So we have bowed out of our last chance of Silverware this season. Despite a spirited win against Athletico Madrid, last weeks failure to score an away goal (I know, I know. we had a perfectly good one ruled out) cost us dearly last night.
We can't bemoan the lack of effort against the Spaniards. There were some outstanding displays and some tireless performances (Unfortunately not necessarily by the same players). I though Javier Mascherano was immense. Once or twice caught out of position but every time he seemed to make up the ground to get back. Unfortunately, what he provided defensively meant that our attacking options were reduced from that right hand side. Glen Johnson had a fair game at left back, and as Graham Taylor mentioned in commentary, you can see the sense of him going up against Reyes, as it meant, that that if the winger tried to cut in, as he regularly odes, he would be going onto Johnson's stronger foot. Again, from a defensive point of view this was a positive mood but it did curtail the England right back's attacking qualities.
But don't get me wrong, Although I have mentioned the full backs lack of attacking options, the midfield that Rafa chose had plenty of options in attack. Lucas worked hard to keep it tight, allowing Stevie G and Alberto Aquilani to push forward with intent and Benayoun and Kuyt were a constant threat. Ryan Babbel's work rate was impressive, although some of the touches he had didn't pay off. His attitude in recent weeks has improved immeasurably and once his talent and his attitude meet at the same peak, i am very excited by his prospects.
The first half performance was excellent, even though Athletico did show menacing thoughts at times. And the goal on half time was exquisitely finished by Aquilani. It's often said that just before half time is a great time to score, but in our case it seemed to have the opposite effect. Rather than buoying us up for the second half, we seemed to lose some of the impetus that had built up in the minutes before we scored. We seemed happy to play the patience game when we had come out for the restart, instead of continuing the pressure that had helped impose our style on the game. As the game wore on, our lack of depth on the bench ended up being crucial. Rafa was unable to bring on a game turning player as they were already on the pitch.
So, with mainly pride to play for in our last two games of the season, what will the summer bring? New owners? I fervently hope so. The sooner we are clear of the two money grabbing shysters the better for the club.It is difficult for anyone to see any benefit that they have brought to the club. Will they be gone in enough time for us to prepare properly for next season? I am seriously sceptical of that. If we are lucky then they may have sold up by the time the transfer window closes at the end of August, but we might just have to wait another 6 - 12 months before our ownership is settled.Of course, if they do sell, will it be an improvement or will it be from the frying pan to the fire? There are no guarantees. When the Americans turned up, i believed every last word they said because it sounded so good. Looking back I am angry with myself for being taken in by them.
Will Rafa Benitez be manager next season? It doesn't look likely to me. The speculation linking him to Juventus seems to have intensified and with the ownership issue looking like it might take time to resolve, I think he might decide that now would be a good time to taste Serie A life. As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, I think that Rafa has reached the pivot point at Liverpool. He has spent a few seasons improving the team but think that he has now got to the stage that he can't do any more. I accept that what he has done has been severly restricted by the owners. And I do believe that in general he has done a good job. But I also think that he has made decisions that have not been in the best interests of Liverpool Football Club. After last nights game he bemoaned the fact that we didn't have any alternative attacking oprtions. I have felt that since Robbie Keane left that this was the case. I know that he didn't see the money from the Keane sale to reinvest in talent, but when he did have money from the sale of Alonso, he decided to buy an expensive Right Back (a position that, in my opinion, didn't need strengthening) and a gamble on an injured playmaker (Aquilani looks very good at last, but we have spent far too long this season without him, and at least part of this was easily predicatble). And although I accept that he had to sell to buy, his management of Xabi Alonso during his courtship of Gareth Barry did leave a bitter taste.
Today, the Academy has come under the spotlight with the current coach Rodlofo Borrell revealing that he found the Academy Setup to be "unacceptable" when he arrived last year. Liverool's Academy used to be the envy of the Premier League. Producing talent like MacManaman, Owen, Fowler, Gerrard and Carragher show how successful it has been in the past. Steve heighway's directorship ended with winning the FA Youth Cup two years in a row in 2006 and 2007, yet none of this talented team have made the leap into a regular frst team spot. Rafa has staed that he wants to bring talented British players to the club. Very laudible but if that is the reason that Xabi was sacrificed (potentially for Barry and eventually for Johnson), then it seems a step backwards to me.
If Rafa does leave in the close season, I will be wary of who is successor would be. He has proved himself as a top class manager by winning the Champions League with us and La Liga with Valencia a couple of times. But, other than last season, he has never really mounted a serious challenge for the Premiership, and I now believe that his coaching style may well be suited more to a European league rather than the English version. I will wish hi all the best at juventus, or whichever club he goes to, and will thank him for the memories, but I am a firm believer that the club is bigger than any individual.
If we do go through a few more months of uncertainty about our ownership, we can probably write off our league prospects next season so a change of manager (even short term) would not be a bad thing, with a focus on winning a cup competition and preparing for the next Premier League season.
And who knows...
Friday, 30 April 2010
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Pride
So after tonight's performance we are still no nearer from knowing who will contest the Europa League Final in Hamburg next month.
A fortuitous goal is all that separated Athletico and Liverpool tonight. It was one of those games where, if I was a neutral I would have switched to the leaders debate (yes, i thought it was that sterile). Yet there were flashes of inspiration from both teams and some really good football splattered randomly amongst the misplaced passes, poor tackles and wayward shooting.
After the arduous journey that the Reds had to undertake to reach the Spanish capital for tonight's game, the start we made was hardly surprising. Yet we came back after the first twenty minutes and a draw was probably the fairest result.
A 1-0 loss isn't a disaster. I would have preferred a 2-1 or 3-2 loss but going into the Anfield return just one goal behind means that we have to take the initiative and I believe we play better when we are more positive in the beginning of games. Just a bit worried that without Fernando Torres, we might not have the fire power to turn it round, but we have scored goals without him this season, and our record at home this season is quite impressive.
I still feel that we will be taking a trip to Germany next month. And hopefully another European trophy will enter the cabinet this season.
On a post script note, it was my birthday at the weekend and I was lucky enough to have the legend that is George Sephton to come to my birthday meal. I am both, bragging and expressing my gratitude to George. He is an incredibly interesting person and if you ever get the chance to attend any of the functions that he is speaking at I would urge you to do so. And if you are arranging a sportsman's dinner or other such function, consider asking him to speak to your guests.
And don't forget my free tickets.
A fortuitous goal is all that separated Athletico and Liverpool tonight. It was one of those games where, if I was a neutral I would have switched to the leaders debate (yes, i thought it was that sterile). Yet there were flashes of inspiration from both teams and some really good football splattered randomly amongst the misplaced passes, poor tackles and wayward shooting.
After the arduous journey that the Reds had to undertake to reach the Spanish capital for tonight's game, the start we made was hardly surprising. Yet we came back after the first twenty minutes and a draw was probably the fairest result.
A 1-0 loss isn't a disaster. I would have preferred a 2-1 or 3-2 loss but going into the Anfield return just one goal behind means that we have to take the initiative and I believe we play better when we are more positive in the beginning of games. Just a bit worried that without Fernando Torres, we might not have the fire power to turn it round, but we have scored goals without him this season, and our record at home this season is quite impressive.
I still feel that we will be taking a trip to Germany next month. And hopefully another European trophy will enter the cabinet this season.
On a post script note, it was my birthday at the weekend and I was lucky enough to have the legend that is George Sephton to come to my birthday meal. I am both, bragging and expressing my gratitude to George. He is an incredibly interesting person and if you ever get the chance to attend any of the functions that he is speaking at I would urge you to do so. And if you are arranging a sportsman's dinner or other such function, consider asking him to speak to your guests.
And don't forget my free tickets.
Thursday, 15 April 2010
What's another year?
This time last year I felt I needed to write about my Hillsborough experiences. You can find that post at http://strommy.blogspot.com/2009/04/it-was-20-years-ago-today.html.
I felt that I needed to write that for a number of reasons. Firstly, I don't think I had ever talked properly to anyone about what I had gone through at that time, how I had felt, what I had witnessed. I was there with my dad, but we'd never actually talked about it. How can you? I love my dad dearly but talking about it just seemed pointless. We'd both been there, seen and done the same things, what could we say to each other.
I couldn't talk to my friends because I didn't want to hear anything back in return. I just wanted to talk, and yet I didn't want to talk all at the same time. 20 years later, I was ready to pour my heart out to the anonymity of cyberspace, knowing that anyone who wanted to,friends, family, fellow supporters, strangers, could read if they wanted. I did get some responses back from various sources and that made me feel as though a weight had been lifted from my shoulders and I thank anyone and everyone who read that post for helping me, even if you didn't know you were doing it.
The other main reason I wrote the blog last year was that I was still angry with the authorities for the lack of justice that the victims families had received. I was one of the 30,000 people who made their way to Anfield on April 15th 2009. I had to pick my brother up who had finished work quite late so we were running late and I was quite concerned about where we could park. Thanks to Everton FC who allowed us to park in their club car park for the event.
As we walked over Stanley Park with 20 minutes to spare, I could tell by the numbers, that the day was a special day. We arrived at Anfield and straight away knew that there was no way we would get seats in the Kop. Eventually we got seats in the Main Stand almost level with the Anfield Road end penalty spot. And the people just kept on coming. The Main Stand filled, the lower Anfield Road stand filled, The upper Anfield Road Stand started to fill. It was amazing.
Families with very young children who respected the solemnity of the occasion, a perfectly observed two minutes silence, the reading of all the victims names, the vast array of different football teams shirts that were represented in addition to Liverpool, Everton and Tranmere. All memories that stick.
Then there was a pivotal point. It is one I have discussed with my uncle. My uncle took me to my very first senior game at Anfield on 1st January 1976. Since then I have loved talking football with him. he is one of the keenest Liverpool fans that you could ever meet, but he always manages to find the alternative point of view. Discussing what happened oat the memorial service with him, I feared he might have had a point.
The government minister with responsibility for Culture Media and Sport 12 months ago was Andy Burnham, who later became Health Secretary. Mr Burnham was not only a keen football fan, but also an Evertonian, so understood the emotions that were going to be on display at Anfield that day. Part way through his speech, there was a groundswell of emotion. A small chant turned into a tidal wave of sound. Almost the whole ground was singing "Justice for the 96". There were a few dissenting voices, including Trevor Hicks, saying we should respect that the government had sent a representative etc. This was a discussion I had with my uncle in the middle of Morrisons a week or so later.
Fair play to the man. He was there and he probably expected some form of justice protest. However, did he expect 30,000 people to attend and for the vast majority to take part in that protest.
The Hillsborough Memorial Service always gets a mention on the local, and depending on the other stories, national news. Last year, because of both the vast numbers that turned up and the protest against the government, it received prominent coverage.
So how do I feel twelve months on. I certainly feel less bottled up than I did on the 20th anniversary and I also feel slightly less angry. In the last year, an independent panel has been set up to review all of the documents relating to Hillsborough that should have been kept locked up for another ten years. I believe that this panel has been set up in response to the show of emotion displayed at Anfield 365 days ago. We have had reviews, enquiries and inquests before and although Lord Justice Taylor's official enquiry put the blame fairly and squarely at the door of the organising authorities (South Yorkshire Police, the FA etc) there are still too many families that don't know, officially, how their son, daughter, brother, sister, father, or uncle died that day.
The coroner, who, in a master stroke of casting for the Jimmy McGovern TV play about the disaster, was played by Ian McDiarmid who also played the Emperor in the Star Wars films, decided that all the victims had received their fatal injuries before 3.15 on the fateful day. This meant that any evidence that related to later than that cut off time was not admissible to the jury. So evidence e that there were some victims, talking to rescue workers, even asking for their mum, at around 4 o'clock could not be presented.
Hopefully, the new independent panel will be able to uncover the information that will finally provide justice for the families. I have high hopes for this panel. One of the members is Professor Phil Scraton, who, if you didn't know, wrote the book "Hillsborough. The Truth" which is the most considered work on the subject. with him on the panel I for one believe that there will not be any whitewash, coverup or hiding of the truth.
Of course, this date every year brings sad memories and puts me in mind of the victims of the disaster. The 96 who died from the physical injuries they received that day, the countless others that have suffered with physical and mental scars since then, and of course the relatives and friends who still await final closure on the events in Sheffield.
Rest in Piece to the 96. You'll Never Walk Alone.
I felt that I needed to write that for a number of reasons. Firstly, I don't think I had ever talked properly to anyone about what I had gone through at that time, how I had felt, what I had witnessed. I was there with my dad, but we'd never actually talked about it. How can you? I love my dad dearly but talking about it just seemed pointless. We'd both been there, seen and done the same things, what could we say to each other.
I couldn't talk to my friends because I didn't want to hear anything back in return. I just wanted to talk, and yet I didn't want to talk all at the same time. 20 years later, I was ready to pour my heart out to the anonymity of cyberspace, knowing that anyone who wanted to,friends, family, fellow supporters, strangers, could read if they wanted. I did get some responses back from various sources and that made me feel as though a weight had been lifted from my shoulders and I thank anyone and everyone who read that post for helping me, even if you didn't know you were doing it.
The other main reason I wrote the blog last year was that I was still angry with the authorities for the lack of justice that the victims families had received. I was one of the 30,000 people who made their way to Anfield on April 15th 2009. I had to pick my brother up who had finished work quite late so we were running late and I was quite concerned about where we could park. Thanks to Everton FC who allowed us to park in their club car park for the event.
As we walked over Stanley Park with 20 minutes to spare, I could tell by the numbers, that the day was a special day. We arrived at Anfield and straight away knew that there was no way we would get seats in the Kop. Eventually we got seats in the Main Stand almost level with the Anfield Road end penalty spot. And the people just kept on coming. The Main Stand filled, the lower Anfield Road stand filled, The upper Anfield Road Stand started to fill. It was amazing.
Families with very young children who respected the solemnity of the occasion, a perfectly observed two minutes silence, the reading of all the victims names, the vast array of different football teams shirts that were represented in addition to Liverpool, Everton and Tranmere. All memories that stick.
Then there was a pivotal point. It is one I have discussed with my uncle. My uncle took me to my very first senior game at Anfield on 1st January 1976. Since then I have loved talking football with him. he is one of the keenest Liverpool fans that you could ever meet, but he always manages to find the alternative point of view. Discussing what happened oat the memorial service with him, I feared he might have had a point.
The government minister with responsibility for Culture Media and Sport 12 months ago was Andy Burnham, who later became Health Secretary. Mr Burnham was not only a keen football fan, but also an Evertonian, so understood the emotions that were going to be on display at Anfield that day. Part way through his speech, there was a groundswell of emotion. A small chant turned into a tidal wave of sound. Almost the whole ground was singing "Justice for the 96". There were a few dissenting voices, including Trevor Hicks, saying we should respect that the government had sent a representative etc. This was a discussion I had with my uncle in the middle of Morrisons a week or so later.
Fair play to the man. He was there and he probably expected some form of justice protest. However, did he expect 30,000 people to attend and for the vast majority to take part in that protest.
The Hillsborough Memorial Service always gets a mention on the local, and depending on the other stories, national news. Last year, because of both the vast numbers that turned up and the protest against the government, it received prominent coverage.
So how do I feel twelve months on. I certainly feel less bottled up than I did on the 20th anniversary and I also feel slightly less angry. In the last year, an independent panel has been set up to review all of the documents relating to Hillsborough that should have been kept locked up for another ten years. I believe that this panel has been set up in response to the show of emotion displayed at Anfield 365 days ago. We have had reviews, enquiries and inquests before and although Lord Justice Taylor's official enquiry put the blame fairly and squarely at the door of the organising authorities (South Yorkshire Police, the FA etc) there are still too many families that don't know, officially, how their son, daughter, brother, sister, father, or uncle died that day.
The coroner, who, in a master stroke of casting for the Jimmy McGovern TV play about the disaster, was played by Ian McDiarmid who also played the Emperor in the Star Wars films, decided that all the victims had received their fatal injuries before 3.15 on the fateful day. This meant that any evidence that related to later than that cut off time was not admissible to the jury. So evidence e that there were some victims, talking to rescue workers, even asking for their mum, at around 4 o'clock could not be presented.
Hopefully, the new independent panel will be able to uncover the information that will finally provide justice for the families. I have high hopes for this panel. One of the members is Professor Phil Scraton, who, if you didn't know, wrote the book "Hillsborough. The Truth" which is the most considered work on the subject. with him on the panel I for one believe that there will not be any whitewash, coverup or hiding of the truth.
Of course, this date every year brings sad memories and puts me in mind of the victims of the disaster. The 96 who died from the physical injuries they received that day, the countless others that have suffered with physical and mental scars since then, and of course the relatives and friends who still await final closure on the events in Sheffield.
Rest in Piece to the 96. You'll Never Walk Alone.
Sunday, 11 April 2010
And now, the end is near
I remember standing on The Kop at the final game of the 1988/89 season. It was THAT game against Arsenal. You know. The one where we could lose by one goal and still win the title. It was also the game that followed the match at Wembley where we had beaten Everton in the post Hillsborough Cup Final.
That day in the capital had been such an emotional day. The trip down there on a Merseybus double decker. Blue and Red mixed in a cocktail of football support. High spirits and respect for the occasion in equal measure. The game was a fitting tribute to the 96 souls lost in Sheffield. Liverpool always with the advantage but Everton certainly not there to make up the numbers.
I think that the gods had decreed that we would win the FA Cup in 1989 after that fateful April day. The players wanted to win it for the fallen and their families. And they did just that. After weeks of paying respects at funeral after funeral, the staff at Liverpool did for the Families the one thing that meant the most. Lifted a trophy, no, lifted THE trophy that mattered to their fans that year.
And then there was Arsenal. The players had given their all in the Cup Final and didn't have a lot left in the tank. Arsenal had it all to play for. It had been 18 years since their last league triumph. But we could be the first team to win the FA Cup and League double (you know like we should have done the year before against Wimbledon).
I don't remember that much about the game itself. I just remember feeling that we were defending to deep and weren't creating anything of note for ourselves. When we were one nil down I remember shouting in frustration something along the lines of "Do you think that the victims would want you to give up on the league?" I think I knew then that although we were still in the box seat, we weren't likely to stay there for much longer. The Michael Thomas goal was at the other end of the ground and by this time I was stood near the front of The Kop with my head not that much above the level of the playing surface. It was one of those moments that happen in slow motion. The chip over Brucie, the rolling over, the fit like goal celebrations. I remember slumping to the ground, knowing that we didn't really have time to come back from this body blow and hearing the final whistle blow.
I composed myself enough to stay for the trophy presentation and stayed to congratulate the new champions. I was devastated but still needed to show my appreciation.
Funnily enough, these memories came back to me today, not only because we are moving into the week of the Hillsborough anniversary, but also because in football terms, I feel that we have reached a turning point. Liverpool have only won the title once since that game against the Gunners, the following year in 1990. Last week, I blogged that my faith had been sorely tested. Today, after a goalless draw at home against Fulham, my hope seems to have deserted me as well.
Of course we can still win silverware this season and I will celebrate winning the Europa League like any other trophy, if it happens.
But the future is not good for Liverpool. Unless there is an almighty turnaround, we will not be dining at Europe's top table next season, and although that is a real problem financially, I am more disappointed about not being able to play the Barcelona's and Inter's of this world. But more worryingly is our prospects for the Premier League next season. After being kidded that this was our year I now go into the new season with trepidation, before this one has even finished.
Why do I feel like this? Well the obvious reason is that Liverpool is currently owned by businessmen rather than sports fans. I accept that nowadays that football clubs (not teams as news channels insist on calling them) either need a sugar daddy or a businessman at the helm, but it has to be someone who understands that success on the field is the one thing that will make everything alright either for the owner, or for the fans willingness to put their money into the owners pockets.
We know that The Muppets don't ever keep their promises so nothing that they do now will surprise me. However, this week, Rafa has surprised me. He has admitting making mistakes. It;'s interesting in that most supporters already knew he had made mistakes, although there were usually understandable reasons for those mistakes, they were often chances that weren't worth taking (or alternatively chances that were worth taking that haven't been taken). That's what Rafa gets paid for. To make those big decisions. He's never shied away from them. When he came to Liverpool, I was genuinely excited as his record with Valencia in breaking the Barca/Real hold on La Liga filled my heart with hope. Now I fear he is getting to many of the big decisions wrong. I don't mean the day to day ones like team selection and substitutions. He works with the players over the week and sees more than we ever could and we need to trust his professional judgement in that respect. But I'm just not convinced that he can take us any further with the shackles that he has to wear. And to take it one step on, i am not sure that he can take us any further even if those shackles are removed. I would question his transfer dealings when he does have money to spend. Granted he has brought us Torres, Reina, Mascherano and Alonso, but he has also brought in Nunez, Josemi, Dossena, Kromkamp and Voronin. All in all I would suggest as many negative signings as positive ones.But my real beef with his transfer policy is highlighted by the summer moves. Liverpool had just finished second in the league and confidence was high. Alonso wanted to move to real Madrid and Rafa wanted to get the best deal for Liverpool. However, by protracting the discussions, he got a few more pennies for the coffers, but he also gave himself a lot less time to spend it. Robbie Keane had been sold in January and that meant that the only cover for Fernando Torres was the inexperience of David N'Gog or playing Dirk Kuyt in the position he was actually bought for. So we needed a replacement for Alonso and cover up front. Who did we get? Well to replace Xabi along came Albert Aquilani. He may not have been a direct, like for like replacement for the Spanish play maker but after working with the team in pre season he would soon show how he could fit in to the team. Except of course, he couldn't. He was crocked from the word go, and wasn't likely to recover for a couple of months at least. By which time, either the team would have settled into a playing pattern that Aquilani would have had to fit into, rather than be built around, or we would need to be changing our way of playing mid season because it just wasn't working (in my opinion, rafa was actually caught between the devil and the deep blue sea in this case as when Aquilani was eventually available, all be it belatedly, we did need to change fairly drastically but Rafa chose not to take that option). And who did Rafa choose to sign to cover El Nino? Well actually he decided it was more important to spend a significant sum of money on buying an attacking right back and letting an attacking right back leave to join Xabi at The Bernabau. OK, Johnson might be an improvement on Arbeloa, but is he really more than £10 million worth of improvement? Was Arbeloa that poor? I'm not convinced.
Not only do i feel that Rafa got the transfers wrong at the start of the season, I also feel he got the tactics wrong as well. We finished last season playing attacking football and going all out to win. That was the foootball that took us so close to the title. We have seen a more cautious approach right from the off this season. This is my prime reason for thinking that Rafa has taken us as far as he can. He is by instinct a cautious, safety first type manager. Getting defence is important, but it is important to score more goals than yoru opponents. that's simply how you win games, and to do that you need to attack. Not necessarily in a gung ho fashion, but certainly the emphasis should be on beating opponents rather than avoiding defeat. We have been vulnerable to late goals this season, whereas the season before we were always likely to score and sneak wins in the closing stages of matches.
I think that season 2008/09 was Rafa's "Out of Character" season. I feel that this season he has reverted to type, and this is why I think that he has taken Liverpool as far as he can go.
I thank you Mr Benitez for Istanbul. I thank you for winning the FA Cup. I thank you for Pepe and El Nino. I thank you for the excitement that you gave me last season. I hope I can also thank you for winningthe Europa League this season. Good luck in whatever you do in the future. It's now time for someone else to take up the good fight.
That day in the capital had been such an emotional day. The trip down there on a Merseybus double decker. Blue and Red mixed in a cocktail of football support. High spirits and respect for the occasion in equal measure. The game was a fitting tribute to the 96 souls lost in Sheffield. Liverpool always with the advantage but Everton certainly not there to make up the numbers.
I think that the gods had decreed that we would win the FA Cup in 1989 after that fateful April day. The players wanted to win it for the fallen and their families. And they did just that. After weeks of paying respects at funeral after funeral, the staff at Liverpool did for the Families the one thing that meant the most. Lifted a trophy, no, lifted THE trophy that mattered to their fans that year.
And then there was Arsenal. The players had given their all in the Cup Final and didn't have a lot left in the tank. Arsenal had it all to play for. It had been 18 years since their last league triumph. But we could be the first team to win the FA Cup and League double (you know like we should have done the year before against Wimbledon).
I don't remember that much about the game itself. I just remember feeling that we were defending to deep and weren't creating anything of note for ourselves. When we were one nil down I remember shouting in frustration something along the lines of "Do you think that the victims would want you to give up on the league?" I think I knew then that although we were still in the box seat, we weren't likely to stay there for much longer. The Michael Thomas goal was at the other end of the ground and by this time I was stood near the front of The Kop with my head not that much above the level of the playing surface. It was one of those moments that happen in slow motion. The chip over Brucie, the rolling over, the fit like goal celebrations. I remember slumping to the ground, knowing that we didn't really have time to come back from this body blow and hearing the final whistle blow.
I composed myself enough to stay for the trophy presentation and stayed to congratulate the new champions. I was devastated but still needed to show my appreciation.
Funnily enough, these memories came back to me today, not only because we are moving into the week of the Hillsborough anniversary, but also because in football terms, I feel that we have reached a turning point. Liverpool have only won the title once since that game against the Gunners, the following year in 1990. Last week, I blogged that my faith had been sorely tested. Today, after a goalless draw at home against Fulham, my hope seems to have deserted me as well.
Of course we can still win silverware this season and I will celebrate winning the Europa League like any other trophy, if it happens.
But the future is not good for Liverpool. Unless there is an almighty turnaround, we will not be dining at Europe's top table next season, and although that is a real problem financially, I am more disappointed about not being able to play the Barcelona's and Inter's of this world. But more worryingly is our prospects for the Premier League next season. After being kidded that this was our year I now go into the new season with trepidation, before this one has even finished.
Why do I feel like this? Well the obvious reason is that Liverpool is currently owned by businessmen rather than sports fans. I accept that nowadays that football clubs (not teams as news channels insist on calling them) either need a sugar daddy or a businessman at the helm, but it has to be someone who understands that success on the field is the one thing that will make everything alright either for the owner, or for the fans willingness to put their money into the owners pockets.
We know that The Muppets don't ever keep their promises so nothing that they do now will surprise me. However, this week, Rafa has surprised me. He has admitting making mistakes. It;'s interesting in that most supporters already knew he had made mistakes, although there were usually understandable reasons for those mistakes, they were often chances that weren't worth taking (or alternatively chances that were worth taking that haven't been taken). That's what Rafa gets paid for. To make those big decisions. He's never shied away from them. When he came to Liverpool, I was genuinely excited as his record with Valencia in breaking the Barca/Real hold on La Liga filled my heart with hope. Now I fear he is getting to many of the big decisions wrong. I don't mean the day to day ones like team selection and substitutions. He works with the players over the week and sees more than we ever could and we need to trust his professional judgement in that respect. But I'm just not convinced that he can take us any further with the shackles that he has to wear. And to take it one step on, i am not sure that he can take us any further even if those shackles are removed. I would question his transfer dealings when he does have money to spend. Granted he has brought us Torres, Reina, Mascherano and Alonso, but he has also brought in Nunez, Josemi, Dossena, Kromkamp and Voronin. All in all I would suggest as many negative signings as positive ones.But my real beef with his transfer policy is highlighted by the summer moves. Liverpool had just finished second in the league and confidence was high. Alonso wanted to move to real Madrid and Rafa wanted to get the best deal for Liverpool. However, by protracting the discussions, he got a few more pennies for the coffers, but he also gave himself a lot less time to spend it. Robbie Keane had been sold in January and that meant that the only cover for Fernando Torres was the inexperience of David N'Gog or playing Dirk Kuyt in the position he was actually bought for. So we needed a replacement for Alonso and cover up front. Who did we get? Well to replace Xabi along came Albert Aquilani. He may not have been a direct, like for like replacement for the Spanish play maker but after working with the team in pre season he would soon show how he could fit in to the team. Except of course, he couldn't. He was crocked from the word go, and wasn't likely to recover for a couple of months at least. By which time, either the team would have settled into a playing pattern that Aquilani would have had to fit into, rather than be built around, or we would need to be changing our way of playing mid season because it just wasn't working (in my opinion, rafa was actually caught between the devil and the deep blue sea in this case as when Aquilani was eventually available, all be it belatedly, we did need to change fairly drastically but Rafa chose not to take that option). And who did Rafa choose to sign to cover El Nino? Well actually he decided it was more important to spend a significant sum of money on buying an attacking right back and letting an attacking right back leave to join Xabi at The Bernabau. OK, Johnson might be an improvement on Arbeloa, but is he really more than £10 million worth of improvement? Was Arbeloa that poor? I'm not convinced.
Not only do i feel that Rafa got the transfers wrong at the start of the season, I also feel he got the tactics wrong as well. We finished last season playing attacking football and going all out to win. That was the foootball that took us so close to the title. We have seen a more cautious approach right from the off this season. This is my prime reason for thinking that Rafa has taken us as far as he can. He is by instinct a cautious, safety first type manager. Getting defence is important, but it is important to score more goals than yoru opponents. that's simply how you win games, and to do that you need to attack. Not necessarily in a gung ho fashion, but certainly the emphasis should be on beating opponents rather than avoiding defeat. We have been vulnerable to late goals this season, whereas the season before we were always likely to score and sneak wins in the closing stages of matches.
I think that season 2008/09 was Rafa's "Out of Character" season. I feel that this season he has reverted to type, and this is why I think that he has taken Liverpool as far as he can go.
I thank you Mr Benitez for Istanbul. I thank you for winning the FA Cup. I thank you for Pepe and El Nino. I thank you for the excitement that you gave me last season. I hope I can also thank you for winningthe Europa League this season. Good luck in whatever you do in the future. It's now time for someone else to take up the good fight.
Pinch of salt anyone?
So news today that Hicks and Gillette have engaged with a new bank to service their debt and start the ball rolling with the process to sell the club.
That sounds like a great way to start a Sunday. But hang on a minute. Let's just disect the news for a minute. H&G seem to have been able to refinance their loan. That could mean that they are under less pressure to sell a stake in the club than they would be under the RBS terms.
OK so it seems that the refinancing is with a view to finding a buyer. Point one, H&G have valued the club at &600 million. They are still very much at making a profit out of the club, by hook or by crook. The Rhone Group offer has been ignored (not rejected) because it ended up giving H&G less of a share in the club and no cash to take out whatsoever.
Point two. Do we believe a word that H&G say any way. Was there a spade in the ground for our new stadium in the first 60 days of them taking ownership? Is there no debt on the club? So once they have secured a refinancing package, do you believe they will then look to sell the club? Only if they can get the profit they want and with this seasons performances on the pitch, I am not sure that prospective buyers will meet the valuation.
That sounds like a great way to start a Sunday. But hang on a minute. Let's just disect the news for a minute. H&G seem to have been able to refinance their loan. That could mean that they are under less pressure to sell a stake in the club than they would be under the RBS terms.
OK so it seems that the refinancing is with a view to finding a buyer. Point one, H&G have valued the club at &600 million. They are still very much at making a profit out of the club, by hook or by crook. The Rhone Group offer has been ignored (not rejected) because it ended up giving H&G less of a share in the club and no cash to take out whatsoever.
Point two. Do we believe a word that H&G say any way. Was there a spade in the ground for our new stadium in the first 60 days of them taking ownership? Is there no debt on the club? So once they have secured a refinancing package, do you believe they will then look to sell the club? Only if they can get the profit they want and with this seasons performances on the pitch, I am not sure that prospective buyers will meet the valuation.
Friday, 9 April 2010
The Eagles have landed
So after last night's superb victory over the Eagles of Lisbon, hope shines brighter now at Anfield. We always knew we were that good, it was just a matter of time.
I suppose that the victory was all the sweeter after the first twenty minutes when Benfica showed what a talented team they actually were. There were excellent performances across the pitch. Dirk Kuyt, as always, put in a shift, but last night there was more purpose and quality about his endeavours. Lucas surprised us all again by keeping a cool head when in the opposition penalty area. Danniel Agger was more effective as a left back than Insua has been this season,and there was less of a threat down that side than there has been in recent months. Pepe was always (well nearly always) in command of his area and, other than one chance that ping ponged across the goal line, Benfica were only ever going to score from a set piece.
As a traditional football supporter, I've asked myself the following question. Do I want to win the Europa League or finish fourth in the Premiership this season?
I know what is most important for the future of the club. Or at least I thought I did. Entry into the Champions League is financially essential for our club to move forward for the future. But can coming fourth be considered a success. Who was it who once said "First is first, second is nowhere."?
If fourth is good enough for you, then rejoice. We are already fourth or better in this seasons Europa League (we could use this Sunday's game against Fulham as a third/fourth play off in case we both get beat in the semis). So that is a successful season after all. Except it isn't really is it? To me, the number one priority every season is to win as many trophies as we can. Of course I have a preference of which ones I would like but winning a trophy is what we support our team for. Everything else is just about doing as good as we can. Whilst fourth place in the Premiership might be financially better than winning a cup, it doesn't feel as satisfying.
Look back to 2001. Which result gave you the biggest pleasurable feelings? The 12th of May victory over Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium, the Dortmund classic against Alaves 4 days later, or our final game of the season on the 19th of May when we clinched a Champions League place by beating Charlton 4-0 to finish third. I would hazard a guess that the first two come pretty close together whereas the Charlton game was a game you knew we had to win for the money, not the glory.
I would love to finish fourth in the PL, not just for the riches it brings but also, in fact mainly, for the opportunity to win the CL again. As I've said in my previous post, I hope we can finish fourth but I don't believe we will.
But at least we are still in with a chance of winning a significant tournament this season.
Question. If Manchester United come second this season and we win the Europa Cup, who would you say has had the most successful season?
I suppose that the victory was all the sweeter after the first twenty minutes when Benfica showed what a talented team they actually were. There were excellent performances across the pitch. Dirk Kuyt, as always, put in a shift, but last night there was more purpose and quality about his endeavours. Lucas surprised us all again by keeping a cool head when in the opposition penalty area. Danniel Agger was more effective as a left back than Insua has been this season,and there was less of a threat down that side than there has been in recent months. Pepe was always (well nearly always) in command of his area and, other than one chance that ping ponged across the goal line, Benfica were only ever going to score from a set piece.
As a traditional football supporter, I've asked myself the following question. Do I want to win the Europa League or finish fourth in the Premiership this season?
I know what is most important for the future of the club. Or at least I thought I did. Entry into the Champions League is financially essential for our club to move forward for the future. But can coming fourth be considered a success. Who was it who once said "First is first, second is nowhere."?
If fourth is good enough for you, then rejoice. We are already fourth or better in this seasons Europa League (we could use this Sunday's game against Fulham as a third/fourth play off in case we both get beat in the semis). So that is a successful season after all. Except it isn't really is it? To me, the number one priority every season is to win as many trophies as we can. Of course I have a preference of which ones I would like but winning a trophy is what we support our team for. Everything else is just about doing as good as we can. Whilst fourth place in the Premiership might be financially better than winning a cup, it doesn't feel as satisfying.
Look back to 2001. Which result gave you the biggest pleasurable feelings? The 12th of May victory over Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium, the Dortmund classic against Alaves 4 days later, or our final game of the season on the 19th of May when we clinched a Champions League place by beating Charlton 4-0 to finish third. I would hazard a guess that the first two come pretty close together whereas the Charlton game was a game you knew we had to win for the money, not the glory.
I would love to finish fourth in the PL, not just for the riches it brings but also, in fact mainly, for the opportunity to win the CL again. As I've said in my previous post, I hope we can finish fourth but I don't believe we will.
But at least we are still in with a chance of winning a significant tournament this season.
Question. If Manchester United come second this season and we win the Europa Cup, who would you say has had the most successful season?
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Faith, Hope and Charity
Well the dust has just about settled on our draw against the Brummies. It comes at the end of a week that has seen the ups and downs of a football fans life.
This time last week most Reds fans believed we had turned a corner of the season. An excellent performance against a team in some form. Our star striker hitting a vein of form that has been patchy over an injury hit season. Even old big fat head himself can see how well the boys have played. We are still in with a shout of claiming that all important fourth spot, if other results can go our way.
Then on to Lisbon, where the Eagles relied on a moment of madness (from a Dutch winger or a Swedish official, I'll let you choose) to earn them a result that, to be honest, I would have taken before kick off. I have every confidence that at Anfield, even this season (possibly especially this season), we can overturn a one goal deficit, particularly given an away goal.
Saturday comes and in the early kick off, the sun shines on the righteous as the team that shall not be named lose to their closest championship rivals to the dodgiest of offside goals. I love this game at times.
Onto the three o'clock kick offs (remember them?). 38 seconds past 3 and the sun shines even brighter. One Darren Bent, who has been in my fantasy football team this year, fires home giving me 4 points and, more importantly, putting Spurs on the back foot. Another Bent goal doubles my pleasure. Then the afternoon turns. Bent misses two penalties (minus points in my fantasy team) and an ex Kop hero pulls one back for the North Londoners. Luckily another Anfield old boy seals a win for the team taken apart at Anfield less than a week earlier.
So far so good. OK, Villa took all three points but it's City and Spurs that are our main rivals for the place at Europe's top table.
So City spoil my evening. 20 minutes in and hopes of an Istanbul like comeback from Burnley seem highly optomistic. And to make matters worse my main rival for the fantasy football league has Tevez for his captain and he has scored one and claimed two assists, all points scoring and all doubled.
City's win has taken them fourth, 5 points clear of The Reds having played the same number of games. That means that we have to rely on them losing two of their remaining games (possible, they do have to play United, Villa, Spurs and Arsenal as well as two should win games against the Brummies at home and a last day trip to Upton Park). It also means we have to win all of our games including a home game against title chasing Chelsea and games against three teams all playing to avoid the drop. Of course, they should be the gimmie games but Burnley away could be a tricky tie, although if we score 4 in twenty minutes the nerves will stop jangling a bit. Our inconsistent away form makes me feel that although all our away games are winnable I am not confident in winning any of them.
This feeling has been compounded by todays result. Don't get me wrong, Birmingham away was never an easy fixture as they are in good form and an outside bet for a European place. However, it was a fixture we needed to win to maximise the pressure on our rivals.
I'm not going to critisize Rafa Benitez for his decisions today. I feel he put out a team that was strong enough to take all three points and he also made a brave decision to replace Torres with Ngog. I was reading two writers I have a great deal of respect for when this substitution took place on Twitter and although Richard Buxton and Paul Tomkins agree on a great many things, they were diometrically opposed to the decision to take Torres off. My opinion was that it was brave, but I think it was vindicated as the performance of the Reds improved after the switch.
However, the result makes it increasingly unlikely that we will be able to catch a City team that are brimming with confidence. Mathematically, fourth is the best finish we can possibly reach after todays result. Logically though, I can't see us winning all of our games (although I do think we will beat Chelsea) and I don't think that City will drop enough points for us to catch them.
Ironically, on Easter Sunday, my faith in our ability to qualify for next season's Champion's League has been sorely tested and found wanting. Unfortunately for me, reality has taken over and I have to accept that it is very unlikely that we will reach the fourth place. If we do, it will be down to City and to a lesser extent Spurs failing to convert their advantage.
I still have hope that we will do the seemingly impossible. That hope will only disappear when it is mathematically impossible for us to overhaul the teams above us. I even hope that we beat Chelsea and United beat City if it means we claim that all important ticket to Europe's elite (that's where the charity comes in).
But in all honesty I can't see it. Can you?
This time last week most Reds fans believed we had turned a corner of the season. An excellent performance against a team in some form. Our star striker hitting a vein of form that has been patchy over an injury hit season. Even old big fat head himself can see how well the boys have played. We are still in with a shout of claiming that all important fourth spot, if other results can go our way.
Then on to Lisbon, where the Eagles relied on a moment of madness (from a Dutch winger or a Swedish official, I'll let you choose) to earn them a result that, to be honest, I would have taken before kick off. I have every confidence that at Anfield, even this season (possibly especially this season), we can overturn a one goal deficit, particularly given an away goal.
Saturday comes and in the early kick off, the sun shines on the righteous as the team that shall not be named lose to their closest championship rivals to the dodgiest of offside goals. I love this game at times.
Onto the three o'clock kick offs (remember them?). 38 seconds past 3 and the sun shines even brighter. One Darren Bent, who has been in my fantasy football team this year, fires home giving me 4 points and, more importantly, putting Spurs on the back foot. Another Bent goal doubles my pleasure. Then the afternoon turns. Bent misses two penalties (minus points in my fantasy team) and an ex Kop hero pulls one back for the North Londoners. Luckily another Anfield old boy seals a win for the team taken apart at Anfield less than a week earlier.
So far so good. OK, Villa took all three points but it's City and Spurs that are our main rivals for the place at Europe's top table.
So City spoil my evening. 20 minutes in and hopes of an Istanbul like comeback from Burnley seem highly optomistic. And to make matters worse my main rival for the fantasy football league has Tevez for his captain and he has scored one and claimed two assists, all points scoring and all doubled.
City's win has taken them fourth, 5 points clear of The Reds having played the same number of games. That means that we have to rely on them losing two of their remaining games (possible, they do have to play United, Villa, Spurs and Arsenal as well as two should win games against the Brummies at home and a last day trip to Upton Park). It also means we have to win all of our games including a home game against title chasing Chelsea and games against three teams all playing to avoid the drop. Of course, they should be the gimmie games but Burnley away could be a tricky tie, although if we score 4 in twenty minutes the nerves will stop jangling a bit. Our inconsistent away form makes me feel that although all our away games are winnable I am not confident in winning any of them.
This feeling has been compounded by todays result. Don't get me wrong, Birmingham away was never an easy fixture as they are in good form and an outside bet for a European place. However, it was a fixture we needed to win to maximise the pressure on our rivals.
I'm not going to critisize Rafa Benitez for his decisions today. I feel he put out a team that was strong enough to take all three points and he also made a brave decision to replace Torres with Ngog. I was reading two writers I have a great deal of respect for when this substitution took place on Twitter and although Richard Buxton and Paul Tomkins agree on a great many things, they were diometrically opposed to the decision to take Torres off. My opinion was that it was brave, but I think it was vindicated as the performance of the Reds improved after the switch.
However, the result makes it increasingly unlikely that we will be able to catch a City team that are brimming with confidence. Mathematically, fourth is the best finish we can possibly reach after todays result. Logically though, I can't see us winning all of our games (although I do think we will beat Chelsea) and I don't think that City will drop enough points for us to catch them.
Ironically, on Easter Sunday, my faith in our ability to qualify for next season's Champion's League has been sorely tested and found wanting. Unfortunately for me, reality has taken over and I have to accept that it is very unlikely that we will reach the fourth place. If we do, it will be down to City and to a lesser extent Spurs failing to convert their advantage.
I still have hope that we will do the seemingly impossible. That hope will only disappear when it is mathematically impossible for us to overhaul the teams above us. I even hope that we beat Chelsea and United beat City if it means we claim that all important ticket to Europe's elite (that's where the charity comes in).
But in all honesty I can't see it. Can you?
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