Fortress Anfield?

[doctor_mac]

So we had a bit of a wobble there in the past few years where teams could come to Anfield and expect a chance of sneaking something. Not just the big teams, but any of them. We seem to have developed the knack of putting away games against the dross. But the big test of the 'Fortress Anfield' theory is yet to come. Other than Utd, we've played none of our big rivals at home yet. Here are the top of the table clashes we have coming:

v Everton

v Arsenal

v Tottenham

v Man City

v Chelsea

v Newcastle
I'm not taking the other games for granted, by any means, but it seems to me that these games are crucial, in that they are a chance to gain points and deny our rivals. We can look at these games nervously, or we can see them as a massive opportunity. How will our 'fortress Anfield' credentials look at the end of the season?

 

[Judge Jules]

I'm definitely in the "opportunity" camp. We can beat anybody if we're on form, and IMO should actively expect to win the majority of those games. Even Citeh aren't as good away from home.

 

[StevieM]

If we don't strengthen our attacking line in this transfer window we'll regret it.

Our ability to really rip into well organised teams at Anfield will determine our destiny.

 

[TheRedCrusade]

If we don't strengthen our attacking line in this transfer window we'll regret it.

Our ability to really rip into well organised teams at Anfield will determine our destiny.

CAM pls, hopefully a WC

 

[doctor_mac]

I vacillate between a fist pumping 'we can do these shite' attitude to chewing my fingers to the bone over these fixtures. I think this run in is pretty fucking hard actually and we'll need to be at our best to convert a lot of these games into wins.

 

[Mors]

If we don't strengthen our attacking line in this transfer window we'll regret it.

Our ability to really rip into well organised teams at Anfield will determine our destiny.

I'm the other way, I think we've been scoring goals for fun. It's the defence that worries the shit out of me.

 

[doctor_mac]

I'm the other way, I think we've been scoring goals for fun. It's the defence that worries the shit out of me.

I agree. We even had our chances to put another few past City (were it not been for some dodgy reffing) and they've conceded virtually nothing at home. On the other hand we look nervy at the back. That being said I think our defenders probably prefer defending against the more intricate football of the better sides that the lump it up strategies of the weaker sides.

 

[TheRedCrusade]

I'm the other way, I think we've been scoring goals for fun. It's the defence that worries the shit out of me.

you mean including Mignloet right...if Skrtel-sakho OR Skrtel-Agger play we ould look better imo

 

[StevieM]

I agree. We even had our chances to put another few past City (where it not been for some dodgy reffing) and they've conceded virtually nothing at home. On the other hand we look nervy at the back. That being said I think our defenders probably prefer defending against the more intricate football of the better sides that the lump it up strategies of the weaker sides.

... and this is where we diverge.

I look at the chances created away against City & Chelsea - we could have beat them had we taken them.

We always look better on the front foot.

Had we defended better.... Maybe a draw - less opportunities created to win, more pressure invited.

Maybe.

There's a few well organised big teams will come to Anfield set up to close us down & settle for a draw - we'll have to force the issue.

I look at the Southampton game - we lost it cause we were shite going forward - not cause our defence was lacking.

That's what we'll face.

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

I reckon we've dropped more points due to not scoring in some games, than we have for letting in poor goals.

We do need to improve in defence, but I'd like another player who can score goals more, relying on Sturridge and Suarez is a risky business.

I think we can still finish fourth without another addition, but we could finish higher with one. I

 

[Brizzle]

Our performances against Everton, Arsenal and Spurs will determine our performances against Chelsea and City.

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

Our performances against Everton, Arsenal and Spurs will determine our performances against Chelsea and City.

In what way? We could batter the first three and still lost the next two.

Personally I think 2 wins and two draws would be good, anything more would be very good. I think no losses is the most important thing.

 

[Brizzle]

In what way? We could batter the first three and still lost the next two.

Personally I think 2 wins and two draws would be good, anything more would be very good. I think no losses is the most important thing.

If we come out of those 3 with say, 3 draws then I think confidence would be lower and we would go more defensive ahead of the bigger games. A lot will depend on our relative league position at the time of the game but if we say got 3 wins in the first 3, I think we'd really take it to Chelsea and City in those games.

 

[TheRedCrusade]

Everton, win. Arsenal, draw. Spurs, WIn. that is exactly what we need before we face chelsea and city

 

[Hansern]

Winning against Everton will be the biggest game so far for me. We need to create a gap between us and the teams chasing us for 4th.

 

[doctor_mac]

Winning against Everton will be the biggest game so far for me. We need to create a gap between us and the teams chasing us for 4th.

It is massive. It is massive for them too, obviously, as it is their chance to leapfrog us.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Everton, win. Arsenal, draw. Spurs, WIn. that is exactly what we need before we face chelsea and city

Fuck that.

We're more than capable of beating all three at Anfield.

 

[doctor_mac]

Fuck that.

We're more than capable of beating all three at Anfield.

Do you believe we will?

 

[Jack D Rips]

Winning tomorrow will do me for now.

 

[Silver Sean]

Winning against Everton will be the biggest game so far for me. We need to create a gap between us and the teams chasing us for 4th.

This.

 

[StevieM]

Winning against Everton will be the biggest game so far for me. We need to create a gap between us and the teams chasing us for 4th.

We need to beat Arsenal - that's a 6 pointer - loose that and any pretense about anything higher than 4th is gone.

 

[King Binny]

Arsenal 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal 2 - 0 Liverpool
Arsenal 1 - 1 Everton
Arsenal 0 - 0 Chelsea
2W 2 D

Manchester City 4 - 1 Manchester United
Manchester City 3 - 1 Everton
Manchester City 6 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester City 6 - 3 Arsenal
Manchester City 2 - 1 Liverpool
5W

Chelsea 2 - 1 Manchester City
Chelsea 2 - 1 Liverpool
2W

Liverpool 1 - 0 Manchester United
1W

Everton 1 - 0 Chelsea
Everton 0 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur
Everton 3 - 3 Liverpool
1W 2D

Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 1 Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur 2 - 2 Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur 0 - 5 Liverpool
2D 1L

Manchester United 0 - 0 Chelsea
Manchester United 1 - 0 Arsenal
Manchester United 0 - 1 Everton
Manchester United 1 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur
1W 1D 2L

In total:
12W 5D 3L

 

[Silver Sean]

We at least have the opportunity to have a go at those teams at home. Also, none of those teams will fancy taking us on at Anfield the way we're going at the moment. We must try and get three points against every one of the top teams, but not losing to them is vital. We must beat Spurs and Everton, but not losing against the others would be fine. Chelsea will be tough to beat, they will just be horrible, as always, a point would be annoying, but not losing is vital. Arsenal are cunts, I hope we fucking smash them. Citeh will probably beat us 8-7 or something.

 

[Buddha]

All things considered, apart from the obvious derby, the home game v Spurs is the biggy for me.

If we were to lose that we'd be in a real scrap for fourth with a team that has real momentum (having been a mixture of shite and lucky for most of the season).

Like Hansern suggests, let's get the heat taken out of the race for 4th first.

 

[Spionkop69]

Or we could just concentrate on beating Villa at home tomorrow...

 

[Frogfish]

I look at the Southampton game - we lost it cause we were shite going forward - not cause our defence was lacking.

That was our 2nd home game of the season. We were still nervy, Southampton were flying, we were without Suarez, Aspas & Moses started and Rodgers had a brain-fart and we started with FOUR CBs ! Play that match tomorrow and we'd win by a couple at least.

Many people on here get as nervous as fuck everytime they look at the fixture list. Why ? I look at the fixture list and think .. fuck me, we could win every single match from now until the end of the season ! We won't, but the way we are playing we should be favourites for every match from now on (inc. United away). With S&S we will be nearly untouchable (esp. at home), with one out we are still potent, with both out we are fucked.

 

[Judge Jules]

Do you believe we will?

Yes.

 

[Piedro]

Winning against Everton will be the biggest game so far for me. We need to create a gap between us and the teams chasing us for 4th.

Don't worry, as Doc Mac says, we've been unstoppable against the small clubs at home.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

If history has taught me one big lesson, it is this.

NEVER, EVER talk about how many points we can win especially when they are VERY BIG, IMPORTANT GAMES coming up. No matter how tempting.

The best way to go about this is just act normal, business as usual, when people ask what we reckon our chances of winning the title this year are, nonchalantly shrug it off and say 'no chance', but secretly and deep down in our hearts, we are cheering and screaming 'come on you redmen !!!!'

Go stealth. Ambush and surprise everyone at the last lap of games and make the commentators go 'hang on, where did THEY pop up from ?!', while we rub our hands in glee and anticipation.

Yup. I'll adopt that sort of approach from now onwards. So in case if we fall short, that's fine. At least I didn't get my hopes too high up and won't feel too depressed about it during the summer.

 

[iseered]

Children, you need to focus all your mental energy on beating Villa tomorrow. Spreading it on several games weakens the impact.