@Jackflash ... it seems to me that Tate May have been the catalyst to our better fortunes. He came in the season toward the end of last season, and it appears to have take off from there. Not sure what happened with this “oh shit” game, but at the risk of triggering the wrath of others, Andy Pandy has had more gaps in which to coach recently. There is a correlation between gaps between games and subsequent poor performances
Bennet being sub’d at half time is alarming. Supposedly a leader on the team at the heart of defense, he seems to have switched off for their first goal, but sub’d indicates that all is not well there. That Huddersfield continued to score means that we were not in anyway shutting their players down. We didn’t lack bodies at the crucial moments, they just didn’t make an appearance. A level of disorganization persisted. Other than rank laziness or mental if not physical fatigue, nothing about our performance makes any sense, did we travel well to the match? I don’t think we are an inherently lazy team.
And then there’s the dreaded jinx of the manager of the month award.
I can't read other people minds, but judging by the Cooper's post-match interviews he knows what is going on on the pitch during our games. After the Huddersfield game he said "We lacked intensity, our passing should have been quicker and we didn't do the basics right." Spot on.
Apart from the defensive blunder, when we gifted them the first goal (Bidwell, Guehi and Bennett), we played an ok first half. Yes, there were some sloppy passes, but our football was not as bad as the football we played in the first half against Forest. We were actually a better side than Huddersfield in the first half.
Then in the beginning of the second half we conceded two quick goals and the game was over. Their forth was a world class goal.
I really don't think Cooper's shouting from the dugout would have helped. Klopp is known for his antics in the dugout, but now he has lost four matches in a row at Anfield, which last happened a hundred years ago.
I have just watched the replay of the Huddersfield game. We outplayed them in the first 20 minutes and then Bidwell, Guehi and Bennett just switched off. Pitty, because it was obvious that Huddersfield players respected us being one of the top Championship teams. We should have attacked them from the start with everything we had, score a couple of goals, and then controll the game and hit them on counter.
When they scored, they got a boost in confidence, and even hit the post after another defensive blunder from Guehi and Bennett. Then we scored from a free kick and we had a good result at half time.
Early in the second half they scored two quick goals. One was unlucky deflected shot, and another one came from a failed clearance and from a really good Huddersfield play and press. At that point the game was over. Their fourth was a world class goal. Their second and third goals could've been prevented, but when you sit too deep and allow pressure it's what often happens. Luck follows the brave.
The Huddersfield game outcome is the result of Cooper's inability to adress two structural things: one is our passing accuracy, and another one is our pressing.
I'm not saying Cooper should be shouting from the dugout, but for instance if there's a opposition throw in on his touchline, with all players facing him, you see other managers pointing out players that need marking, as he is in a better position than most to see that, but no still hands in pockets. I wouldn't say we outplayed them in the first 20, I'd rather think we contained them. to me our best play was the final 15 of the first half.