What a terrific result we had against Liverpool, and an entirely deserved one at that. I commentated on the Spurs game and thought we were really unlucky. I was hoping we wouldn’t be too dispirited by that result because we at least deserved a draw against Spurs and probably the win. But any worries about that were completely eradicated once the game at Anfield got under way. I thought we were really good. We caught Liverpool at a good time bearing in mind they made seven changes and had a pretty inexperienced back four, with Andy Robertson the only one in there who you’d consider first choice really. But you still have to go and get the result, and Liverpool still had a lot of quality on the pitch. It was a great result. These are the Premier League champions, so to take three points off them is fantastic. I’ve been in relegation battles myself, and taking points off teams like that gives you so much confidence.
It doesn’t seem fair to single any one player out for praise after a win like that, but Joachim Andersen was absolutely sensational. I think he’s probably the best centre-back we’ve had since Brede Hangeland. I don’t want to be disparaging about anyone else as we’ve had a lot of good defenders, but I just think this lad really is top drawer. I know he’s only played 20-something games for us, but he’s been incredible in that time and a pivotal factor in our improvement in form. Things started to turn when he came into the side. He’s so good on the ball with his passing ability, but off the ball he’s great, too. He’s a leader. Tosin deserves credit as well for the job he’s done at the back. They’ve formed a brilliant partnership in defence, so well done to the both of them.
"He’s probably the best centre-back we’ve had since Brede Hangeland."
Tony Gale
On Joachim Andersen
The changing of the handball rule less than 24 hours after our game with Spurs was Fulhamish to say the least. That entire incident was a kick in the down-belows. In my commentary I was saying how ridiculous the whole thing was. If a side appealed for a penalty for that handball, they wouldn’t get one as the rule had already been changed for that, so why isn’t the same logic applied when it’s an attacking phase of play? It was ridiculous, especially considering it was slammed into Mario Lemina from about three yards away. I felt sorry for Josh Maja as he had taken his goal really well. He’d got the ball out of his feet and sent in a great strike. That was a spell in the game where we were looking good and needed to take a chance. We did take a chance, and then it was chalked off, so it was understandably frustrating.
It was another London derby prior to that, and without a doubt we were the better team against Crystal Palace. I just had a horrible feeling that, the job they were doing on us, they were going to go and nick one up the other end like they did against Brighton. Thankfully that didn’t happen, it’s just a shame we couldn’t get the goal we deserved. Palace are a tough nut to crack, though, and I don’t think that’s such a bad point.
I think the performances have always been pointing to results coming. I think Scotty and his coaching staff have always done a really good job in keeping confidence high, not letting the players dwell if results haven’t been there.
Manchester City are next up at the Cottage and that will be a tough one, because if they rest seven players then they’ve got seven players of equal ability who can come in. They’re in a much better place than Liverpool are. They’ll want to give a response after losing to United, but hopefully Southampton are the ones to feel the brunt of that on Wednesday! I’m confident that the lads will play well. Momentum is everything in football, and we’ve got it. To get a point on Saturday would be great, but you just know Scott will be going after all three. I’ve always said that it’s always best to play these teams in Champions League weeks. That proved to be the case at Anfield and hopefully it will be the same this weekend, with City playing Borussia Mönchengladbach a few days later.
When I was at the Cottage for the Spurs game it struck me how huge the new Riverside Stand structure looks. It really is taking shape now. Obviously I wasn’t able to have a look around, but I was on that side commentating and it looks like it’s going to be absolutely wonderful. I’m old enough to have seen that stand as a terrace, and then when it became the Riverside Stand, or the Eric Miller Stand as they called it, and now of course it’s going to be a completely new stand entirely, so I’ll have seen three stands on that riverside in my lifetime. I can’t wait!
