That Was The Week Then Was It?

Last updated : 21 December 2002 By Patrick Cousins

To a certain extent, I understand the boss’s psychology. He and the club are bigger than any individual player and no-one is beyond getting a public kick up the ass. Stevie G will tell you about that one. However, has this ploy worked? Stevie G was miss hitting 30 and 40 yard passes a few weeks ago, now he seems to have developed, ‘passing to the opposition tourette's and is picking out his rivals with disturbing alacrity. I fear that Hyypia will approach every tackle against Everton knowing that a mistake may cost him his place, as opposed to concentrating what stand he’s going to put Rooney in.

There seems to be a lot of discussion on the message boards about what the line-up should be. It is true that some of Houlliers selection/rotation policies are at best confusing. However, I don’t think the results would have been any different no matter who played. We had no width when we were winning. We talk of selecting a best XI. Unfortunately we can only put out a best 9 as there is no recognised left or right midfielder.

Okay, this next part was written after the Villla game.

YEA! Finally we look like a team who didn’t just get introduced before the game. It was great to see Gerrard playing well, the team come from behind and ultimately the most satisfying was to see us win in the final minute after a deflection from the opposition. For me that may signify the turning point as we have begun to create our own fortune. The manager picked the closest thing to his best side. Riise is no great left midfielder but he doesn’t leave that side exposed like Smicer. Everyone played in positions they understand and there were no bonkers substitutions.

However, we will only have truly turned the corner if we beat Everton on Sunday.