Liverpool and Tottenham, what a pair the two make
Under-achieving players?
Poor away form?
Bad managers?
Or just plain bad luck?
Try as you might, you can’t ‘explain away’ today’s defeats. Liverpool’s defeat at Emirates was eerily similar in impact, if not in play, of Chelsea’s win at Stamford Bridge against Manchester United on 29th April of this year. It made a resounding statement, that Chelsea were the better team, that even after beating everyone else, Manchester United still came up short.
Arsenal have not only found their goal-scoring touch, but they’ve also shown that they’re a better side, because when it really mattered, Liverpool just couldn’t stand up and be counted. The fact that Arsenal themselves are some distance behind United and Chelsea tells you another story:
Liverpool, for all that they have done under Rafa, are still the 4th best side in the Premiership. Arsenal’s blip last year was unfortunate - they’re back this year, and Liverpool are (not-so-surprisingly), under the cosh.
Tottenham, if anything, are even more frustrating. They were in the lead against Reading - a side that has been battered from the top four right down to the bottom half of the table - and then threw it away because they couldn’t cope with Reading’s sheer determination. The defence is good but if the midfield can’t provide any protection, and most importantly, if the Tottenham players refuse to fight back, they’re not going to match their high pre-season expectations.
After beating Chelsea at home this was a sobering experience for Tottenham - they can’t just turn it on at home, and they are not always going to be as lucky as they were against Chelsea. Tottenham played brilliantly for the first 30 minutes against Reading, but that’s it.
It all comes down to consistency, and both Liverpool and Tottenham aren’t consistent enough.
Thing is, after the midweek international, there is a long string of games till February - 3 months of 2 games a week football, and if these teams are lagging behind now it’s going to be very difficult to catch up with the top 3 during December and January.
What are their expectations now? Liverpool are surely out of the title race, so they must be looking to secure 4th spot. Tottenham? Well, with Bolton, Aston Villa, Everton and Portsmouth all playing better than them, Tottenham are looking at 9th place right now. Not good enough for the talent at their disposal, not good enough at all.
The reason Tottenham aren’t as good now is because we have Carrick. They miss him more than they thought.
spurs lucky against chelski i think not and how are liverpool lookin at 4th and spurs at 9th when only 2 points between them
Bitterly disapointed teoday… way too casual play by Spurs. It’s all very well if you can beat Chelsea, but what’s the use if you can’t follow it up with a win at Reading? Robbo’s positioning is very suspect also. Reading’s 1st goal, he was on the 6 yard line, and if he was on the goal-line, he would have had that crucial split second extra reaction time. 3rd goal as well, he’s way too far over right, could easily have got to it if he was in the middle of the goal. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a cracking keeper, but here’s a list of long range efforts he’s let in due to dodgy positioning:
Barry vs A Villa
Risse vs Liverpool
Campo vs Bolton
Shorey vs Reading
A list longer than most keepers you’ll find.
I thought the other week’s win vs West Ham was a turnaround as well, in that Spurs are no longer the team a side on a bad run see on heir fixture list and go “yaay!” Reading did it on Sunday, and Blackburn are almost certainly going to do it next week, seeing as they’re at home and all.
I might put up an ad in the local paper saying,
“Is your team on a poor run of form?”
“Have they not scored in 5 matches?”
“Do they need to turn it around quickly?”
“Then look no further! Just invite Spurs over to your stadium today and end that run of poor results! Their always helpful staff will ensure that your team gets back on track Straight away!”
Nonetheless… COME ON YOU SPURS, PROVE ME WRONG!
League? Bah - everyone knows Spurs are a cup side
I that Rebray would go liverpool because they have alot of money to spend they Also have got posision to play. They for right winger and they can swap with cisse they is the next chance
Ahmed Bilal’s views on current events would make for interesting reading.
Liverpool are 2 points ahead of Arsenal in 3rd place and despite their away form are looking good for 3rd spot, if only because Arsenal have been abjectly disappointing.
Tottenham have a game in hand and are pushing for 7th spot. That should be enough for Europe.
By the way, both teams drew away from home recently when they should have one.
and to be fair, I was talking about their expectations at the time I wrote this piece. After that, Arsenal and Reading both hit a big patch of bad form.
Still, I wasn’t too far off.