Actually I'd rather Insua not become a Roberto Carlos given the latters defensive frailties. The downside is that he isn't quick on the turn which sadly is largely genetic. He has to make up for it by reading the game better and better positioning, just like Hamann.

I have to agree that of all our signings this season, Kyrgiakos seems to be the best value. He has given us the aerial prowess we've been lacking. It's not mere coincidence that we aren't conceeding as many goals from setpieces as we were at the beginning of the season.

In modern football, the idea is to have a central pairing who complement one another. Remember how many times we got caught out when we played Hyypia and Pellegrino at the back together? Unlike the old days where route 1 football was a norm, defenders have evolved and many teams build their attack from defence. For us it started with Alan Hansen. These days you have the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Ledley King, William Gallas and even Daniel Agger who can play the ball out of defence instead of punting it up the park. It's what we get when we pair Krygiakos and Skrtel at the back though I must give the latter some credit for bringing the ball up the park on occassions.

Everton have been playing well of late and Landon Donavan has already opened his Premiership account. I suspect that **** Cahill will be a nuisance with his aerial prowess and our frailties in that department. I really hope Mascherano digs his studs into the prick. We've been having problems tracking players during setpieces and Cahill times his runs brilliantly. Peinaar is back and he'll give Insua a torrid time with his pace. Howard is I'm good form and without a clinical finisher, goals will be a premium for us. Then again the Merseyside derby has been pretty tight in recent times. Won't be surprised if we tie this one.

An absolutely crucial 3 points in our quest for a 4th placed finished. Our rivals for that spot did us a favour by either losing or drawing.

A cagy affair by and large and I feared the worst when Kyrgiakos foolishly lunged with two feet at Fellainin with his studs showing. Didn't matter that the Belgian stomped on his leg, the rules are clear on this and if you go in with both feet, studs showing, you're going to get a red. The derby lived up to it's reputation with a red card being shown every 2 games. My only regret is that Cahill didn't get his head kicked in, the way Kuyt almost did when unibrow swung his foot into his face after the whistle had gone. Good to see Agger come to the fore after Anichibe shoved Stevie in the chest. Reina was also spotted amongst those in the scuffle. I don't condone violence but I still think it's a positive because it showed solodarity amongst the lads.

All in all I think our star performers were Dirk Kuyt who worked tirelessly upfront making a nuisance of himself at every opportunity, Mascherano being himself (anyone remember the two important tackles he made in the box in the space of 10 seconds?) and Insua for keeping Pienaar rather quiet. In general I think the whole backline has to be given credit for keeping Everton at bay especially after Kyrgiakos got sent off and we had to play for just under and hour with 10 men. In contrast, Maxi Rodriguez was invisible and I'm surprised he wasn't taken out sooner. Many were excited when we signed him but let's put things in perspective. He had trouble getting into the first 11 at Atletico who aren't playing particularly well at the moment. Can't help but wonder if sales of the i-pad would be affected if they got Maxi as an ambassador.

On the contrary, this isn't a judgement call :-



Rather, it's both and observation and a fact. I personally feel people were getting a little too excited and expectations need to be managed. Some posters have a tendency to envision every player coming to the club to he our messiah. When I say "invisible" it isn't meant to be taken literally. Honestly, what else did he contribute with the exception of that 1-2 play you are referring to? Just because I felt he did nothing, doesn't mean I'm calling him a lemon. If I were to rate his performance in that game, I'd give him a 5 simply because he was by and large, unnoticed and seldom involved.

Here's a rating from goal.com



Guess I'm not as generous.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Feb 8 2010, 12:32 PM

Just to add, I like some posters here cannot help but scoff at comments suggesting that Aquilani wasn't used against Everton because the game was "too physical" for him. What is he? A bloody pansy? If it is really true, why the hell did we buy him anyway considering most English sides, are by nature, physical? Neither Lucas nor Benayoun are built like tanks are they?

Fitness and strength are mutually exclusive to a large degree. It's been awhile since he's returned from injury and been in training so I doubt it has anything to do with his fitness level.

Well that's the thing. Fernando Torres is a slight lad and gets kicked about every game. Heck if Drogba who I'm convinced has a low threshold for pain can take the beating, why can't our Italian Stallion?

The thing that irks me about our approach to games this season is in fact our constant use of two defensive midfielders, especially at home or against inferior opposition like Portsmouth. Why are we not setting out to pummel the opposition especially when we are at home? Arteta orchestrates their midfield but after just having returned to the game after 11 months, he clearly wasn't his usual self. In fact he may not have been used at all if unibrow didn't go off injured.

Having said all that, it's sad to know that there are people who feel we should be defensive at home against average competition.



I'd hate to think it's because the Italian's crap as well.

It is always more difficult for lone strikers to stand out, simply because when you are leading the line on your own, you will be closed down quickly and unless you have support, you will always be crowded out. You almost have to do all the dirty work up front, waiting for your mates to back you up. In most instances, lone strikers need to have it all, pace, strength and good ball control, something Torres has which is why he gets the goals he does even when he's alone. Can anyone think of another lone forward to gets as many goals as Torres?



The same was said of Xabi Alonso, that he took too much time on the ball and yet we used him extensively last season. If Aquaman is indeed slow, there's no better way to inspire him to think a little quicker than by throwing him into the thick of action, hoping he'll get kicked about a little Premiership games are generally played at a quicker pace and if Aquaman is laggard, why the heck did we buy him anyway?

I don't know much about Aquaman but from what little I've seen on youtube, he doesn't have much passing range and distribution isn't his forte. Rather, he appears to be the sort of player that can unlock defences by playing quick one-twos and bamboozling defenders with his deft touches rather than the type who sits back, orchestrating play from deep, which is why I'm surprised by comments indicating that he needs a lot of time on the ball. If you look at the following links, he appears to be to sort of guy who can instinctively pick out a teammate honing down on goal, and he has a good shot from 20-25 yards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABOHXAGWR0A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll3uUC2wpvA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImEMdudEJFs&feature=related

You are right which is why I keep harping on the fact that we still aren't playing good consistent football which I feel is the bigger picture. You don't need team of superstars to win the league, in fact it's probably easier not to have to deal with all the massive egos. A player may win you a game or two over the course of a season, but in the long run, you need a good team even if it consists of only average players. The lads have shown glimpses of brilliance but that all tends to disappear when teams up the tempo and press us.

I'm a little confused over the Babel situation. On one hand, I do think he has the most room for improvement. He has the physical attributes; strength, pace, power and skill but is lacking in the football IQ department. There's been talk about N'Gog's ability to hold up the ball but I've seen occasions where Babel shields the ball brilliantly using his strength to keep his opponent at bay.

The twitter incident was a mistake and he's apologised for it but as a human being, I can empathise with his situation. He has been behind the pegging order even with Reira out. Rafa has constantly preferred using Aurelio or switching Benayoun to the left. It can be frustrating when you are selected behind a defensive player in an offensive role.

I'm not convinced he's been given sufficient opportunities. He is often used only as a sub, coming on for the last 10 - 15 mins of a game. Not much a player can do to influence a game in that time especially when teams are closing shop at the back and we're chasing a game.

If he really did have no potential, why hasn't Rafa accepted the first bid that's come in for him? On the contrary, Rafa had said he wants Babel to stay. We got him for some $11.5 million and we've turned down an $8 million offer from Birmingham. Maybe Rafa's hoping he has a good World Cup and someone comes in with a bigger bid?

I don't know if posters are writing him off. It's more a case of wondering why he isn't being played. Criticism at him not being tough enough isn't aimed directly at him. It's aimed at comments from Rafa indicating that he isn't ready for physical matchups. This led to some of us questioning why we bought him in the first place since the Premier League is one of the most physical around? It isn't just the Everton game. Nothing to do with writing him off.

There isn't a doubt that we're on a good run and with 2-3 key players out no less. That being said, we also got our best results over the mancs without either Torres or Gerrard on the side, or both. Playing two defensive mids may be working of late, but it certainly didn't before that. I still find it hard to fantom that we only managed a single point against Fiorentina and Lyon over 4 games and we lost to Portsmouth who are playing really crappy football. To me it just reflects our mentality going into games, especially at home where we expect to dig our claws into our opponents, and not set out as though we are afraid to lose.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Feb 10 2010, 09:49 AM

If you ask me, we've been playing ugly football for some time now

Stumbled out of bed at 4am half expecting us to get creamed but I have to admit that while we weren't getting forward much, we didn't allow Arsenal much room either. It was a by and large a cagy first half and Rafa must have been well pleased that Reina hardly had to do a thing. Few points to note.

Starting Lineup
I was honestly surprised to see Maxi starting on the left. Like I've said time and time again, he hasn't seen much playing time this season and was struggling to find his form even before we signed him. It doesn't look at though he has regained it and for most of the game, did nothing right. Yes yes I can already hear posters going, "it's too soon to judge him" and I do agree, however I still have to call his performance like it is. Was Riera injured? Is Babel all that bad that he can't get a start ahead of a player who can't get into a side in the bottom half of the La Liga?

Back Four
Put in a decent shift if I'm to be honest. Skrtel accounted well for himself with some good reading of the game although his slip in the box was almost punished by Rosicky was it? Agger at least bothered to try to play the ball from the back by venturing forward especially in the second half. It was always going to be a struggle for Caragher with Arsenal's pace out wide and perhaps the strain of having to keep up with them is what caused his groin injury. When Carragher leaves the field, you know it's something serious. This is the same Jamie Carragher that suffered cramp in both legs while clearing goalmouth threats deep into extra time against AC Milan in Istanbul. It is the same Jamie Carragher that refused to leave the pitch after getting his leg broken by Lucas Neil because he felt he'd be letting his team down. Insua had a decent enough game although his decision to play the ball instead of clearing it while under pressure inside the box almost proved costly. The lad should work on developing his right foot. Philip Degen had an absolutely disastrous game, twice getting caught out after going forward. It just shows that you need a good head to decide when you do go up. How many times did Agger get caught out? Exactly.

David N'Gog
It can be said that his main asset his is pace but when playing up front alone against two quick centrebacks in Gallas and Vermaelen, he was never going to get away very often although the one time he did, he spurned his chance. I noticed posters talking about how well he holds the ball up but instead of replying immediately, I chose to take a closer look over the past 3 or so games and noticed that he doesn't shield the ball particularly well. In fact, I think Ryan Babel does a better job of it. The latters main failing is his lack of ability to spot a teammate, preferring instead to take on the entire defence by himself. However, I thought Babel did a pretty good job when he came on but as I said before, it's hard for a player to make an impact when you bring him on near the death and when your opponent has 10 men back.

I somewhat symphatise with all the strikers we've signed. We all knew that Rafa very rarely fields a pair of strikers up front with Mista leading the line most of the time. That being said, how many strikers do you know do a good job upfront alone week in, week out? Fernando Torres is one of those because he is quite possibly, a complete striker, with good strength, good football intelligence, a good burst of pace, good skill on the ball and he's pretty decent in the air as well. Pity the likes of Robbie Keane and Craig Bellamy when they were fielded alone. Reminds me of how Houllier expected Jari Litmanen to lead the line by himself

Diving & Cheating
I've already said I call it like I see it, and I have to say that Stevie was constantly looking for a freekick which left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I forget? Did Eboue get kicked in his head or his knee by Maxi? Did he get kicked at all? If memory serves me, he went down holding his knee, definitely not his head. The Rivaldo syndrome?

Did Agger trip Bendtner? Well if you ask me, Dagger stuck his leg in and made no initial contact, Bendtner then went down expecting contact and his trailing leg caught Agger's so by that reckoning, he was already on his way down when they made contact. No foul to me, but I've seen them given nonetheless.

Did Fabregas handle on the line? No.1 - he had his hand above his head which is a no-no by the rule book. No.2 contact was made when his back foot was on the line, indicating he was inside the box = penalty.

All in all, it was a bitter sweet results.

Sweet = Spurs lost, and Villa drew which means Man City will benefit in the race for 4th if they get all 3 pts.
Sweet = Arsenal's win means they have a chance of spoiling it for the mancs. Yes, anyone but the mancs for me.

Bitter = Chelsea lost meaning the mancs close the gap by another point.
Bitter = 0 points for us, meaning the hill to 4th place just got steeper.

The rules dictate that you cannot raise your hands above your head even if it is to protect your good looks. Looking at the replay, the ball struck his hand as it was above his head, not over his face. The only contention is whether or not he was in the box. After viewing the replay, it is my interpretation that his back foot was on the line, indicating he was inside the box, according to the rules. I don't usually nitpick and even if it wasn't a penalty, it was surely an infringement.

Here is my response to recent posts :-

Neil Mellor I'll always remember for his vital goal against Olympiacos back in 2005, and his swerving left footed winner against Arsenal.

Babel as I've posted numerous times, I see as our most promising prospect and if he works on his football IQ, he'll be a great player.

N'Gog is nothing more than a squad player at the moment. We don't have much cover up-front and he's all we got though I'd like to see Babel being given a chance.

Lucas is nothing more than a squad player at the moment as well. Has the work ethic but not the talent unfortunately. Will this change? Maybe but still I have to call it like I see it. No point in mincing words or sugar coating my observations.

No need to be so polite lah

Lucas = Fletcher? Hmm... Lucas can't pass a ball 5 yards. I'd like to see him get forward more but it seems Rafa doesn't share the same opinion as I do. I've a feeling Lucas will play a more prominent role in an advanced position merely because he won't have to pass the ball 30-40 yards from the back.

He was captain of the Brazilian U-21 side and was a revelation at Gremio. Also, he came with the reputation of being a box-to-box type player but has been resigned to playing a defensive role which leads me to believe that he'll play better in a more advanced position.

Having said all that, not many U-21 players become the finished article. It isn't guaranteed that he'll be a star. If you look at former U-21 stars like Marcelo Zalayeta, who is now 32, who has had a decent but not outstanding career, and who has an average goals to appearances ratio at best, you'll note that not too attain star status. Just add, how many South American's have stood out in the EPL? Ossie Ardiles, Juninho...?

Not being pessimistic, just stating the facts.

I would like to see Babel given a start. I think he's been decent in recent games he's played. City aren't going to sit back as they are hungry for a Champions League spot and beating us will effectively be 6 points gained. With that in mind, there will be space for someone like Babel to work in, and he thrives in such situations. The problem is we've mostly been bringing him on when we are behind and teams are defending deep. I think he'll be a good outlet for us against City. I'm not sure if he'll start against City but I definitely think he should be in the lineup when we go to Romania next.

It's been bugging me for quite some time now. I know football like everything else is globalised now, but I think it's important to have a couple of local lads in the team. Scousers are a proud and passionate bunch and it's no surprise that both Carra and Gerrard wear their hearts on their sleeves. You can buy talent but you cannot buy heart and I shudder to think who'd spur the team on when both Carra and Stevie retire.

I got my wish. Babel started but he was often crowded out on the flank. It's been all too predictable I'm afraid, and I'm talking about the way we play. While under Mourinho, Chelsea were criticised for being too narrow and it appears, we're the opposite. While was have Insua and Carragher willingly coming forward to support reinforce the attack down the flanks, we simply have no penetration in the middle. Each time we get the ball down either side, players end up pulling the ball back, holding up play, eventually distributing it back towards our goal. Why? Simply because there isn't anyone to aim for in the middle. Even when Kuyt was playing upfront, he frequently came out wide to receive the ball. Lucas tried to offer some support from midfield and his touches were mostly poor and he constantly came in 2nd best when going in for loose balls. Mascherano's distribution from the back couldn't match his tenacity unfortunately. Babel was innefective while Maxi was yet again, invisible. Agger had an error strewn match as he lost possession in key areas twice. I reckon our best players were Pepe who pulled off a good save from Adebayor, and Skrtel who recovered well to poke the ball out as it looked like the lanky forward had gotten away from him.

Sadly, we only mustered a shot on goal by my count, despite having a number of corners.

Come on, we didn't play well but to say last night's game was the worst you've seen is a little bit of a stretch. We definitely played worse against Portsmouth, a side that can't buy a win at the moment and has an apalling record at home. Still we contrived to muster only one shot on goal and conceeded two. My pick for worse game of the season.

I thought we did fine but came up short in the final third. I expected to be pegged back for most of the game against a City side brimming with quality but was pleasantly surprised we managed to get forward as often as we did in the first half. It was only in the second half that the home side picked up the pace a little and forced us into giving away posession cheaply.

I'm not going to disagree that we've by an large, been piss poor this season. It's the reason we had a big cyber war amongst ourselves not too long ago isn't it? Still the comment you've just replied to is with reference to the game against Man City alone. I do share your sentiment however when it comes to our season in general. Unlike last season, I just don't see us coming from behind even against relegation candidates. When substitutions are made, it looks more out of hope than belief. The way we are playing, I keep hoping for a draw even if it is against opposition from lower divisions. Anyone betting against us being eliminated from Europe all together in Romania next week?

Which incident was this? I only remember Agger giving him a nudge.