He certainly wasnt on the tube after the Fulham game last week. Some very harsh stuff was said about him and most of the players.
As for Arsenal, they are playing very well at the moment and look in good shape on. With their stadium up and running, things are looking good for the future of the club. I still think they are one top class defensive player short.
Oh right, fair enough. Suppose that would be a lot of the die hards too so maybe he's not as well supported as Sky Sports News portrayed.
It's hard to know with Arsenal. We've seen them play well at this time of the year before but fall drastically short when it counts. I do think they're in better shape than they were though, Vermaelen looks a fine player and a big improvement on Toure I think. Arshavin and Rosicky give them far more strength and ability to cope with injuries now too.
[QUOTE=DeLorean;1266248]Oh right, fair enough. Suppose that would be a lot of the die hards too so maybe he's not as well supported as Sky Sports News portrayed.
I'd imagine Sky Sports had what 4/5 or 6 at most interviewed so hardly a reflection. I'd also imagine Reder heard no more than say the same or 10 at most. Hardly a majority Rafa out brigade. I was at the game myself and heard two having a go (just what i heard could have been more) as well but also heard a lot behind the manager. Happens at all clubs some in favour some against.
I question things he does as much as the next supporter but as long as he's manager of the football club he will have my support. People can take the p*ss and say it's blind faith all they like i honestly just call it support.
Last edited by KK77; 06/11/2009 at 3:38 PM.
I agree to an extent here about being found out but disagree with your point on the squad quality and rebuilding in future. I believe that this team has been punching above their weight season after season and that can only last so long before it levels off. You cant keep pulling off"miracle results" season after season.
Alonso was crucial to how the team played and I firmly believe that Rafa intends changing the system with Johnson and Aqualani. This has not been possible yet but I'll judge him and the team at the end of the season. They have enough credit in the bank to deserve that much. I also believe that the club will be sold by start of next season and really look forward to Rafa with a bulging transfer kitty and shopping exclusively off the top shelf.
you are only a loser when you stop trying. Playing sport does not build character, it reveals it.
[QUOTE=papa-j;1266261]I agree to an extent here about being found out but disagree with your point on the squad quality and rebuilding in future. I believe that this team has been punching above their weight season after season and that can only last so long before it levels off. You cant keep pulling off"miracle results" season after season.
Very fair points.
Whelan jays*s yeah really sticking the boot in this week and getting great coverage as well. Entitled to his opinion no issues with that though a little personal from him imo. We are down at the moment and the last thing we need is ex-players sticking the boot in with criticism that's not constructive. Maybe he's spending too much time with Dunphy!!!!!!!!
Whelan was completely OTT. It had nothing to do with RTE or Sky Sports. Souey has openly said that Rafa has developed a poor squad during his tenure on Sky Sports on a few occassions. Whelan just lost the plot last week. I always think that he is bitter towards the club and the game for the following reasons:
- Whilst at Liverpool, he was never really considered a hero/legend by the kop.
- the average PL player earns more in one year than he did in his whole career.
I have no problem with anyone, ex-players included, coming out and giving Rafa a good bashing once it is factual. He definitely deserves some of the criticism aimed towards him, no one can deny that. There is nothing wrong with questioning Rafa and people often seem to confuse that with not supporting the team and club. I know match-going reds who are massively against Rafa and have wanted him out since last season but they still go to games and get behind the team 100%.
As always Thommo has given the most balanced reaction to the current situation. I watched him with interest on Soccer Saturday 2 weeks ago and whilst he stood up for the club to an extent, he certainly didnt hold back in saying that the manager and players were not doing their bit.
Last edited by reder; 06/11/2009 at 7:00 PM.
think your post really sums up liverpool for the last couple of years
when you admit a magnificent / proud club like liverpool have been " punching above their weight season after season " especially in a poor preimer league with 3-4 teams only having a chance to win titlewould be intrested what results you class as "miracle results " season after season ???
Last edited by old git; 07/11/2009 at 10:40 AM.
" football is a simple game "
By all accounts, Torres has been told that he needs to rest for 3 weeks to recover from this injury. Rafa should just leave him be now.
Last edited by reder; 07/11/2009 at 5:59 PM.
Yes Liverpool have a magnificent history but have been far from magnificent for the past 20 years. There have been a few glory days to keep us supporters faithful but the lack of consistancy is heartbreaking.The whole downturn has coincided with David Moores reign as Chairman and his legacy is the mess we are in now in due to his sale to the americans for a few million more than DIC were offering. Add to this the explosion of football revenues and Liverpools failure to capitalise on the global brand until recently along with billionaire owners buying clubs,the miracle is that we are(were) competing with Man u and Chelsea for the past 4-5 years.
Finishing 2nd last year, winning champions league + another final are examples of punching above our weight. Sunderland and Spurs are investing more money in there squads than Liverpool, they also have larger wage bills. The facts are that Benetiz has had less than 20 million net spend each year to invest in the squad and this year the lack of investment has caught up,we have leveled off. We have a very poor squad depth in terms of quality, money buys quality and we dont have any![]()
you are only a loser when you stop trying. Playing sport does not build character, it reveals it.
The per season column gives an average of the money spend in each season in the corresponding period season 04/05 to date
# Net Spend 04 - 09 Purchased Sold Nett Per Season
1 Manchester City £292,750,000 £71,900,000 £220,850,000 £36,808,333
2 Chelsea £267,950,000 £123,300,000 £144,650,000 £24,108,333
3 Liverpool £247,730,000 £134,080,000 £113,650,000 £18,941,667
4 Tottenham £262,000,000 £163,550,000 £98,450,000 £16,408,333
5 Aston Villa £130,200,000 £37,255,000 £92,945,000 £15,490,833
6 Sunderland £154,080,000 £67,900,000 £86,180,000 £14,363,333
9 Stoke City £39,100,000 £10,095,000 £29,005,000 £4,834,167
7 Manchester United £188,650,000 £161,050,000 £27,600,000 £4,600,000
8 Everton £102,100,500 £78,200,000 £23,900,500 £3,983,417
18 West Ham £94,145,000 £71,325,000 £22,820,000 £3,803,333
15 Hull £22,415,000 £2,975,000 £19,440,000 £3,240,000
10 Fulham £59,925,000 £40,725,000 £19,200,000 £3,200,000
12 Birmingham City £60,800,000 £41,825,000 £18,975,000 £3,162,500
11 Bolton £42,400,000 £26,300,000 £16,100,000 £2,683,333
13 Wolves £22,075,000 £15,575,000 £6,500,000 £1,083,333
14 Burnley £10,505,000 £8,625,000 £1,880,000 £313,333
15 Blackburn Rovers £49,052,000 £57,290,000 -£8,238,000 -£1,373,000
16 Wigan £57,850,000 £66,250,000 -£8,400,000 -£1,400,000
17 Portsmouth £92,200,000 £107,240,000 -£15,040,000-£2,506,667
18 Arsenal £112,050,000 £138,320,000 -£26,270,000 -£4,378,333
Newcastle £120,750,000 £106,400,000 £14,350,000 £2,391,667
Middlesbrough £62,200,000 £54,500,000 £7,700,000 £1,283,333
"Joe Jordan is off to watch Young Boys tomorrow" Ian Darke
I may have said it badly - the way gerrard plays is very athletic and his physical condition is very important to his effectiveness.
A player like him is going to take more stress and strain and repetitive injuries than some others. Benitez already tried to sell gerrard to chelsea and all I ma saying is that we are now beyond gerrard's peak, in my view
Clearly, I could be wrong - but I don't think he has the longevity of, say, giggs, because they play the game differently
DB Cooper is alive !
A welcome gimme tonight for Liverpool. Thankfully Birmingham couldnt score in a brothel at the moment so an easy 3 points is on the cards.
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