We're probably the only team in the Premiership that could go two up inside 12 minutes to an average Leeds side, yet still end up losing the game. I'm absolutely fucking beside myself with rage that this should happen to us again (remember the Dell?). Losing I can accept, particularly if it's to a better side, but when we absolutely destroy a team, handing out a footballing lesson in the process, yet still come away with nothing, that's something I simply can't take.
We made Viduka look like fucking Pele, when he is in fact no more than an average striker with a decent touch. He took his goals well, but he'll never have a day like this again if he plays until he's 50. It could be argued that we were a bit unfortunate in that Leeds had only five chances in the entire game and scored from four of them, but the truth is we threw it away, and despite the obvious cheating of David Elleray, we have only ourselves to blame.
Going forward we were great, but we need to finish teams off when we're in command. Hamann and Heskey both missed great chances to make it 3-0, which would probably (I'm not going to say definitely) have ended the game. When you miss chances like that, it ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS, comes back to haunt you, and so it proved.
Speaking to Dave, he says that sometimes you have to put it down to being Ðjust one of those daysŽ, but I can't agree. We were by far the better side, and although on the balance of play we deserved the three points, the fact that we scored three and they scored four means we got what we deserved.
The defence is a shambles, and although it's unlikely that Leeds will ever be so lucky ever again in terms of scoring from virtually every chance created, it is alarming the way we buckled under pressure. Ziege can't defend, and will cost us a lot of goals if Houllier persists with him at left back. Unfortunately his only other option is Traore, who clearly isn't ready.
Although I admit I didn't feel this way at the time, in hindsight I have to say that selling Matteo was a huge mistake. Babbel was very rocky, although he had been doing well prior to this game and I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. Sami just isn't quite himself either. He's still playing pretty well, but he hasn't been as commanding as he was last season. Much the same as Westerveld, who is not inspiring his defenders with confidence at the moment is he?
The midfield aren't helping either, as I don't think they're working hard enough to close down the opposition. Hamann is not up to the job, and the sooner Biscan arrives the better. Gary Mac is great but can't do it all on his own. It was also interesting that we fell apart when he was brought off. Don't ever do that again Gerard. Gary makes us tick and should play every week, for the whole game, until he runs out of steam. Then you can rest him, but not before.
Losing Berger is a huge blow, as it was noticeable that our upturn in fortunes this season co-incided with his (and Gary Mac's) return to the side. I know Dave is most upset about losing Paddy, but I must confess that I am too. Who do we replace him with? Diomede is still out, and Barmby looks far more effective on the right I think. Smicer? Don't think so somehow. He did well today, but then he usually does when he plays behind a striker. On the flank though, he always looks lost. Maybe Ziege could be used in midfield, or perhaps a switch to three centre backs would help. Depending on how long Paddy will be out for (and at the time of writing it's being suggested that he could miss the rest of the season) I fear Gerard may have to get the chequebook out again.
I'm just totally disillusioned, as whenever we have a chance to put some pressure on the leaders or make a statement, we bottle it. Individual mistakes are costing us dear, but more worrying for me is the way the team folds whenever it's put under pressure. This lack of mental toughness could well scupper any hopes we have of mounting a challenge, and may even once again cost us a top three spot.
As for Leeds, I still say we're better than they are, but maybe they want it more than we do. Mind you, it helps when the ref allows you to get away with pretty much whatever you like. Let's hope the judge isn't as lenient with Mr Bowyer. Altogether now, ¿Bowyer for Strangewaysî
TEAM: Sander Westerveld; Jamie Carragher, Markus Babbel, Sami Hyypia, Christian Ziege: Danny Murphy (Robbie Fowler), Dietmar Hamann, Gary McAllister (Steven Gerrard), Patrik Berger (Nick Barmby), Vladimir Smicer; Emile Heskey:
