Chili Palmer

thats a bit harsh Cam, Xabi is always looking for a through ball but the skill he has is when it is not on he keeps it simple and keeps possession, Wilkins and Redknapp made careers out of playing it safe, Xabi is at least looking to take a risk. I agree by the way that if we could some how play Momo, Xabi and Stevie in the middle we would have all the attributes needed in midfield, Skill, drive and in the case of big momo, just plain old fashion nastyness (in a good way of course)

Its not like Rafa won't get lots of stick in the press, yes he has made mistakes but he has also put trust in players who are letting him down, imagine how frustrated he is at the minute.

Then he didn't ONLY play him in the middle.

GH played Gerrard on the right when he had a better balance midfield duo available, i.e. Gary Mac and Didi but shhhhhh no one will remember...

If our away form carries on it might be wise for YNWA to get one!

He is one of the best players in the world, but one man does not make a team, no matter what the tabloids say, I'm sure Gerrard would be better in the middle but thats no good if the balance of the rest of the team sucks. TEAM is everything, we are not Steven Gerrad F.C

You liked that Kev? It was all for you!!!

The difference between the speed of the 2 teams today was visable for all to see, they were playing lovely little triangles with 2 of our players in the middle getting dizzy, we slowed it down by playing little triangles between Sami, Xabi and Riise with no bloody Arsenal player within 30 yards!

Lets dismiss this myth, Gerrard is not one of the best Central Midfielders in the world, he had the potential to be a few seasons ago, and he COULD be in the future but at the minute he has lost the discapline and attitude to play in the middle without serious cover behind him, remember how Milan tore Xabi and Stevie apart in Istanbul? I have this feeling that Rafa hasn't forgot.

But I don't need to make excuses for other teams.

I don't think thats it, we have been 1-0 down at home and still won, its the away factor that is beginning to worry

I agree thats shocking but bar Sheff Utd and maybe Bolton, there isn't an away game that I wouldn't have taken a point before play started. I know for a title winning team thats not good enough either but I think the combination of alot of new players and a tough away start, its just and I mean by the skin of its teeth, understandable. Not acceptable but you could see it happening.

spot on, thats the big difference between now and 2002

Away boys doing us proud, singing right to the end.

We saw what happened when Rafa lost some of the board, it should be the same for the players, anyone who doesn't get behind the manager leaves. Its the only way a team can succeed.

Stretching it a bit there Kev, Riise was the back man, its his call. Sell Gerrard!

Let me to be the first to say that Zendan, Sami and Gerrard are to blame. 3 mistakes 3 goals.

In all seriousness, the second half display is worse than Man Utd away

In all seriousness, this second half is as pityful as Man Utd away

All together now, 'we're not very good, we're not very good, we're not very, we're not very, we're not very good' Repeat until pass out

Vodka...hic...woman...pass me the pills...

Xabi's starting to run the game

We'll win this 2-1, it looks like we are playing in 3rd gear, once we crank it up we'll blow them apart.....hic....woman... pass me that other bottle...

Obviously.

good at free kicks, but not good enough for liverpool.