Improvement

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Personally I thought I saw some improvement yesterday. Formation was much more sensible than it has been for months now and despite us conceding two goals, I thought defence looked little bit better. Also that was Lescott's best game for us so far.

I just hope Hughes has courage now to stick with this formation and try and build attacking and creative side.

[ENIAM NAM]

I agree, but think Tevez should start for Barry.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I agree, but think Tevez should start for Barry.

I'm wary of Tevez right now. In past few weeks I've had very little time to follow football news (crazy eh?) but the article I read about Tevez thinking of calling it a day or moving to Boca was quite shocking and raised some questions about his mentality. Also Tevez is no central midfielder.

[LookMumImOnMCF.net]

I agree, but think Tevez should start for Barry.

Gotta agree with that cheif, Barry was Mr Anonymous yesterday. Though overall improvement was also noted, in the second half anyway.

[Im_Spartacus]

I agree, but think Tevez should start for Barry.

I'm wary of Tevez right now. In past few weeks I've had very little time to follow football news (crazy eh?) but the article I read about Tevez thinking of calling it a day or moving to Boca was quite shocking and raised some questions about his mentality. Also Tevez is no central midfielder.

Equally he is no centre forward as proved against Burnley, and clearly we saw yesterday, just like when he scored against us last year does his best work in a much deeper role. It would have to be Jonno for me though to replace Barry, he cant really do any worse than Barry is currently.

I also thought we looked solid yesterday on the whole, we just need more players to have belief in themselves and to come out of their disastrous run of form. What worried me about the game though, when it became clear just how bad Liverpool were early on, neither the manager nor any of the players tried to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and that is unforgiveable for a team with lofty aspirations.

[Craig B]

Definately an improvement on least season, considering we were defeated at Anfield last time out!

Was pleased with the 2nd half performance in general, apart from a few defensive errors.

Were we? I seem to remember us losing a 1-0 lead last year to draw 1-1.

[Socrates]

Definately an improvement on least season, considering we were defeated at Anfield last time out!

Was pleased with the 2nd half performance in general, apart from a few defensive errors.

Were we? I seem to remember us losing a 1-0 lead last year to draw 1-1.

That doesnt fit the pro-Hughes agenda so you must have made it up Craig.

[razor400]

I agree, but think Tevez should start for Barry.

I'm wary of Tevez right now. In past few weeks I've had very little time to follow football news (crazy eh?) but the article I read about Tevez thinking of calling it a day or moving to Boca was quite shocking and raised some questions about his mentality. Also Tevez is no central midfielder.

I thought the biggest change when Tevez came on was Ireland, having an outlet in front of him seemed to free him up and he was a lot more involved in the game.

[Craig B]

Definately an improvement on least season, considering we were defeated at Anfield last time out!

Was pleased with the 2nd half performance in general, apart from a few defensive errors.

Were we? I seem to remember us losing a 1-0 lead last year to draw 1-1.

Craig my good old pal, you are right! We did lose to them 1-0 last May which is when I last thought we played them at Anfield!! ;-)

No worries m8! We've had so many defeats at Anfield that actually drawing last season stuck in my mind. About yesterday's game, the more I think about it, the most disappointed I am. Liverpool were for the taking and we blew it again. I agree with Antti and others that there were some signs of encouragement with the way we attacked 2nd half but we're definitely missing something vital as a team.

[john@staustell]

There was talk of Tevez suffering because of his travelling, which is why he was rested a bit. But he sure made a difference when he came on.

The telling thing is that Ireland, Ade and Les on telly were all disappointed with a draw at Anfield. Rafa was pleased with his point. Complete change in mentality from previous times.

Once we get our two new full backs we'll be flying, although the left one didn't defend too badly yesterday.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I think the key word Anti used in the initial post was courage and I agree 100%. Hughes has to show courage , be brave about what team he picks and asks them to do.

We have been playing 4.4.2 and the general consensus was that we should be playing 4.3.3 and Ireland should be playing. Yesterday we got that but to be honest we were really poor until Barry went off with Tevez coming on( and of course we had gone one down) That brought us back to a 4.4.2 effectively but we played much better. The key player in all that was of course Tevez who was very good and genuinely worried LPool and that all helps Ireland as he gets a fractio more space and somebody he can play with.

I personally prefer 4.3.3 with the players City have but I am not sure it matters or it shouldnt anyway as long as the players out there play well and with the right intent. The other key part of him being brave is to pick players in form and fully fit. It's maybe a bit tricky in defence where it's good to have a stable back 4 if possible but half fit players are a liability as I think Toure has shown and possibly Bridge who has a knee problem and maybe should be rested. That's why I was very pleased to see Nedum come on yesterday but he didnt exactly grab the opportunity did he. The poor clearance which led to the 2nd goal and that woefull attempt at a back header which almost gave another away.

In form for me would not include Ade who we know can be superb but if it isn't happening for him and he then seems to stop working then get him off or dont pick him. If SWP isnt getting it right get Weiss on who I think is ready to be unleashed.When players are having quiet games shake it up and let them know it's not good enough.

Most interesting will be Robinho and how he is used. Likely he will start on the bench next week and I for one can't wait to see him out there.

[ronk]

Great thread this.

One thing I've found about playing Liverpool is that you often have a spell during the game where you're dominating and it feels like you can put them away, that is the time when they are at their most dangerous. We've left Anfield with nothing precisely because we took them for granted when we were playing well.

The way they scored 2 goals against us kinda showed that. As a result we can be over wary of them at times, but they still could have beaten us if we'd attacked too carelessly.

[Lionheart]

I agree with pretty much all of the points in this thread.

The only thing I would ask for is if someone would read those passes that Ireland keeps making, Robinho was the difference last season in that respect. The link-up play between those two was magnificent and something we're really missing right now, Get well soon Rob!

[Esky]

I agree, but think Tevez should start for Barry.

I'm wary of Tevez right now. In past few weeks I've had very little time to follow football news (crazy eh?) but the article I read about Tevez thinking of calling it a day or moving to Boca was quite shocking and raised some questions about his mentality. Also Tevez is no central midfielder.

I thought the biggest change when Tevez came on was Ireland, having an outlet in front of him seemed to free him up and he was a lot more involved in the game.

Agree with that, which is interesting because, before yesterday, I thought the two of them looked a incompatible together - for the few games they've had together they've almost seemed to be crowding each other out. Be very interesting to see what shaped Hughes takes on when Robinho comes back in. Hopefully he'll be ready by Chelsea.

[Grob]

Good point that. Courage and bottle.

If we'd shown some courage in some of the last 6 matches we would have won another couple whilst maybe losing a couple.

You can either consistantly take 1 point or you can gain an extra 2 whilst losing the odd one. I prefer the latter.

[patrickblue]

You're right, we are improving. The defense problems are a lot to do with confidence. Don't really see that Barry/Tevez thing, Tevez has been pretty anonymous since the scum game until yesterday. Maybe he's a big match player, although he didn't seem so when he was with wet spam. upon saying that, Barry is certainly suffering a dip in form.
Theres still a certain Robinho to fit in there somewhere as well.
At the end of the day we need to have an expectation of winning, as soon as the team get that in their heads it'll come together.

[Blue Since 76]

Personally I thought I saw some improvement yesterday. Formation was much more sensible than it has been for months now and despite us conceding two goals, I thought defence looked little bit better. Also that was Lescott's best game for us so far.

I just hope Hughes has courage now to stick with this formation and try and build attacking and creative side.

Agree with that. He was a lot more aggressive attacking aerial balls, which helped. I also thought he did ok for England, so maybe he's starting to settle down after a difficult summer. Just hope the Everton game doesn't affect him the way Villa seems to have done to Barry.

[Original Dub]

Personally I thought I saw some improvement yesterday. Formation was much more sensible than it has been for months now and despite us conceding two goals, I thought defence looked little bit better. Also that was Lescott's best game for us so far.

I just hope Hughes has courage now to stick with this formation and try and build attacking and creative side.

Bang on.

I'd like to see the line-up AFTER liverpool scored start for us from now on.

I think Ireland was allowed play in is favoured position for the second time this season - the first being Scunthorp - and he looked every bit the player I saw last season.

More of the same please Marky Mark.

[crossan]

I agree, but think Tevez should start for Barry.

I'm wary of Tevez right now. In past few weeks I've had very little time to follow football news (crazy eh?) but the article I read about Tevez thinking of calling it a day or moving to Boca was quite shocking and raised some questions about his mentality. Also Tevez is no central midfielder.

Fergie had him right he's just an impact player and we paid how much for him?

[roytoncity]

There is improvement we've got better players, in my opinion we get better quickly if we are able to do some of our basics a little better, these include;
We don't do bang bang bang, when we do we win we generally win.
Throw ins we lose the ball more often than we keep it, turning opportunity into worries
The space between the 18 yd box, the opposition have this as a free zone, unless De Jong gets to them all teams including Scunny have ran unchecked from theirs to ours, shocking we let teams out to easy.
Addy needs someone a bit closer
SWP needs to run at or past defenders more, this what he does best, he seems to want to stop beat the man then run.
Tevez to start, but I think also horses for courses.

These I believe will help our defence as we will not be inviting on.