I agree we should take it seriously, it's the sensitivity to the negative stuff that I think we need to pull back on. We are a club with troubles and winning by the skin of our teeth is acceptable occasionally but not good enough.
Little Miss Sunshine visits Miseryland where smiling and laughing is forbidden! I'm as happy as anybody to get a semi final win over the Bitters, but lets not pretend it was some history making, ground breaking, we could beat the world if we played like this every week..... IF we won a second cup this season, I'll be estatic, elated, on top of the world and I'd wear your rose coloured glasses. It would put some polish on perhaps the worst season I've experienced and I remember the second division before Shankly came along. Keep on smiling though...
If it isn't obvious to everyone by now, Andy Carroll is an utter bottler and he needs to be sent packing. Except for Saturday.
Because win, lose, or draw, the team is not playing well. If the team was playing well and not getting the results (like under Rafa), I would be more upbeat. But, we are underachieving, and making dumb mistakes as players and as a staff.
Yeah there are mistakes, but this past week was one of the craziest, most enjoyable weeks I've had watching Liverpool in a long time. Liverpool games are becoming fun to watch again. And for the first time in a while, both when it was 2-2 against Blackburn, and 0-1 against Everton, I had NO doubt that Liverpool would win both matches. The team has shown a shitload of heart over the past couple games, so I refuse to do anything but credit them for their fortitude. Especially Andy Carroll. He has taken more stick than anyone this season (outside of Suarez, but we're talking performances here), and yet here he is popping up and scoring two game winning goals. One of which sent us to the final of an FA cup. This fighting, never-say-die Liverpool is the team I've been waiting to see.
That's nice for you, feels good to hear you say that and I'm glad we won. But I remember how liverpool can play football.
More of the same Andy and all the talk will be about how well you're fitting into the team and how the results are so much better. Simple stuff.
More of the same, and the talk will still be: "why can't you score from inside the 6-yard box, ya big dumb oaf?"
Re-watching Saturday's match and Big Andy is a handful throughout the second half. He wins every ball in the air or at his feet, plays a lot of good first time balls with both his feet and head, and it was a long headed ball which put Distin under pressure for Suarez to steal off Andy. Plus on corners and the like he put in a really good shift defending.
Come on now...he played really well Saturday. The miss was bad and he did exactly what I'd expect a pro to do after that, he hustled and scored the winner.
I thought he worked fairly hard and showed a lot of fight for the team, a lot of confidence, and I am really encouraged.
If you search my posts, you'll see that I don't think he is a bad person. I don't see the character issue that others do. I just see confusion and bad judgment on the pitch. And, I don't think he is talented enough to be starting at our club. His technique is poor, and his decision-making is slow and poor. However, I am happy now that he's working hard and making and impact - which is good. But, to be honest, that's the bare minimum expected from a Liverpool player, and he wasn't always working very hard or making any impact.
That was biggest gripe. He didn't just work hard enough; that is, until he got awful barracking at Newcastle and then probably realised that the option of simply sauntering back to St James' Park was gone, and Anfield was the new reality.
Since the dive at Newcastle, Carroll is suddenly winning balls in the air. His play on the deck has also dramatically improved, and he's anticipating the play a little better. This has been a dramatic turnaround. I still think he's slow, but if his instincts mature (they will) and we can add speed on the flanks, he can work into a system where he's the focus of the attack in the air, plus a cog in the system on the deck. His finishing remains troubling, and he'll never be a #9 who can run in behind defenses, but if he has indeed turned a corner since at Newcastle, then he's got a place on the team, in my obviously correct opinion.
My biggest gripe too was his low work rate and sulkiness. I'm sure he's got some talent (a bit less than 35 million quid's worth mind) and hope for his and our sakes' he comes good.
That really did seem to be a turning point. Perhaps he had to see his ex with another in order to let go and commit to his new girl.
Andy Carroll: Liverpool's number 9 for years to come I hope. I really think the lad has turned a corner. I have seen a lot of from him over the last several matches and he just may come good. Today, I was the first time the Suarez/ Carroll partnership was able to shine and shine it did. I am excited about what he will do for our club. Now, let's get some frackin' midfield help!
Loving his form the past 6 games. Simply astounding reversal. He actually stepped over and showed quick feet in the box, eluding a defender! Winning everything in the air. Hope.