May11

STEWART DOWNING, DOES HE HAVE A FUTURE…

by JasonRidge
Posted In: General LFC, Owens Blogs

The Anfield Faithful are beginning to become restless with Stewart Downings performaces. As the season has wore on he has looked less and less convincing,the anti Stewart Downing brigade were out in force after the stinker he had against Chelsea in the fa cup final,A lot of the usual unfavourable opinions about him were fired his way. Opinions like he is not worth 20 million,he is rubbish,he is useless. It Is true he was poor in the cup final and has being for best part of the season but I always try and see the bigger picture,I did find myself screaming at the projector in the pub during the game and a lot of my criticism was aimed at Downing but during a game when your emotions are running high is never in my opinion the right time to judge a player properly.
Stewart Downing is a player who I have always liked,not a flashy winger in the mould of Barnes,Giggs or Figo,Downing in my opinion is very under-rated. He doesnt have the silky skills of John Barnes nor does he have the explosive pace of Ryan Giggs and he most certainly will never reach the heights Luis Figo did,but he is a player who is hard-working and is very much a team player. An excellent crosser of the ball an in-form Stewart Downing can be a real asset to any team,but does he have a future at Liverpool Football Club?”Belief” is something that anyone who wishes to succeed in sport or in life needs and at the moment Stewart Downings belief looks non existant,his confidence looks shattered. Everytime he recieves the ball on the flank and is faced with a one on one situation against the opposistions full back,he looks about as confident as as a calf who has just being thrown into a lion den. I do often wonder if Downings problem is mental strength? If it is he certainly would’nt be the first Liverpool player to suffer from it and he certainly won’t be the last.

I always give a player at the very least 1 year to settle,In my opinion 2 years should be afforded to any player especially when it is a player under 23 years of age. Like Andy Carroll I think the price tag has went against Stewart Downing. And in all truth we did overpay,20 million in my opinion was to much money for a player who turns 28 in July. However the price tag does’nt mean Downing can not be a success. Downing might be out of form at the moment but in football things can change very quickly.
In a more settled side next season we could well see the best of Stewart Downing,football is a team sport and Downing is not the only Liverpool player out of form at the moment. The centre of our midfield has being subject to much criticism and his being a real problem for us this season,the erratic form of Charlie Adam,coupled with the injuries to Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva has left us really exposed and out thought at times. Downing is part of this midfield albeit he is out wide on the flank most of the time,he spends a lot of time interacting with the centre of our midfield. Is he compatiable with these players? And if not will he be next season? Or maybe a new midfielder/s will bring the best out of him next season.
This season Liverpool have spent more time in their opponents half than any other team in the premiership,a startling statistic considering our poor goal return,looking at this statistic it would be very easy to point the finger at Stewart Downing by saying he should of scored more goals considering we have spent so much time in the opposistions half and that is a valid argument. But I honestly don’t believe he was bought to score goals,I believe he was signed as a goal provider,and this season Downing has created mroe than 40 chances for his team-mates. Nobody can point the finger at Downing for the players around him not taking their chances although I do believe Downing is capable of more goals,I think he just needs to believe in himself more.
John Barnes once spoke about the difference between playing for Liverpool and England.He once said when I played for Liverpool I would pick the ball up in space about 20 times a game when I played for England it was about 5 times a game so mathematics meant I had a much better chance of performing for Liverpool than I did for England. The difference between Barnes and Downing is Barnes walked into a settled Liverpool team that were the best in Europe and had a structure in place,this Liverpool team are only in the very early stages of building. If the rumours are to be believed then Liverpool are in the market for a playmaker in the mould of Luka Modric. This type of player who is a really good dribbler could well bring the best out of Downing,A really good dribbler in our midfield could open up a lot of space for Downing to run into and in turn would allow him to shoot more and cross more.
His crossing is cleary the strongest weapon in his armour and with Andy Carroll starting to show signs of becoming the dominant centre forward he can be then an in-form Stewart Downing supplying Andy Carroll with crosses really is a mouth watering prospect. Remember Andy Carroll has almost being at Liverpool 18 months and it is only in the last 3 months that he has started to come good. Therefore Stewart Downing should be given more time to flourish. His poor goal return has being questioned a lot by fans and in all honesty his goal scoring ability has never being great. The most goals he ever hit in a season was 10 with Middlesborough in 2007-08,but every player has his flaws and if he was to assit a lot of goals next season and hit 8-10 goals then that would benefit the team very much.
Kenny Dalglish has a remarkable record in the transfer market when it comes to signing and getting the best out of wide players. Think of players such as John Barnes,Ray Houghton,Stuart Ripley and Jason Wilcox,Wilcox came through the youth-system at Blackburn but Kenny got the best out of him. In fact all of these 4 players played the best football of theirs careers under Kenny. They all played in championship winning teams under Kenny.
A critical judgement constantly thrown Stewart Downings way is that hes a “one trick pony” this may be true but to my knowledge their has being plenty of world class one trick ponys,think of players such as Jan Molby and John Aldridge. Molbys one outstanding quality was his passing while Aldridges was his goal scoring ability,so for me calling Stewart Downing a one trick pony is a very weak criticism.
Another weak criticism being thrown at Downing is the opinion that he is a coward.I would disagree with this,yes he looks weak and fragile at the moment,but so did Andy Carroll when his confidence was low and he was out of form. A confident Downing would look much braver and enthusiastic.
I am not sitting on the fence with this article,I consider this article a very fair and unbiased assessment of Stewart Downing and I am going to back him to shine for Liverpool in 2012-13. He cleary is a confidence player but I expect him and the team to be stronger and more experienced next season and this in turn will bring more positive results for the team which should dampen the anxiety Stewart Downing has in his game at the moment,and hopefully in turn will lead to him becoming a vital component of a successful Liverpool team-KEEP THE FAITH-YNWA
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Apr25

BIG CHANGES IN THE SUMMER?

by owen kavangh
Posted In: Fan Reactions, General LFC, Owens Blogs

Another league game goes by and Liverpool drop more points at “Fortress Anfield” This time it was against former manager Roy Hodgsons West Bromich Albion team.The game was a resemblance of our season. Lots of possession,with an excessive amount of pressure and a colossal amount of attempts at goal left Kenny Dalglish and everyone connected with Liverpool Football Club clueless as to why Liverpool not only lost the match but did’nt win and collect all 3 points. A lot of supporters are demanding big changes in the summer,but do we really need big changes in the summer?I am not saying we don’t need big changes but after examining our season I am not so sure “big changes are the solution”

Football is a team sport and anyone who understands the beautiful game will know that a team of 11 players who adapt ,work hard for each other and adjust to each others strengths and weaknesses is far superior to a team of mavericks who lack courage and don’t gel with their team-mates. Nobody can accuse this Liverpool of lacking in effort or application’nor are they lacking in courage,no matter how many chances they manage to squander they never lose their steadfast belief.Like a lion determined to catch its prey they keep fighting’being positive going forward towards the goal.

The reds have had more shots on goal and more possession in their opponents half than any other team in the Premiership this year. The fact that we have hit the woodwork 31 times this season does not necessarily mean we have being unlucky as finishing is an art and is part and parcel of football. Nevertheless the fact that we have hit the woodwork so many times means we are getting close(in fact as close as you can get without scoring)without putting the ball in the net.I would much rather we were playing teams off the park and bombarding their goal then playing a dull stlye of football creating no chances.

When a team is not producing results it gives rise to really intense fault-finding among supporters and the media,and on account of Liverpools inability to finish off teams a constant criticism being thrown at the Reds is their lack of ideas and imagination in the last 15-20 minutes of games. But is this criticism constructive? How many titles have Man Utd won over the year by just launching high balls into the box in the last 15-20 minutes to go? This is why I remain behind Kenny and confident that in time this Liverpool team will start producing results. I see it like a fizzy drink bottle in that if you keep shaking the bottle and persisting the lid will eventually pop,this Liverpool team keep persisting and in time this effort and persistence will surely pay off.

If Liverpool are close which the statistics suggest then getting rid of aload of players would surely make no sense would it?Especially when you consider a lot of these players have not even being here a year. If players such as Adam,Henderson and Carroll have shown promise already then why can’t they improve in their 2nd season with the club?3rd in the case of Carroll. Maybe all it needs is a little bit of “tweeking” maybe one or two more attacking players with composure in front of goal or maybe it just needs a ruthless centre forward who scores all sorts of goals. Either way if we make too many changes then maybe we won’t be creating so many chances next year,but then again maybe we will be more clinical and scoring more. Or if we signed nobody and keep faith with the players we have in that they would be a year older and wiser but I am 99.9999% sure thats not gonna happen but in any event making changes and bringing in new players is not as straight forward as it seems. All the great managers sign a lot of “duds”

Rafa Benitez had a masterplan when he was Liverpool manager.He wanted to build up a squad that mianly consisted of British and Hispanic players.His philosophy was to construct a team with British heart,determination and fight and blend it with Hispanic flair,skill and creativity,which was a perfectly logical thing to do. I would even argue it was genius-like. The current Liverpool squad has lots of British players in it,and I am in favour of that. I would be very much in favour of us signing foreign players this summer but when you look at the amount of chances we have created our team hardly lacks flair and creativity does it?Consequently our team has fluffed a lot of chances this season so we do need more composure in front of goal. The kind of composure that the South Americans have in abundance.We have also lacked imagination in the last 15-20 minutes of games,so maybe a Rui Costa prototype might just be the type of player we are looking for,a really good dribbler with great close ball skills who is capable of scoring loads of goals.

4-4-2 is a formation which Kenny has went a lot with this season and 4-4-2 more than any other formation relies heavily upon partnerships. One player can bring the best or worst out of his partner. For instance Keegan and Toshack,Rush and Dalglish and Hansen and Lawernson all complimented each other and brought the best out of each other. Thus Rush and Clough,Fowler and Owen and Crouch and Torres never really worked.So maybe superstar signings are not what we need. Maybe we just need a suitable partner to bring the best out of players such as Adam and Downing. I am 100% behind “moneyball” but I don’t believe you should ever sign a player on stats alone,I believe players with contrasting styles gel best and this should be taken into account when signing any player.

After I defended Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson last week,one fan replied to me “Henderson is not gonna become a world-beater by the start of next season” Maybe not but Thierry Henry,Steve Mcmanaman,Robert Pires and Ian Rush all came good very rapidly after they looked down and out. The message I keep trying to get across is Liverpool are a work in progress,when Kenny took over in January 2011 Liverpool were 12th in the table and were a ship that was sinking fast,their was no way we would of finished 8th if Roy Hodgson would of carried on as manager. I now you can never say definitley but in all honesty the players were unhappy playing with no confidence,and all negativity does is breed negativity,which in turn breeds failure.

Fair enough Kenny has spent over 100 million pounds on players but he has being handed a task of building up an entire squad which he is going to need a lot more time and money to construct. He certainly does’nt have the luxury of the old Liverpool philosophy of bringing in 4 players and letting 4 players go each year,that concept would work for Alex Ferguson or Roberto Mancini who have strong,powerful squads at their disposal but not for Kenny Dalglish who is faced with the unenviable task of building brick by brick.

I am not sitting on the fence with this article,I would like to see at least 5 players signed this summer but I would be cautious in offloading players as our squad needs strength in numbers. Injuries really have cost us dear this year and the only way to address that is by making the squad more competitive and stronger,I fully expect FSG to do that this summer,like they said they understand how sports works and their record in Boston proves that. Like Tom Werner said they believe in “stability” and this is why I would also be confident that Kenny Dalglish will be manager of Liverpool Football Club next season-KEEP THE FAITH-YNWA

 

 

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Apr18

AU REVOIR DAMIEN COMOLLI,IN FSG I TRUST…

by owen kavangh
Posted In: Fan Reactions, General LFC, Owens Blogs

 

Damien Comolli is a man I have alot of time for.He is intelligent,meticulous,innovative and hard working.At 39 year`s of age he is a young man with a very impressive CV.You dont get to work at Arsenal,Spurs and Liverpool without being talented.When I came across the news that Comolli had parted way`s with LFC I was very surprised.Mind you in football these day`s the only surprise is being surprised at whatever event`s unfold in the crazy modern-day world of football.Every Tom Dick and Harry seem`s to have an opinion as to why FSG took the decision to sack Comolli.Their are an awful lot of assumption`s going around which I detest.As a famous philosopher once said “Assuming is the highest form of ignorance” To me assuming is nothing more than a lazy opinion.

Upon reading the news that Comolli had being dismissed I promptly switched on Sky Sport`s News and straight way I heard “So Damien Comolli has left Liverpool,is he being made a scapegoat?Let us know what you think and send us your view`s” A scapegoat is a person who is made to bear the blame for other`s failing`s.The question is just what did FSG have to blame Comolli for?Alot of peole are suggesting it is Liverpool`s record in the transfer market since Comolli arrived that got him the axe.Kenny Dalglish came out in public and said the player`s signed were signed by him.And even if they were signed by Comolli I dont see anything wrong with his transfer dealing`s.Call me blind,deluded or whatever you want but I really dont see very much wrong with Liverpool`s record in the transfer market since Comolli arrived.Certainly not when you compare it to other club`s.

The very best manager`s get in and around half their signing`s right.Since Comolli jumped on board Liverpool have invested 111 million in 9 player`s,and sold 14 player`s for 78 million which leave`s a net spending of 33 million.Of the 9 signing`s made I would say 5 of them have done very well with another 2 of them showing shine`s of brillance and the other 2 having question mark`s over them.Suarez has being a sensation,Bellamy has being a very shrewd signing likewise Jose Enrique despite a rocky patch,Sebastian Coates has settled in very well considering he is so young and Doni in my opinion is a very good back up goalkeeper to have.That is 5 out of the 9 signing`s made which is 56%.The other 2 showing sign`s of progress are Henderson and Carroll who are getting better and better and are still so young.Their are question mark`s over Adam and Downing but one must remember these player`s are not even at Liverpool a year.If Carroll and Henderson continue to get better that would see Comolli`s success rate in the transfer market soar to 78% which would be a huge success.John Henry and Tom Werner would surely know this so I refuse to believe this is the reason Comolli was dismissed.

“He paid way over the odd`s for over-rated English player`s” is the opinion of alot of fan`s.Again I would challenge this belief.First of all you are alway`s going to pay over the odd`s for English player`s.Gerard Houllier use to alway`s say that an English player will alway`s cost 2 or 3 time`s the price of his foreign equivalent and he was spot on.The English market is very over-priced.I have alway`s argued that point.But did Liverpool overpay in the case of Adam,Downing,Henderson and Carroll?Charlie Adam cost 8.5 million.He had a bright start but went through a really bad run of form before he got injured,but what was that bad run of form down to?Was it loss of confidence?Is he finding Liverpool too big a club for him?Or is he still settling in?Or does he just lack the ability?Either way I would`nt write him off and if he never come`s good 8.5 million is hardly alot of money to pay for a player when you consider Chelsea paid us 50 million for Fernando Torres.

Stewart Downing at 20 million maybe was over-priced.Their are some real question mark`s over him now.He is not playing well at all and when you consider he is 28 in the summer then we should be getting more out of him.Again maybe we are writing him off too soon.Liverpool is a whole new experience for him.He has never played at a club like Liverpool before.The stat`s he raked up at Middlesborough and Villa were very impressive.I would not say paying 20 million for Jordan Henderson was money wasted as he is still only 20 year`s of age and in my opinion improving all the time.Fair enough his decision making need`s improving as does his composure and passing but he will get their.We could easily get 10 year`s out of him which amount`s to 2 million a year when you break down 20 million over 10 year`s.I would also be of the same opinion of Andy Carroll.The giant geordie has shown alot of courage in the face of the intense criticism he has came in for.He has managed to score 2 very important winner`s against Blackburn and Everton.His hater`s will alway`s find fault with him no matter what.If he play`s well but doesnt score he get`s accused of not playing well.He is the type of player who you would imagine will get better with age just like other big target men like Niall Quinn and Jan Koller.Remember what is big money today is not alway`s big money tomorrow.How much will 35 million be in 10 year`s time?

It has also being suggested that Comolli got sacked for not being able to persuade certain player`s such as Ashely Young,Phil Jones and Juan Mata to sign for Liverpool.Again this is only speculation but if this is the reason that FSG axed Comolli then I think it is very harsh.I have alway`s argued the point that for a player to play for Liverpool he has to want to sign for Liverpool.The great Bill Shankly once said “For a player to play for Liverpool he has to be willing to go through a brick wall and come out fighting on the other side” A player that has to be begged to wear the famous red shirt is certainly not good enough for me.Comolli should not have to sell Liverpool to any player and with Liverpool not competing in the champion`s league many modern day player`s would not of being interested in signing for us.It is sad but true but again a player whose heart is not in it is no good to us.As the only way we will get back to the top is by everyone pulling together giving it 100%.

Now I am not saying Damien Comolli was treated unfairly by FSG.I applaud FSG for making such a decision.They obviously have their eye on the ball and are watching everyone`s every move which is a huge positive as far as im concerned.I loved Tom Werner word`s “We prefer stability but when it`s time to act we act”This statement sum`s up their philosophy.They are willing to back their employee`s up to the hilt but if they feel a change is needed then they will not hesitate in acting.Maybe Comolli didnt do anything wrong maybe FSG just feel feel after doing their research that their is someone better out their.And if that is the case then so be it.The football club is more important than any individual.I do trust in FSG to replace Comolli with the right man-KEEP THE FATH-YNWA

 

 

 

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Apr11

LIVERPOOL V EVERTON,ENGLAND`S GREATEST…

by owen kavangh
Posted In: Fan Reactions, General LFC, Owens Blogs

 

It is not just any rivalry.It is a local derby that is unique,extraordinary and incomparable.No other derby in world football compare`s to the merseyside derby.When one take`s into account the history and achievement`s of both club`s it really is a privilege for any manager,player or fan to be involved in such an epic game of football.Only stanley park separate`s Liverpool`s world famous ground Anfield(which was the home of Everton up until 1892)and Everton`s world famous ground Goodison Park.Both Stadium`s stand high and glorious as 2 of the great cathedral`s of world football.Anfield is the most successful ground in the history of English football while Goodison was the first ground in England to have a 3 tier stand.

Known as the “friendly” derby both club`s history has intertwined so much with the other.From 1902-1932 both club`s shared the same matchday programme.Liverpool have completed more direct transfer`s with Everton than any other club.When both team`s met in the 1984 league cup final the chant of Merseyside Merseyside echoed all around Wembley stadium.Whether it is contested at Wembley,Anfield of Goodison Park Red`s and Blue`s can be seen sitting together during the game.The Merseyside derby in many way`s remind`s me of a blue and red ribbon.Wrapped together in closeness and togetherness yet unwrapped by competitiveness and relentlessness.

Their have being so many legend`s and character`s who have represented both club`s down the year`s which in turn has created so many rivalrie`s.Rivalrie`s such as Liverpool`s legendary goalkeeper Elisha Scott(1912-34) v Everton`s legendary goal-machine Dixie Dean(1925-37).Elisha according to many of a certain generation was the first Liverpool player to be idolised by the kop.Thus Dixie had an incredible goal scoring record once hitting 60 league goal`s for Everton in the 1927-28 season.It is a record that stand`s to this day and in all likelyhood will never ever be broken.

The 60,s and the early 70,s saw iconic Liverpool manager Bill Shankly pit his wit`s against Everton`s big-name manager Harry Catterick with Shank`s coming out on top most of the time.Shank`s became famous for his humourous comment`s about Everton such as “If Everton were playing in my back garden id draw the curtain`s” or “Their are only 2 team`s on merseyside Everton and Everton reserve`s”

No liverpool fan of the 80,s or early 90,s could ever forget Ian Rush`s rivalry with his fellow Welshman Neville Southall.Both player`s were at their peak the best player`s in the world in their respective position`s in the eye`s of many football fan`s.Liverpool icon Rushie who is argubaly the greatest post war centre forward in English football scored 25 times against Everton and once said “For 3 year`s Neville Southall was the best goalkeeper in the world,If it had of being any other goalkeeper playing for Everton I would of surely scored more time`s against them” Southall who is an Everton legend was as absorbed in Everton blue as Rushie was in Liverpool red.Southall once said “The thing I hate most in life is playing against Ian Rush.What make`s this rivalry all the more remarkable is Rushie grew up supporting Everton!

The 1980,s was a golden period for football on merseyside.Liverpool were collecting trophie`s like a stamp collector collect`s stamp`s where Everton in the mid 80,s rose up like a blue rocket to win 2 league title`s in 1985 and 87.It was an exciting Everton team who played a thrilling counter attacking style of football with player`s such as Peter Reid,Graeme Sharp and Andy Gray.A look at the league winner`s between 1984 and 88 read`s Liverpool84,Everton85,Liverpool86,Everton87,Liverpool88.Throw in Liverpool`s european cup win of 84 and Everton`s cup winner`s cup win of 85 and no one could of blamed the rest of England for looking at the city of Liverpool with envious eye`s.Liverpool and Everton were not just the 2 greatest team`s in England they were the two greatest team`s in Europe in that period.

I`ve had the pleasure of watching many Merseyside derby`s down the year`s as I have being supporting Liverpool since 1988.Their has being so many memorable moment`s during those year`s.Like a young Robert Bernard Fowler in 1994 beating Neville Southall with a finish that only Fowler could produce.It was to be the last goal scored in a merseyside derby in front of the old standing kop.The recent Stevie Gerrard super show in our 3-0 win at Anfield was a masterclass and something that will live in the memory of Kopite`s for a very long time.And although a negative memory for most red`s who will ever forget the 4-4 draw at Goodison in 1991 which turned out to be Kenny Dalglish`s last game as Liverpool manager before his sensational return in 2011.Their is one game for me which stand`s head and shoulder`s above the rest and that is the 1989 fa cup final.

I was only 8 year`s old.Already in love with Liverpool Football Club I feel madly in love with the game of football that day.I shall never forget the occasion.It was my first fa cup final and what a final it was.The red`s against the blue`s in front of a packed Wembley stadium.Kenny Dalglish`s red army versus Howard Kendall`s blue army.It was only in the aftermath of the tragic Hillsborough disaster which took the live`s of 96 Liverpool supporter`s and injured many more.The Evertonian`s could not of done anymore in term`s of the respect and support they showed toward`s Liverpool FC and the 96 Liverpool fan`s who lost their live`s.Kenny Dalglish and the Liverpool player`s were emotionally drained.I was relying on my heroe`s Barnes,Rush,Hansen,Beardsley,Mcmahon and Aldridge not to let me down and they certainly did not.

Liverpool won the game in spectacular fashion beating Everton by 3 goal`s to 2.Ian Rush beat Neville Southall with a header in extra time to clinch the famous trophy for Liverpool.I will never forget Liverpool captain Ronnie Whelan walking up those famous Wembley step`s and lifting the fa cup to a huge roar.Those memorie`s will burn inside me forever.

The early 90,s saw the decline of these 2 famous club`s with Everton`s fall from grace coming like an oak tree that had just being cut and Liverpool`s decline coming like an earthquake that was off the richter scale.Upon appointing Graeme Souness as manager in 1991 Liverpool had the best squad of footballer`s in Britian.Fast-forward 3 year`s to 1994 and Bristol City dumped a weak,passionless Liverpool team out of the fa cup in the 3rd round!However with 27 league title`s between them these 2 great club`s do the city of Liverpool proud.The city of Liverpool is the most successful city in English football.And with Liverpool still the most successful team in the history of english football alongside Everton who are currently playing in the top divison in English football a record 108 season`s next Sunday`s fa cup semi final promise`s to be a fabulous occasion.For me it feel`s like going back to the future and you know what?I CANT BLOODY WAIT-YNWA

 

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Apr04

DOUBTER`S HATER`S AND KOPITE`S…

by owen kavangh
Posted In: Fan Reactions, General LFC, Owens Blogs

 

He is old school,He is washed up,He is a yesteryear manager.These are just a few of the assertion`s being directed toward`s our legendary manager Kenny Dalglish.He has being impeached of alot the last few week`s.In fact just about every decision he has made has being questioned as supporter`s vent their frustration`s via the internet and radio phone-in`s.Bad patch`s do not seem to be allowed these day`s in football.Despite the fact every manager in the history of the game has seen his team go through one.Am I happy with Liverpool`s current run of played 7 won 1 and lost 6?Of course I am not.Do I think Kenny Dalglish should be sacked?Of course not that would be absurdity.Do I think he is the right man to take Liverpool Football Club back to the top?Yes I do but I cannot prove he is just as a doubter cannot prove he isnt.Time will tell.And without “Time” no manager will ever prove himself.Bill Shankly wouldnt of proved himself without time likewise Alex Ferguson,Bob Paisley and every other manager in history.

“Fuck the Kenny hater`s and doubter`s” is all I keep hearing from the loyal,diehard Kopite`s.I do not totally agree with this statement.A hater and a doubter are two different thing`s.A hater is someone who feel`s intense dislike and animosity toward`s somebody or something.For the life of me I cannot understand any Liverpool fan hating Kenny Dalglish.The man has shed blood,sweat and tear`s for the Liverpool cause over the year`s.No supporter should ever forget it was Kenny at 59 year`s of age who rescued the club after the disastrous reign of Roy Hodgson some 16 month`s ago.I even see some section`s of the media now comparing Kenny`s time in charge to Hodgson`s which is laughable.

Doubter`s on the other hand are a different kettle of fish.A doubter is someone who is uncertain and distrust`s somebody or something.And quite frankly everyone is entitled to their own opinion even if some people`s seem bizarre-lol!If a person does not believe Kenny Dalglish is not the right man to take Liverpool forward then their are more than entitled to that opinion.Like I said me and the optimist`s cannot prove he is the right man hence the doubter`s cannot prove he is not.I have never had a problem with a supporter voicing an opinion.

Consequently opinion`s are opinion`s then their are thing`s which are true or false.When a team is going through a crisis even a mini one which Liverpool are going through everything is thrown at the manager`s door.If any supporter want`s Kenny removed because of our current bad run then I would advise you to take a look at the history book`s.At the end of the 1989-90 season,Alex Ferguson after 4 year`s in the job and have spent a fortune saw his Manchester United team finish in 13th place in the table only 5 point`s ahead of relegated Sheffield Wednesday.It should also be pointed out Fergie took over a team who finished 4th in 1985-86.So after taking over a team who were heading for a relegation scrap under Roy Hodgson finishing 8th would not be as bad as some people are making out.

If their is one thing I detest it`s fan`s who slag off the team especially when it`s in the presence of fan`s of rival club`s.Or a fan who take`s a great interest in the team when they win yet whinge and moan about everything when they lose.We are Liverpool and we are unique.We have alway`s being a family club and in many way`s an image of the city of Liverpool.The city of Liverpool has always stood together and being united in the face of a crisis.The Kop is known for it`s loyalty and love.It was the great Bill Shankly who once said “They can blow the ball into the opposistion`s net”

I do not consider myself blind because I am affording Kenny Dalglish time to get thing`s right.I consider myself as having the knowledge,in understanding that greatness is not achieved overnight.It was the Chinese philosopher Conficius who once said a journey of a thousand mile`s begin`s with a single step.Liverpool fan`s are respected the world over for their knowledge and understanding of the game.We are not Chelsea.We do not sack manager`s every 5 minute`s.It is not our philosophy.It never has being and if it ever would of being then we would not be standing proud as the most successful english club of all time.

Unity is a word I have used alot in my blog`s and I am a strong believer in the word.I firmly believe you achieve nothing without it.The only way Liverpool will get back together is by everyone sticking together.Take Barcelona they are a great team.Lionel Messi is a great player but Lionel Messi is only a component of the “Barcelona team” as great as a player he is he stand`s as one in a team of eleven player`s.In fact he make`s up 0.09% of his team whenever he play`s.For those of you who are still not convinced imagine Lionel Messi playing on his own.I guarantee he would lose every time.

As much as I disagreed with the appoinment of Roy Hodgson I only called for his head at the end of his reign when thing`s were desperate.Up until then he had my backing.I never wanted the team to lose while he was in charge.I do have doubt`s like everyone else.I do doubt Andy Carrol yet I do believe in him at the same time if that make`s sense.If it took a prolific goalscorer like Andy Cole 3 year`s to settle at Manchester United then why cant Andy Carroll be given until next season to prove himself?If David Beckham only became a regular for Manchester United when he was 22,then why not give 20 year old Jordan Henderson 2 year`s to excel?And if Paul Ince took 3 year`s to settle at Manchester United then why not give Charlie Adam at least a year to settle in?

No matter what way you look at it folk`s Kenny deserve`s to be afforded time.He is a living legend who has proved himself in management and love`s the club to death.His Liverpool team`s of the 80,s and early 90,s played a thrilling and breathtaking style of football while picking up lot`s of silverware in the process.He also won “The Premiership” with little Blackburn Rover`s who had not won the league for over 80 year`s.The hater`s will say he spent a fortune but in reality Manchester United`s squad was worth more.Also when Kenny won the championship with Blackburn Alex Ferguson smashed the transfer record by paying Newcastle 7 million for the service`s of Andy Cole.At the moment I dont see one really strong argument for sacking him.In fact I think I speak on behalf of all Kopite`s by saying it would be crazy.KEEP THE FAITH-YNWA

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Mar29

KING KENNY WILL NEVER WALK ALONE…

by owen kavangh
Posted In: Fan Reactions, General LFC

 

Stability,patience and dilligence are word`s that define “The Liverpool Way” Liverpool Football Club has become renowned over the year`s for the backing,patience and faith they have shown in their manager`s.Kenny Dalglish is a living legend.He has done it all.His ability as a player was almost hard to believe.He proved himself as a brillant young manager in the 80,s and 90,s.His Liverpool team played a pass and move style of football that was hitherto never witnessed in English football.Having returned to manage Liverpool in January 2011 after a 20 year abscence his return was lionized by Liverpool fan`s.King Kenny was seen as a saviour of the club after the hullabaloo of the Roy Hodgson era.Fast forward 15 month`s and already a portion of LFC,s fan`s are pursuing his sacking.I am relentlessly hearing statement`s like he just cant get the best out of the player`s,He`s a 1980,s manager,His tactic`s are all wrong.Gerard Houllier summarized the situation adeptly when he declared “In Football you can go from Attic to Basement very quickly”

Yes everyone is entitled to their “opinion” and yes we are all Liverpool fan`s but some thing`s are either true or false.Liverpool Football Club is like every other football club in that it is a football club yet Liverpool Football club has it`s own uniqueness it`s own philosophy and fan`s need to realise and respect that.Liverpool Football Club became and still are the most successful English team ever by standing by their manager`s not sacking them.To demand Kenny be sacked after 15 month`s in the job is laughable.

Alot of the brickbat`s Kenny is getting thrown at him from the media is in relation to how he has wasted the club`s money in the transfer market.I personally think it`s very unfair.He has only had 2 transfer window`s.Due to the upheavel of the Hick`s and Gillett era he is having to reconstruct a not just a team but a whole squad.Hence it take`s time.It never cease`s to amaze me how some fan`s expect the manager to get 100% of his signing`s right.It has never happened before and is very unlikely to ever happen in the future.Kenny signed Bellamy,Suarez and Enrique.Fair enough he did sign Henderson,Downing,Adam and Carroll havent,yet all 4 still could and in the case of Carroll and Henderson they are still very young and deserve time.

It should also be noted that Kenny want`s what the fan`s have being crying out for,for year`s a pass and move Liverpool team.When he took the job he spoke of his admiriation for Arsenal and Barcelona.With Kenny trying to fabricate a team in the mould of Liverpool team`s of the past it is obviously gonna take “time” It was Dutch legend Johan Cruyff who once remarked beautiful football is the best to watch but the hardest to play.Just for the record guy`s the great Bill Shankly did not get Liverpool playing their famous pass and move game overnight it took year`s to master.

Liverpool despite dropping way to many point`s in the league this season have played some lovely football and dominated game`s.Fair enough we havent taking our chance`s but I just see that as part of our evolution.It was never going to click into gear so soon.It just wasnt possible.Easy and Difficult support each other.What was once difficult becomes easy with nurturing and time.Liverpool already have got the defensive part right.With more time player`s will mature and benefit from playing with and adapting to each other.Also this is by no mean`s the finished squad.You can be sure their will be more signing`s over the next 2 year`s.

Alot of people are of the opinion that Kenny is a yesteryear manager,A man stook in the 80,s.Alot of supporter`s are complaining about his tactic`s.Well I would challenge these people.The first thing I would ask them is do they have the knowledge required to criticize?What is often seen by supporter`s as negative tactic`s are positive and vice versa.For instance if a manager play`s a 4-5-1 formation it is seen as negative yet what is the difference between a 4-3-3 which is seen as positive and a 4-5-1?The only difference is whether the winger`s push up or hang back.If the winger`s push up it turn`s into a 4-3-3 and if they hang back it turn`s into a 4-5-1.So what`s the difference?

Kenny has alway`s being a student of the game.Alan Hansen once said he eat`s sleep`s and drink`s football.He was never done watching football even though he was out of the game for year`s.Plus he had being around Anfield and Melwood for 18 month`s prior to being appointed as manager which would of brought him well up to speed with the “modern game” His record as a manger is 4 league title`s 2 fa cup`s and a league cup with the possibility of another fa cup soon and dont forget one of those league title`s came with little Blackburn Rover`s in the “PREMIERSHIP” Not half bad for a guy who according to some people doesnt have a clue what he`s doing.Fair enough I am dissapointed with our league form and we might only finish 6th this season but if we do and win the league and fa cup then it`s progress and alot of progress on the catastrophe that was the 2010-11 season.

He is our manager,he is our leader,he is our inspiration.He is in my opinion the man to take us forward.I am not saying I am 100% right as I do not have a crystal ball and nothing in life ever is sure to happen.However based on his record his love and commitment to the club I think I speak on behalf of most Liverpool fan`s when I say “The King Deserves time” KING KENNY DALGLISH WILL NEVER WALK ALONE”

1 Comment
Mar15

JUST WHERE DO WE STAND?

by owen kavangh
Posted In: Fan Reactions, General LFC

 

I remain fully behind John W Henry,Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli.As far as I am concerned Liverpool`s owner,manager and director of football are still in the “laying the foundations stage” of what they are trying to build.A competitive and successful Liverpool team.No doubt progress has being made since last season.We are dominating game`s more,creating far more chance`s by playing positive pass and move football.Our defence has also improved.Kenny brought a trophy back to Anfield for the first time in 6 years and we are still in the Fa Cup.However our point`s tally does not make good reading.It is unlikely that we will even match last season`s point`s tally.So just where do we stand now?

It is a very difficult question to answer.Everyone`s entitled to their opinion of course.Fact of the matter is though nobody can predict what`s going to happen in the future with 100% certainty.When I first started to understand football all those year`s ago it was widely accepted by supporter`s that any player not matter how talented would need at least a year to settle upon signing for a new club.That way of thinking generally speaking belongs in the past.It has being replaced by a new demanding,impatient frame of mind.Alot of supporter,s expect and expect big thing`s of a player who might only be at a club 2-3 month`s.

This is a very new Liverpool team that was alway`s going to take time to gel and develop.Rome was`nt built in a day and great side`s are not built over night.Damien Comolli said a few week`s ago that the hard work has already being done and I can see Comolli`s point.The sensible approach when building a team is to build from the back.Liverpool`s back five of Reina,Johnson,Agger,Skrtel and Enrique have all being in superb form and are all coming into what should be their best years`s.With an avergae age of 27.2 and 1171 game`s among them Liverpool`s back 5 should serve us very well over the coming year`s.

Throw in the injured by ever-improving Lucas as an anchor man protecting the centre back`s and our defence look`s very solid.Not since the day`s of Hyypia,Henchoz and Hamann have I felt as secure about the centre of our defence.Lucas at 25 can only get better.Up until Lucas got injured Liverpool had the best defence in the league.Our defence offer`s so much to the team going forward aswell.It has often being said that attack is the first form of defence and that`s true but with truly great side`s such as the current Barcelona team and the Liverpool team`s of the 70,s and 80,s defnce was also the first form of attack.Pepe Reina is very forward thinking and alert with his accurate long range goal kick`s.While Danile Agger is Alan Hansenesque with his dribbling skill`s.Skretl has become more positive with time while Enrique and Johnson are very attack minded.We have the young Kelly,Coates,Flanagan and Robinson as back up.Plus the experienced but maybe washed up legend that is Jamie Carragher.

Take these 6 defensive player`s that I have mentioned Reina,Johnson,Agger,Skrtel,Enrique and Lucas and I dont really see any need for change.These player,s are capable offering the team defensive qualitie`s aswell as offensive qualitie`s.Stevie Gerrard is a sensation and I dont think any fan would ever question his inclusion.His Supermanlike performance against Everton just summed up what he is all about-Fingers crossed he can just keep himself fit.Consequently our midfield has being subject to alot of criticism this season.Alot of fan`s are anxious about Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing.In the case of Adam I do think he was signed as a squad player and secondly I dont think we have seen the best of him.Liverpool is a whole new experience for him.A club like Blackpool is absolutely different to Liverpool.I say give Charlie Adam a year to settle then judge him.Likewise Stewart Downing who like Adam has never played for a club of Liverpool`s stature.Both should be in or reaching the prime year`s and that`s why I use the word “settle” as opposed to develop.

Develop is a word I would use for Jordan Henderson.He is only 20 years of age and has already shown some glimpse`s of brillance and he is a real intellignt footballer.Which is why I think he will mature quickly and turn out to be an excellent buy.This season and next will be his “apprenticeship season`s” as he gain`s experience from giving the wrong ball,making the wrong run,tackling too early or too late etc.I would put Jonjo Shelvey in the same bracket as Coates,Flanagan and Robinson.From what I have seen I really like all 4 player`s but I have being really excited about young player`s before only to watch them fade into oblivion.Time will tell.Jay Spearing has made great stride`s in my opinion and is improving all the time.He is really proud to play for Liverpool and remind`s me of Javier Mascherano in that despite being tiny in size he has a heart like a lion and never know`s when to give up.

Craig Bellamy has proved a really shrewd signing.He has had a great season.He combine`s experience with a great workrate.Dirk Kuyt is in many way`s a portrait of Bellamy with his knowledge of the game and endless effort.Both player`s have an enormous enthusiasm for playing football.Maxi Rodriguez is a player I have alway`s rated highly.True he does have some stinker`s but he has contributed alot since signing for Liverpool.He alway`s chip`s in with Goal`s and assit`s.I suppose these 3 player`s being the wrong side of 30 will possibly be sold in the summer as no doubt Kenny will want to re-shape and improve our squad but only a fool would write any of these player`s off.All 3 are very good player`s and still have alot to offer.

Luis Suarez enrapture`s my mind.He is a little magician who is a joy to watch.He bring`s thing`s to the game that are from another planet.His link up play with Gerrard against Everton was fantastic.It really was a joy to watch.It was poetry in motion.The chemistry was super-reactive with each player knowing exactly what the other was going to do.King Luis as he has become known to the Kop can only get better which is a scary thought.Andy Carroll has shown in recent week`s that he is slowly but surely getting better.His link up play with Suarez has improved as has his all round game.He seem`s to be getting more confident as the week`s go by.He seems to be getting stronger with more self belief and at 23 he cant be wrote off.

So just where do we stand at this moment in time?I have picked out many positive`s along with some not so positive`s which was alway`s going to be the case.If you are building a house you dont pass full judgement on the house until it is fully built and decorated not just when the foundation`s have being laid.Which is the stage Liverpool are at,at the moment.At the start of the season I did expect us to improve on last season`s point`s tally of 58.While we still can it is unlikely and that is a dissapointment.I am still looking forward to hopefully going back to Wembley and winning the Fa Cup and being competitive in the league and accumulating as many point`s as possible.It is unlikely we will catch Arsenal but we have got to keep believing and giving it 110% in every game.As for next season I am already looking forward.I fully expect Kenny to sign at least 2-3 player`s and I fully expect this team to mature and finish higher up the table next season-KEEP THE FAITH-YNWA

1 Comment
Mar02

AT THE END OF THE STORM THERES A GOLDEN SKY…

by owen kavangh
Posted In: General LFC, Owens Blogs

Last Sundays League cup final victory over Cardiff City was a huge step forward for Liverpool Football Club.Make no mistake about it.It was a massive victory.Fans of rival clubs will always try and knock our achievement by saying things such as its only a mickey mouse trophy,its only Cardiff,You only won on penalties etc etc etc.No trophy is ever easy to win.The league cup contrary to popular belief is never easy to win.It took Alex Ferguson 6 years to win.Arsene Wenger in his 16 years as Arsenal manager has never managed to win it.Liverpool had to go 7 games unbeaten to win the trophy.Which included victories over Chelsea and Man City.Therefore no one is going to tell me it was easy.

It was great to back at Wembley after a 16 year abscence.It was a fantastic occasion with 90000 people inside the famous Wembley stadium.I never felt Liverpool were going to lose.I taught the clubs history served us very well going into the final.All the talk leading up to the game was about Liverpool returning to there second home Anfield south.It almost felt like our destiny to walk up the famous Wembley steps and lift the trophy.I felt it gave the players great self belief going into the final.Liverpool were never going to disrespect Cardiff City and go into this game half-hearted.They wanted to win this game every bit as much as Cardiff did.

Cardiff City and their supporters deserve massive credit for the performance they put on at Wembley.They took the game right to the wire.Both sets of supporters were united in their respect for each other.The reds against the blues at Wembley stadium.It was the stuff dreams are made of.I daydreamed to myself while the game was on about what it would of being like to lead out my beloved Liverpool in a cup final in front of such a huge crowd.What the spectacle showed us was that their really isnt another league in the world like the premiership.In what other league would you get 90000 people showing up for a league cup final?

Losing for me was not an option.The consequences would of being disastrous.It would of sent shock waves right through the club.We have all seen the effect it had on Arsenal last season.George Graham once said winning becomes a habit and it does but so does losing.After all the effort the players put in losing would of left them feeling drained.Winning the cup however will have them feeling like they can climb Everest.

Watching Stevie Gerrard walk up the famous Wembley steps reminded me so much of Ronnie Whelan walking up the Wembley steps in the 1989 Fa Cup Final.With Kenny back as manager it really was a case of going “Back to the Future” I can only see positives from this victory.We can only go forward.Losing against Northampton in the 3rd round of the competition last season was a really low point in Liverpools long and proud history.But as the words of the song go “AT THE END OF THE STORM THERES A GOLDEN SKY” YNWA

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Feb16

FERGIES RUNNING SCARED OF LFC…

by owen kavangh
Posted In: Fan Reactions, General LFC, Owens Blogs

Yes its true.Alex Ferguson is running scared of Liverpool Football Club.His post match comments about Luis Suarez after last Saturdays game at Old Trafford were the biggest compliment Suarez has recieved so far.Ferguson is a great manager that goes without saying.He can identify talent when he sees it.Last Saturday his comments about Luis Suarez were extreme when he called Liverpools number 7 a disgrace for not shaking Patrice Evras hand.Fergie was also of the opinion that Suarez should never play for Liverpool again.One has to ask themselves the question-Would Fergie of made such a fuss about the situation if it was a player of average ability?I doubt it very much.Alex Ferguson does not want Luis Suarez at Liverpool Football Club.Nor does he want Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool Football Club.

Fergie was perfectly at ease when Roy Hodgson was manager of Liverpool.In fact he promoted the idea of Hodgson being Liverpools manager as he never seen Roy Hodgson as a threat.Alex also promoted the idea of Tom Hicks and George Gillett being owners of Liverpool Football Club.In 2009 when he was asked what he had made of the upheavel Hicks and Gillett had caused at Anfield,He simply smiled and said “long may it continue”Ferguson is like every Manchester United supporter in that he is obsessed with Liverpool.Just after being appointed as Man Utd manager in 1986 he instantly spoke about “knocking Liverpool off their perch” Fergie cleary doesnt want Liverpool to be successful.

Only a very naive person would lump all of the blame on Luis Suarez for what happened with Patrice Evra.First of all Evra cannot be trusted that goes without saying.Evra was called a liar and a man of low character by his own FA in 2010.Secondly when you have Man Utds chief executive David Gill as part of the decision making then Suarez was never going to be found innocent was he?

If Liverpool were to get it right then the fickle Man Utd supporters who were all calling for his head in 1990,2005 and 2006 would be no doubt be calling for him to be sacked once again.It is one thing being second to Blackburn,Arsenal and Chelsea but if Man Utd were to start finishing second to Liverpool then the shit really would hit the fan and Fergusons position as manager would be under serious threat.By constantly taking swipes at Liverpool down the years Ferguson has enhanced his standing among Man Utds support.Although it doesnt even come close to the love and affection that The Kop has for Kenny Dalglish.Ferguson knows this and therefore its easy to see why he is so insecure about what Liverpool are doing.

Luis Suarez is a magician a truly world class footballer who can only get better.He is a special player that any manager could build a team around and for me he has to be part of this exciting,young vibrant team Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli are building.The london school of economics said recently that the Boston Red Sox were the best run sports franchise in the world as they were the only sports franchise in the world being run with money and brains.With FSG Kenny and Comolli in charge Liverpools future is very positive.Ignore the rubbish written in the newspapers by the biased Man Utd media.We are Liverpool Football Club and we always stand together.

Togetherness is something that is needed in any football club if the club wants to compete and be successful.Kenny Dalglish not only stabilised Liverpool when he returned as manager but he also brought great unity,togetherness and harmony to Liverpool.Hence the reason why Ferguson has tried to cause so much confusion and uproar.My message to all Liverpool fans is stick together,support the team as much as you can and ignore Alex Fergusons words.They are only words.Our love for our great club goes way beyond our dislike of Manchester United.Let them hate us as much as they want.We are moving forward under Kenny and Luis Suarez is going to be a part of the brillant future we are going to have.KEEP THE FAITH-YNWA

1 Comment
Feb03

WELCOME BACK KING LUIS

by owen kavangh
Posted In: General LFC, Owens Blogs

Luis Alberto Suarez is about to return to action for Liverpool Football Club after sitting out an 8 match ban.Despite the fantastic recent run of results without him.The return of Senor Suarez can only improve this Liverpool team.Liverpools number 7 has become a hero to Kopites ever since his debut just over one year ago.The Uruguayan is blessed with amazing technique that most footballers can only dream about.His close ball skills are exceptional so exceptional that they would put most Brazilians to shame.These close ball skills,technique and razor sharp thinking would almost have you believe he was a certified escape artist as no space seems to confined or no corner to tight when opposistion players try to make it difficult for him when he is in possession of a football.While watching him in action I have often found myself puzzled at the amount of space he manages to create for himself especially late on in games in the final 3rd of the pitch.You would imagine every opposistion manager comes up with a plan to stop Suarez as Suarez is what makes this Liverpool team tick just like our current iconic manager did with all those great Liverpool teams of yesteryear.

Nevertheless he always seems to find himself in acres of space no matter who the opposistion is or no matter what there tactics or stategy are.I often just sick back,laugh to myself and marvel at his awareness of what is going on around him.Such as where or players are on the pitch what run they are about to make and where the opposistions players are etc etc etc.This splendid awareness coupled with a psychic-like abiltiy to see things before they happen means one would be inclined to believe Suarez was trained as a jedi-knight as opposed to a footballer.You can coach a footballer how to control a ball,how to shoot,how to tackle and how to dribble-the usual textbook stuff.Luis “The little magician” Suarez on the other hand brings things that are the works of a genius.His style is a work of art which you wont find in any textbook and like a truly great artist he excels at his work.Suarezs dazzling skills are there for all to see but one aspect of his game which should be never overlooked is his workrate.

Like a true Soldier in battle Suarez will never surrender.If he lost his arm and leg while playing for Liverpool he would still give everything he had in an effort to battle on.His celebration of Dirk Kuyts winner against arch-rivals Manchester United cleary shows how passionate he is.He has got Liverpool red running through his veins.His desire to win is there for all to see.Finishing second is not an option for him.He is one of those people who doesnt have the word failure in his vocabulary.The desire to be the best is written across his eyes.You can be sure that the 8 match ban he recieved will only motivate him more and should spur him on to greater heights as a footballer.I must admit I do see positives from the ban.

If one footballer in our squad was in need of a rest it was Suarez.He played 48 games for Ajax in the 2009-10 season then jetted of to play for his native Uruguy at the 2010 fifa world cup where they reached the semi finals.He then played 37 games for Ajax and Liverpool in 2010-11 and then headed off to the 2011 copa america where Uruguay won the tournament.All this would of had to taken its toll on Suarez.So maybe the fact he has missed the last 8 games will mean he comes back fresher and fitter.We have also shown that we can manage to win without Suarez in the team albeit without playing what you would call champagne football!We are in the final of the league cup the last 16 of the fa cup and our 4 points behind Chelsea in the table.We have ever reason to be positive.Dirk Kuyts winner against Man Utd could well prove to be one of those season-changing moments.The confidence in the camp is cleary sky-high now and I fully expect us to surge forward till the end of the season.

Suarez linking up with Gerrard is a mouth-watering prospect that we are all waiting to see.If they can develop that Dalglish/Rush  type understanding then Liverpool really will be a force to be reckoned with come the end of the season.I personally am also very excited to see how the Suarez/Carroll partnership will develop now that Carroll is starting to find his feet.In the last few games Carroll looks far less anxious then he has in previous games.He looked very stiff and low on confidence but seems to becoming more confident.Stress was written all over his face but now looks more relaxed.He has is far from the finished article but seems like he is getting there bit by bit.It was the famous Chinese Philosopher Conficius who once said “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” Andy Carroll looks like a man who has walked 200 miles(one fifth of the way of his journey)and picked up experience and hardships along the way but is now getting stronger and stronger.

Too many people have wrote off the Suarez/Carroll partnership way too quickly.People made the mistake of comparing Carroll to Suarez.Every human being is different and reacts differently to different situations.People became obsessed with the transfer fee-The 35 million Kenny paid Newcastle for Andy Carroll was not set by Andy Carroll.Newcastle were in a very powerful position when it came to bargaining with Liverpool.We had just recieved 50 million pounds off Chelsea for Fernando Torres.Newcastle knew we were desperate for a centre forward.It was the last day of the transfer window and Liverpool needed Andy Carroll.No team has ever played without a centre forward as you need a point of reference in your team.Also Kenny is looking long term with Andy Carroll.Andy Carroll is just gone 23.He could easily spend 10 years at Liverpool providing he prospers and plays well.Divide the 35 million by 10 and it becomes 3.5 million a year.Hardly alot of money in todays game.

Alot of people were of the opinion that Carroll was not good enough because he was English and use to playing premiership football.Where Suarez was a foreigner and adopted very easily to the the premiership.That was very narrow-minded in my opinion.Carroll was only 22 when he signed and had never played at a big club.Suarez played for Ajax who are a massive club.He was use to pressure.Bear in mind Suarez could fit into any team playing any kind of football.Carroll on the other hand is a what I call a typical european footballer.A typical european footballer being a player who needs to be trained and nutured.Carroll could cleary not fit into any system like Suarez.He cleary needs time but heres hoping Kenny polishes him to perfection.Nor does Carroll seem as mentally strong as Suarez.

Speaking of mentality-There is no doubt in my mind both Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll are mentally stronger than they were this time last year.For me this partnership still has the potential to be lethal.Either way the return of Luis Suarez is a massive boost for everyone involved with Liverpool Football Club.I really look forward to seeing Suarez the gunman fire us to glory in 2012.keep the faith-YNWA

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