Anfield

[Jim D]

This is not a knee jerk reaction but rather something which is now becoming a major concern.This is our inability to beat the teams we should be beating. It is great to see us finally getting wins off the big four but if we can't beat the poorer teams it is going to cost us our title shot.

 

We have now dropped 8pts against the likes of Stoke, Fulham, West Ham and Hull City. Lets not paper over the cracks by saying we are top of the league, yes it is great but we are seriously starting to show some deficiencies in our attacking play at Anfield.

 

I'd much prefer to have those 8pts and exchange it all for a point against the Mancs instead of a win. Why, because we would be now be another six points better off. A lack of guile and imagination is hindering us in our attacking play particularly when teams come to Anfield and sit back. It is up to us to find a way through and now on 4 occasions we have been found wanting.

 

I don't think we are quite there yet, we may challenge to an extent but ultimately we will be looking back on these four games and maybe more to come and say that is what cost us winning the League.

 

Very disappointed, only Arsenal up next at the Emirates.

 

Home record of past title winners:

 

2007/08 Mancs P19 W17 D1 L1

2006/07 Mancs P19 W15 D2 L2

2005/06 Chelsea P19 W18 D1 L0

2004/05 Chelsea P19 W14 D5 L0

Edited December 13, 2008 by Jim D

[alias75]

This is not a knee jerk reaction but rather something which is now becoming a major concern.This is our inability to beat the teams we should be beating. It is great to see us finally getting wins off the big four but if we can't beat the poorer teams it is going to cost us our title shot.

 

We have now dropped 8pts against the likes of Stoke, Fulham, West Ham and Hull City. Lets not paper over the cracks by saying we are top of the league, yes it is great but we are seriously starting to show some deficiencies in our attacking play at Anfield.

 

I'd much prefer to have those 8pts and exchange it all for a point against the Mancs instead of a win. Why, because we would be now be another six points better off. A lack of guile and imagination is hindering us in our attacking play particularly when teams come to Anfield and sit back. It is up to us to find a way through and now on 4 occasions we have been found wanting.

 

I don't think we are quite there yet, we may challenge to an extent but ultimately we will be looking back on these four games and maybe more to come and say that is what cost us winning the League.

 

Very disappointed, only Arsenal up next at the Emirates.

 

Home record of past title winners:

 

2007/08 Mancs P19 W17 D1 L1

2006/07 Mancs P19 W15 D2 L2

2005/06 Chelsea P19 W18 D1 L0

2004/05 Chelsea P19 W14 D5 L0

 

Before last week we had the best home record in the PL its not just us that are struggling at home it seems everybody is for what reason im not sure. But probably because the level of the PL is more even and teams that usually lose away from home are managing to draw games.

[Earl Hafler]

I think our mentality at the start of games is wrong. We've done well when going a goal down because it demands a change of tactic.

 

 

Rafa's been in the press talking about " positives " and yet the subs today, and to an extent the starting line-up, don't affirm that message.

[Lark]

our football is predicatable and dull - rarely does our manager throw caution to the wind and show a desire to go for it with his subs.

[Jim D]

I think our mentality at the start of games is wrong. We've done well when going a goal down because it demands a change of tactic.

Rafa's been in the press talking about " positives " and yet the subs today, and to an extent the starting line-up, don't affirm that message.

 

Rafa's problem at home is he is far too cautious at the beginning of the game. He plays a chess like game, waiting and seeking out a weakness to find in the opposition before going all guns blazing in the second half . It is a great tactic to use away from Anfield but not so effective at home. How many times this season have we gone in 0-0 at half time at home this season? It puts a nervousness in the players and the crowd and in the end we start to panic because we only play for 45 mins.

 

Rafa should be telling his players to show urgency and determination right from the kick off, catch the opposition cold, establish a lead and give the opposition something to think about and change. It is just too easy for the "lowly" teams at the moment who come to Anfield.

 

I do wonder in those 4 games, how many times we have made the opposition keeper work, I bet it is a small amount.

Edited December 13, 2008 by Jim D

[Benzo-13]

Rafa's always been a reactive manager.

Works most of the time but its harder for him when teams defend en masse.

[Ibby]

its all about the way the team is set up. we are far too cautious.

 

this is evident by the fact that we tend to play our best football at home when losing as we are having to chase the game and therefore we are taking more chances.

 

granted we should have floored Hull by half time today but that was instigated by the 2 goal lead they obtained. In the 2nd half when it was all level we again went into our shell and therefore the result was inevitable

[Jim D]

Rafa's always been a reactive manager.

Works most of the time but its harder for him when teams defend en masse.

 

Then we will never win the League, you've got to be more than just a reactive manager to win the title. In some games you've got to try to make things happen, by forcing the issue, if Rafa isn't capable of doing this he will fall short.

[MFletcher]

These are the sorts of games where we need Torres to make the difference. In games where we're trying to break a stalemate, we need a world class striker who can come up with the goods when required.

 

He has barely played in the league this year - and when he has he hasn't been fit.

 

I think this is something that we need to keep in mind this year. You can cope for a bit, but we're really feeling his absence at the minute.

[Benzo-13]

These are the sorts of games where we need Torres to make the difference. In games where we're trying to break a stalemate, we need a world class striker who can come up with the goods when required.

 

He has barely played in the league this year - and when he has he hasn't been fit.

 

I think this is something that we need to keep in mind this year. You can cope for a bit, but we're really feeling his absence at the minute.

 

I agree totally.

It's like the Mancs being without Placcy - it'd affect them far more too.

 

I think we're doing well but today was horrible..

Getting over it now though.

[Jim D]

I agree totally.

It's like the Mancs being without Placcy - it'd affect them far more too.

 

I think we're doing well but today was horrible..

Getting over it now though.

 

I think what makes it worst is we should be way clear at the top but we are not, what is now starting to worry me is if the Mancs win today they go within 4pts with a game in hand (Home to Fulham). They have already played at Anfield, Stamford Bridge, Emirates, Villa Park and Goodison probably their most difficult games out of the way but are still within touching distance of us.

[MFletcher]

And do you think a fully fit and firing Torres ala last year and the end of September/early October would have made a real difference in those four games?

[Coyler]

Getting over it now though.

Are you drinking? It's getting worse the more I think about it.

[Benzo-13]

I think what makes it worst is we should be way clear at the top but we are not, what is now starting to worry me is if the Mancs win today they go within 4pts with a game in hand (Home to Fulham). They have already played at Anfield, Stamford Bridge, Emirates, Villa Park and Goodison probably their most difficult games out of the way but are still within touching distance of us.

 

Apart from the mirror fixture with them in March and once we play Arsenal next week, we'll then have the exact same type of fixture list.

Thats not a worry for me at all.

[Benzo-13]

Are you drinking? It's getting worse the more I think about it.

 

I've been on the phone and MSN for two hours having debates over it so kinda have exorcised the demons of it.

 

I never seen us put a team on the ropes so much and back off before..

That worried me and still does..

[CaptainXabi]

Apart from the mirror fixture with them in March and once we play Arsenal next week, we'll then have the exact same type of fixture list.

Thats not a worry for me at all.

You make it sound like we'll stroll into the Emirates and pick up 3 points without getting a sweat.

[Benzo-13]

You make it sound like we'll stroll into the Emirates and pick up 3 points without getting a sweat.

 

They blow hot and cold.

We handled them ok last year and the way they play will suit us better.

 

Also, they were rubbish today.

[CaptainXabi]

They blow hot and cold.

We handled them ok last year and the way they play will suit us better.

 

Also, they were rubbish today.

Well hopefully they don't play us like they did the Mancs and Chelsea. They've stepped up for the big games this season.

[MFletcher]

I expect us to get a result at the Emirates. We seem to raise our game when we need to this year.

[Benzo-13]

Well hopefully they don't play us like they did the Mancs and Chelsea. They've stepped up for the big games this season.

 

And so have we.

Bit of backbone lad!!

[growler]

1 Liverpool 17 5 4 0 13 6 6 1 1 13 5 15 38

2 Chelsea 16 3 3 2 14 5 8 0 0 21 1 29 36

3 Man Utd 16 6 1 0 19 4 3 4 2 8 6 17 32

4 Aston Villa 17 4 4 1 14 9 5 0 3 15 11 9 31

 

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5 Arsenal 17 5 1 2 15 10 4 2 3 14 10 9 30

 

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6 Hull 17 3 2 3 9 15 4 4 1 17 12 -1 27

 

Looking at the table, it looks to me like we are still unbeaten at home and chelsea have dropped 12points at home, with arsenal also dropping 8. only the mancs have dropped 2 at home so far, but then they have only played 7 games at home.

 

Home form for all teams have been patchy this season.

 

I prefer to focus on the fact that last season, our points difference at home to the other top 3 teams was a few points difference, it was our away form that was the problem. this season, our home form is in line with the others,but so if our away form.

[Berger]

Then we will never win the League, you've got to be more than just a reactive manager to win the title. In some games you've got to try to make things happen, by forcing the issue, if Rafa isn't capable of doing this he will fall short.

Premier League is special in his own way. The managers who are negative would not win this league, like Gerard Houllier. Sir Alex Ferguson has demonstated that this is no coincidence with his attacking mentality and throw all players to attack to look for goal while going behind.

Edited December 14, 2008 by Berger

[Benzo-13]

Sir Alex Ferguson

 

 

WTF & FFS!!!!

We have Rafa being called "Benitez" in a thread!!