JohnBull wrote:We are now in a similar situation as Leeds and Newcastle were a few years ago.
We are still believing that Liverpool Football Club are invunerable and that "it will all turn out OK in the end". It wont.
It's not just Raffa. I genuuinely believe that he's a honest man who really believes in his methods. That self belief is fast becoming his downfall as it is not working with the players HE has signed. These are his players and his methods and they are just not up to it.
It is not just the players. We've two of the greatest Red Shirt Fillers I've ever seen over the past 50 years. The others are not bad players but they either do not understand or just do not want to play in Raffa's gameplan. We keep signing journeymen who are here for the money. I don't blame them for doing that but it's not doing my team any favours. They are grateful for the wage packet but not for the honour of playing for Liverpool.
It is not just the directors/owners. They've not come to Anfield to destroy the club. It is business and it is in their interest to succeed. Sitting in the stands with a brand new scarf on doesn't make you a supporter. They are here to make money, first, second and last.
I believe that we are now reaping the fruit of those years in the 80s when opportunity knocked and was ignored by a club that was resting on its laurels.
Shanks and Paisley made everything seem easy but unfortunately others didn't realise how hard it was to make it appear like that. Me included, it just seemed unstoppable, The Red Bandwagon. One star would come to the end of his shelf life and the next one was ready and waiting to come in.
We are now a club that needs to make big money signings which we cannot afford. The team ethic has gone. No players seem to be coming up through the ranks already knowing their place and requirements in the side.
I know that bargains are not there anymore, there are no more Keegans or Clements waiting to be nicked from Scunthorpe.
I also believe that we are paying good money for players who are no better than some of our homegrown lads.
I went over to The Acadamy last week and you may as well have been in Spain. Where are the local lads going ? I was watching expensive imports there but down the road I could watch local lads with similar skills and a bloody sight more commitment playing good football for nothing.
The few times I've seen Torres around town I've seen a modest, well behaved lad who is a credit to the club. The same cannot be said for some of the over rated superstars (both Red & Blue) who swan around with an unjustified arrogance. Torres is a breath of fresh air at Anfield but he is by far, an exception. Shanks would have loved him. I'm struggling to think of another import who would pass this test (probably Kuyt, honest and hard working).
The club is in a BIG mess and it will not recover overnight. The shake-up that is coming had better be a good one or we will never recover.
This is The Last Chance Saloon.
I think this is an excellent post with great points.
Especially this one: "These are his players and his methods and they are just not up to it.
It is not just the players. We've two of the greatest Red Shirt Fillers I've ever seen over the past 50 years. The others are not bad players but they either do not understand or just do not want to play in Raffa's gameplan"
I believe this is our biggest problem. Rafa is so specific and if a player is not up to it the house of cards seems to collapse.
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