I make it a policy these days to leave until at least three days after a defeat before writing the report. Had I written this report straight after the game, then the chances are I'd be slaughtering a) Gerard for his failed rotation policy, b) Fowler for his crap performance, c) Ziege for being a lazy bastard and d) Dietmar Hamann, simply because it's now become a habit! Well it's now the Wednesday after the game, and I still feel exactly the same as I did as I left Anfield last Sunday, except now I'm in a nice warm office as opposed to standing outside Anfield in the pissing down rain trying to flog fanzines to supporters who don't want to know because our team of under-achievers have let us down AGAIN.
Firstly, the rotation policy. Now unlike some, I accept that there is certainly a need to rest players from time to time, and I also accept that Emile was probably due for a breather. However, this was neither the time, nor the place to do it. With Fulham coming up in the Worthless Cup, surely it would have made more sense for Emile to give that one a miss and play against an Ipswich side who, let's not forget, came into this game level on points with ourselves.
Gerard's subsequent comment that he wanted Emile fresh for the games with Fulham and Man U simply beggared belief. To ensure Emile is fresh for the trip to Old Trafford, surely he should have been left out of the Fulham game which is three days before? And what if the Fulham match goes to extra time, or what if Emile picks up a knock? (As it turned out, this was indeed the case, which rubbed salt in our already gaping wound)
Chris B made the point in his match report in the Echo "Since when did the Worthington Cup take priority over the Premiership?" No matter what Houllier says, that is what his omission of Heskey suggests. GH made the point that he brought in two world class strikers in Owen and Fowler, but that isn't the point. Neither are in great nick at the moment through one reason or another, and even when they're both in top form, they can't play together anyway.
We all hoped that they would form a partnership, and although injuries to both of them have made that extremely difficult, the sad truth is that there has been virtually nothing to suggest that there is even the remotest trace of an effective understanding. Anyone who says there is is merely deluding themselves. Some will point out that their record together is pretty impressive, with one or the other usually on the scoreshhet. That may be the case, but it doesn't make them an effective partnership.
Of those goals, how many of them came from link up play between the two of them? Very few I would say. Whereas Heskey and Owen, and even Heskey and Fowler have created goals for eachother, Owen and Fowler have relied on others to supply them with the service. So if in future Gerard, you wish to rest Emile, either sign another striker who can do a similar job to Heskey, or make it up with Titi, because Owen and Fowler simply doesn't work. Never has, never will I'm afraid, no matter how much we want it to.
Phew, I feel a bit better having got that off my chest, but I'm not done yet. I mentioned Fowler's poor performance, but since Sunday I have changed my view on this slightly. Robbie has been a bit up and down of late, and that is generally put down to him still searching for full match fitness, or sharpness if you like. Maybe so, but it's also worth pointing out that he's playing a much different role these days to what he used to.
In the past, Robbie was always the man up top, the fulcrum of our attacks, but that's no longer the case. Now he's expected to be the link man, and he plays a lot deeper these days. Whether it's Owen or Heskey alongside him, they are the point of the attack, and Robbie has to drop off and play as the 'second striker.' That's not his strength, and could explain his patchy form. For me, his two best performances of the season came against Chelsea and Stoke in the Worthless Cup. His strike partner on both occasions was Vladimir Smicer, which merant Robbie was the out and out striker. Co-incidence? Maybe, maybe not, but it's something I'm going to be keeping an eye out for in the coming weeks.
My third gripe was with Ziege. Once again, his contribution was zero. We've heard the excuses about having no pre-season etc, but frankly they're wearing pretty thin. The mere fact that Gerard is preferring Carra at left back is an admission that Ziege is not up to the task. I've said before that he's the ideal replacement for the absent Berger on the left of midfield, but having seen at close hand some of his recent displays I have to say that he's not fit to wipe Paddy's arse. Berger gets through more running in ten minutes than Ziege does in ninety. A copmplete luxury player, and one which we cannot afford I'm afraid. Admit the mistake and cut your losses Gerard, or kick him up the arse so hard that he gets his act together. Whatever you do, do it quick, as we can't afford to keep carrying him game after game.
Despite all this though, we never deserved to lose. Once again, a team beats us despite only creating a single chance, whereas we squandered a hatful again. Ipswich rode their luck a bit, but in fairness they look a well organised side and good luck to them.
The only positive to come out of the game was the introduction of new boy Igor Biscan. He looks some player on this evidence. Quick, strong, skilful, creative, and boy is he big! Gerard does seem to have this fettish for six foot blondes doesn't he?
TEAM: Sander Westerveld; Markus Babbel, Sami Hyypia, Stephane Henchoz, Jamie Carragher; Nick Barmby (Vladimir Smicer), Gary McAllister, Danny Murphy, Christian Ziege (Igor Biscan); RobbieFowler, Michael Owen (Emile Heskey):
