by ivor_the_injun » Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:21 pm
Not too disappointed with the performance. A lot of huge positives, but a bigger cushion going into the second leg would've been nice.
Pennant and Bellamy were definite positives. Pennant in particular showed exactly what we've missed out on the right by not having a natural winger. Some great skill, and his crossing was good and dangerous. Obviously Gonzalez's goal should do bucketloads for his confidence, which is great. Finnan looks like he's going to have a lot of joy overlapping on the right wing as well.
Sissoko was immense, and even looks as if he's stepped up a level with his passing game. Classy cameo from Garcia, typical spraying passing from Alonso, and good solid work from Reina when needed.
Negatives:
Defensively we still looked a little bit in pre-season mode, which I don't think we should be too worried about. Riise had a generally poor match, which he'll have to address as Aurelio becomes available.
Gerrard looks short of fitness. He had a sprightly spell second half, but generally looked well off the pace.
Zenden doesn't look like any kind of solution for the left, and unless injuries really stack up in the middle, I can't see him making too many appearances this season.
And finally, 4-5-1 just doesn't look like it'll work for us, unless we play much higher up the pitch. We could have the best crossers in the world, but if a team that aren't wonderful at the back like Haifi can afford to put 3 men on your sole striker and have enough time and space to deal with all that comes into the box, you do have to question the logic.
If this had been a meaningless friendly, I'd have been delighted. As it stands, in an important two-legged tie, we've left ourselves a bit more to do, which is a bit disappointing. All that said, first half we saw that Maccabi Haifa are no mugs, and they deserve a lot of respect for keeping the scoreline so close given the problems in their homeland.
. Great that Pennant, Bellamy and Speedy got some love tonight. 
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