The next eleven days..

[SpeedEFC]

I'm fuming how we bottled that but it's only a slight stumble in a marathon, we've lost the opportunity to go 4th tonight but we are most certainly still there in the race for 4th. Injuries or no injuries the team owe us a performance first at Stevenage then at Anfield, anything less than that is not acceptable after such a fantastic season so far. To be honest though the worst thing about tonight was our reverting to hoofball, our usual patient build up play was nowhere to be seen and the team better knock that on the head sharpish and pass Stevenage and Liverpool off the park

 

[Wat Tyler]

Let's not forget: Liverpool and Man U dropped points this week too. We are a point off fourth. We can do it, we need to not plsy as poorly as that though

 

[AaronTheBlue]

Hopefully tonight shows that we actually need to SPEND some of the 40m we've received from sales.

Needs to be purchases.

 

[Stutheblue]

We have now dropped points away to Norwich, crystal palace, west brom, cardif, and stoke. We won't finish fourth.

Totally agree. We've progressed from last season though and for the most part its been very enjoyable. But if we have aspiration to get CL football too many draws like this one is always going to hinder progress.

 

[barneygumble]

We have now dropped points away to Norwich, crystal palace, west brom, cardif, and stoke. We won't finish fourth.

In hindsight, you'd easily swap 5 draws for 2 wins wouldn't you! Hindsight, a wonderful thing.

 

[Deco]

In hindsight, you'd easily swap 5 draws for 2 wins wouldn't you! Hindsight, a wonderful thing.

Crazy when you think about it

 

[FTY]

We need to give Stevenage a stiff fisting if we want a good performance against Liverpool. All about momentum.

 

[bainesontoast]

We're not going to coast it into the Champions League. There will be ups and downs throughout the season.

Deulofeu is now running in training, Barkley appears to be out of his protective boot if that picture in his thread means anything, Traore is set to be come in. McGeady is likely to get a start v Stevenage to build fitness. There's been no reports on Pienaar's injury being anything major so I'm taking that as being positive news, too.

Coleman being out would be a blow, but lest us forget that is where Stones made his name at Barnsley and he's acquitted himself very well in the league so far should he be needed.

Write us off at your peril.

 

[meagher94]

This is that defining kind of moment where we'd crumble and fall away under Moyes.

Time to see what Martinez is really made of.

 

[dholliday]

The next xxx days are the most important of our season.

we always get these threads, regardless of where we are in the season.

Otherwise nice post, mate.

 

[royalbalou]

We're not going to coast it into the Champions League. There will be ups and downs throughout the season.

Deulofeu is now running in training, Barkley appears to be out of his protective boot if that picture in his thread means anything, Traore is set to be come in. McGeady is likely to get a start v Stevenage to build fitness. There's been no reports on Pienaar's injury being anything major so I'm taking that as being positive news, too.

Coleman being out would be a blow, but lest us forget that is where Stones made his name at Barnsley and he's acquitted himself very well in the league so far should he be needed.

Write us off at your peril.

I think we're definitely going to need at lease one of Barkley/Deulofeu back if we're going to win the derby. Especially with Coleman now possilbly a doubt...these are probably our most creative players along with Baines...typical that these injuries always seem to coincide with visits to the dark side....Satan really is a RS, I'm convinced

 

[duncan's pigeon]

Are the most important of our season.

After another draw, in which the second half was a complete contrast to a quite brilliant first half, we've missed a vital chance to get into 4th place in time for the Anfield derby.

At the start of the season, or even last week, we would have probably said a point wouldn't be the end of the world all things considered (new manager, with an under-performing squad that were due a decent performance). But in reality we went in at half time being in control with a nice 1-0 lead, and looked a different side for the remaining 45 minutes.

I don't recall us stringing more than 4 consecutive passes together in the second half. Being completely fair, their manager made some masterclass changes such as bringing on Anichebe to put pressure on our back line, and Mulumbu who was the finishing touch to a midfield who stopped us from playing our game. I absolutely love Martinez, but he definitely should have made subs around 60 minutes - one of which being Osman who offered zero throughout. I think that his starting tactics were bang on, and the test of Oviedo on the right was a quality move - but the lack of change to our tactics to match their changes was a let down.

If anything we should be delighted to come out of that second half with a point, despite how disappointing it is that we threw away the great chance we had to leap above our direct rivals.

Putting the match behind us now, I think that what happens over the next 11 days will define our season.

The importance of bringing in a striker (Traore?) and a CM (personally think Onazi would be a good fit for us) this window is essential, as well as securing both Baines and Barkley on new deals.

This has to be matched by a beating of Stevenage, and a performance to be proud of at Anfield. Whether this is a 5-0 victory or a 1-1 where we put in a great shift and played the football we know that we can play, it doesn't matter. Finishing that match with at least a draw is the minimum needed for any chance to get into the top 4 this season. We might still be below them afterwards, but it's irrelevant as we would only be a point behind and still be one result from a CL place.

I have no idea if Barkley will be fit for next Tuesday. But Barkley lad, if you're reading this, we need you.

Pointing out the obvious pretty much, but after that match I think a re-cap of where we are and what is required of us is badly needed.

COYB

Not posted in ages, but that is one of the best and well put together posts I've read on here in ages!!! Respect

 

[Deco]

we always get these threads, regardless of where we are in the season.

Otherwise nice post, mate.

Very true. But I believe it with these 11 days..

 

[Deco]

Not posted in ages, but that is one of the best and well put together posts I've read on here in ages!!! Respect

Thanks mate, I had to do something to ease the pain after the match and the only thing I could think of was to get the situation written down and see how we as a team can react to tonight.

 

[duncan's pigeon]

Thanks mate, I had to do something to ease the pain after the match and the only thing I could think of was to get the situation written down and see how we as a team can react to tonight.

Agreed, don't tend to react to the bluff and bluster stuff but was thinking exactly the same about the cup, the window and then putting in a performance at the Tin Mine.

Really don't think that pitch helped not seen so man poor first touches for ages and we looked off the pace as they couldn't zip the ball about like we have been doing. Frustrating but they haven't had many bad games all season and every team has them. So look forward and let's get through in the Cup then take to the Reds like we should have for the last 10 years. Bobby'll have a plan I'm sure of that.