The Derby Review

[toffee-L]

It will all end in tears for them. They have been a Daniel Sturridge 30 yard screamer, the worst penalty miss of the year by the team directly above in a match against them, and the flukiest goal of the year in the last second of a derby away from not just being out of title contention but in a major fight for top 4. The fact they are are unbeaten and just two points of the top is not a credible reflection of how they have played this season which has largely been underwhelming.

As for us, I am (nearly) over what happened but when I am, what the lads did for 95 minutes rather than what Jordan Pickford did in 5 seconds of madness will be my abiding memory from that match.

 

[catcherintherye]

@goodisonopheliac I just wondered if you would like to share your opinions on my article in a place where I might be able to come back to your viewpoint? I've got no issue with you critiquing it (it's all welcomed here) but does seem a tad strange you'd go to a new forum to do so.

Either way as you seemingly don't have the courtesy to ask me here I'll answer the questions you've raised to me. You seem to raise an objection to me suggesting that the teams were similarly matched on the day. Given how the game went, chances at both ends and 95 minutes with no goals, would you say that was an unfair appraisal of the match?

You stated they'd have lost you too if you'd have known who wrote the match review. Is there anything in particular you don't appreciate from the articles? Anything you could suggest for improvements?

You've also stated that when trawling back you can find posts where I say Alonso was crap. Would you care to provide some evidence for this? I don't ever remember saying he was awful, especially not when he played for you and would regularly control the midfield in derby games. Why misrepresent what I am saying?

Finally why are you using what other people have said about Michael Keane in the past, to look to discredit the intellectual foundation of what I have now written by making out I have radically altered my viewpoint on him? You seem to take issue with me saying he's currently playing as well as any English Centre Back out there. Would you care to give me a centre back who is English who you believe is disproving this theory, with the evidence attached?

I have no issue with defending my ideas or what I write. However misrepresenting them to give an inaccurate portrayal is in poor form, especially when you can ask me anything you like on here and I will answer to the best of my ability.

 

[goodisonopheliac]

What the actual hell are you talking about? I don't remember saying anything about Alonso or Keane. I LIKE Keane. I'm happy with how he's come good this season. I've also said elsewhere that we played well and that I was gutted we lost to a fluke goal. Either there's another Everton fan who really likes Emilie Autumn, or someone's impersonating me, or you've got me confused with someone else, because I have no idea what your post is about. I've not even read your review.

Seriously, this is really weird.

 

[Eggs]

Liverpool kept going, yeah. But it was as much an act of desperation (as they knew City were near out of sight) as resilience. They were desperate because they were mastered for much of that game by a team in transition like us. And where was their resilience in the CL this season? They're pushovers in that.

In short: I wouldn't give too much credit to this Liverpool team, they dont look like anything much to me. Just a long ball outfit who have a couple of classy CBs and a halfway decent GK.

...they are getting the job done, Dave. I want them to fall away as much as you but it would be folly to write them off. They are certainly not as expansive as last season, nor are they as pleasing on the eye but just maybe Klopp has changed strategy.

A team that is now built on defence with the outstanding CB pairing you highlight. Perhaps Klopp has taken a leaf out of Mourinho’s book.

 

[canuckblue]

My derby review is a bit more succinct:

 

[Walken]

this has gotten interesting

 

[davek]

...they are getting the job done, Dave. I want them to fall away as much as you but it would be folly to write them off. They are certainly not as expansive as last season, nor are they as pleasing on the eye but just maybe Klopp has changed strategy.

A team that is now built on defence with the outstanding CB pairing you highlight. Perhaps Klopp has taken a leaf out of Mourinho’s book.

I'm not writing them off, I'm underlining the trajectory they'll likely follow in a straight shoot out with a City team with two quality players for each position.

They have had a LOT of good fortune and could easily be 6 points off the pace if Mahrez slots a penalty and that friggin gawp of ours lets the ball sail out of play.

 

[Eggs]

I'm not writing them off, I'm underlining the trajectory they'll likely follow in a straight shoot out with a City team with two quality players for each position.

They have had a LOT of good fortune and could easily be 6 points off the pace if Mahrez slots a penalty and that friggin gawp of ours lets the ball sail out of play.

...I know, Dave, but they’re hanging in there. There’s a long way to go, City are fighting on every front and we need them to build a gap now because they could suffer themselves later in the season.

 

[davek]

...I know, Dave, but they’re hanging in there. There’s a long way to go, City are fighting on every front and we need them to build a gap now because they could suffer themselves later in the season.

...which is why I wont be too bothered if Liverpool get past Naples on Wednesday.

I just think that City have had this workload for a few years and they're ending the season strong. They haven't had the best player in English football to draw on yet either. De Bruyne will return and be the difference in nearly all games he plays. Even a KDB playing at 70% last season's form is a major difference that sees City as champions again. And to be honest, they could do it without him too. Liverpool have one injury to a key player like the Gomez one today and it's all hands to the pumps.

 

[Eggs]

...which is why I wont be too bothered if Liverpool get past Naples on Wednesday.

I just think that City have had this workload for a few years and they're ending the season strong. They haven't had the best player in English football to draw on yet either. De Bruyne will return and be the difference in nearly all games he plays. Even a KDB playing at 70% last season's form is a major difference that sees City as champions again. And to be honest, they could do it without him too. Liverpool have one injury to a key player like the Gomez one today and it's all hands to the pumps.

...well, we’re both wishing for the same outcome here, Dave.