Manchester City v Liverpool official match thread.

[Oncy]

I agree with Squiggles entirely.
We went there trying to win, but couldn't. They aren't mugs, they're the most expensively assembled team in the league, who don't lose at home and have beaten all of the other big 4 this year.
People are acting like it's a 0-0 with Burnley.
Dogged at times, dour at others, but a good point and with City away at Chelsea next week, I fully expect us to take back 4th.
We've come out of a tough period (arsenal, Everton, City) well in touch of 4th place and with a decent few games now were in better shape than I thought we'd be.
And for all the slating of Lucas, Insua etc we are proper tight at the back now and keeping lots of clean sheets. If our attack starts firing with Torres and Yossi now back we should be cruising to the end of the season.
Not happy.
Content.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

Whn City when forward they had 3 in the box. When we went forward we had 1.

 

[Avmenon]

Glum 🙁

 

[Jack D Rips]

[quote author=Y1 link=topic=38984.msg1057503#msg1057503 date=1266771430]
How did we get so many yellow cards?
[/quote]

The referee was so shit its hard to believe. Not saying he was responsible for how badly we played but he booked outr players for fuck all, yet allowed Barry three goes before producing the card. I dont normally complain about referees but i thought he was an absolute homer today.

Having said that it was a lost opportunity today because city were poor and were there for the takin Unfortunately yet again we showed no ambition.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

A point isn't too bad. they have Chelsea next as well I think.

 

[the_khl]

Can I just point out that Skrtel & Agger has now got two clean-sheets on the trot.

That's good news.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

[quote author=the_khl link=topic=38984.msg1057558#msg1057558 date=1266772958]
Can I just point out that Skrtel & Agger has now got two clean-sheets on the trot.

That's good news.
[/quote]

It's encouraging certainly. I just wish one of them could fucking head a ball on target.

 

[Halmeister]

[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=38984.msg1057550#msg1057550 date=1266772824]
Whn City when forward they had 3 in the box. When we went forward we had 1.
[/quote]

Yep. It's been the case all season too.

I didn't realise they were playing Chelsea next week. But with the way the season's going I wouldn't be surprised if City got a decent result.

 

[Avmenon]

I shudder to think about what other straws we'll be clutching in the coming weeks.

 

[caparo]

[quote author=the_khl link=topic=38984.msg1057558#msg1057558 date=1266772958]
Can I just point out that Skrtel & Agger has now got two clean-sheets on the trot.

That's good news.
[/quote]

yes but only because Skrtel was magnificent today.

 

[TheBunnyman]

On the whole I agree with Squiggles and Oncy. I thought Insua was a liability, and that the second half was generally disappointing after some decent forward play and a few chances in the first half, BUT... a draw is a decent result at Eastlands, and I think in the end we'll probably finish fourth. Very happy to see Torres and Yossi back on the pitch, and if we can keep them and Gerrard injury-free till the end of the season, and stay solid at the back, I think we'll do it.

I also think we should sack Rafa irrespective of whether we qualify for the CL.

 

[spider-Neil]

yossi was either honest or stupid to stay on his feet, depends on which way you want to look at it.

 

[TheBunnyman]

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez: "We were working very hard and we had control for most of it, but they had some counter-attacks and the fans got a bit excited. I think a draw was a fair result, we have to be a little bit better in attack in future."

 

[SaintGeorge67]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=38984.msg1057569#msg1057569 date=1266773587]
yossi was either honest or stupid to stay on his feet, depends on which way you want to look at it.
[/quote]

The problem is it shouldn't matter. If it's a foul, it's a foul, irrespective of if the player goes down or not. Sadly it seems they have to go down to get it given.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Turgid, unimaginative, shitbag tactics from Benitez yet again. Plod plod pod. Pass sideways 6 times, forward once, then back, pass sideways 6 times, forward once, then back, hoof, pass sideways 6 times, forward once, then back, pass sideways 6 times, forward once, then back, hoof. That's got fuck all to do with a lack of money, it's just a negative and safe approach.

 

[aquaman4]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=38984.msg1057569#msg1057569 date=1266773587]
yossi was either honest or stupid to stay on his feet, depends on which way you want to look at it.
[/quote]

i am 100% sure the ref would have given yossi the yellow card had he not stayed on his feet the ref was card happy today against us six yellow cards most were incorrect.

 

[Shadey]

[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=38984.msg1057549#msg1057549 date=1266772820]
I agree with Squiggles entirely.
We went there trying to win, but couldn't. They aren't mugs, they're the most expensively assembled team in the league, who don't lose at home and have beaten all of the other big 4 this year.
People are acting like it's a 0-0 with Burnley.
Dogged at times, dour at others, but a good point and with City away at Chelsea next week, I fully expect us to take back 4th.
We've come out of a tough period (arsenal, Everton, City) well in touch of 4th place and with a decent few games now were in better shape than I thought we'd be.
And for all the slating of Lucas, Insua etc we are proper tight at the back now and keeping lots of clean sheets. If our attack starts firing with Torres and Yossi now back we should be cruising to the end of the season.
Not happy.
Content.
[/quote] *Knods head in agreament at oncey*

 

[SummerOnions]

[quote author=FPI Project link=topic=38984.msg1057522#msg1057522 date=1266771848]
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=38984.msg1057505#msg1057505 date=1266771488]
[quote author=FPI Project link=topic=38984.msg1057500#msg1057500 date=1266771365]
[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=38984.msg1057493#msg1057493 date=1266771218]
That was a fucking bizarre game.
[/quote] In what way SO?
[/quote]

The referee mainly.

Not knowing what the fuck was going on or why.

Agger playing like shit.

Skrtel being a shithouse.


[/quote] cheers & how did torres play when he came on.. (never watched the game)
[/quote]

he had like 3 touches.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

[quote author=aquaman4 link=topic=38984.msg1057576#msg1057576 date=1266773876]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=38984.msg1057569#msg1057569 date=1266773587]
yossi was either honest or stupid to stay on his feet, depends on which way you want to look at it.
[/quote]

i am 100% sure the ref would have given yossi the yellow card had he not stayed on his feet the ref was card happy today against us six yellow cards most were incorrect.
[/quote]

Funnily enough, I concur.

 

[Oncy]

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=38984.msg1057568#msg1057568 date=1266773546]
On the whole I agree with Squiggles and Oncy. I thought Insua was a liability, and that the second half was generally disappointing after some decent forward play and a few chances in the first half, BUT... a draw is a decent result at Eastlands, and I think in the end we'll probably finish fourth. Very happy to see Torres and Yossi back on the pitch, and if we can keep them and Gerrard injury-free till the end of the season, and stay solid at the back, I think we'll do it.

I also think we should sack Rafa irrespective of whether we qualify for the CL.
[/quote]Yup I want him gone soooooo bad. But sadly I think the yanks missed their window and now I'm convinced we'll get 4th, maybe win the Europa and we're stuck with him.
He'll be here next year for sure.
Sadly

 

[Sunny]

I don't think we'll finish fourth. I don't think we'll win the European losers cup either.

 

[the count]

[quote author=Sunny link=topic=38984.msg1057603#msg1057603 date=1266776595]
I don't think we'll finish fourth. I don't think we'll win the European losers cup either.
[/quote]
I disagree and agree with you Sunny in that order.

Although to be fair, the last time we were so shit in the league we managed to win some silverware in Europe.

 

[SummerOnions]

We will win the league.

[size=3pt]
of europa[/size]

 

[keniget]

I was bricking it every time they hit us on the counter at pace, so ultimately I think a draw was a decent result.

It's no real surprise that we failed to really threaten their goal because after all, this is the same team that scraped a 1-0 against a nothing Romanian side.

 

[Halmeister]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=38984.msg1057574#msg1057574 date=1266773781]
Turgid, unimaginative, shitbag tactics from Benitez yet again. Plod plod pod. Pass sideways 6 times, forward once, then back, pass sideways 6 times, forward once, then back, hoof, pass sideways 6 times, forward once, then back, pass sideways 6 times, forward once, then back, hoof. That's got fuck all to do with a lack of money, it's just a negative and safe approach.
[/quote]

This ^^^

 

[MomoWASright]

The referee was so shit its hard to believe.
[/quote]

He was fucking bollocks! De Jong threw himself in to a tackle in the first half both feet off the floor and we get a free kick. No cards when he could have seriously injured someone. 5 minutes later Gerrard flies at Lescott wins the ball and it goes for a throw then gets booked! I can't understand how somebody who is meant to be one of the top refs in English football can see the majority of the fouls today and incorrectly card people.

 

[Judge Jules]

That whole display from the ref today was one of the most blatant examples of home-town refereeing I can remember for quite a while.

 

[franklyfrank]

Shite match and a draw was 100% the correct result.

I never thought we'd take 3 points away at City so i'm happy enough. Defeat would have been disastrous.

Just like to give a mention to Skrtel today, thought he was outstanding in the heart of the defence. Held us together.

 

[localny]

As many know, I am a big backer of Benitez, and while I am impressed with the defensive nature of his game today, I'm tired of having the obvious flaws - not enough panache going forward.

We all saw this going into the season - Torres, Voronin and Ngog or Dirk wasn't enough. Yet we still have to endure what feels like the first season with a strike force of Neil mellor and Milan Baros as our best choices..

Man City are not as good as they want to be, nor as good as we think they are, especially without Tevez. We gave them too much respect. Having said that, we are on a better road these days than before Xmas.

It's just a big crisis of confidence. I think we should be playing for third, not forth.

I'm all over the gaff on these postings, but Rafa is essentially on the brink of even losing die-hards like me. Just too toothless and not enough talent in the team. He's not able to compete with Chelsea etc, in money markets but he's made some daft decisions on players. It's his team, and his fault not G and Hicks if we fail this badly.

And if we do, we'll be back at 2004, where we won't be able to lure big names to come to the club anymore because the big four is in fact the big three.. we'll just sign the troubled geniuses, and the "could be good, but who knows" signings.

 

[franklyfrank]

It's hard to believe this is by and large the same squad that last season battered some of the biggest and best clubs in world football and should really have won the League.