Good article TB and a good time to reflect on our start.
I hold my hands up now and admit I was wrong about Soyuncu. I thought he’d struggle if required to be our first choice centreback. Yes there Are are still some mistakes he needs to cut out of his game but that aside he’s flying. Credit to him and Rodgers.
As for Rodgers, I said it after the game but I’ll say it again. He’s doing the opposite of what Puel did and he’s getting more and more from his players. They are improving under him. Barnes’ performance against Southampton a good example.
I also thought we’d struggle a little this season as we adapted to Rodgers system but we’ve had no such issue. It’s going very well and whilst we’ve not set the world alight against teams that sit in, we are breaking them down which was what we had problems doing before him.
We said judge things after 10 games. Well, I think we can all agree it’s going pretty well!
You boys are going very well
Definitely look to be in the mix to challenge for a top four spot and dare I say it the title?
We could and arguably should be top. We should have beaten Chelsea because we had the chances to get the three points in the second half, Maddison missing a great chance. Man Utd was bitterly disappointing too, why we went there with two CDM's I'll never understand, gave them far too much respect and could have come away with at least a point if we'd played our game. Also chucking the Liverpool game away in the 94th minute when it was so easy to avoid, Albrighton just needed to find row Z and we come away with a draw.
I'm also ecstatic we're not seeing the two CDM's anymore, it didn't work against Wolves, Chelsea first half or United so glad to see the back of that, obviously Rodgers learnt his lesson after the United game so fair play for acknowledging it.
I've been moaning for a long time about our full backs not getting in behind the opposition's full backs and getting to the byline, in particular Chilwell, but the last couple of games he's been doing that and it's made a huge difference.
On reflection you could say it's disappointing that we're only third but that's obviously being over critical, of course I'm delighted with being third. I guess that's an indication of how far we have come. Things are looking great and you'd have to say that we've not really hit our stride yet, there's still plenty of room for improvement and as the season progresses I have no doubt that we will get better.
Palace is going to be another tough one, I haven't yet reached the stage where I'm optimistic going into games thinking we're going to win, not the way I was when we won the league. I've pretty much predicted 1-1 every game so far so I'm going to stick with that scoreline every week I think.
I think the most encouraging thing so far is that we've been improving and some players like Tielemans and Perez look like they might be hitting their stride. We notched up more points than we deserved earlier in the season - both Wolves and Spurs relied on fortunate moments decided by VAR, but there's been no arguing with the wins against Newcastle and Southampton.
With regard to the teams we've played, only Liverpool have really been on another level - they were easily stronger that day and if we'd taken a point it would have been daylight robbery. Chelsea have got stronger and more consistent since we played them, but I think so have we.
As far as season aims go, I think there would be some disappointment if we didn't manage top 6. We certainly look top of "the rest" so far, and some top 6 teams look sufficiently weak that we have a real chance to finish above at least one of them. Top 4 would be pushing it - Arsenal will continue to be strong at home, Spurs may be disappointing their fans but they're still a good team, and Man Utd will surely get a new manager bounce at some point and spend lots in January. Surely one of them will go on a charge, but also one of them probably won't.
As for a title race, nice dream but forget it!
He's got plenty of character that's for sure.
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 8 minutes ago
I think the most encouraging thing so far is that we've been improving and some players like Tielemans and Perez look like they might be hitting their stride. We notched up more points than we deserved earlier in the season - both Wolves and Spurs relied on fortunate moments decided by VAR, but there's been no arguing with the wins against Newcastle and Southampton.
With regard to the teams we've played, only Liverpool have really been on another level - they were easily stronger that day and if we'd taken a point it would have been daylight robbery. Chelsea have got stronger and more consistent since we played them, but I think so have we.
As far as season aims go, I think there would be some disappointment if we didn't manage top 6. We certainly look top of "the rest" so far, and some top 6 teams look sufficiently weak that we have a real chance to finish above at least one of them. Top 4 would be pushing it - Arsenal will continue to be strong at home, Spurs may be disappointing their fans but they're still a good team, and Man Utd will surely get a new manager bounce at some point and spend lots in January. Surely one of them will go on a charge, but also one of them probably won't.
As for a title race, nice dream but forget it!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You could argue that our disallowed goal should have been allowed because while Perez was offside when Tielemans shot, he wasn't interfering with play because he wasn't obstructing the keepers view. If that shot had gone in the goal wouldn't have been disallowed for offside. By the time the ball was spilled he was back onside so really it shouldn't have been ruled out.
Son on the other hand was offside even if only marginally so they were the luckier of the two teams based on the VAR decisions that day, one arguably incorrect decision and one spot on.
Boly hand balled it and that's what VAR is there for so again we didn't get lucky, VAR simply did it's job and got the call spot on.
I’m not saying VAR got them wrong by the letter of the law, I’m saying the situations were fortunate - one where the ball deflected off a hand inadvertently in a law that is daft and should repealed, the other offside by millimetres at most and neither contested by our players. That’s 4 points gained by fortune in my book. Our disallowed goal against Spurs was completely correct; it can’t be argued as a new phase of play just because it has hit the keeper.
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 2 hours, 8 minutes ago
I’m not saying VAR got them wrong by the letter of the law, I’m saying the situations were fortunate - one where the ball deflected off a hand inadvertently in a law that is daft and should repealed, the other offside by millimetres at most and neither contested by our players. That’s 4 points gained by fortune in my book. Our disallowed goal against Spurs was completely correct; it can’t be argued as a new phase of play just because it has hit the keeper.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The argument isn't about a new phase of play it's about the fact that he wasn't interfering with play and once he did come into play it was from an onside position. As I said had Tielemans shot gone in it wouldn't have been disallowed.
Our two defeats gripe me somewhat. Not only for the fact they were both very marginal and by a single penalty goal, but there was never a better opportunity to beat Man Utd at Old Trafford, the manager to blame for our approach. And what seems like Liverpool on a slightly (only slightly) downward trajectory at the minute we could have cut the current gap by 3 points if not for a more measured approach from the players.
I, like most of us here put the draws against Wolves and Chelsea as either fortunate or unfortunate so probably evening themselves out just about, but not only that, we've got our early season experiments and fitness tests out of the way against (arguably) some of the leagues better opposition. Now we're hitting our stride with the more favourable fixtures and a chance to really stamp our intensions on the league. Friday night being a BIG statement. From both the manager and the players
Our NEXT 10 fixtures...
What dya reckon????
Sat, November 2 − Crystal Palace (A)
Sun, November 19 − Arsenal (H)
Sat, November 23 − Brighton (A)
Sat, November 30 − Everton (H)
Tue, December 3 − Watford (H)
Sat, December 7 − Aston Villa (A)
Sat, December 14 − Norwich (H)
Sat, December 21 − Manchester City (A)
Thu, December 26 − Liverpool (H)
Sat, December 28 − West Ham (A)
Incidently we play Liverpool twice before we play West Ham once. Christmas time a free hit somewhat!
Next ten fixtures: Definite opportunities there, at least there are in the next 7.
I noticed when the fixtures came out that we’re not playing every team by mid-season. There is something aesthetically irritating about that, but it’s probably close enough not to matter.
Good results for us today as well.
Football is mega at the minute 👍
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 0 seconds ago
Football is mega at the minute 👍
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I’m sure Spurs fans agree 🙃
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 3 hours, 58 minutes ago
Next ten fixtures: Definite opportunities there, at least there are in the next 7.
I noticed when the fixtures came out that we’re not playing every team by mid-season. There is something aesthetically irritating about that, but it’s probably close enough not to matter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We play the reverse against West Ham a few week later, I've noticed this happen most seasons, where a close NY game recalls the reverse quite soon after but I can't recall us playing a team twice before the first round of games are complete?
But, if i was to choose one to get out of the way it would be that fixture. Slight advantage
More than good enough start 9/10
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posted on 27/10/19
Good article TB and a good time to reflect on our start.
I hold my hands up now and admit I was wrong about Soyuncu. I thought he’d struggle if required to be our first choice centreback. Yes there Are are still some mistakes he needs to cut out of his game but that aside he’s flying. Credit to him and Rodgers.
As for Rodgers, I said it after the game but I’ll say it again. He’s doing the opposite of what Puel did and he’s getting more and more from his players. They are improving under him. Barnes’ performance against Southampton a good example.
I also thought we’d struggle a little this season as we adapted to Rodgers system but we’ve had no such issue. It’s going very well and whilst we’ve not set the world alight against teams that sit in, we are breaking them down which was what we had problems doing before him.
We said judge things after 10 games. Well, I think we can all agree it’s going pretty well!
posted on 27/10/19
You boys are going very well
Definitely look to be in the mix to challenge for a top four spot and dare I say it the title?
posted on 27/10/19
We could and arguably should be top. We should have beaten Chelsea because we had the chances to get the three points in the second half, Maddison missing a great chance. Man Utd was bitterly disappointing too, why we went there with two CDM's I'll never understand, gave them far too much respect and could have come away with at least a point if we'd played our game. Also chucking the Liverpool game away in the 94th minute when it was so easy to avoid, Albrighton just needed to find row Z and we come away with a draw.
I'm also ecstatic we're not seeing the two CDM's anymore, it didn't work against Wolves, Chelsea first half or United so glad to see the back of that, obviously Rodgers learnt his lesson after the United game so fair play for acknowledging it.
I've been moaning for a long time about our full backs not getting in behind the opposition's full backs and getting to the byline, in particular Chilwell, but the last couple of games he's been doing that and it's made a huge difference.
On reflection you could say it's disappointing that we're only third but that's obviously being over critical, of course I'm delighted with being third. I guess that's an indication of how far we have come. Things are looking great and you'd have to say that we've not really hit our stride yet, there's still plenty of room for improvement and as the season progresses I have no doubt that we will get better.
Palace is going to be another tough one, I haven't yet reached the stage where I'm optimistic going into games thinking we're going to win, not the way I was when we won the league. I've pretty much predicted 1-1 every game so far so I'm going to stick with that scoreline every week I think.
posted on 27/10/19
I think the most encouraging thing so far is that we've been improving and some players like Tielemans and Perez look like they might be hitting their stride. We notched up more points than we deserved earlier in the season - both Wolves and Spurs relied on fortunate moments decided by VAR, but there's been no arguing with the wins against Newcastle and Southampton.
With regard to the teams we've played, only Liverpool have really been on another level - they were easily stronger that day and if we'd taken a point it would have been daylight robbery. Chelsea have got stronger and more consistent since we played them, but I think so have we.
As far as season aims go, I think there would be some disappointment if we didn't manage top 6. We certainly look top of "the rest" so far, and some top 6 teams look sufficiently weak that we have a real chance to finish above at least one of them. Top 4 would be pushing it - Arsenal will continue to be strong at home, Spurs may be disappointing their fans but they're still a good team, and Man Utd will surely get a new manager bounce at some point and spend lots in January. Surely one of them will go on a charge, but also one of them probably won't.
As for a title race, nice dream but forget it!
posted on 27/10/19
He's got plenty of character that's for sure.
posted on 27/10/19
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 8 minutes ago
I think the most encouraging thing so far is that we've been improving and some players like Tielemans and Perez look like they might be hitting their stride. We notched up more points than we deserved earlier in the season - both Wolves and Spurs relied on fortunate moments decided by VAR, but there's been no arguing with the wins against Newcastle and Southampton.
With regard to the teams we've played, only Liverpool have really been on another level - they were easily stronger that day and if we'd taken a point it would have been daylight robbery. Chelsea have got stronger and more consistent since we played them, but I think so have we.
As far as season aims go, I think there would be some disappointment if we didn't manage top 6. We certainly look top of "the rest" so far, and some top 6 teams look sufficiently weak that we have a real chance to finish above at least one of them. Top 4 would be pushing it - Arsenal will continue to be strong at home, Spurs may be disappointing their fans but they're still a good team, and Man Utd will surely get a new manager bounce at some point and spend lots in January. Surely one of them will go on a charge, but also one of them probably won't.
As for a title race, nice dream but forget it!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You could argue that our disallowed goal should have been allowed because while Perez was offside when Tielemans shot, he wasn't interfering with play because he wasn't obstructing the keepers view. If that shot had gone in the goal wouldn't have been disallowed for offside. By the time the ball was spilled he was back onside so really it shouldn't have been ruled out.
Son on the other hand was offside even if only marginally so they were the luckier of the two teams based on the VAR decisions that day, one arguably incorrect decision and one spot on.
Boly hand balled it and that's what VAR is there for so again we didn't get lucky, VAR simply did it's job and got the call spot on.
posted on 27/10/19
I’m not saying VAR got them wrong by the letter of the law, I’m saying the situations were fortunate - one where the ball deflected off a hand inadvertently in a law that is daft and should repealed, the other offside by millimetres at most and neither contested by our players. That’s 4 points gained by fortune in my book. Our disallowed goal against Spurs was completely correct; it can’t be argued as a new phase of play just because it has hit the keeper.
posted on 27/10/19
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 2 hours, 8 minutes ago
I’m not saying VAR got them wrong by the letter of the law, I’m saying the situations were fortunate - one where the ball deflected off a hand inadvertently in a law that is daft and should repealed, the other offside by millimetres at most and neither contested by our players. That’s 4 points gained by fortune in my book. Our disallowed goal against Spurs was completely correct; it can’t be argued as a new phase of play just because it has hit the keeper.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The argument isn't about a new phase of play it's about the fact that he wasn't interfering with play and once he did come into play it was from an onside position. As I said had Tielemans shot gone in it wouldn't have been disallowed.
posted on 27/10/19
Our two defeats gripe me somewhat. Not only for the fact they were both very marginal and by a single penalty goal, but there was never a better opportunity to beat Man Utd at Old Trafford, the manager to blame for our approach. And what seems like Liverpool on a slightly (only slightly) downward trajectory at the minute we could have cut the current gap by 3 points if not for a more measured approach from the players.
I, like most of us here put the draws against Wolves and Chelsea as either fortunate or unfortunate so probably evening themselves out just about, but not only that, we've got our early season experiments and fitness tests out of the way against (arguably) some of the leagues better opposition. Now we're hitting our stride with the more favourable fixtures and a chance to really stamp our intensions on the league. Friday night being a BIG statement. From both the manager and the players
posted on 27/10/19
Our NEXT 10 fixtures...
What dya reckon????
Sat, November 2 − Crystal Palace (A)
Sun, November 19 − Arsenal (H)
Sat, November 23 − Brighton (A)
Sat, November 30 − Everton (H)
Tue, December 3 − Watford (H)
Sat, December 7 − Aston Villa (A)
Sat, December 14 − Norwich (H)
Sat, December 21 − Manchester City (A)
Thu, December 26 − Liverpool (H)
Sat, December 28 − West Ham (A)
posted on 27/10/19
Incidently we play Liverpool twice before we play West Ham once. Christmas time a free hit somewhat!
posted on 27/10/19
Next ten fixtures: Definite opportunities there, at least there are in the next 7.
I noticed when the fixtures came out that we’re not playing every team by mid-season. There is something aesthetically irritating about that, but it’s probably close enough not to matter.
posted on 27/10/19
Good results for us today as well.
posted on 27/10/19
Half way to 40 points!
posted on 27/10/19
Football is mega at the minute 👍
posted on 27/10/19
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 0 seconds ago
Football is mega at the minute 👍
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I’m sure Spurs fans agree 🙃
posted on 27/10/19
comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 3 hours, 58 minutes ago
Next ten fixtures: Definite opportunities there, at least there are in the next 7.
I noticed when the fixtures came out that we’re not playing every team by mid-season. There is something aesthetically irritating about that, but it’s probably close enough not to matter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We play the reverse against West Ham a few week later, I've noticed this happen most seasons, where a close NY game recalls the reverse quite soon after but I can't recall us playing a team twice before the first round of games are complete?
But, if i was to choose one to get out of the way it would be that fixture. Slight advantage
posted on 28/10/19
More than good enough start 9/10
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