#TAWMAG6 Russell Brand features on one of the covers
Neil as joined by Andy Gargett, Phil Blundell and Rob Gutmann as they reflect on a fantastic, yet worthless performance at Manchester City.
Download Issue 6 of #TAW Monthly via iTunes
PODCAST – THE MASONIC ORDER
by The Anfield Wrap | Dec 27, 2013 | Podcast | 9 comments
No one wants to upset this new midfield dynamic. So what do we do when Gerrard comes back? (I’m not going into the Gerrard midfield debate).
The solution is in another problem: we are poor defensively, particularly at set pieces even though we have 6/7 center backs none are outstanding. Rodgers wants center backs who can play, re-cycle the ball, good in the air, read the game quicker than everyone else, experienced, big and powerful……… Gerrard.
P.S
Good title by the way. ;)
The Gerrard issue seems to be occupying so many at the moment and I see that you don’t want to get into that too much.
But for the benefit of those who think he should be running around like a 2 year old or lose his place just look at the modern game.Players are now conditioned to race full pelt over short distances.Flat out at speeds that would make Olympic sprinters feel comfortable yet these players are controlling a football as they run.But how often do you see them outstrip the opposition as they race from their own penalty area only for their legs to get heavier and heavier as they get close to the opposition goal?
Gerrard’ s game Isn’t about this.Just take a closer look next time.He spots players out of position or homes in on a player who’s a bit uncomfortable or off form.He plays passes into that area to capitalise on the situation.
It was a great team effort at City.Poor decisions from the officials apart,the game was crying out for the kind of contribution that Gerrard regularly provides.That with his leadership might well have won us the game.
I don’t think anyone in their right mind would deny that. In light of how we’ve played though, in the last 3 games since his injury, who would you drop for Gerrard? I think that’s the issue. Lucas, Henderson and Allen look good together. Gerrard is better than all of them but I’m wondering if Gerrard plus 2 of the 3 makes the 3 of them stronger as a unit or if the current 3 are stronger. I’m leaning towards the dynamics of JH, JA and LL being better. We’ll have the same conundrum when Sturridge is fit.
Simple really, I’d play him at right back and move Johnson to the left.
Number of points on the Coutinho discussion:
1. Most basic point is that this season his key chances per game created is actually up on last season but these chances have not been taken. Sterling, Suarez and Johnson all guilty of some poor misses.
2. Against City and Everton I thought he was simply asked to play a lot more wide and be a lot more disciplined. He is naturally going to missing for periods and have less options when he does get on the ball.
3. The point about his best games being against weaker teams away from home ring true for obvious reasons. He didn’t start vs Hull, had to come off vs Swansea (he was our best player that day imo) and missed the Newcastle and Sunderland games. And then I thought he was boss against Tottenham. We’ll see him step it up second half of the season.
Toure and Sakho are the only untested combination left in the realm of mathematical possibility. After pounding his thunderous fists upon the Earth over an error like some god of Norse mythology, Toure has seen his valuation drop precipitously. He may not represent the future of the club, but I still rate him for bringing a stability and leadership to the back. And Sakho – very much the future of the club – seems something of an elemental force all his own.
The Gerrard conundrum, as scientists now refer to the problem, would seem simple in slotting him in Sterling’s place for the initial 60. The midfield three are a unit and should be left untouched, like a classic black-and-white film. Gerrard can ping his crosses and shoot from distance, freed from major defensive duties to enjoy his golden years.
And I have to say, entirely from a sense of narrative aesthetic, I’d love to see Mourinho’s former pupil end the master’s 69 match-long streak without a loss at home.
Goes without saying we looked better once Mikel came on for Lampard and that we were worth a lot more than 0 points over both those games at the homes of the best squads in the league by a mile. Would be 4 points better off with competent refereeing. But with all the positivity I can muster out of the way:
The myth of ‘country’s best ref’ Howard Webb grates (he summed up English officiating well during the last World Cup final when he shit the bed). I at least expect it from Mason and Dowd. Disappointed in BR for saying Webb was “excellent today” particularly after he hit it out the park in his post-City interviews. In what way does Suarez getting fouled in the box (twice) with no pen and Eto’o studding Hendo on the knee without a yellow constitute “excellent today”?
All due respect to Brad Smith but I thought Rodgers had more of a point overplaying Suso and Sterling last year to the possible detriment of results than throwing a lad in cold today. Thought Cissokho was hard done by to be dropped after City to be honest, especially with Johnson still starting as the only natural FB when even a Johnson fan like me would say he’s been way off recently.
After the game Mourinho was Mourinho and his post-game thoughts aren’t worth comment, Hazard was Hazard, but I thought Willian was tremendous; better than I thought he’d be because his tracking back was like a Milner but with the flair you’d expect as well.
Anyway, we’ll be back to battering rubbish soon enough.
One point that weren’t brought up:
Sterling needs to be more cynical in defense – City’s 2nd goal would have been prevented by a tactical foul on Silva…..given it is late, right before half time, it needs to be done!
City showed how to do it what Zabaleta laid out Coutinho on the break in the 2nd half, yellow card and job done, city got their players back in balance…..
Good podcast again boys!
Blithely tipping a win at Chelsea seems a bit naive, lads. Around 70 consecutive unbeaten home Prem games, under Mourinho. We weren’t just beaten, either, we were outclassed and over-powered by them. When I was watching that game, I felt that I was watching this year’s champions and it wasn’t us.