31 Dec 2015 11:52:54
Ed 01 - following up on your reply to Waro below - Surely lalana's inability to tackle is a non-issue though.
I've had the understanding that counter pressing doesn't necessarily require one to (be able to) tackle but instead just needs a handful to work as unit and force the mistake. (Pep's teams press passing lanes, while Ferve likes his players press and run pass the attacker while the follow up players look to intercept and play it forward) .
To me the major problem is the inconsistent fitness levels through the team. It's preventing the team from playing as a unit and lalana's is going to continue to look out of place a few of the others raise their fitness levels.
Lalana along with everyone else shone in the city game when everyone was well rested and able to press consistently.
What I'm getting at is maybe it's too soon to write him off and once everyone's fitness levels are up, and Hendo gets a handle on his heel, Lalana's contribution might be more useful to the team.
{Ed001's Note - it is never a non-issue, because when the opportunity to make a simple tackle is on, which will happen when you press, then you have to take it. Otherwise players will not be worried by the press as they can just ride out the pressure by keeping the ball when it is Lallana coming at them and that negates the whole press anyway.}
31 Dec 2015 12:22:20
With peps Barcelona team, Xavi and iniesta were both good tacklers, I watched them at the camp nou and was so surprised in how well they got their bodies in front of loose balls and regained possession. I think it was ed001 who said the reason they sold Fabregas was because he couldn't tackle like Xavi, causing Xavi to play more than he should of, shortening his Barcelona career. Same with Bayern, whoever they play, Vidal, Lahm, alonso, they all are good tacklers.
31 Dec 2015 13:37:59
Do you think he's capable of turning it round ed001 and fitting in?
I feel like if he was 5 years younger Klopp could coach him into a top top player but I'm not to sure he has a future with us, especially as he could still bring in some much needed funds.
{Ed001's Note - no, I can't see him ever being the player we need.}
31 Dec 2015 15:56:43
Ed is right. I saw Lallana bottling tackles and getting bumped off the ball like it was no joke. Borini shrugged him off the ball, of all people. Allen gets grief for this but even he gets stucking and does a few things right atimes. Seriously apart from runnining up and down the field which frankly anyone can do, what exactly does this guy offer? He doesn`t seem to know what he`s doing and keeps being invisible in every game recently and there`s no sign of improvement in his game. Can`t shoot, can`t score, can`t tackle, runs into trouble seemingly on purpose, loses the ball at will, i can keep going. Ed was right all along and I was wrong at the time we signed him. i thought he would be good for us due to his silky skills BUT he is getting worse and should never have been bought.