Just when I’m about to comment on the great results that just come out, your new blog came out, so I might as well post it here before I go and read your blog.

Danny Murphy, I salute you for keeping your word. God, did anyone see that blatant handball by Scholes? For a moment, I thought I was watching beach volleyball again, but the London Olympics won’t be on for another 3 years, lol. To make things sweeter, even Shrek got sent off after conceding a second goal.

And hats off to Spurs for halting the Hiddink juggernaut. That’ll dent their confidence a bit after yesterday’s Champions League draw.

With the gods now handing such a massive golden opportunity for us, we MUST take this opportunity and beat the crap out of Villa. Besides, we’ve got a score to settle with Martin O’Neill.

(I bet on birthday boy Torres scoring twice to break a new Liverpool record since 1906 of most goals in first 50 games by Liverpool player. )

I shall now proceed to read your blog, Gerry.

Brilliant Saturday results Gerry, lads. Hope tomorrow we don’t mess up. We must start to pressure them from the start, and The Kop should be in full voice. We must leave nothing to chance tmrow, if we win, its game on again.
About the Champions League draw, when we won it in 2005, we got rid of Juventus, Chelsea and Milan. Our journey is never easy to navigate, unlike the Scum!!

And Crouchie got the 2 goals against the blue noses, a very good day for ex-reds!!!!!!!!!!!!

Far canal! What a morning! Starting to regain my composure now but still a little punch drunk. My phones been like a fricken vibrator all morning, just sliding around the coffee table shaking as txt after txt and call after call kept coming in! I had the chav game here stateside and my mates in Ireland and England were keeping me posted on events at craven cottage. I was trembling so much i couldent txt em back at times! What a days results for the reds, come on lads, into this lot tomorrow!

That’s strange Gerry, I wrote a very long post, clicked submit, and nothing came out. When I tried to copy and paste from my backup notepad and submit again, it says I’ve already submitted that. So where’d it go?

Something’s wrong with your blog when it comes to long message, Gerry, so fuck it, I’m just gonna reword it all over.

Danny Murphy, I salute you for keeping your word. God, did anyone see that blatant handball by Scholes? For a moment, I thought I was watching beach volleyball again, but the London Olympics won’t be on for another 3 years, lol. To make things sweeter, even Shrek got sent off after conceding a second goal.

Looks like all the former Liverpool players would be fired up. Fancy Cisse scoring against them for Sunderland next round? (Which would be two weeks later, after the annoying World Cup Qualifiers)

And hats off to Spurs for halting the Hiddink juggernaut. That’ll dent their confidence a bit after yesterday’s Champions League draw.

With the gods now handing such a massive golden opportunity for us, we MUST take this opportunity and beat the crap out of Villa. Besides, we’ve got a score to settle with Martin O’Neill.

(I bet on birthday boy Torres scoring twice to break a new Liverpool record since 1906 of most goals in first 50 games by Liverpool player. )

As you can see above Kinny, I found your post(s), not sure why it was held up, it could have been the smilies it contained but I’ll check it out.

This really is the beauty of the sport innit?
On any given day, anything can happen.

It wasn’t just the result that was a thing of beauty this morning. It was the Scum performance.
They were absolutely terrible, and simply fell apart!
And now they have 2 additional suspensions to worry about… with commentors suggesting Rooney’s reaction/behavoir will be good for an additional few games.

Scum realy do have the look of the wheels coming off the cart. The only downside, is they now get a break to reset themselves… but at least most of their players will be away on Int’l duty, so it won’t be an easy break!

And the Chavs didn’t look particularly good against a side who just sat on their lead for the last 25 minutes.

So the ball is in our court.
We are coming into the game on a positive high and Aston Villa on a low, so let’s hope we field virtually the same team and go at them like we did Real and Scum!
If so… its a 1 point difference and we’ll really see the wheels start to wobble then.

One final note. To all those who doubted Rafa’s timing in highlighting a certain unfairness of refereeing… these sorts of things take time to bear fruit…. What odds 3 Scum players seeing red in two weeks? (and they accumulated a fair number of yellows in those two games also!)

And I’ll tell you what…
I’m glad we are playing tomorrow, coz the fuckin Hoodooo Gods are out in force today!
Right now, Newcy are all over the Arse.

Super stuff as usual Gerry.

Everthing has gone our way today.The boys must capitalise on it tommorrow.

Gerry i think Rafa will go back in for Barry given,as you said,the right price.Once it ain`t at the expense of any of our top midfielders.He would be an exellent addition to our squad.His versitily is paramount.

FS,I checked out the rafa in istanbul song.Looks a winner and will certainly be brought back to the hymn sheet for the chavs game.

HOLY SHIT… I’m tellin ya… hoodoo/voodoo gods.

Arsenal go 1-0 up and immediately Newcy get one back.
That’s incredible.

I don’t under-estimate the value of adding Barry to the squad lads, but I don’t think he’s the right target for us anymore… my question would be “where do you play him?”

Left Back? I’d suggest that Insua and Aurelio get the nod before him.

Left Wing? On current form he’d probably edge Riera, but we’ve got Babel & Aurelio who can play there… (and most recently Dossena

Central midfield? He’s behind Xabs and Masch in a holding formation for sure, and in a 4-4-2 he’s 4th choice when you add SG (would he come for that?)

As I said… not doubting his ability/quality, but I think that horse has bolted and he’s not a player/position we need.

…er… nevermind… it would appear that the Arse have bitch-slapped the hoodoo gods back down into the hot place… which bodes well for us it would seem?

A very good article!

tomkins-blogs.typepad.com/paul_tomkins_blog/2009/03/ferguson-is-wrong.html

Fergie’s gone senile!!! Tomorrow’s headlines will be ‘Fergie’s rant is the reason for the Fulham mishap’. He’ll be tearing his hairs out. Vidick, Scoloose and Shrek will miss Aston Villa match

” OH DANNY BOY”

Another Good Blog, Gerry.

If the Arse win it should bode well for us and take the wind out of Villa’s sales somewhat… adding to their feeling of being on a downward spiral when they look at the table tonight and see they are now 3 points adrift of the Arse.

I really hope to see us come firing out og the traps tomorrow and go for an early goal, we have had a week’s rest so fatigue should not be an issue, I’m sure the lads have trained sensibly.

We have been helped by results today and tomorrow we must help ourselves, we have fucked up in this position before, we must not fuck up tomorrow. If we win we are well and truely back in this title race and we will be 3 points above the Chavs as well.

The only drawback to the CL draw is missing Masch for the first game through suspension, but he will be ready to rock in the second leg to hopefully help us protect a first leg lead.

If we win tomorrow those odds of us winning the Prem and the CL will tumble somewhat. Come on you Redmen!

Forgot to say……… a big Thank you to Danny Murphy. I have never heard of or seen this guy ever miss a penalty, and as soon as it was awarded I just knew it was going in……. doesen’t he just love scoring against the Mancs?

I’ll have to comment on the blog later as today’s events have sort of overtook it. And oh, what a perfect day. So, I’m sure Gerry won’t mind.

Obviously, we still have to do the business, but if I ever hear one of you ingrates having a go at that fine gentlemen Sir Roy Hodgson and his valiant team of battling heros again… well, I won’t be held responsible for me actions

What a fucking turn up, eh. I might have been going on about it being a strange season and hoping there would be some more twists and turns before it ends, but you couldn’t make that up….

2 league defeats in a row (last time that happened 2003) 6 goals against, only 1 for, and that being a soft penalty, 3 red cards, 3 banned players, yellow cards a go-go, injuries, dummies spat, dives akin to epelleptic fits, shell shock, alcoholic rants, St Vitus dance and Terrets syndrome…. did you see the tramp twitching, blinking and chewing like a speed freak on crack?

Real Madrid and the Mancs absolutely battered. Rafa’s signature finally of paper. The paper’s turning on their evil master. Rafa exhonerated. Other teams and thier manager’s taking his lead.

It doesn’t get much better than that. So no more knee jerking, lads. Hold firm and keep the faith…
that mightn’t be the beginning of the end but it be the end of the beginning.

Onwards and upwards.

PS… me 36 to 1 doesn’t look so bad now. For the league, we’ve been slashed from 10 to 1 to 7 to 2.

While it’s true that the Mancs now have two weeks to recover from two defeats, it’s also true to say that they will have two weeks to brood and sulk over two very damaging defeats without any quick opportunity to regain some momentun. Their momentum is now gone, this game was really important at Fulham, because having been thumped by us last week, the way a team reacts to a defeat is very important especially in a title run-in.

If we win tomorrow, the force and momentum will be with us and it will be up to us to keep it. I hope we don’t see key players rested at Fulham and at home to Blackburn. Come on you Redmen, take the Bull by the horns! The title is there for the taking now.

A woman goes to the doctors and says “Everytime I open my legs, I hear the song Glory Glory Man United!”

Doctor says “Don’t worry, you hear a lot of twats singing that!”

Rafa has given the rest of the Premier league the blueprint on how to beat the Mancs after last weekend and Fulham followed it to a tee in the first half today. They harried the midfield out of the game, doubled up on Ronaldo and didn’t hardly give him a kick and played on Evra all game. Lets hope the remaining nine teams can play to the same gameplan and give the Mancs something to think about for the rest of the season.

Tomorrow has taken on massive importance now and if we beat Villa convincingly Slur Alex will be shitting himself and with no players available because of the International break I wouldn’t like to be the family cat in that house for the next week and a half.

Come on Redmen lets see if you can make us any happier than you already have this last 7 days.

Got a text today. simply said “If Carlsberg did Saturdays”. Well lets hope they do Sundays as well.

“It’s close to him so he could have easily not given it, but it’s Phil Dowd so what do you expect?” Ferguson remarked.

“The second one I have to say, did he (Rooney) throw the ball at the referee? The ball was thrown direct to where the free-kick was taken and did it hit the referee? No, the ball didn’t hit the referee.

“Was it thrown in anger? Yes, because he wanted the game hurried up, he threw with pace to get the game going.”

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA what a ridiculous load of bollocks!

Rooney mouthed that “Hes been paid” to the ref when he was sent Off!

Right Ferg, coz its about Respect, isn’t it?
I hope the FA look into his comments and charge the red-faced cunt!

Dowd had absolutely NO choice but to send Rooney off. There wasn’t a Scum player within 15 feet of Dowd (or where the ball bounced) as Rooney fizzed it in. And his petulent response should mean a 5 match ban!
Combine that with Evra missing one more game, Scholes card and a host of players accumulating yellows and the pressure is gonna be on!

The only down side to today was Hiddink commenting that the Prem was now out of their reach… which could mean them resting players prior to facing us… something we won’t be able to do if we win tomorrow!

Gerry surely Fungas would come out of that barrel smelling of Whisky
This may seem strange but i’d like to point out that Scum did get some
“favours”, today the 2 reds given had to be given the ref had no choice.
he can pretend he doesn’t hear Shrek constanty swearing at him but he
can’t ignore what millions see . Scholes no brainer.
But what about W*nker he should have been off for all his diving and his
abuse to the ref . Notice Fulham players passing around him during one
of his “Elton John” hissy fits, took piss out of him really .
Then the c*nt tried to cripple Murphy with his 2 footed,studs showing,
Lunge straight red i think and a little ban which would have been nice

Chavs smelt blood when they heard Scum had lost,And looked a different side
for the last 30 mins, the first 60 mins looking like they had given up on the
league so their confidence will have gone with Bosingwa’s last brain cell
poor lad having bad dreams last night about Nando, dont think he got much
sleep
YNWA .

Whiskybreath really is cracking up The ref was stood exactly where he wanted
the free kick taking and he threw it straight at him ,he’s just not that good a shot.
And i can understand Ape boys comment when you pay someone to do a job
for you and they dont do it for you.I would be somewhat angry and moan about
how “he’s been paid”.
PS He certainly earned the Ape boy name today with that apelike throw
certainly a “cracking “day, hope Sunday is just as good.
YNWA

The rest of the teams must believe in Murphy’s Law now — if you can beat the Scum I can beat them too!

The Scum’s next game with Aston Villa will be without Vidic, Scholes and Apeboy!

Hey Villa, go easy today and go for it against the Scum! You have much better chance with them!

Aitch, I obviously don’t agree with you about Barry. There is plenty of room for him in our squad and he would get plenty of games. At the moment the only cover we have for Masch, Xabi and Gerrard is Lucas. Now there’s no doubt that the lad is clearly making progress but he could hardly be described as a like for like replacement for any of them. Barry is the finished article and could slot in nicely if any of the others are injured, off form or just plain knackered. But more importantly than that he would provide genuine competition for places in central midfield which can only be a good thing. The fact that he can also play on the left is just an added bonus that increases our options and our cover. If we could pick him up for under £10 million there’s no question in mind he would be an excellent signing and a great piece of business.

I actually found myself watching the entire game at Craven cottage and I went absolutely bonkers when Danny boy scored. I started a mass text message to all everyone saying that manure have never won a game when Danny scores.

And when Fulham made an amazing triple save in the 2nd half, it all but confirmed that it wasn’t going to be their day.

I dont really give a damn abit Chelski, they don’t bother me much. Can anyone seriously see them challenging for the league even before their pathetic loss to Spurs yesterday?

The icing on the cake was at the final whistle when Alex Fungusface had to drag van der sar away from the referee before somehow scarastically clapping with his entire face charcol black!

*ps I swear i choke on my rice when Scholes handed the ball. Totally dumb shite from an experienced player. Even my manure friends were agreeable on that!

What a great fortnight this is turning out to be!!!! It aint over yet, but a win tomorrow has us breathing down their necks. A convincing win tomorrow (3-0?) would balance the goal difference out and our breath on their necks would be all hot and sweaty and seriously worrying (just like lee van Cleefs!) and the pressure would really be on with them having a cushion thinner than that Cheryl bird out of Girls Aloud!!!

All this “kings of the world” “Quintuple” shite has started the pressure on them and Father Alex is too pi**ed to deal with it! And we should really capitalise on this, and the wonderful results this weekend tomorrow.

Dont want to sound dramatic but tomorrow is shaping up to be the biggest game of the season so far….yes we are half way through March, and every game that comes up will be the biggest game of the season so far, thats what competing for trophies is about… remember 2001, and it was one big game after another, wow it feels good dosent it?!………all I can say is just go for it Rafa, like we did in the last two games, take this opportunity like it was Real Madrid or OT again. if we do that and fail then fair enough.

Cant help feeling that there is a bit of momentum building up though…….remember all you out there though, that we have a part to play, keep the faith, as Gerry says, till the last kick, if you are lucky enough to be at the games, make every one of them have an atmosphere like like Madrid or Chavski 2005,( You lucky so and sos I would love to be at every game now till end of season but my next looks like the CL one against the Chavs.) if you cant get to the game, get ya asses out to the nearest pub if you can to watch the games, get together behind the redmen………..leave the intricate discussions till the end of the season………I have recently joined this blog and have really buzzed over the positivity of the last few weeks on here. As Fat Scouser pointed out, it not just us that read these, lazy journos make stories up from them, and I am sure Rafa and the players look at them (Carra defo does, he has said so, “Alright Jamie lad!”) lets get on one people, and see what the holy trinity can achieve…….starting tomorrow……Game On!!!!

Wonderful Satudrday. Mancs losing not only the game 0-2 but also two key players and many yellow cards. Doesn’t happen often enough to them, but I am not complaining.

Perhaps Roy Hodgson called up Rafa for some advise on how to outdo the Mancs. Don’t laugh, coz it may be true.

Abhiram, thanks for thr Paul Tomkin lead. Quite interesting and puts the whole situation of Alex Fungusfcace’s rants into perspective.

The game is played at midnight tonight in Malaysia and I will be there at Cobra Club to cheer the team on.

What a glorious two week. Let’s cap it with a 3-1 win. Cheers!

Guys,

There’s another good link on Fergie’s rant here.

http://www.anfieldroad.com/comment/200903213258/reds-must-win-every-game-including-mind-games.html

Enjoy!

I am all for Barry coming to us in the summer Gerry. I have been supporting his cause in the last blog itself . I am happy that you too, are with me regarding this.

My prediction is on a 3 – 0 win for us for today. Hope we don’t batter them. They play Mancs in 2 weeks and i want them to win that game. We should not dent their confidence so badly that they go on a losing run.

Fungus is claining that there were not many bad tackles in the game and yet they saw so many cards. He must be joking. Deliberate handball, showing disrespect, arguing with referee and abusing the referee will lead you to cards. I felt ladyboy should also have been given the marching orders. Did you guys see the Evra dive for which he got the card? Pathetic!

It is true that with Gareth Barry, the price will now be lower, maybe Stg 8 million. We have another captain in our team. However, he will be getting on in age, so not sure if we should go for him now. Maybe in place of him we could do with David Silva. We certainly need another striker. How about David Villa or Thierre Henry?

What a fuckin’ fornight and how quickly things can turn around. Ireland has also won the grand slam FFS

Must say that I am now a bit nervous about today’s match with Villa. Do the boys really believe that they can now win the league and have the balls to do it?

I fucking hope so.

YNWA

Here’s more about the weak way Manc United lost at Craven Cottage in the Mirror. Couldn’t have wished for a more critical article than this.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/2009/03/22/nightmare-afternoon-for-dream-team-ambushed-in-tranquil-suburban-setting-115875-21217223/

“scholes would be our new goalkeeping coach next season” -fungus face…”there’s always a place for him in our team if he decides to quit football”-the england handball team coach on rooney..

Papers today linking us with Barry again, but for £20m…. one year older and he costs a couple of million more???

Fuck United and the tramp. I’m sure I’ll get back to them at some time, but there’s more pressing business today.

Not to piss on any parade, but I don’t know why some of you lads think we’re going to batter them. Obviously it’s possible, but I think it’s more likely we will be in for a long hard battle.

Villa have been on a terrible run, but it has to end somewhere. I doubt it will be today. But – except for the odd thrashing we’ve gave them – we always struggle in this game but end up coming out on top more often than not.

I expect no different today.

MON will have them right up for this. And I expect him to play 4-5-1, cramming midfield with a big fella upfront, Carew or Heskey, and they’ve got Milner, Young and Abonglahor to put in the crosses.
I think our fullbacks will have to push up on them and make sure the crosses come in from deep. And it might even be a good game for Sami to play in but I doubt he will.
So Masch and probably Lucas will have to keep their central midfield out and stop them getting on to anything their center forward can hold up or knock down.

As for us… I don’t expect Villa to park the bus, and we will get our chances. I don’t know how fit Nando is, but we should have enough for them anyway. So, hopefully we’ll get about them from the off and stop any anxiety on the field and in the stands. For that reason, I’d like to see Babel on from the start, but it won’t bother me if Riera get’s the nod just as long as he’s told to get at them. An early goal would be nice to settle our nerves and set their’s on edge.

I think we’ll play 4-2-3-1 and the team I’d like to see is….

Pepe

Arbeloa
Carra
Skrtel (or Sami)
Aurelio

Masch
Lucas (but Xabi if fit)

Kuyt
Gerrard
Babel

Torres

I’d also like to see us marmalize them but I expect a tight game, with us winning by 1 goal but hopefully 2.

PS… if we can get Barry cheap enough why not. But if MON’s still asking for silly money, we should tell hime to shove it.
Oh, and silly season has started early… in one of the papers Rafa has just bid £100 million for Silva and Villa!

Quick game of fanatasy football anyone?

FS, i think you are giving a lot of respect to Aston Villa. I am in no way telling that they are push over. And yes they will not come to Anfield today to park their bus in front of the goal. Since they have been playing badly for over one and half months, i don’t think they can get back to initial season form immediately. It will be a tough game but i feel we can win it pretty comfortably. As Rafa always likes to put it, i feel we can control this game well.

The chances of Alonso playing is very bleak i heard. Most probably Lucas will play in his place. Arbeloa will take his place at RB if fit otherwise Carra will have to depute for him.

I am going for a 3-1 win. The one away goal will probably be from a set-piece. I can guess how we’ll score but i hope Torres gets a hat-trick and be the fastest to reach 50 goals in more than a 100 years for Liverpool.

Go you Reds!
YNWA

Abhiram mate, I give respect to all our opponents. You never see me say things like Blueshite or scum. It’s not my way. Although some people, Mancs, the tramp, Shrek, the transvestite are fair game in my book. I will also rip into anyone who doesn’t give it their best – Hodgson (Recently when he just lay down), MON, Kewell, etc. And I will pull up our own lads – fans and players – when I think they deserve it. But I always try to give credit where credit’s due.

Underestimate the enemy at your peril… a quick look at the tramp’s team selection yesterday should tell you that.

Have to agree with you on the ‘tramp’s’ team selection. He did not field his full strength team against a Danny Murphy led side and lost. Danny ‘The Red’ Murphy was awesome.

Again i feel that Fungus left out some of the players like Anderson, Carrick and Rooney as a punishment for not playing well against us. But it backfired on him. We need to win all our games. Thats an axiom. But if Mancs lose one more game, the Premier League is ours to lose.

Been away for a few days but just read Fungus’ latest comments about Rafa etc… haha who is cracking up now? Hilarious.

What else can I say about the last few days except for “Oh Danny Boy!!” What a charm he is.

I do hope Alonso is fit for Villa though. They may not park the bus, but I do think they will see a point as a good result given their recent form, and our’s. Lucas deputised well at Old Trollop but I’d rather have Alonso running this game, as I think we’ll have a lot of possession.

It’s about time we scored some early goals in the league, open the game up for us so that we can get a 2nd and make it more comfortable… but I’ll take anything tonight as long as we take the 3 points.

COME ON YOU RED MEN! Hoping for a European-like atmosphere at Anfield today…

Hey Lads did the hour go forward yet?
I want to know the time difference so I can get up for me game
And abhraim if this league season has shown you anything it’s not to underestimate anyone
over and out

donal and FS,
I guess i need to rephrase what i said in my precious post. I am in way underestimating Aston Villa.

When i say we should not give too much respect to Villa, i am trying to tell them to be ruthless and go for a outright win. Remember Stoke, Fulham, Arsenal with 10 men and even Everton; i feel we did not attack enuf in these games.

I forgot to add a ‘NO’ in the first line there before ‘way underestimating’ …

Our last 4 games against Villa have seen 3 draws and a very tight 1-2 win at thier gaff. But the past means nothing, and who knows? We could smash them. We could get beat. That’s the thing about footy. But I still don’t expect a stroll in the park, and thankfully neither will the players or the Boss.

As for the Mancs losing 1 more and it being ours for the taking, I don’t agree.

From about 6 weeks into the season, I was saying what a strange one it was. And throughout it, I have been saying, I’ve never see nothing like it and that I still expected more twists and turns before it finished. I see no reason to change that opinion even at this late stage – the last 2 Saturday’s surely showed us that.

But look at the bottom end of the division. Yes. It’s finally becoming a bit clearer but I’ve never seen anything like that in all my years of watching football. How long did a couple of points seperate the bottom 10/12 clubs?

But fuck the rest of them. We’ve got 14 games tops. 5 CL if we go all the way, and 9 league. It could all be over in the next 5 games. We could go all the way. There’s nothing any of us can say for certain. But we’ve lost how many games all season… 2 league, 2 cup (FA and Carling) and can’t think how many CL off the top of my head?

Which shows how hard we are to beat. And 8 goals in our last 2 games shows we can beat, even thrash, anyone. So, to me that means… whatever happens from now to the end, we are back. A few tweaks here and there and we are looking at a proper revival now. We have a cheek us Reds. We moan and whinge but even in the leanest of our times we still have a haul of trophies that other clubs would die for. And we have this ridiculous attitude of We are LFC – The title is ours by devine right.

Well, it’s not. But we have finally put ourselves in a position to challenge for it and hopefully challenge for it, maybe even dominate it, for many years to come. But let’s get Villa out the way first, eh.

And Fat Lad
any news on the hour change bro?

Donal, the hour will change next week for us in Europe.

Thanks Lurgan
All out tonight
I think we have a reprieve and have to go hammer and thongs for the rest of the season
Otherwise I’m sure Rafa has a good alternative!!
Co’mon on the Liverpool
Over and Out

Donal the game starts in Malaysia just before midnight here. I will be at the Cobra with the rest of the boys..Norman, John, Helen, etc.

I say it will be a 3-1 win. So you better stay up to watch with Tracy. Say hi to her for me…

Thank you so much for rolling back the years danny boy. Yesterday was sensational stuff,it was just to good to be true you could not have planned it better!!!!!!

Lets now rise to the challlange lads,come outta the traps full of fire, i’m sure villa are shittin themselves about playing us today. so go out and prove them right……. WE WANT FOUR!!!!!

COME ON YOU REDMEN

what a coincidence…seems like berbatov has come up with injury just before the international break so he can’t make it to bulgaria’s two world cup qualifiers. too bad…i wonder if bulgaria’s FA will make him report to duty for injury assessment.

Tracey’s staying up for her 1st late one and sends her regards
as do I to yourself and all the lads
goin for a 2-1 meself
over and out

It will be far from easy today,
I hope we win and am confident we can, But lets not go down this road again of thinking we can thrash all and sundry, it leads to knee jerk reactions when we dont.
Regardless of the result today, we have acheived some good things this season and taken as a whole it has lived up to my hopes.

Alec
The Bulgaria FA should just give some bubble bath, a tub and a blow -up doll and let him go fuck himself.
He’s a waste of time anyway
And anyone who says he’s class; one cool move every 2 games doesnt make you class!
Over and out

“For me, it does not matter whether Alex Ferguson is the manager of Manchester United or not.

“It will always be difficult to beat United simply because they are the club with the big money.

“Would it be easier for me without Ferguson? I don’t think anything will change in my job whether he is at United or not.

“It is hard to beat United now – and it will be hard to beat them without Alex Ferguson.”
Get in there Rafa lad
nicely done

Over and Out

Final word on this…
We drew with Villa this season.
They’ve had a great season and been very difficult to beat.
They have had some more than decent results along the way… battering a few lower teams and beatin Arsenal 0 – 2 at the Emirates.
They have been in a bad run off later – are they due to snap out of their blip?
They’ve got a full squad to pick from and will sometime get back on form.
MON absoulutely hates us – not just over the Barry saga, but from his days at Forest and the Barry thing just made it worse and also gave him a grieviance with Rafa.
They’re fans absolutely hate us. This is a new thing. It started over Barry. But they see us in the way we saw Chelsea fans – small time bastards acting big and trying to bully lower clubs.
They are not a small club. They have a grand history and tradition.
They will fight like fuck today.

So, I can’t see why people are just discounting them. But having said that, I think we will do them and, if we get an early goal, we could go on to do them comfortably.

See you after the game.

Alonso and Arbeloa are back, which is good news… but no Babel, not even on the bench – is he injured?

Let’s not get too cocky about things guys. Villa have won 10 games on the road this season and are pushing hard to keep their dream of a top four finish from slipping away from them. They have some very good players who can cause us some problems. So while I’m confident we can get the win we need, I don’t think it’s going to be easy and we will need to be really on our game.
I think part of the problem the mancs have had recently is that they started to believe their own hype and I would hate to see us falling into the same trap.
After yesterday’s results we’ve got a chance to narrow the gap and keep our dreams alive but it is the hard work and character of the side that has brought us this far and we will need to show plenty of that today if we are to take the three points.
Fulham did us a favour yesterday but we’ve now got to do our part to take advantage of it and this game is by no means a foregone conclusion. So I’ll be more than happy to take any kind of a scrappy victory as long as we take the points but I’m expecting a tough scrap today.

Today’s line up:

Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Gerrard, Riera, Kuyt, Torres.

Subs: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Agger, Ngog, El Zhar, Dossena, Lucas.

Good to have Xabi and Arby back and Agger back on the bench, but strange that Babel isn’t the squad.

spot on Gerry, 2 -0 for liv

YNWA

I will take any win for tonight….

Yes Deadly on the scoresheet 1-0

Kuyt!!!!!!!!!!!

I`ve no access to telly at the moment anyone know where i can watch it online

//www.goalhi.com/tv/5-4.html

commentary in Chinese… and slower

Damn… suspension for Gerrard for the Fulham game

Riera!!!!

Go Go Go Go Go ~!!!!!!!!!

Reina assist!!

Gerrard Penalty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go go go go Goal difference!!! go go go go !!!

I see Valencia’s shadow…

What a first half…

awesome is the word to describe this half..dream first half for redman

Credit to Villa for coming out and playing an open game, and they certainly have threatened – but they are paying the price for it now. Certainly an entertaining half of football, but let’s shore things up a little bit now and NOT earn any more yellow cards (the fast tempo is conducive to rash challenges and cards unfortunately). I’m not saying we should shut up shop, as goal difference could be a factor later, but a clean sheet would be nice – we need to keep them goal-less for the first 20mins of the 2nd half so that we can rest Torres and Gerrard…

2 more to get further under the skin of fungushead…heard berba also injured

At half time, We now have the same goal difference as the Scums…Now, we only need to prevent an Istanbul by Villa on us…

we scored 52, let in 21…. Goal difference 31
Scum scored 49, let in 18…..Goal difference 31
Chavs scored 49, let in 17….Goad difference 32

Liverpool, a Boring team? Boring team my ass…..

Andy,

I thought there will be the international break next…

I just hope that our reds will stay fit…after the international break..

Oh and… what’s the money for Dossena coming on to put in our 4th??

Yeh Skeat I know there is an int’l break, but since we can’t control who plays what minutes in those games, we may as well protect them for as much of this game as we can.

Dossena to score our 5th or 6th…

Cheers skeat.I got on to the site but its all in chinese or japanese so i`m stuck.I keep pressing play but nothing`s happening.Thanks anyway buddy.

you need to install UUSEE software

After install… then refresh the page again..

Gerrard 4-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tied in Best Goal difference in the league with Chavs now

Gerrard hattrick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!5-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God this 2nd commentator – whoever the fuck he is – is driving me nuts. So begrudging towards us. However I do agree that Friedel shouldn’t have been sent off – but only because it means he will miss their Man U game now!!

The downside is….

Friedel is now suspended for the Scum game..

Now the best Goal difference in the league.. and score the most goals as well…!!

Ohh… no Dossena scoring streak tonight~

OOhh We are so hot…

Can Villa appeal for Friedel’s Red card? I thought it was a harsh red for him..

OK 5am here so I’m off to bed… but first my thoughts -

Reina excellent comeback today after being a little bit shaky against Man U last week. Very commanding in the area and a great save in the 1st half.

Riera also excellent today, confidence does him wonders. He was due that’s for sure!

Aurelio & Arbeloa also good today, good attacking positions. I guess everything is easier when you’re a few goals up – one of our few games this year where we’ve taken an early lead – and look what happens!

Torres needed a cheap goal today to lift his spirits, he had a shocker by his standards.

May the good run continue! Is it just me, or did we start this great run of form once Fatty returned to the blog?

Night lads

Andy, you are right!

Good night.. its 2Am here…

Gerry the title of your next blog has to be ‘when good Liverpool, turn Psycho Liverpool’
or ‘when Stevie G turns into the Hulk’
Because we have been playing like some serious psychopathic football
13 goals against Real ‘shit on a stick’ Man Ushited and Villa
Fuck yeah goal difference down to zero in 1 foul swoop
well done all I’m proud of what we’ve achieved sofar
over and out

Fantastic!

Lost for words!

fuckin 3 am here I’m ready to drink!
Co’mon Liverpool!!

CO’MON LIVERPOOL
Kicking some serious ass
Thank Rafa for no work on Monday
Over and out

donal, goal difference is now +1 in our favour following Stevie’s second penalty.

Wow, I don’t know what else to say as everyone else has said what I wanted to say already. 13 goals in 12 days.

Pity Torres could not break the club’s 103 year record of most goals in first 50 league games, but I don’t think he’s really that bothered by it.

BTW, I hear Reina has also made a club record of most clean sheets in first 100 league games.

Come on you Reds! The momentum is now back in our favour.

As we have to take a break from annoying international duty, it was particularly important we win and keep the pressure on the Scum before we go for the break.

I thought the red card on Freidel was harsh, I’m sure Villa will appeal to get that repealed, so hopefully Freidel will feature against the Scum when the league resumes.

Like I said before we had a big challenge infront of us
and boy did we take care of it
what a weekend
over and out

+1
holy shit
thats amazing cause b4 the game I said I’d have 10 pints for every goal in hand
hahahahahaha
What a goood day
over and out

We have been blessed by Bryce Morrison, from heaven above.

For sure Skeat
this victory was for him!!

Ps:

I wonder where is Kopking Aka Sir roger hunt now?

My mistake, upon checking the tables again, the goal difference against the Scum is +2 in our favour.

@Skeat: He’s probably off wanking himself to drown his sorrows. Fucking dickhead he was. I’m looking forward to fucking ram all this up his pathetic arse when we do win the league this year come May.

yes… We are +1 more than the Chavs.
..and after the international break…
we have the chance to be no.1 in the league again…provided we win at Craven cottage and Scum slips (draw or lose) against Villa at old toilet

+2 holy shit
thats 20 down the hatch for me then
Skeat forget about that wanker bro
YNWA Over and out

Over and out brother..

I have to go to bed now and try very hard to sleep
(its now 2:30am here in Shanghai)

Apparently there is so many sphincter’s twitching in Manchester you can hear a symphony break out now and again
Over and out

I hear ya man
its 3:30 in Korea but luckily no work tomorrow
when work is out the drink is in
well done to Ireland (in the rugby ) too by the way!!
over and out bro

Alright Lads, not to piss on any parade, but… if you watch the game again, we could have easily been down 2 – 0 with in the first ten minutes. Gerrard was also playing woefully in those first 10. And give Villa there due. I expected them to go 4-5-1, but they went for it with 4-4-2 and the two big lumps up front. Thank fuck for Pepe. We could have been 2 down without him. So, as Rafa says constantly, it’s all in the small details.

But, having said that, I tell you what lads… Are we the bollacks at the moment? Torres looked bad today. But the fact is, while he done nothing spectacular himself, he pulled their defence all over the gaff and made huge holes for us to attack. Anyway, I could go on and on, but fuck it… 13 goals for 1 against. And we are playing some football.

Will shut up now, cos I don’t want to put the mockers on the end of this season. But if you can’t be happy with this, and you can’t see that we are back, proper back and ready to go for many seasons, well….

PS… Are we the new Wimbledon? Are we fuck. I’ve never seen a team that can play so direct with such devastating results.

PPS… Donal, enjoy your drink and day off. Wish I was with you. But I’m looking forward to the end of the season too much. Will be going to as many games as possible now…. glory hunting fucker that I am!

Way to piss on me parade Fatty especially since this week also included me birthday (19th) and Paddies day
but don’t worry I’m saving some in the tank for the end of the season too brother!!
Big-up to the big lads in the Cobra Club too I’m sure work will be a 2nd priority for them die hard Malaysian fans (and those guys are die hard!!) too!!
Over and out

Wish you were here too Fatty Im sure you could sell Kimchi to a Korean!!

Fixtures
Remaning Fix’s

Fulham v Liverpool, 17:30
Wednesday, 08 April 2009
UEFA Champions League
Liverpool v Chelsea, QF, L1, 19:45
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Liverpool v Blackburn, 15:00
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
UEFA Champions League
Chelsea v Liverpool, (agg 0-0), QF, L2, 19:45
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Liverpool v Arsenal, 20:00
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Hull v Liverpool, 15:00
Saturday, 02 May 2009
Barclays Premier League
Liverpool v Newcastle, 15:00
Saturday, 09 May 2009
Barclays Premier League
West Ham v Liverpool, 15:00
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Barclays Premier League
West Brom v Liverpool, 15:00
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Barclays Premier League
Liverpool v Tottenham, 16:00

Im sure if we can beat all these feckin gobsheens the double will be ours
over and out

It`s good times alright lads,but its imperetive we all keep our feet on the ground especially the players and staff.I remember back in oct/nov when we were going great and we were all in here looking ahead to the next six fixtures saying when we get 18 points out of those six we`ll be well set up for xmas…..well we all know what happened then.Draws with fulam,hull,west ham etc.

Although i would agree now were playing our best football right now under Rafa and we look full of energy.I trust this well oiled machine our manager has bult will do us proud to the final day.Weather that will be enough will depend on scum.

Regardless of the outcome of this season i`m dead excited for the future under Rafa Benitez.

We`ve got one serious manager on our hands lads.Scary what he can achieve given the chance.

what a tonking that was! riera was my man of the match

we’ve never done anything the easy way under Rafa. In any case if anybody was expecting the team finishing 4th last season to roll their way to the title brushing aside hugely expensive, well established teams, they were dreaming.

8 games left, and all this month has given us is some hope back. and hope is the cruelest emotion.

keep the faith lads, keep the support strong and lets hope we are all smiles in May!
YNWA

PERFECT

I cant believe i was on a mini downer just because torres didnt score. AMAZING
Someone recently posted that they would not give up hope an they were certain they new liverpool were gonna win the league this season. well who ever you are i think you’ve marty mc flys sports alminac(BACK TO THE FUTURE) because as poistive as i am i thought we were dead after city draw.

Just do me a favour give me a lend of the book after ya………. please!!! we’ve a gilmer of hope yet

COME ON THE MIGHTY POOL

Donal I assure you my friend, I could sell Koreanshi to Kamisnshkians.

My name is Martin O’Neil the greatest English manager in the Premier League. I will have to read Freud’s work to understand what happened to my tean at Anfield.

I can’t stop laughing what a fantastic weekend.

In addition to Murphy, we have to thank Schwarzer cos he was incredible against united. A bit disappointing to see the chavs go down cos it would be better to have more teams putting pressure on the mancs.

And then, what an incredible performance against Aston Villa. But as FS says, it was a funny game cos Stevie was not having the best of his games but still manages a hattrick. And if we did not have Reina, it could have been quite tense. But then again, that is how football pans out– we have one of the best keepers who performed to his best, and we took our chances clinically, which has not always been the case for us. So the result is fair in my view. I am sure whiskerface is dead worried right now.
As for barry, he is a versatile player and is left-footed. A good addition, but anything over 18 million is too much for a 29 year old. And as gerry says, we may be seeing a lot of English players coming in in view of the daft UEFA ruling that might actually happen. So let’s not get too carried away.

Well a thumping we shall go, and did, 5 blot what a great result.
.
Nando had one of those day’s where things just don’t happen, spent more time on his back than a prostitute on a Saturday night. However we still clobbered them. 13 goals in a week, where did that come from.
.
I’ve had a think about the Barry saga and yes it’s a saga that’s about to raise it’s ugly head. Barry’s performance yesterday was nothing to inspire anyone. If he was cheap and Rafa still wants him as a replacement for Lucas, then fine.
.
However he is not a replacement for Xabi or Mash. I can see the reasoning behind moving Lucas on and bring Barry in, as he scores goals.
.
Where as the 3 mentioned above struggle on the goal tallies. Xabi though is a considerably more dynamic attacking player, Mash is the opposite, dogged defensive work rate.
.
Lucas is the one who it’s claimed is box to box SG type player, but alas he doesn’t score, I don’t think a title aspiration team can carry that many midfielders who don’t chip in to the tally. So if it was at the expense of Lucas maybe, but not if it were to replace Xabi or Mash.
.
Lastly, I think this international break couldn’t have come at a worst time. We’re bubbling, Man U in freefall, then the competition stops.
.
Gives everyone a break, takes of the pressure and possibly costs some teams their best players. I know Man U will be glad of the break.

Great result.all the lads deserve credit for the performance.
REIRA MOM.
I think Nando celebrated his birthday a bit too
much.. Joke….

Alonso versus Barry, no contest.
I will take ALonso every time.
The lad is class.

Why is Reo-Coker playing in the Prem /
He is absolute pants..

I hope all the lads come back from International break fit and well.

My trip to Liverpool next month is looking very
timely..

Gerrard scores 3 and has a off day thats quality for you. Riera had a great game
and got over his recent drop in form (maybe he reads this blog) But the MOM
for me was Pepe his assist coupled with some fine saves and breaking Clem’s
record just pipps it .The sending off was disgraceful pen yes, Red no way,
What do they want a goalie to do.The crowd gave him a good sending off
though .
During the Rafa debates Villa was used as a exanple of how Rafa had spent
money but basically had done no better than other small squad teams.
Well the last few weeks have answered that, while we have got stronger
AV have been knocked out of the FA/ UEFA/ and CL spot.
MON was literally chocking and lost for words during the post match interview
but he managed to mumble how good Scum are,Dont tell me he’s given up all
ready. Has he learned nothing this last week?
He’s had 2 lessons theory and practical so lets hope he has learned something
and they do the mancs,
PS That red card was a “favour” for the Mancs not us
YNWA

Let’s not get carried away. A thumping scoreline but Rafa was far from pleased. Once again we saw no need to take advantage of their 10-men which could have made our goal diff all that much better.

Sorry to sound like me is whinging after some great results, but hey, let’s put everything in perspective.

The scum still lead by a point with a game in hand which am sure will translate into another 3points thanx to Alex’s old boys network of Steve Bruce & cohorts.

Draw in Europe means our playing staff will be stretched to the max whilst the scum have more or less a fooking stroll to the finals.

Everything is still in their favour.

Like Stevie sez, “We’ve gotta keep our feet firmly planted on the ground.”

ps: Red card fer Friedal was disgraceful.

And another thing, me thinks John Carew look pretty useful yesterday & me wonders whether Rafa is considering a swoop fer one of his old warhorses?

No, no puchong, Carew’s career is nearing to an end. Plus, he is injury prone. We don’t need that type.

We need a forward that can actually do something on his own without needing any service or someone who can take players on with the ball at their feet. And as Gerry has pointed out, if he is versatile enough to play out wide if needs be, the better.
Although Carew is a good player, he has not got any of the qualities we need. We would rather need the Agbonlahor type if you are sticking with aston villa strikers.

Hmmm . . . a striker who is able to create chances on his own or play out wide . . .

There’s this fella with some funky haircuts at Sunderland who fits that description . . .

ps: Hyde – if we could nick Carew fer free, why not?

What the fuck is this guy on about? Was he one of us before?

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/2009/03/23/jose-is-man-to-bring-the-special-prize-to-anfield-115875-21220996/

Looks like sour grapes to me.

“And I am not sure enough players like Torres will go to Liverpool while Benitez is there.

Mourinho is the true ‘Special One’ and I am still not convinced Liverpool’s players believe Rafa is anything out of the ordinary. ”

He’s simply speaking nonsense.

read this guys

http://www.chelsea.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=513701

“Fergus, if I were you I`d be looking nervously over your shoulder because (forget about José) you have met your tactical and psychological match in Rafa. And for the teams facing ManU in the coming matches, read Benítez`s comments and watch the DVD of the Liverpool game to see how ManU can be beaten. We owe it to football to push ManU and open up the League. Thanks for that Rafa.”

Read this guys

XXTP://www.chelsea.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=513701

“Fergus, if I were you I`d be looking nervously over your shoulder because (forget about José) you have met your tactical and psychological match in Rafa. And for the teams facing ManU in the coming matches, read Benítez`s comments and watch the DVD of the Liverpool game to see how ManU can be beaten. We owe it to football to push ManU and open up the League. Thanks for that Rafa.”

What an influential weekend by Reds! Danny Murphy did me proud on Saturday, continuing his infamous strikes against MUFC. Old boys Heskey and Friedel must have wished they stayed on at Anfield. To be honest, none played too badly – it was an off day for Villa. I’m beyond happiness right now, honestly. Happiness is when you beat Real Madrid 4-0, ecstacy is when Man U get thwacked 4-1 (at Old Trafford!). Delirium is when Villa get given a five-star Anfield treatment. I don’t know what to call a combo of happiness + Ecstacy + Delirium. I’ll leave it at that.

I’m happy for once you were proved wrong on dropping Riera from the first team. He was easily put the MoTM by a country mile. We didn’t even need Dossena for no. six!

Can we win #19? Why not? Man U gloats as the Reds sit patiently waiting for that fatal error. Now that’s what I was talking about!

Marvellous result yesterday, well done redmen, finished villa off with ruthless efficiency. On the Barry thing, I cant see it happening. Where do we play him? Insua, fabio and Riera have the left side locked down and likewise with xabi and masch in the middle. Barrys gonna come and sit on the bench instead of lucas? A full international in a world cup year? No way. Nothing about it makes any sense and surely Rafa knows and see’s that. Tabloid bullshit methinks. Anyway, well done to all yesterday.

Great, Great blog Gerry and the donating his body to science must rank as one of you best chirps this year.

I have stayed away after the Manc’s loss to Fulham on purpose as I did not want to jinx the Villa game. All too often in the past we follow a high with a low and the 5-0 drubbing was an emphatic response to that theory, long may it continue.

For our best two players, Gerrard (despite the hat trick) and Torres not being at their best, the shoreline was impressive and the early goals a blessing to the old nerves. I thought Reira was magnificent and his batteries seemed to have been fully recharged overnight, long may it continue because it is exactly want we need with this run in. The team played well and Pepe was on top form. Aurelleo and Arbie have to be the most underrated backs in the Prem and it is only when they are missing that we realize how good they are.

The only blemish, if it is correct, is that Gerrard will be missing for the Fulham game. I think this will be a vital game (yes they all will, but this could be one of the more difficult ones) However that is for another day, lets savor being right back in the hunt and with the suspensions, ManU will not have it all their own way and must be feeling the heat after blowing an unassailable lead. These types of things do affect players and doubt will start to creep in, no matter what they say.

Not to mention Rafa’s blue print on how to beat them, old Funges must be doing his nut, by his outburst he is clearly rattled and I am sure that Rafa will not be getting a Christmas card from him anytime soon, that perch he is sitting on is getting more slippery by the day .

It seems the Boss is all of a sudden getting the recognition he now deserves. It was a great article on vital Chelsea and good to see that other people, apart form the staunch Rafa supporters who have always supported him and seen what he was trying to do, are starting to appreciate what a great Manager he is.

For the Barry debate, for me that one is history, even at a reduced fee. Alonso and Masch dominated the midfield and totally outplayed Villa. At 29 is he a better bet than Lucas going forward for the 70K a week salary? For me not, I would rather see us spend the money on the wings and at RB and give Lucas, Spearing etc more time to develop, they are not far away from being the finished article. If Lucas can hold his own at Old Toilet, with more experience and chances he will develop quicker and be better in the long run, the New castle game being a point in reference. I also think it would undermine Alonso. English or not I would rather us go and get, or spend our money on other English players or promising youngsters. Let’s spend the big bucks on a wide or utility striker and a good RB. With Leto due to return and with Dossena, Insue, Aurlleo, Reira and Babbel we have more than enough left sided players, Agger is also left footed.

It is going to be an exciting run in, when last can we say that this has happened?

I haven’t heard any of the boring defensive Liverpool comments lately! What a difference taking your chances make.

Long live the Rafalution!

Well said keith.Isn`t it ironic that we spent the whole of last summer playing fantasy football and demanding that rafa improves the full back area`s because we didn`t rate arbeloa/aurellio.They have been our two most improved players this season.Aurellio once he stays injury free can be a real player for us.He also has versitility.

This proves that we need to trust rafa`s judgement.He knows the players,trains them,knows who is on form and who isn`t.

I think its crucial now that all the players on the fringe of the first team are starting to hit form.Babel,lucas,benny,insua even n`gog are all ready to do a job when asked.We also have Dagger coming back from injury.They will have a big part to play in the run in and there form and confidence has come at the right time.
I don`t think rafa will start the same 11 from now to the end so he`ll be looking to freshen things as he goes along.Nothing to drastic though Rafa!

I think theres more to it than taking chances Keith. Whilst ruthless efficiency always helps and we were ruthless yesterday no doubt, I think there is also the added element of ‘must win’ to these games. When our backs are against the walls I think Rafa (and the team to be fair) approaches the game with a more offensive mindset and game plan. Lose to Madrid at Anfield and drop points at utd and the season is effectively over. Powerful incentive indeed.

Just had a quick read of the blog and a skim through the comments. What a weekend eh?

I just had a feeling we’d slaughter Villa. I had predicted 4-0 and a great Gerrard performance. Well we got 5. Not bad. What I didn’t expect was the mancs completely bottling it at Fulham! Another thing that surprised me was Fergie’s rant. Seems he lost the plot big time and is absolutely cacking his load at the thought of Rafa knocking him off his fucking perch. I couldn’t believe the bile he was spewing about us spending millions more than them, that there will be no recession at Anfield this summer as we’ll splash the cash and that they invest in developing young players etc. The bullshit was thick!

If we beat Fulham we’ll be top and the mancs will be under pressure against Villa who after getting a good hiding at Anfield will surely show more pride at Old Trafford and play a little more compact.

The way the fixtures are – their game in hand is actually away to Wigan on 13th May after that they play Arsenal at home. I must admit after the defeat to Boro I thought the title race was absolutely finished. Not now. It’s a tall order to win every game but at least we’ve turned up the heat and made things interesting.

The test will be teams who come to Anfield and park up. Looking at the fixtures though only one team coming to Anfield play that way and that’s Blackburn.

It’s a shame the international break has come now when we’ve built up momentum. Fingers crossed our players remain fit!

Keith, I don’t think Gerrard will be suspended for the Fulham game.

ttp://www.thefa.com/TheFA/Disciplinary/Procedures/Postings/2002/09/24877.htm

Under Section 7 (a) (i)

“If a player accumulates 5 (five) recorded cautions in FTCM between the opening day of the Playing Season and the last day in February in the same Season, he will be suspended automatically for a period covering: -
One First Team Match”

Gerrard’s previous four cards were acquired before February before he got this one yesterday, so I’m pretty sure the Villa game one won’t be counted, meaning he can get off scot-free.

Yeah thats right. There is an amnesty if a player gets their 5th yellow card after February. Instead of a suspension the player gets a letter from the FA warning them about their future conduct.

By the way good on Danny Murphy but I won’t be giving him too much praise as he is quite capable of putting the ball into our top corner April 4th and ruining our party!

Does anyone know why Babel wasn’t even in the squad yesterday? Injured, or just left out? Curious decision if he wasn’t injured. I know Riera had a cracker but that’s hindsight talking.

I am really relieved to hear he wont be suspended, because for me that is one tricky fixture and if we can get a really good result the pressure will be right on the Manc for their clash with Villa.

Digger a manger can only set a team up to dominate and create chances, most of our draws, not saying all, but most of our draws we created 20 plus chances, but we did not manage to put them away. That is football, sometimes they fly in from everywhere and sometimes you could play until the middle of next year and they won’t go in, remember Spurs, 3 shots hit the woodwork. How many tap in have we missed, Keane, Babbel and a few others.

It does not help to have or top two strikers missing for large parts of the season but I was positive that the Mancs would go through a bad patch. They will drop more points before the end of the season; the trick is that we cannot afford to and yes that is a big ask but not impossible given the current form and mood in the camp, as well as a refreshed Torres and Gerrard for the run in. I just hope we pick up no injuries from this international break.

Coincidence or not, a few draws came when Reira went through his bad patch and we look a much better and balanced side with him firing.

Yes the Babel omission was strange. My thinking was that he must be injured as we had 2 centre halves on the bench.

MAY 9 lads. May the 9th. Could be a load of shite, but I have just been looking at the remaining fixtures and I reckon that’s when it will be decided.

Viva La Rafalution!

Shit, Spain have 2 world cup qualification games. Double header against Turkey on Saturday 28th Mar and then the following Wednesday April 1st. What say our players are knackered come April 4th?

Hope the International break doesn’t do us much damage.8 wins-88 points and the title is ours.Lots of tricky games- Fulham ,Hull and The Arse.Torres and co should pull out of every tackle while away, we pay the players wages.If I were a footballer, I would never play Internationals .Barry and Mc Geady would be great signings.The former could fill in while Stevie is rested.Focus, focus, focus.

Yeah definitely Keith, no doubt Stevie and Torres absence hurt us badly but there is most certainly a different approach to the games the last couple of wks as opposed to earlier games in the season. Gone is the compact practical game plan in favour of more cut and thrust. Compare the approach and attitude towards yesterdays game say with that of Fulham at Anfield or our trip to Stoke. There is none. Comparison that is. Personally I’m delighted and credit to all involved, yes, even Rafa!

Digger, in the 3 games where we have scored a truck load of goals etc. Note the opposition have attacked us. More about our approach will be revealed when we play against Blackburn at Anfield I reckon. They will definitely park the bus.

Our remaining home games. Blackburn, Newcastle, Arsenal, Spurs.
Newcastle will need to win as they are in deep relegation trouble and have a shite defence anyway. Arsenal will have a go and so to will Spurs I believe.

Away from home teams should come at us. Fulham, Hull, West Ham, West Brom.
Fulham and West Ham look to be the tricky games there.

The Fulham game is massive. Win it and we continue our momentum and put big pressure on the mancs. Draw or lose and the squad will be deflated and the mancs will get a lift before their game against Villa.

What a win yesterday, and what a win for Fulham on Saturday!! I was curious to see what the mancs were saying so I went onto Rep. of Mancunia to read:

++++”Since When Is Throwing The Ball Back A Yellow Card?
Ryan Giggs goes to take the freekick early, so takes it from the spot where the ball is. Phil Dowd orders for the freekick to be retaken. Wayne Rooney picks the ball up and overhead throws it back to where the freekick should be taken. Wayne Rooney is given a second yellow card and sent off.

WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT YOU FUCKING CUNT!

Yes he was frustrated but never in a million years was it worthy of a bloody yellow card. Dowd should be reffing the fucking conference next week based on that decision. I only hope the fact it’s Rooney and not John Terry doesn’t stand in the way of our FA appeal. Although whether anything can be done, given that it was a second yellow and not a straight red, means we’re probably not going to come out of this one very happily.

It’s not about today’s game, that was over in the first half. It’s about the game to come with no Scholes or Rooney. I’d still rather be in our position, we’re still leading the pack and whatever result Liverpool get tomorrow, we’re still top of the league. But holding on to that spot with three players missing through suspension is going to be trickier than it should be.

I have never seen anything like it. Although no doubt Rooney will get ripped to shreds in the media for it. At least the rentboys lost and as it stands, with the same games played as Liverpool, we’re 4 points clear.

FUCK THE FA.”++++

What a class act they are! And this on the homepage no less. I clicked on the link about the our spending v their spending. Now I looked further into it and it seems that we have spent more than the mancs. So-what, is what I say to it anyway, but I’m telling you guys in case you walk into a trap with a manc. The data is from transferleague.co.uk/ , you need to click on the Liverpool and the Manu link on the left to get the breakdown. I absolutely positively 100% thought that I was gonna read that we were way lower than Utd, but we’re not. Now this is in NO WAY a criticism of Rafa or LFC, it’s just …eh..fajt! Just don’t get into an arguement to be proven wrong, or even worse, lose money on a bet. I’ve read and trusted the Paul Tomkins article, and I do agree and realise that you don’t compare Rafa’s five years squad building to Fergusons twenty. But our 5 year total spend is 212m compared to Utd’s 169m. And the net-spend for the last 5 years is 110m for us and 93m for Utd. Our spend includes Cisse, who wasn’t a Rafa purchase. Am I the only one who didn’t realise this??

Thats a fair point LB but its not like teams simply havent attacked us this yr. Stoke should have been 2 up by h/t at the Brittania! We sleep-walked through the first 70mins of that game and were lucky not to be beaten. The approach and attitude from both team and manager was wrong that day and a few others but I dont want to open a can of worms here. I’m just saying for whatever reason the difference lately is night and day and as FS would say I’m a very happy chappy!

No. You’re the only one to be conned into believing it. I’ll dig up a link. We’ve spent 24 million less in the same time – FACT!

PS Anelka has already been injured in training with the French and will be out for 3 weeks. I fucking hate international football.

Boy, let’s hope Nando and Alonso come back fully fit from those 2 matches… and the 2nd leg is away in Turkey too, that’s not ideal. Them’s the breaks I guess, but fuck I hate international football. What are they doing playing Turkey in the European group stages anyway… it’s not even in Europe!!
(no offence to any Turkish readers, I’ve just always wondered who and how Turkey was defined as part of Europe!)

As happens in these situations, Fulham now have 2 full weeks to prepare for us, riding on their high, and with most of their squad available. Rafa is going to need to snap the lads back into focus quick smart after they arrive back from the internationals.

That is a really good question Andy. I’ve always wondered that myself and the same applies to Israel aswell. Again, no offence to our Israeli readers (shalom lads! Bennis having a great year!) but arent Turkey and Israel defined as being in the middle east? How they qualify for European competitions? Werent Israel in Englands group for the 2008 Euro qualifiers? And dont they enter the Eurovision song contest every year?! Lol! Thoughts anyone? Any geo-politicists visit our humble blog?!

Maybe you’ve stumbled on the answer there yourself digger… perhaps FIFA base the European qualifying countries on whoever enters the Eurovision song contest!!

Aston Villa are considering appealing Brad Friedel’s sending off. I hope the FA sees sense. Brad didnt move, he just held his ground.

“ASTON Villa today launched an appeal against goalkeeper Brad Friedel’s red card at Anfield.

The American was dismissed for bringing down Fernando Torres but both manager Martin O’Neill and Friedel disagreed with referee Martin Atkinson’s decision.

An independent regulatory committee will meet tomorrow to decide Friedel’s fate.

He feels that not only did he get out of the Spaniard’s way but that Nigel Reo-Coker was level with Torres – thus not making him the last man.

“I just stood my ground and, as the cameras show, I turned my shoulders to show that I didn’t try to make contact. He is the one who ran in and made contact with me,” Friedel said.

“Does he have an argument for a penalty? Sure. Does he have an argument for a booking? Sure. But a sending-off is very harsh considering he had a defender alongside him.”

Friedel will miss Villa’s trip to Old Trafford on Sunday April 5 (4pm) if the appeal is unsuccessful. His run of 182 consecutive top-flight games will also come to a halt if the red card is not rescinded.

If Friedel does serve a one-match ban Villa may be forced to ask the FA for special dispensation to recall Stuart Taylor from his loan at Cardiff.

Taylor would be required to act as an understudy to Brad Guzan at Old Trafford.”

“Turkey’s formal application to join the European Community—the organization that has since developed into the European Union—was made on 14 April, 1987. Turkey has been a European Union (then the European Economic Community) associate member since 1963. Turkey is also a member of the Council of Europe since 1949, a founding member of the OECD since 1961, a founding member of the OSCE since 1973 and an associate member of the Western European Union since 1992. Turkey signed a Customs Union agreement with the EU in 1995 and was officially recognised as a candidate for full membership on December 12th, 1999 at the Helsinki summit of the European Council. Negotiations were started on 3 October, 2005, and the process is likely to take at least a decade to complete. The membership bid has become the central controversy of the ongoing enlargement of the European Union.”

FS, I’ve always thought that Utd out-spent us, but that site transferleague.co.uk, looks impartial enough to me. I don’t care that we’ve spent more, but just so that nobody is a tenner down like I nearly was.

Scouse by blood, Brad had to go. You can’t give a penalty, and not send off the keeper in that situation. You can’t just hold your ground like that either. It was naive, rather than malicious.

Thanks LB… you learn something every day! I still don’t think they should be in Europe though! If Israel and Turkey are part of Europe, then Syria probably has an argument too… perhaps they’re next!

Anyway in case this all turns political – let’s leave it at that and get back on topic, I won’t bring it up again!

In following my own advice… I actually don’t think Rafa will go for Barry this summer. I think he saw him having 2 major roles for us – a replacement for Alonso, and to play on the left of midfield. But with Alonso back in top form, and with the purchase of Riera, I think Rafa will be looking at other positions now – as Gerry says, a winger-come-striker would be ideal.

Liverpool Win
Mancs Loose
Chavs Loose
Ireland win the grand slam
The cork hurlers are back

What a weekend!!!

every team has a bad patch every season, we had ours in Jan, the mancs are having theirs now, the question is, how much longer will it last?

It has been the mancs lack of discipline is what could hold the key. they were a joke on sat.

When Wenger came out and said they were invincible, I think he was playing mind games as I beleive the manc themselves started to beleive it then!

We are heading into April genuinely challenging which is fantastic, and all I asked for at the start of the season, I am starting to get gready now!

A few more things:

Did the boro defeat do us a favour and give us the kick up the arse we needed?

Don’t under-estimate the effect of Rafa signing his contract, the certainty it brings can’t even be quantified

The Anfield crown yesterday was in top form and this will be key also in the run-in.

Bus-parking: I don’t see much of this for the rest of the season, nearly every team is going for 3 point in every game now, be it for a title chase, CL place, European place or avoiding the drop.

It has effected the availability of alcohol at certain times. Israel and Turkey are most certainly middle eastern countries originally, but when you consider the fajt Israel only exists 60 years, it isn’t hard to see that allegiances would always be a moving target. Turkey is a secular state and there is very clear separation of church and state, although there is a movement which wishes to bring in Sharia law. No head-scarfs in college, or government buildings etc. Though there is the strange phenomenon of students wearing wigs over the head-scarfs.

I’ve always thought that regions, borders and politics should be kept separate from football.

Does anyone categorically know our spend record, versus Utd’s?

Don`t really know who has spent more aiyic,bottom line is anyone with half a football brain would realise that Rafa had to entirely dismantle houlliers squad bar stevie,carra and sami and build a new squad.He had to strengthen in all areas.The tramp had an already established squad in 2004.I do know one thing,the 14m spent on cisse does go down in Rafa`s tally even though the deal was done by houllier.

The thing is Andy and Aitch, there is no border or definitive line to seperate Europe from Asia. It’s just perception really. While the other continents are seperated by the sea/ocean.

The Middle East region is not a continent is it? I could be wrong but I thought tt’s either Europe or it’s Asia striclty speaking.

Cheers LB, everyday is a schoolday! Certainly that is compelling evidence for Turkeys inclusion, clearly they’ve been participating in European affairs and policy for quite some time and are applying for all the right things. Are Israel on a similar path or what, if any, is the explanation for their involvement? Aiyic the only way to compare spending is to go back and look at every transfer by both clubs since Rafa arrived. Need to visit an impartial site methinks.

Thank the heavens Lucas didnt score!

ttp://www.skysports.com/video/clips/0,23791,13862_5087589,00.html?ssvTab=5&ssvSelectedTab=13861&ssvBasket=13862&ssvPage=1

Well, what a result! Well impressed with Rafa too, with him saying we could and should have scored more goals. This title could yet come down to goal difference so you can certainly see what he means. It’s also a message to the team to not get carried away by patting each other on the back too much, this battle for the title is going to the wire!

I have critcised Rafa for being too negative in the past, but I certainly can’t do that at the moment, we are playing great attacking football striking while the iron is hot and taking the game to the opposition from the off. Can’t ask for more than that and if it continues like that until the end of the season we could well be celebrating number 19.

A special mention for Riera and Reina after the 5-0 thumping of Villa. Reina stopped us going 1-2 down with two outstanding saves, and Riera frightened the life out of Villa to such an extent that there were two of them trying to shackle him at one point, thus freeing up space for someone else to exploit.

Stevie G hat-trick hero, and how cool was that free kick? he just passed it into the net!

Fulham up next, and a narrow victory for the Reds is what I predict. No international injuries please. YNWA

Here you go Digger,

The Israel Football Association was founded under the name Palestine Football Association (PFA) in 1928, 20 years before the establishment of the state of Israel at the end of the British Mandate of Palestine. The PFA was accepted as a full member of FIFA in 1929. The PFA first dealt with local leagues, but later also managed the national team that was created to participate in the World Cup qualifications (participating in 1934 and 1938 as the Palestine/Eretz Yisrael national team).

Israel has taken part in three different continents: Asia, Europe and Oceania in the Football World Cup qualifiers, before settling in Europe as a member of UEFA in 1994.

Before independence
Palestine played its first official game in 1934 in the world cup qualifiers losing 1-7 to Egypt. The team’s first goal ever was scored by Avraham Nudelmann. Upon creation of the State of Israel in 1948, IFA became the official association of the new state. The Israel national team’s first game as an independent state was on September 26, 1948, against the USA (result: 1-3 to the USA).

Asian history
Israel initially competed in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), although due to their ongoing geopolitical situation many Asian nations often refused to compete against Israel. This meant that they mainly competed in European (UEFA) or Oceanian (OFC) World Cup qualifying tournaments. In 1964 Israel hosted and won the Asian Nations Cup. In 1968 Israel went to their first Olympic Games and lost to Bulgaria in the quarter-finals. In 1970 Israel qualified for their first and only World Cup, via Oceania, but only got two points after draws with Sweden and finalist Italy and a loss to Uruguay.

In 1976, Israel went to their second Olympic Games and lost in the quarter-finals again, this time against Brazil. In 1972 and 1977 they attempted World Cup qualification as part of Asia, which both times ended in failure.

Years in exile
In 1974, Israel had left the AFC as their position within it became untenable.[clarification needed] During the 1980s they played their majority of matches against European teams, and competed in the European leg of qualification for the 1982 World Cup. For the next two tournaments they entered the Oceania Football Confederation’s qualification groups and in 1989, Israel made it to the playoffs of WC Italy 1990 to play against Colombia, who qualified from the South American group, but lost (1-0, 0-0).

European history
In 1991 Israeli clubs began participating in European club competitions and Israel returned to the European leg of World Cup qualifying in 1992, notably winning 3-2 in Paris against France in 1993. In 1994, Israel received full UEFA membership, twenty years since they had left Asia.[1] Within Europe, Israel have been a relatively minor nation, though with some successes. In 1999, Israel made it to the playoffs of Euro 2000, but was beaten by Denmark.

there is no way that the FA are going to undermine a referee decision AND do it to the detriment of the mancs. no chance in hell.

yes aiyic it’s less!

Digger, I have looked at transferleague.co.uk . Read my post at 155. I’m just a little shocked that we have spent *that* much more that Utd. And again, I’m not criticising Rafa, I’m just want to know for the sake of knowing so that I don’t hang myself to a manc, or lose a bet. I always believed that we were far less than they. And Timmy, yes it’s very important to factor in the progress that Ferguson had been at for 20 years.

As with Israel, I just hope that their youth flips their government the bird and join football clubs, and not the army.

Aiyic, I’ve lost the bloody link, but I’ve emailed a mate and will put it up when I get it. Problem is, some fees are undisclosed. But from most sources you will see Rafa has spent – net – somewhere around 20 million less.

The thing is, when the question was asked… “what’s the difference between the 2 sides” and Rafa answered 100 million it was an answer to the exactly that – the difference between the two squads/teams not a question about spending. mr ferguson decided to bring that up. He took a week to stew on it and think of his next “Mind game.” It bit him on the arse and the world, his wife and his dog know it and seen it for what it was.

The fact is they clearly rattled. I only wish we both had games on Wednesday night to keep the pressure on. How fucked up is the scheduling of football? Weeks without a game. Games crammed in to fit holidays, internationals, etc. It’s a bloody joke. I can’t think of any other business that would, or could, be ran like this.

As for signings I’d also love to see a good winger. And after thinking about it, if we are to go back for any recent targets, I would prefer it to be Johnston than any other. It was only the last blog that I disagreed with LB over that. Well, not really as I said, I wouldn’t mind him. But I also said I thought he wouldn’t really add to the squad. But, like I said, I’ve re-thought that and think he would be a good addition – especialy against the bus parkers.

But oh for a John Barnes now, eh? There’s a lovely balance to the team when we have Alonso, and Masch, flanked by Kuyt and Riera, with Gerrard just ahead. So maybe Rafa won’t even go for an out and out winger. But imagine Barnes in that side. Not to discount Riera. Go back a blog, I said what I think of him and knew he would come good again. And I hope the lad’s here for years, but imagine Digger in that side.

Oh well, just being greedy now. But talk about wanting it all ways to suit the agenda….
Man U. have bragged and bragged for years on end about how big they are and how much they can spend. And I don’t know about Turkey or Isreal, but I guarentee if you turn on a documentary about the depths of the rain forset or the polar ice caps some undiscovered pygmy or eskimo tribe will pop up in their grey Sharp WebCam shirts.

It’s a fucking joke. The tramp knows Rafa has his number and he will try anything now to deflect us. But if this season ends as the last few have, we have every chance of catching them. Not my spin – go check the results for the last 2 seasons.

And how I wish Rafa had 100 million to splurge. Wouldn’t bother me in the slightest what anyone said about spending. If it bothers you, here’s two little words to shut them up…. Juan Veronon. I usually use a different two than that though.

Yeah I agree with FS there. It must have been when Rafa answered what the difference was between man utd and liverpool – answer: ‘about £100m’ that got Fungas’ knickers in a twist. Lol! I’ve gotta hand it to Rafa there, that was a good one. Reminded me of when Wenger kept talking about a “power shift” a few years back. Fungas didn’t like it. Guaranteeing the world that Arsenal would “definitely” drop points. Well they didn’t. And I hope we don’t either.

That Rafa comment and the 4-1 ass whupping followed by the signed contract has definitely given Taggart a cold chill up his spine.

FS: Who’s Johnston. Digger would be fantastic in this team.

manure have had about 15 new George Best’s as well. Russell beardsmore was one. heh heh heh

Hey Kenny, Russell Beardsmore ripped us a new one in 1989. I remember him and Mclair murdering us!

I still want David Silva or someone similar. Would have loved Arshavin as well. Any out and out striker will end up like Crouch in my opinion. Sat on the bench sulking and then leave.

Kenny, youtube.com/watch?v=upbQNvJy2MI

Cheers LB, i guess you’re our resident geo-political analyst now! Some unusual circumstances and chopping and changing for the Israelis, they’ve certainly taken the long road but I guess they’re in now nevertheless. Now, if only we knew why they are in the Eurovision every year! Btw best entrant ever? My lovely horse!

Digger, I use the trusty wikipeadia and google mate. The fountain of knowledge! Many a pub quiz can be won with good internet access on your mobile phone….

If only David Moores and Rick Parry had access to wikipeadia and google before Feb 2007.

What a fantastic result against Villa! Poor Rafa was the only one grunting and groaning that we had the opportunity to skin MON alive. That will make MON remember not to cross swords with him for the rest of his life!
Cobra Club was the place to be, even though we ended at 2am! So much cheering and shouting. And YNWA sang so loudly and proudly by everyone there.
Reira and Reina both played well as many of you observed. Reina’s kick ended up with reira’s gola. Took just two kicks to do so. Wow! But equally magnificient was Mascherano. He ran up and down and harrassed the opposition no end, big or small.

Like most of you, I too felt let down that Torres was not at his best, although he had a few magnificient moments. He certainly drew two defenders away to allow more space for others to score. Let’s see him do so against Fulham.
Abhishek, great post by the Chelski fan on Rafa’s tactics and mind games. More people will lewarn how to beat Man United. I think this will certainly stir up Slur Alex. Hahaha.

Cheers!

Eh what about Alonso’s pass to Torres that led to the penalty? That was some Zico action! Anyone remember Zico’s throughball to Junior against Argentina in the 1982 world cup?

Digger did you see Barca last night? It was 6-0 after 48 mins.

Originally, Israel was in the Asian Football Confederation, but because of all the problems in the Middle East that will require 10 full blogs or more to fully explain, let’s just say everytime Israel plays an Arab opponent, they would usually just withdraw rather than play them, as it would mean recognizing their existence, this meant way too many walkover matches, even in club final matches.

Turkey can stake their claim to be part of Europe solely on the Istanbul factor, that I can understand.

The real ridiculous example has got to be Kazakhstan (think Borat) also being in UEFA. They claim to have 1/4 of their soil in Europe as well as that portion being 10 times larger than Turkish Europe. You drive a few hours east from its capital and you’ll find yourself jumping five time-zones forward into China.

Back in 2005, Liverpool even had to contemplate the possibility of travelling to Kazakhstan for a UCL qualifier to defend the trophy. Luckily we ended up going to Wales instead.

Martin Keown thinks Robbie Keane’s departure coincided with LFC’s fantastic form. he also thinks we will now win the League this year. I do not disagree with him, especially now that Rafa’s blueprint on how to beat Man United is there for all to study and implement. Brilliant, Rafa, Billiant!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1164081/Revealed-The-reason-Liverpool-win-title–sold-Keane-Spurs.html

Kazakshtan were under rule of the USSR who were of course in Europe so their football league structure would have been part of Europe before USSR broke up no? Same as Georgia.

Actually no. According to my mate Wikipedia Kazaksthan were also part of the Asian Football Confederation after getting independence from USSR in 1992. But switched to UEFA in 2002.

Australia also did a sneaky one. Used to be part of Oceana football confederation. In 2006 they switched to Asian FC.

I wonder if Jamaica could get a switch?

I did LB, Messis goal was extraordinary as usual. Anyone catch Ibrahimovics goal for inter yesterday? Far canal. Why couldent he do that against the Mancs? Obviously I agree about the great John Barnes. But then I cant think of a team anywhere in any era that Barnes wouldent walk into. He was that good in my opinion. And I hate to keep banging on about Arshavin but since you brought him up LB I have no doubt we’d be outta sight now if we’d gone in for him last summer. Gunners got him for 15mil, sigh….

Lads, I’ve just had David Beckham at my desk at Heathrow. He was wearing a French style Black Beret to disguise himself, so I politely asked him to remove it so that I identify him properly. He didn’t like it one little bit, fucking Prima Dona he is!

I still remember the cunt runnning his studs down Jamie Redknapp’s back while Redknapp was on the deck during a Liverpool-Manc match years ago.

I have never forgiven the dirty fucker for it!

I didn’t say anything about football to him, I just whistled YNWA as he walked off.

You seem to forget we had no fucking money and so didn’t buy anyone in January never mind Arshavin. Here you go, add the http and have a read of this, printed today. He reckons he’s a good Liverpool fan an all…
://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/03/23/why-liverpool-still-need-jose-mourinho-to-win-the-premier-league-by-stan-collymore-115875-21220996/

Steve I salute you Sir.
My mate sits right by the corner flag in the Anfield Rd. He’s a season ticket holder, so he’s there week in week out an all the players know him. Yesterday, Gareth Barry was taking a corner an he shouted at him… Don’t worry Gareth lad, you could be wearing a Liverbird next season.

He said Barry winked at him and cracked a big smile.

Stan Collymore is a prat the longer this season has gone on the more pathetic his articles have become. I think hes starting to believe that he is a jurno. Hes just trying to grab headlines?

Er dident we recoup 15mil on Keane in January? And besides who said anything about January? I said ‘last summer’. Jeez fatty over react much? Calm down! Calm down! Collymores a twat. Nice one on the whistling Steve!

Is he really that stupid?

Never fucking mind calm down calm down. I could get a real cob on about that. But I’ll let the ignorance slide, but take a tip lad… don’t go saying that to any other Scousers.

As for the Keane money we never had it to spend and that will be making up most of what Rafa will spend in the summer. Thank fuck he had the bollacks to off load him and make sure we got the majority of it back. And when was Arshavin bought?

Latest piece from john giles on Rafa

://www.herald.ie/opinion/columnists/john-giles/rafa-had-the-tactics-to-win-war-in-boardroom-1680255.html

Based on the Keane sale @ 15m, I think our net spend since last summer is about 5m

In: Keane/Riera/Dosser/Egg

Out: Keane/Crouch/Risse/Guthrie

I came ome from work on Saturday night knackered. I got in the bath with a can of lager and a ciggie for a nice long soak. I put on Talk Shite just to listen to all the Mancs. Stan Collymore was on. A scouse lad phoned in to talk about the Fulham game and started saying things like this…
They was like terriers in mid-field. Danny Murphy is as loyal as a Labrador to Liverpool. they was like Rottweillers in attack.

It was hilarious. He got about 8 dog references in without Stan the Colly sussing him. But he fucked it up when he said…
And all I can say about that performance is WOOF!

Stan finally twigged and slammed the phone down. Funny as fuck

I forgot Finnan, and the millions saved on Kewell’s wages!!

Corkie, think back to Giles, Whelan, Dunphy, Souness and every other fucker on RTE queing up to have a dig at Rafa. Watch how they all start to jump ship soon and start saying how they have always backed Benitez.

I’m seeing it in all sorts of people and the media. It’s quite sickening really

That was a joke FS. Wouldent have figured you for the sensitive type given your railing against political correctness n’ all a while back, but there ya go, everydays a school day I guess. And I say ‘calm down, calm down’ regularly to my 2 scouse mates whom I watch every match with in my local. Should I still be waiting for a reaction FS? Btw Keanes sale had nothing to do with ‘bollacks’ mate and everything to do with politics. But alls fair in love and war, at least we got the 15mil back as you point out.

Gillette selling all his ‘franchises’…

ttp://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/23032009/58/premier-league-gillett-considering-liverpool-sale.html

anyone of the lads from here thinking of going for the Fulham game?

Am desperately trying to get my hands on the tickets, any ideas fellas? or somebody looking to offload one? The internet sites are ripping me off!

Next two weeks will be spent praying our players come back safe and sound. Just read about Berba needing rest for the next TWO weeks. Scums arnt even trying to disguise this scam. I would be scared if Berba wasnt so shit.

YNWA

Bhav, today I was thinking about going to the Fulham match but realised I’ll be in Liverpool that weekend. Typical. Maybe FS can point you in the right direction? I’ve been getting some rip off prices quoted for tickets recently myself.

Digger where are you from. Are you American?

Nope. Irish FS. Ex-pat living in New York. Thats very interesting about Gillette Mickeythomas.

Wherabouts in New York? Do you watch the games in the 11th st. bar in the village?

Nope. I live in Queens, watch the games in a bar called the Irish Rover, quite a gang of us in there at times! The 11th st. bar is the official New York LFC supporters club and the atmosphere is excellent in there for the games. I used to be a member when the club was located in the kinsale up-town but let it run down when they moved down-town. They clashed with the owners over programming and scheduling. Its a bit of a trip down town from Queens plus satellite became more prevalent so I settled on the rove

I know and I know the Irish Rover. I have lots of friends in Queens. 2 of my mates just got back a couple of weeks ago. I lived in NY from 86 to 90. I loved it, still do but got fed up with living there. I still visit quite a lot as I have a daughter still living in CT. I will be in NY in October…. so don’t be knocking Rafa or Missus Fat Scouse will be looking for you!

Arsing about aside, ask your mates about Calm down, calm down. It might be okay between mates. Like it is for me to call me Irish mates Paddy, but I wouldn’t dream of doing it to a stranger. It’s not on. And the reason I asked where you was from was that you never seemed to get what I was saying about selling Keane… that took bollacks. Not many would have done it. And I’m actually sorry for Robbie, but he has done this club a great service… got Parry fucked off and got Rafa control of transfers. And he made a nice few quid out of it, so I hope he doesn’t feel to badly towards the club.

Settled on the Rover meant to say. Jesus Fatty your bringing some memories back to me now. Great little supporters club they are. Monthly newsletter, e.mails, t-shirts the lot. Always someone there handing out copies of RAOTL, they’d organise a trip to Anfield every year and bring back photos of them holding the New York Liverpool supporters club banner outside the Shankly Gates and on the Kop. Great little club it is. But as I say bit of a trip from Queens so the local does me now!

Behave Queens to the Village is how long on the underground? I used to bevvie in an AOH club in Queens. Is it still there? It used to be full of paddies and scousers. I had a building firm, loads of lads from Dublin used to work for me. I hate saying that work for me, sounds fucking horrible. but you know what I mean. I done very well there, but I got fed up with it and moved to California. Shite money compared but I was sick of living in cities. As I said though, I still go to NY and love it when I’m there, just getting to auld for all that malarkey

Yeah I get what your saying bout saying it to strangers but you and I are cybermates FS! Lol. Anyway, Jesus, you could very well know me 2 scouser mates, one of em’s heading home for the national next month, goes every year. The other ones not long back from a trip to Anfield, she squeezes in a few games a year. They’re the heart and soul of the place at game time. Win lose or draw we always have a great laugh. You should defo come in and watch a game with us in October. As I say you probably know em!

There was a big fat cunt called Peter from Liverpool. He had a big boozer on a corner in Queens. Can’t remember the name of it. It was many moons ago. But he was a sound lad him, used to sort all the lads with green cards, social security numbers and that. Good times

As there is so much Irish blood in here, I’m sure you will all join me in raising a pint of the black stuff to the Irish Rugby lads, after waiting 61 yeaers to be Union champions they finally done it at the weekend………. and so close to St.Pat’s day as well. It’s been a very good weekend all in all!

I’ll be there for a week. Me missus wants to go. Doing my head in to be honest. Business is shite and I’m hoping to get to Rome. Me mate’s just got back from Queens. they wouldn’t let one of them on the plane cos he was too pissed. Poor kunt had to fly the next day and had to pay over 600 nicker for the flight.

If you get the chance, have a bevvy in the alehouse inside Grand Central station. there’s a bar tender in there called Howie. Big fat ugly kunt, you can’t miss him. He’s a mate of mine and a great fella.

When I first got to NY in 86 I was skint as fuck. I used to go into a warehouse and buy loads of umberellas for under a dollar each, pray for rain and then knock them out in Manhattan for 5 bucks a piece. Happy days

They still do that! A rainy day or a downpour and every subway station in Manhattan has a youngster standing outside it selling umbrellas at exorbitant prices heh heh! Wouldent know Peter or Howie but theres a bartender on Queens blvd. who I go over to watch the derbys with cos he’s a scouser but he’s an Evertonian! Great lad though and always gives a fair analysis of the game. He hated Fellaini at the start and loves him now! Biz is shite everywhere FS, was actually thinking of moving to liverpool actually

Nah mate. Liverpool’s starting to struggle again. And I know NY is having a hard time. One of me mates out there is actually on the dole now after living there since the late 80′s. But I reckon it will recover before anywhere over here does.

So the fucker’s caught on. there was no one doing that there then. I used to make a nice few quid out of it. I also used to sell a mop. Sounds mad, but I used to kill it. I’m a bit of a Del Boy, raised on the markets, used to work me Ninna’s fruit and veg stand in Lpool from when I could stand up. Didn’t know one end of a nail from another but ended up with a construction company out there. It’s true… only in America. You can do anything there if you put your mind to it and work hard.

I’m sometimes sorry I left. but too old to go back and start again. 52 now, would miss me grand daughter and comforts too much. When I got there, there was no footy coverage either. Used to drive me mad. Honest story….
Liverpool Everton Cup final 1989. I was going fucking mad, wanted to come home but was scared I wouldn’t get back in as I was illegal. Pissed right off on the morning of the game. Suddenly thought of getting a short wave radio to listen to it on the BBC world service. Raced to the shops. Time difference meant it was just about to kick off. Ran into a mall soon as the gates went up. Ran to an electrical shop. Poor fella had Thamidolide type arms. I feel bad about this… He was trying to get batteries in it and show me how to use the radio. I said, “Oh for fuck’s sake lad just take the money and give me the fucking thing will you.” what a cunt.

I got going outside the mall, tuned it in. Bingo. Got the match. Raced home, went indoors, the radio couldn’t get the signal. I sat outside freezing listening to the game, extra time the lot. Obviously I was a happy red after it, but I was also fucking turned blue when I went indoors. It was freaky cold that day for May.

I sat down on the couch, happy as a clam, turned the telly on, flicked through channels. Fuck me. Liverpool trotting round Wembley with the cup. John Mottson….
Oh and what a wonderful cup final that was to broadcast live to America for the first time ever!

What a silly twat. I was gutted.

As for this season…. watch out for May 9th. Obviously it could all be over by then, but I reckon that could be the weekend that decides it.
Man U v Man City
West Ham v LFC
Arsenal v Chelsea

As I said, it could all be well over by then, but it looks sort of ominous to me that.

Enjoyed that FS. Brilliant Story.

That same day, I was supposed to play 5-a-side but feigned injury so I could watch extra-time. Made a miraculous recovery though just after Rushie had secured the trophy.

Happy days those!

btw, is it just me or does west ham always have to be involved in who wins a ‘tight’ league title.

Deedodoughdontdee,eh? Thought I’d just throw that in, in homeage to the calm down, calm down! But the fucker’s do and they always seem to fuck us up – even though I know that’s not true. It just seems that way. And for some reason, that’s when I think it will be settled.

Oh well, been on here long enough. Suffering a terrible hangover, so didn’t venture out all day. Truth be told, I hardly ventured out the chair. I don’t know about Rafa, this season could see me off.
Oh well, tatty bye

I was 11 in 89. I had me full kit on socks togs the whole lot! I remember the pre-match build up with Des lynam (best soccer presenter ever) and I was just rocking in the chair dying for the game to start. And fuck me what a game! When Rushie scored the winner I ran out the house and ran around the lawn screaming like a fucken lunatic, me mam said ‘get in, the neighbours’ll think we’re strangling ya!’ What a day. I’ve always wanted to live in Liverpool FS, since I was a boy. Someday, someday….

Digger, not sure if I have said this before in here, but now my local pub is in another country – only 30 minutes away by car though.

Going over is OK but the way back can be a fucker; especially after games like Olympiakos or AC Milan

I remember they fucked utd in 95. I couldent wait for match of the day that night. Knowing the result I just rolled around the room laughing at the chances cole was missing and i remember mc clair blasting over from about 6 yards. Sweet. Hammers did em good that day.

BTW, was it the ’89 final were Ratcliffe was caught live on TV, coming out of the the tunnel before the match, taking his lad out and then giving it a few good tugs and putting the boy back in the barracks… and then shaking the royalties hand – think it was horse-head but can’t be sure…

Not sure why that popped into me head. BTW, I am married WITH childen

FS, I agree with you o the RTE boys, But Giles is more balanced than the rest, I am actually most disappointed with Whelan, he just does not like Rafa and makes no effort to hide it.

Aaah… the historical trials and tribulations of the ex-pat following the Reds!

I was in California in 89 and as FS said, they just didn’t televise games back then. The only footy you could get was “Soccer Made in Germany” on PBS (you gotta remember that one FS… “he gets another bite of the cherry!”)
And not only did we not have any of this internet malarky either, phone calls were dead expensive, so you got news and results once a month if-and-when a cousin remembered to “stick the echos in the mail to you la!”

But as luck would have it, just a few months before the final, an American Anglo-phile opened an “English Pub” in Anaheim. Now god bless him he had the best of intentions, but it never amounted to anything more than a bar that served Brit food-n-beer!

He’d bought a brand new big screen tv… now remember in 1989, big screen TVs weren’t ten-a-penny… and a satellite dish… and a “crowd” of about 30/40 people showed up for the game… and we sat staring at a blank screen… NO SIGNAL!

Fortunately, it was only that his “tech guy” had plugged everything in wrong, so there I am on me hands and knees behind the tele rewiring the fucker 2 minutes before kick-off!

Ahhh the memories.
Its all different now innit?
Exchanging views and pickin narks on a minute-by-minute basis, with fans around the world.
Its so good to be a RED!

I had to go to West Cork with the family yesterday, so I got the first 20mins in the car. WE got to the in-laws house no sky, so I said I’d go the local pub (about 4 miles away).
Got there, only 2 lads in the pub, no match on, when they went to put the match on, the sky card was missing and the family who own the pub were gone for the day.

So I then drove to the next village, another 5 miles, the pub there didn’t have it on either, but swtiched over for me. Nobody knew the match was on!!! WTF!!
By the time the game was over, we were all the best of friends.

Dougle, your living in bandit country!!

Great stories lads, very fitting as well coz I’ve been listening to some 70s and 80s music this evening!

I’d love to live abroad I reckon. Went to California for a few weeks a couple of years ago and loved it. Was thinking about doing some football coaching out there. The recession kind of put me off though. And apparently it’s more difficult to get a green card or visa these days….

California is nice… er, you know… except that its full of Californians!

Actaully most Californians are actually from somewhere else! There are plenty of nice people here, but the place does have an overabundance of complete dickheads!

Aitch I know what you mean about getting little news for weeks back in the late eighties.
I was living in Hawaii and it took forever to get any info.Luckily there was a quite a few Brits
living over there and we would share any news we got, when we met up for our Footie Matches twice a week.
Do you ever go to the Rose and Crown in Santa Monica?
My mate lives in Redondo Beach, so when I am in
Southern Ca, we go in there.
The Internet and Satelite Tv have made my life
so much better.
Seeing Liverpool every week on FSC OR Setanta
is Brilliant.

Well fu*k a duck Corkie. Just put in a big reply to you. But it got zapped in space.

I know of a Liverpool bar here in Clon. Con & Maura’s. Gis a call next time you are down this way.

Spot on about Ronnie Whelan, bitter little vibe there. But you know there is Souness (a bluffer), Whelan, see above, Houghton (absolutely clueless), Lawrenson (arrogant and lazy) constantly on our screens and radios. Great players but they should have left it at that.

LB – You are still a young fella eh ? Head to Brasil first my man. Get some coaching lessons down there first so that you bring a different “view” to the States.

There may be one or two other things of interest down there too …. !

I listen to a podcast “World Soccer daily” which you can get on Itunes. The co-presenter there, tho’ a rabid Chav who really hates Liverpool, has some interesting views on American Soccer etc.. and one of his main contentions is that the coaching levels are just not up to it hence the footie there just doesn’t cut it. Too “White” I reckon. You need to mix the Brit qualities with the latin “Ginga” as a coach. Straight lines won’t realy cut it now.

Youngish Dougle, 30 years old now. What’s Brasil like? I’ve seen City of God! Lol. What city is nice?

“The Football Association has confirmed Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will not face any further disciplinary action following his red card at Fulham on Saturday.

Rooney was sent off for two bookable offences during his side’s 2-0 defeat and although he exchanged words with referee Phil Dowd after being shown red, the official has confirmed he was not sworn at by the player.

The FA will write to Rooney, however, to issue him with a formal warning about his conduct after he punched the corner flag while leaving the pitch.

An FA spokesman said: “We have clarified with Phil Dowd that there was no abuse from the player after he was dismissed.

“In relation to the incident when he punched the corner flag, the referee did not see that and we have written to Wayne Rooney reminding him of his responsibilities.”

It means Rooney will only be suspended for one game, the Premier League visit of Aston Villa to Old Trafford on 5th April.”

Sky Sports

Dougle. the guy your referring to is
Steven Cohen and he doesn’t hide his hatred for Liverpool. He hosts the Fox Football phone in show on Monday nights on FSC.
He is a real piece of work.he likes to make fun of scouse accents. I have written a few e-mails to him about it, but he doesn’t have the guts too reply.
LB. Natal is a beautiful place to visit if you like to get away from the cities of Rio and Sao Paolo.

Gerry, any word of the movie blog?

I’m always behind the Orange Curtain when in Cali Redscouse.
My parents emigrated here when I was 15, so I had no choice the first time… doesn’t really explain why I keep coming back mind you… and I’m fuckin stuck here now that I did the one thing I said I would NEVER do… marry a yank!
(in my defense when you do find a rare gem you grab hold and never let go! )

dougle, Cohen (“The co-presenter there, tho’ a rabid Chav who really hates Liverpool,”) is an opinionated dickhead! The coaching levels are only half the problem.

Most kids learn to play in AYSO programs and their coaches are mostly well meaning Dads who know fuck all about the sport. And in most states, soccer is heavily latin influenced simply by virtue of the fact that there are so many “latin” immigrants in most states and they are the ones passionate about the sport.

Despite that, there are a lot of talented kids out there, but when they get to high school (15-18) the “soccer” programs are even worse. And during this age, most lads are developing an interest in the fairer sex, and “socceer players don’t get the girls,” so most of them drop footy to play Basketball, Baseball or (American)Football. So an aweful lot of talented players are lost to the sport in this age group.

Community College Footie is even worse, with many coaches actually being Gymnastics, or other athletic instructors who know little about the sport, and only the major Universities have anything like a decent soccer program.

There are some states that are exceptions to what I’ve just said, but in general its poor. And most of the amateur leagues are generally poorly organized.

Don’t even get me fuckin started on the caliber of refereeing!

How is your Portuguese LB? Coaching might be a bit tough down there without it, English isn’t all that widely spoken. I’m thinking of moving to California this year myself… not to coach any football, just for a laugh. Aitch is right, most people in California are from somewhere else (a bit like some parts of London really!) but it can be a good laugh if you’re a foreigner because they love the accent.

Mind you, if the title race is still alive in May and we’re on track for a nice trip to Rome, I reckon I’ll be on the first plane from Melbourne to the UK, even if I can’t get hold of any tickets.

An FA spokesman said: “We have clarified with Phil Dowd that there was no abuse from the player after he was dismissed.”

er…. did they watch the same video tape, or one from a different match?
Rooney walked right up to Dowd and practically spat in his face. It was there, broadcast worldwide, for all the world to see!

Bloody Typical.

Ahhh Melbourne….. now that’s a place I’d like to go live.
Got to go there for two weeks for work last April and absolutely just fuckin loved the place… its my current fave place!
Tripped all round the city on the trams, went to an “Aussie Rules” match at the Telstra Dome…
The people were terrific and girls with Aussie accents are just sexy as fuck… now that’s what I should have married (sorry love, just kiddin, kinda…) a nice Aussie girl!

… that’s where you should go LB.

Haha OK Aitch, I’ll swap you for a while! You’re right though, Melbourne is a great city to live in. Just after a few years it kinda starts feeling all the same. Definitely worth spending a year or two here, though the winters are pretty dull.

Where in Cali are you Aitch? Let me know if you make it to Melbourne again while I’m still here. Not a lot of great venues to watch matches – the time difference makes it real tough down under.

I know Andy, Itried to catch a game while down there, at the Crown Casino, but it was on at some ungodly hour like 3:30am or summit, and I had to work early the next day, so I had to pass on it. I ended up waking up early, and listening to the 2nd half of Stevie Hunter’s commentary on the LFC.tv stream.
I’m in Orange County, about 50 miles south of LA.

I know Orange County, I visit friends there every year, was just there in December. That’s roughly where I’m aiming to move – either around Huntington Beach, otherwise up in LA. I guess the time difference there would have the games closer to midday give or take. Would be interesting to see if there was any interest in a Liverpool Supporter’s Club in LA or OC…

hope i haven’t been missed that much – been an interesting two months broke up with the little lady and fell victim to the global recession. gotten a back on my feet though, after staggering on a lot of gin. probably will be changing my log in name to dubaikopite soon.

couple of comments on what i’ve been reading in the blog. Great couple of weeks by the men in red. can’t wait to play chelsea again in the CL (especially after last year). We are in with more than a shout for the prem.

steven cohen is a little bitch but the other guy that soccer tv personality who is a cunt is nick webster. at least cohen is honest and says he is anti liverpool, webster spews venom against us and claims to be an impartial journalist.

since we are looking at a two week layoff i will engage in a little bit of fantasy football. There are two players i rate very highly and hope rafa will take a very good look at over the summer. I don’t think either would go straght into the first 11 but would give us fantastic depth in the squad.

clint demsey of fulham and obafemi martins from new castle. demsey is very versatile and would give us cover on both wings and if need be can play up front. martins would give us cover for out attacking options. Both are established prem players and don’t think they will cost silly money.

FS – just remember if you can make it in NYC you can make it anywhere. have spent a lot of time in that city and it never does any favours for my liver. my cousin live round the corner from the 11th street bar.

I was there for the first match against real madrid. not quite the cobra club, but still a fantastic place to watch the red on this side of the atlantic. anyway great to be back – hate that there is two week layoff until we play fulham.

H.B. is the place to be Andy… if you can afford it.

mid-day kick offs are 7am Saturday and 8am Sunday in California, so the brutal games are the Noon kick-offs which I have to drag my arse out of bed at 4:30am for. CL games are on at Noon, which is great if you work mostly from home like I currently do!

I used to go to the British & Dominion Club in Garden Grove to watch all the matches. They had a “Soccer Fan Club” that ran all the games and there was a decent bunch of lad (mancs excluded) that would gather down there for matches, but it got all fucked up coz there was a financial power play between the Actual club and the Soccer club.

The Istanbul Final was mental in there… about 100 lads in Red and another 100 misc who were there to celebrate to shove it down our throats when Milan beat us.
As you can imagine, we had to endure a lot of gloating at half-time, but boy did we make the fuckers pay the second that final peno went in!

I think they still show games and some guys still go there, but I just went ahead and stumped for the full satellite sports pack that gets me Fox Sports and Setanta. I haven’t missed a single Reds game all season… though I must admit, I’m now missing the camaraderie of the lads when you win like we have done recently!

OK Aitch well it sounds like I’ll have to drag your ass off the couch when I get there, and go find a boozer to watch a game or two! However like you, I’m sure I’ll get the package hooked up at home too… especially since our lunchtime kick-offs tend to be big matches.

Call me paranoid but why do I get an uneasy feeling that uefa are just waiting fer trouble to happen in Rome should one or two english teams make it to the final & use it as an excuse to ban THE EVIL, RICH & GREEDY Premiership teams from Europe?

A very well thought out article…

The cheeky bastard…

allthingsred.co.uk/?p=49

aaaarrrrggghhhh
I’ve been phoning the Ticket Office all morning – only to get the same message. All our operators are busy – please try later.
Trying to get tickets for Blackburn match over Easter weekend.
I’ll keep trying though!

Morning lads. Hangover’s gone. A very slow 8 cans of lager and 2 ports over the course of the day yesterday took care of that. They hurt like a fucker the older you get. So, I have to glide in to land nowadays, can’t just put the breaks on and crash land anymore.

But being of some what sane mind and body, I got up and thought, don’t go on that bloody net again today, and get yourself moving. Arrrgh caught again. I’ll have to pick a fight with Digger and LB again and spit me dummy for a few months.

And LB 30 is a perfect time to go. If I was 30 again mate, with no responsibilites I’d be off like a shot. You’d do well in the states. They love Brits anyway. Mind you, most of them thought I ws Irish. They believe all English talk like Prince Charles and just wouldn’t believe I was English.

A black mate of mine used to come visit me out there. He’s a huge big lad like yourself, but Scouse as fuck – proper common like. It used to be hilarious watching Yanks faces when this big black fella opened his mouth and gutter Scouse came out. Honestly fucking funny. But they loved it and I’d advise any young lad to at least give it one go.

All them places brought back some right memories. And, like I said, I’d tell any young fella to get their coaching badges and go. I used to live in Santa Barbara. I used to coach a college there, Westmont, and I used to also volunteer for the AYSO.

Aitch, you’re right about the parents – fucking idiots… “Kick the ball to the goal, Corry.” And yeah, it’s a shame cos some kids have got it, and the huge numbers of them playing it out there should give them a great base. But once they reach maturity there’s no real place to go.

I’ve got the old UEFA B license. Don’t know what the equivalent is nowadays. They re-named it a few years back. But that one gives you the credentials to coach up to Academy level. I haven’t used it for years though. I actually carried on playing until I was 40, just moving further back the field until I ended up right back… right back in the stands watching. And when I was 45 or so, I went to bed one night and I think some fucker stuck a pump up me arse, either that or when I said me prayers that night the Good Lord thought I said Belly when I asked him for a Jelly and he gave me a big red wobbly one.

Aitch/Red Scouse I used to play in the Central Coast league. I played for a Mexican team called Nosotros – means Us in Spanish. I fucking loved it. I was the only Gringo on the side and they asked me to play for them. I took it as a great compliment – even though they only wanted me because I was playing like Nobby Stiles by then… not running very much, just standing in front of the defence and twatting every cunt that came near them. I always had a No1 hair cut because of the heat and the Mexicans called me El Hooligan. As you can imagine, I loved that.

I know Anaheim. Red Scouse mentioned the Rose and Crown, but I used to go in a pub there called the Kings Arms(?), I think. Long time ago now. And I used to go up to Carmel. I liked it up there. Some Kirkby lads had a pub called the Bulldog. I had/have some very good friends in Santa Barbara, Santa Monica and Carmel. I also know some lads in San Diego.
If I wasn’t so settled and getting on a bit, I would be back there like a shot. I loved the life out there and yes, Californian’s can be daft (Spirituality! Fuck me that got on my nerves) but they are mostly decent, kind and hospitable people as are most yanks – even though they can be annoying.

Anyone remember that twat who used to do the Footy on Fox, Beinenvue I think? What a cunt that is.

As for Australia I was there a few years back. I was in Sydney. There’s a great boozer on I think it’s called George St. Me auld mind seems to melt everything into one now and it’s hard to remember names.
Anyway, that’s a good gaff. But I used to watch our games in The Coogee Bay Hotel. That was a laugh. Fucking weird getting up in the midle of the night to watch footy and then I’d end up drunk all day and miss work. I was in there when we knocked Man U out of the FA cup. The gaff was full of Manc lovers – back packers and locals. It was brilliant. I sent Rafa and the lads a post card the next day thanking them for making me so proud. Bonkers, but so what.

I love watching LFC abroad, especially when we play the Mancs and every fucker and his dog is dying to beat us.

Got a great story about Rod Stewart and the footy tournament he runs in CA. But it’ll have to wait cos it’s like CA here today. So I’m getting me Speedo on and going the boozer!

Tatty bye.

Agent Murphy did us proud against the Mancs and now we are calling on agent Heskey to do like wise when he goes to Old Toilet wuth Villa. Come on Emile, you know it makes sense!

I sympathise with you reddragon, I shall be trying to get 3 tickets for Reds v Newcastle on 2nd May. The club say these tickets will go on general sale 18 days before the match and that I should call at 08:30 that morning (14/4)

It’s not just because I have a rare Saturday off on 2nd May, it’s also because I can see us bagging a few goals that day. Fingers crossed for tickets!

abhiram, it’s a heavy read but i had a glance over it. It just goes to show how clueless we all are compared to Rafa. That’s if this is part of his grand plan. It also makes me think how non-player managers can have the ability to remove themselves from the emotive part of the game to see the bigger picture. And add not-so-successful-as-a-player managers to non-player managers. It certainly goes to explain how there are always those managers who are great at level-1, but never can progress too much into level-2: ‘Arry Redknapp, Dave Bassett. And then there are those who get stuck at level-2: MO’N, David Moyes.

Andy, my Portugese is non existent! Although I could learn it easily because there are so many Portugese and Brasilians near where I live!! I’ve heard melbourne is really nice. Must say though I loved LA and San Diego. Never been to Orange County.

So Aitch, Andy what your saying is that the US could do with some good coaches? What’s the money making opportunities like?

FS, as I was writing the above I just saw your post. I got the level one badge. Fuck it, I’m gonna do level 2 within the next 2 months and give it some serious research and consideration!
I can imagine the look on the locals faces, big Black lad with a hard scouse accent. Lol! Seriously though I’ve no kids yet so now would be the time to pack the suit case and get! As I said only thing that worries me is that a lot of people are on their arses due to the recession. But then I think they will come out of it before the UK does.

Gerry, apologies for the delay– I may be a little too late, but this is just an insertion to inform you of my top 3 blogs this season:

Firstly, I have always been a Rafa supporter, and while the media have finally began to give him some credit he richly deserves, a couple of dire performances will no doubt bring back the ignorant chants from the press. So in that sense, I will have to pick these 2 as my first and second choices, just to shed light on what being a liverpool supporter means. In addition, in recent times when the reactions from the so-called faithfuls of other teams are overblown as well, I think these blogs serve a great educational purpose in general:

1. When Good Kops turn Bad
2. As ever, I am Still Supporting My Manager

My third choice relates to my final point above– booing your own player is just disgraceful, especially at LFC. Lucas deserves backing, and this blog is none the more fitting:

3. Keeping the Faith

So, there you go, there are my choices. A close one was “Dirk, the flying Dutchman.” Just reading back at these wonderful pieces reminds me of how action-packed this season has been for us.

Hope you Kop it, Gerry.

Everyone is talking about the states!! My parents are now living in Irvine, CA– super place, LB. Clean, safe and beautiful. If I could find a proper job near that place, I would leave Tokyo in an instant.

As to ’89– ahh, those were the days. Was still in UK, great time to be there. Came back to Japan in the summer of ’92 so until the dawn of the internet and cable TV, I had a mega hard time trying to keep track of the reds.

Oh and a word on Arshavin– it is no point dreaming; he was never interested in us, he always said that he wanted to go to either Barca or Arsenal. We would have needed twice what Arsenal paid to get his agent to convince him, so it was just never meant to be. BUT, we could still get David Silva– I really hope we do. The great thing about him is that he is not afraid to use his right foot, so he can play on either flank as well as sitting behind Torres, if Gerrard gets injured or needs resting.

That’s what I’ve been saying about Silva, Hyde. A couple of the lads reckon he maybe be a bit light weight for the Prem. Could very well be but the way I see it is Luis Garcia + a bigger impact and minus the giving ball away.

Irvine CA, I’ll ask about that place. My cousin who is a physio is moving to LA next year. I’ll be picking his brain big time.

Wow, all this international talk makes me really Jealous!!!! spent my early adult years working in France, then came back to London 82 – 89, (that was fun, working and going to the match in London in the 80s! good job there were no decent cockney clubs then!) Moved back to Liverpool 89, and eventually moved further out, following my job. Now live just outside Chester, moved there in 2000. My mates have a superstition, that Liverpools demise was my fault!!! I moved back the year of our last Championship and moved out again just before we won the treble!! So my return home coincided almost exactly with the bleak 90s period.

Was in US last year, mainly California. What an excellent place! Started in San Francisco and drove down to LA via the Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, Cambria and Santa Barbara. Loved it all especially Santa Barbara, Every evening over the road from our hotel a group of latinos played a game of footy alongside some kids being coached in American Football. my 16 yo son used to put his Liverpool shirt on and go and stand on the touchline, hoping for a call to play, which unfortunately never arrived, Still, one player commented about his shirt nd Istanbul and that made him happy enough!

My main experiences of watchin footy at mad hours were in 2007 after being delayed in Toronto due to bad weather the passengers were shipped to a hotel in the middle of nowhere, where I persuaded the staff to show the Derby which started at 06:30 on the Saturday morning (wierd) Also watching Reds play Porto in a Pre-season Friendly (Rafas first season) at 3am in Grand Canaria as the game was in USA. Must be tough watching the game all the time at silly oclock but looking at the rain outside and thinking about Santa Barbara I could get used to it……

viva the rafalution!!

LB, you should probably get yourself a short-list of places which are good options for your coaching opportunities and then narrow it down based on where is good to live. I love CA (particularly southern CA) and know it pretty well, there’s some gems but of course also some shitholes buried in there. As I said, funnily enough I’m in the same boat as you – I’m 29 with no commitments so I’m looking to move to LA or Orange County this year. Will probably be walking away from a big money job in Melbourne to do it… recessions come and go mate, but your youth just goes… I’ve thought about waiting another year too but now I’m thinking fuck that.

Maybe I’ll catch you over there! A big 6’4″ black pom and a 6’4″ white Aussie… mate they won’t know what hit them!

Also remember my sons being disappointed at the complete lack of any footy at all in the US (hence one of them looking for a game in Santa Barbara) We were in Monterey, in a Shopping mall there and Mrs Redboyslim was shoe shopping (for a change!) The boys and myself had spotted a bar and I said to the wife we would go over there to get a table for our lunch. When we walked in we were pleased to see a massive Liverpool FC badge on the wall there.

We also went to Chicago and Vegas on that trip and when walking through the small town that is the Wynn hotel wearing a shankly t shirt and my son wearing his red shirt, we heard a shout from the bar…”oi scousers!” looked round to see an arl fella beckoning us over…turns out he was Englebert Humperdink!! (my lad kept saying afterwards Who?) Excellent!! Also spoke to Tia Carrera from Waynes World! (Mrs Redboyslim got a cob on and wouldnt take my photo with her though, probably cos I was slobbering at the time!)

The way you guys are talking, my passport might get some action sooner than I thought! When are you thinking of moving Andy? And what’s the main reason? Everyone says Melbourne is the place to be! A mate at work went travelling last year and loved Melbourne, he’s back here now but is saving up to go back to Melbourne in a few months. He lost loads of weight, got a tan, shaved his head bald and has a Rafa beard. Hardly recognised him!

You’re dead right about recessions coming and going but the youth just going. I always said to myself when Michael Owen hangs up his boots it means I’m an old bastard. That was when he made his England debut.

Santa Barbara was great though, The only place we saw any kind of footy, a pretty deserted 3 mile long beach, a lovely latino influenced town centre and really friendly women! (probably just my imagination how they responded to my cheeky scally act but oh, how a few kind words from a pretty beach babe can make an old man very happy!) Mrs Redboyslim again not amused though! Andy Wirral and LB if it was me I would go like a shot only got one life fellas, live it to the full. Im too old and settled now.

Firstly to the other readers, sorry if this is boring you, but it IS internationals week… which is boring by nature. Just skip my posts if you don’t want to hear all this non-footy stuff.

LB, Melbourne gets rave reviews for being so “liveable”. That basically means it is easy to get around, has loads of great bars, restaurants & cafes, and a pretty friendly population that loves enjoying all of that. On the down side the weather is poor by Australian standards (but of course better than London) and the closest beaches are shit by Oz standards too, but you can’t have everything. I’ve always said that if Melbourne had the weather and beaches of Sydney (which are both world class) it’d be full of Sydney wankers (which Sydney is).

The other good thing about Melbourne is the events – from September to about April it is non-stop with things to do (eg music festival season just finished, now this week is the F1 GP). However May-August is dead boring unless you like Aussie rules football. I’ve been here about 4 years – moved here straight from a year in London – and found there was as much to do here as in London… but, after 4 years of that same cycle, I’m ready for something else. Melbourne will still be here when I get back, and be great to live in when I’m into my 30′s.

Anyway I’m thinking of moving to LA or OC around June/July this year. Prob can’t get there any sooner than that, and any later means arriving just after all the summer fun has happened. Why do it? Just for something different. I always have loads of fun there, they love an Aussie (and a Pom), it’s easy to pull birds because of the accent, and they’ve got literally everything there… some months you can literally get up in the morning and go to the beach for a surf, then drive up to the mountains and snowboard. I also want to start my own business and with such a massive marketplace, it IS the land of opportunity.

Sold yet?

Redboyslim thanks for the encouragement… the more I think & talk about it, the more likely I am to go. You only live once. In 12 months time I might be hitched to some Aussie gal that I accidentally got preggers, wishing I’d lived the dream in LA for a year or two… it’s all about “no regrets” in my book.

Oh and LB I forgot to add – perhaps it’s bleeding obvious, but the weather in California is just unbelievable. I was there in early January and they were bitching about it being a bit cloudy and 16-18 degrees because that was unusually cold. I was also there in early December and it was still well over 20 degrees and sunny… basically there is no winter there!

Then I could also go on about the proximity to Las Vegas, which might be the funnest place on earth for a 29 or 30 year old single Aussie or Pom…

Andy, if you were a car salesman you’d have me taking the test drive and wondering if I’d pass the credit rating….!

When I went to LA and Vegas in December 2006/January 2007 they were complaining that it was the coldest its been for years. In the day in Vegas it was nice and sunny and about 20 degrees centigrade. In the night it was freezing. In LA it pissed it down the first day I was there but after that it was a nice 22 degrees or so. I thought if that’s as cold as it gets I could get used to it. My favourite holiday that was! Incidentally Crouch scored his first goal for LFC while I was giving it large in the MGM Grand.

The reason I’m thinking Southern California is because I’ve had enough of the cold, grey weather and built up congested city life. Time for some palm trees, beaches and good weather la!!

See you there LB!

Although – if you don’t like congestion, LA probably isn’t for you. If you’re on the freeways at the wrong times, you’ll be there for hours. Its a different congestion to London though because London is all “city” (until you get out to Greater London anyway) – LA is like 15 cities joined together by some suburbia and a bunch of freeways, bordered by some great beaches. Anyway what am I crapping on about, you said you’ve been there so you know what I mean. I bloody love it though because I don’t plan on being in the 9-5 rat race over there so I’ll just stick to the best bits.

Something like San Diego might be more your thing – probably more college soccer teams for you to coach there too.

+(WARNING: mega post alert)+
Hate to rain on the parade but there are two things to consider – one is this article:

How Soccer is Ruining America: A Jeremiad

By Stephen H. Webb
Thursday, March 5, 2009, 12:00 AM

Soccer is running America into the ground, and there is very little anyone can do about it. Social critics have long observed that we live in a therapeutic society that treats young people as if they can do no wrong. Every kid is a winner, and nobody is ever left behind, no matter how many times they watch the ball going the other way. Whether the dumbing down of America or soccer came first is hard to say, but soccer is clearly an important means by which American energy, drive, and competitiveness is being undermined to the point of no return.

What other game, to put it bluntly, is so boring to watch? (Bowling and golf come to mind, but the sound of crashing pins and the sight of the well-attired strolling on perfectly kept greens are at least inherently pleasurable activities.) The linear, two-dimensional action of soccer is like the rocking of a boat but without any storm and while the boat has not even left the dock. Think of two posses pursuing their prey in opposite directions without any bullets in their guns. Soccer is the fluoridation of the American sporting scene.

For those who think I jest, let me put forth four points, which is more points than most fans will see in a week of games—and more points than most soccer players have scored since their pee-wee days.

1) Any sport that limits you to using your feet, with the occasional bang of the head, has something very wrong with it. Indeed, soccer is a liberal’s dream of tragedy: It creates an egalitarian playing field by rigorously enforcing a uniform disability. Anthropologists commonly define man according to his use of hands. We have the thumb, an opposable digit that God gave us to distinguish us from animals that walk on all fours. The thumb lets us do things like throw baseballs and fold our hands in prayer. We can even talk with our hands. Have you ever seen a deaf person trying to talk with their feet? When you are really angry and acting like an animal, you kick out with your feet. Only fools punch a wall with their hands. The Iraqi who threw his shoes at President Bush was following his primordial instincts. Showing someone your feet, or sticking your shoes in someone’s face, is the ultimate sign of disrespect. Do kids ever say, “Trick or Treat, smell my hands”? Did Jesus wash his disciples’ hands at the Last Supper? No, hands are divine (they are one of the body parts most frequently attributed to God), while feet are in need of redemption. In all the portraits of God’s wrath, never once is he pictured as wanting to step on us or kick us; he does not stoop that low.

2) Sporting should be about breaking kids down before you start building them up. Take baseball, for example. When I was a kid, baseball was the most popular sport precisely because it was so demanding. Even its language was intimidating, with bases, bats, strikes, and outs. Striding up to the plate gave each of us a chance to act like we were starring in a Western movie, and tapping the bat to the plate gave us our first experience with inventing self-indulgent personal rituals. The boy chosen to be the pitcher was inevitably the first kid on the team to reach puberty, and he threw a hard ball right at you.

Thus, you had to face the fear of disfigurement as well as the statistical probability of striking out. The spectacle of your failure was so public that it was like having all of your friends invited to your home to watch your dad forcing you to eat your vegetables. We also spent a lot of time in the outfield chanting, “Hey batter batter!” as if we were Buddhist monks on steroids. Our chanting was compensatory behavior, a way of making the time go by, which is surely why at soccer games today it is the parents who do all of the yelling.

3) Everyone knows that soccer is a foreign invasion, but few people know exactly what is wrong with that. More than having to do with its origin, soccer is a European sport because it is all about death and despair. Americans would never invent a sport where the better you get the less you score. Even the way most games end, in sudden death, suggests something of an old-fashioned duel. How could anyone enjoy a game where so much energy results in so little advantage, and which typically ends with a penalty kick out, as if it is the audience that needs to be put out of its misery. Shootouts are such an anticlimax to the game and are so unpredictable that the teams might as well flip a coin to see who wins—indeed, they might as well flip the coin before the game, and not play at all.

4) And then there is the question of gender. I know my daughter will kick me when she reads this, but soccer is a game for girls. Girls are too smart to waste an entire day playing baseball, and they do not have the bloodlust for football. Soccer penalizes shoving and burns countless calories, and the margins of victory are almost always too narrow to afford any gloating. As a display of nearly death-defying stamina, soccer mimics the paradigmatic feminine experience of childbirth more than the masculine business of destroying your opponent with insurmountable power.

Let me conclude on a note of despair appropriate to my topic. There is no way to run away from soccer, if only because it is a sport all about running. It is as relentless as it is easy, and it is as tiring to play as it is tedious to watch. The real tragedy is that soccer is a foreign invasion, but it is not a plot to overthrow America. For those inclined toward paranoia, it would be easy to blame soccer’s success on the political left, which, after all, worked for years to bring European decadence and despair to America. The left tried to make existentialism, Marxism, post-structuralism, and deconstructionism fashionable in order to weaken the clarity, pragmatism, and drive of American culture. What the left could not accomplish through these intellectual fads, one might suspect, they are trying to accomplish through sport.

Yet this suspicion would be mistaken. Soccer is of foreign origin, that is certainly true, but its promotion and implementation are thoroughly domestic. Soccer is a self-inflicted wound. Americans have nobody to blame but themselves. Conservative suburban families, the backbone of America, have turned to soccer in droves. Baseball is too intimidating, football too brutal, and basketball takes too much time to develop the required skills. American parents in the past several decades are overworked and exhausted, but their children are overweight and neglected. Soccer is the perfect antidote to television and video games. It forces kids to run and run, and everyone can play their role, no matter how minor or irrelevant to the game. Soccer and relevision are the peanut butter and jelly of parenting.

I should know. I am an overworked teacher, with books to read and books to write, and before I put in a video for the kids to watch while I work in the evenings, they need to have spent some of their energy. Otherwise, they want to play with me! Last year all three of my kids were on three different soccer teams at the same time. My daughter is on a traveling team, and she is quite good. I had to sign a form that said, among other things, I would not do anything embarrassing to her or the team during the game. I told the coach I could not sign it. She was perplexed and worried. “Why not,” she asked? “Are you one of those parents who yells at their kids? “Not at all,” I replied, “I read books on the sidelines during the game, and this embarrasses my daughter to no end.” That is my one way of protesting the rise of this pitiful sport. Nonetheless, I must say that my kids and I come home from a soccer game a very happy family.

Stephen H. Webb is a professor of religion and philosophy at Wabash College. His recent books include American Providence and Taking Religion to School.

And two is this article:
Economic Emergency or Failing Monetary System?
Posted on March 1, 2009 by robbymiles

“The Central Bank is an institution of the most deadly hostility existing against the principles and form of our Constitution…if the American people allow private banks to control the issuance of their currency, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all their property until their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.”

~Thomas Jefferson~

What is happening in our country concerning this economic crisis? The DOW Jones Industrial Average has dropped down to nearly 7000 points. Banks are turning belly-up and being consolidated to form even larger banking institutions. What factors led to our current misfortune? In the news you hear that we are in this situation because of predatory lending, greedy bankers and Wall Street executives, and bad investment decisions.

I recently began an online discussion with a relative concerning the root causes of the economic problems we are facing today. The questions I have been considering include:

1. What specific government interventions lead to this problem?
2. What role did business owners, share holders, investors, etc play in it? Did they have unrealistic earning expectations?
3. Do you think most Americans would sacrifice something of their own ($$$) to help hard working fellow Americans? If so, why? If no, why not?

With these questions in mind, I began to research how we got into the economic troubles we are facing today. This link is a piece from the NewsHour that airs on PBS. It provides the basis for understanding many of the problems underlying our current economic woes.

What specific government interventions lead to this problem?

The short answer: the Federal Reserve. The long answer: The Fed, corporate greed, and people living beyond their means. The long answer needs further explanation.

The root cause of our economic problems stem from the Federal Reserve (Central Bank) and the devaluation of the currency. Devaluation of the dollar is a de facto inflation tax. The following video originally aired in the summer of 2008 as this economic crisis began to rear its ugly head.

The inflation tax exists because the Federal Reserve adjusts the money supply to have control over interest rates. Inflation is believed to raise at 2%-3% annually, but in reality a conservative estimate is an annual increase of 7%-10%. As the value of the dollar falls due to inflation, my real wages go down. For example: If I make $2000 a month, and I pay $900 for my housing. As the Fed prints more money to keep interest rates low, assuming that my wages do not get adjusted for real inflation the value of my money decreases. I still pay $900 for housing, but my other expenses rise. The cost of milk, food, clothing, entertainment, etc. all rise and my disposable income diminishes. I am able to spend less money on items that would fuel the economy. Using the logic of the Obama Administration this in turn would decrease the demand in labor for new products. Less demand for products means that people lose jobs…leading to recession. The economy in this situation will eventually stagnate when real wages fall past a certain point.

Government intervention in the form of manipulating the money supply is the root cause of our economic problems. When the government fixes prices and interest rates the free-market fights back. We are currently in a struggle between Government control and Free-Market economics.

What role did business owners, share holders, investors, etc play in it? Did they have unrealistic earning expectations?

screenshot014

Obviously all of these people had a role to play in this economic recession. Of course they had unrealistic earning expectations. The question is, why did they hold those expectations. It can be argued that these expectations were held largely due to artificially low interest rates. Interest rates were low and banks were not held accountable by having the money supply tied to any tangible asset. Government intervention and regulation of the market led to unrealistic expectations of bankers and investors.

When the currency is not tied to tangible assets and credit is available beyond tangible assets, lenders and stock market speculators make poor decisions. There are no consequences for making “bad” loans since the Fed extends the necessary credit. Alan Greenspan provides a basic explaination of how the monetary system can be manipulated when money is not tied to anything. Click here to view his remarks. His remarks however, do not match what he did as the acting Federal Reserve Chairman. Under his authority the financial bubbles grew and the potential for crisis ensued. He is not to blame for the crisis or for not seeing it, but the system he took part in is the culprit.

If banker and investor greed is to blame, is it reasonable to extend the idea that union and personal greed are also plausible. Unions play an important role in industry in that they represent the rights of the workers often times in opposition to the owners/managers. However, union demands have reached the point of laughability. Unions demands have stripped businesses of profits which could be reinvested in the company. I will not elaborate further at this time, but it is worthy to note that unions are big business.

Many times greed is to blame for bad decision making on the part of business owners and investors. I offer an alternative that has been spoken of for generations. According to the economist Adam Smith, self interest drives the economy. People acting in their own self interest (to make money for themselves) would move to fulfill the demands of the society. In this way, they provide services that the community needs. Smith was correct in his understanding of this basic economic principle. But this principle only works under the idea of laissez faire capitalism (no government intervention). When the government gets involved, it regulates where the demand in society exists. For example, if interest rates are artificially low as regulated by the Fed, the demand for housing increases. Under a system where money is backed by tangible assets, individual banks adjust their interest rates to stop excessive lending. They raise their rates out of self interest, and in turn provide the monetary stability that the society needs.

Were their expectations of return on investment unrealistic? Yes! Did their greed play a role in the current crisis? Yes! Did they abuse the stockholders through bonuses and extravagance? Yes! But remember, the real question is why were they so lose with their money. If left to the free market, these executives and businesses could never have lent or spent so much without dire consequences for their businesses. Their competitors would have kept them in check.

Do you think most Americans would sacrifice something of their own ($$$) to help hard working fellow Americans? If so, why? If no, why not?

Yes! Most Americans would sacrifice something in order to help their fellow citizens. That being said, do American citizens have the right to decide how they will support others, when they will support other, and if they will support others. As a person who has received government assistance, I am thankful to my fellow citizens. But would it have been better for people to support me out of their own free will rather than being forced into supporting me and my family. One important thing to remember is that taxes are the money of the citizens. I have heard it argued that we elect representatives to apportion our tax money, but I ask how can one representative represent the opinions of 100,000 people. The diversity of opinion under each representative’s jurisdiction is too large to reasonably represent each constituent.

Taxes are a necessary evil. I like driving my car on the roads and having clean water to drink. But when it comes to dealing with social issues taxes should not be involved. The nature of government is bureaucracy. Tax dollars are wasted through the process of getting money to those in need. Private charities, churches, and family support provide similar services at a much lower cost to the citizens of a community. People should not have their hard earned money taken out their paychecks before they even get to see their earnings, just to get spent in a way that they do not agree with. I will write a future blog about how the Income Tax makes us slaves to the government. Why do people in the government think that they know how to spend citizens’ money better than the people who earned it?

Conclusion

Upon reviewing the questions and answers above, several more questions came to mind that will be the topics of future posts.

1. Why do we accept that a small group of people on the Federal Reserve Board have so much power over our economic well-being without raising any objections?
2. Is centralized, monopoly control over our money even compatible with a supposedly free-market economy? Is government monopoly different than private monopolies (greed)?
3. Why do people in the government think that they know how to spend citizens’ money better than the people who earned it?

Bankers, investors, executives, greed, and bad decisions on the part of consumers all played a part in the creation of our current economic problems. The biggest factor in this problem has been government involvement in the market. Government intervention led to risky decisions. Risky decisions led to inappropriate lending. Bad lending led to a housing bubble. At some point the market decided to fight back.

Central banking has been deplored throughout American history. Andrew Jackson vetoed the renewal of the Bank of the United States. He even stated, “The bold effort the present bank had made to control the government, the distress it had wantonly produced…are but premonitions of the fate that awaits the American people should they be deluded into a perpetuation of this institution or the establishment of another like it.” He was so proud and intent on warning future generations about the evils of central banking that he had his tombstone is inscribed with the phrase “I killed the bank!” In 1913, the establishment of the Federal Reserve resurrected that bank and forever changed the freedom of the American public.

The current “stimulus” and bailout plans will only WORSEN OUR ECONOMY over the long run. They will continue to inflate the money supply decreasing the value of the dollar. They are pushing the tax burden onto future generations. My children’s and grandchildren’s financial future is at stake. As a young father, husband, student, and employee I fear for our nations future, but I remain hopeful that through the efforts of education and involvement of the common people we may overcome the difficulties that lie ahead.

Sorry for long post.

You`d want to be sorry aiyic

Gerry,new blog please,the lads are boring the shite out of me!

Only messin lads,i too am 30 and would loved to have emigrated for a few years,a feew of my close friends did and they`re doing well in boston to chicago for a while then back to boston.The winters in chicago are silly so outside work was non existant.I visited there(chicago) in may `07 and it was brilliant.I`ve also been to NY twice as my sister lives there.

But at the age of 23 i became a family man,now i`ve 3 kids so my emigration dreams are over.

Not actually bored with ye lads,more jealous!

What the hell was that aiyic… were you trying to make a point about myself & LB talking too much about non-football related matters? If so, then for the second time, I apologise. Or perhaps you are trying to make the point that the US really isn’t the greatest country on earth? If so, I never said it was, I just said that I’m going to have a shitload of fun over there taking advantage of what it does offer someone like me. Anyway, I’m off to bed, new blog Gerry?

You two have got me well jealous la! I live in a lovely part of the UK, (on the Welsh border, 30 mins away from Snowdonia, on the outskirts of a lovely town of Roman origins and only 30 mins drive to Anfield and all my family… but would still go like a shot to CA I agree southern CA, as although it is all good, the Weather in San Francisco was surprisingly english like……I agree Andy Wirral, it is about no regrets…never had any, done loads of moving around, (my mum always says I have the wanderlust, bless her!) including France when scallys moving abroad was just beginning, but Mrs nd I both felt a tinge of regret coming back from CA, asking ourselves why we didnt move to Oz, US or Canada when we were younger. As those with the wanderlust tend to think, “if it all goes belly up you can always return home”

My 16 yo son is taking his O levels (thats what I remember them as!) but wants do do his coaching badges in his spare time so he can go and coach in the US, My younger son, has developed, alongside his footy a strange attraction to Ice Hockey! Since we were in Canada. At 11 yo he is training with a team and doing ok! Shows how experiences broaden the mind…….Back in the States this year, trying Miami out this time…..jeez, i’ll be getting the holiday photos out in a minute!!

Aiyic, well aware of the negative aspects mate its all we see in the news papers and on the TV everyday.

I read a Tony Barrett article and it made me laugh. Here are the highlights:

“Twelve years ago, a similar opportunity to put pressure on United was lost when Liverpool lost at home to Coventry the day after Alex Ferguson’s side had surprisingly been beaten by Derby County.

There was no chance of that particular piece of history repeating itself yesterday though and the fact that Liverpool again won with such style and such vigour will only add to the growing feeling that they could yet have a big say in where the Premier League trophy ends up.

As squeaky bum time approaches it is Alex Ferguson’s derriere which is starting to sound like the winner of a Sweep from The Sooty Show soundalike contest.

The moment the United boss ordered his “sports technology department” to come up with the total transfer outlay of both clubs over the last five years and counted every single player to turn out for Gary Ablett’s reserve team this season it was clear that Benitez was getting to him.

The United boss cites Frank Sinatra as his hero but if he hears I’ve Got You Under My Skin over the next couple of weeks the chances are it will be Rafa Benitez’s face he sees, not Ol’ Blue Eyes’.

That’s what pressure does. It makes even the strongest stumble and causes cracks to appear in the seemingly unbreakable.

Liverpool have made this happen and now that they have exposed the frailties of United and their manager they must continue putting them under strain.

Three seasons ago, the Reds won every single one of their last nine league games and Benitez will know that a similar record this time around would give his team a realistic chance of winning the title. It is still a very big if but should Liverpool continue to keep their heads while those around them threaten to lose their own then it might just happen.”

I tried Australia for a year, got permanent-residency status too, but I the social side of Dublin, and strangely enough, the *four* seasons, as opposed to two. I realised that it wasn’t beer that I craved, it was getting out of the house, which Aussies don’t really do.

That post wasn’t out of jealousy, just a warning to those who think that USA is in a temporary slump – it’s not, it’s broke.

Just back from Sweden, what a lovely city Gothenburg is. They don’t even chain their bikes there, and not a hobo in site. Another thing that they do is not give more than 80% mortgages. Noe that’s foresight!

What does squeaky bum mean?

Squeaky bum time basically means its time when the pressure has you shitting yourself.

The squeaky bum is the sound the rear-end makes when involuntarily letting out some air just before the brown stuff

Aiyic are you unemployed at the moment? lol. Interesting thoughts though. I don’t think we will make things better. Things are getting worse mate and no one wants to take responsibility.

I’m thinking of moving to South America for a bit. I’ve spent 6 weeks in Peru (my missus is from Lima) and it’s excellent. cheap as chips as well especially if you have an income coming in from over here. They love English people and the people in the countryside/hills/jungle are so humble. Lima is on the coast the weather is fabulous the food is great and the country is beautiful. I’ve got a little visit to Columbia coming up in january so I’m looking forward to that. I haven’t decided where I’m moving to yet but I’m definately going.

Aiyic, I always thought the Aussies had more of an outdoor culture – hence their success at various sports. Regular BBQs, surfing and all the other stereo types I can think of that I’ve heard.

As for recession and the USA – everything is cycilical no? There’s been a great depression, the plague and 2 world wars and didn’t do too bad after.

So Kenny, Peru a bit different from Stockwell then?

LB, I was at that game against coventry.I`ll never forget.It was the first time i tasted defeat whilst visiting anfield.It was my third time there.I remember robbie scoring into the kop end around 60-70 mins then Dion dublin scoring two headers in the last 5 mins from two corners.

I was sick that day.I think that was the same weekend the Grand national had been suspended due to the bomb scare.There was a foul vibe in the city that weekend.

morning lads, after reading this blog makes me have second thoughts of leaving the US, but alas my visa has expired.

timmytorres, you are right chicago is bloody cold, (but from what I’ll been reading its kinda like the melborne of the US.)NYC and Boston are also fantastic cities, never had to much time for LA. The OC is alright but san diago is a fantastic town.

LB and Andy, seriously only 6’4 – did you not drink your milk growing up

Timmy, didn’t Colleymore miss an absolute sitter in that game? Open goal header from 3 yards? I remember my mate phoning me from the stadium afterwards foaming at the mouth!!

6`4 ?? Sounds like the lads took Ian Rush`s advice.

Were ye good enough to play for Accrington stanley?

I’ve been on the Credit Card hotline since 8.30 this morning trying to get tickets for the Blackburn match.

All sold out now!

I was wondering if anyone knew of two tickets that I might be able to purchase – avoiding the ticket touts of course!

There’s some pretty hefty posts going on in here today – you can tell it’s International week!

Keep up the good work Gerry.
YNWA

Ya was in the height of deppression after that one.We battered them for 85 mins.Fowlers screamer was more relief than elation,i thought we couldn`t lose after that.

We`d a great chance that year to win the title.Probably the closest we came before this year.Even though we finished second in `02 we were never involved in the race that year.Once the arse all but clinched the title with 3-4 games to go the mancs perished and we finished stronger to pip them to second.

But the 96/97 season was our closest call yet.

I am a JFK freak so I always admire the states but putting that aside, the problem about them is that they know shite nothing about footy and they are indifferent to other countries.

I was there last August, and being a Rushy fan, I was donning a Welsh away shirt (yes, the one that looks more like an Italian brand with the red, white and green). A couple of lads there asked me what kind of shirt it was, and when I explained, they were like, yeah, but what’s “welsh”??

Oh well, I guess that’ what you get if you are ranked below Japan in the FIFA rankings!! LoL

Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel’s appeal against the red card he received against Liverpool has been successful.

The decision means Friedel will not have to serve a one-match suspension and is free to play in Villa’s next game at Premier League leaders Manchester United on Sunday 5th April

Going back to footy, rumour has been going on for a while that we might be going in for Raul Albiol from Valencia. Is this a sign that we might be losing DAgger, or is this a back-up for Hyppia, who might be seeing his last season here.

First line of the echo’s reserve match report is as follows:

‘PHILIPP DEGEN limped off after scoring as Liverpool Reserves drew with Manchester United last night.’

Is this guy made out of glass? He should have been in that film ‘unbreakable’, which was pretty poor.

BTW Gerry, any update on the film blog?

That’s good news reddragon. ALthough in fairness, he might be off the track due to our battering. Let’s hope the break gives him time to refreshen himself.

aiyic, since i am unemployed i did read the two articles you posted by steven h webb. first thing i want to say is consider the source, believing him is like believing the s*n. he is an ultra conservative christian right puppet

the university he teaches at is a small ultra conservative bastion. in terms of the uk, it would be equivalent of a university names for john tyndall. – please let me know if any wants me to lunch in to a further diatribe on all that wrong with mr webb and all of his ilk.

the economy in the US took major steps backward under bush ii, but the current administration has put in some very sound economic policy. *they honestly could not let AIG fail, another rant for another time.

having said that, this country is rather cheep to live in (compared to 2 years ago) and things look like there will be heading back up by Q4 of this year or Q1 next.

LB: Just a bit different mate but you can get a taster of South America if you pop down to elephant and castle there’s a restaurant called the bodeguita or brixton market called la cuchara. If your not a vegetarian order a bandeja paisa(paisa’s are people from medellin and bandeja means tray) you’ll love it! There’s a place on brixton road, oval end, called migue’s does hamburgers which are enormeous he calls them hamburgruesas, grueso in Spanish means thick.

FS: I heard that call to COLLIEmore (heh heh) on talk sport. I was in stitches but old Stan didn’t see the funny side.

hyde, tracking a young but proven centre half, i believe, is a prudent measure.

I don’t know the talent we have in the reserves at the back, but with Carra and Sammy getting older we will eventually need cover for dagger and ninja. also if the rumours about dagger are true, we will need a more immediate replacement.

rafa seems to like tall big strong defenders, on first blush Raul Albiol seems to fit that bill.

Kenny, I am unemployed since last September. Good call! I was a salesman for a Kia/Mitsubishi showroom. In my last month, the phone pretty much stopped ringing. Everyone is in massive negative equity with their cars.

LB, the *first* great depression (I say first because, we’re on the cusp of the greatest ever globally) was different to what’s happening now. Back then USA actually made things to export, there were no credit-cards, and few mortgages. 20% of people lived on farms, so were self reliant. Today the only thing America exports are jobs (so import everything else), the credit cards are maxed-out with no means of repayment, and there is massive repossession of housing. The banks even had credit-cards that could be put on your mortgage. Compare that to solvent Sweden were you had to come up with 20% of cost of your house before you could get a gaff, so they don’t have massive toxic dept. But now their massive exports are threatened because everyone else wasn’t so frugal. So you see, even the healthy economies are fucked. Recession are cyclical – but how long is the cycle?

The Mirror today said in David Maddock’s article that Utd have a tougher run-in because they still have to host Arsenal and Spurs. Did they not have two pieces of paper with both our run-in and Utd’s side-by-side so they could check? This is why I don’t read the papers.

ah Kenny, you hit the spot when you start speaking of spanish food. I lived in barca for a couple of years and the only thing i wanted when i was leaving was a spanish wife who could make me some croquetas. You’ve tried navarros? Really good tapas.

Chicago, only the first article is by S Webb, and I put it up there just for fun. He is like a polite Fred Phelps. What is happening with America is like, if you were playing monopoly and all the cash was won, but you just went and took the cash from another set. And kept taking it from other sets, and then just started printing it off your computer. Eventually the cash is worth fuck-all. That’s the American economy. This is what my interpretation of a bail-out is.

I know the feeling of too much time on one’s hans too Chicago.

Yesterday, I posted a comment (on this site and many others) that I hoped the FA would see sense about the sending off of Brad Friedel. The only reason I did this was because FS got me thinking. Even though it was a long shot, you never know who are reading these sites. I thought that if certain people saw that Liverpool fans believed that the sending off was harsh, the decision would be overturned, this will give Aston Villa a little boost, no?

In no way am I saying that me posting on different sites had any influence on the outcome, but you just never know.

Well Alec the Red said there was no chance in hell Friedel would get the ban overturned. Good thing we’re not in hell eh Alec? To be fair it was never a red card. What was he supposed to do? Teleport out of the way? It was a penalty but that’s it.

Bhavster I’ve spent some time in Barca I loved it. The works of Gaudi, Las Ramblas the food is great. I love churros for brekkie. Seville is the place to be for tapas mate. Spanish women are too bossy mate you need a good latin women they can cook and dance salsa sexy as hell.

Yes LB that’s exactly what he was supposed to do(lol). What was Rooney supposed to do? Run back with the ball poor wee lamb.

Rooney should have thrown the ball back under arm in a polite manner while smiling pleasantly towards the ref, his teamates and the Fulham players lol….

Kenny, Will be in Sevilla in May when I go for La Feria de Jerez. Too late to go back on spanish women mate, tied the knot last year. though this one is catalan, dont know if thats better or worse. Ah one other place i love is caminos in kings cross. Could murder an arroz negro right now! What were you doing in barca?

Catalan women are fine mate, it’s andaluzas and madridlenas who are the ones to look out for. Nothing wrong with a bit of sevillana or flamenco though. I was in barca on me hols mate but I’ve got friends there so I sampled the real barca.

another place I could live is Sicily. I’m a godfather nut. I went for 3 weeks stayed in a beautiful fishing village, Palermo is something else. I hired a car and spent a week driving all round the island. I even stayed in the village of Corleone. I fulfilled a little ambition of mine when i did that.

I’d better get on to the footy again I’m starting to make this blog sound like “wish you were here”

Bhavster do you live in London then? I love lentejas done spanish style.

Whoops sorry there i go again. Mind you it’s more interesting than the debate whether sicknote lesley king should be playing for ingerland or not.

Aiyic I’ll have to catch up with that long post later, but having read all the comments, I’ve got to say this…
I know California very well from top to bottom. It’s a great place. Of all American cities I think San Franciso is the best. Sounding a bit too gay this – top to bottom and SF malarkey. But it really is a great place. And that’s from a fella who has spent lots of time working and living in NY, Boston, Chicago and Philly.

All of CA is sound but me favourite place was Santa Barbara. Redboyslim: surprised your lad couldn’t find a game there. I used to train down on the park by the beach what you mentioned. But there’s footy being played all over the place and every night of the week over there. A few times I had a young English lads on holiday come up and ask could they join in when I was coaching AYSO.

Anyway, as you can see from Red’s posts, it’s not just me. It’s a wonderful gaff. Problem is big money moved in from LA and ruined it a bit. They turned State St. (the main drag), into some sort of Disney Land and ruined the character of the place. I kid you not, there’s a bakery for dogs there… not a strange sight to see poor fellas sitting outside holding up signs saying, Will work for food. And kunts stepping over them to buy birthday cakes for dogs… Yep, the place is definetely mad.

Also, it became really hard to get ahead – almost impossible to buy a house and get any sort of job security. But if anyone, (LB Andy), is just looking at working away for awhile and having a laugh SB is the place to be. Plus the girls are beautiful and daft – such a lovely combination!

As for tickets reddragon, remind me a bit closer to the game and I will make a phone call for you. I won’t be at that game as business is shite at the minute. And I’ll be going to the Fulham match and Chelsea away leg so can’t afford anymore time away from work.

But be warned mate, with us still being in it at the business end of the season, tickets are becoming harder to come by every passing game. So, I can’t make you any promises but remind me and I’ll try.

Great news on the Friedel front. I rate that lad and he seems to be a dead nice fella. I know he puts lots of his money into training kids back in the States. But thing is, he’ll be right up for the Mancs now, as I hope all the Villa team and MON are.

The blue print has been written. They have the speedsters to get behind them and the big lumps to cause damage to what is fast becoming a dodgy, very nervous and depleted defence. Who’d have believed Evra could be so easily rattled?

Don’t want to put in a link but go onto the Guardian football page. What a hypocritical aul drunk the tramp is. Remember why he wouldn’t talk to Sky after we demolished them? Well, look what he’s doing to their fixtures now. Pressure getting to him or what? I’d have to say so, and, besides showing himself for the hypocrite he is, I definetely think he’s shooting himself in the foot with this fixture move.

Also funny to see Maureen now bigging up Porto so shortly after arse kissing mr ferguson and his champions of the universe. Honestly, if he ever became boss at LFC I wouldn’t be able to go to a game until he’d been fucked off. And I know loads of other Reds who feel exactly the same.

Anyway, just really sick both us and the Mancs don’t have to play tonight. In fact, just sick our last 8 games aren’t all against the Mancs. We’d win it in a canter.

Kenny, yeah London these days. Plan to move back to barca in a few years. I am dreading if we play barca next, only because I hate seeing my friends and family sad when we beat them.

Guess with our manager and squad we should all be gorging on Spanish food.

Kenny, I find the Ledley King situation interesting but straight forward. He’s a very good player and when he plays for Spurs they look a much better side. His knee can only just about manage 90 mins per week. He has a type of arthritis in the knee which makes it swell up like a balloon after strenuous exercise. Taking this into consideration why on Earth would England pick him? He would not be able to play tournament football so what’s the bloody point? My guess is the FA/England medical team just wanted to make sure his injury situation was genuine. A bit like what they did with our Gerrard.

LB I’m sure you’re right about the arthritis, but do you know Ledley King’s got no cartiledge whatsoever in his knee?

That’s bone on bone the lad’s playing with. If he’s any sense he will knock it on the head right now. Paul McGrath had pretty much the same thing. He’s not doing too well now. And we all know how poor aul Tommy Smith ended up. But then them lads didn’t earn the sort of money Ledley has. I know the lad want’s to play and all credit to him for that, but it’s like a boxer refusing to retire and ending up punchey.

The lad really should throw the towel in before he ends up a cripple. What use all the money in the world in a wheelchair? And just to open a can of worms…. wish our Daniel had that sort of commitment though.

FS, I think your right about the bone on bone and no cartilage. Not sure where I heard the arthritis bit – maybe its related. Anyway, like you I think he should knock it on the head. Thing is, he knows he’s good, he’s only 29 and has missed a lot of football and wants more and more. I reckon he’s one of them characters that doesn’t know what to do with himself when he’s not playing football. A couple of times while he’s been injured I’ve seen photos of him in the London newspapers falling out of night clubs absolutely pissed out of his head. I’ve seen photos of him being literally carried out by the bouncers and placed in a Taxi. Lol! When he’s playing though I’ve never read a story or seen any photos of him getting off his face. Our Agger – according to your mate has a lot of other interests so you could see him just knocking it on the head and doing something else.

There was an interesting thread on one of the forums (cue Latin scholars face-palm for not using fora). Is Sami in our top 3 CL of all time?

Here’s what I wrote (c&p to here) after many generally saying that the order should be:

Hansen
Lawro
Smith
Thommo
Yeats
Hughes
Sami

But Sami’s problem with getting into the top three has to do with the attacking threat he has faced. Surely we have had trickier attacker since all these foreigners came in and took out jobs. Let’s also not forget the that in olden times you could pass back to the keeper, so this can skew appraisals. You could pass back until 1990. Lawro was so quick as a defender that it was always thought from that point on that if you weren’t quick, you were a lesser player, and this tends to colour peoples opinion of Sami, who actually never had real pace.

He is playing in a time when you have to watch your step with all the challenging-from-behind bans, and dealing with the diving and cheating that is the cancer of the modern game. Surely his evergreenness should come into consideration too – the man is 35 ffs, and played a blinder at OT with the likes of Tevez chasing him. None of the others lasted past 33ish. For me, he should be in the top four.

1) Hansen
2) Lawro
3) Thommo
4) Hyppia

As another poster said, he single-handedly (special mention for the pacier Henchoz) changed our defense from the sieve it was at the turn of the century, to an immovable object. And that is something of a challenge that all the rest didn’t didn’t have to face.

A living legend!

Your thoughts ladies.

…correction>> CD for CL
Doh! (_80)

Gerry, I dunno about a movie blog, it appears a travel blog would be a more lively option?

Quote from the Fungus article FS posted…
“Villa are in the midst of a slump and have a miserable record against United, with 13 successive defeats at Old Trafford and no win there since 1983″

Thats the kindo fshit we need coz Omens can be a dodgy thing!
Chelsea were unbeaten at home. We beat them.
Scum never lost 2 in a row. We handed them their first and Fulham their second!
(thank god we’ve already put the old “never lost to Chelsea in the CL” chestnut to bed!)

I’m not entirely sure how Fungus taking the extra day really helps them.
Villa get an extra day too. Plus if we do win on Saturday, we go top, and that means Scum play the game knowing that a point or a loss means they stay 2nd!

Plus Porto are trying to move their league match forward by two days, so they’ll go into that leg well rested and Scum will have only two days, one of which will be a travel day, to prepare.
Surely that is advatage Porto???

Feeling the pressure? I’d say so, when you start taking chances like that!

Just two quick responses to those articles aiyic posted.

Firstly, understand they were both written by extreme right wingers, so hardly objective.

Now, the footie ruining America thing is so laughable its ridiculous. Everything about his premise is so off target! American sports are about individualism… every one of them. Where Yanks make the big mistake in their approach to soccer is that they think 1 star can carry an average team. In Baseball, Basketball and Football, that can happen. In soccer it just can’t!

And the U.S. Economy is in the state its in, not because Banks were greedy and offered crazy loans, (well okay that is a big part of it) but because people were greedy and wanted to get in on the gravy train.
Taking out a mortgage for a $500k house in a shite low-class neighborhood in the hopes that you can flip it for $600k within 2 years, before your payments bloom, is no different than walking into a casino and putting your money on black!

Predatory lending my arse! If a tout offers you two tickets in the middle of the Kop for the Chav v Lpool CL game for 2quid each… wouldn’t you stop for a minute and think… “hmmm, these might be counterfeit!”

THAT is what banks were offering and that is what people were buying and now they are claiming its all the banks fault for offering them the dodgy mortgages. Fuck off, you paid your money and you took your chance!

I’ve been telling my wife for 3 years, “this can’t continue. Everyone is riding the crest of a bloody big wave and at some point the bottom has got to drop out.”
…And I got a fuckin C in Economics!

Aiyic, I hate comparing players from different eras. Like apples and oranges, I don’t think it really relates/works, but I will say is… in my book Sami is a legend that deserves to be remembered and ranked alongside our greats. He’s been a fantastic servant to our club, and if we win the league this year one of the things that would please me most is to see the Big Finn kop his medal. And it will be an absolute shame if he retires without one.

Good article that wasn’t it Aitch. What a daft old soak he really is. When he spat his dummy after we beat them, he claimed he wouldn’t talk to Sly Sports because they moved the kick off time. What a load of bolacks. They consulted both clubs and both clubs agreed to the date and the time. He also agreed the early kick off with Manchester police. But still an all he is now boycotting Sky as well as the BBC.

I seen a dead funny article suggesting that they should just put in a double and do the interviews anyway. I’ll try to find the article. It was very funny. Said, they should just have a double make all sorts of out rageous remarks in a drunken stupor and that mr ferguson would soon be begging to be let back on air. But Sly and the BBC should fuck him off and continue airing the look-a-like. I’d pay to see that.

But besides the hypocrisy of it, I think he has made a huge mistake. The timing he has personally chosen could really bite them on the arse in both the Prem and the CL.

I’m just so gutted they’ve got this break to recuperate and lick their wounds. I’m not turning all tabloid and writing them off. The ball’s still firmly in their court and they’ve coped in these situations before. But if the games had kept coming fast and furious, I think they might have found it very hard going indeed.

PS… In that last post I meant to say Sky asked him did he want to move the scheduling of the Villa game to give him an extra day to prepare for it. The aul duffer knocked them back, and I wonder what he will say if he comes unglued in that game or the Porto match?

But do you think they would give such treatment to any other manager than bacon face.

And here’s a link to a Brad Friedel article…

://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=550037&root=ncaa&&cc=5739

Add the http and you will see what a decent fella he is. Add to that fact, he’s a mad Liverpudlian and I’m hoping we will see the big fella get a clean sheet. They draw that one and we get a result and it really is game on.

Your dead right Chicagokopite. That S.Webb is a cunt. What a poisonous article that was. He sits reading books in the stand as a form of protest he says, instead of cheering and supporting his daughter and hoping she’s enjoying herself like a normal parent would be. Bet that little girl feels loved. Thats the problem with this country. Its not the economy. Its the neo-conservative, right wing, religious freaks that ran the country into the ground and publicly hope that Obama fails. Cunts.

“Liverpool’s revolution under Rafael Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez’s former assistant coach Paco Herrera revealed all about the revolutionary changes implemented by the Spaniard in his first five years at the Merseyside club.

Benitez, who has just signed up until 2014, has transformed Liverpool into one of Europe’s most threatening teams. In the last fortnight alone they have closed Manchester United’s seven-point lead to one, knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions league and put five goals past Aston Villa.

Hererra, who left Anfield to take over at Castellon, describes his former boss as a man who “lives football 24 hours a day” and revealed to the Sun what Benitez has achieved since 2004.

Creating a database of over 10,000 world players:
“Benitez does not leave any room for improvisation and he himself supervises everything. It’s true he has a database with information on more than 10,000 players. It was when we started to sign up all the scouts. We started incorporating people from one country or another [and] as time went on Rafa proposed to create a personal database. That’s where every day all the scouts are putting information on all the players they are watching – I would say it would be closer to 14,000 players.”

Building a video room and ensuring access to footage from 12 top leagues around the world:
“There are big satellite dishes and contracts with two or three companies that make sure every month the club get all the videos from every country.”

Transforming the Melwood training ground:
“Everything was created little by little – most of the things were done in the first two years. In the second year we started building a hotel of about 20 rooms. It was completed before I left so the players could concentrate there – above all before Champions League games. The players rest there in the training centre and they don’t go to any other hotel. Benitez also created small hills in the training ground for the players to do resistance running.”

Revolutionising the player’s lifestyles:
“Dietary habits were changed from the outset. In general terms in the teams where the management staff were English the diet was not very careful. St the start the entire training ground – restaurant areas, areas with refrigerators where you can get energy drinks – as soon as Rafa arrived he banned everything he thought might be bad for the players. From that day food was meticulously studied. Now breakfast and lunch is made with commonsense for the good of an athlete.”

Paco Herrera on Rafael Benitez and Liverpool:
“Everything is very detailed and thought through. Rafa lives football 24 hours a day. He has faith in his coaching staff and we had a great team. What they [Liverpool] value is the personality of Rafa. Professionals are respected there and Rafa is hugely respected. Bill Shankly is a myth for them – he is everything. but I think Rafa, in those five years at least, will match what they consider Shankly to be.”

The Telegraph

Predatory lending did happen, and the ordinary Joe got sucked in with the hype. I was a predatory lender, and so were my work colleagues.

FS, the Sami thing was just for fun, and I know people can get all carried away with it. And yes those articles were kinda to do with the lads dreams of coaching in USA, and should be taken with a light-hearted context. But it’s funny when they think that a sport is not a sport if you don’t use your hands.

FS, maybe sky could use this guy: ttp://www.fakefaces.co.uk/lookalikes.html?lookalike_id=20

He’s a terrible lookalike, but it would be class.

He needs to drink a bit more after shave mate, about 5 gallons a day for the next 6 months might just about do it. But he’d better hurry up. I’m sure there must be a lot of liquid breakfast, dinners and teas going on at Casa fergus.

As for the articles, I could only read the first one. I won’t waste anymore time than saying what a knobhead he is. But it did actually make me laugh. He’s obviously a bit bonkers whoever he is.

I just couldn’t read the second one. I’m sure it’s worth a read, but I’ve lost 9 grand in the last few months as the footsie has imploded and I’m worried about losing more as business is so shite right now.

Well, no. I’m not worried as I refuse to. Going even greyer won’t stop me money sliding and I can’t pull it out of shares as I’ll only lose more. In fact, that’s the only thing that bothers me… do I take the hit and pull it out, or gamble on sitting on it hoping it will improve only for it to further collapse?

I honestly just don’t know what to do. I’m not a rich fella. I’ve got a little few quid tucked away, but I worked hard for that and I don’t want to just let it evaporate into some fat arsed banker’s back pocket. I was actually thinking of buying a few houses in the states as an investment. But I had second thoughts about that and now I’m just sort of ignoring all the doom and gloom and carrying on regardless. But I’ve never thought the Ostrich defence to be a very good one.

aiyic… guys who run casinos don’t make you go into them, or when you do, force you to put your money on 0!

Every tout that tries to con someone is a predator… but people get conned when they want something for nothing. (A Liverpool Team Jersey on eBay for 2 quid is NOT an official authentic Club authorized jersey, so don’t buy it and be surprised its a picce of shit when it arrives in the mail!)

The US economy has been one big chain letter, pyramid scheme for the last 8 years.
You buy a house you can’t afford. You make some minor improvements over the first two years you own it and you sell for a profit.
People saw it happening. Friends were telling stories of how they did it and so everyone jumped on it.

The only reason I never got sucked into it (and everyone and his dog was telling me to buy a house NOW) is coz I just couldn’t get my head around the what if. Okay, I can get a house now and only have to pay $1200 per month for the mortgage for the first two years, but in year 3 that monthly payment jumps to $5000. But I can probably sell it for a profit before that baloon, so lets take a punt?
But what if you can’t sell it? What if I get laid off? What if…whatever? Fuck that, just buy it, everyone else is doing it!

All the people that got in at the beginning made money… (just like a chain letter, pyramid, ponzie scheme) …all the people that got in in the last 3 years have lost everything!

Yes lenders played their part and should be taken to task for it… but people stumped their money blindly… and I’m sorry they lost out, but they should have made such a big financial decision with their eyes open.
Peple quite simply chased a big pay day, without knowing the risks, or whithout paying any attention to them.

Are we really supposed to feel sympathy for the guy who takes his monthly mortgage/rent payment into a casino, loses it and then bitches he can’t make rent??? Then why so people who did the same thing when buying a house??

Sorry lads, but the poor me-pity-brigade is in full swing here in California and I’m a bit fed up of it.
The economy is supposed to be terrible, but my sister begged me to take her to one of the Indian Casinos here (she doesn’t drive freeway, so I always get dragged into it) on Saturday and you could barely get on a slot machine it was so busy! But people can’t afford their mortgage. Interesting that!
Political Rant over.

Yeah FS, I think that’s another sign that Fungus is feeling the pressure. I think that is incredibly risky. We’ll leapfrog them if we win on Saturday adding pressure to their Villa match. And if Porto get their request, then they’ll have 4 days to prepare for their CL match versus 2 days prep for Scum.

Oh and as far as the sports article goes… one more thing.

At the end of the Baseball season in America, the top teams compete in the World Series of Baseball … despite no other nations competing in the competition… the winners are crowned… World Champions.

Interestingly, there was an International Baseball competition held just a few days ago… the USA lost in in the Quarter Finals… to Japan!

My apologies to our American participants on this board… but that shit is just funny.

Never seen a thread like this one before on Kopblog, so I shall continue.

Aiyic, based on your earlier comment, you could be the man to help me out. I am on the look-out for another car and I would like to know when a car-dealer says, for example, ‘this car is 15000 quid’, what does that mean in buyer’s terms. Is it ‘I will tear your arm off for 12,000′ in the current market?

Any help would be appreciated. BTW, if you had not noticed, I am not a petrol-head.

On the Ferguson thing, I am not so sure that he is losing the plot on this one. 3 players suspended for the next league match and a few other players potentially missing.

I would say that he thinks that 1 day’s additional rest could make the difference against Villa, considering they have the tools to beat them.

Against Porto, play it defensively in the 1st leg over there, and go for it at the old toliet. A bit risky but not losing it, yet.

Aitch, I think old Whiskey Nose agreed to the late Sunday kickoff because of the shortage of players he has at his disposal against Villa: Scholes, Rooney, and Vidic are all suspended.

I think he needs both Tevez and Andersen in his squad for the Villa game, and he’s trying to get them some extra rest. Argentina plays Wed. April 1st at 20:30 GMT; Brazil plays Thursday April 2nd at 02:10 GMT. How long does it take to fly from Argentina/Brazil back to Manchester? It’s got to be over 10 hours, no?

That extra day of rest would definitely benefit the two of them. I guess Whiskey Nose is willing to take the risk because he would then have the 3 suspended players back for the CL game against Porto.

I’m thinking it’s safe to assume that we won’t see Masch for the Fulham game; Rafa will rest him in advance of the first leg of the Chelsea match on Wed. April 8th.

Can’t agree with you there Lurgan mate. He’s got a nice long break before the Villa game anyway. I suppose there’s worries over injuries at internationals, but if any of his players get crocked or pick up anymore cards against Villa they could be in deep shtuck in the Porto game. Like I said in a previous post, I don’t want to get all tabloidy knee jerk. And I do think it’s still theirs to lose, but you can see a long hard season is starting to really take it’s toll. Will they get a second wind? I should think so, but will it be enough to carry on fighting on all fronts? I think something’s got to give and I’m just hoping it’s in the league.

Lurgankop, I missed your reply before posting (sorry to basically duplicate it) but Old Fungus Face doesn’t have the luxury of sitting back in the first leg against Porto.

The opening leg is at Old Toilet, return leg back in Portugal.

I just hope we can find a way to take care of Fulham next Saturday. A nice comfortable 0-2 win would put us top of the table by 2 points before the Mancs kickoff on Sunday evening. It would be a great way to turn the heat up just a little bit more.

We’ll agree to disagree but I hope you are right FS.

IMO, MON should start with Carew up-front and bring back the speedy ablongahor and carry out the game plan defined by our very own Mr Benitez. If that works again, there will be real questions about Manure’s weakness’s and Ferguson will be fuming.

Anyhow, whether you are right or wrong, it shows that Ferguson is now taking notice of us and that can only be a good thing

Hhmmmm lvcjmac, if only I had the powers of the internet to confirm such details.

Just done it and you are correct.

So I think that we all know what there will be at least 3 team changes for manure for the porto match.

FS, I must say that it doesn’t make as much sense now. Get back to you on that one.

I think all we need to move to the next level is two world class players notably a very fast skilful intelligent right winger.to take kuyt’s place in the 1st 11 and a very fast intelligent left winger to take riera’s place so we will have 4 world class attackers Including gerrard & torres to take the pressure off the latter two players to win us football matches.i think we should concentrate our full transfer budget on these players if there’s any thing left then we should look at bringing a right back(glen johnson) and a proven goalscorer to act as a deputy to torres .we must not buy anyone who does not fit into our prefered formation 4 2 3 1 Like the expensive mistake that was robbie keane i understand there will be comings And goings but the players i have highlighted are lacking in our current squad.i think our priorty is to make our 1st team as strong as possible and then build the squad around it and hopefully there will be a few kids that will come thru and surprise us like insua/nemeth/spearing.i hope and pray that we win something this season but the lack of alternatives if certain players are injured really scares me.the only time i have cryed in the last probably 30 years is when we beat milan in istanbul.but in the words of king kev i would love it really love it if i cryed again this season.all good in the hood rafamuffin

That’s definetely right Lurgan. He knows it’s going to be no procession to the title. And whatever way you look at it, he’s showing the pressure. He reminds of a school yard bully that’s been sussed out, lashing out in all directions, knowing he’s been twigged and hoping to frighten people back into their places.

Here’s a thought for you lads… if he wins this title and the champion’s league he only needs one more of each to finally knock us off our perch – going ahead on titles and drawing level on Euro’s. But if we pip them to both, which is unlikely but do-able, he will need another 3 of each. He hasn’t got the time or steam.

And I think he would then retire probably a very bitter man despite all his great achievments – and you can’t take that away from him. No matter how you feel about him, it has to be said… he has a fantastic record. But other than that, I don’t see any other positive things I can say about the man

Friedel had his red card rescinded, which means he plays against Utd. I didn’t think it would as I thought it was a letter of the law sending-off, without it being a malicious challenge. The rules say that if you contact someone in the box and they go down, it’s a peno. And he was last man back for intents and purposes. But anyway, our gain that he faces Utd.

Lurgankop, in the current climate, most used cars are priced-to-sell with little, if any discount. Pre-recession, most used cars would have (depending on price level) 1500-2000 built-in “discount”. The key to getting a good deal is trying to guesstimate what cost to the dealer the care was in the first place. I can go into more detail on a chat-forum if you wish. A quick guide os to go to carzone. ie, filter down your needs i.e. Ford Fiesta, year, diesel, 4-door, engine size etc. – click on price to sort low-to-high, and deduct a margin, fix-up to showroom cost, and a bit of discount, and you roughly have the buy-in cost of the car for the dealer. And this is how trade-in prices are calculated. But all this depends on price level – $10k Focus or $40k BMW. If yo tell me what you are looking at, I can tell what you should be roughly paying. My personal advice is to buy a cheap car like I did. 2000 Alfa 156 Sportwagon on Ebay for 2000Eur. Auctions can be great for bargains if you’re in the right one on the right day – and if you know what you’re doing.

Aitch, there is more to it than this format allows. But don’t forget that banks charge YOU the valuation fee to make sure that THEY are not overlending. But if THEY over-value, THEY are not respnsible for any loss in value. This is a crucial point that everyone misses. I really want to leave it at that for now.

lads here is manure’s run-in

Man Utd v Aston Villa, 16:00
Sunderland v Man Utd, 15:00
Man Utd v Portsmouth, 20:00
Man Utd v Tottenham, 15:00
Middlesbrough v Man Utd, 15:00
Man Utd v Man City, 15:00
Wigan v Man Utd, 20:00
Man Utd v Arsenal, 15:00
Hull v Man Utd, 16:00

IMO Villa, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Man C, & Hull, Arsenal could all do some damage.

It keeps it interesting anyhow

gerry, hope your not listing to the calls for travel blog – can’t wait to spend hours discussing the finner points of wild geese with timmytorres!

KENNY DALGLISH LFC LEGEND since your such a godfather buff, hopefully you’ll seen Sergio Leone “once upon a time in america” absolutely epic.

on to our beloved reds. Sami Hyypiä is a legend. He is the rock that all our success since 1999 have be built on (all due respect to stevie). more than any other player at the club, i can see him being a servant of the club as long as bob paisley. to echo FS, if we win the league him and carra are the two players i will be happiest for!

to continue on a the latin tip, hasta la victoria siempre! now if i can incorporate rafa benitez’s name into it.

Aiyic, I don’t think that this is the place to discuss my car-search :-\.

Can you send me a contact email address to [email protected]

Cheers.
Lurgankop

rafamuffin, i’m a very big fan of having players coming onto the first team from the academy or bringing in players like ngog (young, cheap and with lots of potential). so hopefully rafa will be blooding can start relaying on academy players next year.

we still need to look at the transfer markets for getting more depth in our squad. i took a look at the goal stats for the prem this season. micheal owen, adebiyor and berbatov where all tied with 8 goals on the season. all very good strikers. There was also a winger also on 8 goals, our very own dirk kuyt!

The only “winger” who had more goals was – well i hate him so much i won’t say his name. my question to people who say kuyt is not good enough is simiply “who is would you replace him with?”

in the prem, the only winger with more goals takes all his team set pieces and penalty kicks!

i short we do not need someone to take dirk place on the right, we need a player who can give us attacking options. keep on eye on dempsey from fulham, he is a useful player who can cover a lot of positions, can provide width, won’t cost and arm and a leg and is prem proven.

Fuckin hell lads half of you would put willy fog to shame with your adventures,fair play to ya’s.
However as there was to much non footy talk i just flicked through incase it was already old news. It turns out brad fredel has got the red card over-turned(rightly so) that can only be a good thing as he has been a right thorn in the side of the manc’s recently.
Now they’ll start cryin there lamps out how they never get it their way and we’re so lucky. Spoilt cock-sucking weirdo’s that they our!!!

LB – sorry for not getting back to you last night but I hit the sack after posting and only now, 24 hours of work and taking care of a 10month old later have I got time to write.
If you are free and single personally I would go to Latin America myself. Learn another language and culture. It’ll change your head forever.

You’re a Brixton lad I think ? Grand spot now. I used live there myself back in the 80′s, Thatcher-time. I loved it and it was really changing for the better round the time I moved to Brasil.
I lived mainly in Salvador, Bahia for a few years. The local team Vitoria had a brilliant youth system going there. They produced a team of players every year and sold them on to the bigger brasilian clubs. (Dida – the Milan Goalie was one who I remember playing for Vitoria).
The problem with getting set up to do some learning down there is the language. Nowadays I reckon you’d be ok in the southern cities, sao paulo included as they would have a whole world view and their players sre now commodities to be sold on to Europe so they have to have “english”. I reckon if you have the neck you could get into the club training grounds and set up a deal for yourself.
Just go for your soul anyway !

FS – On another matter – the stocks etc.. I’ve done a bit of study into that “game” and It’s probably coming time to buy soon. The lads (experts!!!) I read say that the recent crash may yet not have bottomed out but it’s beginning to brighten and the possibility is the the Market is/has hit bottom. But that’s a dodgy game at the moment. Seems to me if you go there you gotta have a get out level… Anyway that’s another story.

Redscouse and Aitch, back to Mr Cohen and World Soccer Daily, there is a scouser, a “Tony” from new Mexico who does get on the show regularly and he could be FS long lost twin. He knows his stuff and thankfully clips Mr Cohen’s wings. It’s an interesting program. They have a big influence I reckon as they straddle US and EPL footie and are cherry picking some of the best analysts form Europe. I would recommend it as a download program if you drive, like me. Just fast forward what you don’t want. It goes from intelligent to quite vicious ranting at times and Cohen has it in for Liverpool in a big way indeed. I don’t like how he talks about the city and the people, I don’t care what he says about the team as he is quite openly anti-. The beauty of it of course is that the more he spouts the sweeter it is when we win, as we do, and as we will.

I’d throw another name as a possibility come the close season, particularly if Reading don’t make it. Kevin Doyle. Would cost a few bob but really impressive when playing for Ireland. A real Kuyt type trier, great attitude, pace, skill, very strong, in the air and a good shot too, with a decent team he’d score plenty. I used to watch him at Cork City, my local team.

Dougle, nobody should be touching the stocks if they are only half sure of what they’re at.

Anybody wishing to look at stocks, or wishing to get informed past the mainstream media fog, need to check out Peter Schiff and Gerald Celente, and what they’re saying right now. And youtube user – visionvictory. These guys are telling the REAL story. For a light hearted explanation, try this: ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o4IcNbfPMA&feature=related

Very well put ChicagoKopite!!

Kuyt is very important to us. He works hard, has scored goals this year and is held in very high esteem by his fellow team mates.

rafamuffin, although i agree we need a good winger/ striker, it will not be in place of Kuyt for sure.

A good article about Kuyt, although off topic,

dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1164580/Martin-Samuel-Flying-Dutchmans-lesson-Gerrard.html

Good article about Kuyt abhiram… though not very complimentary of Gerrard (written from an English team point of view though).

Nice line at the end: “If only everything in life was as simple as picking Dirk Kuyt.”

i will never understand why the english media rate lampard and rooney as better playes then gerrard, then bitching when we dons’t perform for england like he does for liverpool. he is the best player the country has produced in at least a generation (like FS i don’t like comparing players across areas)

read a similar blog to the on the daily mail on ESPN saying he was the reason for england failures as a national side. apeboy and lampard together aren’t half the player he is.

i wish he would pull a carra and tell the national team to fuck off.

after last season, i thought torres might have a chance to win the ballon d’or this year with messi being the main competition. IMHO the season stevie is having has eclipsed them both. who votes for the ballon d’or? if it is other players he wins it in a canter.

I would not be too sure of that ChicagoKopite.

Recently Gerrard stated that he wanted to emulate the Manc Bastard Beckham and play for England for more than 100 caps.

I respect him for saying that he wants to play for his country and win something for his country. I’ve always felt a Great player (Great is very cliched nowadays) should always perform both for the club and the country to be considered truly great. Ex. Zidane, Brazilian Ronaldo, etc

This should, at no point of time, be a deterrent to the cause of the club though.

Thanks Fat Scouser
I’ll give you a shout closer to the time.

Funny that, I was listening to the radio this morning and gerrard is giving an interview from the England camp. I also wish he’d fuck them off, but read his book. I was fuming. But the lad loves England just as much, if not even more, than LFC. To each his own. I don’t want to knock him. I love the lad in a Liverpool shirt.

And if you look at the scoring stats for the last few season’s, you will see another few LFC myths get blew out the water. Boring defensive Liverpool my arse. Just look at the goals for. And as for us relying on Gerrard and Torres to score of course we do. What team in the world wouldn’t? But it’s also a myth that our other players don’t chip in enough. They score pretty much at the same rate as comparable players at other clubs do. It’s just looks that wasy because SteG and Nando weigh in with so many.

But here’s what I meant to say about Gerrard’s interview. He said, “The Man U players turned up looking a bit dejected and sulking. They need to get over it. They need to perform for England. I’ve had to many times after being beaten badly.”

That wasn’t exactly what he said. But it was obvious from listening to it that Stevie has been on the wind up. I’m sure it would be hard to resist. But I just wish our players would shut up. The media will wind things up anyway. We don’t need our players giving them any bullets to fire and giving the Man U players the boot up the arse they need.

No problem reddragon. Usually I can sort it out with a few phone calls. But like I said, I can’t make any promises now as tickets are becoming scarcer as the season winds down/heats up. But remind me and I will do what I can.

Gerrard is a magnificent player. Look at what Zidane said about him being the best player in the world. Watch how the media start jumping on that bandwagon. As regards England imho England have never got the best out of their top class players. Gerrard should be the axis of the team but no lets shunt him out on the left or as a defensive midfielder because we have to fit in fat frank.

I heard that as well FS. Although Stevie G is normally very humble, I heard an interview where they were calling him the best midfielder in the world and he said I don’t agree there many great players out there like Xabi, inhesta.

It was obvious he’d gave them a bit of flak, eh Kenny. But then I suppose they are all mates and it would be hard not to give them a bit of gyp – especially the fat thug from Norris Green.

As for Gerrard himself, I’ve had a go at the lad for a few things over the years. But I think he’s matured immensly as a player and man. He really is becoming the complete package. Like comparing players from different eras, I don’t like this best in the world malarkey. How can you honestly say that? But what I will say is… Steven Gerrard is one of the best footballers I have ever seen. And that comes from a fella who has seen most of the greats, even Pele, in the flesh. Barring major injury or mishap, he will be at his absolute peak over the next few years, and that will be some weapon to have in our arsenal. But I reckon, even when he hits 32/33 and his engine starts to slow down, he will just drop further back and become a fantastic holding mid-field player. So, I think we are looking at getting at least another 5 years top class service from Steven and he should be looking at retiring with quite a haul of medals.

From my Irish perspective regarding the England team, it seems as though the rivalries are too great to put to one side when they come together for something that they don’t even have *that* much passion for. The chemistry isn’t really there for magic to happen. There are the passionate ones that stand out such as Beckham, Anderton and Owen, but that isn’t enough. Every once in a while you get a generation Beckhams and Owens that are one with each other, like the Lineker, Pearce, Robson bunch. And even then, there most gifted player – John Barnes – phoned in his efforts.

Compare this to the Irish or the Swedish players, or any other national squad that have their players dispersed in different leagues, and are generally low-ranking granny-rule shoe-ins who have to punch above their weight. They have to hope for both quality and attitude synergy, where as England always have quality, but not so much the attitude. Their professional rivalries are easier to put to one side because maybe they don’t even come into contact with each other that much.

There was a time when England had an embarrassment of strikers in one gereration: Les Ferdinand, Ian Wright, Shearer, Sheringham, Robbie Fowler, Nigel Clough, Andy Cole and other who English players who didn’t get a call-up. But they never really made their stamp.

I think Messi is a shoe-in for world player of the year this season. The boy has been awsome and hardly been injured. Gerrard has had a bit of a stop start season and still managed to score 20 goals – that’s quite incredible.

When you look at our squad in an attacking sense it’s clear that 2 players stand head and shoulders above the rest. Those 2 being in the world class category. I define world class as being ‘amongst the best in your position in the world’. No doubt Gerrard is one of the best attacking midfield players in the world and Torres is one of the best strikers in the world. Although we have other players who make a contribution in an attacking sense they are not world class in my opinion. I wouldn’t name Kuyt, Riera, Benny, Babel in a top 10 wingers/strikers list.
I think we need one or two players closer to the level of Gerrard and Torres if we are going to consistently challenge for the CL and PL titles.

We are the top scores in the PL which is amazing I think. Despite that though my head tells me we’ll fall just short of the title. Obviously I hoping and praying that we’ll win it!

If we don’t win a trophy this season, will it be a failure-like Chelsea last year?.Not winning the title in ’97 was criminal-76 points was all we needed.Can Agger play as an attacking midfielder?.Any good strikers in the Dutch league?.

Just seen Riera’s goal from the weekend. Silly question but why aren’t the press raving about the finish? If it had have been Bergkamp, Henry or Cristina Ronaldo it’d be goal of the season…

LB: Messi has been awesome that’s true and he just missed out last year so he’ll get it this year and the fact he’s not English also helps. The only way Gerrard will win it is if we win the Champions league and Gerrard has a repeat performance to the 2005 final which I wouldn’t put past him. He’s scored 21 goals so far which is a superb contribution.

FS: As regards best player in the world I agree how can you define it? What I would say is he’s the most important/ifluential player to his team in the world. World class without doubt, he’s played a major part in every final he’s played in.

Michaelthomasmademecry: Good point, in fact rather than waxing lyrical about it someone in the press asked if we were wimbledon in disguise because it was route 1 football.

Aiyic, I am having difficulties sending you emails from my home account. I have now tried from another one. Did you receive it?

I like that term… Waxing lyrical..

LB: wouldn’t you define Masch as the, or one of the, best holding midfielders in the world? Or has his dip in form earlier in the year (which I would actually partly put down to an interrupted pre-season) brought him down a peg for you?

Surely Reina is also world-class. I think he gets less recognition due to not starting for Spain, but they just happen to have 2 world-class GK’s at the moment.

LB I think it will be largely out of Gerrard, Messi and Eto’o for World Player of the Year / Ballon d’Or this year, and I think it will largely come down to which team goes furthest in the Champions League to determine whether Gerrard or Messi get it. Gerrard is probably getting more attention than ever from outside of England now, with his great CL performances, and if we continue our run that attention & admiration will increase further. Messi is an extremely skilful player and scores some amazing goals, but I am of the opinion that Gerrard is a far more complete player and that the football world recognises this.

Ronaldo won the awards last year not through being a complete player, but through his incredible skill and more than anything, the huge number of goals he scored. Messi is in a similar mould, but doesn’t have the huge goal-scoring record. That’s why I think Gerrard will get the nod ahead of him if we go further than Barca in the CL.

Are there some glaringly obvious candidates I’m forgetting? Hard to think at the moment, knackered. Perhaps Xavi from Barca should be right up there too, but I don’t think he’d win it. Ibrahimovic will be high too but simply to make sure Italy are represented, his renowned failure to deliver when it matters keeps him well out of it.

Andy, I was more referring to attacking players. I rate Masch as amongst the best defensive midfield players. I’m not sure if I rate Reina as amongst the best goal keepers in the world. For me he is not complete as he flaps at crosses too much for my liking and some of his decision making is a bit rash. I don’t expect a goalie of his age to be complete though. I think he’s very good and a couple of years will be great.

You seen much of La Liga this season mate? Really Messi has been the best player this season by a mile. I’ve watched a fair bit of CL, PL and La Liga. Messi has 30 goals in 39 games this season and 13 assists. I think he’s top scorer in the CL and has 19 La Liga goals. The stats don’t even tell the story, every time he picks up the ball he’s going past 3 players and making something happen.

Gerrard has been incredible and is a magnificent player. But Messi – bloody hell, this season he’s been on a different planet.

At the moment, there are only 4 candidates. Gerrard, Messi, Eto’o and Xavi. Surprising that 3 of them are from the same team.

Andy, do you remember in the Euros, Xavi was named the Player of the tournament and that was not because of his goal scoring ability. A lot of factors are involved in determining the best player of the year and hence i feel Gerrard stands a very good chance.

If we end up winning the Premier League or the Champions League or both, i am quite sure Gerrard will receive this award.

Michaelthomasmademecry, a very good point that you made of Riera. It has got absolutely no mention. Thats probably got a lot to do with Riera’s stature as a player for his national side. If he becomes a regular in the Spain side (which is quite hard, just ask Fabregas) he will get the credit he deserves and more.

LB, Gerrard is the top scorer in the CL.

I agree with your comments on Messi but i am quite certain Reina is one of the best keepers in the world. He has other skills that 99% of the keepers don’t have. His flaws that you mentioned are one-off errors and not committed regularly.

Just looking now Lurgankop.

Your right of course! Gerrard top scorer in the CL with 7 goals in 9 games. Messi has 6 goals in 7 games. The 2 could face off in the semi finals – that would be a lovely tie. In fact I wish we could play Barca in the final.

I think Reina makes rash decisions and flaps at crosses a bit more often than you say Abhiram. I’m nit picking here because we are talking about best in the world level. What impresses me is his kicking. He has 2 good feet and distributes the ball better than I’ve seen from any other goalie.

Is he better than the following keepers?

Shay Given
Petre Chec
Brad Friedel

No LB, I haven’t seen a great deal of La Liga this year… a bit, but not a lot. Have seen a few of Messi’s goals though and do agree. I guess what I’m getting at is that those awards often go to whoever performs best on the biggest stages (that’s not to say I don’t think Messi is doing so). For example in World Cup years someone can have a fantastic tournament before/after an only average club season, and still be considered for the award because the World Cup is the one everybody watches, not necessarily their club games.

So, I’ll stand by my tip… whoever goes furthest in the CL out of Gerrard and Messi will determine who wins the award. I say that expecting either Liverpool (touch wood) or Barca to make the final.

LB: Masch is world class. Alonso has been world class this season. Carra is a world class defender I can’t think of too many defenders I would have over him in the LFC team. Agger has the potential along with Skytle to be world class.

Reina for me is world class. 100 clean shhets in 197 games says it for me. 3 golden gloves awards in his first 3 seasons beating the Petr hannibal lector Cech. I agree he will get even better. Sometimes he flaps at crosses I will give you that but mentally he is strong and his distribution is the best of any goalkeeper I have ever seen.

Lets go by what you say! I remember us thumping 5-1 against Given’s Newcastle and 5-0 to Freidel’s Aston Villa. We have already hit 3 goals in 2 games against Petr Ceck. Agreed without these keepers, the score would have been a cricket score and also agreed they are really good. But what i am driving at is Defence and GK work hand in hand. If the defence knows the keeper is good, they tend to defend much better and vice versa. I remember some of the older players telling that the keeper commands the back-line. He helps them defend properly. In this right, he is better than all the three.

He does not have stunning saves to his name because he does not need to save as much as the others. When he needs to save, he does it quite well and it will be a very good effort or a stunning effort only if it needs it. Otherwise it will be a pick-up and throw.

I just read your post ditto about distribution. Shay Given is an excellent keeper and probably playing for the leakiest defence in the league hasn’t helped his reputation. Friedel is also very good but in his younger days for LFC he was quite poor so it proves what you say about keepers getting better with age. Petr Chech for me was excellent 2 seasons ago but I would say after his head injury he hasn’t been the same and to me he looks quite vulnerable.

LB I think Reina is in the same league as those 3 you mention, but not better (he is better at some things, such as penalty saves and distribution, but perhaps not all-round). Perhaps better than Friedel.

I think Reina’s main 2 weaknesses are not throwing his weight around in the area enough (similar to the “flapping at crosses” you mention LB), and not saving quite enough 1-on-1′s (except penalties of course). I know that’s picky, and there haven’t been a lot of them this year (and he did save the last couple, eg against Kenwyne Jones), but in prior seasons I’ve felt he charged out too quickly on 1-on-1′s and didn’t end up anywhere near the ball. I think there is a very good chance, perhaps a certainty, that he will end up being Liverpool’s greatest ever keeper though.

Bedtime for me lads, so in the words of an overweight scouser… tatty bye.

I would say as an all round keeper if you look at the whole package yes LB. He will also improve because Friedel and Given are 30 and above.

Kenny, I agree – but I did say I was more talking about attacking players when I said only Torres and Gerrard were world class. That’s why I mentioned Kuyt, Benny, Babel and Riera as opposed to Carra, Masch, Alonso etc….

For me the clean sheet record is more of a team thing than merely a Reina thing. Although of course he should get due praise for that!

Andy, I think the way the world’s media, players and coches have been drooling over Messi – he’ll win the world player award at a canter. I totally get your point though. Big performances in the big games gets recognition and a long run to the CL final does lend it itself to winning those individual honours. But last season he came 2nd and Barca did fuck all. This season it seems a formality.

I hope Reina does go on to be a true great for us. I thought Dudek was on his way to being an absolute legend with us but for some reason he kind of fell apart in the 2003-04 season and didn’t impress Rafa much in 2004-05.

Attacking wise I would say you are right Mr LB. Kuyt has proven to be invaluable and Riera I think will be the same. Not world class but will make a very important contribution. Babel does have the talent to be world class and he is the one who frustrates me because I don’t know whether he himself realises it. Kuyt gets everything he has talent wise out of himself but Babel is probably only getting 65%-75% out of his talent.

Liverpool medical staff were concerned when Fernando Torres arrived for training 14 stone overweight! It was later discovered that he still had Nemanja Vidic in his pocket!

michaelthomasmademecry: Excellent and I liked your other one about the leg going to the doctorabout the singing everytime she opened her legs.

I heard probably on here that Dossena had joined the magic circle, he made 70,000 mancs disapear.

God, we don’t half like to get carried away with ourselves, don’t we?

Stevie G is a great player, but he’s not Lionel Messi.

Pepe is a great keeper and he’ll only get better, but right now he’s 3rd at best, behind Iker Casillas, who has to be #1 in the world in anyone’s books if they are being honest, and then Peter Cech.

I know, I’m a grumpy old fucker but I really couldn’t give a toss about individual awards for players or what I see as a very silly tag… World class.

What I would think of as a fair yardstick is – if you look at any player in any team, and think he would walk into any other top team, then you’ve got some player.

And using that criteria on Reina, ask yourself this… name a goalkeeper you would prefer?

Okay. Cassilas keeps him out of the Spain side so I suppose he’s the obvious one, but I wouldn’t take him over Pepe. In fact, I can’t think of any other goalie I would take over him.

First off… I think the flapping at crosses is another LFC myth. I just don’t see it. And as for not throwing his weight around in the area, fuck me, there’s times I honestly fear for our own defenders – the way Pepe comes charging at crosses and punches them out with a haymaker George Foreman would have been proud of in his hay day.

He used to get critiscised for that – punching instead of catching. But then it came out that Rafa had ordered him to punch the ball clear instead of catching it. The idea behind that being – get the attack moving immeadiately.

Same with his kicking. As someone mentioned earlier look at his ball to Riera and Dosenna the week before. He does this week in week out. And he doesn’t just twat it up field hoping to get lucky. He picks out his man and releases him with quite amazing speed and precission. It’s a huge weapon to have in our arsenal.

The stupid fucking media go all wobbly kneed over Rory Delap’s throw in and then criticise us for route one football because of Pepe’s kicking. Bloody idiots. But I’m just glad they don’t catch on and I hope they keep knocking us, as, in my opinion, it only helps us.

Pepe is a very useful out-field player. Look at way he sometimes goes round players in our box. It’s a bit frightening at times, and he’s bound to get caught out one day. But he’s got a great touch and a great passing range. He’s also won the Golden gloves for the last 3 seasons. Not bad for a lad of his age.

And the longer he doesn’t get praised for any of that, the happier I am. But then, even if they all catch on, they still have to stop it and I don’t think many will be able.

Also, his agility and shot stopping are second to none. And on top of all that, he’s a right character. (Have a look at youtubes of him after Spains Euro win) From all I know, he’s a real funny fucker, who all the lads love. and he’s brialliant in pulling all the lads together on the field, in the dressing room and on there night’s off. I know he’s great at keeping the English lad’s out of harm’s way and instead of going to nightclubs they spend nights round at Pepe’s eating Spanish food and playing daft parlour games.

So, no. There’s just no other goalie I’d take before him. And that to me says, World Class.

Sorry to go on lads, but here’s something for you to consider…
David James.
Brad Friedel.
Sander Westerveld
Jerzy Dudek
Scott Carson
Chris Kirkland

All good if not great goalkeepers. All came to us with great reputations and CV’s. All turned shite under us. Some never really recovered but others went on to regain form and even get better after leaving LFC. Why’s that?

I remember mentioning this in here a few season’s ago. And the only answer I could come up with then and still the only one I have now… Joe Corrigan.
Our goalkeeping coach of the time. I swear that Man Citeh bastard was sent to us as a fifth columnist to destroy not only our goalies but our whole defence.

Well, we now have a fella called Xavi Valero as our goalkeeping coach. Another lad Rafa brought over from Spain. I must admit, I don’t know that much about the fella. But, judging from how Pepe’s playing, he’s got to be doing something right. And I think the only problem we will have in that position for many years to come will be finding a decent back up keeper who will be willing to sit most of his career on the bench.

In fact, what a strange position is that – back up keeper? Knowing you are good enough to play for many other teams but being willing to sit on your arse for a huge chunk of your career. Weird.

FS, a back up keeper is like a fireman – always on standby just in case anything bad happens.

And lol at your theory of Joe Corrigan being sent to destabalize our goalies. Though I agree that Valero has indeed upped the quality in the GK department.

I think the first time anyone really noticed Valero was during the Arsenal game back in Christmas, when all the cameras were filming Valero talking on his mobile while relaying instructions from Rafa from his hospital bed.

As I said Kinny mate, I don’t know that much about the fella. But he’s got to be doing something right. In fact, that’s one of the things I’m most happy about – our coaching staff.
I remember being a bit sick when Pako left and we had that run of bad results. But it all seems to be falling into place now.

To be honest, I was a bit sick when all the academy stuff kicked off an all. Steve Heighway is one of my all time favourite players. That lad really could play. But you can’t let sentimentality get in the way, and you certainly can’t accuse Rafa of that. And, nevermind what we are seeing on the pitch, I think it’s all the work behind the scenes that will eventually put us back on our perch.

Very strong argument in Pepe’s defense FS. I agree with most of what you said, but I’m gonna nit-pick two statements you made.

“Also, his agility and shot stopping are second to none.”
Its a sweeping statement that! Hmmm, I agree he’s awesome, but 2nd to none?
If that was true he’d be pushing Casillas for the Spain gig. And again, you cannot discount Peter Cech’s contribution to Chelsea’s position this season. They’ve be duking it out for 4th/5th with Villa if not for him!

I agree, as you said FS, I’m not saying I would automatically take either of them over Pepe… as you said, he brings a LOT, an AWEFUL LOT to the party, outside of what he does between the sticks for 90 minutes.

Pepe is our keeper and long may he continue to be, but let’s go easy on the “2nd to none” rhetoric.

The second point was including Brad Freidel in the list of keepers who “went to shit.” I think that’s a bit harsh. Surely you remember the defenders he had in front of him? I think of the list of former keepers, Brad Freidel was the best. (don’t get me wrong, he was a good keeper, but how Casey Kellar kept Freidel out of the #1 slot for the USA is a mystery!)

But isn’t it nice to be discussing the merits of our players’ strengths for a change instead of their weaknesses!!

FS, fully agree with your comments on Reina. FFS without him we would not even be in the CL this year.

However, I would also like to add that Reina plays really as our sweeper as well ala Grobs. So he has to make split-second decisions which sometimes do not pay-off e.g. penalty for manure a few weeks ago, which was ironically probably his worst game this season!

Anyway, like you I would not swap him for anyone and I like the way he keeps a low-profile. Long may it continue.

In re: the backroom/coaching staff.

Its something many don’t readily think of but its important to remember that when Rafa took over, one of the first things he did was have a conversation with Phil Thompson, where he told him it would be best to let him go and start with a clean slate.
Thompson, though he would have desperately liked to stay, told Rafa that he understood and advised him to offer the Asst Manager job to Sammi Lee.
Unfortunately Sammi was offered the top slot at Bolton and decided to give it a go instead of remaining as the #2 at Anfield.

One has to wonder if we’d have been furthur along had he stayed??

Maintaining the “boot room” philosophy is all well and good in theory, but it was a philosophy for a different time and it simply has to be modernized if it going to apply to today’s world of big money tv deals and multi-millionaire 20 year olds.
When Shanks said “its my way or the highway” players knuckled down, or they ended up playing in the 2nd division.
When Rafa says the same thing, players hop ont heir mobiles and get heir agent to wrangle a multi-million pound transfer to a Premier League… somewhere sunny!

I think people need to try to have a better understanding of that, when they demand instant success.

Aitch, this is why rafa is always spouting on about the right mentality and IMO does not always go for the certain players, Quaresmo being an example.

If the players didn’t want to play for him, we would be fucked ala Scolari. There will always be a few exceptions to the rule but how many ex-players have bad-mouthed rafa after leaving?

Maybe leaving myself out to dry here but I remember one – our very own black jack boy JP.

Where can one check of the current pack chasing the golden gloves? It would be sensational if Reina beat VanDer Sar this term. Especially after all the noise being made about something that usually goes unnoticed.

LurganKop, did you get that email mate?

Aitch just for instance, watch the save from Carew’s point blank header on Saturday and then name me a more agile keeper. I meant every word I said about Pepe. And I can’t think of anyone who is better at dealing with sudden snap shots than him.
As for Friedel, are you kidding? Do you honestly think the lad we have seen over the last few season’s was the same player who left Anfield? Mate there’s loads of old videos knocking round the net to prove my point.

As for Cech, he’s not the same player either. I don’t really know if it’s down to the knock on the head, but there’s no way he’s as good as the title winning goalie he was. And absolutely no way I would swap Pepe for him.

Just as a little aside, I was standing behind Pepe last season outside Anfield. I kid you not he is massive. He mightn’t look it on the pitch or on the telly. But get up close to him and he’s huge. He must have to turn sideways getting through doors. His back is wider than my couch.

Ah there it is:
Team P Clean Sheets
1 Man Utd 29 19
2 Chelsea 30 18
3 Liverpool 30 15
4 Everton 30 12

Just back for work Aiyic. Will have a look at it now. Cheers.

PS… Rafa has been mates with Sammy Lee for ages. I don’t know how that happened. But apparently they’ve been mates since Rafa arrived and they’ve always got along like a house on fire. Strange but true.

FS, again, I’m not arguing your point.
Pepe is THE MAN! I think he’s the best keeper we’ve seen at Anfield in a long, long, long, long time!

But just using your same argument, take a look at the Real game again. Casillas kept that scoreline respectable and it was through some outstanding saves.
I AM NOT saying I’d want Casillas over Pepe… just saying we need to be careful about using phrases like “he’s 2nd to none” and “he’s world class” and “he’s better than Messi and Kaka put together”… surely you get my point?

And is Freidel a better keeper now? Of course he is… But he wasn’t all that bad in his time at Liverpool (he’s no Pepe though, by any stretch of the imagination!)

And Lurg… that was sort of my piont… this is exactly what we need to keep in mind when we start “waxing lyrical” about who we should buy in the summer!
Its not Fantasy Football. Whoever Rafa brings in MUST fit into the set-up…. be an addition that will not upset the balance. (ala Berbatov, or Ballack)

Statements like “who do we bring in to replace Kuyt” is (and I’m sorry for the conotation of the word, but…) just Ignorant.
Kuyt might not dance past defenders like Winker and might not score as many as Torres, but his contribution over any given 90 minutes is indisputable.
Maybe he’s a cog in a system, and not a flashy headline grabber, but you know what…. we need cogs like him and JC and Skrtel and Masch… they provide the basis for lads like Torres and SG and Babel/Riera getting the opportunity to express themselves.

Aitch you don’t need to shout in capitals I have got me glasses on, you know the ones like the bottom of coke bottles. So, yes I do get your point. I got it first time round. I just reiterated mine cos I think you misinterprated it, and still are. So, I’ll say it again as it looks like it’s not sinking in….

I meant every word I said about Pepe. Here you go I THINK HE’S SECOND TO NONE. Believe it or not, I know Cassilas keeps him out of the Spain side. I know he stopped Real being beat by a cricket score. I know he’s a damn good shot stopper. but I don’t think he’s any better than Pepe at it. Translation… Second to none. Pepe’s no worse or better than him in the agility and shot sopping stakes. And in fact, I think he’s better than him in lots of ways, as I mentioned in me first post.

So why I should be “careful” about saying Second to none, is beyond me… especially when I mean it.

But if you reckon me using that as a yard stick to call him “World Class” means we can get Kaka and Messi in a straight swap, quick, bite their hand off!

As for Friedel read what I said in the first post. All the goalkeepers I named went down hill after arriving at Anfield. That includes Friedel who was one of the ones who I said recovered after leaving.

Sick of explaining meself 5 times over in here. I say what I mean first time round. Disagree by all means, but at least disagree with what I’m actually saying.

Interesting debate today lads.Just in from work so here`s my two cents.

Regarding the individual awards i think Messi will get world player of the year.He`s been on a different planet this season.Also if Argentina enter the confederations cup and he plays well then it will help his cause.I know its only a mickey mouse tournament as a pre-run for the world cup but it`s still a FIFA sanctioned competition so therefore any performances there will be taken into consideration.

Regarding the ballon D`or.I think Gerrard has a good opportunity to win this one.Again it will all depend on the champions league.If we qualify to the semi`s then it will be built up by the media as “GERRARD V MESSI”.
If we prevail,then the gongs gerrards if not its messi`s.

Having said that i do think messi is the outstanding player in the world today.

I would like to add that i feel individual honours have no real importance in the grand scheme of things but it is interesting to talk about.

Re:Goalkeepers.

PEPE PEPE PEPE he is the man.Wouldn`t change him for anybody.

Outside his super shotstopping ability and decision making etc to prevent goals,his distribution of the ball is the best around.

Alright Gerry.New blog man .Sound

To answer somebodys question earlier,the Ballon D`or is awarded by the french newspaper L`Equipe.

I`m just watching the 1984 milk cup final on LFC tv.Its 25 years today it was played.The first all-merseyside cup final.

There`s some great footage beforehand of the supporters red and blue travelling down on the coaches together and looking for tickets outside wembley.Good times i`d say.

Fatty,were you at that game?

Yeah mate. It was sound. Not so much the game. that ended up 0 – 0. We won the replay at Maine Rd. I was at that an all. 1 – 0. Souness got the winner. That was right in my hey day of going, never missed a match in them days. Hardly ever had a ticket, bunked in everywhere and bunked planes trains and automobiles to get there. We was a bit naughty back then.

My mate, a Bluenose, had a flat in Covent Garden. He said he’d put us up. Only 2 of us went down there the day before. Went out for a drink. Woke up the next morning must have been 50 bodies in there – red, blue and all stinking drunk. All went in some boozer together, had a sing song, made our way to the game together. Good old days. That’s why you never see me slagging Everton. I’m from a different generation and I find it sad how the kids carry on.

Watch out for the bird who show’s her arse to the Royal Box. Don’t know if it will be on the one you are watching. It’s funny as fuck. She climbs up on the railings, hoists her skirt got knickers on half red, hald blue, like 2 pairs sowed together, pulls the down, wags her arse at the box. I think it was the Queen Mum in the box that day. Good times.

Christ FS, you don’t half take umbridge quick these days! Spending time in the wilderness is suposed to relax you and center a person innit?

I got your point… and I wasn’t trying to change your opinion… or necessarily disagree with what you said… for the most part I fuckin agree with it.

You insist that people keep themselves open for debate then state that you can pretty much say what you want because “you mean it” seems a double standard to me.

Look I’m not trying to pick a nark or anything… I think you and I are of like mind on most topics that have been posted in here since I first arrived at Kopblog…. All I’m saying is that in the same way you launch tirades at others for making sweeping statements, maybe you should be a bit careful about making them yourself.

That’s not pointedly directed at you… but to all of us, me included.

To me, 2nd to none, means that he is head and shoulders above every other keeper, and I love the man, I rate him very highly, right now I wouldn’t want anyone else keeping goal for Liverpool… but head and shoulders above anyone else???

Hmmm… okay Van Der Sar…. no fuckin comparison… head and shoulders above him…
But you are the one who compared Pepe to Casillas, and in all objective honesty… party politic/allegiance aside… which one is better is arguable!

Last season if I’d had me choice (fantasy football, which I usually try to avoid but for the sake of argument…) I’d have gone for Casillas… but this season (to support your pooint FS) Pepe is the absolute BIZ!

(caps used for emphasis of MY point and not to shout down anyone elses)

2nd to none… none better. not worse than anyone else. As good as anyone else – how many ways do I have to say it?

Or copied and posted from me original post on the subject….
I know, I’m a grumpy old fucker but I really couldn’t give a toss about individual awards for players or what I see as a very silly tag… World class.

What I would think of as a fair yardstick is – if you look at any player in any team, and think he would walk into any other top team, then you’ve got some player.

And using that criteria on Reina, ask yourself this… name a goalkeeper you would prefer?

Okay. Cassilas keeps him out of the Spain side so I suppose he’s the obvious one, but I wouldn’t take him over Pepe. In fact, I can’t think of any other goalie I would take over him.

So, no. There’s just no other goalie I’d take before him. And that to me says, World Class.

So, I don’t even see what that was all about meself. As I said, I said exactly what I meant in me first few paragraphs on the subject. I then went on to give me reasons why. But if you want a fight with a grumpy aul man feel free. I could do with a laugh, I’m fed up anyway.

…er… “2nd to none… none better. not worse than anyone else. As good as anyone else”

Is it just me or is that 3 definitions? All of which mean something different.

none better: arguable as already stated. I’d take Pepe over Casillas, but is he better than him across the board? Clearly better? Hmmm? Arguable as some would say yes some no.

not worse than anyone else: Well Pepe is not worse than Van Der Sar… that’s for damn sure… but not worse than, doesn’t mean he’s better, which he clearly is, head and shoulders, by a country mile better!

As good as anyone else: Again is Pepe as good as Freidel? YES. Is he better… well, duh!

Its semantics I know… but I’m as bored as you, mate. If I wasn’t on here, I’d have to be working… and we wouldn;t want that, when there’s LFC to gab about.

oh… And I never even said anything about “world class” where’d you get that from?
grumpy old man, is right mate.

Crikey… 2 more posts and we’ve hit the 400 mark!

Couldn’t help myself!

There is a new blog!