Title Race 18/19

[Kenneth]

David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne are two of the best in the world at that. Without equivalents we rely on our front three to go looking for the ball more and we lose attacking impetus and fail to find space, something we were doing much better last season.

[dom9]

My take on things.

In the first half of the season we ground out results, wins mainly, "without playing well". The commonly asked question was "when are we going to click?". It didn't matter. The defence was so imperious it only took a goal to win the game. And scoring goals has never been the problem.

December was insane and you could say the team finally clicked. 7 wins from 7.

What's changed? The defence has started conceding those silly goals that it's been conceding for years. Many from free kicks. Really silly free kicks. I remember Klopp saying earlier in the season that he's asked the team to do everything they can to not concede dangerous free kicks. And yet now it's happening.

Conceding goals means that we've got to score more. We did it against Palace but not since. Changing that two thirds through the season is not easy when the strongest part of the team has started creaking.

It's imperative that the defence gets back to being miserly again. We do that, we win the league. If we don't, we'll just return to last season's roller-coaster form. And that doesn't win leagues.

City had their blip when they lost games. Our blip consists of two draws. It's a better blip. Win today and we're three clear.

It's looking good but the defence absolutely has to get its form back.

[Doc_Piptorious]

David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne are two of the best in the world at that. Without equivalents we rely on our front three to go looking for the ball more and we lose attacking impetus and fail to find space, something we were doing much better last season.

For me, moving Salah from the right attacking slot and moving Firmino from the striker/false 9 role has played no small part in our attack being less fluent this season.

[Irishnev]

My take on things.

In the first half of the season we ground out results, wins mainly, "without playing well". The commonly asked question was "when are we going to click?". It didn't matter. The defence was so imperious it only took a goal to win the game. And scoring goals has never been the problem.

December was insane and you could say the team finally clicked. 7 wins from 7.

What's changed? The defence has started conceding those silly goals that it's been conceding for years. Many from free kicks. Really silly free kicks. I remember Klopp saying earlier in the season that he's asked the team to do everything they can to not concede dangerous free kicks. And yet now it's happening.

Conceding goals means that we've got to score more. We did it against Palace but not since. Changing that two thirds through the season is not easy when the strongest part of the team has started creaking.

It's imperative that the defence gets back to being miserly again. We do that, we win the league. If we don't, we'll just return to last season's roller-coaster form. And that doesn't win leagues.

City had their blip when they lost games. Our blip consists of two draws. It's a better blip. Win today and we're three clear.

It's looking good but the defence absolutely has to get its form back.

Our defence was at its best when we had Robbo, TAA, Gomez and VVD. With the chopping and changing at RB and RCB recently its no wonder we’ve dropped off at the back.

[Kenneth]

My take on things.

In the first half of the season we ground out results, wins mainly, "without playing well". The commonly asked question was "when are we going to click?". It didn't matter. The defence was so imperious it only took a goal to win the game. And scoring goals has never been the problem.

December was insane and you could say the team finally clicked. 7 wins from 7.

What's changed? The defence has started conceding those silly goals that it's been conceding for years. Many from free kicks. Really silly free kicks. I remember Klopp saying earlier in the season that he's asked the team to do everything they can to not concede dangerous free kicks. And yet now it's happening.

Conceding goals means that we've got to score more. We did it against Palace but not since. Changing that two thirds through the season is not easy when the strongest part of the team has started creaking.

It's imperative that the defence gets back to being miserly again. We do that, we win the league. If we don't, we'll just return to last season's roller-coaster form. And that doesn't win leagues.

City had their blip when they lost games. Our blip consists of two draws. It's a better blip. Win today and we're three clear.

It's looking good but the defence absolutely has to get its form back.

I don't think teams are parking the bus in the same way they did last season, not lying quite as deep at least, because we don't have that explosive threat down the lines or even through the middle. Be interested to compare possession stats but I think teams like West ham are having more of the ball in greater numbers nearer our goal.

[Fosterbloke]

Now the **** teams are starting to improve and have a go. This end of the season starts getting tricky!

[Fredo]

Someone pointed out to Klopp the other day that over the last 12 games City conceded 12 points and we conceded 7 (3 at City and two draws).

I think we just need to make sure we get over that small blip, which is really, just a blip at this stage. Win or draw our game in hand, providing we beat Bournemouth, we will still be a point ahead.

Not bad for a team which is creaking.

[Fosterbloke]

Someone pointed out to Klopp the other day that over the last 12 games City conceded 12 points and we conceded 7 (3 at City and two draws).

I think we just need to make sure we get over that small blip, which is really, just a blip at this stage. Win or draw our game in hand, providing we beat Bournemouth, we will still be a point ahead.

Not bad for a team which is creaking.

Assuming City win against Chelsea too. Our next game after Man Utd is Watford at home.

[McDermotX]

Ahhhhhh......

Table looks better now.

[frank the tank]

Feels dirty......but...........cmon Chelsea

[Chris]

Feels dirty......but...........cmon Chelsea

Would be huge for us, we could really do with a bit of help incase we don't win at Old Trafford/Screwed over by a bent ref.

I have no doubt they'll be **** though then morph in to Heynckes Bayern when they come to Anfield.

[Irishnev]

Would be huge for us, we could really do with a bit of help incase we don't win at Old Trafford/Screwed over by a bent ref.

I have no doubt they'll be **** though then morph in to Heynckes Bayern when they come to Anfield.

Just looked at the league table for the first time in ages there - fecking Sours win their game in hand and they are only 5 behind. How is that even possible!

Good United are going well as Chelsea need to turn up vs City to keep in 4th.

[Liverpool]

Just looked at the league table for the first time in ages there - fecking Sours win their game in hand and they are only 5 behind. How is that even possible!

Good United are going well as Chelsea need to turn up vs City to keep in 4th.

got to take the sweet with the sours mate

[Fuzzy]

If today was a turning point for Keita at the club, then I'm back on the 'title train'. Last two weeks were ****in rough though, as far as football is concerned. With Trent returning (what a great cameo!) and the formation reverting back to three at the front with Firmino in the middle and Salah on the right I feel we'll look so much better in the following weeks, but Keita showing up regularly would be the big one.

A City draw vs. Chelsea would already feel like so much, if we could then continue to play as well as today in our next game...

[Irishnev]

got to take the sweet with the sours mate

Sours - it might stick