Mistle17

I must say in the past month or two I've been highly critical of him, and imo that was justified. But since the West Brom game he's turned the team on its head and seemed to find the right balance throughout the team. We are now playing much improved football. Instead of being negative and worrying more about the opposition he's focused more on the ammunition at our disposal instead and found a way to fit Ben Arfa, Cisse and Ba in the same team together...and it's worked! Also his decision to deploy Jonas as a CM has impressed me. The way we set up now is just perfect for away games, especially. Long may it continue. Edit- And the way he's plugged the gaps at the back with such a threadbare defence has been fantastic.

I'm honestly not expecting a feast of goals here. I think it'll be tighter than we think- although we should definitely have enough to see Bolton off. If Cabaye and Tiote are out then Coloccini coming back should nearly balance things out.

If he scored today or even last week then I don't think Sky would have tried to make a meal out of the situation. But did anyone see him on the bench when Cisse scored the second? He looked quite miserable to say the least. As Rob Lee said, it's what happens next season that could dictate.

-1

Tbh, while I agree he's done well, I'd question his stubbornness with how he has them playing. Yes, carpet football is nice to watch but you looked comfortable today. They have no plan B and plan A, just recently, has consistently not been working. They're a good side but not good enough to just cut through teams constantly. Obviously, looks great when it does work. True, but with the players at his disposal I don't think they'll be able to produce that cutting edge at the end of their fantastic football. Well, at least not consistently. I think if Rodgers brought in new, better players that could play in his system it could be a different story.

Demba gets strawberry syrup with his trebles, like.

Met Leon Best in Florita's on Sunday night after the game. (I) Was absolutely hammered but can remember shaking his hand and he said he'll be back in two weeks... Also saw Danny Simpson in Bijoux that night and Ben Arfa on Monday night in The Gate. I'm on a stalking role!

That spoiler

Draw

Yeah, there wasn't a whole lot to separate us- I thought it was quite a 'fragile' game, as in both teams like a bit vulnerable against each other. But when we scored I think that really flattened them and they struggled from there on.

Brilliant!!

Same gameplan against WBA is what I'd be tempted to play. Like prior to yesterday, I would be happy with a draw but we're capable!

I know we've proved we're capable of replacing players adequately, but I see no need to break up the spine of our team, we should be looking to add to it/build around it. But then again if as ridiculous money offer comes in then I guess it must be considered. Can't see Chelsea throwing money about this summer, so only Man City realistically can I see making huge offers.

What other teams did you have on mate? That's disastrous!

Certainly does highlight how average/uncompetitive our league can be. For competition and entertainment the Bundesliga is right up there.

Certainly Tiote. Nervous about Ba though.

Just avoid defeat here. Please.

How do we know Dalglish signed them and not someone else at board level or someone in his backroom tipped him off? also my point was my feeling that Dalglish would prefer a british player over a foreigner 9/10. Wormy explained what i meant pretty well also your probably right he's no O'Neill but hes definitely no Ferguson either. I certainly don't think anyone at boardroom-level at that time had a clue about players (which could make your point relevant), so my guess would be it was all Dalglish's work.

Sounds like he's almost admitting we got the better end of the deal.

What really infuriated me at the time of his sale was that I remember watching an interview with him shortly before the Chelsea game last November. He stated that he would love to spend the rest of his career at the club and didn't have any intention of moving. It just made the whole thing harder to accept. And then of course you had the fact that we failed to sign a replacement for him which was, at the time, a very frightening position we left ourselves in. Add to this the Hughton/Pardew fiasco and the owners history that portrays them and it just left me with utter despair. However, we seem to have maximised our advantage with that money and built the foundations for a potentially very promising squad. To me it's almost worrying to think of our style of play right now with Pardew having Carroll at his disposal for the direct game. Ba and Cisse every day of the week for me

When Carroll comes on just start chanting Ba & Cisse's names.

Had an electrician around the other day. He was a mackem. When he found out I was a 'Mag' he became all bitter and childish. Told me that he had tickets for 'an FA Cup quarter final' in a patronising (lol), childish tone. Also said he had his tickets, travel and accommodation booked for Wembley Then said how sick we're going to be seeing them lift the cup and doing nothing on Thursday nights next season. Oh well....

I honestly wouldn't mind Hoddle. I don't think we're spoilt for choice at the moment so it might come down to the fact that its between Hoddle, Pearce and someone else. Obviously, if 'Arry is available then he should get the nod, but I have a feeling England will struggle to find many options certainly short term. Long term, I think some managers might be tempted to try and succeed where so many have failed- so that could bring with it some exciting names. But I don't think the FA are capable and that's general knowledge now which could well work against us. But whoever it is long term they don't have a lot to work with. Compare us to Spain, Germany, France, Netherlands etc and we have a severe lack of up and coming talent in abundance. We don't even have a bloody national training centre for f*** sake. It's all caught up on us now. And for the record; I cant see us getting past the group stages.

What sort of defender runs away from an opposing payer with his back to him? I've lost words as to how bad this guy is. And for those saying he'd be ideal as 'backup' because all he needs is a bit of competition- well, he couldn't cut it in the Championship so the mere fact that he's completely out of his depth will not change with competition, and neither will learning the basics of defending and intelligence. Woeful player, get rid ASAP.