britneyspearsisgod

Oops! I Did It Again

I call for Ian Holloway to take over. Seriously

I can see Mascherano definitely going. Gerrard and Torres can go either way for me. I'd honestly be more inclined to see Gerrard go than Torres, considering the hassles of his personal life as well (all speculation, for sure. But there is generally smoke when a fire starts). It is telling about the atmoshere at the club changing ang you are again correct. Despite our Bristol roots, my dad had a soft spot for the Liverpool team of old and remembers fondly the days of Shankley, Fagan, Paisley and Keegan (as a player, obviously). I myself remember living on the Wirral and going to games. In fact, my first live football match was Liverpool vs Newcastle at Anfield, sitting in the Kop. This was their first 4-3 and I can remember the crowd when Collymore scored the winner. Liverpool had this aura around the club for so long and now it's all gone.

Let's tackle therockbox's viewpoint: This I agree with. It was foolish to give the man money to buy a player he wouldn't be using for that much longer. In terms of Cisse the player, however, I do believe he would have been a bigger asset had he stayed fit and healthy. But then that is purely from a personal viewpoint. Agreed and appologies if I didn't make this point clear. I agree Houllier didn't know how to use them properly. Rafa took them to this extra level. But I guess I was making a link between Rafa's buys and their quality compared to Houllier's buys and their quality. A team Rafa had to manage and utilize won the Champions League compared to a team that Rafa has been continually tinkering and modifying finishing 7th this season. It's true many things have gone against Benitez (working for retards comes to mind), but if he can take that team to the Champions League, how come his own team that he has moulded hasn't made similar pushes? Although as I argue this point I am reminded by myself of the fact that, in essence, Benitez has improved quality and league position. Not by the margin you'd expect from a net £200m+ outlay. Again, you are correct and more knowedgeable on this subject than me. This is why I love reading your posts - you know what you are talking about. And I understand this point. But as I say, it would be foolish to believe this problem is going to be solved in one transfer window. The club, whether it is owned by Hicks and Gillett or by some other entity, have to make a sound business decision and accept where they are. Sadly, it's a case of having to accept the reality that Liverpool are not going anywhere for a long time just yet, unless something drastic happens. That's not to say hope should not be kept: if someone can come and solve the first team problems in one season, good for them and they should chase this. But you have to keep the worst case scenario's in mind. Thank you. I wasn actually too lazy to work this out I concede defeat here - you are correct. Benitez did develop these players. And more fool me for not thinking more on this subject.

The thing is, Liverpool have been mismanaged for quite a while now and, in some respects, the club began to slip into decline all the way from the Fagan era. I would agree that, in their capacity, players like Diouf, Kewell, Morrientes and even players like Biscan and Smicer were not "bad" players. It's that for whatever reason they were bought by managers who didn't know how to use them properly. As for Keane... I'm sorry, but Keane is a top quality striker and regardless of whether he was bought to work in a team featuring Gareth Barry, he is still of sufficient quality that you can rework the system around him and Torres. They had Mascherano - surely he could have done a similar job? And why couldn't Lucas get trained in that role? Am I missing something? Benitez seems reluctant to actually train players as opposed to just buying ready-made quality. It's all well and good, but Alex Ferguson develops players as well as buys talent. I would like someone to show me where Benitez has actually developed someone to become better than they were, because I can't really see that many players. Lucas comes to mind, but he's still not at a sufficent level for me to be called Liverpool Quality.

In all fairness, Cisse was on target to becoming a top and deadly striker before the leg break and would have been a good player. After that, he struggled. Not to mention it was the team that Benitez inherited that won Liverpool their Champions League glory (plus a few additions, so credit where credit is due, Señor Benitez). I don't get this idea that the team Houllier had couldn't win. Maybe Houllier couldn't do anything with the team, but they had some good players and had they made a go of the league, it's clear they could have done more. I mean, Benitez and Houllier have both been unable to make that one final step to League Champions. Both have come very VERY close. It's a lot of problems Liverpool have at the moment that maybe have hurt them. All in all, I'm divided. Benitez should go, but who can replace him without having to admit you may need to take a step back? Give it a couple of seasons and it may be Newcastle all over again. I would just say "alright, we may not be anything special at the moment. Let's sit back for a season or three, sneak into Europe, do well in cups and build a squad capable of future challenges. Get the finances sorted out, sell the club on to someone who cares about Liverpool and can help push the team forward and then muster a challenge. Or get a rich Sheik to say "here's £3billion - go crazy" and hope for the best.

I'm very happy Millwall have gone up, if only so I don't have to watch their fucking boring-as-shit football and annoying bastard fans

I use to like Steve Coppell as well

West Ham are becoming a joke at the moment. Gold and Sullivan are coming out every week slagging their team off and then they go complaining about other teams? Send the fuckers down and shut them up if this is what they are resorting to. Support your manager and your team and shut up. Let them do the talking - not you. Clearly you aren't making a very good job of it.

I wouldn't be surprised if the administrator isn't using this as some kind of bargaining tool to try and whip up buyers. You know, put out a little rumour here and there, stoke the fires... next thing you know, big name buys club. Especially in the capital city too. I'm sure Palace will be saved.

Gary Johnson has gone from Bristol City. As a Bristol Rovers fan, I cannot help but be kind of chuffed. However, it's a shame considering he did a good job there. He certainly has nothing to be ashamed of, that's for sure. Now they have to be careful who they get to take over the team. I'd like to see Keith Miller get his shot for the remainder of the games, because I think he may turn into a quality manager in the future. However, that blue side of me wants them to hire Ian Atkins and go down the tubes

Hull were doing quite poorly, really. I wouldn't say he deserved the sack, but he wasn't exactly going to do much else with them. He did a great job, but maybe it was time for them to go looking for someone else? As the Sky Sports article above may indicate, it may be a case of having lost everyone. It could be the best thing for them all.

PLEASE let us not get into the "Emile Heskey Debate" again >_<

So, it is official: Neil Warnock has become manager of QPR. Let's see him find a way to complain now

So... who still wants to buy it?

I agree - Jack Daniels is frothy, sugary piss in a bottle. Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, Bulleitt Bourbon... these are generally the bourbons to drink. If she's going to wash her mouth with anything, it should probably be soap, the foul-mouthed hussy

Quite frankly, you are all sad and just want a shag Kesha? Really? And Britney is a whore? What? You didn't think you could have a discussion on female pop personalities and not expect me to turn up? No, weird obsessions aside, this is a woman who has been associated with Paris Hilton. PARIS HILTON. I need say no more. But I will. A "Degenerate Hannah Montana", according to The Guardian. I weep. The essence of this is no matter how popular or talented she may be to others, she gets on my tits and I will not be won over on the matter until the second album, rise to fame and subsequent head shavings and falls from grace. I also question whether it is sexy to state you brush your teeth with Jack Daniels. Is that what you want to kiss? Personal hygiene is important.

Apparently the final total right now is £46,000 as it stands, but given their outgoings it would most likely rise the longer it continues on. A lot of Chester fans seem to be begging for someone to put them out of their misery. I feel thankful that even in our darkest days I never got to that stage as a Bristol Rovers fan. They are truly deserving of some success for staying with the club this long.

So... who's the first to suggest we buy it? It seems a shame really. I use to live on the Wirral and have seen Chester before. They haven't had much luck. But, it amazes me really. Chester isn't exactly a poor city - it's an affluent area in some circles. And there's a strong student base there. Plus, it's on Holyoaks every bloody week - you'd think they'd have better luck finding backers. But then, I did hear figures in the millions being bandied about in regards to their debt. At this stage, it seems ridiculous to see them surviving today, never mind the season.

Benitez is by no means the worst manager and clearly has credentials. However, the entire club is at fault, including Benitez. Despite his terrible owners and his under performing team, he still picked that team. He is the one who was authorized to spend the money on those players. Were they his number one targets? Most likely not. But then why did he settle for some of the dross he's got there? And not to mention that he's the person picking these players. And not to also mention he's the one who has to motivate these players. Obviously he can't make miracles happen if he's got a team of uninterested bastards playing for him. However, it has to be accepted he hasn't performed good enough considering the lofty aspirations he held at the start of the season. It reminds me of the whole Newcastle/Kevin Keagan scenario when he made his "famous" outburst at the top and then proceeded to completely fuck it up. And has he ever been the same since? I argue no. Is this as far as Benitez can take the club? Who knows. He has had injuries and bad luck (beach balls are scoring against them, after all), but some managers have the aptitude to turn it around in these situations. I do believe it would be unjust to sack him now, however. He deserves the end of the season and to be able to sit down and decide how to solve the problems. If they don't improve next season, then sack him.

While nothing is finalised, I'm glad to see Bristol considered. Even if it does mean it will be at their ground

Maybe they'll ask for the actual Cup next

The thing about the N'Gog dive is that if he hadn't had dove, Carsley would have caught him and given away a penalty anyway, so in either situation a penalty was the only option the referee could give. He got the yellow for diving, but Carsley had committed a foul with his late challenge. Thus, the penalty was justified, regardless of what anybody may like to say. Unfortunately, this is the way it is. Still, Liverpool are having problems here. Riera out now? I mean, Stevie G is back, sure... but to stumble against lower opposition (despite Birmingham's performance, because they were quite determined and committed) like this unfortunately shows in some ways they seemed to have regressed backwards this season.

Bristol Rovers doing well considering Lambert (Rickie) has gone. Kuffor and Duffy are good strikers, but having that tall presence really helped. Mind you, Lescott (Aaron) said with Lambert gone they are given more movement on the field than before. Now, if that helps us perform better, great. Up next are Huddersfield who, off the back of a 7-1 mauling of Brighton, are tough to beat on any normal day. This should be interesting. So far, so good.