coachpotato

I thought we made hard work of the first half, despite the possession we had, and although Darwin’s persistence paid off for the first goal, it was Kelleher who had to make more saves than the Sheffield keeper. Our shooting accuracy is abysmal despite the goals we do actually score. Once Mac Allister was moved further forward in the second half, the dynamic changed and we looked much more threatening, and of course he was on hand to score an absolute beauty. Disappointed that, once again, we conceded to one of the dross in the division, but as long as we can outscore them than I probably shouldn’t be too critical. Good substitutions again, especially for the third goal, Robbo’s cross to Gakpo was outstanding, and the header was tidy. So 8 more 1-0 wins will do us fine, but maybe not our hearts though.

It’s very believable unfortunately, it highlights the inconsistency of VAR operators, who will have seen that “challenge” and decided to do absolutely fuck all about it, whereas Jones was sent off for a relatively innocuous incident in comparison against Spurs.

So what’s new?

Emery needs to inject a bit of Sevilla skullduggery into his team.

Don’t turn your back on the ball and don’t open the wall up when set. Basics.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we’ve already identified, contacted and possibly made an offer to someone for the managers job. The appointments of Edwards and Hughes surely haven’t been done overnight and given Klopp gave notice last November, it’s sensible to have been preparing for a new structure since then. Could also be one factor why the, seemingly, nailed on replacements have been distancing themselves?

He does it frequently, powder puff shots, always has. Very frustrating given his numbers, you get the feeling that he’d be off into the distance somewhere, not level with the greats like Shearer and Henry, if he would put his laces through the ball more. To be fair, he’s not the only one, Diaz had one yesterday that was more like a pass back than a shot when Bradley set him up.

I’d like us to try and get him into more shooting positions as he’s got a tremendous dig on him. Nothing more unsettling for a defence/goalkeeper than to work their bollocks off trying to defend spaces and yet still see shots flying in.

Anything to disrupt City is good in my book. Arsenal have the most difficult run in I think, so even if they were to beat City, there’s still plenty of scope for them to drop points. The only downside is they blew up at this point last season and have been looking stronger all round this season, so the theory that you have to go close to then win it is looking a distinct possibility for them. I think we’d take more confidence out of City losing than either of the other two results, but, ultimately, we need to ensure we keep winning and if it’s not enough then fair enough. I’d be gutted if we lost to Arsenal by a point or less after the capitulation against them at their place though, whereas City winning it again would be a bit “meh” and should be tainted by them being found guilty of at least some of the 115 charges they’re facing.

Yeah, I read that as well, some Greek guy indicating that UEFA are expecting trouble from fans without tickets at the Dublin final. Remarkable foresight. Obviously expecting us and/or West Ham to get there? Maybe if UEFA give more thought to where they hold finals and how they apportion the tickets, then they may prevent trouble.

I married her 47 years ago.

When it suits, got to fit the narrative of the poor, mistreated, downtrodden, victimised, non-Sky 6, Corinthian, sleeping Giant, dontcha know.

Interesting figures. The indication would be that, yes, they aren’t the “behemoth” they have been in previous seasons and we shouldn’t be expecting a fifteen game winning run anytime soon. Much as I’d love that to happen, there is the caveat that they now have, arguably, their two most talented players available to them again in de Bruyne and Haaland and they have started to show in recent weeks what influence they have in games. I just hope other teams start to believe that they should have a go against them, rather than pull down their kecks and bend over. Might make things more interesting.

See what you’re saying Scott, but I was thinking it was the cumulative effect of playing every single game we could possibly have done that season, and then to have to keep winning every game just to stay in touch which eventually caught up. Could have been different if Villa hadn’t have folded in the last game too. The FA cup final was a stalemate won on penalties. You’re right about the Madrid game, when Courtois played well, but we just didn’t seem to able to score and they did with pretty much their one decent chance. The season became a massive mental test as much as it was physical.

That type of fixture run in was what did for us season before last, too many games, too little rest time, too many injuries and those who were fit, running on fumes. Including the manager. Don’t know how we can avoid a repeat, unless the younger players/rotation policy allows the performance levels to maintain. We know the players will do their best, of course they will, but it’s a massive ask, and beating City (and everyone else come to that) is pretty much a pre-requisite. I’d settle for Carabao Cup (because we’re in the final anyway) and either the League (preferably) or Europa League. Lovely to think we could get three, dreamland to get all four.

Powers that be, making them play to the rules. Bastards. It’s a conspiracy I tells yer, a conspiracy.

I’ve been lucky to have seen most of the fantastic games already mentioned on here, in the flesh, but one that hasn’t been mentioned is the Chelsea semi-final in 2005. Not a runaway win, not loads of great goals scored, but for what it meant after going so long without a Champions League/European Cup final appearance, for atmosphere and just the will of the crowd helping the players against, honestly, a much better Chelsea team, and for putting them in their place with Mourinho at the helm, it was a fabulous night. Only matched for atmosphere by the Barcelona 4-0, but I wasn’t at the St Etienne game so can’t compare to that. But haven’t we been blessed compared to other clubs that can only dream of having one night to remember like the many we’ve enjoyed.

Better. Much better.

Don’t like the way Oliver is buying almost every fall to the floor that the Brentford players are doing. McAllister needs to sharpen up, giving the ball away too much.

Still buy it from the lad at the corner of the Kop end by the SKD gate. Never found out what his name is! Started doing it when Steve Kelly wrapped up TTWAR.

Levels of expectation. For all that you’ve listed, and more, the scene should be set for success, but that could, possibly, make some think twice with that pressure on them. Between now and the end of the season there may be other jobs come up where there’s less expectation. I understand you saying anyone not wanting the job would be a loser, but anyone taking the position on would also have to be a big character to think they could equal or better what Klopp has achieved. We have a history of giving our managers time, but would that be the case with the current “want it now” generation? I’m not so sure.

Regardless of what we do or don’t win this season, Klopp is going out a legend, something that won’t be lost on anyone in the frame. The more we may win, the tougher the act to follow. It could put some off taking the job,

You’re dead too?

Whenever we’re in a position where it’s been in our own hands, I’ve felt we could win the league. The disappointment is the likes of the Arsenal game when it hands impetus back to City. Still, though, we win all our games, we win the league. The yardstick has been get more out of city than they get out of you, and that still holds true.

He’s our best striker on current form, and it’s to his credit that, when it’s not him actually scoring, he’s often involved somewhere in another doing so, if not directly then with clever runs off the ball to create space. There’s a touch of snide about his game that causes opposition players to lose it with him, and it’s likely deliberate and designed to give him an advantage over them, which may be cynical but is also clever. His decision making, though, is excellent, he doesn’t often go for the poor percentage option, as often as others do, when there’s a player in a better position he’ll try to find them, but he’s pretty clinical as well. All in all, he’s a much better than others outside the club give him credit for, which is just as well for us because losing Firmino and Mane as we did, it’s allowed some continuity with Salah up front while Nunez, Gakpo and Diaz have been finding their feet. I only hope his injuries are fewer going forward as, with any player, they disrupt chances to build understanding within the team between players and affect form, but he’s an intelligent footballer, an astute signing, and I’m happy he’s here.