29 Jan 2014 18:20:58
I have deliberately waited 24 hours before posting my thoughts and comments. I would have said things last night that would have got me in to trouble!
I think these will get up a few peoples noses too.
To start with, for the last 6 months I have heard nothing but praise for super Roberto Martinez. Then all of a sudden we lose our 3rd Premier League game of the season and he doesn't know what he is doing.according to some of you that is.
Having said that, I have some criticisms of his choices last night myself. I thought Tony Hibbert should have started in Stone's place. To pick a 19 year old in such a game in such a volatile atmosphere was a mistake. Added to which, I can't believe how Alcaraz was out-jumped for Gerrard's opener. I would have had Heitinger in. He had a decent game last Saturday then is below Alcaraz in the pecking order last night. Hetinger is not quick, but at least he is quicker than Alacaraz. I know Osman has had criticism lately, but he was my man of the match for us when he came on. He lost possession 2 or 3 times max and certainly created more openings than anyone else had in the first half. He was certainly twice as good as Pienaar had been. We were the better team once the substitutions were made. I thought the high line we held up to the half way line was totally the wrong tactic. as the 4th goal aptly demonstrated when Jags lost possession. Suarez and Sturridge are both very quick. To play a high line defending team with slow defenders like Alcaraz is suicidal. To prove my point on this I offer some statistics. our possession = 61%. Their = 39%. Our shots = 19. Theirs = 20. Our corners = 8. Theirs = 5. Score = 4 nil to them.the only statistic that counts.
Finally, my other criticism goes to our corners. All season we have taken corner after corner, and yet we never seem to score. Other top teams seem to score off every other corner. Yes the sh***e and Utd both seem to always score from corners. Last night nearly every one of our corners was an outswinger. Why? They are so easy to defend against. Look at Utd's and the sh***s's, they usually drive the corners in hard to the 6 yard box for a flick on or direct attempt. as per Gerrard's last night. So overall I am not happy. But I guess Roberto has the excuse that Distin and Coleman were injured. Added to which Lukaku went off and Pienaar and Jags both looked like they were wearing army boots encased in mud.

1.) 29 Jan 2014
Great post despite no name. Like you I was also so gutted that I couldn't respond last night even after reading posts on ours and their sites.
Let's put things into perspective however. The fact is we have an injury situation whereby players were picked last night who normally would have been been allowed more time to recover. But needs must I suppose and I was genuinely heartened upon hearing that Jags, Ross and Steven Pienaar had been passed fit to start. How wrong that was as each of them were clearly unfit to compete against the RS who'd been exposed last week by Villa as being weak in midfield and suspect at the back.
John Stones also didn't deserve the criticisms as he was being played out of position and still looks a genuine prospect for the future. Let's not start slagging off our players like they do over the park. This only affects players' confidences and can lead to loss of form. JS should have started on the bench with Hibbo playing at RB. He did so on Saturday having dusted away a few cobwebs and I would have demanded that Johnny Heitinger cancelled his Italian trip to play at centre back. He is still under contract and could have done much last night to impress the Dutch boos had he played.
The loss of Lukaku was unfortunate given the circumstances of his injury and following Bryan Oviedo' s sickening incident at the weekend. Ozzie looked useful when he came on. Again this should prove his doubters wrong. He still has much to offer us and has attracted unfair criticism IMO.

So what of the RS?
Yes they put 4 past us and it could have been more. But our heads never dropped. Even at 4 nil we were the ones holding possession (61% during the game as a whole) and still passing the ball. But when caught giving the ball away we were clinically punished which was hard to swallow having played so refreshingly well this season.
Atkinson was poor last night. He was too easily taken in by the home side's theatrics and IMO wrongly booked Gareyh Barry amongst others.

So let's try to take a positive.
This was only one game. We're only 4 points behind them and they will mess up again as they did against Hull and Villa. Players should start to return to full fitness. We're still in the FA Cup with a realistic chance to progress to Round 6 after a home draw and avoiding Arsenal, Chelsea, City and the Sh***. Roberto agreed to become our manager. How many other clubs must be looking enviously at what they have in comparison?
There's still a couple of days left in the transfer window. A permanent striker is now essential with Romelu sidelined for a while. Please let's sign Danny Ings before someone else does. He's young, raw but can score goals. Something we need now if our season is to progress. Why undo all the good work achieved so far when we still have a chance to push on?

{Ed025's Note - great post Davey..

2.) 30 Jan 2014
I doubt my post will be popular. But I do come in peace and I am not here to gloat, more discuss the game. I just want to say I thought you lot played well in spells, but couldn't cope with the pace of how we counter attack. Personally, I agree with most of the points made here. I Don't understand why people are slating Martinez, I would much rather watch my team always give it a go rather that play damage limitation, as you did the second half. I admire how bold the guy is, you have a fantastic manager and should be very greatful he is at your club.

It would have been a different story if you had a fully fit squad. Coleman and Distan where MASSIVE players for you to miss, without them I am not sure we would have been so lethal on the break. Keep in mind we missed a few key players in Agger and Lucas, but we have stronger players to replace these, let's be honest, you would rather have Kolo than Alcaraz. Plus, you lost your main goal threat after we scored, so the chances of making a comeback became even harder.

I personally thought Atkinson didn't have a poor game, not great though. I recall Stones rugby tackling Sterling and you winning the freekick. I thought one or two of the bookings you recieved were a little soft too, but no game changing decisions were wrong. He could have done better, but a lot worse.

As I said, in peace. Hoping for some unbias opinions too.

3.) 30 Jan 2014
Fair comment SgtRed, but Atkinson was duped very easily, especially by Sterling.