Why can't we defend our trophies!!!

[Parm]

every trophy we've won over the past 16/17 years we just have not been able to successfully defend and retain. We were knocked out by a pathetically poor Benfica side for the Cl last year and an so so Arsenal team last night. It just makes all the effort we out into winning the trophy seem to go to waste. We never seem to have that swagger that says "you want this, over our dead bodis are you gonna get it"

where's the fight gone?

[Shaggy]

Agreed, it's very disappointing.

[Parm]

the only benefit i can see from us going out is that it's one less trophy to worry about, this helped us in 2005 when we won the Cl, but the way I see it, whatever comp we're in, we should be in it to win it. end of.

[ARIMAN]

It`ll free up alot of Saturdays - which allow us to concentrate on the League and the CL

The only positives is that as well got knocked at the start we saved us alot of games

The free days means we have days off, or can play EPL games and not have fixture congestion

I dont mind what happens on Tuesday - obviously it`ll be nice to win but again it`ll save us a double-header against Spurs and a final against Cheslki - time spent on getting ready for the end of Februrary

[andyinswinton]

To be honest, what is there in the league to concentrate on? If we can't finish in the top four in this league then it would be a disgrace. We aren't going to win it this season and I think second is probably out of reach so this, the CL and the league cup is all we have to concentrate on.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't be grateful for the rest but we should be finisihing top four at the minimum every season, but its very disappointing that we couldn't defend our trophy.

I'd have love to have been the first team to have won at the new Wembley stadium.

[anfieldanfield]

To be honest, what is there in the league to concentrate on? If we can't finish in the top four in this league then it would be a disgrace. We aren't going to win it this season and I think second is probably out of reach so this, the CL and the league cup is all we have to concentrate on.
I'm not saying that we shouldn't be grateful for the rest but we should be finisihing top four at the minimum every season, but its very disappointing that we couldn't defend our trophy.

I'd have love to have been the first team to have won at the new Wembley stadium.

Absolutely spot on Andy.

We're going to finish third or fourth, no problem.

Winning the League Cup and knocking out Barca should be our main aims for the next two months.

[Kopite_Colin]

Unless we use this transfer window, we've got very little chance of beating Barca. We'll need to score a few against them to have any chance imho, not just a1-0 & 0-0 combo (although of course I'd settle for that!)

[desertscouser]

Absolutely spot on Andy.

We're going to finish third or fourth, no problem.

Winning the League Cup and knocking out Barca should be our main aims for the next two months.

I really can't see us finishing 3rd either. 4th for sure but I reckon once Arsenal get going they're a far better side than we are, as proven twice already this season.

We'll also have our work cut out to win the league cup. We'll have to beat Arsenal, Spurs and then Chelsea. Considering our ****e performances against top sides this season, winning the league cup is going to be very very difficult.

And then we're left with Barca....

[anfieldanfield]

Unless we use this transfer window, we've got very little chance of beating Barca. We'll need to score a few against them to have any chance imho, not just a1-0 & 0-0 combo (although of course I'd settle for that!)

It's going to be incredibly tough, but we've got a chance, albeit a slim one.

As long as Sissoko is back and Stevie and Carra are on form, we've got chance.

I'd take a 0-0 at their place right now.

[anfieldanfield]

I really can't see us finishing 3rd either. 4th for sure but I reckon once Arsenal get going they're a far better side than we are, as proven twice already this season.

We'll also have our work cut out to win the league cup. We'll have to beat Arsenal, Spurs and then Chelsea. Considering our ****e performances against top sides this season, winning the league cup is going to be very very difficult.

And then we're left with Barca....

Glad you said all that mate, I would have been slaughtered!

For the record, I think we'll end up fourth too.

In contrast to you however, I can see us winning the League Cup. Arsenal at home on Tuesday is a chance for revenge. Rafa should put out the strongest side available. Over two legs against Spurs, I'd feel very, very confident.

[Kopite_Colin]

So would I - and until BBUrn & Arsenal I'd say our defence would be good enough to allow us to get such a result. My bigger concern about the 2 Arsenal games and Chelsea before meeting Barca is what that may do to our confidence against the top sides before that game. Without great matchwinners (other than SG, and maybe Luis!) we are a confidence team, and we need to be on a roll to cope with the top sides in the CL. If our confidence is shot before we get to Barca, I fear for us - esp if we give Ronaldinho the room we gave Rosicky last night.

[desertscouser]

Glad you said all that mate, I would have been slaughtered!

For the record, I think we'll end up fourth too.

In contrast to you however, I can see us winning the League Cup. Arsenal at home on Tuesday is a chance for revenge. Rafa should put out the strongest side available. Over two legs against Spurs, I'd feel very, very confident.

I'm waiting for the onslaught...

Definitely got a good chance of winning the league cup but it will be very difficult and we'll have to be at our very best.

As for Barca, it's not so much the nou camp leg that wories me but more so what their players can do to us on the counter at anfield. Arsenal picked us off yesterday but Barca are even better on the counter.

If I'm honest I really don't think we're a very good side.

[andyinswinton]

Ok, we might not beat Barca. They are a damn good side. There would be no shame in that. They will beat better sides than us this season.

I'm not that bothered if we don't win the league cup. If we got to the final, played Chelsea and lost, then it wouldn't exactly be a new experience. We did that in 2004. Again, begrudgingly, Chelsea are a damn good side.

What I can't hold with is not finishing in the top four. We should be doing that without breaking sweat. I think outside of the top four the premiership is mediocre. To contemplate finishing behind Bolton, Portsmouth, Spurs or Everton (again!) would be a disgrace. The fact that we are even talking about being knocked out of the FA cup helping our overall league position is a joke.

[desertscouser]

Andy, if we don't finish in the top 4 then I would seriously start to question whether or not Rafa was the right man for the job. But I'm pretty sure we'll finish 4th, no problem.

[Kopite_Colin]

DS - if Rafa refuses to get rid of Bellamy, Fowler and Crouch at the end of teh season, what would you opinion be then - just as a matter of interest?