Derby Blues

As Jim said:

As for the derby, I see you're getting your excuses in early!

I was unable to publish this prior to kick off, but if you wanted some reasoned, sensible build up (as opposed to this disgraceful article in The Times) have a look at this Daily Mail article on David Moyes:

When I took over, we were a club settling for avoiding relegation and that had to change. Now, there is a danger we are starting to settle for being glorious failures and I'm not having that, either.

Unfortunately our failure yesterday was far from glorious, and a lack of strength in depth was exposed for all to see. Have a look at this Independent article for some context. If Johnson, Cahill, Vaughan or Anichebe were fit we might have posed more of a threat going forward, but Liverpool dominated in every department and the outlet to Babel worked a treat. Before the RS get too carried away though, I'd be seriously concerned that (i) you only beat us 1-0; (ii) you are ridiculously dependent upon Torres and Gerrard. I don't think either team came out of that match looking good. And neither did either sets of fans. The Sun might choose to cry indignation at the treatment of Steven Gerrard, but he without sin... Was Phil Neville hit by a fan? It's not clear, but it'd be nice for the press to look into it. It's also nice to see Gerrard's tackling is improving...

It all suggests a deterioration in the relationship between Everton and RS fans, but the Liverpool fansite RAWK routinely ask Everton fans a survey before a Derby. The responses are here. My responses are isolated here. I think it's what the Derby is all about.

Update

Is there a less gracious manager in the Premiership than Rafa Benitez? One year on from the "small club" jibe he has the gall to complain about a lack of respect from Everton fans towards his Liverpool players. The Official Everton Website have offered a strong rebuke:

Whilst we would never condone the singling out of individual players for vitriolic insults, it is a shame that Mr Benitez chose to ignore the actions of his own club's supporters.

"Not only was Joleon Lescott subjected to an afternoon-long barrage of quite disgusting and quite audible abuse, Phil Neville was seemingly spat at several times and was also punched in the back by a supporter as he took a throw-in.

"We have asked Merseyside Police and our Safety Officer to look into the matter.

The Sun is now reporting the incident with Phil Neville that I referred to above, which surely overshadows fans chanting. Maybe that was why Neville was mysteriously substituted? Remember a few years ago when a Liverpool fan cut open the head of a 12 year old girl, had his name and seat number pointed out to Liverpool officials, and nothing was done?

So two simple questions: if a fan assaults an opposing player during a match, is that worthy of a points deduction? If it wasn't a "Big Four" club, would it receive a points deduction?

Comments

[Jim]

Poor match I thought, due mainly to Everton's injuries and Liverpool's uninterested approach to the second half. I am indeed a bit annoyed that we didn't come away with a bigger win, though not massively so. As for being 'ridiculously' dependent on T&G, well they are two of the best players in the world after all! Most teams would love to be 'dependent' on a player like Torres. And we do have other attacking options, such as (as you say) Babel, who I think (I bloody *hope*) will be significantly better next year.

Presumably Everton will be too. Watching the game drove home for me how far LFC are behind the 'Big Three', but hopefully the gap will be smaller for both Liverpool clubs next year.