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Poor Rafa Shows He's Worried
I understand Rafa Benitez is upset that a player like Gareth Barry would decide to take money over the obvious lure of playing for the 'world famous' Liverpool. ow dare he snub such a revered and prestigious club in favour of a bigger pay cheque?
As a lifelong City fan, I do find it a little strange that Mr Barry chose to play for us over Liverpool but who am I to complain? Now that we are the so-called 'Richest Club In The World' why shouldn't we be allowed to throw silly money around the place? It's only what Chelsea did a few years ago, what's wrong with having some ambition? Are we just supposed to sit on a huge stack of money and be content with being an 'also-ran' in the league? After many years of relative obscurity and under-achievement I find it a refreshing change that our club can actually afford me the opportunity to feel optimistic about what we can realistically aim to achieve. Yes, I am under no illusion that the club will now be held up as a prime example of what is wrong in the world of football today but come on, give us a break? We haven't won a major trophy since 1976. Why shouldn't we be allowed our five minutes in the sun? How else is a team supposed to be competing for the Premier League without signing some quality players and yes, for a club like City to do so it's going to take a large offer to persuade any decent players to join us over the so called 'Big 4'.
I feel I'm rambling too much so let me finish by saying f*** off Rafa, why don't you and your pauper club go find some decent owners who can actually afford to buy the club without putting yourselves up to your eyeballs in debt for the next gazillion years, all your whinging about how much money we now have just exposes how worried you are that we might actually provide some serious competition for the Premier League title this year!
Andy (clearly deluded but quite frankly couldn't give flying f*** whose noses we put out of joint in our pursuit of Premier League and Total World Domination) West, CTID
But He Speaketh The Truth...
Rafa Benitez is rapidly becoming my favourite thing in football, not only has he given my club a genuine whiff of domestic success (I am not saying we will win the Prem but it's clear we are closer than ever, provided we can keep our best players of course), but he is also becoming increasingly reliable in the media department - if you want a story, just interview Rafa (in much the same way that if you want an entertaining final, make sure the Pool are there).
I'm sure F365 must be loving him as well, because he is the one providing them with the soundbites these days, perhaps filling the media vacuum left by Mourinho, but to my mind in a much more thoughtful and less self-obsessed manner - fair enough the context of his statements always allow the naysayers to criticise him, but if you focus on his actual words, rather than how they are presented - he is talking a lot of sense. For instance, Barry jilted him at the altar and his words today can be interpreted as the sourest of grapes, but surely he also speaks the truth and genuine fans are concerned that their beloved sport is becoming more about the money than ever?
I'll just focus on Rafa's main points - the Ferguson press conference last season, which will always be known as 'Rafa's Rant', was nothing of the sort - it was a calculated, rational and controlled assault, and most intelligent observers have agreed that he actually has a point. Everyone, even United fans can see how Ferguson has become the master of manipulation when it comes to referees and the FA, all of his success has been built on the twin pillars of an excellent (and very expensive) squad and a well-honed persecution complex within that squad. A siege mentality is invaluable when trying to get the best out of players.
Ferguson practically invented the current status quo of media machinations dominating football, his comments before games about managers, referees and key opposition players lit the spark which has led to the media becoming a valuable weapon in world football - just look at Spain and how that completely honourless club Real use the media to unsettle players, or how comments in the media have led to death threats and referee retirements in the recent past. Rafa even tried it on Drogba before the Champions League semi which backfired in spectacular fashion, but give him credit for being fearless and continuing to try to use the media to his advantage.
Today's belittling of Barry by Benitez appears extraordinary on the face of it - just the wailings of unrequited lover, howling at the moon because he was stood up in humiliating fashion. Not only was Benitez dumped by Barry, he was dumped in public for the newer and richer fellow down the road. Of course this is going to rankle more than a little bit, and perhaps Rafa ought to have been the grown-up and let it lie, secure in his knowledge that Barry made a mistake and that Rafa retains the biggest balls of them all, much bigger than Hughes', but if Rafa wanted to make a point he has certainly done so.
Look at it from Liverpool's perspective - there are other clubs with more money circling our best players - Rafa has stated that money should not be the most important thing in football and that success comes from teamwork not having the largest bank balance, and to my mind he is right. An imbalance in money inevitably leads to an imbalance in competition - i.e. in a sport dominated by money the richest clubs will succeed more often that not (and they undeniably do). Rafa has cleverly devalued the wealthiest clubs and added value to success with Liverpool because it will have been done without money, it is a more genuine success. Liverpool are one of the richest clubs in the world I know, but we can now be consistently outbid by an ever-growing number of our rivals, so Rafa is doing the right thing in bringing Liverpool's other attributes to the fore.
Rafa's fundamental point is that passion is more important that money - can anybody really argue with that?
Morgan (those saying the game has changed and Rafa's view is outdated are missing the point - football is eating itself at the moment and money is the cause) Goford
So United Need Strikers?
It amazes me to see that Man United continue to be linked with strikers in the tabloids when it is so obvious that it is the center of midfield that needs strengthening. With a strike force of Berbatov, Rooney, Owen, Wellbeck and Macheda, where exactly would supposed targets Ibrahimovic (grossly overrated/original big game bottler) and Huntelaar (not as good as Ruud) fit in? That would be like already having David Beckham and then buying Sebastian Veron. (Whoops!) Unless SAF plans to put Rooney in the attacking central midfield role (an idea I like very much) adding another striker would only cause friction amongst the established strikers and stunt the development of the younger ones, Macheda and Wellbeck.
As was already known, but made painfully obvious in the Champions League final, United need a destroyer in midfield (either as cover or as replacement for Hargreaves) and even more importantly a creative attacking central midfielder to take over from Scholes (the circa 1996 Scholes). In the ball-winning role, Sporting's Miguel Veloso seems to be off the radar, but would be a good acquisition, as would Yaya Toure, who thankfully, has been linked with United. Apparently Douglas Costa is being monitored by United, and for me he would be a brilliant acquisition. Check him out on YouTube. Sure he's only 18, but what an exciting player. In time, he could make one forget a certian prat who left for Madrid.
G, Singapore
Stick Them On Ebay
With news that Real Madrid and Barcelona are set for a 'bidding war' over Cesc Fabregas, will we soon see the first player sold on e-bay? I would rather watch the clock countdown on a potential signing than keep refreshing Newsnow...
Rob (Phil Brown could have made a formal bid on Owen on that site) Godwin
When Is A Fan Not A Fan?
This may turn in to a baseless rant, with no hope of publication other than a Friday mailbox in July, but am I the only person who would draw a distinction between being a 'supporter' of a club and being a 'fan'. While I would call myself a Liverpool supporter, I would feel a bit uncomfortable calling myself a 'fan' and would never refer to myself as a 'fan'.
For me fans are something you see at a Britney Spears concert, screaming and shouting for an individual, while football supporters are more concerned with the health of their club, the image, rather than an individual. It would be hard to see a group of Arsenal 'fans' over 12 years of age screaming and shouting if they see Arshavin walking down the road, despite their admiration.
But as the unveiling of Ronaldo in Madrid this week showed, football appears to be constantly moving towards a situation where individuals are increasingly viewed as popstars, and marketed as same. This may lead to a blurring between what is expected of a supporter (i.e. cheer on the team, go to matches, maybe buy a scarf) and that expected of a fan (see Manchester United club shop).
Just wondering if anyone else had views on this, or maybe its all in my head...
Kevin, Tipp in Melbourne
Hull Should Sack Phil Brown
Three weeks ago I was excited at the thought of Michael Owen, Frazier Campbell and Nick Barmby being the hottest trio in the league, banging the goals in for Hull City. It is probably fair to say that I have gone from dreams of a top-four finish to ones which now see the Tigers being relegated by November (in spirit at least). A lot has been said about Phil Brown, some positive, but mostly negative and true.
I have said for a long time that the 'Tango Man' is the reason that Hull City are not able to buy better players. The manager is an attention seeking pe%i$. Everything seems to be about him and not the team. He publicly blames players when they make mistakes whereas good managers deal with issues in private. I am sick of him being in the local, and sometimes national, papers telling the world who he is now trying to sign. Shut the f*** up, sign someone, and then tell us all. Until then stop embarrassing the club.
Get rid of Brown now and get a decent manager that people want to play for. If Brown stays then the Tigers are down.
Phillip (my blood pressure is higher than it should be for this time of morning) Ward
Toulon Or Not Toulon?
In response to Hugh of Cork, some other recent winners of Player of the Tournament award at Toulon are such world-beaters as:
Perenya (ARG) - 1999
Moreno (COL) - 2000
Chara (COL) - 2001
Pinga (BRA) - 2002
Perhaps the most telling statistic of this tournament is that one of the top scorers in 1997 along with Henry was Josh Wolff of the USA. Despite a decently successful MLS career he has scored a paltry 9 goals in 52 caps for his country. Have you seen the level of competition in CONCACAF??
My point is while there are many gems who have been unearthed at Toulon the level of play can be deceptive and make the average seem exceptional. Heck, the level of play at official Under-21 tournaments can be deceptive. Remember Drenthe, Ritgers, Zuiverloon, de Ridder and the other Dutch starlets of just a couple of years ago who were snapped up by bigger clubs after their impressive Under-21 showings? Where are they now?
I'm a United fan and I'm really trying to get excited about Obertan but he stinks too much of another David Bellion. Mind you, Bellion was also bought after we sold our last #7..
Vishnu (All that glitters is not gold, especially if it can't make its way into the Lorient starting XI), New York
...This one goes out to 'digging Hugh' from Cork. Having done some actual research I discovered that a certain Cristobal Jorquera from Chile was the winner of the player of tournament (Toulon) 2009, a chap called Diego Buonanotte (Argentina) the most exciting player of the tournament. Obertan who spent much of the tournament warming the subs bench had actually claimed France's player of the tournament. Oh and Hugh remember, for every Henry, Shearer, Rui Costa, Ginola there's a Sebastian Giovinco 2007 winner of the prestigious Toulon player of the tournament!
John (Sweden)
...Hugh, Cork - Quite an impressive list who have won Toulon Player of The Tournament along with Obertan. However, you missed one. Antony Le Tallec.
Gary 'Shaboi' Orford
The Baldy Challenge
I thought Dave (up the blades) Hughes' Baldy XI was a pretty good team, although I think this Bald XI could have 'em...what do you think?
GK - Richard O'Brien (Crystal Maze presenter)
LB - Duncan Goodhew (swimmer)
RB - Greg Wallace (Masterchef)
CB - Phil Mitchell
CB - Grant Mitchell
LW - Peter Grant (singer, Midnight Oil)
RW - Warren Mitchell (Alf Garnett)
CM - Iain Duncan Smith (politician)
CM - Boy George
ST - Ian Hislop
ST - Gail Porter
Manager - Margaret Beckett.
A little short up front I know, and a little plump throughout - however, remember the old adage, 'the first yard is in your head'. They'd have them on toast!!!
Now for the hairy XI including Brian Blessed, David Blunkett and Rory McGrath.
Bald Yid
Lovely Attilio
Just leaving work and read the mai-box (wasting minutes on a Friday), and would like to thank 'Dave (Up the Blades) Hughes' for reminding me of Attilio Lombardo, it put a smile on my face as I go off to the pub.
I have absolutely no idea why, don't even like Palace.
Andrew (not sure how this works but it seems like the thing to do) Smith, Adelaide via Southampton
Lehmann's Terms
Having read the last couple of mailboxes, I'm a little bit disappointed that the mailbox compiler didn't get round to printing Craig Denham's idea for the Jens Lehmann-based sitcom! Surely it'd make for a better read than the endless "my big 4 team/player/signing's better than your big 4 team/player/signing" debates!
I've got a picture in my head of a show dedicated to the hilarious everyday highjinks of Jens' life, with lots of shouty running jokes ("Do not touch ze hair!!!"), The Hoff playing the lead charater if Jens doesn't fancy it, the much-hated lederhosen and mullet-sporting neighbours, ex-Wigan Athletic fave Denny Landzaat as his long-suffering flatmate ("Getten ze vock auf mein Landzaat!"), the burning hatred of Spanish guys with bleach blonde hair, cameos from old chums Didier Drogba, Oliver Kahn and Graham Poll etc...
Yeah, having read the above back, it's pretty pants, but I'm sure Craig has done a far better job than me. Craig, I say go for it, mate!
Dino (yes, I'm aware of the lazy Teutonic stereotyping, leave it), Manchester
Woah, Here It Is...
The parentheses in 'Adam (would like to read Craig Denham's idea for a Jens Lehmann based sitcom) Graham's' name in yesterday afternoon's mailbox has inspired me to again plead the merits of such a TV programme. Like all good sitcoms, novels, telly programmes and articles, the plot of the show would be entirely secondary to the pun in the title - one of my mates had championed 'Life through a Jens'...
However, I think some sort of event would have to occur that leaves crazy Jens with sole custody of some children - perhaps Oliver Kahn killed their parents on one of his 100mph rampages through Europe or in a Boris Becker type situation, Jens finds that forgotten shananigans in a restraunt cupboard years earlier has left him with a child.
Either way, the ex-Arsenal keeper would be confronted with not only keeping out goals and a love life spiralling out of control, but trying to bring up and discipline an unruly brood of kids! With messy parties and kids wetting the bed big Jens would have to prove he could keep clean sheets on and off the pitch (narf).
Well that's pretty much the pilot sewn up. I reckon it should have a theme tune akin to neighbours and that, if available, Gary Coleman must be considered the front runner to play one of Lehmann's kids.
Craig (could he possibly get two emails printed in two days?) Denham, Edinburgh
Someone's Forgotten Robbie Fowler
It's a slow Friday morning in the office. Decided to be the gamesmaster by getting a few colleagues to guess-timate what the F365 team might look like. No prizes for guessing which family dominates the eleven.
Foster, Ben
Finnan, Steve
Ferdinand, Rio
Ferdinand, Anton
Figueroa, Maynor
Fernandes, Fabrice
Fabregas, Francesc
Fletcher, Darren
Fernandes, Manuel
Ferdinand, Les
Fuller, Ricky
There were some crappy ones that needed to be left out too, Forlan and Folan namely but as lunchtime approaches here in KL, this is our F-ing team.
Hazry (G.Leo, K.Lo and K.Tan were all contributors too - pardon the K.Fed love-in.) Hazer, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Title-Less XI
Hello there, first contribution to the site, and it's been a thinker; whilst everyone's going on about hairiest eleven, ginger eleven etc, what about 'the best eleven without a premiership winners medal between them'?* My line-up would be;
Shay Given
Stephen Carr, Sami Hyppia, Marcel Desailly, Stuart Pearce
Nolberto Solano, Steven Gerrard, Edgar Davids, David Ginola
Jurgen Klinsmann, Gianfranco Zola
If they need a manager I'd have to undoubtably go with David Moyes.
Jerome Cross, Winchester
