coachpotato

We have struggled against deep lying defensive teams for a few seasons now, but usually we’ve had an individual on the pitch who can produce a killer pass or a winner for us. Yesterday we didn’t have that. The style of play we use still relies on goals on the break to a some extent, one of the TV commentators remarked recently we are still the best in the league at that, (although Arsenal might show us differently next week) or we dictate the pace of a game and generally wear the opposition down, which we didn’t do yesterday either. Perversely, playing Arsenal, who will come out and attack I believe, might provide a greater opportunity for us to create more chances and the pace of the game should be quicker than yesterday too. We’re due a performance befitting this teams abilities, let’s hope we get it against Arsenal.

The inability to strike the ball cleanly was stark today. We had several players in decent positions in front of goal and they hit the ball with less power than my 5 year old granddaughter could hit it with. To be able to strike a ball correctly should be second nature to a professional footballer, as should be the ability to place a pass in front of the player your passing to, so it allows an attack or build up to proceed smoothly. These are basics that should be done easily and especially because the pitch is like a bowling green.

You forgot to read the addendum relating to Saudi teams and their players.

Hold on, they were only doing what the Sly Six’s actions had forced them into doing, and what “the 14” would be doing in their place, so that’s ok then.

Surely the Premier League are watching all the bravado, piss taking, faux outrage and pontificating and will come down hard on them for not accepting they are wrong by appealing, and that they have affected the running and livelihoods of other teams and not seemingly given a shit about it. Entitled? Too fucking right they are, and have been for the best part of three decades and they really need to be shown the trapdoor to bring them to any sense of reality. Of course, in the great big world of PL, it’s unlikely to happen.

I got twatted on here for suggesting Watkins a season or two back. Still think he’s got something about him but prefer Olise at Palace, trouble is he’s a Lahndan boy so likely won’t move away from there. Agree that Livramento seems a good prospect, and I like Bowen at West Ham too. Branthwaite too has a good look about him but he’s been touched now and would likely turn to dust if he ever put pen to paper on an LFC contract.

Really would like another ruthless, attacking 7-0 win, but I’d accept a 1-0 snooze fest if offered now. I’d accept a further 21 1-0 snooze fests if offered now. These fuckers are down out the moment, so the only way for them is up. It’s up to us to make sure it doesn’t start tomorrow.

This. Access for kids is virtually nil, certainly with us, so most kids interest would be through the telly. Just not the same “grab” as actually being there, specially at a big night game, so no wonder there’s little of the interest my kids had that means they are both avid Reds, at 38 and 44 and have been from when they could walk, pretty much. My grandson, 11, has been to a pre-season game and around the stadium and found the experience “ok” but he’s not really been bitten, as yet. My granddaughter is nearly 5 and likes kicking a ball around, knows it’s us on the telly when we’re on, so there may be some mileage there. It’s way too expensive now for many families with kids I suspect so where are the next generation coming from?

Given the amount of people on here who think football is fucked, I reckon the kids are a bit smarter than we give them credit for!

In terms of the result, the game didn’t matter as we knew because we were already qualified. Because of that, the only benefit was to see what the youngsters could show they could do against a team who would be taking proceedings seriously. In that respect, few covered themselves in glory unfortunately, although, to be fair, if everyone isn’t giving 100% concentration and application, the overall performance will suffer anyway. Not easy to get concerned about what happened, although technically, some of the passing was poor (under hit, wayward, behind players instead of in front of them etc.) and tackling was powder puff, but those things can be improved with training, experience and greater physicality. Perhaps we can meet USG in the future and give them a good whupping just to set the record a bit straighter. Now for Sunday.

They’re learning that just because you win the lottery, you still have to earn your place to win in this competition, even City took years before they eventually did it. Newcastle will benefit being able to “concentrate on the league”, and I’ve no doubt they’ll continue to evolve (buy more players) and their fans will benefit having seen more technical players in the flesh, and by assessing whether it was a good idea to have gone quiet when their team went behind.

Giroud is still class.

Gordon off. Obviously his level of cheating isn’t required at this point. The audible “pop” as the bubble burst around 58 mins was fun. Still, they have time yet.

Aye, quite refreshing to see their shenanigans being ignored. Just need to follow it up with a couple of yellows and they might cu5 it out all together.

I would like a cavalier, attacking 7-0 win, but I’d accept a 1-0 turgid, slog. Come to think of it, I’d accept a further 21 turgid 1-0 wins after it as well.

On paper we were the strongest team in it at the start, however, football is played on grass not paper and we shouldn’t underestimate any team we play, because when we play most of them it’ll be their final, so anything less than 100% on our part could leave us with egg on our faces. It’s a big shiny thing we’re playing for and we exist to win big shiny things.

Bayern fans chanting “ This is a library”. Embarrasing.

I hope he’s bawling his eyes out after Sunday.

Brilliant from Kane that little dink.

Any old shite statistics just to work in the famous night in Barcelona.

United will have to really go for this, if they’re capable, in the next 10 minutes or so. Bayern should pick them off then.

How’s Romero not been walked for that? Oh, his shirt hasn’t got a liverbird on it. My mistake. Move along.

Inconsistency rears its head again, Jesus was given a pen against us when Robbo caught him wasn’t he? Yet not today against Villa? And again Ayew was it this afternoon?

In answer to the thread title. Yes Unlikely

It’s only a matter of time before Arsenal get at least one goal here, but Villa could score also. Good game and one I wouldn’t mind Villa winning. Draw would do though.