Today's football.

[TX Bill]

Just read through just about the entire thread from when I was last on and just a few observations:

1) I think Liverpool have a pretty damn good team at the moment and you'd have to say that they're close to being the in-form team in the league.

2) I get that there are posters on here where it is against their religious beliefs to give any sort of credit or praise to Liverpool FC. That's fine and that's certainly understandable.

3) What is not understandable is that when someone does give them credit for something and they're being accused of being a kopite. Let's get something perfectly straight here. You don't want to give 'em credit? Don't. But stop with the kopite accusations with those who do. It's old and frankly, that's the sort of kopite behavior I'd expect from reds.

4) For those that don't want to give them credit, please don't try pass this "Awww, they're just a marginal team getting a few results and all will return to normal" when the facts just aren't bearing that out. Arsenal 5-1, Everton 4-0, Spurs 5-0. You can shout "marginal" or "average" all day long and you'd be dead wrong. Marginal and average teams don't hammer out those sort of results. Not in one of the big four leagues. Sure they have slip ups, but then most teams do. I know I don't see "average" squads in Germany, Spain, or Italy put those sorts of scores on three of the top six teams in their respective leagues.

5) Just shocked here that Wenger didn't look at our result there and how Liverpool won the match and plan accordingly. That game was almost a carbon copy (except for the speed at which they scored and the ridiculous amount of chances they had) of ours including the good start in the second half only to be hit early on another counterattack goal.

6) I think it's Arsenal that gets pulled into the battle for fourth while Liverpool pull away from that battle.

 

[TX Bill]

Oh, and I got to see a Dan Gosling appearance for Newcastle today:

1) He looked lost out there. The game seemed to pass him by.
2) To be fair, the game seemed to pass the entire Newcastle squad by so not much he could do.
3) I think that one worked out for us in hindsight as well.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Just read through just about the entire thread from when I was last on and just a few observations:

1) I think Liverpool have a pretty damn good team at the moment and you'd have to say that they're close to being the in-form team in the league.

2) I get that there are posters on here where it is against their religious beliefs to give any sort of credit or praise to Liverpool FC. That's fine and that's certainly understandable.

3) What is not understandable is that when someone does give them credit for something and they're being accused of being a kopite. Let's get something perfectly straight here. You don't want to give 'em credit? Don't. But stop with the kopite accusations with those who do. It's old and frankly, that's the sort of kopite behavior I'd expect from reds.

4) For those that don't want to give them credit, please don't try pass this "Awww, they're just a marginal team getting a few results and all will return to normal" when the facts just aren't bearing that out. Arsenal 5-1, Everton 4-0, Spurs 5-0. You can shout "marginal" or "average" all day long and you'd be dead wrong. Marginal and average teams don't hammer out those sort of results. Not in one of the big four leagues. Sure they have slip ups, but then most teams do. I know I don't see "average" squads in Germany, Spain, or Italy put those sorts of scores on three of the top six teams in their respective leagues.

5) Just shocked here that Wenger didn't look at our result there and how Liverpool won the match and plan accordingly. That game was almost a carbon copy (except for the speed at which they scored and the ridiculous amount of chances they had) of ours including the good start in the second half only to be hit early on another counterattack goal.

6) I think it's Arsenal that gets pulled into the battle for fourth while Liverpool pull away from that battle.

I'd like to be able to argue with this post but, much as I hate the rs, I can't.

Great post.

 

[degsy]

Just read through just about the entire thread from when I was last on and just a few observations:

1) I think Liverpool have a pretty damn good team at the moment and you'd have to say that they're close to being the in-form team in the league.

2) I get that there are posters on here where it is against their religious beliefs to give any sort of credit or praise to Liverpool FC. That's fine and that's certainly understandable.

3) What is not understandable is that when someone does give them credit for something and they're being accused of being a kopite. Let's get something perfectly straight here. You don't want to give 'em credit? Don't. But stop with the kopite accusations with those who do. It's old and frankly, that's the sort of kopite behavior I'd expect from reds.

4) For those that don't want to give them credit, please don't try pass this "Awww, they're just a marginal team getting a few results and all will return to normal" when the facts just aren't bearing that out. Arsenal 5-1, Everton 4-0, Spurs 5-0. You can shout "marginal" or "average" all day long and you'd be dead wrong. Marginal and average teams don't hammer out those sort of results. Not in one of the big four leagues. Sure they have slip ups, but then most teams do. I know I don't see "average" squads in Germany, Spain, or Italy put those sorts of scores on three of the top six teams in their respective leagues.

5)Just shocked here that Wenger didn't look at our result there and how Liverpool won the match and plan accordingly. That game was almost a carbon copy (except for the speed at which they scored and the ridiculous amount of chances they had) of ours including the good start in the second half only to be hit early on another counterattack goal.

6) I think it's Arsenal that gets pulled into the battle for fourth while Liverpool pull away from that battle.

It was remarked by our commentators ( as shown in Oz ) that pre game Wenger had stated he expected them to come out of the blocks from the go.

But both He and Us were not prepared for the sheer Intensity in the chase and tackle they showed IN THEIR OWN HALF, which set up many of the chances.

Glad and Sad to say that none Everton football, (even if it is the rs and even Suarez) can still ' do it for me ' I was half out of my seat when ratboy volleyed on to the post... for about 4 secs until I remembered that Pickering did exactly the same, BUT HIS WENT IN and on his debut as well.

 

[Walken]

It was remarked by our commentators ( as shown in Oz ) that pre game Wenger had stated he expected them to come out of the blocks from the go.

But both He and Us were not prepared for the sheer Intensity in the chase and tackle they showed IN THEIR OWN HALF, which set up many of the chances.

Glad and Sad to say that none Everton football, (even if it is the rs and even Suarez) can still ' do it for me ' I was half out of my seat when ratboy volleyed on to the post... for about 4 secs until I remembered that Pickering did exactly the same, BUT HIS WENT IN and on his debut as well.

Its a very clever move against possesion teams like us and arsenal, as much as it annoys that the media refuse to acknowledge that they are essentially a very good set piece counter attacking team, its still very clever, teams will adapt to it though and they won't push for the title, arsenal were desperate for a flamini yesterday

 

[Librarian]

You have to credit the approach. They've found a way to win.

It's interesting that the vast majority of their goals come in the first half BUT when they don't put teams to bed early, they often end up dropping points.

Most teams fold if they go two down early, by playing high intensity from the beginning they are capitalising on mistakes and not allowing teams to get into a rhythm.

Play with intensity
Win the ball back
Quickly move the ball into the vacated space

When you have 2-3 quality forwards, it works.

When the game slows down though, and when the opposition gets their own game going they look average. Their centre backs aren't great on the ball and neither are their midfield, so moving the ball slowly when the opposition have their shape is not an option for them.

The way to beat them is to play a sweeper in front of the back four (not DM's, who get involved in carrying the ball) and move the rest of your midfield right up in their faces. Let THEM make the mistakes (and they will).

 

[degsy]

You have to credit the approach. They've found a way to win.

It's interesting that the vast majority of their goals come in the first half BUT when they don't put teams to bed early, they often end up dropping points.

Most teams fold if they go two down early, by playing high intensity from the beginning they are capitalising on mistakes and not allowing teams to get into a rhythm.

Play with intensity
Win the ball back
Quickly move the ball into the vacated space

When you have 2-3 quality forwards, it works.

When the game slows down though, and when the opposition gets their own game going they look average. Their centre backs aren't great on the ball and neither are their midfield, so moving the ball slowly when the opposition have their shape is not an option for them.

The way to beat them is to play a sweeper in front of the back four (not DM's, who get involved in carrying the ball) and move the rest of your midfield right up in their faces. Let THEM make the mistakes (and they will).

Or go out and match their intensity, like we used to on some occasions under OFM.

It's classic F.A. Cup / pre CL Euro footy methodology as practiced where the home team is the under dog. You soak up the initial flash bang hiss and a roar start, quiet the crowd, play your footy score your goals job done 0-1, 0-2 or some such.

Unless...

i) the away team fail / can't match the effort put in.

and / or

ii) they get an early goal, say off a yard dog centrehalf's thigh

Short version: like the Beastie Boys said - ' You have to fight for the right to party '



The Arsenal: bottling it North of Watford for years...

 

[Baines' left foot]

They should never be taken outside for me, you see them everywhere these days though, people get them out in the cinema ffs

People take them to gigs too, which is pathetic. The worst thing is they're like 10 inches big so if you're stood behind someone with one you can't see anything! That's quickly sorted out with a swift kick the the back of the knee, though.

 

[davek]

Just read through just about the entire thread from when I was last on and just a few observations:

1) I think Liverpool have a pretty damn good team at the moment and you'd have to say that they're close to being the in-form team in the league.

2) I get that there are posters on here where it is against their religious beliefs to give any sort of credit or praise to Liverpool FC. That's fine and that's certainly understandable.

3) What is not understandable is that when someone does give them credit for something and they're being accused of being a kopite. Let's get something perfectly straight here. You don't want to give 'em credit? Don't. But stop with the kopite accusations with those who do. It's old and frankly, that's the sort of kopite behavior I'd expect from reds.

4) For those that don't want to give them credit, please don't try pass this "Awww, they're just a marginal team getting a few results and all will return to normal" when the facts just aren't bearing that out. Arsenal 5-1, Everton 4-0, Spurs 5-0. You can shout "marginal" or "average" all day long and you'd be dead wrong. Marginal and average teams don't hammer out those sort of results. Not in one of the big four leagues. Sure they have slip ups, but then most teams do. I know I don't see "average" squads in Germany, Spain, or Italy put those sorts of scores on three of the top six teams in their respective leagues.

5) Just shocked here that Wenger didn't look at our result there and how Liverpool won the match and plan accordingly. That game was almost a carbon copy (except for the speed at which they scored and the ridiculous amount of chances they had) of ours including the good start in the second half only to be hit early on another counterattack goal.

6) I think it's Arsenal that gets pulled into the battle for fourth while Liverpool pull away from that battle.

I tend to ignore outlier results like the 5-0, 4-0 etc. They are just as likely to now go to Fulham and drop points midweek (or against one of the other two clubs they have after that) and the balls on the table big statement performance looks a bit less impressive.

The table has them at 4th in their best season for years and they have no responsibilities in any other competition (or certainly not the CL burden their competitors above have). To me, if you have a squad that's had so much money spent on it, this is minimum what you expect in return. They have spent a King's ransom on that squad in the last few years...and still they are within reach of a club like Everton that get's by on negative net spending.

I just dont find their football exciting either. They respond to opponents rather than take the game to them. It's the type of play that will always be figured out and countered a lot more easily than a team that sets it's stall out to dominate. They've gotten the results so far because, and let's face it, no one took this lot as serious challengers. They'll get a lot more scrutiny now.

 

[lesbattersby]

Cant see them dropping points at fulham. Fulham have no fight or bottle, it'll be another 3/4/5 nil.

 

[toffeejack]

I tend to ignore outlier results like the 5-0, 4-0 etc. They are just as likely to now go to Fulham and drop points midweek (or against one of the other two clubs they have after that) and the balls on the table big statement performance looks a bit less impressive.

The table has them at 4th in their best season for years and they have no responsibilities in any other competition (or certainly not the CL burden their competitors above have). To me, if you have a squad that's had so much money spent on it, this is minimum what you expect in return. They have spent a King's ransom on that squad in the last few years...and still they are within reach of a club like Everton that get's by on negative net spending.

I just dont find their football exciting either. They respond to opponents rather than take the game to them. It's the type of play that will always be figured out and countered a lot more easily than a team that sets it's stall out to dominate. They've gotten the results so far because, and let's face it, no one took this lot as serious challengers. They'll get a lot more scrutiny now.

pretty much this really. swansea under rodgers had the players and although at times was a bit dull to watch as it was possession football, they would play some lovely stuff. he realised that after a season he couldn't teach yard dogs like gerrard to play the beautiful game the beautiful way.

BBC pointed out that they've scored 22 goals from set-pieces this season (if i remember rightly). i would say the majority of the rest are kick and rush goals straight from front to back or when it goes wrong the defender will pass it to them anyway like jags and shawcross have done within the last few weeks.

it works for them so you can hardly complain, but yeah, it's far from pretty.

 

[davek]

Cant see them dropping points at fulham. Fulham have no fight or bottle, it'll be another 3/4/5 nil.

Maybe not, but how many felt that way last week at WBA.

It's the nature of this league that any club can put a spanner in the works of any other one. Look at Norwich yesterday holding off a far better side in Man City. If I was a Liverpool fan I'd be loking at Fulham's horrendous form and thinking it has to change with a decent result soon. Maybe they get it today at OT. Maybe they get it on Wednesday.

 

[Fearthainn]

pretty much this really. swansea under rodgers had the players and although at times was a bit dull to watch as it was possession football, they would play some lovely stuff. he realised that after a season he couldn't teach yard dogs like gerrard to play the beautiful game the beautiful way.

BBC pointed out that they've scored 22 goals from set-pieces this season (if i remember rightly). i would say the majority of the rest are kick and rush goals straight from front to back or when it goes wrong the defender will pass it to them anyway like jags and shawcross have done within the last few weeks.

it works for them so you can hardly complain, but yeah, it's far from pretty.

http://www.whoscored.com/Regions/25...amStatistics/England-Premier-League-2013-2014

That link is quite interesting. They have the most goals from set pieces (17) and the most goals from counter attacks (6, double that of the 2nd ranked team) in the premier league.

As you say it works for them. Not the total football the media would have you believe though.

 

[lesbattersby]

Dont get me wrong they will drop points against teams their expected to beat, just not fulham. Weak as piss.

 

[rascal]

http://www.whoscored.com/Regions/25...amStatistics/England-Premier-League-2013-2014

That link is quite interesting. They have the most goals from set pieces (17) and the most goals from counter attacks (6, double that of the 2nd ranked team) in the premier league.

As you say it works for them. Not the total football the media would have you believe though.

What's wrong with scoring goals on the counter? No finer sight in football for me than a well executed counter.

[video]http://www.veoh.com/watch/v14818587Z8h3NY68[/video]

(Check out goals 2 and 3)

That's what made Holland more exciting to watch than Spain in Euro 2008, and Madrid more exciting to watch than Barca in 2012.