Consistency

Date: 26 Dec Boxing Day
Game: Derby vs Liverpool
Score: 1-2 (Liverpool win)

Well.......it was one hell of a roller coaster ride! Can't really describe how I felt throughout the game but I will give it a try.

It started off calmly. I expected at least 2 goals, given the fact we thrashed them 6-0 the last time. Torres scored. Jubilation. It was a cool finish by the Spaniard. What followed was a steady build up of frustration and anxiety, right up to the time when Derby equalized. I sensed it at half time. When Michael Johnson came into the game, I felt the Derby defence looked more solid and controlled. The high balls pumped into the final third were ineffective. They were easily cut-out by the Ram's defense. Torres was non-existent after his solitary goal. Voronin was frustrated with the high balls especially when he lost them all. Babel probably left the pitch for an early shower. Riise, as usual, was rubbish. In short, the team went to sleep and thought they could hold on to a 1 goal advantage.

Time? 67minutes. Score: 1-1. Derby equalised. Feeling: Disgusted.

It was a poorly defended free-kick. For the second time in 2 weeks, we conceded a goal from sloppy defending. Consistency?? I am sure. It was also interesting to note that we only started playing better after the Rams equalised. As a result of that, we managed to steal a winner in the 90+2minutes. Kudos to Captain Marvel. He rescued us once again. Feeling: Relieve....but still disgusted.

Question. Are we championship material? I seriously hope so!!! I mentioned on numerous occasions that we needed to be consistent. We started the game brightly, scored an early goal and then switched off!! Why did we resort to pumping high balls when we could have played our usual brand of football? What happened to the quick passing game that made us one of the best football teams in the world?? Saw the attempted "flick on" by Kyut to Torres in the 91minute? He did a fancy back-heel and lobbed the ball high up in the air. Result: The ball was easily cut out and we lost the chance to break for goal number 3. Torres was already breaking up-front. Why can't Kyut hold the ball, delay a mere second before sending a clinical pass through to Torres. Play the ball to his feet!!! That's where he is most lethal and effective. The big man likes to take on defenders and beat them. Why not use his strengths? As far as I am concerned, Kyut needs to go....and go soon.

It was a win we didn't deserve but I will be the first to take the 3 points. Thank you Santa! With Chelsea dropping 2 points at home through an injury-time equaliser by Villa, we needed to win our game in order to close the gap. It was also good news that Arsenal dropped 2 points away as well.

We need to be consistent. We need to kill teams off quickly and we have the resources and talent to do the job. The players need to have a stronger mentality. Last minute winners or equalisers don't come all the time. If we are leading by a goal and expect to win it by some sloppy defending, passing or shooting, we are in trouble then.

We want the 19th league title and we want it badly but before we even start dreaming about it, let's start showing some consistency.