The Independent Liverpool FC Website, Red and White Kop


Title: Spyin Kop - Liverpool v West Brom 15:00 Saturday 26th October
Post by: Titi Camara on October 22, 2013, 02:54:26 pm
Liverpool vs. West Brom
Saturday 26th October
3:00pm

vs.



vs.


Firstly I'd just like to thank the lads and lasses over at WestBrom.com for their replies and for going easy on me :wave

1. So first of all, Steve Clark, cracking fella who we were sad to see go and what we lost you seem to have gained! Had his first full season as a Premiership manager last time out for you and managed to steer you to 8th in the table on 49 points (your best finish in the top flight since 1981). How have you taken to him as a man, as a manager and how do see the future under him, if indeed that's where you see your future lying?

MICKYMEL: AS A MAN, I LIKE HIM, WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM LIVEN UP A BIT! BUT GENERALLY HANDLED HIMSELF VERY WELL, HAS HAD A FEW TOUGH ISSUES SUCH AS ODEMWINGIE TO DEAL WITH BUT WAS FIRST CLASS IN THAT. AS A MANAGER HE HAS DONE WELL TOO, MANY WERE CONCERNED WHEN HODGSON WENT AND IN CAME SOMEONE WITH NO MANAGER EXPERIENCE BUT 8TH IS AS HIGH AS WE ARE LIKELY TO GET. WILL BE HERE A LONG TIME IF WE CAN STAY MIDTABLE.

Greenock Baggie: As a man he's your typical dour Scotsman with the occasional twinkle in his eye (see his comment about us playing well at Yanited, not them playing badly ;-)), he is not a manager at us, he's a head coach....big difference, the future under our coach and board looks OK to be honest.

LiamTheBaggie: Steve on the whole has done an excellent job although there were questions asked of him at the back end of last season where performances dipped and he seemingly couldn't get the best from several players who in my opinion let him down. I thought we'd be in for this season following the ending to last season’s trend, however, with the new additions, SC has reverted to a system which suits us and it's no surprise to see results and performances taking a positive upturn.
As a man, he's your typical Scot I would imagine. Boring, dour and not much to look at. But he's doing the business so I don't care.


Wbasoprano: Many, myself included, were questioning him after what was a pretty awful 2013 up till deadline day. Recent results, and performances, have been very good after the additions, so as long as things continue to blossom I'm very happy with him. As for the future well I don't see us ever breaking into the top 6, it's too much of a gulf to bridge these days, but there's no reason why we can't stay a solid mid-table team.

beechyboy90: Was a bit sceptical this season, as from the start of 2013 we have been on a bit of a slide. We should have easily got more than the 49 points we did. At the moment with a bigger squad and fresh faces he seems to have turned things around, I hope we can get past 50 for the first time.

kris_boing: I like the guy.  I was disappointed with him when he kept faith in the 4-4-2 formation when we were playing badly and results were poor.  He started the season that way as well but since we've changed to 4-2-3-1 which suits our players better we have looked a good side again.  I'm encouraged that in Clarke we have a head coach (that’s what we do) that can take us to a cup glory and qualification to the Europa League.

Jack Thrust: Personally I've always been a big fan of Clarke. I think all the dour Scotsman talk is a bit unfair, how many managers are really that exciting to listen to? He's always come across to me as an intelligent and pragmatic man and I'm hoping he's here for many years to come.

2. It's been a bit of a wobbly start for you so far this term but recent results seem to suggest that your team is really starting to get going now, what have you made of your start to this fledgling season?

MICKYMEL: BAD 3 GAMES, EXCELLENT IN LAST 3. DESERVED VICTORY AT OLD TRAFFORD(WHICH IM SURE YOU ENJOYED) WE DESERVED A WIN AGAINST ARSENAL AND STOKE TOO SO WE COULD HAVE BEEN 4 POINTS BETTER OFF.

Greenock Baggie: Looked clueless at the start with no attacking teeth but that's changed and we are a different animal these days.

LiamTheBaggie: It was a start none of us expected. We looked very poor and deservedly got nothing from our opening two home games. Defensively we weren't too bad but it was worrying that Clarke adopted a 442 approach and filling the wide roles with central midfielders when better options were left to sit on the bench. Thankfully, with the new additions, he's changed to a system which suits us with players seemingly in their rightful positions.

Wbasoprano: The wobble was the first two home games, losing a scrappy game to a dodgy penalty against Southampton and playing awful against Swansea, with a 0-0 at Goodison in between. Since then results have been very good and with a bit more luck, and better finishing, could have been even better.

beechyboy90: Wobbly start at home, 2 poor performances which were down to Clarke playing the wrong formation and personnel imo. However we have looked solid away from home, and have definitely picked up home form since then. defensively we look solid and organised despite our first choice keeper being injured and our wingers are in devastating form.

kris_boing: As said above the poor start was down to playing 4-4-2 and not having the wide player or creativity in central midfield to play that way.  Southampton and Swansea both murdered us in midfield by having the extra man.

Jack Thrust: Very disappointed with our two opening home games but things are looking decidedly more rosy now. Recent results have been good but beyond that the performances have been outstanding, long may it continue.

3. Of the signings Steve's made over the summer, who's been a hit and who's been a miss (I know it's still very early to judge)?

MICKYMEL: AMALFITANO A MASSIVE HIT, SESSEGNON THE SAME. ANICHIBE IS GOOD AT WHAT HE DOES IE HOLDING OFF DEFENDERS AND BRINGING OUR BIGGEST ASSETS OF SESS, AMALFITANO AND BERAHINO INTO PLAY.

Greenock Baggie: Anelka waste of space when in front of goal though link-up/build-up play is good. Amalfitano is class but he wasn't a Clarke signing as we'd been tracking him for ages.

LiamTheBaggie: Hard to say whose a Steve Clarke signing really given our scouting system. Anelka has showed his link up play is as you would expect from someone of standard but he's flattered to deceive in-front of goal. Anichebe has looked good in his opening games, as have Sessegnon and Amalfitano who have been brilliant since their arrival. Interested to see what Matej Vydra can bring to us.

Wbasoprano: Sessegnon and Amalfitano have been instant successes. Anelka has shown some good touches and link play but needs a goal. Anichebe has been a good target man for us. Sinclair showed some promise then got injured, so jury is still out on him for me. Vydra hardly played and been injured.

beechyboy90: Wingers: Amalfitano and Sessi are on fire. at the moment Anelka seems a miss he’s made some nice touches but he hasn’t found the net and missed 2 sitters against Arsenal. Lugano perhaps captain of Uruguay hasn’t forced his way into team.

kris_boing: Very early to judge but Sessegnon and Amalfitano have both been superb.  Jury is out on Anelka and Anichebe who have had flashes but I'm not convinced at the moment.  Lugano has only playing in the League Cup so can’t really comment.

Jack Thrust: Not sure about Anelka, he is obviously a class player but I'm not sure he fits into the team very well. Missed two sitters against Arsenal too. Amalfitano and Sessegnon have been outstanding, with an honourable mention to Anichebe.

4. I know it's extremely early doors but what are your aspirations for the season overall? Care to make a points or position prediction? Can you improve on last season's 30 year crescendo?

MICKYMEL: THERE WILL NOT BE MUCH BETWEEN 7/8 TEAMS SO WE COULD FINISH ANYWHERE BETWEEN 8TH AND 15TH IN MY OPINION. PIE IN THE SKY PREDICTION OF 48 POINTS.

Greenock Baggie: No improvement on last year as based on our finances we actually WON our "mini-league" last year and don't have the clout to go higher.....yet !!

LiamTheBaggie: We don't have the financial resources to go any higher than 8th unless the clubs above have a nightmare season. I would be happy with anything between 8th-14th.

Wbasoprano: I predicted 12th at the start of the season, but I feel we can finish a littler higher than that now, around 9th or 10th. Would be nice to break the 50 point barrier but won’t be easy.

beechyboy90: I’d be happy with anything above 12th id like to think we can finish "best of the rest" again in 7th or 8th position. I’d take a lower points haul if we survived and had a cup run that took us to Wembley.

kris_boing: I don’t see us improving on last season.  Goals scored will be the issue and we have no one who is capable of getting into double figures.  Our goals will be spread around though.   I'd say around 12th.  If we can somehow find a goalscorer then we could push the top 6 with so much uncertainty with the top clubs I feel one or two of them will fall away.

Jack Thrust: I'll be happy with mid-table and we should be good for that, points prediction for me is bang on 50!

5. Birmingham's a big city with a lot of teams, with means loads of derby's. Which is the team that you just love to beat?

MICKYMEL: WE DONT COME FROM BIRMINGHAM!!!!!!  DIVIDED OPINION BETWEEN FANS ITS EITHER WOLVES OR VILLA.  FOR ME PERSONALLY ITS WOLVES.

Greenock Baggie: Birmingham ???? wash your mouth out !! that's like saying you come from greater Manchester. Hate the Villa, it’s an age thing!

LiamTheBaggie: The reference to Birmingham aside I love beating Aston Villa but that comes around as often as a green moon - if we really want to confirm our status as the best side in the Midlands then we really should start beating them. We've had plenty of practice in beating the Wolves though and they're always pretty sweet victories.

Wbasoprano: I don't consider two a lot of teams! Does Liverpool have a lot of teams then?  :P The Wolves game was the big one for my generation, but we've beat them so many times it got boring and they're hardly a rival now. Has to be the Villa game, nothing gives me more pleasure than beating those delusional gits.

beechyboy90: We’re not from Birmingham, we are from west of it as the name suggests... Wolves used to be the big one but they have been beaten to many times now beginning to feel a bit sorry for them. It’s very nice to beat Aston Villa I hope to see us do that twice this year.. we want that top spot.

kris_boing: I will Substitute Birmingham with West Midlands in your question if you don’t mind.   >:(  Wolves every day of the week.  Despise everything about the club.

Jack Thrust: There appears to be a generational split between which team is considered our main rivals, for me it was always Wolves, and it's always so, so sweet to beat them (Which we have done much more often than not over the last 20 years!). Older (no offence!) Baggies lean more towards hating the Villa. I think this rivalry will grow now with us facing Villa more often and Wolves being consigned to the footballing wilderness for a fair while yet.

6. We've got our own resident bad boy in Luis Suarez but that's been done to death, who is your camp is the mischief maker? The last one to hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons has to be Odemwingie, what was all that about?

MICKYMEL: ODEMWINGIE HAS CAUSED TROUBLE WHEREVER HE HAS BEEN, GOOD PLAYER BUT CAN THROW TOYS OUT OF PRAM, BEST HE HAS GONE. TO BE FAIR THE TEAM SPIRIT SEEMS VERY GOOD AND NO OTHER BAD EGGS.

Greenock Baggie: We ditched our bad-boy to the sheep-shaggers so no bad-eggs at our club, we can do without ego's and prefer to promote the "team" ethic rather than individual prima-donnas'

LiamTheBaggie: It appears we've removed the bad egg from the side. Putting it simply, Odemwingie was swayed by money to initially join QPR. It was a decision which had no sense from a football perspective. What followed was a sheer lack of dis-respect to Roy Hodgson, Steve Clarke, his fellow players, the history of the club and more importantly the supporters who went out their way to make him feel welcome after his nightmare in Russia.
We were warned by fans from Moscow that eventually Odemwingie would let us down and despite us shooting them down they was spot on with their prediction.


Wbasoprano: I'm not sure we have a current one? Odemwingie... Should have been a legend here, don't really want to talk about him now.

beechyboy90:  Odemwingie has gone, to my knowledge nobody. Anelka had a reputation for being "le Sulk" when he was younger but, nothing has been heard of this so far.

kris_boing: We don’t have one at the minute which can only be good.  Odemwonga wanted more money.  Simple as that.

Jack Thrust: I guess our closest thing to a bad boy at the moment is Sess with his drink-driving conviction but that's about it really. It seems that our scouting system puts as much emphasis on personality as it does with footballing ability. Odemwingie was a strange one, blatantly had his head turned by that mouth-breather Redknapp, Peter put himself out on a limb to try to force through a move. When that failed QPR washed their hands of him and his career at the Hawthorns was over. Glad he's gone now and we can focus on the football.

7. So come the match Saturday what sort of team do you expect Steve to put out? How will they be set up? Who are the big danger men we should be wary of?

MICKYMEL: SAME AS AT STOKE, BUT MAY GIVE OUR ACADEMY PRODUCT BERAHINO A REST AND PLAY BRUNT IMO. 4-2-3-1 WITH BIG VIC UP TOP AND SESS WILL RUN AT YOU ALL DAY LONG.

Greenock Baggie: 4-4-2, same team as at Stoke injury permitting.

LiamTheBaggie: I expect us to go out with a 4231 formation - Myhill; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Yacob, Mulumbu; Amalfitano, Sessegnon, Brunt; Anichebe.
The ones most likely to cause you problems will be Amalfitano and Sessegnon. Both look so comfortable when they have the ball and will enjoy running at your players. Yacob and Mulumbu will look to do their usual destructive jobs - as Liverpool well know.


Wbasoprano: We play best in a 4-2-3-1 formation. It's solid defensively and good on the attack with the front 4 breaking quickly. The biggest question is who will be the one, but he may mix the three up. Sessegnon is the biggest danger.
Myhill; Jones, Olsson, McAuley, Ridgewell; Yacob, Mulumbu; Amalfitano, Sessegnon, Berahino; Anelka/Anichebe/Long

beechyboy90: Same team..ish: Myhill, Jones, Mcauley. Olsson, Ridgewell, Mulumbu Yacob, Amalfitano, Sessi, Brunt or Morrison over Berahino... and up top Anichibe/Anelka/Long

kris_boing: 4-2-3-1 hopefully

                      Myhill

Jones    McAuley   Olsson    Ridgewell

              Yacob     Mulumbu

Amalfitano     Sessegnon     Berahino

                        Anichebe


Jack Thrust: Most likely to be the same team as against Stoke with perhaps Berahino being rested in favour of Brunt. Look out for Sess and Amalfitano.

8. Being honest, are there any players Liverpool players in the current set up you'd have in your side?

MICKYMEL: OBVIOUSLY!  SUAREZ WOULD DO OK :) LETS BE HONEST MAN FOR MAN YOU BEAT MOST OF OURS AS A CLUB YOUR SIZE SHOULD.

Greenock Baggie: Sturridge for me, I personally think you were f******g crazy letting Reina go, he's a marvellous goalkeeper.

LiamTheBaggie: As much as I despise Suarez, both he and Sturridge would walk into our side alongside Gerrard. We would have taken Victor Moses too but apart from that, I've not really seen enough of the others to comment. Coutinho also looks a special player.

Wbasoprano: Suarez all day long.

beechyboy90: Before season I would have said Moses, however now I’ll say Suarez.

kris_boing: Gerrard and Suarez.  Coutinho will be a great player in a few years so glad he’s injured from our point of view.

Jack Thrust: Suarez, definitely. Bit of a Plonker but we all know he is a world class player. Hopefully he's calmed down a bit this season and we can talk about his football and not his antics. I like Sturridge too, plus Gerrard, other than that I'm a bit ignorant of your other positions!

9. Where do you think LFC will finish this term?

MICKYMEL: 5TH

Greenock Baggie: Outside the Champions league places, not consistent enough for top four, Europa league places for you!

LiamTheBaggie: Don't think you will get into the Champions League so I would imagine 6th/7th.

Wbasoprano: I think you'll just miss out on the top 4

beechyboy90: Liverpool  5th or 6th

kris_boing: Top 4 finish is there for the taking this year.

Jack Thrust: Top 5 for me with a shot at 4th if you can stay consistent, definitely above Yanited though!

10. Care to predict the score line come match day?

MICKYMEL: 2-2 WE ARE THE ALBION, UNBEATEN AWAY

Greenock Baggie: 1–1

LiamTheBaggie: I'm naturally pessimistic so I will say 2-0 Liverpool. We've looked good away from home and we're currently unbeaten so I expect us to give you a good game. Gone are the days were we head to Liverpool and start waving the white flag.

Wbasoprano: 2-0 Suarez and Sturridge, I always get our scores wrong though  ;)

beechyboy90: I’ll say Albion to come and frustrate again and get something positive. 2-2

kris_boing: Fancy us to get something. We are hard to beat as you found out last season.  I'm going for 1-1.

Jack Thrust: We seem to have a decent record against you and I would love to see us retain our unbeaten away record but I can't help feeling this will go against us, 2-1 to you
(Oh and Titi, I will love you forever for this quote: "I have to say I fucking hate Stoke, so love to beat them and their poo-house brand of hoofball!")


Dispite a slightly unhealthy obsession with eggs I'm sure you'll agree, a good bunch of lads!


Articles posted on this site are copyright of, and are the opinion of, the contributor where identified
Opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of other contributors, nor of the owners and technical operators of this website.
The Red & White Kop website has no formal connection to Liverpool Football Club & Athletic Grounds plc,
nor with any dodgy corporate entity trying to gain kudos by association with the Mighty Reds.
This site is run by fans for fans. All submissions are welcome.
Information on this site reflects the understanding of the contributor, and no responsibility is accepted for inaccuracy.