Football 2011-2012

[pink_triangle]

I think Liverpool could easily have won the league cup this year without gerrard. I always find it hard to make a judgement of how a team would have done without a player difficult, if they didn't have him they would probably have recruited differently.

[eFestivals]

I fail to believe that having Gerrard in the team in a negative thing. If it is statistically, then fine. Stats can throw up all sorts of opinions. But if people believe its true, then Gerrard is being badly/under/over/mis used by Daglish. Hes a cracking player.

Obviously.

I'll counter The Guardian by saying that without him, Liverpool would have won nothing over the last 10 years. Zero, zilch, nada. No Istanbul, no FA Cup, no near win in the Premiership and they wouldn't have attracted half the good players they've had to the club either.

Theres a certain irony in the Guardians article from yesterday - really questioning Gerrard as a player for the first time - based on statistics and then Comolli getting the sack today.

I think you've been a bit unfair to the article there - it wasn't saying that Gerrard wasn't a great player, and it made a point of acknowledging the impact he's had over the years. It wasn't even claiming to be right, the whole thing was being presented as an idea, something that might not be true (as it was doing by pointing out that Lucas got injured around the same time Gerrard got fit).

I've far from swallowed that article hook line and sinker, but I recognise a lot of what it said at other clubs who have had a similarly 'big' player, and even if it doesn't apply to Gerrard and I've got things wrong, I've thought for a long time that Henderson sort-of looks over-awed when Gerrard's also on the pitch. He appears to me to play with more confidence when Gerrard isn't there.

So I reckon there could be something to what the stats say (while some is also down to losing Lucas), but probably not to the extent that Liverpool would be better off getting rid of Gerrard. Yet.

Sooner or later that time is going to come, and it won't be far off. If Liverpool are going to be a competitive team again in the near-future then they'll need to do it fast, cos you're right, they'll struggle harder to get good players.

[The Nal]

In other news, Utd have agreed to sign Nico Gaitan from Benfica for 22m with Macheda and Bebe going the other way too. Total deal valued at around 40m. A lot of money.

Anyone know anything about him? Hardly the most prolific from what I've seen.

Edited April 12, 2012 by The Nal

[kaosmark2]

In other news, Utd have agreed to sign Nico Gaitan from Benfica for 22m with Macheda and Bebe going the other way too. Total deal valued at around 40m. A lot of money.

Anyone know anything about him? Hardly the most prolific from what I've seen.

[thetime]

Been saying for years liverpool should sell gerrard.

It reminds me of bryan robson in his hey day, both great players but when robson was injured(which was alot) united didnt have a clue without him. Not so much now but when gerrard was out the team liverpool were the same.

[thetime]

In other news, Utd have agreed to sign Nico Gaitan from Benfica for 22m with Macheda and Bebe going the other way too. Total deal valued at around 40m. A lot of money.

Anyone know anything about him? Hardly the most prolific from what I've seen.

[pink_triangle]

If Liverpool were going to sell him they would have had to do it a few years ago when chelsea were sniffing and used the money to bring in a high class younger replacement. I'm not sure what transfer fee Liverpool would get now, but I don't think it would be huge, better off keeping him but looking to gradually decrease his influence.

[The Nal]

You sure? Cant see the story on manutd.com or any official sute, or is it just paper talk? Bebe has a serious injury though, would anyone sign him injured.

[Ed209]

Bad news for Kenny. Usually the last thing a manager wants to hear

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/apr/12/kenny-dalglish-full-support-liverpool

Edited April 12, 2012 by Ed209

[The Nal]

Bad news for Kenny. Usually the last thing a manager wants to hear

http://m.guardian.co...rpool&cat=sport

[strummer77]

It's never going to happen, but the thought of having this man associated with this club makes me excited.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17698239

[eFestivals]

Bebe has a serious injury though, would anyone sign him injured.

Corrected for you.

But still with an error as fergie did.

[pink_triangle]

Predictions for the FA cup semis. Liverpool to win a narrow match against everton with a Gerrard winner, prompting the media to discuss if he is the greatest premiership midfielder of all time. Chelsea to beat spurs 2-0 in a dull match. Resulting in a boring liverpool v chelsea final, although as variety is the spice of life I would prefer everton v spurs.

[The Nal]

Corrected for you.

But still with an error as fergie did.

[thetime]

He about as good as Andy Carroll!

[thetime]

Predictions for the FA cup semis. Liverpool to win a narrow match against everton with a Gerrard winner, prompting the media to discuss if he is the greatest premiership midfielder of all time. Chelsea to beat spurs 2-0 in a dull match. Resulting in a boring liverpool v chelsea final, although as variety is the spice of life I would prefer everton v spurs.

[The Nal]

Have you seen bebe play, fecking awful.

[eFestivals]

He about as good as Andy Carroll!

one a scale of the bang you get for your buck, yes he is - which means he's much worse, but that it's as big a cock-up signing.

[eFestivals]

I'm going to an Evertoin win (after extra time? Is there extra time?).

And after Bale's "Spurs are better than Chelsea" thing, Chelsea to easily see off Spurs.*

(* I don't actually believe that, especially as Chelsea are without Ivanovic ).

[The Nal]

one a scale of the bang you get for your buck, yes he is - which means he's much worse, but that it's as big a cock-up signing.

Edited April 13, 2012 by The Nal

[kaosmark2]

Everton to beat Liverpool 2-1 with Andy Carroll getting 2 glaring misses, Gerrard scoring just after Liverpool go 2-1 down to start talk of another legendary Gerrard fightback before it sizzles out into nothingness.

Spurs to tear Chelsea apart, score a goal ~ 20 minutes, absolutely dominate but fail to hit the back of the net again, then Torres to dive over someone's leg, get a pen, Lampard to score it, before Drogba scores a winner in extra-time to prompt claims that he's still not finished and has a lot to contribute, despite Mata doing most of the work for the goal.

That said, I'd rather like Spurs to beat Liverpool in the final just to ensure that extra Europa spot is up for grabs.

[strummer77]

Stat of the day: Aston Villa have not scored from their last 346 corners.

[kaosmark2]

Stat of the day: Aston Villa have not scored from their last 346 corners.

[sifi]

Last football team to win the league without mega bucks were Leeds, I'd say.

[strummer77]

Off to Wembley. Just hope it signals the return of the 'friendly derby'. Been too much hate between the two, it's only a game.

Have a good weekend folks.