Would anyone else take 7/8 losses if we could win over 27 games

[dizzycat]

I know that I certainly would, it's the draws that suck the life out of a team.

[Craig_H]

I know that I certainly would, it's the draws that suck the life out of a team.

Would i take 28 wins if it meant 7 losses? No.

Because the maximum number of points we could get, would be 87 and that would be chancing it a bit.

I was thinking about this on Saturday and i've concluded that we need to aim for 29 wins. I'd quite happily lose 6 games if we won 29, we'd end up on 90 points. So that train of thought made me feel slightly better about having already lost 2.

If we won 29 games, i think we'd win the title because there'd be a couple of draws thrown in and we'd end up on 89 or 90 points. Which i'd gladly take.

[DannyMan2006]

I know that I certainly would, it's the draws that suck the life out of a team.

27 wins is only 81 points though. 8 losses would be 35 games, leaving 3 draws giving us 84 points. Not enough for the title IMO.

But I would definitely say risk a point in favour of three in games not involving our main rivals. By that I mean throw caution to the wind looking for the win towards the end of games.

[JohnDoe]

We need to win a lot, lose very little and draw very little. There, easy peasy.

[Craig_H]

27 wins is only 81 points though. 8 losses would be 35 games, leaving 3 draws giving us 84 points. Not enough for the title IMO.

But I would definitely say risk a point in favour of three in games not involving our main rivals. By that I mean throw caution to the wind looking for the win towards the end of games.

Right, i'm going to emphasise this point again, as i've made it before and more than ever, i feel it's key:

At Anfield, teams like Hull, Stoke, Brum, Burnley, Wolves, Wigan, Pompey etc etc, will only come for a point. Not in their wildest dreams, will they come to Anfield looking to win. Ok? That's the first part of my point clarified.

Now, taking the above point, let's fast forward to the 60-70 minute mark of any of those games, at Anfield, and it's 0-0.

Given that these teams wouldnt even be thinking of winning the game at the start, come 60-70 mins, at 0-0, they're close to achieving their sole objective - 1 point.

The idea of throwing caution to the wind in these games, to me, would mean taking off Lucas or Mascherano, and throwing on an attacking option. This would obviously reduce the amount of protection for the back four. Which some may consider a risk. I think Rafa does too.

However, given that these types of opposition are now 20-25 odd minutes away from their dream 0-0 result, they're even LESS likely to be pressing forward. How gung-ho do people think those sides are likely to be against us in such circumstances?

The point is, there's already minimal risk involved in playing with one less 'protector' against these sides at Anfield, because their mantra doesnt even involve pushing forward.

So in conclusion, 'throwing caution to the wind' in such circumstances brings only the tiniest amount of risk.

Those no-mark teams arent GOING to 'punish' us for taking such a risk, because their sole objective will be to defend their goal, especially if they're only 20 mins or so away from a point.

So there you go. Bit long winded, but i felt i had to do it such a 'step by step' manner.

I think the point is clear though.

[cream]

Couldn't care less how many games we lose as long as we finish above the second place team.

[Craig_H]

Couldn't care less how many games we lose as long as we finish above the second place team.

There's also no point then, in discussing team selection, tactics, systems, transfer and the like, either

[DannyMan2006]

Great point well made Craig H. I think the only chance those teams really have against us is by scoring a set piece, and we are hardly going to get any worse at set pieces by swapping a striker for a DM.

And should we score we have the benifit of dropping Stevie G into midfield to shore things up.

[Craig_H]

Great point well made Craig H. I think the only chance those teams really have against us is by scoring a set piece, and we are hardly going to get any worse at set pieces by swapping a striker for a DM.

And should we score we have the benifit of dropping Stevie G into midfield to shore things up.

Absolutely.

This is one area where i think the 'rafa is too cautious' point, is spot on.

[DannyMan2006]

Absolutely.

This is one area where i think the 'rafa is too cautious' point, is spot on.

Indeed. A great tactital approach is essential for games, but sometimes you have to throw the book out the window and just get as many players in the opposition box as possible who are capable of reacting to a loose ball.

[BrianF80]

Isn't what Benitez is doing with Lucas pretty much what you guys are talking about? He gets ahead of the ball and joins the attacking unit when we have possession and behind the ball when it's turned over. We've essentially sacrificed a DM when in possession, I think the benefits of that will become more obvious when Aquilani is playing.

[Craig_H]

We've seen it with the mancs down the years. In need of a goal, they throw forwards on and swamp the opposition box. Of course, they also play with a high tempo and force opposition errors, but nevertheless, the more people you have in the opposition box, the more chance of nicking a goal.

You see the difference, we get about 3 men in the box, while they'll have about 6.

[Craig_H]

Isn't what Benitez is doing with Lucas pretty much what you guys are talking about? He gets ahead of the ball and joins the attacking unit when we have possession and behind the ball when it's turned over. We've essentially sacrificed a DM when in possession, I think the benefits of that will become more obvious when Aquilani is playing.

Lucas is not an attacking threat, nor is he a finisher or goalscorer.

[BrianF80]

We've seen it with the mancs down the years. In need of a goal, they throw forwards on and swamp the opposition box. Of course, they also play with a high tempo and force opposition errors, but nevertheless, the more people you have in the opposition box, the more chance of nicking a goal.

You see the difference, we get about 3 men in the box, while they'll have about 6.

To be fair I've seen us doing that this season. I saw it in the bolton game. We had the usual compliment plus the two wingers tucked in and then the full backs all in the attacking line.

[BrianF80]

Lucas is not an attacking threat, nor is he a finisher or goalscorer.

Forget about that for the moment, think about the tactics vs. the personell. Sub Aquilani for Lucas if it makes it easier.