Liverpool Banter Archive January 04 2017

 

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04 Jan 2017 23:18:05
I was thinking if Chelsea won tonight and had that decent points lead coming into the game against us they might just sit back and play for a draw/ not to lose.
With a closer gap (hopfully) they might have a go and the game will be more open.

Believable4 Unbelievable0

05 Jan 2017 00:15:34
5pts is still big enough gap to park bus against us. Hope they screw up again before meeting us.


05 Jan 2017 03:12:08
One game at a time, Leek.


05 Jan 2017 07:20:37
They have 49 points on the booars and if they win at least 14 off their next 18 games they will get 91 points good enough for the title. We bottled it with our draws against the minnows.


05 Jan 2017 08:29:46
Anyone who thinks there are minnows in the EPL is both disrespectful and deluded. To accuse our players of bottling anything is way, way off the mark. There are no easy games. Top 4 was the target at the start of the season, and we are on course for that. We are still developing as a side. We play one game at a time, always focusing on winning that game, this is the Klopp way and the only way.
So, we should be focused on Plymouth and the FA cup. Looking forward to seeing some of the younger players (Stewart, Woodburn, TAA) given a chance.


05 Jan 2017 09:13:15
Top 4 was never the target and I did not hear anything such from FSG as some people are pretending here. They always wanted the title and I believe they have spend enough to win one. There is no disrespect to any club but if you want to win the title you should be winning games against sunderland who are sure and certain to get relegated.


05 Jan 2017 09:46:27
How the hell have they spent enough. Look at United Chelsea city spent . We spent nave in thr summer. We be lucky to finish in the top 4.


05 Jan 2017 12:33:04
Harry your so negative mate. Sunderland are fighting for survival and it was never going to be a walk in the park. Chelsea will drop more points along the way, as will we. There's plenty of games left and they are yet to come to anfield. Have some belief, you post multiple daily messages and I can't remember reading a positive one. unless it's how good Chelsea are, or Spurs are. how goid kivacic is 😉. head up mate, enjoy the ride!


05 Jan 2017 13:19:29
A Negative person will never be satisfied over a loss. I am one of the most positive out there who believe this team could go a long way and not just Top4. The positive one is we will beat UTD in two weeks time.


05 Jan 2017 15:23:15
Welsh is spot on. He described Harry perfectly. There is never a middle ground with him. It`s always "we are useless, Klopp lost to Seville, Klopp should have done this or that, we should play like Chelsea or Barcelona or Spurs or we should sign or have our players play like "insert non LFC player here".
"We bottled the PL by drawing vs minnows". What the heck are you on about? Is the PL over? Is the season over cos the last time I checked, there was 18 games left (54 points left to play for)? It seems you are only interested in the negatives so to you, being second in a season where many on here and the media thought we`d be lucky to get 5th, is not enough progress in your eyes? You don`t want us to win the PL more than anyone else on these boards so stop acting like you are more ambitious than the rest of us just cos we disagree with you on our level of progress as a club.

You are free to moan about whatever you want BUT don`t expect the rest of us to just lay low and agree with you. we are second 5 points behind Chelsea with half a season to go. Those are the facts and no amount of moaning, ifs, buts or whatever, will change them. If we win the PL, great. We don`t and get CL, fine. And yes, Klopp wants to win every game he plays including at OT.


04 Jan 2017 22:08:26
Although it's not the normal to get good signings in January., Arguably our best last 3 signings occurred in the January window. Sturridge, Suarez and Coutinho all signed then.
Don't think we need a signing this window particularly but you never know and it is possible to get value.

Believable7 Unbelievable2

04 Jan 2017 23:18:18
Watch the hyenas on here don't rip you to bits for suggesting improving our squad. Clearly they're right I mean we finished 8th last season.


04 Jan 2017 23:32:04
I listened to the sharkopod again and decided to look at the you tube clips of the attacking players we have been linked with. So maxime lopez, moussa merega, sardar azmoun and one not mentioned by ed2 but recently in the press quincy promes.

Then i watched a clip that showed them all up and thought he would definately do well in the team, especially the way its playing now.

Do you want to know who that is, sheyi ojo, don't believe me, have a look at all their clips and compare his. Now im not saying they are a judge of a player, we know its a pastiche, a best of highlight reel that doesn't tell you if they regularly go missing in games or lose a ball and make no effort to retrieve etc. But we have a player who with games and more experience could be the lynch pin of our team for a decade and he is already aclimatised to the English game and klopps way of working.

So why put a barrier in his way to stop him realising his potential. Obviously if as ed2 said coutinho decides to go in the summer, i expect to milk as much out of psg as we can and then go out for a big player. But until then i think we do not need to get anyone in.

We also have an excellent player in gomez who is slowly regaining fitness who we also do not want to block. I too worry about not having deep enough cover for injuries etc but why have a youth system if your not going to use it. I suspect we will see some of them in the fa and league cup but i think they will also start getting chances to show what they are made of in the league too. Give them a chance and we will benefit, much like manchester utd did in the nineties and look what happened with that generation!


04 Jan 2017 23:43:17
If an improvement can be made I don't mind it, it looks possible 2 of our centrebacks may be on the way in January (Lucasand Sakho) we currently only have about 18 senior squad members discouting youngsters if they do go)
I mentioned previously Lovren and Klavan don't fill me with confidence. I don't think they fill Klopp with it either. Matip needs a better partner, If our scouts identified one, I would be happy with that. Gomez is coming back to fitness but I would rather not rely on an inexperienced 19 year old CB for a title push.

As an indulgence purchas in January, I wouldn't mind Thomas Muller I do feel he's undervalued at Munich and has real world class potential in the striker role underutilised in favour of Lewa, with Sturridge struggling t stay fitand Ings out, we for me, are missing a natural striker, Origi is young and seems more suited to the right wing atm, and I don't really want to rely on Bobby too much for goals, I just feel tat though he offers a igh work rate, his finishing at times lacks quality and compoure.


04 Jan 2017 23:54:28
What on earth are you on about, Lerchy? No one has ever said that we don't need to improve the squad. What we are saying is that we need to stop overspending on poor players or signing players for the sake of it and that's not Klopp's style so I guess you'll have to live with that if indeed you are a true LFC fan. We should focus on said players like Matip and Mane, who have improved us immensely. And if you are bent on seeing hyenas, I suggest you watch the National Geographic channel.


05 Jan 2017 00:07:04
World class potential? . muller. He is world class.

Thats all.


05 Jan 2017 00:19:12
We all know why youth system was not utilise as back up, to put it crudely Klopp hasn't the balls. Look at Pochettino, he been playing Winks in league games. And we have youngsters better than winks. Klopp plays them only in fa cup or efl.


05 Jan 2017 02:28:07
Hamilton i posted here saying gabby barbosa woukd be a good young potential and frankly the replies I received jusr make me not want to post and i ain't the only one to bring this up lately. Most on here, obvious Ed's Ron mk etc are sound and will have a valid debate but others are as I quote hyenas and always have to be right. It weren't like tgis years ago.


05 Jan 2017 03:16:45
Leek, are you an LFC fan cos if you were, you wouldn`t be mentioning other managers in a way to bash Klopp. Also, were you under a rock last season where Klopp gave extensive decent playing time to Ojo, Branagan, Brad Smith, Kevin Stewart? Or this season where players like Ejaria, TAA, Woodburn and Grujic? "Klopp doesn`t have the balls". Utter nonsense and your overall post is an embarassment.


05 Jan 2017 04:41:21
Whenever we lost or drew, they will be some who will have digs on certain players, the manager, the selection, the tactics, and maybe more.

Now, it's Klopp who doesn't have the balls to play the youngsters? What if he chose the youngsters, and we lost?

Maybe your point is not directly towards the Sunderland game, Leek, but using Pochettino as a comparison. hmmm. I'm out of words already. Nevermind.


05 Jan 2017 07:06:54
I just think that there are other ways to improve the squad than new signings and new signings do not always improve the squad.
I'm happy with Klopp in charge that recruitment has improved and seems less scatter-gun and more focused.
If Klopp thinks a new signing will improve the squad, I'll back him obviously. I'd like to see our youth utilised more effectively, but some are still very raw. It's a fine balance to be struck, which is where he earns his money I suppose.


05 Jan 2017 10:49:40
Super mane, I meant in the striker role, he's beens tuck out on the right for the last few years, I can't say he's a world class striker without having seen him there. He's been a great wideplayer for them with robben missing, but he's not making the 11 and isn't playing centrally as a striker.
Maybe you didn't read the post correctly or think Muller has been playing the role of centre forward for the last few years?


05 Jan 2017 18:07:38
Wow most seemed to have missed my point which was debating that there may be value to be had in January and not to dismiss it out of hand that we wouldn't sign someone. Not convinced we need to, but we will see.


04 Jan 2017 22:00:16
Any updates on injuries guys?

Believable1 Unbelievable1

04 Jan 2017 21:42:41
So the Sunderland game looks like it gained us a point then ;-) Just saying
YNWA.

Believable12 Unbelievable8

04 Jan 2017 21:54:14
Really going to take that attitude? Absolute ridiculous. It was two points dropped, we SHOULD be sat 3 points behind Chelsea now. Tired of people making excuse after excuse for such a shocking performance.
On to the next game, stop worrying about others and just worry about our performances.


04 Jan 2017 22:03:34
Yeah because we have a god given right to win every game Benny and what the other team does on the pitch is irrelevant. No mate you're wrong. It was a point gained as we are now a point closer to the top than we were before this round of fixtures. I'll tell you what I'm sick of, people slagging the team off every time we don't produce champagne football and wipe the floor with the opposition. We are fortunate to support the club we support and they've given me more great days than I can remember. Let's just get behind the boys eh?


04 Jan 2017 22:08:16
There is no attitude benny, we drew away and we were dire, we didn't lose we drew, now for me that's not good enough for many reasons i won't go into again but the pure hard fact of the matter is we are now a point closer to them than we were, we can all sit with what ifs about how we should be 3 points behind but we're not we're 5, we were 6, so no not ideal on the whole but better and certainly better than 8 behind which it could have been quite easily had tonight not gone the way of Spurs.
Other teams will slip up against relegation battlers, they always do year in year out.
Onto the next game! YNWA.


04 Jan 2017 22:10:32
That being said Benny, once our result was done, today's result could have been worse. The simple fact is, we have reduced out points deficit. Could/ should it have been more? Maybe, but it wasn't and it could have stretched to 8. Probably a case of counting our blessing rather than celebrating our achievement but appreciate the reality.


04 Jan 2017 22:17:02
What world do you live in pip? you clearly didn't watch the game. Sunderland were awful, yet we were worse. We through away two leads. We were second to every ball, every third ball. Bottled many a challenge and our build with sturridge and can was as slow as chris biggins running in syrup. You want me to say "ah its okay because we beat city" "its okay because we are second"?
I support liverpool through thick and thin, tattoos all over my body dedicated to the club and the 96, don't tell me to get behind the boys.
I look at each game as they come and go, i praise, i criticise, but i live in the real world. We have a real shot at the title, because of the team and because of klopp, but if we are just going to keep making excuses i guess we can wait another 20+ years.
Seriously pip, do you think after that game klopp went into the changing rooms and "unlucky fellas, let's hope spurs win so we can be happy for todays point, not that we pised away 2"
of course he didnt, he tore them a new one.
Alas, this was monday, i now look forward to the next game in the hope sunderland performance was a blip.


04 Jan 2017 22:22:05
Fair response Richie and nail on the head there Andy, about counting the blessing rather than celebrating. I got a head full of steam as i think the OP is the latter.


04 Jan 2017 22:41:59
Agree with Andy, Ritchie and Pipps. 5 point gap, 18 games, GAME ON 🏆.


04 Jan 2017 23:11:41
Should be 3 point gap, opportunity lost.


04 Jan 2017 23:19:55
I don't think too many managers "tore them a new one" these days, not that many dinosaur managers about in the Premier League.

Reality is people had thrown away our chances after Monday, not sure if Benny was one but i do think he has a rather simple view of the Premier League teams, that the lower teams roll over a get their belly tickled. Sunderland got beat 4 by Bournemouth so we should be able to beat them 6. If only that was the case. There will be plenty of upsets before the end of the season, Arsenal nearly had one last night. Why? Because that's the league we watch, lower teams battle like hell to stay in the most competative league in the world.

Claiming Klopp got it wrong by playing certain players, especially after the match is over and not being in full view of the facts (in Milner's case) makes you come across as some sort of football expert, even better than Klopp and we all know that obviously isn't true. A bit more sense and reason is required instead of throwing the toys out of the pram and tearing the team a new one.


04 Jan 2017 23:49:49
Benny tattoos don't make you a good supporter. I'll give you an example of how support can take a team to a new level.

Wales in the Euros.

Clearly an inferior squad of players to most others in the competition with a few good players but the rest pretty average. They get beaten by England but their fans celebrate and thank them for their efforts.

England beat Wales but draw against Slovakia and get absolutely hammered by their fans. We all know which team went further in the competition.

We all need to come together as a club and support, good performance or bad and the team will do better I guarantee you. Saying how awful we were and picking out players for poor performances is not helping anyone other than the opposition.

For years we've been blaming players when a lot of time it's us as fans that have to take some responsibility for our lack of quality support. Yes we'll say we're red to the core and get tattoos all over the place but when it comes to it we jump on the first player that misplaces a pass! My point is if we all do this together although we still might not make it we will stand a much better chance.

And in answer to your question Benny I doubt very much that Klopp tore them a new one at all. I think Klopp knows enough about football to know that we could win the league by 1 point so all points are valuable. He will also know that there's no point dragging down team moral for one result when they've just played 2 games in less than 48 hours missing Christmas and new year with their families in the process.


05 Jan 2017 00:02:35
Could of, should of, would of zzzzzzz. Five points off the top, halfway through the season, still to play chelsea, some people are never happy. Some perspective wouldn't go a miss. For me personally i couldn't be happier with the way the season has gone so far.


05 Jan 2017 00:04:12
Your posts are pathetic, Chilean and Benny. If the PL was that easy, why did Arsenal not beat Bournmouth or Utd get trounced by Watford, or Saints draw at City or on and on? You think it's that easy to win games? We thumped Boro without breaking a sweat yet Arsenal should have lost to them at the Emirates. It's the EPL geniuses, not the Scottish league or La ligament. Every game is different and difficult and any team can win. We were not great BUT good enough to win that game but it didn't happen. You are no bigger fans of LFC than we are so stop bashing the rest of us cos we disagree with you. We are second, five points back and more than in the mix. Would you rather be Arsenal who are out of the top four? Utter nonsense! Get over the Sunderland game and get over yourselves or be left behind, the lot of you.


05 Jan 2017 01:22:47
Sure we could post all week about a draw away to a team battling relegation who, as Richie pointed out, habitually trip up title contenders nearly every season. How Klopp made an error on selection, which I do agree with, though it's clear to see why it was an option to start with nearly the same team.

Initially I was as frustrated as you Benny, looking at the bigger picture however, as mostly above, we're in a stronger position with regards to the title so it's not something worth pondering it. We didn't play well, but still created chances. Took the lead, sweet. Two lapses in concentration with a well worked goal and a harsh decision on Lucas in between and you've got yourself a turd sandwich, but we can't at this stage have caviar all the time. The performance certainly felt lethargic (Ed001 alluded to the sub conscious effect of the fixtures), but I didn't at any point think they were taking Sunderland lightly and that's the point. The players have improved mentally since Klopp has arrived, and you can see the team starting to mature as we find our identity. Jordan Henderson is a Phoenix, the amount of times the fans have written him off and then he goes up yet another level, Moreno and Sturridge both out of the team and not sulking but resolving to work hard and wait for their chance, the effect the latter eventually had on the Everton game alone speaks for itself.

This season we've found wins in games in which we've played badly more frequently than draws, which is a good sign imo. If our goal scoring continues on the same trend then we've only lost 10 goals on the 13/ 14 season with Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling but we feel (in my opinion) and are proving to be more solid defensively than they were, and we've still got Coutinho and Matip to come back. I'm more than happy with our shape this year, and I saw nothing in the Sunderland game that warrants the reaction.

Sorry for the long reply guys.


05 Jan 2017 03:26:26
Spot on, Fornax. All the knee jerk reactions and scapegoating of players each time we have a negative results still does my head in. The Sunderland game was a banana skin based on the obvious circumstances and if you didn`t know that before hand then, you must be deluded.

Were we great? No. Did we play well enough and create enough chances to score? Yes. For some reason, it didn`t happen for diverse reasons and that happens in every sport. By the way, cos we didn`t win, doesn`t mean you didn`t play well as that happens all the time. We got a point and that`s that.

But to start scapegoating a team an manager that have given us some of the best football (even better than 13/ 14 season) for decades just cos we got a point at Sunderland is where the line should be drawn and someone needs to say: "Enough"!


05 Jan 2017 08:40:24
We gained a point on Chelsea. FACT!


05 Jan 2017 09:10:19
Not at all hamilton, we really should have beaten Sunderland and made the gap 3 points, nothing ''pathetic'' about that just because YOU disagree that a draw was a good result.


05 Jan 2017 09:23:52
we gained a point on chelsea tat is a fact, we culd have gained 3,that too is a ''FACT! ''


05 Jan 2017 09:38:41
If my auntie had balls she'd be my uncle - that too is a FACT.


05 Jan 2017 09:59:41
Excellent posts Hamilton.


05 Jan 2017 23:22:45
Keep hearing the we are second nonsense. I'm here talking about the Sunderland game, you're talking perspective. If you want to thread like that, let's all come here on the first of every month and talk instead. Seeing as no one can offer up any intelligent debate, nor counter on the topic of the Sunderland game, not the overall season, I'll leave it there.


06 Jan 2017 08:34:29
We could have 57 points right now. FACT but in fact that hasn't happened.


04 Jan 2017 19:25:58
The lack of a left-footed setpiece man on the team really shines through at times. Could that be a factor when JK look to add to the team? Can't remember him being asked or talking about it. Would add a lot, in my opinion.

Believable1 Unbelievable1

04 Jan 2017 19:52:14
To be fair our set pieces are very inconsistent, but it is worth noting we scored both goals against Sunderland from Corners.


04 Jan 2017 19:56:20
You can't just add a player who is good a set pieces. The rest of his game could be crap.


04 Jan 2017 20:41:20
Tried that, Charlie Adam, didn't work.


04 Jan 2017 21:13:44
To be fair though, we haven't tried Chris Brunt or Robert Snodgrass ;)


05 Jan 2017 03:27:27
We lead the PL in goals scored from set-pieces so we`re good.


05 Jan 2017 07:23:12
To be fair, both our set piece defending and delivery is poor.


05 Jan 2017 11:04:18
Well, since Kloppie seems to be looking for an attacker or winger, and surely are aware of this need: who could we get? A decent winger/ attacker, pacy, doesn't mind being on the bench once in a while, good at set pieces, left footed.


04 Jan 2017 18:29:35
Lucas situation gone quite ed, does he look like staying now?

Believable0 Unbelievable2

{Ed002's Note - You mean now that the window has been open for three days? I have better things to do than answer questions wanting updates every few hours.}

04 Jan 2017 21:46:40
Oh no you haven't. Sorry panto season is over now isn't it, I do aplologise.


04 Jan 2017 16:51:50
Happy 31st James Milner #ynwa.

Believable7 Unbelievable0

04 Jan 2017 17:59:19
Happy 31`st indeed. Great player and Huge servant of the club!


{Ed002's Note - 18 months and he is elevated to the position of "huge servant" to the club - laughable. What gets bestowed on Nabil El Zhar for his five years?}

04 Jan 2017 18:12:34
Well Nabil El Zhar is clearly a city Legend Ed ;) even Everton fans celebrate his birthday for his services to Merseyside.


04 Jan 2017 23:20:23
Did FSG get him a cake? 😁.


05 Jan 2017 01:43:47
In the spirit of some of the posters on the site Ron, according to my sources, he'd be much happier with an early finish, a packet of rich teas and a big pile of ironing.


05 Jan 2017 03:32:02
Disagree, Ed. Milner could have spat his dummy out and refused to play LB or choose not to work hard at it BUT he did and has been great there, to my utmost surprise. As for El Zahr, not bothered really as I didn`t see much of him.


05 Jan 2017 07:33:55
Not being funny guys but Milner got so much abuse on here until he moved to lb and has done well. It's a bit rich to now say what a fantastic servant to the club he has been.


04 Jan 2017 14:15:08
Hi Eds,

Love the site hope you had a good festive period!

Are you expecting any signings for Liverpool? Or is it a mostly outgoing window?

Thanks

Ads.

Believable0 Unbelievable1

{Ed002's Note - Read the posts, listen to the Sharkopod ....}

04 Jan 2017 14:13:13
AS Klopp does his business in the beginning on the window, do we look likely to sign Emil Forsberg in the coming days if we do? He's been in great form for RB Leipzig.

Believable1 Unbelievable0

04 Jan 2017 14:36:42
I personally love him as a player. He is a cracking player in the mold of Coutinho / Iniesta.


04 Jan 2017 15:49:45
Too slow for the premier league. You don't get time on the ball here. He's a slower version of Lallana but not as good.


04 Jan 2017 15:54:16
Oh my god.

You have just destroyed the player before he has arrived. Not that where signing him but iniesta? Coutinho. isn't even in his league.

Hes not either, mold. size. Name. Skill.

Just a player who could help the team as simple as.

Thats how you keep expectations low. We all thought mane was a waste and then how much better is it to get such a success. Rather than say this llayer is ala etc etc and then your left wanting.

Sure i remember rossiter geting compared to scholes, gerrard, keane. Wheres the lad now?

Just back off and wait if we sign someone then fingers crossed there useful for us and bring heaothy competition for places 😊

Thats all. Sorry for biting ya head off.


04 Jan 2017 16:38:43
Are you sure Harry? You have spend a large portion of your time telling us that we need a replacement for Mane and his pace will be missed when he goes to AFCON but then you post this and now want Forsberg who has little pace.


04 Jan 2017 17:31:39
How do you get so much time to watch so many players?


04 Jan 2017 18:21:51
To be fair Chilean red, between the ages of 16 and 20 I used to watch about 4 games a day on average. I was a regular follower of Roma, Leverkusen and Lyon as well as Liverpool during those years.

Nowadays I barely find the time to watch 1 or 2 a week though and they're usually just whatever is on in the pub haha. Shouldn't question somebodies ability to watch a lot of games though. The internet makes it not only possible, but easy to follow multiple leagues and teams.

Whether or not Harry does that, we can only speculate. It is unfair to insinuate that he is simply making his opinion up though. Forsberg by all accounts is certainly a good player. From videos though I probably wouldn't say he is Iniesta-esque!


04 Jan 2017 23:30:45
It's more the in depth analysis. I am a scout myself (part time) for a lower league team (I won't mention who) I know many others. To make such calls, you really need to focus on a players movement off the ball etc, which the tv cameras don't often allow you to do, you often watch a game a few times (if it's been filmed) if you can't make it in person, even when i've been asked to review footage etc of other team, I barely get a chance to monitor that many players. I previously worked in Australia and Chile doing it fulltime. I personally just find it unlikely given my experience that an average Joe working presumably 35+ hours a week, having a social life, can watch a several players teams week in week out and know how good they are to make such claims.
(My internet dropped for a second eds, if this is a repeat post please ignore it)


05 Jan 2017 03:34:36
I have seen him play and tho a good player, Forsberg is nothing like Coutinho or Iniesta, not even close.


04 Jan 2017 13:04:30
Afternoon Eds and reds,

Happy new year to all!

Random question, but is there any club in the Premiership that is regarded as having the best scouting system etc?

Southampton for example seem to be picking up some great players and selling them on for lots of money over the past few years (mostly to us ha)?

many thanks as always.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - It varies depending on the intent of the question IOM Red - whether it is related to youngsters, players in particular countries, old Eastern-bloc, lower-leagues etc. So perhaps I could help by providing a bit of an overview and then discuss some particular clubs.

Typically there are a number of people that a club retains or employs regarding the "scouting" of players including a permanent Chief Scout and a perhaps a Head of International Scouting who all will report in to the club via a Director of Football or whatever. There is also be a guy who co-ordinates all of the reports and ensures that they go to the correct person. Obviously no one at the first team level is going to see or be interested in any reports related to kids so there is a hierarchy that deals with young kids, potential academy players up to the first team squad. There are then scouts retained (sometimes on a permanent basis, sometimes on a part time basis and sometimes on an ad hoc basis) by clubs to cover specific countries and/or areas of the world - France, South America, Adriatic & Old Eastern Bloc, Iberia etc.. On top of that there will be freelance scouts (often ex-referees and amateur club staff who will stay within their particular area of expertise and region). Once a player has been looked at a couple of times and reports reviewed, then someone from further up this chain will take a look. Eventually a chief scout will take a look, or if it is a potential first team player, then perhaps a coach or a manager will take a look. Some clubs also have advisors which include, taking one EPL side as an example, ex-managers or highly respected people within the game.

As a good example of this system, there are a number of people that Chelsea retain or employ regarding the "scouting" of players including a permanent Chief Scout and a Head of International Scouting - Scott McLachlan - who all report in to the Director of Football. There is a guy called Matthew Hallam who co-ordinates all of the reports and ensures that they go to the correct person. Obviously no one at the first team level is going to see or be interested in any reports related to children. There are then scouts retained by the club in specific countries and areas of the world - France, South America, Adriatic & Old Eastern Bloc, Iberia etc.. On top of that there are both formal and informal "advisors" who often have an opinion to give - some of these are very well known people.

As for Manchester United, they will look to appoint a Director of Football and have been working hard on trying to persuade someone to come - but it is proving to be a real struggle to sell the opportunity to him. Under him, they will seek to rebuild the scouting structure by adding new people and generally follow the model used by the likes of Chelsea. In the interim they have already started to make changes so they are working hard to improve.

Within the English game, particularly at lower-levels and with youngsters, scouts often include ex-managers and referees at that level.

With younger kiddies clubs often restrict their search area by distance - Southampton has a fan shaped catchment area stretching out from Southampton and up to Swindon to the Northwest and the outer-reaches of the metropolis to the Northeast. Sunday league and youth games in this area will often see someone scouting on behalf of Southampton as they concentrate on local talent.

The London clubs, such as West Ham, have the benefit of two multi-tiered clubs that have developed numerous players who have gone on to play at the highest level - Chelsea, Spurs and West Ham have always had a good relationship with one in particular - Senrab.}

04 Jan 2017 18:30:25
Fascinating response ED and something I now feel I have a better comprehension of, thanks so much.


{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}

04 Jan 2017 18:46:14
Deserves a big thank you Ed002, information like this is what makes the site uniquely brilliant!


04 Jan 2017 21:20:16
Many thanks for such a comprehensive response, Ed!


04 Jan 2017 12:22:49
Eds, what's your take on Flanno's future at Liverpool. My heart wants him to stay I know he's still coming back from his injury but do you see a future for him under Kloop

Cheers.

Believable1 Unbelievable2

{Ed002's Note - Flanagan is a player deserving of a decision in the summer - back in to the fold of the first team or move him on.}

04 Jan 2017 12:47:19
Cheers ed002.


04 Jan 2017 13:08:19
Do you think he is good enough ed?


{Ed002's Note - I don't measure the goodness of footballers. And that is not the question the club and coaches will consider directly. There is much more than that to be taken in to account.}

04 Jan 2017 12:20:28
Hey eds a quick question in the past is there or was there an effect on a player who had gone to the afcon on his performances on club level when he came back, for example being out of shape for a few matches etc.?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - Obviously players have come back with injuries and others have needed a bit of a break but it is typically a far from intensive tournament in terms of running about. There are a lot of games but only really for those sides that are successful.}

04 Jan 2017 12:29:57
Sadly looking at the teams, I think Senegal will do very well - if they win their first game, I expect to see them in the final.


04 Jan 2017 13:11:04
or how about, good luck to Mane when he's out there!


04 Jan 2017 14:27:51
Indeed good luck to the lad. We'll be fine. People have been worrying about this for months now and it's daft. Yes he's a brilliant player for us but we have a team full of brilliant players. 1 month is bugger all. Not like he's gone forever.


04 Jan 2017 19:00:33
LeeWils - I support another country in the AFCON so actually I have two reasons for wanting Mane to fail early and come back to Liverpool. I wish him an uninjured time!


04 Jan 2017 02:42:44
Ed1,

Happy new year, boss!

I recently read Beale saying Sakho and Ilori were our starting CB for the u23. It strikes me as a bit odd when those 2 are not supposed to have futures at LFC.

Shouldn't the game time be given to players who may have a future? For their development and all?

Appreciate your thoughts on this. :)

Believable2 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - they needed to play to give scouts a chance to look at them etc. Though Beale also was pushing for Ilori to get a chance, as he believed he was growing into a quality defender. Now he has gone, it has probably changed though, as the new guy will be feeling his way in, rather than trying to push through players.}

04 Jan 2017 09:15:28
Thanks Ed. :)


{Ed001's Note - welcome Sing.}

04 Jan 2017 12:32:51
Massive shame losing Beale, I get why and good luck to him but he's brought through some quality young players.


 
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