Football 2013-2014

[pink_triangle]

If you're counting Everton can you discount Newcastle?

I'm not trying to big us up, but we're only a point behind the Merseyside teams and finished above them 2 seasons ago, with the last one decimated by injuries and Europa league (with other problems as well). We earned that 5th place finish.

[kaosmark2]

I wouldn't completely discount Newcastle or Southampton, I just think both are very unlikely. I look at Newcastle and can see them having peaks and troughs this season, I see Everton as a bit more solid with the potential for consistency.

On another subject listened to Lawrenson on 5live talking about protests. His point was that fans should protest, then get 100% behind the team during the game, then protest after it. To me that thinking is exactly why fans protests have so little effect in this country. Owners couldn't care less about fans chants or banners, the only way to get their attention is to stop going to the games and they aren't willing to do it.

[Bobs]

I wouldn't completely discount Newcastle or Southampton, I just think both are very unlikely. I look at Newcastle and can see them having peaks and troughs this season, I see Everton as a bit more solid with the potential for consistency.

On another subject listened to Lawrenson on 5live talking about protests. His point was that fans should protest, then get 100% behind the team during the game, then protest after it. To me that thinking is exactly why fans protests have so little effect in this country. Owners couldn't care less about fans chants or banners, the only way to get their attention is to stop going to the games and they aren't willing to do it.

[pink_triangle]

. Can they stave off Interest for Krul in January?

[kaosmark2]

I'd say the one thing about Newcastle and Southampton is that they both soared to the top, whilst the clubs at the top 'flailed' if you like. It's certainly not discrediting their efforts, clearly they have an abundance of talent, and thats evident to everyone.

Southampton have a good manager, and a good squad, and are more equipped than Newcastle. Their defense was their rock, in them gathering so many points, and it remains strong, how strong without Boruc though? December is a very tough month for Southampton, they play Chelsea, Everton, Man, City and Spurs, as well as tough away games at Cardiff and Newcastle. It'll be a big test of character, especially as Jan doesn't get much easier.

Is it a benefit for them that they still have Chelsea, Arsenal, Man. City, Everton, Spurs, Newcastle, Liverpool, Man. Utd at home? or is it Negative? Home games are were you pick up the points, and that there is 8 hard fixtures.

For Newcastle, i don't think they can maintain their pace. Credit were credits due, they've had some cracking results too, but their squad is paper thin imo. If something happens to Remy, or Gouffran, I reckon they'd be in big trouble. Can they stave off Interest for Krul in January? They have to host United, City, Everton, Sunderland and Spurs, which could be beneficial or tricky depending how you look at it.

Top Half Yes. Whether they stay up there? Not sure.

And as an Everton fan, i hate to come across as bias, so i'll try my best to not do that.

I'd certainly say we're better equipped than Newcastle and Southampton. We have a bit of a bigger squad, and we don't appear to be on form, as we have only lost once all season, and that was to Man. City, which is no shame, seeing as the Etihad is an absolute fortress this season.

Certainly, the problem for Everton is Draws, 6 out of 13 this season, which is certainly not great, but when we play great, we play some outstanding stuff, but the flip side to that is we had a run of 4 games from Hull-Palace where we played Woefully, playing like that against a top teams, will mean defeats.

But we have Lukaku, and that's always a threat, and the fact we have kept 7 clean sheets out of 13, is hugely encouraging. If form keeps going, we have a chance, a feet 100% firmly on the ground chance of being in the top 4 come May. After Arsenal and United in this upcoming week, we have a stretch of 9, very winnable games, obviously it won't be that easy but still.

It's also worth noting that Liverpool's evident short comings were put on show against Hull, it certainly was coming, and i don't see why Everton, Southampton or Newcastle should be put in the bracket outside of Liverpool, other than Suarez, they're a very ordinary side.

[The Nal]

A wild man.

[thetime]

Well the conclusion from the weekends footy?

Neil's always slow to come into the football thread after a Liverpool shocker.

[eFestivals]

Well the conclusion from the weekends footy?

Neil's always slow to come into the football thread after a Liverpool shocker.

or alternatively, Neil is covering for other staff today.

They were dreadful. They won't make the top 4 this season unless something changes.

One thing I noticed/remembered yesterday is that they've completely stopped playing 'the Rodgers way'. When he first became manager you could see that he'd told the players that ball retention was everything (I'm not saying I agree, btw), and they should always be making options for whoever had the ball. That doesn't happen anymore (in more than just yesterday's game).

I reckon Soton have a better chance of making top 4.

[LondonTom]

Great win, need to follow it up by winning Tuesday

[lharris92]

Yep a win tuesday (Hopefully Sam plays the team that ended on Saturday), let the players have Saturday off as that's a write off. (50 years or so since we got a win Anfield) and then a win at Sunderland...should hopefully give us a nice bump away from relegation

[kaosmark2]

Well the conclusion from the weekends footy?

[eFestivals]

Southampton have had a great start but now their fixture list is toughening up they'll slowly slide down the table but still finish top half.

you sure about that?

I'd have said that a while ago, but decent results against Liverpool and Utd, and decent performances against Arsenal and Chelsea suggests that they're going to be in the mix for top 4 places (tho I suspect they'll miss out, but I don't think by too much).

They can score goals against any team and they don't let goals in. There's other teams around the top which would very much like some of that for themselves.

Edited December 2, 2013 by eFestivals

[The Nal]

Still got it

[kaosmark2]

you sure about that?

I'd have said that a while ago, but decent results against Liverpool and Utd, and decent performances against Arsenal and Chelsea suggests that they're going to be in the mix for top 4 places (tho I suspect they'll miss out, but I don't think by too much).

They can score goals against any team and they don't let goals in. There's other teams around the top which would very much like some of that for themselves.

[eFestivals]

I said it a few posts ago, but they've played lots of teams at good times. Liverpool pre-Suarez return, Man U when they could be easily pressured, WBA before they settled this season, Swansea after a Europa fixture. Add in Boruc' injury in a period crammed with league fixtures and they'll lose too many points over the December/January period to be in the mix.

if you're working from the up-coming fixtures then the likes of Liverpool are likely to fade far more.

But anyway, the end of the season will decide who called this right.

[kaosmark2]

if you're working from the up-coming fixtures then the likes of Liverpool are likely to fade far more.

But anyway, the end of the season will decide who called this right.

[eFestivals]

Norwich, West Ham and Cardiff at Anfield in the next 3 weeks?

followed by matches against Spurs, Chelsea and City.

The day we'll be able to see how each team is really hanging is when each has played 19 matches (somewhen around 1st Jan).

I think that day will show that Spurs are out of it, that Liverpool are probably out of it (depends strongly on those three matches above), but that Soton are still hanging in there.

Edited December 2, 2013 by eFestivals

[kaosmark2]

followed by matches against Spurs, Chelsea and City.

The day we'll be able to see how each team is really hanging is when each has played 19 matches (somewhen around 1st Jan).

I think that day will show that Spurs are out of it, that Liverpool are probably out of it (depends strongly on those three matches above), but that Soton are still hanging in there.

[eFestivals]

I don't think we can rule Spurs out of it based on the halfway mark, the big problem they've got is attacking players haven't gelled yet, which could conceivably improve as the season goes on, unlike for other teams.

There's not a chance in hell of that happening unless they sack AVB.

AVB was hailed as the improvement over 'Arry. So where is that improvement? There is none, not last season or this season.

And then, yesterday, when they were really getting at Utd, AVB wasn't urging them on, he was telling them to not attack.

But it's never his fault, is it? His latest row is with - still a Spurs shareholder - Alan Sugar. You can be sure that the board is taking note.

Meanwhile, Levy is too tied to AVB to sack him without bringing into question his own suitability for his own job - and so Spurs will stick with AVB for too much longer, so that there's no chance of that improvement coming soon enough to mean anything this season.

If AVB lasts till the summer, he won't last beyond that.

I don't think they'll finish top 4 mind you, I still think that'll be Man U, but it's a flawed argument to suggest that points total and form is all there is to judging the end off the halfway mark.

I'd say that form is there to be judged by the halfway mark.

Utd have often been shit this season, but you can see the improvements coming as time passes.

City have often been shit away from home this season but you can see the improvements coming.

Chelsea have been boring everyone to death (as usual) this season but you can see the improvements coming.

There's nothing to be seen at Spurs, apart from a manager who is waaaay out of his depth (again) and who is trying to blame everyone but himself.

Edited December 2, 2013 by eFestivals

[TheGayTent]

Nah don't let them have saturday off either as i'm going to that game, first time to anfield. so even if we don't win they better put up a good fight/performance.

[lharris92]

I predict you'll come back disappointed. We'll lose without putting up much of a fight - we always do - it's been 18,342 days since we last won at Anfield....

...oh and the Kop will be a let down and Anfield will be like a morgue.

[TheGayTent]

yep, have accepted I will be disappointed with the result but its another stadium to tick off that I will have visited, plus should be a decent day out

[The Nal]

Liverpool is always great fun on a Saturday night. Some lovely restaurants there too nowadays aswell.

[lharris92]

Always a bonus. How many are you up to? I'm getting frustrated with trying to do all 92 - too many clubs moving grounds - so am now having fun ticking off European grounds!

'Pool is always a good weekend away, as long as you forget the 2 hours between 3-5 on the Saturday...beer is cheap too!

[pink_triangle]

or alternatively, Neil is covering for other staff today.

They were dreadful. They won't make the top 4 this season unless something changes.

One thing I noticed/remembered yesterday is that they've completely stopped playing 'the Rodgers way'. When he first became manager you could see that he'd told the players that ball retention was everything (I'm not saying I agree, btw), and they should always be making options for whoever had the ball. That doesn't happen anymore (in more than just yesterday's game).

I reckon Soton have a better chance of making top 4.