Paul Hassall, 21st Jan 2010
LiverpoolFC.tv
John McMahon believes there will be an air of relief amongst his reserve players as they head into tonight's top of the table clash with Manchester City - a match you watch exclusively live online.
The Barclays Premier Reserve League North leaders host the second-placed Blues in what will be their first competitive action since November 10, 2009.
The Reds coach admits it has been a frustrating time for his charges and revealed that they have been chomping at the bit to start playing football again.
"It's been very frustrating," McMahon told Liverpoolfc.tv. "We managed to get away on a training camp to Spain and we played two games, but they aren't the same as playing competitive matches.
"Its maybe knocked the momentum we had from being on a decent run and the lads haven't been too happy because there's no substitute for playing games."
The Reserves' impressive form has seen them win eight matches on the spin since an opening day of the season defeat at Blackburn.
Last time out they produced a superb performance to overwhelm Hull City 4-1, although McMahon concedes it will be difficult for his players to maintain that momentum after such a long break from action.
"I don't remember too much about the Hull game to be honest with you," he said. "We put in a couple of good performances before the break and scored quite a few goals. But it was so long ago, that it's going to be strange for the lads.
"We'll go about it like we always do and hopefully we'll get a decent performance out of the lads.
"It should be a good game. It was a good game when we played them at the City of Manchester Stadium and the lads are really looking forward to it.
"It's difficult to assess what kind of test it will be because it depends what side they put out. You could play the same club every week and you'd face a different team.
"But whatever team Man City put out will be a good one and we will have to be ready for the test."
He added: "We won 2-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium back in September. We had Daniel Agger with us that night and he helped sure the defence up a bit. David Ngog scored a good goal, as did Stevie Irwin.
"If we can replicate that performance I'll be pleased."
LiverpoolFC.tv
John McMahon believes there will be an air of relief amongst his reserve players as they head into tonight's top of the table clash with Manchester City - a match you watch exclusively live online.
The Barclays Premier Reserve League North leaders host the second-placed Blues in what will be their first competitive action since November 10, 2009.
The Reds coach admits it has been a frustrating time for his charges and revealed that they have been chomping at the bit to start playing football again.
"It's been very frustrating," McMahon told Liverpoolfc.tv. "We managed to get away on a training camp to Spain and we played two games, but they aren't the same as playing competitive matches.
"Its maybe knocked the momentum we had from being on a decent run and the lads haven't been too happy because there's no substitute for playing games."
The Reserves' impressive form has seen them win eight matches on the spin since an opening day of the season defeat at Blackburn.
Last time out they produced a superb performance to overwhelm Hull City 4-1, although McMahon concedes it will be difficult for his players to maintain that momentum after such a long break from action.
"I don't remember too much about the Hull game to be honest with you," he said. "We put in a couple of good performances before the break and scored quite a few goals. But it was so long ago, that it's going to be strange for the lads.
"We'll go about it like we always do and hopefully we'll get a decent performance out of the lads.
"It should be a good game. It was a good game when we played them at the City of Manchester Stadium and the lads are really looking forward to it.
"It's difficult to assess what kind of test it will be because it depends what side they put out. You could play the same club every week and you'd face a different team.
"But whatever team Man City put out will be a good one and we will have to be ready for the test."
He added: "We won 2-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium back in September. We had Daniel Agger with us that night and he helped sure the defence up a bit. David Ngog scored a good goal, as did Stevie Irwin.
"If we can replicate that performance I'll be pleased."
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