It is the strangest build up to a new season that I can ever remember.

Most fans expected some more signings but would still have been quite confident but that changed a bit with Xabi going and the injuries to our CB’s. Plus Manure losing the ladyboy, no major signings at our rivals.

I am reasonably confident that we can pick up from where we left off last summer. Manure will not be as strong as last year but given the general poor standard of the PL, it will still be a 3 horse race with Chelski.

Would not rule out Rafa landing a decent signing before month end. My feeling all along has been Silva and I still feel the same way.

Gerry, I’m getting a message saying that isn’t a valid code.
Anyone else having the same problem?

Right Gerry, you’re on. I’ve never played this fantasy football melarkey before, so I’m pulling a Mr Fegurson and getting in my excuses early.

As for our coming season, I think we can all agree preperations have been far from ideal.

As you say, even if we get in another centre half we’ve only really stood still from last season. And people wouldn’t be wrong if they actually believed we’ve been weakened in some ways.

So hopefully that feeling in that manly ripped gut of yours is true and we will dip back into the market again. I’m one the other side of the fence, and, even though all logic tells me we most probably will be making at least on more signing, I also won’t be surprised if no one comes in.

Like I said, far from ideal preperation. But no time to bottle it now. We have to go with it and get on with it whatever it may be.

Sorry to be stating the bleeding obvious, but I can’t really think of anything else to say. As for the other teams, I wouldn’t discount Arsenal or City. Arsenal have some very good players that will be make from injury and some of the kids are a year nearer to making a real difference. So, if they get in a couple of that are obviously missing I think they could have a small chance of winning the league but, much more likely, have a big say in who is going to win it. If they don’t get in the players they still need, I think they will suffer quite badly during the long cold winter when the games come thick and fast, and pitches really take their toll.

As for City, who knows? But I can see it going one of two ways… City really making an impact or it exploding very spectacularily. I think the second option is still favourite though.

As for the others I can’t see any of them being strong enough to break into the top four and while they’ll battle it out for Europe and the lesser cups I can also see one of them imploding. then it’s just a toss up of who you’d like to see suffer. I can’t even make me mind up on that Moyes, Redknapp or MON? But I won’t lose much sleep whatever one it is or indeed if it’s all 3. I just hope none of them do their usual…. fight us like fuck for every single ball and roll to have their belly’s tickled by the tramp.

Pete, that’s the right code alright. In fact I see that three teams have signed up since I posted the blog but I don’t recognise any of their names.
One of the guys in the company I used to work for started a private league on the Premier League site last year and I was invited to join. I just checked my profile from last season and while I don’t want to frighten any of you people off I think it only fair to warn you that out of the 1 million teams that took part last season, I finished in a hugely impressive 365,060th place. I bet your all quaking in your boots!

Gerry you never know, the way things are going, you might even get called up. As for me, I can’t register. It keeps telling me me user name and email is in use, probably from the other league I joined. Would it be good to combine the two?

If we can’t I’ll give it another go as I can imagine it being a bit of a laugh this season even though I haven’t got a scobby doo what I’m supposed to be doing.

FS, lads, I don’t think that you need to register again, you need only to sign-up to the new mini-league i.e. you have one team that can play in the main competition and as many mini-leagues as ye want.

The code provided by Gerry should be the Kopblog fantasy football mini-league, I think.

My opinion.

Citeh must start well, or Hughes will lose his job. There’s massive expectation when you lash that kind of money. They’ve bought strong, but I suspect it will be a season before they all gel… but as I said, they’ll need to be competing or it’ll get wacky over there.

Arsenal’s main weakness is in their defense. On their day they can beat anyone, but a solid signing to shore up the defense is where their title hopes rest.

Scum won games last seaosn they had no business winning. Sure, okay, the mark of champs and all that, but it was Winker and Ork that won those games or turned the tide in their favor. So I honestly suspect they might be fighting for 3rd this season.

The Chavs are as strong as they’ve been for the last few years and it really is their backstage shit that has messed them up. Here’s to hoping the player cliques foil Ancellotti in the same way they fucked their last 3 managers!

Which leaves us. I don’t think we NEED another signing. Sure losing Alonso weakend us, but not as drastically as some would like to believe. We’ll play a different set-up and that will help to compensate in some way for his loss.

I guess I have a bit more confidence that the fringies and kids will make the step up and provide more than some of you think. The only concern I see is at right back with this Degen lad. He really is the most hapless player I’ve seen in a red shirt! (and that includes lads like Sean Dundee, Salid Diao and Djimi Traore!)

The injuries are a concern, but players are never out for as long as first suggested, so I reckon we’ll be okay.
I’m pretty damn confident if we can get the early 3 or 4 results to roll into the first Chav/Scum games we can beat them and that will provide the impetus for us.

Sorry guys, I didn’t realise Donal had set one up on the same site, fair play to you Donal. I had to scroll back through loads of comments to get the sign-up details. So as this one is already well and truly set up I’m going to scrap my one and change the blog to include the details to the league Donal set up instead. So if you’ve already signed up to that one don’t do anything and just stay as you are, sorry if I caused any confusion. Anyway the bad news for you all is that I’ve just moved my magnificent team The Benny Onions into that league, so your all fucked anyway!

Right I changed the details in the blog, I hope I haven’t screwed anybody up.

Well, that’s already well and truly fucked the Onion’s Gerry lad, you now have to beat me twice as many times as I’ve ended up with 2 teams and I’ve no idea how to pull one out.

Wait FS, really… you’ve “no idea how to pull one out” … at your age?

sadly Aitch, I’ve forgotten

Sincerely hope the funds we have available will not be splashed on a CB. I fancy our chances but agree that we could do with a decent signing up front.

Roll on the kopblog league! Should be good fun, although I had to throw in quite a few fringers to stretch my funds. Who dishes out the transfer budget on that thing – Bill Hicks?

Hey Gerry,

Great blog as always, was a bit worried about the season ahead (but then again I always am) but I’m definitely more optimistic now, just can’t wait for it to start!
Watch out for the TicTacs FC, if all else fails I can blind the opposition with my ultra illuminous kit!! Bring it on!

Slan go foil. YNWA

Just want to share what Football Focus (Asian edition) had to say last nite:

* 2 out of 4 pundits didn’t have us in their top4.

* All of them agreed that we are significantly weaker than last season.

* Aquilani is a flair player who will struggle to adapt.

* We still rely too heavily on Torres & Stevie G to win games. They won’t stay fit long enough to win us title.

Whilst its just their opinion, many of ye have said before, our first XI is a match fer anybody but over 9 months its strength in depth is what counts.

Do we really have what it takes?

Ace blog as usual Gerry.

Kiora Gerry
I know its been a while, but since my last comment in maybe Jan 09 I’ve moved to from Australia to Qatar (Middle East). Trying to source us some new Arab Owners.

How nice is it not having to get up at 3-4 in the morning to watch the boys play. I now have to just leave work early!
Pre season form has concerned my slightly and I’m sure others will just say its fitness and combination’s and match time that counts, but lets not forget who we’ve been up against. As the saying goes you can only beat the team thats put in front of you and in that respect the opposition hasn’t exactly been teams you’d expect to compete in the CL. Maybe its just pre season nerves! but would have been nice to see some more potency in attack, and stability in defense.

Anyway negativity aside bro, I’m as pumped as Christineo Ronaldo’s ego to get this season of and running. Just thought I’d poke my head in and say “How’s It!”

Bring On Spurs

Kiwi

Great blog Gerry as always.

Yes, you’re right about these injuries we are having. Unfortunately, most of our players who are the finest in the club are unfit at the moment.

I still think that we could play a good side in the upcoming match against Spurs though. The main problem is the defense. Carra would be half fit. Skrtel and Agger are out with injuries.

No other option but to play an unfit Carra and an inexperienced Kelly. Would they be able to stop the likes of Crouch or Defoe or Keane, Pavlyuchenko? Tough one that I guess.

As far as a need of a striker is concerned, I believe that we should buy another striker to play when Torres is unavailable. But I still think that Rafa could play Kuyt with Voronin in the front and Benayoun on the right. It’s not necessary for him to play just one formation in each and every match. He could play a 4-4-2 formation with Benayoun, Gerrard, Masch and Riera in the midfield and Kuyt and Voronin in the front. This would fill Torres’ position in the team.

Yes, Rafa could also buy another striker, but even if hes unsuccessful in buying one, he could play something like this for sure.

Among the other teams in the PL, I think the top four would fight for the title. I am not sure about Arse, but the top three would fire up the League this season.

Manure are still strong even though, the Ladyboy has left them. The main advantage of this team is that they have a very strong squad. Now, they aren’t relying on individuals like Ronaldo. They have that depth that is needed for a team to play all the competitions in the season. This is where we falter. Yes, we have a very strong starting 11, but when it comes to CL matches or FA Cup matches, we lose a lot of points. This is because we have to keep playing all of our starting 11 for most of the matches.

When Manure have to play a very important CL match they play their second string in the league. Even this second string wins them their league tie and their starting 11 wins them that CL match. We keep playing our important players in all the FA Cup ties, CL matches, PL matches. When they need rest, we are unable to play them and we lose those crucial matches and points.

Even Arse keep making the same mistake every season.
This is why Chelsea and Manure are able to win silverware every season. And this is why, we should target only a specific competition at every start of the season.

Puchong,

Frankly, I don’t rate any one of those pundits. They have done nothing in their whole careers. Imagine one of them, called Shebby Singh, claimed that if he would have been the Liverpool manager, he would have played Steven Gerrard as a right back. These guys are nuts.

Except Steve McMahon, who is pro-Liverpool, every other pundit is useless. One of them has played rugby in his whole career and he’s sitting in the panel there talking about football. I don’t rate any one of them.

puchong, those pundits sound like the pundits in England – complete dicks. Liverpool won’t make the top four? I’ll eat fat scouser’s underpants after a hard days graft if we don’t make it. I’m safe on that one FS doesn’t do hard days graft.

I’m confident about the season ahead. I think the squad is quite strong actually not just the first 11.

On the left we have Aurelio/Dossena/Insua/Babel/Riera/Benny Onion can do a job there.
On the right we have Benny Onion/Dirk Kuyt/Don Johnson/Stevie G if need be/Babel. Our players are versatile. Darby isn’t bad cover, he’s solid and wouldn’t let anyone down. Up front, Deadly Dirk/El Nino of course, Ngog, Nemeth/Pacheco. In the middle Gerrard, monster, aqua scutum, lucas.
At the back: Agger, Carra, Ninja, Kelly a few others.
Rafa has bought players who are able to play effectively in a variety of positions. It would be great if we could add of course it would but I won’t panic if we don’t.

Arse will not be strong enough. The winter will see them off, like it will for man city. Aston Villa will do the same as last season. Everton will do ok if they keep their players, but they have a small squad so i can see them struggling if they get any injuries.

Liverpool: NO.19 comes home
manure: only because teams roll over and die
chavs: ageing squad but still strong.
Arse: the best of the rest
Everton: tight nit together squad
Man city: hughes has bought some good players
Spurs: Arry knows how to gel a team
Aston Villa: rest of prem are poor
West Ham: Zola has them playing some good football

The rest? who cares.

KDLL – Was just wondering aloud whether our squad is big & good enough fer a long hard slog.

KK – Yes, am not saying we give their opinions any weightage. Just thought me share their opinions here, that’s all.

Still think we need a right winger to take people on. And of course a decent CB with bags of experience fer no money (Sol doesn’t sound like a bad idea).

puchong I think Sol would jump at the chance and so would I if he was available. Just read that and it sounds dodgy so I’ll be more specific. If the chance arose to bring Sol to Liverpool to play in the centre back position I would be in favour of that. Right side is alright in my opinion but a Silva type player – someone who can play across the line would be good.

Like I have already said in my comments on the last blog, I am still saying that instead of wasting money only on CBs, we should go for a striker or an attacking player like Silva or Mata.

Many good CBs are already available for a low fee like Distin or Sol Campbell who will bring in bags of experience and quality. Plus they will also give us that depth we need at the back.

12m is way too much for any CB unless and until he’s a real quality for his club and country. Turner is not that kind of a player with that kind of quality.

KK that’s why Rafa is looking elswhere. I think Rafa has a clear of who and what he wants.

Alright lads, Sportinglife football. There’s one of the only papers I really take much notice to and that’s only because it’s actually a horse racing form paper, and so it’s only real interest in football is betting and the odds.

So it’s not just full shite, hype and opinion. And sorry to break this… but they reckon Rafa hasn’t got a cent to his name.

On top of that, in the last interview I seen, he has also said that if he’s going to buy anyone else that he’ll have to approach the owners as he hasn’t got any money at his immediate disposal. And reading it, it looked like he was up to one of his old tricks… letting the fans know what was happening as he has brought in more than he has spent and will still have to get the begging bowl out if he’s going to buy again.

Reading between the lines he was also saying we will have to relie on the squad players more this season. He especially bigged up Lucas and Babel, so make of that what you will. I know what I read into it.

That’s not to spread panic. It’s just what I saw. I’ll put in links later and you can make your own mind up. I’ve said my piece, and I stick by it… as long as major players don’t pick up really bad injuries that keep them out for long periods, we will be alright.

KDLL: your in luck, I don’t wear skiddies either.

FS: I suspected as much when I offered that forfeit, i’m crafty I am.

i agree about the money situation, I don’t think Rafa has a bean. That’s why it made me smile when Digger is going on about Rafa effing better not blow his transfer budget on another centre back err what transfer budget?

This is not the interview I read, but it gives the gyst…
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/liverpool/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/08/10/manual_090244.html&TEAMHD=liverpool&DIV=prem&TEAM=LIVERPOOL&RH=Liverpool&PREV_SEASON=

My history doesn’t show up on the computer so it’s hard to go and find what I was reading earlier. The other story said quite a bit more, but all it will lead to is other fans, managers and the media lying about Rafa’s funds again and calling him a whinger.

So, I think he’d be better advised to keep schtum, but like I said, I think he’s just doing his old trick of letting us know what is going on behind the scenes.

I can’t be arsed opening up the whole H&G thing again, because there’s nothing we can do now and it just leads to more frustration. So, all I’ll say is, the sooner they fuck off the better.

Oh and quick note to Puchong Red, bit of a conincidence… I was talking to a mate of mine this morning and he reckons Liverpool did look at signing the lad Honda that you was talking about. But he said he wouldn’t be issued with a work permit in England, so it never really got past the inquiry stage.

Them two yank wanks do not deserve a manager like Rafa. He’s building a squad/team that is capable of winning the CL and the EPL, on a shoestring budget, compared with most of the other European and English top teams that are regarded as our main challengers, and paying off these fuckers debts as he goes.

As FS says, it will truly be the time to panic if he ever decides that he can’t be arsed anymore with their shenanigans.

basically rafa is doing an arsene wenger minus the making us crapper bit.

I’ve got to go get a bit done, but you’ve hit a really important point there Lurgan… paying off their debts.

As I said earlier, I don’t really want to open up that can of worms again. But that’s something we should all ask ourselves… no matter how much you loved your job, would you keep doing it under them circumstances and just for them results.

I know I would seriously despise working my knackers off, just to become some sort of debt relief agent for them pair of fat arsed greedy conmen.

The ironic thing is Fatty, is that the better the job that Rafa does, the more chance there is of our ‘patrons’ staying.

So here’s a question for you all. Would you be willing to get rid of the H&G if it meant that Rafa would be on his way as well?

Didn’t see posts #29 & #30 when writing post #31.

#29: Nail on head KDLL
#30: I would have been out of there at the first opportunity.

Have no fear Pearce is here!

Don’t worry folks, I’m sure Rafa’s got something up his sleeve.

Anyone think we should sign Sol Campbell, he’s available on a free?

Well Kenny I’m glad I brought a smile to your face but the fact remains Rafa approached Hull with an offer for Turner. So he’s got something to spend no? ‘Err what transfer budget?’ Err, that one. The one he tried to buy Turner with. So like I said, Rafa better not squander whatever budget we have remaining on a CB and instead use it to buy what he himself lamented that we needed at seasons end: a backup for Nando. Hope that clarifies what I said for ya Kenny, sorry if it wipes the smile from your face!

Digger did he have enough of a budget to buy Turner? err no! so smile still there!

na na na na na na! Digger do you seriously believe Rafa has a big enough transfer budget to buy a CB and a striker? Coffe, wake up and smell are the words that come to my mind.

He inquired about Turner. I walk into a shop I like a pair of trousers I ask how much they are I’m told they’re £150 I have £30 to spend I walk away. That’s what Rafa did. The trousers are a bit crap they’ll do for work but not at £150.

Why did Torres not pull out of tonight’s game?.

Digger, behave mate. There was no money discussed. Rafa even took the piss out of the notion by saying him and Phil Brown were only talking about the weather.

And like you said yourself, at the end of the season Rafa said exactly what he’d like to do, but how the fuck was he supposed to accomlish that when…
1: We lost major personel meaning we needed to buy replacements (Which we still haven’t done).
2: What happened to the money he was expecting to spend?
3: He recieved exactly what in transfer money?
4: The market went bonkers.
5: Pre-season injuries look like they are going to force his hand.

I’m not trying to whitewash everything, and make excuses for Rafa. We all know what I’ve just said is actual undeniable fact. And there was more to it. Like we all know there was plans to sell the likes of Vronin that fell through no fault of Rafa’s.

But here’s something that I can’t prove as it was only rumour I got from a mate, but I’ll say this: the lad does have very good inside knowledge at the club. I’ve known him since childhood. He’s never give me duff info before, and I have no reason to doubt him. But granted, he’s not in the inner circle that make up the few people that really do know what’s going on.

But some of the events that happened after he told me what he knew/thought also made it look like he was right. And I’ve told it in here before, but here it is anyway…

What I was told was the Rafa intended to buy the young winger from Galatasaray, Arda Turan and also the Turk Tuncay from Boro. They were going to be his final buys after Johnson and that, except for the few kids he always brings in, would be us for the season.

To fund this he intended to sell Vronin and Babel… yes Babel. Sadly, the German clubs that wanted Vronin couldn’t afford him and nobody else came in. And then Babel refused to leave. Now you may want to argue that with me, but the fact is Babel was sent to Turkey to agree terms with Gala and knocked them back. I was never to hopeful he would go to Turkey, doesn’t seem his type of gaff. But there’s lads on here that can back me up in the fact that he was there. And my hope was, with Rjkieard managing them he might have just convinced him to go. It might have even still worked out like that. But…

That was the same time as Real and Barca started making come to bed eyes with Xabi and Masch. Which understandably put everything on hold, but really threw a spanner in Rafa’s works.

I could go on, but we all know what has happened since. And like I’ve said a million times, you’re entitled to your opinion and it’s not my job to sway your thinking. But when I consider it all, rather than doubt Rafa, I have to applaud him for actually succeding in what he has done.

I don’t recall anyone complementing him for holding onto Masch. But we all know once a player once to go is there is very little any manager can do about it. And I use that only as an example to show that Rafa can be trusted to do what’s best for the club. And if he decides that means bringing in another CB and going with what we’ve got up front, well, I have no reason to doubt that that is what we need to do.

Of course I’d love to just go out and buy the likes of Ribery, Villa and Silva but we all know we can’t. And judging from what Rafa’s just said, it looks like he’ll have to get the begging bowl out just to bring in the likes of Campbell on a free.

So yeah mate, I know it’s dead frustrating. But there’s only 2 people who deserve the blame for all this. And you know what Lurgan… if it meant getting shut of the bastards, even I would willingly see Rafa go. That’s how much of a tumor I think they are upon the club.

3: wh

Oh and PS… apparently we came to a very amicable deal with Gala. Turan gets to stay there for at least another season, and we get first dibs on him.

You’ve more patience than me FS to explain it all in such detail.

Kenny you seem to be having trouble following my posts. Here, let me help you with a reminder of what I typed a mere 5 posts, or if you like, less than an hour ago; ‘…Rafa should not squander whatever budget we have remaining on a CB and instead use it to buy what he himself lamented that we needed at seasons end: a backup for Nando.’ What in that indicates that I seriously believe he has enough for both a CB and a striker? Perhaps some reading glasses with you’re coffee might help avoid these misnomers!

I agree with those sentiments about a strange pre-season. Everything seems funny this time, with our spending curtailed by debt, indifferent results for the first time since the Rafalution, losing a very key player (Alonso) and so on.

I agree that it’s time people gave Lucas a break. He wears that Red shirt proudly, gives it all for the course, never (like Kuyt) puts his head down regardless, and has a very strong character for having kept playing despite vicious criticism. He’ll be one of our breakout players this season.

We need options upfront but people forget it’s not really Rafa’s fault. His scouting process is painstakingly thorough but he always tries to recruit passionate lovers of all things Kop, not just mercenaries of the game. It’s why we have such class as Torres despite serious financial constraints.

[Revisiting our strange pre-season] For once we’re starting game one with lowered expectations. They’re high from our run last season, but somewhat diluted by our form before the PL season’s onset. It can work in our favor. We can use that to lower our expectations and just egg the team on – as we must do in good and bad times alike (The Liverpool Way). We can instead concentrate on giving off our best (and most positive) energy to the cause. Our fabulous squad must be encouraged and pushed on by our love and support. This cannot be overstated. We must learn to believe – Siempre es possible!

I too can’t wait for commencement of what my gut feels will be a fantastically surprising season this time round. Without predicting and calling it “our year”, I know that all things are possible and it can be done.

YNWA!

I don’t know why I bother though KDLL. It just gets ignored. The fact is, without even going through all that everyone on here knows for fact that Rafa was secretly looking at Silva and hoping to pull off a little coup, before the window was even open and our opponents had even given the next season a second thought.

And we all know what happened… Valencia leaked it to the press, probably in the hope of starting a bidding war.

But what happened… Rafa bollacked them publically, so as to let all other clubs know we wouldn’t be railroaded like that.

And while the dust was settling on that and nobody knew what was going on, he captured Johnson, covering our biggest hole in the team at a minimal cost to the club.

But before he got a chance to act again, Real and Barca threw a spanner in his works.

People know all that. It’s proven fact. I don’t even have to add anything to it.

But still some people chose to ignore all that, and just state their own demands. And some also complain that it’s Rafa’s fault, especially as he now has sole command over transfers and that he promised to act quickly.

And don’t go thinking you’re special Dig, it’s not just you. It must be the start of the season again. You could actually set your clock by this sort of thing in most fan sites. But I hate to think what it will get like in here after a few results don’t go exactly the way we want.

Nice post Fatty. Pity its completely irrelevant to what I’m saying: We shouldent be wasting our remaining budget on a fucken 4th choice CB. Seriously, you guys can read the words I’m typing right? Jesus christ….Anyway, like I say, nice post big fella.

Digger calm yer boots la’. I know exactly what you’re saying – you’d prefer any money we have left to go on a back up for Torres than cover at CB. Fair enough.

But simply what I’m saying is… if it wasn’t for the weird nature of this close season, I believe Rafa would have had it all covered. But what happened did. There’s no changing it now. So, I prefer to go with whatever Rafa believes we need to do.

And get ready to be really pissed off mate, cos from what I’m hearing, we might soon be looking at getting a CB as a bonus.

whatever digger as they’re so fond of saying in the states. Let me make it simple for you then. Does Rafa have a budget at all to buy a striker worth buying? lets get Silva! no lets get Villa or even better lets get real. whatever money Rafa has brought in has gone into the two american gentlemans pockets to service their debt. If he gets anything it will be minimal.

Digger, let’s pose your question this way. If you assume Rafa has 10-12 million to spend (I’ll call that the Michael Turner money), who would you buy as cover for Torres?

I’d splash 8-10 million to bring in Tuncay, but I don’t believe he can play up top alone should Nando go out injured for an extended period of time. It would allow us to move Kuyt into that central striker position without hurting us too much on the flanks.

In fact it’s probably easier to get a decent Centre back as cover in on the cheap than it is to get a decent Striker.

Whatever anyone says, I am with Digger on this one. I would never want Rafa to waste nearly half of the budget for just a 4th choice CB.

Yes, in the end only Rafa’s say matters, but if he signs Michael Turner or any other CB for a price of more than 10m, then I would say that Rafa’s the biggest fool in the transfer market.

Digger, I think Rafa has come to the conclusion that he very much needs a centre back. I reckon he thought this once Hyypia decided to leave but with Arbie leaving and the injuries/lack of fitness to Skrtel, Carra and Agger coupled with the fact the young centre halves have looked out of their depth in some of the pre season games – it has – in Rafa’s mind increased the need to bring in a 4th CB.

So he had a chat with Phil Orange regarding the availability of Michael Turner. That shows me he’s on the ball and trying to cover the area where we are most weak at the moment. Just because the press then shout about Turner costing £12m shouldn’t be a reason for us to shit ourselves about Rafa blowing the remaining money on a CB.

Yes at seasons end we all thought a striker/winger was the way forward. But we didn’t legislate for Arbie leaving and Aurellio, Carra, Agger and Skrtel all injured. I doubt Rafa legislated for that either. So if H&G say he has £5m or so to buy a decent experienced CB then I think it would be the right thing to do rather than buy a mediocre striker (which is realistic at that price). Especially if we could be playing against Spurs with San Jose and Martin Kelly at the back!

You’d have a point if Rafa went and spent £20m on Lescott.

Everyone knows I’m never shy to criticise Rafa but on this occasion he can’t be faulted at all. As FS said before last season even ended he sent the chief scout to Valencia to enquire about David Silva. He also got in there quick to land Glen Johnson. When he realised there was little chance of keeping Alonso he made sure he got as much money as he could and at the same time bring in the best possible replacement. We signed Aquilani 2 days after Alonso singed for Real. It’s not ideal that the lad is recovering from surgery but if Rafa feels he is the right man and that we can afford to be without him for a month of the season then I accept that. If he’s injured on and off all season or if he proves to be shite then that’s another argument.

The disgrace of this close season is the money (or lack of) available for transfers. I calculate that we’ve brought in £55m or so through player sales since January and we’ve spent about half that. Yet Rafa has to beg for cash for a fucking centre half. I reckon this business of H&G having to pay actual cash against the bank debt is the cause for this. But I doubt they told Rafa this when they had their chat at the end of last season.

If Man City sack Hughes during the season what managers do you reckon they will sniff around? If Rafa went to Eastlands I doubt he’d get a lamp shade if he asked for a table. If I were him I’d have f*cked off a long time ago. I have to give credit to his resilience but it looks like he is taking it out on the food. He’s put a shit load of weight on since 2004-05.

What about Sylvain Distin? Would you all buy him in 10m or 12m? Of course not. We don’t need a young lad to fill up Hypia’s boots. We already have Kelly. We need another experienced CB. I believe Distin and Campbell are the best choice.

I’ll be honest with you, I don’t have a clue what kind of impact Citeh will have on the league this year. They have the benefit (?) of not playing in Europe, so they will be able to gear up the squad for the 38 league games as well as a couple of cup runs.

There’s a lot of really good players in that squad right now: Robinho, Tevez, Adebayor, Barry, Ireland, Shay Given, SWP, Toure, de Jong, and Kompany.

That being said, many pundits are predicting them to slip into the top 4 this season and possibly pip Arsenal for that last CL spot. Arsenal, who most of us agree we’re pretty poor last season, still finished 22 points ahead of Citeh last season.

The only thing I know for sure is that Mark Hughes will be under immense pressure if he gets a string of poor results. There’s been too much money spent there for them not to be at least in the Europa League positions.

I do know we struggled like hell in the two matches we had with them last season. The win at Eastlands was one that took your breath away, down 2-0 at the half, and wrapping up with Dirk’s winner in added time, and we dropped two points at Anfield against them in the spring.

Apprently, Martin Škrtel came through a practice game this morning and will most likely be ready for Spurs. Now, let’s just hope Carra will be fit for fight as well.

http://www.liverpoolway.co.uk/forum/news/82246-skrtel-comes-through-practice-game.html#post1849006

LB: second time in my kop blog history I agree with you.

KK: Rafa would be the biggest fool in the transfer market if he bought Turner for over 10 million? err are you following anything? Rafa enquired he was told the price and that was the end of it. But you’re a bit cocky. Rafa actually is far better than Wenger in the transfer market who is regarded as a genius when it comes to buying and selling. The difference is Rafa is making us better while wenger is just paying the bills.

I wouldn’t fancy 2 young lads in the centre back position against Spurs this sunday.

As I already mentioned in my earlier comments, Spurs are a very good side. They have a brilliant attack. Now, even if Carra’s fit, I wouldn’t want to play him in this game. That would be sheer gamble. We can’t lose our best CB to any further injuries. Yes, if Skrtel is fit, I would fancy playing him with a new CB(IF) Rafa signs in the next two days. If not then Kelly is the best choice.

Diaper No 10 want type of striker will we get for 5 mill (assuming that is what Rafa has with his offer to Hull for Turner). Will it be an improvement on Ngog, Nemeth, Vorinon, Kuyt, Babel, Pacheo. You cannot get blood out of a stone and if we have not got 10 to 20 mill will a back up striker that is cheaper be of any use?

Hey lads, on my journey around the world at the moment, just popped in to say a few cents.

I think this season will pretty much be determined by which of the top teams was weakened the least over the off season. I don’t expect any of last year’s top 3, or even top 4, to be stronger this season than last season.

I think Man U will see Rooney step up and score a lot of goals, Berba to be a bit better, and Owen to chip in with some sneaky goals. All in all, it won’t quite make up for their loss of Ronaldo and Tevez, because both scored a lot of match-winning goals. Owen and Berba are more likely to score icing-on-the-cake goals, leaving the match winners to Rooney. So I seem them finishing on a lower points total.

Us, well I’m afraid the loss of Alonso makes us a weaker team. Perhaps in 6-12 months we will be all shouting Aquilani’s name, but since he is injured and unproven, and let’s face it thereby pretty unlikely to immediately settle into English football, we are a bit weaker in the middle this season. GJ is a good addition at RB but then our depth there is still poor if he gets injured. With no real backup for Torres, we are hoping he stays fit. I see us finishing on a similar or lower points total I’m afraid. Not meaning to be a pessimist but that’s how I feel. However, as I said initially, the question is how many points will the other top 3 or 4 drop…

Chelsea appear to be the team least-weakened over the off season. I see them as the biggest danger. Their side is pretty settled and the question is only how they will function under Ancelotti, and how effective his management will be in the prem. But you’d have to give them every chance. I don’t buy into the “ageing squad” stuff too much, it’s not like they are all in their late 30s.

It’s hard to see us playing real quality football in the first few months of the season. I’m just hoping like hell that we pull off a few more Great Escapes in the dodgy games, like we did last season, while we try and find our form with Lucas running the show instead of Alonso, and while we wait for our CBs to be fully fit. I don’t think we’ll see any significant input from Aquilani until something like November; let’s just hope our points tally is still healthy at that time, and that he is able to settle in well enough to make a quality contribution before the year is out. It will be tough for him though, with no pre-season and a new league to adjust to. I think we’re more likely to see the real Aquilani in 2010.

I wasn’t too impressed to discover that we were handed a Sunday game for our opener, simply because it was one more day to wait. That was until I discovered that these poxy internationals were taking place tomight, with everything that goes with them. Now I am happy that the lads have 24 hours more to prepare for our first match. Quite a few of our players will be involved tonight and Masch has to flyback from Russia.

I’m one of Rafa’s biggest supporters, but I’m not giving him a free pass on this transfer window. This was his first window in complete control, and we’re scrambling at the end of it. Sound familiar?

Kudos to Rafa for locking up the spine of the squad with extended contracts back in the spring. This may play into the tightness of funds during this window. Bigger contracts come at a cost, and perhaps this ate into the transfer budget. As it stands now, our net spend for the summer is damn close to even.

Rafa’s struck quickly with his two targets this summer (Johnson and Aqualani) so it’s good to see we’re not dicking around trying to get the players we want. He also did a great job of extracting as much as he could on the Alonso deal, although it appears those funds go straight back into the pockets of G&H (or more likely the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia).

I know we’ve been unlucky with injuries this summer, but here we are about to start off the season with a threadbare squad in a few key positions.

We knew Big Sami was leaving in April. We still haven’t filled that slot. Was the intention to bring one of the kids into the first team squad?

It’s apparently been on the cards that Arbeloa was going back to Spain this summer since the beginning of last season. That makes the Johnson signing a like for like deal and doesn’t add to our depth at that position. Johnson is an upgrade, but as we head into the season, can anybody name our 2nd choice RB (Degen, Kelly, Darby, Spearing, Carragher, Mascharano)?

Following the sale of Alonso, we learned that Xabi told Rafa he wanted to leave back in May, and we’ve know of Real’s interest all summer long. We did sign Aqualani as his replacement, but he’s not available until late Sept/early October.

What do we do if either Lucas or Masch suffer an injury during that period of time before Aqualini is match fit?

We have to move Stevie G back into one of the holding positions, or we have to rely on someone like Spearing, Plessis, or possibly Agger to fill in. Which ever one of those moves we make, it weakens us overall. The last thing I want to do is move Stevie away from his partnership with Nando.

I don’t doubt Rafa’s ability, preparation and attention to detail, but I’m not feeling all “warm and fuzzy” heading into the season. Our first XI is on par with anyone in Europe, but once we have to dip into the squad, we aren’t at the same level as a Chelsea or ManUre.

Spot on Ivcjmac! That’s what I am trying to make a point of. Maybe Rafa does want to strengthen the squad but is being forced to work with only the current players because of the debts the club is dealing with. But whatever, the team is suffering from the loss of depth of players. We are looking at it right now with the injuries our defense is facing. Rafa is being forced to buy a player there.

All this hype about Ancelotti, but the fact remains that he won Serie A 1 time in his 8 seasons in charge. He did win the CL twice and lost once more in the final (25 May 2005 ring a bell with anyone?) but I’m curious to see if he has what it takes to lead Chelsea to the title.

Scolari came in highly rated last season, and that didn’t exactly work out very well, did it?

Like the rest of you I am hoping Chelsea end up saying “that’s your lotti, Ancelotti” following a dismal season. Every pundit seems to be making them favourites to win the Prem, and that should suit us just fine. Let them have the weight of expectancy.

I can’t believe that we won’t make at least one more signing before the window closes.

Ivcjmac, Scolari was a bad choice. In fact he hadn’t managed any club since 2001 and that too was in Brazil. Now, we all know that he played very attacking football, like Chelsea never played before. This led to his failure.

Ancelotti is a manager who has been brought here to win Chelsea CL. Roman Abramovic wants that trophy in Chelsea’s cabinet. But their squad is strong enough to even win the PL. He plays Italian football that suits Chelsea. I am sure he’ll be a hit.

Don’t forget that his tactics were brilliant against us at Istanbul and Athens. He was brilliant against Manure as well. He is a manager who is best known for cup competitions. But you can never rule out Chelsea, can you?

LB#50. Take a bow lad. That’s honestly the best post I’ve seen you make. And I’m not saying that because it agrees with what I had to say.

It’s the fact, that you obviously weighed up eveything that had to be taken into consideration and come to the logical conclusion that you did. And, with me being in the gagonrafastackle.com brigade, I think it carries more weight than anything I say on the subject.

But the fact is someone will always argue because despite all logic and fact saying it’s true, opinion will always take over.

So, let’s simplify it…
For a minute, even though we don’t really know any concrete fact on the argument that’s taking place, let’s summise Rafa is skint and can bring in one player.

Some people think that should be cover for Nando. Some think it should be cover at CB. But Rafa has to make the choice. So…
1: Would you prefer, he spent the few bob up top in case Nando gets injured when we have experienced internationals that can play in that position?
2: Would you prefer he spends it at the centre of the defence when any injury in that position means we will have to turn to an untried kid?

If things were just right at the club like they should be, not some mythical ideal world, Rafa would have plenty of dosh to play with right now and it wouldn’t even be a question. But the way things are he has to mend and fix where and when he is able.

So, without even making a decision myself but not just pulling a sly kop out, I’ll just say I think it’s best left to the man who’s armed wit all the facts and who has won titles and European cups.

But if I was cornered into making a decision, I’d rather chance the likes of Babel and Kuyt upfront who, let’s face it, didn’t do too badly in Nando’s abscence last year than risk it all on a kid like Kelly who’ve seen have one decent game.

What about the RB position lads? At the end of the season it was one of the main positions that most lads in here agreed needed back up, which Rafa duly did with glenda, now that arbie is gone, we are in the same situation of needing back up.
Would a player in the mould of arbie answer our needs, a player who can play either RB or CB (in my mind he was our 4th choice CB after big sammi left)? I agree with what you guys are saying in relation to who do we buy, as I said yesterday, i’d take the risk on a player who can win us games over a CB, but that player obviously costs more money than we seem to have, so if Rafa has at most 6-8 million, I would agree on sticking with the players we have who at least know our system, and if the money is to be spent, a RB / CB would be the best way to spend it.

ARRRRGHHH!!! Galway, NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I was wondering when someone would say it. Fuck me another can open.

Fact is, Rafa had looked at some players for that position for seasons now… Huth, Wheater, remember lads.

But he reminds of the poor bastard shoring up the dam, everytime he plugs a hole a new one appears and everytime a new one pops up he’s got less and less to fix it with.

I don’t know what the lad’s going to do, but I know that’s at least a handful of us in here who are now asking the real big question what all this will eventually throw up… how long will the biggest fool in the transfer market keep putting up with this?

Doesn’t bear thinking about really though.

FS, glad you enjoyed my post!!! I love worms me!!!

What a load of fuckin drivel!

Some of you should be right fuckin embarrased with yourselves!
Most knowledgeable fans in the world my arse!

That may have been true until some dickhead created the game Championship Manager and people started to delude themselves into thinking they knew fuck all about how to manage a premier league club, but I sadly see little evidence of it nowadays.

Half the people in here questioning Rafa and demanding we buy a cover player (whether CB or striker) are the same people constantly harranging Rafa coz he doesn’t give youth a chance.
Well guess what folks … you know how youth gets a chance? When the big money signings get injured that’s how!
But you already know that, don’t you? Its just a very inconvenient fact for throwing a hissie-fit, getting your fuckin knickers twisted, or for bashing Rafa… isn’t it?

Calm the fuck down!
If we buy no one… we WILL win the PL this season.

Big seasons from Babel, Lucas, Benny, Kuyt.
Aquaman to settle in slowly but nicely.
Andy V to contribute when called upon.
Ngog, Insua, Kelly, Spearing to make the step up.
…our only challenge will come from the Chavs.
1. LFC
2. Chavs
3. Scum (you heard it here first)
4. pick one from Arse, Citeh, Spurs

COME ON YOU MIGHTY FUCKIN REDMEN
(and the rest of you… have a little faith for fuck sake)

FS, I just want to tell you that I am in favor of two more signings. I think that Rafa should buy a decent and experienced CB. This being the case, a player like this could be affordable in 6m approx.

If I remember correctly, Rafa was still left 20-22m in his transfer budget. I guess the owners must be expecting a profit of at least 6-8m. With this, Rafa should be left with 12-15m.

With this money, he could buy one CB[Distin(4m) or Campbell(Free) or Lauren(Free) or Shawcross(5m) or Richard Dunne(6m)]. Shawcross is inexperienced but Rafa is tracking him so….

With the rest of the money(6-9m), Rafa could go for any striker worth this price.

I think Babel would bite Rafa’s hand off to be given a chance to play as a striker, which, correct me if I’m wrong, is his favoured position.

Voronin will be busting a gut to make an impact, and Kuyt is also a striker. In an ideal world it would be nice to have another top notch striker on the books but I would have to agree (that with the few shillings Rafa has at his disposal) that another CB must be the priority now, as a direct replacement for Sammi.

I am also concerned about cover at RB if Johnson should get injured. Does anyone have any confidence in Deggen? But does Rafa have the funds for a CB and an RB?

PS…

FS, your two accounts on the fantasy league will surely give you a slight advantage;-)

PS…

FS, your two accounts on the fantasy league will surely give you a slight advantage.

Good job you told me twice then eh

Aitch, there’s no need to hold back, just come right out and give us your opinion! (lol!)

Very interesting stuff as ever guys but I seem to have a slightly different take on things which I will explain in the next blog.
If we go into the next campaign with the squad we’ve got, I won’t have too many problems with that but based on my own instinct and a whisper or two I’ve heard I believe that there will be two new faces brought in by the end of the transfer window. But whatever happens, trust in the gaffer and as ever, Keep the Faith.

Well, I’d be quite happy to see Darby play in the lesser cups and cover for Johnson, but not for any real length of time. But we can’t afford to just ignore the Carling and FA cups. We obviously need any dough we can get hold of and even then where’s it going to end up?

That’s why KK you can come up with all the scenarios you like. You can name all the players you like and you can pull out any imaginery amount of cash you like. The fact is… none of know if Rafa has any cash at all. All we have to go on is what the man says.

I pointed that out first thing this morning… he has absolutely no dough at his immeadiate disposal and if he wants to buy he has to get the begging bowl out yet again.

So although I don’t mind wasting some time like this when I’ve got nothing to do, it’s pointless.

What we know for fact is, we’ve got a squad of players that have to face the coming season. It’s going to be, liek they all are, another long hard season with many twists ahead. What pundits think, what fans think, what all us in here think, doesn’t really matter.

None of us have a crystal ball. We go to battle in 4 days time. Anything beyond that is opinion, but hopefully we’ll get 3 points and start how we mean to go on – in fact, what I really hope is we’ll start just like we left off and I’ll be pretty confident if we do.

At least it looks like we’ll have this fella there…
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N165389090812-1528.htm

Some good pics there.

As for the fantasy league, if can’t pull one team out I’ll just pick one and stick with it. In fact, I think they are pretty much the same teams anyway.

PS… Hope you’re right Gerry.

Lol!! Skrtel’s quite photogenic, FS

Gerry–Donal also set up an I Know the Score league which looks like it could use some support (Kopblog 2 shows 8 players as I type this). It will be great to see how little we all really know about this great game.

You don’t need to set up another account, you can use the same one as you signed up for the fantasy game.

You may want to post the info for that on the front of the blog as well to drum up some support?

http://iknowthescore.premierleague.com
password: FB63B-YTT

Lee Cattermole has joined Sunderland for a fee believed to be 6m

Fatty you’re classic! ‘….none of us know if Rafa has any cash at all.’ 2 sentences later; ‘…he has absolutely no dough at his immediate disposal….’. Well apparently one of us knows what he has eh Fatty?! Priceless mate.

Great blog Gerry.

I joined the league as well

Looking forward to Sundays match.

Just part of the service Digger. And here’s the link I put in for you this morning….
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/liverpool/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/08/10/manual_090244.html&TEAMHD=liverpool&DIV=prem&TEAM=LIVERPOOL&RH=Liverpool&PREV_SEASON=

Like I said, that’s not the full article I read, but it’s got the gyst. And if that doesn’t explain it, I suppose all Rafa can do is stick he’s Oliver gear on, grab he’s begging bowl, whizz round to fat Gerorge and Tom’s, and… “Please Sir, can I have a little more?”

So, as I said mate… no dough at his immeadiate disposal, but none of us really know’s what he’s got, or in other words can tweedle out of the Borrowers.

Ya daft Culchie bastard yer

It’s just like the good ol’ days in here and the league has not even started

lvcjmac, I have just signed-up to the ‘I know the score’ kopblog 2 mini-league. I played in it last year and it was great craic. It also took less time than the fantasy football thingy – 5 mins every week.

There are many who talk a good game in here, so it would be interesting if the lads already signed-up to the fantasy football league done the same for IKTS. You don’t even need to create another profile!

just seen on lfc tv we’ve ninja turtle back for sunday,thats a huge relief and hopefully will chill a few of us out. starting to get the butterflys now,but looking forward to last minute winners(for us) sitting surrounded by mancs celebrating in their faces and losing my voice for days on end because no.19 is home

YNWA

Super stuff Gerry.

Business as usual in here lads.The feckin season hasn`t even started and i thought it was bad last season,it`ll be bedlam in here this term!

Good news on Skrtel maybe we don`t need a fourth centre half after all LETS SPEND THE 40 MILLION ON VILLA!

The gutter press have already got the razor blades on standby.Rafa has sold Alonso and replaced him with an overated injured crock.Torres and Gerrard will always get injured..what will they do then???

I say bring it on.It will be all the more sweeter when Rafa takes us to number 19.

Just a word on the proposed striker Rafa needs to add to the sqauad.

I`m sure we`re all in agreement that we do need another striker.

Thing is,its not easy to just go out and buy this fella or that fella.Money aside,players nowadays are selfish.Well maybe thats the proper term to use lets ays they`re more impatient.Players most of the time unless they`re youngsters want gaurentees of game time,big game time to more precise.

Long ago players were a lot patient.They were bought and had to fight to get into the team.

The trouble is,who are we going to buy that is in our price range and is adaquate cover for Torres?

If we do have little to spend as LB said will they be much better than nemeth,pacheco or even Babel?

Add to that,in world cup year who`d be happy warming the bench?

It`s a toughie but i`m sure Rafa is working on it lads.

Fatty I may be daft but I will not stand for being a culchie! And certainly not by a Roscommon sheepstealer! The correct term for a man of my origins is a Biffo. Address me accordingly kind sir!

Was I a bit over the top Steve?

…and We’re not all in agreement timmy. I for one, do not think we NEED another striker. It wouldn’t hurt if we could find one and it’d be useful to have, but NEED? I think not.

Babel got into double figs last season and will do again.
Kuyt’s looking sharper than ever.
Ngog will contribute with a few, as will Andy V.
I expect Benny to get into double figures this season.
A fit Torres will bag 30+
Stevie G. will get his usual 15-20
Aquaman will provide more than Alonso (though probably not from 60 yards… I will miss those, as infrequent as they were!)
Add a few from Lucas, and some distance strikes from Agger and Johnson… and the 2 obligatory own goals from Carragher and we should be sound!

I don’t think we have a single fuckin thing to worry about. But to coin a fave saying of me ole Da’s… “it’s being miserable that keeps some people happy.”

our opening fixtures are Spurs, Stoke, Villa, Bolton, Burnley, West Ham and Hull…

The only tough game in that lot is Spurs on opening day!
So really… what’s the worry??

Sorry about that Aitch,who am i to speak for you or anybody else for that matter but i do think we need to add to the forward line.BUT if we don`t i wont be suicidle so don`t put me in the miserable catagory!

“The only tough game in that lot is Spurs on opening day!So really… what’s the worry??

Yes i remember comments to that effect pre december last year when we went on to draw four out of six of the following games.

First rule of Italian race Driving timmy = “What’s behind you does not matter!”
(bonus points for those who can name that movie?)

Likewise… last season was last season. People were wetting themselves prior to the Scum and Real games and look what happened there last season 4-1… so are we now expected to do them the same this season?
Last season don’t mean DICK! Its nothing more than a “possible indicator” of things.

I really don’t want to be shouting down people’s opinions, as long as they’re well thought out, but seriously the pessimism in here over the summer has been crazy.

Someone above suggested we splurge 6 million on David Dunne for fucks sake!
I think Dunne is a decent defender, but he gets turned more often than a prossie in Portsmouth with the fleet in!
If that’s our choice, keep the 6 mill and give the lad Kelly his chance.

I’ve just realized my avatar is becoming an ever more appropriate choice!

Fukinell, so I’m a sockrobber descend from a sheepstealer. Oh well, what can a poor do, Biffo Sir?

Aitch, beg to differ… there’s actually 38 tough games to go. The odd one or two might be a walkover but for the most part they’ll all give us some sort of problem. So, it would be nice to go into perfectly prepared with more than enough personel.

But it is what it is, and like I’ve stated a million times, I’m perfectly happy with that. But as for worries I do have… well again, all I can say is the only thing that really worries me is long term injuries to major players in key positions.

But when do we ever do anything the easy way? So, I’m used to it and raring to go.

Tonight I watched Scotland v Norway and Holland v Ingurland. Best Liverpool player on show, could have been JAR, but actualy best LFC player… Kuyt. He had a very good game, exceptional at times, and seems to be starting where he left off.

I’ll get laughed at for this, but I tell you what… watching him a thought hit me, he could easily fill in central mid. At times his vision was superb. He constantly kept Holland ticking over and pressing forward. He got in some great tackles in mid-field and was excellent up top. And his first touch was very good indeed. In fact, he showed just about everything you could ask from a top notch central mid-field player.

On the other hand, Johnson worried me at times. But I’m sure all the ricks I saw in his game will soon be ironed out at Melwood.

Oh well, off to bed. Early start robbin sheep and socks tomorra.

Aitch i wasn`t saying it will happen again i`m only saying nothing can be taken for granted.

You say after the spuds game our following six games aren`t tough.Yes we are expected to win them but there is no gaurentees.

All teams have to be beaten nobody will lie down.

I`m not being pessimistic Aitch,you are being a tad naive though!

You over the top Aitch? Never!

But keep them coming, it’s always good to read your posts and I’m not trying to be ironic when I say that. Fair play to you, you say what you feel and this site would be poorer if any of us stopped doing that.

Its not naivete timmy… to a certain extent, I’m playing devil’s advocate for all the nancys with the doom-n-gloom.

Of course the Prem is a tough league and you don’t win it easy any more (if you ever did.)
The mid-table teams seem to get tougher every season, but all this bollocks about how difficult it is to break down the bus parkers, how we can’t win without SG and FT, etc… is just self fuilfilling prophecy.

I can’t fuckin wait for Sunday to arrive and I think we’re gonna beat Spurs whether all the stars are fit or not.

I believe… not out of some magical mushroom induced happy dance… but out of recognizing the potential in our squad and just feeling that it’ll emerge… that we’ll dispose of most of the bus parkers quite readily this season.
I’m gonna put my faith in all the fringe lads to step up and make an impact.

Every one of those possible banana-skin 0-0 or 1-1 games could have been turned into 4-0 routes with an early goal…. I think that’s exactly what will happen this season.

being the cheerleader is not natural for my disposition, but if you force me to, then its a role I’ll embrace.

Come In Number 19 … Your Time Is Up!

P.S. Hint for the above movie line in #92. The actor who said it was Raul Julia.

Great post there this afternoon LB but must question you on a few things. Firstly; you say that Rafa has come to the conclusion that he needs another CB because of Sami and Arbie leaving, coupled with injuries to JC, Dagger and Skrtel, plus you feel the kids have looked out of there depth in pre-season. I disagree with Rafas conclusion and your rantionalization of it. Heres why;
1) Arbeloas departure is nullified by Johnsons arrival.
2)Aurelios injury is a non starter as we have the best young left back in the prem as our starter anyway.
3) The injuries to our big 3. Well it seems they werent as serious as all that after all. Certainly not serious enough to be going out spending our remaining budget on a 4th choice centre back who can sit on the bench for the rest of the year as we potentially struggle to break down teams again should, fowler forbid, 8 or 9 pick up a knock again. But sure whatever makes Rafa sleep at night eh?! I know I’d certainly be sleeping better if we were addressing our one true weakness from last season and not an erroneous one. Both Carragher and Skrtel will be fit on Sunday. Thank fuck the tangerine one slapped a 12mil price tag on Turner. But I digress, my point on our big 3 is exactly that LB – our big 3. One of them is gonna be on the bench at different times throughout the season. 2 into 3 dosent go. The fact that the 3 of them picked up knocks at the same time was freakishly unlucky and the likelyhood of that happening again has to be…well, low! And as I pointed out, its not like they were season ending injuries or something. So why Rafas mad rush to the market for a player we’re not gonna need? Couldent we promote from within in a mini crisis like this and preserve our budget for where its really needed? What if this had happened in mid-season? He’d have promoted out of neccessity which brings me to my next point.
4) When exactly has Martin Kelly looked out of his depth in pre-season LB? In my view he looked the most likely to make the grade from the 3 youngsters I saw. Ayala and San Jose I’ll grant ya but Kelly was very impressive and looked like he could do a job if called on. Ya gotta give these guys their chance and when does that chance come? When a big name goes down. Or several in this case! Sure a first round carling cup game is nice but the true test comes when they’re thrust into the cauldron of real premiership action. Thats when a kid knows he’s getting a chance. And thats when a manager knows what sort of a kid hes got.
You say LB ‘Yes at seasons end we all thought a striker/winger was the way forward. Thought LB? Come on mate, thought? It is the ONLY way forward.Last May,to a man, everyone on this blog agreed and chattered about how a another creative force was needed next year to break down the bus parkers, to relieve some of the load from 8 and 9, to step in when they were injured, to break open games headed for stalemate, hell to win the fucken league. Fuck me even Rafa said it himself. (Apologies for the language Kenny) He practically laid the blame for our titleless season at the (injured) feet of 8 and 9′s ailments. And yet here we are less than a week away from battle again without our greatest weakness addressed. Which is why I reiterate my point again lads; We dont need a 4th centre back. What we need is a 3rd striker. A real one. A proven one who can come in and grab those 8 or 10 goals that push us over the edge. Yes Ivcjmac, a Tuncay or someone like might just do the job. A guy proven in the prem and who has a bit of quality about him. I remember last season when, in the aftermath of the Keane sale, Rafa said in his next interview that we had plenty of cover to negate the loss of Keane and he went on to list Ngog, Babel, and Kyut. I nearly choked on my coffee. Ngog scored what after that? I recall one against Sunderland I think. Babel? Keane got more of a look in than Ryan ffs! And to Kyut, well, to be fair to Dirk, still fresh in my mind when Rafa made this comment was unquestionably his worst performance of the year where he was played upfront alone at the Brittannia and had a thoroughly shocking game. So I think perhaps ye can understand me almost choking at Rafas blaise attitude toward our supposed cover at the time. And to that cover, well we all know how the season ended…..
Look lads, I know the constraints Rafas under and I am aware of the realities of the situation but if theres money there for a 4th CB then theres money there for a 3rd striker. If he’s gonna beg for money for a 4th CB then I say scrap that Rafa and beg for money for a 3rd striker.
As Gerry points out, we havent replaced Keane. As I’m pointing out, we havent addressed our title costing weakness from last season; our need for another creative force/3rd striker. As we haed into the new season lads, if its a choice between a defender who might play 8 or 9 games (if hes lucky) and a striker who might score 8 or 9 goals, the goals that might finally turn the tide of the title in our favour, then I know which player I’d be shooting for.

Digger I believe you can access the application form for Rafa’s job online. But you might want to swerve questions number one an two…

1: Which team scored the most league goals last season?
2: How many league games did Gerrard and Torres actually play together?

As for teams having to beaten Timmy and not lying down, sadly you might want to send a copy of that to Alex McLeish the Birmingham boss and Utd’s first opponents…

He was on the couch with Hansen and Linacre for the Scottish game tonight at half time when they run out of things to slag George Burley and Scotland for McLeish was asked about his team’s first game at Old Trafford…
“Well, you just hope to perform damage limatation and then pick up points off other teams.”

So, looks like fuck all’s changed but I bet one of them teams he’ll try to pick up points from is LFC.

And on that cheery note… WE’RE DOOMED MISTER MAINWARING. WE’RE DOOMED!

Tatty bye.
Night, night.

I’ll take that as a complement Fatty, thanks. As for questions that wont be swerved; 1) we did. Whats your point? Who had the most draws in the league last yr? Who was time and time again unable to break down teams when we needed to? Most goals is a nice stat n’ all but unfortunately dosent correlate to the title. Thats most points. Which is achieved by eliminating 12 draws. 2) 12. How many will they play this yr? Exactly. Neither you nor I know. So I’d like to have contingency plan for that scenario.

Digger mate, I understand your point, but I think you are missing the plot a bit.

I think the bottom line is we don’t have the money to buy a decent back-up for Torres or Steven. That is clear.

But supposing we did have the money to buy a cover for our defense (certainly not 12 million)?

Then that money goes to buy the CB.

Or maybe you are suggesting we save that portion and add it on to next year’s funds to buy a silva-class player up front?

Judging from the coverage over Turner, we probably have only about 6 million left, and that is not enough to even buy someone like Darren Bent.

So the remaining option was to buy the other area that needed strengthing and that was CB.
3 players to cover the 2 CB position is a bit scary, and with Carra getting on a bit, I could understand the urgency there. Also, we conceded quite a few sloppy goals last year, and so a good addition would have helped.

The point is simple– yes I agree that had we 12 million to spend, we should spend it for personnel in the attacking area. However, we don’t have that money. Therefore, we have to spend it elsewhere.

Surely you agree with that?

Aggggghhhhhh, how we all get carried away when in search of the holy grail

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V7zbWNznbs

Digger, did you catch Fox Football Phone In?
If so, I’d be interested in your opinion.

And not to pick a fight, but who are you suggesting we buy, given that it seems we only have about 6 mill?

I did Aitch. It was shite. They spent the first hour talkin bout the bitch slapping Mexico gave the U.S in poxy tourney and the second hour stating the obvious. Think I’ve watched my first and last fox football fone-in this season. As for a pick up for 6mil? Surely 6mil plus Voronin would prise Tuncay away from Boro? Proven in the prem and has a bit of quality about him. I’d sooner have him on the bench than Ngog or Voronin. What of Rafas oft mentioned 5,000+ player data base? C’mon lads, they’re out there.

Sadly If the ratings go down after cutting the biggoted prick, that’s sort of an excuse the prick can use to get back on the show… or Fox can use to reinstate him (since their parent company is that of the Sun) So for that reason, I’ll keep tuning in, even if its only to leave it on in another room.

I guess I didn’t watch that many games last season, Dig. Did Tuncay score that many?
I guess I’m just of the mind that, unless it buys some sort of assurance of 10+ goals…. 6 mill seems like a lot to pay?

I’m not being a dick… well maybe I am, I can’t help myself sometimes… but Riera and Kuyt both on target for their countries, its not like we don’t have goals in us.

Digger, in fairness, cut boro a bit more slack with regard to whether they would actually want Voronin…
But, it could still happen, I guess…

You have to remember, even the certain Keisuke Honda being discussed is estimated to be around 10 million Euros and besides people like myself or Yokohama who preside in Japan, hardly anyone had ever heard of him. Tuncay would cost a tad bit more, do you not think??

Oh we have goals in us alright. What we dont have is a replacement for Nando should he be out for any length. Ngog? Voronin? C’mon lads be serious here. Who would ye rather see come on, one of those 2 or Tuncay? Kyut will do fine from the right. I hope Riera will do equally so from the left. If he dosent then Benny will. But that still dosent change the fact that we dont have decent back up for 9. 6mil a lot to pay Aitch? For a decent back up? Nah. 6mil for a 4th choice CB would prove far costlier methinks.

I’m in agreement on the CB… I guess I just don’t rate Tuncay as highly as you do.

Coz yeah, I would rather see one of those two come on rather than spend the 6 million on Tuncay.
Especially if you consider that 6 million could be added to whatever cash Rafa might have in January or next summer to get someone actually better than marginal, you know like a Silva for instance.

That team Hairy Berlin couldn’t afford Voronin’s wages so I don’t expect Boro could either.
I just checked our fantasy league and their are now 117 teams in it! Jaysus it looks like we created a monster.
But I’m still a bit pissed off. Who is Mike Cope? I mean I mentioned in the blog that my team is called The Benny Onions and I mentioned in here that my team is called The Benny Onions, and if you even check the league itself you can easily see that my team is called the Benny Onions. So what do you think this guy calls his team? Yes, you guessed it. What a complete spanner!

Well that goes to show how much winning a couple of awards will do to your blog, ger!! To think that there were only about 15 or so of us last year!

More interesting is whether either of you and this Mike Cope fella has actually selected benny in your side!!

I don’t think Rafa would go for any player like Silva in Jan. Our Owners wouldn’t provide another 40m to Rafa. And even if they do(which is rather unlikely), that player wouldn’t be able to play in Champions League.

At least we have cover for positions in the mid-field and wings, but we don’t have adequate support for Torres. In all the matches, he’s the one who’s always expected to score goals. We need a striker like Tuncay who can bag those crucial winners. He’s a natural goalscorer.

Aitch, Tuncay would be a better gamble than Voronin or Ngog. He will score those extra time winners. Voronin and Ngog should be played sometimes in the League and most of the times in FA Cups and Carling Cup ties. They can score on their days, but not in those matches when we need them to. We can’t trust these fellas for the whole season.

Maybe the fella’s middle name is can’t. But, ahh, the joys of football management, eh.

Maybe if you got hold of Rafa, Digger, he might willingly give you the job. After 3 days of banging your head just on this subject alone, imagine how he feels at times.

Bit early for a Rafa fanfare, but this needs to be said… if this fella hadn’t have came along when he did, we would have probably been a mid table team by now.

Season after season, setteled clubs with none of our problems, consistently outspend us. Even the likes of Sunderland have outspent us in recent seasons and their clubs are over the moon at just surviving in the top league.

But not for us lot. Oh no. We are LFC, and every season we do the same thing, either forget all reality and start screaming this is our year, or even worse, start demanding the league and seeing anything else as failure and some sort of betrayal of our history.

But that’s what it is now – history. Do you think the likes of Burnley will pay that any respect? No. Rightly so, they’ll do their upmost to beat us, which will probably mean… sticking ten men behind the ball, making the game as physical as possible, roughing up which players they can, and then hitting us on the break with route one footy.

I understand that you see the best option for overcoming that is to have decent back up for Torres. You’ve got a point and I don’t think there’s many that don’t agree.

But the question comes down to, is that Rafa’s most urgent problem?

Well, he has to consider, if one, god forbid two, of our centre backs are out, can the kids cope – yes, even against the bus parkers.

I’d hate to see Kelly and Ayala or any combination of the kids, getting bombed with long balls, huge throws ins, and very physically contested set pieces – especially with their main back up being Johnson and Insua/Aurelio.

And that’s only against the likes of Stoke and the other negative teams. Imagine any 2 of them having to face Spurs on Sunday… I know if I was Redknapp, I’d be rubbing me hands with glee and the first 2 names on the team sheet would be Crouch and Defoe. But if the kids did somehow manage that sort of speed latching onto the headed knockdowns, then I’d throw on Keane and Pavlechenko and see how they got on against that more traditional type of partnership.

So, I suppose all we can do is trust Rafa to use all the facts and knowledge that he has at his disposal and make the right decision for the club/team.

He’ll get enough stick from outside the club for whatever he does but it will still be nothing compared to what he will get in the media. They won’t stop and think that he is up against. We really should.

Have a look at City, great old club, fantastic support, long and proud history. They have just spent over 100 million quid, and will probably spend more. It’s all been spent on proven premiereship players. Some of them might be foriegn but they’re all used to this league. They’ve been added to a more than useful team/squad. They’ve got no European games to distract them or put pressure on them. But if they do get any early injuries, they will just go out in January and steal whoever they fancy from whoever they want.

What pressure does Mark Hughes have on him? To be in or about one of the european places by January and hopefully finish in the top four.

It’s easy saying he’ll be sacked by January, if they’re not. But where does that info come from? Well, except for the likes of Grey and Brazil and all the other tosspots in the media, I haven’t seen any indication of it from one City fan.

That might seem like a pointless ramble, but it isn’t. There is a weight of expectation at Liverpool that most men would find unbearable. When you add that to the actual resources, and the constant pressure from both inside and outside the club, not to mention the constant attacks and mockery from the media, and it gives you a small idea of what a mamoth and thankless job Rafa has.

Hardly worth mentioning this, but talking of attacks and mockery in the press/media…
I’ve got Talk Shite on and I’ve looked through the papers. How’s this for hypocritic double standards…
Rio Ferdinand, top notch professional just suffering from a little bit of ring rust who won’t make any mistakes once the season starts.

Glen Johnson: a young professional with his reputation in tatters, who will need to re-build it with the extra burden of a 20 million quid price tag weighing on his shoulders.

And I’ve just tried to qoute that exactly. There might be one or two words out of place, but that isn’t just the gyst of it. That’s the actual thing I have just heard on Talk Shite from Alan Brazil and Mike Parry. Thankfully they’ve been replaced now by that fount of all knowledge, Fat Head Allardyce. And though if I was him, I’d be too ashamed to show me face in public after last seasons bollacks, he’s now taking his turn to analysis the premiereship. Wonder who’ll come off best and worst in that.

Don’t even know why I bother putting up this sort of shite anymore. We should all be well used to it by now, but I know the only thing it does for me… make me more and more determined to support the club and Rafa as best I can.

Hey lads and Gerry

great blog and thanks for the effort on the Fantasy league

Fatty I removed your 2nd team from the league so you have your original one (hope you dont mind and to the rest of ya keep 1 team in)

As administrator (power gone to me head)

Ill set up the forums monthly August Sept etc so please comment in these instead of starting new ones for each comment

ill set up the Aug one today

Im making the dinner so ill keep her short

Over and out

Oh fuck. We’ve created a monster. Mark my words lads, he’ll be changing your transfers shortly for commericial reasons and in the best interests of your club! Parryfromthegap!

Well Fatty I do know who is best for you and your team

I just deleted that one cause I presumed you’d like your original one

which you can change until sat at 10 or 11 England time me thinks

Over

Well Fatty I do know who is best for you and your team

I just deleted that one cause I presumed you’d like your original one

which you can change until sat at 10 or 11 England time on Saturday me thinks

Over

forget #117

read #118

Reasons for optimism

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/2009/08/13/liverpool-fc-pre-season-special-ryan-babel-and-lucas-leiva-are-ready-to-repay-rafa-benitez-s-faith-100252-24395578/3/

I see PMS (Pre Match Syndrome) is setting in with alarming speed. Firstly Digger if you are going to throw facts into the mix you have to be even handed with your conclusions. Of those 12 drawn matches, how many where down to score draws? According to my calculation we had 5 no score draws and 6 score draws in the Prem last year. So if our defense was better we would have won? Having scored the most goals in the Prem maybe Rafa is right that the defense needs to be looked at first after all he has gotten us this far. I for one don’t want to think what would happen if Johnson got injured and we had to relay on Degen or Darby, who it a good solid youngster but what does he give us going forward? Carra is getting older and Aggers record has not been that great and it seems he still has some issues, maybe Rafa knows something that you don’t know, just a guess seeing he sees them everyday and speaks to the physio’s and Doctors daily so if he thinks a CB come RB is more critical then I guess I would go with that. Torres played 20 matches last year and we still scored the most goals. What are the chances he will play less? Babel, Ngog are a year older with more experience and better preparation than last year. Kuyt seems to have started where he left off and then we have My Little Pony to chip in here and there as well as the youngsters Nemeth and Pacheo, throw in Reira and Benny who will score a hand full of goals, Gerrard with his usual contribution. Aquilani is a goal threat and so is Lucas (both have better records than Alonso). Agger to chip in when fit. I am sure if Rafa had the money available he would bring in extra cover up front, but lets give him the benefit of the doubt that he knows slightly more than we do, so if he wants cover at the back let support him in his decision.

Nah Keith, we cant go round blindly supporting his decisions on faith alone or we wouldn’t have need for a forum.

Pearce for President!!!

hey lads is Dagger fit for Spurs?

Digger, you think priority number one should be to buy a back up player – a guy who can compliment or take the place of 8 and 9 when they are out injured. And obviously that player needs to be better than the players we already have in that role. The player you want will have to be better than Kuyt, Babel, Voronin and Ngog. Otherwise it would be pretty pointless. My argument is that such a player will cost at least £10m at least. And in my opinion we simply have not got the money to buy such a player. You mention Tuncay. Mate he was Boro’s best player by a mile last season. He is regarded as quality all over Europe. Do you really think we could get him for £6m? You really think Boro will take Voronin and a couple of quid for him? Mate they refused to let Downing go until they got £12m for him. If chump change would be enough to get Tuncay he’d have left Boro months ago.

I mentioned Arbeloa and Aurellio because Arbie can play centre half and Aurellio is a better defender than Insua in my opinion. Losing those to players might mean Rafa wants to make sure the centre of defence is water tight. Agger has been prone to injury and Carra is 31 and might not be able to play 50 games.

I don’t think Rafa has been playing the kids in these pre season games for the fun of it. I reckon he’ll be analysing the games over and over to see how the youngsters did. Clearly – in my opinion he doesn’t think the centre backs are ready for top level football. I agree with him. Centre back and goal keeper is not the position where you throw a kid in that you are not sure about. You have to be damn sure he can cope because if he has a nightmare it can easily cost you a game. We have Spurs and then Stoke. Spurs have 4 quality strikers and Stoke play very dangerous long balls with seasoned 6’4” strikers competing for every one of them. We could easily lose both matches if we had a kid at centre back.

Okay then, LB!! Name some CBs Rafa can buy with what he’s got, who can be happy playing as a 4th choice, and who can also play well against the likes of Stoke and co.

What about Sol ‘The Soul Man’ Campbell, he’s available on a free.

Now you’re talking about a player that can be landed at Anfield for free. This means that Rafa would be still left with a budget more than 10m with which Tuncay can be bought according to LB. No?

Terry Pearce, what decisions is Keith (et al) blindly supporting? No decisions have been made yet!

It’s all heresay and conjecture at the moment, so let’s have a bit of patience and wait to see who we buy, if anyone, before getting the knives out

KopKing, what makes you so sure that Rafa has more than 10 million to play with?

Sol Cambell is finished. It’s 13th August and he has no club. What does that tell you?

I don’t know what CBs Rafa can get with the money he has. I have a feeling we won’t be buying anyone because we are skint. The players we are linked with are good centre backs though. Turner, Distan and Shawcross. I wouldn’t have a clue how much they would cost. Obviously you wouldn’t buy a player and tell him he is going to be 4th choice. Just like everyone else if he performs better than the other players in his position he’ll get more games. When we signed Skrtel we all thought he was back up. Well now it’s Agger who is back up.

”lets give him the benefit of the doubt that he knows slightly more than we do” Well of course he bloody does, it goes without saying but if you happen to disagree with some decisions your entitled to voice an opinion. Is that not what this forums for.

Pearcey Rules – OK!

OK one more attempt.

TP, what DECISIONS are you voicing your opinion on?

Nothing in particular – all I’m saying is voice your own opinion instead of just saying Rafa knows best etc.

Im regretting my DECISION to say it in the fucking first place now.

Take no notice. It’s Digger’s Mam.

As for Sol, this is getting out of hand, LB is right – The legs have gone. He could probably do a job against the likes of Stoke, if he could just stand there and head the ball away but other than that, there’s no point in signing him. We done that once before with Pelegrino and every fucker went nuts, but didn’t understand he was there to coach the team on how Rafa likes to defend. The club even wanted him to stay, but he left for regular football only to return to the job. And he is the voice Rafa will listen to on this matter. So we can go on about it for another 3 days, but the fact is Pearcey rules OK!

But I’ll give Digger his due, once he makes that stubborn little mind of his up, there is no shifting him. So, I’m finished on the subject. I’ll just bide my time until I get to say, I told you so! Which I get a few chances to do every season.

But KK FFS lad, make your mind up. I’ve purposely said nothing for ages, as I made a constant decision not to pick on you or your posts. But mate, you change your tune more than the Liverpool symphony orchestra. FFS pick your stance. It’s even alright to change it if you re-think it and then think it’s wrong. But you’ll get no respect from me if you keep wobbling from one side of the road to the other with every opinion that you read or happens to pop into your head.

Tip – ignore the media hype for awhile.

And sorry, but I have to say this… Do you understand that Free doesn’t quite mean FREE in football?

There’s the wages for a kick off and with a player of Campbell’s reputation/history probably a signing on fee on all. No not a fee to his club, but a sizeable wedge that disappears into the arse pocket of the player and his agent.

Even Missus Digger seems to understand that… Rafa knows “slightly more than we do!”

Not 8 but certainly 9 LB. 8 can competently be covered by Benny I feel and Aquilani (when fit) I hope. As for the player having to be better than what we’ve got, Tuncay is better than Ngog and Voronin. Babel and Kyut are wingers. Moving Kyut upfront from the right means reshuffling (weakening?) our midfield, robbing peter to pay paul. If anything that highlights my point: we dont have adequate cover for 9 LB. And 6-10mil aint chump change bro, not to us anyway!!

TP quote: Im regretting my DECISION to say it in the fucking first place now

Your not the only one mate!

Lurgankop, CEO, CFO, VP, SVP, EVP, PhD, MSc, BSc

Fatty do yourself a favour and dont mention, infer or allude to my Mam on this blog again. Have some fucken respect eh?

The second team was better Donal. I took a bit more time to consider it and spent every penny. There was bit left over on me first. Rafa’s more than welcome to it. But bollax to it. That’ll do mate, and I’ve got ready made excuses now if it goes tits up.

I’ve filled in the I know the score thing an all, but I didn’t know what to do once I put the scores in. So, I just clicked on save and hope that’s all that needs to be done.

But popped back in to say…
ANDY! I’ll be arriving in London about 1pm. I mightn’t be going straight the ground as I might be meeting some lads in London first. So, if you see this, give us a bell about 1-ish on Sunday and we’ll sort it out.

Oh you’ve been America too long young man

It seems like we are leading the race to sign Shawcross from Stoke (according to Sly Sports)- so that would put all your minds at rest, so to speak?

It’s chump change to the selling clubs Digger, which is why we haven’t been able to get any support for Nando in.

Rafa said a couple of months ago that he wanted a winger but when talking to selling clubs they were talking about £40m-£50m Euros so he went for an attacking fullback instead. Even Real Madrid baulked at the price Valencia quoted for David Silva.

Real value Negredo at £15m. Darrent Bent cost Sunderland £14m. How much did Napoli want for Lavezzi? £20m or something like that. None of these guys have set the world alight yet. But we’d have to break the bank to get any of them. The only striker we’d be able to afford in my opinion is one that is not a guarantee to be better than the options we already have. And if that is the case then what is the point?

I agree Tuncay is a better option upfront than Voronin and Ngog. But can we afford him? I do not think so. Rafa said he has to present a case to the owners if he is to get any more funds. They aint giving him Tuncay money when he has Torres, Kuyt (who played striker for Holland last night), Babel (who played striker for 30 mins for Holland last night), Voronin and Ngog all fit. They might however give him some centre back money if he gets the begging bowl out and says “please Tom, please George, we have 3 centre backs unfit and only rookies available can I please have money for one more??”

Digger, not sure if you seen the Holland/Engerland match yesterday but Kuyt played very well upfront in the strikers role, especially in the first half, before they made a few subs and upset the balance of the team.

Babel tried to make an impact up front but lacked the guile/movement and is too over-reliant on his pace.

So for me Kuyt would be the man to replace Torres in his absence. Maybe pushing Johnson a bit further forward to fill Kuyt’s position.

BTW, as someone posted earlier, Johnson had a stinker, defensive wise, and I can see teams trying to isolate and expose this supposed weakness. Rafa has a bit of work to do there.

Lurgan, England had a stinker defensive wise. And another thing I noticed was Babel and Johnson kicking the shit out of each other in the last 10 mins or so.

Babel skinned Johnson first couple of times. Then he lost all effectivness when he drifted inside. Was also sitting there meself shouting at the telly, What the fuck are doing! when Babel and Johnson started taking things far too seriously.

I was very concerened about some of Johnson’s play last night, but didn’t fancy opening that can of worms in here. I’m sure we’ll get plenty of chances to go on about that during the season, but hopefully not.

In fact, they are ragging Johnson on Talk Shite right now, as they have been all morning and they are still on about the “20 million price tag” that’s weighing him down.

Can’t be arsed going on about that.

Tell you what the foul of the night was though…
Rooney’s sly stamp on the player (forget which one), lying on the ground. It was very naughty. That Rooney is one dirty nasty bastard and there was absolutely no need for it. In fact, it was a disgrace. What did the commentary team see/decide to say… What a lionheart. What commitment. What this and what that and all the usual bollacks.

As for Kuyt, there was about a 10/15 minute period of play when he was absolutely immense. I would have no fear playing that lad in any position on the pitch. I’ve got that much faith in him, but I think it’s well proven.

Babel on the other hand…. Oh well.

Riiiight Fatty, cos being in America too long means deserving the respect that ones mother not be derisively refered to. Classy as always Fatty.

LB, very true, WTF, was that all about?

I was effing and jeffing at the tele. Rafa must have had his head in his hands last night watching that.

Let’s hope that duckface continues in the same vein as last night. Now the memory is kicking in, Carlton Cole impressed me last night. I think that he would have been an ideal backup for Torres. Alas, now he is an ‘international’, the price for him would be ridiculous.

No Dig being too long in America usually tends to forgetting your sense of humour/background and leads to things being taken wrong and wobblers being thrown for no reason when nothing whatsoever derisory is meant, or in actual fact – even said. But I will keep my usual class and refrain from even commenting on the matter again.

Yeah daft get.

Donal how do you play them chip things? I’ve been on that I know the score for ages. But can I fuck fathom it and it’s driving me bonkers.

So put Kyut upfront thus removing him from his best position and weakening our midfield. Then put our fullback in right midfield. And then put, lemme see, mmmm…Degen in fullback. So we’ve successfully disrupted our whole team to put a player in up top who has, lets be kind here, eh never been what you’d call proficient there for us. Seems to me you make a better case for a 3rd striker than me Lurgan! I like your plan! Lets covertly make Rafa see we need back up for Nando, Genius Lurgan!

Digger, Kuyt up front with Benny on the right. Our midfield isn’t weakened that much then.

Torres missed 14 league games last season. With any luck he’ll only miss a handful this season. In his first season he missed 5 league games.

Here FS, here’s the low-down on the chips.

The banker chip will multiply your points by the ratio given for each match i.e. x2 or x3.

So, for example, if you correctly predict the outcome of a match (10pts) for a match that has a x3 rating, then you will get 30 points plus the bankers bonus, which can get to a maximum of 20 points.

So the if you predict the correct score of a match that has a x3 rating you can get 110 points in total ((3×30)+20).

The insurance chip means that you will get a minimum of 0 points for that match, even if you get an incorrect outcome.

Clear, you big bollix? no offence intended of course

Fatty the ‘I know the score’ password was posted earlier

sort it out big lad

over

Yeah Fatty so its my fault TP was refered to as my Mam? Its my fault derision was interpreted there? Cop yourself on mate. As a man with kids of your own you should know family is off limits. So like I said have a bit of respect and leave it out. I’m prepared to leave it at that if you are.

Fuck me digger, the glass is not even half-empty for you, it’s always empty and you have no glass at all!

Anyway, you keep complaining and I will keep supporting LFC, in today’s reality, in my genius capacity.

BTW, where did I say that we didn’t need a backup for Nando?

There were 14 league matches last season where Torres did not play. We won 9 drew 3 and lost 2. Scoring 27 goals.

24 games with Torres where we won 16 and drew 8. Scoring 50 goals.

With Torres: Won 66.6% of our matches. Scoring 2.08 goals per game.

Without Torres: Won 64.3% of our matches. Scoring 1.93 goals per game.

LB, I wonder who played up front during those games?

Anyway, there’s no need to let facts get in the way of any discussion or persistence of someone’s views. That was debate is all about – proving your point no matter what!

Fuck me the season hasn’t started yet. I can see this one is going to be it’s usual fun filled 9 months of jolly japes and all sorts of pleasant banter.
Me own Ma’s a big fat aul bird but she can still do a mean dash on the auld zimmer. Maybe, I’ll see if she’s kept her boots just in case we’re that short of cover.

So I don’t have to do fuck all with the chips?
Just put me scores in and save them?

Interesting stats there LB. But as I said to Fatty stats dont always corelate to ultimate success. And they dont illustrate the intangibles I’m refering. Look, I hope you’re right and I’m wrong. I sincerely hope we dont end up needing another striker. All I’m saying is its a terrible risk to take with 19 on the line. A terrible risk to take when we’re this close. If we do incur the same problems as last yr what will the cry be then? I’m guessing it will be what I’m saying now. So why take the chance?

Terry blind faith has nothing to do with it mate but if Rafa has identified the CB as the critical position he needs to fill or bring cover in for who’s judgment do we back Digger’s? All I said if we cannot trust Rafa’s judgment on what the team needs most after all he has done and accomplished under all the circumstances he finds himself in then it’s beyond me. So go ahead, this is indeed an open forum where everybody is entitled an opinion, fuck Kopking has four opinions on every subject, so slate away but expect retaliation form people as that will be their opinion to yours. Rule away!

Glad to here your ma still doing well on the zimmer FS.

You don’t need to use the chips but to have any chance of winning, if you interested in that, you need to use them. So basically, at the start, place the banker’s chip onto the game that you think is a banker. Put the insurance chip on the game that you were not sure about. Work for you?

BTW, who knows some good ma jokes?

Your right Digger the stats don’t tell the whole story. But you call not getting a good support striker a risk. That’s where I disagree. It’s not a risk because we can’t afford a good support striker. A risk would be spending £10m on a defender when we could get a very good support striker for that money. That is not the case though. The case is that we are skint. Meaning Rafa has to big up Babel and Voronin in the media (players he wanted rid of 3 months ago) while arranging behind closed doors practice to get Skrtel fit. (We beat Oldham 2-0 at Melwood and Ninja came through 90 mins).

The only serious money that has been spent is on a midfield player and a right back. There is no way a support striker was priority over those positions.

It seems all & sundry are are writing off LFC this season. Fools…
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article6794462.ece

I’ll get back to you on that Lurgan… Not the jokes, fuck that. Far too classy for that old chap. But I shall go and take out my computer illiteracy on the I know the score – sort of funny name when you weigh it all up that.

Fuck it. I decided to keep this too meself because it wasn’t official and I could even imagine the hilarious old cafuffle it would cause. But seeing dummies are getting spat and toys are getting lashed, me little devil’s just told me to let it out anyway…

Go check the Benfica home page. I saw it first thing this morning… Benfica and LFC have agreed a price for Bennayoun and it should be settled tomorrow.

Lurgan…

Mummy takes little Johnny to the zoo. As they pass the elephant cage, the elephant has an erection.

“What’s that, Mummy?” asks the child.
“Nothing, Johnny, nothing,” says the embarrassed mother, swiftly leading him on.

A week later Johnny’s dad takes him and the same happens. “What’s that, Daddy?”
“That, son, is the elephant’s penis.”
“Mummy said it was nothing.”
“Your mother’s spoiled, Son!”

Sounds like bullshit FS.

Lurgan, I’ll start with a couple of Ma Jokes (not aimed at your ma of course)…

I got nothing bad to say about your ma- her face says it all.

Digger, I would love to have back up for Nando, but I just don’t know who it would be for the money we have to spend.

As LB mentioned above, Kuyt can easily slip into that role, which would still leave us the following at LM/RM: Reira, Babel, Benny, Lucas (once Aqualini is fit), Doss, Aurelio, Voronin, N’Gog.

I’ve already stated I’m a big Tuncay fan, but I don’t think he could fill the Torres role. He’s more of a support type striker who could play any of the 3 in our 4231 formation.

Just on the Benfica site, and it’s there? Here’s a Babelfish translation of the page:

http://www.slbenfica.pt/Informacao/Futebol/Noticias/CompraRedPass.asp?Adepto=Yossi%20Benayoun

Last Hour
Yossi Benayoun you give to sign

The Sport Lisbon and Benfica are give to sign contract with Yossi Benayoun. Sources next to the process affirm that the agreement is for briefing and the presentation can already be made in the next game to carry through in the Stadium of the Light.

The adepts are in euphoria and anxious for seeing Yossi Benayoun to the service of the Biggest Club of the World.

FS, this just in….Benfica have signed LB to play rb as well.

http://www.slbenfica.pt/Informacao/Futebol/Noticias/CompraRedPass.asp?Adepto=LondonBarnes

Looks like Fatty just got signed as well.

http://www.slbenfica.pt/Informacao/Futebol/Noticias/CompraRedPass.asp?Adepto=Fat%20Scouser

Whew, I was had on that one and that my heart skipped a beat when I thought Yossi was gone.

I was really getting worked up over that one.

Good one Fatty.

Just thought i’d pop in and see how things are and noticed this thing about
striker V defender debate ( Digger V everyone ) .
Digger 146 you mentioned Degan filling in for Johnson who fills in for Kuyt who
fill’s in for Torres etc. Now that for me tell me we need another Defender as
the obvious weak link is Degan.But you think it makes your case for another
Striker ??.
FS I knew you’d pick up on Mcleash saying that about his first game against
the Manc’s. I thought Hanson was going to tell him to grow some ball’s and
go for it ,we live in hope eh.
Aitch “What you say about my Mamma” what movie has those words in it.
I’d play this Fantasy Football but Call of duty beckons ( game on PS3 ) and
that steals all my spare time.
YNWA

Riera scored for Spain last night. Torres got a 64 min run out. No injuries reported.

Shame you’s all didn’t bite, but it changed the mood for a moment though didn’t it! Thought of putting Torres in there, but changed me mind incase it lead to nervous breakdowns.

As for moving players round…

Pepe
Johnson, Carra, Skrtle, Insua
Mascherano
Kuyt Riera
Gerrard

Torres

With Cavaleri, Kelly, Bennayoun, Lucas, Babel on the bench.

If we stick to that on Sunday, we should turn Tottenham over but it won’t be easy. We will have to hope everyone comes through unscathed and we can more or less stick to that team/formation, until some players need a rest. Which won’t be long…

Someone really needs to get a grip of these fixture lists. There wasn’t only silly friendlies last night. The Carling Cup kicked of an all. And if top teams like us have problems, what about the others in the lower leagues… deperately seeking promotion or fighting relegation, with far smaller squads and a need to stay in the cups for as longer as possible to try and drag some revenue in.

It really is beyond mental.

We could do with an extra man there FS, who you missing?

FS where is Lucas? Or do you think that bad of him you want us to play against Spurs with 10 men?

Well, it’s either 10 will do us. I don’t trust Lucas or the alzhiemer’s back.

Take your pick, but I’d say option 3′s the best bet.

Come back to say though, glad you caught on to that an all Romee77. Bloody disgrace.

And did anybody see that snide stamp by Rooney just because he’d lost the ball, fair and square, and threw a wobbler.

The comentators raved about his commitment… stamping on some poor lad that’s lying flat out.
Then there’s the slating of Johnson that hasn’t stopped all day, when he was far from the worst offender.

Well, all I can say is, get ready for it, nevermind Barclay’s… The Hypocrites Premiere league is about to start. Best baton down the hatches.

rome… since no one took a stab at my movie line, I basically spat my dummy and have been sitting in front of my computer in a cold funk coz no one would play with me.

…but I have no idea what movie that line is from. Is it recent? I’m not big up on recent movies… being busy as fuck lately… and slightly aged an all.

Fs… that formation (#172) is just one of many “possibilities, no?”
That’s why I simply do not understand Digs stance on this. Rafa has a squad of players, most of whom can play in more than one position, and we get one or two injuries and lads are slitting their fuckin wrists.

We proved last season we could cope without SG and Torres. Scum have yet to prove they can do so without Ronaldo… without whom we’d have undoubtedly won the Prem last year.

Keith along with those nappies digger’s going to need a dummy.

Well I’ve just been reading a bit about our new signings, Digger looks like Aquilani could be that back uo your on about if needs be.

Johnson and Aquascutum are saying all the right things as well. “Johnson saying it will be better for him winning the title with LFC than with the Chavs” don’t know why I put quote marks around that because they aren’t his exact words.

Aquilani talked about how he’s looking forward to the special atmosphere of the Kop and thanking Eduardo Macia for his role in coming to LFC but hey digger he’s an interesting point he said – I’m looking forward to working with Rafa, he’s a manager I already respected even before I met him. Funny that. He also said Rise only had good things to say. Funny that as well.

What Rafa? That Rafa who according to KK is the biggest fool in the transfer market.

How do you know when the mother in law is coming for tea?(obviously not digger’s wife/girlfiends mother in law) All the mice jump on the traps.

She’s so ugly a peeping tom knocked on the window and asked her to shut the curtains.

Aitch Dont be a menace to south central while drinking your juice in the hood
very funny pisstake on all those gangsta movies in the early 90s.
If you’ve never seen it do watch, although it helps if you’ve seen
Juice/Menace to society /Boys in the hood.
ps Not sure about your film but i’d guess Gumball rally

Rome77, that film is hilarious!!

Well dogs of war just thought i’d let ya’s know i had the privillage of meeting our very own benny onion today at belfast int. airport. He done me the honour of letting me get a picture with him and was nice enough to do it for a number of well wishers.
Jesus its funny when ya meet some of them,the guys fuckin tiny. I mean i know you can tell he’s small but i seriously could’ve grabbed him put him upside down an flushed his head down the bog!!! However i just wished him well for the season and thanked him in adavance for helping bring back 19.

Nice story Roarin, but what was the Onion fella doing in norn iron, apart from promoting bog brushes?

What a pack of wankers journalists are. Here is the comment that they started with when drawing a comparison between SG and Aquaman.

“However, Aquilani and Gerrard have something in common apart from being midfielders as they are both injured.”

They are on a par with people in advertising/marketing. Here is the guy that tells it best and its funny but worryingly true.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDW_Hj2K0wo

H&G anyone?

BTW, I found some good ma jokes but the vast majority of them are not for posting on this forum.

FS, if Yossi hadn’t signed a new three year deal recently you may well of had me going there buddy!

But please, no more of them I don’t think the nerves could take it!

The main site reports that Aqualani will be handed the no.4 shirt, and Stevie.G is a doubt for the trip to Tottenham.

Rafa is cheeky. Said Ferguson is worried about Man City. Also said he isn’t sure if Gerrard will be fit. Might be saying that so every lays off criticising him for withdrawing from the England squad or he may miss out. Can’t really tell.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8200653.stm

Rafa:

“Skrtel trained yesterday and hopefully he’ll be fit. Carragher has been working with the physios today and we think he’ll be available. Agger is also working with the physios but it will be more difficult for him.”

“I am really pleased because Mr Capello wanted to protect players. Because Gerrard had a problem they did a scan and pulled him out of the squad. We don’t know if he’ll be fit. He was working with the physios yesterday and today.

“If the game would have been on Saturday it would be difficult but because it’s on Sunday he could have a chance.”

Lurgan he was over with the israel squad that was playing n.ireland. he was on his todd an just sittin quite as a mouse,must also admit he seemed very humble. however the last player i meet was peanut………. hope i haven’t put the skud on yossi now!!

LB I bet you cringed at the toe sucking scene,but your right one of the funniest film’s ever,in fact
i’m going to watch it tonight.
I reckon gerrard will do a Lazurus and be ready for Sunday.
YNWA

Cheers roarin-red, I forget that Israel was in Belfast. Hopefully you have not skudded him as well

LB, great link for the Rafa interview. It seems that Monster was nearly on his way as well, and may well be next summer. Anyway, that’s for the future.

Agreed, good dig at Slur Ballix Fergiescum.

Lurgan I think youll find Israel is in the Middle-East.

Bloody good guess rome. Gumball Rally. Far better than any of the Cannonball films that ripped it off and followed it.

I have seen the parody and all the movies that it parodied, but only once so didn’t find any of them that memorable I guess.

Rome, I take it that you have never Norn Iron then

Fuck, I am tired and stupid! It should have read:

Rome, I take it that you have never been to Norn Iron then

Lurgan Loud bangs,religous intolerance,can see why you may get confused.
Aitch Cannonball run would have been my next guess

Talking about loud bangs..

A mate of mine went to Uni in Edinburgh and was walking thru the park when an explosion went off. Of course he hit the deck straight away expecting the worse!

A few moments later some people came to him asking if he was OK. He said yep, no problem, just that he had taken cover due to the bomb explosion. They said, it was not an bomb but just the canon that is fired from the castle every midday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4g81GaVQsE

Silly fucker…

Ripped the shite out of him for many’s a year about that!

Talking about loud bangs… I read Digger’s last comment and farted realy, realy loud.
Not sure if that counts?

Due to the apparent consternation my humble opinion seems to cause in here from time to time I’m guessing there may be some animated reactions at keyboards throughout our little corner of the blogosphere every so often but what, pray tell, in my last comment caused your unfortunate bout of flatulence Aitch?! A colossal ripper eh? Now THATS a reaction!

Just some funny shit to say, Dig.
Probably would have been funnier if it hadn’t been 50-odd posts since your last contribution, but oh well…

how about…

…something about intangibles, mate…

… to steal from Benny Hill… intangibles and pomeranians … the two fruits that always give me gas.

I know someone is dying to say it… (so I’ll get me comment in before Burgerman …)

What’s with giving Aquilani the #4 shirt?
Has Rafa lost the plot?
If we don’t win the Prem this season, then Rafa is gonna have some serious explaining to do about that decision.

oooh.. I get to be number 200.
I think I’ve soiled my armour!

Just listned to that Rafa interview. Good spotting LB. I enjoyed that. Very honest and open. Maybe one mistake in being so honest… addmitting we aren’t really stronger just different. But other than that, I think he had that spot on…

I’ve just had Talk Shite on, as usual. Sometimes I’m daft enough to let it get to me, but I woke up sane this morning. So, when Alan Brazil said, “Oh yeah. We’ll have to play some of that for Sir Alex,” I near shit me kecks with laughter meself.

Can you believe they are playing all The Tramp’s favourite tunes!

Hilarious, arse kissing at it’s finest.

The fella who insists he isn’t a Man U fan, Alan Brazil just said to his openly Manc sidekick…
“Oh yes. We’ll have to dig a bit of that up for Sir Alex. He deserves it, and, I admit, I like a bit of that meself!”

I presume he was talking about Toilet Duck, but I’m waiting for the records now…
Whiskey River
Little Old Meths Drinker Me.
I am a Netto Cider Drinker.

But I hope they cut the cack, get straight to it, just play Alcohol and be done with it.

Shocking. Absolutely shocking arse kissing of the worst type. So, I’m made up Rafa’s got a little dig in before it’s even started and I hope he keeps it up all season. Nevermind retire, there’s a good chance we might just see that head explode yet.

Wonder what colour the face turned to on The Trampo meter when he heard Rafa’s little dig. It usually starts the season off at the bottom end of the scale, sort of blotchy Rose Pink with Crimson flecks, and work’s it’s way right up to something slightly brighter than a Fire Engine by season’s end.

But, if the arrogant deluded old plonkie heard that interview, there’s a good chance it could start the season at at least Smacked Arse Scarlet and, hopefully, reach heights of Redness unknown to human knowledge by May.

Rafa talks about allsorts of things there, makes one little dig at the end of the interview and the BBC decide the interview is… “Ferguson worried by City – Benitez.”

Well, don’t think Rafa made that remark unwittingly. He knew exactly what the journos would do with it, and he knew exactly what he was doing when he dropped that little bomb. Sly old fox our Rafa.

And I know some dislike all that, but meself I hope he keeps right at the shitty arsed old tramp from start to finish. I know the one person that won’t be distracted by the “Mind games.”

Oh well, back to the Tramp’s Top Ten.

Oh hang on, they are interviewing Alex McCliesh about Brum’s first game at Old Trafford. I’ll get back to you on that one.

Yep. It was the usual… “Enjoy the day. This is why we are in the divison to enjoy the big days like this. But we get into the serious business next week with a home game against Portsmouth.”

You could even say that’s understandable. But surely you want your Boss to be saying, “We are going there to win. They are only another 11 players. We don’t fear them.”

So it’s scandalous really. And it’s also complete shite… Take a look at Man U’s opening day results. I don’t know them off by heart, but I know a few things… They usually start at home with a nice easy fixture, lots of times against teams that have just been promoted. But I also remember them struggling in quite a few of them. I remember Wigan and Reading getting draws there. I remember because it pisses me off when I see their easy opening game every season. But I bet everyone in here can remember them playing Newcastle in last season’s opener… it was a draw but could have easily been a loss.

I was hoping other managers would have grown some bollacks over the summer. But it’s same old, same old… we’ll not only have to beat all the others, we’ll have to beat the manager’s association, the refs association and the media.

I could be called one of them paranoid, loon conspiracy fellas. But I don’t care. It’s back to Sir Alex’s top ten for me.

Well back in to bitch about ticket prices once again. Just got a price back for 2 nights accommodation and 2 ticket to Liverpool v Sunderland next March. Accommodation at the Adelphi Hotel. Sounds shit to me. Price 885.00 dollars per person. I’m going to take my chance with the illegal touts, the legal one’s are disgraceful. Why hasn’t my team bought Villa, maybe because I haven’t purchased my tickets yet.
.
Roll on Sunday then roll Spurs.

Great interview with Aquilani, said all the right things and came across really well. It could be the signing of the season if he plays to the potential he has.

No Kenny he wont have time for the dummy he will be eating too much humble pie. However he is lucky he has LB to coach him through it.

FS you could take it two ways, the capitulation or playing it down in the media then telling his team they have fuck all to loose, go out there and kick the shit out of them, unsettle them and try catch them cold. Let’s hope that Scottish temper flares, it will be more in keeping with the Mac.

FS being down on Lucas so early? I can feel it in my waters that it will be a huge year for him. Babel on the other hand, well lets say I still am not convinced, he can step up but will he, does he have the right mentality to fight for his place, that is where I see his main problem lies.

Gaz, I’ll see what I can do on the ticket front, just remind me when you’re coming over. But like I said previously, thanks to H&G “maximising club revenues,” things have got harder. And don’t stay in The Adelphi, it’s a shit house. There’s plenty of good decent and clean hotels in Liverpool that are a lot cheaper.

Keith, when it comes to Lucas you are worse than me with the conspiracy theories. I never slagged the lad. I think he’s a decent tidy footballer, but, sadly he’s not much more than that.

That’s not saying he’s a bad player. Far from it, I know he can do a job for us. But fact is, we all want more than that. Hopefully the lad can make the step up and fill Xabi’s boots. There’d be no one happier than me if he did, well apart from yourself that is. But, well let’s just put it this way…
I’ll be a lot happier when Aqualini get’s fit and is available.

I tell you what will be a huge difference betwen having Alonso and Lucas in there… Xabi was an absolute red card magnet. Lucas’s tackling is still a liability.

As he gets older and more experienced I’m sure he’ll iron that out of his game, but at the moment he still makes rash decisions/tackles and in that position that can prove very costly.

I remember marvelling at the great Brazillians when I first saw the likes of Jarzhino hitting a free kick. But so did every other kid on the planet and now it’s got to the point that even teams in the lower divisions have one player that can score easily from a kick. And though it still looks great when a screamer or a swerver hits the net, it’s just not a special talent anymore really. But you know what… making sure you don’t give the other team the chance is.

And if I was to worry about Lucas, which I don’t really, the one thing that would scare me is the fact that he still gives away free cheap free kicks in and around the box.

Who thinks Carragher looks like Shane from the Shield, especially in the photo on the latest blog?

Oh and Gaz or anybody else that ends up having to deal with them cunt touts, here’s a tip…
Don’t panic.
When they give you a price, tell them to fuck off and walk away. They will follow you, harrishing you. They’ll keep asking you how much you are willing to pay. Tell them you’ll give them face value and walk. I tell them I’d give them six months in prison if I was a judge. But just keep walking away and don’t be panicked as game time approaches.
The nearer it gets to the game – especially if it’s just a normal league game – the more they will drop the price. Remember that.

If you do that Gaz, especially against the likes of Sunderland, you won’t pay that much more over the odds than your probably willing to pay anyway.

Meself, I love winding them up. Me or one of the lads always approach them, ask them how much they want, and then go off on them when they give us some silly money answer. And I mean we really leather them. Me and all me mates proper hate them. But I wouldn’t advice anyone on here do that.

Am just glad that Aquilani didn’t bring up Mussolini again . . .

Man City signed Santa Cruz who is recovering from knee surgery but nobody in the media talks about that…. Aquilani however is fair game. Why?

Because it’s LFC. our one/two/three or is it our two man team/one man/we’re doomed we rely on alonso? oh who cares.

Mussolini again? That is almost Bugerhulk esq comment, explain.

Only winding you up FS, you would rather play 10 men than include Lucas! I think you are going to find that he is more than just a tidy player. He has good vision and can thread decent passes when on his game. He also gets into decent scoring positions. The old adage class is permanent form temporary springs to mind, you don’t win player of the year in Brazil for being tidy. Anyway time will tell if the lad steps up and carries on from his preseason form and builds on that. Hopefully the fans will give him the support he deserves and his confidence will increase as he settles.

Yes LB and they are similarly priced. Biased anyone, media conspiracy to undermine Liverpool at all cost?

There are a shit load of teams entered on the fantasy league site. Just as well you asked them to use a name that is linked to the blog site Gerry or we would not know who is who!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Apart form the obvious ones that did just that I have not got a clue who the majority of the players are.

Howzit Keith. Re Fantasy League: Just shows you how many people read Gerry’s blogs. Can only be a good thing, and also an indication (from my side anyway)of the class posts from you, FS, LB, KDLFCL, Aitch, TT et al.

Raffalution you forgot TP.

Sorry TP, you are part of ‘et al’ – and Digger as well, before I incur his wrath.

I had to trade two players already as they where out injured, I hope that is not an indication of my/our season.

Ha ha, cheers Raf, I was only joking tho.

C’mon lads, we need a few more of you to hop into the Kopblog “I Know the Score” competition.

Right now our mini league stands at 10 players, and it’s a helluva lot less work than maintaining your fantasy team. It takes all of five minutes to bang in your predictions and you’re done. Pretty simple.

For those of you that have already signed up for the fantasy league, it recognizes your username and password already.

http://iknowthescore.premierleague.com
password: FB63B-YTT

Good day to all

Nice to be reminded that Rafa is a man of principle, but hope he doesn’t walk out on us.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/david-maddock/Liverpool-should-beware-of-calling-Rafael-Benitez-s-bluff-over-transfer-policy-article109173.html

Not sure if thus link has been posted before, but if anyone fancies a laarf at the expense of the Manc Wanks…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqGwoTVqzO0

Post #219 What is the odds that that story will be the next stick the media use to beat Rafa with?

A few of us have been saying for a long time that he will get sick of H&G’s shennanigans and walk. It started being discussed right after Athens and, if you think back, he very nearly quit then but the caved in and bought Torres.

Well, if anything it’s just got worse and worse since then. And personally, the only reason I think Rafa stays is what he has said himself…
He loves Liverpool, the city, the club, the team, the fans.

In fact, it was only down to one fans flag that he stayed last time the owners started their tricks. So, I believe him. And why would I doubt such a man of principle.

On top of that, I know Montse and the kids are happy and setteled in Liverpool. She even threatened to stay with the kids if Rafa left. And most people know it was Montse who read all the clubs history to Rafa when they first arrived and his English wasn’t so good.

And I know that piece by Maddocks (he used to work for The Echo) is written as a warning. But remember the journo’s and hacks come into these sort of fans boards to find their stories. So, it’s obvious that they would have picked up on what is worrying a lot of us fans.

So, I hope they start trying to bait Rafa with this, as not only is he an honest man of principles, he is a stubborn bugger too. And I honestly think all the adversity he has, and still does, face, is one of the things that have kept him here.

So, hopefully the hacks will wind him up so much that he digs in his heels even more and makes it’s his life mission to return LFC to it’s former glories.

Cos if he does walk, make no bones about it, and no matter how much he frustrates you from time to time… we are absolutely fucked.

Viva Don Rafael.

(Haven’t said that for ages, just wanted to get it aired again).

(And true Keith, it’s a very big season for the lad and I really hope he grasps the chance and goes onto fulfill all the promise that he has.)

PS… I love that video. But don’t laugh too much. If H&G keep up what they’re doing – especially on the ticket and the corporate hospitality front – it won’t be that long before we need karaoke leaders too.

FS, Viva Don Rafael indeed.

‘Knowing’ what really transpires behind the scene and what Rafa had/has to go through in keeping the club afloat just demands high respect for him personally.

Apart from reading the glories of the past managers of LFC, not much is known about the sleepless nights they had to endure, to me at least. From where I come from, it used to be just the results in the newspapers and the occasional insights in a magazine and the rare games aired on the black & white telly.

But here we are now, thanks to the internet, reading from people like you guys right from the hallowed grounds. Viva The Internet too!

Right, might as well jump onto the Fantasy Premier League bandwagon meself since Gerry so recommended it.

My team is called “Radical Dreamers”, as in needing a radical delusion in order to win this crazy game.

Cheers SOfAK.

Right of to try and crack this fantasy football malarkey. It’ll probably ake more sense than listening to all the fantasits on Talk Shite.

Don’t know why I leave it on. It’s the same thing, 24/7… Chelsea champs. United to push them all the way, and maybe do it – you can never count out the great oracle Sir Alex. Arsenal, no chance. Liverpool no chance now they have sold their best player. City, oh they have to gel, Hughes will be gone by Christmas, blah, blah, blah…

A complete and utter gang of sheep, that must share the same brain cell depending who’s on air. Not an original thought between them.

I’ve got news for them Man City have invested in some tried and tested premiereship players. They might be a bit top heavy in the attacking department when compared to their defence. But it didn’t do Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle much harm when they near won the league, and that’s how I reckon City will play and I fancy them to show the tramp up this season.

Oh and what a lad that Torres is. Seems daft to say he’s only on £110,000 a week. I know that’s more than I’ll probably save in a lifetime of hard work, but can you imagine the sort of money the lad could get if he decided to go to the likes of City. Well, in Nando son.

Everytime I touch that bloody thing it gets worse

Torres is real gem, for sure. He gets paid the money he does because that’s the way football is.

He said recently that to want any more money would be pure greed and that is not Fernando Torres. As you said some time back FS, he only had family and friends at his wedding, people who he knows, who he is close to. I bet Hello! magazine and the like didn’t even know
he was getting married!

Fenando Torres. He’s committed to LFC, he’s humble and down to earth, and he’s our no.9.

Rafa will be at LFC for many years to come, I’m sure of that now. Reeling in number 19 or big ears
will help his cause, naturally.

This one’s not a joke…
http://www.athletic-club.net/web/main.asp?a=0&b=1&c=1&d=1000&berria=8455&idi=1

It’s only for a season’s loan, but that’s another centre half down. And me mate who put me onto it reckons we will end up selling him for 3 to 4 million euros. Not bad for a kid that cost us 500,000 euros. So, another good bit of business by Rafa.

Yep Steve he does know how to find the lad’s with the right mentaliteeee, eh.

Steve, I hope that you are right mate about Rafa staying for many years to come.

However, history suggests if you fuck him over, he will not even blink an eye and move in.

H&G, you have been warned!!!

FS, that’s another 2.5-3.5 million in the fat-cats pockets.

Seriously, Rafa is a money making machine. Maybe, he should take it up professionally

I`m sure that is the best alternative for San Hoze.Some of experience in a top league will do him good.We might be a centre half down FS but i think he would have been right down the pecking order for the prem and barring some astronomical bad luck injury/suspension wise we probably wouldn`t see him getting any league game time for us.Best of luck to the lad.

Fatty,when you were listening to the Tramps top ten this morning this wasn`t belted out was it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KI6g01zO-A

It`s a belter and would be fitting for that bacon faced whino!

OH MY GOD…. THAT’S ANOTHER BLEEDING DEFENDER GONE.
WHERE’S OUR COVER NOW?
STARTING THE PREM WITHOUT OUR FIRST-TEAMERS AND WITH ONE LESS KID FOR COVER.
WE REALLY ARE SCREWED NOW… RAFA HAS A LOT TO ANSWER FOR.
THIS SUMMER’S TRANSFER BUSINESS CAN ONLY BE SEEN AS AN ABJECT FAILURE……

ETC…. ETC…. ETC….

The Sky is Falling. The Sky is Falling.

Yet another Prem Campaign doomed from the start.

(Just trying to beat the Nervous Nellie Brigade to the punch !)

Hey Digger, I’ve been meaning to ask… are you a Setanta subscriber?

If things get tight is Rafa capable of pulling on some boots on Sunday?

Right lads

Last thing about Fantasy league (i promise)

I’ve set up a head to head league where your team will play another player from Kopblog each week

you get 1 pt for a draw and 3 for a win

Just enter the same team you have into this league

by clicking ‘join league’

the password is 577752-280448

then we’ll have 2 cups to compete in this year

you wont change your team for each though just once so after you sign up its the same it wont take up any more of your time

its called Kopblog head to head

Over

Heres what Stevie Sopranos cousin had to say about him
(he’s a defender for Cardiff)

He added: “I’d love to get the chance to face him in a game one day.

“I’ve only ever played against him as a kid in my gran’s back garden.

“Then he’d make me go in goal and just belt balls at me. So it would be a dream to play against him in the Premier League.”

Sounds like our Stevie

Over

Donal.i`ve picked rosiky of the arse in my team how do i take him out and change him,he`s feckin injured already!

Ttpo: Rosicky!

Its ok pal sussed it.

Be careful Timmy. I had Jagielka in and realised he was injured. When I took him out, I took a few others out just to rearrange the team and switch a couple of players round. But once you take a player out you can’t put them back in. Don’t know if that lasts for the season though.

Thought I’d just best warn you that the others have formed a league manager’s association, and Donal and Gerry will be forming a “Beyond the Pail” double pronged attack right now. So I won’t be able to help you again, but seriously they are talking, talking always talking so they are obviously seriosly very worried by that already, no.

Timmy click on the ‘Transfers’ option on the and you should be able to change him here.

Otherwise stick him on the subs bench if you think that he may be ready next week but with his record I wouldn’t hold me breath.

Last push for Kopblog’s “I Know the Score” competition. We are up to 15 now, which is good but not a patch on the fantasy football.

Seriously, it only takes 5 mins:

http://iknowthescore.premierleague.com
password: FB63B-YTT

Gerry, where’s your team man? Can’t seem to find it

Is mine in there Lurgan?

Sorted.

FS you were right i ended up having four crocked players so i had to make some changes.

Bring it on !Should get us through today while we wait for tomorrow.

What’s your player’s name in there FS?

Don’t know mate. I’ve arsed about with it that much. It’s either Hugh Jarse or Kakonastick

FS, I can see you in the Fantasy football thingy (Chubby Chasers managed by Hugh Jarse) but not in the ‘I Know the Score’ thing.

Give to the mini-league option and enter FB63B-YTT under the ‘Join a private Mini-League’ option.

Good luck Hugh!

I`m sick of this silly season.Can`t wait for the real stuff to start UP THE WARRIORS!

I think I’m in

Said the bishop to the actor’s daughter

Just signed up for head to head.

I confirm that I can now see ‘Kakonastick’.

Welcome aboard fatty.

Hey you can do your transfers for free until 11 today

ive set up the head to head as a cup competition (the final being played on the last game week)
the good news id that it wont start scoring until gameweek 3 Aug 22

to give ye more time to sign up

itll be good craic

The top 8 teams go to the knock out round

G’luck and over and out

Fatty your team the chubby chasers are your regconised team if (only enter that one)

If you want it to be your other team let me know

theres only one team per player

and the team you select should be the one for all comps

let me know soon bro

Yeah Donal change it to the other team. I just came back in to say I’d messed with it last night and it’s all fucked up now. And if you can change it, put it in the other competition aswell

Actually i suppose it doesnt matter as long as you enter the chubby chasers in the head to hear as the i know the score is seperate

Remember the chubby chasers are your official team for the league and head to head

you can make it the same as your ather team today no bother

over

I’ll try now Donal. But you know the craic… Help the aged. I changed me team last night, took about half an hour. Clicked on it this morning and nothing had changed. Must have to hit save or something. But anyway, this is me last go. If I fuck it up, I’m gonna gyb it. As I say the other managers have already ganged up on me just for crossing me eyes

Bro theres some probs with the site so you can just change your players from 1 team to the other and you have a week to enter it in the head to head

If you re-enter the team to the original password on the blog I can delete your other team

sorry for the confusion bro

Fatty after you ‘make transfers ‘just ‘confirm transfers’ and it will change

either way I will keep your team in shur its only a bit o craic

Over

If both teams are still in the Kopblog2 league dont worry about it

Ill sort it out

Ok got it sorted

just re-enter your other team to the password on the blog and we are all good

over

you re-enter it by the same means you enteres it by hitting ‘join league’

Over

Well, either that’s that done or… you’ll all have to stop by my office after the match and we’ll share a nice bottle of red toilet duck while I make my excuses. Beyond the pail indeed.

Hahahahahahaha

maybe we can cook up a good one about Gerry’s hand gestures offending you

I’ll check it now

over

Fatty did you re enter your old team or change the chubby chasers?

Fatty I dont see your old team back in there

your gonna have to go with the chubby chasers

sorry biglad!

good news you can change teams to look exactly the same and enter the chubbies in the head to head and we’re sorted

dunno the time difference but it looks like yáll have 10 mins to finalise your teams

over

BYW we have a week to enter the head to head cup

over and out

Everything’s cool here Donal.

I am very confident of a finish just outside the relegation zone

Good man lurg
Im hoping for a league and cup double or else the muck savages face liquidation and will have to sell me best players……..Berbatov and Mc Shane

Think the deadline has passed

hope ye are all happy with your picks

break a leg or get fired

over and out

Right lads I dont wannt make it a fantasy league blog but seen as its open now who did you make your captains ?

Mine was Boswinger

Torres for me

right lads a new season an new superstitions for me i’m gonna try something new i’m gonna post my bet on here every week before kick off to see if it brings me some much needed luck. The bookies made a nice wee earner outta me last season so here goes –

man city evs
newcastle 4/5
stoke 10/11
liverpool 11/10

YNWA

Here’s a good overview on the Keisuke Honda guy.

http://www.insidefutbol.com/2009/08/12/liverpool-head-queue-of-keisuke-honda-admirers/

RR, I placed the same bet myself, so at least I can blame you if it goes tits up

well lads, its started, a long 84 days!!
I’m in the fantasy league, flahs flyers is the team name, you’ll all be looking at it sitting on top of the league for the season!!!
Cant wait for tomorrow, meetin a big group of pool supporters in the pub along with our two spurs fan mates!

Lurgan even when im skint an in dire need of the money i will always have a good wknd as long as we win. Though i sat an looked at that bet an said it just has to touch,however it was that same over confidence that cost me so dearly last season.

fingers crossed. come on the pool.

P.s any of the boys of here going to the game tomorrow i’m jealous as fuck, but sing ur hearts out and have a great time.

Agreed RR – a decent win tomorrow and I don’t give a toss if the bet comes up or not!

Any of you Yanks know what the commentary is like for this ESPN, is it just a clone of Sly like Setanta turned out to be .

Boswinga was a BAD option!!

R77 – In Aussie most of our Champs. League coverage is via ESPN – its the worst of the lot – fooking Yanks with less clue about the game than most of the English Journos…topped off with that utter fuckwit Tommy Smyth “with a y”…avoid if at all possible…I’d take Sly or Setanta over those arse wankers any day…thats how bad they are…

Feck it,i had alex instead of carvalho.Did Alex play i don`t remember seeing him.Looks like Ancellotti prefers ricardo over alex so i`ve made my first sub of the season.

3 points behind the chavs now lads…what are we going to do Rafa has to go

Now I remember… six minutes of added time for fuck all. 3 points instead of 1. And Stan Collymoore on the radio… no wonder I hate football.

Lurgan mate the sweat is well an truly on now. My bet was done as trebles an quads so i’ve covered it plus a £10 up. Its all about the mighty pool now. CANT FUCKIN WAIT. cross everything:D

There goes the notion Arsenal are useless.

LB, I dont think anyone had the notion Arsenal were useless. On their day they are a very good side. However lack of depth (injuries plus number of games) and lack of leadership will mean they arent the most dangerous team (in comparison to the chavs and Man Utd with the EPL crown in question)

RR, the sweat is well and truly on.

I done a quad, triples and doubles meself and am just a few quid under covering my bet. Tomorrow will be interesting.

Come on you Red men!

Everything at all possible will be crossed and some type of animal will be sacrificed tomorrow midday

LB, still sticking to my guns and say that the Arse will go thru a bad patch or three and finish a bit of the pace.

RR, I’m talking crap. Have already covered my bet with ~40 euros to spare. Thought that something was amiss there!

Anyway, roll on tomorrow

Kiwi Mark cheers for that but Setanta have gone tits up in England so i’ve no choice as i wont pay for Sly,and ESPN is free with my tv package .
Still alway’s the mute button if they annoy me.
Anyway roll on tomorrow i cant wait going to watch it on stream.
Anybody feel sorry for Everton?
YNWA

R77 – thats what I find myself doing…I cant tell you how much I dislike that horrible little Tommy Symth…

Anyway…as the Tui Ads in NZ go…Everton…Big Club…Yeah Right…

I have very little sympathy with them…there manager is Taggart Series 2…