20 Feb 2016 21:20:45
Hi ed02 I put in a request earlier for a transfer update which I am fairly sure you replied to but didn't get a chance to see as it seems to have been removed. Any idea why or can you forward it to me if possible.
Believable0
Unbelievable6
{Ed002's Note - I have no way of forwarding it to you but once the grief starts it is not worth keeping up there.}
20 Feb 2016 21:33:07
Ed002, is it not possible to "lock" the thread so people can't respond to it?
It's a shame it's been taken down, there was some good information in that segment.
{Ed002's Note - I am not going to tolerate abuse and there are Liverpool "fans" who wish to destroy things for others.}
20 Feb 2016 21:43:29
Anybody able to share who we may be keeping tabs on.
20 Feb 2016 21:45:22
I'm not expecting you too, just like I wouldn't tolerate it. You put up with far more than we are lead to believe, that I am sure, but it was just a friendly suggestion is all.
Would hardware i'd or IPx bans be more effective? Given the neanderthal nature of some of the posters, I would imagine they're far from intelligent enough to consider a proxy or hardware i'd creator (very, very complicated so I've heard) .
20 Feb 2016 22:08:43
Can we add a list of shame section so people who offend the Eds can assume all hatred of those of us who actually appreciate the info you give us?
20 Feb 2016 22:19:28
Ed how the hell can people give you abuse when you're only telling us what you know?
20 Feb 2016 22:21:13
I saw ed002's post and the information was comprehensive and really interesting. There is nowhere else that I know of where such information is provided for us to think over.
If ed002 feels that he cannot safely post here because of the response of a minority of contributors then we all lose out.
If we can respect contributors even if we don't always agree with what they say then maybe we can all get along and one day we might be able to convince ed002 that we are not a bad lot.
Through the tireless work of the Eds this site is absolutely priceless for anyone who cares for football and for LFC.
Let's continue to argue and disagree but please let's do it in a manner where we keep our respect for anyone who contributes on these pages.
Ed002 YNWA.
21 Feb 2016 00:34:49
It was a great update Ed why would any fan give you grief over it, they surely can't be regulars yeh.
{Ed002's Note - I will post it again tomorrow but the problem of the vegetables remains.}
21 Feb 2016 02:54:05
I imagine the abuse was because ed02 stated that were not interested in a gk. Most of the other targets mentioned were the same targets ed02 has mentioned many a times in the site. Again like the ed said there many months ahead till the summer and throw in the euros etc. targets will change.
20 Feb 2016 18:47:21
On the note of ed002 transfer round up, I feel it may be a hard window. We cannot really sign until we sell because of the size of our squad. We have wasted so much money, so won't have masses to spend. If you want a squad to challenge for top four, you could put an argument in for selling maybe 12 first team squad players, which simply won't happen. It's strange, because for me, I believe where we most need to improve, is where we are most stocked. By the end of the season we will have 6 first team CBs, and barring matip ilori and Gomez, you could say they've had their chance. People have said clyne and Moreno are not good enough, but I don't see them leaving.
I believe we should set up a 4-2-3-1 next season. For that we should have one holding mid, and one more creative. Firmino and coutinho off a striker and a natural winger. Gruijic is coming in, but again, ideally, I'd move on lallana, Milner and Allen, but we're still left with Lucas hendo can gruijic and some younger players. This is more realistic, although I'm not so sure Milner will leave. I don't think that is overly creative, but pushing an extra player up and having 3 behind a striker should cover this, with hopefully firmino getting on the ball more with a striker occupying the defenders. I believe a winger will be bought, especially after our teixeira offer, and he will fill the right attacking role, with Ibe, and the youth rotating, and maybe markovic.
A striker, I hope benteke goes, and Ings proves his fitness, no other business except balo and Sinclair leaving.
In summation, for me, bogdan, toure, Allen, balotelli, Alberto, Sinclair and Enrique most probably leaving.
Maybe leaving, another CB, Milner or lallana.
players who I believe will stay but need to prove themselves over next season mignolet Clyne, Moreno, Lovren, teixeira.
In, I'm sure a winger.
Maybe a GK, a CB if Lovren or skrtel leave, and a creative centre midfielder, who can tackle, in the Xabi Alonso mould, but not the same level.
Believable2
Unbelievable5
20 Feb 2016 22:11:12
I agree with the squad not being able to get bigger and selling before buying; that brings it's own risks - the manager being frustrated not getting players he wants but is judged on performances / results; us selling lower than we would expect to as for most of our players it will be a buyers (and not a sellers) market.
If we can offload and maybe get three quality signings (on top of the two we have already got then I think we will have done OK.
Here's hoping we manage to offload some of the other players not wanted so we do not have the same issues in future windows.
Like you a GK, CDF I agree with - maybe a winger as well.
20 Feb 2016 17:43:39
Not of a weird point but does any else think the massive injection in money to the premier league has caused a lot of the "bigger" earners to be far more wasteful with money? Besides Arsenal (who have always spent well) most bigger spending clubs, big signings don't seem worth it.
City have good players but with what they've spent should walk the league. £100-120m on de bruyne and sterling (rate both btw) seems obscene. Plus for what United Chelsea and Liverpool have spent hardly seems to have paid off.
Where clubs with less to spend seem to do much better scouting. Obviously Leicester stick out but for what they've spent (considering what they've sold) Spurs have a great squad and although not had the best of seasons Everton have gotten some fantastic players for relatively cheap.
Added to that other squads seem to develop youth better because they don't spend as much. Hopefully we can start to correct this this summer.
Believable4
Unbelievable4
20 Feb 2016 18:51:24
It's a good discussion point.
I do think the big clubs are very wasteful. If you're talking Man City, then it is difficult for them to improve by signing players, but the expectation from the fans is constant improvement. They would be better served IMO by spending the money on better coaching, but this is also difficult to do and takes longer to come to fruition.
I do think clubs like LFC and Man Utd have lost their way completely with the excess money in the game.
Liverpool have some great youth prospects and instead of a strategy to get them in the first team we go and sign 3 mature players who block their progress.
With respect to Leicester. Clubs will sell players like Mahrez to Leicester for 400k. LFC can't sign mature players for 400k because selling clubs see LFC and stick another zero on the fee.
I think the answer for LFC is to get wise with the money. Spend it on coaching infrastructure, have a strategy for young prospects and focus your signings on first team upgrades.
20 Feb 2016 19:18:32
Get your point but even at £4m mahrez is a steal, though imagine less of a risk.
Tbh especially regarding Liverpool and United seems they are chasing big names instead of how the team works and whether a player fits and/ or improves it.
Seem to buy players that don't fit because they have a big reputation as oppose to seeing what their role is and how they'd work. Which is why i think instead of nearly all of our big name signings under fsg we would have signed the ironically named konoplyanka!
Just think our best players have been the (relatively) less expensive couts Studge and saurez.
20 Feb 2016 20:31:32
Roland he was 400,000 😉.
20 Feb 2016 21:17:05
He added a zero :)
20 Feb 2016 22:15:57
Wenger raised an interesting point - if he had bought Mahrez a couple of seasons ago for £400k he would have been criticised and people would have wondered what he was doing; also had he wanted him - would they have sold for £400k?
Going back to the original point - back in the day it seemed that more bargins could be found.
That being said as some on here would know - the access to information, games etc. from all different leagues means bargins are rare and it is normally the player performing much better than they ever were seen scouted.
21 Feb 2016 03:03:57
its not how much a player cost for me its all about weather that player has been a sucsess. marahez for £400k and ronalado for £80million have both justified the money spent on them. we need a good summer of buying/ selling in my opinion and don't mention the word transistion in the meantime we have 2 massive games coming up that will define our season.
20 Feb 2016 09:51:04
Hi Ed001, I would like your opinion on the brazilian Ronaldo. Seeing clips of him the other day stirred memories. This guy was pure class and just seemed to glide past players. What are your thoughts of him as a footballer and why did Barcelona get rid of him after just one year?
I can put on the european sire if you like as its not liverpool related. I just love your opinions on players.
Regarde
Crooky.
Believable4
Unbelievable11
{Ed001's Note - he was incredible, absolutely unplayable on his day, but he suffered with injuries and other fitness issues. One of the best players ever to play the game. He had skill allied to unreal acceleration that could leave anyone trying to keep up looking like they were running in treacle.
Strong as an ox as well, kind of like Sturridge with brute strength really. Though Sturridge is not quite at his level, obviously, but that strength was so useful it is a shame Studger doesn't possess it. He was almost the ideal modern day footballer, strong, quick, technically gifted, just needed to grow an inch or two so he could dominate in the air too.
He is the only non-Liverpool player I wore a shirt of, as I got given one of the World Cup 98 Brazil shipment before they went out to France from there. I think it was 98? The one when he played the final due to Nike pressure, even though not fit. My parents' friend worked for Nike in the offices where it was being shipped from (Sunderland if I remember correctly), and basically grabbed one out of the shipment and I got lucky. Sometimes wish I had just put it away and kept it rather than wore it though!}
20 Feb 2016 10:16:13
Absolutely unstoppable. Power, Speed, Skill and the finishing of Robbie Fowler.
And just to add that Brazil team really was something special on its day ed.
20 Feb 2016 11:19:48
Absolutely agree with Ed001 on this. The best brazilian player of his time (and i place him above Romario, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho) . Blistering speed coupled with Brazilian technique. That transfer to Inter Milan and the subsequent injuries killed the potential of an even greater career.
20 Feb 2016 12:12:28
My favourite non Liverpool player.
20 Feb 2016 13:57:07
Remember the latter part of his career, incredible what he could do.
20 Feb 2016 14:24:57
How do people click dislike about a player so talented. He was wonderful to watch. It's one thing I miss is seeing a footballer so happy to play only person who smiles that much in this time of football or kolo to bad kolo isn't Ronaldo quality haha.
20 Feb 2016 14:36:07
Just silly person's looking for a reaction mate.
20 Feb 2016 14:47:10
With you Ed, 100%. I can talk about Ronaldo for days because he was the one footballer I followed from beginning to end of his career. In my thirty five years of watching football, Ronaldo is the best player I have ever seen, hands down. The stars of today will never measure up to his talent and more so, his will to be the best in the world in spite of all his injuries. Dominated the WC in Asia while playing with one shaky knee. Unparalleled! The great Clarence Seedorf who played with and against some of the best in the game, said he was the best he had ever seen. Yuri Djorkaeff, Zidane, Buffon the list goes on, said the exact same thing. Nuff said!
20 Feb 2016 15:05:26
Alongside Zidane, my favourite non Liverpool player of all time. Just incredible to watch, up there with the best players of all time.
{Ed001's Note - Zidane? I don't get the love for Zidane. Too much show and not enough go for my liking. He was all about the tricks, doing a trick for the sake of it, rather than doing a trick with the intent of it creating something. Fantastic ability, like, but that show pony aspect just annoyed me.}
20 Feb 2016 15:07:14
shame he had that nonscence to put up before the 1998 world cup final when he was clearly not fit, at least he made up for it in the 2002 final.
20 Feb 2016 15:11:05
Personally he would be my striker in my all time 11 over pele and a few others. Ronaldo usually was the best striker to ever exist, as in not just on his day. Technically he was a better all round footballer to pele and was capable of much more. Could have been a top striker in any generation. If, as Ed 1 says he didn't have fitness issues he would have cemented his place indefenitly as the all time greatest striker. For me he still is.
20 Feb 2016 15:38:56
Zidane was a brilliant player, the ball stuck to his foot, he was amazing.
{Ed002's Note - That was because of the Velcro which was eventually banned.}
20 Feb 2016 16:27:19
I loved Romario and Bebeto for Brazil. I remember watching them in the world cup in a beach bar on a greek island (cant remember which one) . Brazil could certainly do with a few of the old players now. Good times.
20 Feb 2016 16:42:49
Hey buttercup (EDS 001) You don't get the 'love for Zidane'? What are you smoking over there in Dubai? One of the best players ever to kick a football. Would get into most people's all time world 11. The stress of running the site must be playing havoc with your judgement. Don't worry we still love you long time though buddy. Maybe you need a day off?!
{Ed001's Note - yes he is a very good player, but he should have been far better. He could have won so much more, particularly in his club career, but he spent far too much time admiring his own skills. He might get in most people's all time 11, but that just shows they are spending too much time watching highlight reels and not enough time watching the actual match. He is the ultimate Youtube player, fantastic skills but not the killer instinct to just win games first and foremost. White Men Can't Jump comes to mind, he is the Wesley Snipes who would rather look good than win games.}
20 Feb 2016 17:12:51
Tbf think messi has more in common with Wesley Snipes.
{Ed001's Note - and Neymar, and Mash....}
20 Feb 2016 17:34:26
Why did Barcelona move him on after just one season? He was unreal that year like many others just don't know why he left. It would have been scary to see ronaldinho play with ronaldo as he was electric too until the party started
Crooky.
{Ed001's Note - I don't know to be honest.}
20 Feb 2016 18:42:48
Based on a documentary on Ronaldo (you can YouTube it), he himself said he left for Inter because they really wanted him and offered him more money. Also at the time (I was 21 hence, old enough to remember) Barcelona were really poor and a true one man team. Ronaldo was the only reason they won games. They did win the European Winner's Cup and that didn't save Sir Bobby Robson from the sack, they were that dreadful. Ronaldo was just too big for them, in hindsight.
20 Feb 2016 18:54:07
Btw, I love your movie allusion to Zidane. Like you, I never thought he was as great as they made him out to be. Was he very good? Yes. All time great? Not me. He may have scored twice in a WC final but people fail to remember he had a poor tournament prior to the game, even getting sent off for violent conduct vs Saudi Arabia in the group games. He's had great moments in his career like scoring in the CL final but also getting sent off in a CL game that cost him the Ballon D'Or to Figo or getting sent off in the WC final vs Italy. A player that talented with such little consistency can not be an all time great. As an anecdote, Djorkaeff was asked who the best player he'd ever seen was. The French moderator preempted him and mentioned Zidane. Djorkaeff replied that at no time had he ever said that. He then responded and said it was Ronaldo. Afterall, he played with both of them with France and at Inter so he would know.
20 Feb 2016 19:07:09
that headbutt tainted his legacy imo. The best thing since sliced bread now he is real Madrid manager as well, I bet the president's not bugging him 24/ 7 like he apparently did with rafa.
20 Feb 2016 19:11:23
Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't he play for both Barcelona and real as well inter and ac Milan?
20 Feb 2016 19:28:13
im pretty sure he never played for ac milan.
20 Feb 2016 20:23:34
KingKenny7, Ronaldo did play for AC Milan, it was towards the end of his career, when he was considered "fat" in the 07/ 08 season.
The worst of it is, when he retired, he'd not even played 400 club games (342 to be exact) but had scored 247 goals. Imagine if he'd made 600 apps or more, he'd have well over 400 goals.
On the point about the 98 World cup final, didn't he have a seizure a few hours before kick off?
20 Feb 2016 21:23:45
Yes, he did, hfs. Roberto Carlos said afterwards that he thought he saw Ronaldo die and brought back to life. That's how scary it prolly was.
20 Feb 2016 21:38:01
So many people get my posting name wrong, how difficult can it be to put 3 letters in a specific order? :D Lol.
20 Feb 2016 21:57:16
I must have missed that hsf I stand corrected mate, in that case not many players can say they played for barca, real Madrid and both milan clubs. In regard to his seizure how disgusting was it that he was forced to play by his sponsers when he could barely stand during the national anthem. do any of the eds or fellow readers have any more info in regards to this bizzare incident. while were on the subject of great players cut down in there prime, marco van basten having to retire at 29 was a footballing tragedy.
20 Feb 2016 18:27:29
It's blasphemous to suggest that zidane was a show pony. In my humble opinion the majority of his flicks and tricks were to make space, evade tackles, set up a chance or keep the attack going. I have a massive man crush on Zizou and will fight anyone to the death if they bismurch his character.
Of course he wouldn't be the player he was had he not had David's and makelele doing his grafting for him but all great attacking midfielders had water boys. Also all majestic attacking midfielders had party tricks. He won titles wherever he went because of his talent he carried Juve and Madrid at times and also he put in a lot of hard graft, tackling pressing etc.
{Ed033's Note - But what would you do if they besmirch his character?
20 Feb 2016 20:52:42
He was overweight due to a condition called Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. In order to stabilise this condition he needed a thyroxine medication which was on the UEFA/ FIFA banned list. So retirement was his only option. Sad circumstance for a marvellous player who to this day is humble, graceful and appreciative of his career. He owns a football club here in South Florida and everyone that comes into contact with him says the he is a delight and a super guy.
20 Feb 2016 23:00:51
KK7, in the documentary I mentioned on this thread, Zagalo the coach, said Ronaldo forced himself on him and he buckled under pressure. The story was that they had already decided that Ronaldo wouldn't play ask he was receiving treatment in hospital. Edmundo and Bebeto were picked to start.
Zagalo said that the team were going through the tactics and systems before the game and next thing you know, Ronaldo showed up and said he was ready to play. Zagalo said no but he said Ronaldo pressured him and he caved. Nobody believes that. The sponsor (Nike) applying pressure is a rumour that dates since 1998. There was a congressional investigation in Brazil about this issue after the tournament but nothing but baloney came out of it. I hope this helps, KK7.
21 Feb 2016 00:25:59
thanks redohio that helps a lot. its still going on to this day with who gets capped for brazil. i'm glad it all worked out for him in the end. brilliant footballer. appreciate the info mate.
{Ed007's Note - The coach they had at the time Luxemburgo was taking bungs and giving caps to players to help boost their value and aid them in gaining work permits. Kenny Dalglish and John Barnes were stung for £5 million while managing Celtic for a defender called Rafael Scheidt - his second name was a perfect description. Here's some info about what was going on back then if you're interested:
http://goo.gl/of3JTT
21 Feb 2016 01:13:01
Loved Ronaldo. I think he won the golden boot in every major league he played in France, Holland, Spain and Italy plus top scorer at numerous world cups. Legend.
As for Zidane he was also another great for me, he just made things look so simple and effortless unbelievable technique.
21 Feb 2016 01:18:00
thanks ed007 I will check it out, probably explains why some very "average" brazillians have been capped, it certaintly explains why fred keeps getting capped!
{Ed007's Note - Things like that are probably a lot more common than the little people like you and me know but every now and then we get a glimpse into their murky world.}
21 Feb 2016 02:56:30
I heard a story once ed007 that the real Madrid sponsors and money men wouldn't let the club buy players that could perceived to be "ugly" as they didn't think it suited the clubs image hence the fact they wouldn't sign Ronaldinho do you know anything about this? I know it sounds far fetched but think of the players they have signed from beckham onwards, it could also explain why they didn't sign suarez!
{Ed001's Note - it is the president at Madrid that chooses targets. For instance Bale was signed because he saw him on a billboard while in the US. They are signed for their marketability though, that is correct, though not entirely true about Ronnie, it was his off field antics that put clubs off him.}
20 Feb 2016 21:19:54
I really like how you describe and assess a player ed01. Can you share with me your take on Henry? He's one of my favourites. Thanks.
{Ed001's Note - he is a tough one as it is like assessing two players. First off, before Wenger turned him into a striker, he was a bit of an overly laid back winger, who offered blistering pace and great skill, but very little end product. He was always on the periphery of games. Never really affected them nor added much for the team he was playing for. Frustrating is the word that comes to mind, as there was clearly talent there, but it was just not being applied.
Then Wenger decided to play him up front, whether through desperation or insight matters little, it was still a stroke of geius. While still laidback, it was no longer a weakness as it just saw him shrug off disappointments and misses and keep going. That blistering pace and acceleration became utterly devastating when he was up against the last line of defence centrally, as defences either had to give up space to Arsenal or hope to get lucky with an offside trap for 90 minutes.
That skill was no longer on the periphery of games, even though he still drifted constantly out to the left wing, as he was able to use it to get him right into goalscoring positions and his finishing turned out to be deadly. His excellent first touch and quick feet meant he was able to get a lot of chances that most strikers would have ended up seeing run through to the keeper.
Like every striker, he did need service to get the most out of him, which he got from Bergkamp, but it was not just down to having the right service. His pace and skill gave him space as no defender could get tight, they had to give him a few yards or a flick would put him past them and they could not catch him. It really was that laidback attitude that made him quite so special though, as he was composed once he got into position to shoot.
Some players look like rabbits caught in the headlines when bearing down on goal with time to think, Henry was like Fowler, he was just setting himself to put it away and had the ability to just curl it round the keeper, rather than whacking it in the general direction of the goal in a blind panic. What he did lack was the raw power of Ronaldo, he could be outmuscled and bullied at times, not very often though.
His main weakness was probably aerially, he was decent enough in the air, good leap, but his slight frame meant he was often just edged away from a heading position by a defender. That didn't really matter with the way Arsenal and, later, Barcelona played, as they were not whipping balls into the box often.}