Liverpool FC Forum

[115-1073096938]

This is going to be my last post for a while on anything to do with football, the state of this place has become a joke, I get warned for calling a pendatic, immature child a dickhead in one or two threads. Yet idiots like LFCNUTTER and mark the red can come on here and end up abusing me and my opinions in about 50% of there entire posts and not get warned.

We then have moron's like 7_Kewell trying to be a smartarse having no knowledge of the game and trying to act all smug when his comments clearly make him look like a turkey as he doesn't understand there are different skills in a football match and different attributes which make player what they are, he also believe Nigel Worthington and Stuart Pearce are a better judge of player than Rafael Benitez.

Then there's Leon, i don't even need to comment on him, everyone knows what he's like... Whinging overgrown ape who trys to be a smartarse but hardly ever comes on here to talk football...

In the long run though the good posters stop posting, the forum will go downhill...

Anyway, enough of that. This post is about football, i gave those idiots a mention as a warning for those who are serious about talking football, don't take those idiots on.

Firstly i'll start with the manager...
Rafa Benitez
What a man. His ability to change games with subs is second to none. People go on about Mourinho for this, however he's bringing on probably a 10 million pound player or two. Yes Mourinho is good, but could he have the same consisntent impact as Rafa does by bringing the likes of Hamann, Sinama-Pongolle, Cisse and Luis Garcia? My answer would be i doubt it. We have a manager who knows how he wants his team to play and exactly how to get his team to play the way he wants...

Tactical play
Basically we've developed a very strange yet effective style. We set up quite deep and very widely spread out across the pitch forcing oppositions to use there full backs then go centrally as they try to go forward, there wingers are being blocked off by our wide players and full backs, its there that they decide to go infield, they then get ambushed by Crouch, Gerrard, Sissoko and Alonso who all pressure the ball excellently.

Liverpool's main weakness at the back is the ball in behind the full backs, this pulls the centre halfs apart and exposes a lack of pace but the way Rafa counters this is simple yet very effective. When one of the full backs goes forward, you'll notice if we lose the ball, theres pressure on it straight away, this stops opposition players gaining the time to see a pass into the exposed area, also either Sissoko or Alonso is always in a deep midfield position covering the full back who has overlapped.

Once we gain possession of the ball we generally play it into midfield once, then ONE square pass. Once the ball is inmidfield the "square" pass allows the defence to step up a good few yards therefore we automatically regain "territory" and practically push out of our own half and play the game in the oppositions. Players like Alonso, Gerrard, Kewell and Crouch are all good physically aswell as tactically and technically, this allows us to keep the ball very well. We have alot of possession in games these days and control the pace of them excellently mainly down to players like Crouch, Gerrard, Kewell and Xabi being able to find our own men. Problems arise when Cisse and Luis Garcia play as neither's strengths involve keeping the ball, however Luis Garcia's movement and ability to play quick one touch passing is often a bonus.

This team uses both Crouch and Morientes superbly in the way they support them. At the start of the season we struggled to support the strikers with the exception of Boro away, however once that was fixed we created masses of chances simply because of runners like Zenden, Gerrard and Luis Garcia.

We attack alot down the wings which drags players from the centre wide. We use alot of switches of play and also balls into Crouch from wide area's for the likes of Gerrard to run onto which helps to get the best out of the midfield.

Defensively we're very hard to break down and teams are often left with no alternative than to lump it forward right onto Sami's head which suits us superbly. This is normally as a result as i said before of opposition full backs being in possession, passing to midfielders who have to go backwards to a defender who's under pressure from Crouch or Morientes.

The only aspect of defending i don't like about our side is our full backs don't force good wingers inside enough and crowd them out, but when you're talking about the likes of Duff, Robben and Pennant then you're asking alot to get the better of them every time.

The players
In the goalkeeping department we have Reina, Carson, Dudek and Kirkland. Kirkland and most likely Dudek will leave this summer. Both are good keepers, but not exceptional and i think we have adequate back up for Reina in Carson. Reina as i said in another post hasn't convinced me overall yet. His record is excellent and i won't argue, however he occassionally lacks concentration and his decisions are sometimes questionable... however, his record really does speak for itself and i would be lying if i said i didn't think he's an improvement on Dudek or Kirkland. I do also believe he can improve quite alot so i guess i'm happy.

At right back we have Finnan and Kromkamp, i've seen Kromkamp on tv twice so i'll reserve judgment, he does look promising though. Finnan is a very good full back. There isn't an immense amount of quality throughout the league in this postion but he's clearly one of the best. His touch, use of the ball and reading of the game in defensive situations is very very good. He has a good cross and two good feet, he's a good alround player who doesn't really have a weakness.

On the left we have Riise, Warnock and Traore. Riise has to be first choice, his power and ability to get up and down the touchline are outstanding. We all know about his shot, however he's learnt to defend alot better, he doesn't get done by quick turns like he used to, he goes in alot harder and picks better times to make tackles. He's still the weak link "defensively" however i think he's definately good enough to make that position his own fo the rest of his career at the club. Traore... well... he's simply not got it.

In the centre of defence Hyypia and Carragher are rocks. Both offer a very good foundation for the team. One's dominant and wins most first balls, the other hardly ever misses a second a ball and sweeps up superbly. In Agger we suposedly have a long term replacement for Sami, he's a big lad, he's quicker than Sami though and better on the ball, from what i've seen, which again admittedly isn't much, we've got a potentially very good centre half, again though, i'll reserve judgement untill i've seen the lad play live once or twice.

The right side of midfield as we all know is a problem area. Steven Gerrard has took to it like a duck to water, he's been outstanding out there. However he's our only real option in that position. Luis Garcia out there is a good player but he lacks the discipline to stay wide and provide balance. We always look a more balanced side when Gerrard plays out there, we must sign a natural wide man in the summer without fail i think. Out of the players i've seen Joaquin obviously is the first choice, i do however like Malbranque and Pennant. Pennant being the more natural winger and more affordable choice, someone with pace, ability to cross, dribble, great technique and tracks back aswell and not someone who'd need to learn the language.

In terms of the rest of the midfield, Alonso we all know is superb. His passing, ability to shield the defence and general alround play and desire is superb. He's another leader on the pitch and i think the lads class. Sissoko is learning, against Chelsea the other day he was better with the ball. He's still not the finished play, he won't be for a while, but he's a good squad player. I think Hamann has come to the time where he needs to move on now, he's been great for us, Alonso's learnt from him but i feel he's at the stage now where he's hardly going to get used, maybe its time to look for another young alternative in this position.

For me on the left, we're sorted. Something i wouldn't have said at the start of the season. Kewell has turned it right round now in my book. He's playing with skill, pace, determination, hard work and quality. He' a changed player and maybe, just maybe, the champions league final was the kick up the ase he needed to get himself into gear. Also in Zenden when he comes back i feel we have decent cover, i don't think Zenden's a great player, but he's premiership class and has the quality to score the odd goal and make a goal or two.

Upfront we've clearly struggled. Crouch has been over used. Morientes hasn't performed like he should, Sissy's a waste of space and time and Pongolle's not been given a chance. Crouch has looked out of his depth against the better sides i reckon. He's a good player, he's contributed well but he is limited. I'd like to see what Robbie and Fernando can offer us as a partnership with Crouch as an option from the bench. We create chances and Roobie can finish, we need to create the chances for him and he'll score goals, we probably do need two more strikers though with Cisse being shown the door and Morientes continuosly failing to do what he's capable of.

The other thing with Robbie is he fits the system. He has the ability to link up with runners, he has the game intelligence to recognise a player in a good position, he gets in the box and gets on the end of crosses. He's got all the attributes to make this work...

In sumary, we have an excellent manager, a world class system which gets the best out of our keeper, defence and midfield and a good squad. We lack a winger, we lack two strikers.

The main area of concern is there for all to see when you look at the league table. Goals scored. Fowler will help this matter, a winger would help it further and a replacing Morientes and Sissy wth better players will help it again...

We aren't far away, Chelsea know we're getting there and quickly.

I can honestly say we're one first teamer away from being able to consistently compete with Chelsea, with the right additions i feel we can overtake them with three players.

The system we have is excellent, it needs tweaking with one or two more quality players, once those players arrive and we've found out there true strengths and weaknesses, the system will improve further and we'll be back were we belong... The best team in Europe.

YNWA!

[JBG]

Stu, we all know that you are a good football poster but just because you are a good football poster doesn't give you a licence to go on a rampage of abuse and vitoril.

Regardless of people's opinion of AB you cannot just go attacking him without provocation like you did the other night.

You cannot go attacking people either just because they are "clueless" or "don't know what they are talking about".

Abuse is raising its ugly head on this forum once again and more and more threads are degenerating into spats and rows. If the truth be told, its not just Stu and AB, there are plenty of other people getting away with it, like Leon, Drummerphil and many many others who have been here a long time.

I know that 90% of the newbies that joined this forum from .tv can be utter mongs and some of the new threads posted here are of atrociously poor quality. However, long term members who attack these newbies aren't helping the problem.

[woof woof !]

Good post Stu , nice to see some positive thought being coherently expressed in here .   

[RAFABENITEZ]

great read, agree with the Joaquin move, and id look at getting in Joey Barton, David Villa and Jermain Deofe. Maybe aother CB such as Steven Taylor or  Anton Ferdinand.
Thatl be 40 million quid then

[redmikey]

Stu, we all know that you are a good football poster but just because you are a good football poster doesn't give you a licence to go on a rampage of abuse and vitoril.

Regardless of people's opinion of AB you cannot just go attacking him without provocation like you did the other night.

You cannot go attacking people either just because they are "clueless" or "don't know what they are talking about".

Abuse is raising its ugly head on this forum once again and more and more threads are degenerating into spats and rows. If the truth be told, its not just Stu and AB, there are plenty of other people getting away with it, like Leon, Drummerphil and many many others who have been here a long time.

I know that 90% of the newbies that joined this forum from .tv can be utter mongs and some of the new threads posted here are of atrociously poor quality. However, long term members who attack these newbies aren't helping the problem.

100% agree

but i can see stu's point when there are people like mudface on here who aren't interesed in talking about LFC.

Forum by it nature is for people to have a differents of opinion but it always seems to result in name calling,and not about football.

[115-1073096938]

Stu, we all know that you are a good football poster but just because you are a good football poster doesn't give you a licence to go on a rampage of abuse and vitoril.

Regardless of people's opinion of AB you cannot just go attacking him without provocation like you did the other night.

You cannot go attacking people either just because they are "clueless" or "don't know what they are talking about".

Abuse is raising its ugly head on this forum once again and more and more threads are degenerating into spats and rows. If the truth be told, its not just Stu and AB, there are plenty of other people getting away with it, like Leon, Drummerphil and many many others who have been here a long time.

I know that 90% of the newbies that joined this forum from .tv can be utter mongs and some of the new threads posted here are of atrociously poor quality. However, long term members who attack these newbies aren't helping the problem.

But they can do it to me JBG?

There is a massive difference in saying someone doesn't know what they're talking about and someone is a dickhead.

Its double standards Alex. You might want to read over the Joey Barton thread if thats your attitude. Anyway, i'm not gonna lose any sleep over it. You're welcome to you're spammers, posts and knowledgeless tossers, i'm bored of it.

[bigmick]

Good post Stu. I'm playing the old poker on an another site at the mo' so I haven'yt got the time to study the tactical stuff but it makes sense on first read.
You know that JBG has a point aswell

[115-1073096938]

Good post Stu. I'm playing the old poker on an another site at the mo' so I haven'yt got the time to study the tactical stuff but it makes sense on first read.
You know that JBG has a point aswell

what JBG said its still double standards and am not discussing that. The threads about footy and i want to hear one or two peoples views about everything i've mentioned... no doubt alot of people who's views i don't want to hear will appear aswell but thats life...

[bigmick]

Relax you nutter I've already said I haven't got time right now. Jeez some people.

[inglis5]

Excellent post Stu. Would be a shame to lose your insight from the forum...

I agree with most of what you say. I think we're very close to becoming a side capable of winning the league. Definitely still need a new RM (I agree, Pennant could be superb) and probably another new centre forward or two (one physical / one quick). You must admit it's a far, far healthier position than we've been in for years. I could always remember thinking when the summer came round that we needed a full overhaul of the squad bar two or three players, now it's the other way round and we only need two or three to make it complete. What Rafa has done in such a short amount of time, on limited resources, is amazing...

With regards to the state of the forum and the seemingly endless torrents of abuse and petty squabbling - don't rise to it. If someone calls you a name, so fecking what? Just ignore them, if they don't want to talk about football then it's their problem, they'll soon get bored and bugger off.

[115-1073096938]

Relax you nutter I've already said I haven't got time right now. Jeez some people.

Who said i wanted to hear your opinion?

[banana]

Yes Stu I agree this forum has become more or less a joke. People starting idiotic threads with pointless sh!t using only 1 sentence. And you are right about bad posters/idiots scaring away the genuine posters. There is a lack of quality posters in this forum. We often disagree but I recognize that this is down to differing opinions on how football should be played and I can always learn more about the game by listening to a well though out argument (even if i strongly disagree).

By the way, when did you get warned? Close to being banned now because of Mudface? Mudface is a fool, why even bother to get into an argument with him?

[al fan since sixties]

Thought i would take the plunge after considered observation of the forum over the past 12 months; this is an interesting forum with some really good debaters. Have been a huge fan of LFC since our promotion season 61/62, so i have an opinion on all our players since then.

I like Stu's posts he obviously has a good knowledge of the game both visually and as a player.

I generally agree with your latest post, I however think that Garcia, although very skillful, does not have enough good games to win over all the fans. He tends to be over elaborate and his regular losing possession clearly infuriates some of the players; he also can score great goals.

Our tactics are good as Stu describes, but as we all know, we are in desperate need of Robbie to come good alongside Crouch as soon as possible; I hope there is not too much pressure put on him though, for I fear Morientes and Cisse will not score anything like what they should.

Pennant would be a great signing in my view; he has all we need for right midfield.

YNWA.

[7_Kewell]

so long stu, don't let the door kick you up the on the way out 

[Leonmc0708]

Stu

Pick your rattle up and grow up lad.

I am not abusive to you, I just dont agree and pick you up on it, if you dont like that then so be it.

Anyone else who I pick up for posting rubbish, then I make no apologies, stop posting rubbish.

JBG, if you think that your job as a moderator is to name and shame people on a thread started by someone throwing a hissy fit then you need to take yourself in a dark room and take a real good look at yerself. Out of order naming me like that, if you have a problem then PM me.

On the topic, its pie in the sky.

Football forums are not a place to post your lets sign Zidane, Joaquin and Etoo rubbish from Championship manager, nor is it a place to post "your team selection" for the next match, I mean for fuc.ks sake do you think Rafa reads this to get some ideas ?

A football internet based form is to debate issues about matchs, players, and talking points, and a little pis.s take here and there never did anyone any harm.

Can anyone in here tell me a time they talked footy with their mates down the pub (or school yard Stu) and never took the micheal out of one another and each others ideas ?

Jesus.