Soton post match

[The Birdman]

Why is everyone moaning about fixtures?
We play everyone twice in the PL and knew when we were playing them back in July/August when they were announced.

As for the tough games after Europa on a Thursday it's our fault we didn't qualify from the group stages of the CL.

That's why Rodgers saying his teams get stronger in the 2nd half of the season is an excuse for under performing early in the season, if the fixture list shows an 'easier' set of games in the first half then we should have won more points from the 'easier' games leaving ourselves less ground to make up.
It's our fault for not capitalising on them.

We're doing brilliantly now, that doesn't excuse just how **** we were in the early part of the season.

[Redspin]

After this game I was under the impression it was City at home and we were out the woods with our tough fixture period.

Next 6;

City
Burnley
Swansea
United
Arsenal
Newcastle

Top 4 looks incredibly tough.

For me the only very tough game is Arsenal away and they've been indifferent of late - totally outplayed by Palace at the weekend.

I expect us to win the other five games

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

For me the only very tough game is Arsenal away and they've been indifferent of late - totally outplayed by Palace at the weekend.

I expect us to win the other five games

City with Toure back won't be easy, like you say Arsenal will be the toughest but I'd hardly call them indifferent over the last 12 games they've picked up more points than us and won their last 6 home games.

My only worry about United is if we get through in the Europa League it would fall after the 2nd leg.

[Norbs]

After this game I was under the impression it was City at home and we were out the woods with our tough fixture period.

Next 6;

City
Burnley
Swansea
United
Arsenal
Newcastle

Top 4 looks incredibly tough.

16 points from that lot

[ChrisDR1968]

For me the only very tough game is Arsenal away and they've been indifferent of late - totally outplayed by Palace at the weekend.

I expect us to win the other five games

I personally wouldn't be that confident about our games against City and United at home.

Since Rodgers became our manager his record against the big four in both league and cups are as follows:

P 24 W 4 D 7 L 13 F 31 A 41

Like most I think we're a better team than United at present but our players have a habit of not playing as well as they can against them. That's the reason I'd also not be too keen on playing them in the semi's or final of the FA Cup either (although I think we will probably have to)

[ChesterDave]

I personally wouldn't be that confident about our games against City and United at home.

Since Rodgers became our manager his record against the big four in both league and cups are as follows:

P 24 W 4 D 7 L 13 F 31 A 41

Like most I think we're a better team than United at present but our players have a habit of not playing as well as they can against them. That's the reason I'd also not be too keen on playing them in the semi's or final of the FA Cup either (although I think we will probably have to)

Those stats don't look right. And even if they are 3 of the wins were against United and City last year

[Trippendicular]

Those stats don't look right. And even if they are 3 of the wins were against United and City last year

We also beat Arsenal last season, so unless we'd never beaten any of them before under Rodgers those stats are wrong.

[ChrisDR1968]

Rodgers' 4 wins all came last season. He drew a blank in 2012/13 and a blank so far this season.

2012/13 P 8 W 0 D 5 L 3
2013/14 P 8 W 4 D 0 L 4 plus in the cups P 2 W 0 D 0 L 2
2014/15 P 4 W 0 D 1 L 3 plus in the cups P 2 W 0 D 1 L 1

His record against Chelsea is especially terrible:

P 7 W 0 D 3 L 4 in both the league and league cup

[Chris]

Yeah Chelsea being allowed to kick, stamp and handball against us without punishment is making it near impossible for us to beat them.

[frank the tank]

i heard a rumour that Howard Webb was coming out of retirement for the Liverpool United game