Lallana's Left Peg

Have been told Long starts but not told who he starts ahead of or even if the guy who told me would be the informed type. Apparently right now Koeman is aware of our defensive issues and would rather focus on us scoring plenty rather than be defensive and kill a goalscoring threat.

I worry that our defence looks incredibly vulnerable to the counter and even more so as we try to find the right blend and balance in the final third - as our moves break down due to a lack of understanding that counter will continue to be available for the opposition. May be a while before we get it right and not much we can do about it - it's just an unfortunate circumstance of so much change.

From memory didn't we go after Butland?

Boruc has only been here a few seasons but the odds have always been a little stacked against him. He was only signed after Davis proved what we all suspected - that his keeping is not up to PL standard. At the end of his first season we tried to replace him despite him signing a contract extension. This summer the club finally got the young English keeper they wanted (I'd imagine that was one of the things discussed with Dave Watson when he was in negotiations).

It was highly unlikely a club of our stature could keep two good keepers.

He signed for the club when Suarez was still there. I highly doubt he signed thinking he'd be first choice. He's joining his boyhood club at the age of 32, gets a great contract, moves home, and gets to contribute a bit on the pitch. People acting like the reason he signed for them was to be first choice.

An online fanzine? Not sure that would work but I'd give it a read I suppose!

Am I crazy or does this make no sense: So Norwich asked for a certain fee but then said they don't want to sell!?!

To be fair that usually means there is lots going on when it comes to how we recruit.

Early morning drinking

The first run was into the channel and Pelle was a little behind Lovren but he checked out and ran away from goal creating some good separation from Lovren who was fully committed to the channel run. I suspect Pelle would have been clear in goal if JWP had seen it.

The first run was into the channel and Pelle was a little behind Lovren but he checked out and ran away from goal creating some good separation from Lovren who was fully committed to the channel run. I suspect Pelle would have been clear in goal if JWP had seen it.

How can they do that?

How can they do that?

Quickly looked him up - another midfielder!?!

Quickly looked him up - another midfielder!?!

Pelle didn't seem dispirited working on scraps. He kept going and I thought grew into the game as it progressed. He got frustrated at both the quality of the ball into the box as well as the delay in crossing so that will need to be sorted. He very much plays within the width of the 18 yard box. He acknowledged pre-season that he knows he will be up against stronger defenders and he needs to rise to the occasion. Loved his run off the back of Lovren in the first half when had JWP noticed it instead of playing it in the channel he would have been clear on goal. I think he will be effective for us.

Pelle didn't seem dispirited working on scraps. He kept going and I thought grew into the game as it progressed. He got frustrated at both the quality of the ball into the box as well as the delay in crossing so that will need to be sorted. He very much plays within the width of the 18 yard box. He acknowledged pre-season that he knows he will be up against stronger defenders and he needs to rise to the occasion. Loved his run off the back of Lovren in the first half when had JWP noticed it instead of playing it in the channel he would have been clear on goal. I think he will be effective for us.

Wasn't really tested. Was a bit nervous with the ball at his feet but no worse than Boruc in that respect. Had a good presence in crosses and positioning at set pieces was solid too. Hard to make any conclusions.

Wasn't really tested. Was a bit nervous with the ball at his feet but no worse than Boruc in that respect. Had a good presence in crosses and positioning at set pieces was solid too. Hard to make any conclusions.

One game is very hard to make predictions off the back of - just two seasons ago we went to the Ethiad and performed well despite a loss but that was the start of 4pts from 10 games. I'm not saying that will happen this season by any stretch of the imagination - far from it, but just that one game is not a fair way to make any bold predictions. That said, it is far better to lose performing as we did than by capitulating. I was pleasantly surprised - although I do think Liverpool played poorly. We deserve some credit for that too but they did look rusty - its a shame we couldn't take our chances. If we can consolidate and finish mid-table I think it will be a fine season.

One game is very hard to make predictions off the back of - just two seasons ago we went to the Ethiad and performed well despite a loss but that was the start of 4pts from 10 games. I'm not saying that will happen this season by any stretch of the imagination - far from it, but just that one game is not a fair way to make any bold predictions. That said, it is far better to lose performing as we did than by capitulating. I was pleasantly surprised - although I do think Liverpool played poorly. We deserve some credit for that too but they did look rusty - its a shame we couldn't take our chances. If we can consolidate and finish mid-table I think it will be a fine season.

In half a season that will still be a bad miss. His record says he doesn't score many goals, supporters of his previous clubs say he isn't a natural finisher and misses many chances, and I think that is a very good chance. In half a season what could change is that he scores lots of goals for us and takes his chances. But that would be different to the story of his previous career. I hope he does it. But I am not sure that at 27 he becomes a better finisher. Time will tell.

In half a season that will still be a bad miss. His record says he doesn't score many goals, supporters of his previous clubs say he isn't a natural finisher and misses many chances, and I think that is a very good chance. In half a season what could change is that he scores lots of goals for us and takes his chances. But that would be different to the story of his previous career. I hope he does it. But I am not sure that at 27 he becomes a better finisher. Time will tell.

He clearly wanted to say more but felt he couldn't. Still, what he said was revealing. Maybe he has an agenda, or maybe he just cares. I don't know. But I don't think it is as cut and dry as 'bigger clubs wanted our players' this summer. I doubt the truth will ever emerge though.