WEEKEND FOOTBALL - 12/15 JANUARY 2018

[Hjl]

I think that Rafa will throw a curveball, we'll attack them for a bit, possibly even score, then lose 5-1.

Afterwards everyone will be happier with a 5-1 loss than the 1-0 loss a few weeks back because we 'had a go'.

A loss is a loss. If this season comes down to goal difference (which is very unlikely) we've got bigger problems than not just rolling into a ball for 90 minutes twice against Man City.

I'd rather concede 1 than 5. Scoring 1 against city for a point is doable, 5 is not.

[Colly]

I don't think we're disagreeing. My point is that if we go 1-0 down that's not the time for damage limitation, shutting up shop when getting beat is nonsensical. If it gets to 3 then fine, protect your goal difference, but not when you're in the game.

[gotcoffee]

I don't think we're disagreeing. My point is that if we go 1-0 down that's not the time for damage limitation, shutting up shop when getting beat is nonsensical. If it gets to 3 then fine, protect your goal difference, but not when you're in the game.

If it gets to 3 we've just dropped a place in the table below Brighton and would be creeping towards Huddersfields current difference which would give them an advantage. Against teams like City it's damage limitation from kick off even if they score first (unless you're Liverpool of course)

[Toondes]

I don't think we're disagreeing. My point is that if we go 1-0 down that's not the time for damage limitation, shutting up shop when getting beat is nonsensical. If it gets to 3 then fine, protect your goal difference, but not when you're in the game.

This. And Liverpool just proved they aren’t invincible. I get it that we don’t want to get a hammering but I’d like to see us have a go. The game at St James was one of the most turgid games of football I have ever watched.
I pay money to be entertained and as has been mentioned it’s been over 10 years since a team went down on goal difference .

[TBC]

I don't think we're disagreeing. My point is that if we go 1-0 down that's not the time for damage limitation, shutting up shop when getting beat is nonsensical. If it gets to 3 then fine, protect your goal difference, but not when you're in the game.

This. And Liverpool just proved they aren’t invincible. I get it that we don’t want to get a hammering but I’d like to see us have a go. The game at St James was one of the most turgid games of football I have ever watched.
I pay money to be entertained and as has been mentioned it’s been over 10 years since a team went down on goal difference .

A point made many times over twitter too - but we are no where near as good as Liverpool and it took them 4 goals (and a lot of help from City's back line) to get the win, and even then it was close.

[bodacious benny]

Spending £225m (so far) in the last 2 transfer windows also helpe them.

[Colly]

I'm not in any way suggesting we go 4 up top and get silly, my point is that going into the game looking to "only lose by a bit" is a terrible attitude, and it's probably that kind of mindset that's prompting our players to play with the level of fear that they clearly are. It said a lot for me Saturday that the point where Atsu finally went "sod it, there's three men there but I'm in the final third" was the point he drew a foul and a free kick right on the edge of the area. The hesitancy we show, especially at home, is not good.

[MultipleJesuses]

I'm not in any way suggesting we go 4 up top and get silly, my point is that going into the game looking to "only lose by a bit" is a terrible attitude, and it's probably that kind of mindset that's prompting our players to play with the level of fear that they clearly are. It said a lot for me Saturday that the point where Atsu finally went "sod it, there's three men there but I'm in the final third" was the point he drew a foul and a free kick right on the edge of the area. The hesitancy we show, especially at home, is not good.

I'd say a big part of the fear comes from 50,000 of your own fans booing you when you make the wise decision of a safe pass sideways instead of losing the ball and triggering a counter attack.

Agree with the overall point though.

[originallad]

I can't stand Manure but could really do with them beating Stoke tonight.

[bodacious benny]

I can't stand Manure but could really do with them beating Stoke tonight.

Hopefully Stoke get absolutely smashed.

Ireland starts for them

[UlversToon]

I can't stand Manure but could really do with them beating Stoke tonight.

My feelings summed up exactly!

[UlversToon]

1-0 (stifled cheer)

[originallad]

1-0 (stifled cheer)

same

[Remember Colo]

Arsenal pushing for an equaliser and Lacazette is sat 20 yards outside the box. They are awful.

I know this is completely off topic but I've never seen a post more accurately describe Mitrovic.

I thought our bench was further than 20 yards outside the box?

[originallad]

Manure s**** and Stoke playing really well.

[bodacious benny]

2-0

[Speedo]

2-0

Shaqiri demonstrating his usual approach to man marking there - stand 10 yards goalside of your man and put your hands on your hips. Martial literally standing still for 5 seconds and no one is within 10 yards of him.

[originallad]

Been very few and far between. But did a quiet "gerrin" for the second manure goal just then.

[UlversToon]

Been very few and far between. But did a quiet "gerrin" for the second manure goal just then.

I would have happily settled for 1-0!

[originallad]

Been very few and far between. But did a quiet "gerrin" for the second manure goal just then.

I would have happily settled for 1-0!

I'll be happy with two nil now