Liverpool v Wigan Post Match Thread

[Craig_H]

I think if we were doing better in the league people would be much more excited. Personally I'm finding it difficult to get excited because we are playing so badly I don't expect us to win any games at the moment. I think things are looking negative at the moment so we look at everything in a negative light. If things were more positive people would look at everything in a more positive light and be more excited about winning things.

I see that, but it's based on the last two games. If we win the next two, it's positivity again. Clearly, this is kind of ridiculous

[Daniel 7]

Thats not how it is for me. I didn't get giddy after we won the Carling Cup and stand by that. We're just not very good, and the Carling Cup can't hide that.

[Mostar]

35 mill of that will come good at some point.

Henderson has quality no doubt about it, Downing I'm not too sure of think he may have been a mistake.

It is a love of money but if you balance Henderson's signing against that of Caroll I think potentially he could become a real talent.

We'll need to agree to disagree.

You don't spend 35m on some who may come good as some point and now cannot even get full game with us. That is poor business by any standard.

We made the decision to spend that type of cash after Carroll playing 6 months only in PL..

Henderson needs time to settle and it is questionable if he will ever be that good and I still haven't heard one good reason why we bought him in the first place this past summer as we needed that money to bring some players that would provide an instant impact.

Downing cost a whole lot and he showed little or nothing so far and he started 27 games so far.

My point is that we spent so much and our return on investment is tremendously poor and those type of decisions can take us back for long time.

[Craig_H]

Thats not how it is for me. I didn't get giddy after we won the Carling Cup and stand by that. We're just not very good, and the Carling Cup can't hide that.

I cant begin to fathom any football fan who doesnt enjoy or get excited by seeing their club win a major trophy.

[Phoenix07]

The main question for me is can you clearly see where this team is heading and what is being built?

I don't know. Right now, all I see is a mish mash of a team with no style or system being implemented.

My biggest fear were the cups masking the cracks. Remember what Pako Ayesteran said in 2005 before the Champions League Final:

PAKO - THIS SEASON HAS NOT BEEN A SUCCESS
Steve Hunter 27 April 2005
Despite reaching the Champions League semi-final Liverpool assistant manager Pako Ayesteran does not believe the season has been a success and says there is still much improvement to be done at Anfield.
Ayesteran says Rafael Benitez has not been happy with his first season and the pair know there is a lot to do to get Liverpool back challenging for the Premiership title again.

Ayesteran said: "Someone who works at the club told me how fantastic it is that we've reached the semi-final for the first time in 20 years and are fifth in the league.

"I told him I don't think it's fantastic at all, not for Liverpool. You can't say that, even if you analyse the injuries. I'm not happy, Rafa is not happy. We think the season has been poor.

"This club is not yet ready to take up the challenge on all fronts - the Premiership, Europe, FA Cup and Carling Cup. The squad doesn't have enough. In general we know we're not ready.

"How long it will take depends on important decisions which will affect the future. We may be ready in one year or perhaps six months.
We are sure we will be stronger next year. Our work will be better."

Ayesteran says Liverpool have prepared hard for the Champions League semi-final and feels they can beat Chelsea over two legs.

Aysteran said: "Rafa is very methodical and has a great knowledge of the game. He's a very hard worker and likes to plan ahead. I don't think any of us expected to get this far in the Champions League. When we played AK Graz in the qualifying round, no-one thought we'd be where we are now.

"But we believe we can win it. We have played three games against them and we've shown Chelsea we can beat them."

Now what would Pako call this season so far?

[Craig_H]

You could hardly call a season where we win 2 out of 3 competitions (if we do that) 'poor' though.

[Exiled_red]

I see that, but it's based on the last two games. If we win the next two, it's positivity again. Clearly, this is kind of ridiculous

I don't think winning the next two games would make that much difference, we're basically at the point where we're unlikely to finish above 7th and our league season is essentially over and will be deemed a failure. IMO the negativity comes from there.

[Daniel 7]

I cant begin to fathom any football fan who doesnt enjoy or get excited by seeing their club win a major trophy.

For the reason stated.

The 2000/01 cup runs, and 2006 FA Cup were underpinned by real progress in the league and challenging on all fronts.

We can't even challenge for 4th nowadays, so progression is not happening and my celebrations are tempered by it.

Can't help it, this season has been one set of disappointments after the other.

[little dave hedgehog]

i'm certain the english-potentialpalooza recruitment summer was done with the champions league and ffp in mind, not to mention the idea that we need to be grooming a replacement for gerrard. with ffp in action and the premium for english players, it's very doubtful we'd be able to put together any kind of spine of decent english players to carry us through the restrictive squad regulations in the champignons league in any kind of timely fashion. a couple of flair players a season and a squaddie, sure. hopefully that's the point we're at now.

[Phoenix07]

You could hardly call a season where we win 2 out of 3 competitions (if we do that) 'poor' though.

He's talking about the whole set-up of the first team.

Pako is saying that regardless of achievement, he can't call 2005 a good season because of what stage the team was/is at in terms of its development.

We can win two trophies which would be fantastic, but the development of the team has been poor IMO.

I suppose that's the difference between fans and coaches.

[Craig_H]

I don't think winning the next two games would make that much difference, we're basically at the point where we're unlikely to finish above 7th and our league season is essentially over and will be deemed a failure. IMO the negativity comes from there.

My point was, we're all negative now because we lost 2 games. We were all on cloud nine after the derby. It's mental

[Craig_H]

He's talking about the whole set-up of the first team.

Pako is saying that regardless of achievement, he can't call 2005 a good season because of what stage the team is at in terms of its development.

I'm asking you, not Pako.

[Mostar]

No they couldnt. Lucas and Gerrard in CM. Suarez and Ba upfront. No place for Tiote, Cabaye or Cisse.

We normally play with 3 midfielders so there is always room for Cabaye, you can replace Lucas for Tiote and you will not see a big difference, Cisse can play with Suarez upfront just like Ba could and Ben Arfa would take Downing's job after one game.

[Craig_H]

For the reason stated.

The 2000/01 cup runs, and 2006 FA Cup were underpinned by real progress in the league and challenging on all fronts.

We can't even challenge for 4th nowadays, so progression is not happening and my celebrations are tempered by it.

Can't help it, this season has been one set of disappointments after the other.

So you dont get excited about winning a cup?

Why are you a football fan?

[Daniel 7]

So you dont get excited about winning a cup?

Why are you a football fan?

Honestly, I really don't ****ing know!!

EDIT - my point in the last one was I was cock a hoop with those cup wins. Things were looking up. Its difficult to extract anything positive from this season. For me.