30 Jan 2018 20:56:22
Underwhelming but leading comfortably. Won't count my eggs yet though. However observation I've made. Is there something going in Manes head in regards to his effort he looks very lacklustre I'm hoping it's just rust and not something deeper. Also I think in these games where the opposition sita back would we be better playing 2 ish at the back and ox or taa on the right and moreno/ Robertson on the left to stretch the pitch because salah and mane don't seem to recognize how staying wide create space. Sorry for the rant guys.

{Ed0333's Note - I’ve been worried about Mane for a while now. He’s had enough time to play his back into form so I’m hoping it’s not a legacy of his injuries. He really looks like he’s lost a bit of pace and he’s not even half the player he was. I truly hope I’m wrong and he recaptures his form and become the player we all love and revere because when he turns it on he’s unplayable.


1.) 30 Jan 2018
30 Jan 2018 21:06:47
No need to change what's working I guess, would rather win tamely than dominate like against Swansea and lose/ draw.

{Ed0333's Note - absolutely.


2.) 30 Jan 2018
30 Jan 2018 21:12:29
So not a case of mentality? He is definately a shadow of last season but I won't bash him. unless he has got coutinho aspirations.


3.) 30 Jan 2018
30 Jan 2018 21:10:18
Totally agree Ed
I can't remember the last tome Mane beat someone with his pace definitely lost a yard.

{Ed0333's Note - manes demise is a real shame Wonker because the guy is mesmeric on his day. I really want him to come back firing on all cylinders because he’s meant to be a nice guy, does loads for charity etc etc. Hopefully he just needs a great game under his belt to be a catalyst


4.) 30 Jan 2018
30 Jan 2018 21:25:51
Me too he was immense last season.


5.) 30 Jan 2018
30 Jan 2018 21:57:34
I personally think with mane it's a confidence thing. I think he may feel like he has been demoted by salah from what was clearly his favoured position.
Hopefully once his mate shows up he'll get a wee burst of life back in him.


6.) 30 Jan 2018
30 Jan 2018 21:59:19
Mane's most successful way of taking players on is give and go's. On the right side last season most of this was give and go's that played him in wide. On the left he seems more reluctant to do this and tends to play give and go's inside rather than outside. He is now tending to do this less and less as it's just too congested against teams that sit back. Why he's not confident to go wide? I don't know but he definitely plays in a different way from the left. Just my observations.

{Ed0333's Note - there’s been plenty of instances where he’s been playing on the left and had the opportunity to outpace an opposition player regardless of the scenario and he hasn’t done it.


7.) 30 Jan 2018
30 Jan 2018 22:07:22
Think he'll be fine, he was playing quite well before the Moscow game and the Everton game seems to affected his play a bit.

He's still trying, just needs a bit of time and a good game and I'm sure he'll be raring to go.


8.) 30 Jan 2018
30 Jan 2018 22:20:24
I think he should have a go on the right again - mix it up a bit, let him gas people on his stronger side - Salah will be fine on the left.


9.) 30 Jan 2018
30 Jan 2018 22:25:07
Do you think manes dip in form has anything to do with mo being our main man so far this season. I mean last season mane was outstanding and it all seemed to be a about to him but this season so far we have Bobby playing superb, Phil was excellent and of course salah has so far been a sensation.

It might just be nothing but I get the feeling that mane wants to be the main man and maybe he just hasn't adjusted to playing in a team of many so called super stars. I'm probably over thinking things as my mind tends to wander. Oh look a pigeon.


10.) 30 Jan 2018
30 Jan 2018 22:25:41
Let's just hope that whatever it is, he finds his way back soon. We need him if we are to do anything this season. 😃.


11.) 30 Jan 2018
30 Jan 2018 22:29:48
So perhaps it's just a simple case that he feels less confident in beating an opponent on the left side. He's predominantly right footed so his touch to take a player on is with his right. It's easier from the right side to do this and gain that half a yard and then Mane uses his body to cut across brilliantly. On the left it's different.

He would need to shift it with his left which he doesn't do. So to shift it with your right doesn't gain you that half yard and doesn't give you a chance to get your body across an opponent. Salah tends to do the same. His movement is different to Mane's of last season. Still effective but it's starting to be predictable. I'd like to see a bit of rotation of the 3 up top. He did it with Salah and Firmno tonight. Perhaps Mane could be switched at times too.


12.) 30 Jan 2018
30 Jan 2018 23:41:49
Mane has played on the left through out his career at Metz, Red Bull Salzburg and Saints. Only at LFC has he played on the right. Also, the last two worldies he has scored despite his sticky patch have been with his left foot so to me, that is not the issue. The injury to his hamstrings may have had a negative mental effect on him so he may be tentative to drive on those hamstring and accelerate at full pelt. Also, he seems to be forcing things and this is leading to a lot of technical lapses in his game right now.

The good thing is tho, that he is still scoring goals, assisting and getting into good positions to score like he did at Hudd so not too bothered cos even on a bad day, he is still a threat and that to me, is the most important thing as not many players are like that. We just have to support him all the way right now cos he is class, pure and simple. And to those saying he needs a kick up the backside, take a day off cos such useless comments do not help him right now.


13.) 31 Jan 2018
31 Jan 2018 07:56:57
I haven't read the whole thread, and only read what the eds have written, but regarding Mane, didn't he have a dodgy second season when at Southampton, but then found his form again.


14.) 31 Jan 2018
31 Jan 2018 13:44:48
Injuries can play on the mind a little while ( studhe being a good example of that) hamstring injuries ( I’ve had dozens) in my mind are the worst. Takes ages to Build the confidence to sprint full pelt he’ be fine by next season.