Logic

Half time analysis as promised. Low key game. Not much happening. We basically use three kind of attacks. 1. Try to play Cisse through on the right for him to either cross or go through on goal. 2. If that fails he plays it back to Kronkamp who quickly switches play over to Riise who seems to be wide open when we've played up the right. 3. If there isn't space for Cisse we seem to try to play it through the middle with Crouch dropping to play in either Morientes or Gerrard. That's our basic play. Villa haven't done anything worth noting and it seems like both Carra and Sami know exactly how to deal with Baros. Baros hasn't looked anything like the player he was with us (i.e. winning corners and throw-ins ). It wouldn't surprise me much if we see Gerrard even further up the field in the second half to try to exploit the huge holes in the central defence created by the movement of Crouch and Morientes. Villas wide-backs stay out wide and the two centre-backs get dragged out of position and stay way too narrow.

HT. Analysis to come when I get back from buying cigs!

Cross from Kronkamp across the area, Riise chests it down for Gerrard who tries a shot with his left. Yet another dead pigeon. Just wait for my half-time analysis! I might even do images with arrows!

After good work from Kronkamp (good turn) he puts a cross in. Riise gets to it but tries to shoot with his right. One less pigeon flying over Anfield the result.

Fekk up in the Villa defence allows Traore to be one on one with the goalie but he (as all defenders in that position ) tries to pass the ball across the goal to Cisse but the pass is intercepted. Good chance that.

Cisse with a good ball over to Riise. Riise puts it in but Villa clears just in time. Moro was behind the defender if he had failed the clearance. Riise with another cross and this time Morientes connects (tries to back heel it) but defender clears. Villa break, good cross put in but the header is into the ground and over. Both teams looking for a goal.

Villa with a corner. cleared. Villa a bit more up to it now. Trying to put the ball into the box but everything has so far been dealt with easily by our defence. Mostly Carra.

Cheers. We were almost through after a break from a corner but Sorensen was quick off his line to clear the danger.

As for a running commentary. It's a boring game that we seem to be well under control. I'll do what I can to tell what's happening.

Movement across the defensive line by Morientes. Picked up by Alonso who puts a great pass in his path. Morientes takes it into the area, feigns (don't know if this is the correct term in English ) a shot to get the defender to commit to the block but pulls it back in and puts it low in the side-netting to the goalkeepers right.

Crowd singing Milan's name and he applauds them. Good to see.

MORIENTES!!!!!!!!!! GREAT GOAL!!!!

To do well: Sweden (since my native country can't ever get there) Iran & Saudi Arabia (don't know why but I've always liked these two) Argentine Spain To be battered: USA Italy Germany Holland France

We all dream of a team of Sissokos! team of Sissokos! team of Sissokos!

There's another relative of our Sissoko playing football? SIGN HIM!!!

BBC says they are negotiating with him in Lisabon. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/i...als/4949118.stm

Unfortunately not.

Move to Iceland and watch Enski Boltinn 1.

Anyone able to get the uefa feed to work? It continues to ask me to register. Something that I haven't needed before.

WTF is everyone's (commentators and press) problem with the freekick that lead to our first goal? Terry went in with the studs first knee-high. Obvious freekick. Fekkers!

West Ham. Not because they are easier (damn you mockers!) but because it will be a better match. West Ham simply play better football.

To me it seems like Morientes is just trying to hard. Instead of just playing this beautiful game we call football it seems like he is always trying to do that little extra and perhaps the biggest problem is that it seems like he's always "thinking" about what he is doing. Playing at this level needs to be natural and basically without "thinking". Look at Fowler, Alonso etc etc. These are players that at the moment are just doing what "feels" right. Not thinking about how they should do it. Every time Morientes has the ball it seems like he has to think about every step he's making. Which you simply don't have time for at this level and unfortunately is all about confidence. (hope you know what I mean, if not this posts probably sounds fekking weird )

I'd add one more thing to that. He needs to get a bit (or a lot) stronger. Would like to see him add at least 10kg of muscle mass before the end of this year. Gets pushed off balance to easily which might be why he is "missing" easy headers.

That goal by Cisse was like watching American football. Alonso - Quarterback Cisse - Wide Reciever. It simply was an amazing pass.

http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=37...es+England+role