coachpotato

If Salah meant that as a headed pass, then it would have been from the centre of his forehead and Salah’s head movement would have been towards where he wanted the ball to go. Neither was the case, and as we all know, Mo doesn’t pass a chance on to anyone in those situations.

Salah’s header is an abomination, anyone who thinks he’s squaring it to Nunez needs their head wobbling. He doesn’t pass to anyone in those situations. So when the ball comes to Nunez, it’s probably the last thing he’s expecting, although any striker should be putting that chance away really. To be fair to their keeper, he got across towards Nunez quickly and quite possibly put him off enough to make him try and put it high into the goal, but he fucked up. As has been said though, there was more wrong yesterday than those two missing presentable chances within 5 seconds of each other.

All this talk of players being played out of position, incorrect tactics, players not producing the goods (even in their favoured positions) costing us individually etc. etc. yadda, yadda, yadda. With respects, it was fucking Luton we were playing, not fucking Real Madrid. We are better than them in every position, and substitutes, yet a team that’ll be lucky to get 30 points in the entire season, almost got 10% of that yesterday against us, who some of you believe can win the league. And it wasn’t the referee or VAR who cost us either. Unless City have a shit season, the best we can hope for, realistically, is second, which is as good as could have been expected following the overhaul in midfield we’ve had. There are certain games when you think “Yes we could win the League here”, Villa away in 2019 for instance, but in others you think “ No, we haven’t got the mental strength to win a title if we don’t win this” and yesterday was the latter. We are going to get there when this team gels better and perhaps with one or two key additions, but not yet.

See Luton have a twelfth player on the pitch. One A. Madley.

Aye, true, but having just looked at it again Gordon’s body is level with Joelinton as he heads the ball and his arm is ahead of the ball, so if it is deemed his arm is “in play” then he is offside as there isn’t two defensive players between him and the goal. Joelinton still fouls Gabriel however. One of those games where we a draw suits us, but an Arsenal defeat is, arguably, a better result than a Newcastle defeat.

Joelinton shoved Gabriel in the back? Definitely. Ball in or out? Maybe, but inconclusive. Ball hit Joelintons arm? Maybe, but inconclusive. Gordon offside at the point Joelinton heads it? Well his arm looks the wrong side of the keeper and there aren’t two defenders between him and the goal if his arm is deemed in play, but otherwise, inconclusive. No goal if I’m right. But they’re only trying their best aren’t they.

It’s the old story isn’t it? We don’t know where he fits in, so neither do the opposition! Makes him more of a conundrum to defend against, Haaland’s game is possibly easier to read, but he’s been difficult to stop, but perhaps over time defences will suss Haaland and be able to limit him, whereas the only thing limiting Darwin is himself?

A fairly straightforward win. No injuries, I think, and run outs for a few who need minutes. Never in doubt. Thankfully we’re dealing with these games now without any dramas, as it should be. Next.

This. Never let them rest on their laurels, sure fire way of regressing if you do.

Nunez is box office. You have to watch him because he can be brilliant and ridiculous in equal measure in the same match. He’s got something about him that endears and outrages and yes, he does miss easy chances. But had Salah, Mane and Firmino put away every chance they had made for them over the last 5 years, we’d have possibly had two more titles and one more CL I think. Just get behind him and let Klopp decide the rest.

Testament to the All Blacks that even after Cane went off, it was hard to notice they were a man down. Testament to the South Africans that not many other teams would have stood up to the Kiwis and fended them off. The AB’s should have kicked the kickable penalties they had, it was never going to be a free flowing game, and so points on the board, especially with a man down, should have been a priority. They were unlucky with the disallowed try, but again, the Rugby equivalent of VAR showed just how it should be done in the way it was adjudged, explained and accepted. There have been better games in the tournament, but fair play to the Springboks, they made the most of what they had.

Newcastle fast becoming one of those teams who just make you want to spit. Just plain cheating and an inflated sense of their own importance. They’ll be another bunch who try to generate a synthetic rivalry with us. Referees had a decent game up to now, taking no shit off them diving and complaining. Dortmund will still need another before the end though.

Dortmund having enough chance# to be ahead in this by a couple of goals. Nice Guy Eddies “lads” falling over at the drop of a hat. They’ll likely get at least one pen with Gordon on the pitch and Almiron looking to give Trippier a pot shot around the box.

A true one Club man, I don’t believe he held any animosity towards us in the same way some of the supporters of his club and other clubs do. I don’t think there are many of us who held animosity towards him, even if the “People’s Club” stuff seemed to be something an old ham like him would dream up. Thoroughly decent of him to support the Hillsborough cause in the way he did too. That shouldn’t be forgotten by anyone, Red or blue. Hope he rests in peace.

Everyone’s got one, but you don’t necessarily want to hear it.

Has to be one of the quietest derbies I’ve ever been to. We sung a bit, the shite hardly at all. They did boo, as expected, and although I couldn’t see from my seat, I’ve no doubt there were a few “gestures” going on. What was a disgrace was that as soon as Salah’s penalty went in, dozens of them walked out. That must be really inspirational for your team to see, a goal down, down to 10 men and your support is fucking off. The game was generally average, we had more than 70% possession, 26 shots and 2 goals so where pundits get that Everton competed and played well, is beyond me unless they are ex-Everton players I suppose. Thought Elliot did well and Nunez when they came on, but our passing and crossing in the final third were pretty abysmal overall. I genuinely thought that the grock they brought on, (number 14?) who had been assaulting anyone he went near, more ran into Ibou than Ibou fouled him for the “booking that never was”. Be interesting to see a reply though, still, it gives the shite something to fume about, so alls good.

R.I.P. One of the greats.

Could do without the holding the face shit though.

Bellingham is pretty good isn’t he.

Same as it ever was.

I suppose they represent a blank canvas in some ways? It may be easier to start from where they are now, with a fan base that’ll adore them (certainly initially) and a new stadium, in the richest league in Europe, and they, like Chelsea, could be given a free hit in the transfer market to “aid” their progress. Someone might be interested in taking a punt.

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There seems to be a sharp drop off between International and Club levels to me. At Women’s International level there are cohesive moves and tactics at play, and I found watching some of the last couple of tournaments there were individual and team performances that I enjoyed. Watching today’s game I switched off before Everton scored because the quality was very low and I was, to be honest, bored watching it. Mens Club football has more variety of nationalities evident and, over decades, there’s been a distribution of skills and tactics across most of the main leagues and particularly in the Premier League because it pays the most money and, therefore, attracts the best coaches and players. It’s that which the English Women’s League is up against mostly, because it isn’t at that level yet and other leagues are better placed.

At Anfield. Opposition not really important, but either the Ev, United or City would be the cherry on the cake. Went for United at home as they are still one ahead. Ideally we should do one at Anfield when we’re level with them too.

Qataris pulled out of bidding for united. Cue frenetic posts on GOT reasoning why the Ev would be a much better buy. #blankcanvas#newfloodisonpark