Posted:
Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:50 pm
by Bad Bob
For me, the reality is that we are not a side that comes from behind. That might seem an absurd statement on the back of last year's FA Cup final and, of course, in the wake of Istanbul but, in the league, we struggle hugely when we go a goal down, even against a mediocre side. Yesterday we were well and truly in the game until we conceded and then it all just drifted away...just as it did at Man U, Bolton and Everton this season.
Last season we did so superbly well with clean sheets that we gave ourselves a platform to break teams down and grind out a 1-0 win. We managed 82 points on the back of some impressive defensive work coupled with some timely, if not always eye-catching, goal scoring. Where has that defensive solidity gone? We've had the same back four as last season installed for several weeks now but, as a unit, they seem a shadow of their former selves. Until they--and Reina--rediscover the form that carried us forward last season, we will continue to struggle.
Sadly, going forward, we look as goal shy as ever in big games. At home and against lesser sides, we carve out chances and stick a fair few away. Against the big clubs, however, we seem to lack a cutting edge. Where was the service to Crouch and Kuyt yesterday? Where was the width? The directness? The incisive passing? For a team that supposedly has improved its attacking options we look decidedly toothless. Is Garcia the only player we have who can create in tight quarters against a tenacious set of defenders? It's all so frustrating to watch.
Having said that, I remain firmly 100% behind Rafa and the lads. I hope that this latest blip is just that and that, in a few weeks time, we'll look back and wonder what some of the fuss was about. For that to happen, though, the manager and the team need to buck up their ideas and get us back to playing the kind of football that we produced on the back of last season...the kind of football that had us looking like genuine title contenders for the first time in years.
It starts with bringing Stevie back into the middle to partner Alonso, playing Pennant at RM despite his shortcomings, and getting Garcia wide left. The rest of the team stays as is--with the possible exception of Agger for Sami. Most importantly, each of them, to a man, need to start playing with purpose and pride once more. It's gut check time.
Posted:
Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:01 pm
by alessandromagno
It's bollox that Rafa rates Bolo more than SG in midfield. Nobodt doeS!
Posted:
Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:14 pm
by alessandromagno
There was too much tinkering with the defence early in the season (some of it forced). Furthermore, I think having Siisoko as the holding player is great as long as there was Didi in the wings--but I don't think Momo was ready to take all the responsibility. I have no idea why Rafa was indifferent to Didi leaving. I honestly believe we would have kept a lot more clean sheets if he'd been still here--even if he was only coming on in the last (crucial) 10 or 15 minutes. Letting Hamman go was a real howler.
Posted:
Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:39 pm
by account deleted by request
stmichael wrote:woof woof ! wrote:Question
Is Rafa beyond criticism ?
The answer to your question Woof is "no" (surprise)
As far as I am concerned the honeymoon period is well and truly over and Rafa can no longer use the excuse of needing time to acclimatise, get used to the league, its players and style of play.
However each week he makes baffling decisions mainly away from home, yesterday against one of the strongest midfields in the league he played Bolo Zenden against Gilberto and Fabregas – the game was already won.
It was also obvious that Kolo Toure and Gallas would dominate our front two unless we were either aggressive or quick – this was one game where Crouch was meaningless even with his 1ft height advantage. Their defenders simply defended 30 yards higher up the pitch.
Out wide, I think Pennant did OK when he come on, he nearly set up a goal too, and tracked back and made tackles. More than what Gonzalez and Zenden did combined.
It’s time Rafa came out and said it, he simply doesn’t rate SG as a CM, he rates Bolo more. Yesterday was not about the balance of the team, Pennant could have played right, yesterday was about Rafa telling Stevie he isn’t good enough in the centre. Bizarrely when you consider the same player destroyed teams on his own playing that position with Hamann behind him only 2-3 years ago.
I think the key to what you are saying about Rafa and Gerrard is that Gerrard needs Hamann behind him! Alonso and Gerrard as a pair dont seem to have Rafa's confidence. Hamann and Gerrard as a pair did. To understand why think back to the CL final and the way Kaka ran the show first half. Gerrard has admitted that Kaka was too fast and he couldnt get near him. After Hamann came on Kaka's influence dwindled and died.
So unless we buy Hamann back or a similar defensive midfielder Gerrard is more than likely going to spend most of his time playing RM.
Posted:
Mon Nov 13, 2006 8:33 pm
by JC_81
Haven't been able to post since the game yesterday, it left me feeling physically sick.
First of all, woof's spot on, Rafa is not immune from criticism now and St Mike is also right in saying the honeymoon period is well and truly over. You can justify playing Gerrard on the right when Sissoko and Alonso are fit and playing well, but away from home to Arsenal why the fu.ck do you play Zenden in the middle and Gerrard on the right?? I couldn't believe it. And play Gonzalez in this of all games, a must win, when the little Chilean has not settled well at all on these shores yet. Surely Pennant or Garcia (the man who scored home and away against Arsenal last season) would have been a better bet.
But Benitez can only be blamed to an extent. Losing 5 games away from home is no coincidence. Confidence and dare I say it but team spirit are severely lacking. The players, Alonso apart who I thought had a good game, looked like they couldn't be fu.cked yesterday. Carra, Gerrard, you name it, none of them looked up for it, the same players who went to Juve and Istanbul 2 seasons ago and won us the CL showed no fight at all yesterday and that was the problem. They didn't play for each other and there was no positive response or leadership as the goals went in against and that's what worried me.
So this begs the question, what has happened to team morale? Has the dressing room been unsettled by something? Because I can't think of another reason why we haven't been able to sort this away form before it has come to 5 defeats in a row. Why aren't the players playing for Rafa anymore, has he lost the dressing room? Because it looked like it yesterday. Has his squad rotation pi.ssed the players off as much as us? Or is Rafa not to blame and it's the players alone who are letting us down big time?
Whatever the reason we need it sorted quickly. We are out of the title race without a doubt now and if we don't turn things around soon then a CL place will become an uphill battle. I for one don't have the answers here, but I hope to fu.ck Rafa Benitez does.