Welcome to Issue 310 of Red All Over The Land.
I know the days of when you could work your life out once the fixture list was published died with the dinosaur but when you’re the editor of a Fanzine the fixture list now can drive you to drink. Or in my case a short walk to the wine and brandy collection in the cupboard. Try as I may to keep up with what’s going on, this issue will be out of date by the time it falls off the printing press. We’ve had our say on how the land lies after the League Cup, FA Cup, Goodison and Wolves but by the time we’ve played at Aston Villa and Manchester City the whole complexion of our life and times as a Liverpool fan could have changed.
Back to how things stood when I sent this copy to Paul the Printer. In the space of ten days, I’d gone through all kinds of emotions. Ecstatic after Tottenham. Angry after Plymouth. Shell-shocked after Goodison. Left Anfield a jabbering wreck after Wolves before calming down when looking at the league table. How I feel when this copy comes back from the printer, I’ll let you know in Issue 311. Either way the wine and brandy will probably be called upon for either pleasure or medicinal purposes.
Going back to Everton, the game ended in chaos and sending offs galore. Two of them were caused solely by Doucoure trying to incite our fans. I don’t know what Arne, or his number two said to the inept Michael Oliver, but it obviously upset him, so he sent both off. I used to see Oliver as the best referee in the Premier League but he’s not now. I accept some of the abuse he’s taken this season and last was out of order but when managers, coaches, players, former referees, and supporters are all passing comments it can’t be a coincidence. The free kick he gave which led to the first Everton goal was wrong, he will know it but won’t have the balls to admit it. There were others but there’s no point in going on about them because nothing will change the course of events.
We await the news of our opponents in The Champions League and after the first legs it will be either PSG or Benfica. Not for football reasons I’d prefer Lisbon to Paris, based mainly on past experiences.
However, to me the number one priority must be the league. I want it so bad it hurts. The fixture list is doing us no favours, but we must get on with it. We need to rediscover the level of consistency we showed up until the Manchester City home game. Since then, we’ve conceded sixteen goals in twelve league games while scoring thirty-four. The ten goals conceded against Newcastle, Fulham, Manchester United, Forest and Everton have cost us 10 points.
If you’re heading to Wembley have a great day. Two sets of fans who should be able to make it a special occasion. We’ll cover the day in Issue 311.
Just heard the news, ticket prices are frozen for next season. Congratulations to everyone involved.
JJP: How does it feel to be on your own, no direction home, like a complete unknown. Or a Manchester United fan?