Another positive to take from Sunday’s game was the cohesion on display in the midfield. It may not have been vintage Alonso-Mascherano-Gerrard stuff that we’ve had the pleasure of watching in the past but the combination of Meireles-Lucas-Maxi-Cole looks like it may be the best of what the current squad has to offer. Once Kuyt is fit, he will obviously take Maxi’s place but for the first time this season our quartet in midfield played some of the most effective stuff we’ve witnessed since last season, helping create almost 20 shots on goal over the course of the game. It was easily Joe Cole’s best game in a red shirt, working well down the left and giving us options that we have rarely had from him. Meireles in particular though, is beginning to look like a decent piece of business by Hodgson, and I am hopeful that under a better manager the Portuguese will be given the chance to develop into a player resembling Michael Essien; a strong, no-nonsense midfielder, with an eye for goal and a killer range of passing.
Finally and perhaps most importantly for the team and all reds fans: Fernando Torres actually showed up today. Things may not have always gone right for him, and his efforts were often channeled toward the wrong decisions but he worked harder than he has since Roy arrived and he scored. They often say that the first goal is the most important; that once it goes in, more will ultimately (and hopefully, in Torres’ case, inevitably) follow.
So, while there are still numerous negatives to take from Hodgson’s time in charge so far, there were at least a few positives to take from today’s win. We can only hope they are a sign of things to come.
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STELLA ARTOIS WORLD DRAUGHT MASTERS
why does Kuyt always automatically get a place in the starting line up??
While he was fit he was playing as poorly as anybody, so he should have to prove himself with 10 minute cameo appearances and fight his way back into the team!
Agree Jay but it’s not just Kuyt who automatically gets a start is it
no, one of my big complaints this season has been the unfairness is seeing the “Big Guns” play every meaningful game regardless of how poorly they performed, even when the “B Team” were playing (slightly) better football and picking up better results when they were thrown together.
My response above was to the line “Once Kuyt is fit, he will OBVIOUSLY take Maxi’s place” though. I’ve made it clear that I’m not a fan of Maxi, but I just totally disagree with the idea that Kuyt should automatically been thrown back into the first team, irrespective of how the team might be performing, or how poorly he was playing when he was fit.
He should be treated just like the current fringe players are, and be expected to get a hat-trick with the reserves/in his 15 min appearance, or just have to wait for somebody to get injured before he gets another start alongside the “Big Guns” again
Doesn’t happen like that now though does it. Usually first team players will get their place back once they’re fit. Would love to see Gerrard, Carragher and Torres playing for the reserves!
One comment about the defense vs Blackburn: despite their very good play for the rest of the game, Soto and Skrtel were nowhere to be seen when B’burn scored. It was Konchesky and Carra trying to stop Diouf scoring.
I like Soto and Skrtel – their commitment especially, but I do feel we can get get better players in those positions. It would be nice, for instance, if Dan Agger could make up with Woy.
Yes you are right Greg – Carra stopped Diouf scoring cos he scored for him instead
Wo how is that giving everybody a fair chance to prove themselves then Matt?? – the fringe players aren’t getting a look in at all (don’t be fooled by them all being chucked into near meaningless games together, or after seeing Shelvey get “rewarded” with 2 minutes on the pitch) so where is the competitiveness in the squad supposed to come from?? At the very least Jovanovich should have kept his place after the crap served up from Maxi & Cole for 2 consecutive matches and his own subsequent performance in the Europa Cup, but Hodgson has clearly shown that there is no way in for the fringe players, barring injury
Gerrard has at least looked better than his counterparts this season, but yes I do believe that Torres and Carragher have also deserved to be dropped this season.
Now that Kuyt has given up his place in the first team though, he should have to wait his turn and fight his way back in- especially if the team is playing better at that time than it was when he was still in it
At some level I will have to agree with Jay here. Look at ngog he is our topscorer and still spends most his time on the bench. I also feel kelly earned his spot. Bench carra i don’t care. And pacheco needs to be more involved. Also how does roy not start jova in the derby? Hes a goddamn tank. Id like to see yakubu try and push him over.