Liverpool FC Forum

[Roger Red Hat]

pos   team   pld   GD   points

1 Man City 18 38 45
2 Man Utd 18 33 45
3 Tottenham 17 15 38
4 Chelsea 18 15 34
-------------------------------------------
5 Arsenal 18 8 33
6 Liverpool 18 7 31
7 Newcastle 18 3 30
8 Stoke 18 -10 25
9 West Brom 18 -7 22
10 Everton 17 -2 21


3 points off 4th place, still to play the big boys above us once more...     all to play for.

[Octsky]

You sign good players, you become better. We havent signed good players hence are not better.

Its really very simple.

To address your comment about Real Madrid.. after signing good players, in their first season they got the second highest points total in la liga history (second only to the team that won it the same year).

man u won very very little in whiskey's first six years.. because he spent a fortune on average players... Neil Webb, Jim Leighton, Danny Wallace, Mike Phelan, Brian McClair (£2million British record). It was only when these players were replaced by quality (Schmeichel for Leighton, Kanchelskis for Webb, Giggs for Wallace, Cantona for McClair).. thats when they started challenging.

Unlike whiskey, Wenger got it right from the get go... Vieria, Petit, Anelka, Overmars.. all signed within 7 months of his arrival...and as a result champions 21 months after he first walked into Highbury.

In todays climate... you get left behind so fast in just 1 year of missing out on CL. Its imperative to make good signings, we have not. Thats the bottom line.

get hold of yourself lad,
good players?
you are going to brand the new signings bad after half a season with us ?

real madrid after spending maybe 300m euro for the past five yrs, they are still the proud winners of a big fat zero (maybe beside a kings cup)

you are willing to give old fergie 7 yrs but you are not willing to give our old loyal servant, Kenny, a yr ?

Wenger was a genius but he inherited one of the best defense in the history of the league in Seaman, Adams, Keown, Winterburn and Dixon.

criticizing the whole team like a kid throwing tantrum in toys'r'us doesnt help. be a true supporter or dont support at all. simple?

[parchpea]

I just think people are concerned that we have players out of form and as a unit we havent clicked yet. If you look at that league table it looks fine but when you consider the games we have had at home and not won, then maybe it paints a false picture. I do feel that unless we recruit good players in January we will miss out on top 4 so it will be interesting to see just how ambitious FSG are in the window about doing all they can to give us a real shot at that final berth. I dont think its wrong to question things with Dalglish at the helm either, no harm at all. We know his heart is in it but that alone wont be enough, his team have to deliver as well, and thats the hardest part of all.

[Ola Mr Benitez]

I think we are a better team now than we where a year ago, probably 2 years ago.

The way we are playing now is far better, we have dominated every team we have played except Spurs.  The only thing we have not done is scored goals.  This is with a team that 50% of it is new.  Do you expect players to gel immiedietly?

We are not scoring goals but we are making so many chances, we are so close to being a really good side now, but unfortntely the "FIFA", "Football Manager" contingent still think you spend money and win the league.  Or even worse Kerry who thinks that we are the worst team in the league and we need to buy a new team in january and get rid of Kenny.  What a joker!

It  hasnt been perfect, but we are onlt 3 pts off 3rd and if the goals start going in we will definatley catch Chelsea and Arsenal.  Stop panicing people, this is a Work in progress and its not all doom and gloom

[devaney]

Our expectations at the beginning of the season were extremely high. Kenny was expected to wave a magic wand a win everything.The new players were expected to be exceptional from day one. The woes of the recent past were expected to disappear overnight.

Sorry mate, you are talking absoulate s**t. No one on this forum said anything about winning the league back then. If you actually cared to read what people had to say most agreed that 4th place was a realistic target with the signings we brought in.

Even know the consensus is still the same......4th place or bust. On the money Kenny has spent we SHOULD not be dropping points to the likes of f**king Norwich, Wigan, Blackburn, etc as we have this season, simple as! If he gets it wrong in January, which there is a real concern he will, I don't think he will be at the helm next season.

Think were going to have to agree to differ mate. Just how much do you think Kenny's net spend is?  I really do despair at some of the cr.ap that is written on this site. And you really think the owners will dismiss Kenny if he does not achieve fourth place.Give the bloke a chance. He took over a club and a team that was in complete and utter disarray and you expect a minimum result of fourth place.

Suggest you have a look back at what was written on this forum when Kenny took over. Fourth place was the minimum requirement but not the minimum expectation. There is a critical difference.

[Ola Mr Benitez]

I read this on RAWK..

So, two disappointing results in the space of a week. Wigan & Blackburn, two teams who will be remembered at the end of the season (And seasons after) for being teams that held King Kennys revitalised Liverpool teams to a draw. But is it really all as bad as many are making it out to be?

Looking at many posts on this site alone, you'd think that there was a huge gap between our current league position and fourth place, but there isn't.

Throughout the season, the same old taglines have been typed out and posted in order to ilicite a response from the many posters on here who think that their opinion is somehow more important to the other half of posters, the ones who think they know better than a man who has led both Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers to league titles and also know more about players than a man who brought in players that we are now regularly seeing grabbing the headlines in a much improved and confident Tottenham Hotspur side. This is something I've bleated on about before, but it's something that still needs to be remembered, and that is my one key phrase of 2011 (and will probably be my key phrase during 2012 aswell,) and that is that patience is needed.

Let's have a look at the current transfers that were bought during the 2011, starting with the January transfers of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

As we all know and have witnessed, one hit the ground running whereas the other has hardly impressed apart from the odd game or two, however, neither player has done enough of the one thing that wins you games, score goals, and although we all love the amount of knots that Suarez creates in defenders legs, he hasn't been good enough when it comes to finishing the vast amount of chances he not only creates, but is provided with from players around him.

The saame can be said for Carroll who, even though he doesn't possess the same footballing ability of Suarez (lets face it, not many do,) can still pose a threat when he is in the right position in the opposition penalty area and just like Suarez, hasn't finished off the chances he has created (very few in this department) and hasn't finished off the chances that he has been given (still a very small amount in footballing terms.)

Both players have had the chance to win a game in the dying seconds and both have been denied by some brilliant goalkeeping, most recently against Swansea city and Blackburn Rovers which both, coincidently, were home games.

Even though these players haven't managed to win the game for the tean and put the much needed 3 points on the board, it still needs to be remembered that it is through no fault of their own that it hasn't happened. All a player can do is aim for the net and hope for the best, forget all of that rubbish about placing the ball every time a player has an attempt because it's not as easy as it sounds, it is always a game of chance in which a player must hope they get the extra 10% when having a shot to make it 60/40 in their favour, allowing them to wheel away and bask in the adolation of the thousands of supporters cheering their name.

We must also remember that it is not only these two players who have failed to impress in the goalscoring charts. We must also look at the other signings that were made during the August transfer window. Players such as Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, Jose Enrique and Craig Bellamy, all of whom have failed to hit the back of the net when provided with the opportunity to do so. Is this down to bad luck? No, I don't think it is, I think that it is purely down to the lack of confidence and the overthought of pressure and fear that every player feels when faced with a goal scoring opportunity.

Each player will suddenly feel a rush of adrenaline when presented with an opportunity to score, however, as they look at the ball and the goal and attempt to steady themselves in a split second, they will also see the many fans around them staring in hope, knowing that the ball ending up in the net or justt wide can be the difference between being adored and hearing their name being chanted by thousands, to be being thought of as a waste of money, talent and blamed for the next week until another game and the same emotions are felt again.

People may wonder why this has never really been the case during previous seasons, and the simple answer is that everyone inside one of the many footbll stadia dotted around the country who has supported Liverpool FC and their players, have done so even when a chance has been missed. Each player has known that they have had the utmost support and backing from everyone person looking down in hope and anticipation, and each player has wanted to return that favour.

This is the main point of this long winded and somewhat uninspiring post, it is that all players who are given the opportuniity to score must be removed of that fear and pressure put onto them by those of us watching around the ground and around the world. The players must know that if they attempt a shot on goal and miss, then they will not be lambasted, they will be applauded for showing the desire to help win the game.

The overall morale story of this is - Get behind the players even when they miss, so they will get behind us and the Liverbird in an age of ever growing impatience, media agendas and an overall sense that all is not right, to help restore the pride we once felt and to restore the confidence that will lead us to glory.

Let the staff deal with the training to improve the finishing, but let's do our part to help ease the pressure eh?

[lakes10]

I think some sports reports need to be sent out to sea in a boat with a big hole in it. seen on twitter that some are saying that Kenny should go and some are saying he will walk at the end of the season.
they are linking us with Bruce Arena (had to look him up to find who he was) the Los Angeles Galaxy manager.

ok things have not gone well for us but at the same time we still look like a team that is a real danger (if it was not for the woodwork and good keepers).

just hope we get a few good wins now to shut them up.

[Homebooby]

Guys guys guys guys guys, we'll always have the old skool fans versus the new guard, one of whom is patient (it's a generation thing) and those who are not. There really is a lot of guff talked about being left behind in terms of finances etc if we are not winning and competing, but honestly is it really all down to that (cue newbies shouting yes)? Not in my opinion...what we're seeing here is a re-balancing over time of the old game the new game, old school basics with a dash of flair....we're missing the flair at the moment, but that is hardly a surprise, look at the state we were in just twelve months ago and the number of column inches allocated to our rapid descent into oblivion. Who wanted to play for us 12 months ago? A whole bunch of journos wanted to see us rot and they were doing everything in their power to hammer the last nail in....but it didn't happen.

I will re-iterate previous posts of mine stating how lovely it is not to be part of the ongoing soap opera that we were just 12 months ago (yes, just 12 months). I don't miss the squad not looking like they want to play and I don't miss spoiled brats having tantrums when things aren't going their way. I don't miss the inane and banal press conferences and post match interviews of our previous manager and I don't miss that nervous feeling in my stomach every time I watch a match or catch the results on the telly.

I'm becoming more positive about our defense by the day. This was certainly job #1 for the staff and is the foundation for belief to spread throughout the squad. I like the fact that Stevie has been able to take the necessary time to recover from what has been a pretty bad year for him and certainly must be the toll of the weight that has been on him the last 5 years (I think he was worn out by several managers previously and now he has the chance to finish his career off in style) and despite him not being there, we're still within kicking distance of a CL place (I refuse to give up on 3rd yet).

I love the fact that we play football that is reminiscent of the club that I fell in love with, of course I would love to see more goals going in, but that truly is just a matter of time. We're building quickly and I think we're close to the top of the hill and things are going to start to get easier.

I love the fact that the media hardly have a handle on what is going on at the club any more...this is probably the most visible evidence of how the old skool methods can still apply in todays world. We're no worse off than we were in fact we're much better. It places us strongly for transfer targets and keeps us under the radar and able to get the people we need hopefully for the price we want....we've been screwed with so much in the past due to everyone knowing our business. This has to be a plus.

Altogether, the club looks far far far more stable than it did even 12 months ago. The team is growing in stature and maturity, with a fantastic supportive board, what seems to be a decent back room team and a legend as a manager. This all looks like the type of attractive place that the next round of high profile stars would want to play for and I think we're doing the absolute right thing to position us for success in the future. Compare that to the uncertainty that is inherent at Chelsea or Man City due to the owners expectations and irrationality, or the question marks over the future of Man U when Fergie decides to hang up him chewing gum, you're left with Arsenal (never going to be a serious threat despite what I consider to be a v. good manager) and Tottenham who will most likely lose their manager to England in the next year or 2.

My biggest hope is that we are properly looking at the successor for Kenny right now. Someone who shares the same values and can be working as an apprentice and gaining as much experience as he can. For me this is integral as Kenny represents that last bastion of invincibility and although he might build us up and up until everyone will have to give in    we'll need someone to pass on the flame to.

[lakes10]

My biggest hope is that we are properly looking at the successor for Kenny right now. Someone who shares the same values and can be working as an apprentice and gaining as much experience as he can. For me this is integral as Kenny represents that last bastion of invincibility and although he might build us up and up until everyone will have to give in    we'll need someone to pass on the flame to.

but the problem is that in todays world there are very few managers that can do the job.
we are given the idea that our next manager will fit right into the Liverpool way, but dont we have a manager right now that could still do the job for 10 years if the results are good?

JC has spent a lot of time with him and i do see him as our next manager in a few years if Kenny stays that long.

[Kerry07]

I think we are a better team now than we where a year ago, probably 2 years ago.

The way we are playing now is far better, we have dominated every team we have played except Spurs.  The only thing we have not done is scored goals.  This is with a team that 50% of it is new.  Do you expect players to gel immiedietly?

We are not scoring goals but we are making so many chances, we are so close to being a really good side now, but unfortntely the "FIFA", "Football Manager" contingent still think you spend money and win the league.  Or even worse Kerry who thinks that we are the worst team in the league and we need to buy a new team in january and get rid of Kenny.  What a joker!

It  hasnt been perfect, but we are onlt 3 pts off 3rd and if the goals start going in we will definatley catch Chelsea and Arsenal.  Stop panicing people, this is a Work in progress and its not all doom and gloom

Ola wants us to play Reina upfront... what a clown.

If you want to make statements that i have never once uttered... "we need to get rid of kenny"... then lets have a free for all and make up quotes.

The entire planet thinks we have signed a terrible forward.. to put your head in the sand is delusional.

I have stated, very simply, we sign a quality forward, or even a decent forward (ie.defoe) in early Jan, we will finish top 4. If not, our season will be over by early February.

[Thommo's perm]

I think we are a better team now than we where a year ago, probably 2 years ago.

The way we are playing now is far better, we have dominated every team we have played except Spurs.  The only thing we have not done is scored goals.  This is with a team that 50% of it is new.  Do you expect players to gel immiedietly?

We are not scoring goals but we are making so many chances, we are so close to being a really good side now, but unfortntely the "FIFA", "Football Manager" contingent still think you spend money and win the league.  Or even worse Kerry who thinks that we are the worst team in the league and we need to buy a new team in january and get rid of Kenny.  What a joker!

It  hasnt been perfect, but we are onlt 3 pts off 3rd and if the goals start going in we will definatley catch Chelsea and Arsenal.  Stop panicing people, this is a Work in progress and its not all doom and gloom

Ola wants us to play Reina upfront... what a clown.

If you want to make statements that i have never once uttered... "we need to get rid of kenny"... then lets have a free for all and make up quotes.

The entire planet thinks we have signed a terrible forward.. to put your head in the sand is delusional.

I have stated, very simply, we sign a quality forward, or even a decent forward (ie.defoe) in early Jan, we will finish top 4. If not, our season will be over by early February.

You keep ignoring me, which is even more evidence that you are female.
So come on miss (or Ms), who has their head in the sand?

[stmichael]

Guys guys guys guys guys, we'll always have the old skool fans versus the new guard, one of whom is patient (it's a generation thing) and those who are not. There really is a lot of guff talked about being left behind in terms of finances etc if we are not winning and competing, but honestly is it really all down to that (cue newbies shouting yes)? Not in my opinion...what we're seeing here is a re-balancing over time of the old game the new game, old school basics with a dash of flair....we're missing the flair at the moment, but that is hardly a surprise, look at the state we were in just twelve months ago and the number of column inches allocated to our rapid descent into oblivion. Who wanted to play for us 12 months ago? A whole bunch of journos wanted to see us rot and they were doing everything in their power to hammer the last nail in....but it didn't happen.

I will re-iterate previous posts of mine stating how lovely it is not to be part of the ongoing soap opera that we were just 12 months ago (yes, just 12 months). I don't miss the squad not looking like they want to play and I don't miss spoiled brats having tantrums when things aren't going their way. I don't miss the inane and banal press conferences and post match interviews of our previous manager and I don't miss that nervous feeling in my stomach every time I watch a match or catch the results on the telly.

I'm becoming more positive about our defense by the day. This was certainly job #1 for the staff and is the foundation for belief to spread throughout the squad. I like the fact that Stevie has been able to take the necessary time to recover from what has been a pretty bad year for him and certainly must be the toll of the weight that has been on him the last 5 years (I think he was worn out by several managers previously and now he has the chance to finish his career off in style) and despite him not being there, we're still within kicking distance of a CL place (I refuse to give up on 3rd yet).

I love the fact that we play football that is reminiscent of the club that I fell in love with, of course I would love to see more goals going in, but that truly is just a matter of time. We're building quickly and I think we're close to the top of the hill and things are going to start to get easier.

I love the fact that the media hardly have a handle on what is going on at the club any more...this is probably the most visible evidence of how the old skool methods can still apply in todays world. We're no worse off than we were in fact we're much better. It places us strongly for transfer targets and keeps us under the radar and able to get the people we need hopefully for the price we want....we've been screwed with so much in the past due to everyone knowing our business. This has to be a plus.

Altogether, the club looks far far far more stable than it did even 12 months ago. The team is growing in stature and maturity, with a fantastic supportive board, what seems to be a decent back room team and a legend as a manager. This all looks like the type of attractive place that the next round of high profile stars would want to play for and I think we're doing the absolute right thing to position us for success in the future. Compare that to the uncertainty that is inherent at Chelsea or Man City due to the owners expectations and irrationality, or the question marks over the future of Man U when Fergie decides to hang up him chewing gum, you're left with Arsenal (never going to be a serious threat despite what I consider to be a v. good manager) and Tottenham who will most likely lose their manager to England in the next year or 2.

My biggest hope is that we are properly looking at the successor for Kenny right now. Someone who shares the same values and can be working as an apprentice and gaining as much experience as he can. For me this is integral as Kenny represents that last bastion of invincibility and although he might build us up and up until everyone will have to give in    we'll need someone to pass on the flame to.

excellent post

[Octsky]

My biggest hope is that we are properly looking at the successor for Kenny right now. Someone who shares the same values and can be working as an apprentice and gaining as much experience as he can. For me this is integral as Kenny represents that last bastion of invincibility and although he might build us up and up until everyone will have to give in    we'll need someone to pass on the flame to.

but the problem is that in todays world there are very few managers that can do the job.
we are given the idea that our next manager will fit right into the Liverpool way, but dont we have a manager right now that could still do the job for 10 years if the results are good?

JC has spent a lot of time with him and i do see him as our next manager in a few years if Kenny stays that long.

our biggest success came from having the boot room hierarchy and we should go back to the concept.

tore down by Rafa rebuilt by Kenny, i hope.

[Benny The Noon]

My biggest hope is that we are properly looking at the successor for Kenny right now. Someone who shares the same values and can be working as an apprentice and gaining as much experience as he can. For me this is integral as Kenny represents that last bastion of invincibility and although he might build us up and up until everyone will have to give in    we'll need someone to pass on the flame to.

but the problem is that in todays world there are very few managers that can do the job.
we are given the idea that our next manager will fit right into the Liverpool way, but dont we have a manager right now that could still do the job for 10 years if the results are good?

JC has spent a lot of time with him and i do see him as our next manager in a few years if Kenny stays that long.

our biggest success came from having the boot room hierarchy and we should go back to the concept.

tore down by Rafa rebuilt by Kenny, i hope.

The boot room was not torn down by Rafa at all . That was GH .

Stop making up

[Thommo's perm]

My biggest hope is that we are properly looking at the successor for Kenny right now. Someone who shares the same values and can be working as an apprentice and gaining as much experience as he can. For me this is integral as Kenny represents that last bastion of invincibility and although he might build us up and up until everyone will have to give in    we'll need someone to pass on the flame to.

but the problem is that in todays world there are very few managers that can do the job.
we are given the idea that our next manager will fit right into the Liverpool way, but dont we have a manager right now that could still do the job for 10 years if the results are good?

JC has spent a lot of time with him and i do see him as our next manager in a few years if Kenny stays that long.

our biggest success came from having the boot room hierarchy and we should go back to the concept.

tore down by Rafa rebuilt by Kenny, i hope.

The boot room was not torn down by Rafa at all . That was GH .

Stop making up

I thought it was Souness?