Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:32 amWe did everything but score first half, although we did look like we might get exposed at the back by being a bit too cavalier in approach. Kuyt's was probably the best chance, hard for him to hit that any better than he did given the circumstances. Voronin's wasnt' a great finish, but I would have taken him off at half-time, nay, I'd probably not even have started him. N'Gog had two goals in his previous two appearances, was absent on Saturday and then on the bench today. Torres' shot was straight at the keeper, I think it was because of the angle he was to the ball making it harder to hit it hard and give it direction.
I disagree that there was nothing wrong with Rafa's substitutions, they were typically belated and not reacting to how the game was going (goalless) or how poorly people were playing (eg Voronin) In a 'must win' game you expect managers not to let games drift, our's does. Sure we might have been battering down the door, but you can still bring on players who are more likely to score or increase the prospect of scoring (than Voronin) It can also bring players more into the game who aren't necessarily having a bad game, but perhaps might be more influential if moved eg take Voronin off, bring on Babel and swap him with Benayoun.
As for qualification
1. Lyon P4 W3 D1 L0 PTS 10 (Q)
2. Fiorentina P4 W3 D0 L1 PTS 9
3. Liverpool P4 W1 D1 L2 PTS 4
We should win in Hungary. Both Fiorentina and Lyon won there, but we only won 1-0 at home while those two have scored 13 goals in three games against Debrecen. We need Lyon to draw with Fiorentina or beat them, if both Lyon and ourselves beat Fiorentina then we go through, if Lyon draw with Fiorentina then we need to win by THREE CLEAR GOALS - obviously we have to hope Lyon draw with them. Otherwise all a win in Debrecen would mean is we play in the UEFA mickey mouse version of the Champions League and the comparison with Houllier and 02/03 is all too real.
I disagree that there was nothing wrong with Rafa's substitutions, they were typically belated and not reacting to how the game was going (goalless) or how poorly people were playing (eg Voronin) In a 'must win' game you expect managers not to let games drift, our's does. Sure we might have been battering down the door, but you can still bring on players who are more likely to score or increase the prospect of scoring (than Voronin) It can also bring players more into the game who aren't necessarily having a bad game, but perhaps might be more influential if moved eg take Voronin off, bring on Babel and swap him with Benayoun.
As for qualification
1. Lyon P4 W3 D1 L0 PTS 10 (Q)
2. Fiorentina P4 W3 D0 L1 PTS 9
3. Liverpool P4 W1 D1 L2 PTS 4
We should win in Hungary. Both Fiorentina and Lyon won there, but we only won 1-0 at home while those two have scored 13 goals in three games against Debrecen. We need Lyon to draw with Fiorentina or beat them, if both Lyon and ourselves beat Fiorentina then we go through, if Lyon draw with Fiorentina then we need to win by THREE CLEAR GOALS - obviously we have to hope Lyon draw with them. Otherwise all a win in Debrecen would mean is we play in the UEFA mickey mouse version of the Champions League and the comparison with Houllier and 02/03 is all too real.
