Albion Market

I was used to the weather, having had to sit through the remake of The Perfect Storm at White Hart Lane last week and it wasn't anything to do with my view (my debut on the back row of the Lower Kemlyn). I felt…I don't know…a bit bored. Well, maybe that's over-stating it a bit but I was definitely feeling an unusual sense of lethargy. I was starting to think about the possibility of getting a pint in the Albert (Boycott The Sandon!), about fishcake availability on Breck Road and the road home. I wasn't used to that. Then it hit me. I turned to my mate Ste, who too could have hit me, and said "I've got it. I'm not worried about the final score. We're two up for once."

I'm not going to trace the stats but we haven't been there for some time and it was nice to look forward to the rest of the game without the usual gut wrenching second half. By this stage it looked like we'd finally signed Robbie Keane, not some sort of automaton with a Keane mask and we had the expectation of plenty to follow as Torres is back. I even stopped shouting.

I wonder how many of us celebrated Xabi's goal at the Bridge and then immediately followed it up with an exasperated sigh when we saw the clock. Course, back in my salad days I would have looked at the remaining 70+ minutes with relish as we had more time to increase our lead but this is Liverpool 2008-9 and we don't do that anymore. Maybe I'm just too old to appreciate the performance rather than the point(s). Anyhow, Saturday was a welcome release from the agony.

A word here about the full backs, criticised by Tommy Smith this week. I disagree. Aurelio has to be first choice once his injuries clear up and he's fit and Arbeloa will always be first choice as, er, we don't have any other options. Both were excellent on Saturday. Fabio still has to live up to his 'Crouch hatrick' Arsenal performance where he was outstanding while Alf just has to keep concentrating and, if he can finish like he did on Saturday, we may see more goals. I've been crying out for world class full backs for a while but I honestly can't think of any currently playing. Ashley Cole is deemed the best left back in the country. That says it all. Perhaps if Rafa sees such a dearth of available talent he won't bother moving that way in the January cattle market and invest elsewhere.

Man U's defeat means that we've increased our lead to an orgasmic eight points. They've managed one point after their three Big Three away games. We got two last year. That's, erm, almost championship form. In the meantime, let's play every game like a Cup final and, please, try to win games early and let me read the programme in peace. My blood pressure might ease a little too.

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