Can we start again? - September 06

We started September with a game somewhere near home, although I cant recall the score.

We started off our campaign in Europe with a respectable draw in the Netherlands, although the scenes in Amsterdam the night before showed that Reds were sure making up for lost time on the continent.  This was followed by a defeat at Stamford Bridge by a superb Drogba goal, although the performance was a positive.

Xabis second goal in a year from his own half capped off a good win at home to the, yet again, hapless Newcastle and wins against Tottenham and Galatasary show some promise for our domestic and European hopes.  Then came a defeat against Bolton away, more or less ending any hopes we had of making 2007 the year for number nineteen.  All by the end of September.

European Highs, Domestic Lows - October 06

October started with an average draw at home against Blackburn, followed

Follow up:

by a decent one nil win away to Bordeaux.  But the season was to take yet another nosedive as, although eleven players in yellow shirts were indeed on the pitch at Old Trafford, none of them actually turned up (I know Reina was in a Blue shirt but you know what I mean!).  After two performances against United in 2006 that seemed to show that we were, at the very least, equal to them all over the pitch, this was a sharp shock to the system.

A win in the Carling Cup against a Reading who didnt want to win was followed by a good 3-1 victory against Villa, although at least Martin ONeil didnt have far to go home.  What do you mean he didnt really buy half the houses in Southport?

Victory against shocking Bordeaux at home ensured we were more or less through in our group, with Stevie Gerrard getting off the mark for the season.  Rodney Marsh was on hand to say See?  I told you, play him in the middle.  Whats this fucking Benitez ever won compared tothe mighty Rodney Marsh, eh?

Can we have a mid season break in November from now on? - November 06

A narrow win away to Birmingham in the League Cup was followed by a dire defeat by three goals in the Riverside on Steroids stadium.  Somehow managing to draw at the Riverside on nothing stadium compounded the mood around the terraces as we somehow managed to draw a blank against one of the worst defences in the country.

A two nil win against PSV ensured we finished the group stages in top spot with a game to go, and a frustrating game against Man City was only saved as Joey Barton proved hes just a shit Bolo Zenden as he passed to Dirk Kuyt who set Steven Gerrard up for the decisive goal.

We couldnt carry on the form though as Portsmouth visited Anfield and left with a point.

Mickey Thomas told me after this game that Harry Redknapp should be named Anfield boss immediately, before offering me 120 foreighty quid, look dead real too , whatever that means.

December

Well Decembers been a lot better.  Craig Bellamys improvement has sparked a superb run of high scoring game, as weve thrashed Wigan, Fulham and Charlton in successive weeks.  Third in the league after an inconsistent start isnt too bad, even though the title seems miles away even a few months into a long season.  Weve swapped Cisse for Kuyt, Morientes for Bellamy and added Agger, Aurelio and others to the squad, leaving us in a better shape than the squad that faced Bolton twelve months ago.

The main news in December though was the news that investment seems to be on its way in the form of the Dubai consortium.  From reports from those who are qualified enough to know about this, it seems an exciting thing, which Im sure well be talking a lot more about come 2007.

Last years summary wouldve said the same, but 2006, whilst having more than itsfair share of frustrations and disappointments, has improved us as a team whilst providing us with examples of exactly why we exist â“ to win trophies. With Benitez at the helm and key plays like Agger, Carragher, Sissoko, Alonso, Gerrard et al in the squad, lets hope numbers nineteen, six and eight arent too far away.

Heres to 2007, and lets hope trips to Cardiff and sunny Athens come May