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James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round
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That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...
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Put Brendan In The Bin
I'd love to know what gives so many of my fellow Liverpool fans this tremendous sense of optimism. What makes you believe any good will come from Brendan Rodgers?
His lengthy managerial career encompassing numerous different countries? (No). Is it his work in a technical capacity for a national FA? (No). Is it that time he took a relatively underfunded club to the title in the face of monolithic opposition? (No). His incredible contact list and ability to unearth hidden footballing talent? (No). Is it his reputation as a canny european tactician? (No).
No, in fact apart from a 180-page dossier Brendan brings nothing at all to the table. I don't do blind faith so have no reason to believe that we'll achieve anything at all with Brendan at the helm.
So for those who are on the bandwagon and believe that some kind of progress is being made or will be made at some mystery point in the future, bravo! But it's not for me, there's no reason to believe in this manager, I've been consistent on that from the start and nobody's going to tell me I'm not a proper fan of this club because I live in the real world.
ScousePride, LFC, Liverpool
...To Wilmhurst...
Firstly, you don't have a f'in clue mate.
It's not that Rodgers bought Allen and Borini - that was bad enough, it's the fact he paid a ludicrous amount of money for them both. Both have been absolutely sh*te for us and it's not like they needed adjusting to life in the Premier League, they are crap and we paid 4-5 times what they are actually worth.
All season - it's not our lack of goals that has cost us points, defensively we have been sh*te, no backbone, no resilience. This hasn't been addressed and most of the players are the same as they were under Benitez (who rarely conceded goals), so what's the problem the players or the coaching?
We do have cash and as Pardeep has pointed out, unfortunately we have totally mis-spent and wasted the GDP of a small nation only to create a mid-table team.
'It will be hard for Rodgers but he needs time and I'm confident he can re-establish Liverpool in the top four over the next few years but beyond that remains to be seen.'
We were a top-four team up to three years ago, since then we have spent in the region £250m and gradually dropped down the league to mid table, f*** me!! Spend £250m and actually get worse. Rodgers is delusional, I can't believe he comes out with some of the crap he does to the media, we need a tough love manager who's gonna stick a rocket up some of these players or move them on and replace them.
So I say you don't know your football and you are usually wrong.
Ash, LFC
Sane Liverpool fans Were Always Sceptics
Alex. LFC, praises his fellow rational Liverpool fans and their sane responses to the 'over the top' reactions of whinging 'fans'. Can I just say that the majority of 'sane' Liverpool fans I know were very sceptical of Rodgers' appointment, very sceptical of his soundbite management and even more suspicious of his £15m welsh Xavi and his £11m striker, neither of whom are now considered good enough for the starting XI, not to mention the strangely disappearing winger, a young German wunderkid striker or the Bundesliga international star who lasted less than six months.
All sceptics hope to be proved wrong but unfortunately the evidence so far is overwhelmingly in favour of the kneejerkers.
Liverpool's faults were not a mystery, a lack of goals/strikers, no width, no cover for a goalkeeper not performing to his previous high standard, centre-backs who don't attack deadball deliveries and an inability to win games dominated in terms of possession. Which of these has he addressed? Sturridge has looked bright but is only five games in and all the other faults still exist, to compound matters, we DID beat teams in the top half of the league (and reach two finals) under Dalglish, perhaps he should look for an opening in the world of economics/finance as overseeing a deteriorating standard of living whilst telling everyone things are getting better seems to be the norm there also.
Howard (ask EFC/MUFC fans if they want Rodgers out and there lies your answer) Jones
Liverpool: Like A Fat Ginger Child
I love Liverpool like a father loves their fat ugly ginger child. I am at the point where I am slowly starting to accept that he will never date the prettiest girls/any girls or get a real job/any job. I still love him though...God he is frustrating...it's the hope I have for him that kills me.
I have never been jealous of my brother's child, Man United, despite the model girlfriend and job in the City. I have always thought my young ginger would have his day. Girls go for personality these days anyway. Size doesn't matter I told him.
Tonight though, I am jealous. My brother's child is off to the ball...with the prettiest girl in the class. My lad won't be there. In fact, I doubt he will be at this ball for a long time. Still never mind...'progression is never linear' as his grandfather always told him.
Diarm (Deflated) Dublin
Blaming The Fans...
After reading the last couple of mailboxes, with the odd nutjob Liverpool fan and I'm pleased to say a number of sane ones, I felt compelled to write in. Judging by his mail, I'm almost certain I had the privilege (!) of being sat near to Daniel Benvenuto at Anfield the other night or at least someone of the same ilk.
Now obviously, there's also a good chance it wasn't him and just some other chap spouting the same nonsense. However, the point of my mail is that obviously this isn't helpful. In our end of Anfield, we were quite near to the away fans and there were a lot of families, some children, first-timers to Anfield etc. These lot were generally excitable at the beginning of the game, but having some plank sat near to you constantly giving it large and being the loudest voice around really sucks the life out of the atmosphere. He didn't have a positive word to say the entire game; one minute we should have been playing three at the back, then the wrong person was taking a corner, then Rodgers was the worst thing ever to happen to the club and we should bring back King Kenny. It just killed the mood around us to the point where even the chap he was with seemed to be refusing to respond to him, the people around him were telling him to shut up and I thought my mother was going to throttle him.
So in short, is it any wonder the atmosphere in the ground is lacking, with the performances on the pitch looking just as flat at times? It only takes a few of these types around the ground to really suck the life out of the place. Would a little positivity kill you? If it would, then maybe just not say anything at all.
Rhys, Liverpool
Why 'Sell And Build' Won't Work For Liverpool
There's just one problem with your mail from this morning, TJ. This is the real world, not Football Manager! Liverpool have tried the old 'sell your biggest asset and build a new team' thing before, and how did that work out? Once teams know you have a cool £40/50 Million sat in your back pocket, suddenly those solid performing sub-£10million players become £20million or more.
Plus, why would they even want to go to Liverpool? I'm 24, a similar or older age of the kind of player they would be looking at, I can't remember Liverpool being a big club. Sure they were a solid top-four team for a while, fluked a Champions League and took United close in the title race a few years ago when Torres was actually good but they aren't even the best team in Liverpool anymore?
Luca James Sparks
...In response to TJ's email this morning, the answer is no. Liverpool should not sell him and re-build, Liverpool should be building a team around him - if that means making him the highest-paid player then so be it. If Liverpool's owners are serious about restoring the team to its former glories, which they said after taking over the club, then they need to give Brendan Rodgers £40-50m to spend so that we can attempt to buy actual quality players instead of 'standard' players Rodgers trusts because he's worked with them before.
And please, no bulls**t about not being in the Champions League means you can't attract quality players. It's complete rubbish and other clubs do it all the team, a prime example being the majority of Spurs signings last summer.
Dazza, Dublin
Loving Lloris
In response to Ben the Baggie, I see your Ben Foster and raise you a Hugo Lloris. Serious man crush on the man right now! Absolutely top-class goalkeeper.
Ross, THFC
Foster? Really?
...we are talking about the same Ben Foster who, by his own admission, hadn't the stones to be a keeper at United? I'd love a clarification on that.
Ron (Bebe for Ballon D'Or 2015), Limerick
...As much as I enjoy revisionist history, Ben (Even after an eight games winless run, its never been so good) Baggie, obvious glee over Ben Foster needs to be tempered a touch.
Ben Foster had his chance at a big club and he blew it. As with De Gea, he made mistakes at United. Unlike De Gea, Foster didn't have the stones to come back from them, hence why he was shipped out to Birmingham.
This mental fragility showed itself yet again when he quit England duty. Some people will no doubt argue that he has done this as he wasn't guaranteed to play. That's some arrogance from a man who hasn't exactly covered himself in glory at the top level wheras the guy he is trying to displace plays for a club where he is under constant scrutiny, unlike Foster, whose heroics are highlighted but mistakes simply aren't as noticeable.
I would say that Foster is a good keeper, but like Tim Howard before him, good isn't enough when the minimum expectation is 'great'. Pressure plays a huge part in performances and the fact the West Brom don't go to Anfield expecting to win, even now, I think says a lot.
Best in the league? Not even in the top four.
Conrad Wiacek, MUFC
Defending Lichtsteiner
I have to write to someone regarding the ridiculous comments made about the so-called consistent fouling by Lichtsteiner on ITV coverage of the Juventus and Celtic game.
After the game there was furious indignation about the 'fouling', Adrian Chiles declaring something along the lines of the player in question being 'the new most hated man in world football'. During the game the hapless Townsend was questioning the actions at every corner.
Here is what I saw. On the first occasion, the Celtic player was sent to 'stand on the keeper', Lichsteiner was obviously told to stop this player from obstructing his goalkeeper. Nothing wrong with that in principle, both teams are pushing the limit on the laws of the game.
What I also saw was the celtic player raising his hands and arms pushing the defender in his attempt to get through to the keeper. The forward had no intention of attacking the ball and with that in mind, how would any defender deal with that; by marking him as closely as possible.
The inevitable happened, the Celtic man got annoyed, the Juventus man carried on doing it. Both went over, both got booked. This did continue throughout the match and at times a penalty could have been given, but the defender pushed exactly to the limit of what the ref would give. How do I know they were not fouls? The referee did not give them. Argument over. Move on.
Probably could do a few more words on this and look up the players' names, but I don't have time sorry. Rant over.
Richard
Oh Dear Kris
Maybe more CL teams should think about training at random third division clubs training grounds from now on. It seems to have done the world of good for Juve! Unlucky Kris Commons ;)
Stuart Mackenzie, Jersey
Dear Mr Mourinho...
If, as reports suggest, your next job is to be in England and if you are indeed 'The Special One', please do me a favour and prove this by rejecting the advances of the multi-billion pound corporate empires of City and Chelsea and, instead, take over the team currently sitting bottom of League Two - AFC Wimbledon last time I checked - and take them Champ Man style up the leagues to Premier League and Champions League glory within five years. Until then, you will be known simply as 'The take over a mega rich club, hand pick players from the elite of european football to add to an already talented squad and spout off about your importance in the same way cereal companies would have you believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day One'.
Felix Montana (Taribo West on a free was a given on any new game game circa 97/98), Newcastle
It's The Big One...
The countdown has begun! It's only a few hours now!! I am actually getting excited about it, who knows what way it will turn out!
I am obviously talking about the dreaded mailbox tomorrow. Will it be filled with opinions such as 'I think it is safe to say that Rooney is not only world class, but also a better player than Ronaldo based on last night's performance!'. Or will it be a case of 'Come on Fergie, this is the third time in four years we have been spanked by a Spanish team when it matters! Open your eyes and buy a new midfield. Cleverly is a busted flush, Giggs and Scholes should be lasagne ingredients by now, Rooney has the touch of a Catholic Priest etc!!'
I just have a horrid feeling it will be filled with, from a neutral's point of view anyway, 'Well that was a load of hype over nothing! Call these two teams two of the best in Europe? What a stinking game that was!' Either way, the possibilities are endless!!
John Whelan (Hope I'm wrong), Dublin
Five Things United Must Do To Beat Madrid
1) Provide adequate, adjustable cover to stop Cristiano Ronaldo. As obvious as this may seem, based on the words of Gary Neville earlier this week, the Portugese won't attack in a linear fashion. According to The Neviller, Ronaldo changed the way he thought about defending, with the forward constantly moving across the final third to target and 'bully' the weakest link in any opposition defence. Having warmed up with a solid hat-trick against Sevilla on Saturday, the United back line will need to be fully aware of the ever-changing threat the former world player of the year poses.
2) Whilst adhering to 1), don't forget about the other threats. Once again, obvious advice, but the likes of Ozil, Benzema, Higuain, Di Maria, even that guy Kaka I hear is meant to be pretty decent are just as capable as anyone else in world football of causing problems to any back four in world football.
3) Target the weak links. If Essien plays, especially at right-back, then the soft underbelly of this Madrid side could be horribly exposed. Unfortunately for Ferguson he has few convincing options on the left wing, but even Nani could give Essien a beasting going on his form thus far in Spain. The same could be said for either full-back playing behind Ronaldo, with the former United man rather lacking when it comes to tracking back - though covering his own full-back should probably be the priority of whomever Ferguson deploys on the flanks.
4) Don't let Varane, Ramos or Pepe physically dominate. Any two of the aforementioned central defenders can and will impose themselves as quickly as possible. The movement of Van Persie and the tenacity of Rooney should be enough to deal with this problem. However, the diminutive Cleverley and the rather one dimensional Chicharito may well struggle.
5) Ensure that Madrid cannot counter. Mourinho and his team have struggled particularly against the likes of Osasuna this season, dogged opponents willing to sit back and soak up pressure so as to stop the Spanish champions from launching lethal counter attacks. Without the desired freedom to play at a pace suited to them (but more importantly, too fast for the opposition) the team appear devoid of creativity. As is to be expected, Cristiano Ronaldo is the go to man in situations such as this, which is why frustrating him as often as possible is the best approach to take..
Jonathan Clarke
How To Save Football
For a few years now, football has been going down the road of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Some people like this. As an English fan I'd rather watch el Classico instead of real Betis v Valencia. But this is not good for the future of the game. We all know, unless there's a freak of circumstances, one of the big clubs from Spain, England or Italy will win the Champions League. Okay, maybe every 10 years a German team may get close but that's it.
And that's how most want to see it. I don't want to watch Ajax play Benfica. But these are two teams are huge in their own country and have a fine history in the competition. And let's face it, they're not going to challenge for it any time soon unless a billionaire takes over and I'm hoping everyone is as sick of these people as I am.
So how is it solved I hear you cry?
Complete overhaul of European competition. Firstly, the Champions League is just for champions. From every top league in Europe. Then it's a knock-out competition. Two legs, home and away and the best part...no seeding. So it gives a team like Ajax that chance to get further in the competition, make money, stop having to sell their best players etc. They can sign more players to be appealing for the neutral fan.
Second place to fourth-placed teams in each league go into the UEFA Cup. No let's not call it the Europa League, that's awful. Again, two-legged games, no seeding, anyone can play anyone and the reward for the run will be much greater financially then it currently is as more big teams will be in it to attract sponsors and viewers.
Lastly, bring back the Cup Winners' Cup for every league's cup winners. If a league has two cups (like we do), they get an extra place. And once again, two-legged games, no seeds. Again, if the financial reward is good enough, teams will take it seriously and by default would take their domestic cups more seriously.
Dave (the answer to a question no one asked) Arsenal
Non-Football Mailbox Entry Of The Day
I've been to the heart attack grill.
It was not taste worth dying for.
Joseph Bennis
