Restart once again...

Our season has been ups and downs and after another midweek disappointment we need to revitalize our season once again. Bolton had a new manager and they just won their first game, so they have a bit momentum and we need to play very well to bring three points home.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Carragher
Skrtel
Kyrgiakos
Insua
Aquilani
Mascherano
Maxi
Gerrard
Riera
Kuyt

Result 2:0

Match Report 100126 at Wolverhampton Wanderers: Two points lost

0-0 and we did not do much to deserve more than 1 point. Wolves defended well and we could not break through them. At the end a draw is a fair result, and our recent run of 3W2D in 5 games are not bad, but it also means we are further behind in the race for 4th place.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Assured performance in spite of the constant boo from Wolves fans.
Carragher: 7 Lead the defense team well.
Skrtel: 6 A few missed time tackles which fortunately was not serious.
Kyrgiakos: 6.5 Another Solid performance
Insua: 6.5 Good in defense.
Lucas: 6 Too many miss passes.
Mascherano: 6.5 Good in protecting back four.
Maxi: 6.5 Found it tough on his first full debut.
Gerrard: 6.5 Not yet full match fitness.
Riera: 6.5 Have a few nice passes but faded out in 2H.
Kuyt: 6.5 Not too many chances.

Substitutions:
Ngog: 6.5 Installed some pacing to the team but couldn't change the result.

Rafa: 6.5 Would be disappointed about the lack of attacking creativeness. But why isn't Aquilani play at least a few minutes?

Wolverhampton Wanderers: 6.5 Did not do much to worth getting more than 1 point.

Man of the Match: Reina/Carragher. Lead the defensive line well for another clean sheet.

Stevie G is back

We have not win at Wolves since 1979 and it is now time to break the duck. Stevie G is back and could play a part of the game, and we need to keep up the momentum in the league and bring three points home.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Carragher
Skrtel
Kyrgiakos
Insua
Lucas
Mascherano
Gerrard
Aquilani
Riera
Kuyt

Result 2:0

Match Report 100120 vs Tottenham Hotspur: We have determination

2-0 and two Kuyt goals secured our first win in 2010. From the first minute we were on top and the whole team is determined to close the gap. It is still a long battle but we are now in a better position than before to finish 4th, and we have the courage to do so.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Very solid at the back and his perfect delivery lead to the first goal.
Carragher: 7.5 Lead the team by example and are always willing to tackle.
Skrtel: 7 Solid defending.
Kyrgiakos: 7.5 Another superb performance and should have scored again.
Insua: 6.5 Solid in defending but did not offer much attacking, especially during first half.
Lucas: 7 Strong performance in the middle.
Mascherano: 7 Solid and determined to cut all balls passed him.
Degen: 6.5 Played better as a wing back but still lack confidence in front of goal.
Aquilani: 7.5 Superb assist and were willing to tackle.
Riera: 7 Good performance and delivery from set pieces.
Kuyt: 8 Scored two great goals.

Substitutions:
Maxi: 7 Getting blended in the team.
Ngog: 7.5 Came on and swing the game towards us.
Darby: 7 Nice league debut.

Rafa: 7 Would be delighted about the performance of the team. We are willing to fight for the 4th place.

Tottenham Hotspur: 6 Could not cope with the pressure from the team and the fans.

Man of the Match: Kuyt. Made up for the miss in the Stoke game.

Attack

This is a very crucial game as a win will bring us to within 1 point of top 4. Spur is a different opponent to Stoke City as they will not be as physical but will be more dangerous in attack. We need to keep our defense well, and to attack them as much as we can.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Carragher
Skrtel
Kyrgiakos
Insua
Lucas
Mascherano
Kuyt
Aquilani
Maxi
Ngog

Result 2:0

Match Report 100116 at Stoke City: A hard blow to the hard work

1-1 and we conceded another late goal to lose two points. Kuyt had a glorious chance to win the game at the last minute but only hit the post. Together with the poor decisions by the referees, it sums up how good our luck is at the time being. The only lucky thing is results elsewhere are kind to us that minimize our misery, but we certainly missed a great chance to close the gap.

With such a long injury list going to Stoke, Rafa had opted to tackle with the threats with 2 layers of full backs. It worked defensively but the team did not create many chances. Kyrgiakos did very well and showed he is very effective against strong but slow opponents. Unfortunately we could not get the crucial second goal and at the end nerve came to us and we conceded a late goal from corner. It is hard to take, but we need to move on and make sure we get three points in the next game.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Solid and assuring at the goal.
Carragher: 7 Solid at the right back although did not help attack that much.
Kyrgiakos: 7.5 Win everything in the air and scored our goal.
Skrtel: 6.5 Not very effective.
Insua: 6.5 Not much contribution.
Degen: 6 Give away the ball too cheaply.
Lucas: 6.5 Should have win us two penalties, but poor referee...
Mascherano: 7 Showed he cared the team and is willing to fight.
Aurelio: 6.5 Inch perfect delivery for our goal.
Ngog: 6 No service to him.
Kuyt: 6.5 Hit the post at the end or else we will win the game.

Substitutions:
Maxi: 6 Not much to do in his debut.
Aquilani: 6 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 6.5 Would be delighted about how the team responded, but need to address the lack of confidence especially towards the end of the game.

Stoke City: 6.5 They are also dangerous at home and they should be able to survive with such performance.

Man of the Match: Kyrgiakos. Solid against strong defenders.

Get out of the abyss

With team confidence very low and the never ending injury list, we are deeply in trouble and the season may be fall apart soon. Is Rafa still have the magic touch to turn this around? I really don't know. For the first time in history I become doubtful on whether Rafa is still the right person to lead us out of this abyss. But as a fan we should always support the team. With hope in our heart.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Darby
Carragher
Agger
Insua
Mascherano
Lucas
Kuyt
Aquilani
Riera
Ngog

Result 2:0

Match Report 100113 vs Reading: Disappointing

1-2 and this is a very disappointing performance. Not only is that we lose to a Championship side, but the way we played was just disgraceful. Although we may still claim advantage in possession but keeping the ball alone won't give you victory. You still need to put the ball into the net, and this is what we failed to do. Worse of all, our injury list is stacking up again. We need to turn around quickly (once again) and this time we need to keep going up, or the season will fall apart.

One big problem is that in general none of the players did really bad, but at aggregate we lack confidence. We need a few wins to kick start the season.

Players Rating:
Cavalieri: 6.5 Made a few good saves but was helpless in the two goals conceded.
Degen: 6.5 Quite solid performance although he was guilty of diving.
Carragher: 7 Had an early mistake but recovered afterwards.
Agger: 6.5 Solid in general.
Insua: 6 Poor performance.
Aquilani: 6 Not picking up the English game yet.
Lucas: 6.5 One of the better player.
Kuyt: 6.5 Worked hard but no use.
Gerrard: 6.5 Injured but his performance was just average.
Benayoun: 6 Did not do much and was guilty of conceded a last minute penalty.
Torres: 6 Very average before his injury.

Substitutions:
Ngog: 6 Tried very hard - too hard.
Babel: 6 Just running and running but no real threat.
Skrtel: 6 Average performance.

Rafa: 5.5 Is he still able to turn this around? We hope so, and need him to do so immediately.

Reading: 6.5 Credits to them, they created more deadly chances and could have win it in normal time if their finishing is better.

Man of the Match: Carragher. Only player to have the heart to fight.

Go through next round

After the weekend match was cancelled the focus is once again back to FA Cup. We have 10 days of rest and the players are raring to go. Reading may fancy their chance but if we perform well and avoid complacency we will go through 4th round and face Burnley at home.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Darby
Carragher
Agger
Insua
Aquilani
Lucas
Kuyt
Gerrard
Benayoun
Torres

Result 2:0

Climb up the table

After a disappointing FA Cup game we are now back to the league. Spur has beaten us in the season opener and we need to get something back in the return match. They are red hot at the time being, sitting comfortably at 4th place and have kept 3 consecutive clean sheets, and we need to be at our very best to beat them.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Carragher
Skrtel
Agger
Insua
Aquilani
Lucas
Kuyt
Gerrard
Benayoun
Torres

Result 2:0

Match Report 100102 at Reading: Inconsistency

1-1 and once again inconsistency in performance means we need to play a replay at Anfield. Without Aquilani and Benayoun in the midfield, the team lacks creativity and there are only few chances created. Credits to Reading, they pressured us and made us make errors and they truly deserved to earn a replay.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Made a great save to keep us in the Cup.
Darby: 6.5 Good in defending but still need to improve in bring the ball forward.
Carragher: 7 Solid in defense as usual.
Skrtel: 6.5 Did OK in defense.
Insua: 6.5 Mistake lead to free kick for the goal conceded.
Kuyt: 6.5 Worked hard but not much help.
Gerrard: 7 Scored the equalizer.
Lucas: 6.5 Failed to trace the ball and lead to the goal conceded.
Aurelio: 6.5 Missed two glorious chances to win the game.
Torres: 6.5 Not really into the game with no service provided.
Ngog: 6.5 Dipped in 2H.

Substitutions:
Aquilani/Benayoun: 6.5 Could not changed the game.

Rafa: 6.5 Would be disappointed about the lack of fight. Also need to improve our consistency.

Reading: Credits for their courage.

Man of the Match: Reina. Keep us in the Cup.

Realistic chance for trophy

FA Cup is our only realistic chance to get a trophy this season, so we need to put up 100% effort for the cup. Rafa will no doubt rest some players but we should have enough strength to beat Reading and qualify for 4th round.

My Team Prediction:
Cavalleri
Degen
Skrtel
Kyrgiakos
Aurelio
Aquilani
Spearing
Kuyt
Benayoun
Babel
Ngog

Result 2:0