ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Rigged Fixture?

Has anyone else noticed that Liverpool are invariably drawn at Anfield in the return leg of any 2-leg cup ties. There may be a good reason for this, but what concerns me more is the fact that for the last 5 years at least, we always play the first derby match at Goodison. This usually means that, given our abysmal record at Anfield, Liverpool have the last laugh on us by winning the second derby. I thought the fixtures were supposed to be random.

Is it just a coincidence that we always play at home first? Given the choice, I would sooner play Liverpool away first, when we are relatively fresh — not at the season's end when our smaller squad begins to have an impact owing to injuries etc. Can anyone provide the stats for these fixtures, to back up my argument?
Mike Goodwin, Liverpool Posted 02/04/2008 at 17:52:29

back Return to the Mail Bag

Comments

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

Tony Williams
1 Posted 02/04/2008 at 19:21:52

It is the Redshite rule.

Part 20 paragraph 3 section c (iii)

It reads.

"Except for the redshite"

And they invoke this rule anytime they feel they may possibly be hard done by.

Steve Green
2 Posted 02/04/2008 at 19:58:58

While our darling neighbours would undoubtedly point out they’ve had to play the second league fixtures against Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United all away this season, we have had an inordinate number of seasons recently -- 10 of the last 15, including this one, and the last five in a row, incluyding this one -- where we’ve played at Goodison first, then at Anfield. Whether that makes a tinker’s bit of difference, who knows?

Joe McMahon
3 Posted 02/04/2008 at 20:47:21

They are just Horrible Arrogant Cunts & I Fucking hate them now more than ever in 31 years being an Everton Fan.

Graham Rathbone
4 Posted 02/04/2008 at 21:24:35

Mike, do you really think the fixtures are random when there is such events as Grand Slam Sunday? this is more than coinsidence surely!!

Bren Larthwaite
5 Posted 02/04/2008 at 21:25:15

Talking about rigged ... how much have they paid the ref tonight? seen that penalty? .... then again I forgot ... Part 20 paragraph 3 section d (iv). reads:

"A penalty kick shall not be awarded under any circumstances if the foul play is committed by Liverpool FC"

Bob Turner
6 Posted 02/04/2008 at 21:40:16

I thought it was to give the knobheads from Norway plenty of time to organise their flights, accommodation etc...

Mark Pendleton
7 Posted 02/04/2008 at 22:21:23

It seems no-one is in favour of our rearranged Thursday-nighter against Chelsea. And they play on the Monday night before. Is it possible we actually have a chance of beating them? Actually, I?m in favour, means I get to watch my beloved Blues on tv again!

Dave Nelson
8 Posted 02/04/2008 at 22:16:37

1995-6, 1999-00 Anfield first and we beat the pricks...

I know what you?re sayin Joe.. The shite are particalrly loathsome these days...due in large part to the fat perverted Spanish cockstink!

Mark Pendleton
9 Posted 02/04/2008 at 22:22:44

I work with a Redsh!te fan (and i’m in the east mids, but at least half my family resides in Walton) and he was saying this week that Carsley should have been sent off for the challenge early in the derby match. I did ask what he thought should have happened following Gerrard’s stamp and he tells me he didn’t notice that.

Enough said.

Chris Maxwell
10 Posted 02/04/2008 at 23:36:13

Apart from the Inter game, eh? First leg at Anfield if I recall. I wouldn?t have thought the order of league games could be turned into a grievance but there you go.
Anyway, weren?t Everton drawn at home in the second leg of the Carling Cup semi?

Colin Hughes
11 Posted 03/04/2008 at 00:44:36

We haven't won the second Derby in a season since 1988 so apart from the 1995 FA Cup win we rarely have anything brag about going into the summer.

Gerry Quinn
12 Posted 03/04/2008 at 03:03:13

Joe McMahon,
You should be more honest and say exactly what you feel........in fact, couldn’t have put it better myself!

Steve Pendleton
13 Posted 03/04/2008 at 03:09:59

Clutching at straws Mike. Would sooner points on the board earlier anyway and get the first leg!! Given your logic, you were happy with the Fiorentina away first and second leg at home.

I for one would rather get on the front foot and get the score on the board and let the other team chase in the second leg.

Alex Collins
14 Posted 03/04/2008 at 11:16:29

Inter Away, Juventus away two years ago Liverpool away next match if they get through.

We were away 1st leg against Chelsea, Brann and Fiorentina.

So get a grip.

I hate them as much as the next man but if they win things they do deserve it and there is no conspiracy theory to be had.

Nelly Blythe
15 Posted 03/04/2008 at 11:19:30

Enough is Enough cos it?s getting ridiculous now... How many more blatant pens are these twats gonna get away with, the ref was only 5 yrds away for fucks sake....Then Kuyt has the audacity to deny it was ever a penalty... cheatin, lyin BASTARDS. Dont anyone tell me that the CL isn?t rigged cos I just dont believe it. !!....I even remember the one pen which was given at the kop end (against Roma I think) then the ref suddenly changedd his mind and gave a corner !!!....no wonder everyone (apart from their own) hate the bastards!!

Harry Charles
16 Posted 05/04/2008 at 15:38:00

Apart from playing the first Derby game at Goodison, it is also an early kick off 12:45, at Anfield its 4:00 or later, so the first ten rows around the pitch can have more than enough drink to bay for blood, and spit / punch attack are players and abuse refs. The only thing between the fourth spot is cheating decisons at home in the derby match. With big fees for refs who are in Europe, they are favouring teams in Europe ie Liverpool, Man Utd, etc