Third time luck

Rafa has not beaten Bolton in his last two visit there, and this time it will still be a tough physical game. We need to play strongly defensively, and we need some great crosses to tear off their defense. This is probably one of our five toughest away game this season, so we have to be alert.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Luis Garcia
Kuyt
Crouch

Result 1-0

Match Report 060927 vs Galatasaray: A different ending

3-2 and at times it was afraid that the Istanbul Final will happened again but with a reverse result, but fortunately we hang on and win the game. Crouch was on fire after given a rare chance, and both wingers were playing extremely well. It was a well deserved win and we are in a good position. Should we beat Bordeaux home and away we will be through.

Players Rating:
Reina: 6.5 Made a few great saves at the end to keep the score.
Finnan: 7 A nice cross for the wonderful Crouch overhead kick
Carragher: 6.5 Back from a rest with a nice display.
Agger: 6.5 He is soon to be our best defender.
Aurelio: 6.5 A nice assist, but he was at fault for both goals conceded.
Pennant: 7.5 His best performance for us so far. Certainly it will do no harm for his recall to the national team.
Gerrard: 7 Drive the team as usual and was involved in the first goal.
Alonso: 6.5 Another nice performance.
Luis Garcia: 7.5 Made a difference with a nice header goal.
Kuyt: 6.5 Worked hard and was rested for tactical purpose.
Crouch: 8 Back with 2 goals and reminded Rafa that he can also do a job.

Substitutions:
Gonzalez: 6 Another nice display.
Sissoko: 6 Provided assurance to the defense when we need it.
Bellamy: 6 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 7.5 His use of Crouch was a nice move and paid off handsomely, but he need to address the lost of concentration.

Galatasaray: 6.5 Showed they can play good football in 2H. It would be helpful to us if they beat PSV.

Man of the Match: Crouch. Still on fire.

A win and we will be in pole position

This is the 2nd group stage game of Champions League and if we beat Galatasaray we will be in a good position to qualify. We may not know how Rafa will shuffle the team this time, but he has done enough research and no doubt he will send the most suitable team to play.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Luis Garcia
Kuyt
Crouch

Result: 2-0

Match Report 060923 vs Tottenham Hotspur: A deserved but flattered win

3-0 is a flatter scoreline but we fully deserved to win the game. We controlled the game but somehow Spurs are reluctant to lose. The turning point is no doubt Jenas' amazing miss, as after that Gonzalez scored from a Bellamy off-the-post shot. And then Kuyt showed his classy scoring a nice goal, and Riise signals his return by scoring yet another screamer - although it is not as far away as Alonso's goal.

After the two well deserved wins we are now climing up to a more respectable position, but now the key is that we need to start winning away from home.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Another clean sheet with no real threats from the Spurs.
Finnan: 7 Another nice display from our unsung hero.
Agger: 7 His good performance had lead Rafa to do the unthinkable - to rest Carra.
Hyypia: 7 Performed well after he was rested 3 games.
Riise: 7.5 Back with a screamer. Need this as Aurelio and Warnock are competing with him for the left back spot.
Gerrard: 7.5 A great dummy lead to the first goal.
Alonso: 7 No goal this time as he did not have chance to score in our own half.
Sissoko: 7.5 Rock solid.
Gonzalez: 7.5 Opened the floodgate by scoring a great goal with his alertness and quickness.
Bellamy: 6.5 Should have scored but fortunately Gonzalez scored on the rebound.
Kuyt: 8 Another great goal. His first touch and work rate were class.

Substitutions:
Luis Garcia: 7 Almost invisible but still managed to provide 2 assists in 22 minutes.
Aurelio/Carragher: 6 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 7.5 He now has a settled pair of strikers, and it is also nice to see the defense defended another clean sheet.

Tottenham Hotspur: 6 They just can't take their chances now. If they don't improve they will rather heading to relegation rather than Europe.

Man of the Match: Kuyt. An instant Anfield hero.

Keep it up

After the wonderful game vs Newcastle the morale will be absolutely high, especially now that Rafa seemed to have found a settled team. Spurs is in a troubled time, but they always raise the game when playing us, but if we continue to play a fluid game, there is no reason we can't beat them.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Aurelio
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Pennant
Kuyt
Crouch

Result: 2-0

Match Report 060920 vs Newcastle United: Goal from heaven

2-0 and Xabi scored another long long range goal. This meant he scored his last 3 goals on an average distance of over 50 yards from the goal. We controlled the game apart from a brief 10 minutes run early in the second half. If it was not luck we may have been 3 or 4 up already. Anyway this is a nice and well deserved win to the Club.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Handling the game with confidence.
Finnan: 7.5 A great assist to the first goal, and continues to provide lots of quality crosses from the right.
Carragher: 7 A leader of the defense, and apart from 2 debatable goal to hand claims, he has the Newcastle attacks in his pocket.
Agger: 6.5 Played well in 1H but somehow he seemed to be unable to cope with the physical side of Newcastle attacks.
Aurelio: 6.5 Once again was dangerous on free kicks.
Gerrard: 7 A bit sloopy in 1H but geared up in 2H.
Alonso: 9 Wonderful goal from heaven. Also was the architect for the first goal. The Xabi we know is back. I was thinking Rafa should rest him, but fortunately Rafa knows the team better than I do.
Sissoko: 7 A rock in helping the back 4.
Luis Garcia: 7 Very exciting performance and almost scored, although he was silly to handle the ball and get a yellow card.
Bellamy: 6.5 Missed a glorious chance to kill off the game.
Kuyt: 7.5 First of many goals he will score for us. Could have scored another.

Substitutions:
Crouch and Gonzalez: 6 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 7 His confidence on the team pays off well and it is a well deserved win.

Newcastle United: 6 Never really into the game, and could count themselves lucky to have only lose by 2 goals.

Man of the Match: Alonso. A genius.

Let's start winning

After the nightmare 3 away games we now have 2 home league games coming up. Without Owen and Given, we have a great chance to beat them. And Kuyt to start scoring.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Warnock
Pennant
Gerrard
Sissoko
Bellamy
Kuyt
Crouch

Result 2-0

Match Report 060917 at Chelsea: We deserve more

0-1 probably don't reflect the game and we should at least get 1 point. However, the strikers failed to break through, Chelsea was a bit luck with that Drogba wonderful goal, and Riley again didn't see some obvious penalty, that we lost again.

In terms of performance we were at least as good as Chelsea, especially on the right hand frank that Pennant has lots of spaces to exploit. It's just the finishing were not there yet, but this will change.

We have now played 2 of the 4 most difficult away games, and from now on let's build up a momentum.

Players Rating:
Reina: 6 Can't do much for the goal conceded.
Finnan: 6 Doing well at defense.
Carragher: 6 Did very well but somehow let Drogba scored that goal.
Agger: 7 A convincing display.
Warnock: 6.5 Recovered well from the early yellow card and made some crucual tackles.
Pennant: 6.5 Lots of spaces to run, and were very dangerous.
Alonso: 6 Still not back to his best.
Sissoko: 6.5 Did well in stopping the Chelsea midfield.
Gerrard: 6.5 Didn't played too well at the left, but for tactical reason this is probably the best play to play Stevie G. Should pass the ball in at least 2 occasions instead of taking the shots.
Bellamy: 5.5 A bit disappointing.
Kuyt: 6.5 Deadly, but still searching for his first goal.

Substitutions:
Aurelio: 6 Doing OK after tactical change to replace Warnock, but should do more attacks.
Zenden: 6 Doing Ok.
Crouch: 6 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 6.5 Tried his best to win the game for us, but Drogba's goal is simply unstoppable. Defense is more secure now with Carra and Agger, and if we keep on play like this, we can still win the title.

Chelsea: 6.5 Their lack of width would be a major concern, and we will beat them next time.

Man of the Match: Agger. Another outstanding display.

Defy the impossibility

Chelsea has not lost a game at home for a long time, and now is the time. Rafa will no doubt play his strongest team this time, and as we have beat them twice in a row now, it would be nice to make it 3 in a row.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Warnock
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Aurelio
Bellamy
Kuyt

Result: 1-0

Match Report 060912 at PSV Eindhoven: A well deserved point

0-0 away in Europe should never be considered a poor result, although people may question Rafa's decision of leaving out the big guns like Stevie G, Xabi and Sami. Rafa's game plan seems to be making it hard for PSV to penetrate and in this regard the game is a real success. We finally get our first clean sheet of the season (since mid April) and Stevie G almost win it for us at the end. Depending on whether you are optimistic or not, you may view this as a start of another unbeaten run, or we are 2 games without a win now. But let's be positive.

Players Rating:
Reina: 6.5 First clean sheet of the season although at times he was a bit shaky.
Finnan: 6.5 Good defensive display.
Carragher: 6.5 A better display than the derby.
Agger: 6.5 A really eye-catching display. Proved again he can dispense Hyypia.
Warnock 6.5 A good display after back from injury.
Pennant: 6.5 Working hard from the right flank.
Zenden: 6 A good display back to his former team.
Sissoko: 6.5 Bossed the midfield in the absense of Stevie and Xabi.
Aurelio: 6.5 Played better as left midfielder.
Bellamy: 6.5 Constant threats to PSV.
Kuyt: 7 Played very well back to his home country.

Substitutions:
Alonso: 6 Distributed the ball well when we needed it.
Gerrard: 6.5 An encouraging display and almost scored to win the game.
Gonzalez: 6 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 6.5 A solid lineup and get a deserved point. And the defense looks calmer.

PSV Eindhoven: 6.5 A good display too but we should be able to beat them in the return game.

Man of the Match: Kuyt. Great display. Still looking for his first goal and it will come soon.

Champions League restarts

Champions League group stage restarts and we will beginning from visiting PSV Eindhoven, our first ever competitive match with them. We need to forget the crash in the derby, and the draw is quite kind for us, so it will be nice to at least get a point there for a start.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Agger
Hyypia
Carragher
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Gonzalez
Kuyt
Bellamy

Result: 1-0

Match Report 060909 at Everton: We tumbled

0-3 and this is the worst derby defeat in more than 40 years. We just don't perform well as a team. Reina again made some silly mistakes but defense as a whole played badly. Rafa's ommission of Bellamy also raised a few eyebrows. And although we dominated in goal attempts, but we lack the killing instinct. Also we were running out of luck as there were 2 shots hit the post, numerous shots just a few yards wide, and Poll failed to award us a penalty for a handball.

The unbeaten run since March finally ended and we need to pick ourselves up and start another run. Starting in Holland.

Players Rating:
Reina: 4.5 A very poor result especially letting in the 3rd goal. Is he lack of confidence or what? A few more performance like this and Rafa should switch to Dudek.
Finnan: 5 Poor defending that lead to the first goal. Almost scored in 2H.
Carragher: 5 Even Carra performed badly, especially the ineffective clearance that lead to the 2nd goal.
Hyypia: 5 Can't contain Johnson and his lack of pace is obvious.
Aurelio: 5.5 A nice freekick but still unconvincing in defense.
Gerrard: 6.5 The only player that played OK in this game, and hit the goalpost twice.
Alonso: 5.5 Yet to pick up his form this season.
Sissoko: 6 A solid display.
Luis Garcia: 5 A nice crossing in 1H was his only contribution.
Fowler: 5.5 Had a few shots in the opening minutes but then there is no supply to him.
Crouch: 5 A very poor performance. Almost invisible.

Substitutions:
Kuyt: 6 Looks sharp and dangerous, but failed to put the ball in the net.
Riise: 5.5 Injuried again for a bad tackle.
Pennant: 6 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 5 The formation has a few problems and the internatinal run has disturbed Rafa's preparation. Nevertheless Rafa's omission of Bellamy and failure of setting the defense had exaggrated the problem.

Everton: 7 They played well and deserved the win, although the margin has flattered them.

Player of the Match: Gerrard. If he scored from one of the many opportunities, the result may be completely different.

First hurdle

It's Derby time again and this is the first hurdle of the season with 3 consecutive key away games. Both teams are running on a high recently but after the international weekend Rafa may rest a few key players. It would be nice to see Robbie score again.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Aurelio
Pennant
Gerrard
Sissoko
Gonzalez
Fowler
Crouch

Result: 3-1

August Month Review

3 wins and 2 draws was not a bad result, although it can always be better. Expectations were high after we beat Chelsea with our team C, but then it was back to ground level after we drew with Sheffield United and Maccabi Haifa. We have 4 injuries and defense was cracky, but the new boys fit in the team very well.

Looking ahead, Rafa need to sort out the defense problems quickly, as there will be a lot of tough away games in September.

Players of the Month: (1) Crouch 7.23 (2) Sissoko 7.13 (3) Bellamy and Pennant 7.10. Crouch scored 3 goals for the club and 2 more for England. Momo patrolled the midfield nicely before his injury, and the new boys Bellamy and Pennant both did their jobs well and impressed us.

September Prediction:
9/9 Everton (a) Last time Stevie G and Beattie were both sent off, and Everton is on a high. This is a good time to stop them.
9/12 PSV Eindhoven (a) Champions League restarts and Kuyt would provide us lots of information about PSV.
9/17 Chelsea (a) A very tough game, a draw would not be a bad result, but let's win it.
9/20 Newcastle United (h) Newcastle is still under evolution and we should beat them.
9/23 Tottenham Hotspur (h) Spurs may have made a mistake in selling Carrick, but still they are a strong team.
9/27 Galatasarak SK (h) A home game we should win.
9/30 Bolton Wanderers (a) Another tough away game. Beat them and we will be in a good position.

Match Report 060826 vs West Ham United: Lightning do strikes twice

2-1 and this match has re-run a few of the FA Cup Final events: Reina made an error and West Ham scored from a crossing, and there is a wonderful long range strike that reversed the momentum. In general we played well in this game, it's just we lack a bit of luck to score one more goal to settle the game.

Players Rating:
Reina: 5.5 Made a bad mistake and put Zamora's crossing into the goal, but made a good save at the end to keep the score. However, he needs to be more careful or else we will see Dudek again.
Finnan: 6.5 A steady game at the back.
Agger: 8 Wonderful strike. Nice defense. Future of the Club.
Hyypia: 6.5 Not the best game and was exposed in a few occasions.
Aurelio: 6.5 Had some good free kicks but could also do better for the goal conceded. Still doing better in attack than defense.
Pennant: 7.5 Provided a lot of options for the striker. Another good display.
Gerrard: 7 Drove the team to overcome the 1 goal deficit. He also helped en-route the winning goal.
Alonso: 7 Without Momo, he needed to do more the defensive works.
Luis Garcia: 7 Wasted numerous chances but at the end he provided a nice assist.
Bellamy: 7 Another lively game and provided many threats.
Crouch: 7.5 A well taken goal but other than that he did not have too many contributions.

Substitutions:
Kuyt: 7 Had a great impact when coming up. Definitely he will provide Rafa with more options.
Gonzalez: 6.5 Lively performance.
Zenden: 6 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 6.5 Was hindered by the injuries and still has not solved the defense problem.

West Ham United: 6.5 Scored with the only chance in 1H. They will be a top 10 team if Europe proved to be not too much a distraction.

Man of the Match: Agger. Wonder goal.

FA Cup Final re-run

It's West Ham again. Despite the injury of Ashton, they still have Zamora who is on fire. We are also hit with a more serious injury problem, but now that we are in Champions League, we should put our mind back and perform, especially this match is for celebrate the 100 years of Kop end.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Agger
Hyypia
Aurelio
Pennant
Gerrard
Alonso
Luis Garcia
Kuyt
Crouch

Result: 2-0

Match Report 060822 vsMaccabi Haifa: A close shave

1-1 and we are through to the group stage, but it was with a lot of scary moment and another two injuries. Without Carra defense at a whole has problems, and we are some what lucky to just concede one goal thanks to Reina. Is it down to the aging of Hyypia or is it down to the new boys yet to fit in? Probably a mix of both.

It was also a mystery why with Crouch, Pennant and Gonzalez all starting it was not until Crouch scored that goal that we see a good cross from the wings. I would think this is the purpose of this formation. Nevertheless this is another great header from Crouch.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Helped to minimize damage and keep the score at 1-1.
Finnan: 6 Was exposed several times.
Agger: 6.5 Indecisive game.
Hyypia: 6 Showed again he is aging and fading very fast.
Warnock:6 Anoter injury...
Pennant: 7 A great cross and this is why Rafa signed him.
Alonso: 6.5 Tried hard to score early on.
Sissoko: 7 Played well before the injury.
Gonzalez: 6 A bit quiet, but maybe we have put too much pressure on him.
Luis Garcia: 6.5 Had a few shots on target but the keeper responded very well.
Crouch: 7.5 Created lots of chances for the team and scored the important one. He is ready to fight for the place.

Substitutions:
Aurelio: 6.5 Doing well going forward, but was always exposed when defending.
Gerrard: 6.5 Despite the stomache problem he is still driving the team when coming up.
Bellamy: Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 6 Another game distorted by injuries. But Haifa is not a poor team and Rafa would be happy to the response of the attacking players, although he will be concerned about the defense.

Maccabi Haifa: 6.5 Matched us very well, and good luck to them in the UEFA Cup.

Player of the Match: Crouch. Another great header and he has scored 4 goals in 10 days for the Club and Country.

Be alert

We have a tricky match which is very important financially. Carra and Riise would not be able to participate, and the stand-in players need to be alert. Keep a clean sheet and score, and we will be through.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Agger
Hyypia
Aurelio
Pennant
Gerrard
Sissoko
Gonzalez
Bellamy
Crouch

Result: 2-0

Match Report 060819 at Sheffield United: Down to earth

1-1 and the result, especially after Sunday's Chelsea and Manchester United results, brought us down to earth again. What's worse, Carra and Riise were both injuried and will miss the crucial game against Maccabi Haifa. Rafa needs to sort out the defense problem as we keep on conceding goals.

Rafa's tactic is hindered by the early injuries. The defense has big problem as Hyypia was dragged by the Sheffield defender and Agger failed to react. Fortunately we have a some-what dubious penalty, and Fowler scored. Clearly everybody's mind is in the Maccabi Haifai game and so the team did not perform as it shoud be.

Player Rating:
Reina: 6.5 Not much to do and can't do much on the goal.
Kromkamp: 6 A surprise start, and failed in defense as a whole.
Carragher: 6.5 A worrying injury after a harsh tackle by Hulse.
Hyypia: 6 He is getting slower and slower and his performance is worrying.
Riise: 6.5 Suffered from a bad injury after a great cross.
Zenden: 6 Ineffective game.
Gerrard: 7.5 One of the better player. The penalty decision is a bit dubious
though.
Sissoko: 7 Battling hard in the midfield, but beware of the yellow cards.
Aruelio: 7 A nice performance and it is nice to see him take control of all the corners and free kicks. Should have scored directly from a free kick, but Kenny has a different thought.
Bellamy: 7 Another lively performance.
Fowler: 7 A quiet performance, but his penalty is class.

Substitutions:
Gonzalez: 6.5 Could have done better, and missed a great chance.
Agger: 6.5 Fits in well although he is also partly responsible for the goal conceded.
Pennant: 6 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: His starting formation is a bit strange and his tactics is further hindered by the injuries. Need to sort out the defense sooner rather than later.

Sheffield United: 6.5 A well deserved draw. Warnock claimed we won't have that hard a challenge in the league this season. Hope his word is true.

Man of the Match: Gerrard. Drove the team on.

19

This season, we have a much stronger team to challenge for #19. The new players look promising and adapting to the new team well, and the confidence within the team is high. We look difficult to beat. Last season, we were 6 points behind Chelsea, and the points were lost against the top 4 teams. For Chelsea, how many points can they gain? Not many. If we play with the same consistency, with a better record against the top 4 teams, and a bit of lucky, #19 is coming. But first, let's play well against Sheffield United.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Pennant
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Gonzalez
Bellamy

Result: 2-0