2013-14 EPL Season

[Glasgow Seahawk]

Liverpool couldn't have asked for a better start here.

 

[Uncle Si]

Top of the league with six to go...here come City


Everton 4 points off 4th with a game in hand and Arsenal on their way

 

[Hawkspur]

I hope you guys win it all this year. Although, you could only manage a goal difference of 9 against us. City had 10. I've never seen such comical defending over 2 games. That Liverpool attack had them literally falling over themselves, time and time again.

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

Brendan- The carefully chosen one. Loved that banner. Peaches- What will mean more to you- a Liverpool premiership win or the Seahawks Super bowl win?

 

[InSuarezWeTrust]

Damn, Spurs are wank. Replacing Gareth Bale with Roberto Soldado is like replacing Alex Furgeson with David Moyes.

 

[Uncle Si]

Why not both?

Rodgers has certainly done an extraordinary job this season. He's really come into his own with his tactical awareness and flexibility. He also has them believing, confident.

I've pretty much grown up both...although I'd say I was a Hawks fan a few years longer. The two are programs are so similar in their support. As much as hawks fans have waited for a super bowl its only been a decade or so where it felt close. Liverpool have been on the tortuous edge since Arsenal nicked them in 1989... For the lifers the time is coming I hope

 

[InSuarezWeTrust]

I know it wasn't asked to me, but for me it would also be Liverpool winning the league as well.

 

[Gatehawk]

Funny how a draw can virtually eliminate a lot of the negative stigma that's surrounded the Emirates over the past week. That was definitely Arsenal's best performance in the league for weeks. They certainly deserved the point, hell I say they deserved all three points. Probably should have won if not for a massive save by Hart when Podolski found his way through the defense.

One thing I did notice in the game with the squad, actually it was just Giroud, was that we ended up too isolated when we attacked during the majority of the 1st half. Giroud just found himself with the ball at his feet and no red shirts around him to help way too often, there was even one attack where Podolski was free on the left but Giroud was the only one there to provide any help and Demichelis easily cut out the ensuing cross as a result.

 

[Gatehawk]

Match of the week was definitely West Brom vs Cardiff, what a start and what a finish, the entire game was a perfect example of what the EPL is capable of bringing to us every week.

 

[Uncle Si]

Funny how a draw can virtually eliminate a lot of the negative stigma that's surrounded the Emirates over the past week.

Dunno about this, Gate. Everton are playing MUCH better football than Arsenal are, and are nipping at your heels for 4th. Big test coming at Goodison.

Well if Arsenal arent nervous they should be (what a gritty result by Everton by the way. I watched that game and still dont know how they didnt lose that one 4-1)... but I get what Gate's saying. Credit to them for finding effort and getting a result against one of the other top 4. They've been absolutely demolished in their last 3 matches against City/Chelsea/Liverpool. They can feel they should have taken all 3. I think City deserved a red late in the first half to be honest.

Gate you're absolutely right about Giroud, and I'm not sure theres much Arsenal can do at the moment to improve it. giroud relies on service from the midfielders, and his stength is his connectivity and hold up play. This was paramount to Arsenal's early success, feeding off the likes of an in form Ozil, Ramsey and Wilshere. when injuries struck the mid, teams started feasting on the center of the field and disrupting Arsenal's triangles. Thus, the ball has gone wider and wider (from deeper and deeper) which leaves Giroud further from the ball, and when he does get it further from his teammates.

Against Bayern they moved Ox Cham to the middle of the park and let all counters run through him. He ran at the Bayern d and although Arsenal werent rewarded it was dangerous.

Arsenal will have injuries to blame for their dip in form and drop from the title race. But really Wenger never adjusts his gameplan or tactics. He just rolls out the same system game in, game out and relies on his team to be better. Tough to do match in and match out.

Things wont be easy with Everton. They run the same high press that Liverpool, Chelsea and City run. They will look to pressure the Arsenal midfield and use their own pace to break down the Arsenal D. Its going to be a very good match.

 

[Storts]

This is what I wrote yesterday if anyone can be bothered to read it.

Before I start properly I am going to get the Liverpool stuff out the way, because I know when I start ranting I'll end up forgetting about them and over the course of the season, and in their two games against us, I think it's only right I give them the praise they thoroughly deserve. They have completely outplayed us twice, all over the pitch, more strength, more desire, more quality. They stuck by the manager after a somewhat disappointing season, let him put his philosophy into the players and managed to hold on to the clubs best player when he wanted to leave and big bids were coming in. They have some wonderful exciting talents, not just Suarez and Sturridge, but Coutinho and Sterling also, and they just all seem to want to play for each other. Brendan has got them battling for every single ball, they instinctively know where other players will be and they are playing like champions right now. It's a big step to get over the line, and the next six/seven games are going to be a huge struggle but I see no reason why they can't go on to beat everybody. Well done to them and good luck for the remainder of the season.

Now, this is where it's such a shame. You can say all this about Liverpool, when for the past few years we've been comfortably better than them. We've had better players, and better organisation, and won five in a row against them at WHL which is unheard of really. Yet here we are today, after another ridiculous thrashing, sitting in sixth place, with no hope for the rest of the season, a manager that is completely inept, players that do not care about the club, and a chairman that only thinks about the balance sheets and not the actual performance on the pitch.

Levy has made some huge mistakes in his time as chairman, but appointing Sherwood as a stop-gap has to be the worst of the lot. He hasn't got a clue, just a complete embarrassment to the club in everything he does, and it has just accelerated our dramatic regression from perennial top four challengers to nothing. In the past few years we've beaten every single one of the clubs we've been hammered by this season. Chelsea, City, Arsenal, Liverpool, we've won regular games against them, but this year we are nowhere near their level. 8 games, 7 defeats, 2 goals for, 29 against or something, can anyone tell me that is acceptable for any club, let alone one where we are in the table?

I just can't put my finger on what is going so wrong. We make so many mistakes that lead to goals. Our first two today, what were they playing at? Just a catalogue of errors that put us at such a disadvantage. It happens far too often for it simply to be a coincidence. There is something fundamentally wrong with what we do as a football club and it will continue to cost us.

This team has so many problems within it too. Just look at that back four today. Naughton is not good enough at all, look at the errors he made last week against Southampton or even in the first game against Liverpool this season. When he's having to start as many games as he is at the moment he was obviously going to be found out. Unfortunately in front of him is Walker, who although has the pace to get himself out of trouble a lot of the time, is really not anything special. He's probably the most unintelligent footballer in the history of the league. We then have centre backs that are causing us problems for differing reasons. Dawson has the heart and desire, but no actual footballing ability. Kaboul used to be fantastic, but injuries have taken their toll, he's lost a yard of pace, and he's nowhere near the level of before. Vertonghen has all the ability in the world, but he's got the worst attitude I have ever seen. He doesn't show any fight at all, and I'm sceptical about his injury today. I don't know what was shown on the TV and I may be wrong, but from my seat he didn't really look bad at all, he certainly didn't put up any fight to his substitution, he was very happy to be taken off and that's not what you want. On the left Danny Rose is diabolical, he offers nothing defensively or offensively and is the root of so many goals. He gets sucked in to the middle, never gets tight enough to a man, and is caught out of position too often. The whole back four needs an overhaul in the summer. I think Jan will be off and right now I'm not really bothered. I want players to stand up and fight for their positions, not have his sort of attitude.

How Tim thought it was wise to play a central midfield partnership for Gylfi and Bentaleb I do not know. The man is moronic. Gylfi has a good 45 minutes there when two nil down at home and he thinks that's the answer in an away game at the leagues form side. He never has been and never will be the answer to anyones problem in that area and it's no wonder Liverpool were able to walk through us so many times today. Bentaleb I feel sorry for as he's Sherwood's poster boy but even still, he should not be starting these games and his lack of tracking back led to Coutinho's goal today. We had Sandro, one of the few players that wants to play for this club and gives his all every game, on the bench, as well as Dembele, yet Sherwood plays his golden boy and the flavour of the month.

Another big problem in this side is Aaron Lennon. Anyone that knows me will know I have always been a huge advocate of his inclusion in the side. In years gone by he's been vitally important to everything good we have done as a team. He used to drag defenders away and create space for Gareth, stretch the pitch and get in behind but now he does none of those things. He won't take a man on, he won't make runs off the ball, he gets bullied by fullbacks and his only saving grace is his defensive work, but even that isn't as effective anymore because he's lost some of his pace and to be honest, he's another that shows a terrible attitude.

Chadli and Eriksen I won't go at too much. They're hit and miss, and as shown today Eriksen defensive efforts aren't very good at times, but he shouldn't be having to do that to be fair. We need to build a team around him in the ten position, not expect him to track runners all day. Soldado was poor today, but again had no service what's so ever and was completely bullied by a Liverpool back four, that we were told were suspect but in reality when you're playing against Sherwood's Spurs even the leakiest defences look like heroes.

I'm at the end of my tether with Spurs, and if Sherwood is there next season I see no reason to keep pumping money into the club as I do. Made a huge effort to go to Liverpool today because I love this club, but they really make you doubt whether it's all worth it. The only saving grace is the fans, today we were superb, proud of them, but the club and this current crop of players do not deserve us at all. Too many big egos that show nothing to back it up. The next six games are completely pointless to me. I'm supposed to be going to all of them, but I don't think I'll bother now. I'm sure some other mug will have my ticket. Sorry for a depressing read but today is just the final straw. There's so much more I could say but what's done is done.

Almost forget to mention Hugo, he's incredible and I wish him well wherever he is next year, you deserve to be at the top.

 

[Gatehawk]

This is what I wrote yesterday if anyone can be bothered to read it.

Before I start properly I am going to get the Liverpool stuff out the way, because I know when I start ranting I'll end up forgetting about them and over the course of the season, and in their two games against us, I think it's only right I give them the praise they thoroughly deserve. They have completely outplayed us twice, all over the pitch, more strength, more desire, more quality. They stuck by the manager after a somewhat disappointing season, let him put his philosophy into the players and managed to hold on to the clubs best player when he wanted to leave and big bids were coming in. They have some wonderful exciting talents, not just Suarez and Sturridge, but Coutinho and Sterling also, and they just all seem to want to play for each other. Brendan has got them battling for every single ball, they instinctively know where other players will be and they are playing like champions right now. It's a big step to get over the line, and the next six/seven games are going to be a huge struggle but I see no reason why they can't go on to beat everybody. Well done to them and good luck for the remainder of the season.

Now, this is where it's such a shame. You can say all this about Liverpool, when for the past few years we've been comfortably better than them. We've had better players, and better organisation, and won five in a row against them at WHL which is unheard of really. Yet here we are today, after another ridiculous thrashing, sitting in sixth place, with no hope for the rest of the season, a manager that is completely inept, players that do not care about the club, and a chairman that only thinks about the balance sheets and not the actual performance on the pitch.

Levy has made some huge mistakes in his time as chairman, but appointing Sherwood as a stop-gap has to be the worst of the lot. He hasn't got a clue, just a complete embarrassment to the club in everything he does, and it has just accelerated our dramatic regression from perennial top four challengers to nothing. In the past few years we've beaten every single one of the clubs we've been hammered by this season. Chelsea, City, Arsenal, Liverpool, we've won regular games against them, but this year we are nowhere near their level. 8 games, 7 defeats, 2 goals for, 29 against or something, can anyone tell me that is acceptable for any club, let alone one where we are in the table?

I just can't put my finger on what is going so wrong. We make so many mistakes that lead to goals. Our first two today, what were they playing at? Just a catalogue of errors that put us at such a disadvantage. It happens far too often for it simply to be a coincidence. There is something fundamentally wrong with what we do as a football club and it will continue to cost us.

This team has so many problems within it too. Just look at that back four today. Naughton is not good enough at all, look at the errors he made last week against Southampton or even in the first game against Liverpool this season. When he's having to start as many games as he is at the moment he was obviously going to be found out. Unfortunately in front of him is Walker, who although has the pace to get himself out of trouble a lot of the time, is really not anything special. He's probably the most unintelligent footballer in the history of the league. We then have centre backs that are causing us problems for differing reasons. Dawson has the heart and desire, but no actual footballing ability. Kaboul used to be fantastic, but injuries have taken their toll, he's lost a yard of pace, and he's nowhere near the level of before. Vertonghen has all the ability in the world, but he's got the worst attitude I have ever seen. He doesn't show any fight at all, and I'm sceptical about his injury today. I don't know what was shown on the TV and I may be wrong, but from my seat he didn't really look bad at all, he certainly didn't put up any fight to his substitution, he was very happy to be taken off and that's not what you want. On the left Danny Rose is diabolical, he offers nothing defensively or offensively and is the root of so many goals. He gets sucked in to the middle, never gets tight enough to a man, and is caught out of position too often. The whole back four needs an overhaul in the summer. I think Jan will be off and right now I'm not really bothered. I want players to stand up and fight for their positions, not have his sort of attitude.

How Tim thought it was wise to play a central midfield partnership for Gylfi and Bentaleb I do not know. The man is moronic. Gylfi has a good 45 minutes there when two nil down at home and he thinks that's the answer in an away game at the leagues form side. He never has been and never will be the answer to anyones problem in that area and it's no wonder Liverpool were able to walk through us so many times today. Bentaleb I feel sorry for as he's Sherwood's poster boy but even still, he should not be starting these games and his lack of tracking back led to Coutinho's goal today. We had Sandro, one of the few players that wants to play for this club and gives his all every game, on the bench, as well as Dembele, yet Sherwood plays his golden boy and the flavour of the month.

Another big problem in this side is Aaron Lennon. Anyone that knows me will know I have always been a huge advocate of his inclusion in the side. In years gone by he's been vitally important to everything good we have done as a team. He used to drag defenders away and create space for Gareth, stretch the pitch and get in behind but now he does none of those things. He won't take a man on, he won't make runs off the ball, he gets bullied by fullbacks and his only saving grace is his defensive work, but even that isn't as effective anymore because he's lost some of his pace and to be honest, he's another that shows a terrible attitude.

Chadli and Eriksen I won't go at too much. They're hit and miss, and as shown today Eriksen defensive efforts aren't very good at times, but he shouldn't be having to do that to be fair. We need to build a team around him in the ten position, not expect him to track runners all day. Soldado was poor today, but again had no service what's so ever and was completely bullied by a Liverpool back four, that we were told were suspect but in reality when you're playing against Sherwood's Spurs even the leakiest defences look like heroes.

I'm at the end of my tether with Spurs, and if Sherwood is there next season I see no reason to keep pumping money into the club as I do. Made a huge effort to go to Liverpool today because I love this club, but they really make you doubt whether it's all worth it. The only saving grace is the fans, today we were superb, proud of them, but the club and this current crop of players do not deserve us at all. Too many big egos that show nothing to back it up. The next six games are completely pointless to me. I'm supposed to be going to all of them, but I don't think I'll bother now. I'm sure some other mug will have my ticket. Sorry for a depressing read but today is just the final straw. There's so much more I could say but what's done is done.

Almost forget to mention Hugo, he's incredible and I wish him well wherever he is next year, you deserve to be at the top.

I think you hit the nail on the head about Spurs. They spent so much money that not being Top 4 is a failure of a season, especially after the success of last season. It really shows how much Bale contributed to the team.

 

[Gatehawk]

I am worried about Everton, but not as much as I would be if they weren't Arsenal's last true test of the season. Newcastle's the only one after Everton that's in the top half and West Brom's the only one that at this moment is in a relegation battle.

 

[Uncle Si]

I am worried about Everton, but not as much as I would be if they weren't Arsenal's last true test of the season. Newcastle's the only one after Everton that's in the top half and West Brom's the only one that at this moment is in a relegation battle.

going to be tight... Arsenal have the better run in

I'd say Arsenal's toughest fixtures are the two away dates with Everton and then Hull, and even Hull isnt that dodgy. But ask Liverpool what can happen there.

Everton really only have three: home to Everton, City and away to Southampton. I guess hosting United as well, but I cant see Moyes getting anything on his first trip back. Everton do have to go to Hull in the end, which could be the hiccup.

 

[DYLcurry59]

Match of the week was definitely West Brom vs Cardiff, what a start and what a finish, the entire game was a perfect example of what the EPL is capable of bringing to us every week.

Not if you're a West Brom supporter it wasn't :x

Between that and the away Chelsea match, we lost 4 points by forcing a quick pass/shot and not dribbling into the corner in the opposing team's end with a lead in the last minute of injury time. Of course we got screwed by the refs in both instances as well (horrible penalty call vs Chelsea, allowing too much injury time vs Cardiff.)

 

[Hawkspur]

This is what I wrote yesterday if anyone can be bothered to read it.

Before I start properly I am going to get the Liverpool stuff out the way, because I know when I start ranting I'll end up forgetting about them and over the course of the season, and in their two games against us, I think it's only right I give them the praise they thoroughly deserve. They have completely outplayed us twice, all over the pitch, more strength, more desire, more quality. They stuck by the manager after a somewhat disappointing season, let him put his philosophy into the players and managed to hold on to the clubs best player when he wanted to leave and big bids were coming in. They have some wonderful exciting talents, not just Suarez and Sturridge, but Coutinho and Sterling also, and they just all seem to want to play for each other. Brendan has got them battling for every single ball, they instinctively know where other players will be and they are playing like champions right now. It's a big step to get over the line, and the next six/seven games are going to be a huge struggle but I see no reason why they can't go on to beat everybody. Well done to them and good luck for the remainder of the season.

Now, this is where it's such a shame. You can say all this about Liverpool, when for the past few years we've been comfortably better than them. We've had better players, and better organisation, and won five in a row against them at WHL which is unheard of really. Yet here we are today, after another ridiculous thrashing, sitting in sixth place, with no hope for the rest of the season, a manager that is completely inept, players that do not care about the club, and a chairman that only thinks about the balance sheets and not the actual performance on the pitch.

Levy has made some huge mistakes in his time as chairman, but appointing Sherwood as a stop-gap has to be the worst of the lot. He hasn't got a clue, just a complete embarrassment to the club in everything he does, and it has just accelerated our dramatic regression from perennial top four challengers to nothing. In the past few years we've beaten every single one of the clubs we've been hammered by this season. Chelsea, City, Arsenal, Liverpool, we've won regular games against them, but this year we are nowhere near their level. 8 games, 7 defeats, 2 goals for, 29 against or something, can anyone tell me that is acceptable for any club, let alone one where we are in the table?

I just can't put my finger on what is going so wrong. We make so many mistakes that lead to goals. Our first two today, what were they playing at? Just a catalogue of errors that put us at such a disadvantage. It happens far too often for it simply to be a coincidence. There is something fundamentally wrong with what we do as a football club and it will continue to cost us.

This team has so many problems within it too. Just look at that back four today. Naughton is not good enough at all, look at the errors he made last week against Southampton or even in the first game against Liverpool this season. When he's having to start as many games as he is at the moment he was obviously going to be found out. Unfortunately in front of him is Walker, who although has the pace to get himself out of trouble a lot of the time, is really not anything special. He's probably the most unintelligent footballer in the history of the league. We then have centre backs that are causing us problems for differing reasons. Dawson has the heart and desire, but no actual footballing ability. Kaboul used to be fantastic, but injuries have taken their toll, he's lost a yard of pace, and he's nowhere near the level of before. Vertonghen has all the ability in the world, but he's got the worst attitude I have ever seen. He doesn't show any fight at all, and I'm sceptical about his injury today. I don't know what was shown on the TV and I may be wrong, but from my seat he didn't really look bad at all, he certainly didn't put up any fight to his substitution, he was very happy to be taken off and that's not what you want. On the left Danny Rose is diabolical, he offers nothing defensively or offensively and is the root of so many goals. He gets sucked in to the middle, never gets tight enough to a man, and is caught out of position too often. The whole back four needs an overhaul in the summer. I think Jan will be off and right now I'm not really bothered. I want players to stand up and fight for their positions, not have his sort of attitude.

How Tim thought it was wise to play a central midfield partnership for Gylfi and Bentaleb I do not know. The man is moronic. Gylfi has a good 45 minutes there when two nil down at home and he thinks that's the answer in an away game at the leagues form side. He never has been and never will be the answer to anyones problem in that area and it's no wonder Liverpool were able to walk through us so many times today. Bentaleb I feel sorry for as he's Sherwood's poster boy but even still, he should not be starting these games and his lack of tracking back led to Coutinho's goal today. We had Sandro, one of the few players that wants to play for this club and gives his all every game, on the bench, as well as Dembele, yet Sherwood plays his golden boy and the flavour of the month.

Another big problem in this side is Aaron Lennon. Anyone that knows me will know I have always been a huge advocate of his inclusion in the side. In years gone by he's been vitally important to everything good we have done as a team. He used to drag defenders away and create space for Gareth, stretch the pitch and get in behind but now he does none of those things. He won't take a man on, he won't make runs off the ball, he gets bullied by fullbacks and his only saving grace is his defensive work, but even that isn't as effective anymore because he's lost some of his pace and to be honest, he's another that shows a terrible attitude.

Chadli and Eriksen I won't go at too much. They're hit and miss, and as shown today Eriksen defensive efforts aren't very good at times, but he shouldn't be having to do that to be fair. We need to build a team around him in the ten position, not expect him to track runners all day. Soldado was poor today, but again had no service what's so ever and was completely bullied by a Liverpool back four, that we were told were suspect but in reality when you're playing against Sherwood's Spurs even the leakiest defences look like heroes.

I'm at the end of my tether with Spurs, and if Sherwood is there next season I see no reason to keep pumping money into the club as I do. Made a huge effort to go to Liverpool today because I love this club, but they really make you doubt whether it's all worth it. The only saving grace is the fans, today we were superb, proud of them, but the club and this current crop of players do not deserve us at all. Too many big egos that show nothing to back it up. The next six games are completely pointless to me. I'm supposed to be going to all of them, but I don't think I'll bother now. I'm sure some other mug will have my ticket. Sorry for a depressing read but today is just the final straw. There's so much more I could say but what's done is done.

Almost forget to mention Hugo, he's incredible and I wish him well wherever he is next year, you deserve to be at the top.

I think you hit the nail on the head about Spurs. They spent so much money that not being Top 4 is a failure of a season, especially after the success of last season. It really shows how much Bale contributed to the team.

Firstly, very good post, Storts. I don't agree entirely, but for the most part it's bang on. In fact, I agree with almost all of it apart from the fact that I think I'm a bit more optimistic about the future than you appear to be. I disagree with Gate that the money spent meant that missing top 4 is a failure. We only had that money because we'd lost our 3 best players over previous couple of seasons. It is difficult to replace Bale and Modric (and to a lesser extent, van der Vaart) and expect to get stronger. However, the fact that the vast majority of the Bale cash went on Lamela, Soldado and Paulinho, none of whom have done much.

I'm not overly pessimistic though, with one huge caveat: a high quality manager must be brought in ASAP. As Storts mentioned, the club has been the gong show this year. I agree about Vertonghen's attitude, but he must look at what's going on in the boardroom and on the training field and wonder what the hell is going on. We need a manager with a clear strategy, good people skills and more support from Levy.

Here's my squad breakdown:

GK - We need someone with a reputation and gravitas to convince Lloris to give us one more season.

DEF - For as long as I've posted on this board, every transfer window I've listed fullback as a primary need. We've played this season with Rose and Naughton who are so far away from being Champions League level fullbacks it's ridiculous. So we need 2 - 3 new fullbacks and we probably need to spend big on them. Dawson's not good enough. I was gutted when he turned downn the QPR move and feel vindicated by his performance this season. Seems like a great guy and a club man, but unless he can drop his 40 time by half a second or so he's done. We need someone to motivate Vertonghen. Probably need 2 more centre backs. Shouldn't have sold Caulker. We need someone to give the players a game plan to follow and defensive tactics that don't result in the countless stream of calamities we've seen this season.

MID - The midfield has looked confused and hesitant all season. As Storts lamented, Lennon has been dross. Townsend should be on the left. I'd be happier if he were a bench player next season though. Whoever manages the team next season needs to work out where Lamela fits. I agree with building the team around Eriksen at 10, and Lamela should be part of that gameplan. Paulinho looks like he's been scared of getting injured before the World Cup. I hope he doesn't make it now as a result. Sandro may not be great on the ball, but he's a defensive force in the middle and can pass pretty well. He plays well with Dembele and vice versa. We really needed to pressure a lot more in the centre of the field this season and these are the best pair for doing that, by a country mile. Bentaleb looks pretty promising and hopefully this experience has done him some good. Hopefully the flak that's been directed his way doesn't get to him. He does look like a red-card liability though. A few dodgy tackles/stamps this season that he needs to sort out. Chadli has been alright. He's young and should be perservered with. Can't shoot to save himself, but heck, that sums up almost everyone at Spurs right now. Sigurdsson is decent as an impact sub. He's not afraid to have a shot, which is something we could do with more of. I don't think that the midfield, as it stands, needs a lot of attention, but Lennon and Paulinho are replaceable if they are going to perform like they have for most of this season, and we could do with a winger or two.

The forwards have had very little in the way of service all season. Soldado has had some terrible games but also some pretty good ones. He's clearly not Suarez but his season was reminiscent of Suarez' one a couple of years back when he was doing everything pretty well but not putting the ball in the net. Adebayor has been fantastic. I'm not sure if we can keep him next season though as I'm sure that City were only paying half his wages for the first 2 years. The fact that you don't know what you're going to get from him probably makes Levy reluctant to pick up the rest of the bill so he'll probably be sold (if this is indeed the situation). Having seen some of the highlight packages I wonder whether Lamela might be suited to playing up front in a 2 man attack. Regardless of whether he can or not, we will probably need to add a striker, especially if Adebayor can't stay.

TLR = I think we've got a decent squad but there was no plan at all this season and the club appears to be being run by a bunch of goat herders. While it didn't help that half of the squad were new, the players attitudes were affected by this and so a reputable manager MUST be appointed ASAP to get the best out of some decent players. Apart from the backs. Most of them suck. Levy will NEED to spend a bit more than he's likely to bring in through sales this season. He'd better bloody do it for once.

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

Spurs remind me of the Rams of the last few years. Have good players and everyone thinks they'll go on to success but never make the step up.

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

Why not both?

Rodgers has certainly done an extraordinary job this season. He's really come into his own with his tactical awareness and flexibility. He also has them believing, confident.

I've pretty much grown up both...although I'd say I was a Hawks fan a few years longer. The two are programs are so similar in their support. As much as hawks fans have waited for a super bowl its only been a decade or so where it felt close. Liverpool have been on the tortuous edge since Arsenal nicked them in 1989... For the lifers the time is coming I hope

How much did the 2005 Champions League help with the wait though? Most fans of teams world wide would give their right nut to win the European Cup/Champions League. Liverpool were also Englands most successful team till last year with the 70's/80's being a relative generation of domination. The Seahawks on the other hand have been mediocre to piss poor for a lot of their existence. Barring the odd year and our current team.

 

[Uncle Si]

The thing with Liverpool supporters is the winning is such an expectation (to the point of disdain of most other fans) that the league wait is almost painful.

Seahawks fans know suffering. We had some close calls, but for the most part its been a wait with little expectations. We've endured mediocrity as much as one can but it came from nothing. This years team brought us the culmination of years and years of waiting sure..but not waiting on the edge of constant failure to achieve expectations. you cant feel bad about feeling bad if that makes sense. The first is always the greatest...next year with the expectation to win will be interesting...

I was introduced to Liverpool around 1983-84 by my English born coach. Loved the Reds. For a kid playing soccer in a small town in Washington (Before internet and espn) i thought the Sounders wore the crown. Liverpool was thrust on me, and suddenly so was world soccer. But Liverpool had that glory...for decades. This is how you play, and why.

The fans are bred into expecting the glory years of the 70s and 80s (right or wrong). it's almost a right to win being denied by unseen machinations, a cruelty imposed by corruptible referees, dirty players, dirtier Scot managers and oil money. Decades of tradition passed on from generations. To be the best...then wait...for 20 years, to bask in that glory again would be similar to that first time. A tremendous relief. 2006 was great. That night in Istanbul a testament to the spirit of Liverpool FC....but....its not the League.

anyways its all hyperbole I know. But that pervasive emotion if finally reascending to the rightful place at the top almost defines Liverpool fans. To nab a title so unexpected with so much stacked against them would truly be a historic accomplishment. This was a year where we questioned if we could keep a star, if we should keep a manager, if our talisman was maybe not fit to compete, if this horde of youngsters could show enough mettle to maybe push top 4. The title was in no ones thoughts

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

The thing with Liverpool supporters is the winning is such an expectation (to the point of disdain of most other fans) that the league wait is almost painful.

Seahawks fans know suffering. We had some close calls, but for the most part its been a wait with little expectations. We've endured mediocrity as much as one can but it came from nothing. This years team brought us the culmination of years and years of waiting sure..but not waiting on the edge of constant failure to achieve expectations. you cant feel bad about feeling bad if that makes sense. The first is always the greatest...next year with the expectation to win will be interesting...

I was introduced to Liverpool around 1983-84 by my English born coach. Loved the Reds. For a kid playing soccer in a small town in Washington (Before internet and espn) i thought the Sounders wore the crown. Liverpool was thrust on me, and suddenly so was world soccer. But Liverpool had that glory...for decades. This is how you play, and why.

The fans are bred into expecting the glory years of the 70s and 80s (right or wrong). it's almost a right to win being denied by unseen machinations, a cruelty imposed by corruptible referees, dirty players, dirtier Scot managers and oil money. Decades of tradition passed on from generations. To be the best...then wait...for 20 years, to bask in that glory again would be similar to that first time. A tremendous relief. 2006 was great. That night in Istanbul a testament to the spirit of Liverpool FC....but....its not the League.

anyways its all hyperbole I know. But that pervasive emotion if finally reascending to the rightful place at the top almost defines Liverpool fans. To nab a title so unexpected with so much stacked against them would truly be a historic accomplishment. This was a year where we questioned if we could keep a star, if we should keep a manager, if our talisman was maybe not fit to compete, if this horde of youngsters could show enough mettle to maybe push top 4. The title was in no ones thoughts

The dirtier Scots managers being Souness and Dalglish and hopefully not Shankly? It was a huge mistake making Dalglish manager a couple of years ago. Guy was a great player and is clearly Liverpool through and through but he is not a good manager and was rotten at Newcastle and Celtic, essentially buying a title with Blackburn before the billionaire Russians and Middle Eastern owners came in. Souness did well at Rangers but him and David Murray essentially destroyed Scottish football. It was actually of a good standard in the 60's, 70's, 80's. He's been poor most other places, except maybe Blackburn.

I think Liverpool's problem has been their choice of managers in the last 20 years combined with Ferguson at Man Utd dominating English football. I know a lot of Liverpool fans who will disagree with me but Benitez was a good cup manager but he was never going to win you guys the league, he stayed too long as well. Hodgson is great for a mid table team but not a top team. I don't know what to think of Houllier. Brendan Rodgers looks to be the long term answer and seems a really good guy.

Your stadium size also doesn't reflect the support size of the club. Time to rebuild it or move to a new stadium.