Just messing with the English trying to get them to spell Irish names…
1 Like
Well, 0-0 and Atalanta behind is good. Thought we started off brilliantly and the tempo went down a bit allowing Ajax to get into. Credit to our back 5 though. Neco having a solid game. Matip and Fab at right place more often than not and Kelleher doing the job when called upon. The passes in the final third could certainly improve and there were some moments we could have been clear through had we played first time as the pass was on.
Glad Robbo is fine, scared everyone a bit. Think the ref has been decent IMO as well, was never a red card. Let’s get this one out without any fuss and injuries please.
1 Like
quick thoughts: the three forwards are jut not making not the right decisions in the final third especially jota, gotta move the ball quicker, thus salahs frustration (now he knows how it feels like when he doesnt make that pass to the open man). mane as usual having a good game even with a good defender on him. Curtis is good but keep it simple. Neco not good enough for this level but he is still young. Keeper has been solid, not really challenged much though
2 Likes
HT 0-0:
Good game to be fair. Both sides try to bravely create attacking moves. No speculation there. Our lads have had a slight edge so far in terms of sharper counter-attacking moves. Jones could have scored a wonderful goal, and at times, the opening was there, only for one of our lads to make the wrong decision for the final ball.
I wonder how the game will pan out in terms of physical freshness. Some of our lads played a little more than 72 hours ago. Will they cope? How will Ajax cope with the quick rhythm of the game?
It’s an intriguing match, and it’s difficult to pick out who will win this. Maybe the sides will settle with a point each after a while, who knows… fingers crossed that our lads can stay solid at the back, and take one or two of their chances more clinically than until now, fingers crossed!
2 Likes
We’ve sat back, seem happy to be a counter attacking side here - which makes sense for energy conservation, having a new goalkeeper (who isn’t as quick or athletic as Alisson) and that we are basically through with a point.
Ajax are nice to watch on the ball mostly in their own half though. Haven’t created anything of substance yet apart from a little clip into Klaasen which wasn’t all that close (at best a half chance) and a long range shot which I’m more than happy with them taking.
We look capable on the break. Shurrs has done well on a couple of occasions but Mane beat him a few times towards the end of the half and now he’s on a tight rope with that yellow card and consistently being the last man. With Jota, Salah and Mane there’s always that chance you can break through at a moment’s notice.
Overall I’m happy with that half. Kelleher has been protected well and the deep set up makes a lot of sense. Avoid defeat and that would more or less guarantee our progress.
3 Likes
They don’t really need to win. Even if they lose here, if they beat Atalanta, they go through with a better head to head record
1 Like
We’re missing that Bobby link play.
1 Like
We started well but after half an hour most of them look fucked. Just got to try and grind it out. I’d swap out Robbo for Tsimikas and Mané for Bobby and get Jota on the left.
1 Like
Which game are you watching? Think he has been perfect…wish we had him every week
3 Likes
Good for you I don’t.
I’m glad they taped Robbo’s foot back on.
3 Likes
4 goals is looking slimmer and slimmer for me…sigh 
1 Like
I can’t say it enough Salah has to step his game up.
1 Like
True but Jota does seem better from the left and Mane looks dead on his feet. Im thinking of the weekend as much as this game. We can come back to qualify even from a loss but we cant afford many more league losses this early in the season
1 Like
We win this game. We’re having more penetration than Ajax, but some of our lads look dog tired, surprise surprise, bring on Cilla.
2 Likes
That will be a shitty position to be in, given how thin our squad already is. We have a golden opportunity now and about and going through tonight would actually help us in league long term than banking on that last game.
Get Origi on!
1 Like
That would be the ultimate surprise surprise!
1 Like
Ajax need the win, we’ve got pace up front. We’ve allowed Ajax the ball and stepped off them till they enter our half. Then we’re looking for a quick ball to the front.
Ref allowing a lot of shoulder barges and tugging, but this means we should adapt and do the same to Ajax. At times we’re slow to react to a ref’s style.
Our young keeper is much more comfortable on the ball than Adrian, and this helps the team not having to worry about how to pass back to him.
Yeah, I am really wondering as to where the ref has made a single clear mistake. Haven’t seen a single mistake from the ref, so if this is so bad, I wonder what good would be ? A ref who gives Liverpool easy free kicks and never to Ajax perhaps ?
1 Like