Liverpool FC Forum

[drummerphil]

We're three months into the new season now and I have to say I am very happy with the team and with the progress we are making. It's true that we can improve but so far I am pleased with what I have seen from my players.
 
We've won games, we've played good football, we're scoring goals and we are definitely in the right condition to go forward. Already we have the same amount of clean sheets as last season, we've broken the statistic of not winning away from home after a European game and we are very well placed in our Champions League group.
 
There was newspaper talk of us being in crisis when we went out of the Carling Cup, but we have proved that in the space of a week things can change for the better and the players deserve to be congratulated for getting back to winning ways with three straight victories.
 
Defensively we're looking very strong again. We know we conceded a lot of goals against Chelsea and also two at Fulham - although one of them was right at the end - but recently we have got back into the habit of keeping clean sheets and that is important for our confidence.
 
The style of football in the wins over West Ham, Anderlecht and Aston Villa impressed me. We controlled all three games, created lots of scoring opportunities and didn't really look like conceding a goal. With Steven Gerrard on the right hand side there's a better balance to the side and that is showing. OK, we need to score more goals if possible, but we're working hard at it.
 

Rafa on Crouch
He showed at Aston Villa that he is a goodplayer and someone who will do the things we need to improve our team. There's no point in comparing him to other players and saying he's better or worse, because the important thing is he's a player we needed to help us move forward. He can keep the ball, he is a threat in the air and he will score goals.
I was pleased to see Peter Crouch receive some positive comments from people outside of the club after the match. In the dressing room here, everyone knows what he brings to the team but it has seemed over recent weeks that others just wanted to criticise him.
 
He showed in the game at Aston Villa that he is a good player and someone who will do the things we need to improve our team. There's no point in comparing him to other players and saying he's better or worse, because the important thing is he's a player we needed to help us move forward. He can keep the ball, he is a threat in the air and he will score goals.
 
We've won a couple of league games in a row now since the defeat to Fulham and we know we could soon be much higher in the table if we keep playing well and getting the results.
 
As I've said before, the league table has a false look about it at present because we've played two games less than many teams. I can't look at the Premiership without thinking that our position isn't a true reflection of the season so far. I'm pleased the Sunderland match has been rearranged before we go to Japan because otherwise we could be three matches behind many sides and that's not a situation we would have wanted.
 
We want to be challenging towards the top end of the table as soon as possible and competing for places in the top four. We know it won't be easy because the Premiership is of a high standard this year and I honestly believe it's more difficult than ever to win games. Last season you could look at the sides towards the bottom and feel more confident of winning than you would this season. That's because teams have improved now and many are working at the same level.
 
Of course Wigan have been the surprise package so far and they're having a very good season. They've won a lot of games and deserve their position in the table. I also think Tottenham and Bolton will be serious challengers for the top four this season. They have both added new players to what were already good squads last season and they will be up there fighting as well.
 
At the top Chelsea have had a good start but their defeat at Manchester United has shown everyone that they're not invincible and that they can be beaten.
 

Rafa on the way forward
Our aim is to keep improving as much as possible over the coming months. We are trying to do the right things to take this club forward. The problem isn't whether we go forward or not - because we know we are moving in the right direction - but whether or not we can move as quickly as other clubs. We need to move as quickly as possible to give ourselves the best chance of competing with others.
United's win may not have been the best result for us because it meant another three points for a side who we hope to challenge for a place in the top four, but it should at least give everyone confidence that the game isn't lost before you even kick off against Chelsea. They can be beaten.
 
Our aim is to keep improving as much as possible over the coming months. We are trying to do the right things to take this club forward. The problem isn't whether we go forward or not - because we know we are moving in the right direction - but whether or not we can move as quickly as other clubs. We need to move as quickly as possible to give ourselves the best chance of competing with others.
 
We're always planning for the future and working to improve this football club. We made a decision at the start of the season to sign young players and work with them to prepare them for the first team. So far I think it's working well because the boys are training hard and also winning games with the reserves.
 
In the next year or two it will be important to see them raise their level enough to come into the first team. They might not be ready to play regularly for a few years yet, but they need to show over the coming months that they're working towards a level whereby we can give them a chance in the first team. At the moment they just need time.
 
I am confident we have a bright future to look forward to at Liverpool. I'm proud to be the manager here and am thoroughly enjoying my job. It's probably more difficult than I expected it to be when I arrived because there are so many things to do during the week, but the quality of the players combined with the fantastic support from the fans makes this a privileged position for any professional.
 
There's a long way to go this season and a lot to work towards but if you were to ask me my target then the answer would be simple: to win the next game against Portsmouth.

[drummerphil]

me this must be my most popular thread ever.........

[zarababe]

.. cours it is Phil

Interesting to have a quarterly annalysis of progress. I think this could be a season of real progress. There is a confidence about the team, that resonates progress there will most certainly be.

If the investment rumour takes fruition (Krafts).. well with unlimited resources this Bloke .. Senor Benitez.. could perform greater heroics.

I know the 25 May triumph is certainly history... but I was watching the game again last night.. and well we were brill and the book about  Benitez's half time talk, Gerrard's committment to stay connected with the club and his admiration and renewed vigour under Benitez .. shows we are moving in the right direction.

And the right direction can mean a few wrong turns in the process.. navigational systems getting knackered every now and then and the odd venture down a dead end .. but as long as the man in the driving seat knows where he wants to go, the ultimate goal and aim.. he'll get you there.. eventually