AFTER another draw we are still left wondering if the class of 2009 really are the real deal or not; yes the draw specialists are resilient but have they really got that cutting edge to go on and win one or more trophies?
You can’t fault them in getting level in this game but once they pulled it back they seemed to drop down a gear.
To win trophies you need ability and desire in equal measures, some-times I really wonder if we have enough of the latter.
Now a tricky trip to Goodison awaits – on form we’ll be the underdogs.
What is clear is that as a defending unit, bar the last two goals against Everton, we are more or less there – full-backs may change but whoever starts in front of Pepe Reina are rock solid.
Martin Skrtel was especially excellent.
The zonal-marking debate will rage but Reina’s clean sheet record is a suitable retort.
Also clear is that the midfield don’t do enough to hurt the opposition.
I’m not going to get started on Dirk Kuyt, as after each game there is a power surge in the national grid due to the posts on Internet forums surrounding him.
But alongside him yesterday all we seemed to have was square and back passes, no attacking impetus at all.
What we are absolutely crying out for are central midfielders to burst into the box, wingers to take people on and whip in dangerous crosses.
At the start of the season I was licking my lips at the prospect of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Robbie Keane, Albert Riera and Ryan Babel in the same line-up. Now for various reasons this isn’t happening, but what it does show is that on form we have personnel.
That’s why I am backing Rafa to turn this around, the reason why we are so frustrated is that we know we have the team to win things, and Rafa has built it.
Our great hope now is that Torres can reproduce the form from last season as he edges closer to match fitness.
The hopes of a generation really do rest on his shoulders.
You can’t fault them in getting level in this game but once they pulled it back they seemed to drop down a gear.
To win trophies you need ability and desire in equal measures, some-times I really wonder if we have enough of the latter.
Now a tricky trip to Goodison awaits – on form we’ll be the underdogs.
What is clear is that as a defending unit, bar the last two goals against Everton, we are more or less there – full-backs may change but whoever starts in front of Pepe Reina are rock solid.
Martin Skrtel was especially excellent.
The zonal-marking debate will rage but Reina’s clean sheet record is a suitable retort.
Also clear is that the midfield don’t do enough to hurt the opposition.
I’m not going to get started on Dirk Kuyt, as after each game there is a power surge in the national grid due to the posts on Internet forums surrounding him.
But alongside him yesterday all we seemed to have was square and back passes, no attacking impetus at all.
What we are absolutely crying out for are central midfielders to burst into the box, wingers to take people on and whip in dangerous crosses.
At the start of the season I was licking my lips at the prospect of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Robbie Keane, Albert Riera and Ryan Babel in the same line-up. Now for various reasons this isn’t happening, but what it does show is that on form we have personnel.
That’s why I am backing Rafa to turn this around, the reason why we are so frustrated is that we know we have the team to win things, and Rafa has built it.
Our great hope now is that Torres can reproduce the form from last season as he edges closer to match fitness.
The hopes of a generation really do rest on his shoulders.
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