Why were we better against Liverpool?

[mikeveep]

Same team as against Hull yet had plenty of possession and stretched their defense a few times.

What was different?

What were Sam's instructions?

[Tone_Loc]

Perhaps just less pressure on the team?? Points gap meant that we were safe?

And the fact that we always get sweet FA out of Liverpool perhaps there was less pressure there too??

[mikeveep]

There weren't too many improved over their normal performances,perhaps Diame

With our two solid centre backs and TWO Def.mids, I m not surprised we restricted Liverpool, but we looked better going forward,whereas previously we havent been able to get out of our half for long periods..this was a fairly even game.

[Hammerman69]

There weren't too many improved over their normal performances,perhaps Diame

With our two solid centre backs and TWO Def.mids, I m not surprised we restricted Liverpool, but we looked better going forward,whereas previously we havent been able to get out of our half for long periods..this was a fairly even game.

They just raised their game because they were playing the top of the table team...it happens. I thought Downing completely dominated Glen Johnson.

Football is not 100% about tactics. sometimes you have a good day and sometimes a terrible day. They played well Saturday but the fact we are safe and the fact that it was Liverpool meant they were up for it.

We have always been that way. remember doing Man Utd's chance of the title twice, once having been relegated.

[rednekst]

You only really have to read what Gerrard said to Liverpool TV (posted on another thread) about our pitch, dressing rooms, parking etc to know what the players really think about the "Bin-Dippers"

They as individuals were up for it...unfortunately not the case for many games though!

To knock the spots off a top team is the 'dogs-b,ollocks' as we all know.

[mikeveep]

Thanks for responding 69...

I dont think it's as simple as that.Sure Johnson was kept deep but I think he may have done that regardless of Downings good play... Pool may have surrendered the midfield and prioritised stopping the crosses coming in.

[mikeveep]

If they can play better depending on their confidence... Sam ain't got them "up for it" too often,has he?

[Hammerman69]

[quote="mikeveep" too often,has he?[/quote]

My personal opinion is that if any PL player needs to be 'got up for it' by any manager then they should not be playing football anywhere but that's just my opinion on players who have a prilileged lifestyle.

However, its human nature Mike, They all want to make a for themselves against the best and often slacken off when they play the lower sides. That is exemplified none more than the Brighton result last night where Leicester are on holiday I reckon when we play WBA we will get done because of this as well but the Bin dippers are still a scalp our players feel is worth fighting for.

I think that this raising their game has probably been the most infuriating trait of WHU over the whole time I have supported them.

Remember the 4-1 win over Liverpool in the Littlewoods cup in a year we were ****

Ditto the 1-0 win

[Hammerman69]

Thanks for responding 69...

I dont think it's as simple as that.Sure Johnson was kept deep but I think he may have done that regardless of Downings good play... Pool may have surrendered the midfield and prioritised stopping the crosses coming in.

It was more the fact that Downing skinned Johnson a fair few times and Johnson is supposed to be the England right back

[mikeveep]

Any more ideas?

Because if it was simply a case of Sam saying to the midfielders "get forward when you can,be confident of the good defense behind you", then it is a bit of a U turn and one he should have made much earlier.The advance positions we were getting into,whilst not producing many good chances because of the quality of our midfielders,did not result in the Defense being opened up by one of the best forward trios in the league.