It was someone I worked with years ago in the City who gave me a Berocca. After an unusually rough night he put one on my desk and about an hour after taking it, I was feeling much better - highly recommended if you had a drink last night.

Anyway, I said I was going to revisit a few things today so here I am.

The list is quite long but I'm going to start with probably the most controversial; Gareth Barry. I don't think he was missed last night - in fact I'll go so far as to say we were better last night without him in the middle.

Nothing good came from the central midfield of Liverpool last night and Gerrard, while he'll say it's what is happening off the park that has affected his game, we all know it's because Petrov and Reo-Coker did a job on them last night.

Look, Barry is a decent player but he's no central midfielder and last night we saw glimpses of Reo-Coker and Petrov moving forward.

If they weren't playing against the central midfield of a club in the last 16 of the Champions League and were playing against a Fulham, a Birmingham City or even a Blackburn then we'd have seen what they can so as a partnership - but against Liverpool - I think they did more than enough.

It's the type of player Barry is more than anything. He can't break forward because he's not quick enough and while he's got an excellent left foot - he's not quick enough with it and things seem to break down when he gets the ball - not always, just most of the time.

Anyway, lots of things I want to talk about, so I might break this up into three or fours posts, but onto referees this season, because they've got better in my opinion.

When I say better, I mean they're not blowing for almost everything and they're letting the game flow. There were a few instances last night and I've noticed it quite a bit the last couple of weekends that they're not blowing up all the time.

The football has flowed and it's made for a better game and long may it continue.

I'm not going to talk to much about Marlon Harewood like a lot of other people today - our views haven't changed on him. He's still worthy of the claret and blue shirt and for all the stick he's taken - nobody seems to remember what was said about him when he was purchased.

He was purchased as a squad member and an impact player and last night, and not for the first time, he did exactly what he was supposed to do. Kick on Marlon, you the man.

Anyway, you've heard me mention 'impact players' above and I'm going to write about that another time - but you'll have figured out what I'm going to say about it. Mellberg is on the list, our entire back line and our two strikers.

If you've got anything to say, say it below, but remember; keep it clean chaps and constructive.

Comments (50)

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Woz said:

I normally agree with most of what I read on here, but the comments about Barry are madness. He passes the ball well and makes more space for himself than what he is given credit for. We lacked someone to hold on to the ball last night and someone who could pick the right pass, Barry can do both of those. Really, what did Petrov do apart from give away fouls and give away the ball??? I agree that over the past month or 2 Petrov played better than earlier in the season, but sorry... last night he did not!!

January 22, 2008

Dizzy Mugs said:

I never saw any of the game, not a highlight, nothing. Just glad we got a draw. That's good enough for me. If we could take 15 points from a possible 24 against the big 4, that'd be a grand season. But it doesn't matter about beating the big 4, it matters about winning consistently. Even if we can never beat the big teams for the next few years, i expect we'll beat all the rest.

January 22, 2008 | url

mvb said:

In my opinion Gareth was sorely missed,we did not appear too creative in the Midfield, we played long ball almost all match, Petrov still appears out of his depth in the Premiership, Gabby & Young were extremly quiet and the referee was so biaised it was unreal, I may have had my Claret and Blue glasses on but "Twatenburg" did not need to give so many fouls to the Scousers. Are you sure it was Berocca you were drinking.

January 22, 2008

Faroese Villa said:

I respectfully disegree, if Barry was in the team yesterday, we would maybe have hit our players instead of our opponense, and to take Barry out of the team, is like taken Gerrard out of the liverpool squad..!!! He is a really leader..!!

January 22, 2008

Damian said:

I did say it would be controversial, but what you've said above is only confirming for me how I feel. Yes, he makes a little space and makes a pass; but it's more often than not too slow or not with the flow. I don't want a central midfielder that can make a little space and then pick out a pass. I want a central midfielder that is going to kick on or boss it - Barry does neither - confirmed by the fact that MO'N puts him at left back when we do want to kick on. This was also the first time Petrov played in the middle with Reo for 90 minutes this season and he played against a central midfield partnership that are in the last 16 of the Champs League, not Derby, Sunderland or Wigan. Credit where it is due. But I fully expect more to say exactly what you've said Woz ..

January 22, 2008 | url

GreenVillian said:

Controversial...... I don't know if you watched the same match I did but that was by no means a decent performance. Yes we showed character and worked very hard to get a result but it was two decent sides playing very bad football. The only reason Liverpool were in control was because they were the slightly better of the two sides and held onto the ball a bit better. I don't think your comments regarding our midfield could be further from the truth. We were desperate in the center, Petrov was clearly not good enough and more than once I saw him not bother to track back. We couldn't hold onto the ball and string simple passes together. The midfield consisted of Reo winning the ball in a decent tackle and then just giving it away over and over again. This is why I think you are completely off the mark regarding Barry. We clearly missed his distribution and composure as seen in the Utd FA cup game. In saying all this our defensive line was outstanding last night Torres barely got a sniff at goal. All four at the back were great.

January 22, 2008

mossiewalsh said:

looks like mellberg is nearly gone good luck cant say he never gave less than 100% http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3070537,00.html

January 22, 2008

GreenVillian said:

I know you are probably going to do a piece on Impact players and this is probably quite an obvious thing to say but Harwood....I mean this guy was fantastic last night. I've given the guy his fair share of abuse but he was outstanding last night. His hunger is clear for everyone to see, very determined and changed the game for us absolutely no doubt about it. The guy is no Torres but he has a job at Villa and a real purpose and I would like to see more of this from O'Neill, shake things up a little at the front. The guys seem a little stagnant up front at the moment and this might be what we need. O'Neill is a shrewd man, 4m for a an impactSquad player like this is a good bit of business and he's probably worth about 7 or 8 goals a season if you play him more.

January 22, 2008

Damian said:

at GreenVillian spot on ... and that is exactly what he was purchased for - that lad has done good - especailly considering the stick he's taken

January 22, 2008 | url

Jimmy Villain said:

I agree with GreenVillian, not sure what game you were watching last night but I thought we were shocking in midfield. Reo Coker holds onto the ball far too long and usually ends up with a hurried wayward pass around the half way line that in turn allows the other team to counter. Petrov on the other hand played about as well as Durk Kuyt, he's an average player and shows this week in week out. Gareth Barry is not the fastest i'll give you that, but you could count on one hand the amount of times in 90 minutes Gareth gives away the ball, he's the rock in that mid filed and he was missed last night. There are other things I want to bring up about the squad selection from last night, Craig Gardner? Why do we keep starting with Gardner on the right side? He, like Petrov as far as I am concerned are average "filler" squad players that i'd be happy to see the back of. What amazes me is that players like Maloney continue to play a bit-part in matches, ok so Maloney is more of an attack minded player but he wasn't even on the bench last night. O'Neil is at times a little too stiff and predictable with his squad selection, ok we have a small squad, but we have also got decent players like Cahill and Berger who hardly ever figure in that squad, god knows we could have done with some experience in midfiled last night. Don't get me wrong, O'Neil has been the best thing t happen to the Villa in many years, but this selling players before you have got replacements to me is bonkers, how can they talk about selling Cahill to Small Heath when they clearly have no cover for right back? Gabby clearly needs resting for a couple of games and on his performance last night Harewood should start against Blackburn. I am the same as a lot of the Villa fans in my disapproval of Harewood being signed, but he clearly has a point to prove and if O'Neil rates him for god's sake let him play. Carew was a handful in the air last night but had no real support until Harewood arrived, he changed the game for us last night. I'll be very interested to see what happens in the next week or so, we clearly need some bodies (right back being imperative) - but it's not going to be Defoe that's coming to Villa park judging by the latest news. I just hope we go for some quality, you have the money Martin, please spend it and get us a top 6 finish, 4th may be a bit too far for us with this squad, but next season that could be a reality… up the Villa!

January 22, 2008

Milk said:

First of all Marlon was fantastic last night, a true professional. Liverpool completely stopped us playing. Everytime we passed the ball there seemed to be 4 liverpool players around the player receiving the ball. We gave the ball away far too often and never really looked like scoring. Reo Coker played great last night. I usually like petrov but didnt think he had a great game, but he did show glimpses of brilliance. I'll have to see the pair of them team up in the middle again without barry to comment on whether we missed him. However it was a great result last night.

January 22, 2008

AK28 said:

Last night showed that Petrov in the centre is a waste of time. He is so far off the pace of premier league it is unbelievable. How many times did he get caught on the ball. We seriuosly need to buy a play maker because Barry does'nt do it for me either. NRC was excellent last night until he had to use the ball. If he had a player who he could lay the ball off to and make things happen then we really would be in with a shout for a 4th place finish.

January 22, 2008

dazblink said:

Anyone here agree with damian? I sure don`t. If petrov was meant to be the attacking midfielder last night he was not good. If damian is right and reo was meant to be the more attacking then petrov should have done more tracking back. He did none of that. In fact i dont think he did much of anything. Reo kept winning the ball then he didn`t look like ke knew what to do next. He either passed it to them, ran with it and got tackled far too easy or went around in circles a few times then lost if. There was absolutely no composure in midfield last night and that is what Barry has got. With no composure you lose possesion and thats what happened far too much. I want to know if there is anybody else who sees what damianis seeing?

January 22, 2008

Damian said:

I'm not always right and if I'm wrong I have not problem admitting it, it's just an opinion though.

January 22, 2008

Damian said:

January 22, 2008 | url

Az_ said:

Jimmy Villain, Maloney was injured, that's why he wasn't on the bench. I do agree though, he may not be the most technically gifted player you'll ever see but he seems to nearly always create something. As for Barry, he lacks pace indeed but then so does Petrov so what's your point? Barrys passing is very good, to the point that he should have kept Lampards place in the England setup (we all no Lampard with Gerrard is a no no, take note fabio ).

January 22, 2008

mvb said:

Damien, Damien, Damien - How much did you have to drink last night, whilst I respect your opinion quite clearly you were watching a different game or were hammered. It was clear we were missing composure in the middle, Reo - Great at defending, useless at passing, Petrov - as I said before appears out of his depth in CM, Gardner, big heart, not so clever on the ball, Young - had a quiet game, we were left with a strong defence who played lump ball up to Carew all night, however, I am delighted (O'Learyism)with the great stides we have made this season UTV.

January 22, 2008

DSB1 said:

For the Blackburn game I would go for a very attacking formation with Carew and Harewood up front with Gabby and Young on the wings. If Barry is still not fit then it would be Petrov and Reo-Coker in the middle with Gardner dropping to the bench. With only 9 days remaining of the transfer window it's about time we got some quality signings in, it's no good MON stating we need a bigger squad, this is the month to do something about it and get us a right back,a midfielder who can create something and a proven goalscorer. I believe MON has done a fantastic job, but we could be serious challenges for a top four spot this season if they just make the necessary signings, especially with Liverpool playing such poor football for a top 4 club at the moment. This has got to be the best chance we will get to establish ourselves as a top team as I believe Man City and Everton will begin to fall back over the next few weks.

January 22, 2008

Damian said:

at mvb, i didn't actually have that much before or during the match, but i did celebrate a great overall performance after the match when you say we were missing composure in the middle to some extent i agree. this was the first time these two players had played 90 minutes together all season and they were playing against one of the best central midfield partnerships in europe. i think considering those two points you've got to give them some credit ... or show me a spell during the game where liverpool bossed it in the middle? young and gardner both had strange games. gardner is one for the future and we've said it on this site for 2 years - its also worht remembering he's a central midfielder by choice so he's done well onthe right this season young, i think needs gabby to have a rest - you'll think that is a strange thing for me to say but when young got it last night he had nothing breaking for him up front - gabby is tired. when harewood came on it was a little different. i'm not saying harewood for gabby - i see harewood as the impact player he is - but maybe put 5 in the middle with just carew up front and maybe maloney on the right ah ... its all opinion ...

January 22, 2008 | url

robvilla said:

I agree and disagree. I thought Reo Coker really came of age last night, he was captain / playing against Gerrard etc and he made tackle after tackle, and stopped Gerrard countless times. His passing is also improving, he played some great balls, and would have scored with a great run from midfield if Gabby would just look up and stop being so selfish. Harewood also HOW FIRED UP WAS HE when he came on, he would put the fear of God into anyone. As for Barry, I can see where your criticisms come from, but he has put in so many absolute CLASS performances, his passing is pinpoint, his delivery fantastic, and there is a place for that in any team. Yes we need a charging / attacking midfielder, but you cannot deny his class. What about Barry on the left / Young on the right / Gabby Carew upfront ??

January 22, 2008

robvilla said:

also have to say, TAYLOR is class, and I think as solid if not more so than Carson especially on corners etc where Carson often looks lost. Petrov - Not a great attacking midfielder. What does he actually do ?? Overall great result, lets go for The Champions League !! Why not ?

January 22, 2008

Alex Talor said:

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but i was sat at half time thinking that your (Damian) view that petrov needs to be given a chance in central midfield with reo coker has been given and hasnt worked. Petrov did nothing in the first 45 and little in the second. the first half, we sat back and invited pressure and without the stability of barry, we suffered. reo coker was outstanding, and arguably his best performance in a villa shirt. his distribution was better and his desire and tackling better than ever. but when he won the ball, where was the easy pass. petrov was never there and his invention when with it was poor. we lost the first 45 because there was nothing in between the solid defence and attack. barry provides that. we improved in the second because we took the game to liverpool and while at a higher risk of conceding, ours chances of scoring improved too. that and marlon of course! as the main contributor/editor/creator/whatever, i think our views need to change on our captain. by saying that he cant play in central midfield, you are saying he isnt good enough for our side.thats a bold statement. he hasnt the pace for left wing nor the defensive capabilities to be a permanent left back. not forgetting also that he was outstanding for england in central midfield. he is our best player and i hope he continues in central midfield for a long time.

January 22, 2008

Richard Borwell said:

Come on damian we all no your not a big fan of barry in central midfield and i sort of agree with you on that point, but last night was not a game to base your argument on. Reo coker was brilliant in breaking up the play and battlin, however got caught in position and gave the ball away on countless occasions. This increased pressure on the team and defence when it wasnt needed. Petrov was chasing shadows all game and although he has looked good in his last few matches he looked badly off pass and dare i say it out of his depth. Overall not a good start for the partnership! Also, show me a spell where liverpool bossed the midfield. The first 15-20 minutes of the 2nd half is as good of an example as you could ever imagine. They walked through our midfield with ease creating numerous chances!

January 22, 2008

Damian said:

like you say Alex Taylor - everyone is entitled to an opinion and you know mine on Barry - and if one day we win the League with him or the FA Cup and he's man of the match I'll stand up and take all the flack and admit I'm wrong ... But, I do have to pull you up on your fist paragraph - if you think one outing for Petrov and Reo-Coker is the chance given and it's failed then you're mad. You cant give them one match and then base that performance for all time - especially when you consider it was the first time all season and they were playing against possibly the best central midfield partnership in Europe. As for changing my views - they're not going to change just because he is the Captain .. I'm not saying he's not good enough for our side - I'm saying I don't think we'll really kick on with Barry in the centre.

January 22, 2008 | url

Damian said:

Richard - it may not have been but it was a good test for Petrov and Reo-Coker. What I've tried to imply in my last comment is that they need to be given a proper chance and have a run of games as it's the only real way to see if it will work and I'm not saying they are the ideal partnership. But without a proper chance, we'll never know for sure.

January 22, 2008 | url

kayarcee said:

Also, who better to play against Gerrard than the guy that linked up so well with him in an England shirt? Sorry, Damian, but your campaign against Gareth Barry is just blinding stupidity.

January 22, 2008

Richard Borwell said:

With a proper chance we could be 8th in four games! Well to solve all the problems i would quite happily if not ideally like to sign a quality central midfielder, move barry back to the left wing and young right which i believe he would be happy to do. I say this because i believe we definately need barry in the midfield somewhere but really dont see a partnership between him and either petrov or reo coker. Obviously its all ifs and buts, but that just feels more balanced to me and allows for quality from both wings. A decent right back is also needed!!!

January 22, 2008

Damian said:

kayarcee, it's not a campaign and who exactly did Barry play against when in an England shirt ... hell, I could have put you in an England shirt against those teams and the results would have been the same ...

January 22, 2008 | url

Damian said:

and Richard - in four games we could be 3rd ... all its and butts as you say

January 22, 2008 | url

kayarcee said:

I'd say it is a campaign; you've been calling for his ouster since O'Neill came aboard. And while, yes, Barry didn't play against great midfielders in those qualifiers, that wasn't the point, now, was it? The point was that Barry knows Gerrard's game well enough to defend it and counter it (and yes, vice-versa). The reason Barry gets moved to left back late in games is usually twofold: first, Bouma usually comes off, as he's often the most expendable in the starting 11, and Barry's the only midfielder that can play at left back. You wouldn't want MON to have Young track back, right? And I don't think Petrov or NRC could play left back either. In yesterday's game, Villa were missing linkup play from the midfield, and were hoofing the ball forward a bit much, even for Villa. That has to do with two things- yes, Gerrard and Mascherano are a great CM tandem, but the second reason is that our skipper, our REAL skipper, was missing, and with it was our link to the wings and strikers. That's not to say that NRC and Petrov played poorly, but I do think that Barry's a better player than the both of them, and a central component to the team's success AS a central player this year.

January 22, 2008

Alex Taylor said:

As you say, everyone has their own view and you know where i stand and i you. Where would you play barry, damian?? if petrov (or someone better hopefully!) played alongside NRC, would you put barry on the left because i think he is too slow for that??

January 22, 2008

AK28 said:

I have to agree with Damien about Barry in the centre. He is lost in there. I think he can control a game far better from the wing then in the centre. His goals and assit tally this year is def far less then this time last year. We need a playmaker to play beside NRC badly. By the way is anyone else wondering where the hell is Saliou? I can only go on reports from the reserve games but it sounds to me that he could be the type of guy to give a go in the centre?? Id like to see him on the bench at least for the Blackburn game so that we have at least another option when Petrov is being found out again.

January 22, 2008

Betting@rc said:

oh c'mon.....thats too harsh for Barry

January 22, 2008 | url

parker said:

it was my first away game and i loved it. i dont agree with what you said about barry but nrc and petrov were brilliant last night. cant wait for the fulham match

January 22, 2008

The Mighty Steve said:

Speaking from a Villa perpective of previous seasons, woohoo! We now have enough points to guarantee safety and Premiership football next year!

January 22, 2008 | url

stuart freeman said:

We have come a hell of a long way as a team i.e to come away from anfield and be dissapointed we only got a draw. well done lads. and are you really saying petrovs better than barry???

January 22, 2008

villafandan said:

i'm just about to watch the game for a second time... i thought we were particularly poor in the middle and missed barry. still, we came away with a result at anfield without barry, so i fully expected this post from you damian. i think you've drawn what you wanted to see from the game since, as you've said before, you don't rate barry in the middle. i'll watch the game again and if i'm wrong i'll come back again and say so, but i think we were very, very lucky to come away with anything from the game.

January 22, 2008

Damian said:

villafandan on one side you could say we were lucky but on the other you could say liverpool were lucky to get a point, having scoring the equaliser with 3 minutes to go

January 22, 2008 | url

avfc-anthony said:

damien i tottaly agree with you. with barry and reocoker in the centre we have no attacking force. to be honest id rather see barry in an holding position like he has done for england that way we can utalise all his strenghs his defending and passing of the ball. also onto gabby id prefer to see him on the right. give the lad a chance and hell score but its just making those chances he dont seem to do well and id rather see harewood there. MY TEAM FOR NEXT WEEK carson melberg,davies,laursen,bouma agbonlahor,barry/reocoker,petrov/maloney,young harewood,carew

January 22, 2008

Woodinho said:

JUST THOUGHT I'D RAISE THE PROFILE OF THIS A BIT AS ITS FOR A GOOD CAUSE: Don't miss your chance to own a piece of Aston Villa's heritage when authentic pieces of memorabilia go under the online hammer. Villa's former signage, including impressive letters and crests, are going up for auction tomorrow afternoon on eBay for a 10 day period. The bidding starts tomorrow at 12 noon and continues through to 12 noon on Saturday February 2. Highlights of the auction include two beautiful large 3D acrylic crests and a lovely set of chrome letters spelling out Aston Villa Football Club. All items would make perfect additions to a games room or sports club. There are 47 separate items going under the hammer and they all have no starting or reserve price. Items are collection from Villa Park, Birmingham ONLY. All proceeds go to Acorns Children's Hospital and the Villa Park William McGregor Statue Fund.

January 22, 2008

nan was a fan said:

Does anyone really think that any manager watching yesterday's game, searching for players to strengthen their midfield, would be tempted to make offers for NRC or Petrov? Yes NRC tackled well. Was that his job? Was I the only one that saw gaping holes between midfield and defence during 1st half? Were you all like me pretty pleased to go in 1-0 down at half-time. It could have been 4. Celebrate the result. Continue building. But if we have a squad strong enough to leave the likes of Barry (whom I'm sure many managers would junp to sign, including Rafa)on the bench then no wonder MON isn't signing anyone.

January 22, 2008

kayarcee said:

nan- on the other hand, if Stevie G is really unhappy at the situation at Pool as he sounds, then surely he could be coaxed to play alongside his good friend Gareth.

January 22, 2008

Raja said:

I thought liverpool could have easily put us to bed in the first half with all the chances they created, it could have been 3or4-nil, lucky for us they didnt. The opening goal we conceded was down to poor defending althought overall i thought the back 4 coped well under all that presure. Second half it look like it was going to be the same story, untill villa started playing some football for 10 mins and got 2 goals. Marlon deserved his well taken finish, and as for Olof, well, what can i say... We didnt deserve anything out of that game, but saying that it makes it that much sweeter, fantastic result, lets start building fron here onwards (signing quality players), up the VILLA!!!

January 22, 2008

Jacko33 said:

Hmmm... dont entirely agree with this. Great one the lads and reo-coker and our defence were awesome but we definitely need Barry. Our midfield lacked incisiveness massively and we never kept possession. Barry keeps posession, brings a calm compusure to our midfield. Either way a creative playmaker is piortity after nabbing chimbonda - Get on it O'Neil!

January 22, 2008

McVillian said:

I thought Reo- Coker was great at tracking and tackling last night but his passing was pretty shocking. Petrov needs to start doing something, I think he can, it's just when. If he is the supporting midfielder support more, get closer to goal before shooting and stop looking for goal of the season. Harewood- Fantastic,he has taken a lot of stick and hardly been given a chance. I thought he was a panic buy cuz if he was lining him up surely it would of been a double swoop with Reo- Coker. I like Barry's composure, think he was missed. He won M.O.M in his 2 out of 3 games for England recently-nuff said

January 23, 2008

Jimmy Villain said:

A_z my point is we missed Gareth Barry, Petrov is a donkey

January 23, 2008

Az_ said:

Jimmy Villain - The 2nd part wasn't directed at you, I do agree though

January 23, 2008

BugAnd said:

Generally you do write decent articles which i normally agree with although i'm not quite sure which game you were watching on Monday; we lacked any vision from midfield, Reo did his job as normal but normally he has an outlet to lay the ball off to get our game moving in Barry. Playing with Petrov (who i do agree has shown massive improvement over the last 2 months) he didn't have that option as Petrov seemed slow and completely off the pace of the game every time we got the ball it was like a hot potatoe which we just threw away; he was given that opportunity to fill that attacking midfield birth which unfortunately he did nothing to warrant staying there. Yes as other have said we lacked any brain in midfield who could create space and bring other into the game - this does highlight our lack of squad strenght when we loose our best player. For you to suggest that Barry doesn't warrant his place in the middle of the park is complete madness and an opinion which is obviousl not mirrored by many other Villa followers.

January 23, 2008

villafandan said:

Damian, "but on the other you could say liverpool were lucky to get a point, having scoring the equaliser with 3 minutes to go" they pressed us, we sat back, they scored. unfortunate to concede a goal so near the final whistle, yes. unlucky, not really. perhaps when we get stronger we'll master the art of clearing our lines AND maintaining possession more often. we'll see less goals like this one and actually make best use of our quick players on the break. who knows, we might even stretch a lead when the opposition are chasing a game instead of giving it up. here's what was lucky though... mellberg's goal. not just the obvious deflection, but the fact that it was deflected off a hand. i don't know the rules well enough here, but if it deflected for a corner you'd claim a penalty... is there such a thing as playing advantage here?? i don't know. doesn't matter, it's a goal, but it's definitely a lucky goal however you slice it. don't get me wrong, i'm not complaining. at any time in the season i'd take a point at anfield and i'm pretty stoked, especially looking at the next three games villa, liverpool, everton & man city have. i just don't think there's a case for saying we were better without barry, despite the result.

January 23, 2008

villafandan said:

case in point on hitting teams on the break:- immediately after mellberg's goal liverpool won a corner. the clearing header fell to gabby on the edge of the box and he hit a looping header which fell between gerrard and NRC. NRC challenged and lobbed the ball over gerrard's head then scuffed it to gabby while gerrard was protesting for high feet. gabby then ran the length of the pitch with NRC sprinting to his right to create a 2 on 1 situation with mascherano. anyone who can remember this will know that gabby dwelled on the ball and liverpool recovered. NRC was in acres of space and a half decent pass would have given him a great opportunity to score. don't know if i have enough confidence in NRC's composure in front of goal to have scored it, but the pass was the right move. and we've seen this several times this season. i'm sure there's more important things to focus on in training, but if i were MON i'd definitely be playing back tapes of these incidents to the team, especially gabby.

January 23, 2008

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