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Roy Hodgson
You are not the man... |
The lights were supposed to be all focused on the Chelsea's victory this week, but Roy Hodgson is just so genius and managed to bring Liverpool onto the headlines. Now we will look at both teams in detail...
Liverpool: On The Stairways to Hell
When we talk about Liverpool we always expect Champions League, and even league title. Benitez failed last season so he left. But there came Roy Hodgson, who was far more mediocre. ME-DIO-CRE.
All right, he's the caretaker manager before the management shifts away from the two notorious bosses. But still, any man with decent football knowledge will expect that any manager of Liverpool should be able to at least qualify the club for Europa League next season. What Hodgson has done? 18th. The first time the club is at the relegation position over the past 26 years. The worst season start for Liverpool over the past 50 years. One victory over seven league games.
What causes this? Bad formation. AWESOMELY bad. At the end of Rafa's era people were furious with Lucas for his uncreative and sluggish style of play. But Hodgson still bought Christian Poulsen - one who plays an even fuglier football than the former. Lucas+Poulsen is unarguably the worst midfield combination in any top-flight league in the world. And this is the main reason why Liverpool always fails to dictate games.
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Christian Poulsen
England is not a place for a pure defensive midfielder like him. |
Now let's look at the back line. Carragher? Slow and sloppy. Skrtel? Sloppy as well. The two subs at the centre, Agger and Kyrgiakos, are the better combo in my opinion. They will provide better aerial defence and offence which obviously are Liverpool's fatal weaknesses. Another questionable decision by Roy is the departure of Emiliano Insua. This youngster is too good to be let gone and while Konchesky looks good in defence, I am certainly curious why Hodgson couldn't accommodate Insua for backup.
The above two major tactical failures had brought Liverpool down to 18th and I will not surprise if the Reds sit at the bottom of the table in a week or two by now if Roy still stick to his mid-table team approach and is not fired. Liverpool 1-2 Blackpool at Anfield? That's way way way out of any Liverpool fan's imagination. When you have two five star players like Torres and Gerrard and yet the team failed to perform, it's certainly the manager's problems - either tactical or man management impotencies.
Chelsea: The Efficient Lions
It's no surprise that Chelsea out-muscled Arsenal for a fifth consecutive victory against the Gunners. Both Drogba's and Alex's goal can be listed for nomination for goal of the season and you really have to admit that Chelsea's attack is terrifically effective.
You have to admire Carlo's vision. At the very moment he came Chelsea he has effectively induced offensive mentality to his players. The 1-0 idealism disappeared, and the Blue Lions will attack as hard as they can until victory is assured. Beautiful, effective, and confident style of play.
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Carlo Ancelotti
He has successfully trained some brave lions. |
Unlike the boring combination of Lucas-Poulsen, Chelsea's defensive midfielder are all daring to roam forward and feed good passes forward. Essien, for example, has already got three goals in his pocket currently.
Upfront we see Drogba who is still in his best at the age of 32 and Malouda who is in an incredible form. It is their efficiency that has made the team managed to score numerous goals in limited attempts.
With Ancelotti, every player in the team is transformed into a lethal killer capable to score. And that's the reason why Chelsea is on the summit with an incredible goal difference figure.
