THE FOOTBALL THREAD Vol 2
- Thread starter fgl
- Start date
...yeah ....
RIGHT ON DUDE!
Even if we draw with both Arseanal and Chelski but win the other three games, we'll still hold on to the PL. But my sights are on beating Arseanal (because it's fun watching them trying to decapitate each other when they're down) and perhaps drawing with Chelski.
Cheers
RoRK
fgl
Well-known member
Barnsley 0-1 Cardiff: Ledley Bluebirds hero
Updated: April 6, 2008, 1:15 PM ET
Joe Ledley was the local hero after scoring the only goal to take Cardiff to the FA Cup final for the first time in 81 years as the Welshmen saw off Barnsley 1-0 at Wembley.
• Jones demands European place
The 21-year-old Welsh midfielder, who hails from Cardiff, sweetly volleyed home the winner after just nine minutes to earn a place in English football's most famous showpiece against Premier League Portsmouth next month.
By doing so he guaranteed clipping another million or so off the £24m debts which have threatened the future of the Welsh club.
But spare a thought for Kayode Odejayi, the Barnsley striker whose late header beat Chelsea in the quarter final, but who will be haunted by quite possibly the worst miss seen at the new Wembley.
Clean through in the second half the Nigerian centre-forward could only ripple the side netting with just Cardiff goalkeeper Peter Enckelman to beat.
In that moment the hopes of Barnsley and Yorkshire and Dickie Bird and all were gone.
But, after the torpor of the first semi-final, at least the 82,752 fans who packed Wembley on Sunday saw a genuinely close and riveting contest, a match to stir the blood and prove that there is life and excitement and fine football too outside the Premier League.
Nervy semi-finals need early goals if possible to cut the tension. They do not come much better than Ledley's ninth-minute volley.
It arrived following frantic early pressure from Cardiff. The ball was floated across the Barnsley defence only to be headed out by Barnsley defender Robert Kozluk. The danger seemed gone.
But Ledley, who deservedly earned the man of the match award, wafted a left leg and caressed rather than powered a peach of a volley which floated over Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele and nestled in the corner of the net.
It was just what the match required and Barnsley might have been level within a couple of minutes if Stephen Foster had not headed wide when he should have done much better.
The match had much more of an even flow to it than the first semi, the video of which could be used to cure insomniacs.
There was a snap to the tackles and a will to make the most of what was probably the biggest day-out of many of the players' lives.
But while Barnsley, who had slain Liverpool and Chelsea on their way to Wembley, caught the eye with the Ronaldo-type stepovers of Jamal Campbell-Ryce and the creative midfield promptings of captain Brian Howard, their football lacked a cutting edge.
It was Cardiff, with 36-year-old Jimmy Hasselbaink and 35-year-old Trevor Sinclair bringing big-game experience and determined for one final hurrah, who looked more threatening.
In truth, however, there was little to choose between them. They knew each other inside out from many a Coca-Cola championship battle.
And it was always likely to rest on whether Howard or Cardiff playmaker Peter Whittingham wrested midfield control.
At the start of the second-half Cardiff manager Dave Jones was forced to make a change, replacing injured full-back Kevin McNaughton with 17-year-old Aaron Ramsey, a talent who has been attracting interest from no less than Sir Alex Ferguson.
It was the energy of Ledley, however, which should have given Cardiff breathing space, his surging run down the left followed by a Gavin Rae header straight into the arms of goalkeeper Steele.
Ledley has interested Premier League clubs and it seems only time before he will be plying his trade at a higher level.
The same could not be said for Odejayi whose miss came after 66 minutes and should have been Barnsley's lifeline back into the match.
It is difficult to guess what was going through his mind as he bore down on Enckelman following a brilliant through ball. Clearly he never got his radar sorted because when it looked as if he must score he clipped his shot into the side netting.
He trudged back to his position, seemingly wishing the Wembley turf could have opened and swallowed him.
Barnsley never gave up, sweeping forward in more hope than expectation. Cardiff could easily have caught them on the counter through Rae and Ledley.
But in the end it is Cardiff, who beat Arsenal 1-0 in the final of 1927, who once more can dream again of taking the famous trophy out of England for only the second time in its 127-finals history.
There could be no better advert for the Coca-Cola championship.
<LI id=quotes>Jones demands European place
Cardiff manager Dave Jones warned there would be 'hell to pay' if his club were denied a place in Europe next season.
The Coca-Cola Championship side earned their place in next month's FA Cup final against Portsmouth when they beat Barnsley 1-0 at Wembley with a spectacular volley from midfielder Joe Ledley.
In normal circumstances the cup winners qualify for the UEFA Cup but with Portsmouth likely to claim a place in Europe this season through their Premier League position, there would be an extra European place up for grabs.
The problem arises because as a Welsh club Cardiff are not affiliated to the English FA, although UEFA president Michel Platini has already expressed his support for Cardiff if they win the cup.
But Jones, whose side still have an outside chance of reaching the Coca-Cola championship play-offs, said: 'We have to be nominated by the Welsh FA and they are not going to do that.
'The English FA aren't going to do it. I don't know what Cardiff holds, two and a half or three million but I'm sure they'll be banging on someone's door.
'Platini has come out and said if it does happen we deserve to be there. It throws open the door now.
'Politically it's a minefield because with us getting to this final now there is no way they should stop us if we win it. If they stop us getting into Europe there will be all hell to play and I'll be first in the queue.'
Jones played in an FA Cup semi-final for Everton in 1971 and reached the League Cup final in 1977, but taking Cardiff to the FA Cup final for the first time for 81 years eclipses all that.
He said: 'I've been in finals and play-offs but I've never been in an FA Cup final. This now ranks with everything I've achieved. It's special. With our financial problems it's great credit to our players for achieving it.'
Cardiff, £24million in debt, only recently staved off the threat of administration and reaching the final means at least £1million can be wiped of that figure.
It also puts players such as goalscorer Ledley, who has already attracted the interest of Premier league clubs, in the shop window.
Jones said: 'For Joe Ledley and all the Welsh boys it is a great day. It was a special goal. It would have graced any final. It will stay with him for the rest of his life.'
The Cardiff boss also had to thank Barnsley's Kayode Adejayi for a glaring miss in the 66th minute when he rippled the side-netting after being put clean through with only goalkeeper Peter Enckleman to beat.
Jones said: 'I was just hoping he did what he did. If anybody had been close to him I'd have been screaming for them to bring him down. But you need that bit of luck. It was always a tough game for us.'
For Barnsley boss Simon Davey, a proud Welshman, it was something of a bitter-sweet day.
He said: 'It is difficult to take after coming past Liverpool and Chelsea. The occasion was always going to be difficult but the Cardiff keeper was probably the busier of the two.'
He refused to blame Odejayi for his miss, saying: 'He will come back from that. He's missed the chance but he's still improving as a player.
'All the lads are disappointed. They've come to Wembley, we've lost and it's not nice. Hopefully, we'll be back again.'
Barnsley have no time to feel sorry for themselves, however, having a relegation fight on their hands.
Davey said: 'Whatever happened today when we came out of this dressing room we had six massive games.
'The focus now is on the league. We've got six cup finals ahead of us, starting with a massive game at Watford on Wednesday and then Preston on Saturday.
'But all credit to our boys, they've been soldiers out there today.'
Updated: April 6, 2008, 1:15 PM ET
Joe Ledley was the local hero after scoring the only goal to take Cardiff to the FA Cup final for the first time in 81 years as the Welshmen saw off Barnsley 1-0 at Wembley.
• Jones demands European place
The 21-year-old Welsh midfielder, who hails from Cardiff, sweetly volleyed home the winner after just nine minutes to earn a place in English football's most famous showpiece against Premier League Portsmouth next month.
By doing so he guaranteed clipping another million or so off the £24m debts which have threatened the future of the Welsh club.
But spare a thought for Kayode Odejayi, the Barnsley striker whose late header beat Chelsea in the quarter final, but who will be haunted by quite possibly the worst miss seen at the new Wembley.
Clean through in the second half the Nigerian centre-forward could only ripple the side netting with just Cardiff goalkeeper Peter Enckelman to beat.
In that moment the hopes of Barnsley and Yorkshire and Dickie Bird and all were gone.
But, after the torpor of the first semi-final, at least the 82,752 fans who packed Wembley on Sunday saw a genuinely close and riveting contest, a match to stir the blood and prove that there is life and excitement and fine football too outside the Premier League.
Nervy semi-finals need early goals if possible to cut the tension. They do not come much better than Ledley's ninth-minute volley.
It arrived following frantic early pressure from Cardiff. The ball was floated across the Barnsley defence only to be headed out by Barnsley defender Robert Kozluk. The danger seemed gone.
But Ledley, who deservedly earned the man of the match award, wafted a left leg and caressed rather than powered a peach of a volley which floated over Barnsley goalkeeper Luke Steele and nestled in the corner of the net.
It was just what the match required and Barnsley might have been level within a couple of minutes if Stephen Foster had not headed wide when he should have done much better.
The match had much more of an even flow to it than the first semi, the video of which could be used to cure insomniacs.
There was a snap to the tackles and a will to make the most of what was probably the biggest day-out of many of the players' lives.
But while Barnsley, who had slain Liverpool and Chelsea on their way to Wembley, caught the eye with the Ronaldo-type stepovers of Jamal Campbell-Ryce and the creative midfield promptings of captain Brian Howard, their football lacked a cutting edge.
It was Cardiff, with 36-year-old Jimmy Hasselbaink and 35-year-old Trevor Sinclair bringing big-game experience and determined for one final hurrah, who looked more threatening.
In truth, however, there was little to choose between them. They knew each other inside out from many a Coca-Cola championship battle.
And it was always likely to rest on whether Howard or Cardiff playmaker Peter Whittingham wrested midfield control.
At the start of the second-half Cardiff manager Dave Jones was forced to make a change, replacing injured full-back Kevin McNaughton with 17-year-old Aaron Ramsey, a talent who has been attracting interest from no less than Sir Alex Ferguson.
It was the energy of Ledley, however, which should have given Cardiff breathing space, his surging run down the left followed by a Gavin Rae header straight into the arms of goalkeeper Steele.
Ledley has interested Premier League clubs and it seems only time before he will be plying his trade at a higher level.
The same could not be said for Odejayi whose miss came after 66 minutes and should have been Barnsley's lifeline back into the match.
It is difficult to guess what was going through his mind as he bore down on Enckelman following a brilliant through ball. Clearly he never got his radar sorted because when it looked as if he must score he clipped his shot into the side netting.
He trudged back to his position, seemingly wishing the Wembley turf could have opened and swallowed him.
Barnsley never gave up, sweeping forward in more hope than expectation. Cardiff could easily have caught them on the counter through Rae and Ledley.
But in the end it is Cardiff, who beat Arsenal 1-0 in the final of 1927, who once more can dream again of taking the famous trophy out of England for only the second time in its 127-finals history.
There could be no better advert for the Coca-Cola championship.
<LI id=quotes>Jones demands European place
Cardiff manager Dave Jones warned there would be 'hell to pay' if his club were denied a place in Europe next season.
The Coca-Cola Championship side earned their place in next month's FA Cup final against Portsmouth when they beat Barnsley 1-0 at Wembley with a spectacular volley from midfielder Joe Ledley.
In normal circumstances the cup winners qualify for the UEFA Cup but with Portsmouth likely to claim a place in Europe this season through their Premier League position, there would be an extra European place up for grabs.
The problem arises because as a Welsh club Cardiff are not affiliated to the English FA, although UEFA president Michel Platini has already expressed his support for Cardiff if they win the cup.
But Jones, whose side still have an outside chance of reaching the Coca-Cola championship play-offs, said: 'We have to be nominated by the Welsh FA and they are not going to do that.
'The English FA aren't going to do it. I don't know what Cardiff holds, two and a half or three million but I'm sure they'll be banging on someone's door.
'Platini has come out and said if it does happen we deserve to be there. It throws open the door now.
'Politically it's a minefield because with us getting to this final now there is no way they should stop us if we win it. If they stop us getting into Europe there will be all hell to play and I'll be first in the queue.'
Jones played in an FA Cup semi-final for Everton in 1971 and reached the League Cup final in 1977, but taking Cardiff to the FA Cup final for the first time for 81 years eclipses all that.
He said: 'I've been in finals and play-offs but I've never been in an FA Cup final. This now ranks with everything I've achieved. It's special. With our financial problems it's great credit to our players for achieving it.'
Cardiff, £24million in debt, only recently staved off the threat of administration and reaching the final means at least £1million can be wiped of that figure.
It also puts players such as goalscorer Ledley, who has already attracted the interest of Premier league clubs, in the shop window.
Jones said: 'For Joe Ledley and all the Welsh boys it is a great day. It was a special goal. It would have graced any final. It will stay with him for the rest of his life.'
The Cardiff boss also had to thank Barnsley's Kayode Adejayi for a glaring miss in the 66th minute when he rippled the side-netting after being put clean through with only goalkeeper Peter Enckleman to beat.
Jones said: 'I was just hoping he did what he did. If anybody had been close to him I'd have been screaming for them to bring him down. But you need that bit of luck. It was always a tough game for us.'
For Barnsley boss Simon Davey, a proud Welshman, it was something of a bitter-sweet day.
He said: 'It is difficult to take after coming past Liverpool and Chelsea. The occasion was always going to be difficult but the Cardiff keeper was probably the busier of the two.'
He refused to blame Odejayi for his miss, saying: 'He will come back from that. He's missed the chance but he's still improving as a player.
'All the lads are disappointed. They've come to Wembley, we've lost and it's not nice. Hopefully, we'll be back again.'
Barnsley have no time to feel sorry for themselves, however, having a relegation fight on their hands.
Davey said: 'Whatever happened today when we came out of this dressing room we had six massive games.
'The focus now is on the league. We've got six cup finals ahead of us, starting with a massive game at Watford on Wednesday and then Preston on Saturday.
'But all credit to our boys, they've been soldiers out there today.'
Plastic
New member
exchange for MI audio crunch box?
Only like 10 bucks cheaper, sure? lol.
jeepers
New member
Ref Vink apologised to Arsenal boss Wenger
tribalfooball.com - April 07, 2008
Ref Pieter Vink has admitted to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger he made a mistake in not awarding a penalty against Liverpool during last week's 1-1 Champions League draw.
The controversial incident of the night was Dirk Kuyt's challenge on Alexander Hleb that Vink now admits should have been penalised with a spot-kick - but from his position he had not spotted the foul and he felt that the Gunners star went down very easily.
The Sunday Mirror says the ref's confession has helped soften Wenger's stance.
The Arsenal boss has publicly stated that he does not want Vink to become a scapegoat.
tribalfooball.com - April 07, 2008
Ref Pieter Vink has admitted to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger he made a mistake in not awarding a penalty against Liverpool during last week's 1-1 Champions League draw.
The controversial incident of the night was Dirk Kuyt's challenge on Alexander Hleb that Vink now admits should have been penalised with a spot-kick - but from his position he had not spotted the foul and he felt that the Gunners star went down very easily.
The Sunday Mirror says the ref's confession has helped soften Wenger's stance.
The Arsenal boss has publicly stated that he does not want Vink to become a scapegoat.
fgl
Well-known member
fgl
Well-known member
Liverpool v Arsenal
Champions League Q/F Leg 2
Anfield
Tue, Apr 8, 2008, 7.45pm
Robin van Persie has been included in Arsenal's 18-man squad for the Champions League Quarter-Final second leg against Liverpool at Anfield.
The Dutch forward was substituted at half-time in last Wednesday's first leg after suffering a recurrence of the thigh injury which has sidelined him for much of this year. Van Persie missed Saturday's Premier League clash with Liverpool but returns to the squad for Tuesday night's decisive European tie.
Abou Diaby is also back in Arsenal's squad. The Frenchman's domestic suspension does not affect his participation in European competition. Philippe Senderos is also back after sitting out the weekend game while Armand Traore drops out.
Bacary Sagna (ankle), Eduardo (broken leg) and Tomas Rosicky (leg) are all injured.
Arsenal squad to face Liverpool:
1 Jens LEHMANN
2 Abou DIABY
4 Cesc FABREGAS
5 Kolo TOURE
6 Philippe SENDEROS
10 William GALLAS
11 Robin VAN PERSIE
13 Alexander HLEB
16 Mathieu FLAMINI
17 Alex SONG
19 GILBERTO
22 Gael CLICHY
24 Manuel ALMUNIA
25 Emmanuel ADEBAYOR
26 Nicklas BENDTNER
27 Emmanuel EBOUE
31 Justin HOYTE
32 Theo WALCOTT
fgl
Well-known member
'They feel they can do anything with that crowd'
Liverpool v Arsenal
Champions League Q/F Leg 2
Anfield
Tue, Apr 8, 2008, 7.45pm
By Chris Harris
Before Liverpool kicked off their Champions League tie against Arsenal last week, Tony Barrett of the Liverpool Echo told Arsenal.com that "an away goal is more important than a clean sheet." Now, it's all about the clean sheet.
Fernando Torres and co are capable of scoring at Anfield but the bottom line is this: if Arsenal finish the second leg with a zero against their name, Rafa Benitez will have guided Liverpool to their third Semi-Final in four years. So don't expect an expansive approach from the Reds.
We caught up with Barrett once more to gauge the mood on Merseyside ahead of Tuesday night's decisive game. Read on for his views on Saturday's draw at the Emirates, Liverpool's tactics at Anfield, the freshness of their key players and the truth behind the 'Anfield factor'.
Tony, let's start with Saturday's League game. What did you make of it?
It was a very, very tight game. I thought Liverpool were the better side in the first half and Arsenal were on top in the second half. It shows just how close the two sides are at the moment, there's not a great deal between them. As a result it's very hard to pick a winner on Tuesday night. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if it's another 1-1 draw.
Damien Plessis looked impressive on his debut, didn't he?
It was a strange situation for Liverpool to have a good Frenchman against Arsenal; it's usually the other way round! We've had quite a few who haven't been up to standard but on Saturday we saw the arrival of a player who I think will go on to be quite a force. I've seen him quite a few times for Liverpool's reserve team and he has stood out. He's very calm in possession, always has time on the ball, he tackles well and his engine means he gets around the pitch well. I think he's got all the attributes you need to make it in the English game and he seems to have a good attitude as well. What we saw on Saturday was just a start but if he carries on making the same progress there's no reason why he can't have a bright future in the game.
Peter Crouch was many people's man of the match. Has he done enough to earn a start on Tuesday night?
I don't know. The problem with Peter is not so much his performance, it's the system which Benitez has settled on in recent weeks with just one man up front and three men supporting Torres. If Liverpool do go with a lone striker it will always be Torres. But if Benitez thought that Crouch gave Gallas and Toure problems then maybe he'll switch the system for this one. So there could be a role for Crouch.
Benitez made eight changes for the League game. So how fresh will Liverpool be at Anfield?
I think they will be very fresh and I put that down to Benitez's rotation policy. A lot of people fault it and it may not work for the Premier League but in terms of cup competitions it serves Liverpool well because, come April and May, they get stronger while other teams tend to get jaded. Liverpool have looked physically fitter than a lot of their opponents and that could play an important role on Tuesday, particularly if it goes to extra time. I was surprised that Fabregas played 90 minutes on Saturday and he looked a bit tired. I'm a big fan of Fabregas, he's one of the best midfielders around, and he looked jaded. He wasn't at his best but, come Tuesday night, I'm sure he want be found wanting.
Moving on to Tuesday night, what are the key battles for you?
I think the midfield's the key. I always think that, especially in Europe, because whoever controls the midfield controls the game. Fabregas made an interesting comment about Javier Mascherano, saying how impressed he was by him in the first leg. Fabregas said he could feel Mascherano's breath on his neck wherever he was on the pitch. Mascherano will give everything to the cause on Tuesday and if Liverpool are to win the game he will need to keep the likes of Fabregas quiet. Obviously Alonso comes into that equation too and if they can give Liverpool a solid foundation, Liverpool can win the game.
Obviously, Adebayor has proved himself this season and Liverpool will need to keep him quiet. That will be a tough test. At the other end, Torres has been on fire at Anfield with 19 goals this season, that's an incredible record, so Gallas or Senderos or Toure will have to stop him.
What's the mood like in Liverpool at the moment?
It's the usual excitement that you get here the day before or the day of a big European game like this. The excitement is incredible here before European games and it has been like that in Liverpool's history, the people really go in for these games. They sense Liverpool can beat whoever is put in front of them, whether it's Barcelona, Chelsea or Inter Milan. The names and reputations don't matter, the fans genuinely believe that on a European night they can win any game. Recent history has shown that. Liverpool don't have to force the issue having got the away goal but how easy is it to sit back when the Anfield crowd is getting behind them?
It is tough you know but last year Liverpool went to the Nou Camp and beat Barcelona 2-1. Obviously they didn’t need to do anything in the home tie. Keep a clean sheet or lose 1-0, everything was fine. That didn’t change the way the team played, tactically it was very, very solid with two banks of four and the challenge was for Barca to try and play through that. Liverpool still created lots of chances, but didn’t take any. Barca eventually took the lead and ended up winning 1-0 but I thought, and it was interesting, that the crowd didn’t the force the team into pushing forward. The team kept their shape and showed that they have a real discipline when they play in Europe — I expect it to be the same on Tuesday night.
Can you quantify the 'Anfield effect'? How much does it bother visiting teams?
I am not so sure of the effect on other teams. You will have to speak to someone who has played there to get an idea of that. For me it is more about the effect it has on the Liverpool players. I have spoken to several of them in the days leading up to this game and they have all said the same thing. They feel you can do anything with that crowd backing them.
The noise is incredible and unless you have experienced it you can’t imagine it. Anfield is a very tight space, an old-fashioned English ground and generally it’s a wonderful noise. The fans are like the team, they are different on European nights compared to Premier League nights. You feel it is already building within the city. I don’t think Arsenal will wilt under the pressure, because they have gone to Milan and won 2-0. If you can go there and do that you shouldn’t be too intimidated by anything. It is more about the boost it gives the Liverpool players than what it does to the opposition.
Finally Tony, what's your prediction?
I think Liverpool will do it, the Anfield factor will be huge. It will be very tight but I just think Liverpool will do it.
LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS TONITE!
Liverpool v Arsenal
Champions League Q/F Leg 2
Anfield
Tue, Apr 8, 2008, 7.45pm
By Chris Harris
Before Liverpool kicked off their Champions League tie against Arsenal last week, Tony Barrett of the Liverpool Echo told Arsenal.com that "an away goal is more important than a clean sheet." Now, it's all about the clean sheet.
Fernando Torres and co are capable of scoring at Anfield but the bottom line is this: if Arsenal finish the second leg with a zero against their name, Rafa Benitez will have guided Liverpool to their third Semi-Final in four years. So don't expect an expansive approach from the Reds.
We caught up with Barrett once more to gauge the mood on Merseyside ahead of Tuesday night's decisive game. Read on for his views on Saturday's draw at the Emirates, Liverpool's tactics at Anfield, the freshness of their key players and the truth behind the 'Anfield factor'.
Tony, let's start with Saturday's League game. What did you make of it?
It was a very, very tight game. I thought Liverpool were the better side in the first half and Arsenal were on top in the second half. It shows just how close the two sides are at the moment, there's not a great deal between them. As a result it's very hard to pick a winner on Tuesday night. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if it's another 1-1 draw.
Damien Plessis looked impressive on his debut, didn't he?
It was a strange situation for Liverpool to have a good Frenchman against Arsenal; it's usually the other way round! We've had quite a few who haven't been up to standard but on Saturday we saw the arrival of a player who I think will go on to be quite a force. I've seen him quite a few times for Liverpool's reserve team and he has stood out. He's very calm in possession, always has time on the ball, he tackles well and his engine means he gets around the pitch well. I think he's got all the attributes you need to make it in the English game and he seems to have a good attitude as well. What we saw on Saturday was just a start but if he carries on making the same progress there's no reason why he can't have a bright future in the game.
Peter Crouch was many people's man of the match. Has he done enough to earn a start on Tuesday night?
I don't know. The problem with Peter is not so much his performance, it's the system which Benitez has settled on in recent weeks with just one man up front and three men supporting Torres. If Liverpool do go with a lone striker it will always be Torres. But if Benitez thought that Crouch gave Gallas and Toure problems then maybe he'll switch the system for this one. So there could be a role for Crouch.
Benitez made eight changes for the League game. So how fresh will Liverpool be at Anfield?
I think they will be very fresh and I put that down to Benitez's rotation policy. A lot of people fault it and it may not work for the Premier League but in terms of cup competitions it serves Liverpool well because, come April and May, they get stronger while other teams tend to get jaded. Liverpool have looked physically fitter than a lot of their opponents and that could play an important role on Tuesday, particularly if it goes to extra time. I was surprised that Fabregas played 90 minutes on Saturday and he looked a bit tired. I'm a big fan of Fabregas, he's one of the best midfielders around, and he looked jaded. He wasn't at his best but, come Tuesday night, I'm sure he want be found wanting.
Moving on to Tuesday night, what are the key battles for you?
I think the midfield's the key. I always think that, especially in Europe, because whoever controls the midfield controls the game. Fabregas made an interesting comment about Javier Mascherano, saying how impressed he was by him in the first leg. Fabregas said he could feel Mascherano's breath on his neck wherever he was on the pitch. Mascherano will give everything to the cause on Tuesday and if Liverpool are to win the game he will need to keep the likes of Fabregas quiet. Obviously Alonso comes into that equation too and if they can give Liverpool a solid foundation, Liverpool can win the game.
Obviously, Adebayor has proved himself this season and Liverpool will need to keep him quiet. That will be a tough test. At the other end, Torres has been on fire at Anfield with 19 goals this season, that's an incredible record, so Gallas or Senderos or Toure will have to stop him.
What's the mood like in Liverpool at the moment?
It's the usual excitement that you get here the day before or the day of a big European game like this. The excitement is incredible here before European games and it has been like that in Liverpool's history, the people really go in for these games. They sense Liverpool can beat whoever is put in front of them, whether it's Barcelona, Chelsea or Inter Milan. The names and reputations don't matter, the fans genuinely believe that on a European night they can win any game. Recent history has shown that. Liverpool don't have to force the issue having got the away goal but how easy is it to sit back when the Anfield crowd is getting behind them?
It is tough you know but last year Liverpool went to the Nou Camp and beat Barcelona 2-1. Obviously they didn’t need to do anything in the home tie. Keep a clean sheet or lose 1-0, everything was fine. That didn’t change the way the team played, tactically it was very, very solid with two banks of four and the challenge was for Barca to try and play through that. Liverpool still created lots of chances, but didn’t take any. Barca eventually took the lead and ended up winning 1-0 but I thought, and it was interesting, that the crowd didn’t the force the team into pushing forward. The team kept their shape and showed that they have a real discipline when they play in Europe — I expect it to be the same on Tuesday night.
Can you quantify the 'Anfield effect'? How much does it bother visiting teams?
I am not so sure of the effect on other teams. You will have to speak to someone who has played there to get an idea of that. For me it is more about the effect it has on the Liverpool players. I have spoken to several of them in the days leading up to this game and they have all said the same thing. They feel you can do anything with that crowd backing them.
The noise is incredible and unless you have experienced it you can’t imagine it. Anfield is a very tight space, an old-fashioned English ground and generally it’s a wonderful noise. The fans are like the team, they are different on European nights compared to Premier League nights. You feel it is already building within the city. I don’t think Arsenal will wilt under the pressure, because they have gone to Milan and won 2-0. If you can go there and do that you shouldn’t be too intimidated by anything. It is more about the boost it gives the Liverpool players than what it does to the opposition.
Finally Tony, what's your prediction?
I think Liverpool will do it, the Anfield factor will be huge. It will be very tight but I just think Liverpool will do it.
LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS TONITE!
loldude333
New member
Dude, we see results then talk lar huh? I dun deny that Arsenal have this annoying habit of coming from behind to win games but still it is an impt one. However, i tip liverpool to win it prob by a narrow scoreline....0-0 or 1-0.
fgl
Well-known member
SENDEROS MUST NEVER, EVER, EVER BE ALLOWED TO PUT ON AN ARSENAL SHIRT AGAIN! SELL HIM TO MAN U!
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Similar threads
