Lallana's Left Peg

I agree he brings much more than his scoring record - his energy and movement is good. But when I merely pointed out his scoring record and that by ANYONES standards the chance he had was great and should have been on target people are getting their knickers in a twist. Accept it. He missed a great chance. He is not a good finisher. His reaction says it all. He hustled well and stood his ground against Johnson and then nodded it casually wide. Look at everyone's reaction when it happened - not the reaction of teammates who thought 'better luck next time that was hard'.

I agree he brings much more than his scoring record - his energy and movement is good. But when I merely pointed out his scoring record and that by ANYONES standards the chance he had was great and should have been on target people are getting their knickers in a twist. Accept it. He missed a great chance. He is not a good finisher. His reaction says it all. He hustled well and stood his ground against Johnson and then nodded it casually wide. Look at everyone's reaction when it happened - not the reaction of teammates who thought 'better luck next time that was hard'.

No I've decided to take a look at his scoring record and read what fans of his previous clubs have said and then realise that when he headed it wide from 5 yards with no goalkeeper that perhaps we found out quickly why he has the goalscoring record he has. But never mind I am sure he will turn into a 20 goal a season striker with us.

No I've decided to take a look at his scoring record and read what fans of his previous clubs have said and then realise that when he headed it wide from 5 yards with no goalkeeper that perhaps we found out quickly why he has the goalscoring record he has. But never mind I am sure he will turn into a 20 goal a season striker with us.

Not the time to be asking Spurs for players, is it?

Not the time to be asking Spurs for players, is it?

He has a point though. Is Ramirez made of balsa wood or something?

He has a point though. Is Ramirez made of balsa wood or something?

Lovren had plenty of dodgy moments in the second half of the season. He's miles better than Yoshida but Yoshida wasn't at fault for the goals today as poor as he was at times. The difference was simple - Sturridge had a chance and scored and we had a few and missed. Game over.

Lovren had plenty of dodgy moments in the second half of the season. He's miles better than Yoshida but Yoshida wasn't at fault for the goals today as poor as he was at times. The difference was simple - Sturridge had a chance and scored and we had a few and missed. Game over.

That clearly wasn't the key otherwise we would have something from the game today. They are important to us but they aren't the key to our success otherwise we could plug any player around them and be as good.

That clearly wasn't the key otherwise we would have something from the game today. They are important to us but they aren't the key to our success otherwise we could plug any player around them and be as good.

By the way - far better second half playing 4-4-1-1 than 4-3-3.

By the way - far better second half playing 4-4-1-1 than 4-3-3.

We did well but if you don't take your chances you don't deserve anything. Lots to be encouraged by and better than I expected. The book on Shane Long was always that he can't finish for toffee just a shame we had to learn like that straight away.

We did well but if you don't take your chances you don't deserve anything. Lots to be encouraged by and better than I expected. The book on Shane Long was always that he can't finish for toffee just a shame we had to learn like that straight away.

This is not the sort of game that would suit him. The pace of it as well as our tactics.

This is not the sort of game that would suit him. The pace of it as well as our tactics.

Sterling is keeping Clyne pressed well back - we are not moving the ball quick enough (either hesitation or lack of movement I don't know) and Liverpool press and get the ball back so you can see why Clyne is a bit worried about going forward and giving Sterling all that space again. For me the balance isn't right. If the team is designed to be compact when we defend then that is fine but when we have the ball we either need to keep it longer through movement or be braver and take a player on in the right areas. Sitting back and waiting for the press (and either losing it or aimlessly hoofing it forward) is just asking for trouble and will also result in never threatening the opponents goal. We're playing against a decent team but are not putting our best foot forward. It just doesn't feel like there are enough goals in this team.

Sterling is keeping Clyne pressed well back - we are not moving the ball quick enough (either hesitation or lack of movement I don't know) and Liverpool press and get the ball back so you can see why Clyne is a bit worried about going forward and giving Sterling all that space again. For me the balance isn't right. If the team is designed to be compact when we defend then that is fine but when we have the ball we either need to keep it longer through movement or be braver and take a player on in the right areas. Sitting back and waiting for the press (and either losing it or aimlessly hoofing it forward) is just asking for trouble and will also result in never threatening the opponents goal. We're playing against a decent team but are not putting our best foot forward. It just doesn't feel like there are enough goals in this team.

It's not that bad but we look a little like strangers in the final third but that will come in time hopefully. Concerned at how Fonte goes to **** when his partner is playing bad. JWP not working in that outside right role.

It's not that bad but we look a little like strangers in the final third but that will come in time hopefully. Concerned at how Fonte goes to **** when his partner is playing bad. JWP not working in that outside right role.

Working on scraps, plays very central but would like him to get stuck into Skrtel and Lovren more.