Cocacolajojo wrote:Amongst the Liverpool obsessed bollocks, Ratboy showed how well our back 4 operated as a unit. Demi, imo, dropped a few bollocks, but he fits in that machine in a way Nastasic never has. That is my only concern re Mangala: if he doesn't get it, we will suddenly start shipping more goals.
What's your take on our defensive set up Ted? I feel there's a lot more individual errors now than say at the end of last season but at the same time, there's always someone else there to bail anyone else out (bar MDM for their goal yesterday). Kompany for example went astray a few times but there was always someone there to take his place, often Fernando but also Zabs, so it didn't matter and if it was something they'd trained for, it actually worked as Kompany on all occassions pushed the ball holding Liverpool player away from the defense. There also seems to be more Titus Bramble-esque defending, I.E. centre backs pushing even higher up individually, than last year. I mean it could all just be chaos and undisciplined defending, but it could also be how the Count wants us to play. What's your take?
I think it's very encouragng because you have to compare it more to the start of last season, rather than the end. Last season we were getting turned over by Cardiff. Everyone has been away, some are barely match fit at all. I mean only last week, we were talking about whether it's right to risk Kompany & Demichelis or if we had to go with the dodgeball duo. Zabba another not 100%, Yaya looks like he's been sat in an armchair eating cake. We were playing vs the champions. Yet we conceded few chances first half. 2nd half they had to attack so we opened up went toe to toe & tore them a new arsehole.
First half, looking at it from side on; apart from a couple of dozy moments, whatever the back 4 did individually, they were quickly back in a line & any pass which was going to breach that, had to be perfect in timing & accuracy, plus the run had to be perfect. (Then you had to get past Fernando who fills the holes & is like a 2nd Vinny around the box.) There is a lot of talk about Liverpool 'dominating' the game but imo, they always made sure they had 8,9, players behind the ball, a man extra in midfield & hoped we would come out & get caught on the break. We pushed players forward (some of whom don't get back) but when Liverpool broke at pace, they kept hitting this line & couldn't get behind it. They barely created a sniff of a scoring chance. The obvious run into the centre that Sterling always makes, which catches everyone out, was covered every time. We didn't give away one central free kick in shooting range first half (another key Liverpool tactic) & only one 2nd half. For this early in the season; that is very impressive.
Individually, there were some careless moments (Demi looked a bit more like his 'old' self at times rather than his new self) but the system & Fernando, covered it. One time, Sterling got away from Clichy down the flank & Demi came flying in to cover, giving away a free kick. It was a good foul to make. But Mangala wouldn't be making that foul, he'd have the ball before Sterling got there.
That may be the next phase we will try to evolve; same thing but higher line, more pace to cover ? Managala has to learn the 'line' if it's to work though.
Liverpool don't have the inventiveness of a Hazard or Fabregas, & we may need a different tweak for that kind of player, but Liverpool are one of the teams who has caused us most problems defensively, with or without Suarez. First half, we had it all at arms length whilst still playing two upfront plus Cakey in midfield. Tactically we should have been at a disadvantage. But we stuck to our plan, & won.