[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=38502.msg1037632#msg1037632 date=1263863192]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=38502.msg1037134#msg1037134 date=1263827404]
Wizardry, that last post was uncharacteristically slanted.
It's simply wrong to characterise Sunny's posts or mine as saying other factors are "irrelevant" or that what he's done for LFC is "to be discarded". Gerrard has every reason to feel jacked off with what's happening, and we've both been totally explicit in recognising his unique excellence. What we've added though - and I stand by it - is that, however difficult doing so may be, a professional still has to put such things to one side and give 100%. Many, perhaps most, of us will have been in similar situations in our own (albeit far more mundane) jobs at times.
If Elisha Scott reckons the idea that Gerrard wants to leave is bullsh!t, chances are that's exactly what it is. For the record, I'll be hugely relieved if that's the case. Were he ever to be truly tempted, though, I hope someone close to him reminds him of the extreme turmoil he went through when the Chavs nearly turned his head. Of course he wants to win titles, but the fact is that deep down he wants to win them specifically at LFC and that the club is in his blood and bone. No amount of success elsewhere will make up for leaving.
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JJ, those comments you've quoted were not directed at you or Sunny; they were comments and inferences made by other posters which sickened me. Certainly the intention was not a shot at you or Sunny since I've seen no suggestion from either of you that you're happy to see the captain depart. Largely speaking the main issue I had with Sunny was the (perceived) inference that the fans were the ones who had given up the most.
I'm still pained that a player like Sami - while he had wonderful success here - was eventually forced to leave without the medal he gave his everything to help us win. For those of us fortunate enough to remember it I've seen, enjoyed and bathed in the success that Kenny, Rushie, Keegan, Beardo, Aldridge et al provided. Those were amazing days and, at the time, they seemed destined to last forever. Those players are legends and rightly so but they stayed at a club which was winning everything. Gerrard is at least their equal and better than many of them in terms of playing quality. He's the only player (with possible exception of Robbie) of whom I would say that in regards to the next generations of players. He's stayed at the club despite the fact we weren't winning and now he's facing the distinct prospect that he has a choice of stay at the club he loves and accept the title is beyond him or win it with another club but find the taste slightly soured by the jersey he's wearing. That sort of choice would keep almost any player awake at night IMO.
As fans many of us know what success tastes like - for the rest of the fans I have no doubt they will know what that succes tastes like. For Gerrard he's got maybe 3 or 4 years in which to taste that success before his career is gone. At this point it may as well be 20 years such is the position we find ourselves in.
Players like Aurelio, Insua, Lucas, Riera,; they've given up nothing for LFC and, by all means, if they were talking about leaving then pack their bags for them. But if Gerrard is looking at that option then every fan should be taking a good hard look at why one of our greatest ever players would want to leave the club he loves rather than jumping on him as being one of the reasons we're in this situation and that he can piss right off if he's got that attitude.
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Fair enough, mate. Not all discussions on here are notable for their moderation (!) and it certainly is annoying when the lack of balance which is too common in such discussions translates into personal attacks on someone as important to the club as Gerrard.
Very few of us have what it takes to remain at our best day in day out when the going gets as tough as it is at LFC just now. I guess we shouldn't be surprised if even Steven Gerrard is affected by all that. In a way it's a compliment to him that it's so noticeable when it does happen. My hope is that that in itself will have made the club hierarchy sit up and take notice, whether that be the owners re the need for investment, Rafa re the need to make changes in his approach or the players re the need to extract their collective digit from their collective fundament - preferably all three at once.
