Liverpool Banter Archive September 11 2013

 

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11 Sep 2013 17:37:38
ed2 what way do you think livepool will pay for the expansion? will it be a loan over a few years to pay back? thanks {Ed002's Note - They will look to bringing in some sponsorship. The "crisis" point will be the renaming of the stadium which many fans do not want. The remaining money will be a structured loan.}

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Within reason I don't really care what the sponsors decide to call the stadium, couldn't care as it will always be Liverpool, Anfield L4 in everyone's mind, 120 years of history next season and it's going to take a long time to forget it. Also, let's face it, it's never going to be as bad as United's name ''Old Trafford''. :)

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I would have no problem with the name of anfield being sold to fund the build, we will still call it anfield anyway, the sooner the better all this gets done, would the sponsorship cover half of the price to build the expansion? or how much you reckon ed2?thanks {Ed002's Note - Aside from a commitment from the owners not to change the name, I suspect a large number of the fans feel differently to you. Any sponsorship would be over a number of years so loans will likely need to be taken and paid back over time.}

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I would be appalled if the stadium had a corporate name. The money wouldn't be worth taking down the this is Anfield sign. You cannot not want to sell the heart of the history of this club for a little cash in hand. I would rather we didn't expand the stadium than change the name to a sponsorship one. Why don't we swap the shankley gates for the warrior sports gates? Arsenal have not one anything since they expanded their stadium and turned their back on identity for money.

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Gabriel Shankly, in the spirit of healthy debate I could not disagree with you more if I tried. It is imperative that the Anfield expansion happens and if more money can be brought in via commercial sponsorship then so be it. As Ollieston and Majestic both pointed out, it will always be Anfield, in the same way Toon fans still call their ground St James' Park. Liverpool are being hindered by the fact the stadium does not currently possess the size to benefit from the increased income through ticket sales, the expansion will help bring more money into the club. And who is to say they will take down the This Is Anfield sign? Sponsorship doesn't equate to stripping a club of it's identity, and your example of Arsenal not winning anything post-Stadium sponsorship is completely unfounded, I'm pretty sure their lack of trophies is due to the team.

Either way, we all want what's best for LFC, and if it means a big 'Relentless Energy' logo somewhere on the stadium then I say run with it. As long as LFC get a bigger ground, more fans get to see our team play, and Liverpool's revenue increases then for me it's all good.

Always Anfield. Regardless.

JFT 96

JP

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I thought JWH said recently that the money for the redevelopment was not an issue and that it would pay for itself?
I don't think that you have to re-name an entire ground for the sake of two new stands. {Ed002's Note - Any significant sponsor of the stadium will look to have their name associated with it. I would think you are perhaps reading too much in to any quotes which say the development will pay for itself - Is that with or without additional sponsorship? Over how many years would be paying for itself? Where does the money come from for the development before "it pays for itself"?}

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Ed's, have the club identified a sponsor yet or is it still early stages? {Ed002's Note - I suspect they will be looking for a number of sponsors.}

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Thanks

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12 Sep 2013 13:23:13
It's simple enough to satisfy all comers by using 'xxxx@anfield' - that way the sponsor gets their name in and the fans can still see anfield. For example bloggs@anfield, smith@anfield, jones @anfield. H&G were toying with that idea so that they could use several sponsors.

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Why can't you have corporate sponsorship and retain the name?

Cadbury Welcomes You to Anfield

or

Anfield, by Carlsberg

or

Apple's Anfield

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12 Sep 2013 14:37:14
Thank you for your considered response JFT 96. Perhaps my initial point was somewhat reactionary and I will elaborate my concerns more clearly.

I find it very unfortunate that some Liverpool fans find it so easy to trade off the Anfield name in the pursuit of revenue. I am aware that this is now how the game works, clubs will use every commercial avenue necessary. I personally am very uncomfortable with it. This may seems like a small concession but when will it end? Would you be OK with our name being Liverpool (insert cooperation name here?) Liverpool grew and became the best team in the world by rejecting these values under the man my user name pays homage to. I think that we can do it again, without compromising our founding values completely.

What's more is the blight on the surrounding area that will be the ultimate legacy of the "regeneration" project. Particularly the buying of houses in order to demolish them. It has been a disgraceful pursuit that has left many life long Liverpool fans displaced from their homes.

With regards to the benefits of expanding capacity I feel it is naive to say that this is a positive move for fans wishing to watch the games. Most of the new seating will be in favour of being able to create larger corporate areas and high price seating. Definitely not about lowering prices.

Most sad of all though will be that over time we will forget the name Anfield as will Newcastle with St James park. As did Arsenal with highbury and city after them. Their will be a legal obligation for media to refer to the Stadium under it's new name and we will eventually forget. Perhaps you and I won't but over time the next generations will.

I do also think that, though not entirely, Arsenal's failure to win something is in part down them changing the name of their stadium and losing some of their identity. Of course the squad also play a big role, never underestimate the power of a name and a sense of history. United won titles without the best squad, Liverpool have won cups despite arsenal consistently finishing higher in the league. There are reasons that go beyond the balance sheet and the players.

I, like you JFT 96, want the club to succeed in every way it can. I don't feel by defending the clubs ancient traditions in the face of corporate gain I am hindering this. As your name suggests you are proud of the clubs ability to fight against the ills of the powers that be.

{Ed002's Note - The 15,000 additional seats will be nearly all for supporters and not corporate users as you suggest. You are however correct that there will be no lowering of seat prices. There will be no "legal obligation" on the media to use any future given name.}

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"It has been a disgraceful pursuit that has left many life long Liverpool fans displaced from their homes."

This seems hyperbolic and OTT.

Care to elaborate on what LFC has done that has been so "disgraceful"?

Was this area blossoming and LFC ruined it?

Who are all these LFC fans living in these houses? Do they not wish to see the club expand the stadium?

Who bought houses there recently with the express intent of holding the club to ransom? LFC fans?

Is the City of Liverpool not fully behind the current plans? Or is their behavior "disgraceful" as well?

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12 Sep 2013 16:55:52
Lets not pretend the homeowners around Anfield are not getting rather generous cheques, at somewhat above market at least.

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Gabriel - you make the area around the stadium sound like some sort of utopia. Just about anything built there would improve it. The vast majority of the houses in question are either boarded up or burnt out, and quite frankly need knocking down. I can fully appreciate why Liverpool council want the area regenerating, and the necessary help will be coming greatly from LFC. We are not displacing natives from their promise land.

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11 Sep 2013 20:17:28
ANOTHER 74 police statements altered, re Hillsborough

alan50

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11 Sep 2013 20:15:37
Evening fellow reds and eds.
Hope all is well.
I just wanted to say that I am really pleased with how our team is shaping up for the season ahead and I for one have got a good vibe about where we are heading.
I just wanted to point out the one attribute that has been missing in a Liverpool side for far too long and that is PACE.
For many years, in fact if memory serves me right since the Houllier days and right the way through up until the appointment of Brendan Rodgers we have had a team which as been lacking in this attribute and it is refreshing to see pace now in all areas of the squad.
I agree with the notion that we do not want sprinters with no end product (Walcott, Lennon etc) but if you think about it this is the first time in a while where we have had quick, dynamic players in defence, out wide and attack.
Houllier's back four was Finnan, Hypia, Henchoz and Riise and as good as they were they would get a nose bleed if they had a sniff of the half way line!
We have had quick players in spells (owen, Cisse and Babel) but until very recently Glen Johnson was the only player in our first team who would be described as quick.
I am sure Brendan Rodgers has seen this and we now have pace everywhere.
Ibe, Sterling, Johnson, Llori, Toure and Sturridge have provided a much needed boost in this department and Henderson, Enrique, Coutinho, Kelly, Sahko and even Suarez are relatively quick too.
I believe that this has largely changed the dynamic of the side and while I repeat pace is not everything in football it certainly does not hinder a squad of footballers.
I would welcome any thoughts that completely agree with me on this subject:)

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11 Sep 2013 18:02:03
Hi Eds and reds.

Just want to know what you all think of Adam Lallana. Not because we have been linked with him in any way, but because I really rate him.

He had a great season last season, and yet, I heard nothing of any links to other clubs in the summer and he doesn't seem to be getting much of a chance in the England squad even though he's -IMHO- as good, if not better than the rest of the midfielder's apart from Gerrard and maybe lampard.

So I guess my question is, is there a reason he seems to be so overlooked by others outside Southampton? {Ed013's Note - He is a very good player that is rated highly at Southampton. It is hard to say whether he can make the step up to a bigger club, but definitely worth a gamble}

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Fair play to Southampton, they have got a few very good players.

I wish you well this season.

Phooey

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Don't wish them too much luck Phooey - it wasn't that long ago that they were our bogey team! But I agree, they have a good team and I also quite like their manager - he wants to get them to play good football.

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I thought this last season - looks a real quality player who is full of confidence, and is obviously a good leader if he's captain already. Would love him at Liverpool.

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11 Sep 2013 17:24:31
Enrique OR Cissokho when both fit?
Discuss

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Impossible to say until we see more of cissokho in the premiership.
But if I had to choose right now, Enrique hands down!

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Seeing as Cissokho has only played about two minutes for us it's hard to judge. Enrique at the moment but maybe the new guy can compete for the place?

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Enrique looked good at left back against United, he's doing well so far this season and a lot less 50/50 about things, I actually think he's been very solid and is the clubs first choice LB and by some way.

Cissokho is climbing an up hill battle. shifting out Enrique won't be easy in my opinion, although i'm not sure Rodgers is convinced yet. Cissokho is going to need to get used to the League, after all he's only played a few minutes of game time and he's out for six weeks, which is really unfortunate for him and the club. He struggled at Valencia but excelled at Porto and did well at Lyon for a good time. At Valencia he seemed to be played as a rugby type full back, ready to sweep up any counter attack or loose balls, but he made his name by charging out of defences on the counter attack stretching opposition defences. I don't know what Cissokho we've actually got at the moment, attacking or conservative!? But hopefully Rodgers, the coaches and players help him to settle and show consistent performances. But it's an easy decision until Cissokho is fit.

Enrique was fantastic for the first 6 months, dipped dramatically for about 15 months but i've been impressed so far this season. he's found out when he tries doing the simple things in a hard way. Just my opinion.

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Enrique. He has been excellent this year. His decision making has improved vastly and not much gets past him.

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Hey Nelly.

I agree with what others have said: It's up to Cissokho to prove he can unseat Enrique and we've just not seen enough of him yet to conclude whether or not he can do it.

For me, the big positive here is that we now have competition for places all over the squad! Our summer signings have given us real depth and provided the manager with a lot of options.

Besides the battle at LB, just look at our choices at center half. With the additions of Sakho and Toure, we now have four legitimate international class central defenders--as well as some very promising youngsters (Wisdom and Ilori)!

The midfield three of Gerrard, Lucas and Henderson seems very solidified at the moment. But Joe Allen will be looking to earn his place back. And Alberto will feel that he can push for playing time as well.

I do believe that we are a bit short up front, but there is still some competition for places there. The two youngsters--Sterling and Ibe--will push each other and will be highly motiviated to break through on the big stage. And can you imagine what Saurez must be thinking, as he sits in the stands watching Sturridge knock in all these goals? He'll be desperate to get back on the pitch and prove he's still the man who makes our attack tick.

This kind of competition can only be good for the players. It will keep them from becoming complacent and it should serve as a constant reminder that they have to EARN the right to walk out of that tunnel wearing the famous red shirt. And they have to earn it week in and week out!

I am truly excited about where this club is headed. For the first time in a while, I think the staff has built the foundation for a strong squad that can really push each other and really push our rivals.

It's going to be a great season! Come on you Reds!

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Thanks everyone! time will tell, I agree that Enrique has looked good since Cissokho has come in! We shall see what happens, thanks again

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11 Sep 2013 17:18:07
Hi eds have do we hold a interest in Honda and what his is situation regarding a move in January? {Ed002's Note - No but he will be moving in January.}

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11 Sep 2013 16:32:41
Hey guys when you have time is there any chance of a few player profiles being added? Namely Sakho or Ilori? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance {Ed002's Note - Not the place to ask man - try the profiles page.}

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11 Sep 2013 17:52:46
Have a look on the LFC blogs and voting polls page mate. I did some player reviews on both of them not too long ago. They are similar to the profiles page although more of a comparison between the players.

YNWAdam

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11 Sep 2013 15:56:08
I had a dream that we beat Swansea City 2 nil. Aspas and Henderson scored. Wisdom at right-back and Skrtel partnering Agger. Sometimes dreams can come true huh?

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Cool. Cancel Sky and save £50 a month is my suggestion!

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There are good younger players but we need a manager who'd have the courage and know-how to put them in the team and play them! Glen Hoddle is the only manager in the last 15 or so years who actually knew the game and played a system. Never mind his karma/hindu/whatever beliefs he has. Get rid of Hodgson because as good a man as he is, a good manager he is not!
Hoddle now before it's too late!

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11 Sep 2013 10:18:45
After watching the England game last night, I was wondering why some younger players are never really given much chance. I mean I am sure Henderson could have done a job in midfield at some point during the game. Why do we constantly call up players to resort then to playing the same old ones ( Young, Walcott, Milner ) etc, who seem to offer little. Is it just a matter of protecting young players? Or is it we have a don't lose at all cost mentality?
If we qualify we should be willing to give young players who get called up, game time in Rio surely?
I know most people don't care about the England team, but wondered what some thought

PM

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Every England manager seems to do the same and stick with the same, predictable players whether they are playing well at club level or not.

How Milner was even in the squad when he hasn’t started a game for City this season is beyond me.
Starting Wilshire who was nowhere near match fit smacked of desperation.
Even from a Liverpool point of view so I don’t come across as bias, why was Sterling in the squad, never mind on the bench? He hasn’t done much for us this season apart from the Notts County game, hardly an opposition similar to International Level.

Lambert should have been in the squad last season, as should his team mates Lallana and Cork (based on last seasons form). This season Henderson should have been in all day long, as should Agbonlahor and possibly Delph, I think Barkley deserved his call up because he has been a main stay for Everton this season and played well, Townsend was a similar situation but less deserving.

Young being in the squad is another example of a player being picked on reputation and the club they play for. His form has been awful this year.

I remember Hodgson saying Oxlade-Chamberlain was a massive loss to the team when he was injured earlier in the season, how can a young lad who has still to really make an impression at club level be a huge loss to the national team?

Until things change and a new manager comes in to shake things up, I will always gladly say I am more a Liverpool supporter than an England supporter.

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Well for certain its because english clubs lack talented youth.
can you suggest me any english youth player ready for national team
have you seen the performance of u-21? it is horrible at all levels.
for all teams players perform in u-17 u-20 u-21 tournaments and get their chance in national squad, however for england their youth doesn't perform much in these competitions.
for eg take france - paul pogba and raphael varane, does england have any youth that matches that sort of quality the above two possess?
spain and germany - well I don't need to write for them.
brazil argentina - they are a factory, and they have youth in there core.

italy. well- england doesn't have a player of the quality of insinge el sha raawy and /or less balotelli.

the youth is hyped at levels beyond imagination. they have a season of achievement with their clubs and they are suddenly the next big thing.

and then again england play a negative game where player are hardly allowed to express themselves.
england just don't have a star whom the team follows/look up to. they have too many stars and none of them takes the responsibilty of being the teams backbone.
jack wilshere englands future - what do u make of him? 5 matches out of 10 he is injured/ not full fitness! that's your best player right there!. and he is hardly a goal threat ( be it scoring or creating)/ neither a world class defensive player. he just roams in the midfield here and there everywhere. not saying he is a bad player, but he doesn't know himself what he is CM or AM box to box or what?
compare isco or gotze ( kinda similar players) hmmmphhh I rest my case!

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Jay91 uve sumed up pretty much how I feel bout the england set up. The only thing u missed out is why oh why is tom cleverley in the squad.

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I'd rather Barkley to be given a chance than to carry on playing a 34 year old Lampard or even worse a useless Cleverley.

I'd prefer Ibe to Walcott as Walcott is all pace and no end product.

I'd prefer to bed in Luke Shaw than to carry on playing an aging Ashley Cole.

They have a few decent lads it's just every England manager prefers to play it safe and go with the old guard who are taking us nowhere.

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I'm sorry Akrubbish, but you talk the same as your name say's!
England has a good group of young players, it is the coaching that let's THEM down.

Phooey

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Name a few? that are international level? and coaching is letting them down? no sir, media is hyping them up.
so they don't train well in the grounds.
and more so they are coached by the same people who coach others in the league. sterling is coached by the same guy who coaches coutinho! coutinho is in a different league. because for sterling, he is the next big thing while coutinho will have to earn his place in brazil every single day.
its more the attitude of the youth player rather coaching.

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11 Sep 2013 07:51:57
thought KONO looked the biz last night good to see engerland played to their normal high standard. instead of going to rio why not give the place to a team that hasn't been before and save some money they will only be there for the first week anyway. by the way Scotland had a good win last night. both Ukraine wide players looked very good and would improve the team.

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11 Sep 2013 10:08:36
Konoplyanka took advantage of the situation he was given well. But Kyle Walker and James Milner were awful. Milner is just over weight and slow, and Walker? I'm just not going to comment to much on his ability. I'm still struggling to see how he gets in the national side ahead of Wisdom and Clyne. He is genuinely the worst defender I've seen since Djimi Traore!

Yarmolenko caused Cole a lot of problems in spells, but Cole is a much better player than Walker and uses his body extremely well. Both teams lacked cutting edge, but for me Gerrard was the best player on the pitch. I can't remember him misplacing an open play pass, and his defensive work was excellent. He was covering for Walker, Cole and at one point Jagielka. Man of the match for me, but I'm sure it'll go to Lampard who had a better game than most the England players. Hodgson subs are just pitiful though. He takes Wilshere off for a winger and then we suddenly lose the midfield battle and concede 20 minutes of possession and pressure. Then just as we get some dominance to our play, he takes Walcott off for Cleverly and we lose virtually all our cutting edge. Cleverly needed to come on for Wilsjere if anyone, and with 20 minutes to go I'd have replaced Milnee and Lambert with Sterling and Townsend, put Walcott In the centre and destroyed there slow and aging defence with pace. Is that too much to ask? A national team that wants to win?

YNWAdam

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I agree with all you have said Adam, but we are talking about boring boring Roy! He went there with the mindset of not to lose. And that was the result the team needed.
But the footie was dire, my man of the match was Konoplyanka, he bossed it.
He fits Rogers profile of player perfectly, I'm sure Ed001 said he is one target we should look at? He works hard, not so much defensively but in attack and in the final third he comes alive. I like him a lot.

Cheers
Phooey

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Well said Adam, but I don't agree with you on Milner. I think he was our best player on the pitch. As for Wilshere and Walcott, they were both aweful. I don't understand how Wilshere is better than Carrick and how Lambert is better than Defoe or Sterling. I think it was the last match for Lambert in an England shirt.

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11 Sep 2013 07:10:05
I don't care who the opposition is £45 squid is a crazy price for a league cup third round game. Sometimes I hate football. Disgusting

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I paid 15 for the county game. was hoping to get all league cup games in this year, not at that price however

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11 Sep 2013 00:46:32
I am so glad that we got rid of hodsgson
That's got to be the worst international
Match I've seen
Very one dimensional
There goalie never had to make a save
Defend defend defend
No imagination
Thank god we are not playing that dross
Now under him
And have br at the helm
Who at least wants to entertain the fans
Even if he makes the odd mistake
In Bren we trust

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I have to agree that it was at least one of the worst England performances I have ever seen. Apart from a 25-30 minute spell at end of the first half, a total inability to retain the ball, no incisive threat or invention and a hugely negative approach generally, as if we were desperately holding on for the draw against a team that in all honesty didn't really look all that. The game given the right approach was there for the taking, despite the pace they threatened on the counter attack. We looked light years behind teams like Germany and Spain, which in terms of English players available I don't believe we are. It's not just Roy and the full international team however, it's right across the board at international level. The general approach of the English FA in terms of staff appointments (Stuart Pierce springs to mind) has to change. I don't even mind writing off the next 3-4 international tournaments and gradually building, focusing more long term if the English public would allow that (which admittedly is doubtful), like Germany and Spain had the balls to do. It feels like we are constantly papering over cracks (which aren't getting any smaller). Thank God Liverpool have shown a desire to focus on the idea of promoting a technically gifted, youthful, play to win, positive mentality that will in the coming years, gradually reap the benefits an rewards that deserves. Sorry for the rant.
On a side note, did anyone notice Roy Keane's comments about us missing Wayne and Danny Welbeck? Anyone else Roy? Any non Man U players? No Bias then.

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What would Welbeck have done that would have made that different from a Znoozefest it was?
Is it really worth it? England qualifies for the world cup and we have to watch that kind of turgid salad next year?

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11 Sep 2013 00:28:50
I am so glad that we got rid of hodsgson
That's got to be the worst international
Match I've seen
Very one dimensional
There goalie never had to make a save
Defend defend defend
No imagination
Thank god we are not playing that dross
Now under him
And have br at the helm
Who at least wants to entertain the fans
Even if he makes the odd mistake
In Bren we trust

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10 Sep 2013 23:54:51
How good as Jordan Henderson become? It really is a pleasing as a fan to see your club's players develop before your eyes. Remember Lucas? Now he's a fixture in the first team and didn't we miss him when he got injured at Chelsea?
Now for the question. Which other players can you think of who overcame a disappointing initial period at the club to become really good? {Ed001's Note - easy - Ian Rush, he even cost Twentyman his job, due to the pressure heaped on him when Rush was thought to be a flop!}

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Gareth bale

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Sorry read it as 'a club'

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The obvious name other then Jordan Henderson, is Lucas Levia in recent times. Great midfielder and does such an important job. When he's injured the team genuinely miss him. He had a hard time in his first few seasons, featuring from the bench and struggling to find his feet consistently when called upon, but once Xabi and later Mascherano left Lucas really stepped up and has become a lynch pin in the Liverpool team.

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As good as hendo has become I personally think bales transformation over 3-4 seasons is astonishing! Went from being traded as part of a deal for downing to the worlds most expensive player. Regardless of what you think he went from being a useless LB to one of the best attackers in the world

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Jan Molby struggled early on in his Liverpool career. But he did have to fill Souness' boots and that was an unenviable task. To be fair, the whole team struggled to adapt to his loss so it might be a bit harsh on big Jan.
I almost enjoyed the early part of that first season without Souness because of the unpredictability.
We dropped a lot of points, early on. Rigsby.

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11 Sep 2013 14:14:37
best change I ever seen was jamie carragher I feared the worse after that utd game with two own goals and then he became a player that was used to fill in caps by houllier, but when rafa took over in 2004 and moved him permanently to the centre half position for about 5 years he was easily in the top 5 defenders in europe.although I would put a lot of that down to his retirement from international football.

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