No idea what can be done with our front three its just not happening and needs changing. Despite the howls of derision about Lovren he was awesome today and a real bonus to have another defensive option and kind of ironic that it was Virgil's mistake which nearly lost the game.
Happy days
Apart from almost conceding two penalties, he wasn't that bad. But that's the thing with him, he can play well for 85 minutes, then have a rush of blood to the head and throw the game away.
I'm so glad we got the break. Cos the midfield looked jaded and we needed a regroup! A very tough phase is over and we can now look forward to a decent run of fixtures where we can keep picking up 3 points and stay on/close to top.
In theory, it looks easier. In practice, most players will play twice during the break, so will have little rest. We're going to face a bunch of busparkers most of the time, and some of them will be more stubborn to break down than others. Wagner is just going to have his team sit in their own box for 90 minutes, even if we're winning. Warnock will follow suit, as will Fulham. So that's 3 busparkers we have to find a way through. The frontline are going to get their fair share of chances, but they have to take them or there could be some long afternoons ahead.
As for this game, it was strange. It started with the line up. Couldn't believe it when I saw the established defensive unit changed. Couldn't believe it again when TAA was dropped and Lovren was back in the side, for his first league game of the season, against Manchester City of all teams. It was either going to be a brave or reckless gamble. First thing Lovren had to do was clear up Gomez error to Aguero. According to the ref he did, but many other refs would have punished him for the challenge. Later, he put his hand on Jesus face. Again he just about got away with it, but a lot of other refs would have pointed to the spot. When they did get their spot kick, an opponent worth 60 million quid, sent the ball halfway to Goodison.
For all the talk that the coaches wouldn't change their principles, both did. The result was a tense, error-strewn affair that was always simmering, but never quite came to the boil. We didn't do enough to win, but aside from the penalty calls, we didn't look at serious risk either. It's a long time since you could say that about this team, in a game like this.
So we took 8 points from the last 4 games, and are still unbeaten. I'm not happy with the point, I'm not disappointed with it either. 10 years ago we were drawing 0-0 at home to Stoke Fulham and West Ham, the kind of results that wrecked that title challenge. Today, we're drawing 0-0 at home to City and are joint top. This one could be a precious point in the long run.