Another frustrating night at Anfield...
I often wonder about Rafa and his tactics. Don't get me wrong I think he is a great manager, he has delivered us the Champions League and improved us tremendously, but sometimes his decisions baffle and frustrate me!
Today was a great example, stuck at 0-0 with no spark, we needed a change, so he takes off Robbbie Keane and throws on David N'gog. Now I can't say Robbie had a great game or that he shouldnt have been subsituted, cos I think it was probably right to take him off, but for N'gog? This kid is inexperienced, lacking match practise, and frankly has been horrible every time he has played in the last few games. We have the likes of Babel (who is a striker by the way, not a winger!!) and Kuyt who Rafa likes to play out of position. And whats more N'gog lived up to my fears - He did give us something different I have to admit, but he gave the ball away nearly every time he touched it!!! I wish Rafa would play Babel up front with Kuyt in Torres' absence..N'gog has a bit of pace but Babel is probably even quicker, and he is without a doubt a better player. (no disrespect to N'gog, but he is still young and lacks experience at this level) Its not like we are short of wingers, Reira and Benayoun, PENNNANT (don't get me started, our best true winger who Rafa refuses to play) even Kuyt plays out there, yet we need Babel out wide too??
Robbie Keane is really disappointing me, as clever as he is and as many good runs he makes, he is not a player to lead an attack or play as a lone striker. He did so well at Spurs cos he fed of Berba so well. We really miss Torres!
Gerrard was poor also, seemed off his game and today it showed how much we rely on him & Torres. Benayoun did well I thought, he adds a bit of spark that we really lack. For all our possession and control of the game, we never seem to create enough clear cut chances.
Ahhhh its frustrating. Another chance to go 3 points clear at the top, wasted.
Credit to West Ham, they came with a game plan and they defended well. They even could have nicked it on the counter-attack a few times.
Let's hope Torres is back sooner rather than later, otherwise I fear this might not be the last goal-less draw we have this season..
