Knee jerk central

[RoadEnd]

we drew a derby game against a dogged in form everton side. half the site is acting like the league is now a mathematical impossibility. yes, tonights result was ****ing disappointing, but if we win and they lose our next games it all suddenly looks so very different again. there's a long way to go.

This isn't a knee jerk reaction to one game.

We do not appear to have the mentality or strength of character to grind out a win - even at home.

The key game that our chances hinge on is the visit to Old Toilet. Lose that and we will be requiring a miracle.

[Ataturk]

It is mathematical impossible because we will struggle till the end of the season. I can see United breezing this title which was supposedly the closest in years.

you really are a drama queen

[Sadgeek]

At what point do you stop viewing it as knee-jerk, and more a glance at reality?

Another 2 points wasted, and all the momentum is with the other ******s

[Imy]

The problem is that Man Utd who are traditionally very strong post Xmas are top with a game in hand AND they've hit quite some form they've not conceded in 9 games? compare that to our form! and the likes of Chelsea, Villa and to a point Arsenal breathing down our necks now also.

All that just bought home the realisation that League title is no nearer then it has ever been

[Tee]

It is easy to throw the 'knee-jerk' tag at people who criticise, but what I am seeing is a lot of supporters who are starting to lose patience despite backing Rafa 100%. It is an accumulation of results and IMO more importantly the actual performances that has me worried.

Best thing about yesterday is that we play the bstards again so quickly so (fingers crossed) there is an early opportunity for redemption all round.

[BJC]

One point closer to the title.

If you're not up for the fight then do one.

[Imy]

One point closer to the title.

If you're not up for the fight then do one.

That should be put up in the home dressing room at Anfield

[Craig_H]

13 wins from 16 games now required.

[Tee]

13 wins from 16 games now required.

Says who? Mystic Meg?

[BFG]

we drew a derby game against a dogged in form everton side. half the site is acting like the league is now a mathematical impossibility. yes, tonights result was ****ing disappointing, but if we win and they lose our next games it all suddenly looks so very different again. there's a long way to go.

We drew a derby and people are writing the season off, anything can happen in these games.

There's one particular thread on here that's blown my mind this morning. Pathetic.

[Elvis]

I'm with the "all is not lost" brigade....it was disappointing to concede late and we do seem jittery, but one thumping win and, perhaps, a chase instead of trying to stay top, and the confidence will return. My only concern is....what will happen to Rafa if we blow it? The club's owners might we decide that the excuse they need to dump Rafa is for us to be top at Xmas and then fritter away our advantage by nervously conceding points at home (and away). The Champions League don't matter. The FA CUp don't matter. We must be battling for that title come April otherwise it could be grim for Rafa.

[Craig_H]

Says who? Mystic Meg?

It's very likely that the winners will end up with a points tally in the mid 80s.

Or maybe you think 60 will win it.

[Craig_H]

We drew a derby and people are writing the season off, anything can happen in these games.

There's one particular thread on here that's blown my mind this morning. Pathetic.

It's hardly only the drawn derby though, is it? People always single out the latest ****e result. Unfortunately it's one of many. 11 home games, only 6 wins.

We basically fail to win at home about half the time. That is why people are writing it off.

Before Stoke away, the previous ****e draws were written off as 'one offs' and not a problem because we were gonna beat Stoke away. Then we drew at Stoke and that game was added to the list, but dont worry, we'll beat everton. Now we've failed to do that as well.

We could keep drawing and some people will keep pretending it's one solitary result that people are using to back up their views. It's not.

[Tee]

It's very likely that the winners will end up with a points tally in the mid 80s.

Or maybe you think 60 will win it.

Who knows, maybe somewhere in between?

[Baldemort]

Not so simple really - I'm sure if he'd have done what you've suggested and still drawn, people would be blaming Rafa, saying why bring on 2 players who have performed so poorly this season?

I think Everton played a good game, they never panicked or let their heads drop after going a goal down - they knew if they could keep it 1-0 till the last 5-10 mins that they could start pushing more men forward and we would get twitchy. They had nothing to lose whilst the magnitude of this game meant we had everything to lose and it paid off for them.

I think Rafa knew this would happen, thats why he brought on an extra midfielder - I'm sure Rafa couldn't have predicted we'd defend that free kick so poorly.

This was always going to be a hard game and ultimately we dropped points because of schoolboy defending.

There is such a fine margin between winning and dropping points - we should have been 3 up and out of sight except for a poor finish from Torres and a shocking decision from the ref. Compare this with Man Utd's win against Bolton - moments before their late winner, Davies missed a sitter from 6 yards - had luck went against them in that game and had we got the luck tonight, we could easily have been 5 points clear at the moment.

Its a shame so many fail to see just how small the margins are at the moment.

Excellent post. Have a cigar.