A Reality check for deluded fans.

[Craig_H]

What conspiracy?

I judge someone on their actions and to me Jose is a disgusting little **** of a man who I wouldn't piss on if he was on fire. Slur Alex is a cunt but he wouldn't do half the things Jose has done. People speak highly of Alladyce but it doesn't make him the best thing since sliced bread.

I just think people who have had direct contact with him are possibly in a better position to judge.

[Jazzmaster]

I've got no doubt you're right but lets say we finish 6 points off the pace and 4th would you be happy with that considering the points gap last season?

I would be thrilled with that. Bite your goddam hand off for that right now i would.

[Pacman]

I just think people who have had direct contact with him are possibly in a better position to judge.

Sorry I can see with my own eyes and hear with my own ears.

I heard what he said about the Ambulance crew.

I heard what he said that ref.

The bloke is a cunt.

[Craig_H]

Sorry I can see with my own eyes and hear with my own ears.

I heard what he said about the Ambulance crew.

I heard what he said that ref.

The bloke is a cunt.

Yes, your third party, indirect experience is far more on the money than everyone else's first hand contact...

[Dalglish]

Who here has had first hand contact with Mourinho?

[Pacman]

Yes, your third party, indirect experience is far more on the money than everyone else's first hand contact...

What's 3rd hand about what I have seen in interviews?

[Skillz]

DJ. Don't bring back the sig. Surely you can come up with something more appropriate.

[mersey86]

Sorry I can see with my own eyes and hear with my own ears.

I heard what he said about the Ambulance crew.

I heard what he said that ref.

If he became our manager, would he say that Luis' goal was clearly over the line?

[The Birdman]

I for one would settle for 4th again if the points gap to winning the league is smaller than last year, that's progress for me.
Next year with a fit Agger and Alonso, Torres, Babel more used to the prem and the amount of games, couple of additions and I would hope we would be closer again.
You either have to buy success (Chelsea) inherit the foundations of a good team (Arsenal when Wenger joined) or choose your manager and stick with him through thick and thin until he's had a fair crack of the whip.
What I would consider fair is to have Rafa until the end of this contract (2 more years I think) if we're not seriously challenging by then it will be time for a change but by then the youngsters he's bought will only just be coming through as most are between 17 and 20 now.

[Craig_H]

I for one would settle for 4th again if the points gap to winning the league is smaller than last year, that's progress for me.
Next year with a fit Agger and Alonso, Torres, Babel more used to the prem and the amount of games, couple of additions and I would hope we would be closer again.
You either have to buy success (Chelsea) inherit the foundations of a good team (Arsenal when Wenger joined) or choose your manager and stick with him through thick and thin until he's had a fair crack of the whip.
What I would consider fair is to have Rafa until the end of this contract (2 more years I think) if we're not seriously challenging by then it will be time for a change but by then the youngsters he's bought will only just be coming through as most are between 17 and 20 now.

Depends though, what was the gap between us and the winners in 2005-2006? Last year it was 21 points. It really needs to be less than 10 IMO.

[Vermilion]

Tell it to the Americans, & while your at it tell them that when Ferguson took over he did'nt have 3 very powerful teams to overturn. Of course your correct, & i have no doubt Rafa & us would be topping the prem with owners willing to buy as many top players as the top 3 do. I dont get the feeling our new owners have what it takes to get us to the next level, nor do they have the will.

[Vermilion]

Here here, i 2nd that.

Oh FFS!

Ferguson came as close to winning the title in his second season as Houllier did when we finished second - i.e. was never in with a shout.

Ferguson also finished 11th and 14th during his first few years and never reached a cup final (never mind won one). He's not the only manager to achieve success after being given time at the start of his stewardship either. Shankly wouldn't have lasted 10 minutes with today's fans. Howard Kendall the same at Everton during his successful stint.

I even remember being in the Kop on the final day of Bob Paisley's first season in charge. A small group of 'supporters' started chanting "Paisley Out" - thankfully they soon shut up, I like to think out of embarrassment - we finished second!

Do you know we'll get nowhere 82 points this season? Let me answer for you - no you don't. We haven't declined in the last few season's, we've improved. So much so that european giants Bayern Munich and Real Madrid want our manager. Most of the time we are ridiculously difficult to beat. The confidence that engenders within the squad will eventually lead to us winning
on a more consistent basis. And I'm convince within the next 2 seasons - if Rafa is allowed to complete what he's started - we'll have started winning the league again.

What he doesn't need right now is his own supporters turning on him in the biggest example of short sightedness in living memory.

[bigfooty]

As Man Utd are our biggest rivals I thought I'd take a look at Alex Fergusons first years in charge.

Why? It's is utterly incompatible with modern day football.

Recent history, and by that I mean the last 7/8 seasons, clearly demonstrates that in the major leagues of Europe unless a manager wins the title in his first 3 years in charge he's got virtually no chance of winning the championship thereafter. Just in England, Spain, Italy and Germany and alone there have been 16 different champions since the turn of the millenium and only 1 of those was a team where the manager won it after being at the club for more than 3 seasons. They rest were either clubs that had sustained period of success with a manager that had already won the league for them or, for the vast majority, ones where new coaches had come in and achieved league success extremely early in their careers.

Heck, even Rafa himself took over a Valencia side that had, in the 4 seasons prior to his taking charge, finished 9th, 3rd, 4th and 5th. This was a team that had not won the title for 30 years. Yet he won the league with them in his first season without massively outspending his rivals, or spending on a par with them. Yet at Liverpool he apparently needs 4-5 seasons of planning, rebuilding and, if you look at what some fans advocate, he needs to take his spending on players up to 200M in January & the Summer. Because that's what all managers need.

There is a lot to be said for a new manager bringing a fresh approach with new ideas to an already strong squad, which we do have, as the facts from around the elite of European football demonstrates.

[John_Gotti]

How long are we to accept 'being in transition' as a valid excuse? We are substandard, and have been for a while now. I defy you to name more than 2 matches this season when you have come away saying, yeah that was altogther positive. Marseille and Derby are the only two i can think of that were comprehenisvely good performances. I thought we would build on those throughout the season but it hasnt happened. The very fact that you refer to 'transition' speaks volumes about how far we havent come.

Bring back G Houlier

[vonk]

I'd have more hope if Rafa was getting the best out of the players we have. That squad is stronger than all but Chelsea and Man Utds. Yet we are inconsistent and have been playing very poor football for a few months now. We haven't yet figured out to to break down lesser teams that 'park the bus' at Anfield. We still have no plan B except hoofing it up to Crouch. The players look like strangers and seem to me to have no confidence.

How will one or two world class signings change that?