Bolton and Sheff Utd

[WILF]

We all (mostly) said Bolton and Sheff U were difficult away games but the Scum and Chavs just won 4-0 and 2-0 respectively

I know we just won well at home but our away form is ****

I am not being disrespectful to Rafa or the team but I am very ****in worried

Why are we so crap awayfrom home ??

[Bob]

Can i just enjoy this win thanks. I'll answer this after our next away defeat.

[Morph]

The Sheff Utd one should be taken in context of when we played them which was first game of the season, when they were well up for it and we were just recovering from world cup and euro qualifier. We also got 2 injured in that match dont forget, so that one doesn't bother me at all.

The Bolton one was unfortunate. We were just coming off 2 wins at home, and should have been well up for it. But let's not forget they scored from a free kick they never should have had, and to come back from a goal down against a team like Bolton away is a hard job.

Can't comment on Chelskis or the manc performance, but I'd be willing to bet that Chelski were lucky. Also the Arse only managed a draw against the Blue****e.

[WILF]

Can i just enjoy this win thanks. I'll answer this after our next away defeat.

Yes of course, scuse me for interrupting

However..............

Please reply later

[andyinswinton]

The Sheff Utd one should be taken in context of when we played them which was first game of the season, when they were well up for it and we were just recovering from world cup and euro qualifier. We also got 2 injured in that match dont forget, so that one doesn't bother me at all.

The Bolton one was unfortunate. We were just coming off 2 wins at home, and should have been well up for it. But let's not forget they scored from a free kick they never should have had, and to come back from a goal down against a team like Bolton away is a hard job.

I think that is spot on.

Our record at Bolton isn't great anyway and I do think that does have some sort of influence on the result, even if it is psychological.

Our away form is a worry if (and thats a big if!) it continues. If you compare what we have done so far compared to last season, it isn't that different. We lost to Chelski and the scum. We only drew at Bolton and we beat Everton when we was really in the groove. Ok, we drew against Sheffield United but they were always going to be up for that game. Having said that, we drew at Birmingham away last season and they went down.

Its been a ****ty away start for us without doubt. The good thing is that those games are out of the way. I'm only really arsed now about going to Arsenal. From now on in, our away record should improve dramatically.

[Craig_H]

We all (mostly) said Bolton and Sheff U were difficult away games but the Scum and Chavs just won 4-0 and 2-0 respectively

I know we just won well at home but our away form is ****

I am not being disrespectful to Rafa or the team but I am very ****in worried

Why are we so crap awayfrom home ??

True, but our visit to Sheffield was the opening day, they were on a high and we just didnt do the business, which CAN happen at times.

On the reverse, Arsenal and Chelsea failed to beat Villa at home, so y'know...

[GordonGecko]

DJ, what's the time where you are?

[IJM]

The Sheffield game: remember that around that time we had the both legs of the Champions League qualifiers, the Community Shield and that stupid England friendly in the middle of it all. Out of all that lot, the priority at the time was to make sure we qualified for the Champions League group phase against an awkward Maccabi Haifa. As it happens, we still got a point from Sheffield. So I don't think that was too bad anyway under the circumstances.

[WILF]

True, but our visit to Sheffield was the opening day, they were on a high and we just didnt do the business, which CAN happen at times.

On the reverse, Arsenal and Chelsea failed to beat Villa at home, so y'know...

Our home form is great, and we have played some good footie at Anfield.

Home : W4 D1 L0 F11 A3 Best in the Prem

Away : W0 D1 L4 F1 A9 Equal worst in the Prem

Yes there are some mitigating factors for our away form but it is very worrying

Still , with another couple of home games,Bordeaux and Reading, which we should win and boost confidence more ,maybe we can go to Arsenal and change things around

[Craig_H]

DJ, what's the time where you are?

Unless you're not in the Uk, my time is the same as your time

[nebbers]

The way I see it, our away form is poor from a tactical and psychological point of view. Taking Bolton for example, Rafa oicked his team to suit the way he sees Bolton play. By doing this, he goves off the signal that he fears Bolton's approach and gives the Bolton players a psychological head start.

What I would like to see happen is for Rafa to pick his best 11 and say to the others "we will play the way that suits us. If you think you are good enough, try to beat us".

I am fed up of having to change to suit what the other team might do. Play the game our way and make the others play to suit us.

If tactics need to change, well we have 3 subs.