Topic: Winning Title #19*

[Byrnee]

Palace win and they go above City.

That'll be straight on Owl's resume

"2019: Above City for a week"

In fact City could be 6th by the end of the weekend. Who would've thought, a Manc club in 6th place?

Had to check that- crazy to see it’s true! Just assumed that City were still over a win away from the rest, but wow.

[UntouchableLuis]

City will see this weekend as a good chance to make ground up so it could be big if we stay at least 8 points clear by the time the gameweek concludes.

Dropping points this weekend and a defeat to City in a few weeks would be the worst possible outcome but that's what they'll be hoping for.

[Crosby Nick]

City will see this weekend as a good chance to make ground up so it could be big if we stay at least 8 points clear by the time the gameweek concludes.

Dropping points this weekend and a defeat to City in a few weeks would be the worst possible outcome but that's what they'll be hoping for.

Interesting point. Say they draw on Saturday (is that when they play), then we draw on Sunday to maintain the 8 point gap would we call that a decent outcome or a missed opportunity?

[TheFlyingScouseman]

Interesting point. Say they draw on Saturday (is that when they play), then we draw on Sunday to maintain the 8 point gap would we call that a decent outcome or a missed opportunity?

Considering City also have to go to United, where they’ll raise their game for them as much as us. And the fact going to Old Trafford is one of the most difficult fixtures of the season, no matter what condition they are in, I’d say it wouldn’t be a disaster, sure they’ll be meltdown on here though.

[Crosby Nick]

Considering City also have to go to United, where they’ll raise their game for them as much as us. And the fact going to Old Trafford is one of the most difficult fixtures of the season, no matter what condition they are in, I’d say it wouldn’t be a disaster, sure they’ll be meltdown on here though.

Haha true. I used to think imagine the drama when we lose one, but actually it’ll be virtually as bad whenever we even draw one. We collectively have to accept that we are not going to win 38 and be level headed when we drop points. Not sure we will be though (collective ‘we’, not calling each and everyone hysterical OTT drama queens!).

[lobsterboy]

Palace win and they go above City.

That'll be straight on Owl's resume

"2019: Above City for a week"

In fact City could be 6th by the end of the weekend. Who would've thought, a Manc club in 6th place?

He'd choke on his pellet, the wizened old twat.

[Lynndenberries]

Interesting point. Say they draw on Saturday (is that when they play), then we draw on Sunday to maintain the 8 point gap would we call that a decent outcome or a missed opportunity?

Missed opportunity in my opinion. United are dreadful at the moment and are missing arguably their two best players. We should be taking advantage of this situation.

[rebel23]

Missed opportunity in my opinion. United are dreadful at the moment and are missing arguably their two best players. We should be taking advantage of this situation.

OT is not an easy place to go though no matter the state there in.  Our record there is poor.  I think a draw aint the end of the world..

[Lynndenberries]

OT is not an easy place to go though no matter the state there in.  Our record there is poor.  I think a draw aint the end of the world..

I certainly don't either, I just think we should capitalize on their poor run of form and the number of injuries they have to key players.

[UntouchableLuis]

Interesting point. Say they draw on Saturday (is that when they play), then we draw on Sunday to maintain the 8 point gap would we call that a decent outcome or a missed opportunity?

IMO it would then depend on the result against City. If we both draw and then we lose to City it could be a crucial turning point.

Personally if you offered me that we'll both draw this weekend then we also draw against City I would take it right now. If we can get to that point at least 8 clear it will be a big advantage.

Maybe I'm being too cautious but matching City's results and getting draws or better when we play them would win us the title.

[G Richards]

If Man City draw on Saturday and then we draw on Sunday I would see it as a missed opportunity. We are better than Man Utd and we should be proving that with a win. Yes, it's at Old Trafford and yes, our record there is poor - but over the last 25 years they have tended to have a better team than us more often than not, so they were expected to win. But not now.

Not even the most biased Man Utd fan could make a case that their side is better than ours. On a given day the lesser team can punch above it's weight - an off day for the opponent, a boost by the home crowd, a bit of luck here and there - all of those things, and more besides, are reasons why you never say never. But more often than not the better team wins. And we are the better team.

So, missing the chance to extend the lead over Man City would be a missed opportunity. Mind you, I'd quickly recalibrate and see the silver lining in managing to maintain the 8 point gap.

[Knight]

If City draw we have a free hit at Utd. A win becomes absolutely massive, a loss isn't the end of the world. A draw keeps the status quo.

[JC the Messiah]

I want the win.

[Anthony]

Palace win and they go above City.

That'll be straight on Owl's resume

"2019: Above City for a week"

In fact City could be 6th by the end of the weekend. Who would've thought, a Manc club in 6th place?

Arsenal don't play until Monday and, while Chelsea and Leicester are both at home to Newcastle and Burnley respectively, if they both draw Palace could be 2nd Saturday Night...!

[Mozology]

It's debatable who has the harder fixture this weekend, us against a poor, injury depleted Utd, or City against Palace.

If City draw on Saturday and we draw Sunday I'd see it as a huge missed opportunity, a chance to go double figures clear.

Can definitely see Palace score, if they score first then the sweat's on.

[killer-heels]

It's debatable who has the harder fixture this weekend, us against a poor, injury depleted Utd, or City against Palace.

If City draw on Saturday and we draw Sunday I'd see it as a huge missed opportunity, a chance to go double figures clear.

Can definitely see Palace score, if they score first then the sweat's on.

Our game is much harder.

[So… Howard Philips]

Our game is much harder.

I'm not 100% sure our game is harder. United are disorganised and have players missing through injury. The crowd will certainly be up for it.

Palace don't seem much weaker than the team United will put out against us.

[Mighty_Red]

Dropping points on Sunday would be exactly the same as last season - a missed opportunity. Last season we played poorly and were not brave enough to get through the game. We have improved in that respect so now the time to show it.

A draw away to City, Spurs or even Leicester and Arsenal are acceptable results, the rest have to be considered as dropped points.

Of course, you will always drop some points along the way against lower teams so there can't be a meltdown when it happens.

I would seriously put Utd in that mediocre category. Respect them, but acknowledge our own strengths and go for it.

[El Lobo]

Dropping points on Sunday would be exactly the same as last season - a missed opportunity. Last season we played poorly and were not brave enough to get through the game. We have improved in that respect so now the time to show it.

A draw away to City, Spurs or even Leicester and Arsenal are acceptable results, the rest have to be considered as dropped points.

Of course, you will always drop some points along the way against lower teams so there can't be a meltdown when it happens.

I would seriously put Utd in that mediocre category. Respect them, but acknowledge our own strengths and go for it.

You’re seriously going to chuck that at this team...? 

[killer-heels]

I'm not 100% sure our game is harder. United are disorganised and have players missing through injury. The crowd will certainly be up for it.

Palace don't seem much weaker than the team United will put out against us.

Granted that United have never been this shit but we havent really outplayed them at their place since 2014. The last two seasons when they were average we gave absolutely ordinary performances.

If we had performed the way Man City have performed at their place in the past several years then I would be confident of battering them. City have not only dished out some big wins but have been the most dominant away side there for a long time.

We should really be winning but the history of the fixture, the importance and rivalry makes this a much tougher game than Palace away.

[jillcwhomever]

You’re seriously going to chuck that at this team...? 

I'm quite stunned by that.

[King Kenny 7]

With two weeks preparation I honestly expect Manchester City to thump Palace, not even holding out for a draw.

So not counting on anything there but the same applies with us - Klopp has had a while to prep for this game and is well aware of our result there last year and what those extra two points could have meant to our season.

Three points this time sets a marker - times have changed - we are the better team, we have the smarter players, we have the best Manager.


This is just a warm up for the Big Game on November 10th.

[harleydanger]

OT is not an easy place to go though no matter the state there in.  Our record there is poor.  I think a draw aint the end of the world..

That’s fishing

[Zlen]

Win next three and we are almost certainly safe from relegation. What more motivation do we need?

[Zimagic]

Win next three and we are almost certainly safe from relegation. What more motivation do we need?

That's when complacency sets in! 

[groove]

I think we'll win but 9/2 for United at OT?! They're not that bad.

[groove]

I wonder if this is the longest odds they've been at home for the last 25 years.

[JC the Messiah]

I think we'll win but 9/2 for United at OT?! They're not that bad.

Yes they are - and we're that good.

[CraigDS]

Yes they are - and we're that good.

Agreed.

I can only assume some people have not watched United at all this season? They are fucking woeful.

[Kenny's Jacket]

The midweek fixtures between the games are kind to us. Genk, Arsenal in the League Cup, before Genk again. Now Genk away probably won't be a barrel of laughs, but there's an argument for Klopp to say to his first XI forget about the cups for now, you're pretty much playing once a week in the league. We'd probably have to rotate a few into each match, sure, but the general point is there.

Very Brendan Rodgers that. No way are we playing the B team in the CL

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Very Brendan Rodgers that. No way are we playing the B team in the CL

Yeah not happening. Considering Genk got a point against Napoli, it would be daft to do so.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

Very Brendan Rodgers that. No way are we playing the B team in the CL

Yeah not happening. Considering Genk got a point against Napoli, it would be daft to do so.

Well, my post does mention rotating a few first-teamers into each game. So somewhere between an A and B team.

Alisson

Gomez Lovren VVD Robbo/Milner

Ox Fab/Gini Keita

Salah/Mane Firmino Origi

(Robbo and Fab for the away game; Milner and Gini for the home game.)

Would you consider a side like that incapable of getting 6 points against Genk? I personally think we've been fortunate to have a tough league run coincide with our easiest CL games, and I don't think we should jeopardise winning the league by unnecessarily risking players.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

That's not a B team though.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

That's not a B team though.

I think there's a case to be made for Shaqiri in the home game against Genk as well, btw. So from the first-team outfield players, I'd only be looking to play VVD, Gini (who would be given a rest in the away game), and one of the front three. In the away game, a couple on top of that. My post never mentioned a 'B team' - I just think we should be resting plenty of players in those games.

[Sharado]

I think there's a case to be made for Shaqiri in the home game against Genk as well, btw. So from the first-team outfield players, I'd only be looking to play VVD, Gini (who would be given a rest in the away game), and one of the front three. In the away game, a couple on top of that. My post never mentioned a 'B team' - I just think we should be resting plenty of players in those games.

Klopp tends to rotate in no bigger cluster than maybe 4 players though, unless it's a cup he doesn't really care about [hello there both domestic trophies]. Depends who starts at OT and a little on matips injury at the back for example but I'd be surprised if more than 4 players that start Sunday don't start on weds. We've got a cup to defend.

[Kenny's Jacket]

My post never mentioned a 'B team' - I just think we should be resting plenty of players in those games.

I used the tern B team based on the comment about the first X1

, but there's an argument for Klopp to say to his first XI forget about the cups for now, you're pretty much playing once a week in the league.

The idea of one or two is possible, but we never seem to. Great example is Porto home after winning away and also Porto away after winning at Home, pretty much full strength for both

We can maybe have a few changes for Genk at home depending on how the group is shaping up
The other issue is that there is no guarantee restring players will ensure winning those league games.

I do love seeing the kids play in the League cup though

[LallanaInPyjamas]

Klopp tends to rotate in no bigger cluster than maybe 4 players though, unless it's a cup he doesn't really care about [hello there both domestic trophies]. Depends who starts at OT and a little on matips injury at the back for example but I'd be surprised if more than 4 players that start Sunday don't start on weds. We've got a cup to defend.

All fair, but I'm not predicting what Klopp will do, merely saying what I would like to see him do.

It's impossible to know how good Genk are as IIRC the only time I've seen them play in recent years was their recent match against Napoli. Genk were a little better than I expected, admittedly, but Napoli played poorly yet still missed two or three sitters to sneak the game.

The Euro Club Index has Genk down at 66th - a few places above Burnley, Southampton and Newcastle. Their only player who I've heard of is Gheorghe Hagi's lad (hopefully he's not as good!). I'd have absolutely no problems if Klopp played a half-and-half side against those three sides in a competition where we don't have to win every game to achieve our aims.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

The other issue is that there is no guarantee restring players will ensure winning those league games.

I agree with that. But this is probably our last chance until January to give some first-teamers a week between games. Moreover, win the next four league games, we almost certainly win the league imo. It's an excellent opportunity in more than one sense.

[wige]

I agree with that. But this is probably our last chance until January to give some first-teamers a week between games. Moreover, win the next four league games, we almost certainly win the league imo. It's an excellent opportunity in more than one sense.

Agree with your opinion on both the resting/rotation and the next 4 games.

I'd be looking to rotate somewhere between 2-4 players pretty much game by game now. Like you say - you can do that across the defensive line with Gomez, Milner and Lovren. In midfield its that pool of Fab/Hendo/Gini  and then using Keita, Ox, Lallana, Shaq, Milner to mix things up or refresh legs. Even in the forward line, I think a three that contains Origi or Shaq plus 2 of the the three is fine for the Genk games - as an example.

[rebel23]

The pressure is really on City. You could see it in the Wolves game as they were throwing men forward.  We have put  them in a difficult position at such an early part of the season.