Saturday brings Liverpool to The Reebok Stadium for what will be one of the hardest games of our season so far, and I’ll tell you one thing, I cannot wait.
Liverpool have maybe kicked on a bit from last season, and let’s face it, they were an exceptional team back then! They’re obviously trying to win the league this year, which means they’ll want to come to the Reebok and put in a good performance so it will be a very difficult game.
But we’re in good form right now, the game’s at home and - as I’ve said so many times before - we are capable of beating anybody at home. Significantly, it’s the first game of the weekend so that’s added incentive to get things off to a good start to put pressure on those around us.
Liverpool are an impressive unit – you don’t appreciate how hard they work until you come up against them. That’s the hallmark of a great team. The best teams have plenty of ability, but they always work extremely hard as well. For any kids who want to become footballers, take a look at Steven Gerrard, or Fernando Torres, or Robbie Keane, Javier Mascherano or Xavi Alonso – not only do they have superb footballing ability, but they also do the physical side and put teams under immense pressure.
Liverpool will be in and around the title places this season, you can be guaranteed of that.
We like to think we can more than match their work ethic though, we’ll work hard to nullify them and, while it will be a difficult game for us – you can be sure it will be a difficult game for them too.
CONFIDENCE IS HIGH
Hull was a game that we just sensed we could win before things kicked off. They had been on a great run, they already have 20 points to their name, their home form is good, but after beating Manchester City we looked in good nick ourselves.
We felt confident going into the game and I think it showed in our performance. OK Jussi made some outstanding saves, but my honest opinion is that we played well, we had our own fair share of chances and I felt we deserved three points.
I’m sure the Hull camp would suggest otherwise, but our gameplan went well, we actually defended well, I remember the only chance we gave them that wasn’t created by their own ability was a free header from a set play – which is very unlike us. On the whole, we were happy with the way we defended, we don’t make a habit of conceding goals, and if we can maybe add a few more at the other end we’ll be in for a good season.
It was a fantastic win, not least because back-to-back wins in the table make a huge difference. You can see it with us, two wins on the bounce and now we’re mid-table.
The note of caution is that any team in the league is capable of doing that, so we have to continue to build on recent results. It’s such a tight league this year, which is great for spectators but not so much for the players! But we’ve got good confidence right now, there’s a good buzz, and there’s no reason why that can’t continue.
SWITCHING FLANKS
It was fantastic to score on Saturday, but I really would have been just as happy had it have gone in off the back of the ref’s head as long as we won.
Gary played me in a more advanced role on the right side of midfield, which I really enjoyed, and every time I got the ball I felt like I had more time than I normally do.
It’s natural for me to cut in from the right side, something that the manager wants me to do, and I have to say I’m really enjoying getting my shots off at every opportunity. If you don’t buy a ticket you won’t be in the raffle.
I’ve said this many times before, if the gaffer asks me to play right back, centre defence, anywhere, I’d do it to help this club.
THE TATTOOS
After my goal at Hull, I’ve been asked once or twice about the tattoos on my arm. That’s 30 hours of pain right there!
It’s currently a work in progress, hopefully the full job will be completed next week, and then I can stop putting myself through unnecessary pain!
The tattoos are obviously very personal to me and my family, it’s something I’ve been meaning to do for a while, I just had to find the right artist.
I must say I’ve done that now, and I’ve got to give a shout out to Dave T’s House of Tattoos in Bolton. I had a look at plenty of people’s work before I had my done, but Dave’s work is unbelievable.
Plus he’s a Bolton fan and that helps!!