I posted some time ago that the return of Paul Scholes was a little desperate and unlikely to be a success given he had faded some time before his retirement. Well I have been proved monumentally wrong! Scholes has been arguably the player of the season since his return and has been one of the main reasons for Man United pulling away from City in the title race (that and all the overpaid planks spitting their dummies out of course).
His ability to pick out a pass is of course beyond the comprehension of most and he seems to have been utilised very well in a slightly deeper role where he can dictate the whole shape of the game in the manner that Alonso did for Liverpool (before we annoyed him to the point where he wanted to leave so we could not sign Gareth Barry). He also seems to have refound his shooting boots after a dwindling goal record before his retirement. Maybe the guy was just in need of a rest I don't know, but even as an ardent Liverpool fan I have to admit I have enjoyed seeing him back in the league because he is quite simply, an outstanding footballer.
Friday, 20 April 2012
Technology etc
Ah technology, the never ending debate that goes through football...of course it doesn't have to anymore but that would involve FIFA updating anything...the ludicrous Chelsea 'goal' against Tottenham in the FA cup semi-final was just the latest example of the breathtaking stupidity of still fighting against using technology. On this particular goal by the way, I do have to comment on the poor refereeing by an official who has not exactly covered himself in glory this season. Often I defend refs in this situation because the job that they do is next to impossible and I don't blame them for getting decisions wrong, but on this occasion there was no need to award the goal. It was clearly guess work as no-one could possibly see it well enough and the Chelsea players didn't even appeal and let's face it if John Terry doesn't surround the ref you know something's fishy. In addition, there were people lying on the goaline and it hit them!
Anyway, that's kind of beside the point. The main crux of the technology argument for me is it doesn't even have to be that technical. The fourth official currently does little besides tick off managers for not being statues and holds up a board telling us how much stoppage time is to be added which whilst useful and important could quite easily be indicated by someone else. My argument is that the fourth official would be far more useful if he was sat in a box, watching the game on the TV with the ability to speak to the referee (they already have these devices).
Perhaps to explain my argument, it's actually best to argue against the usual defences of maintaining the status quo. 'It would slow the game down'. I'm sorry, it won't. Let's face it all that happens at the moment is the players surround the ref for a while and complain and by the time we've finished watching three replays they're still complaining. You can watch a replay that gives you the answer in about ten seconds flat so I believe that is a daft argument.
'It wouldn't be the same for people just playing in the park'. Erm...so what?! With respect to them, the top league followed by millions and the international tournaments are kind of a little more important sorry...'It would take out all the debate' is another one. Oh well wouldn't that be a shame if we all talked about football players and teams instead of bad refereeing decisions yes that would be such a bugger...
The only postscript to this I guess is that there does need to be a definite decision on which decisions could be affected by this. Well the amount of ludicrous red cards we've had, the number of daft penalties given when Ashley Young practices his vaulting, the number of phantom goals....tell you what how about the refs use common sense and any big decision he gets a little bit of help from someone watching a TV. One of the most farcical things I've ever seen was in the last World Cup when Harry Kewell was sent off for Australia in a daft decision and then watched the replay on the big screen with the ref, pointed out how wrong the decision was...but the ref still had to send him off. I rest my case.
Anyway, that's kind of beside the point. The main crux of the technology argument for me is it doesn't even have to be that technical. The fourth official currently does little besides tick off managers for not being statues and holds up a board telling us how much stoppage time is to be added which whilst useful and important could quite easily be indicated by someone else. My argument is that the fourth official would be far more useful if he was sat in a box, watching the game on the TV with the ability to speak to the referee (they already have these devices).
Perhaps to explain my argument, it's actually best to argue against the usual defences of maintaining the status quo. 'It would slow the game down'. I'm sorry, it won't. Let's face it all that happens at the moment is the players surround the ref for a while and complain and by the time we've finished watching three replays they're still complaining. You can watch a replay that gives you the answer in about ten seconds flat so I believe that is a daft argument.
'It wouldn't be the same for people just playing in the park'. Erm...so what?! With respect to them, the top league followed by millions and the international tournaments are kind of a little more important sorry...'It would take out all the debate' is another one. Oh well wouldn't that be a shame if we all talked about football players and teams instead of bad refereeing decisions yes that would be such a bugger...
The only postscript to this I guess is that there does need to be a definite decision on which decisions could be affected by this. Well the amount of ludicrous red cards we've had, the number of daft penalties given when Ashley Young practices his vaulting, the number of phantom goals....tell you what how about the refs use common sense and any big decision he gets a little bit of help from someone watching a TV. One of the most farcical things I've ever seen was in the last World Cup when Harry Kewell was sent off for Australia in a daft decision and then watched the replay on the big screen with the ref, pointed out how wrong the decision was...but the ref still had to send him off. I rest my case.
Monday, 16 April 2012
Andy Ruddy Carroll...
Well...what can I say. The player in the title is not my favourite as any readers will well know but two winning goals...he's still shite but at least he's done something now. I was pleased to see the back of Commolli, I couldn't help but be dubious that Kenny really wanted those over-priced, frankly not very good players and I share many English fans' concerns about the director of football role however it's termed.
Anyway 1-1 against Villa was disappointing, another typical display with domination, poor defending and missed chances. Still we got a point, but really should have won against a dismal Villa side.
Blackburn 2-3 Liverpool, regrettably I had to miss most of this thanks to work but managed to catch the end and Carroll's dramatic winner! A remarkable game by all accounts though and a gritty, hard earned win even if it was against a poor side. I've never been a Maxi fan but to give him his due he has scored his share of goals in recent times despite rarely appearing. Henderson had probably his best game so far although the competition is not fierce. And of course Carroll...
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
Well would you believe it he did it again! The miss of the century followed by a well taken goal although eclipsed by Suarez's sublime finish. Disastrous defending for the first goal of course, dear dear dear. It was a funny game and we weren't great in the first half but I thought we did very well in the second and deserved the win although Everton missed some good chances.
Anyway 1-1 against Villa was disappointing, another typical display with domination, poor defending and missed chances. Still we got a point, but really should have won against a dismal Villa side.
Blackburn 2-3 Liverpool, regrettably I had to miss most of this thanks to work but managed to catch the end and Carroll's dramatic winner! A remarkable game by all accounts though and a gritty, hard earned win even if it was against a poor side. I've never been a Maxi fan but to give him his due he has scored his share of goals in recent times despite rarely appearing. Henderson had probably his best game so far although the competition is not fierce. And of course Carroll...
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
Well would you believe it he did it again! The miss of the century followed by a well taken goal although eclipsed by Suarez's sublime finish. Disastrous defending for the first goal of course, dear dear dear. It was a funny game and we weren't great in the first half but I thought we did very well in the second and deserved the win although Everton missed some good chances.
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Oh dear
Well things aren't exactly going all that well lately. A dominant performance against QPR and a 2-0 lead somehow turned into a ten minute capitulation resulting in a dismal 3-2 defeat. There followed an utterly wretched home performance against Wigan and a 2-1 defeat and then an arguably equally bad display at Newcastle losing 2-0. Thankfully I wasn't able to watch any of these three games but clearly things are seriously wrong. That said, I stand by this: Kenny should not go. Every team has a poor run, and don't get me wrong this has been shocking in the exteme but sacking the boss is not always the solution. The fact is we overspent vastly on squad players: Henderson, Downing , Carroll and Adam have not worked basically because they're not good enough. In fairness to Downing, I can't fault his work ethic but the other three are just dire although Adam did better earlier in the season. I was watching Milan last night and when Aquilani came on I thought why on earth did we buy Adam when he is still our player?! Hey it's not good, but I do like the way we play under Dalglish and as I've said before there's no doubting we have dominated a lot of games this season and not got the results we should have done because of a lack of goals. We badly need a competent, preferably pacey striker in the Bellamy mould but younger and able to play week in week out. We also need creativity on the wings then we can look at a leap up the table. I never thought that the aforementioned disappointing players were going to win us the title or be the solution to our problems but I would love to know whether Kenny or Commolli were the real driving force behind those transfers. Let's not sack the boss, but let's get the right players.
Monday, 19 March 2012
Reports: Sunderland, Everton and Stoke
Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool
Thank the lord I wasn't able to watch a game. A shocking performance and result though from all that I heard and read about it and saw from the highlights. It was deeply worrying how little was created and how little pressure was exerted on a determined and well organised but hardly particularly good side. This continued a run of disappointing performances and results.
Liverpool 3-0 Everton
Thank God for Stevie G! Liverpool's inspiration was once again the man for the occasion. He might not be quite the force he once was but he still has it in him as was shown in this truly awesome performance. All round, the team performance was very good as well and a welcome return to form and good to see a few goals go in at home for once this season. Liverpool dominated and the team had a rhythm and continuity that belied their recent poor form. Suarez was also superb it has to be said.
Ratings:
Reina - 7
Solid as always
Kelly - 8
Excellent both offensively and defensively
Enrique - 7
Another good performance
Carragher - 8
Hang on he's not quite done yet, marshalled the defence well
Skrtel - 7
Solid
Henderson - 5
He's not played well lately, could be because HE'S NOT A WINGER and WHY THE HELL ISN'T KUYT PLAYING EVERY GAME?!
Downing - 6
Worked hard
Spearing - 8
Very tidy and grafting performance
Gerrard - 9
What can one say?
Carroll - 6
Seriously what can one say?
Suarez - 8
Always a threat
Subs:
Kuyt - 7
Should be playing every game
Liverpool 2-1 Stoke
A hard working performance and a hard earned win here. It lacked the finesse and fluidity of the performance against Everton, Liverpool seemed to struggle to get into the flow of things but to be fair they are far from the only side to find this against Stoke. Finally, Stewart Downing produced a defining moment in his Liverpool career. I remain, I'm afraid, utterly unconvinced he'll ever properly 'come good' as a signing but hey he took the goal well. Maxi delivered another reminder of his lack of effectiveness and the fact he's probably the only utterly ineffective Argentinian international midfielder there is. So glad we've got him...
Ratings:
Reina - 7
Coped pretty well with the heavyweights of Stoke except on the goal where he was being obstructed
Kelly - 7
Very good job well done
Enrique - 7
Did the sensible thing well as ever
Carragher - 6
Struggled at times but generally pretty solid
Skrtel - 7
Good to have a bruiser against Stoke!
Maxi - 5
He played?
Downing - 6
Good goal but otherwise toiled to little effect
Spearing - 7
Solid and hard working
Gerrard - 6
Didn't have one of his best days
Saurez - 7
Our best player, lively but maybe a bit greedy at times
Carroll - 5
Didn't do much..surprising...
Subs:
Kuyt - 7
As ever injected energy
Coates - 6
Not really on long enough to make a difference
Henderson - 6
Likewise, although I'm sure he wouldn't
Thank the lord I wasn't able to watch a game. A shocking performance and result though from all that I heard and read about it and saw from the highlights. It was deeply worrying how little was created and how little pressure was exerted on a determined and well organised but hardly particularly good side. This continued a run of disappointing performances and results.
Liverpool 3-0 Everton
Thank God for Stevie G! Liverpool's inspiration was once again the man for the occasion. He might not be quite the force he once was but he still has it in him as was shown in this truly awesome performance. All round, the team performance was very good as well and a welcome return to form and good to see a few goals go in at home for once this season. Liverpool dominated and the team had a rhythm and continuity that belied their recent poor form. Suarez was also superb it has to be said.
Ratings:
Reina - 7
Solid as always
Kelly - 8
Excellent both offensively and defensively
Enrique - 7
Another good performance
Carragher - 8
Hang on he's not quite done yet, marshalled the defence well
Skrtel - 7
Solid
Henderson - 5
He's not played well lately, could be because HE'S NOT A WINGER and WHY THE HELL ISN'T KUYT PLAYING EVERY GAME?!
Downing - 6
Worked hard
Spearing - 8
Very tidy and grafting performance
Gerrard - 9
What can one say?
Carroll - 6
Seriously what can one say?
Suarez - 8
Always a threat
Subs:
Kuyt - 7
Should be playing every game
Liverpool 2-1 Stoke
A hard working performance and a hard earned win here. It lacked the finesse and fluidity of the performance against Everton, Liverpool seemed to struggle to get into the flow of things but to be fair they are far from the only side to find this against Stoke. Finally, Stewart Downing produced a defining moment in his Liverpool career. I remain, I'm afraid, utterly unconvinced he'll ever properly 'come good' as a signing but hey he took the goal well. Maxi delivered another reminder of his lack of effectiveness and the fact he's probably the only utterly ineffective Argentinian international midfielder there is. So glad we've got him...
Ratings:
Reina - 7
Coped pretty well with the heavyweights of Stoke except on the goal where he was being obstructed
Kelly - 7
Very good job well done
Enrique - 7
Did the sensible thing well as ever
Carragher - 6
Struggled at times but generally pretty solid
Skrtel - 7
Good to have a bruiser against Stoke!
Maxi - 5
He played?
Downing - 6
Good goal but otherwise toiled to little effect
Spearing - 7
Solid and hard working
Gerrard - 6
Didn't have one of his best days
Saurez - 7
Our best player, lively but maybe a bit greedy at times
Carroll - 5
Didn't do much..surprising...
Subs:
Kuyt - 7
As ever injected energy
Coates - 6
Not really on long enough to make a difference
Henderson - 6
Likewise, although I'm sure he wouldn't
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
A couple of myths that need clearing up
There are two things in football that seriously blight the game at the moment. While I am glad that the horrific chopping, scything tackles from yesteryear are quite rightly ruled out of the game I think most would surely argue that it's gone too far. The myth that I refer to here is the idea that every high or two footed tackle is a dangerous, red card tackle. Some of the dismissals I've seen this season I regard as scandalous. If a player is obviously going for the ball, and gets it, where is the problem?! Even if he narrowly misses it...I mean you get the idea. I just think we're in danger of turning the game into a non-contact sport and eliminating what is an immense skill: the art of the sliding, crunching, but fair tackle.
The other thing is diving. Now of course everyone is getting immensely irritated with diving and simulation but the myth that needs clearing up for me is the idea that 'oh it's ok if he goes down if there was contact'. Do you know what - it isn't. Watching Tiote go over in the Tyne-Wear derby after being lightly touched by the arm of Sessegnon was embarrassing. Was it a deserved red for the Sunderland man? Yes absolutely. But my argument is why wasn't Tiote booked for such blatant over acting? Liverpool's own Suarez is also very guilty of this, as was shown in his reaction to the penalty incident at Anfield on Saturday. He should have been booked as well for such blatant overacting. Only then will this nuisance be mildly decreased.
The other thing is diving. Now of course everyone is getting immensely irritated with diving and simulation but the myth that needs clearing up for me is the idea that 'oh it's ok if he goes down if there was contact'. Do you know what - it isn't. Watching Tiote go over in the Tyne-Wear derby after being lightly touched by the arm of Sessegnon was embarrassing. Was it a deserved red for the Sunderland man? Yes absolutely. But my argument is why wasn't Tiote booked for such blatant over acting? Liverpool's own Suarez is also very guilty of this, as was shown in his reaction to the penalty incident at Anfield on Saturday. He should have been booked as well for such blatant overacting. Only then will this nuisance be mildly decreased.
Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal
Oh for f**k's sake! Another excellent home performance that was for the most part dominant and we need the opposition to score for us and just our luck we have to come up against the most in form striker in the division who punishes us with two sucker punches. It really was the story of our season, too many missed chances. We badly need good wingers and more importantly a goalscoring striker!
Little more to say...
Ratings:
Reina - 6
Little to do but maybe could have stopped one of Van Persie's goals
Kelly - 7
As usual a solid display
Enrique - 7
As with Kelly, good both forward and back
Carragher - 6
Good but lost Van Persie for the first goal
Skrtel - 7
Rock solid as ever
Henderson - 4
He's not a winger seriously
Downing - 6
Improved generally of late but this wasn't his best
Spearing - 7
Busy display
Adam - 6
Little in the way of creative breakthrough
Kuyt - 7
As ever tireless
Suarez - 7
Dangerous
Subs:
Bellamy - 6
Brought on curiously late with little time to make an impact
Carroll - 5
No time to make an impact
Little more to say...
Ratings:
Reina - 6
Little to do but maybe could have stopped one of Van Persie's goals
Kelly - 7
As usual a solid display
Enrique - 7
As with Kelly, good both forward and back
Carragher - 6
Good but lost Van Persie for the first goal
Skrtel - 7
Rock solid as ever
Henderson - 4
He's not a winger seriously
Downing - 6
Improved generally of late but this wasn't his best
Spearing - 7
Busy display
Adam - 6
Little in the way of creative breakthrough
Kuyt - 7
As ever tireless
Suarez - 7
Dangerous
Subs:
Bellamy - 6
Brought on curiously late with little time to make an impact
Carroll - 5
No time to make an impact
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