saintant

Let that sink in! I think Joe Aribo would do a far better job at centre forward than this guy.

I thought similar after the pre-season strike which was a clever run and an instinctive finish but clearly that was the exception rather than the norm. He just runs around with no apparent idea of where he should be or what he should do, has a first touch that is clumsy at best and no physical presence. Ok, he needs time but my instinct is that we've been conned and sold a dud.

Only a reserve Liverpool team! They started with the most expensive transfer in Prem League history up front who is a goal scoring machine, an international goalkeeper, Robertson, Frimpong, Gomez, Jones and Enzo who have a lot of PL experience, Chiesa an Italian international plus a 16 year old wonderkid all of who are far too good for any Championship side - but yeah, it was only a Liverpool reserve side 🙂 I think we need to give our boys a bit more credit than backhanded compliments because the opposition wasn't full blown Liverpool.

Yeah possibly.

Hi ho!

Surely they've twigged by now that his value reduces every time he plays.

Bit harsh on Downes who was probably our best player tonight and got through a huge shift.

Come on, you can't seriously attach any of the blame for that goal to Quarshie - McCarthy has to own that one 100%.

Most of them didn't play against Pompey so a bit harsh to blame them for that shit show.

Amen to that.

Because Liverpool had at least 4 shots on target plus he'd have spilled a few crosses.

Thought he didn't look limited and hardly put a foot wrong tonight and even carried the ball out of defence on one occasion. He is brave, strong and has some pace. Very good performance against some good players.

They did but Capt Jack will be back to fuck our defence up on Saturday.

What rubbish.

He made a couple of very good saves that would likely have beaten Bazunu.

Ok fair enough, you want to keep playing him and agree with manager's picking him. What I see time and time again is a liability. Couldn't give a monkeys what our managers see in him.

Stephens is hopeless - people just don't watch him closely enough and he is stealing a living. All 3 centre backs tonight were superior to him and Liverpool would have found it far easier if he'd been playing. Don't get why people want him in the side on Saturday but it's all about opinions I guess and Will Still will likely stick with his captain.

A very honest appraisal and he is clearly as frustrated as we are by the cheap goals we continually give away and is right to call it out.

So presumably you'd keep Capt Jack in? Astonishing.

That's more like it! Excellent performance and we made them fight all the way for the win. The 3 centre backs were all way better than Capt Jack and THB. Midfield played well and it's a shame about McCarthy's brain fart because other than that he played very well. I will just say that Stewart must be hopeless if he can't get on in front of Downs who was very poor and has no touch whatsoever. Was there a hint of offside for their winning goal? - he looked slightly ahead of the guy making the pass. Lots to be pleased about and I hope Will Still picks the next side on merit which means no Stephens or THB. Overall tonight was a big step in the right direction and we should take a lot of confidence from it. Bring on Boro.

Why play Stephens? Wood and Quarshie have both been far better than him tonight, Edwards too. Both Wood and Edwards confident enough to bring the ball out of defence and get forward under the pressure of Anfield. THB and Stephens are done for me after seeing that 45 minutes from our 3 CBs.

Make no excuse for starting on a positive note because that really was a very good half and no way should we be behind. The 3 centre backs have been superb and far superior than Capt Jack and THB. Jelert has been good as has manning. Midfield buzzing around and forwards with good movement and decent press. We should score from AA's shot that hit the bar then 30 seconds later comes the usual goalkeeping howler under zero pressure. Real shame because up til then McCarthy had been faultless with some good saves. More positives than negatives and we look like a team tonight.

Fair point and I agree both deserved a start tonight.

Depends how their replacements do tonight. If they show some grit, fight and determination I would expect them to keep their places at the expense of those who have been well below the required standards.

Well it seems to me that he is fed up with senior players making glaring errors and not 'showing what we're about' so has decided to see what some of the fringe players have to offer which is a perfectly sensible approach. What would be gained by continuing with those who have let him down so badly? This is a free hit, we don't expect to win so why not experiment - at least we may learn something.