Springbok FC
26 Dec 2007, 12:39 PM
Forgive the pomposity of this thread, as it is essentially me throwing my two cents in for the last 18 days of LFC ongoings. (Because you really need my thoughts, don't you???) Anyway, hope everyone had a merry one and a happy one. I've been watching all the matches, certainly, but no time to breathe or comment on them recently with work being such a bear. Aaaanyway...
3-1 loss to Reading: Shock loss. Perhaps looking ahead to Marseille? Possibly, but it's results like that which take us out of contention.
4-0 rampage over Marseille: I never had any doubt. Backs against the wall, don't want to wake up the next day and be stuck in the UEFA Cup. It's the best I've seen the team play in years. I still have the match saved on my DVR.
1-0 snakebite to the Scum: This lucky Tevez strike was more crushing than ever. Not only another missed opportunity at home against the team who shall not be named, but it was yet another occassion in which we could not beat another one of the top 4. With every dropped point against Chelski, Gunners, and Scum, the inferiority complex grows. 10 points off the pace with four teams ahead of us seems like too much to overcome.
2-0 fall from Carling Cup against Chelski: This match I actually did not see. Crouch's red certainly didn't help matters. I realize that it's just the Carling, but you hate to lose to Fat Frank and company in anything. Again, we fail to beat one of the top three. Not much for confidence, here.
It's Inter in the CL: Shades of last year's round of 16 draw, eh? Once again, we're paired with what looks to be the best side in Europe, right now. I actually have no idea what to think. On the one hand, we're a team built for these kinds of encounters. On the other, you just never know if we'll be mentally present on the day -- especially with some of our recent play.
4-1 smashing of Pompey: A quality win over a good side. Honestly, I was a bit surprised. But great showings, once again, from Torres and Yossi. Is this our way of saying, "It's not over yet?"
2-1 escape from Pride Park: Evidently, the answer to the previous question is, "Only if we're lucky." Hard as it is to imagine, we had no business taking three points today, but a win is a win is a win. Still, we need a lot of help if we're make up ground on the leaders while playing like this. The maddening business about these last two weeks is simply how erratic we've looked. And being so far adrift in the title race, it should be implicitly understood that we can't drop points against the likes of Derby or Wigan, which means that we can't pick and choose the matches that we "show up" for (like Marseille). We have to be virtually perfect from here on out.
Transfer window coming up: I'll say it again, Riise needs to go. I understand that's he's been a quality servant to the club and he's supplied us with some cracking memories with that left foot of his, but I'm sorry, he's a shell of what he used to be and there's no indication that he'll turn it around. Sell him off to Fulham and FFS buy some cover central defense. That's really the only purchase I'm keen to see -- another central defender. We need another midfielder like we need a cricket bat to the face and, while Torres is Mr. Consistent, he can't play every match. I don't see the point, though, in splurging for another forward, especially when I don't see Kuyt, Crouch, or Voronin leaving.
Okay, that's me. Some superficial yammering on my part, but I just had to spin my wheels. I just think it's high time we put any thoughts of a league title, this season, to bed. That's not based on lack of support, obviously, but rather the reality of our inconsistency coupled with the points gap. Matters aren't helped by the fact that we still have to visit Stamford Bridge, Emirates, and Old Trafford. We're a good side, but we're mentally a shambles and something's gotta give if that's ever going to change.
Hope everyone's been well and will continue to celebrate the holidays in good health.
3-1 loss to Reading: Shock loss. Perhaps looking ahead to Marseille? Possibly, but it's results like that which take us out of contention.
4-0 rampage over Marseille: I never had any doubt. Backs against the wall, don't want to wake up the next day and be stuck in the UEFA Cup. It's the best I've seen the team play in years. I still have the match saved on my DVR.
1-0 snakebite to the Scum: This lucky Tevez strike was more crushing than ever. Not only another missed opportunity at home against the team who shall not be named, but it was yet another occassion in which we could not beat another one of the top 4. With every dropped point against Chelski, Gunners, and Scum, the inferiority complex grows. 10 points off the pace with four teams ahead of us seems like too much to overcome.
2-0 fall from Carling Cup against Chelski: This match I actually did not see. Crouch's red certainly didn't help matters. I realize that it's just the Carling, but you hate to lose to Fat Frank and company in anything. Again, we fail to beat one of the top three. Not much for confidence, here.
It's Inter in the CL: Shades of last year's round of 16 draw, eh? Once again, we're paired with what looks to be the best side in Europe, right now. I actually have no idea what to think. On the one hand, we're a team built for these kinds of encounters. On the other, you just never know if we'll be mentally present on the day -- especially with some of our recent play.
4-1 smashing of Pompey: A quality win over a good side. Honestly, I was a bit surprised. But great showings, once again, from Torres and Yossi. Is this our way of saying, "It's not over yet?"
2-1 escape from Pride Park: Evidently, the answer to the previous question is, "Only if we're lucky." Hard as it is to imagine, we had no business taking three points today, but a win is a win is a win. Still, we need a lot of help if we're make up ground on the leaders while playing like this. The maddening business about these last two weeks is simply how erratic we've looked. And being so far adrift in the title race, it should be implicitly understood that we can't drop points against the likes of Derby or Wigan, which means that we can't pick and choose the matches that we "show up" for (like Marseille). We have to be virtually perfect from here on out.
Transfer window coming up: I'll say it again, Riise needs to go. I understand that's he's been a quality servant to the club and he's supplied us with some cracking memories with that left foot of his, but I'm sorry, he's a shell of what he used to be and there's no indication that he'll turn it around. Sell him off to Fulham and FFS buy some cover central defense. That's really the only purchase I'm keen to see -- another central defender. We need another midfielder like we need a cricket bat to the face and, while Torres is Mr. Consistent, he can't play every match. I don't see the point, though, in splurging for another forward, especially when I don't see Kuyt, Crouch, or Voronin leaving.
Okay, that's me. Some superficial yammering on my part, but I just had to spin my wheels. I just think it's high time we put any thoughts of a league title, this season, to bed. That's not based on lack of support, obviously, but rather the reality of our inconsistency coupled with the points gap. Matters aren't helped by the fact that we still have to visit Stamford Bridge, Emirates, and Old Trafford. We're a good side, but we're mentally a shambles and something's gotta give if that's ever going to change.
Hope everyone's been well and will continue to celebrate the holidays in good health.