by mattylfc » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:38 am
What a crazy game. Typical derby with little football being played and lots of controversy.
Obviously delighted with the result but i must say, i havnt been as annoyed as i was on saturday for a very long time. Im not talking about the actual performance, i mean the tactics our team employed.
The first 10 mins we started very well and they didnt know what hit them. They tinkered a little and got themself sorted and suddenly our formation wasnt working and Lescott was exploiting us. Why Voronin was playing most of the first half as a right midfielder i will never know.
Hyppia was unlucky with the goal and i was beginning to get a little scared as we never really looked like scoring. I was wondering when Rafa was gonna change things and then Stevie G went stroming through and got us back into the game.
As soon as Hibbert got sent off all i could think of was change it Rafa, Get momo off and and have Gerrard playing in front of Masch with Babel or Pennant coming on in one of the wide positions. Then we can have two up top and go for the win.
The game went on and we still didnt change things and when i saw Gerrards number up i really couldnt believe it. Not because it was our captain but for the reason that Gerrard was playing very well and looked our main threat going forward. He was the one player taking the game by the scruff of the neck.
I think that part of what Rafa said is right, players do need to play with their heads in games like that but why not bring on Lucas for Momo, surely if anyone is likely to give away possession it is Momo.
I just felt that Rafa made hard work of the situation and to be honest, he was very lucky that we got the late goal. If we hadnt had gone on to win that game against ten men, Rafa IMO would have been in big big trouble.
The fact that when they were a man short, he didnt show any willingness to attack them and go for the win really surprised me. I dont think Rafa has done himself any favours at all in some of his decisions. I wont have any hair left if he carrys on like that.
