Decent article from the Guardian...

[Rosco]

[quote author=Farkmaster link=topic=36630.msg968462#msg968462 date=1256178950]
This is part of the problem with having our ownership situation, in addition to the legitimate pressure piled on everything we do, because the margins are actually finer, it makes the press well capable of painting the picture of a club in utter crisis every time we have a dip in form.
[/quote]

The difference is that this is David Conn writing the article.

He doesn't generally paint pictures, he deals in facts and doesn't make massive assumptions. He's the current sportswriter of the year at the moment, largely because of articles he did on Hillsborough in the past year.

He isn't painting a silly doomsday scenario.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Vlads Quiff link=topic=36630.msg968987#msg968987 date=1256238308]
the if, is because I am not 100% convinced Rafa is not equally culpable for the lack of activity in the summer.
If not he would have had a lot more to say about matters.
Indeed I would have expected him to walk, given his contract negotiations and agreements, but he has been pretty muted.


regards
[/quote]

Do you believe the stories about it being written into his contract about him keeping quiet publicly? I find it hard to believe, but I'm equally confused by the way he's said little about the owners throughout the Summer and during the season so far.

 

[Vlads Quiff]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=36630.msg969001#msg969001 date=1256238617]
[quote author=Vlads Quiff link=topic=36630.msg968987#msg968987 date=1256238308]
the if, is because I am not 100% convinced Rafa is not equally culpable for the lack of activity in the summer.
If not he would have had a lot more to say about matters.
Indeed I would have expected him to walk, given his contract negotiations and agreements, but he has been pretty muted.


regards
[/quote]

Do you believe the stories about it being written into his contract about him keeping quiet publicly? I find it hard to believe, but I'm equally confused by the way he's said little about the owners throughout the Summer and during the season so far.
[/quote]

I can believe some sort of agreemnet to try and keep his gob shut, which on the whole would be a good thing, but on something like this I would have expected a more severe reaction

regards

 

[Stulikesdrums]

[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=36630.msg968877#msg968877 date=1256228492]
http://tomkinstimes.com/2009/10/my-day-with-crisis-hit-benitez/
[/quote]

Pretty good read.

I am invited around to look at his PC monitor, to see his database of the full Melwood cast list, and who he has in mind for each position, from first team through to young prospects. I learn which kids are showing a great attitude, and which ones are disappointing him; the kind of thing you just don’t get to see unless you’re part of the club. It’s great information, but something for him to discuss with the players in question (and not for me to mention). Some, it saddens him to see, seem to have entourages already. He dreads good young players losing their focus, or having their heads turned. That’s why mentality is so important.

Ryan Babel?

The manager certainly wanted to do more business in the market himself, but was unable to. His frustrations are evident, and he lists a few players he went in for; in most cases his interest was well known, but one less so. A shame, I think, when I hear the name. I’m also told of one world-class star in the making that Liverpool made an early approach for in 2007, but before the deal could be tied up, due to dallying, he was lured elsewhere.

Anybody got any ideas on these two?

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=36630.msg968883#msg968883 date=1256229741]
...to you.
[/quote]

HA HA HA HA HA

 

[rebel23]

[quote author=Stu link=topic=36630.msg969051#msg969051 date=1256241224]
[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=36630.msg968877#msg968877 date=1256228492]
http://tomkinstimes.com/2009/10/my-day-with-crisis-hit-benitez/

The manager certainly wanted to do more business in the market himself, but was unable to. His frustrations are evident, and he lists a few players he went in for; in most cases his interest was well known, but one less so. A shame, I think, when I hear the name. I’m also told of one world-class star in the making that Liverpool made an early approach for in 2007, but before the deal could be tied up, due to dallying, he was lured elsewhere.

Anybody got any ideas on these two?



[/quote]

[/quote]

My best guess is Angel Di Maria

 

[darkstarexodus]

[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=36630.msg969176#msg969176 date=1256251968]
[quote author=Stu link=topic=36630.msg969051#msg969051 date=1256241224]
[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=36630.msg968877#msg968877 date=1256228492]
http://tomkinstimes.com/2009/10/my-day-with-crisis-hit-benitez/

The manager certainly wanted to do more business in the market himself, but was unable to. His frustrations are evident, and he lists a few players he went in for; in most cases his interest was well known, but one less so. A shame, I think, when I hear the name. I’m also told of one world-class star in the making that Liverpool made an early approach for in 2007, but before the deal could be tied up, due to dallying, he was lured elsewhere.

Anybody got any ideas on these two?



[/quote]

[/quote]

My best guess is Angel Di Maria

[/quote]

Ribery moved to Bayern in 2007. Just saying is all.

 

[Glock21]

If the only reason people can give for not sacking Rafa is that it'll cost too much then that's all the more reason to get rid of him as far as i'm concerned. Rafa has only cared about himself for a long time.

Interesting to note his wife had to be escorted from the stands after Lyon scored their winner after she burst into floods of tears. Maybe she knows something.

 

[Wizardry]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=36630.msg968911#msg968911 date=1256233321]
[quote author=Vlads Quiff link=topic=36630.msg968583#msg968583 date=1256200578]
if they did shackle the purse strings in the summer they will know by now they took a horrendous gamble with their investment.

regards[/quote]

That's a seriously worrying predicament when you consider that one way they can divert criticism is if results continue to go against us, they'll have the perfect person to deflect the blame onto.

the manager to take the flack (not that he's exempt from fault in all of this) is perfect for them.
[/quote]

Or, indeed, vice-versa. I find it an interesting wait to see who utters the first syllable in the war of responsibility for either our poor performances or our lack of spending in the market place.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Gillett wins.