Sound write up Gerry,
myself i feel if we can carry on with the squad we’ve got till the end of the season as the injured and crippled cant stay that way till may, we might and that’s a big might have a few more bob to spend on some quality players in the summer, as most know the winter window just has the slops and has-beens for sale and some at ridiculous prices.
Hope the story concerning Jovanovic agreeing a deal with the reds is not pie in the sky again.
YNWA.

Nice one Gerry. Enjoyed that. But I’m off now, so I’ll just say this…
One the Kyriagos fella, did anyone notice in the Bolton game he had a tooth knocked out?

No. Me neither. I only clocked it in the replay. The man’s a monster. The tooth was hanging out, and he plucked it right out of his gob. Pepe came running to see if he was alright. The Grock just pushed him away, spat a load of blood on the deck and got straight back into the game.

I love them sort of players, and could go on and on about the hard cases we’ve had and what they brought to the team.

And there’s loads more in the blog, I’d like to comment on. But I want to say this before going, and it’s a qoute from the blog…

“Now considering all of that it seems to me that our club has become unique in the history of football. Throughout all the years going back as far as the foundation of the game, the board of every club existed to provide funds to support the team but at our club these days it seems the reverse is true and it appears that it is the team that is being used to provide funds to prop up the board and it’s a bloody disgrace!”

That’s one of the best sentences you’ve written since I’ve been reading your stuff Gerry. And hopefully some of our hystericals will kop on, but don’t hold your breath.

Tara for now.

I get the suspicious feeling Purslow is an administator not an employee. If he can talk as candidly as he did, knowing full well it would get back to dumb and dumber, I think he’s got more clout than we know.
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That or he’s fucking had enough and wants out too.
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So much for all the investment ITK talk, still looking after all this time, still no closer, I think a public float is the best option for LFC.
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Interesting times, but don’t think a slash and burn get the price down quickly, won’t happen. I think Mr Purslow may be just priming the general public for a quick two person sale of SG and Torres, and well SOS might just go along for the ride. Keep quiet, don’t voice any opinions.
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Half time in all games everyone in the crowd should turn their backs on the directors box and not turn around until the game starts, silent protest. For an even more visual impact, turn their backs to the directors box prior to the game and sing YNWA without looking at the pitch.
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I bet that one makes the news.

Nice blog….I was hoping for a striker to come in so as to ease the pressure off Ngog. I was watching the game at a bar and when he hit the bar people were calling for his head. Not really giving notice that the ball took a bounce just as Ngog struck it. Annoying as hell that our “fans” just eat up media dribble and commentary without passing their own judgement.
In my opinion I would pair up Lucas and Aqua. Keeping Carra, Skrtel and Kyrgiacos in the back should be solid enough so we might not need to start with Masch. As these games are often a heated affair I can easily see Masch seeing red in more ways then one. I´ll be hoping Lucas secures a 2-1 victory in the dying minutes just to hear the naysayers cheer.

Top blog Gerry,
I would echo the sentiments of Fat Scouse when he copied the sentence from the blog.
Its an absolute travesty and its deeply concerning that something is horribly rotten at the core of the club. The prospect of Rafa walking out to take the reigns of The Old Lady is a terrifying one. We could all then watch the disintegration of this great club and then the dissenting voices would then turn and say, I told you this would happen.
I applaud the singling out of Kyrgiakos aswell. I think he has been awesome and is pretty near to being undroppable. I think Skrtl may well be set for a spell on the bench.
On other news it seems there are strong rumours that we are close to the bosman signing of Jovanavic from Liege.

…and you know what, you won’t find any of our top rivals struggling to a 0-0 or 1-1 draw with bottom of the league cannon-fodder, coz they….

…errr….. Hull 1 Chelsea 1
…oooops…

…we now return you to our regularly scheduled nonsense!

Nice one Aitch….

Well, all I can say is Rafa must believe something is about to change, otherwise the situation is only damaging his CV. So I’m still clinging on to the hope that somethings in the air, also shows what Prince Fuck All was about, self fucking promotion, that’s it.
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Who in their right mind would want a club with 237 million pound debt. Not a lot I think.

nice one gerry. agree with you on the gerrard decision at wolves and you’re right, he’ll definitely benefit from those extra minutes in the derby. which brings me back to a point i was making in a previous thread about aquilani being given a few more minutes against bolton. matter of opinion and fair enough to those who disagree, but i reckon he should’ve stayed on a while longer just for the minutes on the pitch. certainly hope he starts against everton, alongside either lucas or masch.

i got a bit of shit on the last blog for suggesting that lucas isn’t creative enough compared to aquilani and is better as a defensive midfielder. keith came in with a typical ” Do any of you who criticize him actually watch what he does?” firstly keith, you obviously didn’t read my comments because i didn’t criticise him. i raved about his development. i just think he operates better as a defensive presence than an attacking play-maker. gerry said is his blog…

“I suspect if we are going to try to outplay them it will be Aquaman but if we going to try to outfight them it will be Lucas, who is a terrific battler for us in midfield.”

…so let me see, which words am i allowed to use? i can say “outfight”. i can say “battler”. but i can’t say “defensive”. right got it. nob

secondly keith, yes i am watching what he does, and like FS i often record the games and watch them again. pretty arrogant to assume that you’re the only one watching it and everyone else is too stupid to agree with your opinions. i watch it and personally think we need a more creative influence in the middle of the park… and yes, the TV is turned on.

sorry to bring back an old point and feel free to ignore this. keith, you’re obviously an intelligent man who loves his LFC, but don’t get carried away mate. people can disagree with you.

…that’s not to say that lucas might not develop into a play-maker in the future if that’s what rafa has planned for him. he has heaps of potential and as was mentioned by someone, he’ll look a lot better when the rest of the team is playing well.

everyone’s getting a bit lucas-sensitive. one mention of his name and some people don’t bother reading what you’re actually saying and get all defensive. he’s a top player and will only get better.

Great Blog Gerry!
FS, also noticed Hercules getting his tooth knocked during the game – shades of Tommy Smith about the bloke? Hard as nails, and at least a missing tooth won’t affect his ‘good looks’ either.
Sambo, I pretty much echoed the same sentiments as Keith re Lucas in the last blog. I’d had a couple of beers & went on about ‘does anyone actually watch him during a game?’. I suppose I was just fed up about all the negativity surrounding his game. Everyone sees him as a defensive midfielder, and he is doing a great job at that. However, I questioned if any of his detractors notice how many times he gets into a scoring position – despite him being a defensive midfielder? I know he can’t shoot for shit, and his head takes on the form & texture of a marshmallow when heading for goal (not on his defensive headers, mind!) – but the fact of the matter is that he gets into a decent scoring position at least once every game. And at least twice a game, he makes a superb run into the opositions penalty area, either drawing a defender or 2, or being hacked down without being awarded a penalty. I think Keith was also just trying to point out the fact that he is more strings to his bow – most fans & pundits see him solely as a defensive midfielder ala Masch, but nobody seems to appreciate the space he creates, and the ‘chances’ he gives himself to score a goal…whenever he does score, that’s an entirely different proposition. So mate, everyones’s entitled to an opinion & agreed somewhat with your posts on whether Lucas should have come on for Aqua. However, you can’t deny that Lucas did a fantastic job when he did comee on.
YNWA

yeah fair enough rafalution. i think the misconception lies in the notion that ‘defensive midfielders’ can’t influence attacks. of course they can. obviously there are those players who do little other than pelt around kicking people, but i’d expect more from any liverpool midfielder than that. i’d expect even a defensive-minded lfc player to be able to split defenses, make intelligent runs, and move the ball around. these duties and tackling aren’t completely exclusive. actually, i’d like to see a bit more from masch in that area because lucas is doing those things better at the moment, and making the tackles.

can’t wait for the derby!
YNWA

excellant article for anyone that has about 10 minutes to spare on Minutes from Christian Purslow and SOS Meeting

http://liverpoolfc.co.za/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1126051643/m/989107147

http://www.spiritofshankly.com/news/Minutes-from-Christian-Purslow-and-SOS-Meeting.html

Fair article devoid of humor this time round.

I actively monitored the January transfer window and have just realized there’s more going on after, the same than during it! I read Jovanovic has agreed to come to Anfield.

About those two bozos, G & H, that’s already too much mention!

How is our “inferior” squad shaping up? Kyrgiakos has been massive for us. I was also encouraged by Tomkin’s insight into Lucas, and I certainly didn’t know he has the highest completion rate of passes in the PL! Twelve hundred passes and a completion rate of 85% from a “bad” player is awesome.

How many opponents would cope with the loss of their equivalent of Torres, Gerrard, Johnson, Agger, Aurelio, Skrtel, Benayoun and Mascherano (suspension and injury)? That comes to 73% of the first XI!

If proof’s needed of how good Benitez is it’s right there in the numbers. I have stopped bothering with fickle-minded, pseudo-supporters of a club they so obviously “love”. No one needs to fanatically defend a non-performing manager, and I’m yet to see pro-Rafa fans do that. However, buying into the media crap and external pressures that go against the tried-and-tested Liverpool way is inexcusable and unforgivable!

Next up is Everton, then Arsenal, then Man City. Regardless of what anyone feels, it’s just a game at a time. The Toffees come on a nine-match unbeaten streak, and good for them, but we aren’t doing too badly either. I also feel we have what it takes to nick a hard-fought game.

A reminder to all Reds. I was chatting with a die hard Gunner over the weekend who “predicted” the sequence of events to follow their weekend game at the Emirates. They would beat MUFC, draw with Chelsea then beat Liverpool en route to the title. He’s nowhere to be found now.

Lessons from this: 1) No one’s won the League yet, 2) The League, come May 2010 will be won – regardless of how much we wish, get angry, insult, etc – by whoever will win it, 3) No one’s lost anything yet, 4) No one team is fully safe yet from relegation, 5) Our season is NOT a disaster by a long shot, 6) Despite all our bad joss, we’re just a point behind fourth-placed Spurs, 7) Despite the endless problems and challenges at Anfield we’re still in the running for fourth (and God only knows what else), Despite what’s happened we’re still Reds, Rafa the Gaffer’s still manager; The Two Stooges still own Liverpool FC, our fans are still the best fans ANYWHERE, our home strip’s still all red, we still have Shankly and the Boot Room in our history, etc.

We’ll be fine and we need to keep reminding ourselves that we’ve actually been here before. Being written off isn’t at all new for LFC. After all, we were supposed to be nothing when Everton left Anfield minus one or two players they left behind. We’re here and that DOES matter. If anyone’s unfamiliar with that they have some much needed catching up to do.

Siempre es posible. Keep the faith. YN(Ever)WA(Ever)!

Rafa has made a comment about how he wants the team to become more attacking now that we have got a bit of confidence back in this 6 game unbeaten run. That doesn’t mean we are going to go gung ho, as I feel we were doing in the early part of the season with both fullbacks bombing forward and leaving the two central defenders badly exposed. The team I would like to see against the Blue noses would be:

Reina
Carra Skrtel Hercules Insua

Masch

Maxi Gerrard Aqua Riera

Kuyt

Lets have a go early, get the crowd going. As we all saw in the game against Bolton once we go ahead the confidence seems to start flowing through the players and the football improves. Confidence in football is a fantastic thing to have and if the players and fans, especially at home can start to believe this run will hopefully continue to drag us into the top four places again.

I will be their on Saturday, any one else going bring your singing voices and get behind the team.

Great blog Gerrry and my sentiments exactly, the club is supporting the owners, take a bow Parry and Moors you have found great custodians of the Liverpool way.

Samba, I think Rafalution answered it perfectly. This perception that Lucas is a defensive midfielder is a crock of shit. He was bought as a box to box player in the Gerrard mold. That he has been asked to fill in, in a more defensive position is down to how much he can adapt.

My opinion is that his detractors fail to see the positive contributions he makes for the team going forward and he becomes the scape goat when we fail to score. I also made the point that it is difficult to make the telling pass when a team lacks confidence or speed up front and on many occasions last year he made defense splitting passes, any one remember the pass to Gerrard against the Barcodes?

There seems to be blinkers on when it comes to evaluating Lucas, however despite the quip that he only passes side ways it is often the case that he starts the attack with a quick forward distribution. He is defiantly not the finished article but as far as this season goes he has been one of the highlight.

Secondly I never picked you out individually and it was more of a general comment as it crops up regularly on the blog, especially when we draw or have a so called perceived bad result.

I would never delude myself that I am the only one who watch the matches and it is some what petty and childish to suggest otherwise but it is fairly obvious that you see him as a defensive holding midfielder in the Mach mold, if that is the case then you are not seeing what some of us are.

Lets agree to disagree.

I am coming around to the fact that Lucas is a good player and has been consistent this season but I would like to see more of him before making a final judgement. I do however still dislike the idea of both he and Masch in the midfield together. Yes, we can win some games with them but I would prefer somebody more attacking taking up one of those positions. For me it would be perfect for Stevie G to take over the Alonso role and Aqua or Benny in behind the striker.
I actually liked Kuyt in the striker role and would like to see him up there more often as he can score and he harrasses the hell out of the defenders.

Everyone remembers the legendary pass to Gerrard Keith, its the most famous pass in LFC history!!

Hats off to Riera for his commitment to the Liverpool cause. Probably speaking on behalf of Reina and Torres as well.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/riera-our-spanish-desire

“It isn’t in the character of any of us to turn our backs and run somewhere else when times are tough,” said Riera.

“All of us would like to look back on our Liverpool career and say it was a success.

“I think exactly like them. It is clear how happy Pepe and Fernando are at the club and I have no doubt they will both be here for a very long time no matter what happens.

“They have both said to me that they want to make history with Liverpool and I share that ambition. I understand I haven’t enjoyed quite as big an impact on the club as them (Torres and Reina) so far but I intend to.

“For me, if the club offered a five, six or seven year contract right now, I’d sign it with my eyes closed. Where else is there to go? Being anywhere else would be a step down. I have everything I need in Liverpool.”

More or less gives the media a slap in the face after spinning relentlessly for months about how Riera is “unhappy” and all other bollocks.

I just sort of looked at the comments. I couldn’t bring meself to go through them. This is what drives me mental….
LFC stand on the brink of catastrophe. There’s just been a huge development, the meeting between SOS and Purslow could become one of those defining moments in our history. I’m not even going overboard by saying it could one day become as important as when John Houlding dragged the few bodies we had into the Sandon pub and gave birth to the club after Everton walked away, or when Shankly arrived at Lime Street from Preston.

Yes. It really could turn out to be that important in the big picture.

But read the blog, come in here…
Another round of handbags over Lucas. Can’t wait for 3pm Saturday and God forbid a draw…
sack Rafa, stab Lucas, shoot Gerrard, hang draw and quarter Kuyt. Oh and sell that Italian crock.

Oh well. At least it’s consistent.

Eh get on this…
All the Irish lads who said they fancy a European away, I’ve just been rooting through the Aer Lingus site. There’s return flights to Bucharest on the 23rd coming back the 26th for 74 quid.

I’ve been holding off booking waiting for them to come down. The cheapest was 350 quid the other day. But anyway… tickets are £7.50 out there into their end. But you get one and work your way around to the lads. And you can stay in a lovely little apartment for 30 europes a night.

So, call it around a £160 quid for a three night Euro jolly up… pints are 60 to 70p over there, and ciggies are about 2 nicker a pack and baccy is cheap as chips…

Bring home a few sleeves of Benson’s and packs of Golden Virginia… The match, a 3 night party and you actually make a few quid on the ciggies and baccy when you get home.

That’ll do for me, thank you very nicely Missus. So, I’m about to book mine but will hold off till tonight in case anyone fancies it. I can get the tickets before hand if you want to feel safe, but fuck that, for 7 and a half scallops, I’ll gamble on getting one of theirs when I get there.

Anyone up for it?

23rd to 26th.

Here’s hoping FS that the meeting between SOS and Purslow is a turning point in our recent history -but from the way Purslow has begun to distance himself from SOS’s minutes of the meeting, I’m not so sure. But fair play to SOS – real positive, non violent action behaviour to try and get rid of those Yankee fucks!

Arthur… fuck Purslow. This is a fight mate and the gloves are off.

FS, why so anti-Purslow??

My interpretation of events is that IF the SOS version of events is word-true… then Purslow gave us all the inside skinny we all desperately needed.
He told it like it is.
For him to then adjust his (official club) version of the minutes to exclude some of the more “incendiary” comments… then perhaps he’s just trying to protect his own arse with the owners.

Now for my money… more power to him, coz a real “yes man” wouldn’t have revealed anything of note int he first place. SO if he wants to tell us the truth and then go back on that in the “official records” I don’t have a single problem with that… coz as I said at the end of the last blog… the truth is out there and a bit of investigative journalism will reveal pretty much everything he “supposedly” said in the SOS minutes… if it is true!

Rafa’s infamaous rant, he didn’t say “attention folks, the owners have been holding secret talks to oust me and replace me with Jurgan Klinssman.” He knew at the time that meeting had taken place… but instead he did his repetitive “I’m just concentrating…” bit… which caused the journos to fly into a tizzy and eventually uinearth what was really going on.

So I see this whole thing as a positive.

What would be negative for me, would be if he’d only said the “official stuff” in the meeting with SOS… and then we’d found out after the fact, the real skinny from another source.

One BIG question I have regarding either version though is this… (and no one has seemingly picked up on it form what I can see)…

It was stated in both versions that the club was in 273 million quid debt.

Now corrct me if I’m worng, but that was their original purchase price, and they refinanced to the tune of 350 million.
Now given that they have only supposedly been making interest payments….
…how the fuck did we get the 350 down to 273 ??????????????

Aitch, nevermind Aunty fucking Purslow.

The fact is, he decided to meet with SOS. They met on the 21st of January. So obviously things have been deliberated over.

Now whether Purslow is a decent red or not, the fact is SOS act on behalf of it’s paid up membership – of which, I am one. They act upon the members votes and their mandate… which at this minute amounts to all out war on H&G, as voted for and acted upon in the You’re Not Welcome Here actions that have took place against the owners recently.

Also, on top of this, they have to be seen to be acting transparently by all their members… imagine this meeting had took place, SOS had said nothing, and then it had came to light some time later – or even worse some sort of development had taken place and then SOS was seen as to have kept schtum.

Could go on, but in all truth I can’t be arsed…
The fact is, I know SOS is made up of true fans acting on the best behest of LFC. I only know Purslow says he is… but then so did his bosses.

And on top of all that, a quick glance through the minutes, tells you… Purslow might be on H&G’s payroll but he’s more or less acting on behalf of RSB now. So, H&G wouldn’t dare sack him.

Not having a dig mate, but stop and think and you’ll probably agree… your barking up the wrong tree there.

Aitch the debt was reduced in the last refinance package. Apparently H&G had to put up a chunk of their own dough. Thus the debt coming down.

FS, to make my position clear, I’m with you on SOS. I fully support what they are doing.

Any “defense” I make of Purslow, is NOT to suggest that SOS haven’t been forthright.

I just don’t understand why certain fans have been having a go at Purslow in light of what was or wasn’t said… to me the fact that SOS presented both versions helps a great deal, for us to sift through this mess.

If Purslow is acting on behalf of RSB and not the owners… (I read it that way also) surely that can only be a good thing, no?

And LB… I don’t remember reading a single article to suggest that. The last article I readon our finances (that I would trust) were written by Barrett in the times and on Tomkins blog… both were posted post-refinance and both suggested that the debt remained at 350.

For the debt to have been reduced to 273, both H&G would have had to kick in 50 mill each… for an interesting total of 100 mill (how much are we shopping for again? hmmmm?)

I don’t recall reading any such articles decalaring the borrowers kicking in 50 mill each.

I vaguely recall reports that they had “put up” 20 each to “secure” the refi deal… but that’s a far cry from 100 mill… and not a down-payment of the loan… “putting up” requires you to place it in a hold account as security deposit…
…the math doesn’t seem to add up to me… and not for the first time in Liverpool’s finances since “they” took the helm.

If anyone has source articles, I’d welcome reading them?

Well FS if nothing else it’s firmly put LFC back on the front pages for yet another week. Afterall they seem to have run out of idea’s after the transfer window closing.
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Rafa’s still here, looking safer, teams getting better by the week, 5 weeks unbeaten and looking forwards again, injured players returning. Then this, bombshell.
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Well it’s not like this will cause any angst to our owners, in the spotlight good or bad, they love it. The truth we already know their skint and trying to flog the club off.
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Sad thing for me, I think Purslow likes Mr B and seems to openly support him, something the poor bastard really needs now. Anyway see what happens but unless he solely here as an administrator for RBS, he’ll be gone soon.
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I know it’s war, I guess he’s just a casualty.

gaz… I’m not having a go, but…

… in what fuckin world does selling your Ice Hockey team for 330 million leave you skint?

same question regarding the sale of a Texas Baseball team?

Purslow stated in both versions that the owners had no more money to invest…. what kind of fuckin expenses do these two dillweeds have, that they’ve already eaten through a combined 600 million??

The math doesn’t add up in any of these statements, and I do wish people would wake up to it.

And I’d agree, my perception of things (and I’m by no means an insider,) is that Purslow and Rafa are “working together” to move us forward… in spite of… as opposed to on behalf of, the owners.
he may very well have only been hired on a short term contract anyway. He has repeatedly stated his “job” is to secure the investment.
So maybe he’s got nothing to lose by throwing the barn door open (whether it be after the horses have bolted or not??)

Either way… I just think there’s a lot more going on here, than we have privvy to.

Aitch in the world of big business my friend, these people borrow money and then bleed them dry, they are not rich, they are blood suckers, these blokes leave everything in company names so they can walk away scot free when things go pear shaped.
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These blokes are skint in there world, not ours off course, there’s. Anything they pull out of anywhere is not LFC’s and wont be, that’s the world they live in.
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Even our good friend and lovable custodian Mr Moore’s or was that giv us moores, got his funding back for Kuyt on leaving. Dire hard life loving Red, I won’t my 9 million back, that’s the world they live in. Our clubs Skint, we can’t get more money and they don’t have any to put in.

Fair enough, gaz… I know that…

I’m just sick of hearing people say how broke “they ” are… when they are truly anything but!

…or continue to perpetuate this myth that they’ve sunk any meaningful amount of money intot he club (I’m still not buying this whole “we’ve put 130 million into the club” Bollocks!)

Mind you… the flip side of that… is these fuckin players we all adore and admire so much… who demand 100k per week just to play fuckin footy… and if that weren’t enough… get to play it in the ever-so-priveledged position of wearing a red shirt!
(Bastards!)

The one good thing parslow did say is that the bank is fed up with these fuckwits and want liverpool sold to new owners…music to my ears.

FS I cannot believe you of all people make a statement of “Purslow might be a decent red or not.” As good as SOS are, as good as their intentions are, as good there interference tactics are in terms of making the Yanks uncomfortable they are the preverbal mozzie on the bum in terms of the overall scheme of things. Yes they keep the problems in the spot light, yes they make H&G the laughing stock of the financial world, but they are so thick skinned all they are interested in is making a profit at the end of the day and this is just an inconvenience.

Purslow can do much more damage and has done so. In the first instant he did not have to meet SOS, secondly he did not have to tell them didley squat. Thirdly he put his balls metaphorically on the preverbal chopping block because you can bet that in his employment contract he would have a NDA clause about company business. He basically shopped H&G up the proverbial river without a paddle. He basically told all potential investors to hold on and wait for them to be forced out when the banks foreclose when they fail to come up with the 100 mill. He has given all true reds hope that the end of the twats is in sight or at the worst they will be diluted and unable to dictate without full board agreement. He holds the key vote on the board to block any asset stripping (his own words and if he is replaced who knows what will happen). The closer the deadline comes the more desperate the Yanks will be to get the 100 mill to secure their profit going forward. That means the bigger the percentage they will agree to let go or the bigger the asset they will sell.

SOS should, if their mandate is to get rid of the Yanks protect and support Purslow in his effects to undermine the Yanks, not short term gratification by getting a slap on the backs from paid up member at how clever they have been in getting the information while shopping Purslow who is in a position to help the most, not SOS.

Yes we do not know all the facts, yes we do not know how secure Purslow is, yes he might not be in an untenable position and might be their on RBS’s request, that however is pure speculation from your part, but whatever trust and influence he had from the Yanks it will be a thing of the past and I for one do not think SOS have acted in the best interest of the club, but rather in their best interest in terms of their own publicity to show how good they are.

The information could and should have come out while protecting Purslow.

Great post Keith. Very accurate portrayal of the bigger picture. Good work by SOS sullied by a complete absence of foresight. Gonna go out on a limb here, but something tells me Purslows had his last meeting with SOS. Anyway, any early squad news for Saturday lads? Is Benny due back soon?

Digger, quote here from Sammy Lee, no mention of benny
The Brazilian has been out with a calf injury since the draw with Stoke a fortnight ago but has returned to training and is available for the derby.

“Fabio is back in training which is good news. Whether he will be ready for Saturday, well we will have to assess that in the next few days,” said Sammy Lee.

“But the positive thing is that we have Nabil, Martin Kelly and Fabio back in training.”

Cheers GR, thats great news. Maybe Kelly can give Carra a break from right back on Saturday? Doubt it though, defence is doing well lately so if it aint broke ‘n all that. My team would be: Pepe, JC, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Insua, Dirk, Masch, Aquilani, Riera, Stevie and Ngog. I hope Rafa goes with this. As always form goes out the window for these ones, should be a great battle, cant wait. I think Stevies gonna score but then I always think that!

Read somewhere that Benny is two weeks away Digger.
Mostly agree with your ideas regarding the lineup but would be tempted to swap Skrtel for Agger on grounds of him being better on the ball and more of a goal threat.

I’d go with that line up too digger, the defence has been playing very well so why change it. I suppose the big call will be aqua or lucas. Can’t see kelly being thrown in for such a big game which would leave carra right back. If so, why break up skrtel and the greek. Agger is a better footballer, but with cahill and fellaini so good in the air, aerial presence is gonna be a lot more important.
Can’t wait for the game, to be followed by the gunners on wednesday, big week ahead for our season.

Yeah agree with that lads. The Greek will hopefully be marking Fellaini (or whatever zone he’s in!) for set pieces and anyone, somebody please take Cahill! All joking aside, I mean that. He should be man marked for every set piece. Nailed to the ground. Shut that avenue down and we should be good.

On the contrary Digger mate, form tends to dictate the derby. Especially league matches at Anfield. Its either a Liverpool win or sometimes a draw.

Sort of skimmed the comments. Had a bevvy last night. I was due one, been a good lad lately. So I’m off to Bucharest. Can’t wait… 70p a pint out there.

But Keith, fuck Purslow… He’s probably a decent fell and red, but at the end of He works for them and who still believes anything that comes out of that pair… if you do, I’ve got a nice car for sale.

Exactly… Fuck him. SOS have done the right thing. He agreed to meet them. He knew they would be open, honest and transparent with their members. (Probably the best 10 nicker I’ve spent on LFC). They have a mandate and members to answer to. More power to them as far as I’m concerned.

And Purslow shouldn’t be asking them to behave and trust the yanks… we tried that one mate. This is why we ended up here.

First time I’ve ever heard that LB. Hope your wrong though as that might mean Everton could nick this one. Despite our own good league run arent they unbeaten in 11 or something? Good form by anyones standards. Maybe this one has draw stamped on it?

Digger, it has 1-1 written ALL over it. I’m hoping we nick it. Really though the talk about form going out of the window is a cliché in my opinion. Form used to go out the window decades gone by but recently – not the case.

Going back 10 years here are the stats in league fixtures:

Liverpool win – 12
Everton win – 2
Draw – 5

Liverpool goals – 31
Everton goals – 15

We’ll batter them

If not FS, you’ve had it when your kid starts phoning and texting the wind ups.

Since Rafa:

Liverpool wins 7
Everton wins 2
Draw 2

Bollacks to it LB. About time we gave someone a hiding. Where better to start.

But, yeah. You’re right… I’ll be flapping big time. Can’t stand the blue shite and that includes our kid. I’d wish them luck in every game but against us, but he’s unbearable whenever they do anything half ways decent and he’s one of the more likeable ones.

Let’s not be confusing confidence with arrogance here fellas.
“we’ll batter them” fuckin hell… I know that’s just banter… but this is not gonna be a walk in the park… especially with Atkinson refereeing!
(it could only be worse if it were Steve Bennett for fucks sake!)

Donovan has settled well and Insua will need to be at his best to contain him, Fellaini is always a handfull and we know what Cahill is all about, and with Pienaar hitting a run of form… pace versus Carra… hmmm?
…this will not be a stroll.

but these are the games we love.

I’ve got a converted American mate who used to always be praying for the Blues to go down, back when they were always figting relegation in the 90s.
I used to always correct him and say the best scenario is that they struggle all season, but avoid relegation in the last game of the season, either by a point or on goal difference… that way we still get to play the derby.

COME ON YOU REDS.

Aitch, it’s the blue shite…. Let’s fuckin batter them!

Come on you redmen!

Aitch I must admit. I was absolutely gutted when the blueshite avoided relegation in 1994.

I know the Manc game has taken on more meaning in recent years, but the Derby is still THE game as far as I’m concerned.

I’m glad they didn’t get relegated, so we can go on beating them…
…and IMO… it never got any better than beating them in All-Merseyside Finals… (gets all nostalgic and wipes a tear from the eye)

And FS… I’m with you brother.. in principal… but gone are the days of Ian Rush 5-0 results (without a fit-n-firing Nando in a fit-n-firing squad at any rate) …so I think its gonna take a shit performance from Atkinson… in our favor … for us to “batter” them.

I’m still hoping for a 3-1 win though. (I do a mini-predictor league with a few scattered-to-the-winds-LFC-mates via email, and that was my predict for the game.)

Growing up it the Arsenal game seemed the biggest. Maybe because I’m a Londoner and both us and Arse were competing for the league title from say 88-91. After that it was more the mancs and then when I started going to Liverpool, the games with the blueshite took on more significance for me. Still though I consider the mancs THE game. If we lose the derby I don’t get as upset as if we lose to the mancs.

golden opportunity missed to put “maybe its because I’m a Londoner” in quotes, there LB

Again, I know where you’re coming from. We’ve got lots of little rivalries and they each hold certain significance for each us.

But trust me… nothing tops seeing steam come out of my Uncle’s nostrils, when I have the opportunity to rib him about Everton losing.

Article in teh Telegraph…

The Hicks Sports Group said on Thursday it has retained Galatioto Sports Partners to look for new investors and explore the idea of selling a majority stake in the NHL team.

Team president Jeff Cogen said in a statement that Hicks had received “numerous” inquiries about the team, although he said a sale was not a certainty.

“Those potential investors recognize that the Stars are a success story,” Cogen said. “It’s a role model, especially for the Sun Belt teams.”

Less than a year after defaulting on $525 million in loans backed by the Stars and baseball’s Texas Rangers, Hicks has already agreed to sell the Rangers to a group led by Pittsburgh attorney Chuck Greenberg. The Rangers sale awaits approval from Major League Baseball, the NHL and the group of 40 lenders holding debt from the Hicks group.

Hicks also owns half of Liverpool in the English Premier League, and government officials there have expressed concern about the debt load tied up in that franchise.

…..
er… read the last line of that 2nd to last paragraph again….
“…and the group of 40 lenders holding debt from the Hicks group.”

Oh Dear!!!!

Oh… and the first sentence of that paragraph again too…

“Less than a year after defaulting on $525 million in loans backed by the Stars and baseball’s Texas Rangers…”

(which he has already sold… the Texas Rangers that is.)

He defaulted on loans… secured by the teams those loans were made against… sound familiar?
…and has been subsequently forced to sell…. we can only dream!

It’s the hype of the prem, Sky and that. And do you remember The Tramp calling LFC V the mancs a derby?

Well, it might be to that shitty arsed aul scruff, but in the city believe me… this is still the big one.

So yeah… let’s batter them.

oh alright… fuck it… 5-0 …
…Jamie Carragher to score a hat-trick and Pepe to score an 80 yarder, with SG bagging the last on 89 mins with a tap in.

Headline in the Daily Mail:
“Steven Gerrard rescues Liverpool in hard-fought Mersey Derby!”

Aitch, your Daily Manc headline only exists in an alternate universe. It’s giving Liverpool too much praise.

In our reality, the headline would be more along the lines of “Lucky Liverpool nick Everton yet again in lacklustre Derby”.

Anyway, good luck to us all. That’s all I’ll say as I don’t want to jinx anything.

I must admit the manc game is the biggest for me in recent times; it never used to be of much importance in years gone by when we were the kings of the universe. It was definitely the Bitters back then and funny enough when we were dominant and result against the Mancs was not that important we used to bloody loose to them. It happened that what ever team dominated the game lost to a sucker goal.

Like last time I don’t care how we win or by how much a deflection in the 94 min would do me fine as long as we take the three points. A battering would be very nice thank you but I honestly cannot see that happening.

With the pace and ferocity of this game I wonder if Rafa will start Aquilani, it could be a gamble if he did as he tends to dwell on the ball a bit and he will not get the time in this game.

I cannot see maxi playing for the same reasons. I think it is a toss up between Lucas and Aquilani and Skertal and Agger, the rest will remain the same. Unless he thinks the physicality of Everton will be too much for Ngog (I still prefer him up front) and he sticks Kuyt there and pushes Gerrard out wide with Aquilani in the hole.

Who would be a manager.

Come on you Reds.

I think Kuyt has to play wide on the right, if Carra is RB. Pienaar has been playing good footy, and their left back (Baines) is quick & likes to overlap. Definetly need the midfielders to assist the full backs. When we beat them at Goodison, Lucas & Masch played well together, nullified their midfield to an extent. If I can recall, their only threat was the ball knocked long at at their tall guys, the set-piece (Fellatio & Cahill) and a bit of Pienaar. So saying that, I would probably play Skrtel (with Zorba the Greek) as he has also been getting stuck in & winning headers. Anfield will be to much for the bluenises, and here’s hoping the fans turn out en masse & get behing Rafa like never before!
I’m with FS: We’ll batter ‘em!

Super blog Gerry

Lets hope we can continue with this little run we`re in.Like you i`m ery impressed with the greek and he merits his place in the side at the moment.

I think this will be a battle the blueshite are unbeaten in the league since we won 2-0 at woodison in november so they are on a impressive run of their own.Saying this like Keith said earlier i`d like to see lucas in the side for his battling qualitys and Gerrard out wide right with Aquallini in the hole.

Thats Rafa`s decision though.Time for their run to end i`d say.

Over here the Manc game is definately the more significant because the support for both clubs is 50/50 and has been forever.
Growing up in school in the 80`s half the class were Liverpool and a large chunk were everton.

I remember going over to Anfield in `96 with my two toffee pals for a 0-0 draw and missing the bloody boat home!!
Thats another story.

As for the SOS i think they`re doing a fantastic job and want the best for LFC and that can only be a good thing.
As a union they must report minutes of a meeting back to the membership.Now they could have e-mailed each member the details of the meeting individually but they would have no doubt come out in the public domain anyway.
As paid members they have a right to know all that goes on with the meetings with the club.I`m on a union commitee in my own workplace at the moment and with my caompany looking for cuts left right and centre we are in meetings with them weekly.If the membership thought we had witheld any info from them and it came back to bite us we`d get linched.So its best to let them know it all.I also understand the SOS isn`t like an industrial union but its a union nontheless.

Some say Purslo gave some vital info and he should have been protected.Purslow knew all he said would be made public,he`s not stupid or naive to think it wouldn`t.So for whatever reason he`s decided to reveal that they`re up shit creek without a paddle he still works for H&G.

Anyone know anything about this Javanovic fella?

I know the Mancs has became the biggest. In some ways it still is for me, but then I live in Bournemouth and can hide from the bluenoses down here. It’s at home where it’s unbearable if they win.

The old friendly derby thing went out of the window years back. If there’s any battering… the kids will be doing it. There’s usually murder in the pubs after the game nowadays. I reckon that’s why it’s been moved to 1 o’clock, so the kids won’t have much time in the alehouses before kick off. The big ones were there’s a chance of trouble usually are nowadays.

I think that’s very sad meself. I’m from the old days, used to go the games with me blue mates and family then go for a pint or ten after the match with them. That still happens, but the kids really hate one another nowadays. Don’t understand that meself, but I suppose it’s the way of the world now.

Funny enough the last one was a lot more subdued on the pitch. It was the first I’d seen in years that wasn’t a clogging match. Hopefully it will be like that again. We could batter them if they try to play us like they did last time round.
And Moyes will know that an all.

They’ve turned their form round since Fellani started holding the midfield, but I could see Moyes giving him a man to man job on Gerrard with Neville doing the holding.

But I don’t know really. Anything can happen in these bloody games. So, I’m just hoping for a win of any nature really. But if I bump into any blue boys, I’ll be telling them they’re in for a battering.

But a 1 – 0 battering will do for me really.

The 1986 cup final is just starting on LFCtv.

2-0 to the reds 2moro with goals from Kuyt 23 and Gerrard 59.

I`m off to Ladbrokes!

I’d just moved to the States when that Derby Final was on Timmy. I’d only been there a short while and that game made me dead homesick. I very nearly threw the towel in and came home for it, but I was illegal at the time and wouldn’t have got back in. If it wasn’t the family, I wouldn’t have gave a toss and come home anyway, but… oh well, priorities I suppose.

But there was no coverage at all over then. I used to get the pink Echo, the footy paper sent out and would be about two weeks behind what was going on. American papers didn’t even print the scores, nevermind any news. And there was no internet or anything then. So it was doing me head not being able to be there at Wembley. But I had a brainwave the night before the match… short wave radio.

I was outside the shopping mall next day waiting for it to open. With the time difference it was near kick, so I was under the shutters as soon they started rolling up and legging it to one of them Circut City yards.

I was outside banging on the door. The fella wasn’t too pleased but opens the shop. I asks him for a radio. He starts rattling names, brands models and that off. I says, lad I don’t give a toss, just give us a radio that will pick up the BBC world service.

He starts fuking about putting them on the counter, and going on. The poor man had them Thymadilyde arms. I felt terrible later when I thought about it… I just said oh for fucks sake lad, will you stop arsing about and just give me a friggin radio that works now.

He gets one. I ended up near snatching it off him, throwing the dough on the counter and running off with it, no change receipt nothing. I was tuning in on the way home, found it, made up, gets indoors… it won’t go.

I went bonkers, walking round and round, trying to tune it in. And I ended up sitting on the step outside the house, the only place where it would work. It was freakishly cold that day. Just one of them horrible days, no sun, and round that side of the house was always in the shade and cold anyway.

Anyway, listens to the match, freezing me bollacks off and the radio all crackling with interference and that. Had to constantly tune it in. But no problem, I was made up just to have it.

Final whistle goes, I walks in the house and puts the telly on. Telly’s then was just them big aul Anerican things that look like a wardrobe or a bloody coffin. Cable was a big square box with loads of dials and switches, that had a dead long lead on it that went into the back of the telly.

Seems ancient now, but it was all the go then, real hi tech malarkey like. I was still used to 4 channels at home. I had dozens, mayber hundreds of them on that old contraption.

I sat on the couch, started arsing about with the box, flicking through channels…
Here’s the lads on telly, all bouncing round, Dalglish hugging Paisley, getting ready to go up the steps for the trophy. I hears John Motson…
“What a wonderful game that was. And such a great final to beam live to America for the first time!”

Then the telly cuts back to it’s normal American program.

I went bonkers. What a daft bastard. It had been on all the time but was never repeated. I was fuckin frozen solid, pissed right off choka, and I never did get to see that game for years… Mind you, I suppose that was alright because when I did get to see it, I saw a gang of me mates in the crowd, all laughing and singing and that. I’d have probably committed Hari Kari if I’d seen them at the time. But I think it was probably Karma for being nasty to the poor lad in the shop. Always wanted to go back and appologise but never got round to it. Oh well, what can you do.

“2-0 to the reds 2moro with goals from Kuyt 23 and Gerrard 59.”

And at 3 o’clock if it’s not that… loads of snide comments, calls for Rafa’s head, and the full team getting sold to bring in Larson.

Tiny Tim,www.paddypower.com give better odds(usually).

Ladbrokes owe me a few bob BM.I know you never beat the bookies but i`m not going till i get some back.

Brilliant tale Fatty i`d say you got well pissed that night!

Had Larson been signed last August, how many goals would he of scored?.More than Aquilani!!.At least he wouldn’t of cost £18 million!.Larson was offered contracts by Rosenberg and Feyenoord last summer.

Great. Maybe you should have said Sack Rafa an all… just to get an early start in case things don’t meet your demands tomorrow.

Half day from school today BM?

BM, you talk balls.

FS,
Do you know that “fit and proper person” test the FA/Premier league do for every new chairman that comes in (how ours passed i`ll never know),well maybe Gerry should consider doing one for this blog because it`s a shame this blog,which is a haven from all the other sites,has people like BM who come in and say ridiculous things which only show themselves to be dimwitted.

I think it will be a shame if Gerry starts banning too many. I can understand with the few he has kb’d. That one fella Smith was it? He was a complete nuicsance but me aul mate BM is a bit of a grin really…. and you know what, these fools are helping Rafa in a way. The more daft the comment the more others realise how lucky we are to have Rafa.

Imagine a night in the boozer with BM and Stan Doggymoore. It would be hilarious.

Not ban them FS,infact i find BM somewhat amusing at times but he`s either one of two things.

1.A dizzy bolix who knows so little about fooball he thinks Sheffield wednsday is a bank holiday.

or

2.He`s on a wind up and one hell of a long one at that!

I`m off out must bring the little people to the flicks.

Gerry, great blog. FS and Keith. Love your comments and analysis. Keep it up you guys, coz I have given up on the press, including local Malaysian ones.
This site keeps me sane.

I don’t mind seeing the back of BM once and for all. I think being the attention-whore that he is, he’s doing what every internet troll does best, being a bloody nuisance.

Though lately like a donkey with few tricks, he’s run out of annoying stuff to say and is now just recycling the same old nonsense about how we should’ve signed Pele and Maradona et al, with the clones of Ferguscum and Moaninho in charge of the team.

Unlike the infallible Rafa-Out cohorts of the King of the Fake Kop, who probably only appears when the results are negative, but would be driven into infamy and ignonimity once the storm starts to subside, I guess some due credit must be given to BM for having the balls to talk cock even when the tide is positive.

But still, with that said, BM, go fuck yourself.

Fabio Capello phoned up Wayne Bridge after taking the armband from John Terry….

“Hello Wayne,Fabio Capello here,John Terry has lost the Captains armnand.Be a good lad and go and see if you can find it under your bed”

Terry: ‘What a shite couple of years. Mum’s a thief. Dad’s a druggy. Been pulled up in the tabloids several times for my arrogant behavior and missed the decisive penalty in a Champions League final’

Bridge: ‘ Count yourself lucky mate…..I’ve just found out my missus has Aids’

Ha Ha KWALITY Bhav!

FS, your stateside story is a real classic, and you know what, I can imagine exactly the same sort of thing happening to me. Freezing my bollocks off for no fucking reason!

If the guy in the shop ever found out what happened, he would have probably thought it served you right for being such a tosser on the shop!

Nice one, bhavster. That’s the best I’ve heard so far.

Apparently all the other England players are determined to make sure Terry gets on the plane to South Africa. With Capello insisting that the WAG’s stay at home, there’s no way they want Terry left behind as well!

alright lads – been uber busy lately and have not had a chance to post but when I seen this I had to share.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/eseason/News-and-Interviews/09-10/Rafa-on-zonal-m-16720.php3

hopefully you do not need to subscribe but it’s a classic.

Come on you red men tomorrrow.

Steve I still cringe to this day when I think about it. No excuse, though. I was a bit of a prick.

As for Terry, England have took the captaincy off him and gave it to that great moralist and role model… They call him Rio.

Oh well, I honestly don’t care. And to be honest, I would like Ingurland to win it but only because I know some decent people who really want them to win it. Meself, I’m dreading it. Just imagine it… Stand Lord Sir Terry of Chavski!

Brilliant one, bhav. May the jokes continue.

Never really cared about England. I personally think it’s a good thing Gerrard wasn’t chosen, the last thing we need is the media vultures heaping even more pressure on him in such an Annus Horribilis for Liverpool, especially when his performance for some time has been quite disappointing, which ends up dragging the rest of the team.

Better they now turn their daggers towards doping Rio.

Chelsea chelsea
wherever you may be dont leave your wife with John Terry,
his dad deals coke and his mum steals tea
he cried when he missed a penalty.
Chelsea chelsea
wherever you may be dont leave your wife with John Terry
he cannot shoot and he cant fucking pass but he’ll take your missus right up the ass.

Terry has broken his silence regarding allegations he had an affair with Wayne Bridge’s ex, he was quoted as saying ” i dont know what all the fuss is about, everyone know’s that if a fullback leaves a hole it’s the centrebacks job to fill it.

Redman, I nearly fell off my chair from laughing my bollacks off to that one! Who thinks of these jokes? They’re just getting better and better.

FS 67, Redman 90 PRICELESS !!!

Poor Wayne Bridge – he’s not even first choice with his his wife.

John Terry has explained he didn’t mean to have sex with Vanessa Perroncel – he just slipped while he was showing her how to take a penalty.

Me mate just sent me this quote from an article he read…

“There have been many victims of Terry’s dalliance with an underwear model, come cocktail waitress, come unofficial Chelsea team exercise bike.”

But there is seriously no joke that tops handing the armbnand to Cokehead. Makes a fuckin travesty of the whole thing!
(but sort of exposes modern football for what it is?)

BREAKING NEWS: SKY SPORTS HAS LEARNED THAT THE ENGLAND PLAYERS AND STAFF HAVE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY FOR JOHN TERRY TO REMAIN IN THE ENGLAND SQUAD FOR THE WORLD CUP……. WITH A BAN ON THE WAGS AT THE TOURNAMENT NOBODY WANTS HIM TO BE LEFT AT HOME!!

Now that’s the joking outta the way,big game tomorrow and i just cant tell how its gonna go. I do still believe that form does go out the window in these games and hoping that’ll play in our favour.
Really hoping for aqua to start,the guy may be seen as Mr.glass but he’s mixed it fair enough from what I’ve seen. Also his natural attacking nature as Gerrard seems to be coming into form could prove decisive….god willing!!

COME ON THE POOL!!

Up early with the excitement c`mon you redmen!!

I`ll say no more.

Lurgan Kop

The link in your post at 86 was fantastic. It’s about Rafa stuck 2 fingers at Sky. With regards to the derby, I’ll settle for a 1-0 victory for the reds. We definitely need the captain to stnad up and be counted in the derby.

I’ve stated previously that we won’t see Aquillani at his best until next season. I stand by that view.

I’m always like a kid on a crimbo morning for this one Tim.
Nice to see Rafa so relaxed though…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7rFjPohp-g

Brilliant. Now wonder they hate him. He just won’t play their game.

And listen to the voice asking the question… looks like little Mickey Owen has found a new job, eh.

I wonder what his excuse is for the other 20 or so years.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/David-Moyes-accuses-Liverpool-of-a-decade-of-overspending-and-says-Everton-are-now-ready-to-cash-in-article313367.html

The sad bastard, good link that FS.
YNWA

Rafa has just taken it up a
notch with the man marking and
Sky comment. Class.
Come on you red men!!!
YNWA

My feeling is we will not see Aquaman start today, Rafa will want a strong, rather than clever midfield for this one and I expect to see Monster and Lucas in the midfield ,Kuyt on the wing and Ngog up front, my worry is the full backs and a possible start for Fabio is on the cards, and maybe Carragher in the centre instead of Skrtel

I’m not at all suprised that Aquilani is not starting today. I think he will be in from the off against Arsenal on Wednesday night though.

Good to see Dagger starting today’s game.
Kyriagos has to start, no way Rafa could drop him the way he’s been playing. This game is custom made for the big Greek.

Perhaps he can mark Cahill at set pieces?

Damn it – lady luck does us with a dildo!
How is that Belgian rastafarian not stuffing a red card in his pipe?

Felani kicking Dirk when already down.
Pienar knee high studs up tackle on Masch.
Felani leg breaking stomp on Sotiris.

What happens, we get a red. FFS.

Ohh and the wanker commentators.

Gerrard being blocked by cahill was a dive, but donovan going down without being touched was “smart and clever cause he knew the tackle was coming”.

I think rafa should get fabio on for maxi to get some defensive structure plus set pieces.

I’d also be telling the lads to ride tackles and go down (its un-sportsman like, but fuck it).

Also, if anyome criticises the decision to leave aqua on the bench should just look at the tackles flying in.

disgraceful refereeing

Something that never changes: ref and the pundits are wankers of the highest order!!

..sorry, just had to say it out aloud

Commentators on my end were in no doubt – red card for both Zorba and fellatio, he had already tried to give Kuyt a free facelift.
Think pienaar is also lucky to be still on the pitch….

All is not lost, we can do it – Come on you reds!

Commentator “just getting news felaini doesn’t have a broken leg, good news”.

Why the fuck would he have a broken leg, for stomping on someone else

Pienaar is off… fcuking deserved it..

We won… Yahoo…… Happy weekend everyone..

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!

Job done.

Cheers.

Job well done!

The lads really put their backs together, great performance, great great great 3 points

For those who are slagging off Kuyt for not worthy of the red shirt.

What does 4 goals in 4 games mean, even without our 2 best players for this supposedly 2 man team?

Rafa’s halftime talk: “It only takes 9 men to beat Everton and you guys have a man extra. So go and do it.”

Good one Garysmile…

Disgraceful refereeing first half, and commentators as well. They did have the odd decent comment – ‘Fellatio definetly should have got a red’ about a dozen times. I know I sound like a Lucas fan…but the lad tackled like a demon, and Monster looked good a RB and was totally up for this game. In fact, the biggest plus point for me was to see Stevie playing 110% and pumping his fists after the win. Good to see him back.
Wondered about Rafa putting Babel on, but then it made sense. This was the Blueshites best chance to beat us in a few years, and they would/should have been throwing their defenders forward. Hit them on the break (with Babel hanging around the 1/2 way line, and then 2-0! Didn’t happen, but maybe it kept their defenders wary of his pace & kept them from pushing forward?
Feeling all warm & fuzzy inside right now. Fantastic 3 points!
Go Rafa!
Ps. where are the Chuckle Bros?

We had more of the possession more shots on target and off target the same amount of corners but only committed 11 fouls to their 23, and all with one less man for most of the game.

Everybody was immense today but I want to give special mention to our temporary right back who shouldn’t even be playing there but made it look easy and of course the wonderful Deadly Dirk who played in every position on the pitch tirelessly and has to be my nomination for man of the match.

Fellaini is a thug, no other word for him,I have lost count of the amount of times I have seen him try to intentionally hurt a player and quite frankly I hope he’s injured for a long time.

Moyes must be steaming, cant even beat us when they have 12 men and we have 10, I look forward to seeing what excuse he comes up with in his post match comments

One other point, I have to make to be fair, a couple of matches back I criticized Stevie for being a bad captain, Today and in the last match I have had to reconsider some of that, and his corners are getting better

hull have just gone ahead against city

Hull just went 2 up.. it n it was a beauty…

Well, I’m absolutely delighted with that result, after playing with 10 men for an hour and going on to win the game is excellent. Dirk does seem to like scoring against the Toffee’s doesen’t he?

With Man Shitty currently 2 goals down at Hull we need to keep our fingers crossed for a draw or a Villa win at Whie Hart Lane tonight to keep us fourth.

We will go to Arsenal on Wednesday night with confidence.

I want the Villa-Spurs match to end in a draw. Villa have 2 games in hand on us. I think the key to the change in results for LFC is the return of that defensive solidity.

A couple of months ago we might have conceded an equaliser. I guess we did the double over our little neighbours because we’ve overspent for the last 10 years.

How ironic that we were the last team to beat the bluenoses before they went on their 9 game unbeaten run and now we’ve brought that run to a screeching halt.

Every player in red stepped up to the plate this afternoon. Let’s take that fighting spirit to the Library (Emirates).

A hard fought and thoroughly deserved victory today! The team seemed really up for a battle and really enjoyed the victory.
Masch was tigerish, both in midfield and at rightback.
Lucas was quietly phenomenal as well. Apart from his terrific tackling, he also seems to have a knack of getting the ball past troubled areas with a small shimmy or a tiny shifting of his body. He does it with such minimum fuss that it can easily be overlooked.
Kuyt was tireless as usual. Gerrard appears to be slowly enjoying the game again.
Ngog was really good at holding the ball up and competing for headers. Babel didnt do as well when he came on.
Maxi was quiet except for a couple of runs. Not the ideal game for him to show us his wares though.
Insua was good except for the two occasions when he got skinned.
Carra, Dagger and Pepe were good as usual.
Great feeling all around. Bring on the Gunners!

Portsmouth score 3 own goals against the Mancs, the tossers. That’s got to be some sort of Premier Leauge record I would think.

Can’t wait to get Portsmouth to Anfield in March to rip the shit out of them.

If Chelsea beat Arsenal tomorrow that could be good news for us with Chelsea knocking the Mancs back off the top and us facing Arsenal at hopefully the right time.

Marouane Fellaini is a disgrace as a footballer.

Martin Atkinson is a disgrace as a referee.

But in the end, justice prevails and Liverpool’s luck evens itself out for once as Pienaar (another thug) is rightly sent off.

Another Blueshite thug Anichebe should count himself lucky for only receiving a yellow for shoving Stevie.

I normally do not diss players, but I think I’ve now run out of patience with Babel. Rafa gives him yet another opportunity due to Torres’ injury, and yet he’s not even bothering to chase the ball, compared to the usual scapegoats of Lucas, Kuyt and Insua, even new players like Rodriguez were full of energy (probably used to derbies from his Atletico days, playing against Real Madrid).

er….Sack mancini? Citeh lost at Hull…

Yeah… Skeat, coz as has been explained to us before, by those in the real know about all things footy… “none of our top rivals will drop points to the likes of Hull”

#52 – “…so I think its gonna take a shit performance from Atkinson… in our favor… for us to “batter” them.”

…or, you know….
…a shit performance from Atkinson… in their favor… for us to only win 1-0!

Kuyt was massive today,
i would say that is one of the best games he’s had for the Reds, i think football went out the window today as the blueshite quite obviously hate us with a passion, so fuck the decent football we have been playing recently it’s Liverpool so lets kick the living shit out of them, dont get me wrong the Reds themselves were no angels but it was nice to see them giving back as good as they got.
And as for Aunty Gray did anyone hear is take on Gerrards free kick, “if it had’nt hit the bar i think howard had it covered anyway”, what a fuckin tosser i hope John Terry bumps into his missus.
Having said all that what a fabulous win it was today, 17 points from the last 21, not bad for a shit side with no money.
YNWA.

YES! Villa and Spuds draw!

Now for the Chavs to thrash the Arse to keep the Scum at bay, and then the Arse will be ripe for us for the taking as we close in on 3rd come Wednesday night.

Midweek is interesting. Man.City at home to Bolton on Tuesday and then on Wednesday we go to Arsenal, Chelsea go to Everton the Mancs go to Aston Villa, and Spurs go to Wolves…… Hmmm!

Did we win today ?,
i thought the blog would have been a bit more euphoric than it is, but maybe everybody’s gone out on saturday night (in the UK that is) cept for this miserable who cant cos he has to watch hisself.
Been in the Toffees blog and do you believe they feel they have been cheated out of 3 points and the ref gave us everything (yes even a red for Kyriagkos), it’s no wonder they watch everton, they know fuck all about football.
YNWA.

Fantastic result today, what a complete and utter wanker Atkinson was, Fallini gets the ballon de or for faking, Hercules get the stitches and still get sent off for Fallini stamping on him. Please tell me how he got injured and if that was not stage managed to try and not get a ban afterwards I don’t know what is.

All the other results went our way and all we need now is for the chavs to win, maybe Teary can score on the field rather than off it and the best blog of the day goes to theredman, I still have not stopped laughing, great lyrics and we will be hearing that for a long time every time Teary steps onto the field.

Not really an advert for the beautiful game today but the result with 10 men was a very welcome sight, long may it continue. Rafa got it spot on. The net result is more silence from the CBC, life is really looking up.

Redman I went into a toffees forum also,There major complaints seem to be that because the afro went off injured they lost the game and the referee gave us everything, some sensible souls did make the point that we played better than them with ten men but they were scarce.
Just goes to show we all see different games, looking forward to watching MOTD to see what they think, some very tough games coming up but pretty much everything went our way today, with the exception of the Mancs but that was only to be expected.
Incidentally I don’t know how true it is but somebody on the BBC site tells us that Rooney is the Mancs leading scorer but in second place its home goals, they just are spawny bastards

In his post match interview, when asked what was the difference in the second half with 10 men, Rafa answered, the fans! What a man.
Fellani was a disgrace and hope we’ll appeal for the red card for hercules to be rescinded considering he’s in such a massive form now.

I thought today’s game was all passion and what watching English football is all about. Yes I love watching silky Arsenal but I also like watching brutal derby games, Like this.
.
Fellani deserved what he got, plus a red. Only thing that stopped him getting the red was the stretcher.
.
Wonderful performance from 10 Red men, what can you say about Kuyt, I know he’s woefull in possession sometimes, but his heart is the size of an Elephant. Games like these he loves, as does Mash. All sides guilty of bad tackles but thats the local game. As Stevie mentioned in the post match interview, that what the fans come to see, they pay good money for these games, they want to see passion and spirit. Indeed we do, thanks lads.
.
And then the football gods smile on us further, good results for us later.
.
Kyriagos is a thug as is Fellani, both are there to intimidate opposing players, however Fellani’s a dirty thug, that’s something thats going to stick with him. His kick to the face on Kuyt was just plain cowardly, even some of his own fans on Toffee blogs are coming up with that one.
.
Great result, well done lads, 60% possession with 1 man down, Reina forced into 1-2 saves all game. Great result.

Now THAT was a derby. Holy fuck. Form had nothing to do with that victory LB. That was a war. And there was no greater warrior on that pitch today than Dirk Kyut. Jesus Christ he’d diefor us. We had generals all over the pitch; Masch, Stevie and Carra but Dirk gets a purple heart today. He was magnificent. The whole team was. The way they stood together and stood up for one another was just brilliant. Without slighting Major Winters and his men, that was band of brothers stuff today.

What does Martin Atkinson have against Liverpool FC?
everytime he refs Us we get absolutely nothing from him.
How Fellaini doesn’t get a Red card is beyond believe.
Great result..Carra’s tackle on Peinar at the beginning of the game was a Tommy Smith style tackle.all blood and Guts..Lovely too see.
Everyone worked their socks of for the Team Today.
Now if we can get a result on Wednesday..

Just watched the game again..Everton do like to leave a foot in or an elbow..Cahill is a Master at it..what a shite team they really are…

fantastic defensive performance by the 10. i was almost feeling relaxed! great to have the old reliability at the back.

big ups to rafa and the lads!

Guys,

An interesting read from a sensible Everton fan.

http://www.sos1878.co.uk/fans/shame-on-you-everton/

Great win yesterday and the lads fought for it in a typical derby match. The Alamo never did arrive in the last 15-20 minutes as I thought it would. To be honest I was quietly confident that we would close it out and we did.

Here’s a great post from a blue nose that I found from the axchoice’s link in #144. Does it sound familiar?

-o-
I see the apologists are out in force again,how embarrassing. Kind of sums us up right now unfortunately, smalltime.

Are our fans blind? Maybe literally blind, or just blindly loyal?? Are they stupid? Do Evertonians no longer understand football in a wider context, do they only watch Everton games?

It seems to me that there is no perspective here.
This is not an isolated failure, it is the latest in a long, long line of absolutely cringeworthy, spineless surrenders against the various ‘big 4? sides.

Of course, common sense, logic dictates that a squad with our budget will lose most of these games, the majority maybe, most is the wrong word.

The problem is though, we are just not competing.
This isn’t the first time Liverpool have gone down to 10 against us and still completely embarrassed us, is it?

They didn’t put everyone behind the ball and get lucky at all, they continued to control the game.
We had fuck all in the way of chances, looked utterly clueless on the ball apart from Mikel Arteta and the lack of tactical intelligence from the players and the manager when playing 10 men was astounding.

Add to that yet again an opposition side showed more DESIRE for the game than our boys and you have a recipe for disaster.

I have come accustomed to these abject surrenders under Moyes guidance. Unfortunately though, I will never grow to accept the absolutely insulting bullshit he trots out afterwards.

If he cant see his own failings today, those of his team, and also acknowledge the inescapable gulf in class between his tactics and those of Rafa Benitez then we are all wasting our time.
The number of times we have seen this now tells a story. It is fuck all to do with luck and everything to do with the gulf in quality between the managers and their coaching.

Liverpool have spent vastly more than us and they have many superior players. The players they fielded today though were nothing, nothing at all.
Unfortunately though, until the manager starts coaching FOOTBALL, pass and move, running off the ball, making angles, creating space etc, our ‘percentages’ game will continue to be shown up by truly worldclass managers who can counter it with ease.

We didn’t take advantage of the extra man because our tactics didn’t facilitate it, simple as.
The only thing worse than that fact is that the manager cant see it, instead choosing to trot out embarrassing excuses/justifications.
-0-

I haven’t seen a derby like that in years. It was just like the old days. Makes me laugh seeing the press reaction… disgusted bewilderment is about the mildest reaction I have seen.

I’ve lost count of how many said it was none/anti football and was an awful spectacle for the nuetral fan…
1: Fuck the nuetral fan. This game is ours, and it’s still our biggest, despite what the press and the Tramp down the road says.
2: I watched it with me son in law – A West Ham fan who loves his footy. He was bouncing round more than me. I can’t say he loved it, but for 2 hours he was thoroughly captivated by it… he hardly looked away, or said a word.

The lad knows his footy, played and watched it all his life, coached and refereed. At the end all he could say was… I’ve never seen nothing like that.

I just told him… you should have been around in the 80′s, when Everton was a big club. It got a bit lively back then.

Smartarsed sarcasm aside, I was left wondering why them lads had struggled to show any fight for the first few months of the season?

That’s a pretty baffling question if you think about it. And the maddening thing is… if we’d went into all our games like that back when we was struggling for form, we’d have been right up there.

Oh well, no use crying over spilt milk. Hopefully, we’ve finally turned the corner. That’s a good points haul lately, and goal against column couldn’t look any better. On top of that… John Terry has taken the media pressure off Rafa. Believe me, if it wasn’t for him, LFC/Rafa would still be getting savaged.

So anyway, another spirited display like that at Arsenal and City and we could still make something out of this mad season.

Oh and thank fuck Rafa didn’t play Aquilani. Perfect team selection set up yesterday, and we’re only really waiting on Torres now. So onwards and upwards, eh.

FS, what about Benny and Johnson? They will add to the dynamics when they come back as well.

If those two (and Torres of course) return to a side in good form then they should all start playing to their max potential too.

John Terry’s inability to understand what monogomy means has taken the heat off Rafa?

Yes, I like that.

One game at a time as always, and you can bet your bollacks that Rafa will be studying the Arsenal’s performance this afternoon!

Steve the only thing that pissed me off this weekend… Avram Grant dropped 5 of his first teamers.

So, yep. A couple of good results for them bastards and the towel throwing has commenced immeadiately. And don’t want to be a smartarse, but… just like I said it would.

Oh well, what’s new.

I know FS, and to add salt to the wound Portsmouth go and score 3 fucking own goals!!

This was the toughest derby I have seen in little over 6 years (I know that is very short) that I have followed liverpool.

The other thing I noticed was how easily Maxi rode the tackles and skipped past his defendfer on left. I could not see very clearly on TV though. Did you guys see that as well.

This is encouraging. He could jumpstart attack by dancing down the flanks..

This was the toughest derby I have seen in little over 6 years (I know that is very short) that I have followed liverpool.

The other thing I noticed was how easily Maxi rode the tackles and skipped past his defender on left. I could not see very clearly on TV though. Did you guys see that as well.

This is encouraging. He could jumpstart attack by dancing down the flanks..

FS, the senior player’s for Wolves and Pompey must really feel fuckin great and full of confidence when your manager says “it’s man utd today lads so i’m dropping half of you as really you are not good enough to take them on, so i’ll keep you fresh for the lower sides”,
I pray that McCarthey and fat sam rollthedice get relegated i’ll jump through hoops for that.
Oh yes by the way, Moyes has said he has no problems with pinnear’s dismisal, as he was lucky to be on the pitch after that tackle on Masch
YNWA.

YES you fucking beauty!! still flying from yesterday. Fucking loved that match and ive never hated those bitter bastards more. Beating them with ten men was so sweet.
With villa and spurs drawing and city losing it was the perfect day. Infact carlsberg dont do saturdays……….
Gonna catch up on the comments now.
YYYYYEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!

Before I forget- when Rafa gets the money to spend on players IMHO he should go after Kevin Doyle,he impresses me and is a goal poacher and would replace Ngog (who is in the wrong position.
I’ve seen Doyle several times on Setanta and he seems to be in the Rush mould.
The game result yesterday against the Blues was terrific but I must admit that some of the tackles made me wince and is when some of the players earn their money!.

FS cheers for the heads up about the europa league game i’d have been interested in going but im actually on a stag in liverpool that wknd.
P.s I can understand fully why the everton game is your biggest but for me it will and always has been the mancs.
I think its because who your surrounded by. i.e work,footy and socialising. Over here the manc fans are truly unbearable. They would sicken you to your back teeth. What about their new signing “OG” 8 goals he’s scored this season their second highest goal scorer!! You couldnt like the bastards if they were the only team in the world!!

5yearplan, you meant own goals, not home goals.

Someone should seriously consider having a look at this conspiracy. 9 own goals in a team’s favour is just too fishy.

Crikey what a game. I only saw the highlights but there could have been at least 4 players with broken limbs this morning and three of them would have been red. Lucky to get out of that unscathed but glorious to get out with all 3 points to boot.

Yep Gerrard showing glimpses of talent, desire and captaincy. Carra doing damage to the other side, Mascher interested and (according to Dion Fanning – Independent) Lucas man of the match …. lovely jubbley.

Jack, I’m biased because I’m a Paddy, but Doyle for Babbel would be a great move. (Ain’t gonna happen ‘cos Babbel will be off to Italy/germany /Spain/somewhere where the pace is slower and physicality is less and Mc Carthy is no mug). Doyle has heart and desire and can play up front on his own or on the wing/support striker. I used to watch him regularly at local level here in Ireland. He’d be perfect. Good call.

Roarin mate, I understand why the Mancs has became the biggest game for most of our supporters, even some of the locals. That was always bound to happen, what with Sky, The Premiereship, and the Mancs success. And, even back in my day when the Mancs was shite, it always was a big game but it’s always been the bluenoses for me, and even though the Manc game is in the biggest in lots of ways now, I’d never give the shites the satisfaction of admitting that.

I’m a bit sort of gutted at going to Bucharest meself now. Well, no. That’s not right. But I could have went to Arsenal on Wednesday if I wasn’t going there. Mind you, who knows… might still sneak it in if I box clever.

Anyway, wanted to just put this in…
http://www.photoshelter.com/c/propaganda/gallery/100206-Dont-Buy-The-Sun/G0000s6B6nNR.pXQ/

Some of the lads have been trying to get that going for awhile now. I thought they was mad at first, but a few months of whip rounds and organisation and it got it’s maiden flight at yesterdays game.

I moan about them at times. But the proper supporters are still the best. The message can be changed everytime it gets launched. There’s plans for the Justice Campaign and Yanks Out to go up soon. And who knows…. maybe the media might even mention it when it isn’t attacking them. Maybe a few lines in one of the pages long articles they have been giving to the wonderful genius Green and Yellow scarf campaign by the mancs.

HA! As if.

PS… That’s a bit of spare land facing the Kop, where it’s going to be tethered and flew above The Kop for some games. It won’t be up all the time as it has to be all cleared with air traffic control and costs a few quid to launch.

Well in to them lads though.

JackH,
seriously why the take on Ngog, that lad got battered from pillar to post yesterday, as he does most games, what did he do? he got up dusted himself down and carried on regardless, as for Doyle, if he aint good enough to play against the mancs what makes you think he’s good enough for us.
No i think you should give credit where it is due, and the likes of Babel should take a leaf out of that young mans book and seroiusly look at themselves, believe me Ngog is going to be a big player for Liverpool in the future once he settles down, adapts to the life-style here and the food, (pie, chips and peas with onion gravy you cant beat it) i say again he’s gonna be immense.
YNWA.

Redman, Dirk’s got it down anyway…
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Dirk-Kuyt-I-am-proud-to-be-a-Liverpudlian-my-kids-even-speak-scouse-Exclusive-article298817.html

…”A friend still brings Dutch delicacies over from ­Holland, but the Kuyt family enjoy nothing better than a trip to the local fish and chip shop.”

Right off to watch The Chavs and Arse. Oh and goody, Redknapp and Souness are giving their expert opinion.

Doesn’t get any bloody worse. Oh well, I can hope both teams get beat and Rafa runs in the studio and batters all of them during half time.

I do give credit where it is due-Ngog to me is in the same class as Voronin-he is a nearly man,but not a Liverpool man-just look at his facial expressions.
Maybe I am an old fart,but I have seen a lot of good Red teams and am entitled to my opinion-I still say Ngog should go and,when possible,Doyle should replace him.

No one has called you an old fart Jack i have to much respect for people be they young or old,
Ngog cannot be anywhere near Voronin as the latter has had vast experience with different teams during his career, so to compare Ngog to Voronin is grossly unfair as he has only been with 2 teams and is far younger than davy crocket, but he is a far better player than him, and as for his facial expressions? well i think he’s quite handsome dont you.
YNWA.

Jack, I find it rather incredulous that you are rating him similar to Voronin simply because of his “facial expression”. And even more outraged that you are suggesting him to go based on one game alone.

What facial expression? Ngog looks battered, that’s what his expression tells me. I certainly don’t see anything negative about his performance, compared to Babel.

You are of course “entitled to your opinion”, but with due respect, your opinion is only worth as much if it isn’t backed by facts.

First Dirk, then Lucas, now Ngog, it seems to me that there is always someone who isn’t good enough for Liverpool, and frankly I get fed up of it,try giving people a chance before you start replacing them with somebody else,I have seen flaws in Ngog’s game but there is definitely talent there and like the other two players I have mentioned who were the scapegoats in the past, there is absolutley nothing wrong with the attitude of the lad.

“He isn’t a Liverpool man” what on earth does that mean, and he certainly contributed more than that lazy git Babel, he can finish and hold up and dribble, he’s just a little inexperienced at the moment, cant we allow players a little leeway before we start writing them off.

A young man in a struggling team who has scored 4 goals in 12 appearances most of which were not starts and already he’s ready for the scrapheap,I despair honestly.

The week just got better, the Arse getting battered 2-0 by the Chavs and overtake the Scum.

The Gooners are now very ripe for the taking, though caution must be exercised, like a wounded beast, they know they cannot fathom losing to another Big Four for a 3rd consecutive match.

Losing Hercules on suspension may mean we MIGHT have to tamper our expectations a bit. So I am willing to accept an undefeated result for us.

I have ALWAYS liked Dirk for his energy and scoring important goalsand have NEVER mailigned him.
I only mentioned facial expressions of Eggnog as a means of showing his lack of “getting stuck in”.
I don’t like Babel either but he was the man for the job that Rafa had in mind at the Everton game,so ’5yearpain’ and ‘Kinny’and others,if you mis-interpret my writings,so be it.
By the way folks, Liverpool man means players like Byrne who played in the 1965 Cup Final almost all game with a broken collarbone (no subs then),Ironman Smith,Liddel,Dalglish,Rush and many,many more, whom I saw as young men.

So Jack your argument against Ngog is that he doesn’t give enough for the cause.

I’m sorry but I just cant see that, he does work hard, maybe we see different things in the game, and as for the players you are talking about some of whom I am not quite old enough to remember, its hardly fair of you to compare a list of absolute legends to a young lad who is just starting.
It would interesting to have seen Dalglish and Rush at 20 years of age playing in this Liverpool team, as a lone striker in a mersyside derby of such ferocity, they may have been better,I couldn’t say, but lets see Dalglish when he was 20 had just broken into the Celtic side,he didn’t join us until he was about 26, hardly a fair comparision and as for Rush, he did play for us when he was 20, so I’ll quote his wiki entry

Rush was used sporadically during his first season at the club as Liverpool had a policy of bringing in young talent and playing them in the reserves to learn ‘the Liverpool way’. Rush was treated no differently and had to begin his time at the club as a squad member rather than being thrown into the first team.

This learning period was hard and not at all ‘Rush-like’, as the goals didn’t flow, almost leading to the eager youngster leaving Anfield in the search of regular first-team football. But after a talk with the very shrewd Paisley, who told him to “be more selfish in front of goal”, Rush decided to stay and fight for a place.

Rush’s first goal for the club took time to arrive, but it eventually came on 30 September 1981 during a European Cup first round second leg tie at Anfield against Oulun Palloseura. Liverpool had already won the first leg at the Raatti Stadium 1–0, and the second leg proved to be a formality as they trounced the Finnish team 7–0

He went on to be the teams leading goal scorer that season but it seems that if he had played the amount of games that Ngog had he would been not a “liverpool man”, and please bear in mind this was the Liverpool side that had won title after title not a team that was struggling for finance and stability against financial powerhouses like Chelsea and Manchester.

Give people a chance thats all I’m asking

Misinterpret your writing? According to your posts on Ngog so far, you have, as 5YP puts it, making an unfair comparison of Ngog who is just starting his Liverpool career with the more established legends. I don’t see how I could have misinterpreted that.

It’s like accusing a rookie MP who is recently elected of not making enough changes because you don’t see enough of him “committing the cause”, and comparing him to the PM, or any other experienced MP who had seen it all.

I can see where you are coming from Mr. JackHill.

However, in my eyes, Ngog is doing more than a decent job, especially in the absence of Torres. It’s a difficult situation for the lad and, to be honest, I don’t think that he will ever make it in the LFC first XI, on a consistent basis.

Overall, he has performed far better, for example, than Babel and held-up the ball very well, drawing free-kicks to take pressure of our defence.

He’s a decent player but will he make it at LFC? I am not so sure. However, at least he did put in a bit of effort.

After all that’s all I ask of anyone who plays in the red shirt.

Fantastic result and performance lads.It was a war out there yesterday and i`ll agree with Lawro (probably for the first time ever i`ll agree with the idiot) when he said it was like something from the old days.
Tackles flying in all over the place from both sides.I see a lot of people blaming the ref for some bad decisions but i`m going to give him the benefit of the doubt on this game.It was an extremely difficult game to referee.I`m not saying he had a good day,he got a few things wrong but we`re al great referee`s with the slow motion replay in front of us.

We seem to be turning a corner now.We have ceretainly dragged ourselves out of this rut with some shitty foorball but we also battled for every one of those 17 points from 21 since the end of last year.
Our performances have improved,confidence is growing the defence looks settled.I trust them again.Defending itself is an art.We perfected it yesterday.I could see how organised we were.We didn`t panic after we took the lead.We were composed even though down to ten we asked them to come and break us down.They couldn`t.I was confident they wouldn`t in open play.I`m even confident now in the set pieces defending.
Eveton,second half had lions share of the posession but they were going side to side and you could see our shape,it was never disrupted and when we won posession we weren`t no longer hoofing the ball in a panic.We picked out a pass every time.I recall Maxi and gerrard giving N`gog those inviting balls over the top which had the blue centre halfs under the cosh.N`gog took a pasting but kept getting up.
Carra sety the tone from the start and to a man we were well up for the fight and it proved in the end.
Arsenal wednesday,they seem to be going to a place that we i now believe are leaving so lets go down there and have a go at them and i believe we can win.

Jack, I know exactly what you mean by Liverpool Man and about his expressions.

I think some of these lads just don’t get the old lingo of “Liverpool Man.” Whippersnappers for you, eh.

But in all fairness, I think the lad does have the courage and attitude that you mean by “Liverpool Man.”

And though he does look a bit daft at times, don’t mistake the lacsidasical looks/style though for not caring. The lad was fearless yesterday, especially for a young kid we got on the cheap, and had to do that job up there on his own.

He could turn out to be a great this young man. But like I always say, when anything like this is discussed – you have to always consider the owners.

If Rafa had any money, he would have another player up there – an star pro like Villa if we was loaded, a Kevin Doyle type player (Who Rafa rates) even if we had a bit of money.

But while we are in this mess, we have to make do with cheap kids like NGog, even Insua and Lucas.

Look at that team yesterday… anyone fancy doing the maths? I can’t be arsed. But even with Mash and Dirk’s fees in there, it was still a bargain basement team compared to the Mancs and Chavs who were are expected to displace.

So, I think that’s the main thing that should always be kept in mind when we talk about the players/team/squad and what we want/expect from them.

Tell you what though… he’s anyone noticed NGog has always got a snotty nose like a scruffy kid at school. Makes me laugh that.

Reina 6m
carra 0
greek 2m
agger 5.8m
insua 1.3m
lucas 5m
masch 17m
gerrard 0
maxi 0
kuyt 9m
ngog 1.5m

There you go FS you do enough research that team out there yesterday was bought for a combined total of £48.6 million.

48 bloody million that says it all really dosen`t it?

Despite this very modist figure our manager has us right in the mix with the likes of Man city who just relesaed one player on loan worth £32 million alone.

PS FACTS courtesy of TimmyTorres.com/LFChistory.net

Sort of shows things in a different light eh Tim. But I’m sure BM will show how we was robbed for 48 mill.

not to worry Fatty he`ll come up with something whilst he`s daydreaming in school tomorrow.

Ah we can have a giggle anyway.

Just watched the game over there at home this time and in peace and i noticed a point you brought up about the KOP a while back.Before that i`d like to compliment the crowd on getting behind the boys yesterday.
I noticed them singing “Poor Scouser Tommy” at a million miles a hour like they were in a race or something.
I recall you said back in the goos oul days the sang it almost poetically.

Oh ya just clicked it there……they were hurrying up so they could get to the Rush Scoerd one,Rush scored two” part

Jack, one thing I think will make a difference with Ngog over the next 2/3 years will be his physicality. He is a big lad but quite light as yet. Compare him in physique to torres who is (I would say) not as tall but very tough and hard to get off the ball.
Another thing is confidence, which is pretty much what every player needs. He doesn’t have the easiest of shifts playing on his own against defenders who do and will take advantage of the fact that he is inexperienced in EPL terms as well as gametime.
All in all I think he’s done very well but whether he’ll really make it only time will tell. Then again, as we are now a semi-selling club, I bet you Rafa (or whoever) will more than make a few bob on him.

Fucken hell apart from the scum result…ive just had the perfect weekend of football results for me, what a game and what a derby!!!!, hats to kyut he lead the way and with stevie the lads followed…agree with the decision about aqua, job rafa. fucken happy as pig shit..

OK guys- I’ll shut up about Eggnog like I did about Lucas. In fact,I’ll just shut up,watch Setanta,read some of the good comments,and not rise to any bait.
I would like to write that Rafa has done amazingly well considering the lack of money at his disposal and I am a bit harsh at times.

Anyone can remember Rush’s goal record against Everton? It it 17?

I wonder how many more Kuyt needs to equal it

I dont think there’s been a derby as “physical” as that for a long time, for Everton it’s the only way they can play against us, and they still lost.
Kuyt’s header was great his positioning left Howard & Nipple more focused on him than the ball and Gerrard’s corner was perfect.
I kind of knew a red card was coming and i reckon the ref just thought the next bad tackle is getting a red and in that scenario you can confidently bet it’ll be a Liverpool player, even though Afroman should have already been off and i hope the FA ban him for kicking Kuyt like what happened to Cokehead who has since been rewarded for violent conduct with a 4 match ban and the England Captaincy fine example of a sportsman for all those young kids to look up to.
Failed drugs test : CHECK
Banned from driving 4 times : CHECK
Assaulted female Chav steward : CHECK
Assaulted female Manc fan : CHECK

Jack Your comments are always welcome, so dont be going all quiet on us.
YNWA

It is worth remembering that the goal came from a corner.
That corner was awarded when a Ngog shot was blocked and deflected out.
That shot came from Ngog controlling a long speculative punt upfield, with one touch, and turning away from 2 defenders who were trying to make him the meat in a porno-manwich, and making just a yard of space for himself.

…but fuck all that… his name won’t strike fear into opposition hearts and his facial expressions are shite… so he’s yet another example of a failed Rafa signing!

This kid may never become the next Ian Rush… but he’s hell and away from a Sean Dundee, or Andre Vorronin.

And here is the thing about the last couple of games…

a few months ago, people were asking why we couldn’t get results.
Why were we in such a slump… and What was it gonna take to get out?

2 months ago…
We wouldn’t have recovered from that many poor decisions by a biased ref.
2 months ago…
We were having players carried off under similar challenges.
2 months ago…
SG would have sent that corner to the opposite corner flag… or knee-capped the first defender.
2 months ago…
Howard and Neville would have actually defended it, instead of arsing about pushing and shoving and waving at the Ref, trying to get a call for a foul, basically leaving him unmarked for 1.5 seconds.
2 months ago…
Kuyt would have probably nodded it over (its Dirk after all )
2 months ago…
After getting us down to 10 men, Everton would have tried to play football against us, and likely done us some damage, instead of resorting to dogs of war shite. (I don’t understand why they did that, but I’m glad they did.)

What we needed to get us out of our slump, was a couple of scrappy wins… some decisions going our way… managing to grind it out, even when those decisions didn’t go our way… important players getting fitter… and everyone gaining a bit of form.

I just did a Wiki on Rush. Wow! He’s scored 25 goals against Everton and what a record that is!!! Hopefully somebody (not likely Kuyt, who’s only had 4 against them so far) can match it.

Great stuff Aitch, remember to drill that into the minds of anyone who’s willing to repent for their sins for wavering to the spin of Sly Sports and the 606 Horde.

who knows with ngog. sometimes players come into a team at that age and you just know they’re the bollox (gerrard, owen, rooney, messi..), but sometimes it takes ‘em a while. i suppose because of the likes of gerrard and owen we expect our youngsters to burst into the team with world class aplomb, but that doesn’t always happen. if it did, wenger wouldn’t be able to spot so much unnoticed young talent and pluck it out before anyone realises. i don’t know if he’s noticed ngog, but rafa’s noticed him and i’ve got faith that he’s on to something.

aitch mate, i still don’t consider us out of that slump. we are in terms of points and results but we’ve had a few false dawns this season and i reckon we’re still not moving the ball around as we were. don’t get me wrong, it was a fantastic display to beat the toffees with 10 men, but i’m hoping there’s more to come from the team than grinding out wins, as i’m sure you are. last season we came out of dips with some big wins and i reckon we all really need one. a display of complete superiority. against anyone…

i know that’s asking a lot in these troubled times but it’s almost the same team that was doing it week in week out last season so of course expectations are high. now that the players are gaining from fitness and consistent line-ups, i hope you’re right and a bit of luck and confidence is all we need.

i don’t know why but i always expect liverpool to win anywhere. the next 2 games will be tough but i reckon we’ve got as good a chance of winning. the way we’re defending now we can score 1 or 2 and hold on to the lead… finally! but against weaker teams at home, i’m ready for some of last year’s champagne football and a flurry of goals. then we’ll know the confidence is back and the slump is over.

That was a magnificent derby. I don’t think you will ever see a game like that anywhere. I don’t care which derby match the press bang on about. I’ve never seen a derby game like that for years, it was pure guts.

I wish all our players were as crap as Lucas is.

Rafa on zonal marking was hilarious – made the reporter look like a right plonker.

The mancs and the chav’s have shown the way to play the gooners. Compact and then hit them fast on the break down there left side.

Final word for now. Every player was superb on Saturday. That was a breathtaking display.

Oh forgot to mention. Steven Pienaar’s tackle was a disgrace, in my opinion it was worse than fellaini’s. Everton should have been down to 9 men. Can’t argue with the big Greek’s sending off. Two feet off the ground, Martin Atkinson as the ref? Only 1 outcome. I loved Stevie G’s post match interview. We have no complaints, that’s what a derby is all about.

The thought that we will be just 2 points behind Arsenal if we win on Wednesday night and the fact that Arsenal were top of the Leauge just two or three short weeks ago goes to show just how quickly things can turn around in fotball.

At the moment third place is what we have to aim for. If we acheive that, who Knows? There are still plenty of points on the Premier Leauge table to be won.

The victory over Everton has given everyone a lift, players and supporters alike. We are going to Arsenal in the right frame of mind.

Arsenal could come out like a wounded animal, but as Kenny says, Rafa will know how to beat them.

Kinny Riddle is a spastic , mentally retarded paedophile.The last insult is the lowest a person can stoop!.A point on Wednesday and 3 V Citah will give the team a decent chance of fourth, which is still going to be difficult to achieve.

So you’re a poster on 606 then BM. Explains a lot.

Any good/ bad things to say about the team/ performance against the Toffees? Thought not.

For once I have to agree with BM… yes lad, you couldn’t go any lower than that last insult.

So, here’s a tip… knock it on the head, or I have a feeling you are going to be sharing a chat room with Kop King and Smith soon.

Anyway… here’s something to consider, no matter what side of the NGog fence you are on, there’s no denying the fact that the lad isn’t the finished article.

Don’t take this wrong and start all the defensive nonsense. We all know he’s only a kid learning his trade and in an ideal world wouldn’t have this sort of responsibility heaped on his shoulders yet. So…

When we/you go calling for Rafa to play the kids, Pacheco, Nemeth, etc, and then call for his head when he doesn’t, stop and think….

NGog is ahead of any of them. So, therefore, how would young lads like Pacheco and Nemeth fair with big lump centre halves and midfielders kicking the shit out of them?

I already made it plain what I think of that, time and time again… that can be enough to set youngsters back years, even wreck careers in a few cases. And I trust Rafa – who brought the kids here in the first place and works with them day in day out – to bring them on at the right time for them.

Look at Plessis, great full debut against Arsenal, a few decent performances after that, a terrible dip in form and confidence, had to be dropped, hasn’t been able to get himself back in since.

Yes we all know there’s players that get thrown in and are great from the off, Rooney being the biggest example. But they are not all blessed with his sort of skill, attitude and physique.

In fact, I’ve never heard such a load of aul bollacks as that old cliche… If they’re good enough, they’re old enough.

No. They fucking aren’t. And there’s countless ruined careers that prove this.

So meself, I’m going to keep on understanding that this season we’ve had to hurl in 3 young kids who weren’t quite ready for this… Lucas, Insua and NGog. I’m going to be really happy when they do well, and a little understanding when they lose a bit of form and confidence because in all reality the 3 of them should have been no more than bit part players this season but they have not only had to cope with playing week in week out, they have also had to do it in a team that has been struggling but was also burdened with the expection of challenging for the title and being slaughtered on an hourly basis by the media.

In fact, when you stop and think about it, the 3 young lads have done exceptionally well.

But hopefully as all the squad are nearly fit (except Torres) they should be able to get some well earned rest and keep working on their development away from the critical eye of the media and fans all over the world. But obviously they’ll still get some games before the end of the season, and hopefully they’ll be fully settled squad players next season and Rafa can start blooding some more youngsters.

In other words… a little patientce is needed here, because it’s not as if Rafa can just buy some world class internationals as replacements.

Lurgan 193, of course he’ll find some. Just have a cup of tea, read them at your leisure, and have a little chuckle.

I find it’s great therapy when the media is driving me mad.

FS, I would just say that every time you see a BM post, just think about this image:

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/morgan-burger-king.jpg

Betty Swollocks. Enough to put you off your blog!

Badly needed win against Everton. Once we beat Arsenal, then we are closer to 4th placing.
Notice how Spurs and Villa have just gained a poinjt each through their draw.

Theredman, nice posts #90 & 91. Cheers!

Sorry, I meant we are closer to securing the 4th placing.I know we are currently 4th but there are still many games to go.

Here’s a headline from the Times:

Has Arsene Wenger reached the end of the line at Arsenal? You couldn’t make it up I tells ya.!

At least it takes the pressure off Rafa for the time being. Until we lose the next match that is, whenever that may be.

Scum reporters, the lot of them!

Totally agree Lurgan, but there are 2 very good reasons why we should hope that Wenger keeps getting bad press.

One, as you say, it keeps the spotlight off Rafa
and two if he is getting flak this Thursday morning then that will be because we have beaten them at the Emirates for the first time the night before.

So Burgerbrain,
it’s safe to say your a bit upset with KinnyR.

Isn’t it amazing what a good win (and a good run of form)can do for the spirits. Being sporting a big smile on my face since Saturday morning.
What a game it was and I thought the lads were magnificent. As soon as our big Greek got sent off, which I though only deserved a yellow concidering Pinar’s almost leg breaking tackle got away without seeing red, I had complete faith in the lads to secure a victory. I reckon they felt so cheated out of it it spured them on big time and it showed.

#155 @ JackHill, while I don’t agree with you on your points on Eggnog (still needs a bit of time) I’ve been a massive fan of Doyle since watching him playing for Cork City week in week out. He was a pleasure to watch bombing down the wing and was worshipped here, would love to see him in a Liverpool shirt, he’ll always give you 110%.

Oh, BM, I am extremely “honoured” to have your undivided attention for once instead of FS. What else have you got to add besides that? Come on, I know you have more. You want to play troll? Bring it on until you’ve exhausted all your insults as you wank yourself dry.

And then it will become plain to all that you’ve got nothing else to offer besides drivel.

Oh and Gerry, I am now officially lodging a complaint against burgerman for being an offensive inbred cunt.

Lurgan 199 and Steve 200 you’ve actually hit on an interesting point there. I had to do the leaning and wash-up etc …. last night and “for my sins” I had 606, “the daily mail of the airwaves”, on to keep myself and my 21 month old company. Quite an extraordinary collection of gooners wanting Arsene Wenger out !
In 606-land the “supporters” are like a huge drunken mob on the deck of an overloaded ship, Any wave of any kind will send them spinning alltogether spewing up alltogether and every now and again the boat will capsize.
If Arsenal had won their last 2 games or even drawn them would the mob have been baying for blood ? Incredible. 2 games, that’s all.

And that is what Rafa (and us lot here) have been putting up with right since Jamie C smashed into Skyrtl after 20 mins of the first game of a long and troubling season.

I don’t want to shout it from the roof tops, but Arsenal will be under serious pressure to beat us on Wednesday. Not just Media pressure either, I think they will have to go for it in fear of losing 3 in a row to the other 3 members of the top 4.

My feeling is that this will play into our hands because (as mentioned in an earlier post) they have been conceding goals on the counter attack in their last 2 matches.

Do you lads think Babel should be given a start as a Striker for this game?

I don’t see how Ngog can be criticised really. He’s done a decent job in Nando’s absence. He’s young and since he came to LFC has continued to improve. You can’t ask for more than that can you?

Arsenal away?

Pepe Reina,

Monster Carra Dagger Insua

Kuyt Gerrard Lucas Riera

Alquilani

Ngog

Interesting idea Kenny, sticking with Monster at right back. He did do a good job of it so why not?

Hope to see Aquilani getting some time against Arsenal.
I struggle to choose between Riera and Maxi for left wing, thought Maxi showed some good skill against Everton and whilst not being the fastest of players, he still outruns Riera – who in turn has a nice set of skills under his belt…

The positive thing is that we are actually getting back to having some choice when it comes to fielding a team! Some key players out still but things most certainly are getting better.

As regards hitting them fast on their left side Kenny, maybe we could do with someone pacier then Kuyt on the right wing? Maxi? Babel?….

Arsenal aren’t gonna play any different than they always do.. wounded animal or not!

They’ll knock it about and try to dribble it into the net… and try to get Arshavin involved as much as possible coz he seems to be our fuckin kryptonite!

Rafa’s team talk should be “we’ve just had a man sent off and the tackles are flying in and the ref is against us… now go out there and battle for everything.”

I want champagne footy and silky skills as much as the next fella.
I’d love it if we suddenly started playing like the team of the late 80s.
I’d love it if we could go to the Emirates and play Arsenal like we did Notts Forrest in that famous 5-0 game.
But its NOT gonna happen.
Maybe it will next season, but not this season.

Champagne footy is OFF THE MENU!
Silky Skills are OFF THE MENU!
More scraps… more rub of the green… and more battling please.

Oh… and more Ngog, doing fuck all… except for winning us that one corner… that leads to us scoring that one goal… thank you very much!

Aitch Ngog did do that for us and lots more.He made some good runs on saturday and more than kept the toffee central partnership on their toes.I`m well happy with the lads development i`m sure Rafa wanted to develope him at a slower pace but his hand was forced.I for one am happy woth the lad.Long may his improvement continue.I think he can go on to be a decent player for us.

Wounded animal or not i think we are well up for this.I agree Aitch there`s no need for champagne footy just results we need now from here on in.By any means nessesary i`d say.
We are gaining some much needed confidence though and the players belief in themselves and each other is growing with every game.Lets hope we can continue this good run and expose their own nervousness.I think the players wil sense any doubt Arsenal will have and hoprfully capitalise on it.After all they`ll know that feeling only to well.

more great stuff from Tomkins
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/features/tomkins-derby-day-delight

I don’t care what Tomkins says. There have been games this season where we showed no bollacks whatsoever.

The quality of football has not really improved in the last few weeks but the defending has. The character looks more like what we have come to expect. We haven’t gone a goal down in recent weeks. It will be interesting to see how we handle that next time it happens.

We will have to show character on Wednesday night because Arsenal will play us off the park at times during the match. They always do to sides at the Emirates. We haven’t won away to Arsenal in 10 years! February 2000. Titi Camara 1-0.

We’ll have to play very well to get a result.

The Anti-Rafa Cunts (ARCs) now harrass Tomkins on a regular basis as though he’s the Goebbels of Anfield.

Though unlike Bascombe, who was seen as being too close to Houllier and has now sold out to the Sunday Rag, Tomkins has always based his arguments on pure, solid facts.

Facts which the ARCs refuse to even read, because they know they’ll look like idiots if they do as they are absolutely correct, and so they resort to personal insults and BM-style goal post moving whenever the “argument” suits them.

As seen in the last few paragraphs of that latest Tomkins’ article, these ARCs simply refuse to believe the fact that the Chavs have now conceded more in set pieces (via man marking) than us (via zonal marking).

Once all the dust is settled, these ARCs will be revealed to be the illogical pricks that they are, talking out of their arses, and we should spare them no mercy in rubbing them in everytime they dare come back with these untruths.

The moment they run out of sticks to bash Rafa with and resort to personal insults on the people who list facts to refute and ridicule them, then they have lost. Just look at my new admirer BM as a perfect example of what I mean. :p

I understand where you are coming from LB, but I think Tomkins takes a “big picture” approach, looking at the reasons for those performances you claim “showed no bollocks”.

I happen to think he talks sense specifically because I’ve played in teams that were good, but whose weekly performances were as lost as LFC have been this season.

Maybe that experience allows me to be a little less critical of such performances… even though I’m firmly in the “die for the red cause” and “leave it all on the field” camps.

And we won’t have to play well.
That would certainly be nice.

…But I’ll settle for us playing scrappy, holding defensively solid, while getting dominated for 89 minutes, but with the exception of 60 seconds during which…

…A wayward backpass fall to Dirk Kuyt, who then slices his shot, horribly off-target, until it hits Gallas in the knee-caps, changing direction, until it whacks Sagna in the face, rebounding and wrong footing Almunia, then deflecting in over the line off Vermaelin’s left testicle… for a 1-0 win… and if that happens… I’ll take it.

Jeez Kinny, that was a bit over the top, lad.

You may not have meant it that way, but you’ve just lumped LB and BM in the same boat.
That’s just not on!

I think you are letting your personal fued with BM get in the way of reasoned thinking… and frankly some of your posts are showing it… best you started ignoring him and move on.

I may not always agree with LB, but he generally makes good arguments for his point of view… not that he needs me fighting his battles.

To a certain extent I have to agree with LB on the performances this season, it was the main reason I came in here and criticized Stevie G and his qualifications as a captain and I don’t think its a complete coincidence that the first really battling display we showed recently was against Stoke after he had gone injured.
My complaint at the time was that I felt his attitude was affecting the rest of the team, I may have been harsh, and in my defence I claim frustration at the way everything seemed to be collapsing around us and to be honest I had begun to wonder whether Rafa had lost the dressing room which would have been disastrous for us as a club.

Since then our performances have improved dramatically at least in terms of commitment and any doubts I had about Rafa and the dressing room seem to have been dispelled, Derby game or not, a team that has lost faith in its manager does not perform with that level of determination when they no longer believe in the man in charge.

Have you noticed that we seem to go through the same things every season, we start slowly,(even last year when we fought wonderfully and won a lot of early games our play was disjointed)hit a bad spot about dec/jan and then finish the last part of the season well.

Last year the game against middlesborough was the low spot, no commitment, no quality quite awful and then we preceded to go on a marvellous run.
This year the real low spot was the Portsmouth game not only was the performance diabolical but we didn’t seem to care and although it has taken us longer to pick ourself up we seem to have decided to roll our socks up and at least try to fight for the results, belief has been slower in coming and we are not out of the woods yet, but the optimist in me hopes we have turned the corner.

KInny ignore BM for gawds sake if the man had 2 brain cells they would fight

Seriously, Aitch, how on bloody earth did you guys manage to lump LB into my “feud” with BM? Simply because both share the letter “B”?

LB, I certainly never intend to diss you or anything.

LB’s posts and viewpoints has never been anti-Rafa as far as I’m concerned. Perhaps my definition of “ARCs” was a bit unspecific, it was only directed at those who have a irrational hatred of anything and everything Rafa does, which LB is NOT.

As FS has noted, when the criticism blew out of proportion, LB was one of the first to figure out that Liverpool stand to lose more by removing Rafa than to have him stay and ride out the storm. And if you noticed, I have never once countered LB even when he is critical of some of Rafa’s methods, because he speaks sense.

Anyway, I think I’m done winding up BM enough for now, so I’ll take you guys’ advice and ignore him from now on, lest I unintentionally include even FS in my trollings.

aitch#208
Oh… and more Ngog, doing fuck all… except for winning us that one corner… that leads to us scoring that one goal… thank you very much!
as rafa says “its the small details”
great finish to a good post mate!