Posted January 13, 2010 Man that result is awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 13, 2010 Well Liverpool have announced that theyve signed Rodriguez, apparently on a free transfer which if true is great. I hope they've signed A. Miracle, because they need one to save this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 14, 2010 (edited) I hope they've signed A. Miracle, because they need one to save this season. Unsaveable, imo. What is saveable? Them finishing fourth? It's been a remarkably bad season for them. Even if they finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League (they'll still have to qualify for it next season if they finish fourth), that is still not good enough for a team who finished second last season and played absolutely out of their skin. How can a team go from nearly winning the league to struggling to make the top four? The only positive at all to take from their recent results is that they'll have less games to play now. But, if you look at their rivals for fourth place, none of those are playing Champions League football, and none of them have European football. Man City and Villa have two further games to play in the Carling Cup Semi (the first and then the second leg) and then maybe the final if they progress. And, including Tottenham in that, they've got FA Cup football to think about, too. If I were a Liverpool fan, I'd be praying that the squads of City, Villa and Spurs fall under the strain of these matches. Or they go through a bad run of form, or something. Who knows what will happen. As for United, well, I'm just surprised we're second this season. We're really missing that Portuguese bloke. I don't think we've played as exciting football as when he was here, and it's clear that a few of the players are looking short of ideas. He really was an important figure at United. Come back, Carlos Queiroz. Edited January 14, 2010 by Fierce_LiNk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 14, 2010 Q) Why was Benitez caught stealing from Liverpool fc's canteen? A) It's the only place he will get a cup this season! shit joke but I couldn't resist Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 14, 2010 Q) Why was Benitez caught stealing from Liverpool fc's canteen? A) It's the only place he will get a cup this season! shit joke but I couldn't resist What a season to be a Liverpool supporter. Torres is now out for six weeks and Gerrard and Benayoun for a couple of weeks too. Even with Gerrard and Torres on the pitch this season there has been a real lack of a will to win throughout the team. Did they think it would be easy to carry last seasons form into this one or what? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 14, 2010 I think that we (Liverpool) replaced the wrong player. Alonso left and he was fantastic, however, most fans realised that if Torres was fit last season we would have won the league. So we spent 20 mil on a crocked midfielder instead of finding suitable backup for our ... injury prone? Striker. Never mind, have some faith. Rafa has done well with what he has.... ... .... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 14, 2010 Never mind, have some faith. Rafa has done well with what he has.... ... .... I really don't think thats the case, his cup winning teams were largely inherited from Houllier. The players he has bought in have typically been ineffective and over priced. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 14, 2010 One foot in Wembley. Let's not trip and fall on our faces next week, lads. Come on! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 14, 2010 I really don't think thats the case, his cup winning teams were largely inherited from Houllier. The players he has bought in have typically been ineffective and over priced. Was it Fresh before who was talking about Rafa's signings? There's been so many players who have been in and straight back out at Liverpool. Here's what I found just through a quick google search: Fernando Torres Robbie Keane Ryan Babel - he's right on the border between regular and frequent Xabi Alonso Dirk Kuyt Albert Riera Andrea Dossena Peter Crouch Lucas Leiva Jermaine Pennant Martin Skrtel Craig Bellamy Luis Garcia Jose Reina Dan Agger Mohammed Sissoko Fernando Morientes Yossi Benayoun Diego Cavalieri Alvaro Arbeloa Sebastian Leto Jose Miguel Gonzalez Gabriel Paletta Mark Gonzalez David Ngog - right on the border between regular, he's made quite a few appearances as sub Scott Carson Mikel San Jose David Martin Antonio Barragan Besian Idrizaj Jack Hobbs Alex Cooper Alexander Kacaniklic Krisztian Nemeth Andras Simon Victor Palsson Gary Mackay Steven Vitor Flora Andriy Voronin Nikolay Mihaylov Emmanuel Mendy Marvin Pourie Dani Pacheco Nikola Saric Lauri Dalla Valle Gerardo Bruna Hakan Duyan Damien Plessis Peter Gulacsi Charles Itandje Philipp Degen Vincent Lucas Ryan Crowther Mihail Alexandrov Robbie Fowler Ryan Wilkie Javier Mascherano Miki Roque Nabir El Zhar Mark Smyth Jay Smith Stephen Darby Craig Lindfield Adam Hammill Danny Guthrie Paul Anderson Lee Peltier Fabio Aurelio Jan Kromkamp Boudewijn Zenden Mauricio Pellegrino Godwin Antwi Robbie Threlfall Ryan Flynn Calum Woods Paul Willis Danny O'Donnell Ramon Calliste Steve Irwin Martin Kelly Ronald Huth Jordy Brouwer Francisco Manuel Duran Emiliano Insua Ray Putterill Martin Hansen Jay Spearing Dave Roberts David Mannix Antonio Nunez Going back through that list, I've bolded the ones (that I know of) who are first team regulars. I've highlighted 13 players there. These are players that the manager has brought in and moulded into his team. In Torres, Kuyt, N'Gog and Babel, you have four strikers. During the time Rafa has been there, you have seen strikers such as Craig Bellamy, Fernando Morientes, Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane. These are not just anybody, these are players with experience. I still find the Robbie Keane situation completely baffling. How many times did he actually play as a striker and not as a winger? Why is Babel being played as a winger when he isn't one? The same question about Dirk Kuyt. This whole thing about Rafa doing well with what he has is...just something I do not agree with. Look at a manager like Dave Moyes. He has done well with what he has. I just do not think Rafa has the potential to get the best out of his players in the same way that other managers can. I feel so dirty writing/typing such a long post about Liverpool. Need a shower and a cuppa tea I think. Edit: I just realised that this list doesn't even include Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani. So, that's even more he's brought in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2010 That Kuyt kid is funny. Work ethic counts for shit if you don't have goals to go with it, he needs to be replaced someone that can kick a ball in a goal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2010 To be fair last season he actually scored his fair share of goals, hes suffering this season just like the rest of the squad. Still, I would prefer a proper winger on the right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2010 Didn't he score something like 15 goals last season? That's pretty good considering where he was playing (on the wing). I remember speaking to one Liverpool fan last season, and I asked him what he thought of Kuyt. He said "as a hard-working player, he's 7 or 8/10. As a Liverpool striker, he's about 3." I think the formation that Rafa chooses to play doesn't help him, though. Its usually a 4-2-3-1 with Torres at the top, Kuyt and Yossi on either side of that midfield with Gerrard through the midfield. Just say if Liverpool did buy another striker, like David Villa, where would he play?! I can't remember the last time Liverpool played a straight 4-4-2. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2010 He's just not that good. He's like Rez; he tries his hardest but in the end fails most of the time. (I actually like Rez, just couldn't think of a better analogy, or an unused Rez-hate comment) He isn't that fast, has limited finishing ability and does awkward interviews. That last point matters too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2010 He's just not that good. He's like Rez; he tries his hardest but in the end fails most of the time. (I actually like Rez, just couldn't think of a better analogy, or an unused Rez-hate comment)He isn't that fast, has limited finishing ability and does awkward interviews. That last point matters too. You're judging a footballer on their ability to do interviews?... I actually rate Kuyt but then again but I warm to players who actually want to be at a club and put the graft in. Anyone on the pitch can finish an opportunity, but not everyone is willing to run themselves into the ground for 90 minutes every weekend. Dedication to the cause is far better than finesse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2010 You're judging a footballer on their ability to do interviews?... Totally. I saw this thread when I googled Kuyt Drought in to see his goal records, came up with this forum thread: http://www.redcafe.net/f7/kuyt-drought-continues-218091/ The 6th post is brilliant. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2010 Anyone on the pitch can finish an opportunity Tell that to Lucas Leiva Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2010 Totally. I saw this thread when I googled Kuyt Drought in to see his goal records, came up with this forum thread: http://www.redcafe.net/f7/kuyt-drought-continues-218091/ The 6th post is brilliant. You're an even bigger idiot than I gave you credit for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2010 You're an even bigger idiot than I gave you credit for. Whilst interwebz sarcasm is hard to detect, I thought in this context it was bloody obvious. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2010 You're judging a footballer on their ability to do interviews?... I actually rate Kuyt but then again but I warm to players who actually want to be at a club and put the graft in. Anyone on the pitch can finish an opportunity, but not everyone is willing to run themselves into the ground for 90 minutes every weekend. Dedication to the cause is far better than finesse. I think this is why a lot of United fans are particularly warm to Park Ji Sung. He's not the most naturally gifted or most technical footballer. But, he always puts in the effort, and he's willing to put himself on the line for the sake of the team. For some reason, he always seems to do well in big games too and he is usually in the right place at the right time. By comparison, Nani tries to be too flashy. Yeah, he's got talent, but I don't think he's quite got the heart that Park has. He doesn't do half the tracking back or defensive work that Park does, and he doesn't do the simple things right like Park does. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2010 Yes it was me before Flink who before wrote about Rafa's signings. I think I got shot down for it that time, I might be tempted to do a "I told you so" however I think we are all too grown up for that. Naturally I therefore agree with what you have wrote Flink, Rafa's signing have been hot and cold and I think that would be the best way to describe them. It would be interesting to see how much he has spent on these players, where they are now and how many had a decent run in the first team. Oh the topic of United it would seem that United fans are becoming increasingly unhappy with Park. His performances are not what they used to be. Relating to Nani even I, a strong supporter of him, thinks it is becoming time for him to leave. I still think he should have one more decent chance before we ship him off but if we can get some sort of swap deal for him for Di Maria I would take it. Nani seems like a player who would enjoy a full career in the Portuguese Superliga, A big fish in a small pond would suit him. The situation seems to be though that United are liked with half the population however also have no money. It's a very confusing time to be a United fan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2010 Yes it was me before Flink who before wrote about Rafa's signings. I think I got shot down for it that time, I might be tempted to do a "I told you so" however I think we are all too grown up for that. Naturally I therefore agree with what you have wrote Flink, Rafa's signing have been hot and cold and I think that would be the best way to describe them. It would be interesting to see how much he has spent on these players, where they are now and how many had a decent run in the first team. In fairness, not all the players he has bought are bad buys. Pepe Reina for example is a great goalkeeper, and I think that's what the main discussion was about when you brought it up. Oh the topic of United it would seem that United fans are becoming increasingly unhappy with Park. His performances are not what they used to be. Relating to Nani even I, a strong supporter of him, thinks it is becoming time for him to leave. I still think he should have one more decent chance before we ship him off but if we can get some sort of swap deal for him for Di Maria I would take it. Nani seems like a player who would enjoy a full career in the Portuguese Superliga, A big fish in a small pond would suit him. Park's had a problem with his knees though, the swelling that he gets when he returns from International Duty. He hasn't been the same Park that we all know and love, but even then you can see that he's trying. It's a shame, but I think his injury problem is becoming very serious now. Nani is such a strange one. The fans want to see him do well, and he impressed me in his first season. I think part of the problem is that he doesn't have a left foot, and he always needs to cut inside when he plays on the left, which makes him look very predictable. But, he's been there for a while now and this is something he should have worked on. He hasn't progressed at all since being here, which is a bit annoying. I want to see him do well, but I don't think he's helped himself. The situation seems to be though that United are liked with half the population however also have no money. It's a very confusing time to be a United fan. There's some serious money issues at the moment. We posted something like a £42 million profit, but £80million of that came from the Ronaldo sale. If we hadn't sold him, we'd have made a hefty loss. Considering that the only possible game we could have played but didn't play last season was the FA Cup Final, that isn't very good news. The Glazers have fucked us right up the arse, and part of me thinks that we're now beginning to feel the burden that they have heaped on the club. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2010 Its thread Hi-jack time again guys..... i'm sorry. The Xpert11 season has come to a close once again, so i'm here to ask if anyone of you football lovers wants to take part in the next season..? It's due to start up again the week after next i think.. It's great fun, doesn't take any time to get into and theres usually some decent banter in the X11 thread. Finally.. just one last thing to remember... All The Cool Kids Do It Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2010 Anybody know if its possible to cancel a bid on ebay? I was looking for a mickey mouse outfit and I'm now 6minutes away from buying Liverpool! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted January 15, 2010 *tumbleweed* I never knew how many players Rafa had actually signed, apparently he's spent something like £288 million in his time and signed 19 different full backs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
