Massive Result

[rjlfc]

I know it's only 1 game, only 3 points and only the 1st game of the season, but what a huge f*****g win that is for many reasons.

 

We've had crap starts over recent seasons and it was imperitive we didn't do it again. That on top of all the talk about hitting the ground running etc, I was worried that this would heap too much pressure on us, it was bordering on cup final proportions with everyone, fans, media and players even saying we had to start well. If we had lost that, I think it would have hit the players hard given all the talk that was going on and I'm sure they would have thought here we f*****g go.

 

But fair play, they looked confident and hungry. Obviously there were nervy moments and we did miss chances again to put the game to bed, which is why it would have hit us hard not to have won that. But I though we looked positive and even Rafa's subs weren't too cautious. Long way to go but hopefully a sign of things to come in terms of attitide and mentality towards the game, one of my biggest gripes.

 

I really feel they've got the monkey off their back slightly, but we need to press on.

 

3 points in the 1st game at last, away from home, last minute winner, good performance - they'll be bouncing after that....

Edited August 11, 2007 by rjlfc

[Guest Ant]

We need confidence as well...

 

That was one hell of a way to get it...

[DazzlaJ]

u missed totally deserved

[Guest Snorky]

Agree with most of that. The game should have been put to bed after an hour or so. But we've got three points when I thought we wouldn't, we got it back after such a late equaliser. We appear to have a new resolve about us. I don't think we'll win it, but hopefully it wont be over by October either.

[Ginu]

i agree just the early season jolt we needed

[Gunga Din]

So, is it on?

[Guest Snorky]

So, is it on?

 

Repeated again at midnight apparently

[Guest Ant]

So, is it on?

 

....*Ahem*

 

 

IT'S ON!!!!!!!!!!

[rjlfc]

So, is it on?

 

Well, I'll say this - if we keep playing with the mentality of taking the game to other teams, and away from home wanting to win rather than not wanting to lose (if you get my drift) which is exactly what we did today, then I'll be fecking amazed if we're not still in the race come next April. We've got the players, it's now down to attitiude and belief IMO.

Edited August 11, 2007 by rjlfc

[Guest RedIsMyColour]

We should have had the game sealed but we were in complete control most of the game. Carra was really unlucky with the handball, so its not as if they ripped us open or created any really good chances.

 

Torres looks the biz, should have scored but once he settles he'll do well.

 

Babel is exciting. Thought Pennant was poor, as was Riise.

 

Alonso is still off the boil. I'd prefer Mascherano and Geds in midfield personally. It'd give Gerrard more license to roam.

 

We have yet to see Benayoun who I think will be very good for us this season.

 

Pleased with the points today, definately room for improvement but 3 points away to Villa first game of the season is a cracking result.

[Ste M]

We played that game like it was a Cup Final. Never stopped working, and went for it.

 

More of the same please, although with less silly penalties and more incisiveness in front of goal

[Ginu]

Great result let's just not get carried away. Big match against Chelsea next weekend. Let's get them where it hurts. Realize it was only Villa today and we did miss countless chances. Our strikers will hit the target this year though I'm sure.

[Maldini]

one less moment of genius from Gerrard and everyone on here would be suicidal. Best to keep the hysterics to a minimum this early in the season whether they're positive or negative.

[rjlfc]

Great result let's just not get carried away. Big match against Chelsea next weekend. Let's get them where it hurts. Realize it was only Villa today and we did miss countless chances. Our strikers will hit the target this year though I'm sure.

 

 

one less moment of genius from Gerrard and everyone on here would be suicidal. Best to keep the hysterics to a minimum this early in the season whether they're positive or negative.

 

Jeez who's getting carried away? what hysterics? Everyone's got their feet on the ground on this thread. the "It's on" quotes are tongue in cheek i'm sue you realise.

Edited August 11, 2007 by rjlfc

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

one less moment of genius from Gerrard and everyone on here would be suicidal. Best to keep the hysterics to a minimum this early in the season whether they're positive or negative.

 

I'll always celebrate a win, whatever the circumstances

 

so get the f*** in!

[floyd the barber]

awful first 20 mins of the 2nd half......and slowly got a bit better as it went on, we certainly came out cautious 2nd half...which was our weakness last season, we need to go at teams like these, and when we did....looked like we would score in every attack.

 

Unsung hero of the game - arbeloa.....was fantastic at left bk, no mean feat considering the guy he was up against moved to their left wing 2nd half, and to be honest....seemed to have the beating of stevie finnan(very rare that too.)

Edited August 12, 2007 by Lets get Masched

[RafaShanks]

Massive result for us indeed after on the verge of dropping two points.

 

Still slightly concerned about our inability to score when we are dominating games for large periods away from home even with our new signings.

 

Hopefully these concerns will prove unfounded.

[Mike]

its a massive result if we win the next game

and the next one

and the next one

etc

[Guest]

who was the c nut that said we'd lose 3-0?

 

[bonna7]

Happy about the subs as well, very positive substitutions from Rafa

[Magic8Ball]

It's only one game, but I think it showed signs of where we are and where we might be heading

 

 

where we are

We have the ability to stop other teams playing, like no other team in england we can just smother a team

we retain possession well and often force the oppostion onto the back foot because they're on the back foot we create chances

but we just dont take them as we should

Often in our worse games we dont start playing until the opposition score and we throw caution to the wind

 

Where we are heading

The match looked like it would be a draw, Villa scored and within a minute we scored another. Thats the mark of champions

 

what we clearly need to do is put away our chances, it's not like there's only once change per game, there are enough for the strikers

to be confident they'll get another chance. So why aren't we clinical enough?

[Wiseman]

one less moment of genius from Gerrard and everyone on here would be suicidal. Best to keep the hysterics to a minimum this early in the season whether they're positive or negative.

 

We would not have needed that moment of genius from Gerrard is he had converted some of the easier chances that came his way.

[Woodsyla]

We would not have needed that moment of genius from Gerrard is WE had converted some of the easier chances that came OUR way.

 

It's a team game, Torres, Kuy and Babel were all guilty of missing presentable chances as well. Can't stick it all at Gerrard's door. Were not the papers after all.

Edited August 12, 2007 by Woodsyla

[David Hodgson]

A brilliant result. Celebrated that goal like it was a Cl semi winner.

 

Being positive about our prospects I'll say it reminds me of the 87/88 start, at Arsenal, when we were heading for a scrappy draw until Nicol scored in the last minute. It seemed to lift the team's belief and we then went on that amazing run, and the new boys were revelations.

 

I thought we were really good for long stretches yesterday. Torres and Babel really hinted at great things to come. I still think we're short though, and Kewell's injury highlights it. The 'second step' is there for the taking. Let's move quickly in themarket now and get Alves and a left winger in. Do that and we'll all start talking about winning this thing, rather than merely 'staying in contention'.

[sutty]

I managed to go the game

 

Glad we go the winner I'd have had a shocker.

 

Got in the car at about 1:30 with a view to getting to the cap and gown a couple of hours before kickoff.. Go to get petrol. (40 quid). As I am leaving I go over a curb. Get a puncture (f***). Rush to kwik fit. They don't have a tire in stock (f***). They do have one in another store which they'll courier over. 45 minutes later new tyre fitted and paid for (100 quid).

 

All going ok. Accident on M42 (f***). Sat there for an hour. Miss my junction on the M6 (f***). Get off at the next junction. Massive traffic jam heading back to Brum. Get to the car park (it's full - f***). Drive around desperately to find somewhere. Get parked Get to the ground 10 minutes before kickoff.

 

Over 3 and a half hours to do 110 miles.

 

Failing to secure a deserved win would have got right on my nerves.