2.12.2008 - No belief of title win
I was fortunate enough to be at the West Ham game last night. I say fortunate because after giving up a season ticket last year, it's not often that I'm able to get to Premiership games these days.
It certainly wasn't fortunate to be there in terms of the result, which will hardly go down as one of the greatest nights in Anfield history, but a draw was all that was needed to see Liverpool top, so whilst it was two points dropped, it at least keeps us at the summit for now.
But what struck me watching a team playing to go back to the top of the Premiership in front of its own fans was the nervousness of the crowd. Not at the end of the game, but from almost the first whistle, there was a tense atmosphere. We've rarely challenged for the title until May, but we've been in a leading position at this stage of the season on at least three or four occasions. Perhaps, having pressed the self distruct button so many times before, there simply isn't a belief that this season will be any different. Perhaps Liverpool's followers have seen one too many campaigns end in tears, and simply can't get excited at being at the top of the pile this time around?
Goalless draws already at Anfield to Stoke and, more recently, Fulham had already dented Liverpool's challenge slightly, and having been let off the hook with both of those results due to fellow challengers also dropping points, there was obviously a feeling that sooner or later Liverpool would pay for failing to take maximum points in a home fixture which a side with title aspirations should be looking to win.
A flurry of early goalmouth action led to a couple of goalline clearances preventing Liverpool from establishing the lead within the first few minutes, but clear chances following that were few and far between, and West Ham were rarely made to feel uncomfortable by a Liverpool team who seemed to have no more belief than the fans in their ability to lead from the front, and dictate the pace of a title race which sees both Chelsea and Manchester United among the chasing pack.
Whether the fans are affecting the players, or whether the reverse is true, there definitely appears to be a lack of belief that a first title in the Premiership era is possible.
With the point secured, some booed, others breathed a sigh of relief. Never, surely, has a team and its supporters been so downbeat about a result which moves them to the top of the football league.
Without more belief that this can be our year, the self distruct button may as well be pressed now.
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