What was astonshing today was how easy Liverpool coasted to a 3-0 victory, barely did they come out of 1st gear and to be quite honest they could of had 10 men and still won. What we failed to cope with was the BASICS, pass and move. Not elaberate cross field passes but short simple passes which were done to perfection. Play the ball then move, Crouch did it all game and caused us problems when he came deep and held the ball up. Of course there are the usual idiots that booo him but he scored 2 goals so he did well. No part of Liverpool's performance was outstanding or special, routine stuff that got them what they needed, 3 points. We failed to do the basics, the schoolboy stuff, whatever you wish to call it. On numerous occasions we elected to as instructed by AB to clip the ball into the channels. Useless, it doesn't work, not in this league anyway. Defences in the prem will clear it up no worries. At times this season when we have got the ball down and played some nice passes it as produced results such as the goals against Fulham. What infuriates me is the fact that Boothroyd doesn't appear to be learning from this and then comes out with "we play to our strengths". That is utter bollox as far as i'm concerned, we have 2 excellent wingers in Bouazza and Young and they both perform best when out wide. Yet today we played Smith who's gone off the boil and Macca who went back to not getting involved. Hopefull we'll see Bangura dropped for the villa game as he was extremely poor, he's been getting progressively worse and his passing as been nothing short of attrocious. As i said before it's the simple stuff we are getting wrong which is quite frankly unacceptable, basic passing is not being achieved and thus we give the ball away on a regualar occasion. How do we expect to have even the slimmest of hopes of staying in this division if we fail to do the SIMPLE STUFF right ? Today's performance was as boothrody said "rubbish". Distinct lack of interest and the side seemed to be beaten from the first whistle. speaking of whistle, Clattenburke had a poor game. Very picky and majority of decisions went to Liverpool as he appeared starstruck. Plank. Jordan Stewart seems to be drifting towards old habits again and once more his distribution was poor. I've been supportive of him in recent weeks but i believe it's time for Powell to come back into the side and add some much needed experience to the left hand side. If Bouazza is actually fit next week then he should start on the left hand side with Priskin and Hoskins up front. If Young is still here then shift him out right and give smith a rest. Time for Bangura to head back to the reserves and start Williamson to see what he's made of. Overall it was a miserable day of football and this season is starting to feel like the Lewington era of not looking forward to turning up at the vic. If we are going to go down, which unfortunately looks likely then all i ask of the 11 players in yellow is that they go down with a bit of spirit and fight.
Why does the youngest member of the team have to be blamed for today> At least he was getting stuck in and pretty unlucky to go off at half time when crap like Smith were still standing around doing nothing. God help us if we have to rely on Al to produce quality passes etc. Williamson might be a good player but do not expect miracles if I am honest. Mahon and Bouazza did not seem to be very fit and really Aidy should have started with some strikers to create pressure on the defence and defend from the front so to speak. McNamee only does well if given the ball and space to run and cross otherwise its a waste of time him being on the pitch.
I don't think it's anything to do with age, the simple fact is he was useless, no tackles, no passes, not even a yellow card! Nobody is blaming Bangura solely for the defeat, he was just one of many who performed terribly, BUT he has been playing poorly for a while now as Chewitt mentioned, so it's fair to drop him, whilst others who have perhaps been slightly better these last few weeks get a chance.
Age should not protect anyone. Bangura was poor and has been for the last 3games. Malky was dreadful as the oldest player and he was against Stockport - his two goals protected him from crticism then but he was terrible. The whole team today had no spirit. the only guys who tried were Hendo and Hoskins when they came on. Fossie did ok but even he was flappin at times and distribution at times dubious again. But Chewy why was this? Was it anything to do with the manager not preparing his team properly, the sacking of Cummins and Hockaday? I think this had a lot to do with it. So yes criticise the players - they get paid enough - but Aidy is my main culprit, the motivation, team and tactics are down to him and he failed, again.
Too right, nothing to do with age, just plain rubbish. He is nowhere near a premiership player (in a few years time maybe) and would struggle to get in a decent championside side to be honest. I love the way he battles and give 100% but at this level, one stray pass in the midfield and 10 seconds later, you find yourselves a goal down. I would like to see Big Al's Opta stats this season as i bet his passing completion rate is below 50%
I still we forget the inexperience of Aidy. He talks a good game but he's learning too. I'll be more inclined to be critical when we next get to the Premiership with him *if* we don't learn from the mistakes of this season.
There were a lot of things missing today, a sense of urgency, cohesion, passing, defending to name a few. But for me the main kick in the teeth was motivation. We just didn't look bothered and that is what upset me. I was pretty much expecting Liverpool to give us an almighty backlash after the Arsenal games but I thought we would at least give them a game.
your players just looked like they were happy to lose. there was no fight. if you are bottom with 1 win. you have to play to your strengths. you have 2 great wingers, who played up frount for some reason, but there great wingers. so pass the ball out wide to them, and let them run with it and cross the ball in. then stick hoskins up forunt and henderson. they both are decent players. henderson can win the ball and lay it off to hoskins for the shoot. for the midfield, they need to get stuck in. liverpool won every 2nd ball. that were your players should be. i think you need a captin to be honest. someone who can keep the team going. as soon as you let a goal in, you can see the heads go down, if someone is there shouting at them and keeping them going, you will play better.
hehe Correct, we were 2nd to the loose balls and against a side like Liverpool that's not good enough.
