Saturday, September 09, 2006

Footer Fiasco

I woke up early this morning to see Liverpool blow it against the Toffees. The sad comment about the match was the Reds dominated both the midfield and attack. But it's goals that count and Everton had three to Liverpool's zero. While flattering to the Blues they deserved to win in that they took their chances.
Player synopsis reads as follows:

Pepe Reina - Had a disasterous game. Was beaten at the near post by Andy Johnson and then gave up the third goal in what looked like a scene from a bloopers video. 4/10.

Steve Finnan - Was out of position for Goal #1 allowing Tim Cahill to score from an unmarked position. 5/10

Sami Hyppia - Struggled to deal with Johnson's pace. Slowness could be a growing concern this season. 5/10

Jamie Carragher - Also looked slugglish (although with fairness Carra is returning from injuring). Was at fault for Goal #2. 4/10

Fabio Aurelio. Still not sold on thisd guy. Is better at LW than LB. 5/10.

Momo Sissoko - Did well in Midfield 7/10.

Steve Gerrard - Hit woodwork twice. Lead by example but played out of position 8/10.

Luis Garcia - Very poor, lacked touch. 4/10

Xabi Alonso - Not playing to potential 5/10.

Robbie Fowler - Slow and ineffective. Should not have started. 5/10

Peter Crouch - Needed a faster moving partner. 6/10.

Dirk Kuyt - Had a solid game. Could have scored 8/10.

Jan Arne Riise - Injured again. 5/10. At least its not a break.

Jermaine Penant - Not on long enough to be effective.

Rafa Benitez - Terrible team selection. Fowler and Crouch up front removed the speed factor from Liverpool's attack. Alonso should have been dropped. Despite having a midweek game against PSV this coming week, one of Penant, Bellamy or Kuyt should have started. Everton are not a stroll in the park. Defence is looking woeful as well. Why is Pauleta not playing or Agger? Aurelio is not a LB. 4/10

Other results

Man U 1 Spurs 0 - United play badly but win. May be their season.
Chelsea 2 Charlton 1 - At least someone is keeping the pressure on United.
Arsenal 1 Boro 1 - Gunners still without a win this season.
Fulham 2 Newcastle 1 - Toons in a slump.
Portsmouth 1 Wigan 0 - Pompey in Europe next season? It looks that way.
Bolton 1 Watford 0 - Another nail in the coffin for Vicerage Road outfit.
Sheffield United 0 Blackburn 0 - Yawn.....

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

i hate to say it but Fowler is CLEARLY over the hill. He can't run as fast, he can't keep possession, and even his finishing is starting to blow! Play Kuyt and Bellamy up front PLEASE.

NexusofThought said...

Agreed. Can also use Bellamy-Crouch or Crouch-Kuyt