We need to start scoring one of only 2 or 3 easy chances we'll get under Roy's system...but we don't really have any proven finishers.
That's not as simple to digest as I thought it would of been at 12:30. For the most part, we played pretty well and certainly gave a good account for ourselves. Nobody expected anything and we got nothing, but it wasn't for the want of trying. Pedro, Cucho, Kucka (twice) had some real good chances to score today, much to be given to Liverpool's rather sloppy overall performance. Our ball retention today though was abysmal. When we did have a chance to make something happen, it hit a red shirt or was passed into space with no clue how to get up the pitch. That is something that has to be improved on. As for the goals, well the first came about I feel due to the fact Cucho had almost shot us into the lead - the back line switched off and Kabasele and Samir just ball watched as Foster got nowhere near it. I'll go into the second in a bit. Clearly the game plan today was to concede as few as possible and prepare for the next few games which can still define where we end up this season. Sarr may as well of not been on the pitch today - it was like playing with ten men most of the game, when he did get forward, his thought of passing was wayward and he lost possession a lot of the time. Could be weary after playing for Senegal, but he needs to be better in the run in. Pedro had our chance of the game, and to be fair should of scored. He had the time to weigh up his options but chose the wrong one. As for Kucka, well a lot was discussed on the SB about his performance. He does get forward, he does create a chance for himself - but he cannot finish. He was one on one today and still spooned the chance to score. He is one of our oldest players, but that is no excuse for Roy to continually pick him and play him for 90+ mins when we can all see his legs go after 45. Was it fatigue that gave Liverpool the second then? Not sure but grabbing Jotta's shirt when the ball wasn't even in direct flight is almost unforgivable. It was a penalty all day long, and on the balance of play perhaps 2-0 flatters them a little as they did have a host of other chances. Salah was especially wasteful today which was odd. Roy took too long to make the subs again, and when we did, they looked to be the wrong ones. Kuka should of been hooked at HT and then perhaps we would of only lost 1-0, but then again Dennis did not exactly cover himself in glory today either, trying to nutmeg a Liverpool player halfway inside our half. Overall though - it could of been a lot worse than it was scoreline wise. 2-0 is respectful considering the opposition today, and now we move on to Leeds in what is a massive game for us. If results go our way today, then losing one of our free-hits won't feel so bad after this weekend - but it's gone now, and we have to look back on a game that we were never really out of till a slack piece of play from a player who should be nowhere near the side yet along still on the pitch.
Hodgson and Lewington should be shot for the decision that left Kucka on the pitch after the subs. Cleverley on, fine, because he needed to replace Kucka of course. EVERY supporter knows that Kucka is only capable of playing 70 mins max at best. His passing, woeful earlier, becomes abysmal and the stupid foul count accelerates. He looks like no oxygen is getting to his brain so he acts from instinct, f***king stupid instinct. Do Roy and Roy close their eyes and not bother to watch him in training. I predicted a calamity from him 2 mins before the pen and I don't reckon I needed to be Mystic Meg to call that. Mind you we've seen about 4 or 5 of those rugby tackle non pens recently so although it was obviously a penalty I expected the usual rules to apply. But hey this is Anfield and that's Attwell so nothing changes. From chances it was just about a 1-1 game amazingly but the delay on the subs that Roy seemed oblivious to and the fact that the team were sitting back waiting for the changes killed us. To leave the clueless Slovakian on was madness. That inept management just boiled my p*** today!
If results go our way this weekend then it isn't too bad, but if they go against us it's done and dusted before the run of "winnable" games
I think the fans sealed our fate once they didn't cheer Roy's subs. King, Cleverley and Dennis offering nothing them when they came on was a direct result of a lack of endorsement from the fans, both at the game and online.
We played pretty well, today is essentially a non event rather than a thrashing that ruins what remains of our confidence, so I guess that’s a positive? The penalty is probably correct as per the rules, but it’s absurd that a tussle nowhere near the ball that has no bearing on procedures leads to one team being given an almost certain goal. That’s not the intent of the existence of penalties. Find some home form an we have a sniff... let’s see how we get on in those games.
Never stop GD. I don't even care anymore but I'm just keeping my hand in on the Forum so I remember to check @reg_varney 's bargain hunt thread.
I kinda get what he means, is that what VAR is really for? An incident that Jota barely appealed for, the rest of the Liverpool didn’t, according to Roy, Klopp didn’t ask for it and he’s a moany ****. It also had no bearing on the corner, all that equals a virtually unopposed shot on goal from 12 yards? That’s like getting a year in jail for doing 33 in a 30 zone.
To be honest most of this is a little bit over the top. He isn't brilliant but he was okay today up until the hour mark and he that has nothing to do with ability it is more his age and fitness levels.
I was amazed that Kucka stayed on and Louza was hooked as every Watford fan knows that Kucka has about 70 mins in him at best, but apparently our manager does not seem to know that? However, I don't entirely agree with the slagging Kucka is getting as for the first 60/70 mins he did OK, but for the final 20/30mins he was ****ed, Therefore our manager was mainly at fault for his performance over that period as Roy should have hooked him instead of Louza.
Good performance. Only a narrow defeat really. Officials always looking to add to it as they do. Those challenges happen during every corner and are never looked at…..until it suits of course. I’m sure we should have had several of those decisions as well. That level if cheating will never stop, but it is what it is. Has been the case for years and will never change. If we continue with that level of performance for the remaining games, we have a very good chance of getting some positive results. Not all officials will engineer events against us, and we have to believe that some of them will be honest. I still think we'll stay up, and today enforces that.....as long as we get honest decisions from officials. That's the only thing that really concerns me in all this.
Agreed 100%. Another week, another 0 points certainly cements our position as favourites to survive the drop. COYH!
Good performance really and better than I expected. Not the worst way to sign off playing at Anfield for a few years. Better than a total drubbing.
Had that been the other way round, there would have been no chance that pen. would have been awarded to Watford.
We did ok overall, but the defending for the first goal was as bad as ever as he was allowed a free run into the box. Kucka conceded the late penalty which was harsh, but to be fair we did create a few chances. Pedro had our best chance, should of scored with half the goal to aim at. Kucka also had a one on one, Cucho almost fired us in front. We were not disgraced. Next game is massive.
Yep..! I hate this theory that lethargic skilful looking players are what's needed, when it's much much important (outside the 8) to have energetic players that can give a strong 90 minutes. (so a mooney/wooter hybrid effectively). Cucho gets my vote he will be a very good player for us going forward. It's always been a big conundrum to me that you can look at two similar players on the pitch, one moves around effortlessly and seems to cover every blade of grass whilst another (like cleverly) look like a schoolboy player and has to dig deep to chase about the pitch in desperation.?
Cold on court. My eight year old girl has nearly mastered pronation when serving. Snowed at 2.30pm. Pleasantly surprised we didn't receive our usual drubbing but academic as most accept. No reply from Mr P. Numerous emails from the club regarding season ticket renewal. I shall reply when Mr P does. Come on Mill Wall.
Good to hear. Didn't expect anything from this so hearing that we weren't terrible is a relief. As you say, next game is massive. Praying Everton lose tomorrow.