my mind's on other things.
Baby Insua! What a cutie. Also attacked quite a bit; I think Rafa will like that. But yeah, fielding an experimental ("weakened") lineup was probably the right way to go, even if seeing a Momo-Alonso-Zenden central midfield was cringeworthy.
Dudek
Arbeloa --- Paletta --- Hyypia --- Insua
Alonso --- Sissoko --- Zenden
Bellamy --- Fowler --- Gonzalez
Fortress Fratton, they're starting to call it. It's a small stadium, but the fans inhabit it well, and they're extremely loyal. They always have top-notch singing and they're always loud; it's actually refreshing. Also refreshing? David James winnng top keeper award for the year -- at thirty-six years old and after a long string of criticisms, it probably feels so good to get this honor.
Our playing wasn't fluid today, probably because we were forced to regain possession and constantly rely on a transition game. Gonzo fed Robbie for an absolutely wonderful pass after ten or so minutes, but Fowler was a hair offside. Bellamy and Gonzo were the main attacking channels on the break, and their pace was an asset throughout the game. The long diagonal passes from the back four generally could have been better.
Fowler picking a piece of dirt off Walton after having words with him was a moment of pure cheeky gold. Shame Matt Taylor had to be taken off so early in the game, though.
The back four needed to be on their toes to deal with a very coherent Pompey attack, and although they were on the verge of being pried open a few times, they were able to hold together for nearly thirty minutes. Then everything sort of fell apart, unsurprisingly in my opinion, because it was such a weak setup.
First goal, James with a superb long ball to Benjani. Dudek with a superb gaff to gift the home side. What the shit. Second goal, Lauren with a superb long pass to Kranjcar. Back line with a superb display of invisibility. What the shit.
Liverpool played much better after that, and an incredible half-volley from the edge of the box by Zenden should have pulled one back, dipping past James's outstretched hands, but could only find the crossbar.
I passed out and missed Hyypia's goal. Apparently play was much improved, though, and that became evident when I started watching again at 70 minutes. Silly mistakes were stil occurring, but overall there was more organization throughout the field. Blah blah blah, we didn't need to win this game, I'm impatient for Tuesday.
Valencia-Recreativo
I've been keeping one eye on the NFL draft all afternoon, so I don't have much to say other than WHAT A FUCKING PLAY to set up Joaquin's goal. And then Joaquin slipped behind the goal while trying to celebrate, how hilarious. :D And WHAT A FUCKING PLAY to set up his second, too. God, when this team is on, they play like someone lit a firecracker under their asses.
(How cheeky of Angulo to try and set Joaquin up for a hat trick, haha.)
And, umm why were Ayala and Albiol wearing matching yellow clown shoes. What is this disastrous Valencian fashion sense. At least Ludo made up for it with his hotass all-black kit.
I hate the Recreativo seemed to be trying to snap Silva in half. I can't even count how many times he got kicked, toppled, shoved, and hacked at. Fucking unbelievable that he was the one who got carded for commenting on it.
GAVILAN'S COMEBACK. The fans made so much noise for him when he came on for Angulo; it's so good to see him back. The fans also gave Joaquin a standing ovation when he was taken off; he's really improved by leaps and bounds since the first few (frustrating) months.
Arzo crumpling over the sideboard = adorable. Also adorable was Flo-Po without hair. He's playing so well in Spain!
Burning question of the day: How did Jorge Lopez become our second-choice right winger? He should stick to sitting prettily on the bench, in my opinion.
Rosario Central-River Plate
akfjd baby Ruben scored twice, yay. ♥
Dudek
Arbeloa --- Paletta --- Hyypia --- Insua
Alonso --- Sissoko --- Zenden
Bellamy --- Fowler --- Gonzalez
Fortress Fratton, they're starting to call it. It's a small stadium, but the fans inhabit it well, and they're extremely loyal. They always have top-notch singing and they're always loud; it's actually refreshing. Also refreshing? David James winnng top keeper award for the year -- at thirty-six years old and after a long string of criticisms, it probably feels so good to get this honor.
Our playing wasn't fluid today, probably because we were forced to regain possession and constantly rely on a transition game. Gonzo fed Robbie for an absolutely wonderful pass after ten or so minutes, but Fowler was a hair offside. Bellamy and Gonzo were the main attacking channels on the break, and their pace was an asset throughout the game. The long diagonal passes from the back four generally could have been better.
Fowler picking a piece of dirt off Walton after having words with him was a moment of pure cheeky gold. Shame Matt Taylor had to be taken off so early in the game, though.
The back four needed to be on their toes to deal with a very coherent Pompey attack, and although they were on the verge of being pried open a few times, they were able to hold together for nearly thirty minutes. Then everything sort of fell apart, unsurprisingly in my opinion, because it was such a weak setup.
First goal, James with a superb long ball to Benjani. Dudek with a superb gaff to gift the home side. What the shit. Second goal, Lauren with a superb long pass to Kranjcar. Back line with a superb display of invisibility. What the shit.
Liverpool played much better after that, and an incredible half-volley from the edge of the box by Zenden should have pulled one back, dipping past James's outstretched hands, but could only find the crossbar.
I passed out and missed Hyypia's goal. Apparently play was much improved, though, and that became evident when I started watching again at 70 minutes. Silly mistakes were stil occurring, but overall there was more organization throughout the field. Blah blah blah, we didn't need to win this game, I'm impatient for Tuesday.
Valencia-Recreativo
I've been keeping one eye on the NFL draft all afternoon, so I don't have much to say other than WHAT A FUCKING PLAY to set up Joaquin's goal. And then Joaquin slipped behind the goal while trying to celebrate, how hilarious. :D And WHAT A FUCKING PLAY to set up his second, too. God, when this team is on, they play like someone lit a firecracker under their asses.
(How cheeky of Angulo to try and set Joaquin up for a hat trick, haha.)
And, umm why were Ayala and Albiol wearing matching yellow clown shoes. What is this disastrous Valencian fashion sense. At least Ludo made up for it with his hotass all-black kit.
I hate the Recreativo seemed to be trying to snap Silva in half. I can't even count how many times he got kicked, toppled, shoved, and hacked at. Fucking unbelievable that he was the one who got carded for commenting on it.
GAVILAN'S COMEBACK. The fans made so much noise for him when he came on for Angulo; it's so good to see him back. The fans also gave Joaquin a standing ovation when he was taken off; he's really improved by leaps and bounds since the first few (frustrating) months.
Arzo crumpling over the sideboard = adorable. Also adorable was Flo-Po without hair. He's playing so well in Spain!
Burning question of the day: How did Jorge Lopez become our second-choice right winger? He should stick to sitting prettily on the bench, in my opinion.
Rosario Central-River Plate
akfjd baby Ruben scored twice, yay. ♥