Liverpool Banter Archive April 23 2017

23 Apr 2017 19:55:19
I came on here looking for a pick me up but reading some of the posts I'm embarrassed for some of you so called Liverpool supporters. Today was a massive F up but let's not try and blame klopp or the players can we not all try and get behind the team for the final push for top 4 it's all well and good saying we should have bought more or a certain player shouldn't be playing but in the end of the day we can't change anything till the end of the season so let's try be supportive for the last few games I also think Man U will drop between 5 and 7 points between now and the end of the season I for one will be cheering loudly for my team till the final whistle on the final day of the season YNWA.

23 Apr 2017 20:09:30
Well said. Exactly what is needed. Support for the team. We all suffer setbacks it is how you respond that is important. Some of the overreaction is embarrassing.

23 Apr 2017 21:42:17
NOT surprised with the reaction from "fans" who go from 0 to 100 after a loss or draw and even when we win, they still have something to moan about. Look, it was NOT a good perf by any stretch (one shot on target is pathetic) and some criticism is warranted. But throwing the baby out of the bath water is now becoming the norm so the level-headed supporters out there need to step in and provide perspective. Had we won today, NOTHING would have been done and dusted so a loss changes NOTHING either. We have mad things difficult for ourselves BUT not insurmountable by any stretch. Keep the faith, lads and to the over reactors, chill out.

23 Apr 2017 22:06:12
A few weeks ago I would have completely disagreed with a post like this but now I have to agree. There's no point panicking now. This is where klopp and the players earn their respect, us as fans have to realise top 4 is still well up for grabs, because even if we drop points it's delusional to think united, city and arsenal won't. I said before the palace game we need 9-10 points to secure top 4. That means we have to win 3 out of the next 4 games at the very least otherwise top 4 is gone. I think in terms of mentality anything short of a victory in our next game against Watford and we won't get top 4. So that is a genuine must win. We have been patchy ever since January, so if form is anything to go by we should win our next two games drop points in the third fixture then win our last game.

Our problems have existed for the majority of the season and there's been little to no improvement in these areas so there's no point moaning about them now. The summer is make or break for Klopp and the players. If the same problems persist next season, he either accepts help or walks.

23 Apr 2017 22:57:16
"So called fans" wtf are we meant to do when we lose regularly to teams way below us, maybe celebrate. Maybe when we finish fifth behind arsenal we should look at the positives from the season like coutihno playing well enough to earn a transfer to Barcelona, get a grip mate, today was a terrible result and people have the right to be upset about it.

23 Apr 2017 23:49:49
Spot on, Kman. I think people just moan about the inherent probs after a bad result so that way they are never wrong. Yet these same people will come on here saying we should have won the PL this season even tho they just mentioned the inherent probs with the team. How you make both positions stick to make a coherent argument, I will never know.

Wobs, read the other posts on this thread and then get back to us. Nobody said that people should not be upset. BUT there's a big difference btw criticizing and flat out making vile, mindless rants. If you don't understand that, then I can't help you, sir.

24 Apr 2017 08:52:48
Thankfully N Red I don't need any help from you, and maybe if us fans criticized the team a bit more we wouldn't be stuck with donkeys like lovren, origi etc.

24 Apr 2017 12:06:28
Some of the performances we've seen this season have been atrocious. Sometimes it gets to a point when criticism can be supportive. It might sound negative, but why should we blindly support players who clearly have no respect for this club. Obviously this isn't all the players, but there are certain people on the Liverpool payroll that simply do not deserve our support.

I will always support my club, but I will always speak up when I feel my club isn't being shown the respect it has worked so hard for over the years. We have every right to be upset by the current state of affairs. Manager, players, whatever. The club comes first, not individuals.

23 Apr 2017 19:34:37
How we lost that game i don't know.
Under no pressure at all from Palace.
It just beggars belief.
Two Lovren mistakes (doing his best impression of Klavan) and we get punished for both mistakes.
Just imagine if we had a half decent defence!
We'd have walked the Premier League this season!

23 Apr 2017 19:46:09
Not just defence though. The attack was pretty toothless when it came to final ball and getting into positions to exploit and midfield gave the ball away a lot. Overall it was a poor performance. That could and should have been 2-2 at worst and really 3-2 or 4-2 was viable. Plenty if possession just inability to get the final ball in when Palace were playing more openly and inability to break them down when they were more defensive. Even with 7 mins extra it never seemed like a shot on target was coming never mind a goal.

23 Apr 2017 21:35:30
Erm can was at fault on one of them.

Shouls of stayed with benteke on corner.

23 Apr 2017 21:52:31
That was my BIGGEST frustration. CP were of NO danger to us BUT yet aging, no desire, guile and poor-decision making in the final third, killed us again. One shot on target in a must win game at home, is pathetic and a joke. We just screwed ourselves out of 3 points today and we have no one else to blame but ourselves. However, NOTHING will be decided until the end of the season and top 4 is going to go down to the last game. What I hope for is that we are in control of our own destiny by the time that day comes.

24 Apr 2017 01:14:31
Zonal marking if your nannmoves to another players zone he takes him so lovren was at fault. True can shouldve done more but once benteke moved lovren should take benteke lovren looked at him then ball watched under 12s mistakes!

24 Apr 2017 06:53:59
It seemed to be more than just a zonal marking problem. No common sense and no communication. The first line which would have had the 6 yard bix all dropped deep when their widest man dropped deep. That may be the idea to keep a line, if so it isn't a great one. As soon as that happened that goal became possible. Can saw Bentwke's run and clearly thought about acting then stopped. The problem is clearly Lovren didn't realise the run hapoened so he didn't adjust and Can didn't see that just staying in his zone was wrong so he didn't adjust. Zonal marking isn't about just stand in the same place and thinking players, the type the team doesn't have, wouldn't have all dropped deeper like sheep and wouldn't have decided that's not my zone so not my job. That emphasised all the problems in one move, lack of thought and lack of leadership and strength to step out of line and say I need to do something different here.

23 Apr 2017 19:04:37
First of all, that performance stank. No excuses for anyone bar Phil.
But please could the 'end of the world' brigade chill out? We've qualified for the Champions League once in the last seven years and that was with the best striker in the world up front!
Klopp has moved us a long way forward. We already have more points than the whole of last season and Man Utd have to play Citeh, Spuds and Gooners. If they win all of those, then fair play to them. Personally, I can't see them doing it. We're in a great position. Get behind the team and believe they can win their final games which should see us to the CL.

23 Apr 2017 19:08:42
Klopp has not moved us "a long way forward".

23 Apr 2017 19:18:24
he has, look how many points we have compared to last season/ all seasons before that except the Suarez one. And with a team with a terrible choice in defence and injuries to the key players sprinkled throughout the season. Can still do it, but it's so worrying how appalling our defence is.

23 Apr 2017 19:29:20
has he really moved us forward overall? His style of play along with using the players in the best positions unlike BR who played everyone out of position was always going to make us look better than what BR put out. Ask yourself this, has he done anything to improve the poor defence he inherited from BR. He took out Sakho and made it even more appalling if i may add. So what is the excuse here when things seems to have gone further south in 18 months?

Now coming to this season. We all knew our major attackers were out for the season. With the kindest of run ins and plenty of time to train between weeks, why have we not trained hard to keep shut outs. We simply do not have enough quality to see off teams by blowing them in attack. We need to take the quality our brazilians produce in this difficult period and shut out games and grind out wins. Yet we are still awful at defending and nothing has changed.

I agree with you when you say give klopp credit for the changes made in positions and style of play, but he must take complete responsibility for failing to do anything about our defense.

To conclude if klopp was responsible for the glorious position we found ourselves in at the end of 2016 he is even more responsible for letting us slip so far away from a strong finish.

23 Apr 2017 19:27:43
We now need a lot of results to go our way to get top 4. We blew it today. Let's be real!

23 Apr 2017 19:32:26
Man U have had to deal with injuries and the Europa league.
Man City have had to do with an injured Kompany, a new coach and style of play.
Chelsea recovered well from a bad start.
Spurs have continued to build on last season.
I've no more excuses for Klopp. He's the coach, he should deal with injuries. He wasn't brought in to "compare" us to last season. It was to win the league.
He should at least end up in the top 4. If he doesn't get that this season, he gets no pass from me.

23 Apr 2017 19:34:07
LFC PL points totals since 2009/ 2010:
63, 58, 52, 51, 84 (thanks Luis), 62, 60.
Points so far this season:
66
Possible points this season:
78
Seems like he's moving us forward to me!

23 Apr 2017 19:49:06
If we don't get top 4, the points total doesn't mean anything and he hasn't moved us forward.
Not in Europe, easiest of run-ins. I don't see the excuse.
Moving us forward is getting to the champions league.

23 Apr 2017 19:57:38
Yes he's moved us forward. It's a bitterly disappointing result today. If you want to let that cloud your objectivity so be it. I, for one, can see beyond black and white. It looks like we will make 4th, just. That's not a glorious success, but it's not failure either.

23 Apr 2017 21:06:20
Especially the position we were in at the New Year if we don't get into the top 4 the season should be classed as a failure. I still think we should get 4th spot but with the momentum United have its going to be tough.

23 Apr 2017 21:37:41
Jesus.

If the attackers did thete job then it wouldn't really matyer what the defence did.

Where was firmino. Origi. Wij or can.

Absolute joke.

They should of had 3 today. Poor decisions.

23 Apr 2017 22:03:18
If you think he has not moved us forward then you are either willfully ignorant, a Klopp hater or just rejecting facts. Klopp has a higher points total since 13/ 14 season and we are MUCH better than we were last season and two seasons ago. Many on here thought we were in a title chase in Dec. and now suddenly, Klopp has not moved us forward. How senseless does that even sound? So he was a good manager in Dec and and now, he no longer is? The logic behind this thinking is just nonsense. I will say that top 4 is a MUST this season and if he fails to do that, he would have failed eventually.

24 Apr 2017 08:09:43
What's it with the "higher points total"?
If he finishes outside top 4 this season with a higher points total than previous seasons, then what?
If he finishes next season with a points total that's higher than this season, but still outside top 4, is that still moving forward?
The league position is what shows that you're moving forward.

{Ed001's Note - so where did we finish last season then real?}

24 Apr 2017 18:47:04
The aim for this season was Champions League Football.
If we don't get it, then Klopp has to be blamed.
Everything rises and falls on leadership. As much as we might want to blame the players - and yes, we can lay blame at their feet - ultimately, Klopp is responsible for the team.

23 Apr 2017 18:20:35
What are people's opinions on why LFC struggle against not as skilled sides ( not calling them lesser) . Everyone wants Marquee signings, but I feel we need grinders for these type of games. To me it's like a hockey team. Your skilled players play, but sometimes the 3rd and 4th lines can be your best players. They can help break down teams. I honestly don't know ow the answer though
YNWA
Matt on FL.

23 Apr 2017 18:28:53
Ask Klopp. He should be the best to answer. He is paid to win such matches. This guy is failing us big time! It's time to start asking question about klopp ability. We have been giving too much excuses for him.

23 Apr 2017 18:34:32
Not in Europe and still struggling for top 4.
I've been a firm Klopp supporter, but this isn't acceptable.

23 Apr 2017 18:34:51
Couldn't agree more.

23 Apr 2017 18:35:43
Well, When team sits back and make it compact we struggle to find space between the lines and relies heavily on Coutinho dropping into the middle to pick those povkets. Our CM's who ever played today has no creativity in splitting a tight defense and can't stop a counter attack as well.

Moreover we play very narrow which makes easier for the opposition to defend against. It's over crowded in the 6 yard box. we have no genuine width and our full backs can't cross nor hit the byline stretching their backline. It's all through Phil and through the middle.

23 Apr 2017 18:38:16
Because some of our defenders are ill suited to play 1v1 half/ full counters. Lovren is rash, Klavan slow, both lacking in decision making. Milner not quick enough and not 100% LB instincts. Should have been adressed in January, paying the price v Palace.

Can't avoid plugging that gap in the summer, hopefully we'll have CL to help attract players.

23 Apr 2017 18:44:11
You might want to start with our defense and lovren never mind up top. They offered Nothing but a hopeful ball down the side with lovren flat footed and asleep. Then the second goal. Lovren again just shambolic before the corner was conceded. The corner itself terrible.

I don't care what anyone says. We need another centre back. Klavan and lovren should be moved on in the summer. Whether this happens? If it doesn't and we're looking at the same back line next season Klopp may well be packing his bags as a consequence. You can't win and challenge for anything with Clyne, lovren and Mignolwt in your back line.

23 Apr 2017 18:48:38
Coaches win games and we saw Conte do that yesterday. It's s fact that klopp has been nothing but plain average. It hurts to hear Liverpool fans continue giving excuses for non performance. What sort of patience is that. For how long are we going to live with this klopp factor. We owe klopp nothing! He is paid to do a good job and I am sorry the gentleman at the moment is not doing that. It's high time we started asking questions whether he is the one to lead Liverpool. He came to us with top pedigree but we not seeing that now. He seems very confused! One more season and if there we are not able to mount any serious challenge then he should be SACKED!

23 Apr 2017 18:57:54
Hardly Klopp's fault if the players are woeful which too many were today. Ball turned over too easily too often. Can let Benteke wander past him for second. Lovren caught out badly then Clyne caught at back (again) for first. Origi's contribution was pretty much getting in the way and wanting half an hour for every touch. Final ball in from flanks was poor. Liverpool had plenty of chances to draw or win that game just didn't have the ability to deliver a final ball or finish. Struggling to hold onto top 4 place is the level of ability of the current squad.

23 Apr 2017 19:00:33
It's simple it's the tactics being used, we have been using Zonal Marking for years now and it hasn't worked, we should just play man marking as the players just seem lost in the box for every set piece. Me like everyone can appreciate Klopp wants to play very attacking football and it can be brilliant to watch against the teams who want to attack us but against the lesser teams having so many people forward forces the oposition to sit back and leave us no space to play. I love Klopp and what he stands for but his tactics will never win us the title it's just a fact. I can understand somewhat why he doesn't make substitutions as the team hasn't much depth and we have injurys but that is the clubs fault for not investing in more players in the summer.

23 Apr 2017 19:26:15
everyone says are attack is great but we lack a great striker. origi can be good on his day but was god awful today. we do better against less denfensive teams because everyone in our team is able to contribute more easily because the opposing team doesn't require expertise to break down. we need to focus on finding a great sriker and defender this summer. I was happy when we bought sakho. we finally splashed cash on a quality defender for once. now we've exiled him. This back 3 ain't working ethier. we don't have the players for it.

23 Apr 2017 19:29:36
Bad result and performance,
really disappointing.

I think we lack leaders in the team.

Our champions league aspirations have taken a knock but are by no means gone.

Come on the reds.

23 Apr 2017 20:09:52
Good honest assessment Dermot385 .

23 Apr 2017 20:10:00
Mogreen, don't cook Sunday roast next weekend, it takes too long. Have a pot noodle instead; it should satisfy your need for instant gratification.

23 Apr 2017 21:41:50
We lack a striker.

Trade all of firminos running for 20 goals.

And no its not up to the other players.

Hes up there he's the main scorer, the others just add to it.

Expect 10 each from adam, phil and saido and they all delievered.

But firminos got to be hitting 20.

If he did we would be in a much betyer position.

He can do it, he was ruthless at the start of the season.

He bottled one today but kane up front 20 goals. Works hard. Links play does everything and scores.

Theyve finished 2nd last year and potentially the same or better this year.

For me if you want work rate its between adam and rob in the 10 role behind say an aubameyang.

23 Apr 2017 22:17:15
Super, we can't get Auba, Kane or who ever so mentioning him makes no sense. We lead the PL in goals so not sure what you are talking about needing a striker whereas every man and his dog, knows our issues lie elsewhere.

Spot on Al, and Dermot, our defenders are not good 1v1 defenders so we are always in trouble with an attacker running at them one on one. This is where we need to improve. We also need better quality from our FB's cos they simply lack en product.

As for today, the players who have been great for us for the past 7 games (5 wins and 2 draws), did not show up today and that is disappointing. Can, Wij, Origi, Firmino and Lovren were poor today. We had only one shot on target and a high level of poor decision making in the final third killed us today. CP were NO threat to us and we shut down Zaha totally and Benteke for the most part BUT two individual mistakes = 2 goals and now we are in more than a tight fight for CL. Nothing is decided yet and a win today would NOT have decided anything either. We need to go back to the training ground, figure things out n come back swinging vs Watford.

23 Apr 2017 14:58:54
Man U playing first (and 2-0) up - pressure on our boys to keep the gap the same!

23 Apr 2017 15:07:40
Have a feeling the boys will bottle it.

23 Apr 2017 15:12:21
Looks so easy for them. These bottom teams!

23 Apr 2017 15:19:32
Shows what a poor result losing to Burnley was earlier in the season if that shower can go in 2-0 up at half time.

23 Apr 2017 16:48:34
I've got a horrible feeling with utd picking up the points they will push us out of top 4. Let's hope not.

23 Apr 2017 18:21:12
Is today going to be another disappointing day? I always though Matip was a suspect. Proven right today. A very average player!

23 Apr 2017 18:30:37
Knew it! Im doing the lottery.

23 Apr 2017 22:22:42
Wey, if you are so sure we will lose every game, why bother supporting us then?

23 Apr 2017 13:12:47
Eds1 I saw you say a couple of weeks ago that signing the young left back from Fulham might be difficult due to our past indiscretions. Recently you've still been saying (i think) that you'd like us to get him, I was just wondering if things have become any easier with our dealings with Fulham since you haven't been dashing our hopes of getting him! I guess the new incoming c. e. o should make one of his 1st priorities, restoring relationships with other clubs.
Cheers ed.

{Ed001's Note - nothing has become any easier, he is expected to sign a new contract and stay at Fulham next season. I just want us to sign him.}

23 Apr 2017 13:28:17
Cheers for the response mate.

{Ed002's Note - There are two people at Fulham who would rather not do business with Liverpool regardless.}

23 Apr 2017 15:23:48
He was all set to sign for us. Contract was on the table ready, pen in his hand.

Then somebody let it slip that Ed001 wanted us to sign him and the Men in Black swooped in and ushered Sessegnon out the building before the contract was sealed in a vault 15 miles underneath Ed002's Chinese multi-story mansion.

Same happened with Medel a few years back.

23 Apr 2017 14:14:45
Dempsey debacle?

{Ed002's Note - Yes, tapping up players from other clubs and Liverpool got caught.}

23 Apr 2017 20:11:36
I just have this vision of Ian Ayre constantly tapping on Dempseys shoulder and running away and one time Dempsey poked Ayre back, I think that's what ED2 meant right?

23 Apr 2017 10:41:26
Ed001, do you think Klopp will revert to a midfield 2 next season or stick with a 3?

At Dortmund his preference was 4-2-3-1 so my guess is it will come down to whether Klopp goes and signs a proper striker to play up top or another versatile option for the front 3.

{Ed001's Note - depends on what definition you put on a midfield 2 or 3 really. At times this season we have played a two with Lallana playing as a forward, in essence. I expect a similar thing next season, where some games will see a definite three, others will see a two. It depends on how the game goes and the opposition's tactics.}

23 Apr 2017 11:10:20
Yeah you are right and the formation changes throughout the match.

What I am trying to get at is that if Klopp does sign a proper striker then surely Coutinho, Firmino and Mane (pending availability) will be lining up behind him (as I doubt these three will be left out of the match day starting 11) meaning space for only 2 CM's whereas signing another versatile forward sees things staying as is.

{Ed001's Note - on some days yes. Though, if Couts stays is a bigger question right now.}

23 Apr 2017 11:30:14
Let's hope and pray Couts does stay! We will have difficulty replacing him no matter what fee we get for him. Proof of this is when Suarez left and we got Benteke. Obviously it also is down to the manager picking the right solution but teams ahead of us and UTD's financial power will once again be our stumbling block.

CL may up our chances of luring better quality but Liverpool cannot afford anymore expensive mistakes if we want to see the club reach the top again. We have to keep our best players i. e. Coutinho and co and build around that.

{Ed001's Note - you don't progress by selling your best players before they are past their peak. You should be selling the players you don't want to be first choice every game possible.}

23 Apr 2017 12:29:38
Bloody hell ed I was thinking the interest in Couts had cooled off a bit mate?

{Ed001's Note - sadly no.}

23 Apr 2017 12:38:58
Hi ed01, are the club considering selling coutinho, or has he expressed a desire to leave? Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - no and not yet.}

23 Apr 2017 12:58:23
Is it Real Madrid trying to sign him.

{Ed002's Note - Barcelona has already met with Liverpool and were told he is not for sale. Real Madrid will see him as an option to replace Modric.}

23 Apr 2017 13:14:58
Let's hope we get top 4 and manage to hold onto him. At that point I would like couts to come out publicly and tell naymar how well he'd fit into the Liverpool side 😂.

23 Apr 2017 13:18:58
Ed you think securing CL football will be enough for him to stay?

{Ed002's Note - I don't know.}

23 Apr 2017 13:14:47
He also had a proper Holding Mid / DM at Dortmund in Sahin / Bender.

23 Apr 2017 13:19:11
Is coutinho staying based on whether we get top 4 or is it he just fancies barca?

23 Apr 2017 14:05:24
Keeping hold of our best players is something we've struggled to do in recent times.

23 Apr 2017 14:08:19
It would be a huge shame if Coutinho were to leave - feel he's just going from strength to strength and going to be something really special, especially if he and Firmino continue to build their understanding. the constant 'team rebuild' culture that seems to get some fans so excited does more harm than good IMO - it's not easy selling top players and then trying to integrate a whole bunch of new players every year.

Poch has set a good example at Tottenham, keeping patient while his side has matured and making only a very small number of key changes at any one time.

23 Apr 2017 18:02:45
Real and Barca. Difficult to say no to either. Even if we get top 4, I won't be surprised if he heads to Barcelona.
I think Klopp should start looking at options. If he stays, fine. If he doesnt, a proper replacement would've already been scouted.

23 Apr 2017 09:16:12
Hi Eds and fellow Reds,

Do we have any interest in signing Mauro Icardi from Inter Milan?

Thanks

Kam.

{Ed002's Note - No.}

23 Apr 2017 09:38:47
Thanks for the instant reply Ed :)

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}

23 Apr 2017 09:45:33
Unless Liverpool are willing to spend their entire transfer budget and then some more on Icardi who apparently has a release clause which will probably make him the most expensive ever then the answer will be no every time.

23 Apr 2017 13:18:11
I expect the club to splash at least £100 mill this summer. We might recoup some portion from sales And I don't think lcardi will cost any club more than £40 mill. He is a proper striker like Sturridge.

23 Apr 2017 06:52:36
Hi i have been reading the site for many years, going back to the Hicks and gillet debacle. Love reading what ed1 and 2 have to say and macca (although this seems to have ended) . I just wanted​ to check people's thoughts on something i read on sky the other day about Northern clubs moving training grounds to London to be able to attract the big names who want to be in London. Personally i think it takes away the sole and character if the club but wondered what others thought? Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - that would be insane.}

23 Apr 2017 07:21:04
Well, it was a piece by Gary Neville so your probably right. I just thought it was a really strange notion.

{Ed001's Note - rather than getting those kind of players, it makes more sense to concentrate on selling the club to players who think about their career, rather than where they will party and take the missus shopping in their time off.}

23 Apr 2017 08:18:25
I want us to sign players who want to play for the club, not those who prioritize their lifestyle. If they want to live in London, then Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal are welcome to them. Players need to be dedicated. No more Balotellis or Aquilanis needed at LFC.

23 Apr 2017 13:07:57
im not local bt that would destroy the relationship with the local fanbase and all the local history with it.

no matter what benefit it brings, it takes out the heart and soul of the club itself. the club is nothing without its fans, supporters.

24 Apr 2017 00:03:29
If you need for LFC to relocate to London so we can sign you, then do one and go fly a kite.

23 Apr 2017 01:24:25
There was an interesting article regarding why Rafa really left the club and how it came about, just wanted to ask any of the eds in the know.

Have any of you read this article and is there much truth to it?

Cheers.

{Ed001's Note - how would I know if I have read the article when you didn't even give us a clue as to where it is or who wrote it or what it contained?}

23 Apr 2017 07:44:41
It was about the outrageous 34% tax increase on sausage rolls that almost bankrupt him ed.

{Ed001's Note - ah that was nonsense, Rafa hated sausage rolls, it was gravy and chips that was his downfall.....}

23 Apr 2017 08:18:15
Could be the recent article from the Liverpool Echo where they interviewed Martin Broughton.

Apparently Broughton wanted Rafa to stay and after discussions Rafa's lawyer asked Broughton what Rafa's terms were for Rafa going.

There was also mention that Rafa kept on talking over and over again in all meetings about what was wrong with the club and eventually Broughton had to ask Rafa to put all his requirements on paper as he was hardly given a chance to move his lips as Rafa was repeating himself without coming up with solutions.

Broughton also said that the relationship between H and G, H and G and Rafa, Rafa and Purslow were all toxic.

So to end off, Broughton said that Rafa chose to leave.

At the end of the day, in order for the club to move on, H and G, Rafa and Purslow all had to go in order for the club to move on.

{Ed001's Note - ah ok, I stopped reading the Echo when Mirror group bought it, as it became utter turd after that.

Rafa wanted Purslow out (rightly in my opinion as he was a real anchor on the club), which was not going to happen. He also wanted more control, which could not be given with Purslow there. The pair were involved in a constant running battle. Rafa was also unhappy with H&G and they were unhappy with him airing their dirty linen in public.

You are right, they all needed to go, but it would have been better if it had happened more amicably, as Rafa deserved much better.}

23 Apr 2017 08:55:39
Yeah, the way it was all dealt with was like running a circus. The club at the time was in an awful state from top to bottom and all attention was put into the sale of the club. Anything else that still needed to be dealt like seeing Rafa leave was obviously not as important. It was handled like just another issue being scratched off the list.

23 Apr 2017 09:44:15
To be fair Purslow, Ayre and Broughton played vital roles in getting rid of Hicks and Gillett.