In the build up to
Wednesday night's Capital One Cup clash with Liverpool, we spoke to Daniel Thomas of live4liverpool.com
about his thoughts on the game and Liverpool's season so far . . .
First, and I do apologise for bringing it up but... the 3-0 defeat on the
opening day of the season at The Hawthorns - What did you make of the game and
what did you think of Albion?
We were very unlucky to come away with a 3-0
loss but when you miss the chances we and particularly Suarez missed at 0-0 you
aren't going to win matches. We obviously got opened up when we went down to 10
men and
West Brom were very clinical with their
chances, until it got to 3-0 in fact when a host of good chances were missed.
I've been impressed with WBA every time I've seen them and I'm glad Steve Clarke
is doing well.
You’ve not had the best of starts to the season, any particular reasons why?
We've had some bad luck with injuries, very
debatable refereeing decisions and our old nemesis the woodwork striking on a
number of occasions, but we just aren't defending well enough and we keep making
individual errors. Our whole mantra of keeping the ball where possible is good
but sometimes the ball needs to go down the line or into the stand. We're
getting there, but we need to stop leaking goals.
When we spoke before the season opener you were happy with the appointment of
Brendan Rodgers, is that still the case five weeks on?
I am yes, we approach every game positively
and we do play some good football. We're still getting used to his means and
methods. He has dropped a few clangers (not necessarily tactical) but I still
think that long term he will prove to be a good appointment for us. He needs and
deserves time and we have no choice other than to give it to him, even if
there's short term pain. And the results have by and large been painful so far,
believe you and me!
Who’s been your best player so far this season?
Joe Allen has been a top signing. I alluded
to him being just this before the season began and my mind has not changed one
bit, he is a very good footballer. He uses the ball well and his reading of the
game is superb. I'm made up with him.
Any player that’s been particularly bad / disappointing?
Jose Enrique. Thought we had a snip at £6m
last summer but he is too interested in showing opponents the tickets he has to
the gun show instead of using the ball. Clear that Rodgers doesn't rate him and
his days at the club look numbered. Too busy playing FIFA12 to improve.
Where do you stand on the Andy Carroll issue? Should you have kept him or were
you happy to see the back of him?
I'm still furious, I wrote a 3000 word
article for The Liverpool Way, the matchday fanzine I write for, regarding just
how angry I was. I like Carroll and I wanted him to be a success, but it was
clear that Rodgers simply doesn't rate him. So with that in mind, despite my
protestations, I could have lived with him leaving had we invested wisely in a
replacement. We didn't invest at all, let alone wisely. Borini is now injured
and Suarez two yellows away from a suspension.... We have shot ourselves in the
foot big style as only we could do. You never let a player go before his
replacement is ready to go. It's football transfer 101.
Enjoying the club’s European adventure or do you believe it is detracting from
your Premier League campaign?
Some of the fondest (and most embarrassing)
memories of my footballing life are in the UEFA Cup. In its current format the
competition is a massive hindrance but we are using it wisely from what I've
seen so far. Giving the kids and fringe squad players a chance to stake a claim
for their place. It's six guaranteed games for the young lads against some good
players. The knockout qualifiers weren't exactly awe inspiringly brilliant to
watch but the Young Boys match on Thursday, which finished 5-3, was as fun a
game as I've seen all season. I don't think it's a massive distraction at the
moment due to the squad we use. I don't think we'll get through as we have got
Udinese and Anzhi Mak...Mak... those Russians with loads of money in our group
and they might have too much for an inexperienced young team.
Are the club likely to take the competition seriously and what sort of team do
you expect Rodgers to put out on Wednesday night?
I think you'll see a good mixture of first
team and young players tomorrow. We are the holders and as such we should most
definitely look to try and retain the cup. It might not be top of the priority
list but we'll look to extend our run in the competition for as long as we can.
I think you'll see the likes of Downing play, some of the youngsters like Suso
and Andre Wisdom and Samed Yesil will probably get some game time as will
Pacheco and will probably flourish as a result of playing top flight football.
Players like Spearing stagnated in the reserves, and so has Pacheco to an
extent, so these are good games to get them involved in the squad.
Prediction and thoughts on the game?
Not the draw I wanted! We might have had a
bit of bad luck in the league game at times but West Brom have hit the straps at
the start of the season and are looking really good. It's going to be a tough,
hard game. It's very difficult to make a prediction without seeing the team. I
think Sahin will play, Carragher and Henderson so it's not the weakest team
we'll ever put out. I suppose it depends on WBA, if you have a first XI out
we'll struggle to win I think, if you rest a few then we could be in with a good
chance. It really does depend on the team though.
Thoughts of the Premier League season so far, who has caught your eye?
Chelsea look
the pick of the bunch so far. They have massively reduced the average age of
their squad this summer with top quality like Hazard and they have so many
attacking options. The little Belgian has been very impressive. To give Everton
their credit they have looked great every time I've seen them as well and WBA
have impressed as I've already mentioned.
Tell you who haven't impressed me though - Man City. They don't look too clever
at the moment and they need to start defending better, they are giving away far
too many goals.
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