Two games in and so far no goals for and one against. About time I started calling for the managers head don't you think? Of course not. Although I do have a beef with whoever thought that starting the season so soon after the Wold Cup ended was a good idea. Five weeks to let the best players in the world (and the second best as well, sorry Dirk and Ryan) to have an end of season rest, and a pre season training regime and some match practice is a joke. The English Premier League is no longer the best league in the world, just the biggest cash cow.
And as for the Europa League qualifying stages starting during the World Cup. Although, to be fair, I suppose UEFA didn't expect any teams with plenty of World cup players, to join the competition so early.
It was good to see the youngsters get a run out and let Roy see who has some potential to bring through for a chance this term. I don't think any of them have particularly shone, but none have disgraced themselves either. Lucas has grown in confidence and Jovanovic seems to have the right attitude, being the first player,along with Soto, to return from international duty to play in the warm ups.
But I am worried that with only three more games before the big kick off (you have to say that about the first game of the new season. It's the law) we will be very under prepared to take on Arsenal. If anything, the fact that the Gunners are our first opponents is something of a softener for two reasons. Firstly, they will have a number of late arrivals in their squad, and secondly, when we play Arsenal as our opening game, we seem to have a decent season.
Last week was positive for reds fans with the arrival of Danny Wilson and Joe Cole and the interview with Stevie G that suggested that he was here for the season. I think that Roy has made good plans for the playing side of the club and feel more optimistic on that front. Of course the big issue that still needs to be resolved is the ownership and until that is sorted, then we are still going to be running to stand still. I think that if Fernando Torres starts for the reds against the Gunners, then we can probably read that there is likely to be good news on the ownership issue. My belief is that if he receives certain reassurances, then he will stay with us.
Mascherano on the other hand just needs to hand in a transfer request and be done with it. Playing games like he seems to be is disrespectful to supporters who welcomed him when he was unwanted elsewhere. I'd just like the transfer funds now please (as long a Roy is allowed to reinvest it).
So Thursday will be our first real test.Our first must win game of the season (well maybe not, but definitely a can't lose game). How often will we hear those words in 2010/11? A must win game for Liverpool. Every one I hope.
Sunday, 25 July 2010
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Dawning of the age of Woy.
It's been a week since our new manager was finally appointed and I know you have been desperate to know what I think.
So far Roy has said all the right things and left enough scope for optimism. Was he my first choice for manager? Well, in the circumstances the club is in at the moment, I think reality told me he was the best we had a realistic chance of getting.
And I am optimistic that we will be in for an improvement in the next few months. Why? well there are a number of things that are very much in Roy's favour. First and foremost is the new manager bounce. When a new manager comes to a club, one of two things tend to happen. The players all of a sudden realise they have a new man to impress and start turning in performances or there is too much change all at once and the players are confused. With Roy having the pre season to work with the players, I think that negates the latter option, with the players who are at the club still having something to prove so I think our bounce will be an upward bound.
I also believe that Roy hasn't got the baggage that Rafa had during the last season. Rafa had a constant battle with the board (and in most cases with immense justification). He had no support from the board and he eventually, in my opinion, let that side of his job interfere with the team management side of his role. I don't think that is a problem Roy will have. I don't trust the board anymore than any other Liverpool supporter, but I don't think Roy is as stupid as he would have to be to take the job on with the promise of big bucks to spend, knowing the current state of our club. Therefore I think he has realistic expectations and will be able to work well within them and put every effort into managing the team well.
I also think that the owners and board have a vested interest in Roy doing well. He is their man, their choice, the one that they believe in. Rafa was appointed by the previous owners and was always under scrutiny. He was challenged at every turn and made the fatal mistake of being popular with the fans whilst the Yanks were taking them for a ride.
Under these circumstances, I do believe that Roy Hodgson is the best option for Liverpool. Better than Kenny Dalglish? Yes. I was a season ticket holder during Kenny's period at the helm. his teams football was exciting, breathtaking and successful. everything that a Liverpool fan would love right now. But for me, he is too close to the fans to be the manager. He would have the same problems with the owners that Rafa had and he would also take up the baton on the fans behalf. Once again, I can see the playing side suffer for the internal politics, and I for one wouldn't like to see Kenny's reputation tarnished by bickering with Waldorf and Stadtler (look it up if your under 30).
I think the new manager needs to knuckle down and concentrate on repairing our broken team, whilst we the fans continue our War of American Independence. As anyone who attended the rally at St George's (ironic name really Hall will tell you, the fans don't need the manager to make their case, they are damn good at making themselves heard.
So far Roy has said all the right things and left enough scope for optimism. Was he my first choice for manager? Well, in the circumstances the club is in at the moment, I think reality told me he was the best we had a realistic chance of getting.
And I am optimistic that we will be in for an improvement in the next few months. Why? well there are a number of things that are very much in Roy's favour. First and foremost is the new manager bounce. When a new manager comes to a club, one of two things tend to happen. The players all of a sudden realise they have a new man to impress and start turning in performances or there is too much change all at once and the players are confused. With Roy having the pre season to work with the players, I think that negates the latter option, with the players who are at the club still having something to prove so I think our bounce will be an upward bound.
I also believe that Roy hasn't got the baggage that Rafa had during the last season. Rafa had a constant battle with the board (and in most cases with immense justification). He had no support from the board and he eventually, in my opinion, let that side of his job interfere with the team management side of his role. I don't think that is a problem Roy will have. I don't trust the board anymore than any other Liverpool supporter, but I don't think Roy is as stupid as he would have to be to take the job on with the promise of big bucks to spend, knowing the current state of our club. Therefore I think he has realistic expectations and will be able to work well within them and put every effort into managing the team well.
I also think that the owners and board have a vested interest in Roy doing well. He is their man, their choice, the one that they believe in. Rafa was appointed by the previous owners and was always under scrutiny. He was challenged at every turn and made the fatal mistake of being popular with the fans whilst the Yanks were taking them for a ride.
I think the new manager needs to knuckle down and concentrate on repairing our broken team, whilst we the fans continue our War of American Independence. As anyone who attended the rally at St George's (ironic name really Hall will tell you, the fans don't need the manager to make their case, they are damn good at making themselves heard.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
End of an era
I haven't written my Liverpool thought down since the end of April as I didn't want to rant to much. 2009/10 will never go down as one of the most successful seasons in our illustrious history. In fact, looking back on events on the field, there is very little that sticks in the memory that will be played on the LFC TV channel ad infinitum.
On the pitch, the most memorable events probably happened against Sunderland. First was the stunning goal by the beach ball and then at Anfield graced us with a sublime goal.
The only other moment on the field that sticks in my mind, possibly relates more to recent events off the pitch. Of course, there may be absolutely no link whatsoever between the look on Stevie and Nando's face when the Spaniard was substituted at Birmingham and the "mutually agreed" decision for Rafa to leave. However, it did lend credence to those who believed that Rafa had lost the dressing room.
Personally, I think that the decision to find a new manager is the right one. Don't get me wrong, I am not a Rafa hater and to be honest, I find it difficult to find any Liverpool fan that is. However, having heard and read a variety of opinions on various media I am convinced that there are a huge percentage of those that believe Rafa should have stayed, that are blinded to the faults that were evident in the last season.
In 2004 I was excited by the arrival of Mr Benitez. His Valencia team had broken the Spanish stranglehold of Barca and Real on La Liga. Not once, but twice. And with a limited budget. What could he do at Anfield where he would be able to open the chequebook a little wider.
Unfortunately, I think that his transfer dealing was the area that caused me most concern. Of course all managers make good signings and bad signings. And admittedly Rafa, latterly had his hands tied behind his back by the charlatans from America that currently own our beloved club. But I still see plenty of areas that Rafa did badly.
Let's look at his successful signings. In his first summer he brought in Xabi Alonso and little Luis Garcia. both fellow countrymen of Rafa's that were excellent signings. Luis contributions in the Champions League in that first season earned a place in Anfield folklore. Alonso was simply the best passer of a football playing in England at that time. His vision and accuracy were a sight to behold. His goals from his own half and his penalty follow up in Istanbul will long live in the memory. Pepe Reina and of course Fernando Torres were other quality signings from the managers homeland. How Pepe isn't the first choice for the European Nations Champions I don't understand. I believe that he will have a major impact on the World cup in South Africa in the next few weeks and will probably play in the final. Torres is quality through and through. When Liverpool needed a new striker, I was touting Torres as the man to take us to the next level.from half way through the previous season. What a bargain his £20m plus fee looks now.
Other class acts that Rafa has brought to Liverpool must include Javier Mascherano and Daniel Agger. But Rafa has bought his fair share of duds as well. No one would claim that the signings of Craig Bellamy, Andrea Dossena, Jan Kromkamp, Mauricio Pellegrino or Andriy Vorinin were ever the success that were hoped for. All bought to go into the first team and none that mad the impact that would have been wanted.
There are other signings that the jury is out on. Robbie Keane may not have had the immediate impact that would have been hoped for, but i still believe that given more time he would have made the grade at Anfield. And Peter Crouch also left before his peak and could have continued contributing to Liverpool. In both cases I have seen arguments that Rafa had to sell to trade up to the next level. Crouch for example released funds that went on buying Fernando Torres. And I still maintain that the proceeds from the sale of Keane were promised to Rafa but never materialised.
If the problems of Rafa's transfer dealings were ever made apparent it was during the last 24 months. His open courtship of Gareth Barry and, more damagingly, his willingness to allow Xabi Alonso to leave to facilitate the move, was in my opinion, the start of the end for Signor Benitez. I don't know if that is the time when he, allegedly, lost the dressing room, but it did show that he was prepared to tinker with his squad as much as he tinkered with his team selection. I understand that some of his dealings were in order to improve the squad (see Crouch/Torres above) but it was difficult to see how Barry would adequately compensate for the loss of Alonso. The fact that Barry never arrived at Anfield and Alonso had another season in red was not by design and surely would have unsettled the Spaniard and possibly proved to other members of the squad that no one was irreplaceable in Rafa's eyes. Ironically, that season was the closest we came to winning the Premiership under Rafa's stewardship. Alonso played out of his skin, particularly when the shackles were taken off and we attacked for fun, probably playing for the big money move to Real Madrid that materialised at the end of the season.
Xabi Alonso transfer dragged on and was eventually concluded, with a higher fee but less time to spend it. Of course everyone had spotted where we needed to strengthen. We needed cover for Fernando Torres, who was ploughing a lone furrow up front since the sale of Robbie Keane,and a replacement for Xabi Alonso. Rafa immediately plunged into the market and spent £17m ..... on a right back. Admittedly, a good attacking right back, but not where we needed to spend such a large sum of money. Alvaro Arbeloa had been a more than adequate replacement for Kromkamp/Josemi and I'm sure that if the right deal had been agreed, he could have played another season. The new midfielder wasn't a direct replacement for Xabi, but had a decent pedigree and might change the way we played but could add an exciting attacking dimension. The only problem was, that Alberto Aquilani was injured and wasn't expected to be fit for at least two to three months. so the new style of play couldn't be implemented straight away.
I know it might seem over simplified, but to me those two signings were the biggest reason why Liverpool failed last season. I have not mentioned the owners much and I know that their mismanagement of our club is the main reason that Liverpool is in the doldrums at the moment. However, I don't accept that Rafa Benitez wasn't given any transfer funds at the start of the season. He just spent what he had badly in my opinion. He might have had to deal to raise money but he did spend over £30m and none was spent on the back up for Nando, which cost us dearly on the pitch. And this isn't a case of hindsight being twenty twenty vision. Most people could see that cover was required at the start of the campaign.
Rafa Benitez can walk away with his head held high and would be welcomed back to Anfield at any time. He has left a legacy with the win in Istanbul that allows us to have 5 stars on our shirt and for that we will be forever grateful. However, I think he had become so far embroiled in a war with the owners that he allowed affairs on the pitch to play second fiddle.
At the end of the day, if we had failed to qualify for the Champions League by a couple of points it would have been seen as a bad year but understandable under the circumstances that the owners had put us in. Seventh place was unacceptable.
And so to the future. Well, we still have the same owners and until that changes I can't see any huge improvement. So who would I like as the new manager of Liverpool. Well that would depend on how long the ownership question takes to be resolved. If it is going to take a couple of months then I think that Kenny Dalglish can carry the mantle until a long term replacement is found. Kenny has the respect of the fans and if there isn't any improvement, his standing with the fans is unlikely to diminish as they are likely to put the blame on the owners. But for a longer term option I don't think Kenny would be willing and that honeymoon period would eventually end and the fans would start to look deeper into any poor results.
If the ownership isn't likely to be resolved for a longer period, then I would like to see Roy Hodgson as a medium term replacement. He has European pedigree but has respect for the tradition of Anfield.
But priority one is to see the back of the Yanks.
On the pitch, the most memorable events probably happened against Sunderland. First was the stunning goal by the beach ball and then at Anfield graced us with a sublime goal.
The only other moment on the field that sticks in my mind, possibly relates more to recent events off the pitch. Of course, there may be absolutely no link whatsoever between the look on Stevie and Nando's face when the Spaniard was substituted at Birmingham and the "mutually agreed" decision for Rafa to leave. However, it did lend credence to those who believed that Rafa had lost the dressing room.
Personally, I think that the decision to find a new manager is the right one. Don't get me wrong, I am not a Rafa hater and to be honest, I find it difficult to find any Liverpool fan that is. However, having heard and read a variety of opinions on various media I am convinced that there are a huge percentage of those that believe Rafa should have stayed, that are blinded to the faults that were evident in the last season.
In 2004 I was excited by the arrival of Mr Benitez. His Valencia team had broken the Spanish stranglehold of Barca and Real on La Liga. Not once, but twice. And with a limited budget. What could he do at Anfield where he would be able to open the chequebook a little wider.
Unfortunately, I think that his transfer dealing was the area that caused me most concern. Of course all managers make good signings and bad signings. And admittedly Rafa, latterly had his hands tied behind his back by the charlatans from America that currently own our beloved club. But I still see plenty of areas that Rafa did badly.
Let's look at his successful signings. In his first summer he brought in Xabi Alonso and little Luis Garcia. both fellow countrymen of Rafa's that were excellent signings. Luis contributions in the Champions League in that first season earned a place in Anfield folklore. Alonso was simply the best passer of a football playing in England at that time. His vision and accuracy were a sight to behold. His goals from his own half and his penalty follow up in Istanbul will long live in the memory. Pepe Reina and of course Fernando Torres were other quality signings from the managers homeland. How Pepe isn't the first choice for the European Nations Champions I don't understand. I believe that he will have a major impact on the World cup in South Africa in the next few weeks and will probably play in the final. Torres is quality through and through. When Liverpool needed a new striker, I was touting Torres as the man to take us to the next level.from half way through the previous season. What a bargain his £20m plus fee looks now.
Other class acts that Rafa has brought to Liverpool must include Javier Mascherano and Daniel Agger. But Rafa has bought his fair share of duds as well. No one would claim that the signings of Craig Bellamy, Andrea Dossena, Jan Kromkamp, Mauricio Pellegrino or Andriy Vorinin were ever the success that were hoped for. All bought to go into the first team and none that mad the impact that would have been wanted.
There are other signings that the jury is out on. Robbie Keane may not have had the immediate impact that would have been hoped for, but i still believe that given more time he would have made the grade at Anfield. And Peter Crouch also left before his peak and could have continued contributing to Liverpool. In both cases I have seen arguments that Rafa had to sell to trade up to the next level. Crouch for example released funds that went on buying Fernando Torres. And I still maintain that the proceeds from the sale of Keane were promised to Rafa but never materialised.
If the problems of Rafa's transfer dealings were ever made apparent it was during the last 24 months. His open courtship of Gareth Barry and, more damagingly, his willingness to allow Xabi Alonso to leave to facilitate the move, was in my opinion, the start of the end for Signor Benitez. I don't know if that is the time when he, allegedly, lost the dressing room, but it did show that he was prepared to tinker with his squad as much as he tinkered with his team selection. I understand that some of his dealings were in order to improve the squad (see Crouch/Torres above) but it was difficult to see how Barry would adequately compensate for the loss of Alonso. The fact that Barry never arrived at Anfield and Alonso had another season in red was not by design and surely would have unsettled the Spaniard and possibly proved to other members of the squad that no one was irreplaceable in Rafa's eyes. Ironically, that season was the closest we came to winning the Premiership under Rafa's stewardship. Alonso played out of his skin, particularly when the shackles were taken off and we attacked for fun, probably playing for the big money move to Real Madrid that materialised at the end of the season.
Xabi Alonso transfer dragged on and was eventually concluded, with a higher fee but less time to spend it. Of course everyone had spotted where we needed to strengthen. We needed cover for Fernando Torres, who was ploughing a lone furrow up front since the sale of Robbie Keane,and a replacement for Xabi Alonso. Rafa immediately plunged into the market and spent £17m ..... on a right back. Admittedly, a good attacking right back, but not where we needed to spend such a large sum of money. Alvaro Arbeloa had been a more than adequate replacement for Kromkamp/Josemi and I'm sure that if the right deal had been agreed, he could have played another season. The new midfielder wasn't a direct replacement for Xabi, but had a decent pedigree and might change the way we played but could add an exciting attacking dimension. The only problem was, that Alberto Aquilani was injured and wasn't expected to be fit for at least two to three months. so the new style of play couldn't be implemented straight away.
I know it might seem over simplified, but to me those two signings were the biggest reason why Liverpool failed last season. I have not mentioned the owners much and I know that their mismanagement of our club is the main reason that Liverpool is in the doldrums at the moment. However, I don't accept that Rafa Benitez wasn't given any transfer funds at the start of the season. He just spent what he had badly in my opinion. He might have had to deal to raise money but he did spend over £30m and none was spent on the back up for Nando, which cost us dearly on the pitch. And this isn't a case of hindsight being twenty twenty vision. Most people could see that cover was required at the start of the campaign.
Rafa Benitez can walk away with his head held high and would be welcomed back to Anfield at any time. He has left a legacy with the win in Istanbul that allows us to have 5 stars on our shirt and for that we will be forever grateful. However, I think he had become so far embroiled in a war with the owners that he allowed affairs on the pitch to play second fiddle.
At the end of the day, if we had failed to qualify for the Champions League by a couple of points it would have been seen as a bad year but understandable under the circumstances that the owners had put us in. Seventh place was unacceptable.
And so to the future. Well, we still have the same owners and until that changes I can't see any huge improvement. So who would I like as the new manager of Liverpool. Well that would depend on how long the ownership question takes to be resolved. If it is going to take a couple of months then I think that Kenny Dalglish can carry the mantle until a long term replacement is found. Kenny has the respect of the fans and if there isn't any improvement, his standing with the fans is unlikely to diminish as they are likely to put the blame on the owners. But for a longer term option I don't think Kenny would be willing and that honeymoon period would eventually end and the fans would start to look deeper into any poor results.
If the ownership isn't likely to be resolved for a longer period, then I would like to see Roy Hodgson as a medium term replacement. He has European pedigree but has respect for the tradition of Anfield.
But priority one is to see the back of the Yanks.
Friday, 30 April 2010
End of Season Party
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...
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...
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.
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