We Gave Pool Something To Think About

Phew! It was - to say the least - an interesting match to watch. Lots of effort and no little combativeness as well as skill. But also accompanied by our usual unnecessary mistakes, two of which led to their goals, and one or two others that might also have led to a greater deficit.

At the 'Pool end,  their keeper tried to give us a goal or two as well, and both Phil and Danny should have done better with the chances they had, though Phil's streak towards goal was wonderfully self-made. Ollie's main chance was prevented by superlative defending.

At the end of it all, a defeat is what most of us expected, I am sure, but they did not have a runaway victory. In fact I think that their two goals and one more were the only worthy attempts on goal that 'Pool had all night. We gave them something serious to think about in the first 15 minutes and in the last 15, but otherwise, they had control of the game in the most part but against a good Villa defence.

The main thing we lack is the urgency that these top teams display over and over again. We expect - too often - to be able to stroll the ball around like Brazilians (oh, we do have two!) but it doesn't work against teams like 'Pool. Chucky's casual pass led directly to their second goal, for example, but he applied himself quite well to his task in the 30 minutes he had on the pitch.

I praised Gerrard's team selection for last Saturday, and two games so close together probably did need some re-adjustment,  but why did he readjust in the manner he did? I did not find it logical that he should leave Chambers out to make way for Nakamba this match, for example. I feel that Nakamba could have been started at Burnley to ease him back into match play, and then bring Chambers on later and then start Chambers for the 'Pool match.

Nakamba did look good last night at times, but he also was deficient in some areas that Chambers might have done better in - particularly concerning Chambers' stature.

Last night Gerrard showed his preferences for players that - in my opinion - were not the best options on this occasion, although it was Phil's selection that caused me the most worry. Yes, he is sublime at times, but those "times" last night were just two occasions when he had their defence at 6's and 7's. Though sometimes useful at other times, I still feel that Buendia is a better all-around player and would have given 'Pool more problems overall.

However, all that is as it may be. The result was not a surprise and at least we made a decent match out of it. It's just that I feel it could have been a little better. Hey ho.

UTV!