tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151282770274577822.post1171713424640236140..comments2023-02-24T09:10:37.864+00:00Comments on Crowd Go Bananes: Sunderland 0-2 Liverpool – Talking PointsPhil Doddshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17525530095868120444noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151282770274577822.post-29724315740120985912011-03-22T11:08:22.743+00:002011-03-22T11:08:22.743+00:00Hi Amit, thanks for your thoughts, I think all you...Hi Amit, thanks for your thoughts, I think all your points are very fair.<br /><br />Re: Carroll, I don't have any particular worries about him, he was clearly unfit. And don't get me wrong, I think his target-man play is absolutely exceptional, he really works hard to gain possession in advanced positions. My only thought is that L'pool's best performance this season was probably against Man United when we played incredibly dynamic, fluid, fast-paced attacking football with plenty of good movement from Suarez, Kuyt, Meireles, Maxi etc. My worry is that if Carroll isn't able to assimilate himself entirely into a team playing those kind of tactics, and it does indeed turn out to be our most effective method of play, then there's the chance he'll turn out to be a very expensive and very talented plan B. His passing and movement was quite good at times against S'land though, so we shouldn't worry about him at least until next season, after he's bedded in and we can see what he's all about.<br /><br />Re: Carragher, I would generally agree with you. The game against Braga was a better example of what you're talking about, I think, just constantly choosing to hoof it from deep. The fact is, Carra is essentially limited - he has ALWAYS been very poor with the ball at his feet, he moves very slowly and we've all seen the way he stops, puts his foot on the ball and lifts his right leg up, looking for a pass which, of course, becomes too easy for the opposing team to anticipate. I have sympathy for him against S'land though because he really isn't a right-back, and was just filling in there out of necessity. His defensive play is still good (perhaps not as good as Agger's or, indeed, Skrtel's) and he has been a loyal servant to the club for about 15 years. But I agree that it's time for him to become more of a squad player, assuming we buy a quality left-back this summer there's no reason for him to be anything other than a back-up centre-back next season. I can see him as a future L'pool manager though, apparently his knowledge of the game is immense and his organisational skills are clearly exceptional.Phil Doddshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17525530095868120444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8151282770274577822.post-15531775203347383812011-03-21T22:39:37.009+00:002011-03-21T22:39:37.009+00:00Hey mate, I came here through your plug on Tomkin&...Hey mate, I came here through your plug on Tomkin's blog :p Really enjoyed your take on the game and I'd like to add my thoughts to it too especially regarding Caroll. It was obvious he had just come back from a long lay off, he's touch and decision making was very slow at times just wrong. Having not seen him play for Newcastle but hearing great things, I don't think it's something to be worried about. The fact that he got into those positions, made those runs and passes that if he had been game fit would have been great plays. Regarding the target man thing you bring up, am I wrong in thinking it was Carragher who was lumping the ball to him 9/10? Even when a simple pass was on, he's so willing to hoof it every time he gets he ball. Caroll received pointless hoofs after another from him no matter where he was or who was around him, his link play through knock downs is harsh to judge as it has more to do with Carragher than him. Carragher is such a detriment to our team nowadays, Caroll would have got less than half the hoofs aimed at him with Carragher out of the team and a higher percentage of clever 'hoofs' if there are such things haha<br />Also apparently Skrtel has been getting a lot of flak recently but he was the best defender on the pitch IMO, he won so many balls in the air (which people seem to suggest he can't even do) and covered well on the ground too. With and Agger fit I see no reason why Carragher should even be on the pitch.PeerlessKidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12561988991861443174noreply@blogger.com