Eventually the result will go here. In the meantime what are your thoughts about this match? After winning the first two in fairly comfortable fashion this seems to be more of a test of our resolve. They got a good win away at Brum and seem solid at the back so far. I would expect Houllier to rotate a few players in too. I think Carragher might start this one with Xavier going to the bench and I think Riise will not be sub this time either. A bit of a puzzle up front as Heskey and Diouf have looked sharper than Owen. I suppose Owen might be rested and Diouf and Heskey could play together. Then again he could play Baros and Litmanen
I think he will go with Heskey and Owen. Save Diouf for the 70 minute mark if needed. JAR will play on the left of mid, with Stevie and Didi in the middle. Cheyrou will continue as cover for Stevie. Murphy should play on the right but perhaps we'll see Diouf here. Standard across the back with the 2H centre and X on the right. The real question is do you go with seasoning and no pace on the left and bring in Jamie or with speed, strength and no real seasoning in Traore. Duff is the danger in Blackburn Rovers and we need to make certain that he's as contained as we can make him. I look for a low scoring match with us playing much as we did last year on the road. That means Emile up front with long balls played down route one to his head for lay off to Mikie! Didi will sit back closer to the other H's and our fullbacks will stay at home. Of course Jerzy will remain the Pole that rules the goal.
As Duff is a threat on the wing, it will be interesting to see if Houllier sticks with Xavier against him. We might see Carragher back to handle Duff in this one. On the other hand, he could move Gerrard to right midfield to take care of Duff and bring Cheyrou into the middle of midfield. It is great that we have all these options at the moment. Sign of a good deep squad.
I;m thinking Cheyrou and Jari will be in this one. I'm excited to see Bernard play in this one...if it happens. Heskey would get run into the ground going against Duff ... so possibly we might see Emile up top if he gets the starting job again.
At Rovers, I’d like to see: Dudek Carragher Hyppia Henchoz Riise Murphy Gerrard Hamman Heskey Diouf Owen Similar to last week, with Heskey coming forward a lot in attack. The changes in the back line, I think, would give us some improvements in experience and flexibility. But I think we’ll see this instead: Dudek Xavier Hyppia Henchoz Traore Murphy Gerrard Hamman Riise Diouf Heskey Subs: Kirkland Cheyrou Carragher Owen Litmanen Riise back as a starter—in midfield; Owen not starting. No one has played themselves off the starting team in the back line. Playing away, I don’t see us going with the three attackers we fielded against So’ton last week. And of the three attackers we did field last week, Diouf and Heskey pretty much have to stay, based on their current form. Finally, GH has repeatedly mentioned concerns about Owen’s return to full fitness—which for the moment, makes MO the “odd man out.” RK
This is a big game for us. Rovers are that sort of middling club that always causes people problems. I always like to meet them in the middle of the season (a la Middlesbrough either side of Christmas) because by then injuries and suspensions have bitten. This Rovers squad has an excellent crop of starters, but no depth. When all are fit and available, they are very potent indeed. Which is why it would have been nice to see them a bit later on in the campaign. I wonder if Souey's decision to sign Thompson today and have Duff sign his new contract before the game tonight is another of his little wind-ups? Of course it is ... As to our line-up, we will certainly go back to four across the middle, with Risse returning and possibly Gerard out wide on the right to help out against Duff. I would hope that Carra comes back in place of Santa, who is, I am afraid to say, simply not good enough to be in this team. Depends on Jamie's fitness doesn't it though? Up front, I actually think it is more likely he will revert to Diouf - Owen, with Emmo on the bench again for Riise. He has no reason to drop Diouf, especially after the boost he got with his brace against Southampton. Heskey is more dispensable. Cheyrou (BRUNO, by the way ... ) may get a look in. You have to assume that Murphy, Riise, Gerrard and Hamann will start, but Cheyrou may come on if we are 1 up and want to put Rovers on the back foot for a bit later on in the game. To be honest though, I don't think we will see much experimentation with the starting 11 in the league at all until injuries and suspensions become a factor. This early stage of the season is always the one where we wobble (remember - October is our enemy) and, as such, I can imagine GH will want to pick a side and stick with it, to let it build up a nice head of steam for our traditional sticky patch. But I predict a draw, nonetheless ...
Here's an intersting little tit-bit from the official site. The last time we won at Ewood Park was in 1999, when we won 3-1. I went to that, as I recall. Think I did, anyhow. Anyway - the point being ... this is the team that played: Friedel Song (Kvarme 83), Carragher, Staunton, Matteo, Thompson, Ince, Redknapp, Leonhardsen, Riedle (Dundee 81), McManaman Oioioioi! Those were the days eh?
I think it shows how much the top half of the Premiership has moved on. I don't mean to hijackl this game thread with too much of a transgression, but look at where they all are now - Friedel On the opposite side, improved greatly as a player since he left Song West Ham benchwarmer, then FC Cologne loan player, now ... erm ... dunno. (Kvarme) Packed off to St Etienne, then on to Sporting Lisbon, where, would you believe it, he was voted second in their player of the year polls Carra Still the rock-like presence he was then, but let's face it - in actual fact more or less the same player now as he was then. Staunton Last seen deployed as the worst playmaker in the league in Graham Taylor's Aston Villa midfield Matteo Captain of Leeds United. Not bad. Thompson Two years of sterling but pointless service with the mighty Sky Blues. Now, of course, a member of tonight's opposition, although he has yet to feature for them and, as such, still needs to learn his Premiership spurs all over again. Ince Washed up hack who has now played for both the English clubs that exist solely for the benefit of washed up hacks - Middlesbrough and Wolves. Redknapp Actually playing football again. Not injured by some freak gust of wind or other similarly robust life experience. Great news! Although, he plays for Spurs, the most risible club in the Premiership. Not great news. Well, not for him, at any rate. Leonhardsen See above. Except without the playing bit. Riedle Retired. Was a good buy for us, it has to be said. (Dundee) Gack!! Don't even start. I don't actually know where he is. I don't care. I just hope he wasn't running there, because if he was, he's still on his way. The slowest, daftest and crappest signing in Uncle Roy's Slow Daft Crap club. McManaman Said he had a million reasons to stay at Liverpool when his contract was up for renewal, but in the end, just 67,000 reasons managed to persuade him that a life in the sunshine of Madrid would be more fun. It's certainly restful. Isn't it nice to catch up with old friends from time to time?
Teamsheet just announced: Dudek Traore Hyypia Henchoz Xavier Riise Hamman Gerrard Murphy Owen Diouf Subs: Diao Heskey Smicer Carragher Kirkland ---------- Friedel Johannson Short Taylor Neil Duff Tugay Flitcroft Dunn Yorke Cole Subs: Mahon Hignett Berg Kelly Grabbi Dave (not a sub)
im seriously starting to worry whether or not Xavier will be able to cope with Duff...hes played well so far this season, but i think Duff may just be too much for him...
Not too bad of a final result. I'll take the draw at 2. Little Steven really let me down in this one and has to be given the non man of the match award. The first goal that was serviced by Duff was blown coverage on Gerrard's part. With the Xavier being in the box for the set piece, Gerrard should of slipped back to cover the gap ... and sure enough right after the play Duff brings it up the left side untouched untill he reaches our box. Also have to question the service to the forwards to day as well. Diouf wasn't bad or good today but his service was pretty poor...same go's for Micheal as well...although I am still a bit ticked with him stumbling in the box around the 25th min. but what can ya do. You always want to win everygame possible but this result was pretty good for us, we walk out of E-Wood with a point and at the same time we are given a dose of reality which is always something you need to keep you honest. Good match all in all, midfield was a bit weak today but then again we can't be perfect for every match. I'll happily take the point.
well neither team was what id call sterling today...Hamman and Murphy both had good games...Xavier got run ragged, though he did improve as the game went on...Diouf, Gerrard, and Owen werent at their best...on paper a draw at Blackburn isnt that bad, but you cant help but feel we should have managed to hold on for the 3 points...
I suppose I have mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand a draw seems a fair result. But after going ahead 2-1 in the last 10 minutes I expected us to win. Xavier was terrible I thought. In fact I would go as far to say he could be blamed for both goals. On the first Duff should never have been allowed to get the cross in. But I thought Dudek could have saved it, the shot was almost down the middle. On the 2nd one Xavier was the closest to Grabbi and never got near him. Henchoz bailed him out countless times. I was puzzled by the substitutions, yes Owen and Diouf were ineffective but Smicer and Heskey up front. Not my choice, was Baros available or Litmanen. Smicer is not a forward. Ok, I am frustrated by this result. But we didn't really deserve much more.
You guys jump on the Portugese Santa way too much. He was a touch slow at the start but by no means was the first goal his fault. I think he played a pretty good game and did his best in the chances he had. I'm still not pleased to see the frenchman in the back making these over lapping runs all the way to the corner flag.....thankfully though tonight Hamann played very well and dropped back everytime Trajore went way too forward.
I think Stevie was having a disappointing game because Didi was on the right helping Xavier deal with Duff. I think Diouf needs a 4-3-3, or Heskey as a mid, to be most effective. He needs that space in created by the extra attacker. He looked lost in this formation and didn't partner well with Owen. I had no problems with Traore making runs along the touchline. He's quick enough to get back in position and gives the team some [broken record, for those of you who remember LPs] much needed width [/broken record, for those of you who remember LPs]. It allowed Riise to roam a bit more, which is why he was able to score from the right side. Dave
I have to disagree, on that first goal Duff was allowed to get his cross into the box. Xavier had a chance to stop him and failed. That part of the goal was his fault. I still think Dudek might have saved it too, though he was unsighted. Traore played well I thought, and I don't see anything wrong with him going forward. Especially he was never exposed at the back. Xavier was numerous times.
I’m disappointed, but not overly so. Sure, Xavier was exposed by Duff—but Xavier is behind both Babbel and Carragher in the squad when all three are fully fit. Duff is a great player (that’s why we wanted him), and Rovers went at our weakness (Xavier). For most of the match we were able to compensate, with Murphy and Henchoz. But we made a few mistakes, and paid twice. H & H were their usual solid selves; Henchoz’ second-half tackle on Duff probably saved a goal (bailing out Xavier). Traore gets better with every game, IMHO. Murphy had a great goal (which he practically created himself), and a great work rate, helping out against Duff. Riise played decently overall, and his goal was terrific. Except for about ten terrifyingly bad minutes in the second half Stevie G. was solid (though not brilliant). Hamann was far and away our best player tonight. I think that our strikers flat-out floundered. Owen is just not back to form—the old Owen would have finished the opportunity he had in the first half. Diouf, without Heskey, seemed lost. I know Owens’s history against Newcastle, but maybe we go without him in the starting lineup next match (or go back to that 4-3-3). Hindsight is 20/20 but I would really have liked to see Baros out there tonight. An away draw to a (probably) mid-table side. It’s a shame we didn’t get more—but there were moments when I didn’t even think we’d get this.
Abel is a good option for matches against teams like Soton, but good left sided attacking players are going to eat him alive. Hurry back Jamie and Markus.
The whole match was played sub-par by both teams, but it was still entertaining. Xavier had a pretty miserable time I thought, as did Diouf. Actually, no real player completely stood out for having a GREAT match, although Murphy did do pretty well, as did Hamann. The two man sub was a ballsy move that proved, almost immediately, to be of little consequence (and here I was bitching about our lack of striker rotation!!). Smicer added almost nothing, and Heskey was just, er, okay. I was waiting for Gerrard to bust out, and he almost did on occasion, but overall was pretty dissapointing. Riise's header was fantastic. Man of the match has to be Murphy. Or maybe Henchoz, if for nothing else, his goal box tackle of Duff near the 65th minute.
Good game. I thought both teams played some good stuff. Certainly, our display last night was better than the one that got us 3 goals and the points to match at home to Southampton on Saturday. It was a shame to lose the goal so late - and to a player with just one previous Premiership strike to his name and the last season spent in Serie B - but all in all it was little more than what Blackburn deserved for an energetic, enterprising display. That's the thing, I think - someone called them "a mid-table side" earlier and I disagree. They're a mid-table squad, but that side, were it able to play throughout the season without any major alterations, would be pushing for the Champions League, I'm telling you. They are every bit as good as the Newcastle first XI, for instance. That's what I meant yesterday when I said it was always nice to play teams like that during the winter, when respective squad depths start to have an impact on the course of the season. Xavier was rubbish for the first 20 minutes. Never mind the cover from midfield, we all knew that he would get roasted by Duff and that's exactly what happened. I'm not one to rag on a player in the red, but sorry - the bloke just isn't good enough to play for LFC. The problem is, I'm not sure it is just because Carra and Babbel are still recovering from injury that he is in the team. But more of that another time. Murphy was excellent, I thought. He's always out there playing the ambitious pass, looking for the killer ball (a courageous style that gets him many an unjust browbeating from the fans) but last night was one of those days where it mostly came off. Our play is evolving - some of the possession stuff midway through the first half and early in the second was nice, fluid play.I think the greater mobility that Traore brings to the side, along with the more adventurous positioning of Henchoz is starting to loosen the ties of the rigid defensive formation we have played for so long. Nice to see. Ah well ... bring on the Toon.
All in all, a fair result. I agree that Santa has to go. While it could be debated whether he was at fault for the second goal, he surely was a primary reason for the first one. While Murphy had a nice game, I think his game could have been nothing short of spectacular had he not been required to come back numerous times to help Xavier cover Duff. Hamman was peerless last night. I think he's one of the most underrated players in the world. He's not fancy, but he does all the dirty work and gets the job done just about every single match. I agree that Traore has done well on the left. I don't think I've seen him make a serious gaffe in the games he's played this season, and he was certainly on his game last night. I thought Diouf was really off last night, especially his passing. And while he stayed on his feet most of the time, he still dove (in the first half, IIRC). That needs to stop. I agree that he's more effective as part of a three-striker approach. Still, I'd like to see GH continue to pair him with Owen for a few more games to see if the two will build some chemistry. In all fairness to Diouf, I believe that Heskey has played better so far this season and might deserve to be in the starting XI in the next couple of games if Diouf doesn't mesh with Owen. Give Michael some time -- He'll be back on his game soon. Why wasn't Bruno on the subs bench last night?