3 wins 1 draw and 3 defeats. We started the month still in a poor form with a draw at Blackburn and then defeats by Fiorentina and Arsenal. We thought a home victory vs Wigan may have turned our luck, but a defeat at lowly Pompey had everybody questioning the team. Luckily we finished the month strongly with successive wins against Wolves and Aston Villa. We are still lying at 7th place, but our confidence is now better and we can go into the new year strongly to challenge the top 4 spots.
Players of the Month (1) Gerrard 7.14 (2) Reina 7.08 (3) Carragher 6.92. Stevie G is getting closer to his top form and is always carrying the team through the hard time. Reina has been one of the better players this month with another consistent month, and Carragher is also getting better despite early setbacks.
January prediction:
1/2 Reading (a) A chance for some second tier players to shine.
1/10 Tottenham Hotspur (h) We lost to Spurs on the opening day and this is another important match in the race for top 4 spot.
1/16 Stoke City (a) Last year we failed to break down their stubborn defense and this year we need to find some way to bring 3 points home.
1/23 FA Cup 4th round proper (TBA) No matter who we will play we need to play well to go through.
1/26 Wolverhampton Wanderers (a) They may still be complaining about the Ward sent off so we need to be careful.
1/30 Bolton Wanderers (h) Bolton will have a new manager installed so we need to make sure they won't have the additional adrenaline to please the new man.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Match Report 091229 at Aston Villa: Determination makes the difference
1-0 and it was not until the 93nd minutes that Torres scored the winner. The build up may be lucky but the finishing is world class. The win bring us two points behind Villa and we are now in a much better position to challenge the top 4 position.
The match was very even with us slightly in control of the game, but both teams did not do well in finishing and both goalkeepers were doing their jobs. But at the end a world class striker makes the difference and we happily bring another three points home. The performance may not be good, but the win will no doubt boast our confidence going into a new year.
Players Rating:
Reina: 8 Made a world class save.
Johnson: 6 Giving the ball away in too many occasions.
Carragher: 7 Solid defending.
Agger: 7.5 Getting closer to his best with another good performance.
Insua: 6.5 At times guilty in defending especially during corners.
Aquilani: 6.5 A bit rusty with his passes.
Lucas: 7 Another good game protecting the back four.
Kuyt: 7 Worked hard as usual and had a penalty turned down.
Gerrard: 7.5 Driving the team forward as usual.
Benayoun: 6.5 Failed to break down the Villa defense.
Torres: 7.5 One chance, one goal.
Substitutions:
Babel: 6.5 Missed a great chance to score.
Skrtel: 6.5 Conceded a dangerous foul.
Aurelio: 6.5 Not enough time to kick the ball.
Rafa: 7 Would be delighted about the victory. Now the key is to build on the momentum and get more wins.
Aston Villa: 6.5 Would be there to challenge top 4.
Man of the Match: Reina. Building the platform for the victory.
The match was very even with us slightly in control of the game, but both teams did not do well in finishing and both goalkeepers were doing their jobs. But at the end a world class striker makes the difference and we happily bring another three points home. The performance may not be good, but the win will no doubt boast our confidence going into a new year.
Players Rating:
Reina: 8 Made a world class save.
Johnson: 6 Giving the ball away in too many occasions.
Carragher: 7 Solid defending.
Agger: 7.5 Getting closer to his best with another good performance.
Insua: 6.5 At times guilty in defending especially during corners.
Aquilani: 6.5 A bit rusty with his passes.
Lucas: 7 Another good game protecting the back four.
Kuyt: 7 Worked hard as usual and had a penalty turned down.
Gerrard: 7.5 Driving the team forward as usual.
Benayoun: 6.5 Failed to break down the Villa defense.
Torres: 7.5 One chance, one goal.
Substitutions:
Babel: 6.5 Missed a great chance to score.
Skrtel: 6.5 Conceded a dangerous foul.
Aurelio: 6.5 Not enough time to kick the ball.
Rafa: 7 Would be delighted about the victory. Now the key is to build on the momentum and get more wins.
Aston Villa: 6.5 Would be there to challenge top 4.
Man of the Match: Reina. Building the platform for the victory.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Second half starts
After a disappointing first half we definitely need to improve in the second half. We lost 1-3 at home to Villa and this is time for us to get back something. And we need to start a winning streak.
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Insua
Gerrard
Lucas
Kuyt
Aquilani
Benayoun
Torres
Result 2:0
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Insua
Gerrard
Lucas
Kuyt
Aquilani
Benayoun
Torres
Result 2:0
Sunday, December 27, 2009
2009/10 Mid Term Report
What a difference in one year! We did very well last year and finished 2nd and everybody is with very high hope entering the season. However we did not perform well and after 27 games we only managed 12 wins, 4 draws and 11 defeats. In the league we have 9 wins 3 draws and 7 defeats with 30 points and are sitting on 7th place, 5 points behind Villa who occupying the 4th place and 12 points behind the leader Chelsea. And last year we were on top (P19 W12 D6 L1 with 42 points). We still beat our old rivals as Manchester United and Everton, but we failed to win in 7 games including some low teams like Portsmouth, Sunderland and Fulham. We also didn't do well in the Champions League and is already crashed out. We will play in the Europa League in the new year. In the League Cup. as usual we were eliminated by an London team.
Departmental Comments:
Goalkeeper
Although he is conceding more goals, Reina is still a very good goalkeeper with 8 clean sheets in 24 games, and Cavalieri is gradually showing he can be a decent challenger.
Defender
Although he did not played too well in the start Carragher is gradually picking up and is now getting back to his normal high level. Agger is doing very good after his early injury and is taking the other central slot. On the sides Glen Johnson and Insua are taking the franks as their own, and both have opened their scoring accounts as well. It is also good to see youngster such as Ayala get a chance and did well, but some older players are playing poorly.
Midfielder
Although he is yet to get back to his best Gerrard is still leading the team with his good performance. With Alonso left us our midfleld is weakened a lot, and Aquilani is also injured we are struggling in the middle. Mascherano and Lucas are doing OK if not too impressive, but they both lack the creativity of Alonso. On the sides Kuyt is doing well as usual, and Benayoun is also taking the other side as his own.
Attacker
Torres' season has been on and off but he still scored 11 goals in the league and is on his way to be the quickest to score 50 goals for us. It is also worth nothing that Ngog is gradually showing he is a capable player and he had already scored 6 goals in just 730 minutes of action.
Player Rating (Games played, Minutes played, Goal scored/conceded, Assists/cleansheets, MoM, Rating)
Goalkeepers
Cavalieri: 3G 270M 4GC 1CS 1MoM 7.17
Gulacsi: 2 unused substitutes
Reina: 24G 2160M 30GC 8CS 4MoM 7.04
Defenders
Agger: 14G 1181M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.84
Aurelio: 16G 861M 0GS 1A 0MoM 6.66
Ayala: 3G 110M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.89
Carragher: 24G 2152M 0GS 1A 1.5MoM 6.82
Darby: 1G 90M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.50
Degen: 5G 272M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.39
Dosenna: 5G 235M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.16
Insua: 24G 2113M 1GS 4A 1MoM 6.68
Johnson: 20G 1695M 2GS 2A 3MoM 6.90
Kelly: 1G 74M 0GS 0A 1MoM 7.50
Kyrgiakos: 6G 529M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.16
Midfielders
Aquilani: 7G 216M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.66
Babel: 14G 518M 3GS 2A 1MoM 6.32
Benayoun: 26G 1734M 7GS 4A 1MoM 7.04
El Zhar: 1G 18M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.50
Gerrard: 22G 1767M 5GS 6A 3MoM 7.08
Kuyt: 26G 2153M 6GS 2A 2.5MoM 6.87
Lucas: 24G 2052M 0GS 1A 1MoM 6.84
Mascherano: 23G 1747M 0GS 1A 1MoM 6.74
Pacheco: 2G 20M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.65
Plessis: 1G 76M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.50
Riera: 11G 597M 0GS 4A 0MoM 6.71
Spearing: 5G 256M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.54
Attackers:
Eccleston: 2G 14M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.07
Ngog: 15G 730M 6GS 0A 2MoM 6.88
Torres: 18G 1407M 11GS 1A 5MoM 7.02
Voronin: 12G 376M 0GS 1A 0MoM 6.19
Players of 1st half season (Minimum 1,458 mins (60%) or above):
(1) Gerrard 7.08
(2) Reina 7.042
(3) Benayoun 7.041
(4) Johnson 6.90
(5) Kuyt 6.87
Team: 6.81. The team scoring is 0.13 lower than last season and is a good reflection that we are doing poorer. In general we are lacking more goals and scoring fewer goals, so we have many rooms for improvement. With 19 league games to go the priority is to get back to top 4. It is not easy, but achievable. But we first need to start another winning run first.
2H Result Prediction
League:
1st-5th place teams (Chelsea H, Manchester United A, Aston Villa A, Arsenal A, Tottenham Hotspur H) 3W2D
6th-10th place teams (Manchester City A, Birmingham City A, Fulham H, Sunderland A) 3W1D
11th-15th place teams (Stoke City A, Blackburn Rovers H, Burnley A, Everton H, Wolverhampton Wanderers) 4W1D
16th-20th place teams (Wigan Athletic A, West Ham United H, Bolton Wanderers H, Hull City A, Portsmouth H) 5W
Total for 2H 15W4D 49 points
Total for the season 79 points
With 79 points we will finish at top 4.
In FA Cup, Reading away will be a good test for the team but we should be able to get pass them. In Europa League the draw is not too tough, but our focus is to finish top 4 so Rafa should not rest some of the key players. We will see how far we can go.
And finally, with hope in your heart, in Rafa we trust.
Departmental Comments:
Goalkeeper
Although he is conceding more goals, Reina is still a very good goalkeeper with 8 clean sheets in 24 games, and Cavalieri is gradually showing he can be a decent challenger.
Defender
Although he did not played too well in the start Carragher is gradually picking up and is now getting back to his normal high level. Agger is doing very good after his early injury and is taking the other central slot. On the sides Glen Johnson and Insua are taking the franks as their own, and both have opened their scoring accounts as well. It is also good to see youngster such as Ayala get a chance and did well, but some older players are playing poorly.
Midfielder
Although he is yet to get back to his best Gerrard is still leading the team with his good performance. With Alonso left us our midfleld is weakened a lot, and Aquilani is also injured we are struggling in the middle. Mascherano and Lucas are doing OK if not too impressive, but they both lack the creativity of Alonso. On the sides Kuyt is doing well as usual, and Benayoun is also taking the other side as his own.
Attacker
Torres' season has been on and off but he still scored 11 goals in the league and is on his way to be the quickest to score 50 goals for us. It is also worth nothing that Ngog is gradually showing he is a capable player and he had already scored 6 goals in just 730 minutes of action.
Player Rating (Games played, Minutes played, Goal scored/conceded, Assists/cleansheets, MoM, Rating)
Goalkeepers
Cavalieri: 3G 270M 4GC 1CS 1MoM 7.17
Gulacsi: 2 unused substitutes
Reina: 24G 2160M 30GC 8CS 4MoM 7.04
Defenders
Agger: 14G 1181M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.84
Aurelio: 16G 861M 0GS 1A 0MoM 6.66
Ayala: 3G 110M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.89
Carragher: 24G 2152M 0GS 1A 1.5MoM 6.82
Darby: 1G 90M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.50
Degen: 5G 272M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.39
Dosenna: 5G 235M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.16
Insua: 24G 2113M 1GS 4A 1MoM 6.68
Johnson: 20G 1695M 2GS 2A 3MoM 6.90
Kelly: 1G 74M 0GS 0A 1MoM 7.50
Kyrgiakos: 6G 529M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.16
Midfielders
Aquilani: 7G 216M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.66
Babel: 14G 518M 3GS 2A 1MoM 6.32
Benayoun: 26G 1734M 7GS 4A 1MoM 7.04
El Zhar: 1G 18M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.50
Gerrard: 22G 1767M 5GS 6A 3MoM 7.08
Kuyt: 26G 2153M 6GS 2A 2.5MoM 6.87
Lucas: 24G 2052M 0GS 1A 1MoM 6.84
Mascherano: 23G 1747M 0GS 1A 1MoM 6.74
Pacheco: 2G 20M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.65
Plessis: 1G 76M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.50
Riera: 11G 597M 0GS 4A 0MoM 6.71
Spearing: 5G 256M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.54
Attackers:
Eccleston: 2G 14M 0GS 0A 0MoM 6.07
Ngog: 15G 730M 6GS 0A 2MoM 6.88
Torres: 18G 1407M 11GS 1A 5MoM 7.02
Voronin: 12G 376M 0GS 1A 0MoM 6.19
Players of 1st half season (Minimum 1,458 mins (60%) or above):
(1) Gerrard 7.08
(2) Reina 7.042
(3) Benayoun 7.041
(4) Johnson 6.90
(5) Kuyt 6.87
Team: 6.81. The team scoring is 0.13 lower than last season and is a good reflection that we are doing poorer. In general we are lacking more goals and scoring fewer goals, so we have many rooms for improvement. With 19 league games to go the priority is to get back to top 4. It is not easy, but achievable. But we first need to start another winning run first.
2H Result Prediction
League:
1st-5th place teams (Chelsea H, Manchester United A, Aston Villa A, Arsenal A, Tottenham Hotspur H) 3W2D
6th-10th place teams (Manchester City A, Birmingham City A, Fulham H, Sunderland A) 3W1D
11th-15th place teams (Stoke City A, Blackburn Rovers H, Burnley A, Everton H, Wolverhampton Wanderers) 4W1D
16th-20th place teams (Wigan Athletic A, West Ham United H, Bolton Wanderers H, Hull City A, Portsmouth H) 5W
Total for 2H 15W4D 49 points
Total for the season 79 points
With 79 points we will finish at top 4.
In FA Cup, Reading away will be a good test for the team but we should be able to get pass them. In Europa League the draw is not too tough, but our focus is to finish top 4 so Rafa should not rest some of the key players. We will see how far we can go.
And finally, with hope in your heart, in Rafa we trust.
Match Report 091226 vs Wolverhampton Wanderers: A win is a win
2-0 and at the end it was a comfortable win, especially after Wolves were down to 10 men. We basically controlled the game but just lack a bit confidence. As long as we are one man up we are in complete control of the game, and 2 goals in 8 minutes settled the game. It was not pretty, but it will improve our confidence level going into new year.
Players Rating:
Reina: 7.5 A superb defending performance.
Johnson 6.5 Good defending but seldom support attack.
Carragher: 7 Solid defending.
Agger: 7 Good defending performance.
Insua: 7 Defend well in general and provided the killer pass for Gerrard's goal.
Gerrard: 8 Superb goal to kick start the team.
Lucas: 7 Very composed performance.
Benayoun: 7.5 Good goal to kill off the game.
Aquilani: 7 A good first league start despite lack of match fitness.
Aurelio: 6.5 Solid on the left.
Torres: 6.5 Mourned too much without any real threat.
Substitutions;
Kuyt: 6.5 Worked hard as usual.
Pacheco/Spearing: 6.5 Performed well in general.
Rafa: 7 Would be delighted about the improve of performance. But still need to improve the confidence and Torres' form.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: 6 Did not do much to warrant more.
Man of the Match: Gerrard. Captain sets role model again.
Players Rating:
Reina: 7.5 A superb defending performance.
Johnson 6.5 Good defending but seldom support attack.
Carragher: 7 Solid defending.
Agger: 7 Good defending performance.
Insua: 7 Defend well in general and provided the killer pass for Gerrard's goal.
Gerrard: 8 Superb goal to kick start the team.
Lucas: 7 Very composed performance.
Benayoun: 7.5 Good goal to kill off the game.
Aquilani: 7 A good first league start despite lack of match fitness.
Aurelio: 6.5 Solid on the left.
Torres: 6.5 Mourned too much without any real threat.
Substitutions;
Kuyt: 6.5 Worked hard as usual.
Pacheco/Spearing: 6.5 Performed well in general.
Rafa: 7 Would be delighted about the improve of performance. But still need to improve the confidence and Torres' form.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: 6 Did not do much to warrant more.
Man of the Match: Gerrard. Captain sets role model again.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Rebound
After a very poor performance at Pompey we definitely need to rebound. Wolves can beat Spurs so they are not a poor team, and we need to perform well in order to bring three point home for a happy Christmas.
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Insua
Gerrard
Lucas
Kuyt
Aquilani
Benayoun
Torres
Result 2:0
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Insua
Gerrard
Lucas
Kuyt
Aquilani
Benayoun
Torres
Result 2:0
Monday, December 21, 2009
Match Report 091219 at Portsmouth: We are in big trouble
0-2 against the bottom team and you will not have any excuse. True, the first goal may be offside, the referee was bad, and we were one man down for half the game, but we should at least have more team spirit and give them more threats. One shot on target and it was from Dossena won't win you anything. If we do not improve quickly we will be in bigger trouble.
Players Rating:
Reina: 6.5 Have no chance on both goals conceded.
Johnson: 6 Unable to provide any threat on his return to Pompey.
Carragher: 6.5 Showed character but could not prevent the tragedy.
Agger: 6 Solid defending.
Insua: 6 One of his poorer game of the season.
Mascherano: 5 Stupid red card.
Lucas: 6 Solid in midfield.
Kuyt: 6 Did not provide many attacking help.
Gerrard: 7 Trying to lift the team but could not do so.
Dossena: 5 Very poor performance.
Torres: 6 Loss his temper and was lucky for not being sent off.
Substitutions:
Benayoun: 6 Slight injury affected his performance.
Aurelio: 6 Could not help the team with 10 men.
Spearing: 6 Not enough time to impress.
Rafa: 5 Loss his temper as well. But the key is to regroup the team and restart the season. Now.
Portsmouth: 7 On performance like today they should survive.
Man of the Match: Gerrard. We need more people to play with heart like the captain.
Players Rating:
Reina: 6.5 Have no chance on both goals conceded.
Johnson: 6 Unable to provide any threat on his return to Pompey.
Carragher: 6.5 Showed character but could not prevent the tragedy.
Agger: 6 Solid defending.
Insua: 6 One of his poorer game of the season.
Mascherano: 5 Stupid red card.
Lucas: 6 Solid in midfield.
Kuyt: 6 Did not provide many attacking help.
Gerrard: 7 Trying to lift the team but could not do so.
Dossena: 5 Very poor performance.
Torres: 6 Loss his temper and was lucky for not being sent off.
Substitutions:
Benayoun: 6 Slight injury affected his performance.
Aurelio: 6 Could not help the team with 10 men.
Spearing: 6 Not enough time to impress.
Rafa: 5 Loss his temper as well. But the key is to regroup the team and restart the season. Now.
Portsmouth: 7 On performance like today they should survive.
Man of the Match: Gerrard. We need more people to play with heart like the captain.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Be careful
After a midweek victory at home we are now away at Pompey in the early hours. The weather is bad and the travel is long, but we have the squad to bring home the 3 points we needed.
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Insua
Mascherano
Lucas
Kuyt
Gerrard
Benayoun
Torres
Result 2:0
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Insua
Mascherano
Lucas
Kuyt
Gerrard
Benayoun
Torres
Result 2:0
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Match Report 091216 vs Wigan Athletic: A better result
2-1 and apart from a few scares we were in control of the game. Confidence may be still a bit low, especially after they scored, but we are getting better in general. Ngog was especially sharp and he is a good backup for Torres.
Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Another good performance in general.
Carragher: 7 Solid as a make-shift right back.
Skrtel: 6.5 Did well in defending.
Agger: 7 Should have scored from a corner.
Insua: 6.5 Solid defending.
Benayoun: 7 Very lively performance.
Gerrard: 7 Getting closer to his right level.
Mascherano: 7 Solid tackles.
Aurelio: 7 Deadly crossing that lead to the first goal.
Kuyt: 6.5 Worked hard as usual and with have a great shot saved.
Ngog: 7.5 Scored another great goal and growing confidence.
Substitutions:
Lucas: 6.5 Solid when came up to protect back four.
Torres: 7.5 Scored a great goal in his 100th game.
Aquilani: 6.5 Not enough time to impress.
Rafa: 7 Would be delighted in the result and the performance in general, but still need to grow the team confidence.
Wigan Athletic: 6 Didn't do too much to deserve more from the game.
Man of the Match: Ngog. Not quite Torres but a useful backup.
Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Another good performance in general.
Carragher: 7 Solid as a make-shift right back.
Skrtel: 6.5 Did well in defending.
Agger: 7 Should have scored from a corner.
Insua: 6.5 Solid defending.
Benayoun: 7 Very lively performance.
Gerrard: 7 Getting closer to his right level.
Mascherano: 7 Solid tackles.
Aurelio: 7 Deadly crossing that lead to the first goal.
Kuyt: 6.5 Worked hard as usual and with have a great shot saved.
Ngog: 7.5 Scored another great goal and growing confidence.
Substitutions:
Lucas: 6.5 Solid when came up to protect back four.
Torres: 7.5 Scored a great goal in his 100th game.
Aquilani: 6.5 Not enough time to impress.
Rafa: 7 Would be delighted in the result and the performance in general, but still need to grow the team confidence.
Wigan Athletic: 6 Didn't do too much to deserve more from the game.
Man of the Match: Ngog. Not quite Torres but a useful backup.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Grow our confidence
We are now playing without much confidence and we need to address this as soon as possible. The coming three games are against the bottom teams and we need to get 9 points from these games. Although confidence may be low but we still have enough talent to take these points. Starting tonight.
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Insua
Mascherano
Kuyt
Gerrard
Aquilani
Benayoun
Torres
Result 2:0
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Insua
Mascherano
Kuyt
Gerrard
Aquilani
Benayoun
Torres
Result 2:0
Monday, December 14, 2009
Match Report 091213 vs Arsenal: We need some luck
1-2 and this is a very disappointing as this is a golden opportunity for us to move up the table, as most of our rivals were losing. We played quite well in the first half and were fully deserved with a half time lead. But luck ran out in second half and as soon as Johnson scored an own goal the momentum changed. As Gerrard and Torres tired we didn't have any tricks to win the game, and the result left us at 7th place. Time is running out and we definitely need to win the next 3 games, where we should be capable to do so.
Players Rating:
Reina: 6.5 Could do nothing with both goals.
Johnson: 6 Bad luck in scoring an own goal and should mark Arshavin tighter for the second goal conceded.
Carragher: 7 Solid defending and lead the defense well.
Agger: 6.5 Did well in defensing.
Aurelio: 6.5 Did not do much to support attack.
Mascherano: 6.5 Not his best game.
Lucas: 6.5 Did OK in the midfield.
Kuyt: 7 Scored a great goal but could not lead us to victory.
Gerrard: 6.5 Should have win us a penalty.
Benayoun: 6 A very quiet day.
Torres: 6.5 Had a few chances but failed to take any of them.
Substitutions:
Aquilani: 6.5 Failed to change the game.
Ngog/Degen: 6.5 Not enough time to impress.
Rafa: 6 Need to improve the confidence of the team. We miss them badly.
Arsenal: 6.5 A poor game but luck was on their side.
Men of the Match: Carragher/Kuyt. But still not enough to bring us anything from the game.
Players Rating:
Reina: 6.5 Could do nothing with both goals.
Johnson: 6 Bad luck in scoring an own goal and should mark Arshavin tighter for the second goal conceded.
Carragher: 7 Solid defending and lead the defense well.
Agger: 6.5 Did well in defensing.
Aurelio: 6.5 Did not do much to support attack.
Mascherano: 6.5 Not his best game.
Lucas: 6.5 Did OK in the midfield.
Kuyt: 7 Scored a great goal but could not lead us to victory.
Gerrard: 6.5 Should have win us a penalty.
Benayoun: 6 A very quiet day.
Torres: 6.5 Had a few chances but failed to take any of them.
Substitutions:
Aquilani: 6.5 Failed to change the game.
Ngog/Degen: 6.5 Not enough time to impress.
Rafa: 6 Need to improve the confidence of the team. We miss them badly.
Arsenal: 6.5 A poor game but luck was on their side.
Men of the Match: Carragher/Kuyt. But still not enough to bring us anything from the game.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Season restarts here
I have lost count of how many times we think we will restart the season, but hopefully this is it. Gunners will be tough opponents but we have an almost full squad finally available. It would not be easy, but with the support of the Kop, we will win this.]
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Aurelio
Gerrard
Mascherano
Kuyt
Aquilani
Benayoun
Torres
Result 2:0
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Aurelio
Gerrard
Mascherano
Kuyt
Aquilani
Benayoun
Torres
Result 2:0
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Match Report 091209 vs Fiorentina: Result summarises our Champions League fate this season
1-2 and once again we conceded at the last minute. Without these three late goals we will have qualified, and now we are only content with Europa League. We played the game well but did not take our chances, and the Viola capitalized their chances and took them well.
It is good to see Aquilani finally starts and Torres back in contention. We deadly missed them.
Players Rating:
Cavalieri: 7.5 Made many good saves.
Darby: 6.5 A bit nervous in his debut and made two mistakes that lead to both goals conceded.
Skrtel: 6.5 Made covers for Darby.
Agger: 6.5 A solid defensive performance.
Insua: 6.5 Not going forward too often.
Gerrard: 7 Getting closer to his normal level.
Mascherano: 6.5 Made many tackles.
Benayoun: 7 Scored another goal and become our CL top scorer this season - with 2 goals.
Aquilani: 7 A stylish first start and we would like to see more from him.
Dossena: 6.5 Left midfield is a more suitable position for him.
Kuyt: 6.5 Did not provide too many threats.
Substitutions:
Torres: 7 Came up and changed the flow of the game.
Pacheco: 6.5 A nice debut from the promising new start.
Aurelio: 6.5 Not enough time to impress.
Rafa: 6.5 Still need to change the psychology of the team to become more positive. It is time to serious consider playing Aquilani more.
Fiorentina: 6.5 Well deserved to qualify.
Man of the Match: Cavalieri. Would be great to see him involved more in the FA Cup and Europa League.
It is good to see Aquilani finally starts and Torres back in contention. We deadly missed them.
Players Rating:
Cavalieri: 7.5 Made many good saves.
Darby: 6.5 A bit nervous in his debut and made two mistakes that lead to both goals conceded.
Skrtel: 6.5 Made covers for Darby.
Agger: 6.5 A solid defensive performance.
Insua: 6.5 Not going forward too often.
Gerrard: 7 Getting closer to his normal level.
Mascherano: 6.5 Made many tackles.
Benayoun: 7 Scored another goal and become our CL top scorer this season - with 2 goals.
Aquilani: 7 A stylish first start and we would like to see more from him.
Dossena: 6.5 Left midfield is a more suitable position for him.
Kuyt: 6.5 Did not provide too many threats.
Substitutions:
Torres: 7 Came up and changed the flow of the game.
Pacheco: 6.5 A nice debut from the promising new start.
Aurelio: 6.5 Not enough time to impress.
Rafa: 6.5 Still need to change the psychology of the team to become more positive. It is time to serious consider playing Aquilani more.
Fiorentina: 6.5 Well deserved to qualify.
Man of the Match: Cavalieri. Would be great to see him involved more in the FA Cup and Europa League.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Trial match for the youngsters
Tonight's game has no significant value apart from improving match fitness of some players. Rafa should use this opportunity to give the youngsters a chance so that they can learn more from playing in an European game.
My Team Prediction:
Cavalieri
Darby
Kyrgiakos
Skrtel
Dossena
Mascherano
Gerrard
Pacheco
Aquilani
Riera
Ngog
Result 2:0
My Team Prediction:
Cavalieri
Darby
Kyrgiakos
Skrtel
Dossena
Mascherano
Gerrard
Pacheco
Aquilani
Riera
Ngog
Result 2:0
Monday, December 07, 2009
Match Report 091205 at Blackburn Rovers: Missed opportunity
0-0 and with result elsewhere against us, we are now further adrift in the race for 4th place. First half was in particular poor with no real chances created. In the second half we stepped up and with a few great chances, but we failed to grab any of them. Defense was solid or otherwise we will lose the game.
One thing that Rafa need to sort out is the lack of creativity of the midfield. Lucas and Mascherano are good, but if Rafa play them together we lack creativity, as they are too similar to each other. With Aquilani approaching his first start we hope the problem can be resolved soon.
Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Did well to earn us another clean sheet.
Johnson: 7.5 Very sharp in the 2H with many deadly crosses.
Carragher: 7 Solid in denying Blackburn from scoring.
Agger: 7 An elegant display.
Insua: 6.5 Did not move forward very often.
Lucas: 6.5 Solid but lack creativity.
Mascherano: 6.5 Solid in defending.
Benayoun: 6.5 Did not create many opportunities.
Gerrard: 7 Worked hard on his 500th game but with no prevail.
Riera: 6 Very quiet.
Kuyt: 6.5 Tried hard but could not score.
Substitutions:
Ngog: 6.5 Had a great chance but hit the bar hard.
El Zhar: 6.5 Worked very hard but could not change the game.
Rafa: 6.5 Need to improve the creativity of the game ASAP.
Blackburn Rovers: 6.5 Did not do too much to win the game either.
Man of the Match: Johnson. Provided many opportunities but our attacks failed to take any of them.
One thing that Rafa need to sort out is the lack of creativity of the midfield. Lucas and Mascherano are good, but if Rafa play them together we lack creativity, as they are too similar to each other. With Aquilani approaching his first start we hope the problem can be resolved soon.
Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Did well to earn us another clean sheet.
Johnson: 7.5 Very sharp in the 2H with many deadly crosses.
Carragher: 7 Solid in denying Blackburn from scoring.
Agger: 7 An elegant display.
Insua: 6.5 Did not move forward very often.
Lucas: 6.5 Solid but lack creativity.
Mascherano: 6.5 Solid in defending.
Benayoun: 6.5 Did not create many opportunities.
Gerrard: 7 Worked hard on his 500th game but with no prevail.
Riera: 6 Very quiet.
Kuyt: 6.5 Tried hard but could not score.
Substitutions:
Ngog: 6.5 Had a great chance but hit the bar hard.
El Zhar: 6.5 Worked very hard but could not change the game.
Rafa: 6.5 Need to improve the creativity of the game ASAP.
Blackburn Rovers: 6.5 Did not do too much to win the game either.
Man of the Match: Johnson. Provided many opportunities but our attacks failed to take any of them.
Friday, December 04, 2009
Build on result
After two victories and clean sheets in a row we now need to continue our run into December. Rafa should have a full squad to choose from as Torres should be returning, so we need to make sure we are strong from the back and take the three points home.
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Insua
Mascherano
Lucas
Kuyt
Gerrard
Bebayoun
Ngog
Result 2:0
My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Insua
Mascherano
Lucas
Kuyt
Gerrard
Bebayoun
Ngog
Result 2:0
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