Liverpool Banter Archive January 12 2015

12 Jan 2015 21:09:41
Players who are simply not good enough (if in doubt use the filter 'would they get anywhere near Chelsea, Man City or United's squads' or 'does my heart sink when I see their name on the team sheet'): Brad Jones, Jose Enrique, Glenn Johnson, Joe Allen, Richie Lambert, Fabio Borini, possibly Dejan Lovren, Mario Ballotelli. That's 2/3 defenders I'd swap for one good one like a Cahill (another missed opportunity) and 3 strikers plus Joe Allen that I'd swap for Ross Barkley. Surely their combined wages would be enough to tempt Ross?

Have we just signed Richie Lambert?

12 Jan 2015 23:45:09
Bit early to be calling for Balotelli and Lovrens' heads isn't it?

Seems like the same lot was saying the same about Markovic, now he's our hero.

Nevermind Cahill, I still can't believe we missed out on Kompany. Somebody needs to be sacked for this shambolic mess.

I still reserve some hope for/faith in Allen, Borini and Lovren, if they are utilised properly.

I agree on the others though.

On Enrique. I have mixed feelings.

Do you guys remember him playing as a wide-forward last year?

He was awesome there - I recall we were saying he was like Bale. lol. Seems like a dream now - and a reminder of the awesome force that was Suarez - they were ripping up the pitch together!

Alas - those halcyon days are gone, I understand that. But what of him at LB?

His poor decision making is grating, yes, and his ball-hogging at LB disrupts the flow of our passing. He's also quite injury-prone and on high wages. For these reasons I'd suggest he may be a contender for the exit at the end of the season.

I'll have fond memories of Jose. A likeable chap who on his day can be excellent - he has never ever found consistency - and never seems to learn from his mistakes on the pitch - and I have my doubts that he ever will - barring some kind of sudden left-backist epiphany (and I'm not sure if those exist).

Strangely. Having said all that - I haven't written him off completely.

I'm curious as to how he'd perform with the wing-backs set-up we are now using. If he gets a chance to shine and seizes it - I'd love to see him succeed, and you never know, perhaps he will surprise us all? Perhaps the new system would suit his attacking style more?

Enrique has the talent - and if he can stay fit, he has impressive physical power.

If he can tussle for a spot with Moreno, perhaps it could bring the best out of them both.

It will be a big 2nd half of the season for Enrique. As well as facing Moreno for the starting berth - Youngsters such as Flanagan and Brad Smith will be staking their claim for a spot in future. Flanagan has performed well there if required and Smith is clearly a talented youngster to those who have seen him.

Keep in mind that we don't have have vast fortunes to spend on new left-backs either. We have to keep an eye on our finances and already have an expensive option in Moreno.

So long as he knew he wasn't a guaranteed starter and was prepared to fight for a place - Enrique could yet prove useful.

If he's given the chance - I'll be watching his performances at wing-back with interest. The rest is all up to him.

Do or die time for Jose. Good luck to him.

I reckon we still have Enrique because he cracks all the squad up with his total lack of self awareness.
In interviews the players are always giving him stick for everything!

Enrique is aweful.

Enrique and Allen have been here for way too long

Sorry zinedine
I realised you were off your head when you mentioned Borini and Allen.
Both are clearly below average and I fail to understand how anyone can have a different assessment of both when the evidence is there.

Most I agree with though lovren is still young and showed last year he's a good player. Balo played for city and scored about 12 goals when they won the league?

12 Jan 2015 19:05:49
well done to ranaldo on winning the balon d'or, its a pity we never got him when he issued a come and get me to us, that's when we had some pull

Forget that, how did the two Brazilians make the team?

No! that's when he was a nobody.

12 Jan 2015 20:01:07
What do you mean, that could be Raheem Sterling in 4 or 5 years time ?

If it is Sterling I hope it comes without the spoilt child whining face and total lack of humility. He might be a great player but wouldn't you love to give a good slap ;-)

12 Jan 2015 22:33:02
Ronaldo is anything but a spoiled child, and has quite considerable humility, perhaps slightly arrogant. I believe you are confusing him with Lionel Messi who is far more arrogant and child like.

And well done to Borini, Lambert and Mario for jointly winning the Barn'Dor.

To be fair, Ronaldo(who I don't like) worked so damn hard to get where he is today, so fair play to the guy. He has my respect for that.

When I saw the post by piledriver, I thought to myself.

Is that marketing gimmick on legs called David Luiz in the team of the year??

Never. then I saw it.

I've stopped taking this celebrity footballers crap seriously now. If you ever wanted some evidence that pundits and players are pretty clueless - here it is.

What a joke.

Between Gerrard being in the PFA team of the year last year, and Giggs being voted PFA player of the year in 2009, I always thought the English game was rampant with establishment arse-lickers who don't have a clue.

Messi as player of the tournament at the WC for turning in average performances - and now this.

We can now see that the international game - and not just the players and press in England - is full of mindless drones with exceedingly low IQs.

He's on the cover of FIFA, he must be good. eh.

Here is a true story btw. This happened just a minute ago.

I just mentioned to the wife: "the FIFA team of the year was announced today".

"Is Luis in it?" she asked.

"Yep". I said.

#pause - "David Luiz".

She burst out laughing.

Before the Brazil-Germany match in the World Cup I said to the wife - "watch this muppet, I swear he's one of the worst centre-backs I've ever seen, but he has big hair, the world cup is in Brazil and has a great knack for finding TV cameras so he can point to the heavens - so he's a star".

I had to endure a Luiz montage and lots of brainless establishment ex-pro's blandly saying that he was a top-top player before the match kicked off.

"Ignore them. they don't have a clue, just watch Luiz, I implored".

90 minutes later - the wife had stated that yes, this guy Luis was awfully bad.

Now, these same people at the BBC were jumping on the bandwagon, as the reality bus crapped all over them.

"He looks pretty poor defensively" one of the BBC brain trust said, after watching arguably the worst individual defensive display by a player in the history of the tournament.

Unable to listen any more. I switched to Irish TV, renowned for a no-nonsense approach to punditry that does not like bland fence-sitters.

Contrast the BBC with RTE commenting on Luiz.

Eamon Dunphy was asked:

"What do you think of Davis Luiz?".

"He's a clown". Laughed Dunphy.

"Didn't we say so before the match".

I guess Irish people have less tolerance for BS. lol. Proper order.

Anyway. Back to the point.

What a joke the FIFA team of the year has become. David f****** Luiz.

Why not Martin Skrtel? He's as average as anything. Even he's better than Luiz! Vincent Kompany or Cahill are the obvious real candidates too. Zabaleta had a great season.

The likes of Luis Felipe, Godin and Juan Fran were key to worthy title-winners at Athletico Madrid.

Barzagli, Bonucci or Chiellini at CD and Asamoah at LB at Juve are all very impressive players who walked Serie A. Good to see a strong Juve side in Europe - they look better than they have in years. Not a fancy haircut amongst them though unfortunately.

In Germany whilst the likes of Hummels and Dante both had good seasons, and compared with the disaster area that is Luiz, they are clearly reliable defenders. David Alaba of Bayern is simply a Rolls-Royce of a player and the most talented LB I have seen since Maldini and then Roberto Carlos.

Just a few obvious suggestions. Many others will have their own no doubt.

ps: I do not always manage to get my wife (of many years) to watch a defender purely to see just how bad he was. I don't make a regular habit of it - I have only done so one other time -and that was to watch Djimi Traore btw - which says something!

(and yes. Djimi was remarkably awful that day too.)

No FORNAX I wasn't at all.

Didn't we scout Ronaldo at the same time we scouted Sinama-Pongolle and Anthony LeTallec?

Ronaldo might act like a petulant child atimes BUT he is a role model and a perfect example for young kids that talent is NOT everything. If you don`t work hard and and are not ready to sweat and don`t have the hunger and determination to be great, you simply WON`T be because talent alone will NOT get you to his level. I respect him for wanting to leave Utd and go to Spain and challenge himself as well as prove to himself and the world that he can be dominant in any league he plays in (Portugal, England and now Spain) which he has proven just like legends like Van Nistelroy (dominant in England and Spain), Brazilian Ronaldo (Was top scorer in Brazil, Holland, twice in Spain, and Italy), Zidane (dominant in France, Italy and Spain). I will always respect him for that more than Messi who seems just content w/ playing his backyard and is not willing to challenge himself. IMO, I will never consider you who only plays in your backyard to be the best over someone who not only plays well in his neighborhood BUT has the ability to got to other neighborhoods and kick butt.

I was also in complete shock when i saw Luiz in the FIFA XI. I know PSG paid a ton of money for him, but that doesn't mean he's any good.

Also, i agree with what you said about celebrity footballers getting all the attention. I work with this guy who is almost completely blind, and one day he said to me, "How did Messi win Player of the Tournament? He wasnt even the best player in his team."

You know there are other teams that scouted Ronaldo before Man Utd, I don't hear anyone else moping about.
We haven't done too badly ion scouting terms. Yesil, Suso,Sterling Ibe, Ojo. Most teams wish they had our young stars. Its a pity we wish we had their coaches to bring up these youngsters, but such is life I guess. Please stop moping about spilt milk, worry about BR and the talent he is killing right now at LFC.

YNWA

Made my morning that Ozone. Brilliant.

15 Jan 2015 07:55:59
the Barn'Dor . very good

Hats off you, Ozone. Post of the week.

12 Jan 2015 15:47:22
Good Morning from Miami Ed's 001. I just wanted your omniscient opinion on the 'The three Stooges' Rodgers, Marsh and Pascoe. Your feelings regarding Brenda are well documented but I'd like to know what you think of the other two Marsh and Pascoe in terms of ability, effectiveness and job remit? They seem like impotent yes men to me but I stand corrected if I'm wrong. I feel that great coaches equate to winning more football matches and with the talented squad we have with better coaching staff we'd be further up the table. Thanks in advance if you get round to answering my question.

{Ed001's Note - I am not convinced by Pascoe, he doesn't seem to bring anything to the table as an assistant. Though I do think he is a very good coach. It is just that he seems too much of a yes man in terms of management.

I am unsure what exactly it is Marsh does, being honest. It seems like he is there as a token ex-player, though I am sure that is being unfair on him. I just can't quite figure out what has changed, for better or worse, since his involvement in the first team scene.}

Thank's eds 01. If we were going to have a token ex player on the coaching staff I would prefer it to be Hyppia at least he would sort out that keystone kop's defending. How can Brenda be so arrogant not to hire a defensive coach. don't get me started as this post will turn into war and peace!

Do we not think its time to get off Brendon's back and let him do his job

Na we should carry on, the man can't do his job properly.

We've been off his back for around 2 and a half years but when his conceited actions (or inaction's) are affecting team moral, our immediate and distant future and the way our beloved club is perceived financially and emotionally around the world, no I don't think it's time to get off his back. In fact I think we should put him on a donkey and parade him round concert square and show him up for the person he is.

He's going be there to end of season so instead of slating him let's get behind him and see where we are at the end of the season I'm not saying I agree with all does but until the owners want a change let's support him

But Ed aren't you being a tad naive there. Isn't the role of a number 2 to be the proverbial Yes man.
They wouldn't last if they grew a pair and told the manager what he didn't want to hear

{Ed001's Note - no, the role of the number 2 is to be the no man. In times past rulers would employ someone specifically to tell them why they shouldn't take the course of action they thought was right (I believe they are the origin of the word naysayer if I remember correctly). The idea being that you need to have someone telling why you shouldn't, to make you think through the decision before you act on it. Peter Taylor was not a yes man, Bob Paisley was far from a yes man and Ronnie Moran was miles away from a yes man. The best leaders have someone strong alongside them telling them why they shouldn't do something, and sometimes even convincing them not to do it.}

If I agree to your reply eds 001 does that make me a yes man??

{Ed001's Note - yep....}

Defo think you, and all the others who do it, need to stop calling him 'Brenda' though.

Embarrassing to be honest; not even a good put down.

If you surround rourself w/ Yes men, then it means you are a weak leader and cannot stand any kind of opposition which is what BR is., a weak leader.

What's wrong with calling him Brenda? I hope you don't think i'm being misogynistic? I'ts internet forum repartee. I bet it's a laugh a minute in your house at xmas Skirtles Staples. Oh to be a bleeding heart liberal staples. I think i'm going to go into an EMS strop and not come on to the site for a couple of days!!

Please tell me a good put down staples and i'll use that

Excellent 'bantz' on this thread.

I highly recommend it.

Great stuff all round, particularly from SkrtelsStaples & TheBrendansAdvocate.

It's a world of yes-men and bleedin' heart liberals round these parts.

:)

{Ed007's Note - That's a yellow card and an official warning for lowering the tone of the site by using 'bantz' in a post. The only thing saving you from a straight 3-day-ban is that you used 'excellent' instead of 'top'.}

Hi Ed007.

I only mean it in a joke sense. Hence the 'italics'. I'm an just old man who is hip and 'down with the kids'.

I like your style though, ed.

You really are a top, top editor.

:)

Ilike the nose.

12 Jan 2015 14:42:36
Ed's is there any interest in Joe Allen from other clubs? I think the guy is blocking an academy player's route to the first team and I feel he needs to be moved on. Seems like a nice guy but hasn't really done the business for us.

{Ed002's Note - No.}

Thankyou for your swift reply ed's 002.

12 Jan 2015 15:47:08
We'll keep Joe; good backup player and happy to sit on the bench more times than not.

He's blocking a route in to the first team for Rossiter, I'd happily sell as he offers nothing, can't tackle, can't pass more than five yards backwards or sideways and is too lightweight. Really poor signing for £15m.

You forgot - he can't score either

12 Jan 2015 12:10:24
With Gerrard leaving us in the summer, how will the club look to replace him? Will we attempt to find a direct replacement or an alternative solution? I believe I remember Ed001 saying we would look to local talent. However, the only local talent I can think of who fits that sort of mould and is first team ready would be Barkley, and I can't see that happening personally. I could be wrong. Anyway, just curious.

Well i suspect that Free kicks and penalties will go to Coutinho and Sturridge, Corners and the armband will go to Henderson.

Then we have Lallana to replace him in open play. Let's just hope that doesn't mean he get's shoe horned into defensive midfield!

Long term mate we have Jordan Rossiter, Jordan Williams and Adam Phillips who should all make it at Premier league level if managed correctly. Phillips in particular could be one to watch if you're looking for somebody simiar to a young Gerrard as Rossiter and Williams are both deeper midfielders.

When Ed001 said local talent he meant somebody from OUR accademy! Phillips may only be 17 but give him a couple of years and we'll hopefullty ave a special player there. In the short term, enjoy watching Lallana develop into a world class attacking midfielder.

EMS, are u sure u want Sturridge and Coutinho taking our penalties and free kicks? Neither have ever been dead ball specialists in their careers and when they had a couple of opportunities they sent them right into the crowd. For me, it would be Lallana as first choice and then try out Moreno for free kicks. he has a wicked left foot, and could replicate Bale if given enough practice in training.

Indian buzzer lallana.
Lallana should be made more central next season when Gerrards gone.

Sturridge always took penalties as a youth player and Coutinho has the technical ability to learn free kicks in my opinion. If all else fails, Can is German ;)

Indian buzzer lallana.
Lallana should be made more central next season when Gerrards gone.

Sturridge always took penalties as a youth player and Coutinho has the technical ability to learn free kicks in my opinion. If all else fails, Can is German ;)

Adam
Lallana is top class, he will never be world class imo. He hasn't the pace to really be the next level but he's a player that's so good with the ball that he will probably play at a high level into his thirties. What happened to your Lambert shirt?

I would like to see the diamond come back with henderson dropping to the sturridge role - We know how well it works when we have the players fit - I know Henderson has a great engine but that role needs someone who knows their role and knows what he needs to do - Lucas does it well but after injuries i think he struggles to get around as well as before where as Hendo can do easily - Have henderson deep with coutinho and lallana either side and sterling at the tip and this may bring some stick but if you put balotelli up top with Sturridge he can become a success - We seen glimpses and tottenham in the 1st game together that they can compliment each others strengths quite well - Just a thought anyways

I mean 'Gerrard' role

Big Al. Iniesta? Modric? Goetze?

Pace isn't everything. Besides, Lallana is pretty quick off the mark and that's all you need to get away from your man and play a pass or shoot.

I never bought a Lambert shirt because sadly, Rodgers has no idea how to use him and seems to think he is a big target man like Lukaku or Carroll.

Adam
I'm lallanas biggest fan, the united fans love to mention that for some reason. Jokes aside, he is a top player potentially a great player for Liverpool in the near future but it is far too soon to be mentioning worldclass. That word is used too much in the game. he's my favourite player to watch though it's been a very long time since we had a player that had such good ball control and able to swivel so easily past opposition players.

12 Jan 2015 14:39:52
Free kicks I'm unsure about as besides Stevie and Lambert (who won't start) can't say I actually remember any of our other players took or score one, did Lallana take them for S'hampton?

As for penalties I would guess couts or lallana, seen both of them take them and put them away (lallana's against boro were both beauties). Would stay well clear of sturridge taking them though, seen him miss 2 of the 3 he has taken and just seems to try blast it with little placement.

12 Jan 2015 15:51:45
Rossiter and Williams both played in the Capital One cup against Boro and looked well at home. Small sample size and 'only' a Championship opposition but promising

EMS, just going to say that of the two penalties Sturridge has taken for us, he's missed both.

Coutinho would probably hit the post more often than not from penalties given that he likes to put it right in the bottom corner. I'd also like to point out that Coutinho's accuracy from shots is also pretty poor.

However, as someone said, Can is German and therefore, should take our penalties. Lallana could take freekicks.

Hi EMS.

I loved your 'If all else fails, Can is German' line.

Made me laugh.

Short and sweet. Post of the day imo.

lol. I still think it's funny. :)

12 Jan 2015 09:42:44
Hi Eds,

Can you give me an update on Flanagan is there a time frame as to when he may be back?

{Ed001's Note - not right now, they have been taking it slow with him due to previous injuries complicating things apparently. Hence why they have not been forthcoming with details, they want to just let the lad heal in his own time, rather than have any pressure on him.}

Cheers eds

{Ed001's Note - welcome mate.}

Big miss him.
That's credit to the progress he made last year.

11 Jan 2015 23:41:49
Oh my word, we win one game against a sunderland side that managed to concede 8 against southampton earlier on in the season, we only won by 1 not 6 as some seem to believe, and some people seem to think top 4 is guaranteed.

I have seen it week in week out on the site on both ends of the spectrum:

STOP. OVER. REACTING.

We played well for once, but we didn't finish our chances, which basically means we're at the same point as we were under kenny: easy to play against, awful at defending, atrocious at putting our chances away and clueless and directionless.

Even though we have been unbeaten in 7 games, how satisfied have you been in those games? Scraped past burnley and wimbledon after getting battered and somehow managed to not beat 1 man team arsenal when awful defending let us down again. So far this season we have had what i would call good performances against spurs, united, arsenal, swansea and sunderland- that is literally it. And we lost the united game 3-0. Out of the 30 odd games we have had this year, 5 positive performances. The rest have been unbearable, unacceptable and utterly ludicrous. This is the standard you feel is okay for liverpool, after finishing second and spending 100 million?

Stop kidding yourself and hiding behind statistics, the only reason we are 5 points off fourth is because the standard of football has been utterly dire in england this year, chelsea have been allowed to walk away with the title without a challenge, i haven't even been impressed with city at all, their nearest challengers, given what you expect from them. United have so much more quality going forward they can afford to play badly and still win, west ham, southampton and swansea have played much much better than us and nobody knows if they will drop off to be honest, arsenal have one world class player dragging them through every week, and while spurs are ahead of us i feel they always get lucky and will never get the top four spot. We place all our hopes on one injury prone striker. What a great plan.

So just because we scraped a 1-0 win against
bleeding sunderland does not mean we are nailed on for top four, nor does it mean rodgers should and will keep his job at the end of the season as he has already displayed his true colours as arrogant and a changed man after the success of last season, and it does not mean we are playing well. We couldn't beat burnley and wimbledon and sunderland convincingly and couldn't beat bottom place leicester at all. Players are still out of position, players are still being alienated and some are being played for no reason at all even when they're a liability, our goalkeeper is still awful, the defence still can't play together, and our strikers still aren't good enough. The sunderland game doesn't change this.

Be a little positive will you.
yea its a bad season and what not .
fact of the matter is if we get 65 points we will be top 4 . meaning we have to win 11 games . now win them dying or win them destroying, i don't care as a fan. everyone is vulnerable this year and everyone is dropping them points.
and this stat matters because two consecutive seasons in the CL gives us a rating index and money to spend. gives us coverage and all the more reason to expand the stadium. and i don't care if we reach to CL being carried by one injured striker, one 20 year old, or a calamity defence. But i sure believe in my team and know they can do it .
yes we are here and there with management issues and the keeper being under pressure but i think we have enough quality in our ranks to get 11 wins out of the next 17 games. and believing is all we can do. so be a bit positive like all those other poster you are writing against.

I think it is you who over-react woolbak. No one here said top 4 is guaranteed. People just wondered if it is not so unrealistic that they can keep dreaming about it and the people who replied said it is very unlikely that we will get it.

We are playing much better then earlier this season. Still left to see if this is consistent and if it is enough against the bigger teams.

12 Jan 2015 08:00:10
Fully with fonbip here. Good win, continuing a good run of results that has seen us move to a much better position in the table without much input from a number of our top players who are coming back after rests and injuries soon (hopefully). I don't think it'll long term save Rodgers but for this season it's looking like there is much more hope of a decent ending now than there was a month ago

After watching the 2nd half against Sunderland I can guarantee that the overriding emotion was frustration and not some rose tinted view that we are now going to win the league.
All I would like to see is a bit of perspective.
I am looking at the league and our ambition at the start of the season must have been top 4.
We can still achieve that. 4pts off.
If Rodgers did say he would have us challenging for the league then that's his problem.
For me I think the owners would be happy with a top 4 finish.

12 Jan 2015 12:29:22
jonny- the owners might have been happy with it. Were they not promised something else.

Look at it this way - on your average day, I'd be happy coming home with a chicken casserole for dinner. But if I had been promised a chinese takeaway and come home to it, I'd be livid!

I agree hjikle.
If I did not get me chicken and sweetcorn soup there would be murder.
Its like on Footie manager when the board ask what your expectations are for the season.
If they are happy with CL qualification then you don't state that you will win the PL do you?
Maybe it was delusions of grandeur from BR.
Not like him is it:)