The Fish

Afonso Alves scored a shit ton of goals before Middlesbrough signed him. He scored the square root of fuck all for them. (I reference him because while Doumbia has a decent record in Russia, he's not guaranteed to score goals in the Premier League) I'd choose to start one of (or both) young striker who've shown they can score goals in the Premier League and whose all-round play is greater than that I've seen Doumbia provide. I'm hoping to see something from him by increasing the time he plays bit by bit. He's done nowt to deserve a start and he would have been risked for longer earlier if he was doing it in training. He didn't even get the nod ahead of Riviere for fucks sake and you want to throw him in away to the champions elect? I get that you like the fringe players, but I fear you mistake sound assessment for hope.

You're not answering the question Hyacinth, what have you seen in his play that makes you think he's the man to lead the line away to Leicester? Does he hold the ball up better than Mitrovic, does he link play like Perez & Mitro? is he an instinctive finisher like Perez? What makes you think we should throw the dice on a OAP-looking chap who's done exactly fuck all? Is it that you think he'll play well alongside Sylvain Marveaux?

I know, I'm just surprised that a lot of people think that'll be enough against the league leaders in their own back yard...

... right, so why would you start him in a key game? It's not like he's been coming off the bench and changing the game, is it?

I know, his arrival will have been a rocket under the arse of some of the shitheads (I'm looking at you Mr Sissoko), and will be a confidence boost to players like Mitrovic, Wijnaldum, Shelvey etc But a lot of what was wrong at Newcastle was formation, was tactics, was planning and I'm not convinced he's yet had enough time to get those drilled into the players.

Not seen anything in him yet to make me think he's a better bet than Mitrovic/Perez up front. At least those two have shown, in glimpses at least, their quality/potential.

Don't disagree with this, but playing wijnaldum out on the wing would, imo, expose Colback/Aarons and when they'd be facing MAhrez, I don't know if that's a good idea. At least with a 4231 there's more cover? I dunno, I'm sure Rafa knows more about this sort of thing

Against this Leicester side, it is.

it's their predilection, predisposition, preference, partiality, penchant

Massive gaps down the flanks there, surely? DJ, RA both attacking, AT & GW prone to cutting inside.

Drop Lascelles for Mbemba, and Wijnaldum for Townsend, and play; Elliot Janmaat, Taylor Mbemba Colback Tiote Shelvey Sissoko Perez Townsend Mitrovic

What's your beef, chief? Not enough cowbell?

I'm really surprised at the positivity on here. Sure, Rafa's a top manager, but we've been awful away from home all season and he's only had a few days.

Given the injuries isn't it likely to be Elliott Janmaat Taylor Lascelles Colback Tiote Shelvey Sissoko Wijnaldum Perez Mitrovic?

Yup, that's what I was getting at. There is 1 liverpool fan I've ever really got on with. He's from Scunthorpe and not really the same breed as the scouse reds. I think it's that we're bombarded by ex-Liverpool players telling us how special that atmosphere is in Anfield (when really it's as poor as every other Premier League ground), how steadfast they are (when they're as fickle as everyone else), how knowledgeable they are (when in truth their football world view is as myopic as everyone else). They've not won a title in 20yrs yet every year they spoken of as a contender, even though it's half time between Spurs and Swansea BT & Sky will find some way to bring up Liverpool. I get that they're a bigger club than us and are operating at a higher level than we are at the moment, but fuck me, get some perspective and balance on the tv, please. I'm loving Leicester's tilt at the title, but Lineker isn't referencing them when discussing Stoke - West Ham, is he? fuck 'em

Frankly it's not the behaviour of the fans 30years ago that really rankles, but the behaviour of their fans now.

If you don't give a shit about the room service or an on-site gym and are just after a bed & a shower, you could do a lot worse than: http://www.tunehotels.com/my/en/our-hotels/london-liverpool-street Some mates stayed there when came to visit and it does the job nicely, apparently. Bonus is that it's near to a transport hub in Liverpool St, near to Brick Lane for the fanny & the pub next door is decent too.

Are you lot all on crack?

The p.s. is less polite, mentions gutless french cunts and thumb headed moneymen with no idea about running a football club.

Calm down. We'll still lose. 2-1 to Leicestershire

Oh no, what happened to the Roomba?

Said on the podcast, this is a season that we should be really enjoying. Title race is unusual and interesting, with two fairly likeable teams going toe-to-toe, "big" clubs having shit season (by their standards), Pardew's reputation getting pummeled, sunderland in danger of the drop, and Villa having a spectacularly bad season. But we can't enjoy it, because we're one of the "big" clubs having a shit season.

Oof

Especially when it's his own fucking fault.

Wolfy doesn't believe we can travel as high as that joke went over your head you dozy twat.