So.... what are we gonna do against Liverpool :3

In the first 15 games Taylor missed one game we picked up 26 points, in the last 15 games when Taylor has been out we've picked up 24 points and supposedly had tougher fixtures, so maybe we ain't missed him that much.

 

Perch has improved trmendously lately though so that's made a bit of a difference. A fit Taylor partnering a fit Colo would make me feel a hell of a lot better.

 

I'm very surprised by those stats cbra. I thought with Taylor playing, we had the best defensive record in the Premier, and without him, one of the worst, yet we've picked up nearly as many points. Damn statistics eh? Strange........

 

Can't be arsed to look, how's our goal difference now and then?

 

The thing about the Liverpool game for me is, it doesn't matter all that much.

If we win, we will finish above them.
If we draw we will finish above them.
If we lose, we will probably still finish above them.
8 points is a massive gap at this stage of the season (although I've seen us throw away leads before).
They are 9 points ahead of Villa and you wouldn't be placing a bet on Villa getting within a point of them by the end of the season.
Our 8 point lead should see us through.

 

Actually for me the game against Liverpool does matter.
A bit of sour grapes but I dont want Enrique and Carroll leaving with a win.
Willo and Perch will probably be our CB pairing, we have to back them and not get on their backs, especially Willo who as been dreadful for weeks.

 

Actually for me the game against Liverpool does matter.
A bit of sour grapes but I dont want Enrique and Carroll leaving with a win.
Willo and Perch will probably be our CB pairing, we have to back them and not get on their backs, especially Willo who as been dreadful for weeks.
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The games against all teams matter, we want to win them all. Of course Liverpool games have that little bit extra meaning. Hope Jose gets a roasting (Jonas?) and Carroll doesn't get a touch of the ball and looks like a donkey.

 

If we beat Liverpool it is a clear sign that we are going to finish top 6, it would be great to be the team to break the top 6. However if we lose it will give Liverpool confidence and at 5 points and with a good run in they could come back and catch us. Though the Chelsea game could be the most important if we do well between now and then.

 

I live in Liverpool and the fans tend to harp on about how anything they achieve is "what really matters". If we beat them but they finish above us then league position is what really matters yet if they beat us and we finish above them then they already have europe anyway and it just proves they're a better team than us, etc etc.

The only solution is to beat them and then finish above them. Simple really.

 

For me it's become a matter of Pride, from what I've been reading, Liverpool feel their history gives the a leg up and an entitlement to success, me I live for today, history wont get me the three points. you play against what's put in front of you, not the 'We were there's'

 

The difference Colo makes to our defence was proved against WBA.

First half they never really threatened, 2nd half we looked shaky to say the least.

We will lose this game narrowly because Perch & Williamson are a shocking partnership... That racist fellow from South America will have a field day.

 

Of course I want to win, but I mean it won't detract from our great season!

 

So to confirm on injuries, Colo, Tiote are out?
Cisse, is he okay? He seemed to be in a lot of discomfort.

 

Colo is out but not sure about Tiote.
Pards said that Cisse had bad case of cramp in both legs but expected to be ok for Sunday.

 

Assuming Tiote's back, I think we tell him not to move more than 10 yards in front of the defence and to devote himself to mopping up anything needed. We will lose a bit going forward as a result, but Cabaye and Guthrie/Guittierez should be able to make that up. Go with the three prong attack and hope for the best.

 

I'd like to see Ameobi play, but not as a striker.

The odd time he's been deployed into midfield, with more defesnive duties, or made captain - he's stepped up.
(remember when he was given the captains armband at Chelsea?)

He's good at helping defend corners, especially now that there's no Saylor or Colo, we need another tall physical player back for set pieces, and as an outlet for cleared second balls. Also we need a defensive, physical presence in the middle of the pitch with no Tiote, and no Raylor either...

I'd play this, 4-4-1-1

Krul
Simpson-Willo-Perch-Santon
Ameobi-Cabaye-Guthrie-Jonas
---------Arfa---------------
---------------Ba/Cisse-----

 

WTF? He'd get destroyed down the wing. Downing and Enrique vs him and Simmo!

We need to stick to the same formation, and hope to out attack them.

 

Shola seems to have learned more of what the games about recently.

He's come back and defended well when he's had to and his holding up of the ball and helping to run the clock down hasn't gone unnoticed.

 

Looked very bad when he went down, feared the worst, had no idea what had happened.

Pleased it was only cramp.

 

In all the papers and TV it has been described as cramp. It's the first thing I looked at in the reports on the match