1655: Sheffield United have lost 2-1 and they see their advantage over West Ham cut to just two points. The relegation scrap has took a couple of turns this afternoon.
1654: And the full-time whistle goes at Wigan and Arsenal, who slip to a third straight defeat and a first ever loss at the Emirates. West Ham boss Alan Curbishley looks more relieved than anything, what a huge three points that could be.
1654: Full-time at the Madejski. A valuable three points for Liverpool, even if it came late.
I'm pleased for Curbs...but look at this positively, West Ham winning keeps the pressure on Sheff Utd and Wigan - who both appear to be losing their nerve, that is they are responding negatively to the pressure of the situation.
If we keep picking up points then we don't have anything to worry about, let West ham, Sheff Utd and Wigan fight over the last two relegation places. On the other hand, if we don't keep picking up points then we are likely down. That's the way it is.
i watched the Reading game - it's gonna be a huge battle Monday, they are not a great footballing team but scrap for every last ball - it's gonna be won/lost in the centre of the park, Sidwell & Gunnarsson are a fearsome pairing - we need Holland back & Song firing on all cylinders.
[cite]Posted By: northstandsteve[/cite]i feel like someone has volleyed me in the knackers
Steve, look on the bright side. Yes it means that the Hammers are closer to us than we might like, but it also means they are closer to Wigan and Sheff Utd than they'd like. Yes, if they beat Sheff Utd and Wigan then that would probably put them above us, but it'd probably also put Sheff Utd and Wigan below us, as long as we manage to win some of our other games. Even better, they all end up drawing, and kick lumps out of each other in the process, so lose some of their more important players.
It's not going to be easy, but no-one said it was going to be. If someone had said to you at 5pm on the Saturday before Christmas "at 5pm on the Saturday before Easter you'll be out of the bottom three" would you have been happy with that? Would you even have believed them?
We've taken four points from the last two games, when it could easily have been one or two.
Sheff Utd and Wigan have both lost, and whatever happens next week, at least one of Sheff Utd or West Ham definitely won't be getting three points.
We're still two points ahead of West Ham, with a better goal difference.
IF (and it is if) we beat Reading on Monday, we'll be three points out of the relegation zone, possibly also have overtaken Wigan and maybe even in closing in on Fulham.
All in all, it's not been too bad a couple of days...
Also...most of the results went our way...I'd settle for two out of three going our way with Wigan and Sheff Utd losing, that West Ham won against expectations is a bugger but the two most important ones broke our way.
Don't forget, it's now in our hands how this goes - which wasn't the case until recently. If we continue the form of the last few games then we are safe.
If you are nervous...just think how West Ham, Wigan and Sheff Utd fans and players are feeling, other than West Ham we are the form team - and they are still a few points away from safety and have a very poor goal difference. A result is everything, but their win seemed to be more a case of Arsenal playing and finishing poorly, another day and they'd have been hammered, but that's life, goals are what matter not match domination. Meanwhile while we have been working our way up the table both Wigan and Sheff Utd have been dropping points. A few weeks ago they both looked comparatively safe.
Curiously I'm enjoying this situation, whether I'll still be enjoying it in a few weeks is another story, but we are finding out which managers, players and fans have the bottle, and which don't, I reckon we do.
[cite]Posted By: BlackForestReds[/cite]
Don't forget, it's now in our hands how this goes - which wasn't the case until recently. If we continue the form of the last few games then we are safe.
Exactly, BFR. It's a completely different situation now - we just need to get the same number of points as Sheff U and Wham and we're safe. Such a different situation from a couple of weeks ago, let alone a couple of months ago.
It was a rubbish game yesterday, but the belief and resilience was still strong - the key is not to let the pressure get to us, while others succumb to it...it's going to be tight!
Man Utd losing was also a good result for us, Wham need to beat both Wigan and Sheff Utd, so not too bad a result them seeing some hope today. We need a point or 3 v Reading and must beat Sheff Utd. Also Liverpool may be in de mob mode by the last game of the season, finally Arse loosing has meant they need to win their remaining games to finish 4th so there will be less complacency their and if their freak loss is to Wham better it happens now than later. Most of the first round of this weekend has worked OK for us; it's in our hands we just need to keep going.
[cite]Posted By: pickwick[/cite]Man Utd losing was also a good result for us, Wham need to beat both Wigan and Sheff Utd, so not too bad a result them seeing some hope today. We need a point or 3 v Reading and must beat Sheff Utd. Also Liverpool may be in de mob mode by the last game of the season, finally Arse loosing has meant they need to win their remaining games to finish 4th so there will be less complacency their and if their freak loss is to Wham better it happens now than later. Most of the first round of this weekend has worked OK for us; it's in our hands we just need to keep going.
No. Playing a team before a Champions League Final is not the place to be. They would not want to lose before such a big game - they want to go in on winning ways.
[quote][cite]Posted By: Alex Wright[/cite]Did 'pool win their last game before their last Euro win?[/quote]
No idea, but the chance is that they'll rest a couple of big names (would you want Steve Gerrard injured in a nothing counts match?). Alternatively there'll be a couple of players in there who'll be trying to grab the manager's eye just before the big game.
Comments
and Wigan and Sheffield United losing ain't?
wish someone would
1654: And the full-time whistle goes at Wigan and Arsenal, who slip to a third straight defeat and a first ever loss at the Emirates. West Ham boss Alan Curbishley looks more relieved than anything, what a huge three points that could be.
1654: Full-time at the Madejski. A valuable three points for Liverpool, even if it came late.
Who would you prefer to pick up 3 points?
We need to keep as many teams in the battle as possible. Remember, Villa and Boro are no longer in it, Man City are virtually safe.
It's 2 from us, Wham, sheff Utd, wigan.
If we keep picking up points then we don't have anything to worry about, let West ham, Sheff Utd and Wigan fight over the last two relegation places. On the other hand, if we don't keep picking up points then we are likely down. That's the way it is.
It's not going to be easy, but no-one said it was going to be. If someone had said to you at 5pm on the Saturday before Christmas "at 5pm on the Saturday before Easter you'll be out of the bottom three" would you have been happy with that? Would you even have believed them?
Sheff Utd and Wigan have both lost, and whatever happens next week, at least one of Sheff Utd or West Ham definitely won't be getting three points.
We're still two points ahead of West Ham, with a better goal difference.
IF (and it is if) we beat Reading on Monday, we'll be three points out of the relegation zone, possibly also have overtaken Wigan and maybe even in closing in on Fulham.
All in all, it's not been too bad a couple of days...
Absolutely.
Fair play to West Ham (I wrote them off too soon), but our position has improved this weekend.
Ladies & Gents, the current table:
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/premiership.html
Don't forget, it's now in our hands how this goes - which wasn't the case until recently. If we continue the form of the last few games then we are safe.
Lets not forget, we're in a really good run, not conceding, and picking up points, just got to keep that going, and we're in charge now.
Bring on Reading, let's go for, positive atmosphere on Monday.
Curiously I'm enjoying this situation, whether I'll still be enjoying it in a few weeks is another story, but we are finding out which managers, players and fans have the bottle, and which don't, I reckon we do.
Still a lot of footie to play though...
Exactly, BFR. It's a completely different situation now - we just need to get the same number of points as Sheff U and Wham and we're safe. Such a different situation from a couple of weeks ago, let alone a couple of months ago.
It was a rubbish game yesterday, but the belief and resilience was still strong - the key is not to let the pressure get to us, while others succumb to it...it's going to be tight!
I think that they will have something to play for, in fact they will probably need to win to be Champions.
What the hell is 'de mob mode'?
So I guess Pickwick is hoping Liverpool players will be looking forward to going on their holidays -and not have their mind on our game.
No idea, but the chance is that they'll rest a couple of big names (would you want Steve Gerrard injured in a nothing counts match?). Alternatively there'll be a couple of players in there who'll be trying to grab the manager's eye just before the big game.