by 67-1161385641 » Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:12 pm
It was a very good result, one that we definitely needed. It was also a good solid performance to boot, you couldn't ask for much more other than a clean sheet, but it wasn't to be.
I was impressed with the cohesion within the team today, we used the ball well, had accurate passing, didn't panic when under pressure, we were patient in our build up play, we didn't lump balls forward in hope that Villa would have a lapse of concentration.
I was pleased to see Rafa name our strongest back four and today it proved my point about constant changing of the defence being the reason we lacked confidence at the back, communication and continuity. All those ingredients were present today and that is why we were so good at the back, Reina looked confident (probably because he's familiar with the back four that started) and pulled off a great save to deny Villa a second.
Garcia, Gerrard, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan and Alonso all turned up for the match today, which made me come out with the comment "about time". It's about time our big players put in big performances and they did so today. Let’s hope this is a turning point in our season, after all it did happen last season.
I thought in the second half we allowed Villa back into the game. I was quite disappointed about that, we took our foot off the gas and allowed them back into it; I would like to see us dominating entire matches (if possible).
I'd just like to reinstate my belief that Pennant should be England's #1 right winger, ahead of Gerrard, Lennon and Beckham. He came on and played well as per usual, surely he can't continue to be over-looked. I really wanted him to score to shut the Villa fans up who were singing "You should be in jail".
I'd like this team to played in the next match, I'm a fan of rotation, but I'd just like to see us getting back on winning ways, building up the confidence before making changes.
It was a good performance, lets build on this and hopefully this will kick start our season.