Friday, July 27, 2007

Momo Sissoko: the great Rafa experiment

If you saw today's preseason match with Portsmouth and you didn't notice Momo Sissoko's tremendous performance, perhaps you should have your eyes checked. What was even more impressive is that he was being used 'out of position'. Or was he?

It seems that this preseason, Rafa has been pushing Momo forward when he's paired with Xabi, with Alonso playing back as the holding midfielder. At first, it didn't seem to be working. Momo just didn't seem comfortable there, which is understandable being he's not used to playing that far forward, but he's quickly adapting and becoming more of a force on the attack.

This is a great idea by Rafa to make Mali midfielder more diverse. He's already proved he can be the dominate man in the middle, but now it seems he's getting better at being more of a box-to-box midfielder as well. His dribbling, passing, and overall decisions on the ball seem to improve by the game, and the only thing he needs to do to complete the process is to learn how to shoot. I mean, I know he knows how to shoot, but it's the when that most never figure out.

You can definitely tell he's learning a lot from his peers. For example, today he made a Xabi-esque pass, belting a spot on 35-yarder to an on-the-go Pennant which was nothing less than stunning. My jaw dropped when I saw it and all I could think about was, I'm glad we didn't sell him. Before you know it, he's going to pull a rabbit out of a hat and start playing the flanks. Now that would be impressive.

I have to admit it though, I had given up on Sissoko by the end of last season, but I'm man enough to admit I was wrong. A fully fit Momo is a scary prospect, a confident one will strike terror in our opponents hearts and minds. Potentially, we've got a legend in the making on our hands, let's just hope he stays healthy enough to get to that level.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Liverpool vs Portsmouth: What will Rafa do?

Well, we got some good news today with the international clearances of Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel, and Lucas Leiva, as well as the near return to fitness for Stevie-G, because after Tuesday's match, it looks as if we'll need all the bodies we can harbor. I'm really excited about getting a look at Lucas and fully expect him to start in the middle with Gerrard.

The heat and the humidity definitely seemed to get our boys by the end of the last match. Danny Agger and John Arne Riise looked especially exhausted, which is not good, considering how thin we are on the back line. Carra and Arbeloa played the entire match as well and Hyypia saw some time at central midfield of all places.

I can see Rafa giving a start to Robbie Threlfall at left back as well as Gabriel Paletta in the middle. I also think, since Hyypia came in late and Finnan left early, they will probably allow them to start at centre back and right back respectively.

On the flanks, I think Babel might start on the left, though I wouldn't be surprised to see Kewell there since he was taken out early on Tuesday and with him just leaving the Asian Cup, he's probably pretty well adapted to the conditions. On the right, we'll probably see Pennant since he only played twenty-five minutes or so in the South China FC match.

Up front is not as simple as it would seem. One would think Torres would get the nod since he's well rested, but I think Rafa might start with a relatively fresh Kuyt and pair him with either Babel or even Crouch. If he starts Voronin there, I'll be shocked since the Ukrainian played the whole match Tuesday, but it is Rafa and he does know his player better than I. Voronin actually didn't look too worn out by the end of the match, but you never know.

At keep, I can definitely see Reina starting, but I think Carson will get the nod, if just to keep him happy.

So here's how I see it:
Carson
Threlfall
Hyypia
Paletta
Finnan
Kewell
Lucas
Gerrard
Pennant
Kuyt
Babel

As for the bench, who knows? If I knew the actual fitness of the players I could guess more accurately, but I definitely expect the younger players like Agger, Crouch, and Riise to be available, despite how the looked by the end on Tuesday.

I hope we win this match, but I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't. Portsmouth and Harry Redknapp, without a doubt, have more desire than we do to win this, despite Rafa's words. I just hope it's entertaining, no one gets injured, and we get a solid look at Lucas. Cheers.

Daniel Agger Wallpaper


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Fergie loves the 'Pool

In an odd turn of the screw, Manchester United boss and overall managing legend, none other than Sir Alex Ferguson, has praised Liverpool Football Club as the greatest club in the history of the world, ever. And if you believe that, I've got some beautifully refurbished country meadows in New Jersey I'd like to sell you.

No, I think about right now Rafa Benitez and LFC are more likely on Sir Alex's shit list than on his Christmas Card list. His latest comments about the Anfield club includes calling them 'opportunists' in regards to the Heinze controversy and then to add a few logs to the fire he says that he just grew tired of pursuing Torres and pretty much just let us have him. Thanks, Sénor Alec, your generosity is unrivaled.

I won't even address the latter comment since it's obviously just the case of one heartbroken girl veiling her wound after being rejecting by a boy for a girl she deems inferior. As for the 'opportunists' label, if that's not a case of the pot calling the kettle black, I don't know what is. This coming from a man who basically stole Giggs from Man City. At least Fergie admits he'd do the same if the tables were turned and he had the opportunity to sign Steven Gerrard in a similar manner.

Still, it's not like Man U has ever given a rat's ass about anyone else in their pursuit to better themselves. It's pure rubbish for Ferguson to even try to imply that he and his suitors have an ounce of concern for the clubs he plucks his players from. At least Liverpool make an effort to help out smaller clubs like Wrexham, Crewe Alexander, and MTK Hungária FC because they realize their importance in the overall scope of football.

And what's this crap about 'like the rest of them'. Is Sir Alex shitting gold these days? It's not like Man U has much of a history before 1993, before Cantona, before Roy Keane. You're not the cream of the football crop, you're the shit that won't flush.

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