View Full Version : The Cisse-Garcia Partnership
Lanky134
16 Sep 2004, 11:13 AM
I was going to post this in the post-game thread, but figured it would probably wind up buried in there. It might be too early to come to a conclusion, but watching the game yesterday, and listening to it on Saturday, I noticed that the way the two of them played reminded me a lot of the first couple of years of the Fowler-Owen partnership.
It was often said that, despite their strike rate (they accounted for almost 60 goals in 97-98 and 98-99), the pair didn't work because they were too similar, but I think that was often in the context of the traditional English mentality of "big guy/little guy" than anything. Their play wasn't similar at all. You've got one guy with deadly pace barely onside waiting for a through ball, and another whose clever runs and cheek confuse defenders as well as create space for the first guy.
But what I also noticed last night is that, like Fowler and Owen, there seemed to be very little link-up play between the two, and that's really why the Fowler-Owen partnership was often considered to be unsuccessful. They both put up excellent numbers but that was often the work of strong play from McManaman, Redknapp and Berger than any telepathy between the two forwards. Certainly the Heskey-Owen and possibly the Fowler-Collymore pairing showed two men with a better understanding of each other's style.
Any thoughts?
bjb7223
16 Sep 2004, 11:32 AM
been together for 4 weeks.
I hope we keep the same lineup against the mancs on Monday.
Dudek
Carragher, Sammi, Josemi, Risse
Finnan, Gerrard, Xabi, Kewell
Garcia
Cisse
It has brought on some wonderful display he past 2 weeks. Love Garcia's support of Cisse. Need to finish better though. Do that and well beat the mancs easy. BTW I hope Kirkland plays in the next few weeks. I still do not truat Dudek.
655321
16 Sep 2004, 11:57 AM
Well, you certainly can't argue with results.
Lanky134
16 Sep 2004, 12:01 PM
Well, you certainly can't argue with results.
Try me.
:D
AwayKit
16 Sep 2004, 12:04 PM
been together for 4 weeks.
I agree, seems a bit early to judge a pairing. Not that that has stopped me in the past.
OutKast3000
16 Sep 2004, 12:16 PM
What about Milan Baros???
655321
16 Sep 2004, 12:23 PM
What about Milan Baros???
Never heard of him...
Lanky134
16 Sep 2004, 12:26 PM
What about Milan Baros???
Too similar to Cisse. Just puts his head down and runs - doesn't even try to set up a teammate.
kopiteinkc
16 Sep 2004, 12:31 PM
I think at this point I am more troubled by the lack of a good partnership between Cisse and Baros than I am Garcia with either of the above.
I'd really like to see a line up with all three of them in there. As I believe they all deserve to start.
However, Benitez has been stressing balance in the team. Which means one sits on the bench and the other two start. Depending on opponent, current form, home/away, competition (CL, League, etc) will determine who starts.
In the last two matches all three have scored. That is a great problem to have and is much better to discuss than hand wringing over an unfortunate loss with young players who were foiled by a top class performance from an unknown goalie. (Plastic fans who started supporting us this morning might not get this reference)
SuperElf
16 Sep 2004, 12:48 PM
In the last two matches all three have scored. That is a great problem to have and is much better to discuss than hand wringing over an unfortunate loss with young players who were foiled by a top class performance from an unknown goalie. (Plastic fans who started supporting us this morning might not get this reference)Ha! Methinks we have a long way to go before we start accumulating glory hunters. (Unless they'll be content hunting for 4th.)
I really think Rafa's in a no-win for the ManU game. If he starts Baros instead of Garcia or Cisse and we DON'T blow them out of the water, he's a retard and Baros sucks. If he starts Garcia and Cisse and we win, they are clearly the #1 partnership and Baros is right back to where he was with GH where he only starts vs. Palace and Norwich (and is probably gone at the end of the year).
I almost think he has to start Baros in order to prevent the Red Nation from mentally shelving Milan as our third choice stiker, and just write off the consequences as collateral damage if we drop points.
AwayKit
16 Sep 2004, 04:33 PM
Ha! Methinks we have a long way to go before we start accumulating glory hunters. (Unless they'll be content hunting for 4th.)
I really think Rafa's in a no-win for the ManU game. If he starts Baros instead of Garcia or Cisse and we DON'T blow them out of the water, he's a retard and Baros sucks. If he starts Garcia and Cisse and we win, they are clearly the #1 partnership and Baros is right back to where he was with GH where he only starts vs. Palace and Norwich (and is probably gone at the end of the year).
I almost think he has to start Baros in order to prevent the Red Nation from mentally shelving Milan as our third choice stiker, and just write off the consequences as collateral damage if we drop points.
Well I don't think there is the expecation of blowing ManU out of the water.
But the second scenario seems like Baros' problem - ours if we want depth. But if the perfomances hold there should be plenty of game time for both.
I agree about being mentally shelved in the pecking order.
SirManchester
16 Sep 2004, 04:45 PM
This is stupid....Baros was benched most of last season, then he had a great Euro Cup and people wanted to bring that out of him at Liverpool. Benching him again won't help that at all. Ridiculous...
Lanky134
16 Sep 2004, 04:52 PM
This is stupid....Baros was injured most of last season...
Fixed your post, genius.
AwayKit
16 Sep 2004, 04:57 PM
Baros still has to like his odds of seeing playing time- he probably spent the summer thinking he'd be behind Owen and Cisse.
AwayKit
16 Sep 2004, 06:37 PM
Garcia: 'I can link with either Cisse or Baros, they are both fantastic players. Because of the way I play, it is easy to line up with either, and a pleasure to work with them both.
lackadaisical
16 Sep 2004, 09:28 PM
Just start them every other game, with the other coming on as a sub. Clearly, the one striker with Garcia playing behind is the most effective formation thus far.
Bjornebye
16 Sep 2004, 10:43 PM
I noticed that the way the two of them played reminded me a lot of the first couple of years of the Fowler-Owen partnership.
Any thoughts?
Early doors.
Stig
liverbird
16 Sep 2004, 10:46 PM
Early doors.
Stig
Like "Come on baby light my fire"? :cool:
ScouseCat
16 Sep 2004, 10:59 PM
What about Milan Baros???
Baros still has a huge role to play at Anfield.
poolfan=)
17 Sep 2004, 01:25 AM
Id say the Cisse garcia partnership is better than one with Baros in it. Cisse Garcia are starting to develop the reln that Bergkamp and Henry have had for the Gooners for the past two/three years. With Garcia playing in the hole, he will 60-70% of the time make wall passes to unlock the defence to Cisse runs just off the box. Also Cisse is a better starter than Baros becasue of his willingness to come back occasionally in midfield to pick up the ball and set up play, Baros usually makes a run from half way when we pick up the ball in defence hoping to latch onto a long ball or his waits for one played to his feet and then tries to dribble past two or three to get to goal. For me this makes Liverpool lose possesion and therefore shape. He is much better as a sub late in the half when the defence are slightly tired.
Plus dont forget Kewell who both Garcia and Cisse play off to. Therefore for me eventhough I like Bars and would want him to start, the team is more balanced wihtout him unless he slots in for Finnan which is unlikely