Premiership - 13th August 2011

by Guest Sat 13 Aug 2011, 9:01 am

First topic message reminder :

Today sees the return of the premiership! (about time, It's a nightmare during the summer with no footy)

Today's matches:

Blackburn v Wolves 15:00
Fulham v Aston Villa 15:00
Liverpool v Sunderland 15:00
Newcastle v Arsenal 17:30
QPR v Bolton 15:00
Wigan v Norwich 15:00

How do you see the games going today?
And don't forget to join the v2 prediction league, 96 in so far!
https://www.606v2.com/t10360-prediction-league-partnership

by AberdeenSteve Sun 23 Oct 2011, 5:04 pm

We will see how they get on when they have to make a difficult away trip in the middle of December. Not so sure Silva & co will enjoy that.

by AlexHuckerby Sun 23 Oct 2011, 5:07 pm

AberdeenSteve wrote:We will see how they get on when they have to make a difficult away trip in the middle of December. Not so sure Silva & co will enjoy that.

With the ridiculous strength in depth they have and a fair few players that are used to it, I imagine they will be fine, let's not Silva was ok last season through it hitting for 4th spot, now the whole team has gelled and look at all the subs they have, nearly all world class of a very high calibur!
Players like Zabaleta are sturggling to make the bench, the power they have is incredible...
Chelsea are gonna have to pull there finger out.

by Don Corleone187 Sun 23 Oct 2011, 6:53 pm

man utd < man city

The amount of times Evra was caught out of position was crazy. His defensive abilities have gotten really bad since last year.

by **Crimey** Sat 05 Nov 2011, 4:58 pm

Once again a unbelievably frustrating match, we're creating the chances, but just not putting them away. Like the Norwich game we were really unlucky that their goalkeeper was in top, top form. We had some really good spells, and some poor ones, that was our worst performance since the Spurs game though.

I think Jordan Henderson cannot start anymore, he's just not at the level we need right now, or at least not as a right sided midfielder, he doesn't have the pace to be a winger, but neither does he have the delivery or ability to go past a man. He is always looking to come into the centre of the pitch and it messes up the fluidity of our play.

Really annoying match to watch, and even more annoying result. These are the games we need to win comfortably, I think we need to pick up three points from some of the bigger sides to make up for this result and others such as Norwich.

by Guest Sat 05 Nov 2011, 5:21 pm

Don't mean to sound pessimistic but are we (Liverpool) looking at yet another false dawn? Draws at home to Sunderland, Nowrich and Swansea just ain't good enough. Decent teams take care of these sides with ease.

A top four spot, which is a minimum requirement for me considering the spending this year, is fast turning into a slog. As Leak said we're now going to have to scalp points off the better teams.

Going into this season I was hoping we'd win 14+ home games but Anfield doesn't seem to hold any fears for away teams anymore.

Arsenal have finally found some form and Spurs have a couple of games in hand which should they win will make it even harder for us to cement Champions League football for next year. And lets not forget Newcastle who are performing better than any of us expected.

I think the honeymoon period for Kenny Dalglish is now over and how long before the natives become restless?

by **Crimey** Sat 05 Nov 2011, 5:37 pm

The worst part is we're playing decent football and creating bucket-loads of chances but just not putting them away, had we put them away in those games you have mentioned as well as in the United game we could be second right now.

Carroll and Suarez both have their positives, and I think Carroll is getting better with each game, but we don't have a finisher in the team, somebody we can rely on to hit the back of the net, it's surprising how many chances Suarez wastes considering how many he scored in Holland, which would suggest that if his finishing was actually better he would have been scoring 50+ a season rather than the 44 he did.

We need to keep up the good attacking football, but just have that final end product and we'd be sorted.

I'm not too pessimistic, as I think we're still able to finish top 4, and if not, I think next season we will only be better with the new players settling in better.

by **Kenny** Sat 05 Nov 2011, 6:13 pm

No excuses we should be beating teams like Swansea at home .

Getting sick of hearing what a brilliant performance the away goalkeeper has had making strings of great saves .

Keep the faith

YNWA

by Davie Sat 05 Nov 2011, 9:13 pm

I heard Liverpool fans on Talksport tonight saying that Swansea "played Liverpool off the park". That sounds a little more than just an away keeper having a good game

"False Dawn" may well be correct

by Guest Sat 05 Nov 2011, 9:52 pm

Apparently Joe Allen had another stormer, he's had quite a few of those already this season.

Newcastle picked up another 3pts today against a tough Everton side. Last season we only won 11 games, but already I think we've won 8. Much improved compared to these fixtures last season. This season we've picked up 24pts from Arsenal(H), Sunderland(A), Fulham(H), Villa(A), Blackburn(H), Wolves(A), Spurs(H), Wigan(H), Stoke(A) and Everton(H). Last season we only picked up 6pts from those fixtures.

by Fernando Sat 05 Nov 2011, 9:55 pm

Joe Allen is going to be a quality player

Im not actually that surprised by the start newcastle have made due to pardew was impressed by him when at west ham. I also think getting rid of the trouble makers in the changing room has done wonders for the club.

Very delighted with Arsenal's win today Koscielny + Vermaelen look like they could turn into a quality cb pairing

by ncfc_Tooze Sat 05 Nov 2011, 10:25 pm

you wont have it so easy next game nando Wink

by **Crimey** Sat 05 Nov 2011, 10:39 pm

Davie wrote:I heard Liverpool fans on Talksport tonight saying that Swansea "played Liverpool off the park". That sounds a little more than just an away keeper having a good game

"False Dawn" may well be correct

I think that is an overreaction based on the disappointment of the result to be honest. The first half we played much better than Swansea who had only one real chance, where as we were extremely unlucky to not be ahead. Second half, Swansea had some very good periods, credit to them, but we still were very unlucky at the end not to get a goal once or twice. I think 0-0 was probably a fair result, but had Carroll converted that early chance the game could have been so much different.

I was impressed with Routledge, who I had always written off based on his performances at his past clubs, but he was playing like a really quality winger today, but at the same time I was happy with Glen Johnson at right back who looked a lot better defensively, coping with Dyer and Routledge despite both being on top form, but still had his usual attacking play as well.

I think we can't get too disheartened by the result, there's plenty of time left in the season, and the saying always is not to worry when you stop creating the chances, and as we're still doing that, I think there's still plenty of positives.

by Fernando Sat 05 Nov 2011, 11:13 pm

ncfc_Tooze wrote:you wont have it so easy next game nando

If you play like you did today then it will be very easy been putting chances on a plate for the other sides Wink

by ncfc_Tooze Sat 05 Nov 2011, 11:33 pm

will be different next game, whitbread will proberly be back.

by ncfc_Tooze Sat 19 Nov 2011, 5:38 pm

ahhh well,we didnt do too bad.
I think I saw Walcott make about 2 runs and geviniho fell over more than anything else.

by Kay Fabe Sat 19 Nov 2011, 5:51 pm

I enjoyed your game today, thought Arsenal could have scored 4 or 5 but the only real difference was RVP

by ncfc_Tooze Sat 19 Nov 2011, 6:03 pm

yeah, RVP looked most up for it today

by **Kenny** Sun 20 Nov 2011, 5:59 pm

Didn't expect to get anything out of todays game if i'm honest , poor game but gladly take the 3 points

by Guest Sat 26 Nov 2011, 6:07 pm

Good result from the toon today, even if it was a dodgy penalty. Looking forward to seeing the highlights, Newcastle did well at the end to hang on for a point with some great defending.

by Guest Sat 26 Nov 2011, 6:19 pm

How Fabio didn't get sent off is beyond me. Reffing was awful but I felt we deserved a point in the end.

by **Mat** Sat 26 Nov 2011, 7:36 pm

Yet more decisions went to the big side against us today. Referee bottled it by not sending off Sandro at 1-1.

by ncfc_Tooze Sat 26 Nov 2011, 9:20 pm

back up to 9th, looking good for safety at end of the season

by **Crimey** Sun 27 Nov 2011, 6:04 pm

I think if somebody had offered a 1-1 draw with City before the game I'd have took it. I was really not looking forward to the game, thinking we might get thrashed, but I think we were probably the better side and perhaps deserved a win. Joe Hart was outstanding.

by Guest Sun 27 Nov 2011, 7:12 pm

Balotelli is such a loose cannon. I think the 2nd red was a tad harsh, but his reaction was crazy, and mancini looked so let down on the sidelines.

by **Kenny** Mon 28 Nov 2011, 10:33 am

I would of taken a draw at the start , but thought we deserved a win in the end . Need to turn these home draws into wins .

Thought the sending off was harsh , definate yellow for first foul , second was 50/50 . Looks like Balotelli owes Liverpool for a new door aswell Laugh

by monzon Mon 28 Nov 2011, 11:35 am

I'm not sure Liverpool did deserve to win, to be completely honest. They were excellent for the last 20-25 minutes, but City ran the game before that, and despite Liverpool's late pressure i always felt that they wouldn't have enough quality to score a winner and that if either side did sneak one it might be City.

A result that suits both sides, really. City stay unbeaten and hurdle one of the toughest away days of the season. Liverpool earn a credible draw with a side who'll finish above them.

Really impressed with Lucas and Charlie Adam. Enrique was excellent, too, as was Agger.

Not so impressed with Suarez falling over every thirty seconds. It's a shame. If he cut that out of his game he could be one of the most exciting players to watch in England.

by Davie Mon 28 Nov 2011, 11:39 am

I've watched Liverpool a few times this season already on TV and I can't believe how Lucas stays on the pitch for 90 minutes in some games. Seems a nasty piece of work

by **Kenny** Mon 28 Nov 2011, 11:43 am

Lucas is one of those players that niggle away at you , always chirping at the ref . He has come on in the last couple of seasons , can see how he would annoy people though.

by monzon Mon 28 Nov 2011, 11:45 am

Davie wrote:I've watched Liverpool a few times this season already on TV and I can't believe how Lucas stays on the pitch for 90 minutes in some games. Seems a nasty piece of work

He is extremely niggly, but i guess players in that role have to be, to some extent.

Credit where credit's due, though. He's gone from being Liverpool's worst (or at least most-mocked) player, to arguably their most consistant.

by dublfcynwa Mon 28 Nov 2011, 12:55 pm

Lucas is the boss, he was by far the best player on the pitch yesterday and is easily one of the best defensive mid's in Europe at the moment and he only cost £5mil, Liverpool fan's have Rafa to thank for him.

by Guest Mon 28 Nov 2011, 12:57 pm

i think Lucas is extrmeely underrated to be honest. He does a very good job in the middle of the park.

by Thomond Sat 21 Jan 2012, 8:37 pm

Anyone see the Villa game today? Saw the highlights there. Since when does Robbie Keane take shots outside the box? He scored a cracker!

by ncfc_Tooze Sat 21 Jan 2012, 9:03 pm

excellent draw for us today

by AberdeenSteve Sat 21 Jan 2012, 9:05 pm

Go Bolton!

Yahoo

by **Kenny** Sun 22 Jan 2012, 12:04 am

We simply were not good enough again today .

by westisbest Sun 22 Jan 2012, 1:02 pm

Thomond wrote:Anyone see the Villa game today? Saw the highlights there. Since when does Robbie Keane take shots outside the box? He scored a cracker!

Great result for us yesterday.

Great stuff from keano. Shame we only have him for a few weeks.

2nd goal was a cracker.

by **Mat** Sun 22 Jan 2012, 3:34 pm

Fantastic result for the Albion yesterday, I bow down to the tactical genius of Roy Hodgson. The worst side we've put out this season and we win 2-1, against Stoke who we never beat!

by John Cregan Sun 22 Jan 2012, 3:44 pm

Balotelli disgraces himself and his club once more........a dirty, cowardly player in the mould of Cantona. Not man enough to face someone man to man, much easier to stamp on them...............

by kwinigolfer Sun 22 Jan 2012, 3:55 pm

Who do you blame though, John?
Mancini certainly doesn't do anything about it.
Lescott should have had a red card and conceded penalty, Man City should have been down to nine men and a possible goal, if the penalty was scored.

What will the sweet FA do about either incident that Howard Webb was apparently powerless to? Probably not much.

by John Cregan Sun 22 Jan 2012, 4:00 pm

We will now be faced with a barrage of Bull**it about "his momentum", how it was "accidental" when the reality is that he committed 2 red card offences in the space of 2 seconds......................and anyone who knows the game knows this........as regards the FA, i have no idea what they will do!!

by **Kenny** Sun 22 Jan 2012, 5:37 pm

It was a bad challenge if thats what they are calling it , will it be in the referees report ? he did seem to think anything was untoward at the time .

by John Cregan Sun 22 Jan 2012, 8:25 pm

Webb proved at the World Cup Final that he lacks bottle............now maybe he didn't see it. If he did see it and deemed it accidental, then god help us...............

you get this in rugby a lot, players being given "benefit of doubt" when in fact, players have a duty of care to each other when other are in vulnerable positions................

Balotelli is a bad character, pure and simple, and he is unable to cope with being tackled, Cantona was a bit the same.............

Over to the FA now........lets see whether want to set down a marker.........

by **Crimey** Tue 31 Jan 2012, 9:57 pm

I'm hoping that this isn't another false dawn for Liverpool, but after a bad run of games, confidence is high and we could make a charge towards a top four place and make the most of the poor form of Arsenal and Chelsea.

Andy Carroll is finally starting to find form, a good game against United, an even better one against Wolves, he's clearly fighting to keep his first team place with Suarez about to return. A goal against Wolves, so hopefully his confidence will boost. Not looking like a £35 million player, but still looking like a striker who can actually offer something now.

Craig Bellamy is an absolute steal, without Suarez almost everything good comes through him, assists, goals and just being a general nuisance, excellent piece of business, and I was sceptical at first.

Kuyt has found his shooting boots the last two games after looking totally ineffectual for the rest of the reason, hopefully this means we're getting the hard work and the ability to pop and grab key goals side of Kuyt rather than the headless chicken Kuyt.

I think the biggest positive for me is Jordan Henderson. I wasn't excited by his transfer, his performances proved why I wasn't, but recently I have been really impressed. He goes under the radar, but his passing is really good, he's everywhere on the pitch, playing beautiful through balls, trying to whip him crosses, making tackles. After I thought we had wasted a lot of money, I think he could turn out to be a very good signing.

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