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Stilly

By Stilly
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dogsout

dogsout

Posted
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Devastatingly good article linked in the Guardian today: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...081006-1421.htm

Might be apt to remember next time Souness is having a whinge about Benitez on Sky Sports.

Anyone know if Tomkins ever writes about football outside of the gates of Anfield?

I'm pretty sure he doesn't. He says that due to his illness he struggles to write about LFC. He used to be a regular poster on RAWK but very, very rarely posts there these days, which is probably as much to do with the unwarranted abuse he gets from a few posters on there, as it is his illness.

I know he was offered a job (may have been a one-off) as a pundit on Setanta but declined, citing his health problems as the reason.

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dogsout

dogsout

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Psychologically, maybe.

It's not make-or-break, though - this six-game run is more important, generally.

I'm just trying to preempt the doom-mongers, who will declare our season over if we were to lose down there.

If we beat Wigan, we're in a great position - sure, it'll be lovely to do Chelsea too, but it still would've been a great points-return even if we don't.

I have to agree. Vezna is quite right in saying a win at Chelsea would give us a huge psychological boost, big enough to kick start a title challenge under the right circumstances. However, Wigan at home is far from a foregone conclusion. We have really struggled with Steve Bruce's 'big, fat head' (and his teams) in the league since Rafa took over. I remember the feeling when we left the ground after witnessing us chuck another two points away the last time we played them at Anfield, and I hope we can avoid it this time out.

Before the Everton game I posted in here saying I felt the next 5 fixtures would give us an indication of whether or not we had progressed from last year. One of the factors in that proclamation was the Wigan match. Even if we lose to Chelsea (for the record, I don't think we will) but beat Wigan, we'll have a point more than we got from the two corresponding fixtures last season. Wigan are clearly a much better side this season, so it won't be easy.

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Pupponvesh 2

Pupponvesh 2

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Just a thought on that Tomkins article.

Surely it's a bit daft to say that Rafa is a better manager because he spends less. So what if he spends 30% less on average than Ferguson, he's won 80% less trophies (random percentages there, but you get the idea).

As for the upcoming Chelsea game, if Liverpool win that (which seems unlikely) then I'd favour them for a serious challenge. As it is, I think it's gonna be Chelsea this year.

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dogsout

dogsout

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Just a thought on that Tomkins article.

Surely it's a bit daft to say that Rafa is a better manager because he spends less. So what if he spends 30% less on average than Ferguson, he's won 80% less trophies (random percentages there, but you get the idea).

As for the upcoming Chelsea game, if Liverpool win that (which seems unlikely) then I'd favour them for a serious challenge. As it is, I think it's gonna be Chelsea this year.

He's not saying that, though. He's addressing the quality of the players he's signed and his performance in the transfer market.

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V3zna

V3zna

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As youprobably know if you play FIFA 09 - he's a monster.

As is Skrtel and Mascherano in FIFA 09. Keane also plays the lone striker role well going by FIFA but Babel doesn't!

Drogba is incredible unfortunately in the game. One man wrecking machine.

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Guest

Guest

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Drogba is incredible unfortunately in the game. One man wrecking machine.

Strange now considering he's injured. He should be made shit :(

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dogsout

dogsout

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That is a great example of lazy journalism. He clearly hasn't been paying attention to Gerrard's club performances this (or last) season.

He has got the potential to be world class. But he isn't and that is down to one thing - a lack of disclipline.

So far this season he's predominantly been played as part of a midfield 4, and 'disciplined' was the exact word I used after the PSV game to describe his performances so far.

The Liverpool team is built around him and it works for them. He gets on the ball at every possible opportunity, hits dozens of 40-yard passes and shoots at every available opportunity from the edge of the box. Some of it comes off, the Reds go home happy and 'Stevie G' gets showered with praise again.

That's bollocks. He had two shots against PSV, a game that we totally dominated. If what this man claims is true, why didn't we see Gerrard have many more cracks at goal? Contrary to what he's saying, Gerrard looks to play in the strikers if they're in a good position and has developed into a real team player over the years. How many shots would Lampard have had in the same game?

Look, for example, at the likes of Michael Ballack and Cesc Fabregas in the Premier League. Both are creative players capable of scoring goals, but both dominate games on a regular basis. By that I mean they keep their opposite number quiet, keep their team in possession and set up their fair share of attacks.

It certainly does not mean them haring around the field attempting numerous 'Hollywood' passes and shooting from 20, 30 and 40 yards every time they fancy a bit of glory. But Gerrard is the best example of an English player who cannot resist that temptation.

This is where he convinced me that he's not watched any football this season. Fabregas is an outstanding player but has done anything but consistently dominate the midfield during Arsenal's games this season (I think it goes back much further than that, to be honest). Ballack is part of a very forceful midfield three and has the luxury of an Essien or Mikel holding the fort behind him. Both of these players are more akin to our Xabi in their roles and attributes. Gerrard is different. I've had my doubts about him playing in the centre of a four before now but this season he has been very disciplined and one of the standout performers in the league so far. I find it amusing that he doesn't get the recognition he deserves from fans and pundits in this country because I'm aware* that in Spain and Italy, many regard him to be the best midfielder in the world.

*Loads and loads of fans of foreign teams constantly tell us as much on RAWK.

So unless Capello can do what Houllier, Benitez, McClaren and Eriksson couldn't and get him to act like a genuine central midfielder and not Roy of the Rovers...

I would argue that Benitez has done just that.

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V3zna

V3zna

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That is a great example of lazy journalism. He clearly hasn't been paying attention to Gerrard's club performances this (or last) season.

So far this season he's predominantly been played as part of a midfield 4, and 'disciplined' was the exact word I used after the PSV game to describe his performances so far.

That's bollocks. He had two shots against PSV, a game that we totally dominated. If what this man claims is true, why didn't we see Gerrard have many more cracks at goal? Contrary to what he's saying, Gerrard looks to play in the strikers if they're in a good position and has developed into a real team player over the years. How many shots would Lampard have had in the same game?

This is where he convinced me that he's not watched any football this season. Fabregas is an outstanding player but has done anything but consistently dominate the midfield during Arsenal's games this season (I think it goes back much further than that, to be honest). Ballack is part of a very forceful midfield three and has the luxury of an Essien or Mikel holding the fort behind him. Both of these players are more akin to our Xabi in their roles and attributes. Gerrard is different. I've had my doubts about him playing in the centre of a four before now but this season he has been very disciplined and one of the standout performers in the league so far. I find it amusing that he doesn't get the recognition he deserves from fans and pundits in this country because I'm aware* that in Spain and Italy, many regard him to be the best midfielder in the world.

*Loads and loads of fans of foreign teams constantly tell us as much on RAWK.

I would argue that Benitez has done just that.

I welcome articles like that as if the press have some really stupid agenda against Gerrard (instead of Lampard for a change) then hopefully he'll retire from International duty. I'm not doubting Rio Ferdinand has been in fine form over the last couple of seasons but why is a formerly drug banned player set to lead out England this weekend rather than Gerrard?

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dogsout

dogsout

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Yeah, I couldn't give a toss about international footy, England included. It would suit me if Gerrard never kicked a ball for his country again. Nonetheless, it irks me when journalists get away with writing shite like that article, and pass it off as considered opinion when it is clear they have watched very little football in reaching their conclusion. It almost seems like they're doing it purely to be controversial. But I'd never accuse any journalist of that, honest. :P

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Takizawa

Takizawa

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Must admit that's pretty poor. The thing is people have got used to him pulling out a wonder strike to win us a game, and genuinely pulling off this 'hollywood' stuff, yet they fail to notice the regular work he goes through in 90 minutes.

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Reynard

Reynard

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Just another one to be tossed on to the pile, along with accusations that we're a two-man team (formerly one-man), rotation, zonal-marking and playing boring football.

Don't really care what the journalists write, but I get irked by opposition fans using it to have a go. I get extra-livid when our own fans lazily buy into it, though.

Funny that we're going along good at the moment and it's quiet as far as the owners are concerned. What can the media drag up now then? Oh, Benitez only has 18 months left on his contract - he's off to Juventus!

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dogsout

dogsout

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I read an article earlier claiming Torres' contract was up in 2010 (lies) and that although he'd made it clear to Man City in a recent illegal approach they'd apparently made (sure they did) that he wasn't interested in a move, he couldn't promise that he'd stay beyond this season. I can't believe the people at Marca actually get paid for what they write. Most of the time it reads like the script of a soap opera loosely based on football.

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DeNeo

DeNeo

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Yeah, I couldn't give a toss about international footy, England included. It would suit me if Gerrard never kicked a ball for his country again.

I really don't get why international football is still played all over the place in a season. Surely the best thing to do is get it out the way in 3 chunks - say October, January (when the African Cup of Nations is anyway) and end of season. You'd have all the qualifiers in October and January and friendlies/tournaments at the end of the season. This would solve clubs managers being annoyed at having their season disrupted every few weeks and international managers would get more time with the players to work on tactics etc, which they're always complaining they don't get enough of - win win.

Of course in those month periods when the big names are away, a few friendlies could be played to keep everyone left home fresh. We could create a British Super Tournament with the clubs from the top division of each nation (as the Football League etc matches would still be played, like they are during internationals now) - Liverpool (Partial) Reserves vs Celtic (Partial) Reserves etc. Would also give the younger players a chance to be blooded in, and a British tournament would mean not much travelling.

More football for the club fans who don't give 2 hoots about internationals, club managers happier, international managers happier, more chance for youngsters to play in the 1st team (including English ones - the FA will be pleased), more chance for fans to go and see their team play (for less money). And the Premier League would no doubt send a few teams to Asia, get some more money there, and drop the 39th game idea :P

Never gonna happen in a million years like.

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phresh

phresh

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In all fairness Phil Neville has had more success at International level that either of them.

I would rather obviously say Scholes was better than either of them in his prime, but they're different styles of players so it's hardly a valid comparison.

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dogsout

dogsout

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In all fairness Phil Neville has had more success at International level that either of them.

I would rather obviously say Scholes was better than either of them in his prime, but they're different styles of players so it's hardly a valid comparison.

Not so. Gerrard was very effective up until Lampard began featuring regularly (the same can be said of Paul Scholes who was also shifted around to accommodate Lampard). England didn't lose a competitive game with Gerrard in the side for his first 20-odd games.

You're right, Scholes and Gerrard are different types of players (although I'd say Scholes and Lampard are very similar and could justifiably be compared) and despite the obvious reasons why I'm not supposed to like him, I'm a huge closet Paul Scholes fan. Gerrard is the complete player, though. He's physically and technically brilliant and as much as I'd have loved a Paul Scholes at Anfield over the years, I think Gerrard is a one-off. He gets a lot of stick from people when he goes a few games without scoring another goal of the season candidate, simply because his more subtle contributions are lost on them. He offers so much more than just goals and is the sort of player that England should be building their team around. People say he doesn't turn it on for England, and it's true, but England don't utilize him in the way they should. His position on the field isn't actually all that important; it's the players that are put around him that are key. There's no balance.

I couldn't give a toss if he was benched for England, in fact I'd prefer it because he'd be staying fresh for Liverpool. But it would be stupid and unnecessary.

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