The Daily Antoine 15/5/2010 LFC News Digest

We have a new writer, welcome aboard Matthew, here is his first post

Burglars told Alex Gerrard that they would take away her kids more…
(Lock them up and throw away the keys)

Carra hopes to raise £1 million for charity from his testimonial more…
(This is why the guy is a legend)

Dalla Valle wins reserve goal of the year more…
(Congrats)

Stevie G. appears on a new Lucozade billboard  more…
(YNWA Stevie, please make tons of money so you can buy the club)

The LFC fans back Carra’s decision more…
(We all dream of a team of Carraghers)

Yossi’s agent dismisses a move to Roma more…
(Excellent news)

Mascherano’s talks in the meantime are on hold more…
(Oh here we go again)

More talk of Torres going to Chelsea more…
(Don’t do it Fernando)

And Torres is now being chased by Barcelona more…
(Sorry Nando does not speak Catalan, Ba Bye Barca)

However Aldo fears that Torres will be sold more…
(It would be a shame)

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BREAKING NEWS: Liverpool are after Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Yossi Benayoun & Javier Mascherano

Why are we at each other’s throats? PART 2

This morning I posted Neil’s letter, here is his follow up on the posting.

-Antoine

I sent a letter into the Empireofthekop, and although the owner of the site, Antoine, did not agree with all I said he was kind enough to put it in print and I have seen that there are certain people that agree with me and certain people that don’t, again it’s all about respectful opinions.

But reflecting back on what I wrote, and seeing the division of the fans, I do believe I am going about airing my grievances against what is going on at Anfield the wrong way.

It’s going to take a long time to sort out the problems at our club, let’s not kid ourselves, and instead of getting at each others throats we should be working together, we should be prioritising just how to make this club great again.

We can only do this from a platform of strength, and that strength can only come from unity.

We vent out frustrations at each other, with our opinions on how to make this club better again, driving a wedge right down the middle of the supporters that made this club, that gave it its character, the ability to smile, and laugh, when all around us hated the fact we where winning everything, we need to get that character back, we need to put a smile back on
our faces, the laughter back in our hearts, only then shall we, “never walk alone.”together.

I still believe that a complete overall needs to be done through out the club, but it has to be carried out one step at a time, the first and main priority is to rid ourselves of the men at the top, to get a voice on the board so every thing can be out in the open, there can be no hiding place from, YOU, the fan, the mainstay, the lifeblood behind Liverpool Football Club, so no matter where you come from, who you are, lets get together and force them, lets twist their arms so much, that they fracture and splinter.

Then and only then can we debate other issues.

So lets put all our differences behind us, lets us concentrate on getting rid of Hicks and Gillette, let us fight then together, under one banner, I urge all Liverpool football club supporters to join the SOS, let them help us get rid of the duo that must be laughing all the way to the bank, when they see us sharpening the knifes to use on each other, when we should be using the knives on the people that are destroying part of what we live for.

When I am right, I am right, but when I am wrong I am really wrong

Neil

Should I stay or should I go now…?

Summer for Liverpool fans means only one thing, speculation, speculation, speculation and even more speculation. Speculation about the ownership, the manager, the players coming into the club, players going out of the club. Those whose houses are up for sale, the list goes on. This has been the case for a good 3 or 4 years now. The club has been linked with so many players; if we had signed them all our reserves would be awesome. I think transfers last summer have been one of the many downfalls and reasons why our season was so bad for the following reasons:

1. Clearly we lost one of the most talented midfielders in the world, Xabi Alonso.
2. Sami Hyypia’s contract not being extended. I believe he wanted one more year, but the manager insisted he acted as a coach instead.
3. Alvaro Arbeloa. A bit like Steven Finnan in terms of an unsung hero in my opinion. He always did the job, and did it quietly. The sale of Arbeloa meant Rafa had to bring in another Right back, being Glen Johnson, who is probably one of, if not the, best RB in the premier league. However, was he really needed? Did Arbeloa have to go? And could the money that was spent on Johnson, been used to finance for a striker? A position that should have been addressed last summer, but wasn’t.

They are just my thought on the transfers last summer, and Liverpool must learn from their mistakes. Partly it’s down to Rafa Benitez’s transfer policy, one witch I do not agree on.

Personally I am Anti-Rafa, and not just because of what has happened this season, I’m not fickle. I started to go against Benitez 3 or 4 seasons ago, when players like Warnock and Mellor were sold, and when Pako Ayersteran was shunted out the Tapas Bar formally known as the Boot Room. I don’t attack him; I just express my opinion against him. However I do find myself defending him when in debates with other team supporters, mostly my Evertonian mates.

So what does Liverpool need to do this summer in terms of who should stay? And who should go?

Firstly, THE OWNERS NEED TO GO! No debate needed.
Secondly, I heard that Liverpool have to sell before they buy. Who should those players be? For me, players like Philip Degan (wont get much), Fabio Aurelio (talented left back, hit by injuries, don’t see the need to keep him. Even if he was fit, Benitez 9 times out of 10 would pick Insua before him). Albert Riera looks to be going. Ryan Babel (so much optimism, followed with so much disappointment. I’ll be fair to him, he hasn’t been given that many chances by the manager, but when he as, and when he have needed him the most, he hasn’t delivered. Could get 10 – 12 million for him).

Alberto Aquilani, a.k.a The Little Prince, or should that be the Lost Prince, as we never know where he is. Is it fair to sell him after one season? Rafa has done it before, why wouldn’t he do it again. He is for me the worst signing Benitez has made (and that is saying something). We could get 10 – 15 million for him if an Italian Club really wants him. Why should he be sold? Injuries have marked his career, and I don’t think Liverpool would miss him next season.

Other players who have come under the spotlight this season are Lucas, David N’gog and Dirk Kuyt. David N’gog, he has delivered when asked, but he isn’t a back up for Torres. He should be sent on loan to a championship club next season, so he can get some first team football and in doing so, get some experience and toughen up. Lucas Leiva has become the scapegoat for every Liverpool defeat this season, and has been consistently criticised by Liverpool fans, to a level which insults the name Liverpool FC. One of the best players this season, and that’s even with having a leash attached to him. Liverpool’s failures this season have been down to the formations they players have been organised in. Lucas and Mascherano together do not work. But when Lucas is allowed to what he wants to do, he goes on wins a penalty against Lille, scores against Benfica, and sets up goals against Atletico Madrid and Burnley. If someone asked me who would you rather have, Lucas or Anderson from Manchester United…Lucas all day long. And lastly, Dirk Kuyt. I like Dirk Kuyt because of his passion for the Club and his work rate. I also like Dirk Kuyt….as a forward. Whatever Benitez thinks or says, he is not a Right Winger. Right Wingers need to have pace and a good first touch, and lest be honest, Dirk doesn’t have either. Liverpool can be very dangerous on the Counter Attack with Torres up front, however, the Counter Attack always starts with Dirk Kuyt, and it fails miserably. He should be used and do what he’s good at.

Liverpool can make their money and get their balance right by selling the right players, sell the wrong players and the situation all goes wrong.

Who should stay?
Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres
Lucas Leiva
Dirk Kuyt (as a striker)

Who should maybe stay?
David N’gog
Rafael Benitez

Who should go?
The owners
Degan, Riera, Aurelio, Babel, Aquilani
4-2-3-1 and other defensive and cautious formations.

Thanks for reading.

Why are we at each other’s throats?

I received the letter below from Neil and although I disagree with him on the Rafa issue he does make some good points.

Neil and I have had our disagreements and we have said some nasty things to one another however at the end of the day we have come back and agreed to disagree amicably for the sake of our beloved club.

Without a doubt we Reds are all stressed out and feel helpless about the current situation, unfortunately we are channeling the anger against each other instead of the ones who are really responsible. While we might disagree about Rafa, 99% of us agree that Hicks and Gillett need to sell and go away for our club to move forward.

And Neil is right, once Hicks and Gillett leave, things will not change overnight. Unless we get an owner who just dumps billions in the club it will take some time until we can get our footing back.

Stay Courageous and Stay Proud.

Y.N.W.A.
-Antoine

I agree with a lot of the things that you say, the yanks are ripping the club apart, but what makes me laugh is a lot of journalistic gobbledegook, (is that a word) trys to turn it in into a, “let Rafa stay campaign, as its not his fault.” focusing puerly on the yanks, and believe that when the yanks have gone all will be rosy in the garden again, looking at the situation through rose tinted glasses.
i say wake up and smell the coffee, I believe the that there needs to be a clean sweep, you say that Rafa has not had the money, he has, you don’t need all the facts and figures in front of you to know he has spent money, or weather he is in a “transfer profit,” the bottom line is that the players that are there, except for the few, are poor. he has bought the wrong players,he has let the wrong players leave, i cant believe that people defend these players, but i do respect their right to.

yes he has won us the European cup, it can be argued with another mans team, but HE did win it, also the f.a. cup, yes he won it, but we are a poor shadow of the past Liverpool Teams with no silver wear for the past 4 years and with this squad no chance in the near future.

He has changed the whole focus of the youth system to bringing in foreign players instead of looking in his own back yard, Liverpool school boys beat their illustrious counterparts in their own back yard,for the second year on the run, they have since gone on to be champions of England, no mean feat, with an 8-0 demolition of Cambridge at Anfield, and it was not just the score but the way they went about the job, clean clinical pass and move football, but to late for Liverpool as most of these players are with other clubs now.will we ever see another Gerrard or a Carragher play for Liverpool, i believe they only way will be if we have to buy him from some other club.

So please don’t try and tell me that the future of Liverpool football club is in safe hands on the playing side, he has brought all his own back room staff in, including right down to academy level.which is his right, but where does that leave the club if he is sacked or moves on ?

The tactics this season have been extremely poor at times, the decision making atrocious at times, the players look confused, lack direction and confidence, to the point that it sometimes looks like something out of a Laural and Hardy movie,his man management skills leave a lot to be desired.

so please don’t tell me its all one way, that there are only “certain” people to blame, the rot at Liverpool football club extends through the club as a whole , a cancer eating away at the club, and like any cancer you don’t just take part of it away, you take the lot.

YES, the yanks are holding the club to ransom, but i believe that they are not the only ones that are doing this to OUR great club.
ynwa
neil

The Daily Antoine 14/5/2010 LFC News Digest

We have a new writer on E.O.T.K., welcome aboard Jemma, here is her first posting

David Prentice ask if ‘senior Liverpool figures’ are undermining Rafa more…
(Interesting read)

Pacheco has won the reserves award more…
(Congrats, YNWA)

Argentinian defender Nicolas Pareja is being linked with Liverpool more…
(Why do they keep linking us with defenders, I believe we have a strong defence and we actually now are starting to build depth there with Kelly and Ayala coming up.)

And Mesut Ozil is being linked too more…
(Now he is a quality player)

The Istanbul film is set for a New York debut more…
(Start spreading the news)

Kuyt sets Reds target more…
(Great attitude)

Masch is sorry for poor season more…
(Let us pick up the pieces and move on)

And Lucas wants to score more goals more…
(And he can do it)

Remember David Villa? Well he is being linked with Man Utd now more…
(I do not think United have the money)

And David Silva is being linked with Spurs more…
(This would be shocking but it will not surprise me to see Redknapp break the bank there)

Ancelotti wants Torres more…
(No way Carlo)

In the meantime Stevie G is being linked with Inter and Real Madrid more…
(Stevie is staying at ‘Pool)

And finally here is an interesting read regarding our TV earnings more…
(It just kills me knowing that the interest payments is killing us)

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