Liverpool Banter Archive February 02 2014

02 Feb 2014 23:21:35
On watching present day premier league football is anyone else worried that there is a major similarity in the premier league to Spanish football as in that Chelsea and Mc city are the very rich Barcelona @ Real while the rest of us can not compete financialy
to be fully competitive?
The gap will get bigger and our chance of winning the epl will get smaller unless the accedemy delivers or we get bought out by megga rich owners with a money no object idea to make us competitive in the bigger picture.
Sorry about the negativitity .

Arsenal have (or at least had) almost as much of a cash balance as the rest of the PL combined. United has double our turnover. Whether we like it or not, them and the two you mention are the new big four, if you will. I think people just need to accept that going forward being in the top 4, while not impossible, is simply going to be difficult and that's just the reality of the situation.

02 Feb 2014 22:12:16
I know it was a stupid pass across his own penalty area by kolo (even at schoolboy level you are taught never to do that) but I think Mignolet was more to blame for throwing the ball out to Kolo in the first place when he had 2 WBA players standing 10 yards away from him.

Just my thought's.

Agree. Its also possible that he didn't see the player as gerrard was there splitting the centre backs. Not sure its a good idea to have him there but that's a different issue

Kolo should of went back to the keeper and pump it long

Mistake by Mig, mistake by Toure, mistake by Brendan to play right-sided player on the left - although forced into it by injuries.

Anyway, others dropped points. 4th still ours to take.

02 Feb 2014 21:51:01
Ed001 are Alberto and Aspas not making a effort in training to come of the bench even well Alberto is young so more about Aspas

{Ed001's Note - yes, they try, Aspas never stops, but is lightweight. Rodgers feels the team he had out was the best chance of scoring a goal, the only reason Kelly came on was for the extra height as Flanno had struggled in the air.}

Well then its a joke even everton aspas didn't come on the league cup nothing he was the same size when we bought him quite stupid by all means

02 Feb 2014 21:12:51
Eds,
just posted pic on sighting off stats that were put out labelling Liverpool overall best british team based on points system in regards to positions in the league. And ironical says the success was down to a good defence!
Just thought i'd share. Was supposed to post after Everton game.
Cheers

02 Feb 2014 20:30:53
Upset about today, obviously, we seem particularly good at missing opportunities to pull away from our rivals, might regret it later in the season. However, mistakes happen, obviously Toure was at fault, he'll know it so there's no point in ridiculing him, just move on.

My only actual worry from today was the lack of chances we created after WBA scored. Our ability to bounce back late in a game seems non-existent lately, as the same happened vs Villa when we seemed to create very little after drawing level. Can't remember the last time we scored a late winner! Just something to ponder

Onwards and upwards

02 Feb 2014 19:56:06
Hey eds I'm not going to pretend to fully understand the FFP rules but obviously appreciate the reason they exist. So with that said I read today that Liverpool amongst other clubs are going to challenge Man Cities adherence to them and on the back of that their right to play in the CL. I'm sure I read previously that Liverpool aren't exactly playing ball when it comes to the FFP rules either, so isn't it a dangerous game for LFC to play - pot calling kettle black etc. I mean how much more favorably do LFC. Compare to city?

{Ed001's Note - it is their circumvention via sponsorship etc that we are complaining about. Not their general adherence to them.}

02 Feb 2014 19:33:41
When we make a huge blunder like today it's the thought of oppo fans laughing at us that really gets to me! bitters and mancs aaaarrrrggghh!

The mancs won't be laughing at anything just now, and after a 4.0 drubbing, neither will the bitters I suspect.
Personally, I'm loving this season and not only for the position the post-Furgusons are finding themselves.

Bitters and mancs can't really laugh at us

02 Feb 2014 19:13:03
Shame about the mistake made by kolo today but he has enough experience not to let it affect him long term. A game played in a very flat atmosphere at the hawthorns seemed to maybe have a bearing on the teams performance as opposed to the bedlam created at anfield in the derby midweek (bit of a culture shock) yet we still controlled the 1st half without getting out of 3rd gear. Luis had a chance second half which probably would have insured the 3 points only to be denied by a good save by a quality goalkeeper. We have to remember that we are still a team learning to play together with some very young yet very exciting players and a manager who is also still learning his trade. Its a bit much to expect the kind of perfomances we put in against the likes of everton and spurs to be repeated week in week out yet I know that's what we all crave for.Expectancy at this great club is mahoosive so continued support for the owners, management and players alike is the way forward for us all. Overall the lads have given us much to cheer about with some sublime football at times this season so let's not be to hard on them when things don't quite go our way. 42 pts still to play for in a very strange season which almost insures we will be up against a side looking at europe or relegation (no easy games). can't wait for jordan ibe to be given a run out, I thought on 60 mins today he would have been the ideal introduction to add some much needed impetus as he must be chomping at the bit to get involved with the talent in this team. However we got a point today against a side we failed to get any from last season so let's look on the bright side of things and look forward to welcoming another great team in Arsenal to Anfield this saturday with fingernails already pre-bitten.

02 Feb 2014 19:30:25
Honestly, I think the lack of ambition drove us here. Players are learning, manager is learning. While we're still learning, the rivals are doing what they can to improve theirselves. What if so-called stars are not interested in 'learning', what will we do then? Find new young lads to learn how to play? Will we ever be a giant again, if we are satisfied with the learning squad that finally managed to take a point out of WBA? If the manager knows best, then why does he always do not-so-obvious think that do not work and never does the obvious ones.

02 Feb 2014 18:40:19
We bottled it today basically

Had a gut feeling to be honest never felt it but were getting players back let's hope all goes well next week important match huge now if we loose could drop out the top 4

02 Feb 2014 18:19:47
Any tempo at all would of killed that game, dunno what happened. These games we need to be winning

02 Feb 2014 17:46:20
Why did Rodgers think a team geared for counter attacking football would get any change from a team set out with a deep lying back four. We didn't get behind their defence once today. Consequently our goals needed to come from midfield. This is where we have problems. Whilst Henderson has a decent engine and can be useful, he's just not good enough when 'bus parking' teams sit deep and need to be unlocked from midfield. Cotinhiou is to lightweight and doesn't see the pass unless it's a flat back four. Suarez is non effective with his back to goal and Cissoko offers very little attacking support down the left side to enable Suarez to come deep for the ball. Our lack of quality in the midfield may cost us top 4. Thank the owners for their lack of ambition and risk averse approach to their investment.

Easy way out to blame the owners. We are in a fine position and let's get behind the team.

Eds correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure the owners were willing to invest 20 million into a player this window. Or is that not good enough for you ozone?

BR has spent over 100M in 4 windows and around 70M net. Not sure how it's FSG'd fault if perhaps that money wasn't spent wisely. That said, we're sitting in 4th still so it's not like things are all going wrong either.

£70 mill net? Where've you got that from RDL. Net spend not far off zero under Rodgers tenure when factoring in wage savings.

Ozone, you obviously love LFC, despite the way some people react to your posts, but when you have something to say (usually when we fail to get a result), you seem to cloud your (pretty valid) observations with an undisguised contempt for our owners and manager.
The whole idea of this site is banter, and part of banter is debating different points of view. I would actually enjoy a reasoned discussion with you as to where the team currently are, but all you can see is conspiracy theories, greedy yanks ( of which I appear to be one because I disagree with some of your views?. ), and a manager with different ideas to you, which makes him stupid. Your post tonight sums you up: its 'BRs fault for playing a counter attacking side'? Valid point maybe, but the counter attacking side you talk about is essentially the same side that tried (and succeeded ) to blitz Stoke at the Brittania (something others struggled with this weekend). It's more about players putting into practice the game plan BR comes up with. Its not infallible. BR has made several misguided choices this season. Sometimes individual players have let the system down. The owners too have not always been above reproach and indeed have been naive about certain elements of the club. BUT, the players, manager and owners, despite your addled conspiracy jibes based on GCSE economics, are all striving for the same thing we are - success.
Stick to the football ozone, the finance and blame is a little bit beyond you.

From memory, but transfermarkt shows the following:

Season 13/14
Transfer revenue: 28.500.000 £
Transfer expenditures: 50.000.000 £

Season 12/13
Transfer revenue: 9.200.000 £
Transfer expenditures: 59.500.000 £

Total of £109.5M spent, £39.7M in, difference of £69.8M (not including agents fees, loyalty bonuses to people like Carroll/Downing, etc, etc.). Numbers might be off by a tad if you don't trust transfermarkt values, but not by miles.

I'm pretty sure our wage bill (which was circa £109M according to our last financial release from 11/12) has not gone down by anywhere near that amount particularly given that only 50-60% of the wage bill is for senior players anyway. Granted the net/gross spend thing ignores player amortization so it's not an entirely accurate look at it anyway, but his spend is pretty clearly nowhere near £0 under BR.

In response to the unnamed poster. Yes, I view the owners as 'greedy yanks'. In my opinion they're treating LFC as nothing more than a hedge fund. It would serve as a pointless exercise if I were to delve into the reasons I believe validate this opinion, as this post wouldn't get posted. Whilst having to tread carefully, Purslows indirectly just confirmed where the problem is.

Rodgers got the formation wrong today. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't his biggest fan at the beginning but I am warming to the guy. He seems to take three strides forward then takes one
backwards. For arguments sake, I was dismayed to see Gerrard start in the DM role in the derby but then overjoyed to see it work as Cotinhiou was played in the middle and charged with putting a shift in to avoid Gerrard being overrun; it worked. Consequently, Rodgers sets us up in a similar vain today. Against Everton however we didn't need any link up between mid and the forwards due to Evertons high line, the flat back four invited the through ball to get us behind the line. West Brom sat back today with their two centre halfs always behind our forward line thereby necessitating a bit of creativity in between the halfway line and their penalty area to create a goalscoring opportunity. Neither Cotinhiou or Henderson have that in their lockers. They can't shoot from outside the box, they can't run with the ball well and their link up and gamble is non existent. You mention Stoke, they played a different game to their usual opting for a higher line and as with Spurs and Everton got punished for it. We are in desperate need of a creative attacking mid. Everton have this in Berkley, their team is better equipped to deal with your west broms, hull, palace, west ham etc. We need someone who can penetrate just behind the front two and chip in with goals from outside the box. Untill we have such a player, we will struggle against teams such as West Brom, Hull, Palace, West Ham etc., whilst Aspas and Alberto sit on the bench and Ilori, Borini and Assiadi remain on loan. This could be the critical difference in achieving top 4. I'm sure you'll argue that acquiring the aforementioned illustrates intent from the owners but I would disagree and argue that this level of purchase only serves to sit nicely with the hedge fund principle. Unless Rodgers sells, any transfer target over £15mill and the owners don't produce.

{Ed001's Note - you really are a bigoted blinded fool! They were the ones who paid for Carroll and Suarez, both well over 15m. Stop being such a racist and open your eyes. The club is not in a position to pay big money for players, no matter who owns it, thanks to Commolli.}

Yes I know they did Ed. they also sold Torres, Babel, Merieles, janovic etc. No doubt the accounts also acknowledged the Mascherno and Alonso trades.

{Ed001's Note - of course they did, Torres forced his way out, the others weren't good enough. What exactly is your point apart from proving you are too bigoted to look at things clearly and fairly? Your only real issue seems to be that they are 'Yanks', which they aren't anyway. It is sad that you can't see things fairly. The club runs at a loss, they are trying to fix that. They tried buying big, it failed miserably. They are now trying to be careful. Sounds like they are learning from mistakes to me.}

£15 mill big money now is it. Salah and Konoplyanka weren't £25-35 mill purchases.

{Ed001's Note - who cares? I don't care if they spend 2.50, all I care about it if the club is improving, which it is. You are like one of those FIFA kids whinging on about your club because it hasn't gone and bought Messi every window.}

Got to laugh really ozone. The unnamed poster was me. Pure accident I forgot to log in ;)
There are flaws/differences of opinion with your tactical analysis of the game, but I am interested to hear you're 'warming' to BR. Shouldn't that be 'warming to clueless Brenda'?.
That aside, as I've gently tried to explain to you before, steer clear of the conspiracy theory nonsense. You using 'hedge fund' in posts is a little bit like me claiming to be an expert on bovine spongiform encephalopathy because I had steak for tea tonight. It's embarrassing ozone. Leave it alone.

I would suggest that they are not running the club like a 'hedge fund' (which makes no sense whatsoever) and instead are running it like a business, which is what is. Sadly if previous owners over the past decades had run it as such we wouldn't be where we are now but would be in a much better financial position.

How are we supposed to look at things clearly? We'll never be furnished with the facts as to what goes on in the background and as for the accounts, they can be manipulated in any which way within accepted accounting standards to suit an end objective. My point is that LFC is a hedge fund for John Henry and his investor friends. The business activity illustrates this. They've just from one strategy which didn't work to another to safeguard LFC's capital value.

{Ed001's Note - except your point is just idiotic and shows a complete lack of basic understanding of a hedge fund. The business activity shows nothing of the sort and you are just making yourself look like a fool. A bigoted fool because you can't discuss them without using abusive and racist terms.}

Buying in clusters at £6-8 mill is failsafe. One out of a bunch of three typically improves in value, borne out by the law of averages. If the other two flop, I.e Borini and Assiadi, loan them out, they do a job elsewhere and attract a sale recouping circa 90% of the fee. FSG's transfer policy is not in the interests of the team but is merely a gilt edged punt. Why did we bring in Ilori? We didn't need him. It doesn't matter however to the owners as it was all about the deal, failsafe business.

{Ed001's Note - and that is good business, so how is that not in the interests of the team? You make absolutely no sense whatsoever.}

I don't see any abusive or fascist terms in any of my posts Eds. If you regard 'greedy yanks' as racist and abusive I was merely quoting verbatim a term another poster had used. In fact it would seem that it's you who's quick to throw out abuse. I would suggest that you and Bigbadben try and think outside the box in terms of a hedge fund and maybe take a look at the full business package and ultimately FSG's end game. At a purchase price of £300 mill, LFC is indeed a hedge fund.

{Ed001's Note - I never said anything about facist and the term Yanks is abusive and racist, especially when applied with the nasty tone you are using. Grow up. You are just bigoted and pathetic. You really have nothing but an axe to grind because they aren't scousers.}

In fact Ben, I've never seen you post an opinion. I just read pathetic snipes at other posters. I've never read a post as to how you've viewed the way in which we've played and I've also yet to read a post from you detailing why LFC isn't a hedge fund. We just get 'GCE economic theory, leave it alone ozone it's embarrassing' blah blah blah

I think perhaps the disconnect, Ozone, is you seem to view the idea of an increase in LFC's valuation as a business and LFC's success on the pitch as being mutually exclusive when in reality the two are intertwined. Would you be that opposed to LFC having the turnover of say Real or United? They got there by winning things and development of the business over time. How do you expect us to compete if the club isn't increasing in value? You also seem to be stating that FSG are the ones selecting the likes of Alberto, Aspas, etc. and that they are being forced upon Rodgers or something.

That said, your actual game analysis, while I may not agree with it, is actually kind of interesting to be fair. More of that would be welcome.

'Parhetic snipes at other posters'?
No ozone, only you.
I find it interesting that you think I have no opinions. Variously over the last couple of years you have directly called me a 'yank' (way off), a sheep, duped by FSG, an armchair fan (also way off) and one of the many lemmings that LFC apparently have as fans. Forgotten all that?
Presumably as I have never expressed an opinion you must have dreamt all that s**t up?.
The thing is ozone, you don't LISTEN. You don't listen to objective fans who see what the manager and owners are trying to do. You don't listen when fans say there have been mistakes and still will be but the intention is good. You don't listen to the eds. And you really didn't listen at business school night classes. I assumed that your homework was the reason you were cropping up on here more rarely. But apparently it's the same old paranoid nonsense that rears its head only when we don't get a result.

Apologies, that should've read racist not fascist. As I've said Ed, I'm only using the terminology Ben used in his post.

More snipes Ben but still no opinions. Still no view on how you see the business model and still no view on where you think we slipped up today.

What irritates me is your arrogant attitude to business theory. Your arguing over a title. Split hairs as much as you like but only time will tell. Ultimately within the next 5 years when FSG reach their end game, ill guarantee their tenure will have all the hallmarks of a cosy hedge fund.

{Ed001's Note - ok, I apologise then.}

Does it really take an accountant to recognise that we are in a better position than when FSG took over the club? Top 4 and improving; stadium redevelopment in the process; playing exciting football; great youth academy; one of the leagues highest spenders; and gradually becoming a sustainable business model. I'm loving John Henry and his topiary fund idea because the bottom line is that our success brings FSG success. I don't see anything to moan about and I hope FSG end up making a stack of coin by making Liverpool FC successful.

I do agree that Fsg have purchased Liverpool to return a profit eventually. Of that there is no doubt. It can't be debated. Yet for Fsg to do so Liverpool need to be successful on and of the pitch. Its where we are in the football world unless you have an owner who wants a play thing. Like I say. It can't be argued that Henry and Co purchased Liverpool to return a profit and I appreciate that it sticks in the throats of some fans. Cheers

Rdl
The £109 million wage bill was for a ten month period also which for 12 months would be around £130 million.

Hedge fund, venture capitalists whatever you want to call it. The end game is still the same, an increase in net asset/capital value. Yes clearly LFC isn't a registered hedge fund but sport is your classic hedge during an unprecedented period of economic uncertainty. Ben, you should try and look at the broader picture rather than hanging on to an argument based around investment legal technicalities. I honestly believe FSG aren't particularly bothered about champions league football, they just want the house in order outside the top 4. I'm convinced they're gearing to achieving a revenue of circa £225 mill through a variety of sponsorships and commercial activities. Once the accounts demonstrate proportional costs, throw in an appropriate industry multiplier and the clubs worth £600 mill plus. Complete the ground expansion and achieve champions league and we 're looking at a valuation in line with Arsenal £1 billion. Either way a decent return over a 5-10 year period at a time when traditional investment vehicles are either under performing or offer modest returns.

{Ed001's Note - I still don't see why that is a problem?}

Increasing the value of the club while getting Champions League and expanding the stadium. You're right, Ozone, these owners suck. What an awful long-term plan.

02 Feb 2014 16:55:09
Typical, every time we have a chance to build a gap on the teams below we blow it. We have a great win then the manager the players the supporters big us up and say we going to be in top four but then reality sinks in. To get in the top four every game till the end has to be a cup final and the players have to be up for it. Its up to BR to get them motivated not just for one game but for all.

The reality is we are in the top four!

We were poor today, especially second half and the defensive error just confirms our lack of quality and understanding at the back.

They looked knackered today? Big night out last night? A shadow of the team rhT played everton. Shame. Strangely deflated. I wonder if the players were all a bit disheartened by us not signing anyone? Strange performance. Oh well still top four and the mancs and spurs keep slipping up

02 Feb 2014 16:04:38
Any point away from Home is a decent result. Mignolet was superb today. As long as you draw away and win at home top four should be within our reach.

Really? To reach top 4, we need to beat the likes of West Brom away!

Would have loved 3pts but 1 pt is a pt, were still in 4th but it was a missed chance to open up a gap, feel sorry for toure who had a mare but hey onwards and upwards I hope . come back sahko enrique and agger asap please

That was truly painful to watch, particularly the second half. Kolo's mistake was an accident waiting to happen. We should have buried a very average WBA, so why didn't we force the issue once we were ahead? We totally lost control of the play in the middle. The only bright spot was how positive Sterling was.

You don't know what you're going to get with this Liverpool side.
Apart from a triple heart bypass that is!

02 Feb 2014 16:54:19
Our achilles heel this season is our away form. We have won just four away games and take 1.3 points a game.

It didn't help that Toure handed West Brom a point today either, although if Saurez had buried his chance a couple of minutes earlier then it wouldn't have mattered.

Regardless, our away form is putting pressure on us to win all of our home games. I would worry about the effect of that pressure towards the back end of the season. For example, I think we have Chelsea at home two weeks in late April. I'm worried we'll be in a situation where that fixture, and others become 'must wins'.

We really need to develop a few ways of playing away from home. It seems we only play one way at the moment - the counter attack. That works well against teams playing a high line, but is unlikely to be that effective against teams which defend deep.

Mind you we're almost exclusively playing counter attacking football both home and away at the moment. Not sure where the possession football has gone!

Mignolet had a decent game but the throw out to toure with 2 west brom guys within 8 yards of him was a stupid error.
Admittedly Toure should have cleared it but the throw from the keeper was plain stupid.
If we can't beat west brom regardless, we will struggle for rest of season to achieve top 4, 2 points down the swanny again.

I really hate posts like, look on the brightside, or 3 points away is still decent. Next it'll be, oh well doesn't matter if we are relegated, these things happen. If we are critical its because we care and want the best for our club. Hence all the appropriate negativity following an abysmal transfer window. What riled me today is, we arrogantly went out there if the game was already won. Sturridge for one, a great player but please tone down your arrogance.

I seriously have no idea why you're giving Sturridge grief. He was even playing left back for a spell while Cissokho was forward and he did score our only goal (as well as a fair few others this season).

Can't help thinking that andy carroll would have been a decent off the bench option to change things round a bit in these sort of matches. It was all very well doing the big clear out and I didn't disagree with it in principle but without replacing some of the positions we are 2/3 game changers short of a side that can perform week in week out
Controversial I know.

I actually agree Mr Shankly. Problem is 35m quid is a bit much to spend on a Plan B.

02 Feb 2014 15:32:12
eds is it possible to take the monotone Martinez off flash video, its getting a bit much, every time the page refreshes hearing his voice!
what's your views on the match today, thought we were off pace for most of the match. showed some signs throw out. disappointing, we needed that win!

{Ed002's Note - I cannot do anything about the video. Try turning your speaker off. I did not watch the game.}

If you mute the video itself it should stay muted everytime after that, does for me anyway hope that helps.
Jack!

02 Feb 2014 14:09:56
Ed02 - You say Liverpool were expecting Suarez to leave in the summer, Just wondered why he didnt, I thought Liverpool were rejecting bids or is it they were waiting for a certain amount?

{Ed002's Note - The expectation is that Real Madrid were going to make an acceptable bid but the didn't.}

02 Feb 2014 13:56:18
Most people on here can rave about Henderson as much as they want but he is the most inept player in the squad with the ball at his feet and hasn't made any decent tackles. For a midfielder that's a prerequisite . He will never win me over as a midfielder that's going to be at a level where we challenge for 4th spot. Ask yourself if he will make it in a chelsea , city or arsenal squad

Hasn't Henderson played nearly if not all games so far this season, yet here we sit in fourth on the way to opening a 4 point gap?

You clearly don't watch much football. He's been probably our best midfielder this season. One quiet game doesn't mean he is useless.

Have you actually watched him this season.

He makes clever one touch passes all the time. And he's a work horse. Can't slate a guy like that. Some commentators have called him the most fit player in the league. And he has played multiple positions for us this year.

Were winning and you're attacking our player? Why?

Have you even watched us this season? He's been our best and most consistent midfielder this season. He's rarely been played in his proper position (the main CM, rather than CAM), but when he has - during Stevie's injury - he's been brilliant. He was a massive influence in the 5-0 result against Spurs.

Come on man. Go after anybody else, but leave hendinho alone. He's one of our best players. You need to have a long hard chat with yourself.

Totally agree, great at shadowing as most of our players

alan50

Finally someone who isn't BLIND!

Im not a lover of Hendo i'm afraid, much improved this season but plays well for 1 game then does little in another 4 apart from run around a lot.
His passing is poor I feel, an his end product is poor also, i'm sure there is better for what he produces.

We don't have the buying power or money of City, Arsenal, or Chelsea, so your point is somewhat meaningless. Arsenal have near enough more cash than the rest of the league combined, Chelsea has the players where they can sell a guy mostly warming the bench for 37M (we have exactly one player who would likely be worth this or better), and City are City. If you're expecting us to have the same caliber of midfield as those 3 you may be waiting for some time.

02 Feb 2014 13:24:06
A cool 0-1 win today will be fine,
no injuries and rested for the Arsenal Game
next week,
come on you reds!

02 Feb 2014 12:55:33
I was just wondering how Luis Alberto may be used for the rest of the season. Seeing as we missed out on a left winger, could Brenden Rodgers play him there, or does he see him as a central (creative) midfielder. Obviously he is currently Coutinho's understudy, but is it a possibility to be a regular left winger? cheers

02 Feb 2014 11:59:06
Hi ed2 thanks for yr response to me re mr Ayre but i'm sorry the players you say he has brought in has really made me see how inept the bloke is at his job. He has missed out on l all BR number 1. You have mentioned all his successes like moses alberto aspas allen!, yes these players have really set the world on fire. I know people will say that's not down to ian ayre and yr correct but that's not the argument here this is about ayre being able to nail the important transfers .

The other players you mention mignolet, sturredge, cortinho were good signings but ayre never had to use his negotiation skills in getting these players against other clubs did he.
The club need to replce ayre of his duties involving transfers as his past record is very poor infact he couldn't negotiate my kids getting to bed on time sorry.

{Ed002's Note - Your issue should be with the manager and not someone else. You will find something to whine about regardless. I have explained the reasons for each of the players not arriving. The club were expecting Suarez to leave in the summer so there would have been money. The club has been haemorrhaging money for years and the debt is growing now, but as a fiscally irresponsible fan you want the club to spend money it doesn't have. Quite frankly it is laughable.}

Also the transfer window as closed. Its time to get behind the boys now and stop whingeing.

I've been critical of some of the signings, and had my doubts as to what will happen for the second half of the season, gutted that we missed Kono but it's not such a big deal with Sterling being on form.

And the facts also need to be said.

We beat west brom and we're 9 points clear of the mancs.

We have the two form strikers.

Gerrard looked good the other evening against the bitters.

Chelsea and City will have to come to Anfield. Neither will have the benefit of Lee Mason or Howard Webb.

If we get champions league without spending in January then that's an achievement we can be happy about.

Also the stadium development is moving forward.

Personally no someone who believes in faith, but confidence breeds results.

Cheer like every game is a cup final and let's do our bit. Let the boys do theirs.

We have a top manager. He's being punished by the owners for Kenny's signings. You won't find Brendan having the luxury of ever signing a player for £20m+. Regardless of what Ayres done, speaking on transfers alone, 9 times out of 10 he fails to get the identified player through the door

{Ed002's Note - This is simply not true.}

02 Feb 2014 11:40:56
Massive game today. Come on Redmen.

02 Feb 2014 11:03:04
Message to the Eds.
Thank you. All of you, you are brilliant in what you do. There will always be the odd one who doesn't appreciate you but the majority do. Get a good rest and get ready to start again

{Ed002's Note - Thanks Robbie.}

I agree. don't forget the eds do this for free!

Really? No salary? Buy these guys a drink.

{Ed001's Note - only myself and Ed033 earn anything, the rest do this because they volunteer.}

02 Feb 2014 09:44:44
Hope we get 3 points today! A few goals an a clean sheat! COYR!!

02 Feb 2014 05:18:02
hello eds,
great job over the course of the transfer window and I guess we got nothing to look forward to right except making target lists for the summer window. if we can get in CL, do you see rakitic, rodriguez from wolfsburg and perhaps diego costa "consider" Liverpool. think they are very good players and perhaps we may look to actually target a DM over the summer, perhaps gary medel or alex song?

{Ed002's Note - I would not hold your breath about any of these players just yet.}

01 Feb 2014 23:05:10
Hi Eds,
Just wondering what you think of Borini? Seems to be integral to Sunderland at the moment, and starting to look confident.
As you say Brendan seems to like him but is he good enough for us?
Cheers,

{Ed002's Note - The player has said he wants to return to play at Liverpool but I would not be surprised to see him move on in the summer.}

I hope not ed he deserves a proper chance.

Will only make the bench an possibly cup games

02 Feb 2014 00:04:19
I want Nabil Bentaleb in the summer .

Ki is better IMO

Ok get him in your fifa