Just back from the match

[Gunga Din]

we got away with that tonight. that was as bad as we have played all season. For me, we made too many changes, and it seems to have disrupted the entire shape of the side. but f*** it, we won, we're top, Arsenal dropped points, and scruffy wins will piss off the mancs and Chelsea even more than dominant ones. its also freezing out!

[Maldini]

I only saw the second half, but we were all over them and created a good few chances.

[Swipe]

I only saw the second half, but we were all over them and created a good few chances.

 

Same here.

 

Looked like only won team was ever going to win it.

[Gunga Din]

I only saw the second half, but we were all over them and created a good few chances.

 

 

we created a lot more in the 2nd half, the first 45 was dour. but like i said, im not arsed. its 3 points

[Swipe]

we created a lot more in the 2nd half, the first 45 was dour. but like i said, im not arsed. its 3 points

 

Did Stevie look a bit tired to you? Looks like he might need a rest

Edited October 29, 2008 by Swipe

[Gunga Din]

Did Stevie look a bit tired to you? Looks like he might need a rest

 

 

no, i though the was our best player. the players that looked off the pace were the ones that havent been playing, Lucas and Pennant

[sutty]

Think the chelsea game necessitated the changes

 

Need to keep this going for 2-3 games, beat madrid at our place then we can start using the midweek CL games to tweek the side

[psl]

Did Stevie look a bit tired to you? Looks like he might need a rest

 

No chance on Saturday.

 

Really hope Torres is back for that.

[Gunga Din]

Think the chelsea game necessitated the changes

 

Need to keep this going for 2-3 games, beat madrid at our place then we can start using the midweek CL games to tweek the side

 

 

i'd much rather have seen the best 11 out tonight and saturday, and rest them for the athletico match.

[MFletcher]

Agger, Mascherano, Riera and Keane rested, three points in the bag, a clean sheet and momentum maintained going into a tricky away tie on Saturday.

 

I have no grounds for complaint this evening.

[Swipe]

Oh yeah, I meant the next time we can give him a rest.

 

He looked good from what i saw, just a bit tired at times.

[Maldini]

We're going to struggle to get anything for Pennant if he keeps stinking the place out.

[sutty]

i'd much rather have seen the best 11 out tonight and saturday, and rest them for the athletico match.

 

I think what was out there was it

 

Agger coming back from injury, Keane carrying an injury

 

You could argue on the Riera and Masch thing I suppose but that's the sort of game people have been saying Masch is wasted in

[Gunga Din]

I think what was out there was it

 

Agger coming back from injury, Keane carrying an injury

 

You could argue on the Riera and Masch thing I suppose but that's the sort of game people have been saying Masch is wasted in

 

 

possibly. anyway, its another win without playing all that well. massive massive game this weekemd. 3 points would be huge for us

[MFletcher]

i'd much rather have seen the best 11 out tonight and saturday, and rest them for the athletico match.

 

I suspect the eleven sent out tonight was the best eleven available given knocks and fatigue.

[Gunga Din]

I suspect the eleven sent out tonight was the best eleven available given knocks and fatigue.

 

 

nope. Lucas or Pennant have no place ever in or best 11, unless there was an outbreak of bubonic plague and we only have 11 players left. even then, i'd be tempted to leave Lucas on the bench

[Jacks Jackie Jackson]

I'd take a draw on Saturday if it was offered now to be honest. If that's what it's going to be like for the rest of the season, then I don't think my nerves could stand it. I certainly don't think the players nerves can stand it and if Man Utd and Chelsea had spies at tonight's game, the message will be "don't woory about Liverpool. They'll do all the worrying for us." The anxiety in that team after the goal is something that will need to be addressed. Pompey offered nothing but were gifted several unpressured half chances from which they could have embarrassed us. They never looked a threat up until the 75th minute but were made to look threatening by the kittenish nature of our players, who seemed happy to let it drift to a 1-0 victory rather than put it beyond doubt after the goal was scored. Sorry to appear negative but that is a real concern and one that will need looking at if we are to emerge as serious title contenders.

[MFletcher]

With Riera and Keane having knocks, that left Babel to play on the left, Kuyt up top and one of Pennant/Benayoun on the wing.

 

And Mascherano has put a lot of miles in during the last few games, as well as flights to and from South America the previous week - it would be understandable if he was somewhat tired and needed a game off.

 

Pennant's effectively a sixth choice attacking player anyway, so its not really a problem.

[Maldini]

I think El Zhar should be in the squad ahead of Pennant now.

[Tones]

I think El Zhar should be in the squad ahead of Pennant now.

 

Yeah me too, seems to have more of a threat. Oh if only pennant had went to stoke in the summer, we could have done something with that fee.

[stressederic]

Yeah me too, seems to have more of a threat. Oh if only pennant had went to stoke in the summer, we could have done something with that fee.

 

We certainly could have. I could really go for a pack of Pringles right about now.

[scoose]

Its funny - I just got back before and we were talking that Gerrard had a stinker tonight even to the point that I was worried when he took the pen!

 

Shows what I know eh. Still dont think he played well though.

 

I also wish benayoun would release or shoot earlier then he does. Frustrates the f*** out of me

[Zoob]

Unfortunately for Pennant, I can't fault him for effort or attitude, he just looks totally out of place now, exactly like what he is - a player who as a kid had loads of potential, but ultimately just isn't good enough.

 

As for Lucas - I thought he had an excellent game. Until the last few minutes when the whole team was jittery, I can't remember him giving the ball away. He made some good tackles, some good forward breaks, didn't commit loads of pointless fouls, and tried to be as positive as possible with his passing (i.e. passed it forward or if that wasn't possible, he passed it quickly and moved to make himself available again).

[Billy Dane]

Unfortunately for Pennant, I can't fault him for effort or attitude, he just looks totally out of place now, exactly like what he is - a player who as a kid had loads of potential, but ultimately just isn't good enough.

 

I think he has got skill, but lacks the bottle to make it at the top. He doesn't push himself enough for me.

[Mike]

no, i though the was our best player. the players that looked off the pace were the ones that havent been playing, Lucas and Pennant

lucas was quite good in the first half, bad in the second. alonso had an appalling night. gerrard was very quiet also. pretty much everyone was poor apart from carra sami and arbeloa. babel was good in the first half. not in the second. pennant was typically gash and stupid, and benayoun was sent on this earth to torment me the twisty t***.