Avoid the bite by the old dog

It is our second time facing Hodgson's team after he left, and he seemed to always win around Halloween, so we need to be very careful.  With a tough game at Stoke in midweek King Kenny will make some changes.  And we need to start improving our scoring accuracy now.

My Team Predictions:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Enrique
Lucas
Adam
Kuyt
Gerrard
BellamyCarroll

Result 2:0

Match Report 111026 at Stoke City: Great spirit drive us victory

2-1 and this is the first time we came home with a victory at Britannia Stadium.  What's more, it is also the first time Suarez scored 2 goals for us in a game, and the first time we won came from behind under King Kenny's second spell.  The fighting spirit of the team was high and at the end we fully deserved to qualify for the next round.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Solid in defending.
Kelly: 7 Did well in the game.
Carragher: 6 A bit poor in his standard.
Agger: 7 Had a solid game.
Coates: 6.5 Apart from a mistake that lead to the goal he was solid in general.
Henderson: 7 Great ball that lead to the winning goal.
Lucas: 7 Solid defending.
Spearing: 7.5 Had a very good game.
Maxi: 7 Good game in runnning down the frank.
Suarez: 8 Two great goals that win us the game.
Carroll: 6.5 Gradually picking up his form.

Substitutions:
Skrtel: 7 Solid defending when called upon.
Bellamy: 7 Provided us some more attacking options.
Kuyt: 7 Good support to both attacks and defendings when came on.

King Kenny: 7 Would be very delighted about how the team responded from trailing a goal.

Stoke City: 6.5 Still very tough to beat at home, and we made it.

Man of the Match: Suarez.  But need to improve his shooting.

Tough game ahead

We will face Stoke again in the League Cup.  They are still unbeaten at home this season and it will be a physical and tough game for us.  We would need to be very tough in order to beat them and qualify for next round. 

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Kelly
Coates
Agger
Enrique
Henderson

Lucas
Spearing
BellamySuarez
Carroll

Result 2:0

Match Report 111022 vs Norwich City: Home form let us down

1-1 and once again we cannot kill off a newly promoted team at home.  With more than 20 shots we should have wrapped up the game early on, but once again our finishing had let us down, and we just could not score the second goal that virtually put the game to and end, and we let Norwich to fight back.  It was again another 2 points loss, and if we play like this, 4th place will be very difficult.

Players Rating:
Reina: 6 Poor timing and let to the goal conceded.
Johnson: 7 Did well in his first start of the season.
Carragher: 7 Solid defending.
Skrtel: 7 Had a great chance in the opening minutes but hit the bar.
Enrique: 7 Very lively.
Downing: 6 Did very poor on the right.
Gerrard: 6.5 Forced to sit back but it was not his more useful position.
Adam: 6 A poor performance.
Bellamy: 7.5 Scored a great goal.
Suarez: 7.5 Very lively but his finishing let him down.
Kuyt: 6.5 Tried hard but couldn't score the winner.

Substitutions:
Henderson: 6 Ineffective.
Carroll: 7 Missed a glorious header in injury time.
Agger: 6 A mystery why he was on when we need to score a winner.

King Kenny: 6 His tactics, especially the substitutions, are a bit strange.  And something need to be done to improve the goals per shots.

Norwich City: 7 Credits to them of fighting back in the second half, they deserved the point.

Man of the Match: Suarez.  But he needs to take his chances.

Be more deadly

After a somewhat disappointing draw we will entertain the new coming Norwich City at Anfield.  With the way we played we should be scoring more goals, but we have wasted many chances and surely we need to improve in this area.  Norwich will be excited to visit Anfield, and Lucas is suspended, but the team should have enough fire power to beat them.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Enrique
Kuyt
Gerrard
Adam
Downing
Suarez
Carroll

Result 2:0

Match Report 111015 vs Manchester United: 2 points loss

1-1 and it really feel like two points loss.  It was not the best game but we have enough chances to win the game.  Unfortunately it is the same old problem that we created many chances but did not take them well.  Anyway this game also proved we are getting closer and closer to top 4, but we need to take our chances.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Did not have a single saved made.
Kelly: 7 Solid defending.
Carragher: 7 Did well as usual.
Skrtel: 7 Loss his man and conceded the goal, but in general he did well.
Enrique: 7 Linked up with the forwards well.
Adam: 7 Nice set pieces as usual.
Lucas: 7 Felt a bit tired after the travellings.
Kuyt: 7 Have a glorious chance saved.
Gerrard: 7.5 A lucky free kick for his 50th Anfield league goal.
Downing: 7 Still not playing to his potential.
Suarez: 7 Did well and could won us the game.

Substitution:
Henderson: 7.5 Very lively and have a few great chances.

King Kenny: 7 Would be delighted about the performance in general, but need to work out how to take our chances and tighten up the defense.

Manchester United: 7 Still the team to beat, but they shown us lots of respects in a 4-5-1 formation.

Man of the Match: Gerrard.  Good to see the captain back with a goal.

One year on

A year ago FSG came to our rescue and we have new owners.  After a year we have made a lot of improvements, but we are still some way behind.  Today we will meet our biggest rival.  Although a win does not mean we will win the title, but it will mean we are getting closer and closer.  King Kenny has a full squad to choose from, but whoever starts will need to make sure they are fully committed.


My Team Prediction:
Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Enrique
Kuyt
Gerrard
Lucas
Downing
Suarez
Carroll

Result 2:0

Match Report 111001 at Everton: An important victory

2:0 and every derby win is very important.  The match was quite even in the first 20 minutes, but after Rodwell was sent off there should only be 1 winner.  We played patiently and at the end two find fine goals by Carroll and Suarez and we became the clear winner of the game.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Did well to keep another cleansheet.
Kelly: 7 Solid defending.
Carragher: 7 Good display in the middle.
Skrtel: 7 Not really challenged.
Enrique: 8 Solid defending and good runs upfront with a well deserved assist.
Kuyt: 7.5 A nice assist despite having a good penalty saved.
Adam: 7 Unlucky to hit the bar.
Lucas: 7.5 Another solid performance.
Downing: 6.5 Not very effective.
Suarez: 8 His never say die spirit won us a one man advantage, a penalty, a goal and a victory.
Carroll: 7.5 Scored his first league goal of the season in an important game.

Substitutions:
Gerrard: 7 Another good run after injury.
Bellamy: 7.5 Give us more options in attack.
Henderson: 6.5 Not enough time to impress.

King Kenny: 7 Would be delighted about the team's spirit.

Everton: 6.5 Couldn't match with ten men.

Men of the Match: Enrique/Suarez.  Superb performances on both ends of the pitch.

Back to where it ends

It's 7,500 days since King Kenny last stood in the Goodison Park dugout, and now he is back and is going to finish his unfinished business.  A derby is always tough and we need to play very well to go home with 3 points.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Kelly
Carragher
Skrtel
Enrique
Kuyt
Adam
Lucas
Downing
Suarez
Carroll

Result 2:0

September Month Report

2W2L and we suffered our first dip of the season.  The month started with 2 defeats at Stoke (undeserved) and Spur (well deserved), and then we rebounded by winning at Brighton and vs Wolves, although not too convincing.  Anyway we are still sitting at 5th place of the table, but the next month will be very challenging with games vs our two fiercest rivals.

Players of the month (1) Suarez 7.18 (2) Lucas 6.88 (3) Enrique 6.83.  Suarez once again lead the team with one fine goal scored vs Wolves.  Lucas have become our Mr Consistency and featured well in all our league games.  And Enrique's crossing has become a great asset to us.

October prediction:
10/1 Everton (a) Derby will be tough and we need a good mentality to win it.
10/15 Manchester United (h) We need to win to close the gap.
10/22 Norwich City (h) Norwich did well in the first 2 months and this will not be a pushover game.
10/25 Stoke City (a) Once again, Britannia Stadium is a difficult place to visit and we need a revenge.
10/29 West Bromwich Albion (a) Playing against Mr Hodgson's team and we need to find a way to break them down.

Match Report 110924 vs Wolverhampton Wanderers: Back to winning days

2:1 and after two disappointing defeats we are back to winning days.  We did well overall and could be  winnig by a larger margin, but once again we did not take chances and at the end it was only a close win.  Anyway this is still a good win and moved us up to 5th place in the table.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Solid at the back.
Kelly: 7 A good game after the injury.
Carragher: 7 Lead the team with examples.
Skrtel: 7 Solid defending.
Enrique: A superb assist to the winning goal.
Henderson: 7 Not adventurous enough.
Adam: 7 Forced the first goal.
Lucas: 7 Solid defending as usual.
Downing: 7 A good run.
Suarez: 8 Scored a great goal and excellent all round.
Carroll: 7 Was unlucky not to have scored.

Substitutions:
Kuyt: 7 Worked hard as usual.
Gerrard: 7 Have a good shot attempt.

King Kenny: 7 Would be delighted about the result, but there are lots of improvements needed for the team.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: 7 Did well in 2H.

Man of the Match: Suarez.  Another superb goal.

Rebound in the League

After two league defeats we responded well in qualifying for the 4th round in the League Cup, despite not playing too well in the 2H, we are now back to the league playing against the Wolves. We have almost identical results recently, so both teams would like to win this match. Our players will be ready for the challenge. My Team Prediction: Reina Kelly Carragher Skrtel Enrique Adam Lucas Kuyt Gerrard Downing Suarez Result 2:0

Match Report 110921 at Brighton & Hove Albion: A good response

2:1 and this is a nice response after two successive defeats. We played very well in the first half at a difficult place, but it was a mystery that we were only one up (and hit the bar 3 times). At the second hard, Brighton improved a lot, but a fine goal by Kuyt settled the game. At the end we conceded a needless penalty, but in general there is no threat that the match will go to extra time. It is good to see Stevie G has a run of 15 minutes at the end of the game, and we need his inspiration in the coming games. Players Rating: Reina: 7 Solid in general. Kelly: 7 A good come-back game. Carragher: 7 A solid game. Coates: 6.5 Defended well but need to improve on his passing. In general a nice debut start. Robinson: 7 A good game by the young kid. Kuyt: 7 Scored a nice goal to open his account. Spearing: 6.5 A bit indecisive that lead to the penalty conceded. Had a nice shot on goal. Lucas: 7 Did very well. Maxi: 7 A nice assist. Suarez: 7 A nice assist and should have scored a few. Bellamy: 7.5 A nice goal and good all-round performance. Substitutions: Gerrard: 7 A good come-back game. Flanagan: 6.5 Not enough time to impress. King Kenny: 7 Would be delighted about the result, but still need to pay attention to the drop in performance in 2H. Brighton & Hove Albion: 6.5 Really respond well in the second half, and we might see them in the Premier League next season. Man of the Match: Bellamy. A player with heart.

Respond

After 2 defeats the focus is shifted to the League Cup, and Brighton is our next opponent. They are doing well in the Championship, sitting at 3rd place and unbeaten at home, so they will be ready to entertain the mighty Reds. And we of course need to be in full gear if we want to proceed. My Team Prediction: Reina Flanagan Carragher Coates Robinson Kuyt Gerrard Lucas Downing Bellamy Carroll Result 2:0

Match Report 110918 at Tottenham Hotspur: Tactical mistake

0:4 and it was a very poor result, probably caused by the tactical mistake that King Kenny has made. With Kelly and Johnson both injured, it was up to Skrtel to handle Bale, and in truth, he failed to do so. What's more. King Kenny try to go gung-ho and left Kuyt out of the starting 11, making us overrun by Bale. And together with some unfair treatment by the balloon ball referee, we were two men down and there was no way of return. We definitely need to learn a lesson and pick up as soon as possible. Players Rating: Reina: 6 Helpless for 3 of the goals but was responsible for the 3rd goal conceded. Skrtel: 5 Two clumsy and stupid mistake and he had an early bath. Carragher: 6 Could be better to put Carra on the right. Agger: 6 Once again injured... Enrique: 6.5 One of the better player. Henderson: 6 A quiet performance. Adam: 4 A bit harsh for the second yellow, but no complaint... Lucas: 6.5 Solid in the middle. Downing: 6 Played OK. Suarez: 6 Need to control temper at times. Carroll: 5.5 Disappointing. Substitutions: Coates: 6 Did OK on his debut and show some pace. Spearing: 6 Provided some steal in the midfield. Bellamy: 6 Not yet providing any real threat to the team. King Kenny: 5 A questionable lineup and need to regroup quickly. Tottenham Hotspur: 8 Credits have to given to them for playing so well. Would be our main thread for the race for 4th place. Men of the Match: Enrique/Lucas. We need more players like them.

North London double

After a disappointing defeat at Stoke, we are facing another tough away game at Tottenham. And this is a crucial game in the race for fourth place. Spurs have rested most of the players in the midweek Europa game, so they should be fresh in facing us. We need to be playing really well if we want to bring three points home. My Team Prediction: Reina Kelly Carragher Agger Enrique Adam Lucas Kuyt Henderson Downing Suarez Result 2:0

Match Report 110910 at Stoke City: We deserve more

0:1 and the result is disappointing. As King Kenny has rightly pointed out, we were denied a few clear cut penalties. Yet the wastage of our strikers are also to blame, as we have created so many chances but failed to take any of them. Anyway, if we play like this day-in, day-out, we will win more games for sure. Players Rating: Reina: 6.5 Can't do much about the penalty. Skrtel: 6.5 Did OK on the right back position. Carragher: 6 Hate to say that, but age is now coming to him... Agger: 7 Solid at the back. Enrique: 7 Another nice display. Henderson: 7 Should have scored the equalizer. Adam: 7 Solid display. Lucas: 7 Did well in breaking down the opponents. Downing: 7 Another impressive performance. Kuyt: 6.5 Run hard as usual. Suarez: 7.5 Very lively as usual. Substitutions: Bellamy: 7 Very lively performance. Carroll: 6 Failed to make an impact. Johnson: 6 Sorry to see him injured again. King Kenny: 6.5 Should have react quicker after trailing behind. Stoke City: 6.5 A bit lucky to win the game, but credits have to be given to their defense. Man of the Match: Suarez. Just tireless...

Physical Challenge

Britannia Stadium is a very tough place to visit and we only managed 2 draws and 1 defeats in our previous three visits. Nevertheless, the currently team is stronger and King Kenny will be more adventurous and try to get another three points there. It will be a tough physical challenge, and we will be ready for it. My Team Prediction: Reina Johnson Carragher Agger Enrique Kuyt Lucas Adam Henderson Downing Suarez Result 2:0

August Match Report

3W1D and this is a really good start to the season. The season started with a draw at home vs Sunderland despite we controlling the first half, but King Kenny really learned a lesson and then we have 3 impressive wins in a row. This bring us to 3rd place of the table and with both North London teams struggling, we really have a great chance of at least securing top 4 this season.

Players of the month (1) Suarez 7.76 (2) Adam 7.26 (3) Enrique 7.17. Suarez is a constant threat and has continued his excellent run since Copa America with 3 goals and 2 assists. Adam get into the team very well and also scored one and created two. Enrique is very solid in defense and also overlapped well with Downing on the frank.

September prediction:
9/10 Stoke City (a) A tough place to visit and this will be a very physical game.
9/18 Tottenham Hotspur (a) A key match for getting 4th place. Spur may be playing poorly recently but White Hart Lane is still a tough place to visit.
9/21 Brighton (a) Another away game in the League Cup and we still need to show up if we want to proceed.
9/24 Wolverhampton Wanderers (h) Wolves are doing well recently and they will be tough to beat.

Match Report 110827 vs Bolton Wanderers: Another nice win

3-1 and this is a very comfortable win that bring us to top 3 of the table. We control the game very well and Suarez was very lively despite not scoring and was denied at least two penalties. Now we have more options in the team and the future is really bright.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Very solid.
Kelly: 6.5 Solid before his injury.
Carragher: 6 A very uncharacteristic error.
Agger: 7 Another lively performance.
Enrique: 7 A good performance.
Henderson: 7.5 Opened his account with a nicely taken goal.
Adam: 7.5 A lovely corner and a superb goal.
Lucas: 7.5 Solid at the middle.
Downing: 7 Good performance.
Suarez: 8 Constant threat.
Kuyt: 7.5 Solid with two assists.

Substitutions:
Skrtel: 7.5 Came on with a nice header.
Carroll/Maxi: 7 Solid when called on.

King Kenny: 7.5 Would be delighted about how we control the game.

Bolton Wanderers: 6 Just can't match with us.

Man of the Match: Suarez. Another brilliant performance.