Lallana

[juniormember]

Was anonymous in the first half but really started getting into the game before being taken off, which I imagine was to make sure he didn't get re injured.

Looked very classy once he got used to the atmosphere/debut/nerves/whatever.

Was disappointed to see him come off, and I think he'll be very good playing together with Sterling and Sturridge.

Love Coutinho but he's been bloody wasteful the last couple of games. If we play 3 up top with Sterling amongst the three, Lallana should be able to really make something of it, considering the great movement Sturridge and Sterling provide when one of our players have the ball.
Balloteli needs to be coached into doing the same thing. If not, it's Markovic I'd rather see as taking his place.

What did everyone else think of his performance? More about the second half than the first where we all know he was a little shite, along with all his teammates.

 

[Mystic]

He was decent, but obviously feeling his way into a new team, we really shouldn't have had three new forward players, we needed someone up there to help them through their first game, didn't really have much choice in that regard unfortunately.

 

[Frogfish]

Agree with JM.

Reposted from two other threads :

When he got into the game in the 2nd half he looked good. Class on the ball and he created 2 of our best chances .. a cracking shot that whistled past the post from 25m with the keeper beat the best. He's going to be an excellent addition linking up with Sterling & Studge.

For Ludo I've suggested :

--------------------------Mignolet

Manquillo-------Lovren-----Sakho------Moreno

--------------------------Gerrard

---------Henderson ------------------ Allen

---------------------------Lallana

---------------Sterling----------Balotelli

 

[juniormember]

Yeah, Sterling in a front two, Lallana in behind could definitely work.

 

[James]

Had to do a lot of defensive work in the first half which was tough on him considering he was just coming back from injury. Had some nice touches and I feel more confident with him going forward than Markovic.

 

[SummerOnions]

He's gonna be boss

 

[Mystic]

I think Markovic is best used as an impact sub for now, and starting the in cup and champions league, he'd be perfect to start tomorrow for example.

 

[Fabio]

Surprised how Markovic is being written off a bit after 1 start, where he got fuck all assistance by slow midfielders and a cautious full back

He'll be boss for us

 

[Mystic]

Surprised how Markovic is being written off a bit after 1 start, where he got fuck all assistance by slow midfielders and a cautious full back

He'll be boss for us

I think it'll take him a few months to get up and running, that's why I think he should manage his playing time a fair bit for the time being, but the little flashes we saw from him against City show he's got something special, I can see him being a big game player eventually, he just has an arrogance to him, and beautiful Rodger Federer like hair.

 

[hmmmmm1]

He does look quality

 

[Hansern]

Surprised how Markovic is being written off a bit after 1 start, where he got fuck all assistance by slow midfielders and a cautious full back

He'll be boss for us

Its beyond stupid writing him off already

 

[ILD]

Surprised how Markovic is being written off a bit after 1 start, where he got fuck all assistance by slow midfielders and a cautious full back

He'll be boss for us

I have high hopes for him. He's an exciting proposition. I want him to revert to a few more cameo roles to find his feet. As I said in another thread, he is playing within himself.

His initial reaction is to keep it simple and retain possession. I presume he is doing this to find his feet in a new league and a perhaps new position. He was the star at Benfica. Had he a free role there? He seemed to pick the ball up in deeper positions from the bits/clips I had seen. He looked an exciting player who would take a touch to set himself up and then go at the opposition and carry the ball forward. Sterling is at a stage now where he is doing this on a regular basis for us. He has the confidence to terrorise defenders every time he gets on the ball. I'm presuming that will come with time with Lazar. He looked a lot better against City in that cameo as the game suited him more away from home. Looking forward to seeing him again during the week, perhaps off the bench with 20 mins to go.

 

[ILD]

I think it'll take him a few months to get up and running, that's why I think he should manage his playing time a fair bit for the time being, but the little flashes we saw from him against City show he's got something special, I can see him being a big game player eventually, he just has an arrogance to him, and beautiful Rodger Federer like hair.

I expected him to strut about the place from the off. His cameo against City backed up that assertion too. He went straight at City with his first involvement and I felt we had an exciting player who was going to bring it from the off. I was a little surprised to see him so reserved against Villa but the style of game (Villa sitting back) obviously impacted this and curtailed his game. It was frustrating watching him control it (instantly btw) and move it again so quickly. I was just being greedy and wanted him to go at them. He did nothing wrong but didn't impact the game or stand out. I'll give him plenty of time though as there is a player in there waiting to burst out and when it does he will blow us away.

Perhaps we need to split this into a Markovic thread?

 

[Mors]

I don't think the llama looked that bad at all, the problem was that he didn't have the ball in positions where he's best and we can get the best out of him. I thought people were selling him as the sort of player that would be brilliant against the likes of villa with a packed and disciplined defence though, sort of a lock picker? That quick footed shot he took I thought was pretty smart. He's not one I'm worried about.