08 Oct 2024 04:51:30
One thing to talk about: clean sheets.
9 wins out of 10 for Slot is great, but 6 clean sheets is notable. Remember last season when we always conceded first? We’ve moved on. Titles are built from the back. Signs are good.
08 Oct 2024 07:44:35
I agree, stoneage.
Give me clean sheets rather than all that heavy metal and lack of control nonsense. 7-6 on aggregate CL semi finals are not good for my nerves!
08 Oct 2024 09:06:31
Its nice only having to score one or two goals to win games.
08 Oct 2024 09:07:23
Exactly. Call me old school, but I've coached for 25 years after my playing days ended.
I've played at semi-pro level here in Aus after moving from Liverpool at 18 to play in the old NSL. I've had to endure "modern" coaches inflicting their recently learned "advanced" styles of play.
Call me a dinosaur, but I've always built teams on the foundations of a solid defence. If the opposing team can't score, you've got a good chance of winning.
I've then always promoted a fluid attacking approach. Use the talents of your team and give them license to do what they do best. Make the game enjoyable.
But, defence and possession are key. If they don't have the ball they can't score, if they do have the ball but your defence is effing solid, then you'll do well.
I once took a state Div 1 team (1 level below the old NSL here) through an entire season whilst conceding only 14 goals over 36 games. Needless to say we won the league.
It might not have been the most entertaining style of play ever seen, but results count.
{Ed025's Note - You sound like Sean Dyche Burkey.. :)
08 Oct 2024 09:21:39
Funny 25 :) Re read my comment about a fluid attacking approach and using the talents of what is at my disposal. I'd love to have a Suarez raining down on the opposition, but only if supported by a solid base such as Virgil, the best CB for a generation, in my humble opinion :)
{Ed025's Note - just dont apply to be Dyche,s replacement Burkey.. :)
08 Oct 2024 10:01:59
Hey Stoneage, that's all well and good but here comes the "but":
"We have played nobodies" hence, none of this matters. As if the goal posts are bigger when you play "nobodies" and then suddenly become smaller when you play "somebodies".
08 Oct 2024 11:04:12
There's definitely more control about us. It's still a work in progress though as we have not seen it for sustained periods yet.
And I don't think we have completely eliminated the slow starts that lead to early chances as AC Milan, Bournemouth, West Ham and Palace games showed.
Would like to see some faster starts in the home games that are coming up against Chelsea, Leverkusen, Brighton, Villa, Real and City. That is when Anfield really gets into it.
We are heading in a good direction though.
08 Oct 2024 09:30:20
What if I took you as my number 2 25?
{Ed025's Note - i dont want nothing to do with that shambles of a club Burkey.. :)
08 Oct 2024 09:59:23
Ed25, the pic in Burkey's avatar looks like Dyche too, lol.
{Ed025's Note - so long as he hasn,t got that gravel voice and whiney nature Oli i can live with that mate.. :)
08 Oct 2024 17:52:31
Burkeyboy, you did also say that it wasnt the most entertaining football to watch. Sounds a lot like Dyche to me mate ?.
08 Oct 2024 21:06:30
Fair play.
09 Oct 2024 00:20:03
Trying not to lose rather than trying to win = The Talking Waistcoat.
09 Oct 2024 09:28:20
However we have been very lucky with var ruling atleast 2 offsides in our favour…. otherwise we would have been behind…. Still giving them early chances away and better teams will punish us for it. Need to switch on straight away.