dudek in goal

[Flying Pig]

Dudek in goal yet again. What is Snr. Benitez thinking of? Theres no logical explanation for what's happening here.
Lets hope the lads on the pitch can make up for Beintez's blunder. They should, Norwich are very weak.

[ConnieLFC]

FP - sounds like we're playing a blinder: 2-0. As I said in my posts from the West Brom game (again I'm listening to the OS commentary), for Phil Neal to be not only complimentary but (ooh, ahh!) excited as well, well h*ll, fantastic! Geez, annoyed to no end not to be able to watch it, but I'll gladly sacrifice my viewing pleasure for a brilliant game at Anfield anytime. Steve (Grim Reaper) Hunter and Phil are besides themselves - yeah, baby!!!!



Must agree though, why Dudek is playing is beyond me. One just feels like Huckerby's going to put one past us at some point... But, right now, I'm a happy camper and will not fret (too much)...

[Delaware Red]

Sounds good to me too, I don't think Norwich have had a shot. You could have FP in goal and we'd still have a clean sheet.

[ConnieLFC]

Sounds good to me too, I don't think Norwich have had a shot. You could have FP in goal and we'd still have a clean sheet.

Like your confidence in the Pig -- I do trust he would do as good a job in goal as his namesake from the old days! Certainly just as good [but most likely better] than (you-know-who).

Interesting than Finnan's at RB (not that it seems a bad decision from the sound of it) and that Rafa's played both Milan and Djib. Going all out, as we should at home, fer chrissakes. Perhaps he's reading our posts...!

Keep it up, lads!!!

P.S. - I reckon Phil must've had a bad pie or something: burping all over. Love him, but glad I'm not in the booth with 'im...

[Delaware Red]

I can't stand Steve Hunter.

Sounds like a great performance, and this is how we should be playing. Very Jekyl and Hyde. Interesting to see our tactics away against Olympiakos and Chelsea away in the next games.

[Flying Pig]

I can't stand Steve Hunter.

Sounds like a great performance, and this is how we should be playing. Very Jekyl and Hyde. Interesting to see our tactics away against Olympiakos and Chelsea away in the next games.

Where's the Jekyl and Hyde? Against West Brom, Monaco, and Norwich, three non competitive teams, we look good; againsts ManU Bolton, two competitive teams, we get outplayed. Perhaps a pattern can be discerned here?

[ConnieLFC]

Where's the Jekyl and Hyde? Against West Brom, Monaco, and Norwich, three non competitive teams, we look good; againsts ManU Bolton, two competitive teams, we get outplayed. Perhaps a pattern can be discerned here?

I hear you, FP - but I think it's not just about "competitive" teams: I think the pattern is about our away form (1 pt from 9). From a literal sense, yes, we were outplayed i.e. Bolton and ManU dictated those games, but I personally put that down to us not playing well and allowing them to do so (splitting hairs, I know, but I'm going to anyway). For the periods of time in both matches that we actually *played*, we got a goal out of it (albeit, one disallowed).

Defensively, we are still not solid. At Anfield, we are at least pushing forward (bless) and looking to score and teams come to defend, so it hasn't been an issue. I hate to suggest it's a case of nerves or just plain obliviousness for the new players as they're professionals and should be able to handle it, but clearly we are not playing smart away from home. Giving the ball away far too cheaply, trying to play further up the pitch and stretched out further at the back than they're used to - fine at home and where players are comfortable (3 for 3) but not appropriate in most cases - frankly all cases - away from home. We're playing lovely stuff going forward, but at sixes and sevens when we need to play more "conservatively".

Say with today's lineup, the only person I consider a real "ballwinner" (in the traditional sense) out there was Carra. Didi (who I know you're not a fan of anyway) reads situations well and can intercept but we have no Keane or Vieira or Davids in that sense. Stevie G. was it for a while but now he's been groomed into a different type of player - he can do it and will do it but it's no longer his "role" in the team. So away, we have talented midfielders *but* there's no heft, no weight there in terms of plain control. Yes, when we get the ball we're looking to push up and score, but I wouldn't count on Xabi (as fantastic as he's been), LuGar, Kewell or Finnan (a little harsh on him some would say, but I don't rate his defensive skills at all) to individually defend one whit. Until they get their act together as a *unit* and realize they cannot play away the way they do at Anfield, our away record this year will be poor.

Apologies for blathering on, but this was on my mind anyway before you mentioned it....

[Delaware Red]

I said before I thought our individual performances allowed Scum to dominate us, rather than them playing overly well. Monaco were being lauded by some before that game, but our performance was such they had no chance.

Bolton I don't consider to be any harder working than WBA, slightly better in ability, but in the case of WBA (our style of play at home) we dictacted the game, and were not interested against Bolton.

Interesting to hear what you think of todays performances individually FP, I suspect you will knock down Norwich as being extremely second rate, rather than give credit for performances by players you don't rate.

I only listened to the raido commentary, but Alonso (I think you commented last game he had to get up to speed) and Hamann (we know your thoughts on him) were excellent. The same was said of Riise, christ I think he even used his right foot today.

Baros did his call no harm today, and Ciise sounded like he gave a **** and ran, so fair play to them for now.

I would like to see the same team for the game against Chelsea, (bar one obvious change), and just how well we perform there will be interesting, as Chelsea are proving to be a formidably organised team. Unfortunately I think we will revert back to 1 forward, the same team as against scum with the exception of Hamann for Gerrard (Kewell back in also I bet), either Milan or Jib giving way. (One to play in Europe, the other against Chelsea?)

[rcinsanered1974]

Dudek in goal yet again. What is Snr. Benitez thinking of? Theres no logical explanation for what's happening here.
Lets hope the lads on the pitch can make up for Beintez's blunder. They should, Norwich are very weak.

I think it will only be a matter of time before senyour Benitez makes the move. Kirky is at least playing reserve games now and doing well. I hope he gets in soon because El Dude looks lost at times back in goal.

[Flying Pig]

I said before I thought our individual performances allowed Scum to dominate us, rather than them playing overly well. Monaco were being lauded by some before that game, but our performance was such they had no chance.

Bolton I don't consider to be any harder working than WBA, slightly better in ability, but in the case of WBA (our style of play at home) we dictacted the game, and were not interested against Bolton.

Interesting to hear what you think of todays performances individually FP, I suspect you will knock down Norwich as being extremely second rate, rather than give credit for performances by players you don't rate.

I only listened to the raido commentary, but Alonso (I think you commented last game he had to get up to speed) and Hamann (we know your thoughts on him) were excellent. The same was said of Riise, christ I think he even used his right foot today.

Baros did his call no harm today, and Ciise sounded like he gave a **** and ran, so fair play to them for now.

I would like to see the same team for the game against Chelsea, (bar one obvious change), and just how well we perform there will be interesting, as Chelsea are proving to be a formidably organised team. Unfortunately I think we will revert back to 1 forward, the same team as against scum with the exception of Hamann for Gerrard (Kewell back in also I bet), either Milan or Jib giving way. (One to play in Europe, the other against Chelsea?)

Didnt get to see the game, RC, so I can't comment. Happy to pick up the points, but I do fear the clean sheet will encourage Snr Benitez to stick with Dudek.

About Cisse, RC, what do you make of a player who (according to the radio), ran his heart out against Norwich, but certainly did not do so against ManU, when the going was hard?