Liverpool FC Forum

[puroresu]

My theory that Alonso going would add a new dimension to midfield has so far blown
up in my face (No suprise their then) dramatically.

Maybe the new dimension only works when Aquilani is fit

That would never be the case with the current players we have in there.

[mistyred]

I can't quite put my finger on it, but the team still looks stale to me, it looks like it needs
an injection of new blood.

Very strange indeed especially this early in the season.

[kunilson]

well not the best start no.....playing well at times, terrible at other times......the crucial moments have gone against us so far whereas last year we were getting the better end of the stick. its not over yet of course.

but one thing i have learnt so far is the increased optimism i felt after doing so well last year has gone, and i have gone back to my Alpha mode as a liverpool supporter. Expect anything but pray for the best...try not to hope. Hoping leads to the darkside ha

[bigmick]

I'm not sure it's quite "blown up in your face" yet Misty to be honest. The team as a whole hasn't started well, and if anything the first three games have proven that Xabi is a much better player than Lucas, but then we already knew that anyway. If we had a similar but slightly more attacking player in there (Gareth Barry perhaps, or Aquilani when he's fit) then I'm sure it'll make a big difference and then people can sensibly assess where we stand in central midfield as against last season.

A couple of things worry me. Firstly, to me we don't look fully tuned up, kind of in need of a run in horse racing parlance. Now I know when we were getting spanked by all and sundry in pre season there were the usual blanket throwers on here who gave it old  "Sack Rafa we've lost am pre-season game " and "I don't fecking believe this place" and all that old b0ll0cks if anybody said there were concerned about it, but something has gone wrong with our preperation it seems to me. I'm absolutely convinced that the protracted transfer of Alonso and the big willy contest distracted us somewhat (not saying it was anyones fault necessarily but Everton are suffering a similar fate after taking their eye off the ball), while for whatever reason even the fitness seems a bit lacking. Even after we lost heavily (in terms of the match not the score) at Spurs they were out in force accusing everyone of being a knee jerker or a Manc, but they didn't convince me then and I'm not convinced now.

The other thing which slightly troubles me is the Lucas situation. Now it seems fairly obvious to me that we are simply going to have to bite the bullet and put Gerrard in central midfield but two things about that trouble me. Firstly, it was fairly obvious that the conundrum we are now faced with was a certainty simply because asking Lucas to fill the Alonso roll in any way shape or form was always going to be a huge ask. Some of us waffled on about it before a ball had even been kicked. the bigger worry for me though is that Rafa gets stubborn with it, as he does occasionally. If he decides to persist with Lucas in there along with Masherano as our "engine room" then i think we run the very real risk of being out of it before ten games have been played. That would be a huge shame for everyone.

[mistyred]

Well said Mick, got a good head on your shoulders mate.


Can i add two pence worth?... Lucas is about as Brazillian as Fish and Chips

[tubby]

It's only 3 games in now so we can all sit back and hope we turn things around. But what happens if it gets to the end of September and we are 13 points of the pace? I hope the alarm bells are ringing for everyone. Im hoping we still sign someone before the window shuts.

[bunglemark2]

The other thing which slightly troubles me is the Lucas situation. Now it seems fairly obvious to me that we are simply going to have to bite the bullet and put Gerrard in central midfield but two things about that trouble me. Firstly, it was fairly obvious that the conundrum we are now faced with was a certainty simply because asking Lucas to fill the Alonso roll in any way shape or form was always going to be a huge ask. Some of us waffled on about it before a ball had even been kicked. the bigger worry for me though is that Rafa gets stubborn with it, as he does occasionally. If he decides to persist with Lucas in there along with Masherano as our "engine room" then i think we run the very real risk of being out of it before ten games have been played. That would be a huge shame for everyone.

Like I've said in other threads: what if there IS no money for transfers ? What if we have to make do with what we have, what then ? There's nobody in the reserves ready or able to step up to the plate as far as I can see (but let's not go down the route of what in God's name the Reserve coaches have been up to for the past years...)
It would seem then that we are stuck with Lucas in that role. I've been critical of Lucas in the past, but was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt at the start of this season. After last night, I'm through with that.
The wider malaise in the team looks again unlikely to be resolved by Rafa. Sticking with Voronin on the bench as a wannabe impact sub like Fairclough of old (face it, he couldn't score with a fistful of tenners); letting a shining prospect like Nemeth wander off to Greece; another spat with a player (Rieira) and we all know who comes off worst in those situations (the club, our results, and the player)....

To be quite frank, I'm almost leaning towards suggesting an ultimatum issued to Rafa. Cop on, buck up, or move on...

[dawson99]

I hope people stop blaming the sale of Alonso on all our woes. without Alonso we should not get beat 3-1 at home to Villa! The team were a disgrace last night. Simple as. They look like a spent force. the look like they have already played a whole season of football... they should be refreshed. Kuyt was the only one who tried for the entire game, and it showed as he outshone considerably more talented players than him...

We should be worried indeed, but only by the squads lack of fight

[tubby]

I hope people stop blaming the sale of Alonso on all our woes. without Alonso we should not get beat 3-1 at home to Villa! The team were a disgrace last night. Simple as. They look like a spent force. the look like they have already played a whole season of football... they should be refreshed. Kuyt was the only one who tried for the entire game, and it showed as he outshone considerably more talented players than him...

We should be worried indeed, but only by the squads lack of fight

Lack of Riera as well mate. Not to mentioned our new big money summer signing is injured. Until then we just have to stick with it and hope we don't lose any more until he is fit.

[account deleted by request]

I'm not sure it's quite "blown up in your face" yet Misty to be honest. The team as a whole hasn't started well, and if anything the first three games have proven that Xabi is a much better player than Lucas, but then we already knew that anyway. If we had a similar but slightly more attacking player in there (Gareth Barry perhaps, or Aquilani when he's fit) then I'm sure it'll make a big difference and then people can sensibly assess where we stand in central midfield as against last season.

A couple of things worry me. Firstly, to me we don't look fully tuned up, kind of in need of a run in horse racing parlance. Now I know when we were getting spanked by all and sundry in pre season there were the usual blanket throwers on here who gave it old  "Sack Rafa we've lost am pre-season game " and "I don't fecking believe this place" and all that old b0ll0cks if anybody said there were concerned about it, but something has gone wrong with our preperation it seems to me. I'm absolutely convinced that the protracted transfer of Alonso and the big willy contest distracted us somewhat (not saying it was anyones fault necessarily but Everton are suffering a similar fate after taking their eye off the ball), while for whatever reason even the fitness seems a bit lacking. Even after we lost heavily (in terms of the match not the score) at Spurs they were out in force accusing everyone of being a knee jerker or a Manc, but they didn't convince me then and I'm not convinced now.

The other thing which slightly troubles me is the Lucas situation. Now it seems fairly obvious to me that we are simply going to have to bite the bullet and put Gerrard in central midfield but two things about that trouble me. Firstly, it was fairly obvious that the conundrum we are now faced with was a certainty simply because asking Lucas to fill the Alonso roll in any way shape or form was always going to be a huge ask. Some of us waffled on about it before a ball had even been kicked. the bigger worry for me though is that Rafa gets stubborn with it, as he does occasionally. If he decides to persist with Lucas in there along with Masherano as our "engine room" then i think we run the very real risk of being out of it before ten games have been played. That would be a huge shame for everyone.

Top post Mick, my feelings exactly. I also think that playing two wide players who both cut in all the time enabled Villa to concentrate their defenses denying Gerrard and Torres any space and outnumbering us in midfield.

[tubby]

Looking back at the highlights now we really should gone ahead early. Im sure had we done that the outcome of the game would have been a lot different. Anyway no use thinking in the past now. We have to just make sure we beat Bolton.

[SouthCoastShankly]

I've never wished for the international break to come quicker!

[Penguins]

Well, like I said before the season started, we are not going to win home and away vs chelsea and man utd and we still need more points than last season. This means we can't afford many dropped points vs anyone else.
only 105 pts to play from and we need around 87-90 pts.

That is like 30 wins out of 35.... or 85% of all reaming pts!
Not going to happen 

Can anyone really see Rafa being able to buy anyone before the window ends? honestly?

[LiverpoolMadman]

Can anyone really see Rafa being able to buy anyone before the window ends? honestly?

No , If there is money, that money will be going to the bank ... Need to get rid of those 2 yanks ...

[FuzzyBear]

Three games in and Rafa Benitez has shown that is about as competent a manager as Houllier.

The legacy of Rafa: One step forwards, two steps back.