Posted this in the Liverpool Thread as well.
That was without doubt the worst home performance I have seen under Rafa Benitez, and its the first time I have really been annoyed with his tactics - they just made no sense.
For a start we were playing so deep he isolated Crouch and Torres. The midfield could never get up in support quick enough to get the 2nd balls off Crouch, and Marseille just swamped our 2 strikers and regained posession. There was no real need for us to play that deep at home ffs - yes they have pace up front but take the damn game to them for gods sake.
It didn't help that we had numerous players on off days as well, with some of our passing looking non league level. Awful, awful game to watch and I am hoping this is a one off.
Fair play to Marseille, they put in a classic performance and were thoroughly deserved winners. Great goal from them and I can see them taking one of the qualification spots in the group. We have put ourselves under a bit of pressure now and need to pick up a double over Besiktas.
MOM Reina, easily our best player on the night.
I am NEVER doing a match thread again