31 Jan 2016 21:23:30
Hi Ed001
Did you manage to watch the game yesterday? I haven't managed to watch it myself but heard a lot of good things about Stewart and Brannagan. Could you sum up how you think they played and what you Think of them long term?
Cheers.
{Ed001's Note - I did watch it. I was impressed that what was basically our reserve team, with Mignolet, Clyne and Lovren in it managed to dominate a game with a team that has battered our first team twice. Payet was kept quiet, their central midfield was completely taken out of the game by Stewart and Brannagan. Oh and Brannagan put in some excellent dead balls.
Stewart was sweeping up everywhere, though a few times worried me by dropping a little too deep when he was picking up the ball and was a little too conservative with his passing in the first half. Second half he was much better, as he played with more freedom and got forward too. Brannagan showed a good range of passing and was not allowing them to dominate him physically, even though their midfield was a very physical one.
Teixeira showed some good flashes of ability, they did attempt to kick him out the game though, every time he got it he was grabbed, pulled and kicked, but he kept going. Ibe struggled most of the game and looked very frustrated with himself, though he also showed some flashes of his ability. Smith's delivery was not at its usual level, which was a big miss, other than that he played well, though he did only face Moses for most of the game so wasn't really put under real pressure.
Lovren was excellent, had to cover Caulker a couple of times, but mostly Caulker was fairly solid, it was just his passing was dreadful. Caulker I mean. Benteke was anonymous really, hid behind their centre backs on those few occasions anyone broke into the box to play a ball in, meaning there was no chance of the ball finding him. He did show some good touches when he dropped off to receive the ball deep, but I honestly can't remember him winning a single header. He was dominated by their defenders.}
01 Feb 2016 03:23:33
Nice analysis from ed001 and hope you get well soon :)
{Ed001's Note - I am sure I have missed stuff, I forgot about Joe Allen for starters! He was filling in on the left when we lost the ball but roaming around when we had it. Helped cover Smith well, though was a little stifled by his role so never really affected the game sufficiently going forward.}
01 Feb 2016 07:19:58
Agree with all of that assessment Edd001, i was thinking Brannagan stood out as a play maker basically. Just a shame its a position we have a host of players wanting to play there. Would you say he was a creating box to box midfielder or was he playing more like a 10 with Stewart covering him? Point being if he develops well how would he fit into a midfield 3 with the likes of Can and Hendo for example.
{Ed001's Note - he started off as a no 10, but is now learning to play a bit deeper and he is just finding his feet. I do believe he has shown he can adapt to the slightly deeper role, it will be up to the players to build up a partnership together. They will need to learn to understand when to hold and when to get forward, something he and Stewart seem to already have.}
01 Feb 2016 08:32:57
Yep I'd agree with everything you said there Ed. Ibe needs to relax and I'm sure the coaches will help and he'll get his head straight soon enough. As for Benteke though, I've no idea what to do with him. Like you said, he was rubbish as a target and not for the first time. How a player built like him can be so meek I've no idea. You think it's just a confidence thing as well or what's going on with him? He's been super frustrating.
{Ed001's Note - Benteke played like that for Villa and Belgium, they just made up for it by hitting the ball into the box more often, which is why their football was so crap. While he is not the only issue we have with regards to scoring, he is certainly not helping. It is attitude not confidence that is his problem. He is not trying hard enough. His pressing, for instance, is so half-arsed, when he even does press, it is an amble in the general direction of the player with the ball, rather than a full-blooded chase to put them under pressure. Those kind of things make a huge difference. If he made an effort, then any lack of confidence can be excused.}
01 Feb 2016 09:02:56
I posted about a year ago and said that Stewart was the most tactically aware player I'd seen at his age. His recent performances have only made me more convinced that he is a Premier League footballer in the making. Whether that is for Liverpool or elsewhere is yet to be seen but personally I would have him in the side before Can or Lucas on current form. In fact on current form I'd probably drop Milner for Brannagan as well. Brannagan offers just as much from open play but also has a much better set piece delivery.
01 Feb 2016 09:32:02
That's a good point Ed, Benteke's attitude really is questionable. Such a lack of desire is baffling. He does seem to just stand there when we have the ball and lumber around when we don't. He doesn't bully defenders nearly enough for such a big dude. Maybe we can swap him and Sinclair for Deeney and Ighalo today. Gosh that would be ideal.
EMS, I wouldn't go that far with Stewart, he's doing well but not ready for a starting spot just yet. It's good that he's made himself an option, but I'm a big fan of Can. Dropping Milner for Brannagan or Teixeira would get a big thumbs up from me.
01 Feb 2016 15:35:16
I think tex/ brannagan/ stewart could replace milner and tbh i'd like to see ojo on for AL.
Joey allen has been playing well!
I've been really impressed with Lovren.
Under BR he looked so low on confidence and struggled but so did most of our defenders!
He looked really solid against the hammers and coming back from injury recently. He's done well. We all knew he had that level in him from Sot days. Just finding it at pool!