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Craig HillPre-season's Strike
August 2nd 2007 00:39
I watched the Portsmouth game last week, and although we lost, I am quite pleased with what I saw.
The game reminds me of last season's typical encounter with teams that prefer to play 10 defenders and we struggled to break though. Wasted some chances and never got to score the all important goal. And I thought that's exactly why we spent around 40 million pounds to buy the new players!
I think Torres played well, although he should have scored with a few chances. Still, it's his early pre season, I don't put my expectation bar too high. He missed the penalty, it's a bit disappointing, but everyone misses once in a while. All in all, it's too bad that he couldn't score any goals in this game, but luckily it's just an exhibition cup. For me, it doesn't bother if you miss a lot, just make sure you hit when it matters. I don't care if he scores a hundred goals in pre season, there's no use if he can't score any when the season kicks off!
I guess it's very common that people, especially fans, tend to have their expectations raised straightaway when a big money splashed on the big player. And we are entitled to that. BUT, we have to be logical, not impatient. What do people really prefer, a striker that scores a lot in matches we easily won but couldn't find the net on big occasion or striker that scores the one goal in many 1-0 matches. It's the difference they make eventually that worths the money, not the number of goals in pre season!
That's also something I thought is misleading from the use of number of goals to judge a player. Sure statistic doesn't lie, but it doesn't says everything. I don't mind if Torres isn't scoring 20-30 goals (although I would love to see), but even if he just score 15 goals in which 10 of them crucial in winning us games, then I am more than happy because he just won us 30 points!
The point I made is clear. In our current situation, we need a striker that can make a difference, and we are yet to see if Torres, Babel or Voronin can provide us that. In my opinion, that's the key to premiership. So don't write any of their names off yet just because of one or two pre season games!
On other notes, I still can't understand why Heinze saga is taking so long. I don't know about the complication of the contract, but if the agent said there is a release clause, then isn't it solved by meeting the clause? I thought Rafa has made a bid for that. It's very funny and honestly quite tiring to see. Now that Juve has made clear of their interest in signing him, I guess it could end up Heinze signing for them instead, unless he really has such a big intention to join us which I very much welcome.
Also, with Parry hinting at continuing spending, there could be something more to see before the transfer window closes. Supposedly, Heinze should be the last signing. But now with Heinze looking difficult, will us be interested in flirting with Alves again?
It doesn't really matter to me I guess, somehow I am very happy with the squad we have now. I am very excited to see Babel play on the Portsmouth match even though he wasn't exactly the best performer that night. Still, I can see the glimpses of Henry-esque in him and I have no doubt he will be a success sooner or later. And also, Harry was playing well at the left wing, hope he can continue and be fit all season.
All in all, it's not a bad pre season, and hope we can rocket into the top straightaway from the start, which is just 9 days away!
YNWA.
[image credit: liverpoolfc.net]
The game reminds me of last season's typical encounter with teams that prefer to play 10 defenders and we struggled to break though. Wasted some chances and never got to score the all important goal. And I thought that's exactly why we spent around 40 million pounds to buy the new players!
On strike
I guess it's very common that people, especially fans, tend to have their expectations raised straightaway when a big money splashed on the big player. And we are entitled to that. BUT, we have to be logical, not impatient. What do people really prefer, a striker that scores a lot in matches we easily won but couldn't find the net on big occasion or striker that scores the one goal in many 1-0 matches. It's the difference they make eventually that worths the money, not the number of goals in pre season!
That's also something I thought is misleading from the use of number of goals to judge a player. Sure statistic doesn't lie, but it doesn't says everything. I don't mind if Torres isn't scoring 20-30 goals (although I would love to see), but even if he just score 15 goals in which 10 of them crucial in winning us games, then I am more than happy because he just won us 30 points!
The point I made is clear. In our current situation, we need a striker that can make a difference, and we are yet to see if Torres, Babel or Voronin can provide us that. In my opinion, that's the key to premiership. So don't write any of their names off yet just because of one or two pre season games!
On other notes, I still can't understand why Heinze saga is taking so long. I don't know about the complication of the contract, but if the agent said there is a release clause, then isn't it solved by meeting the clause? I thought Rafa has made a bid for that. It's very funny and honestly quite tiring to see. Now that Juve has made clear of their interest in signing him, I guess it could end up Heinze signing for them instead, unless he really has such a big intention to join us which I very much welcome.
Also, with Parry hinting at continuing spending, there could be something more to see before the transfer window closes. Supposedly, Heinze should be the last signing. But now with Heinze looking difficult, will us be interested in flirting with Alves again?
It doesn't really matter to me I guess, somehow I am very happy with the squad we have now. I am very excited to see Babel play on the Portsmouth match even though he wasn't exactly the best performer that night. Still, I can see the glimpses of Henry-esque in him and I have no doubt he will be a success sooner or later. And also, Harry was playing well at the left wing, hope he can continue and be fit all season.
All in all, it's not a bad pre season, and hope we can rocket into the top straightaway from the start, which is just 9 days away!
YNWA.
[image credit: liverpoolfc.net]
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Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
Yeah, it would've been nice to see Torres score, but it isn't the end of the world that he didn't.
Where did you watch this game against Portsmouth? Were you in Hong Kong at the time?
Charles.
Comment by Hardy
Mighty Reds Days
Speaking of Torres, he has broken the duck now.
Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
Seriously though, we all know what happened to Shevchenko last season so I hope he gets given the chance to shine before people start climbing on his back.
Charles.