Opportunity knocks?
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Now this may seem a little bit too optimistic for some of you, but here goes...
For the first time in years, I'm actually approaching the derby matches and subsequent two games against 2 of the 'Sky 4' (or should that be 5 now?) with a positive outlook. Usually the big games fill me with fear, wondering will we be able to hold out for a draw or nick a late winner. Both have happened, but equally we have been taught a lesson by all of them in recent seasons!
This time though for me it's different; even coming into these games all in a row (which earlier in the season I thought could be worse than having them spread out). At the moment we are on a cracking run. Devoid of strikers, we have somehow consolidated what we have and have come out fighting. That was definitely missing for the first 2 months of this season!
Not only our form being good, but Liverpool and Arsenal's is not particularly good. Too many draws from both recently. These draws have led to another thing stacking in our favour. Now Manchester Utd can be ahead of Liverpool by the time the derby kicks off. From my point of view this puts the onus and pressure firmly on them to get a win. They have been top for a while now and the prospect of losing that and having to fight back for it is a new feeling entirely. Certainly after all that Rafa-babble the other day. Is the pressure at the top beginning to make the fat waiter sweat? well at least more than usual?!
If we can use our momentum to get something at Anfield, we will go into the Arsenal game with our tails up. They are no great shakes and who knows ? we could be facing Utd in a few weeks time just a place (or 2) behind them. All this after a shocker of a start and one of the worst home records!
I've got to admit, I am less confident about the FA cup match. For some reason the psychology of it is a bit different for me. If we do get the win (and i've got a funny feeling we might) in the first derby match though, I would be over the moon with a draw in the second and get a replay at goodison. That would give Mo the Fro a chance to have a go at them!
I hope I don't regret this post, but the chance really is there for the taking. If Moyes can drill that into the players and send them out for a scrap, we could drag ourselves into that top of the table group. It isn't out of our reach. We have only been truly outplayed once this season (Liverpool @ home), and have given a good account of ourselves against the rest of those above us. Let's go that one step further. It's got to happen soon if Moyes's 2nd 5 year plan is to come to fruition.... hasn't it??!!
For too long the media have brainwashed everyone into thinking the Sky 4 are invincible, but it just isn't true. We are in touching distance of that pack after a bad start to the season. The league table doesn't lie. We are good enough, it's time we believed it and grabbed it with both hands!
Come on you blues. Make us proud!
Gareth Cooper,
Sheffield Posted 13/01/2009 at 06:16:01
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The outcome of the first of these two clashes will set the mental attitute for the cup game a week later.
If we can play well on Monday and come out of the game with at least a point, we will have the mental edge for the fourth round FA cup tie, less than a week later. Taking a point in the first game will sow the seeds of doubt in minds of our red friends from across the park.
Keeping a clean sheet again would guarantee at least a point. Winning ugly by the odd goal would be an added bonus, with pretty passing football providing the icing on the cake, but not essential.
I am just wondering if this Liverpool team have the stomach for a blood shedding encounter like our game against Hull last Saturday? They will probably just roll on the floor, like actors in their final dramatic death scene, at the slightest physical challenge, I will wager.
So we will also have to be on our guard against commiting silly fouls, to avoid giving the referee a chance to make the encounter less even in Liverpool's favour.
We just need to go out on to the park and think we are playing Hull again, they deserve no more respect IMO. If we do make the mistake of giving them too much respect and defend too deep, we will get battered, again IMO.
Our fans that do make it into the ground will need to make themselves heard and turn it into our second home. We will need to be playing comfortably there for at least 180 minutes, so noisy support will definitely help. You will be surprised how many Evertonians will be mingling with the red foe, next to family members or mates on the Kop.
Is the result for the first of these encounters the key?... or is there no real winning formula, meaning we are just in the capable hands of Lady Luck?
An interesting analysis Gareth. I am banking on SG?s mind being affected by his troubles off the field for the first game. If we get a get a point out of the first game I will be very happy. SG is such a big impact player and I doubt if we have anyone in our squad that can keep him under wraps for the full 90. If you take him out of the game I feel we have a great opportunity as we are playing great football on the deck and retaining possession better than I have seen us do in a long long time. Anyone know when we will know the Ref and his merry band of officials? I know it is a lot to ask for but wouldn?t it be nice if the 50/50 decisions were to go against the Sky 5 for a change.
Referee is Howard Webb who recently seems to be turning into the new Poll. He has reffed two of our games this season, the home draws with the Barcodes and Boro. He was very card happy in the Utd/Chelsea game on Sunday and is now clearly the FA?s golden boy, having officiated in five Sky 4 encounters as well as the Manc derby this season. He has sent off five players this term, three of whom are from the Sky 4. He looks to me as though he?s becoming one of those refs who think that the fans go to watch him ? which is a shame because he has a lot of ability. Cahill, Neville & Hibbert beware.......
Sky 5? If the four have been extended to 5 then surely we have the biggest claim to be members of the elite club. After all over the last 4 or 5 years we have consistently been in in the top 6 and the only team outside of the regular 4 to have broken the Champions League regardless of whether the authorites broke their own rules to allow them bastards back in.
But that said, your point is valid, I just don?t see us getting any help form the officials. When was the last time we got a break in a really important game? Clattenburg, Collina, Poll .... We just have to not be reckless and just hope for a fair crack of the whip.
Why don't we try and sign Ricardo Fuller on loan for the rest of the season? With Beatts at Stoke, he may be surplus. He played for Moyes at preston and would be better than Big Vic. He could always slap Stevie GBH around the face for good measure.
How about Kevin Phillips on loan, class striker !
Couldn?t agree more I can sense an attitude amongst the supporters which amounts to basically - Fuck the lot of them, we were winning leagues before any of you were even thought of. Also like the ingredients in place for these derbies similar to the Joe Royle era, them lot going for the title, us as underdogs with a good solid defence and not much of an attack, swap mikey for limpar and cahill for big dunc and you get the picture. Can?t wait to hear you?re gonna win fuck all again at the final whistle!
Chris Jones (Wakefield)
Posted 13/01/2009 at 17:42:51
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We shouldn’t bank on SG being off his game due to the proceedings hanging over him. IIRC Lee Bowyer never played better for Leeds than when his Court case was ongoing. It was AFTER he was cleared (!) that his game went to pieces.
Chris Jones (Wakefield)
Posted 13/01/2009 at 17:45:23
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Sorry, I’d meant to type "nasty little twat" when referring to Lee Bowyer in the preceding post.
I think the upcoming derby should be a time for David Moyes to come up with some mindgames of his own. Point out how refereeing decisions have been going the red's way in recent derbies to put pressure on the ref. With Rafa?s recent rant, I don?t think he would endear himself much with the public or press if he tried to defend himself against some clever words (if that?s possible!) from Moyes.
It?s about time we start putting some off-the-field pressure of our own on the officials. I too agree that the dirty reds will be doing their usual dirty diving, play-acting, complaining drill. So we really need to take any advantage to level things and make it easier for our boys to do their thing ? bully them off their own pitch in front of their own fans... now that would be pleasing!
I think you're right Marcus, he should defo get some comments in the press about refereeing decisions in past derbies.
Ah, fuck all that "mindgames" soap opera reality tv bollox. Leave it too them other arseholes. Just get on the pitch, give it your all and try to fucking score more goals than them. Simple as. We?re either good enough to beat them or we?re not. I hate all that other bolloxology.
A draw in the cup game will do me, we can't beat the cunts at their place for years ? we?re not going to do it twice in a fucking week... sorry, but true. Don?t expect too much from our lads. As long as we try 100% I?m happy.
Cheers!
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1 Posted 13/01/2009 at 06:16:15
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If we can play well on Monday and come out of the game with at least a point, we will have the mental edge for the fourth round FA cup tie, less than a week later. Taking a point in the first game will sow the seeds of doubt in minds of our red friends from across the park.
Keeping a clean sheet again would guarantee at least a point. Winning ugly by the odd goal would be an added bonus, with pretty passing football providing the icing on the cake, but not essential.
I am just wondering if this Liverpool team have the stomach for a blood shedding encounter like our game against Hull last Saturday? They will probably just roll on the floor, like actors in their final dramatic death scene, at the slightest physical challenge, I will wager.
So we will also have to be on our guard against commiting silly fouls, to avoid giving the referee a chance to make the encounter less even in Liverpool's favour.
We just need to go out on to the park and think we are playing Hull again, they deserve no more respect IMO. If we do make the mistake of giving them too much respect and defend too deep, we will get battered, again IMO.
Our fans that do make it into the ground will need to make themselves heard and turn it into our second home. We will need to be playing comfortably there for at least 180 minutes, so noisy support will definitely help. You will be surprised how many Evertonians will be mingling with the red foe, next to family members or mates on the Kop.
Is the result for the first of these encounters the key?... or is there no real winning formula, meaning we are just in the capable hands of Lady Luck?