Football (Soccer) Fans...Fall In!

[Jimmy]

well, season still not over yet, so can't jump into conclusion now.

i don't really agree with axing manager within short period of putting him in charge of the team. now clubs are like toys to rich men!

[Aquanoob]

neverwalkalone, you are right about a sad day for the Reds fan. Do you know that Liverpool is so "gracious and kind" to award the new manager of the opposing team with 3 points. Alan Pardew got his first home match victory against Liverpool weeks ago, and yesterday Steve Kean got his first home victory too. I hope to see Hodgson getting sacked today or max tomorrow and not leading the team in the FA Cup match. He is a mid-low table manager which should never have been assigned as the Reds manger and his away-game jinx is so "powerful". Liverpool only got 5 points from 10 away matches with a total of 30 points. Imagine where we will be if we can get another 10 points from the away losses.

The players actually played quite OK this morning except for Johnson, Ngog, Maxi and Kyrgiakos. If Gerrard scored the penalty in the 85th minute, we might even see a repeat of 2005 Istanbul reversal, but it is only a IF. King Kenny can step in to be the interim manager while looking for the next qualified young manager. Like what you said, Kenny can be a real motivation factor to the team right now, so hand Hodgson the pink slip and give Kenny the job.

There is a conspiracy theory that Gerrard purposely missed the penalty so as to get Hodgson sacked with his unusually terribly taken kick. I don't bite on this idea but if the penalty miss can get the job done, so be it.

[Dean]

Dean, how good is Ryo? Better than Kagawa and Honda?

Definitely not better than Kagawa or Honda at the moment. Like I said "in Wenger we trust". Honestly, I'm not aware of his talent but giving the fact that Arsenal philosophy of getting players at young age is proving vital to Arsenal success today. For example, Fabregas signed for Gunner at 16 years, Vela at 17 years, Bendtner, Walcott and Denilson at 18 or below etc.. Only time will tell if he can up to the big challenge. There are many Arsenal youngsters who have made their way up to the big league compare to other big clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea or even Liverpool.

[barmby]

Thanks for the insight. Kagawa is an absolute cracker for Borrusia Dortmund so far this season. The fact that he didn't even feature in the world cup makes it even sweet.

His full name: Shinji Kagawa

[Robogobi]

Liverpool really very sad case. Somehow the academy players went missing, not much players made it to the 1st team.

[Aquanoob]

A good match between Liverpool and Man Utd but the result may well be different if Howard Webb wasn't a Man Utd player.
From the replay, he can't have a clear view of what happened between Agger and Berbatov, and should have given the benefit of a doubt to the defender. Instead he awarded a penalty to a soft challenge on a clear dive by Berbatov. Lousy call.
The 2-footed tackle from Gerrard is rash but not a malicious one and a yellow card and stern warning should have done the job.
After the debatable goal and with 1 man down, Liverpool have a mountain to climb to get into the match but at least they fought on and leave the field with head high.

[neverwalkalone]

hahaha... this is already a well known fact - noticed its from seasons passed?.. Ryan Babel posted this pic on his twitter site and has to make an 'apology', with the FA investigating now.. perhaps he'll get a slap-on-the-wrist fine, but it doesn't deny the facts....

Anyone seen the 2-footed stamp by Fabio on Meireles just minutes before the Gerrard tackle? It's clearly malicious - Meireles was experienced (and smart) enough not to go in for the ball and risk a career-ending broken ankle. There wasn't even a foul called; need I say more? :-(. Pray the FA will review the video and punish that youngster appropriately...

Anyway, its a start in the right direction; post match comments:
From Guardian.co.uk:
"The United manager said he was "amazed" the game ended 1-0 but credited 10-man Liverpool with a resilience that was absent in Hodgson's final game in charge at Blackburn Rovers, and gave Dalglish confidence that he can revive the club's sorry campaign."

And more importantly from Dalglish himself:
"If somebody had said to me, this is your squad of players, would you take the job? I'd have said yes with the squad of players we've got"

Now that's the way to support and motivate your team; fire them up to perform; not some 'lame excuse' that this is an 'inherited' team.....
Go Kenny! YNWA!

[barmby]

Meanwhile...

There is Asian Cup and ...

Lionel Messi the playstation won the World Player of the Year for the second time in a row on Monday. Ballon d’Or 2010 !!!

[Aquanoob]

2 defeats in a row for the new Reds manager King Kenny. For those who expect Kenny to come in and instantly transform the team from day one with his magic wand,it is not possible and realistic. He is still dealing with the same team that Hodgson left, which is down on confidence and form. Kenny can only turn around this dreadful circumstancewith spending from Fenway Sports Group, and he need to do so in this critical transfer period.

To me, only 5 players deserve to wear the Liverpool jersey and they are Gerrard, Carragher, Reina, Torres and Kuyt.
The rest of the players are simply either too overrated or lack the ability and quality that is required by them by the club.
.............................

[neverwalkalone]

ya, sad day for Reds fans. frustrating as I stayed up to watch another defeat. :-(

The team was terrible!! Many passes went astray, there were little understanding, and many looked off colour. Its definitely a form issue (aka Chelsea now), and Dalglish has to continue to work his 'magic' to motivate and pick their spirits up.

Kuyt in particular had a lousy game - no surprises when he was substituted, but his replacement was - 18-yr-old Jonjo Shelvey. Jonjo didn't impress. In fact, he looked very much a school-boy out of sorts. Kelly again had a great game, though I think he's probably more suited for central defence given his stature. He doesn't overlap/dribble very well, and in the modern game where the wing-backs make the extra men up front (aka Ashley Cole, Sagna, Evra, etc), he's a tad unsure upfront. Must say he did try, and did on a few occasions supported well; the assist for Torres' opening goal was a brilliant pass.

Jonavonic and Poulsen again were 'mediocre' sad to say. Meireles worked hard as usual, but lacked the support of his other players to make a difference. Skrtel and Agger did 'so-so', often I think they committed themselves into the tackle too quickly and got caught out. Lucas' game is typical - up and down. I've never been a fan of him, but must say he's much improved this season, though he's miles away from where he needs to be/fill the gap left by Mascherano.

Well, I think Hodgson probably feels 'vindicated' somewhat perhaps... the Merseyside derby on Sunday is a MUST WIN.

[barmby]

Asian Cup claims its first casualty. First, Saudi Arabia is virtually out after losing to Jordan and Syria in group stage.

Meanwhile...


Dogfight again this Sunday. Thank god! Cahill is in Qatar. tonight's Asian Cup blockbuster between Australia and South Korea. Kewell, the player "broken" by Liverpool, look to amend WC2010 woes..

Go Japan go!!!

[kapitan]

blame the referee.....

[Aquanoob]

Correction, Kewell "broken" by Liverpool? Harry Kewell was only a so-so player at Leeds and Rafa just pity him and sign him up.
He was given the number 7 jersey which is a disgrace and terrible mistake in my opinion. He was a sick chicken in Liverpool, always mysteriously getting injured in matches. I can still remember that during the 2005 Champion League final, Rafa played him in the starting eleven despite him only getting back from injury. When Liverpool was down by 1 goal, he "suddenly" become injured again and got to be substituted. He was infamously booed off the pitch by Liverpool fans with many suggesting he had faked the injury Thankfully, he was gone so fast in the match as Liverpool went on to make an incredible comeback and won the Cup on penalty. He was so lucky to even been awarded with the Champion League winner medal. I have always called him a Sick Chicken Harry Kewell and all my Liverpool friends agreed.
Colin, care to explain why he was "broken" by Liverpool?

[Aquanoob]

By the way Spurs also have a Dogfight with Man United this Sunday, so which will win?

[barmby]

Harry Kewell will always be remembered as a fantastic player at Leeds United but failed to shine as brightly at Liverpool. He is very gifted, and play on the left attacking midfield. He was part of the brilliant Leeds team that went all the way to the Champions League Semi-final, out dribble most players in EPL during his prime, if I am not wrong Viduka and Kewell destroyed a few teams. Pool fans will remember fondly how much they rejoice on a particular summer in which the transfer of Harry Kewell made them very happy. Finally a left sided player. However, it was not to be, Liverpool medical team fail to resolve his issue. It's always soft-tissue injuries. Now Torres is heading that direction, getting broken, poor form, and fade away......slowly.....sadly.

Benitez did not sign Kewell. Houllier did.

No dogfight. I feel embarrass. Spurs don't stand a chance. Its stone versus egg. Take away Bale - 50% gone. Then Van der Vaart another 50%. Everton did it by having veteran Philip Neville on Bale. Manchester United is unbeatable and have not yet peak, which is very bad news for Spurs fans. Every-time Spurs play United, a lot of hype only to lose the game (big margin some more). I always remember that goal that went in one yard but still no count.

I didn't realize it is a super Sunday this weekend with two big games.

[Aquanoob]

So you are saying Liverpool did not "break" Harry Kewell. It is just that he is unlucky and alway seems to invite tackles in and injured as a result. Anyway, Kewell will be remembered as a Sick Chicken who don't deserved to wear the no. 7 jersey.
And may I add that Torres will not end up the same the sick chicken, he will regain his superb form and win matches for Liverpool again and again. He will be remembered as a great player who wore the no. 9 jersy, and a good role model for the futures No.9s

I am surprise that a Spurs supporter will belittle his supported team ahead of an important match as no team is unbeatable and infallible. There is no single match which I will think Liverpool will not win regardless of who is standing in the path. I may have been disappointed many times in recent season, but I always believe Liverpool will win the next and the next.
I think you are more like a Man United fan in this match having such a negative view.

[barmby]

I am saying there is something wrong with Liverpool for many years. Good players can become poor players. More bad than good. Where there is form become no form, fit become sick. Hyypiä, Alonso and Mascherano are the only ones I remember who rose to greatness. Yes, greatness.

Statistic shows that Spurs can lead 3-0 at half time only lose 3-6. while another occasion lead 2-0 and 2-5 at final whistle. I don't have much confidence.

Speaking of Manchester united - Vidić has been the best form of his life this season. I feel sorry seeing Vidić for Manchester United while Škrtel, for Liverpool, who either lack heading skill or cannot jump high plus lack pace, commit himself too early and more. His positioning is very 'jia lat' too.

[Aquanoob]

Colin, maybe you have to look at who is leading Spurs now. He is a very good friend of you-know-who. The previous good friend "gifted" Man United with a 7-1 and was sacked 2 weeks later. If he attacks from the start, Spurs can win the match. If he resort to defence, then Spurs will lose by the same embarrassing margin again.
Since Bale and Van de Vart have been on wonderful form, can they reproduce it against the "strongest" team?

[barmby]

Spurs will use Lennon and Bale to split them while Modric will plot from middle or pass them till death. Holding midfield maybe Jenas or Palacios but these two have been plagued by inconsistency.

Rafael will need help on the right to take care of Bale while Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs should be able to deal with Lennon effortlessly. We all know United has three world class defenders and Evra is considered among the best at his position already. It will be interesting who play on the right side of midfield to squeeze Bale.

Striker wise.. this is the 2nd poorest department for Spurs. pavlyuchenko is not world class, crouch is bad, and keane has lost it. Hopefully Defoe play and score while Van Der Vaart will do the run & scoring from deep.

Defense is not Spurs virtue, and Wayne Rooney is starting which might be a bad thing.

[Aquanoob]

This is more like a Spurs fan talking!
Attack from the start and you will win.
Sit back and defend and you will get thrashed.
Good luck to Spurs in this week's big match. Like what I said in past postings before, I prefer any other teams to win the league other than THAT team, even Man City also can, although mathematically Liverpool still can win the league now.