West Brom away on Sat

[Horus]

I had lunch with two of the Albion coaches before the game who were happy to set out their game plan.

 

Their 4231 formation allowed for us to have possession up to their penalty area, because they did not think that we had the firepower to take many chances, when they were in possession their midfield became a five giving them more options against our three. They also looked to exploit the gaps that Johnson always leaves going forwards.

 

Their view was that we would have been far more effective as a 44 11 with Gerrard playing off Suarez and Johnson playing wide midfield.

 

Rodger’s was unlucky to be playing against a manager who knew our side better than he does, and that will not happen again.

 

The midfield formula did not work last year and Rodgers will ned to experiment to get it right- he is not short of options. Gerrard cannot be asked to work in a midfield three and omb forward in attack when there are three in front of him. I have no criticism of Lucas/ Gerrard/Allen as an individual three, it is the overall formula which will need tweaking.

 

[thompsonsnose]

It is the law of the sod that a year that we are going to be slow starters we get a bitch of a start! The only bonus is that hopefully we can then go on a run, although confidence is going to be key. A couple of good signings could instill that as well, hopefully in order I would like to see an attacker/wide player, forward if Caroll leaves, defensive midfielder and a centre half. Apparently Godin is available for £7m, send Coates on loan to Athetlic for a year, and see if that is possible, but it all depends upon Caroll leaving.

 

I we have to be shit, Id prefer to be shit against teams we are less likely to beat.

When/if we do hit our straps those games will be out of the way.

Having said that, we are normally shit against shit teams too!

[dickie mint]

Just because they are seasoned pro's doesn't mean they are aware of what to do and when to do it, they are still under 30 and learning a new approach and subsequently there will be teething problems, particularly within a competitive context.

 

Skrtel may naturally be inclined to hoof the ball but aware that Rogers wants possession might delay, thinking it is not what he should be doing! At the moment a few of the players are not playing on instinct and might not for a while.

 

 

Well lets wait until there all over 30 then.

[Whelan]

Well lets wait until there all over 30 then.

 

Well flippancy aside, the point I was making is that they are young lads learning new approaches and that isn't as simple as it sounds.

 

For example, I could very well suggest you try and reign in your penchant for snide, sarcastic posts but I doubt you would find it very easy to do so!

[dickie mint]

Well flippancy aside, the point I was making is that they are young lads learning new approaches and that isn't as simple as it sounds.

 

For example, I could very well suggest you try and reign in your penchant for snide, sarcastic posts but I doubt you would find it very easy to do so!

 

 

You made a point about being under 30 and my point is the are seasoned Pro's who no the game inside out,so if Skirtle is has to hoof it out he does and clears the danger like Kompany and others would.

[Major Tom]

You made a point about being under 30 and my point is the are seasoned Pro's who no the game inside out,so if Skirtle is has to hoof it out he does and clears the danger like Kompany and others would.

 

Do you actually not see his point, dickie?

[dickie mint]

Do you not see mine tom its not something they have never done before but people think this passing game is something new.

City went behind yesterday and come back and got the result thats something the Manager wants to get across to are lot and quick.

[Whelan]

You made a point about being under 30 and my point is the are seasoned Pro's who no the game inside out,so if Skirtle is has to hoof it out he does and clears the danger like Kompany and others would.

 

I could easily have said under 35!

 

They are still young, and either way age is not a guarantee of ability to learn quickly, if anything it is argued the older you are the more difficult it is to learn, but much of football at the top level relies upon instinct. It isn't about passing, it is about keeping possession and it is not always about learning how to keep possession it is also learning when that isn't the priority!

 

At this moment that is not going to be the case, and in the case of Skrtel we saw that momentary hesitation which resulted in a pen, it was unfortunate but understandable. Gerrard also, his instinct is to push and try and force the issue but he needs to look to keep possession first, again this is going against instinct.

[Major Tom]

Do you not see mine tom its not something they have never done before but people think this passing game is something new.

City went behind yesterday and come back and got the result thats something the Manager wants to get across to are lot and quick.

 

Don't answer a question with a question!

 

New systems will always take time to adjust to. It's just a truism.

 

I don't get your City comparison, mind!

[dickie mint]

Don't answer a question with a question!

 

New systems will always take time to adjust to. It's just a truism.

 

I don't get your City comparison, mind!

 

 

New system of passing the ball and keeping possesion I suppose its something these players like Gerrard have never come across in there long time in Football.

 

 

 

Your right there is no comparison with City because they are far and away a better team than we are,but they fought back after going behind and we sadly drop are heads and except defeat so this is something which needs adressing weather it be with new singnigs or a change in attitude.

[Phoenix]

Johnson plays at full back, but is not good enough to play there at the highest level- which is why Chelsea let him go and he went to Portsmouth to play full back.

 

He happens to be about the best footballer in our side though and is ideally suited to a wing back/wide midfield role with a specialist defender sitting behind him.

 

I can gauarantee you that we will receive no offers from any other top four pl or Euro elite clubs to buy him to play full back. He would be outstanding in a German 352.

 

Would this be the Johnson that Chelsea wanted to buy back? when we were in for him but he decided that regular first team football was probably better for him. He is good at attacking from deep which would suggest he is better at playing full back. Like all attacking full backs he has defensive weaknesses.

[skend04]

Johnson plays at full back, but is not good enough to play there at the highest level- which is why Chelsea let him go and he went to Portsmouth to play full back.

 

He happens to be about the best footballer in our side though and is ideally suited to a wing back/wide midfield role with a specialist defender sitting behind him.

 

I can gauarantee you that we will receive no offers from any other top four pl or Euro elite clubs to buy him to play full back. He would be outstanding in a German 352.

 

Yes of course he is anything but a full back. I mean all the clubs and the managers he has played under, why did they not realise what you so clearly know and see...fuck all.

[Tony Moanero]

"Wodgers is shit shocker"

 

*strokes chin*

[xerxes]

Yes of course he is anything but a full back. I mean all the clubs and the managers he has played under, why did they not realise what you so clearly know and see...fuck all.

Johnsons strengths, and weaknesses, are understood more clearly than you appreciate.

 

This is about where his strenghts can be maximised and his weaknesses minimised.

 

That Albion sought to succcessfully exploit the latter is all you need to know.

[thompsonsnose]

Johnsons strengths, and weaknesses, are understood more clearly than you appreciate.

 

This is about where his strenghts can be maximised and his weaknesses minimised.

 

That Albion sought to succcessfully exploit the latter is all you need to know.

 

He's a better right winger than Downing has ever been or will be.

In this present situation, the rest should take care of itself.

Henderson at right back Johnson ahead of him.

 

I see this morning that Spurs are maybe lining up Adam Johnson for £10 million.

 

What the fuck are we playing at?

[Tony Moanero]

Downing is cack.

[Major Tom]

Johnsons strengths, and weaknesses, are understood more clearly than you appreciate.

 

This is about where his strenghts can be maximised and his weaknesses minimised.

 

That Albion sought to succcessfully exploit the latter is all you need to know.

 

Where would you play Johnson in a 4-3-3?

[Tony Moanero]

Major Dong.

[xerxes]

He's a better right winger than Downing has ever been or will be.

 

I agree.

 

I think that he is one of the best wide right sided players in the PL at the moment.

[Tony Moanero]

Did Portsmouth use Johnson as a wide midfielder?

[Whelan]

He's a better right winger than Downing has ever been or will be.In this present situation, the rest should take care of itself.

Henderson at right back Johnson ahead of him.

 

I see this morning that Spurs are maybe lining up Adam Johnson for £10 million.

 

What the fuck are we playing at?

 

So is Tony Benn!

 

That doesn't mean Johnson will be! It really amazes me when people see an attacking full back and automatically think that he will be a good right winger!

[milky]

He's a better right winger than Downing has ever been or will be.

In this present situation, the rest should take care of itself.

Henderson at right back Johnson ahead of him.

 

I see this morning that Spurs are maybe lining up Adam Johnson for £10 million.

 

What the fuck are we playing at?

 

I genuinely fear that you are the subject of some sort of restraining order taken out by Adam Johnson.

[thompsonsnose]

I genuinely fear that you are the subject of some sort of restraining order taken out by Adam Johnson.

 

I know.

I'm going to make it stop now.

You'll see.

[thompsonsnose]

So is Tony Benn!

 

That doesn't mean Johnson will be! It really amazes me when people see an attacking full back and automatically think that he will be a good right winger!

 

He runs down the wing and crosses the ball with his right.

Sometimes, he cuts inside and shoots with his left.

Have i forgotten anything?

 

WE DON'T APPEAR TO HAVE ANY FUCKING MONEY.

 

So why not give it a bash eh?

[xerxes]

That doesn't mean Johnson will be! It really amazes me when people see an attacking full back and automatically think that he will be a good right winger!

 

Equally some allow their enjoyment of atacking play to outweigh defensive frailty.