Bruno Cheryou - Liverpool snapped up this exciting midfielder in May 2002 for £3.7million from Lille. He became the latest in a long line of Frenchmen to link up with Gerard Houllier at Anfield. Cheyrou had an impressive 2001/02 season in Le Championnat with Lille, playing in the Champions League, and won a three-year contract with Liverpool. The player netted 15 goals from the middle of the park that season - three of those in the Champions League - and is considered as a future full France international. Houllier watched Cheyrou in action during his side's 1-0 victory over Paris Saint Germain, and within days the move was complete. New French champions Lyon made it clear that they wanted him, but they could not compete with Houllier and Liverpool. Cheyrou scored 28 goals in 96 League games for Lille. Made his Liverpool debut in the 1-0 FA Community Shield defeat at the hands of Arsenal - courtesy of soccernet [www.soccernet.com]
To tell you the truth, i had particularly high hopes for this particular player when he first joined us in the summer of 2002 as, i would have to admit, i fell for the hype surrounding the transfer of "The next Zidane" from Lille to Liverpool. Supposedly one of the best midfielders in "Le Championnat" (although the term "one of the best midfielder in Le Championnat" was also given to Smicer, hence, now, any credibility whatsoever to that term has completely vanished in my mind), and also supposedly banging on the door of the French first team eager to displace Zizou in that attacking midfield / playmaker, a place that he was earmarked for the future, and also a player who scored a cracker of a goal for Lille in the Champions League against 'em Scums, and also an attacking midfielder with a decent scoring record. You can't actually blame ANYONE to be absolutely excited of the prospect of this gem of a player coming to Anfield, and having wet dreams of hattricks being scored against 'em Scums on a regular basis (OK, a bit far fetched, but people are entitled to dream, no matter how ridiculous).
I don't actually remember which was the first game i saw him play live, but all i can remember was that he only came on as a substitute (which at that time i was complaining to all the people watching, why on earth wasn't he played from the very start?!!), had a few nice touches and passes and did a nice turn in the penalty box where he managed to fool the defender and got us a penalty which for the life of me i can't remember who converted. It was a decent start and i had my hopes up thinking, my oh my, he looks a pretty decent player, and yeah he does bear some sort of resemblance to Zizou. I was thinking about all the hours i spent reading rumours and theories of Zizou coming to Anfield a few years back (courtesy of Teamtalk forums), and now (then) we have gotten ourselves a worthy replacement instead.
It all went downwards from then on. I guess i, and a lot of other Liverpool suppoters too, had just too high expectations of him early on. People started to complain that that he was too light weight, he was too slow, had a dodgy haircut, wore poncy white boots that are usually reserved for people who have skill and are proven to have skill, which he, at that time, was still unproven and also, as some people might say "couldn't score in a brothel". That's pretty bad for the "Next Zidane". I have to admit, i am guilty for probably most, if not all, of those complaints. But yeah, he was absolute crap last year. Total waste of space. Period.
This season, early on, it did look a bit more promising for Bruno. He lost the dodgy haircut (actually i think he shaved his head last season, but i guess it's good that he didn't go back to the mohawk wannabe haircut), and he lost the white boots as well. That's two points ticked off my major gripes of him, although he he was still unproven on the field, where it mattered the most, but unlucky for the lad, he got injured and has only recovered and played in the last few games.
Of the last few games that he has played, it seems that he has found his scoring boots again and has scored two in the last three games (v Wolves and Chelsea me thinks), which is excellent. However, from the only game which i was able to watch, the Spurs match, he was still absolutely disappointing. Absolute crap. Total waste of space. Which brings us to the FA CUP fixture last night which, in the initial plan, i was to go get some sleep and wake up at 130 to catch the game, but as i got attacked by bouts of aches in the stomach area, i spent probably like 1 1/2 hour in the toilet, in pain and agony. Anyway, below is a rating of the players who played last night.
The Dude - He was beaten by an absolute screamer in the early minutes to let Newcastle back in after we went ahead a few minutes before that. At first when i saw the goal i thought "My god. What a goal" while my mouth stayed gaping open for the duration of the replays, but after viewing the replay, it seems that he did get a touch on the ball and could have done better, but i guess the sheer pace of the shot beat him. Nevertheless, he did absolutely redeem himself in the final minutes to keep Shearer out with a smart, reflex save. Other than that, he had little more to do. The Dude gets a 7/10
Finnan - Now THIS is how an attacking fullback SHOULD play. Sort of solid at the back and kept Robert relatively quiet throughout the match, and was constantly going forward to support the attack in the second half. Constantly bombarding forward and being available for a pass. He made a good combination with le Tallec in the second half on the right hand side and we totally dominated that area of the pitch. A truly excellent display from him. Finnan gets an 8/10
Carragher - This game shows just how much we missed this fella in the defense. Although he offered didly squat going forward, but he is absolutely solid at the back, shows gallons of determination, and would probably die for the cause. A good game for him and made sure that Solano was familiar to his pocket as Solano was constantly in it. Welcome back! 7/10
Henchoz - My man of the match. Shows WHY we have been missing him these past few months. Always solid and dependable. Good in the tackle and re-slotted into the central defence position along side Hyppia without much fuss as if he hadn't been gone at all. Re-established the telephatic communication with Hyppia in the central of defense such that Hyppia looks a much better player now, and the whole defense looks much more solid with him in there. Biscan, can you please pack up your bags. NOW. Henchoz 10/10
Hyppia - He must be absolutely GLAD to welcome back Henchoz back into the team. Looks much more composed now and much more calm and relaxed with his trusty partner in crime next to him. Looked pretty solid and had a few chances during corner kicks as well. Mr ex Captain gets 7/10
Didi Hammann - Defensive midfielder who does "exactly was it says on the tin". Calm and composed. Breaking up the Toon Army attacks in the center of midfield and shielded the back four well. Mr Houllier says that he would only renew his contract if he performs as consistently as this. I say sign him up now. Mr Consistently gets the job done gets a 7/10
Stevie G - El-Kapitan had a decent game. Always wanting the ball and always driving forward and also constantly running around. Set up the winning goal with a determined run on the left hand side and wrong footing the Toon defender, and sending in an inch perfect cross for Cheyrou to head in. If he keeps on playing like he did in the second half, i won't be complaining much, really. El Kapitan gets 7/10
Kewell - Again, he looks uninterested in playing. Looks lethargic. Doesn't look sharp Has lost his form completely and looks to have lost some confidence as well as he doesnt run at defenders that often anymore. Looks confused and lost in the field as well. I think it might have something to do with the constant moving around the field from right wing to left wing to right to left and all. I think he needs to be just stuck on the left wing and just stay there, for the time being, til he regains his form and confidence. Kewell gets a 5/10
Cheryou - He scored TWO goals!!! Not one, but TWO!!! GASP!! What is happening to this world?! Yes, i AM very happy that he scored both our goal on the night and it seems like he is just starting to find himself in the league nowadays. He scored one goal in the 1st minute, pouncing on the Given's save to steer the ball into the empty net, and the second, heading in a pinpoint cross from Gerrard past the despairing dive of the 'keeper. However, other than the two goals that he scored, he did absolutely nothing else. I was struggling to think of anything else that he contributed to the game. He needs to get involved more in the game. But, at least he is scoring the goals now. 9/10 for the goals and 5/10 for the performance, so an average of 7/10 for Bruno Cheryou.
Heskey - Useless piece of crap did absolutely nothing in the first half after forcing Given into a save which the rebound was pounced on by Cheryou for the goal. Did a lot of running around and nothing more. I don't know why he was replaced during half time though. Could he be injured or was it tactical? Really really needs to improve. 4/10
Saint Owen - Looked a bit more sharp compared to the Totenham game, but still not good enough for me. I will give him another one or two more games though as he is supposedly still regaining his sharpness from the injury. Now all he needs to do is to score a hattrick against the Bluenoses next. OK, a bit much to ask but what the hell. 5/10
Le Tallec - This is a player that still needs to prove himself. He is just 17 though so i am willing to give him some time, although he is going towards the "Bruno Cheryou route" with his dodgy haircut and hair color. Oh well, at least when he came on in the second half, he showed a lot of promising talent. Some good and neat touches and passes here and there and looks very promising. He dominated the right hand side of the field with Finnan in the second half. Looks promising and looks a hot prospect if he can continue to improve from this, which i think he will. 7/10
Some thoughts on the match
The first half was absolutely horrible. After the first 5 minutes, where one goal was scored each, it got so scrappy with wayward passing and non-evident flow on both teams. When the second half started, i thought that Houllier was going through one of his moments of insanity again. Playing at home, in a cup tie, needing to score, he brings out a striker and plays five across the midfield. I am actually still trying to figure out and undecided about whether our better second half performance was due to the tactical genius of Houllier changing to a five midfield, to control the midfield, or was it just a fluke as bringing ANYONE on for Heskey would be an improvement! Oh well.
You'll never walk alone.
Later.
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