ltsharpe

What he said.

It's about time we got a few decisions in our favor this season, and we should be big enough to accept them.

Just fixed it for you.

Nail-Head!! Johnson was brought in as an attacking defender, and does a good job, but is nowhere near as good a positional player in defence as Arbeloa is. Add this to a rookie left back, and our centre backs are overloaded. We are scoring goals this season, but we are shipping way more than we should.

I disagree. Everton were the more aggressive team, closing us down at every opportunity, but they didn't use their possession well. Playing a game at that pace, on a very wet surface, at Goodison to boot, would make anyone look crap. As for Gerrard, I think he was reacting to the wet conditions, and not attacking the ball to prevent further injury to his groin. Better to not overstretch than to spend another month with the Physios.

Thats probably why he is still here. If Rafa could have got a decent wedge for him, he would have been gone in the summer. I'm afraid were gonna lose big time on this boy!

Be very careful what you wish for. The way these yanks operate, lose Rafa, and you may not see Champions league football again for a very long time, if ever!

No!! Today the object was to win the game whatever it took. Mission accomplished. We lost our place in the Champions league against Lyon. Get over it. Onwards and uppardes.

Come on now, you don't have that short a memory! The Greek was a necessity , Hypia sold, Agger still nursing his bad back, Carra not having a stellar start, and then Skyrtl ending up with a broken jaw. The question was not who would start, but who would cover any more injuries or cards? Add to this, no funds, and voila! I heard that Rafa was considering three red cones, but thought they wouldn't be to good at heading.

Yer 'avin a laff!! If you think Ferguson is so damn good, why don't you go and support them? We don't need this s*** right now, get positive or get the hell out!

Because thats all we could afford! Damn YANKS!

If today's game was an indication of how he has progressed, then I hope we don't see him again. Completely bottled it , pulled out of all 50/50 balls, and looked lost or scared I'm not sure. Not good enough, Never will be. Package him up with Babel, and get shut of both!!

Degen Kuyt Voronin

I guess we can say that you've fallen out with wee Mikey then?

Surely we've seen enough bombs, on the field, recently,? maybe poison in their halftime cuppa?

Now there's Belief Brother !!! YNWA

Saying it isn't is not a proper argument.It is just taking a contrary opinion, without any facts. My facts are, Alonso out, 30M --Aquillini in , 20M + (actual vaue) = push 4th choice centre back out, 4th choice centre back in, = push Arbeloa out ?M Johnson in 18M improvement. I rest my case. Even Mascherano agrees with what I have said, Quote from ESPN Mascherano puts the blame firmly on the players. "It is easy for everyone to blame the manager and not the players," Mascherano said. "But the truth is that it is us out there on the pitch, the players. If we play badly it is not the manager's fault, it is ours and we must take the responsibility. "The manager can tell us how to play but on the pitch it is down to the players. We need to keep going and to work harder. I do not believe that Sunday's league game with Manchester United will decide our season, but it is too early to say that. But for our confidence a win will be a massive boost.

What we need right now is not players but belief. This is an improved version of the team that finished second last season folks. To say that one player traded can make all that difference, I say bollicks!! One win , however scruffy, will re-ignite some of that belief, and kick us on to betterr days, YNWA.

I,m not suggesting defending at the expense of attacking, but this year the change in style is quite dramatic. If you want to play run and gun football, you 'd better not shoot blanks.

Carragher,Skyrtl, Agger and Kyriagos are all good defenders when playing in a system that they are comfortable with. This year, we are employing a somewhat more attacking role for the two outside backs, leaving less protection for the centrebacks. Take away Alonso and Masch as well, and you have two centrebacks trying to cover for six players. their weaknesses are exposed, they tire quicker, and the extra stress makes them do wierd things.Until they get more help, or get smarter in their positioning,expect more of the same.

I agree. Without a strong cover in midfield, our centrebacks are totally exposed. We needed Masch or Gerrard as cover. For all the detractors from last season who were complaining of our lack of attacking play, this is what happens when you don't defend properly against strong opposition.

Dirk is the kind of player every team should have.Not blessed with silky skills, but would run through a brick wall for you if asked!! Good Lad.

Benayoun Gerrard Kuyt Well done Redmen, never in doubt.