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THE AWAY
END - ANFIELD 25-8-08
John Powls
The Build Up To The Game
Most of the discussion on The Websites This Week has focused
on the semi-euphoria of the great start against Spurs.
There has been some variation between the ‘foam hand’ and ‘Chicken
Run’ ends of the spectrum but the majority from the middle ground
have appreciated the result and the performance but recognised
that it’s just a start, albeit a very encouraging one.
As Gate has said, and despite the furore over the departure
of Luke Young, Boro and MFC had worked up some optimism in the
town and amongst supporters over the Summer which was reflected
in the size of the opening day crowd. He was right to point
to the value of not disappointing that crowd or deflating the
optimism in that first game.
There was also conjecture about how Gate would approach this
game with The Scousers in order to try and carry the momentum
through and to get a better result than the thirty-two years
without a win at Anfield (and Lawro) predicts is likely.
Ian Gill’s Talking Tactics set out the key points, interestingly
and entertainingly as usual.
Both teams had several players away on International duty playing
meaningless friendlies and would want to take stock before picking
a side. The Scousers still had Mascherano – a villain from last
season’s game – away on Olympic duty with Argentina as was Lucas
with Brazil.
Such is the team spirit between the two Liverpool midfielders
that Lucas was sent off for booting the obnoxious Argie up in
the air in the Olympic semi. His lunge failed to crock Mascherano
and another Argie gave it a go to complete the job and got his
marching orders too!
Many were interested to see whether new signing, Justin Hoyte,
would debut and, if so, who would drop out.
The other topic for postings was the continued rumours of Benitez’s
interest in Stewie, given added impetus by the waning of the
endless Barry stories.
Of course, The Scousers have form on this sort of thing with
MFC. Most correspondents were simply concerned with which orifice
Gibbo and The Count should advise Messrs Benitez and Parry to
shove their ‘interest’ up! The pre-match and half-time cuppa
in the Directors’ Lounge would be worth being a fly on the wall
for.
As the week closed, Tony McMahon saw the writing on the wall
and joined The Owls on loan – Brian Laws should be a good mentor.
It seemed that Mido was hinting that he would repay MFC and
our patience with his injury and lard season last term by opting
to go to Wigan if he didn’t get a starting spot at Boro. If
true, Gate would need to remind him that he had said that no-one
was getting picked on reputation this time round.
The Game
Boro’s five hundredth Premiership game saw the debut of Boro’s
old/new, Inter Milan style blue and black striped away kit.
It is a huge improvement on last season’s white and gold tart’s
pyjamas.
It was a landmark for two players in a line-up set to be unchanged
from the Spurs game - two hundred Premiership games up for Stewie
and Gary O’Neil hit the same mark.
But Gate’s best laid plans were disrupted by an injury to Brad
Jones in the warm up that saw Ross Turnbull step up to make
his entree into what Gate has called a season long battle between
the two custodians for the number one slot.
The young goalie had a chance to get into the game early on
with a good save from Kuyt in the sparky opening exchanges whilst
Tayls warmed Reina’s finger tips with a half volley.
As the game settled into a pattern of organisation, effort and
endeavour - particularly from Boro - Aliadere collected a whack
on the head in an accidental collision.
He then sported the sort of bandage that can hardly be a young
Frenchman’s idea of a chic fashion accessory but it didn’t put
him off his considerable stride.
As the Scouser midfield and attack stuttered, the Boro midfield
and defenders coped well. A couple of interventions by the Boro
Beckenbauer had The Away End roaring for "One of our own".
At the other end Stewie was, as usual, the source of as much
threat as Boro were offering but there was encouraging graft
and movement from Alves, Tuncay and Aliadiere.
At the end of a goalless first period – a fair reflection of
the action - it would have been Gate who was the best pleased
of the managers as his side showed an industry in contrast to
The Scousers' fitfulness and poorer passing.
The two sides started the second half unchanged. Perhaps, not
surprisingly then, the game also continued in the same vein.
For Boro, there was a half chance for Alves to latch on to a
Tuncay pass that would have given him a chance but he failed
to take it on.
The Scousers continued to make their following groan with frustration
– a sound that's often music to a visiting manager’s ears.
Gary O’Neil continued to boss the centre of the midfield, breaking
up the Liverpool attacks many times and setting Boro on their
way again, backing things up with tireless running.
Gate made the first move to change things by bringing on Mido
to replace Alves. Almost immediately, the Egyptian fed Tuncay
from the left. The Turk made Reina save with an inspired turn
and flicked shot – probably the best chance of the game so far
but it was straight at the Spaniard.
As if in reply, Torres produced the first of his trademark thirty
yarders just after Babel had joined the fray for The Scousers.
Fortunately it whistled wide.
But all that Torres had done was to give Mido the idea. As the
Liverpool defensive midfield stood off, the Egyptian launched
a sizzling, left footed daisy cutter from twnety-five yards
that was past Reina’s left hand before he even sniffed it. The
Away End were into Ee-i-o heaven!
Gate could claim managerial honours for a substitution that
worked a dream and if Mido is lobbying for a starting place
in the Boro side rather than at Wigan, a second goal in as many
games, coupled with the effort he showed, was just the way to
do it.
The Away End, on their feet now, showed how popular the sales
of the new away strip had been – a jumping wall of blue and
black stripes!
In what some may regard as a curious substitution which disturbed
what had until then been a rock solid defence, Justin Hoyte
replaced Tayls for his debut, taking over on his ‘wrong’ side
at left back. But would he have to stem a last fifteen Liverpool
storm?
Despite Boro dropping a little deeper, nothing really transpired
until five minutes to go. A Carragher lash from a narrow angle
flew off Pogi as he tried to block. The cruel deflection left
Ross Turnbull with no chance. This was more than Liverpool’s
play to date had deserved.
Gate brought on Digard for Tuncay to try to stem the flow. Boro’s
tormentor, Carragher, then popped up in the Liverpool goalmouth
to deny Mido a chance from Aliadiere rounding a Reina gallop
out of goal. Boro weren’t for settling for a point and they
pressed with adventure but could they keep the back door closed?
In injury time Boro had to defend a Gerrard free kick right
on the edge of the box. Turnbull produced the save of his first
team life to claw the ball away from the top corner.
You could have thought that that was it but if you did you’d
have reckoned without Gerrard - and Boro’s repeated failure
in ‘red zones’. So you feared that it wasn’t it.
A long centre produced only a weak defensive header from Wheats
and the ball broke to the England midfielder. He lashed a great
shot into the Boro net that sent the Kop into raptures and broke
The Away End hearts.
Deflated wasn’t in it. Yet again Boro had clawed defeat from
the jaws of victory. Why can’t they see a game out without conceding?
Overall, they deserved more from the game – with even Gerrard
admitting as much afterwards and saying he felt sorry for Boro.
That almost felt like rubbing salt in but, however worthy the
performance, the record book will still say Boro were beaten.
Later…
On MotD the Boro game was in the main section and brought the
same sort of compliments from Lineker, Lawro and Hansen as Gerrard
had dished out. Yet they still talked mainly about The Scousers
and Mido’s great shot didn’t even rate a replay in their analysis.
Gate reflected what he, we and the team all felt - that after
what he called a "freak" equaliser, Boro should have seen the
game out. He added to that quote in the Sundays by saying that
that’s something the team must learn and that fatigue was part
of the issue.
The problem with that is that Boro haven’t learned that lesson
for over three seasons now. The term ‘red zone’ comes from The
Ex’s era when Gate was playing.
Even this time round, Phil and I witnessed the Teessiders capitulate
in added time in The Algarve Tournament. Whilst those were only
friendlies, we’ve carried the habit on into both our Premiership
games this season.
And wasn’t one of Gate’s objectives overhauling the fitness
coaches so that the team could go the full ninety-five minutes?
However pleasing many aspects of the performance were – "structured,
skilful and feisty" is The Sunday Times view – a look
at the stats for the game showed that Boro fared about as well
as a middling team would do against one of the top four on their
ground. Much less possession, less shots, less corners and less
goals.
As Ian Gill says, there isn’t a column in the league table which
counts ‘deserved better’.
But, there are positives to build on and while many were rightly
saying no-one should get carried away with the Spurs result,
the same should apply to this one.
But although you know that history and status – and even Lawro’s
correct prediction – means a positive result in this game was
unlikely, you can’t help being hurt when it gets within your
reach and is snatched away.
I’m sure Gate was right in saying that he and the players felt
the same. Let’s hope when the clock ticks past ninety in future
they’ll remember.
In attack and defence Gate has a few of the proverbial ‘nice
problems for a manager to have’ in selection for the Stoke game
– assuming he means what he says about no-one leaving.
We can only hope that the likes of Emnes, Digard, Williams and
possibly even Josh Walker add to those ‘nice problems’ if they
get a run out in what will not be a cake walk against a Yeovil
side who have started their season well and love an upset.
‘Yerjokin’aren’ya’ Quote of the Week
“You know, I can’t help thinking that it’s unfair that
as well as Boro have played and however much they deserve the
attention, the press stories tomorrow will all be about Liverpool,
just as they were about Spurs last week” Jimmy Armfield on Radio
Five Live
The Away End will be back after the Portsmouth game on 13 September
when my lad, Phil, will be acting as my ‘stringer’.
BACK TO THE AWAY END
INDEX
************
John Powls is a published poet with five books of his work in
print. He is a regular performer of his work at major literary
festivals and exhibitions in the UK and America, often working
with musicians, painters with photographer Carol Ballenger.
Check out Red Shoes 250 for more of John Powls, right
here.
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