Topic: The Anfield Wrap

[Fitzy.]

There’s arguably an intellectual dishonesty with regards Ste Armstrong’s assessment with United and their struggles. I get that the trappings of the modern game creates an inherent conflict for fans who adore their clubs because of an almost inherent love born out of a lifetime’s worth of dedication. Fantatacism is the core of any club and should be recognised and appreciated.

The issue I have with Armstrong is that he’s apparently arriving at his conclusions at the same time his team aren’t competitive. He’s expressed these views before but they’re becoming more acute in their tone. There’s an argument to suggest his sanctimony is elevated by what’s happening on the pitch as it serves as a distraction of the fact his team seems to be shite. Indeed, his complaints that commercial interests supersede United’s  footballing glory may be a fair point if United were operating alone. The truth is that Europe is filled with clubs who garner big revenues but aren’t hamstrung by a football dinosaur who is contributing to the regression of a huge club. Armstrong has a point but there’s more than a whiff of ‘crying it in’ and he certainly cares more than he says when interviewed by TAW - which is fine, by the way.

[Big Bamber]

There’s arguably an intellectual dishonesty with regards Ste Armstrong’s assessment with United and their struggles. I get that the trappings of the modern game creates an inherent conflict for fans who adore their clubs because of an almost inherent love born out of a lifetime’s worth of dedication. Fantatacism is the core of any club and should be recognised and appreciated.

The issue I have with Armstrong is that he’s apparently arriving at his conclusions at the same time his team aren’t competitive. He’s expressed these views before but they’re becoming more acute in their tone. There’s an argument to suggest his sanctimony is elevated by what’s happening on the pitch as it serves as a distraction of the fact his team seems to be shite. Indeed, his complaints that commercial interests supersede United’s  footballing glory may be a fair point if United were operating alone. The truth is that Europe is filled with clubs who garner big revenues but aren’t hamstrung by a football dinosaur who is contributing to the regression of a huge club. Armstrong has a point but there’s more than a whiff of ‘crying it in’ and he certainly cares more than he says when interviewed by TAW - which is fine, by the way.

This was my overriding view of his contribution also. He is conveniently arguing that what is happening at united should be concerning for all clubs. Its such a transparent strategy I’m surprised Neil did not pull him up on it.

[Yiannis]

Does Dave Downie appear on any of the shows or they get another Blue on?

[firing squad]

What happened to the Post Match Pint yesterday? They published it but then it disappeared.

[Iska]

What happened to the Post Match Pint yesterday? They published it but then it disappeared.

I’ve just listened to it.  Suspect the problem must be your IT.

[firing squad]

I’ve just listened to it.  Suspect the problem must be your IT.

There's no YouTube link anymore. I got the email with the link, as usual, but there's no link anymore.

[Iska]

Ah sorry, I’m getting mixed up between the post match show pod and the post match pint youtube.  Can’t keep up with the name changes - honestly, some days it feels like there’s no part of life where I amn’t gently sliding into old-fashionedness.

[firing squad]

 

[markedasred]

This was my overriding view of his contribution also. He is conveniently arguing that what is happening at united should be concerning for all clubs. Its such a transparent strategy I’m surprised Neil did not pull him up on it.

I was about to be cynical and say, "what, upset the sponsor?", but Neil is getting married or just got married, so I do not want a snide remark from me to darken his reading. Have a lovely wedding and life together mate, and let's collectively enjoy the nearness to squirming Ste Armstrong has to Icarusly fly towards.

[Raaphael]

No TAW today?

[Barefoot Doctor]

No TAW today?

It's there now.

[Scott0908]

What happened to the Post Match Pint yesterday? They published it but then it disappeared.

yeah was looking for this aswell.

[redgriffin73]

Nothing showing for me today in itunes, I keep refreshing but nothing new coming up.

Checked on the TAW website and it says there's one called Reds Title Tilt Intact After City Stalemate but it's just not showing for me at all in itunes.

[Solomon Grundy]

Nice Little dig from Robbo at that prick Duncan Castles today at the end of talking reds.

[robbohuyton]

Apologies about The Post Match Pint for those asking. Unfortunately we had a major problem with the sound files corrupting so we had to pull it. Normal service next game!

[Fitzy.]

Apologies about The Post Match Pint for those asking. Unfortunately we had a major problem with the sound files corrupting so we had to pull it. Normal service next game!

Too late. Terminated my subscription and blocked the lot of you on Twitter.

[Fitzy.]

Nice Little dig from Robbo at that prick Duncan Castles today at the end of talking reds.

Rory Smith has also taken aim at him on Twitter this morning

[redgriffin73]

Apologies about The Post Match Pint for those asking. Unfortunately we had a major problem with the sound files corrupting so we had to pull it. Normal service next game!

Cheers. In the end I downloaded it direct off the website onto my laptop and then onto my ipod.

[Dench57]

Rory Smith has also taken aim at him on Twitter this morning

What's that snide been up to this time?

[red_Mark1980]

What's that snide been up to this time?

Smith?

[nellpatel]

Is anyone else able to access The Review? TAW and Sean Rogers have tweeted about it but I can't see it yet on the website or in my podcast app?

[kavah]

Is anyone else able to access The Review? TAW and Sean Rogers have tweeted about it but I can't see it yet on the website or in my podcast app?

Yes. I had a similar problem last week after updating my iPhone operating system - there is a how to fix it post if that is your problem (reply #19160 on the previous page)

[Dench57]

Smith?

[red_Mark1980]

Ah right.

Rory Smith had a go at the number of Mancs running into the final year of their contract and he said something about the Arsenal players doing afternoon sessions. Nothing major really.

[kavah]

Just about to board a long flight and I’ve got all the shows lined up - the coach home has just gone up as I’m writing and I’ve forgotten my fucking headphones. Hope my neighbours don’t mind the pink on loudspeaker  

[Fitzy.]

What's that snide been up to this time?

Dunc said that Liverpool p[layers 'hated' doing late training sessions. Rory Smith mentioned that Arsenal do the same and kind of poked fun at Castles that it was common practice.

Castles is a weird one though. Peddles negative stories about Pep and Klopp all the time in the face of the mainstream narrative that these two guys are, essentially, getting it 'right'. It's so bloody transparent. What's weirder is that one can only assume that Castles is getting his directives from Mendes' stable and the whole enterprise is about Jose's brand management...but do these guys really think that Klopp and Pep's 'brand' is so vulnerable that petty tit-bits will erode their very positive reputations?

[bradders1011]

The Greatest was an odd one. The caveats basically removed most of the greatest from the discussion.

Enjoying the more regular WWCHs though.

[Fitzy.]

The Greatest was an odd one. The caveats basically removed most of the greatest from the discussion.

Enjoying the more regular WWCHs though.

It was a fun listen but not quite sure where we all were by the end.

[Iska]

Really interesting, and concerning, take on Keita from Sean Walsh on the most recent Review show.

[Iska]

My old phone died and I’ve got a new podcast app (Castro).  However, I can’t remember how to get TAW Player onto it.  Can anyone help?  (apologies for being *that guy*)

[John C]

My old phone died and I’ve got a new podcast app (Castro).  However, I can’t remember how to get TAW Player onto it.  Can anyone help?  (apologies for being *that guy*)

Have a look a few posts above recently mate, I think you have to cut and paste the subscribe link.

[Red Viper]

Don't think anyone got it right on The Greatest Front Three.

Graves' shout of wanting at least 65 goals then picking Mane, Sturridge and Sterling was particularly wild.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

The Greatest was an odd one. The caveats basically removed most of the greatest from the discussion.

Bit weird that Neil indicated he'd accept Coutinho despite him regularly playing as our fourth most attacking player, but not McManaman who regularly played as our third. I agreed with him on Gerrard though.

Don't think anyone got it right on The Greatest Front Three.

Graves' shout of wanting at least 65 goals then picking Mane, Sturridge and Sterling was particularly wild.

No right or wrong with these things, was a fun discussion, but personally I would say Owen and Suarez have to be absolute shoe-ins. So you either pick a third player like Mané, Salah or Sterling to stretch the pitch, or someone like Coutinho or McManaman to play behind them. I'd lean towards the latter because they showed their quality over several seasons, even if the former may work better in practice.

[Crosby Nick]

Would like to see Neil’s team with a front three and then Gerrard and McManaman behind them though. Would probably need a Momo/Mascherano type destroyer to mop things up though.

[Fitzy.]

I just think you go with Mane, Salah and Firmino. They've done the numbers - it's not speculation, it's fact.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

I just think you go with Mane, Salah and Firmino. They've done the numbers - it's not speculation, it's fact.

As a unit, yes. But they've done it over one or two seasons. Owen was banging them in for seven. In a show about 'The Greatest', longevity has to play a massive part.

[Iska]

For those of us that haven't got round to it yet, what was the context?

Speculation that he hasn’t settled at the club, all circumstantial but quite persuasive, looking at factors like demeanour, how he interacts with the others, where he is on the pitch and when, and (the big red flag I think) him having no English at all even though he’s known he’s coming here for ages.  Hopefully it all comes good, but the last one is concerning.

[Fitzy.]

As a unit, yes. But they've done it over one or two seasons. Owen was banging them in for seven. In a show about 'The Greatest', longevity has to play a massive part.

But they've done it in real life to a very impressive degree. Other combinations have no actual reference of success let alone longevity.

I actually think, because of the above, it was a flawed concept. A discussion about 'the greatest' individual forward would be easier in the sense that there isn't necessarily a need to suspend disbelief to make it work.

[MartinSkrtelsBasement]

Really interesting, and concerning, take on Keita from Sean Walsh on the most recent Review show.

Listened to that, but can't agree with it.

As fans, we can be guilty of putting 2 and 2 together and making 5. It's too easy conclusion to make in my opnion. I know for a fact that you can have a better grasp of the English language than you may portray. By all accounts he is a shy fella, so may not be confident in expressing himself yet.

I think the more accurate explanation of some below par performances are explained by the fact that we have been playing some good sides of late, and we have therefore required more discilpline tactically. He's still learning that side of things under Klopp.

Neil alluded to this and I agree, take the shackles off against Huddersfield and Cardiff and we'll see the best Keita.

[Fitzy.]

Listened to that, but can't agree with it.

As fans, we can be guilty of putting 2 and 2 together and making 5. It's too easy conclusion to make in my opnion. I know for a fact that you can have a better grasp of the English language than you may portray. By all accounts he is a shy fella, so may not be confident in expressing himself yet.

I think the more accurate explanation of some below par performances are explained by the fact that we have been playing some good sides of late, and we have therefore required more discilpline tactically. He's still learning that side of things under Klopp.

Neil alluded to this and I agree, take the shackles off against Huddersfield and Cardiff and we'll see the best Keita.

I think this is the nail on the head.

While it'd be great if he bossed games against Europe's top sides, the reality is that those games are so tactically precise and exhausting that expressing yourself is so tough. It's quit easy to look 'off the pace' just by not being totally at it.

This is more than a TAW issue and it's more than a Keita issue - the past 7 games have been incredibly tough but you'd think we'd played the blind school every week the way some tantrums are erupting (I am not suggesting TAW are having a tantrum).

I'm pretty sure that by the start of December, Keita will have Match of the Day doing analysis of his contributions in some 'easier' games. Fodder is on its way.