The llama

[Ryan]

One small criticism of Lallana so far is that he didn't demonstrate an ability to pick a killer defense-splitting through ball yet, like the ones Coutinho likes to do. There were a few times this season I saw him settle for a "good" pass forward when there was also a "great" pass available. Too early to judge and we might still see this dimension from him.

The Coutinho comparison is rather unfair given Coutinho has been completely fucking rubbish every time he's played this season, and Lallana hasn't.

 

[rurikbird]

The Coutinho comparison is rather unfair given Coutinho has been completely fucking rubbish every time he's played this season, and Lallana hasn't.

Yeah, more or less, but I am comparing to Coutinho of last season. Like I said, it's too early to make any kind of judgement, just an observation (we are allowed to post those, right?).

 

[Frogfish]

One small criticism of Lallana so far is that he didn't demonstrate an ability to pick a killer defense-splitting through ball yet, like the ones Coutinho likes to do. There were a few times this season I saw him settle for a "good" pass forward when there was also a "great" pass available. Too early to judge and we might still see this dimension from him.

That's an unfair judgement IMHO. As I've mentioned before, both Coutinho and Lallana seem to be looking for those passes but often look up, see no-one making the run and have to lay it off. When was the last time you saw one of our players playing on the defender's shoulder or playing the channels between defenders ? Balo does it occasionally, not nearly enough as he drops too deep, but otherwise no-one, literally no-one, else does it. That will change when Sturridge returns.

 

[rurikbird]

That's an unfair judgement IMHO. As I've mentioned before, both Coutinho and Lallana seem to be looking for those passes but often look up, see no-one making the run and have to lay it off. When was the last time you saw one of our players playing on the defender's shoulder or playing the channels between defenders ? Balo does it occasionally, not nearly enough as he drops too deep, but otherwise no-one, literally no-one, else does it. That will change when Sturridge returns.

No, the moments I mention were when someone WAS making a run into space, but Lallana opted for an easier, but less dangerous pass. There were a couple of moments in West Brom game where I'm sure had Coutinho been the one with the ball at that moment, he would have attempted the more ambitious pass. Once again, this in not even a criticism, just an observation, something to keep an eye on.

 

[mom]

Coutinho would have attempted that pass and given possession away. Given our current form, I wouldn't be surprised if BR had told the squad to keep it simple.

 

[ILD]

No, the moments I mention were when someone WAS making a run into space, but Lallana opted for an easier, but less dangerous pass. There were a couple of moments in West Brom game where I'm sure had Coutinho been the one with the ball at that moment, he would have attempted the more ambitious pass. Once again, this in not even a criticism, just an observation, something to keep an eye on.

Was one of them in the second half when Lallana played the ball to Coutinho (who drifted offside) instead of the pass to Sterling through the middle? I noticed that too. I wanted the ball to be played to Sterling in that instance.

It was minor and the wrong option that time but I get you, it's not criticism just an observation.

 

[rurikbird]

Was one of them in the second half when Lallana played the ball to Coutinho (who drifted offside) instead of the pass to Sterling through the middle? I noticed that too. I wanted the ball to be played to Sterling in that instance.

It was minor and the wrong option that time but I get you, it's not criticism just an observation.

Yes, that was the most obvious one. Sterling would have been 1 on 1 if the right pass was made.

 

[Frogfish]

Yes, that was the most obvious one. Sterling would have been 1 on 1 if the right pass was made.

I don't think you can pick out one/two 'What If ..' passes made/not made moments like that. Even watching us last season there were umpteen times Suarez/Studge would make a run and Coutinho/Gerrard/Allen/Hendo would not pick up on it and vice versa, they'd make the pass but Suarez/Studge hadn't seen/anticipated it. It's nit-picking. Now if that is the case over half a season (for example) then there may be a case to be made, but it's far far too early at this stage to pull them up on it.

Personally I'm far more worried about the lack of runs into the channels or in behind defenders.