Liverpool 2, West Brom 0: Surviving the Hodgepocalypse

By: Ed | October 29th, 2011

Liverpool 1: Adam 9′, Carroll 45′
West Brom 0

Liverpool win comfortably in a match that was only made difficult by their own doing, as they scored twice and eased to victory despite failing to convert a handful of chances that would have made the scoreline more reflective of the performance. West Brom scarcely threatened, and nearly to a man Liverpool were terrific, with most of the eleven justifying their inclusion on a day that saw two mainstays ruled out through injury. If they’re going to be challenging for a European spot at season’s end, victories like today’s are ones they’ll need to start racking up.

The late news about Steven Gerrard’s omission was the big talk of the pre-match, with the captain apparently suffering an ankle knock in training that somehow turned into an infection. Jamie Carragher’s absence was less surprising, as he was subbed off at half during the Stoke match. But combined it meant the squad were without their captain and vice-captain, leaving Pepe Reina as the deputy, and Martin Skrtel joining Daniel Agger in central defense. As expected, Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique made their returns, Lucas and Charlie Adam once again paired in the midfield, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing filled the flanks, and Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll rounded off the 4-2-2-2 up top.

And nearly from the start they were on the front foot, with Enrique playing a forty-yard diagonal ball to a streaking Suarez, with only a poor touch from the Uruguayan to blame for not taking a lead within a minute. Suarez was again involved a minute later, cutting back for Adam on the edge of the area, but the right-footed effort headed deep into the home stand. A scramble in the Liverpool box after a Chris Brunt free kick gave the hosts respite, but it proved to be short-lived as the the visitors notched the opener on their next trip down the pitch.

adampeno Possession from Luis Suarez in the West Brom penalty area looked to be fruitless, with few obvious openings. As Suarez dribbling away from Ben Foster’s goal, though, Jerome Thomas put a clumsy foot forward and knocked the Liverpool man to the ground. Lee Mason didn’t initially blow for a penalty, but his linesman on the far side judged it to be more than enough contact, and the penalty was given, with Suarez cast as the villain once again by opposition supporters despite his clear efforts to stay upright. Regardless, Charlie Adam coolly slotted home the spot kick, sending Foster the wrong way and giving Liverpool an early lead.

From there it continued to be all Liverpool, as they found their way forward at will and did everything but find the second for the rest of the first half. Mason didn’t do them any favors, ignoring a clear penalty first on Jonas Olsson, who bundled Andy Carroll to ground on a corner, and next on Steven Reid, whose bandaged hand batted away a Carroll header on goal after Luis Suarez floated a fantastic ball from the right flank.

Carroll finally got his reward for some excellent first half work, though, finishing off a breathtakingly efficient break from the guests after the hosts had nearly gotten an equalizer. It started in their own half with Lucas, who played a perfect fading ball to Suarez on the right flank. It would have been easy enough for him to shit out of the challenge with Youssuf Mulumbu closing quickly , but his inch-perfect pass was redirected by Suarez to Andy Carroll in the middle, and the forward found himself clear on goal. A long first touch almost saw the chance go begging, but Carroll expertly poked a left-footed effort past Foster to give Liverpool the second they needed on the stroke of half-time.

*

Two goals to the good, Liverpool lapsed for a short period to start the second but went on to see the match out with the lion’s share of possession and a handful of chances again gone begging. It’s a worrying trend for Kenny Dalglish’s squad; even with the three points and a fairly comfortable display, the inability to take what’s right in front of them is unavoidable. You’ve got to be happy with the result, and it’s progress for a side that previously couldn’t kind the killing stroke, but it’s hard to shake the “should have had…” narrative.

What’s far more encouraging was the play of Andy Carroll up front—he wasn’t immune to the squad’s collective struggles to take their chances, but he got the goal he deserved on a day when he was more active and effective than we’ve seen. The announcers couldn’t give up the chance to discuss the shortcomings of the pairing with Luis Suarez even though the big man was on the end of two clear-cut chances created by his partner, and Carroll playing in not only Suarez but nearly all of Liverpool’s front six at one time or another.

enrique On any other day Carroll might have stood out more, but it truly was an impressive effort from the entire squad back to front. Pepe Reina was solid when called upon, and Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger were fantastic in central defense, with the latter setting hearts alight with his runs forward and involvement in attack. Not likely that the partnership continues once Jamie Carragher is fit, and given Skrtel’s inconsistent form that might be a good thing, but today they were excellent. Same goes for nearly all involved; Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique marshaled their flanks expertly as Enrique continued his unbelievable form, Lucas was at his dominant best in midfield, Jordan Henderson turned in another improved performance, and Luis Suarez was his usual self, creating both goals and a number of other chances.

The only question marks on the day were Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing, as the former showed flashes of brilliance interrupted by more than a few maddening moments, and the latter failed to exert any influence other than a shot that bounced back off the post in the 90th minute. For Adam it’s about what we’ve come to expect—searching balls that opened West Brom up and confident play from the spot and set pieces, but over-exuberant first touches and forcing play when it generally wasn’t available. And with Maxi, Craig Bellamy, and Dirk Kuyt waiting in the wings, there’s little argument left for Stewart Downing’s continued inclusion, as he failed to get involved and has regressed on either flank after starting the season so well.

At the end of the day, though, the positives far outweigh the negatives, and three points is a deserved return.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Match Recaps, Premier League

« Matchday: Liverpool v. West Brom | Home | Video: Liverpool v. West Brom Full Highlights »

KC

Just a quick and totally random question: I hear this at every game but I can't hear what people are actually chanting and was wanting a confirmation. It sounds like the AAPT smart chat rhythm in claps and then they say something that sounds like Dalgliesh. What are they actually chanting?
Latortillablanca

DALGLISH!!! if its the one im thinkin of, thats like the original dalglish chant.
KC

Oh wow it is the Dalglish chant! Thanks!
Latortillablanca

"It would have been easy enough for him to shit out of the challenge...", funny i dont remember them teaching that one at soccer camps in the states - perhaps its a montevideo thing?
Redarmy

Some random thoughts:
- I think we have to work on corners. We get a lot gracias Luis through our constant penetration but to no avail. We are not even threatening to score. Why is Adam not taking every one of them? thought it was one of his strenghts?
- I think it is over the top saying that Downing failed to get involved. He didn't set the pitch on fire but wasn't that bad either. I like him running at defenders, not shying away from one on one, which is constantly opening up room for others
- I think West Brom is rubbish, no invention whatsoever.
- Without Stevie i think we lack someone in midfield to orchestrate the play, spreading the ball around. We play almost exclusively on the wings.
- I think Shelvey would look good in Stevie's place
- I think I really like Unrealque.
- I think Andy is learning to take advantage of Luis' genius!
Latortillablanca

26 does take all the set pieces... sometimes stuey will take it from the left and sometimes adam'll get waved off on the free kicks, but for the most part, he's the dude.
Hal

Really worried about some comments in the write-up by my dear Mr Ed.

This for example "Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger were fantastic in central defense, with the latter setting hearts alight with his runs forward and involvement in attack. Not likely that the partnership continues once Jamie Carragher is fit"

How can any one who loves LFC say something this sickening. So we are doomed with Carra good or bad. Heres what i think. He's the reason why we've managed only 2 clean sheets with him in the team all season. Anyone noticed how we passed the ball neatly and confidently even when defending deep? Anyone noticed the lack of "ball booting to the stands" all day? Anyone noticed the absence of arrogant tantrums following mistakes (apparently rare because of his lovely injury).

Conclusion; Almighty God or Injury should save us from 'Mr Passion and no substance' or better still he should retrace his steps back to the blueside. And dearest writer maybe you should refer to Noel's words on http://liverpool.theoffside.co...
Ed

Sorry the recap made you sick to your stomach. Try as I might, physiological reactions to what I post seem to be unavoidable.

I think you're probably way off base re: my opinion, and maybe it'll help your tummy to know that I'm not exactly counting down the moments until Carragher's back. I'm more resigned to the fact that he'll be selected when he's fit than I am looking forward to it, and if Martin Skrtel was more consistent, I'd be in favor of him partnering Agger full-time. There's not any easy answer in central defense, though, as Carragher's fading, Skrtel's inconsistent, Agger's injury-prone, and Coates is just coming along.

Anyway, thanks for the link, I'll check out this "Noel" guy.
Redarmy

I don't agree that Carra is responsible for us not having more clean sheets. Can't put that down to one player, like him or not. It's not his fault that DAgger can't stay on the pitch.
Latortillablanca

no doubt. re: the constant carra bashing - look the guy's old, this is basically his last or penultimate season, he'll be gone soon enough, and once he's gone, there won't be another like him. so enjoy it while you have it you know.
Suarez from the car park...

And here's one for Mr Ed.

http://bussongs.com/assets/mid...
Hal

A horse is a horse. No one can talk to a horse. That is if of course the horse is the faaaaaaaaaaaaymous Mister Ed. LMAO
Suarez from the car park...

Ask him, "why the long face"?
DJ-Chutfield

Let me know if I'm crazy, but I think all we need to do to improve our toothlessness in the final third is more strikers. If we have more competition for places, the strikers who find themselves on the pitch will have a point to prove and strive to be that much more clinical to make sure they start the following week. Not that the lads we have out there currently are moping around and Torres-ing it, but Suarez and Carroll know they're the only two players who have started up front all season and it's not looking too likely that that'll change.

I don't think Kuyt's featured as a centre-forward yet this season after being played there a few times last season. He's mostly back to the right flank or sometimes (bizarrely) to the bench. Bellamy is on the bench given his age and when he does feature, it's more down the wing where his pace that he still somehow has at the age of 32 can best make full-backs shit themselves.

Probably a more "well duh" sort of observation and we'll have to secure CL football for next season to afford/attract top-quality strikers and make it worth their while to spend a little time on the bench for us. Great win anyway, my early trepidations were wiped out by our bright start and we never looked like we weren't gonna win it in the end.

PS, Stewpot's late effort against the post brought Liverpool hitting-of-the-woodwork tally up to 10 this season, the highest of any team in the BPL. Has a gypsy put a curse on us? What is this shit? Oh well, eat it, Woy. Eat it good.
Hal

You definitely aint crazy
Suarez from the car park...

We want to improve ON our toothlessness, I dont want us improving our toothlessness!!

Yours,
Gummy
Latortillablanca

netime luis is up top and kuyt's in the side that striker position has been fluid, giving kuyt his fair share of minutes there.

RW and Striker must be the next two positions on the transfer target list. remember that wickham wuda been our 1st or 2nd signing of the summer had that gone through, so, the guys upstairs seem conscious of it.
Suarez from the car park...

LTB, does writing netime really save you that much? Its one letter, 'a', or maybe a stretch to reach the 'y' instead of the 'e'.

Still, it's a bit laaandun of you I reckon, init!
Latortillablanca

not at all, i just jump at the opportunity to write "NNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!" netime i can.
Mike

We are the knights who....oh, wait. has anyone got a shrubbery, er I mean a Llorentery?
Latortillablanca

are you suggesting that coconuts migrate?
Redarmy

I don't see how another striker on the bench helps us score more goals. We're lacking goals from our starting midfielders.
ShedYourYellow

Steven Gerrard gets parts of him infected like nobody's business. Parts of him get infected that I didn't even know it was possible to INFECT.
mardia

PREACH. (Seriously, bubble wrap. The medical staff really need to look into it.
ShedYourYellow

"Oh, the captain's out. He's got a groin infection."

"Seriously? Wow, how do you get a groin infection? A pull, a strain, yeah, but an infection?"

"Captain's out again. Ankle infection."

"Okay, honestly, what the fuck?"
Latortillablanca

i always thought alex curran seemed to have a bit of freak to her... its like i always say, the couple that engages in foot fetishes together, stays together.
Suarez from the car park...

I always thought it was malice and spite.
justin

The Carroll that we watched last night most certainly reminded me of a Carroll we watched while we got hammered 3-1 by Newcastle when the Hodgepocalypse was still upon us. He'd presence, aggression and was more than a handful. He's definitely looking more in sync with the "fluidity" of the team now and can on improve? Good sign?
Latortillablanca

suarez in particular looked to involve the big lug - good signs indeed.
Suarez from the car park...

he was quite different yesterday wasn't he?
justin

Indeed, there were clearer signs of a "partnership" or rather movements off each other and lay off than in those previous games. Might've been because Carroll was constantly making movements instead of just lugging stationary around.
Latortillablanca

maybe it just took him this long to get into game shape? someone made the comment earlier, but this is def more like the newcastle andy that nearly ended skrtel's career...
Suarez from the car park...

So, did we prevent West Brom playing or were they just absolute rubbish today?

I really felt like we didnt have to do very much to dominate and didn't go for the jugular. 4th could easily come down to goal difference next May and we need to get more on the score sheet.
KC

I would love so much for Liverpool to get all their chances in and I'm thinking that's probably going to come around the time when everyone else's squads collapse from too many games but at this moment in time I'm just happy that we're consistent and we WON :D WOOH :D
Purify_the_body

jonny,

West Brom have scored most of their goals this season in the first 10 minutes of games, if you can believe it. Also, in Hodgson trademark fashion he plays almost the exact same players each game, so they are starting to get worn down.

Today they didn't have Shane Long, came out flat, and to cap it off we were the ones who scored early -- the perfect storm and we were simply too good for them, especially with the classy Agger replacing Carra. I also thought their crowd was very quiet and moaned at the referee more than cheered them on to get back in the game.

Great win for us but you can see the lack of pace, ruthlessness, and cohesion we suffer from right now. The teamwork should keep improving but to hit the next level and truly destroy teams like this we should add some more speed in midfield.
Red2death

Well, they played pretty decently for a Hodgson team. And I say that with all due respect to our former manager (which really isn't much if you come to think of it).

We pressed high, closed them down in all areas. Lucas is back to his old form. Agger and Skrtel bossing the back to close down any occasional threat they might have had. Didn't really play much possession football, just quick to move the ball forward and shoot. But we'd soon win the ball back anyway.

So, yup I'd say we did have some part to play in making them look shit. Agree with you on the goals though. Today we had 18 shots and one went in (not including the penalty). That's a fairly sad return. On one of our unluckier days it'd be 20 shots in a 0-0 draw. Contrast with Utd who were hardly the better team today, mustered only 7 shots, but one of them was the winner. So easily could have dropped 2 or 3 points but instead they survive again. Hate to say it, but that's what we have to be.
Lis

3 points away, against Woy (I believe we didn't get a full face rub, which was unfortunate), a clean sheet (had forgotten what those were like) and a goal for Andy. Probably should've scored more, but I'm happy with the result. And not at all nervous about November.
Also, I love how in the top picture Suarez is a bit like "Andy, talk to the hand".
Lis

Thought I had finally figured out how to have separate paragraphs. Turns out I haven't.
Suarez from the car park...

just be creative.
Wilbur

Can anyone tell me who was the former LFC player acting as the commentator for today's match?
mo

On FSC twas Paul Walsh I believe, brutal he was too
Wilbur

Yes, that who it was - thank you. He didn't express any undying love for Kenny D during the telecast. Didn't he and Kenny have a problem during Kenny's first reign?
Mike

Yes, he was supposed to be Kenny's replacement until injury and lack of form forced KD to play himself far more than he wanted to. Eventually KD sold him on, and he went on to father Paul Konshevsky, and curiously enough, be the best man at Chritsian Poulsen's wedding. Too many Woy jokes? Sorry.
tGryffin

So the Carling Cup draw is out, we face Chelsea FC. ManC v. Arsenal and ManU v. Crystal place....typical.
Mike

Presumably giving Man U a bye was a little too obvious?
Suarez from the car park...

of course, we should have guessed that one.

So November after Swansea is Chelski, Man City, Chelski all in 11 days!!
Ryan

Also, has anyone watched a Newcastle game? Why are they doing so well? It's going to be quite awkward for Carroll if Newcastle finish higher than Liverpool..
Purify_the_body

Ryan, every game it is something different for Newcastle. They have a lot of pace in their front 6 and no outright bad players in their starting eleven, so every game they pretty much just have a go -- a lot like Tottenham.

There have been times they have been bad, but luck has carried them. At Wolves they were dominated but somehow the ball refused to go in their net (the opposite of our luck), and at the end when Wolves equalized the goal was wrongly disallowed. Ba, the complete opposite of Suarez, must have scored literally half his chances -- timely finishing.

They are an exciting side to watch and as JPR said below they've had an easy schedule, but they deserve a lot of credit nonetheless. In a way they look like what some LFC fans expected when Comolli came in -- French and fast.
Suarez from the car park...

they took marveaux didn't they, after we presumably didnt want to offer as much due to his old injuries.

Pardew has a record of bringing good players through from West Ham, which is of course half the battle. I wonder if our Steve Keen was there aswell.
Purify_the_body

http://www.guardian.co.uk/foot...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2...
NotTooXabi

They play it simple and effective. I think they deserve full credit for their start to the season. It's early to issue "no way anyone finishes above us" statements (except, maybe, Wigan).

2. United Backline & Lack of Center Midfield
3. Chelsea's Discipline Issues & Lack of "In-Form" Striker
4. Newcastle "Not Up to It"
5. Our Profligacy (and Gerrard's scary predilection for infections)
6. Spurs Lack of Depth
7. Arsenal's Schizophrenia & Constant Injury Crisis

2 teams are going to be crushed when the season end 7 months (!) from now. This ultra-marathon gladiator race to the death for 2nd-5th will lead to spike in my whiskey consumption and overall disdain for having constant internet access.
Red2death

Not so worried about Geordies I guess. They've had a good season so far, and Arsenal have had a shocking start before recently resuming normal service. It happens. But I expect everything to even out over the course of the season. Newcastle just don't have the quality to vie for top four. Arsenal and Spurs our greatest threats. Not sure why Chelsea are performing so badly though. And if results started reflecting actual play then Utd shouldn't be so close to the top.
Suarez from the car park...

AVB first season, playing adventurously and not defending properly.
David Luis is a poor defender aswell.
JPR

Easy early schedule. Arsenal, Sund, Fulham, QPR, Villa,Blackburn, Wolves, Spurs, Wigan. Only allowed 6 goals in 9 games and scored 12. Next 5 games they will get few points. Stoke (A) Monday, Everton (H), City (A) United (A), Chelsea (H). No way they finish above us.
Suarez from the car park...

After Swansea and the international break, we've got Chelski and Citeh, (and then Chelski again in the Carling Cup).

After that we get a reasonable run again right up to Newcastle on 30th dec.
JPR

Let me rephrase my Newcastle prediction, then. If Newcastle finish above us I'll run naked from my house to 'blancas house and eat his hat. But, yea, everybody's got to play 28 more games, obviously. Anything can happen. Let's see Newcastle's place in 5 games.
Latortillablanca

3 points down out of that 12, mate... i've set aside a bottle of green tabasco for the occasion.
JPR

Right. It'll get interesting if we can do to Chelski what RVP and Arsense did to them today. Which is to leave 41,000 home fans an emotional wreck. Then it's only City at home. And we damn well better play on fire for Swansea.
Latortillablanca

i wud trade the chelsea league game for progression in the carling cup, tho...
JPR

I wud prefer an early season double. U 2 I kno. Arsenal type fluid play can break em down which we have in the locker. Our D is lookin good with DAgger too. Abramovich/AVB/Terry group psychiatric counseling wud be a beneficial result for all of GB.
Purify_the_body

Started the day in a 3-team race for fourth and finished it with three points and right in the middle of a 5-team race for third. Fun stuff.

Now to start fixing our home form next week.
Latortillablanca

a follow-up cleansheet would do nicely to build confidence for the sky blues
Ryan

What about Johnson, eh? He was everywhere on that side.
Latortillablanca

ya, i think he had a point to prove considering kelly's form. FB is our deepest position no doubt.
Mike

Astonishing given where we were a year ago with Johnson fighting injury and the mighty Konshevsky's awkward mum on the left.
Guest

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CLEAN SHEET WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
kenny

Also seems as though Suarez is trying more to hold his ground. Except for when he accidentally took one Mr. West Brom out, but that's understandable.
kenny

1. Good game. Good passing. No blatant wrong doings from anybody.
2. Great punch out from Reina late on.
3. Enrique knows what's up. I remember Downing getting the ball on a replay at the top left of the box, Enrique wasn't even at half way yet, Downing takes another touch and bam! There's Enrique hauling butt to the line, gets the ball, runs in, and shoots. I cannot wait until he scores!
4. Carroll, good stuff, I believe he should've got more goals today, and Suarez should've had one. In fact, there could've been just a lot more, Downing in particular. Very sad to see him hit the post. But otherwise...
5. YAY!
NotTooXabi

Anyone else start squirming at about 65 minutes when it seemed we needed fresh legs to put foot to neck and finish West Brom, Mortal Kombat style?

Until proven wrong...the Agger Trumps Adam Corollary holds true (with recent developments making me think that you should sit Adam with a fully fit Agger+Unrealque). Today, the Spaniard brought his archery set along with his scutum - spraying some deadly balls AS WELL AS doing his defensive BayWatching best. Agger's gazelle-like runs with the ball are simply marvelous to see in full flight. (And he's a pretty nasty CB.) Nestled right above them, Charlie simply doesn't seem like the good fit. Whilst having some real assets, he slows the pace-of-play, can't provided any sort of defensive cover, and doesn't have that thoroughbred pace to get further up the field. If/when his check-backs for the ball don't give him possession, he's a passenger in what has become our style of flying. In American sports, he's a field-goal kicker; a Designated Hitter; a 3-point specialist off the bench.

Until proven wrong (and fully prepared to admit it), this is where I stand.

*An epic call-child-protective-services hiding awaits a team when this side finds its scoring boots.*
Latortillablanca

and yet every great team has a deadly field-goal kicker, DH (or useless 1st baseman) or a 3-point specialist. Why? because often times, the difference between winning and losing comes from those types of plays.

i also don't see this agger-makes-adam-superfluous comment... why? cuz they can both pass the ball? Lucas is an insane defender, and yet he always has either carragher or skrtel behind him who are insane defenders, does that make lucas superfluous?

agger's a ball playing CB, that doesnt mean that you dont want/need a ball playing CM ahead of him. if anything it makes the team more dynamic going forward having adam and agger in the same eleven...
NotTooXabi

Fair point, White Bread. Every winning team does need those specialists. My analogy (far from being a perfect fit) is that those specialists do not play full-time; they're brought in those situations in which their skill-set is most useful. Adam is a specialist occupying a position in a set-up better suited to a more complete midfielder.

When a situation calls for Adam's admittedly solid skill set, then yes, bring him on and give him the stage. In the right environment, Charlie Adam is capable of changing a game. But too many times this season, his liabilities outweigh his assets. I think Adam is learning how to be a cog-in-a-big-wheel and will improve his overall fitness and ability to K.I.S.S. But to piggy-back JPR's numbers, right now, with starting positions a premium at a club with significant depth and serious aspirations for a big year, I would trade moments of Adam's brilliance for a more complete, if offensively-limited, CM partner for Lucas.

But like I said, it's just my opinion.
Latortillablanca

ya i get it. and im all about wee jay, i think he brings a lot to the table, not least of which is he has not once griped about playing time. he just brings his lunch pail to work and is ready to go when called upon, a true pro. plus his dad is like a janitor or something at anfield, so thats just awesome hometown ish. and there are about 20 games a year where i agree with you re: a sturdier sidekick for lucas, but for the rest of those games we need adam (or henderson) to pick up the offensive slack in midfield since steven gerrard's magic treatment table journey doesn't seem like its going to end anytime soon...
JPR

Here's some statty stats for your Sunday enjoyment.

Chaz - 10 League games - 815 minutes (9 full time equivalent games)

35 Corner Kicks
20 Direct Kicks
55 Total set plays

Resulted in 2 goals. 1 corner to Skrtel against Bolton, 1 direct kick to Suarez against Sund.

Open play: 19 total shots(includes blocked shots), 4 on target, 1 goal against Bolton, 0 assists. (a shot on target every 2.25 games!, no assists from open play in 815 minutes!)

41 successful tackles (not bad)

Total passes (Includes set plays) 510
Successful 381 (75%)
Unsuccessful 129

2 Total goals. 1 against Bolton and 1 PK against W. Brom.

Personally, I prefer Spearo's Steel to Charlie's creative brilliance. But Dats me.
Latortillablanca

for some games, sure. not every time. and vice-versa. but adam gets the nod more often because to win games the ball has to hit the net.

also, those stats - ok, but just because only 2 goals have been put away by those set pieces, it doesnt mean he's not doing his job by putting those balls into dangerous places. thats perhaps his most impressive trait, consistently getting those deliveries into good areas. i get the case for wee jay, but lets not overstate things to the point where all of a sudden adam isn't even good at delivering set plays...
JPR

My point is that the offensive capabilities of the team with wee Jay are not much diminished. Jay can pass well and gets into the offense and is good there too. We will score just as many goals with Jay. But the D is significantly improved and Jay is (my opinion!!) a more well rounded mid fielder with a better engine and better fitness. Charlies set play delivery IS very good but can be matched by Stevie G. on DK and Stewie on corners. I would have Charlie on Penalties. He's one of the best I've seen. Just not a nailed on starter, for me.
Latortillablanca

oh u mean the stevie g that was playin on saturday? ;) i get it man, but nah, we're not the same offensively with wee jay. he's solid, but adam on his day is a unique offensive talent that doesn't come around that often. seriously, he's like old ronaldinho, the one that went to milan. that ronaldinho was still the shit, so long as the team could accomodate him. lucas can, most of the time. when the match up aint there, then is spearo time. but the only midfielder in the team that has a shout at replacing the offensive things steven does for us is 26. but ya, on merit spearo deserves to be rotated in more often than he has been so far.
redrk

i totally agree with you...adam is deadly at set pieces,has 2 or 3 assists already and two goals.i think he is doing well in the midfield and also he has a great passing range,as we saw last he played couple of pinpoint long passes over westbrom's defence,also he has learnt to keep it simple most of the times,he provided defensive cover last night,his long balls can be very effective on counters and most importantly kenny has faith in him and we have faith in kenny so if he plays him there must be some solid reason and i honestly dont see how we will be unbeatable with lucas and spearing in the CDM...
JPR

This team will be almost unbeatable if we pair Lucas/Spearing at CDM and DAgger/Kelly at CB along with G. Man and Luis. Your observations are Psychic. Unlikely to ever have to admit anything different.