Of our last two games, Pool and Palace, I’d normally be most worried about the former, probably because it’s rare for us to beat them.
But Palace are in excellent form and have taken 16 points from their last 18, only bettered by Citeh, who we rely on tomorrow.
A glance at the form table is a bit of a surprise really, because while it’s pretty universally accepted by us that we’ve been miles off our best, with our small squad and tiredness having taken their toll, we’ve won two, drawn two and lost two in our last six games.
The surprise then is that Liverpool have done exactly the same.
We’ve actually done better than them if you only take the last five games into account and while I don’t set to much store by previous games, it is at least a bit of an indicator that Liverpool aren’t exactly flying either. Not that they need to be. Third place is guaranteed, so can we hope they will have their holiday attire on?
I doubt it, as we don’t get that sort of luck.
Squad news then and with Villa, a lot is up in the air as the fitness of several players with small injuries, including Nicolo Zaniolo, Youri Tielemans and Alex Moreno is being monitored.
It’s all demonstrative of how fatigue has caught up with the lads.
As for Liverpool, Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara are out,but they are hoping Diogo Jota is ready for a return.
A Reds fan who I’m working with in Liverpool has had a bet that Nunez and Watkins will get two shots each and Luiz will be booked. I told him it could be a decent bet, particularly the Luiz part, but that I wasn’t sure about Ollie, as he can sometimes be taken out of the game if the midfield isn’t offering any supply.
I think this game is easily summed up by the fact that if we were in top form, this is a game I’d have been pretty confident of winning.
Unfortunately, we look jaded and slow, hence I don’t think we’ll be able to live with Liverpool’s overall pace and press.
Would a draw do tonight? Maybe, but Spurs need to win both their gams really because a win and a draw would also require them turning round our 8 goal difference in the difference.
The trouble is, I don’t see a draw, as much as I’d probably take it and it’s another game where I just don’t see us winning either.
It’s a 2-1 or maybe even 3-1 defeat, I’m afraid, with us holding our breath tommorow night.
UTV! and come on lads, one last push!
And Hooper isn’t helping
Digne has had a shocker today.
No coming back from that now, even if we score 🙁
We’re relying on Citeh then, by the looks of it.
More sloppy defending and it’s game over! 1-6 might be correct. We are gift wrapping the 4th place for Spurs
I am ****ing sick of this Scouse team and their very own ref on the pitch.
Shocking marking by Digne twice in the game , he can piss off in the window
It’s offside!
Wow!
3-2, although I thought that was off too.
2-3!!!! Still hanging in there!!!!!
Bollox. I like Bailey’s passion there!!!!!
Definitely not going to be our night – well it never is against Liverpool – and again we couldn’t score if we tried.
Bonkers game!!!
I’m so f’ing fed up
It’s offside…..amazed
Tielemans off which means McGinn withdrawn to central midfield
Hooper’s now put his red shirt on!
McGinn’s been kicked all night and now he books McGinn!
Forest were right.
Look at Liverpools bench compared to ours!
Their squad is virtually at full strength. We still have 7 first teamers out.
This isn’t a game we should be losing 3-1. We’ve had a hatful of chances. I just hope lady luck is with us tomorrow night, ‘cus she ain’t at Villa Park.
Agreed Bum Bum – no way is it a 1-3 game. As I said it’s like we’re jinxed agains certain teams.
It’s not a jinx. It’s the biased/corrupt referees.
I hate Liverpool although we have been architects of our own downfall again.
Now we have YET another injury!
Just have to hope Citeh win tomorrow night because we haven’t got any players left.
Zaniolo looks like he’s f****d. He’s been on 5 minutes. Another waste of space. Get rid!
Diaby can be great on his day, but today isn’t one of them.
Bailey MOTM. Never stopped fighting.
Bailey!!!!!!!!!!!
FUCKING YEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!