Friday, February 1, 2013
Most weeks I try very hard not to leave writing my thoughts until Friday but with the total chaos that is 'Deadline Day' I decided to do just that. Many seem to forget there were no points won or lost yesterday. That came on Wednesday night and will continue tomorrow of course.
Liverpool at home was a strange old game but whatever way we look at it there were echoes of other matches we have played in recent times.
Once again we found ourselves behind at home before putting in a powerful second-half performance that could have seen us come away with maximum points. If only we can consistently avoid the first part, considerable progression would be made.
Defensively we made mistakes on Wednesday night but I also felt we were extremely unlucky when it comes to ricochets on both of our visitors' goals. Bac lost his footing when we weren't in any danger for the first and there is no doubt with little more composure we could have cleared our lines. Even then however, we made a save and a block that would often be praised for 'putting bodies on the line for the team'. The ricochet still fell to a Liverpool player and one final cruel deflection put us a goal behind.
We started the second half well once again so to go two behind was as cruel as it was frustrating. It was a good run by the Liverpool player but it was also a good determined block by our defenders in front of goal. Where did the ricochet go? Straight to a position where he couldn't miss. Extremely annoying.
Our reaction was quite something. We went close on more than one occasion before Olly continued his rich vein of form by heading us back into it.
Within seconds of course it was pandemonium, Theo's bullet of a strike not just bringing us level but still with plenty of time to go on and get that winner.
Unfortunately good chances came and went and it wasn't to be, in fact late on saw one or two situations that could have seen us go home with nothing.
Overall then, a draw was probably a fair result in yet another highly entertaining encounter that saw us go through every emotion. We all knew as we headed home a draw wasn't the ideal result but having been two goals behind with time running out it certainly could have been worse.
Stoke come to N5 next and we all don't need telling how tough a game you tend to get against the men from the Potteries. If we can match our attacking flair with big, powerful, determined and controlled defending we will be successful on the day I'm sure.
I can't finish without mentioning us bringing in a new left-sided international who comes with glowing references and a great pedigree. Welcome to the Gooner family, Nacho, you have joined the greatest football club in the world.
Frank @stubbsy70
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