100% on point in my opinion Gerry! The most worrying aspect is the lack of heart shown by these players lately. Time for them to stand up and be counted. As far as I’m concerned only Reina and Ngog have earned their wages so far this season.

Not going to read the blog or comments yet. I’ll save it for tomorrow, just wanted to say… Arthur, I answered your question in the last blog.

And so you did FS. Great posts, likewise Aitch.

Can’t say I’ve seen very much footie of late. I’m stuck in Belgium thanks to Mr Michael O’Leary and the still missing plane that never showed up to fly us to Shannon.
The obscure point of all of this is that my Father-in-law, who rescued me from the airport at 1.00 am this morning, lives in Dallas at the moment. He had a local free newspaper with him at breakfast and lo and behold guess who the big sports story revolved around. Yessir, one Tom Hicks who is concluding a deal to sell off the local Texas Rangers (or whatever their called). Apart from nearly gagging up from reading his “we don’t see ourselves as owners but custodians” bullshit the figures are interesting. He is well over 100 million dollars in profit from the deal.
Just in time to really sort out our left midfied, support striker etc …. Just thought I’d give ye a laugh anyway.

Top blog Gerry. I love the kuyt/chicken kidnapping theory.

Well I gave my tuppence worth in the last blog. With respect to what you’ve written Gerry, if you don’t have the will then there’s no hope at all of getting a result. It’s fundamental. Also Rafa has got to prime (to use your expression FS) our lot. Fail to prepare and all of that. I think Rafa “sees” the game but unfortunately not all of the players seem to be seeing the same thing. Sometimes you gotta be very clear and simple with these guys. There is a reason why you are the manager and they are the players. Assume no knowledge Rafa, that’s a good starting point I reckon.

Hey sambo nice to see you and the fam arrived safe and well…were missin ya already pal!

Nice post gerry, i agree its strange the gaffer wont drop kuyt.. as much as i rate the guy his work rate is not compensating for the drop in control and his passing…benny onion on the right and give him a spell ….it couldn’t hurt.

as much as i like insua he is young and probably is being affected b y the rants and taunts thrown his way by the fans,,,ours to by what ive read…so getting aurellio back on the left will be good.

for what its worth i completly hate all this get rid o rafa talk…if he goes were fucked….in times of strife the senior players need to stand up and drive the young boys forward..lets see some grit god damn it!!!

In rafa we trust

There was a very interesting exchange that began towards the end of the last blog that I don’t want to lose track of, so I’m copying the three main posts below.

Arthur G. Posis
Posted on December 22, 2009 @ 5:00 pm

FS – your loyalty and knowledge of all things Liverpool FC are certainly admirable but there is something I would like to ask you. At what point would you say to yourself “Ok I think Rafa is not the best man for this job?” Do you not think that despite injuries and a lack of budget we should be able to qualify for the Champions League?

I mean lets just say we get knocked out of the F.A. Cup at Reading and lose to Aston Villa – is there not an argument to say that another manager could come in – steady the ship – get the lads playing again and attempt to salvage something from this wreck of a season?

There really is no basis (in my eyes) when you say Liverpool is finished if we lose Rafa? You may have respect for the man and have admired his achievements but as far as I’m concerned no manager is bigger than the club – why would Rafa be any different?

Aitch
Posted on December 22, 2009 @ 6:45 pm

Arthur, I can’t speak for FS, but I can tell you why I agree with him.

Obviously, no one can say with any certainty what will happen… but…

We’ve gotten progressively better under Rafa. The evidence is there for all to ignore.
Number 5 and a 2nd CL final that was only narrowly lost to a very good AC Milan side.
Exciting runs to semi-finals that were only narrowly lost. And an FA Cup.

But we haven’t progressed in the league, will be the response.
But we have indeed, progressed in terms of our Prem League finishes. And if you really look hard at those finishes, we were actually not as far off as some would have you believe.

All this while not being able to buy his first choices, yet being lambasted for assembling a “poor squad” by the same people who rejoice in how good that squad was when beating Juve, Barca, Milan, Chelsea and trouncing the likes of United and Real Madrid.

There is a time when you cut your losses and there is a time to hold fast. Now is not the time to cut our losses.
If we were in our current league position, due to our recent results… with a FIT team… I’m talking about everyone on form, a settled back 4, SG and Torres playing every week… then sure… you’d have to question what was wrong and why we are in that position… and you’d have to be looking at the Manager.

… but that is not our current reality.
Steven Gerrard has been on the pitch for the last half-dozen games, but that’s about as much as you can really say about his being there. That’s not meant as a broadside of our Captain, but honestly. Some would suggest even a half-fit SG is better than no SG… and his performances in the past may have proven that… But that simply hasn’t been the case this season.
I don’t want to single him out, but he’s the best example to use. You could say the same or similar for most of the first 11.

Let’s just take right back as another example.
People are starting to trot out (read on several forums recently) the ludicrous “we should never have paid that for Johnson, when we had Arbeloa and needed a striker.”
This ignores the fact that Arbeloa was gone. He wanted to go back to Spain… Nothing to do with disliking Rafa. He wanted to go home.
In his first few games Johnson was terrific… defending well, getting forward… scoring and creating goals, or goal scoring opportunities… then he got injured.
His replacement should have been Deggen… a full Swiss International. But this guy has been a worse signing than Vegard Heggem (note to Rafa: do not buy any players with 2 Gs in the middle of their name. Two rr’s for sure, but no G’s please J )
Now Veggie was fantastic in his first season. Got forward, created goal scoring chances and even scored one, or two himself…. Then he got injured… and that was it… he just could never recover. This happens sometimes and there is simply no predicting it.
So we called on Kelly… our 4th choice right back… since our 3rd choice right back was also injured… and Kelly did fantastic in his few games… I’d have loved to see him get a few more and he probably would have… but he also picked up an injury.

So that’s all 4 right backs injured. Now an otherwise settled back 4 might survive that… but when you consider Agger’s thigh strain, then back, Skrtle’s broken jaw and concussion. JC’s concussion, Hyypia’s departure, Kyrgiakos fitting into a new team AND the pace of the Prem and Insua flying halfway round the world to try to save Argentina’s World Cup hopes…. Well you can draw only one conclusion…

…Zonal defending doesn’t work and Rafa can’t man-manage.

If it wasn’t so obscenely ignorant… it would be comical.
Now do what I just did for the defense, for the midfield and the forward positions.

The only way any “new” manager suddenly has everyone fit and firing on all cylinders, is if he’s Harry Potter!

Now yes, you do have to concede the possibility that a new manager might, slowly stem the tide and turn things around, but then come Summer, who stays and who leaves on the playing side… at a club who has to sell to buy?
Does Torres stay or go? Does Pepe?
Does SG give another manager time to build his own team, or does he take a big payday in the Spanish sunshine?
A new manager given no funds… might be forced to sell SG and FT … in order to build “his own” team.
I think people should be careful what they wish for.

Maybe we need to finish mid-table this season… maybe, just maybe that is what is required… to write off this bizarre alternate reality of a season we are currently faced with… maybe us, Scum, the Arse… all finish outside the “top 4” and the Prem is dealt a head spinning blow…. It could happen.

Now is the time to stand fast, hold your head up high, shout from the rooftops that “I am a Liverpudlian and I come from the Spion Kop”
Stand fast, hold our ground and fall where we stand.
If we fall, then so be it… let Rafa reshuffle the pack a bit in the summer and see if he can give it a go.
Then and only then, can we honestly judge.

… or… demand instant success… like they did at Newcastle, like they did at Leeds…

Fat Scouser
Posted on December 22, 2009 @ 9:35 pm

Arthur, I’m not having a go, but I am sort of amazed why you’re asking.

I’ve said many many times when I think Rafa will have to go – not shoud go, but will have to. And under our current ownership, and the situation that creates at the club, that’s only under one circumstance…
When the job has become completely untenable for Rafa as an individual.

I’ve also said, I fear the press/media, aided by our shit for brains fans, are closing in on doing exactly that.

And I’ve said time and again, what will probably happen if they leave Rafa with no choice but to go, or H&G sack him. And surely you can see the mess that will leave us in.

I don’t know if you seen it but in the last blog, I wrote out a detailed factual post on what happened at Leeds. I even put a time line on the events that led to their colapse… The situation we are now in is practically a carbon copy of what happened there when it all started to unravel.

I can’t see into the future Arthur, but I think it’s fair to use the most probable case scenario…

Firstly, RBS and Wachovia will get very nervous, especially RBS, and call in the loans. There is no doubt about that, and when forced to raise the money, H&G will start to asset strip the club and pocket as much money as possible.

Hicks has stated this himself. And you only have to look at what happened with their other sporting franchises… Google Corinthians.

But you could also look at any of their sporting franchises. The proof is out there for anyone who cares to look.

So it would probably mean Addios, Nando, Pepe, Yossi, Masch, Gerrard and Johnson.

As for us kicking on after Rafa has gone… Have a look at Valencia.

But to try and give credence to their sack Rafa arguments, idiots always say how Maureen arrived at Chelsea and immeadiately won the league.

Well, I don’t want to just pull a figure out my arse, but what he spent is also easy enough to check.

And them huge multi-millions is what it took for him to win a title with a very good team that had been to a Champion’s League semi final the season before under Raneiri.

And make no bones about it, there will be no money for any new fella under H&G. In fact, they will only hire someone, once it is in their contract that they ask for no money.

(Why are people still asking about January signings? FFS we’re having trouble giving Pepe and Masch new contracts. Nevermind Barcelona knocking on the door. They are on fucking buttons compared to what they could earn elsewhere).

But anyway, who would be the next manager?

Well, forget all these star names people are listing. We’d be lucky to attract a decent young manager who understands the Premiereship and what it takes to perform in it, like say Valencia or Coyle.

But what do you think they could achieve with no money? And do you honestly think H&G would have the sense to hire someone decent with an understanding of the game in this country?

Let’s face it, they fucking don’t… so probably won’t.

And I could go on and on Arthur. But the fact is, I already have. I’ve spent months at it, and it hasn’t been just me.

There’s plenty of people on here trying to warn what is the most likely scenario should Rafa go.

I think people should just get a fucking grip or do one.

Rafa is a fantastic manager. He took over a squad of players, excepting Gerrard, worth about 10 bob. He immeadiately turned them into The Champion’s of Europe. And slowly but surely he’s built them into a squad worth hundreds of millions.

He done that with a net spend of 16 million a season, gradually upgrading as he went along and making a profit on each player he sold on when upgrading.

Our last 3 managers lost money hand over fist on the buying and selling of players. Through success and transfer dealings, Rafa’s brought in record profits every season, each season out doing the last.

He has totally revamped the academy and youth set ups. It’s already starting to bear fruit, with plenty more to come. And he’s installed a scouting system that is beating all the other top clubs to the top young talent and potential.

He’s won a CL and an FA cup, and got us to another CL final. In fact, he’s brought back regular Champion’s league football when we weren’t even qualifying for the UEFA. But he’s given us some wonderful memories and brought back them special European nights.

He’s constantly improved us in the league… beating Arsenal and Wenger in four out of the last five seasons.

Last season, we went within 2 goals of winning the title. Had Nando and Steven been fit more often? We went the closest to the title we have in 20 years, in the process we seen some of the best football we’ve ever seen… nevermind just in the last 20 years.

Unfortunately that means he’s also attracted thousands and thousands of Sky-Prem-Generation fans with their stupid demands. So, fuck all that eh. We’ve had a bad few months. Let’s just toss it all away and leave the club to our “Custodians” and their creditors.

Seriously Arthur, I’m amazed you had to ask.

But while on that subject, I’m still patiently waiting for someone on the other side of the Rafa fence to give me their plan – or more fairly, their most likely case scenario – should they get their way and force out the best manager we’ve had in the last 20 years?

Any takers?

FS – you’ll be dead a 100 years before any of the Traitors can come up with a scenario that would work ex Rafa…they are all traitorous morons…

I fear we will lose Rafa, I fear some idiot will be placed in charge (someone worse even than Martin ONeill – a good manager – but not a brilliant one – he could only succeed if funded – which clearly wouldnt happen)…I fear we will end up bankrupt and in the Championship…

The only glimmer of hope from that is at least that should get shot of the Borrowers and hopefully we will end up with Custodians who have a clue…it would be a long road back though…

Shame the Traitors dont see this…mind you they are amongst the dumbest creatures in the known universe…so you cant really expect much I suspose…

Maybe Jan Molby is right and Rafa is trying to do too much…surely he makes mistakes…but unless I am delusional Ferguson/Wenger/Ancellotti are hardly the epitome of perfection either…

Some moron said we should sack Rafa because he’s had 5 years…how stupid is this Traitor…does he not know it took Ferguson 7 years???

Kiwi,

You’re right about many morons using the 5 year stick to whack Rafa. They’re even saying Rafa has spent much more than any previous Liverpool manager, conveniently ignoring the incredible inflation of player wages and transfer fees before and after Rafa’s reign as manager of LFC. Imagine the British transfer record of 15m pounds for Shearer in 1996 (then world record) vs Ronaldo’s 80m pounds to Real Madrid in 2009. And we’re not even mentioning the wage differences of Premiership players between 1996 and 2009.

Of course, Rafa has spent more than any other Liverpool manager before him. It’s just selective acceptance of figures without even considering the real world circumstances.

And like what FS has said, we’ve qualified for Champions League every season under Rafa so far, winning 1, beaten finalist once and qualifying for the knock out phases every season except this one.

Even Fergie has failed to qualified during Rafa’s time in LFC, being last in the group stages and not even qualifying for the then UEFA Cup (that’s to you, Burgerman). And Wenger’s Arsenal also have had problems qualifying for knockout stages until about 3 or 4 years ago.

And these guys are calling for Rafa’s head after just one season of failing to qualify for knockout stages.

Like I said in an earlier post, I’m only worried about Rafa losing the dressing room. If the players are with him, together with his PROVEN CAPABILITIES over the last 5 years, I see no problem with us qualifying for next year’s champions league.

Arthur, I think the time to say goodbye will be when Rafa decides he’s had enough. As far as supporting our players and manager, that should be continual until they either resign or are removed. When the resign we say thanks and welcome the next generation. If he is dismissed we say thanks and good luck for the future.
.
Thats not blind faith, it’s just something I think everyone doing that job deserves.
.
I guess there will come a time when his time is up but that should be when he decides, NOT US.
.
As far as losing the dressing room, I think the owners have lost the dressing room and could well and truely fuck up the management too.

Ps, wasn’t it only last year that LFC was touted as the most successful British team of the 2000+ era. How quickly things change.

Gerry, I think it’s not due to lack of effort. At the game, in the heat of the moment, I made pretty much the same assesment as yourself and most others in here… Fight you bastards …being about the calmest of my thoughts.

It took me 4 and a half hours to make a journey that normally takes about an hour and a half. It took the lads far far longer to get done from Liverpool. And when we got there, it was horrendous…
old friends arguing, fellow reds nearly fighting one another, young lads actually taking the piss out of the players and Rafa, even joining in with the “Your Getting Sacked In The Morning” chants from the Pompey fans. (It’s some sort of new twisted irony support thing).

The whole day was just a debacle. In a stadium that will one day lead to a tragedy, if it isn’t fixed up soon. It’s one absolute shithole. Back to the 70′s…

We were herded in and around like cattle, and just going for a half time piss could have lead to a tragedy… thousands of fellas crammed into one tiny alleyway, with no way of escape, on iced over tarmac, all fighting and arguing.

Then there was that shit on the pitch. And the awful journey home – 14 hours lost out me life, and me days takings from the busiest Saturday of the year, and the best part of 2 hundred quid lighter. It really is hard at times.

But the only reason I say all this is… I’d do it all again, and will. Because that’s all you can do, keep trying, keep fighting, keep going, especially at times like this.

And you know what, it turns round.

Next thing you know, you’re bouncing round like an idiot, shouting, cheering, singing, hugging and kissing total strangers, feeling emotions that a grown man shouldn’t really be getting from a game.

Yep. We are daft bastards. But that’s the way it is… we carry on as if the sky is falling when we get beat. You’d think we’d won the lottery, the oscar and the noble bloody peace prize, when we win.

Divvies the lot of us. But I don’t know anything else, well, there really isn’t anything else that can do this or take it’s place.

Player’s, well they pick up their wages hail rain or shine.

Rafa should set a couple of us on them. Shankly used to… after a bad defeat, he would make them face the fans, listen to their complaints, and explain what went wrong.

Problem is though, if you watch the Pompey game again, it wasn’t just down to a lack of heart and fight.

There’s a cloud hanging over this club from the boardroom, to the pitch, and onto the terraces. And there’s only one way out of it… keep trying, keep fighting, keep going.

But there’s no quick way out of it.
We’ve got a lose/lose game coming up… Win, so what. It was only Wolves. We should win.
Lose, the sky will have really fallen and maybe landed on Rafa’s head.

I’ll keep me thoughts for the Wolves game, but be warned… the hard times could only just be starting.

Torres said :
“It’s a difficult situation but every top team in the world goes sometimes through a bad situation like Liverpool now. Like every top team in the world, Liverpool will get over the situation.
“I have confidence in myself and my team. I know we are good enough. We were playing really well last season with the same team. We have to just recover the mentality and the confidence in ourselves and everything will be different.
“I think sacking the manager is not a solution. The manager is not playing so we have to be positive with him, try to work with him. We are the main reason, the players are the people that have to find a solution to the situation. The manager is not playing, so we have to play much better.”
Gerrard said: “I don’t think it’s right to pick out individual players. We’re a team, we’re a group and we are responsible for where we’re lying in the league at the moment. All of us have got to stick together and try and pull through and turn it around.”

From what i have read above it does show that there is indeed some confidence issue, why back up the man if he has lost the dressing room?
What’s next?
Kuyt is paying Rafa to play him in all games (well not a bad idea… maybe rafa can raise enough funds to buy a player).
I doubt Rafa is the kind of person who is has favourites. He chooses a player because he can do what needs to be done.. not because he loves blondes.

AX – great points, however completely lost on the “instant success brigade”…

As FS has said…not one of them has offered any solution to the problem other than “sack Rafa”…these morons are incapable of looking beyond the next 5 minutes…completely ignoring the fact that there are very few other managers who are better than Rafa and even less who are available and zero who would come to LFC…as every one of them knows you need money to win, and its money we dont have…so in fact there are in ZERO other managers who could do a better job than is being done now…

LFC has been in steady decline since 1990 – we may be a big club in terms of history – but we are in fact only a medium club in terms of finances and that is the point…the most significant point…without cold hard cash you chances of winning anything major consistently are 8%…thats right 8% – 92% of the time the clubs with the largest wage bills win…ours is mid table…and guess what – thats our league position…its not nice, its not where we want to be…but unfortunitely thats reality…however it seems some of the so called “supporters” of this club seem to think championship manager is realistic and that we have no end of funds and its really easy to win a Premier League or European Cup…

Whilst the Borrowers are still in charge that is our future…we dont neccessarily need a sugar daddy – although the more the Russian spends, and the Arabs at City spend the more neccessary it will become – but we definitely need some people running this club who are willing to invest for long term gain rather than a quick buck based on brand loyalty, increasing TV revenues and leveraged plan…

Right now I would take the American who owns the New England Revolution coached by Steve Nichol…hes not that loaded but he does seem to be a more sound businessman, rather than some shonky redneck Texas gambler and a short arsed Canadian with small mans syndrome…

FS, what about you writing a book: “A day in the life of a Bournemouth red” seriously, I think you’d be really good at it. You set the scene so well.

As for the clubs hard times continuing, I fear you may well be right. As much as we all remember that the club has no devine right to succces, just at the moment it fels like Groundhog and Doomsday all rolled into one.

Usually I’d be very confident of 3 points on Boxing Day. Not just because we are playing Wolves but also because historically we seem to do well on Boxing Day, usually banging in a few goals. This year though I am not so confident.

#13… in the last few days, Agger, Lucas, Torres and Gerrard have all said the same thing… “It’s not down to Rafa. It’s the players fault. It’s a confidence thing. We need to sort it out soon. It would be nice to bring in some quality players, but we are skint. So we need to get back to our best.”

Carra, Johnson and Masch all said the same thing recently too. And it’s nice to see the players backing the boss, questioning themselves, and having a dig at the owners. But I’d rather they done their talking on the pitch, as it will just be ignored by the people it’s aimed at.

HA! Steve until I found Kopblog a few years back and started commenting, I could barely sign me name to claim me benefits!

Oh well, I’ve got to go. Got to get back to work… on avoiding getting a job.

Later.

It’s also amazing that Prince Fuck-all is back in the news. Everytime there’s an opportunity to gets some exposure, he’s back. I wonder if Prince Fuck-all is Texan.

Good comments and debate Aitch and FS – I’m still so confused as to what I think is the best approach for LFC but that may be because I’m so goddamn hungover right that typing is hurting my head

Hope the Heskey rumours aren’t true.It took Taggart 6 full seasons to win the title, they finished 2nd twice before finally winning it.There was a steady improvement each season and they made the leap from 77 points in 1992 to 92 the following season.No mention of Aquilani in the blog.Who is going to fill in for Masher on Sat?.Benny gives the ball away too cheaply, explains why he was dropped V Pompey.Ngog and Torro should start up front.

Super stuff Gerry,

Having wathed the game here is my two cents…

First 20 mins or so we were in complete control.Too comfortale it seemed.We just needed to step up the tempo a it to start penetrating and creating chances.
Then we concede a goal by silly defending.

Agger almost immediately misses a golden opportunity to level with a header.I`m glad by the way that he`s been getting into these positions.Surely he`ll stick one soon.

Going in one goal and one man down i was still confident we could get something back.

They started the second half like they eneded the first,nervous and shaky.They tried but the confidence has been drained from them.
Its been like that for a while now when we go behind.The team seems to whilt under the pressure.

Thats definately a mental issue.

Gerry i`m with you on the Dossena thing.Not that i`ve an agenda against the man its just he has played little football this season and it lookes a tad defensive from Rafa starting him.Also on the other flank Johnson seems to lak sharpness and Kuyt as ever gives his all but its just not happening for Dirk at the moment.Maybe Rafa needs to give Dirk a day off boxing day and have him raring to go for Villa.I`ve been saying he needs a rest for a while now.

I won`t even mention why sacking the manager will damage us,the lada have covered that pretty well in the last blog.

I think its up to the players to pull themselves out of this slump.Its roll up your sleeves time.

Back again Burgerman with your irrelevant imformation.

You say Mr ferguson finished second twice befor winning it and throw out a stat like “There was a steady improvement each season and they made the leap from 77 points in 1992 to 92 the following season”

BM,my pal,the superb statistition you are,forgot to mention Mr Fergusons “steady progression” the first season he finished second on 81 points in 1988,he went on to progress to 11th place on 51 points the following season in 1989.

Oh my god why didn`t the manc board sack that awful manager.

Statistician, not your laughable effort.The Mancs won cups in 90 and 91, their first euro trophy in 23 years and made progress in the league.How many points will the Reds get this year?.Evans and Houllier finished in third and fourth with 65 and 60 points in their final season.Why didn’t they get more time?.Can’t see the Reds hitting 92, can you Tiny Tim?.

“he’s a grafter for sure and it can’t be easy for him having to play the game with his waist size displayed on the back of his shirt” arf arf thats pure gold gerry pure gold. cant be arsed arguing today.gonna enjoy crimbo and hopefully a turn around in fortunes in the new year. have a good one fellow reds.

But I could see me hitting you if you was in range.

Arsehole!

Burgerman i`d be honest if your comments weren`t so ridiculously funny,i`d actually be pissed off with the shit you come out with.

You just contradicted yourself with the natural progression comments.

You decide to pick out stats that suit you.

Infact why do i bother your simply the Lord Mayor of silly city.
Thats the biggest compliment i can give you.

It is hilarious Timmy, but remember when the lad doesn’t just throw meaningless nonsense out about other clubs, and then try’s to use his own opinion… we get gems, like Hiddink, Larson, and Nemeth.

I can’t make up me mind what is funniest. And honestly, if he was in range, I’d give him a clip round the ear and tell his Mum to take his computer out of his Manc, Arsenal and Chelseas poster covered bedroom. Or take the child lock off it so he’d just go look at naughty pictures, instead of being naughty here.

But to anyone who want’s to believe this naughty boy’s nonsense… Go check some of the things he says. It’s all out there. I’d recommend starting with Mr Alex Ferguson’s record as manager of Man United…

It bears little resemblance to what our naughty lad has to say, but then that’s not really his point and doesn’t fit his agenda.

And the fact is, if Manc fans like BM had got their way, The Tramp would have been sacked long before he won anything. For at least 2 seasons they had many banners calling for his head, and chants to go along with them.

Funny how they still don’t have one flag to the man, and they still haven’t made up one song, not even a bloody chant, to thank the man for all he has done for them.

But then I suppose that’s only to be expected from a club that is nowadays almost exclusively “Supported” by BM type fans.

Shame they didn’t get their way.

PS… I’d put up The Tramp’s true managerial record in here, but, despite the likes of BM, I still regard this an LFC forum.

But here’s a clue…
Wikkipedia.

There’s an insight about progression in there somewhere I think. Maybe it would clear some heads:

ttp://tomkinstimes.com/2009/12/the-roots-of-struggle/

as always, excellent article gerry!

my mate gave me a link to a piece, that could be a reminder of how we must rally during this extremely challenging period in this season. thought i might share it with you guys here.

http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=251439.0

i think we were linked with him before

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11854_5795199,00.html

wages and signing on though might put us out of the race but there is no doubt he is a handy lpayer for a free transfer

SOAK
thanks for posting the Tomkins link in #29. What a fantastic read.

Unfortunately its long and takes a fair amount of time to read, but its everything you need to know about why and where we are right now!

If you haven’t read it, make yerself a cuppa and take the time.
…………………

timmy, you’re right mate.
You talk about us being nervous going in 0-1 down at Portsmouth.
We were nervous going in 1-0 up against Wigan at home.
We’d missed a hatful of opportunities, real opportunities, to go 2 or 3-0 up and you could visibly see some of the players thinking, “aw fuck, I bet we go up the othre end and concede one here.”

We all get depressed about poor results and performances, but we must look at the extenuating circumstance for these results and performances.
Some want to simply brush that aside and say its just making excuses.
But there are extenuating circumstances that explain everything. That doesn’t mean they explain things away, but if you don’t understand why something happened, you can’t rectify it.

Nice blog Gerry.

4-4-2 for the home match. Torres and Ngog. Gerrard-Lucas-Benny-Kut in midfield.

I wouldn’t count on it somnath.

I know people want us to throw caution to the wind, but Wolves will be up for this. They’ll be the hyenas smelling a wounded Lion and they won’t be one bit afraid. Unlike their trip to Scum, they’ll bring a full strength team and get at us from the off.

Its batten down the hatches time. Keep it tight, try to keep the ball and control things. Try to nick an early goal.
All very easy to do when you’re firing on all cylinders. Not so on current form.

Don’t expect miracles. On paper this should be an easy 6-1 win… the reality is we’ll be lucky to escape with our lives!

After you’ve drank your cup of tea and read that piece. Open a can of lager, sit back and listen to this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9ZWd9GRKSo

A mate of mine sent me that link. It’s from a boxing day game against Chelsea.

If you was playing in front of that, would it lift you?

Sadly them days are gone, but we mustn’t let the gobshites win.

That YNWA near brung tears to me eyes, especially when I think of how they’ve destroyed it nowadays. I don’t know why, maybe their all on cocaine, but the kids that do even know the songs all the way through seem to think it’s a race to get to the end.

Fields of Anfield Road, Poor Scouser Tommy, Coming Up The Hill, Liver Bird Upon My Chest, The Billy Shankly Boys, Every Other Saturday, when some of us try to get them going, the few young un’s that know them only know the chouroses and race through them so fast, it fucks them up and it just dies out before it’s even going.

We’d trounce Wolves on Boxing Day with that sort of support, of that I have no doubt. But nowadays… oh well, there’s always the forums and phone ins to get on and whinge.

Oh and PS… that’s one clip. It used to be like that for half an hour before the game and all the way through it.

Boxing day used to be one of me favourite days for going the match. Wonderful memories, great times. This year it’ll be Sly Sports, Cold Turkey, and Aunty Gray… (Good one, Gerry. I’d say I wish I’d called him that. But no doubt I will at some time anyway!).

Anway fuck it. Happy Christmas lads…
http://dontdatethatdude.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/bad_santa.jpg

Fatty i thought i told you to stay off the ale before you did your rounds!

Excellent sound there to Fatty.I never got a chance to see the standing KOP in action,it had just been knocked when i first went to Anfield.
What i wouldn`t give for one day in there in the heyday.

I remember yesrs ago seeing the history of LFC video and looking at that Panorama do from the sixties and being blown away by the KOP.That footage to this day still gives me goosebumps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNboU_PbZMY&feature=related

There are many who would be King but there anit many who got to carry it off. weve had a few,Shanks the king of kings,Paisley master of his realm. Moran, Dalglish, All had one thing in common the love support and respect of all true reds,who would have and did go to the ends of the world to ensure they had the backing of the people who mattered the supporters the working class of the city. the ones who made the difference not like these wanker sit in a nice box type. wont happen but ho for one day like the 60s, and show the world we can still give our king and his troops the support they should have even when we are in the shit.

spinkage,
thanks for the link. Do you guys think if words like this can make it’s way to the Liverpool based media, would it help raise the spirit that is sleeping in most supporters now days?

SonOfAKhan,
still digesting tomkins article. He has a point about us being in a perfect storm, everything bad that could happen has happen in a rather short time span. Is there more to come? i hope not.

Fat Scouser
thank you for the links.

I found a good description of what Sky/ESPN/SUN is.

“The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie — deliberate, contrived and dishonest — but the myth — persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.”
John F. Kennedy.

To all,
Merry Christmas

To all the lads in here, have a very Merry Christmas, and a fooking Red New Year.
.
To Gerry, thanks for another year on a wonderful site. Merry Christmas to you and your family, long may those Christmas’ reign.
.
Lads I’m getting in early on chrissy eve, as I’m about to get pissed, It’s kind of like bless me father I’m about to sin.
.
Have a big Red together christmas.

Popped into say Happy Christmas to ye lads hope its a good one for all and red.

Thanks Gerry for the blog. Spot on as usual – the Eastenders quip gave me a chuckle.

Thanks for the links SOAK and spinkage. Very interesting reading and a perfect storm indeed. The CBC should have a good read of these but I doubt that they will.

Timmy I haven’t got the canvas yet but that was down to me. I forgot to give them a contact number with me address. Anyway it’s sorted now and it should arrive pretty soon. I will let you now once I get it.

Other than that, merry Christmas to all and I hope Santa brings the reds maximum points over the festive period.

I am really sorry, Gerry, FS and all the other sensible lads, but I decided to stay from this site for a while cos it was so depressing what with the drivels the tiny few spattered this wonderful place with.

So, completely ignoring any of the comments thus far (I am sure there are great ones along the way but I just couldn’t stomach some of the shite that would surely be hidden along the way), I just want to wish Ger and all our fellow reds in here, and the lads and rafa, a very happy christmas and a promising ’10.

My heart will always belong to the team and you lads.

I am hoping to come back once the “sensationalists” have (probably) gone away.

Happy Christmas men hope you all have a merry one, with to much drink and food.

Here’s to a change of fortune in the new year and for our amazing team to come back even bigger and stronger in 2010.

I love my football team!!

YNWA

Roarin, I read in the previous blog that you lost your job. Let me know if you’re involved in IT/Programming/Telco stuff.

BTW, I still miss ‘The Bot’, you lucky bugger. Top spot for watching the footie. Great atmosphere.

Well, that’s that. Just finished. Worse bloody takings in years, but I suppose it could be worse… I could be as skint as LFC and on the bum like Uncles George and Tom.

Halfway point of the season tomorrow. Let’s hope the lads start to turn it around. Don’t be expecting miracles on Boxing Day though.

Shithouse McCarthy will have his lads primed and ready. Ours are still bollacksed… just found out Gerrard and Torres have been playing with pain killing injections. Masch out. Aquilani calf strain. Johnson crocked. Yossi still crocked. Agger still crocked. And Rafa said, Kuyt is knackered and needs a rest, but he’s been unable to give him one because of all the injuries. I think that goes for Lucas, and Insua too.

Oh well, what can you do.
It think I’ll write me note to Father Crimbo…
Dear Santa, please get shut of those two yanks and a load of our “Supporters” for me. Give Rafa a few bob for the January sales, and could you make lager for under a nicker a pint that doesn’t make you dead fat.

Happy Crimbo lads.
Off to see a few mates and family, drop off some pressies, and have a few scoops.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the best and knowledgible LFC supporters in the world, right here in the best place on the internet.

YNWA

Gerry,
thanks for creating and maintaining a genuinely GREAT forum to discuss all matters Liverpool with like-minded souls.

Kopblog truly is the blog’s dollacks… and long may it coninue!

To all those who have shared their knowledge over the recent seasons… thanks and keep it coming… don’t let the drivel drive you away.

These are serious times and they call for serious people, so to the few who have taken a recent sabatical I say this… “Come back Shane, come back!”

Merry Christmas Lads, and (hopefully) a Happy New Year to one and all (even the douchebags.)

Now … where’s that fuckin Eggnog?

(…err… the drink, not the player!)

gerry and the kopblog family – happy christmas. i am sure things will get better for all reds.

FS – going back to Milos Krasic, the only reason i mentioned that was because one of my mates at work knows him well – and he swears that the deal is done. my mate hates LFC and Rafa (is a Chav for 30 years so i cut him some slack) – still managed to say that Milos was super impressed when he met Rafa and that was one of the reasons he chose LFC. we´ll see.

enjoy the holiday season all!
YNWA

A merry Christmas to everyone on this blog …

Great blog as usual Gerry and one of the few positive highlights of this year, hope everybody has a great festive season and the reds get back to winning ways. It will turn around lads be positive and keep the Faith.YNWA

Hi Guys,

I hope I am not too late for this…

Merry Xmas to all
Thanks for this Blog, Gerry and keep up the good works. Keep up those insightful comments as well.

I am quite sure next year would be a terrific year for LFC, starting from Boxing day at Anfield.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night

Merry Christmas Gerry and all of you lads ..
I hope it’s a safe one for you and your loved ones.
Stay true to the Faith.. we will get better, may not be Tomorrow or next week but we will get better. The youngsters in the reserves are looking better and better, some of those are our future.

Twas the night before christmas
and all through the blog
not a player was healthy
not even Ngog

Rafa was forced into his horses for courses
while Riera was covered in placenta from horses
17 formations of defenders were named
yet still the zonal defense was to blame

Ole Georgie and Tom were counting their sheckles
while Rafa endured all the blame and the heckles
our season in tatters, no champions league
but no quarter offered for obvious fatigue

At the Toilet they mocked us and shouted with glee
until low and behold, they too suffered injuries
A “20 goal stiker” they paid a 100k a week
but his goal return so far, has been totally weak

And so to the boxing day fixtures we come
with some “fans” thinking our season is done
but fear not friends, for this I atone
Choose to walk with the Scousers, you’ll never walk alone

So this I wish Santa for us all, young and old
That the Yanks will fuck off and to Rich-Fuckers we’re sold
And if you can, in your heart, find it to award
us 3 points against Wolves, up on Anfield’s scoreboard

With such a result and some confidence back
we could fuck-off this talk about giving Rafa the sack
and maybe, find the bottle for the next 5 months fight
So “come on you Reds” and to all a good night

Aitch…

A good one…..!!

Aitch, that is an awesome poem. Can I share it with some ‘friends’?

A true gem Aitch happy christmas

Aitch that was fantastic i dare say from all the footy sites in the cyber world noone would have pulled off something as creative as that. well done.

Lurgan thanks very much for the heads up, fully appreciate that. I’ve managed to call in a favour from a friend and I’m starting another job on the forth of Jan. though as i say thank you.

P.s the bot is still powerful craic when the footy is on but it’s attracting to many rafa out assholes,all you can do is stay strong i suppose. make sure you get yourself up soon so we can catch a game.

happy Christmas.

Well Aitch,
i thought that was a literary goal of the season, apart from missing a couple of apostrophe’s, one or two dipthongs, oh and the occaisional twat,cunt and “fuck off dead from the neck up” i think even the great Oscar Wilde would have been envious.
Seriously mate, you bought a smile to this mans face and admiration to, not only your insight to football in general but to everything LFC.
I myself have had a great Christmas day with my 2 grandchildren as i hope all you lad’s in here have a great festive holiday and last but not least to Gerry Ormonde and all his family, have a great time Gerry as without you and this blog as Blackadder once said “life without Kopblog would be like a broken pencil”, pointless.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
YNWA

Merry Christmas to all of you!!!

Hi gang, Merry Christmas to one and all. A special salute to the by now very gorged and drunken members who really put time and effort into informing, challanging, and helping to put a smile on our pusses through these windy, rainy and in my case snowy and icey days.

Special, special to Puchong and Corkie, recent fathers.

Tomorrow will be a dogfight. It’s gonna be ok if 44,000 play their part.

But who’s gonna play ? Is there anyone out there with a squad list in one hand and an injury list in the other. Just subract one from the other and post please.

(feel free Soak)
Just popped in to say…
“43 Years With The Same Bird” in me chrimbo stocking… Fuckin RESULT!

Totally off any topic that is presently being bandies around, I know, but watching the cricket test between SA & England (in sweltering heat) – and loe & behold: great big banner with ‘Liverpool FC’ displayed in the bleachers by some fans. Not sure if they are from England or SA, but I know there is a huge LFC fan base in Durban. Keep The Faith guys, and Happy Xmas to all of you you. Ps. Thanks for the read Gerry, always look forward to your blogs – as much as I do putting my 2-year old down & pouring my first coupla fingers of Chivas of an evening.

Just thought I’d drop by with some breaking news, apparently Mersyside Police are investigating a break in at Goodison Park. The culprit has stolen the entire contents of their trophy room. Currently Mersyside Police are on the lookout for a male person carrying a blue and white carpet.
.
Anyway back to real footie, there is a reason Santa wears Red, that’s because he needs the magic, 3-0 to the Reds, Nando to be the fastest 50 for LFC.

Well thats that,all the rushing around buying this,that and the other and forgeting some,all done now.
Kids were spoiled again but thats what its all about.

Back to the footy today and its get back on the horse time again.Both players and fans need to step up to the plate today.Wolves will be well up for the fight and we must have the same attitude to match that.If we do,our lass will show in the end.I`m sure Rafa will have this instilled in them.
Not sure if Aquallini is available hope he is.

Here you go Tim mate…
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article6967986.ece

Expecting a really really horrible game meself. Wolves will come to spoil and I think, if they play, Torres, Gerrard and Aquilani will get lumps kicked out of them.

Oh well, we’ve got to get on with it. Half time is approaching fast, we’re 3 nil down again, and it’s time for all of us, players and fans, to stand up and be counted. Faith cannot only move mountains and Milan, it can turn round seasons.

Will be going to the Cobra Club tonight. Game starts at 1.30am Sunday mnorning and boozing from 11pm Sat, ie in half an hour. So hope to see a win against Wolves. 3-0 to us. Cheers to all.

Missed the chance to say Merry Xmas to you all but I’m not going to miss the chance to say Happy New Year!!! (and while I’m at it FS you’re right – it is half-time – let’s fight!)

Gerry,
thanks again…this place is an oasis of reason and true support in a desert of knee-jerking so thanks to you FS, Aitch and all the other guys who make this the best blog on’t t’internet.

Nice one FS,alwas nice to read Barretts peices.

Yes its backs to the wall time indeed.The chavs and spurs dropped more points so its an opportunity to make up some ground.

One game at a time eh?

I`m off out for my traditional St Stephens day piss uo to the local to collect me xmas box and watch the reds play.

Up the redmen.

merry xmas gerry and the lads! and cheers red kelly (#4) good to see you’re finally in here giving your 2 cents. top to be back in england and feasting on me mum’s meat (er… you know what i mean). hopefully a decent performace and a win will keep me xmas spirits high and the hangover at bay for another 24 hours.

c’mon the mighty mighty reds!!!

Line-up for today:

Starting XI:
Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Aquilani, Lucas, Benayoun, Gerrard, Aurelio, Torres.

Subs: Cavalieri, Kuyt, Ngog, Spearing, Darby, Skrtel, Pacheco.

Kuyt, dropped/rested. Looks like Aurelio will be playing left-mid/winger in a 4-2-3-1 formation but you never know with Rafa.

Pacheco on the bench. Sweet!

That’s the most attack minded team rafa has picked for a while.

Something struck me over the last few days. Remember last season when we fell 10 points behind Manure in February, Rafa seemed to throw caution to the wind and went for all out attack.

Has he reverted to type recently and picked really defensive teams i.e. Portsmouth ?

Just endured the pre-game Rafa bashing on TV. Even here in Bulgaria some things never change…

I hope the reds shove the words right up the journalists’ throats.

C’mon!

Come on , you reds

the Wolves GK….. is unbelieveable today…(as with all the other opposition GK in Anfield)

One thing I’d like to add.

I hate hearing/seeing supporters at the groung whinge etc.

I’d give my left testicle just to be there and cheer

well… I won’t give my left testicle.. but I feel the same way as you do, akka

TV showing some cunts leaving early for some half time snacks…

A full strength Reds outfit and they can’t break down a team that played in the Championship last season and will be playing there come August.What is today’s excuse?.How much did a fourth rate manager like Mc Carthy spend on putting his team together?.Lose to Villa and the Reds will be 12 point off fourth spot.Is this season any better than 93, 94, 03 or 04?.1 point from 12 V Lyon And Fiorentina is a perfect snapshot of the level Rafa has created.He has yet to win a trophy without Pako Ayesteran as his assistant.

red card for wolves….
Nows a chance….

Come on reds

Fuck off burgercunt

Akka is a fucking wanker!.Why does Gerrard have to do it all himself?.Still as reliant on his goals as during Houllier’s time.

Oh Burger…

You must be feeling so down…
We are leading 2-0 now….

Now fuck off, cunt…

i just found out that with 26 goals scored at Anfield, we are the current the top scorers in home games…

Dani Pacheco coming on…
a debut goal would be terrific for Xmas

Spearing in as well…

A terrific win for us…
Regardless of the red card advantage or not..

Merry Xmas everyone (cunts excluded)

Next, Villa park

Good 3 points and I bet that you are devastated that we won BM.

I think that it’s best left like that.

Ahhh….amazing what an attacking creative line-up can do for performance and confidence eh? Ok, it was enforced but if I’m gonna critcize when it is deserved then I must praise when it too is earned. Well done Rafa, all credit to you today. Drop Dirk, renage on your innate instincts and play and attacking midfield and voila: 3pts. Go 2-up THEN bring your Kyuts and such on. Got everything right today Rafa, even Dani on for a few long overdue minutes. Well done all, great stuff, very happy Digger today!

loved Rafa jumping to touch the THIS IS ANFIELD sign before the game….CLASS

on ESPN, no hint of irony asking Steve Coppell about every aspect of the game couldn;t believe my ears confirmed Manc slating everything Liverpool did fooking shame…not Insua bruilliance for the first but defensive lapse from Wolves etc etc…
Anyway great win against 10.
Let’s see what happens next in this rollercoaster season of ours…
ps Burgerman gutted at our win?

Steven Ward?
He’s not the Messiah; he’s a very naughty boy!!!

Headlines on Sly Sports …
“DISMISSAL Aids Reds Success” … wat a phuking piece of shit!!!

didnt see any “Second String wolves aid Manx success” headlines … sometime back …

Surely I can’t be the only one who saw us playing with 2 holding midfielders and a defender playing at left half?

Loads of misplaced passes.
Loads of overhit crosses and long through balls.
Dozens of crosses, simply twatted into the first defender.
A fiar number of corners and free kicks hung up perfectly for Hnneman to comfortably grab.
Quite a bit of getting caught in possession.
A few glaring defensive lapses.
One foul throw and one corner, swung out, before in.
A Ref who allowed the defense to kick the shit out of Torres, and who may not make huge mistakes, but generally gets loads of little things wrong.

The difference?
One of their players sent off instead of ours.
We got a goal. (from a player who headed it while spinning in mid-air and with his back to goal … last week would that have gone oveer the bar?)
We get a 2nd goal of a deflection that wrong footed both the keeper and a defender on the line… (again… would that have gone in last week?)

Moments change matches. This week they changed them FOR us.

Let’s not get carried away. This was one result from a dogfight … the first of many.

There were some nice interchanges.
Aquilani, while dithering too much on the ball and clearly off the pace, looks the bollocks.
Insua, who some seem to think isn’t good enough is a fuckin gem of a kid.
Aurelio is looking to be getting slowly back to form.
Lucas put in yet another under the radar quality performance.
And Pacheco looks to be a potential shining light dun-he?

Well done the Redmen! Still only 12 points out of first place in a season that is supposedly over, but with half the season yet to play!

Great win today!! Much, much needed confidence booster.

~I wonder what was the outcome of the talk with the Arab tycoon.~

Ill agree AitchN thought we were pretty poor today, but at least with a win we should regain some confidence.

When low on confidence we seem to want to force and over play everything.

My MOTM was Lucas. His distribution is under-rated.
Now before I get the usual “he only passes sideways” response,that’s bollocks.
In fact his forward passing was great today, hardly gave the ball away.
Plus really put in a solid shift and was nice and physical.

Chavs were lucky with a draw I feel, now they lose key players.

I’ve learnt over the years as a red to always expect the unexpected.
I’m not saying we’ll win it, but once the team hits their stride, well we shall see hey

And burgerknob, you are a dimwit.

In fact I’m going to use some of your logic.

Exeter drew with united a few years back, at the time united beat one of the big teams (forgot).
Ipso facto, exeter should be in the PL challenging.
Sack rafa bring in their coach cause his team was cheap and got a result.

Like that one burgershite.

#98 noted Aitch, and I agree, but I didn’t want to get into that considering some of the in-match comments.

This match was nearly a mirror-image of the Portsmouth match but this time we got the breaks. Long may it continue.

Disagree about the Gerarrd header though. He wanted it more than their defenders. Again, long may it continue.

BTW, agree that Aquaman was fecked after 55-60 mins (could hardly run) but I am happy that Rafa left him on the pitch for a bit longer. Build up his stamina.

Also great to see the pac-man on the field.

An ugly 3 points is still 3 points.

Akka, the Chavs were all over birmingham like a cheap suit but could not put the ball in the net due to bad finishing and some superb keeping.

Sound familiar?

been criticising Insua for a while now…but fair play, he was excellent today!
Aquaman was exciting every time he got the ball, should be great when he’s up to speed…
and Yossi…!!!

yaw fookin beeyawteee!!! finally a bit of luck. a wee run of wins and who knows. seems like everyones a bit shit this year. any team who puts together a run of 5 or 6 wins is gonna be in the mix. could be us. who knows. the hangover can wait. the xmas spirit is still flowing tonight!!

To be fair Lurgan, Birmingham put the ball in the back of the net (wrongly offisde), had another wrong offside decision when Benitez was 1v1 with cech.
Not to mention the chavs getting a large minority of free kicks.

It was end to end football, birmingham didn’t just sit numbers behind.

Chelsea didn’t deserve more than a point.

My perspective…
As we knew, Wolves arrived with a full strength team, and a game plan… It was always going to be hard.

Being Boxing Day, a traditional day out after the indoor excesses, the stadium was ram jam full of tourists… did you look at the crowd?

Posh fellas with their birds. Camera flashes a go go. And sadly it is full of Somnath, Burger Men at worst, Digger’s at best…
1: There to moan and whinge no matter what.
2: Me, Me, Me.. Entertain me!

Something really has to be done to get back young local support. Before the game, ESPN interviewed loads of people outside the stadium and in the club shop…
There was 2 Scouse voices… both old fellas, both fully behind the team and Rafa.

The rest were tourists reguritating the shite they are force fed in the media. It’s the same every game.

That is no insult to you lads here, who come from all over the world. But something needs to be done to get young local people back into the stadium.

I’ll leave it at that for now because I want to comment on the whole situation, and I could go on and on about the support and why it needs to be boosted.

So, anyway…
The game kicks off, 4 times Torres went for the ball… he was kicked twice, pulled over once, and punched in the back of the head. This went on all game without the ref doing a thing about it… the only comment on it – Torres is becoming a whinger.

In fact, I’m going to stop this comment right now. I just can’t be arsed. I’ll just say, 3 points and hopefully we won’t be too knackered to build on it at Villa.

Yeah Lurg, it wasn’t really meant as a “piss on” anyone’s parade (well maybe a few fellas) so much as , I’m always calling for reasoned analysis when we lose, so its only fair we have some when we win too.

In truth, it wasn’t that ugly, but you could see the anxiety still there, with every dodgy give-away… and there were lots.
But conversely some of the link-up play was very good today. And there was quite a bit of movement from some players too (we are ont he whole far too static a team)

Insua, overlapping Aurellio and Fabio, getting back to cover when Insua gets drawn out of place.
Johnson doing some fabulous attacking work …though he doesn’t seam to have the footy brain to go with his feet, often choosing the wrong option when in fantastic positions… but maybe that’ll come as things settle?

I particularly liked the look of the rotating triangle formation that Lucas, SG and Aqua were playing from time to time. If we can get that clicking, we could be deadly, coz it’ll free up space and make all 3 of them hard to pick up.
And once Aqua comes to terms with the pace, I reckon he’s gonna have people asking “Xabi Who?” (and that from someone who loved the Xabs)

Just as many negatives on display today as in recent games, still a lack of sharpness, and anxiety when things didn’t go our way. Lots of unforced errors, but the difference was, that we got a bit of the rub of the green, a few balls fell nicely for us and the positives worked in our favor.

Now if Hull can just take 2 points off Scum, and the Arse and Villa could cancel each other out, that should set us up for a good match against Villa.

————–
Just read the first 4 chapters of “43 Years With the Same Bird” and its fuckin ACE!
Gotta go….

BTW Aitch, I posted your excellent Christmas poem on another LFC forum. I hope you don’t mind.

You sure you want more young fellas at the game Fatty? Werent you gonna go to war with em in Fratton Park last week lol?! Ahhh young uns…..bless their little hearts…..

Digger you really are an arse… what I want is more Scouse kids at the match, because the place is being destroyed by the likes of you.

I not only have the waist size of an elephant. I have the memory to go with it. Funny how when everyone got pissed off with BM and started to kick off on him for his insane comments that you stopped encouraging him…. “BM, please don’t leave. I for one love the hand grenades you drop in here.”

Maybe not a direct qoute, but close enough.

Well, here’s a point…
I actually prefer BM’s little hand grenades to your whines.

You are way way the worse of the two evils. At least Bowel Movement comes straight out with it. You on the other hand, sly snipe away at every opportunity. You even used a legend’s name to aid you in your shit stirring, while 1, Not having the bollacks to repeat what he was supposed to have said, and 2: then pretending to not wish to comprimise the man when you already had.

You lad, are a complete arse, a jelly fish of a man, spinelessly hiding behind others while sniping away.

I did say, you got on my nerves but the fact is, you make me ill… 30 odd year old Irish man talking like a bloody Californian Valley Girl. PAH!

I lived in America for years. I met hundreds of you and swerved you like the plague. I can just see you playing the part of the raggle taggle Gypsy boy in the 11th street bar.

You might hate me lad, but I’m the genuine article. Probably why you swerved me when I was in your neck of the woods…
Phoney and a fat man on a not too fast computer can detect that from 3000 miles away.

I dont hate you Fatty. Hate clouds ones judgement. I do know however what you are; your afraid. Afraid that I and people who share my opinions might be right. So you do what anyone whos afraid does: lash out. Your post is dripping with anger and fear. Your pathetic childish insults are, as always, the last pitiful resort of any bully. No, I dont hate you Fatty, I dont hate any fellow red, but you do have my sympathy.

Get your head down Gobo. Don’t be pulling that Oprah Winfrey, Doctor Phil shiteology on me. I’m too wide for that nonsense lad.

My deepest fears for LFC have already been met… We invited the burglars into our own home, and just like you, they shit on the welcome mat.

And if, despite the likes of you, we are able to rise up and succeed, you will just keep coming and coming in ever more increasing numbers until you have destroyed this club and everything it once stood for.

Agreed FS, it’s great having supporters from all over the world, many who really love the club and have followed the team for donkeys years.

But the core support for any club should come from the locals. It keeps the history of the club in focus.

Many supporters from other parts of the UK and from abroad do understand the history and identity of the club, but I agree that it’s a sad situation when the local working class supporters are being forced out by corporate suits who can afford to pay whatever is being touted for tickets, and that is what I believe is happening in football now.

Steve mate, the lads in here know quite well that I have no problem with out of town and out of country support. They know full well I am not having a dig at them. Actions speak louder than words… I have always got tickets for anyone who asked, and I have went out of me way to make anyone who turned up welcome.

But look at how stupidily we welcomed H&G. That’s the thing with Scousers… too fucking friendly by half. We should have been like the dour inhospitable Mancs and fucked them right off.

But watching that tonight was heartbreaking for me. Boxing Day used to be wonderful at Anfield. It was one of the best days of the season, whoever we was playing. But recently it has became one of the worse….

Tourists, on holiday from work with Crimbo out the way, arrive from all over and they really are destroying the place now.

Have a look at that crowd. For anyone who loved/loves this club it is heartbreaking…. watching them fucking idiots, sitting there moaning and grumbling, taking fucking pictures, of even Wolves players, and sitting there, mouths shut, while a handful of Wolves fans take the piss.

I know lads from Yorkshire, Scotland and Ireland who have been going since the 70′s. They all have a similair story… They was attracted by The Kop and wanted to be part of it. Even in the darkest days of hooliganism, these lads were made welcome. But you know what… they all agree with me – it’s dying and it’s the ever increasing tourists and the prices they are willing to pay that is killing it.

The cheapest ticket you can get is 34 quid. Young working lads just can’t afford it week in week out. And when they are able to go, they are scattered all over the ground, amongst the moaners, the booers, and the camera snappers. And this will only get worse as H&G set about maximising revenues and profit.

I’m already struggling to get tickets. In fact, I could only get one for Villa. I have given it to an Australian lad who used to come in here until the same people I am talking about ruined this place for him. But he has kept in touch with me, and this is his only chance of getting to a match. So, that shows I have nothing against Out of Town/Country support. And I was quite glad to be able to help the lad out. I know that match will be the highlight of his trip.

But there is a difference between an avid red from outside of Liverpool and a soccer tourist. Look at the only teams that still have a decent atmosphere… The likes of Stoke with no bloody klingons.

I have a mate from Leeds. He says going the match nowadays is better than it has been in 20 years for him. Sadly, I’m becoming to realise what he means. And it’s only going to get worse at Anfield.

And if the likes of Digger, BM, Somnath and co, don’t like me telling the truth… tough shit. I never walked into their house and started criticising it and pulling it apart.

And before anyone says they are entitled to their opinion, sorry, but the likes of them aren’t. If you have fleas, you don’t encourage them. You delouse.

Of course people are entitled to a moan… it doesn’t even need to always be thought out and logical. Sometimes there’s nothing wrong with just having a blow up. It clears the air. But the continual sly and right out open whingeing and sniping brings nothing to this club and isn’t welcome.

Dear me…. Apparently I’ve shit on my club, I’m destroying the club, I dont like hearing the ‘truth’, I’ve pulled Fattys house apart, and I’m not allowed an opinion because I’m a flea (read: it differs from Fattys) and all this before breakfast! Even I’m impressed by me! If it wasnt so ridiculous it’d be hilarious! Hang on, it is! Oh Fatty….what would we do without ya?…..

Well two cents worth is two cents well spent, I thought we played quite well. I thought we deserved the win. I thought we dominated play.
.
Aqualani looked good until he run out of pace, Pacheco looked a great prospect, and we spread the ball well.
.
Considering we just lost to Portsmouth, combined with our current plight, I think we showed character and passion to win, late on.
.
I’ll agree it wasn’t vintage stuff but I’ll take anything at this moment.
.
Fatty, Digger pull it in, your both Reds.
.
Burger did anyone mention we won.

Standard response from you digger, and one expected.

You seem to always avoid things by just typing some useless drivel.

In a way I have avoided commenting on any of your posts, because all you do is just bitch and moan, yet dont entirely come out and state it.

You will have sly digs at Rafa and certain players, yet when questioned or challenged, wont just come out with the fact that you just blatantly hate him(whoever is discussed).

Do us a favour and keep avoiding em then eh Akka, theres a good lad.

Gotta admit, for whatever reason, the atmosphere was shite after about 10-15 minutes, when we failed to get the opening goal.

FFS, I don’t know if it was my shitty stream or not but I could hear the Wolves supporters more than our own! It only got going, a bit, whenever Stevie G got his goal.

I was thinking, maybe we should replace YNWA with Robbie William’s ‘Let me entertain you’ before kick-off. That should get the crowd going!

That has given me a mental image now and I’m away to be physically sick.

Dont worry Lurgan, your stream was about right. I was watching it on cable and heard the same hence why I posted saying that I would give my left testicle to be at the game cheering rather than seeing people just stand there complaining.

Dont you worry Digger I will. Just to put it out there, for all the times you criticise Fatty for the way he speaks and gives his opinions, your posts are nothing short of being an absolute twat. In fact your posts just shows that you think you are above everyone.

I forgot to add. Could Burgerman be Digger in disguise?

Couldent help yourself could ya?!

Howdy lads

Nollaig Shona duit gach duine

Thanks for another year of great blogs Gerry

Having my 1st christmas at home for 4 years

Stout has never tasted better I tell ya

Good win yesterday

Saw a crazy story in a paper over here about Torres WILL leave if Liverpool don’t qualify for the Champs League

It was a 2 page story with no fact or quote what soever

Between that shite and Jedward I’m ready to go back to Korea

not before aanother few sessions though!!

Over and out

Not only Torress donal … this guy at sly sports is hellbent that gerrard wud go as well … again no fact, no quotes.. only their own Stupid imagination!

#118… There you go bigging yourself up again, eh Digger. And I know you’re very impressed by yourself, that’s why you seem to think you’re more qualified to Rafa’s job than the man himself.

But like I’ve said many times, as thank the good lord, it doesn’t really matter as you aren’t anywhere near enough to Anfield to do any real damage.

What I actually said was the place is getting taken over by BM, Somanth and Digger types…
1: Continually moaning if Liverpool aren’t 10 nil up within 5 minutes.
2: The me, me, me, me, ME! Entertain me type, that sit on their hands adding bloody nothing.

I’ll leave you to decide what category you would fit into if you ever did attend a game. But then, like you complementing the lads and Rafa, that’s probably never going to happen either.

If you held everything about this club dear, you would realise I am speaking the truth about the diluting of Anfield…. And most importantly, it would depress you to.

But no. Last night your immeadiate reaction was to, well, read the comment.

Bloody hell man. You call that praising the lads. You probably still will after reading this, so there’s no real point in me continuing the conversation – which wasn’t really about you in the first place.

It was about watching the slow death of a truly loved one and being powerless to stop it. Like some of me mates, I’m starting to believe it would be better to just shoot it and put it out of it’s misery… although I do prefer to try and think of solutions.

So you be a good lad, eh Dig. As you can see, people aren’t thick. It’s not only me who sees through you.

As I said, I much prefer the full on assaults of BM. At least the lad, shows his true colours and is so ridiculous that he actually adds a bit of much needed humour in here in these hard times.

But hiding behind the likes of him, consistantly and constantly sniping away at the club, the team and the management, well that annoys me more than hearing a handful of Wolves fans out singing the Kop and taking the piss in our own backyard. And it’s the very attitude that is allowing this to happen.

You’re right about one thing… I am full of anger at what is happening. I probably should not care anymore. And let’s face it, there’s far more serious problems and issues in life. But like I say, it isn’t easy to sit and see a loved one suffering – especially when you know the rememedy to put it right.

Last night, I could hear the good lasses in blocks 308 and 309 desperately trying to get the place going and get some encouragement down onto the pitch. I read Rafa’s comments this week, in which he had to be careful not to criticise the fans, but still somehow plead with them to get behind the team. I saw both Gerrard and Carra commenting after the match how it was getting difficult as the crowd was starting to get “Frustrated.”

They aren’t bloody frustrated. They are shite! But there is a way to easily solve that…

Obviously we can’t go back to the old line of progression… Boys Pen graduating to The Kop, taking the older Koppites place as they move onto the stands. But, it would be very easy for the club to make the two blocks directly behind The Kop goal a home for young locals. They could easily distribute fan cards to young locals for them two blocks and make it pay on the gate at a reduced rate of say 20 quid per game. And make sure they issued a few hundred more cards than actualy seats. Just that alone, would ensure a few hundred arses on seats a good half hour before the game – instead of the bloody tourist who’s to busy eating, drinking and buying over priced shite. It would ensure a proper old sing song going at least half hour before the game. And I could go on and on about the benefits two full blocks of local 18 to 30 year olds would have.

But the sad fact is, it won’t happen. H&G aren’t only about maximising profit. They are now actively breaking up the 308 and 309 blocks that Reclaim The Kop negotiated for, as that is where the protests against them come from.

And Reclaim The Kop is now dead in the water anyway. The members are now the backbone of SOS and in open warfare with our Custodians. So, we can forget them ever having any effect on the atmosphere again.

Just a quick word to the lads who don’t understand RTK… it was formed to try and get some atmosphere back into the place. It was never about stopping out of town/country support getting in or making sure the locals did. It was exactly what it said… An organisation of like minded fans, who wanted to be placed together and try to get back some atmosphere into the place.

Sadly it is now being activelly broke up and things will only get worse – especially when we do finally win the league. And if that doesn’t dismay you, then I don’t think you really know what the club was about in the first place.

122: Lurgie mate, that at least gave me a laugh about it, but the sad thing is… there’s plenty of truth in it – Karaoke, “Let ME! Entertain You,” sessions before kick off with Digger from The Kop.

If it wasn’t so sad – and extremely possible – it would be hilarious.

127: Dizzy it’s not their imagination… It’s their agenda and they won’t rest until it’s completed.

And sadly, some of our “supporters” just can’t wait to aid them in that mission.

Thank god we won, I never thought Wolves at Anfield would be a crucial game to win but it bloody was and I thought the lads were great. Lot of effort, was great to see.

One thing I didn’t like was Torres complaining about the referee for what seemed the entire match. He is my favourite player but he does not play at his best when he’s in that mood and he needs to snap out of it and understand that he’s a marked man and he’s gonna get belted and he needs to let his skills do the talking. I thought Aqualani and Insua were terrific.

Onwards and upwards…. hopefully.

first and foremost – we got the win. Performances right now are secondary, so here’s hoping Arsenal do Villa today and we then grab a point (or maybe an unlikely 3) off them at Villa Park next week. Torres still appears less than 100% as does Aquilani but good to see Stevie G score from open play – loved his reaction to the goal. It was a definite sending off – and was thinkin to myself “ah jaysus here we go again – he’ll book the wrong man” but thankfully the officials (with a little help from Pepe) got it right.

Dizzy,

The entire press is against Liverpool. They’re using Aquaman as a stick to hit Rafa, and idiots like ‘daddyboy’ Redknapp is saying he’s a complete waste of money even before the Wolves game. It’s so ironic considering his own injury problems when he was with us. I wonder if any of the so called fans know about Jamie Redknapp’s time with us.

Sure. Nobody talks about how may times (18m I think) Owen Hargreaves played for Man U for the past few years. It’s definitely taboo to talk about Fergie wasting money. Veron anyone?

What about 30m wasted on Berbatov? He hardly starts any games for United, and yet the press isn’t giving them the stick.

And Ronaldo diving week in and week out with even the press praising him to no end. Just compare their reaction to Ngog’s dive earlier this season.

The list goes on. We are really against it this season. (1) The press, as mentioned above, (2) the injury crisis started by Carra’s suicidal tackle on Skrtel, and (3) the referee decisions such as (i) beachball Sunderland, (ii) London Teams no penalties (Spurs, Arsenal), (iii) readily dispersed red cards (Fulham, Pompey).

And these so called fans are saying these are all excuses. Now Man U is starting to have some real injury problems, and all the focus is suddenly on them. Anyone remember the press reports on Arsenal injuries?

Yeah, Liverpool’s injuries & illnesses are figments of imaginations cooked up from nowhere by the evil Fat Scouser. And don’t believe his Rafaganda as he’s old and sick in the head (Sorry FS, for using you as illustration here, hehe).

Guys, please examine the facts properly before you jump onto the Rafa whacking bandwagon

Arman, stop listening to the bloody commentators… Big carthorse centre halfs are sent out against the lad with 1 instruction – take turns of piece in kicking the shit out of him but don’t draw a card. Take it in turns to wallop him and don’t get sussed out. Be nice to the ref as you elbow him in the face or kick the legs from under him.

And it’s working.

Name a card or a penalty given when they are kicking lumps out of the kid?

First four touches of the ball last night…
1: A header, Torres butted and punched.
2: Ball to feet, Torres’ legs kicked from under him.
3: same as 2.
4: Ball to feet in space that Torres had went and found, an off the floor, flying two footed tackle with studs showing, at speed, winning the ball but carrying right through Torres. It could have easily broke the lad’s ankle.

The lad needs some protection or he is going to be kicked out of the game by the time he’s 26.

PS: That went on for the full game. The only comment made on it on TV was to criticise Torres. It’s a disgrace actually. It needs to be highlighted and sorted out.

How many black eyes has the lad had this season?

ONE… It was permanent until he stopped playing through injury.

This lad really is in serious danger of being kicked out of the game.

Am getting used to this extremely illogical and a very obvious anti-rafa/liverpool media stories … just yesterday i mentioned the headlines on sly sports … DISMISSAL AIDS REDS SUCCESS … i mean wat does that mean ?? they never mentioned any such headline wen wolves went wid their kids team to manx .. that time it was reported that UNITED CLOSE GAP ON TEH LEADERS… this bias is becoming so obvious … and still the likes of the moaners in here dun get it … and talking of bias, did we hear ANYHTHING on Rooneys dive and subsequent booking ?? I dun think i did …

And then i just effing hate the redknapps …Papa Redknapp backed by his sonny Redknapp .. the later is so hellbent slating RAFA that he isnt even willing to give Aqualani some proper runtime and started questioning his transfer … And as mentioned above, we never hear abt that Barbie-Doll at old toilet… or owen hargreves… i have heard that the barbie-doll is suffering some knee problem and mite be out for 3 months .. NO news on it ..

Coming to torress … this guy is being fouled everytime he gets the ball … and he is no diver .. in one incident he was actually punched while going for teh ball.. and teh commentators very casually remarked that the defender never saw him .. Yeh rite, thats why that defender swung his arm in the only direction frm where torress was coming…

Just popped in to say a big well done to the lads, we defo played alot better than the Pompey game and most importantly taken a few more shots in and around the box.

Benny was having a bit of trouble getting his crosses in but atleast he came up with a goal and on another day I dare say he’d carve out a few more chances.

Torres is being battered like one of stan collymores girlfriends at the minute and although he didn’t get many chances what about that cheeky chip, which by the way looked onside to me. It won’t continue though the refs will have to start taking action it’s been fucking disgraceful. He may look like he’s crying to much but don’t b fooled the guys to good and will go on a blistering run of banging them in soon enough.

I would have took a 1-0 yesterday but delighted we pushed on an got the second. Arsenal have just scored prefer a draw in that one but as long as villa don’t win hoping it’ll work in our favour.

Come on now redmen three wins in a row atleast and we’ll take it from there.

Enjoyed the Arse/Villa game, and 3-0 to the gooners. We should/could have beaten the Arse, and they ran Villa ragged. Great to see that the Villa players are knackered & had a tough time of it – same team week in week out (no rotation from Moanin O’Neill) & I’m sure we’ll see them fade like last season. Hope they will be fooked on Tuesday. BTW, Gerrard’s celebration/happiness when he scored was great to see – been worried about him, but I have a feeling this goal will kick-start his season.

Rafalution,

Like you, I hope Gerrard’s season begins now. I forgot to include his bad form as one of the reasons for our poor season thus far in #132 above.

As usual, if Gerrard’s form improves from now, it’ll be “Gerrard to Liverpool’s / Rafa’s rescue”. And not “Great man management skills from Benitez”. Remember Rafa revealed he had a good talk with Gerrard before the wolves game? I’m using this example to show different ways to interpret a simple thing like Gerrard’s form.

Like my name suggest, it’s sometimes a matter of choice how you want to view things, aka the half-full vs half-empty discussion. But there’re so many obvious facts to state the media’s incredible biasness and I am simply sad to see people still falling for it

Dizzy, I’d just forget about the media if I was you mate. I watched it on ESPN. (Why the fuck was Keegan trying to put on a yank accent? The daft bastard).

KK was a fantastic player for us, but with him, like with Micheal Owen, it was always more about Keegan than LFC.

Funny bit of history repeating there… Keegan goes, in comes our greatest ever player who was also a team man. Mickey goes, in comes Torres. Granted there was more of a gap, but it’s a very similar situation. Let’s hope it has the same outcome.

But anyway, even an old legend of ours, while not really ragging us, couldn’t really bring himself to say anything good about us. And showed a clear lack of knowledge on the subject anyway.

The other commentator they dragged in was Steve Coppell. He could be equated to Rooney. He wasn’t from Liverpool but he was from just over the water on the Wirral like say Jay Spearing. So a localish lad. HE had the choice of LFC or the Mancs as a young player and picked the Mancs.

So make no bones about it, these “Experts,” aren’t just there by accident. They are carefully picked to fit the agenda.

The commentator was practically urging the crowd to boo. And he constantly slatted Torres for moaning. Did you see the incident when the ball was in our half and the Wolves right back followed Torres out to the by-line on the left, and with the ball and the official’s eyes, at the other end of the pitch, he punched Torred in the back?

That happened just before Torres done the spectacles gesture at the ref. But if anyone gets punished for the incident, bet your bottom lip, it won’t be the Wolves left back.

As for Aquilani being a waste of money, yes, you’re completely right. They will never use logic and point to other players such as Hargreaves. And from top to bottom clubs all have one, Rosicky at Arsenal to Jamie Bullard at Hull.
Villa bought Downing with a broken leg in the summer, and he’s only just started to play. But if these things are ever highlighted, it will be from a complete different angle…
Brave, Downing/Hargreaves/Rosicky/Bullard/insert one of a dozen names here, fight back to fitness to help (Insert manager’s name here).

So, yes Dizzy it’s there. It’s not by accident. It’s a formulated plan. It’s wrong. It’s the height of hypocrisy. And it’s completely out of order, but I advise you ignore it or it will drive you mad.

As for the “Supporters,” who lap it up and regurgitate it, I’ve given up on them. But, as I have been for months, I will continue to report on the damage they are doing to the club they supposedly bleed for and are married to.

Where is the bleeding groom? Has he been banned? I could do with some nonsense to cheer me up.

BM, you’re team have just went 1 – 1 with Hull. Your favoirite Scouser Wayne Rooney has just fucked up royally and they are right under the cosh.

Don’t worry though, there’s still half hour to go. There’s plenty of time for the ref to turn it around.

Watching it as well FS. Amazing what happens when you attack what is a relatively poor defence/midfield!

Hull should have had a Pen in the 1st half as well.

Atich definitely the laureate for poetry for you sir and second prize has to be FS’s Bowl Movement for Bugerman, maybe not as sophisticated but funny as fuck.

Great game and a good solid scrap, just what the doctor order. Dig deep, battle hard and get a hard fought confidence boosting win. It was a site to behold Gerrard steaming into tackles and bursting into the box. It looks like he is defiantly on the mend and has the confidence to throw himself around. Good debut for Aquaman in the Prem, this lad is going to become a great player for Liverpool once he settles and gels with the rest of the team, he looks real class. Still a bit worried about Torres, he is not getting the protection and it is affecting his game. A nice confidence sapping loss (football lesson) for Villa, coupled with an energy sapping encounter where they chassed the ball all day. With only two days to recover it will and should give us a boost. A high tempo game right from the start will be the order of the day and another hard fought 3 points will do very nicely.

Atich, I have so many fight concerning Lucas it’s a joke and Liverpool supporters on TV (Yes Marc Bachelor is probably the thickest and most ignorant supporter outside of Collymore) and all I hear is Lucas is shite and should not be in the team. His only claim to fame is local football, apart from being a moron and Gary Bailey, co commentator, just loves it. May the run continue YNWA

Well they soon turned it on it’s head Lurgan, like I thought they would. Me point really is, there’s no easy games in this league.

Sadly, the first half of the season will probably leave us to much to do. And the smaller teams will become easier to beat for the bigger ones as the season goes on… that’s always the same, lots of football, small squads and the weather/heavy pitches see to that.

But who knows, like I said earlier, it’s only half time, and I reckon we’re now 2 nil down.

African Cup will hit Chelsea hard. One injury to Rooney and the Mancs will struggle. Such a shame that lad is so messed up in the head. He should have been a Red. But fuck him. If we can just get a settled team and a few injuries sorted we will be alright.

Still struggling in that department though. I think Yossi might be hurt again. He looked knackered coming off. But if we can get a few more points racked up before the Crimbo period is over and keep gaining ground between then and easter, who knows.

And you never know, Rafa might even have a few quid for the January sales (Just a few like) and a surprise or two up his sleeve.

Keith, Batchelor has had so much ‘charlie’ shoved up his nose, he can’t think straight. Hull could have done manure & should have been up at the break – dead cert penalty not given. It’s amazing how a side 4th or 5th from bottom ran manure ragged? This whole season has been like this, with the exception of Chel$ki’s first 8 games or so. No game is a dead cert – never seen a season like this one. According to the press, Chel$ki were untouchable & were certain to win the league after only 3 months into the season. Hell, if we can go on a run (Stevie & Nando firing, of course) anything is possible…I do have my feet on the ground of course, but one always has to be positive/optimistic, otherwise you’d go mad with all this crazy bullshit negative anti-Rafa press & ‘fan’ opinions.

FS, I hate posting in-match because it invariably ends-off biting me in the ass! So why I don’t change a non-winning habit is beyond me.

Anyway, the manure are there for the taking and if other teams take the same attitude as Hull, it will be an interesting season indeed.

BTW, I still say without that turncoat Shrek, they will be half the team that they are now. Moreover, they are already half the team that they were after Ronaldo left. What’s that I hear you cry. A two man-team?

Never!

Oh well, I’m off. Going to play me grandaughter a few games of Buckaroo and cheat her out of her Crimbo money.

Keith, good on you. I’ve more or less given up on trying to educate the idiots, on here and in real life. Fuck them. Just console yourself with the thought that you’ll soon be proved right.

Lucas, Insua and NGog are proof positive that Rafa’s youth plan is starting to bear fruit. If Wenger had paid the 7.6 million on them that Rafa has, he’d be rightly getting plaudits for it like he is for the 10 million spent on Walcott.

Pacheco and Kelly will probably be the next two off the production line, and it will save the club untold millions that it obviously hasn’t got. And, as you know, there’s plenty more coming along behind them.

Add to that the ones who won’t make it, but will be sold on at good profit, and we won’t be forced into buying squad players anymore. The limited funds we do have can just be splashed out on top notch fully finished professionals and we’ll soon have not only a great 11 but a thoroughly dependable squad of about 25/28 players that will be able to compete in all competitions. In fact, I hope to see the start of this at Reading and in the early Europa games.

But as always, there’s always the fly in the ointment… Our Custodians. And no matter how dillegently Rafa works and builds their lack of money will always mean we will have trouble paying the wages to keep a top squad together.

Then obviously there’s the media and the mongs who believe them because they haven’t got the sense to think independently.

Oh well, let’s just hope that knocked the stuffing out of Villa. I always think them hidings work in one or two ways…
1: It’ll have really took it’s toll.
2: It will have humiliated them and got their backs up, and they’ll be bang up for it.

Knowing our luck, it will be number 2. But if you think back to their win at Anfield, we actually murdered them for most of that game, but the frailties we’ve got this season were exposed a couple of times and that was enough for them to steal the points.

Oh well, we’ll see soon enough.

…And the latest entry in the media bias agenda…

“you don’t avoid relegation by winning against Man United or Chelsea”

I heard this at least 6 times over the weekend.

Yup that’s right. Playing Scum this week… don’t even try… there’s no point, you can’t beat them… this game doesn’t count for you… roll over and get your bellies tickled like good little boys… then just go scrap it out at the bottom with the others next week…
…err… oh but when you go to Anfield, take a full strength team and go for it.

It was trotted out to support McCarthy’s decision to “rest” players against Scum. That decision has now been completely vindicated in the media because they (a) got the result against Burnley and (b) were rested enough to be appearing to be giving us a game.

It was trotted out after Hull lost to Scum… “Hull don’t avoid relegation by winning against Man United. They need to turn up against Bolton and Portsmouth.” (I kid you not the commentator actually said this.)

… and even after Birmingham grabbed a point against the Chavs, the commentator had the balls to comment, “yes but, these aren’t the games that will keep Birmingham up. They need results against the Wigans and Portsmouths if they want to stay up.”
Ignoring any mention of the fact that Birmingham should have had all 3 points only for a perfectly legit goal to be ruled offside. (There have been at least 12 of those given so far this season alone.)
Those points won’t keep them up? Really? Is that New Math…maybe that’s why I don’t get it?

The idea that “you don’t avoid relegation by winning against Man United or Chelsea” but you have a go at LFC or the Arse, provides the perfect excuse the Mcarthy’s of this world need (or even Ferg’s bumboys like Allardyce… watch this space?) to field under-strength teams against the Scum, thereby virtually handing them up to an 18 points a season advantage….

So even if we could afford top players…
…and even if we could get them all playing brilliantly…
…we’d still need to be as many as 8 games better than them…
…just to EVEN the playing field, let alone try to win the league!

But then again, maybe that’s all just smoke and mirrors, and there is no agenda, and Rafa really is a stubborn, clueless, bad man-manager?
But I doubt it!

Interestingly under-reported, was that Rafa supposedly had an encouraging chat with SG prior to the game and he then went out and had one of his best games so far this season.
Further proof that …. err… ooops!

Didn`t catch up on comments yet just popped in to say there`s a doc on LFC tv about Shanks years before Liverpool,you`d love it Fatty.

Three points earned with graft.Granted it was a game of backs and forwards after the sending off but they gave the lads a tough contest.Torres does need to get more protection.His disallowed goal was some finish though,first class.
Pleased with Aquallini also.I could see the difference in our play when he`s in there.He likes to make those forward runs and when fully up to speed he`ll be a handful for the opposition i`m sure.
Well pleased for stevie too a bullet of a header and you could see in his celebration he got a bit of a monkey off his back.
Just to pick up on what you were saying Fatty about the Anfield atmosphere(or lack of) i know the media throw there two cents in like zoning in on guys in the stands with depressed faes on them as if to say “the people aren`t happy with Rafa” but Jesus Christ they zoned in on a fella after 33 minutes and he had his head in his hands.
33 feckin minutes i`m looking at the telly in the boozer and i`m saying god help my eyesight but is that 33 or 88 because the mug on that sorry excuse for a fan said it all to me.If it was the 88 you could nearly forgive him for being pissed off but for christ sake get behind the team no matter what time of the game it is weather it be the 33rd,88th or feckin 98th.

Its happening right before our eyes Fatty and although i can never call myself a regular at the great old stadium i go over as much as i can,not as much since the kiddies came along when i do i give my all to get behind the team but recently being at Anfield when your jumping up off your seat and shouting for the team you feel like one that got out of the funny farm for the night because all around you are sitting there staring at ya.

Thats why my next trek planned will be a Euro away.At least your gaurenteed a sing song and a good oul session win,lose or draw.
I was hoping to get to romania but i got the ememy a holiday away with the girls for xmas and thats in march so i`ll have to see it might be a bit close to romania.
Sussed out flights and the cheapest i ould get to Budapest is 370 yoyo`s just for the flights and thats form Dublin so thats more travelling.I`ll keep tabs on the situation though and if not i`ll get in the home leg and plan for the next round or the quarters provided we get through.

Timmy mate, as I’ve stated many times… it’s really not the fault of proper supporters wherever they are from who can only manage to get to a handful of games. I’m one of them myself nowadays.

It’s the theater bunch, the tourists, who are there to experience the atmosphere and be entertained by the team. If you see any clips of last night, have a look at the crowd… loads and loads of posh fellas with their wives, all wrapped up in their expensive gear, thoroughly miserable and letting everyone damn well know it.

These people really shouldn’t be at football matches, and they don’t like it when they do get there. But we all know, it’s been a long long time now since the game was taken away from it’s proper support… the working class and presented to the middle classes as an entertainment alternative.

They are already advertising the World Cup “Experience.” The cheapest package I have heard is £3,500. I never bothered listening to it, but I know what that entails… a flight to one of the games, and a couple of nights in a hotel before being flown out again to make room for the next load to be fleeced.

And I know exactly what you mean about being looked at like an alien for actually trying to support. I’ve actually been told to tone it down at Anfield in the main stand, by shamefaced stewards because I was disturbing people around me. I’ve told that story on here before, so I won’t go on. But I just want to say, if people think that happened because I was going over the top and maybe being obscene… I was actually teaching a lad, at his first game for his 8th birthday, the words to some of our songs.

I’m not kidding you, entering Anfield should now come with a health warning for epeleptics… WARNING FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY!

Next time we are on, have a look at the crowd… constant flashes as they take pictures of anything that moves. In fact, watch when the opposition get a throw in on the half way line. It’s enough to bring on a fit, and, for me, that’s not just because of all the pictures being taken of some player they’ve never bloody heard of taking a throw in.

I’d definetely recommend a Euro away. It’s the last bastion. It’s best when the weather is good. Everyone crammed into a square, flags up, beers flying, and all the great songs new and old getting a proper airing.

But be quick… even these games are going down the pan, as the tourists are now going and preventing proper lads from getting tickets as they are prepared to pay through the nose for the holiday packages… flight, hotel and match ticket.

And as I say, it’s only going to get worse. But I’m going to leave it at that for now. I’m trying to just concentrate on the good. And it’s a waste of time and breath. As I said in me last comment to Keith, you can’t educate these people.

The fact is, with the resources he has to work with, and the situation in the boardroom, Rafa actually has this of ours club over acheiving. But you can’t get that through to them. They have attached themselves to the club and they damn well want entertaining because of that, and they want trophies to be able to lord it over their mates who “Support,” the other big clubs. And god forbid if they ever get round to actually paying some money to go… then it is their divine right to boo and moan when it’s not 10 nil after 5 minutes, nevermind Nil Nil at 33 mate.

Fuck it. Let’s smash Villa.

heres some aunty gray for you lads to enjoy:

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojjdP01ydqo

YNWA

Second that Fatty i think we can get all three points at the Villa and reverse the result we had in August against them.
I think Torres will be in for a physical night again.It`s hard on the lad it seems to be the only way to stop him.Scoring goals won`t make the treatment go away but if he can do the talking with his feet then the harsh treatment he`s getting from defenders will be easier to take.He seems like he`s moaning all the time and he has a right to with the crap he has put up with but a goal or two would put that smile back on his face again.Then he`ll have that “bring it on you can`t stop me” attitude.
It mightn`t make sense now but i think he relishes the physical side to the English game,he`s made for it but its a bit OTT at the moment.
Only thing is i`m not sure Rafa will moan to the media ala Mr ferguson with ladyboy.

Aitch,

Regarding #147, here’s a posting that I think you’d like
http://robbohuyton.blogspot.com/2009/12/liverpool-fc-wheres-respect-for-rafa.html?

What can be expected of an ex-Evertonian who buggered off to a Euro side for a payday and European Cup Football.
He won’t be taken to task for it though.
Surprisingly ax… almost all the subsequent comments are in agreement… I wasn’t expecting that.

Anyway lads, just finished reading “43 Years With The Same Bird” by Brian Reade, in two marathon sessions (it is truly a “can’t put it down” book) and all I can say is that if you call yourself a Red and don’t get a hold of this and read it… well, you just aren’t one!

If you’re born and bred like FS and myself, or a 30+ year fan like Gerry and few others and a few others, then it’ll be a nice trip down memory lane.
If you are a foreign lad, be it new to the club or longer-term fan, it is a a must read so you understand where people like Myself and FS and Gerry and others are coming from when we form our opinions.

Told against the political, social and economic backdrops of the times… It tells you everything you need to know about where the current media bias comes from, and provides ample evidence of its 30 year history to explain why that media bias is so good/effective at disseminating its vile opinions.

It also provides some telling insider insight to the inner workings of LFC both past and present and some interesting tidbits of information that I hadn’t been aware of, that make me even more certain that the “anti-Rafa” mob are talking through their collective arseholes.

No matter where you are, no matter how old you are… you need to get your hands on this fuckin book and read it!

Can I contribute my opinion on Liverpool current performance? I think it is due to pre season matches in Asia. I watch them when they played in Singapore. The players behave like tourists and they even don’t have the proper respect to the fans. Look how they come into the pitch. Almost all listening music and Alonso is reading magazine when they walk in to greet fans. They don’t have seriousness and they all floating in the air. All these matches spoil team organization and spirit – loosing critical friendly matches, wining on low level teams to cover up actual problem which is already engulfed on the team. Who to blame? This is psychological problem.
You can notice slacken performance from some of the games they played before and after Thailand & Singapore matches. If they didn’t play these two matches in Asia and built up the team at home, it will be much prepared and organized for early EPL matches. This is what I think. Pardon me if you think I am biased.

Wish to see more wins…

Gyanand

Just been watching sky-sports and Charlie Nicolas has reported that the Chelsea fans are booing their team before half time, dont you just love it i reckon Burgerman is whipping them up into a frenzy after they went 0-1 down after 4 mins, still i cant see it staying like that but you never know, what a strange season this is.
YNWA.

Was just about to write testing testing… 1-2-3

Alright Redman chavs are one down so are they?

am watching the chavs game and the boos ringing arnd the fridge was unbelievable! how anyone can call this supporting the team is beyond me.

am getting nicely nervous about tomorrow – is it really that big or my heads doing me in?

YNWA

Chelsea fans are and always have been shite. Of course they got worse over the last few years, as the glory hunters invaded. And as much as I moan about what has happened to our support… the fact is, of all the big clubs, we are still the best.

But is being able to claim that enough?
Not for me.

We need to do something at Anfield sharpish, before we end up just as bad as that shower.

I have hopes for tomorrow, Villa are starting to feel the test of a small squad, and if we go for the throat from the outset we can unsettle them.

Can I just make an observation about the Wolves game, A lot of people have put the turning point in the match down to the sending off, and although it obviously had some bearing on the match, I want to point to Stevie’s saved shot a couple of minutes earlier.
It seemed to buoy us up, and is really the first time we have seen him looking like the Steven Gerrard we all know and love etc, witness the way we played with more urgency immediately after and Lucas’s run that led to the sending off.

There is no question that for once things went our way, instead of two penalty’s not given against Arsenal or a beach ball getting in the way against Sunderland, we instead got a nice deflection and a sending off that is considered harsh in some quarters( not by me incidentally, two cynical fouls, not bad fouls but definitely cynical) .

It is all about confidence at the moment and I think Stevie’s lack of form has hit us at the heart of the team, so often pivotal he has been mostly anonymous this season.
I don’t know the reasons for his bad form, possibly injury or just watching his beloved club going into meltdown, but he has been sorely missed and maybe Rafa’s talk with him has lifted him enough to give his all for the rest of the season.

There have been so many bad things about this season that I want to pick up on one or two of the positives.
Ngog for £1.5 million has to be some of the best money that even Rafa has spent and being thrown into the turmoil that this season has become, he has been professional and shown more than a little talent, Insua has become a first team player, and although still occasionally naive he has cemented a place in the first team squad, debuts and time on the pitch for Jake Spearing,Martin Kelly, and Daniel Pacheco, all of whom have performed well.
I could write a lot on Lucas but a lot has already been said, I will try to sum up all my feelings by saying, he will be a great player for us, and will continue to improve, and Aquilani if he can put up with the rough and tumble and remain injury free will be one of the best players in the premiership, his talent is obvious and it is more a question of whether he can survive the environment.

one final personal point, I haven’t really seen Pacheco play before,work commitments prevented me from seeing him play in Europe, and although 10 minutes is not enough to judge a player on , he looked wonderful and a future star

whats the team looking like for tomorrow? have we reached the point in the season where we can say that this is a must-not-lose game? a win ofcourse can do wonders for us. ashley young is suspended for villa – think aquaman will start again? we need a bit of height in our defence, so maybe rest insua.

——–reina——-
johnson – carra – agger – aurelio
kuyt – lucas – gerrard – benny
——— aquaman———-
———torres ———–

i feel torres will get a bit more freedom tomorrow, plus i think the last two games would have given him some much needed fitness and sharpness

cannot wait! come on you REDS!
YNWA

Here’s the problem for tomorrow though lads.

The Ashley Young suspension is gonna be a big help. But Wolves didn’t have a fast as fuck Gabby Abgondolawhore, or whatever the fuck his name is… and the Built-Like-A-Brick-Shithouse with ball control skill that is Carew.

Those two pose a serious threat to our defense, so we may not see Johnson and Insua getting forward as much as they did against Wolves… and in my opinion that was one of the things that made a big difference from recent games.

So I wouldn’t be expecting a gangbusters performance, on their patch, after one good result.
The nerves are still gonna be there the minute we get put under a bit of pressure and with a fast break player like Gabby, if we don’t get an early goal, we will get more and more nervous about his ability to grab a goal on the break. That’s just the way things are right now.

I’ll hope for the same formation (though sadly Aurelio may be injured… again) and start it tight and control things and look for a break.

Aitch i think Villa will be the ones looking to catch us on the break.Its the way MON has them set up to play.I think we will have more than our fair share of possesion.What we do with it is another matter but Villa will set up as the always do home or away.They`ll keep there shape,be disiplined and will be hard to break down.I can`t see them pressing us high up the pitch because of Torres pace.They`ll be compact.I`d be happy enough if we go in 0-0 at half time.We can score there alright we just have to be disiplined ourselves.

You are right though Carew and Agbonlahor will be a handful.I don`t see too many goals here but we are certainly capable of taking the points.We got the rub of the green on saturday so hope it will continue.
Aquallini has had another 70 mins under his belt and should have the same again tomorrow.He`ll be that little bit sharper which is good for us.I`ve liked what i`ve seen from him so far.

I think cuellar is out too so thats one less shitkicker for Torres to worry about. Play the same team and we should be good. Heart says 2-1, head says 1-1 which wouldent be a bad result given our form. Obviously it keeps us in touch and prevents them from pulling further ahead so right now I’m sure we’d all take it but I’d be happy for more Stevie miracles a la 2yrs ago. Jesus what a free kick that was….

Big big doubt whether Torres will be able to play. Aquilani, Johnson, Yossi and Fabio also doubts.

Thats a bolix FS,just when their all coming back they get a setback.Can`t buy a bit of luck these days,even if we did have the money.

Intresting ….

ttp://tomkinstimes.com/2009/12/who-on-earth-would-defend-set-pieces-like-this/

was watching these stats on sly yesterday .. Chelsea have conceded the most goals from set-pieces … Didnt hear anyone slating man-marking …

Just watched the first half of that Fox Football Phone In show that Steve Cohen got canned from.

Last week Nick Webster was wearing a Chelsea shirt and this week he is wearing an Arsenal shirt!

Some bloke calls in … he’s an Aston Villa fan… and puts forth the suggestion that Aston Villa need a world class midfield signing … and what do they think about Villa getting Steven Gerrard and would he fit in at Villa?

Now they actually seriously discussed this as a possibility, as though the only obstacle in the way would be Villa’s ability to meet the asking price, until the bloke then interjected “well what about Cesc Fabregas?”
At which point, both Webster and Wynalda, went off their trolly’s about how he was dreaming and there was no chance… This after seriously discussing the “possibility” that they could buy Gerrard!

A few moments later, a comment is made regarding the upcoming Villa vs Liverpool fixture and Webster sends the show to commercial with the following direct quote:
“One thing you can be sure of, I bet Rafa doesn’t select the same 11 to play at Villa.”

Now given the number of walking wounded and players playing on injections… yeah it’s a pretty safe bet innit?

But here’s another thing you can be sure of…
Webster knew full-well the starting line-up wouldn’t be the same and the reasons for that, but he just had to throw in a pop at Rafa as though there was no rhyme or reason to the man… to an American audience that doesn’t know any better!

I wouldn’t let it get to you Aitch. The media all over the world is the same. That’s not to say, they are all shites like this shower we are stuck with. But they do their research, like most other hard working journos, pundits and experts… by looking at what is going on in the media.

So their opinions are formed by the likes of Sly, Talk Shite and The Daily Manc, and sometimes what feels like a vendetta is just pure laziness, and they just regurgitate the same old shite – much like the modern football “Supporter.”

As I’ve said many times, LFC have never been the darlings of the media and the way things are so hyped up today, there has got to be a public enemy number 1. They decided this was Rafa from day one… It’s ridiculous. It’s rotten. It’s way out of order, but there it is.

But then there are some who really do hate us, and they make sure the others follow their cue. I could name loads, why bother.I’ll just say, Nick Webster is Steve Cohen’s mate and business partner. No need to say anymore eh.

So, like I’ve said a million times, yes. There is an anti LFC agenda in the media. Yes. This witch hunt of Rafa Benitez is an absolute disgrace, and I’ve never seen anything as bad as that. But I have seen it for 40 plus years, so don’t go expecting anything else. It’s not going to change.

And I do my best to just laugh at it, what drives me mad is ex-players of ours, some legends, and our newer fans falling for it. But what can you do. It’s a vicious cycle.

I just hope we can get a full team together that isn’t carrying too many really knocks, as it’s going to be a very physical game. O’Neil is no mug. He knows we are slowly getting back into our stride so he’ll try to hit us fast and hard, probably like Timmy said on the break like they did against the Mancs. But I expect them to go for a full bombardment for the first 15/20 minutes, running the channels, getting wide, lots of long high balls into the centre of our defence. And if that doesn’t work, I think they could well go to the rope a dope footy we’ve been seeing against us lately. If they do that, we may struggle to break them down but it only takes that one killer pass.

So meself, I’m just hoping for plenty of lager, a few Port and Lemos, and a win of anysorts. Anything else will be a bonus.

Great comments 5year, I like your summing up of Aquilani, but I think he will be able to handle the rough stuff fairly easily once he gets used to the pace. The Seria A is hard but slower, Italy always had the hard men doing the dirty work and once he adjust to the time on the ball scenario he will be fine. Pacheco is a gem and will only get better and I think it is time to give him more minutes on the field instead of our other options at the moment. Any news on Reira he has been out the entire season? I also see we have bought a young Uruguan striker (22) that will be on lone in Spain until next year while we sort out his work permit.

Well i’m off out to watch the lad’s tonight, FS i am gonna sample the mead and fuck the pain tomorrow,
i love my missus i truly do but lately the way the boys have played (Wolves aside) i have been giving some really bad verbal out to the tele and my wife so i’m off out.
FS do you think a couple of Aussie Whites will do me any harm apart from making walk come home from the club like a game of bagatelle especially if we win,lordy lordy give me and the boys strength for tonight.
YNWA.

Not much in the way of pre-match banter in here today… everyone suffering post-Xmas hangovers or what?

Anyway…
Myth #493 – Rafa is a poor man-manager
…and…
Myth #5,642 – Rafa has lost the dressing room

…dispelled in today’s Echo by Alberto Aquilani…

“The team does not deserve its current low standing. We’ve had difficulties, but we will come out of this,” said Aquilani.
“I have a good relationship with Rafa Benitez and all my team-mates, champions like Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, who welcomed me and helped me merge into this group.”

Right – got the all clear from home so I am off out to watch the game tonight. Sorry ’bout that lads, (I don’t have much of a record with this). My kid is in the verbal parrot stage so it’s becoming hilarious and embarressing during games…

Let’s hope for a confident, intelligent and steady 2-0 … indeed !

ps, anyone see Chavs fluke another 3 points last night. What a pity we are not up there ‘cos really it’s wide open this year.

Who believes wins.

The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Benayoun, Lucas, Aquilani, Kuyt, Gerrard, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Ngog, Spearing.

Attacking line up in my opinion

Even given that some class Dirk as a defensive player thats looks like a team put out to win the match not contain them

Right lads here`s the team,Dirk is in for Fabulous.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/kuyt-returns-v-villa

Sorry 5year didn`t think to hit refresh !

Ref is a twat.

If that was a yellow for Lucas, then it was also a penalty for liverpool … Shit decsion making by the ref …

Toooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssssssssssss …..

Two hard fought wins… two clean sheeets …
Getting better every game …

Oh that feels fooooooookin goooooooood !!!!

Very Decent Performance against a very good side,
a moment of luck and a world class finisher

3 points

a happy day

TTTTTTTOOORRRRRRRREEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!

Ye Beauty!!

And this pathetic pundit on Sly sports has the fuckin guts to say that Villa didnt deserve to lose this game cos they were the better side …

Happy as a pig in the proverbial.

Hard-fought victory and, was that a bit of luck that we had there at the end of the game. Maybe Santa has been kind to us – wouldn’t hold me breath though.

Let me see, an under achieving Liverpool takes on a barn storming Villa at their ground and wins. Shit that’s hard to explain, so did we win it, or did Villa lose it. Who knows maybe we could get Burger in to explain how it all works.
.
Great result, well done lads, great result.

And not a single mention of the performance of Reina …. He made couple of crucial and world-class saves …

PS, I thought Babel made a huge difference when he came on. Cudos to the kid, showed some real heart. Praise where praise is due.

Evening chaps,
On the balance of play; I would say we more than deserved that.
Whilst they had the clearer chances, we were all over them and just lacked a little composure and luck with the final pass.
The passing was slick and incisive in midfield, dont know what the possession stats were but we must have been well on top.
Aquilani looks a class act, always looking for the killer pass. Admittedly a few passes went astray and he dallied on the ball a couple of times but I will wager that he has never played in a game as fast as that.
Really looking forward to seeing him, with more match fitness and along side players who are playing with a bit more freedom and confidence.

Huge 3 points this.
And the confidence this will bring is massive.

Finally a bit of luck goes our way. Probably in the context of the game, and with Villa having the more clear cut chances, we probably didn’t deserve the 3 points but in the context of the season with all the shit we’ve had to put up with (i.e beachballs, injuries, etc, etc) we certainly deserved those 3 points.

FFFFFUUUCCCKKKKKIIINNNGGGGGG YYYYEEESSSSSSSS

Really needed that win, and torres, well wot can u say. Thank Christ he’s ours!!! That’s two hard fought wins and both deserved.

Gonna enjoy this tonight. I’ll get to kuyt tomorrow sometime.

Happy days.

What a spastic Jamie boy really is …

Made me laugh this…

Keys – “So Mancini says they are thinking of winning the title? is that the right thing to do?”
Redknapp – “Yes, I really like that attitude”

Keys – “What do you think of this Rafa promise that Liverpool will finish top 4?”
Redknapp – “It just puts pressure on your team doesn’t it?”

Aah Fuck. Can’t explain my feelings right now, only that seeing Moaning O’Niell with his head clasped between Alex’s balls’s made my groin area twice as large! Thought Lucas was large – always available for the pass when someone was in shite. About time something whent our way as well. Gerrard had his bet game in months…amazing what a goal ca do, and hopefully same effect on Torres (cue his celebtation – what a player!). Is this this the turnaround of our season? Don’t want to premeditate, but the signs are there – we did not knock the ball around pretty weel, and agree with Gazza that Babel added some spark.
In Rafa We Trust – Keep The Faith
FECKIN BEAUTTTTTTY!!!!!!

Oops, sorry. 2.5 bottles of Bells with me 3 brothers later, cannot type/spell for shit. Midnight here in SA…

Made me laugh even more

Interviewer: ‘Will you resign if you don’t make fourth place?’

Rafa: ‘You Journalists, when you say something or make a mistake, do you resign?’

Interviewer: ‘……er, thank you Rafa….’

Well in Rafa

Just in. Yahoooo. Yeah, just bloody great. That was a whole season coming. Sometimes all the bullsh*t and muck and frustration is worth it. Could be a bit of a turning point.

Gerrard is slowly beginning to resemble the Gerrard that we know. Likewise Nando.
Aquilani another small step towards some sort of match fitness.
Lucas played really well for me, he mixed the defensive with some lovely incisive passing. Ridiculous booking.
Kuyt kind of defies description, woeful control and wayward passing at times and yet he was like a tiger around the middle and made some great tackles and really hassled Villa allover the place. Never let’s his head drop. A leader.
Was disappointed in Benny to be honest, too cold for him I reckon. Flimsy game.
Insua was brilliant for me. Never gave the ball away. Controlled the left wing, attacked and was a threat. Gonna be a star that boy.
The 2 boys in the middle did very well, the slip apart.
Johnson threatened but there was a lack of support for him going down the right wing.
Pepe … what do you say !
A word for Babel, (could someone teach him to head a ball), he made a difference. Who knows eh!

happy days!

So we go to one of the teams home grounds that’s going to do away with us.
Except for 15/20 minutes or so of the whole game, we force them to play like the away team.
We don’t exactly turn them over, but we pen them back for long periods, and reduce them to smash and grab tactics.
We reduce their manager, one of the men the media offers our bosses job on a regular basis, to tears.
We nearly reduce the Sly pundits and experts to tears an all. (Isn’t it funny how upset they get when we don’t get twatted?)
We have two kids, Insua and Lucas, that are the best two players on the pitch.
Hilariously funny thing… Asked about Mancini saying Man City would win the league, they all say what a great thing it is, a breath of fresh air, a statment of intent.
Seconds later, when asked about Rafa gauranteeing at least 4th… of course it’s a ridiculous statement that piles pressure on everyone and should insure his sacking if he doesn’t acheive it.

It was nearly as hilarious as Mancini’s City Scarf, or The Special One sitting Roman’s chair conducting the half time boos at Stamford, Shed for brains, Bridge.

It’s such a shame that we have attracted “Supporters,” who fall for this sort of shit. And I’d like to think we won’t see anymore of this nonsense in here, and a few of red and white bleeders of “Supporters” might get a clue…

In the real world, the situation is…
due to many mitigating circumstances, we have had a bad first half of the season.

But, despite all our internal and external troubles, we are only four points away from the CL spots.

And no matter how much it hurts the media, and no matter how much they try to convince you otherwise, we have a good squad, a great team, a few world class individuals, a fantastic manager, and it’s only just half time.

Can we win it?
Well sadly, that’s probably out of our grasp now.

But despite all what’s gone on in the first half, if Chelsea just drop 3 points (1 loss) over the next few games and we pick them up, they will start to flap and we will start to press.

In all honesty, it’s not wise to build up any hopes just yet. But then, I’m not. But no matter what, I’m really looking forward to the second half of the season.

The only thing that reLY worries me now, is obviously H&G, but also, our great “Supporters” holding up their hands voting to get Rafa out and going on websites and phone ins to proclaim their views and profess they are talking for the majority.

NEWS FLASH… YOU DON’T!

And sadly, 3 points off Spuds won’t be enough to shut the likes of Jamie Redknapp up, but hopefully it might just quiten down our great armchair support. And give the team, the boss and the proper people time to get on with the rest of the season.

Well in lads. Well in Rafa. Onwards and upwards.

PS… Redman, it’s just Cabin Fever. But steer clear of the Aussie White’s or it could blow up into full on Shining… “I’M HOME!”

I love mine an all mate, but since I discovered Smirnoof, I’m thinking I could have just made a nice new patio.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4….

and there it is… a website selling “Torres 50″ t-shirts.

(I haven’t found it yet, but you know it’ll be up-n-running tomorrow!)

Here’s something to occupy the wait Aitch…
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/stan-collymore/Stan-Collymore-s-end-of-years-awards-Liverpool-boss-Rafa-Benitez-look-away-now-article269235.html

Have a look but don’t laugh in here. It will be fun to see some of them agree with him.

Christ on a stick FS…

“As the nation’s most popular columnist I thought I should…”

Do public obscenity laws no longer exist in the UK?

Three golden points in the bag, how incredibly sweet!

Outstanding saves from Reina and quality finishing from Torres + all around signs of improvement in general character. Still lacking a cutting edge in the final third but f**k it – onwards and upwards!

Great result Tonight..I just got home and watched the game. Like you said FS. you would have thought we were the home team.
Martin o’neills Face after Torres scored was priceless.
One of the Commentators on Setanta was going on about how Rafa should take Torres off as he was looking tired and needed a rest. Thank goodness
Rafa doesn’t listen to these Idiots..
What a Goal..the boy is just pure Class.
I thought Aquaman looked better tonight, he’s getting fit and will just get better and better.
You can see his class when he’s on the Ball.
We don’t get the Studio experts after the game
so I don’t have to listen to the likes of Collymore spouting off.
” hey where do I get my Torres50 T shirt” ?
Just Joking..

Where’s Burgerman or Sula or Somnath by the way….

Anyway, here’s a very good article, which totally summed up my feelings, really.

http://www.lfcpost.com/item.php?item=73319

RedScouse: I’ve been saying for ages, it would be a long horrible climb out of that slump. Well, I don’t want to tempt fate, but anyone can see the recovery if they want to look instead of listening to the “Experts.” Next is getting the high tempo, pressing, pace and move game going, and the signs are there.

I’m sick we’ve got Reading in the cup this weekend. I’d love to get straight into Tottenham. Oh well, let’s hope some of the kids and the squad players get a run out.

Redman… It was like a big love in here over Crimbo. All of us tucked up in the house together. Even had the Queen Of Sheba, me aul Mam over. It was great. By yesterday, it was like the Shining. Jyb the Aussie White’s mate, but jyb the house an all. It’s just Cabin Fever.

Talking of Aussie’s and The Shinning, I got a text from Aussie Kopite from Villa Park. He’d met up with me mates lad, got his ticket, and was freezing his bollacks off in the stands. I think he might still stuck to the seat, in he’s Bondi Shorts. Haven’t heard from him since.

Ooops! Pass and move… but a bit of pace back into it will be nice an all.

Could it be that the piece of literature from Satan Collymore is some kind of psychological weapon? I noticed it was published before the Villa game, seems to make villa look good and us look bad.

As for the TV commentators, I mute my TV during games now.. i cant stand the bias commentators anymore.

I was beginning to feel like it was one of those days…but then kuyt pounced on a poor pass.. and then the goal.. what a goal..

Lucas, i hope he keep on fighting.

I wish all our players can comeback soon, it will be better then going out and buying/loaning a player in the January Transfer (if we had money).

What about this for a load of codswallop:

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Why-Alberto-Aquilani-s-Aston-Villa-performance-merely-confirmed-his-status-as-a-20million-flop-by-Oliver-Holt-article271165.html

Unbelievable. Surely people (with a working brain) can see straight thru’ this stuff?

Lurgan mate, here’s the best line out of that…
“But because, no matter how well he had played against Villa, nothing will alter the fact that he was a failure before he kicked a ball for his club.”

Think BM is moonlighting at the Mirror? Oh well, I suppose we could always sell the lad in the window and buy Larson.

Oh and I meant to add…. Downing was also on that pitch. I remember him because he hit a sitter right at Pepe. Seems Mr Holt didn’t though, because the whingeing O’Neil spent all his summer budget on him and he had had a broken leg and is only now starting to play.

You really couldn’t make it up if you tried, eh. Oh well, at least it gives some of our “Supporters” a place to form their God given right opinions. And I’ve a feeling a few of them are already in Manc/Chav/Arse sites qouting them.

What a great hard fought win that was. Utterly shite conditions that helped Villa in all honesty with their sit back, defend and hit them on the break away team tactics at home. Slowly, ever so slowly we are digging ourselves out of the hole, long may it continue. The other up side of these wins is that we don not have to listen to the CBC twats. I agree FS Lucas had a great game in the middle and long may he continue not being good enough for Liverpool and our eternal scape goat. This Kid is getting better and better and his runs and distribution are so under estimated it’s a joke. I sat with my friend who is a Roma supporter and we where listening to our shite commentators as usual, Rafa is an idiot he should play 4 4 2, Lucas is shit etc, etc and I turned to him and told him to watch what Lucas dose during the match and he turned around to me afterwards and said I cannot believe people don’t rate this lad. We are only going to get better and better as our confidence grows and our fitness returns. It going to be a very interesting second half to the season, a couple of losses and a couple of draws by the top three will see us right back in the mix. With the way everybody is dropping points from unexpected places we could be in for a very intriguing run in come May. If we can go on a run the way we finished last season off we could end up closer then some people would have expected. Halfway and a long way still to go. Come on you Reds

Keith mate, I think it’s not going to be too long before you can show them all your arse and shout… I FECKIN TOLD YOU SO!

I think Lucas is slowly turning into our new Didi.

PS… Bolton fans have forced Megson out. And they’ve installed Steve Wiggley… I hope the kunts get what they deserve now – relegation!

And what was that ONeil up to the fucking clown. You’d think his family had just got killed in a car crash and his dog had got ran over in the same do. What a twat.

And to think some of our “Supporters,” want that Monkey on a stick as our boss.

Oh well, Forgive them lord. They know not what they do.

Off out. Tatty bye. See you’s later.

I’ve come to the conclusion that most ‘supporters’ don’t actually ‘watch’ a football match. They just follow the ball and don’t see what is happening around the pitch. They see what they are told to see – misplaced pass by Lucas i.e. shite; misplaced pass by Aqua i.e. waste of moeny; misplaced pass by Stevie G i.e. no problem will get it right next time.

A decent run is as good as a well placed pass. Both together can be devastating but will they ever realise this. I doubt it, taking the piss and being a sheep is a lot easier.

Season’s greetings.

Oh and before I go, this one’s for you Keith…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1239273/Aston-Villa-0-Liverpool-1-Fernando-Torres-hot-Spaniard-s-late-strike-catches-Villa-cold.html

Scroll down to the fourth picture and read the tag line!

Jamie Lucas, the worst Brazillian ever.

Tara for now.

Win every prem game , finish on 87 points and win the title!.If Cita buy some ready made players, they will be the biggest obstacle to finishing fourth.Villa had a day less to prepare, so don’t get too excited over a very solid performance and win.I only mentioned Larson because of a lack of money.He is still better than Voronin!.

See you did’nt get your Christmas wish eh Burgerman a brain ?.

Much elation on here and rightly so, congrats on your 50 Nando, fantastic stuff lad. But in the midst of the elation there is also the truth. And the truth is but for our player of the yr there’d be a much different story in here this morning. I dont know what else to say about the guy but thank fuck Pepe is ours. I understand and feel the relief and joy this morning but the truth is we cashed in some long overdue luck (Aitch!). Still a lot of worrying elements in that performance. 3pts is 3pts though…

Love the comments left by people under that Aqualani aricle in #209. What a twat, writing shite like that.

Pissing on our bonfire Digger?.

Didn’t ,not didn’t .Any chance of learning how to spell correctly, even at your advanced age?.

BurgerSpellCheck, should it not be “Didn’t, not didn’t” and not “Didn’t ,not didn’t”?

BTW, I though that this was a LFC blog and not an English literature forum.

Even at my advanced age i will alway’s spell it as DID’NT as in archaic english for DID NOT as that is the way to spell it you thick twat.

Good though Lurgan innit, whoop’s that should be haint it.

No Redman, not at all. I said much elation and rightly so. But the way we’ve been playing this season there is a tendency to to jump all over a positive result and proclaim ‘our season starts here’ or ‘if chelsea drop x y and z and we win a b and c…’ despite all evidence to the contrary. Our old familiar failings are still present: set pieces – carew, downing (all alone), Kyut – should still be resting, final 3rd – other than stevies shot what did friedal have to do? Not pissing Redman, just saying.

terrible conditions so so prefromance superb result well done nando. lets hope we can get on a run now.

Happy days. Last nights result feels as good today as it did last night. We have had so many false dawns this season alone but there was a very strong performance put in last night, considering the weather conditions and the fact it was an away game to pretenders to the champions league spot.

We know it’s going to take some hard fought results and last nights was another step in the right direction. If we put in a good solid performance against reading and get a 2-3 nil result I’ll be bursting to play spurs. I no I’m getting ahead of myself here and it should be one game at a time but because I’m still basking in last nights result I’m allowing myself to.

I was going to have a go at kuyt but i decided to watch the game again. Only being able to watch the second half I’m gonna let it slide. He was working like a demon but he always does,my problem was him not letting the ball stick and choosing the wrong pass 9 times outta 10. Even though his wayward pass to benny led to the goal he’s not playing to the level we know capable.

However watching the man celebrate with the fans when everyone piled on torres is something i love to see so gonna just enjoy the fact were not looking at the table two points worse off.

Well done men. P.s insua and lucas were immense.

Big result – fair play to the lads, defended well and took the chance when it came our way – Villa may be about to have their traditional mid season slump. In saying that, I’d be cautious of saying our season has turned for the better. City and Spurs still need to be pegged back – think we have Spurs at home very soon – win that and then we can almost deffo say that we’re on the road to recovery

Redman mate, there’s people who sadly see a glass as half empty and not half full. And then there’s out and out twats…
I wouldn’t be arsed with them lad.

Last night, we done exactly what we did to Villa at Anfield earlier in the season… outplayed and dominated them, restricted them to set pieces.

They had one effort from open play last night, when Carra slipped when trying to tackle Agbonglahor. Other than that, they had a few half chances from set pieces and a couple of clear ones.

The only difference in the two games was they convverted three of their set piece chances at Anfield at a time when we was fragile and had a make shift defence on the pitch.

So, it’s up to yourself… you can bite at Larson’s agent, or you can go listen to Stan Collymoore on Talk Shite. It pretty much adds up to the same thing.

As for meself, I’m more concerned about Magic’s knee and hoping the break till the Tottenham game will be enough for him to recover and some others, like Dirk, Lucas, Torres, Insua, Gerrard, Carra and Benny to get a well earned break. I believe they was giving out more jabs in the treatment room than they was at Madison Square Garden.

So, let the toss pots keep sniping away… they matter not a jot. In fact, their down to marking grammar now. What’s next, Libpool are shit because they don’t pronounce it proper.

Fucking idiots. If they had an ounce of shame between them, they’d be appologising for being such knobs and adding more pressure on the lads and Rafa at a time they needed their support most.

LFC Supporters… LFC Supporters, My Arse.
PAH!

All the best for the New Year, all you reds faithfull, and a special mention to you Gerry and Fat Scouser.
First time in a long time writing on this blog, and the reason is that certain ‘supporters’ depress me, reading their comments. I’m afraid they are not real Liverpool fans.
They should know that they are doing more harm by being so negative and disruptive. Also the way they treat Rafa is disgraceful.
Do continue your mission Fat Scouser in educating those who want to learn more about our Great Club.
Just a thought that crossed my mind, after watching the past two matches without Mascherano, I thought Lucas came more into his own. He is playing his natural game and not being asked to do more than his fair share, since him and Masch are so similar.
If I were Rafa, I would offer a new contract to Masch now, and if he don’t sign it, I would sell him to the highest bidder.
With the money, we could buy a ready-made replacement in Parker of West Ham, and he’s English. A forward I would definitely sign ( If we have the dosh!!) is Bobby Zamora of Fulham. The boy is class, he scores, he dribbles and he holds the ball so well. He would be a pleasure to play with for the likes of Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun.
Any thoughts guys?

Sometime’s i have to bite FS as it’s human nature, well my nature anyway so when the boy’s pull off a win like last night i will give them all the plaudits and more, and if i got home from the club in the early hours and found Torres in bed with the missus i’d tuck him in.
But i must stress that the boss is damned if he does and damned if he does’nt, if we get beat or draw its “i told you so”, but if we win “let’s not get carried away our old familiar failings are still present”, i’m puzzled to say the least.
Anyway mate sampled a few large one’s last night (aussies) and was quite surprised that i had no reaction today as i got up no problem at the crack of dinner-time.
YNWA.

Maltese mate, I’m not out to educate them. I can’t stand them and I just wish they’d go attach themselves to some other club. We didn’t invite them here. We don’t need them. They aren’t welcome.

I just got a phone call off Aussie Kopite who used to come in here. That lad was so happy to get to that game last night that it actually made me happy to be able to help a little bit of his dream come true.

I know there’s proper Reds all over the world. I’ve known that since the late 60′s, and I’ve met a good few of them and became good friends with them from in and outside this blog.

The others would do well to remember it was themselves who invited them to the party. They shouldn’t shit on the welcome mat.

Oh well, some people eh.

As for the next major signing mate, I expect it to be Arda Turan from Galatasary. From all I’ve heard, the deal was struck in the summer, but had to be held back for several reasons. But I think once Rafa has raised a few more quid it will be finalised. And I really hope so. If it goes ahead, mark my words, this kid is the real deal and will solve our left flank problems.

And here’s a great media one I’ve just come across…
If United don’t feild the same team in the next 2 games, that will be 100 games without the same team taking the pitch twice in a row.

Anybody hear that?

No. I bet you didn’t. But I bet most of you can remember the headlines when Rafa was close to doing just that. They even had a clock in the corner of the screen on Sky counting down the games till 100. But the best headline I remember…
“Rafa’s 99 Red Buffoons!”

You couldn’t make it up, but sadly some can’t/won’t see through it.

Oh well, as I said… Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do.

Nice one Redlad… I’ll mug you to a couple in Yatesie’s next time I’m up there. But don’t over do it… especially the reading of some of the shite you see in here and the media. You” blow your Fufu valve next.

Just reading an article on BBC, good response from Rafa:

Benitez says he is surprised by the furore which has greeted his statement that Liverpool will finish in the top four this season.

“What else am I going to say? What other answer can I give? I have to be the first one to believe and I have to make the players believe,” he said.

YNWA

Kristur, it’s even better when you watch it.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5811048,00.html

A fucking disgrace some of those questions though. Can you imagine ‘appy ‘arry or Fat Head Sam, not alone Slur Alex, being asked them.

Here you go Kristur…
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12046_5811048,00.html

Read the article and watch the video.

Then please tell me where Rafa was so angry?

The man is actually laughing at them. But why let truth, even on film, get in the way of a good dig at Rafa and LFC.

Just been confirmed that Magic has done his medial. Should find out tomorrow how long he will be out for. Let’s hope that it’s not too long.

How far is Kelly away from fitness?

Just came back in to say that meself, Lurgan mate.
What a bastard, eh…
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/johnson-injury-update

I’m not sure about Kelly. I just hope Magic’s not to bad… from what I know, there’s three grades of tear to that ligament, depending on the size of the tear.

Grade 1: 2 to 3 weeks out.
Grade 2: a longer tear and at least 6 weeks out.
Grade 3: completely snapped, could be out for anything from 2 months up to the rest of the season.

What a bastard. Will we ever get any bloody luck.

He (Rafa) can’t win when it comes to those journo bastards, when he gives sensible answers to their mostly dubious questions, they just bend the fit their agenda.

Should he happen to, and who could blame him, laugh at their idiocy, then he’s made out to be ‘angry, cold and pompous’.

Good point Lurgan, would like to see a certain Ferguson’s reaction if faced with some of this crap. Mind you, he has a tendency to just run for the exit and leave it to his assistants to face up if things don’t go his/manure’s way…

No need to be puzzled Red. I’m just saying we’re not out of the woods yet. Our season long failings are still present and I’ll be much happier when we’re actually playing well beating teams on merit rather than a lucky bounce that was clinically dispatched. If your puzzled by my concern at longterm problems that we cant seem to eliminate then so be it. Tell ya what, if we beat Reading I’ll come in and proclaim ‘We’re gonna do the double!’ ok?

Great win, best moment of the season. Such a relief.
Haven’t commented for a while but I really hope this shuts up the ‘fans’ questioning Rafa. There’s not a manager I’d prefer (Guus would be second probably because he worked wonders for Australia when we should have beaten Italy in the quarterfinals of the world cup).

Anyhow I just wanted to ask you FS, why you think we’d have a chance to get turan.
Apparently turkey rejected a 9mil offer for him 2 years ago before he had a blinder at euro 08, and subsequently become team captain and now they are at the top of their league narrowly, so why would they sell him to us mid season unless we made a huge offer (not likely!)?
Again controvesially but I really rate riera and I think his absence has been missed this season, so if he is any way to coming fit we aren’t going to buy another left winger/attacker when we paid 12mil for him not long back.

I know its just rumours, and several people on here wouldn’t like Van Nistelroy, but I think we are much more likely to target a striker on loan than to buy in jan, particularly with our current table position (sad but true) Madrid dont want him particularly especially as he is desperate to play and would probably have a higher chance with us than with them, so we could share his wages therefore costing fuck all. Although I think eggnogg is our most improved player this season I would really worry about our season if torres was lost for any amount of time. Ruud has a lethal eye and if he just sits. The only thing that puts me off him is the Man U history. What do others think??

Van nistelroy left man u because he couldn’t stand ronaldo. Join the club…

too bad ronaldo followed him to madrid. Hence he’ll be even more desperate to leave!

I know its just a string of comments but babel needs to learn to head the ball. Insua gave him a perfect cross last night to which he jumped up to and simultaneously ducked under the ball and subsequently missed it. He’s so fast and strong but he just doesn’t seem to have the ‘touch’ and I dont know if he ever will.

Digger,
i know as well as the next man we are not out of the wood’s yet but i wont sit with my finger up my arse and not make a comment about the red’s until they “win on merit”, but tell you what mate sarcasm does’nt suit you, i am pretty certain they will not do the double but as long as they are winning they have my support and a lot more support when they draw or get beat so you dont have to proclaim anything to me buddy like FS i watched them through the lean times as well as the good, but just in case we get beat by reading your sitting pretty as you dont really commit one way or the other do you.
But if we do win the double does that mean we are out of the wood’s.
YNWA.

Warned you mate. Up to you, but word to the wise… you’re wasting your time.

RIA… As I said, from what I know, the deal was done last summer. There was just too many complications and obstacles. Babel refusing to go to Turkey being the biggest.

So, it was agreed that Turan would remain at Gala (As he wanted) for another season, but then join us. I’ve no reason to doubt the info I was given and no reason to think anything’s changed.

Obviously though with all matters LFC, there are the “Custodians” to consider. And if Rafa does raise the money, will he see any of it.

Can’t be arsed going through all that right now though… as usual I am just concentrating on supporting my team and manager.

They always have my support too Red, an objective analysis of 90mins of football dosent change that or my delight and relief that we’ve won. This seems to be an extremely difficult concept to grasp for some in here. And no sarcasm directed at you Redman, just an honest observation on the absurdity of being unable to give ones take on a game without being slammed for it. But sure….whatever gets one to sleep at night eh? As for Reading, we’ll do em, they’re owed from 2yrs ago. Commited enough for ya?

ish.

Redman, this is the thing mate… All season, it’s been the same – constant sniping with no attempt to even look at the circumstances surrounding our troubles. But when asked to come up with some solutions instead of just giving out the gyp, there hasn’t been one – and I mean not one – idea put forward.

As I said, you’d get more sense out of Stan, The Oxygen Thief, Collymoore. And I’ve far bigger concerns… it now looks like we’ll be without a right full back for quite some time. I’m just hoping that with the break in the league games, we can have someone ready for the Tottenham game. You know Appy Arry will be hoping for the exact opposite and telling Lennon to attack whoever does end up there.

So of all our possibilities, I hope Darby is fit. Not that I don’t rate Kelly or Degen, but I think Darby is probably the most dependable defender out of them and I’d play him before breaking up Carra and Agger. They are starting to look right again.

But I tell you what, even if we was to have to feild the whole reserve team, if we should get beat by Spurs the gobshites will be back in force.

There are some out there who choose to pick out negative points to our prerformances.
What they fail to realise,or just rather ignore it is the fact that we are currently trying to drag ourselves out of this rut kicking and screaming if we have to.If that means getting 3 points the ugly way,then so be it.
Wins breed confidence,we`ve just put back to back wins together for first time since november.Hardly roy of the rovers stuff i know but the team will grow in confidence with each win thus the performances will come together.
Bad news about Johnson but id we can keep the team reletively fit then we`ve a great chance of going on a decent run.
Lets take it on to reading on saturday,give them a pasting and we will be raring to go going into the spurs game.

Although the commentary was shite bordering on harassment, I will note 1 thing. The last 20 minutes of the game, the only commentary was in relation to Liverpool, Liverpool Blah, Blah fucking Blah. No Villa mentioned other than clearing their line. Why, because the commentary statistics were showing us dominating the game. They hardly got out of their own half. We had fullbacks picking up the ball 10 metres in to their half. Now that’s one statistic, I’m happy with. Long may the slag Liverpool commentary continue while we rampage the oppostion half.

Here you go lads.What a man.

http://www.footylounge.com/films//milankakabaros/fernando-torres-50-video_e538f4359.html

I’m going to come out in support of Aqualani, how anyone can create a pile of drivel in a major newspaper, declaring him a flop is beyond belief.
.
Dear Mr Shite Stick, have you noticed the lad has just come back from injury, playing against people who are midway through their season.
.
Have you not noticed the composure, touch, skills of the lad.
.
Have you not noticed his support for surrounding players.
.
Have you not noticed he’s a class act. Not a flop after two first up starts. In fact for the lad to come into this type of team shows what determination he has.
.
Aqualani may not be up to speed just yet but if he can adapt to knock em down, destroy all hope English type footballers, then he will be a success.
.
I’ve seen enough in him at this stage to suggest he’s worth giving a few more runs. Why in gods name would anyone want to play in England, when the press is bordering on disgusting.

It`s not bordering disgusting,Gaz it is disgusting to say the least.

I`ll second your words on Aquallini i think he`ll be a goodun.

Thanks so much for that link Timmy, that was a great thing to watch!
I’ll never forget my two trips to Anfield, both crowned by Torres goals. On the first one I witnessed his first goal at home, sadly canceled out by a bullshit penalty gifted to chelski.

He then set the tone in the 2-0 win against manure this season. I thought I wouldn’t survive that one, such was the adrenalin rush combined with the incredibly atmosphere at Anfield.

What a player and what a character!
I’ll never be able to deny the abilities of people like drogba and c. ronaldo but their crappy character on and off the pitch means I’ll never respect them.

Some comments here, let alone the oxygen thieves in the major tabloids amaze me and make me really wonder if they watch the game or just pick up the highlights. By no means was this a performance to match the 4-0 drubbing of Madrid or the 4-1 drubbing of the Mancs but do any of you so called not so stellar performance people really watch what is happing on the field. Apart from the most obvious fact that Villa where at home and above us in the Prem and being hailed by all the media experts as being the team to beat us to the top 4 finish we played more like the home team. They sat back and tried to beat us on the break. Does that not tell you something, especially seeing we are just coming out of one of the worst if not worst slumps I have ever seen in 40 odd years of watching the reds (that’s injury, luck and form wise). Did anybody count the number of nearly inch perfect final passes that would have created a really decent chance on goal, despite the horrendous conditions? As our form and confidence, not to mention match fitness grows, these passes will become more successful. Yet despite this, from open play we created more and better chances than Villa. Benny had a bit of a mare were nothing went right for him but that happens and he was way off the pace and I agree we have been missing Reira as an option when this happens as it has affected our width and getting to the byline that Insua has stepped in admirably. Torres is still far from fit, Aquaman not quite up to Prem speed yet, but looking really classy, we are still missing El Zhar as an option, Babel is just back from injury yet despite all these factors we won a hard fought match by digging in deep. Yes Einstein number 10 we are not out of the woods to state the obvious but lets savoir the fighting spirits and hard graft the lads put in under trying conditions and away from home at a supposedly better team than us ( as the Stan Collymores and your English Professor of Bowl Movements of this world would have us belief).

FS I think this is one of he first times I have to disagree with you, I would not throw Darby in at the RB position and for me he is way behind Kelly and even Deggen at this stage. I would also like to see a fairly strong side start the match against Reading, Yes rest Torres, Kuyt, Benny and maybe Insua, Carra and Lucas but I would like to see us put in a strong performance to keep the momentum going. We can always rest and bring players off early if we are winning. I would like to se a line-up like:
Cav
Deggen, Skertal, Agger, Aurelleo
Spearing Aquaman
El Zhar Gerrad, Babbel
Ngog

With Pachecco on for El Zhar if he is not fit and maybe starting with Lucas instead of Spearing and bringing him on later for Lucas as well as Pachecco for Gerrard.

Have a great New Year Everyone YNWA

Keith and FS,

Actually I’d like Rafa to risk a bit by playing a strong team against Reading for a change.

The last time round, we had good wins before the defeat against Fiorentina and that started the rut.

And the last time round (again), we lost to Arse in the Carling Cup immediately after the morale boosting victory against the mancs. That started another string of bad performances.

If we can win against Reading, that’ll be good tonic for confidence, and I’m still waiting for the 7-0 thrashing of a star studded Spurs many years back.

I’m sure the likes of FS, Keith will remember that game in fondness, I was too young then to remember any details but the scoreline only

It’s a head versus heart thing here. Risk injuries or risk losing confidence.

I thank God I’m not the one making these decisions, but whatever team Rafa fields, I’ll stand by him.

Morning lads, that’s the dillema isn’t it… do you keep momentum going, do you throw the best team in (For this and other cup games) and really try to win a trophy, or do you conserve resources for the push up the league?

I’d love, like millions of other Reds, a trip to Wembley and Hamburg. So, I’ll leave the juggling to Rafa, but I don’t expect to see too many changes. And thinking about it Keith, you’re right. I suppose the pecking order should see Degen and Kelly ahead of Darby. I was just really pissed off with Johnson getting injured and thinking of Lennon getting told to rag our full back… So maybe Kuyt should be first to get the rest. He might have a job on his hands next week.

Tottenham have only got Peterborough. So you can bet your bottom lip that “Appy Arry” will have all his players well rested and really up for this. I can’t stand that corrupt bastard, and he can’t stand us or Rafa. He’ll love the chance of doing for us. But this is what we’ve got to face until the end of the season, so no point moaning about it.

You can see from last night’s results, that this is the time things start to open up… the weather, the heavy pitches, the small squads and the amount of football all start to take their toll.

I suppose the only good thing you can take from our woeful start is, we should be one of the freshest teams going into the New Year. But I don’t expect the big teams to keep dropping points like they have been.

Well, who knows what can happen in this mad season. But I reckon, soon, as it starts to take more shape, you’ll see the smaller teams start to roll over for the Mancs and Chavs, as they throw everything at getting the easier points that can keep them in the top division.

Having said all that, I did really come in to comment on the situation at Portsmouth and our Custodians. But come to think of it, probably best I don’t. I like to start the New Year as I hope to go on…. in a happy positive mood.

So, all the very best for the coming year lads. I hope it’s a healthy and prosperous one for all of us, and Rafa and the lads.

Onwards and upwards.

Missed the game as it was not shown live in Malaysia. But thanks to TT, I saw the magnificient Torres No 50. What a goal!
Best wishes for the New Year. It is trhe start of the new decade so hopefully our luck and fortunes will turn for the better. Cheers!

Gaz,
that’s just the point, sky-sports dont commentate on the game being televised they just spew out stats like you say because if they did have anything to say about the match it is that LFC are much the better side, you would almost think they were the homeside.
Oh by the way FS,Lads sky sports have been showing stats all morning team of the decade,goal of the dec,most subsituted playe of the dec (honestly), Torres is in there with player scoring most frequently, only on sky eh i think El Hadj Diouf got the most spitting and Rooney the fuckin ugliest closely run by the Neville bros, we could have a bit of banter with this lads so put some of your own stats down in here, i wish Aussie KF was still in here you would be guarranteed to be in stitches.
All the very best for the coming New Year and i hope its loaded with dosh for Gerry and all you lads.
YNWA.

Like the lads above I would like to see us start with a pretty strong XI. I think that Lucas is suspended for this one after picking up his 5th yellow against the Villa. Also, if any of our other first XI have four yellas I would give them a rest as well.

The only ones that I would rest would be Torres, Reina and Carra. As always, I will let Rafa sort out the details with the info that he has to hand.

FS, this Portsmouth debacle, I don’t know if their is any truth in this, but I heard that if they do go into admin all their matches during this season would be regarded as void and all points rescinded. Can you imagine slur Alex if this happended? I reckon his head would explode.

Happy new year to all you red men.

Happy new year to ye all lads, thanks for a great 12mths of blogs Ger and heres to a great 2010 for you and yours at Kopblog HQ. Have a good one tonight lads!

knight

If you are refering to the game against Villa, I think someone gave you the wrong information prior to the game, because it was shown live here in Malaysia. Did not sleep at all before the game which started at 3.45AM.

Happy New Year to everyone!

It’s not going to happen Lurgan. They’ll work out a compromise. I don’t happen to mind that meself. I sort of have a soft spot for Pompey. I like the fans, and I like the town. But, regardless of their current woes, how the fuck they’re in the Premiereship is beyond me… The ground should be condemned. It’s a lovely old time footy ground, but that’s it… old time. How it gets a safety certificate is a complete and utter mistery. The place is a disaster/tragedy waiting to happen.

FS,
looks like you gave Aaron Lennon the evil eye (259) he is out for over a month did’nt catch what the injury was (probably slipped with the razor trying to touch up those ridiculous eyebrow’s).
YNWA.

jaysus we needed that win! yes we got a bit lucky, but without sounding over enthusiastic we are working hard to turn the corner. just as we should – all together. proof? 20 goals conceded in the first 13 games. 3 in the next 7. hope the johnson injury doesnt set us back again. one game at a time…

have a great new year reds!

YNWA

timmy cheers for the torres link – puts a smile on your face that lad.

Hey guys it’s time to thank our squade for their hard work against Vill!Especialy ELnino and Reina!
So gracias a Elnino!
gracias a Gerrard!
.
.
.
¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
You’ll never walk alone!!!!!!!!

It’s the in thing Red. Look, even Harry Redknapp’s getting on it….
http://pics.ohlawd.net/img/eyebrows.jpg

Never been to Fratton FS, but I know people who have and they describe it much the same as you – A shithole that should be condemned, an all seater stadium but still an accident waiting to happen.

As for the result at Villa Park the other night – brilliant, let’s kick on from here. I thought our general play was much better and we looked much more confident from the off.

Wer’e live on the box at Reading on Saturday in the Cup and then we have a big Prem game at Anfield against Tottenham on 10th Jan.

Shame about the Johnson injury, he will be out for at least a month.

Whoa! An old article but interesting. Wonder how much of this money would Rafa actually see. Sorry for posting this if it is old news for everyone.

ttp://www.sportspromedia.com/notes_and_insights/_a/liverpool_fc_reds_handed_35_million_cash_boost_despite_underachievement/?utm_source=Syndication+Websites&utm_campaign=Syndication+Websites&utm_medium=syndication_websites

Sorry SOAK, but… Yet another totally misleading article, brought to you by the people who don’t understand modern football.

It claims “they’ll be surprised if Liverpool fail to collect 35 million Euros.” …But that sum is arrived at by calculating, both TV revenues and gate receipts for the games played so far…

… Pretty much all of which, will have been eaten up by the 8 players already on 100,000 pounds per week, and the rest who are on between 40k and 80k per week.

There is not 35k Euros sitting in an account collecting interest, just waiting for Rafa to come along and spend it on David Silva or the like.
All of that money is considered “operating income” … the bare minimum a top club requires, to maintain their position… it goes to running the club week in, week out.

So I’m sorry SOAK, but in answer to your question. I believe the Yanks bought him a Mars Bar for Christmas… THAT is how much of it Rafa will see.

Thanks for the explanation Aitch. Makes a lot of sense.

I don’t know much about the accounting business obviously. But I guess this is the basics of running a football club.

Lads happy new year to all of you and your familys and Rafa and the lads too of course.

Here`s for a rolleroaster 2010!

(Well we don`t do it any other way now do we?)

Thanks Timmy and you are so right!

Happy New Year to all you Bloggers..
Let’s keep the Faith in 2010.
I really do think we are on Verge…
Look at what the reserves are doing.some good young talent coming through.
I would love to see us get Turan..
As far as the Cup game Saturday I don’t thinkwe will swee to many changes. I would like to see Aquaman get another start he needs it to get his sharpness back.Love to see him get a goal against Reading, it would do his confidence the worls of good.Maybe give Pacheco a game too.
Johnson out for a month..Degen come in for him?
Also just read Lennon is out for a month.

Timmy thanks for that Vidoe link I love watching that lad work..
50 goals in 72 games.really it’s more like 50 in 60 games as some of them he was coming back from injury and wasn’t 100% fit.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL AT KOPBLOG
(… well… except for the douchebags, of course!)

Remember…
Those who believe… shall be rewarded with great triumph.

Those who doubt… can only share in a hollow victory… that the rest can see through!

Now now Aitch. Let’s start the year on a good footing… Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to everyone. And let’s hope we all get what we want.

FS, I’m in the U.S. remember… I still have about 5 and half hours left before the new year

And besides, I’m one of those still trying to educate, instead of fucking people off remember

Anyway… FS, is this Maxi Rodriguez shit true?
If so… an absolute fuckin masterstroke by Rafa there, I’d say. (bearing in mind the lad will have to settle into the Prem.)
“Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!”

Happy New Year guys. What a 2009 we had. New year wish: We come from behind and win the premier league. Hey who said we can’t dream. As someone said “Be careful with what you wish for because it might come true”. So that is my wish. Thank you Gerry and FS for keeping us sane during the onslaught by the press to bring Liverpool and Rafa down. Looking forward to a great 2010 for Liverpool FC. Happy New Year.

I’ve heard the rumour Aitch. No idea if it’s true. I’ve heard that it’s Rodrigez plus a few quid for Dosenna.

If it’s been leaked in Spain, well, it might be true. But I don’t think anyone over here has an idea what Rafa is up to. So, there’s loads of rumours flying about…
Vronin has been sold. That’s why he’s been fucked off on holiday. Van Nostrilboy and just about everyone else still at Real who can’t get a game. And best of all… The New Stadium is getting started in the spring.

The only thing I know for sure is… Rafa’s at it, so who knows. Maybe he will pull a rabbit out of his hat. I’m not arsed really. I’d be happier to just see all the lads fit.

HAPPY NEW YEAR LADS

Special thanks to everyone who makes this blog tick and all the intresting characters on it. 2010 there’s only thing I want but it’s always the only thing I want.

COME ON YOU REDMEN.

Second that, Roarin…
Bring on No:19

Happy New Year guys!!!

Despite all the turmoil, this decade Liverpool have won eight trophies. We won the greatest European Cup Final of all time. We won the greatest UEFA Cup final of all time. We also won what some call the greatest FA Cup final of all time. We’ve rampaged through Europe winning at the Nou Camp, The Bernabeu and the San Siro. We’ve had our best ever ten years in the Merseyside Derby, while the Toffees have won fuck all. And yes. There’s still one thing missing. The one thing we all want. But let’s face it… it’s easy being a Red, and just keep the faith and that will come. Of this I am sure.

Just had to watch this after the rumour of Maxi Rodriguez coming to us on loan

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdQSN-dJn4w&feature=player_embedded#

I’ll tell you what SOAK, I generally mistrust judging a player on the evidence of a youtube clip.

I could never have made it at Premiership level, but if there’d been video cameras at all my matches through the years, I’d have a youtube clip showing me scoring at least a dozen spectacular goals that could bag me a Multi-million quid move.

But what I would say, is when you watch that clip, rather than being mesmerized by the goals… really look at the way in which he scored them.
Some youtube clips just show lads putting their heads down and driving towards goal, or closing their eyes and twatting it hopefully… and while there are a few of those, mostly, what that Maxi clip shows, are clever runs and finishes.

You can see there, I think, that the lad has a footballing brain… that makes me think he might just be a very nice fit with SG and FT… provided he can settle into the “pace of the Prem” and by that I mean the tighter, harder, faster tackling.

And that’s the thing… when we talk about players we should be going in for… its not so much, how good they might be, but also, how they will fit into the team/squad that Rafa has built thus far.

That’s why… in my never particularly humble opinion… I wouldn’t want to see Rafa go in for someone like Ruud Van NistlePenis. There’s no doubting the lads talent (he says, suppressing a little vomit in the back of his throat) but he’s not what LFC needs.