Liverpool FC Forum

[Emerald Red]

It's not the end. It's the start.

This season was the first in 18 years where we as Liverpool supporters could say that we actually blew it and gifted the title when we should have strolled it. If this season we were good enough to challenge, next season will be an all out assault and I can see us winning it for sure. Not la,la land stuff. Not the same old, "oh, next year is our year" either. The tide has turned. Get ready for good times to come.

[bigmick]

It's not the end. It's the start.

This season was the first in 18 years where we as Liverpool supporters could say that we actually blew it and gifted the title when we should have strolled it. If this season we were good enough to challenge, next season will be an all out assault and I can see us winning it for sure. Not la,la land stuff. Not the same old, "oh, next year is our year" either. The tide has turned. Get ready for good times to come.

I agree with most of that. We've certainly got a huge chance next seasona ll things being equal (Gerrard and Torres not both getting long term inhjuries or something). The key is the belief which we have, and as John Craig said the belief which the other teams have about us. We're now winning games before they even start, teams are kind of settling for a respectable defeat against us. It's belief.

I think very much like Adrian Heaths goal in the cup for Everton 9was it at Oxford?) is remembered as their pivotal moment, Yossi Benayouns at Madrid might be ours. That goal which set up the demolition at Anfield was the turning point. It matters not that they aren't very good, that was the moment that the players really started to believe IMHO.

It's only fair to point out that the transformation from where we were to where we are is huge and the manager deserves a tonne of credit. There have been many errors along the way, but we really are getting it now and are a very good team because of it.

[Scottbot]

It is probably because we are about to lose out to Utd that takes the shine of all of that, but the real kicker is that I think we have been the better side this season, and it is totally our fault that we are not already crowned champions.

After we threw the title away, Utd have had a string of results that just make you think that God, the Premier League, the media, and crucially referees mean for them to win it this year....

just a few examples

Villa....they should never have won that game.
Spurs....ref says he got it wrong
Sunderland...lucky deflection clinches 3 points

I think we're all a little quick to brush off the mancs achievements in fighting us off the past couple of months. I know they have had luck along the way but you have to give them credit for the way they turned it around against Villa and Spurs. I know the ref was culpable in the Tottenham game but they did bang in another 4 goals after getting the first. We've certainly ha dour fasir share of late comebacks this season, and for the most part we credit our own team for the result as opposed to luck or the anything the ref might have done to influence the game. We've pushed them all the way (and continue to do so) and lesser teams would have cracked up under the pressure. If they pull through this week (i still think Arsenal have something in the tank for this weekends visit to trafford) then they will have deserved it. It's sh...i..te but it's true

[tonyeh]

Correct. We've rode OUR luck too, many times this season. It played a big part in the 2-1 victory over Utd and the 0-1 over Chelsea.

There are numerous other occasions too.

It would be wrong to conclude that Utd have the title simply because of a few lucky calls.

[Alex G.]

This season the team has progressed considerably. Liverpool is more complete team, especially in the away games.
Anfield continues being a fortress but the draws against deep defences killed us again.
The solution to break that wall is quality and a game style without constants long balls. Quick pass and mobility between lines, but of course you need quality for that.

[yolz]

In a competitive and unforgiving league like the Premiership, there are just so many factors that determine the winner
A good, healthy squad, the right tactics, decent referees, and loads of luck
While we may arhue till the cows come home over the issue of other big teams being weaker this season,
The fact remains that we have improved
There's a sense of anticipation and hope that has been missing for quite some time now
While I refuse to throw in the towel with the Manucs still having to play 3 games,
and while I will be gutted if the hated Manucs equal our record,
I'm glad that we're on a verge of starting something ourselves
THings HAVE improved, and hopefully, we can build form this and start our own long-awaited dynasty

[jono]

don't help when other managers say stuff like this

Wigan owner Dave Whelan said:

'I think United are the heart and soul of football. Bobby (Charlton) is an ambassador and does a fantastic job for football.

'When you talk about the maestro (Ferguson) himself, he is just something different. He's probably the greatest manager that football has ever seen.
'I wish I had been in a position to play under him. He is Man U through and through. It is just a pleasure to shake his hand and welcome him to Wigan.

'I always have a drink with Bobby afterwards. Mr Ferguson always has a drink with Steve Bruce and they get on so well together. It is just a shame if we lose or if we beat Man U.'

[DrPepe]

don't help when other managers say stuff like this

Wigan owner Dave Whelan said:

'I think United are the heart and soul of football. Bobby (Charlton) is an ambassador and does a fantastic job for football.

'When you talk about the maestro (Ferguson) himself, he is just something different. He's probably the greatest manager that football has ever seen.
'I wish I had been in a position to play under him. He is Man U through and through. It is just a pleasure to shake his hand and welcome him to Wigan.

'I always have a drink with Bobby afterwards. Mr Ferguson always has a drink with Steve Bruce and they get on so well together. It is just a shame if we lose or if we beat Man U.'

from the Telegraph?

some of the rest:

Their charismatic chairman, Dave Whelan, is such an ardent admirer of Ferguson, whose picture adorns his walls, that he actually cannot make up his mind who he wants to win.

"It is a shame if we lose and a shame if we beat United,'' Whelan said. "Sir Alex is the maestro, probably the finest manager the world has ever seen. Sir Alex and Sir Bobby Charlton, who I served in the Army with, are the heart and soul of football.'

[tonyeh]

God, that's cringy.............

[stmichael]

We've rode OUR luck too, many times this season. It played a big part in the 2-1 victory over Utd and the 0-1 over Chelsea.

We battered United in the second half of that game. Ok our first goal was lucky but to say we rode our luck or to suggest we didn't deserve to win is just wrong.

Chelsea away we were immense. They created bugger all and didn't even have a a shot on target. Alonso hit the post and Babel nearly scored late on. It was an outstanding display.

[heimdall]

don't help when other managers say stuff like this

Wigan owner Dave Whelan said:

'I think United are the heart and soul of football. Bobby (Charlton) is an ambassador and does a fantastic job for football.

'When you talk about the maestro (Ferguson) himself, he is just something different. He's probably the greatest manager that football has ever seen.
'I wish I had been in a position to play under him. He is Man U through and through. It is just a pleasure to shake his hand and welcome him to Wigan.

'I always have a drink with Bobby afterwards. Mr Ferguson always has a drink with Steve Bruce and they get on so well together. It is just a shame if we lose or if we beat Man U.'

from the Telegraph?

some of the rest:

Their charismatic chairman, Dave Whelan, is such an ardent admirer of Ferguson, whose picture adorns his walls, that he actually cannot make up his mind who he wants to win.

"It is a shame if we lose and a shame if we beat United,'' Whelan said. "Sir Alex is the maestro, probably the finest manager the world has ever seen. Sir Alex and Sir Bobby Charlton, who I served in the Army with, are the heart and soul of football.'

Fecking hell if I was a Wigan fan, and thank god I'm not  , then I'd be ready to lynch this chairman. He should always want his own team to win , every damned time!! 

[zarababe]

if he is here next year then ... he seems to be getting on better with Lee now and working well.



will he learn from it? not sure, he did not learn from it the last few years and i dont think he is going to be able to buy the team of his dreams.[/quote]
WHAT A LOAD OF NONSENSE... LEE'S CONTRACT  EXTENDED WHAT PROBLEMS.. U DON'T MESS WITH RAFA  THE GAFFA AND GET A NEW CONTRAT..ASK  PACO...

THERE'S ENUFF GLOOM IN HERE TO RIGHT OFF NEXT SEASON...WHY DON'T WE..

[simolonge]

As for the thing about it being our "last" chance, at least we agree on something as that's a ridiculous notion. If anybody said it was our "last" chance of winning the Premiership then obviously they are an idiot. It was though clearly our "best" chance of many years, as we actually put in a sustained challenge (and indeed still are doing). Much of the fact that it has been our "best' chance for years is and has been been down to our excellence, both of the team and of the manager. Some of the fact that it has been our "best" chance for many a year though is obviously because Arsenal aren't as good as they historically have been, and neither are Chelsea. We can dispute the point until we're blue in the face (or at least you can if you like) but it remains as close to a fact as you can get I should think. Unless of course you truly do think that Arsenal are as good a team as they were last season, or that Chelsea wouldn't have been stronger had Hiddink been there all year. Anyways thats for you to wrestle with as you try and make the various threads of your argument hang together, for my part I'm simply glad we've improved.

Sack Rafa !

We have done well cus Arsenal and Chelsea have been poor ?

Get a grip will yer - we only played them both twice so that is hardly the reason we have done well.

What a strange post. Sack Rafa? Hmmm good one.

I don't know why it is that certain subjects seem to rile people up, but they do. So Arsenal are as strong this season as last when they very nearly won it, and Chelsea wouldn't have been stronger if Hiddink had been there all season? And it's me who needs to get a grip.

On a more serious note, I hope that next season Arsenal and Chelsea are just as good in the league as they have been this time around. My suspicion though is that neither club will be quite as inneffective. Like all things though, the fullness of time will prove or disprove all theories so it'll be interesting to see which way it goes.

Back to the "sack Rafa" bit, I suppose this part of my post which you quoted "Much of the fact that it has been our "best' chance for years is and has been been down to our excellence, both of the team and of the manager" must have been in invisible ink or something. Someone definately needs to get a grip, you're right there.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the jist of your post is that we are only where we are because Arsenal and Chelsea have been poor this season.

I'm happy to correct you because you are 100% wrong. The jist iof my post is that we had a fantastic opportunity this season, and that it may be much harder next season.

OUR IMPROVEMENT IS NOTHING TO DO WITH ARSENAL AND CHELKSEA'S DEMISE, WE HAVE IMPROVED INDEPENDENTLY, IN OUR OWN RIGHT.

Now when next season comes around and suddenly we are involved a four way dogfight which we may not be able to come out near the top of, and everyone bleats on about about the "massive strides" which Arsenal and Chelsea have made, and how they are "a completely different pair of teams" to last season, please don't be surprised when I remind some people of their inability to accept the glaringly obvious.

I say it once again. Arsenal this season are not a patch on what they were last season. As such, there is around an even money chance that they will significantly improve next season.

Chelsea under Hiddink have been an entirely different proposition to what they were under Scholari. Now if Hiddink leaves (which hopefully he does) there is an even money chance that under a new manager they will comtinue to play as they are, or lapse into "Scholariesque" shortcomings. They may get another manager who comes in and thinks Deco is the answer in English football, but on the other hand they may not.

My point is that if those teams improve, it will make it harder for us. Not impossible, but harder.

I cannot for the life of me see what all the controversy is about but there you go.

I stand corrected.

[lakes10]

well next year IS going to be harder.
this year has been very strange, the top 4 clubs all found it hard playing the smaller teams, this is something that is going to go on and on.

and here is why i think that.

the more the top 4 pack their teams with non english players it get harder to build the big stars up to go to smaler clubs and smaller grounds, the stars start to feel they are better than that, they dont understand the english game and that small team can have their day, we sufferd from that at home this year, the smaller teams had been looking foward to come to our ground, how do you think our none english players frist felt when they see teams like Stoke coming to us, they think its a easy win and we come unstuck. we are not the only club to get hit like this and next year there will be more, if you can build a team that puts 100% into each game even if its a smaler club then that team has the better chance of winning the prem.

[GYBS]

well we didnt win and only  draws at home becuase we have non english players in the team - torres,xabi,torres masher pepe are more passionate about liverpool and understand what it means . OUR players know what it means to play for liverpool and what is at stake whoever we play - think your just clutching at straws there .