It’s my biggest complaint with the game in general. Protocol exists to protect players from serious injury. Players immediate game it for competence advantage. Shithouse is bang on.
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Well deserved 3 points. Good to see Keita and Milner back. With Fabinho and Jota returning
it will give us a big boost for a top 4th finish.
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Agreed. I thought we played well. The only thing that was missing was ruthlessness in front of goal. It could have been five or six for us, and in fairness, one to them. But otherwise, we controlled the match, and had plenty of chances.
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Leicester dropped three points. Man Utd and Chelsea dropped two. All rivals for top four. Therefore getting a win on the board was important for our own top four prospects.
Three points. Job done. Even in the face of more changes.
Need to dig deep to try to get a result against Chelsea. Not impossible, but a tough assignment with players we have available. Win that and top four will look very promising. Lose and it gets a bit harder again. Touch and go, even. Draw and we all see it as decent, not great, but move on…
I’m actually proud of our boys, even more than when everything was going well. The injuries have been extraordinary. Digging deep to fight for that top four is pleasing to see, especially after a few iffy results.
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Ampadou set me off raging. Twice he went down faking a head injury.
Otherwise pretty good game 3 points and a clean sheet.
To add to the Kabak discussion, you could tell he is noticeably weaker with his left foot. So the question is for next season, do we keep him because he’s cheap and has potential or if we are looking for a new CB, shouldn’t the priority would be a left footed one? He certainly doesn’t get ahead of VVD, Gomez or Matip when all are fit.
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Much needed win…
As a side note. These games must be used to evaluate players for next season. And we have a few holes to fill… And there probably won’t be much money available to do so.
One of them is a need for a goal scoring midfielder. And instead of buying one. I’m wondering if Curtis Jones can evolve into that… Hasn’t scored much. But he is attack minded. And Will only get better.
Another question, can Naby stay fit to be able to be the Gini replacement. Assuming there is no set backs with the Defense returning from their injuries. And all Mids back in midfield. The core in Midfield would be Henderson, Fabinho, Jones, Naby, Thiago, Milner. (probably room for one more addition to core though)
Its early for Kabak. But I’m already fine with us not keeping him after this loan expires. We need to bring in someone good enough to challenge Gomez for his spot next to Virgil. And that’s not going to be Kabak.
I also have a soft spot for Nat. And would like if we kept him.
Giving us Vvd, Gomez, New CB, Matip, Nat
and Davies.
Even with Jota back. Need to add a forward as Firmino has taken a step back. And I think he will continue to do so.
Sorry for turning this into a who to buy?
But seeing Jones performance today. Etc. Shows with a couple astute signings for next season. We will be able to challenge once again for the PL title.
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I definitely see Jones and Keita competing for the position that sits in front of the other 2 CMs and supporting the attack across the line. Firstly, I do not think they have the stamina and discipline to play the way Gini and Hendo can. Secondly, they are better in those areas. That is why I think if Gini goes, we need to buy someone as a replacement, and plus Fabinho, Hendo, Thiago and Milner, we have a very good, if not world class, midfield.
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glad to get the deserved 3 points, wasn’t easy for the lads after the recent run of playing good to well but coming away with nothing, plus the injuries situation and constantly changing of the team. Hope this is a start to no more losses
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“When fit” is the key thing. Matip is a fantastic player but the only thing we can look forward to when he plays is his next injury. Gomez doesn’t have the best injury record for a young player and the best indicator of future injury is past injury.
That leaves Virg and whilst I’m hoping that he will be back to his former world class form there is no guarantee of that or his future fitness.
We have seen Kabak for a month now and I think he has potential but so do a few of our younger players. We do still have a couple of months to assess him but I think we need another first choice CB.
They tuck Trent Alexander-Arnold in to both Nathaniel Phillips and Ozan Kabak. They push Andy Robertson up and use Curtis Jones around him. Mohamed Salah stretches the other flank and suddenly Enda Stevens and George Baldock have a decision to make in terms of whether they go or stay. Sadio Mané is also very deep and central at times.
His kicking is better than Alissons but you alway feel theres an error in him but bar one little glitch he was solid.
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Yes, the incident in the first half, when Thiago collided with Ampadou. He fell to floor holding his head, but when you see the replay there was no contact with his head, it was his shoulder. It’s cheating, plain and simple, to break up the play and to get opposing players either booked or sent off.
Unfortunately, this behaviour is very prevalent in the game now and needs to be stamped out. But referees are so twitchy about head injuries, they immediately stop the game when a player screams and goes to ground. I also believe some coaches actively encourage players to do it.
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I think its coz they kicked the shit out of him… On the sly…and still no fouls.
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Delighted with the win. Curtis obvious MOTM. A lot of O.K. performances but few really good ones however a step in the right direction.
I think those getting excited about having 2 cb`s playing centre back will be disappointed come Thursday when Fab is back as surely he will be in at CB again. Kabak and Phillips will not be good enough against Chelsea.
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It’s not referees being twitchy. There is a protocol that dictates the game is stopped, regardless of who has possession or the discretion of the referee, in the event of a head injury.
Those protocols exist because head injuries are serious and need immediate urgent attention.
Players who game this are selfish cunts. Simple as that. They are endangering the wellbeing of their fellow professionals.
I’d like an eight game ban for any player found to be faking a head injury for a tactical or sporting advantage. It’s that ethically wrong.
Otherwise we go back to the days when a player could lie concussed on the pitch for two minutes before medical help could reach them.
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I noticed that during the game…all to stop our flow of play…cheats from start to finish…
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I’m fully aware that head injuries can be serious and require attention. But thank you for reminding me anyway.
I agree, players need to be banned for feigning injury, but it won’t happen.
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We did play well. As we did against Leipzig, West Ham, Tottenham and Leicester (for 70 minutes). Amazingly, it’s at Anfield where we turn into zombies. Playing a good game away and turning into complete shit for the next game at home has become a pattern. That’s why we shouldn’t get carried away after another good performance on the road albeit against a Championship side that still created openings.
We need to become far more consistent on every level. The Chelsea game is absolutely crucial in more ways than one.
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I know that’s the theme of conversation round here right now and there were a few things missed in the game but the ice packs are something all together different to be honest. He also looked absolutely knackered at the end when he came off. He had put a good shift in.
I’m guessing that its a precautionary thing but for what would be interesting to know.
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