STM

I'm not having that like. We were worse in the second half but I don't think Rafa changed anything and I stand by that. I was openly critical of him not changing things before they scored, as you could see it coming and also critical of his decision not to bring Murphy on. Other than that, I don't think he could have done anything differently. Edit: What Kaspar said.

HTT, I don't think Rafa changed the game plan at half time. I think they did.

You saw what happened at the end of the second half though? We lost the ball in a dangerous area and nearly conceded because we didn't have the quality to maintain the pressure.

Absolutely. We just dont have the quality.

I don't think I've ever been so sceptical about us signing players as I am right now. Every link just goes in one ear and then out of the other.

HTT we dont have the capability of opening up against teams. It's nothing to do with tactics whatsoever. You can't attack more without defending less IMO and in this scenario we can't afford to play any more expansive. One of my big gripes about the criticism of Rafa after the city game, was the idea that we were deliberately conceeding possesion against them, as apposed to the reality, which was that we couldn't get the ball of them.

Agreed. It's not pretty but its the only chance we have. Games are going to be tight and we aren't going to batter teams.

While outsiders will say this, we cannot go into any game thinking like this. We have to have a level of delusion and tell ourselves we can get something. It's stupid, I know, but negativity will send us down. Oh, aye. I wasn't suggesting that should be Rafa's team talk. "Ok lads, let's keep it in single figures!"

Also have Bournemouth, Southampton and West Brom. All of whom I think we will pick up points against. They might be draws but they add up!

We still have some favourable fixtures left. Huddersfield/Burnley at home stick out and Palace and Watford away. Could see us winning 2/3 of them. Our home form will change at some point. We have lost 1 out of 6 games or so, in all comps and that was against City. We need to keep that up. We now seem to be drawing games which we were losing during our bad spell.

The Liverpool game will have no barring on our game with them. We will get turned over regardless. Goal difference may be important come the end of the season, so keep the scoreline low. Might even nick one on the break if we play Murphy and Atsu. 3-1 City.

Intelligent? That's probably the last attribute he has. He is a physical presence mind.

Drop Richie for Murphy and we will be a better side.

His performance yesterday was nothing like that of earlier in the season. He was picking up the ball and driving forward, it made such a difference. I wish he'd get the ball out of his feet and shoot a little more.

Rafa should have brought Murphy on... well actually he should have started Murphy. Game should have been out of sight by half time but poor finishing cost us again. Have no qualms with the players effort and desire. Although Shelvey is a huffy little twat. Dummett, Atsu and Perez had good games.

Class signing for them Walters, in the position they are in.

Sorry to cherry pick one statement Groo, but you don't think Tammy Abraham has worked out? I've seen articles where pundits are putting him on the plane to the WC. (I personally think it would be a good idea for us to sign Sturridge or Carroll, assuming they're up for grabbing their last WC chance) Reckon the Tammy Abraham love in has died down since the start of the season, mind. Selling Llorente and Sigurdsson and not replacing them is a right cunts trick.

he worked for nufc, and was sacked by ashley for not toeing the party line, other than that, you're spot on. Like i say, I think I got him confused with someone else. I still think its rubbish mind.

No he isn't. He's one of the better journos out there and hates Ashley and co. Can't remember that but I will take your word for it. Wonder if I'm getting him confused with another? Is Hope the one who used to blatantly come on here for stories?

Craig Hope is EXACTLY the sort of tosspot who would toe the party line for Mike Ashley.

At this stage Rafa has his hand down the back of the sofa looking for the Andy Carroll money.

I'd do a straight swap Shelvey for Hernandez like. I'd rather be scrapping around for a centre midfielder on loan than a striker. As grim as this whole farce is.

If there is money involved, count us out. We are so tight we wouldn't get someone in on a free.

To be fair, it's about context. Liverpool were once a power house, arguably the most dominant club this country has seen. Alot of their fan base remember those times, in the same we remember Keegan and SBR. It's not that they are moaning, it's that they have ambition for their club, in the same way we do. Whether that ambition is realistic or not is another matter but don't take away the hope.

He will get sacked today IMO.