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Storts

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This is actually one of those defeats which I don't know how to react to. Obviously it's highly frustrating to lose a game, especially when you are twelve unbeaten and against a team inferior to yours, but when you play pretty well and only lose due to some sheer idiotic decision making from some of your weaker players it's hard to feel down. At the end of the day though those three points would have been absolutely crucial, it would have killed Liverpool off once and for all and given us a huge cushion over Arsenal and a five point gap over Chelsea. When we went 2-1 up, we had further chances to kill the game off and seemed in control and i genuinely was thinking about what a huge result it would have been. Anfield is a notoriously difficult ground to go to, somewhere historically we haven't done very well at all until the past few years and so it's very strange now that we go there expecting to win and are very disappointed when it doesn't go our way.

I didn't think we started particularly brightly, that may have been due to the game on thursday, or just showing them a bit too much respect after their previous results but Liverpool were on top for the first fifteen to twenty minutes. The other problem I thought at the time was the team were not adapting very well to the change of shape/system that Lennon's injury had forced upon us and Dembele wasn't able to assert his usual influence from out on the right hand side. After this early spell though we got into the game a bit better and I thought we had begun to play our usual game when Liverpool went and scored. It was a nice goal from them, and a lovely finish from that scrote Suarez but I question what Walker was doing on the edge of the box. Nowhere near strong enough and let the ball get played through. He should have done everything he could to stop that being played, bring him down if you have to, but don't give him a free pass into their best player.

After the goal Liverpool picked up their form again for five minutes or so but then we came right back into the game. We gave them such a warning with Gylfi's shot that just went wide. That was probably the move of the match and I still can't believe he didn't hit the target. It was a lovely flick from Gareth to set him free too. However the next sequence of events was highly frustrating. Gerrard firstly somehow escapes a booking for a highly cynical foul on Gylfi when he is breaking free and then secondly evades one again when he goes elbow first into Bale. It was a very dangerous challenge and worthy of at least a yellow, if not a red, but Oliver bottles it at Anfield. How anyone could have any complaints about that free kick is beyond me.

Anyway just before half time we got what our pressure deserved and equalised through the second best Spurs player on the pitch. Lovely ball in from Gareth and Jan is there to guide it home. It was a really important goal for us on the stroke of half time because it allowed us to come out and just carry on with what we were doing, nothing drastic had to be done.

Second half starts with us on top again and obviously we go two one up. Jan with a lovely left foot finish again. He was superb again today, his goals obviously were a bonus, but at the back his timing in the tackle is next to perfect. He's forming a really nice partnership with Dawson and it's a privilege to have him. Absolute steal of a transfer. He really is so cultured on the ball, his touch is not befitting that of a centre half but that of a creative player up the pitch.

After the goal we had several chances just to kill the game off, the best falling to Gylfi who hit the post for the umpteen time this season, and we were cruising I thought. Liverpool really didn't cause us too many problems at all until we managed to gift them the two goals. Firstly from a horrendous pass by Walker which Lloris failed to deal with and secondly with a shambolic touch by Defoe allowing Suarez to do what he does best and go down easily in the box.

It's really frustrating that we were played really well and got ourselves into the lead, only to shoot ourselves in the foot and gift them two goals to win the game. It was no surprise that it was our three weakest players out there that cost us. Firstly Walker really is a liability at times. He must be the most stupid footballer in the league. He just doesn't have a brain at all. It's just pace and strength with him. He gets himself and us out of perilous situations sometimes with his ability to recover but often he's made the error in the first place. Today he played a ludicrous pass back to Downing who although got a bit lucky with the break of the ball was able to finish. Why would anyone ever play that pass?

Secondly Defoe. I was slagging him off all game, he was absolutely anonymous, barely touched the ball and literally offered nothing to anyone as an outlet. He was a waste of space as he always is in the big games and even though Adebayor has been dreadful this season, he never plays that badly, at least he will make himself available and get on the ball. The mis control just put the icing on the cake of his performance. What was he even trying to do and he just played Suarez in perfectly. Ekotto was poor and it was a clumsy challenge, although Im still not convinced by it, but he was put in a terrible position by our 'striker'.

Thirdly, Livermore. Now, defensively he did alright today, and doesn't deserve the same criticism of the other two, but offensively he is useless, offered us nothing at all and slowed down so many attacks. He isn't good enough for our team and how he has an England cap I will never know.

The main positive today other than Super Jan was his Belgian compatriot Mousa Dembele. Unbelievable performance from him. Liverpool couldn't handle his ability on the ball today, it just stuck to his foot and he glides past people with ease. He was thrust out onto the right which is by no means his strongest position but he was still able to have a massive influence on the game and ran the show for us. He had a poor spell in the middle of the season but he seems to be back to his best now. Shame Sandro got injured because there partnership in the middle was outstanding.

We are still third in the league and although that would have been a really big win for us we need to move on and get the points against Fulham. This was one of those games we didn't have to win and so it isn't the end of the world, but we need to regroup now.

We also need to get Lennon back soon. I hope people realise how important he is to us. He's ridiculously underrated by non Spurs fans and is the vital cog to this team.
 

Uncle Si

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Inferior? What he does best?

Christ on a bike....

Thanks storts. If it was possible to feel better about the win I do.
 

Storts

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Uncle Si":922pm320 said:
Inferior? What he does best?

Christ on a bike....

Thanks storts. If it was possible to feel better about the win I do.

You are an inferior side to us, there can be no doubt about it.
 

InSuarezWeTrust

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Storts":aapxdb05 said:
After the goal we had several chances just to kill the game off, the best falling to Gylfi who hit the post for the umpteen time this season, and we were cruising I thought. Firstly from a horrendous pass by Walker which Lloris failed to deal with and secondly with a shambolic touch by Defoe allowing Suarez to do what he does best and go down easily in the box.

Fancy meeting you here, Gareth. Welcome to Seahawks.net. Funny how when you don't score, your team doesn't win. I believe there is a sale on sunglasses and sunblock, both will be essential for your new home in Spain next year. TTFN!
 

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Storts":2bwg15oi said:
Uncle Si":2bwg15oi said:
Inferior? What he does best?

Christ on a bike....

Thanks storts. If it was possible to feel better about the win I do.

You are an inferior side to us, there can be no doubt about it.

Obviously judging by the scoreline... and how well you played... and your rich history of winning. Your riding Bale. It won't last.

Your squad got outplayed and like a child whose mom makes him eat his veggies, you're bitter.

When Spurs win something come discuss your superiority... until then you're a good team who was in form but got beat by a good squad.

Take your thumb out your mouth Storts
 

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Gutted. Well done, Liverpool. In the end I wasn't able to watch the game and haven't seen any highlights yet, but from what I've read it seems as though we lost from a winning position because of our weak links (full backs and striker) not bring up to it. This complrtely ignores the fact that Liverpool did well to come back and win, but from a Spurs perspective the fact that the manner of the defeat was predictable is frustrating.
 

Storts

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Uncle Si":3s9h3xfp said:
Obviously judging by the scoreline... and how well you played... and your rich history of winning. Your riding Bale. It won't last.
Your squad got outplayed and like a child whose mom makes him eat his veggies, you're bitter.

When Spurs win something come discuss your superiority... until then you're a good team who was in form but got beat by a good squad.

Take your thumb out your mouth Storts

Ha, how ridiculous. I don't even know where to start.

We are a better side than you now, history means nothing in this argument. We have finished above you three years in a row and I look forward to doing it a fourth time. We hadn't lost in our previous 5 games against you either.

That is such a lazy argument saying we are riding on Bale considering what Suarez does with you, but I wouldn't be so naive to suggest you're a one man team as you seem to be insinuating we are, pretty comical actually.

We most certainly were not outplayed, don't think you'll find many people in the British public or press that would agree with you. We edged the game and shot ourselves in the foot with stupid errors from stupid players. We were cruising at 2-1 up and should have killed the game off. You're a decent team and it's no shame to lose at Anfield but I am very disappointed as I felt we did more than enough to win the game
 

Storts

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InSuarezWeTrust":3fs06566 said:
Fancy meeting you here, Gareth. Welcome to Seahawks.net. Funny how when you don't score, your team doesn't win. I believe there is a sale on sunglasses and sunblock, both will be essential for your new home in Spain next year. TTFN!

Laughable.
 

Uncle Si

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Bale has plaayed a part in 90% of your goals over your last 12. ... not that naive. And there isn't anything wrong with riding one of the best players in the world. Suarez has been 75%.

Look storts, I like Spurs. Like what they do, like how they carry themselves. Said so in earlier posts. You came on here whinging about inferiority and slagging off Suarez.

I think its really naive to suggest you could "kill the game off" for 35 minutes. If you honestly thought the drama was gone after 2-1 then you're either extremely overvaluing your team or haven't been following Liverpool (or the rest of the PL) that much. Liverpool have led the PL in scoring since December and are 4th in points since that time. On form, Liverpool isn't inferior. The last 35 was going to be frenetic no matter what. You could have been a goal up on Reading and they would have made it interesting. Either way, game was enjoyable. Played with pace, pressure and excitement

You're right, you made errors as did Liverpool in the two set pieces. The game was far from put to bed at any point, and while the "british press" (known for their objectivity ofcourse) may be willing to pass off the defeat for Spurs as a minor bump, all will agree what a big win it is for Liverpool.
 

Uncle Si

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Hawkspur":1y9oxe2k said:
Gutted. Well done, Liverpool. In the end I wasn't able to watch the game and haven't seen any highlights yet, but from what I've read it seems as though we lost from a winning position because of our weak links (full backs and striker) not bring up to it. This complrtely ignores the fact that Liverpool did well to come back and win, but from a Spurs perspective the fact that the manner of the defeat was predictable is frustrating.

I think thats a bit hard on your side, Hawkspur. The mistake that led to the 2nd goal was comical, to say the least... but despite the 20 minutes to start the second half in which Spurs held the ball well, the game was very even. Once the game was drawn Liverpool elevated to the front foot.

Hard to imagine that Spurs were planning on keeping the ball the entire 2nd half (as Storts believe they should have to my lowly, inferior side). Liverpool actually did very well the last 30 minutes of controlling the middle of the field and limiting Spurs chances, despite struggling to create their own.

As for Liverpool, we know we were fortunate to get even. Its fortuitous to finally get the break. To be honest, if a Spurs fan wants to ring up the loss to Walker, they'd be hypocritically ignoring the very poor circumstances in which they scored both goals, or the shambolic display by the ref in letting atleast one, if not two previous penalty shouts go unheard. (peaches thinks Coutinhos was but Sturrdiges was soft, i thought they were both legitimate).

either way, despite Storts contentions otherwise, the game was never in hand by Spurs. I thought they played frenetic, passionate football and deserved a draw. the loss was a kick in the stomach, but one i'm happy my team delivered instead of received
 
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Quick question, which run in looks more favorable on paper:

Arsenal
@ Swansea
vs Reading
@ West Brom
vs Norwich
vs Everton
@ Fulham
vs Man United
@ QPR
vs Wigan

Spurs
vs Fulham
@ Swansea
vs Everton
@ Chelsea
vs Man City
@ Wigan
vs Southampton
@ Stoke City
vs Sunderland

Chelsea
vs West Ham
@ Southampton
vs Sunderland
vs Spurs
@ Liverpool
vs Swansea
@ Man United
@ Aston Villa
vs Everton

For me I think Arsenal does as their two toughest matches remaining, in my mind(Man U and Everton), are home matches, Chelsea and Spurs have to pay each other(Spurs do that in the middle of a run that includes City, Everton and away to Swansea), and the possible match congestion due to Spurs and Chelsea's cup obligations could play a factor as well. In the end I think the Top 4 battle could and probably will come down to the final game yet again, Liverpool might sneak into the fight they only have Chelsea to face, but both Arsenal and Chelsea have a game in hand also. And then Everton, I don't really know what's gonna happen with them as they seem to be all over the place lately.
 

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Arsenal and Liverpool have the easier run ins (on paper) with Everton and Spurs the more difficult. Trying to pick winners in the PL this year is far too difficult to try. Chelsea and Spurs still seem the favorites for Rth, with Arsenal and Liverpool to battle for 5th. Evertons schedule looks to have them drop. But this is their time of year.

Based on current form (and taking into account Arsenals win yesterday, and future cup ties) id say:

United
City
Spurs
Chelsea
Liverpool
Arsenal
Everton

Arsenal is the wild card here, with the ability to jump to 4th or fall to 7th
 
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Gatehawk

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I think the biggest X-Factor for Arsenal is their record against clubs below them in the table, only 1 of their losses have come to a club below them in the table at the time of the match, 2 losses against clubs below them in the table at the current moment. Only problem is that those 2 losses have come against Swansea and Norwich, who Arsenal have left to play the return fixtures.

Chelsea is their own worst enemy at this moment as they always seem to create an illusion that they're turning the corner, only to take 2 steps back when we aren't looking. Spurs will probably finish Top 4 if they can get by that daunting 4 game run where they face Swansea, Chelsea, Everton and City. Everton seems to be on a mission to hurt themselves and Liverpool seem to be relying more on Suarez with each game.

I think Si is right, Arsenal do have that kind of style where it seems that they can finish Top 4 or 7th. In the end I think it will end up being Spurs and Arsenal(namely cause the Gunners always find a way into the Top 4 similar to how Wigan always finds a way to stay in the EPL), Liverpool or Chelsea will finish 5th.
 

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Gatehawk":9pum94qd said:
I think the biggest X-Factor for Arsenal is their record against clubs below them in the table, only 1 of their losses have come to a club below them in the table at the time of the match, 2 losses against clubs below them in the table at the current moment. Only problem is that those 2 losses have come against Swansea and Norwich, who Arsenal have left to play the return fixtures.

Chelsea is their own worst enemy at this moment as they always seem to create an illusion that they're turning the corner, only to take 2 steps back when we aren't looking. Spurs will probably finish Top 4 if they can get by that daunting 4 game run where they face Swansea, Chelsea, Everton and City. Everton seems to be on a mission to hurt themselves and Liverpool seem to be relying more on Suarez with each game.

I think Si is right, Arsenal do have that kind of style where it seems that they can finish Top 4 or 7th. In the end I think it will end up being Spurs and Arsenal(namely cause the Gunners always find a way into the Top 4 similar to how Wigan always finds a way to stay in the EPL), Liverpool or Chelsea will finish 5th.


Liverpool has the best record against teams in the bottom ten, and play 7 of 9 in that part of the table. I like that run in. But, like Arsenal, both teams are so dramatically inconsistent its hard to say where they land.

While we know that Chelsea will struggle, but also nick points, its really down to whether Liverpool or Arsenal (or both) can take advantage of their run in and play with the form they are capable.

Hard to put faith in that, given how the season has gone. Liverpool have been on quite the run, but I catn put faith they can take 20+ of 27 (which they need to challenge for 4th)
 

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Liverpool's CL chances (in percentages)

0 f---ing percent

horrid
 
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Gatehawk

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That was a great result for Arsenal today. Awesome that Nacho got his first goal, and how important it could be we'll find out, and even more amazing is that Gervinho scored a quality goal for once. Swansea should feel hard done as they were good in the midfield but the final third, on both sides of the pitch, they were just horrific at times. The best way to describe Swansea today was that they played with a sword against their throat and it got pushed in. Fabianski didn't have to work much seeing as the Swans didn't have a shot on target, Michu of course was the closest with that shot that went around the post. I also feel Oxlade-Chamberlain deserved a goal for his performance in the first half, sucks he didn't get it but oh well.
 

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Gatehawk":3pje9892 said:
That was a great result for Arsenal today. Awesome that Nacho got his first goal, and how important it could be we'll find out, and even more amazing is that Gervinho scored a quality goal for once. Swansea should feel hard done as they were good in the midfield but the final third, on both sides of the pitch, they were just horrific at times. The best way to describe Swansea today was that they played with a sword against their throat and it got pushed in. Fabianski didn't have to work much seeing as the Swans didn't have a shot on target, Michu of course was the closest with that shot that went around the post. I also feel Oxlade-Chamberlain deserved a goal for his performance in the first half, sucks he didn't get it but oh well.


Gervinho's was hardly a quality goal. He was in acres of space one on one and finished it as any player in that position should.

Either way you deserved to win today, Swansea were poor, didn't really create anything and it seems they will just cruise through to the end of the season in second gear, hopefully it will be the same when we play them in two weeks time.

Don't need to say anything about Liverpool
 
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Storts":2bfeh03v said:
Gatehawk":2bfeh03v said:
That was a great result for Arsenal today. Awesome that Nacho got his first goal, and how important it could be we'll find out, and even more amazing is that Gervinho scored a quality goal for once. Swansea should feel hard done as they were good in the midfield but the final third, on both sides of the pitch, they were just horrific at times. The best way to describe Swansea today was that they played with a sword against their throat and it got pushed in. Fabianski didn't have to work much seeing as the Swans didn't have a shot on target, Michu of course was the closest with that shot that went around the post. I also feel Oxlade-Chamberlain deserved a goal for his performance in the first half, sucks he didn't get it but oh well.


Gervinho's was hardly a quality goal. He was in acres of space one on one and finished it as any player in that position should.

Either way you deserved to win today, Swansea were poor, didn't really create anything and it seems they will just cruise through to the end of the season in second gear, hopefully it will be the same when we play them in two weeks time.

Don't need to say anything about Liverpool

Maybe I should rephrase that, that goal by Gervinho was quality by his standards, mostly cause we've seen him muck up easier chances than that one, and that was easy to begin with.

I really like what I'm seeing from Arsenal's defense the last two games. Shutting down that dangerous Bayern attack, and limiting Swansea to zero shots on target, and making Michu seem nearly invisible(first time I've seen him like that). Arsenal should have a simple run with Reading, West Brom and Norwich until they host Everton in 3 1/2 weeks. I do see WBA being a pain in the butt but not sure about the other two and hopefully this Arsenal, from the last two games, stays for a while.
 
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And with that, talk of a Spurs meltdown is heating up big time. Should Chelsea win, they'll go 3rd and Arsenal could 1 point behind Tottenham(or jump over them) if results fall in the Gunners favor the next week or two. Now Spurs are in the same position as Arsenal where they can't not afford to drop points, especially with the next 4 games, 3 of which are against top 6 clubs in the table.
 

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Don't need to say anything about Liverpool[/quote]


Or Spurs.....
 
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