Lallana's Left Peg

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.

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.

Missing chances like that? Right now it's easier to look at that miss and his history and point to him not being a great finisher than anything particularly changing. If he plays out on the left then 8 goals is fine by me. But frustrating to see someone who is so busy in the box and work so hard not be able to finish. Fans of West Brom and Hull have said it about him.

Missing chances like that? Right now it's easier to look at that miss and his history and point to him not being a great finisher than anything particularly changing. If he plays out on the left then 8 goals is fine by me. But frustrating to see someone who is so busy in the box and work so hard not be able to finish. Fans of West Brom and Hull have said it about him.

Gardos I have no idea about and can't comment. Townsend and Redmond I know and in our team they would be infuriating.

Gardos I have no idea about and can't comment. Townsend and Redmond I know and in our team they would be infuriating.

I agree - would rather bed in Isgrove and McQueen than spend on Redmond or Townsend.

I agree - would rather bed in Isgrove and McQueen than spend on Redmond or Townsend.

What on earth does how long Long has been with us or other players have to do with this? I pointed out a player with a bad scoring record missed a good chance. People are getting upset about that :lol: Would love him to smash 15 goals this season. Is there ANYTHING to suggest he will?

What on earth does how long Long has been with us or other players have to do with this? I pointed out a player with a bad scoring record missed a good chance. People are getting upset about that :lol: Would love him to smash 15 goals this season. Is there ANYTHING to suggest he will?

Of course Lambert missed easy chances. But we know he scores goals for us and has a goalscoring record that says so as well. Long does not have the record - so remind me why you think he will break the habit of a long career in the top flight and score lots of goals for us? And remind me what was inaccurate about my statement: 1. He does not have a great goalscoring record. 2. We were told he misses lots of chances 3. He missed an easy chance for us. People got all defensive when I just pointed out those three things. I want him to be a massive success for us as I do every player. But that miss backs up the story of his career in terms of goals rather than gets treated like an exception. He'll bring lots of other good stuff to the table but I merely commented that we were told he can't finish and that miss backs it up. Deal with it - what is so bad about saying that?