McEveley: We gave Liverpool too much respect

Scottish International and Derby County left-back, James McEveley, had some interesting words about his side's 6-0 annihilation at Anfield last Saturday. Here's what he had to say:

"I think we gave Liverpool too much respect. We didn't get in their faces, we were standing back in awe of some of the players as opposed to going out and saying, 'It's me against you and you are not going to beat me'."

That's quite a revisionist's excuse since I think most people who watched that match would think different. In fact, I'd be hard pressed not to say that McEveley's side were quite physical and challenged us on every goal save Xabi's first one which was without a doubt a fluke. The rest of the goals were clear indications of our superior size, speed, and football instincts. If they had tried to be more physical, we would have just used our prevailing pace and skill to administer a similar beat-down, probably allowing them to pick up some cards and run themselves ragged in the process.

If Derby County's idea of too much respect is cleat stomping on one of our players while they are down, what are they going to do next? Wear brass knuckles and punch opponents in their Charlie Browns? I'm just glad we were on the winning side of this match as I have a feeling the Rams won't make the same mistakes, that is trying to play with a better squad instead of trying to dictate the pace of the match, when they go to Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford.