Liverpool FC Forum

[god_bless_john_houlding]

Glenn Hysen and Gary Abblett, great footballing centre halves

Souness' defence would of been Steve Nicol (RB) Hansen and Wright (CB) Julian Dicks (LB). Rob Jones, David Burrows, Hysen, Mike Marsh, Ruddock, Bjornebye. Take your pick of our "footballing" defenders out of them.

[god_bless_john_houlding]

The reason we've "declined" is because it's impossible to stay at the very top for the rest of time. These things go in cycles. United were relegated in 74   now look at them. Every reason has truth behind why we are no longer top dogs in England, but it's simplely someone elses turn. I think the current Arsenal side could go and dominate English football for 5-10 years, and everyone will be asking the same questions about United. On the other hand it could be us who go and dominate because of the talent we have in our younger players (not meaning the youth side, I mean the young 1st team players) This side will be together for years and years, obviously with the odd player leaving i.e. Finnan/Hyypia and later on Carra. But the spine, could be with us right through until 2015. Reina, Skrtel, Agger, Mascheranho, Lucas, Torres, Babel.

So in conclusion there isn't one reason why we've declined. It's a combination of a hundred reasons.

I agree, I'd just add that (IMO) the cycles of domination in English football will (continue to) be and have been shorter in recent years, than in previous years, because the league is becoming increasingly competitive.

You could argue either way that Manc's or Arsenal will go on to dominate the Premiership for years but the reality is - it will probably fluctuate more now than in the past. Chelsea will always be around about the top for as long as they're spending as they are, provided that they maintain stability throughout the club. We, as ever, will strive to win the league to the best of our ability and from a psychological point of view it remains the promised land, whether we can match the level of quality of our rivals remains to be seen.

I think you're right, that it will be less dominated by just a single club. Rather be shared out between the same two-three.

But even in our successful days, we were sharing the fights for the title with Leeds, Ipswich, Derby and Everton among others. So when people complain that we haven't won a title, look at those we were fighting with in the 70s and 80s, it's not all bad. Next year we'll win it. (hopefully)

[big al]

Who says were on the decline. we are on are way up mate. 4 more years,4 more years, 4 more years, 4 more years

[god_bless_john_houlding]

Who says were on the decline. we are on are way up mate. 4 more years,4 more years, 4 more years, 4 more years

Who's we and what up are they on, because I'd like to see Liverpool on the same up.

Right now we're going backwards. Another season where we'll end up 25+ points behind. Another season where we haven't challenged. Another season where the title was over by Easter. Another season where we've failed to entertain on the pitch on a regular basis. Another season where we've had to persist with so much hype and so much fail. Another season where we've got to look for every excuse in the book to explain the sh!t we're in. Another season where certain "fans" are happy with fourth (not even that is safe this year) Another season where a cup will safe him his job (not certain, but it's his bloody luck) Finally another season where we've failed to beat any of the top three.

Where's the ups? Oh I forgot, we did record our record transfer and highest win margin in the Champions League. Lets not forget the positives.

[bigmick]

Well four years ago we were battling it out (unsuccessfully as it turned out) with Everton for fourth place. Portsmouth, Man City and Aston Villa were nowhere to be seen. It's reasonable to conclude in domestic terms that based on that, relative to Everton we've stayed about the same, whereas our other rivals have significantly gained ground on us. We weren't in any way shape or form involved in the title race during that season four years ago, and we haven't been in any way shape or form involved in it at any stage this season as well so it would probably be fair to say that in those terms, we haven't particularly lost any ground either on the real "challenging" clubs.

I'm not, not being a "happy scrappy" going to join in the "four more years" chant as I dare to dream that it might just be concieveable that we could set our sights a bit higher. Maybe there's more to being a Liverpool fan than sweating every week on whether Sean Davis is going to pass a fitness test at Portsmouth, whether Richard Dunne has begun to lose form and has got even slower, whether Olaf Melburg will continue to give 100% now he is leaving on a bosman at the end of the season, and whether or not Lee Carsley has strained a calf muscle playing snooker.

Call me wildy over-optimistic, but I kind of think that seeing as we have Steven Gerrard in our team, Pepe reina, Javier Masherano, Fernando Torres, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and one or two others, that we might just be above worrying about those teams. Those that are happy to scrap it out for fourth place every season should join in the chant by all means. Those of us that think that one day, just for a bit, we might actually challenge for the league (not even necessarily win it mind, just be in the vicinity of the leaders/winners) won't be joining in with the "four more years" chant.

[112-1077774096]

i blame dirk kuyt

   yeah thats the spirit

[66-1112520797]

The Americans, and Canadians obviously.

What the hell's that supposed to mean?

Lighten up mate, it was only a joke.     

[66-1112520797]

Collymore's, the Diouf's and the Kuyt's.

Stan the dogger was a MUCH better player than the other two.

[Sean]

In May 1977, just before the F.A. Cup final, Liverpool chairman John Smith gave a rare t.v. interview.  He was asked what the secret was of Liverpools success.  He noted that Liverpool were a concervative club that diliked change.  I reckon this was ironic as two decades later our reluctance to change and embrace the commercialism that savaged football hearlded our decline.

[god_bless_john_houlding]

In May 1977, just before the F.A. Cup final, Liverpool chairman John Smith gave a rare t.v. interview.  He was asked what the secret was of Liverpools success.  He noted that Liverpool were a concervative club that diliked change.  I reckon this was ironic as two decades later our reluctance to change and embrace the commercialism that savaged football hearlded our decline.

In 1977 we also lost an FA Cup final so maybe John Smith ought to of kept his mush off the telly 

[god_bless_john_houlding]

Call me wildy over-optimistic, but I kind of think that seeing as we have Steven Gerrard in our team, Pepe reina, Javier Masherano, Fernando Torres, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and one or two others, that we might just be above worrying about those teams. Those that are happy to scrap it out for fourth place every season should join in the chant by all means. Those of us that think that one day, just for a bit, we might actually challenge for the league (not even necessarily win it mind, just be in the vicinity of the leaders/winners) won't be joining in with the "four more years" chant.

Mick I agree near enough with everything you've said here mate, except the bit I've decided to quote.

Maybe it's me being cynical or maybe it's me expecting far to much of this current side. But I wouldn't be happy if we challeneged and didn't win it. It's still another year of failure in my eyes. I'll be happy if we challenge and win the league, if not it's a failed season. It might be showing signs of improvement, but unless you win the league, it's failure. Because as I keep saying of late, FIRST WILL ALWAYS BE FIRST and SECOND WILL ALWAYS BE NOTHING. So again I'll be happy when we win the league.

[LFC2007]

We may as well come 17th then.

[god_bless_john_houlding]

If you don't win the league, it's a failed season, simple as that. Coming in the top four is obviously ensential, but I won't sit there and praise us for doing so and I won't be sitting there begging us to come fourth, I'd be to ashamed to do that. This club should be up there challeging on all fronts, that what we're capable of, coming fourth is no achievement, for Liverpool Football Club, which is why I'll give no credit for us getting fourth.

[LFC2007]

Who sings our praises when we come fourth?, and who's saying we're having a great season at the moment?

I've not seen anyone so far.

[god_bless_john_houlding]

Well certainly not me, people are happy coming fourth which is the point I'm raising because it qualifies us for the champions league next season. I'm not happy coming fourth, third or second. I'm happy coming first and first alone.