R.i.p. L.f.c.

[AFII]

Nice thoughts but ultimately whilst it may be true to an extent, the Septics own our arses.

If they sack Rafa then it will show that they are only after one thing, money, and that they won't care what the supporters think of their decisions.

Increased ticket prices will probably be next on the agenda with the cost of the new stadium as an excuse.

[vantage]

If they sack Rafa then it will show that they are only after one thing, money, and that they won't care what the supporters think of their decisions.

Increased ticket prices will probably be next on the agenda with the cost of the new stadium as an excuse.

Two things.

I don't think that when they bought LFC they had forseen a global credit squeeze combined with a plummeting dollar. It may be that, not frustrations with Rafa that have caused them to tighten the purse strings.

[Danish_Pastry]

And all this is due not to Moores, Hicks or Gillette (wo isn't the best a man can get) - BUT RICK PARRY!!!!!

[AFII]

And all this is due not to Moores, Hicks or Gillette (wo isn't the best a man can get) - BUT RICK PARRY!!!!!

Well, I don't know why he is still here because he is doing the job that Rafa should do but to blame him is a little bit over the top even that he probably protected himself when we sold to G&H instead of DIC.

DIC....Moores and Parry out.
G&H...Moores and Parry stay.

[The Erectile Banana]

http://www.boston.com/ae/sidekick/blog/muppets-bikes.jpg

Hicks (in dress) and Gillet (in basket) lead the charge of the anti Rafa brigade.

If they go ahead and sack Rafa they will be the biggest shower of muppets ever to be associated with this great club. This whole situation makes me physically sick.

[BillobShaisley]

Stop watching sky pre-match!!

FFS Merson & Mcavenie going on about our crisis, yet team "Like the arsenals and Man U's" are the best europe blah d fecking blah.

We're ahead of chelsea, 3 points behind Man U, we have cash and the Yanks aren't going to sack Raffa FFS.

Credit crunch is a bit of an issue but manageable for our 2 owners, we'll have to see about Glazer/Learner etc. The stadium was always going to go over budget, in fact apart from the Millenium stadium (which went over, but at the contractors expense thanks to a great contract written up by some clever taffy) every stadium does! It can't be too big a deal of the owners wouldn't have gone for such an extravagent design!

As I say, STOP LISTENING TO LFC HATING SKY !!

[ronan]

Stop watching sky pre-match!!

FFS Merson & Mcavenie going on about our crisis, yet team "Like the arsenals and Man U's" are the best europe blah d fecking blah.

We're ahead of chelsea, 3 points behind Man U, we have cash and the Yanks aren't going to sack Raffa FFS.

Credit crunch is a bit of an issue but manageable for our 2 owners, we'll have to see about Glazer/Learner etc. The stadium was always going to go over budget, in fact apart from the Millenium stadium (which went over, but at the contractors expense thanks to a great contract written up by some clever taffy) every stadium does! It can't be too big a deal of the owners wouldn't have gone for such an extravagent design!

As I say, STOP LISTENING TO LFC HATING SKY !!

you speak far too much sense,you obviously dont belong round 'ere

[Craig_H]

Stop watching sky pre-match!!

FFS Merson & Mcavenie going on about our crisis, yet team "Like the arsenals and Man U's" are the best europe blah d fecking blah.

We're ahead of chelsea, 3 points behind Man U, we have cash and the Yanks aren't going to sack Raffa FFS.

Credit crunch is a bit of an issue but manageable for our 2 owners, we'll have to see about Glazer/Learner etc. The stadium was always going to go over budget, in fact apart from the Millenium stadium (which went over, but at the contractors expense thanks to a great contract written up by some clever taffy) every stadium does! It can't be too big a deal of the owners wouldn't have gone for such an extravagent design!

As I say, STOP LISTENING TO LFC HATING SKY !!

There's a serious bit of head in the sand stuff here...

If you think nothing's up then i want what you're drinking.

[Tee]

I sit at my desk this morning reflecting on a very strange weekend.

We totally outplayed the Barcodes, triumphed 3-0 and yet my thoughts all weekend have been over-run with concerns about my beloved club. What concerns me most is the precedent that this establishes.

Liverpool never sack managers. In two occasions in the past, they have quietly sat down with the failing candidates and persuaded them it is time to go. The last such occasion was Houllier and both he and his staff were handsomely paid off. I have read 11 million quid.

For years we called out for investment and the holy grail, a bigger stadium. Whilst Old Trafford expanded ever upwards, even teams like Man City were able to boast a bigger capacity. Arsenal have their new ground as well, and we needed a new owner with plans as big as the fans.

And this, I feel is where the problems started. Of course, we will never know what went on behind the scenes, but having employed an agency to find us investment, time and time again it seemed that as quickly as a potential suitor was found, they were turned away.

I was gutted when Kraft was not taken up on his offer as it seemed to encompass all that I could have hoped for. But alas, no. Mr Parry and Mr Moores were not smitten. Brave decison, boys. We were then treated to watching the club I love court and reject many others. Thaksin, Morgan and spurious others were linked to us but none was good enough.

Then DIC pooped up and all looked rosy. But halfway down the aisle Messers Parry and Moores turned tail and ran into the arms of Mr Gillett, who now had a partner, Mr Hicks. All would be good we were told. They have the clout and the money. Successful with sports in the US. Perfect.

Fast forward to Dec 2007. Less than 9 months later. And look at the mess we're in.

Our stadium cost has doubled. And during that time a world wide credit squeeze has made it far more difficult to raise money. How we laughed when Old Trafford was mortgaged to be bought out by the Glazers. That would never happen with us, or so we were told.

Our manager is under serious threat. Of course, he never should have gone public, his outburst after the CL final was not appreciated for sure, but surely it can only have been precipitated by people not keeping their word? 'Roffa" we kept being told, would get all he wanted and more.

Despite spending a lot this summer our net spend was roughly on par with Pompey and Man City, I think. It was the first time Rafa has been able to go after the players that he really wanted without having to worry about cash.

And now he finds himself facing redundancy within the next 9 months. Because unless he does a remarkable treble, I feel the Yanks will get rid, probably next summer.

And worst of all, it's being played out in the press. Rafa shouldn't be making statements like he does nor turning up in his tracksuit for the game to prove a point, but he shouldn't have to. And George and Tom should shut up and conduct any bollockings behind the scenes, not through the press.

I am totally hacked off. And worse still, something has changed for ever.

We no longer act with dignity and class. We are just another football club.

That hurt.

[BillobShaisley]

There's a serious bit of head in the sand stuff here...

If you think nothing's up then i want what you're drinking.

Didn't we have all this when we won big ears?

Raffa wants to know the budget so he can start getting prepared for January, G&H are trying to get the finances sorted. The credit crunch and general US downturn means they are probably having to reorganise some funds around all their businesses and can't give raffa a straight answer until that's sorted and our champs league status is known.

Raffa must have a rough idea though and can still be talking to agents/clubs about availability and prices etc. We should be doing things behind closed doors, but Raffa has always been vocal if he doesn't get his own way, we knew that when we signed him!

[Craig_H]

Didn't we have all this when we won big ears?

Raffa wants to know the budget so he can start getting prepared for January, G&H are trying to get the finances sorted. The credit crunch and general US downturn means they are probably having to reorganise some funds around all their businesses and can't give raffa a straight answer until that's sorted and our champs league status is known.

Raffa must have a rough idea though and can still be talking to agents/clubs about availability and prices etc. We should be doing things behind closed doors, but Raffa has always been vocal if he doesn't get his own way, we knew that when we signed him!

But we didnt have two american ego-maniacs then, did we?

It's a matter of time, i think that's clear now. If he survives til mid december, he'll need to win every game until then to give himself any real chance IMO.

[The Erectile Banana]

But we didnt have two american ego-maniacs then, did we?

It's a matter of time, i think that's clear now. If he survives til mid december, he'll need to win every game until then to give himself any real chance IMO.

Agreed, the ways things stand Rafa will be lucky to be here until the end of the season. He has fallen on his sword in the same manner Mourinho did. Once you challenge the owners there will only ever be one winner.

It's awful, because Rafa has really done nothing wrong in my opinion and has spoken plenty of sense. It seems his position is untenable in the long term following this debacle though.

Our owners need to be big men and swallow their pride for the good of the football club. Can't see that happening though.

[BillobShaisley]

The owners are big men, all Raffa has said is that they need to understand the system here is different, he's not locked horns like moanio at the Chavs.

[Craig_H]

I admire your position billob, but i think it's clear to see Rafa's days are numbered.

[BillobShaisley]

As far as i can see, we have the best squad we've had for about 20 years. We got the best crop of youngsters at the club since fowler/ matteo lead the way for Redknapp, Stevie Carragher etc. We getting the best results we've had for nearly 20 years and although we're not quite as fluent in possesion as i'd like, we're not conceeding and the new players, once settled should start impacting on our playing style. Lucas, babbel torres and the much ,aligned Voronin are all clever and skillfull on the ball. We have a new stadium on the way and the rest of football/the south are worried and trying to brew a storm in a tea-cup before we get "Back on our perch" !