Sunday news report thread

[kopdan]

i think you are being unfair.

They have turned the stadium build around where it was going nowhere under Moores.
We broke our club transfer record...yes I know maybe through sales but Rafa was allowed to spend it on one player whereas before I think it was frowned upon under last owner.
We signed up a fair few first teamers on new contracts quite quickly.

[MrMichael]

Stand back and have look at the situation

The owners have spent a lot of money buying the business, they have pumped money into getting some better quality staff, and they have financially backed the move to a better location and made the planned move better than the original design. They have also let the floor manager get on with his job unhindered by their lack of product knowledge.

So far all is well, all they need is to be in the best markets for the best returns, and for that they need a dedicated quality floor manager to get those to those markets.

Close as that may be it is still not assured.

Sticking point is the manager is demanding more investment than they think is necessary at this time.

Who is right ?

The manager must be right because without the investment the returns will be harder to achieve.

The owners must be right because adding to the debt without the extra returns is not an good investment.

Of course the extra investment may bring the returns but contrarily the returns could be gained without extra investment

One cancels out the other, But he who pays the piper calls the tune.

Would these clever owners therefore sacrifice years of good work to make a point and then appoint a replacement in a field of expertise that they have no knowledge of, I think not, although the incumbent manager is a man of principle who may not back down if cornered.

The owners are extremely succesful business men who surely understand asset management better than most.

I trust they will get it right.

And he will stay to collect his Christmas bonus.

Good post that

They have probably not paid a single pound themselves so far. They have or will take loans against the club.

The money for the transfers this summer probably was the money from the new TV deal and the money from the CL.

A lot of talk and very little action from them so far.

Errr, ok, so any other potential, past or future owners wouldn't do anything of the sort. Remember the Mancs all kicking off about the Glaziers financing of their takeover? Shareholders UTD

Didn't hear too many of them complaining when Fergie got to spunk £80m or whatever on Tevez, Anderson, Nani and Hargreaves a couple of years later.

The only action so far, well, they've completely redone the plans for the new stadium, plans which, I should add, are now vastly improved to what was on offer before.

And they delivered our record signing Torres, plus two very talented (and pricey) youngsters, Babel and Lucas. Players whom you, AFII, described as "Rafa's first choices" yesterday.

That's not "very little action". So what, they're being a bit financially prudent and waiting to see what the situation is before committing to what people seem to expect to be an unprecedented level of spending mid season. Don't get me wrong, if they randomly sacked Rafa, that would be lunacy, and some of the things they have said have been pretty damn silly (as have some of Rafa's quotes too).... but some of the hyperbole on this forum of recent days is nothing sort of gobsmacking; we still don't know if this is all just a cultural misunderstanding being fanned by the usual media nonsense.

[MrMichael]

i think you are being unfair.

They have turned the stadium build around where it was going nowhere under Moores.
We broke our club transfer record...yes I know maybe through sales but Rafa was allowed to spend it on one player whereas before I think it was frowned upon under last owner.
We signed up a fair few first teamers on new contracts quite quickly.

Exactly

[sonsofthedesert]

Good post that



Errr, ok, so any other potential, past or future owners wouldn't do anything of the sort. Remember the Mancs all kicking off about the Glaziers financing of their takeover? Shareholders UTD

Didn't hear too many of them complaining when Fergie got to spunk £80m or whatever on Tevez, Anderson, Nani and Hargreaves a couple of years later.

The only action so far, well, they've completely redone the plans for the new stadium, plans which, I should add, are now vastly improved to what was on offer before.

And they delivered our record signing Torres, plus two very talented (and pricey) youngsters, Babel and Lucas. Players whom you, AFII, described as "Rafa's first choices" yesterday.

That's not "very little action". So what, they're being a bit financially prudent and waiting to see what the situation is before committing to what people seem to expect to be an unprecedented level of spending mid season. Don't get me wrong, if they randomly sacked Rafa, that would be lunacy, and some of the things they have said have been pretty damn silly (as have some of Rafa's quotes too).... but some of the hyperbole on this forum of recent days is nothing sort of gobsmacking; we still don't know if this is all just a cultural misunderstanding being fanned by the usual media nonsense.

As much as I liked Moores we would not have a new plan or any of the players if he still was in charge. Moores had to lend the club money to buy Kuyt, there is a good chance we would have only had a very small amount of money this summer so not bought any of our present players. In the past we have had to sell before we buy, this year we boght the players and then worried about selling the ones we didn't want - this is a first.
I think it is all a misunderstanding, they are worried about an important run of games and want to concentrate on them first and foremost whilst Rafa wants to sort everything now, some understanding will be reached.

[Joe Le Toff]

Doesnt anyone think that Rafas comments were directed more at Parry rather than G & H?
Seemed to me that Rafa didnt want Parry dawdling again in regards to signings.

[Jennings]

I don't think anyone would sack Rafa over this issue. Storm in a teacup. The biggest risk would be Rafa getting fed up and leaving.

Sacking a manager (in any business) has serious repercussions - in terms of recruitment costs; stability etc. All this makes me feel it is unlikely to dismiss someone over what is probably a minor breakdown in transatlantic communications.

I have regular disagreements with my boss. Don't you? We usually get together and sort it out.

[nigecardiff]

The Bascombe Article NOTW

Mourinho tops Kop list

Exclusive by Chris Bascombe

Rafa Benitez will be axedRAFA BENITEZ will be sacked following his latest tirade against Liverpool owner Tom Hicks.

And former Kop hate-figure Jose Mourinho is the shock front runner to replace him.

Liverpool's American owners were already preparing to ditch the Spanish boss (left) after tiring of the constant behind-the-scenes bickering but this week's developments have sealed his fate.

It's now a matter of when not if the Spanish boss leaves Anfield and that's expected to be sooner rather than later.

Despite his epic Anfield bust-ups while at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho tops a wanted list already being assembled by the owners.

An approach will be made once Benitez's departure is confirmed.

The Portuguese boss may have his enemies on Merseyside, but he's recognised as one of the best and most sought after coaches in Europe.

Benitez showed no sign of ducking a fight with his hierarchy following yesterday's 3-0 win over Newcastle, despite knowing his job was on the line.

"It's clear Mr Hicks wants the best for the club. So do I," he said.

"We have been here for a long time and we know what the passion of football means and what the transfer market in Europe means.

"It's not a draft system. We have free players available now. I'm not talking about players that cost money.

"We need to talk to the agents now, if not we will lose targets. In the summer, the players will be more expensive. I have not been talking about spending but doing the opposite. We have brought money back. We brought in £26m this year and you can see the value of the squad.

"We had a meeting on the day of the Arsenal game which was really positive. After this, something changed."

They told me to be focused on coaching and training because Rick Parry will be looking after signing players."

Swing

Benitez won't walk away, adding: "I have passion for this club. The fans who were with me in Istanbul know what it means to me."

With no resignation on the horizon, Hicks (left) and Gillett are now ready to swing their axe regardless of Liverpool's league placing or Champions League progress.

[MrMichael]

I think it is all a misunderstanding, they are worried about an important run of games and want to concentrate on them first and foremost whilst Rafa wants to sort everything now, some understanding will be reached.

There's certainly still a fair hope of this, and that id we do win a few more important.... no, crucial, games in a row, G&T will see there will be a gain (a real shout of the title, and good money coming in from the CL) to be had from a further cash investment in players.

I'd prefer this whole thing to have been done behind closed doors, but I can see sides to both viewpoints and that they can still be reconciled.

I don't think anyone would sack Rafa over this issue. Storm in a teacup. The biggest risk would be Rafa getting fed up and leaving.

Sacking a manager (in any business) has serious repercussions - in terms of recruitment costs; stability etc. All this makes me feel it is unlikely to dismiss someone over what is probably a minor breakdown in transatlantic communications.

I have regular disagreements with my boss. Don't you? We usually get together and sort it out.

More posts like this please

[nigecardiff]

How quickly it took Bascombe to turn into a SENSATIONALIST reporter :-(

[Fowler_God]

Rafa will be sacked! - Bascombe

Is Chris trying to sell papers, or does he know something. The Rag he now writes for says has the headline that Rafa Will Be Sacked!

(dont buy the paper myself, but just seen it on SkySports)

[Sprouty]

Rafa Benitez will be sacked following his latest tirade against Liverpool owner Tom Hicks.
And former Kop hate-figure Jose Mourinho is the shock front runner to replace him.

Liverpool's American owners were already preparing to ditch the Spanish boss after tiring of the constant behind-the-scenes bickering but this week's developments have sealed his fate.

It's now a matter of when not if the Spanish boss leaves Anfield and that's expected to be sooner rather than later.

Despite his epic Anfield bust-ups while at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho tops a wanted list already being assembled by the owners.

An approach will be made once Benitez's departure is confirmed.

The Portuguese boss may have his enemies on Merseyside, but he's recognised as one of the best and most sought after coaches in Europe.

Benitez showed no sign of ducking a fight with his hierarchy following yesterday's 3-0 win over Newcastle, despite knowing his job was on the line.

"It's clear Mr Hicks wants the best for the club. So do I," he said.

"We have been here for a long time and we know what the passion of football means and what the transfer market in Europe means.

"It's not a draft system. We have free players available now. I'm not talking about players that cost money.

"We need to talk to the agents now, if not we will lose targets. In the summer, the players will be more expensive. I have not been talking about spending but doing the opposite. We have brought money back. We brought in £26m this year and you can see the value of the squad.

"We had a meeting on the day of the Arsenal game which was really positive. After this, something changed."

They told me to be focused on coaching and training because Rick Parry will be looking after signing players."

Benitez won't walk away, adding: "I have passion for this club. The fans who were with me in Istanbul know what it means to me."

With no resignation on the horizon, Hicks and Gillett are now ready to swing their axe regardless of Liverpool's league placing or Champions League progress.

[Gazzla]

Does Bascombe suddenly have an inside track with our American Owners? Is this the same Bascombe who said we were skint then we went out and bought Torres and Babel? I personally wouldn't believe a word he wrote, he may have connections with some of the local players but he has no way whatsoever of knowing what the Americans may or may not do IMO.

Why would any owners sack the manager regardless of results? That's quite a stupid comment

[Nicey]

Is Chris trying to sell papers, or does he know something. The Rag he now writes for says has the headline that Rafa Will Be Sacked!

(dont buy the paper myself, but just seen it on SkySports)

Bascombe can **** right off stopped taking him seriously recently

Can we all put all of this bollix to bed now please

[tsb]

Coming from the Sunday S*n - sensationalist bollocks. The attempt to grab credibility on Merseyside by recruiting Bascombe is pathetic.

I'm fully behind Rafa but this crap should be done behind closed doors - the media dont need anymore ammunition against us (now that they've been shown that rotation is here to stay). ****ers

[Jayesh87]

Is Chris trying to sell papers, or does he know something. The Rag he now writes for says has the headline that Rafa Will Be Sacked!

(dont buy the paper myself, but just seen it on SkySports)

*prays that it is not true*