approaches to games (today is a big example), his team selection (policies), his loaning off of better players and his failure to address our several issues (mainly scoring) through change. This season has turned out to be a real nightmare and now I'm worried that Tottenham and Arsenal will finish above us. I'm becoming very discouraged and can't wait for the season to end.

[Ian Garro]

All this "if Cisse is given a run up front he will score" is b******s.

 

Think back to Old Trafford a couple of months ago - he got played up front then and stunk the house out - one of (if not the) worst performances I have ever seen from a Liverpool player.

 

I dont think Crouch is doing enough at present, I dont think Morientes is good enough and I dont think Fowler is the answer.

 

None of the above 3 players though, are capable of the type of performance that Cisse put in against United that day - it was on a par with anything Sean Dundee or Paul Stewart ever came up with.

 

Out of the four strikers we have currently available, he is, by a long chalk, the worst.

[Ombudsam]

All this "if Cisse is given a run up front he will score" is b******s.

 

Think back to Old Trafford a couple of months ago - he got played up front then and stunk the house out - one of (if not the) worst performances I have ever seen from a Liverpool player.

 

I dont think Crouch is doing enough at present, I dont think Morientes is good enough and I dont think Fowler is the answer.

 

None of the above 3 players though, are capable of the type of performance that Cisse put in against United that day - it was on a par with anything Sean Dundee or Paul Stewart ever came up with.

 

Out of the four strikers we have currently available, he is, by a long chalk, the worst.

 

They're all schit. I think i'm on the verge of snapping point with them. If it wasn't a really good arsenal performance we lost to then i think i would have gone.

[Big G Superhero]

As others have hinted at in this thread, those who think Cisse has been unfairly treated and should be played up front more often, haven't watched us enough this season. I can think of one consistently good 90 minutes and one outstanding moment from him this season when played up front - Deportivo Saprissa and the goal against the blues****; the former was against a pretty poor team, the latter was a nice finish but he got some luck with a bobble after poor initial control.

 

The rest of the time he's been infuriatingly, petulantly, lazily, schite in the main.

Edited March 13, 2006 by Big G Superhero

[Ombudsam]

As others have hinted at in this thread, those who think Cisse has been unfairly treated and should be played up front more often, haven't watched us enough this season. I can think of one consistently good 90 minutes and one outstanding moment from him this season when played up front - Deportivo Saprissa and the goal against the blues****; the former was against a pretty poor team, the latter was a nice finish but he got some luck with a bobble after poor initial control.

 

 

oh c'mon give him what's his

[hideNseek]

Crouch has more skill than Cisse could only dream about, pity he's so slow.

 

Crouch and Fowler to stay, sell the rest.

[Chili Palmer]

Crouch has more skill than Cisse could only dream about, pity he's so slow.

 

Crouch and Fowler to stay, sell the rest.

 

I have to say watching Crouch at the minute is frustrating, I hate it when a pass goes astray and he runs in a big semi circle with his hands up as if under arrest looking to the skies, once at Highbury he did this and the ball bounced back to where he orginally was, no effort to win it back a la Rushie. Needs to get back to basics. If Sissoko was back I would play Gerrard or Garcia up front with Fowler for the rest of the season.

[Guest Barcamania]

I think our tactics and performance today epitomise everything that has been wrong with us since the post-World Club Championship period. I haven't been satisfied with our football since then. Benitez is really starting to concern me with a few key principles. His tactics, his negative approaches to games (today is a big example), his team selection (policies), his loaning off of better players and his failure to address our several issues (mainly scoring) through change. This season has turned out to be a real nightmare and now I'm worried that Tottenham and Arsenal will finish above us. I'm becoming very discouraged and can't wait for the season to end.

Well, I'm sure LFC would be playing attractive football if there were quality players. But there aren't!(in the attack)

Can you blame Rafa? May be you can, the team could attack more. But I'm 100% sure, that defensive record woul be MUCH worse and LFC would be in 4th position at the best.

Let's get it clear, the squad didn't improve much this summer(only keeper position inproved significantly).

I say give Rafa money and if the team plays this type of football with quality attacking players like Aimar and Vicente, then I will be first to criticize Rafa!

I can't criticize him now, because I understand his desicions.

You haven't been satisfied since World Club Championship? Then you're damn wrong! Team isn't in form, but in January there were many good matches!

1. His tactics? - They're the most effective, he proved it numerous times. May be not good to watch, but effective.

2. Negative approach to the game? - What does that mean? Defensive football? Or what? If so, see p. 1.

3. Selections? - Please, make you first 11. And give us guarantees that it would have been better. Cisse? Oh yes, he's surely better, because he scored many goals in France and Morientes always was s**** etc. I don't want to argue, may be Cisse is a better choice, but what else?

4. his loaning off of better players and his failure to address our several issues (mainly scoring) through change? -You mean Pongolle? Or Le Tallec? Man wake up, if they were good enough, they would have been playing. All of them are playing in premiership(including Baros) and they hadb't impressed me at all and I don't see them in championship winning squad.

5. This season has turned out to be a real nightmare and now I'm worried that Tottenham and Arsenal will finish above us. - You must be kidding. This season is a pretty good season for me. 3rd place isn't that bad, THERE IS A HUGE PROGRESS! May be even 2nd place. To be honest, YI thought that in the last summer LFC will spend for about 30-40 mln$ after winning CL, but I was a bit disappointed with the signings and I can hardly blame Rafa. If he had money, he woud've bought better players. He had no choice, he improved the squad.

I hope 30-40 mln will be given this summer. And Liverpool will easily be favourites for premiership.

[galés rojo]

Well, I'm sure LFC would be playing attractive football if there were quality players. But there aren't!(in the attack)

Can you blame Rafa? May be you can, the team could attack more. But I'm 100% sure, that defensive record woul be MUCH worse and LFC would be in 4th position at the best.

Let's get it clear, the squad didn't improve much this summer(only keeper position inproved significantly).

I say give Rafa money and if the team plays this type of football with quality attacking players like Aimar and Vicente, then I will be first to criticize Rafa!

I can't criticize him now, because I understand his desicions.

You haven't been satisfied since World Club Championship? Then you're damn wrong! Team isn't in form, but in January there were many good matches!

1. His tactics? - They're the most effective, he proved it numerous times. May be not good to watch, but effective.

2. Negative approach to the game? - What does that mean? Defensive football? Or what? If so, see p. 1.

3. Selections? - Please, make you first 11. And give us guarantees that it would have been better. Cisse? Oh yes, he's surely better, because he scored many goals in France and Morientes always was s**** etc. I don't want to argue, may be Cisse is a better choice, but what else?

4. his loaning off of better players and his failure to address our several issues (mainly scoring) through change? -You mean Pongolle? Or Le Tallec? Man wake up, if they were good enough, they would have been playing. All of them are playing in premiership(including Baros) and they hadb't impressed me at all and I don't see them in championship winning squad.

5. This season has turned out to be a real nightmare and now I'm worried that Tottenham and Arsenal will finish above us. - You must be kidding. This season is a pretty good season for me. 3rd place isn't that bad, THERE IS A HUGE PROGRESS! May be even 2nd place. To be honest, YI thought that in the last summer LFC will spend for about 30-40 mln$ after winning CL, but I was a bit disappointed with the signings and I can hardly blame Rafa. If he had money, he woud've bought better players. He had no choice, he improved the squad.

I hope 30-40 mln will be given this summer. And Liverpool will easily be favourites for premiership.

 

Sometimes the stuff you right can be a bit crazy, but i think your pretty much spot on with this post.

[Clay Davis]

 

1. His tactics? - They're the most effective, he proved it numerous times. May be not good to watch, but effective.

2. Negative approach to the game? - What does that mean? Defensive football? Or what? If so, see p. 1.

3. Selections? - Please, make you first 11. And give us guarantees that it would have been better. Cisse? Oh yes, he's surely better, because he scored many goals in France and Morientes always was s**** etc. I don't want to argue, may be Cisse is a better choice, but what else?

4. his loaning off of better players and his failure to address our several issues (mainly scoring) through change? -You mean Pongolle? Or Le Tallec? Man wake up, if they were good enough, they would have been playing. All of them are playing in premiership(including Baros) and they hadb't impressed me at all and I don't see them in championship winning squad.

5. This season has turned out to be a real nightmare and now I'm worried that Tottenham and Arsenal will finish above us. - You must be kidding. This season is a pretty good season for me. 3rd place isn't that bad, THERE IS A HUGE PROGRESS! May be even 2nd place. To be honest, YI thought that in the last summer LFC will spend for about 30-40 mln$ after winning CL, but I was a bit disappointed with the signings and I can hardly blame Rafa. If he had money, he woud've bought better players. He had no choice, he improved the squad.

I hope 30-40 mln will be given this summer. And Liverpool will easily be favourites for premiership.

 

 

is completely right apart from the last line.

Whatever we spend, Chelsea can spend better and all of that.