An open letter to all Liverpool fans

[javier_monsterano]

Football FanCast guest columnist Tom Baxter writes an open letter to Liverpool fans.

To all Liverpool fans,

I know life as a Liverpool fan cannot have been easy this season, especially given the high expectations that were on the club, however I really believe you should look upon it as a blessing in disguise.

This period of time now takes the pressure off the manager and the football club in general and allows the club to reflect on what is required to ensure that this isn’t repeated again. Last season we were in a similar position, all doom and gloom, and supporters were questioning Wenger, his tactics, his team and whether we would be better off with a new man at the helm and a change of direction. Of course it was just a knee-jerk reaction, the easy option if you like, however a lot has to be said in retaining faith in a manager and realising that a few bad results doesn’t disguise what they have already achieved at the football club in the past, and what they will do again in the future.

Despite today’s capitulation we have seen giant strides taken by the club this season and we have reaped the rewards of the experimentation that Wenger took last season. Despite managing in the face of such widespread criticism from all areas, he maintained his principles and faith in his selections that have benefited us this season. I guess Lucas is your equivalent to our Song and Ngog is our Bendtner and how frustrating the pair was they had the game time and they have grown to be key assets to our squad. Benitez now has a chance to experiment and possibly give some youngsters a chance to find the feet; an opportunity he rarely has had before.

I know the so called experts and pundits have suggested that perhaps Liverpool could miss out on Champions League football. Again we were there and in fact it wasn’t until March that we eventually got ourselves back in the top four so there is no reason for concern, especially given how early we are into the current season. You are only 2pts away from it now, so what is the cause for panic, is there really any?

My message to all Liverpool fans is to stay strong, back your manager and remember that he was one that took you to the brink of a title last season and not to mention two Champions League finals. As we found with Arsene a few bad results shouldn’t cloud your judgment of a man that has brought a lot to your football club and who has already proved his worth. It may not feel like it at the moment, but you will benefit in the long run from this season’s setback and believe me, you, as well as Benitez will return the stronger for it.

Tom

[Charly]

Its slightly alarming how bad we are without Gerrard and Torres in the team. and with no money, and Gerrard almost the wrong side of 30, a lot of us are worried.

I am not going to call for Rafas head until we fail to qualify in 4th place. Hopefully it will never come to that. Hopefully, Rafa has learnt more from the last 4 weeks than the last 4 years.

[BigChief]

Rafa has his obvious flaws. They may affect us ever winning the league unless we get mega-dirhams. However, his flaws do not include us failing to finish top 4. He has that to his credit and I have no fear in finishing at least 3/4 or even above manure should they capitulate with injuries like ours.

Will these last 4 weeks teach him that Lucas and Mascherano will never work in non-top-4 games? No. However, with Aquilani fit soon he'll be spared that irritation. And so will we.

[Guest]

Of course he has flaws like any manager, even the Wengers, Fergies or Shanklys of this world. It's way better to emphasise his positives (of which there are many) rather than pissing off people with the negatives week in week out.

There is always a method in the madness.

[Shanks]

Benitez now has a chance to experiment and possibly give some youngsters a chance to find the feet

Eh?

I hope not.

If anything, we need to not worry about using Plessis, Spearing, Darby etc.

Strongest team available, for every game from now on.

[BigChief]

True, I'm sure I have many flaws at work myself. And I'd hate for everyone to keep pointing them out every time I went in. I have a method to my madness which means I am valuable enough to the company so I see your point.

And I guess if the right players start playing more often then Rafa will start picking a better team. We can always hope.

[Tatterdemalion]

I have confidence that we will finish second again. It's nice reading stuff like that from opposition fans. Personally I take it for what it appears - well meant. We've been through a rough time - I'm not sure Rafa will experiment but I am sure that we will finish in the top four, and I do reckon we have a shout at second place. Not that that is much to shout about.

[-V-]

Personally I don't see this seasons failure as a blessing in disguise at all. I have always admired Rafa but my concern is that he is not learning from his mistakes and that he started this season unprepared and with a few obviously rubbish players in the first team squad.

[Exiled_red]

Personally I don't see this seasons failure as a blessing in disguise at all. I have always admired Rafa but my concern is that he is not learning from his mistakes and that he started this season unprepared and with a few obviously rubbish players in the first team squad.

With our budget I'm afraid we're always going to have to go for cheaper players and gamble on them meaning that some of them aren't good enough. The Aquilani deal was a gamble, which could long term prove worthwhile. I don't think that anyone could have predicted that we'd have had so many injuries and performed so badly as we have done at the start of the season. No matter what people say the injuries have played a huge part.

I think the situation is worse continually losing players a lot of players for a short time than losing a few players for a longer time as, the problem we've had is that no area of the pitch has been settled all season, and it's the stability (or continuity) that brings understanding on the pitch and allows you to win tight games, which we just haven't had