Monday 21 April 2014

Let It Be Liverpool

It seems, then, that there are greater forces at work in this Premier League season than the mere to-ings and fro-ings of your average football match.


The stars have aligned. The 25th anniversary of Hillsborough, so eloquently and humbly marked on Tuesday of last week, has coincided with a Liverpool team on a relentless run of victories. Brendan Rodgers, who becomes less a manager and more a statesman with every passing week, has urged his players to embrace the sentiment and grief and use it to embolden them further.


I like this. Too often football is pilloried as being a marginal pursuit, one that exists in a realm outside the more productive worlds of work and community. Certainly it is a rich man's plaything these days, but the core of any football club is and always will be its fans, and when those fans have suffered such an egregious loss it seems only fair that in some small way the club finds a way to reward the fans with, for a change, a wonderful celebration.


A football club is - or at least still can be - its community. It has to be Liverpool's year, doesn't it? Set aside Hillsborough and you've got Chelsea's demise to a goal scored by Liverpool loanee Borini (and another in vertical red and white stripes, Stoke's Oussama Assaidi, grabbing a winner against the Blue Meanies in December) and you can see a pattern emerging.


Indeed, Sunderland's extraordinary revival after Poyet acknowledged that a miracle was required, could be almost as astonishing. As ever Chelsea's defeat was done to forces outside of Mourinho's control. This time he went to the scoundrel manager's first excuse. It was The Ref Wot Won It.


Really? Mike Dean got just about every decision right as far as I could tell... the main ones I'd argue with was Matic's nudge on a defender before Terry tucked the ball home - there didn't seem much in that but the linesman flagged for it anyway; and Ramires should have walked. (Jose didn't mention that... strange.)


The other decisions were entirely understandable and Chelsea only have themselves to blame for not having a decent fucking goalscorer when the means to acquire one are utterly limitless.


But for all this critical mass of fact and coincidence, emboldened by the sort of freakish deflections that saw Sterling's second dolly cruelly over Ruddy's head at Carrow Road yesterday, there is still a cloud on Liverpool's horizon. And it is Mourinho.


I seriously don't want the tediously charming old bastard to win the Premier League, even though my money's on them. For a while this season he seemed to have rewritten himself as a charismatic and philosophical been-there, done-that kind of chap. But no. He's still a snide and churlish little bleeder underneath it all.


But he's smart too, and even devoid of strikers worth the name and an overreliance on Brazilian midfielders who want to walk the ball into the net, there would be nothing more satisfying to old Maureen than turning over the Anfield Apple-Cart.


Hopefully, Chelsea will be too fatigued by European endeavours to put up much of a fight at the weekend. But Rodgers' resources are looking thin, despite valuable contributions by Allen and Lucas. One more rousing first 30 minutes and you feel that will do it for the Scousers.


As a neutral I'm not sure I've ever been quite so behind another club as they enter the last three games of the season. As a fan of a relentlessly unrewarded club, I have grown tired of hearing the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs fans suggesting that the winning of trophies is somehow an entitlement.


The griping Chelsea fans who bemoan the lack of success but can't acknowledge Mourinho's contribution to that failure. Perhaps most piteous of all are the wittering United supporters who can't quite believe that the new man hasn't delivered Fergie-style superiority on a plate for them, with a squad of squabbling chunterers and ditherers for Moyes to select from.


It's understandable, I suppose. Moyes have proved disastrously staid and indecisive about style and personnel. If, for example, Januzaj, was at Anfield, Rodgers would have him starting most games. But, really.. one bad season... GET OVER YOURSELVES...


So here I am, another anonymous Boro season almost concluded, left to cross fingers and pull on the lucky pants in support of another team in red. And it's not just sentimental. They have played the best footie. They are chockfull of exciting young Englishmen who have been encouraged by an excellent manager to be expressive, versatile and fearless.


And more than that, intelligent. Yes, it is possible to get talented young lads of local origin to imagine more than one way of playing and what's more to carry those plans out. Remarkable. Soon they'll be learning how to speak funny foreign languages and then where will we be? In some Faragean nightmare, that's where.


And then of course there's Steven Gerrard. Occasionally maligned, or played out of position; often tempted by the lure of more certain success at the Big Money Clubs (and we shouldn't forget that Liverpool are hardly short of a few bob); but ultimately, a one-club man who might even yet be rewarded with that most elusive of titles, the First Division Champions - at least that's what it was called the last time they won it.


I can't wish 'em more luck. I like a happy ending.

128 comments:

  1. First!

    Good blog by the way.

    Camel

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  2. Arsenal fan...couldn't even get first on here!
    Rastafairy

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    Replies
    1. Higher than 4th, though.



      Jedi

      Delete
  3. robbo..highly disappointed that you think the ref got about everything right in the chelsea vs sunderland game...not a chelsea fan and cant stand mourinho but they were royally screwed in that game.2 handballs not called which I am 1000% certain liverpool would get....ramires barged when he had an empty net,catermole stamping azpi in the ribs with his boot,altidore standing on azpi's leg and ref blows foul against azpi,as much as it might gratify me to see my beloved liverpool win,lets call a spade a spade

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is this part of the conspiracy Jose?:
      Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insisted the controversial late spot-kick from which Eden Hazard earned a 2-2 draw with West Brom was a "clear penalty".

      Rastafairy

      Delete
  4. Nothing to do with Hillsborough or stars or anything else apart from the belief that Brendan Rogers has enstilled in his team.

    If you really want to nitpick, and many have, you could point to the fact that Liverpool have played a good 10-15 games less then the likes of Citeh, the Chavs and Arsenal. But seeing that the first two have unlimited recources that should be a moot point.

    As the old adage goes, you can only beat what is in front of you, and Liverpool have done that with aplomb and, as I've mentioned here before, have been an absolute joy to watch. They've already hit their target which was geting a CL spot, but, if, over the next few weeks they can continue to pick up the points they need, they will win the league and have thoroughly deserved it, and good luck to them.

    As for Maureenhio; common thug at a classless club. Perfect match.

    With apologies to Bells and Stephen.

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    Replies
    1. Aw c'mon, H2... we aren't a classless club and Mo is no common thug. He's an upper-class thug.

      Delete
  5. Speaking words of wisdom Robbo, good stuff.

    Mickey mousers have been far and away the best entertainment, from calamity to sublime and for that alone as a neutral, I'm on board. The timing is good. Hope they keep it going. Of course they only play once a week which is a big help.

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  6. Agree with you Robbo, great recovery from the shambles those two American owners/twats left them in, I'd mainly credit Rodgers who is no Queston a top manager. Honourable mention to Martinez at the blue half of the city n'all. Did you see his speech at the Hillsboro ceremony? Would bring a tear to a glass eye.

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  7. He has risen!!!

    http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/375335/He-has-risen-WATCH-Liverpool-s-Luis-Suarez-s-MIRACULOUS-Easter-resurrection

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    Replies
    1. That's hilarious...good to see that Mourinho has competition in the "successful but twatty twat of the year" competition.

      Rastafairy

      Delete
  8. Well said, Robbo. I'd be pulling for Liverpool if it weren't Chelsea they were edging. Then again, Mo is getting on my nerves. Can't he just admit we didn't play well, we could have scored if we hadn't loaned out our best striker and if we'd bothered to attack consistently? With Fergie's presence reduced to haunting Moyes' nightmares, Jose far and away the most annoying manager in the PL. Surely, he is why we are near the top of the table. But just as surely, he is the reason we are up looking up to Liverpool, in placement and comportment.

    ReplyDelete
  9. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/21/david-moyes-sack-manchester-united

    Dave?

    DAAAVEEE????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. David Moyes update
      BBC Sport has been chasing confirmation on newspaper reports stating that David Moyes is set to be sacked by Manchester United, but the club are offering no comment on these reports at present.


      The silence is deafening.

      Delete
    2. I say they bring in AVB to clear out Rooney and buy as many half-decent players as possible with the cash. Fire him after a month or two and promote Giggs.

      Delete
    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    4. I was about to post the same thing, H. He's out of his depth, unimaginative, uninspiring and looks likes he's lost the dressing room, they should never have allowed saf to nominate his own mini-me successor. Sheer folly, as Fraser out of dad's army would say

      Delete
    5. If Moyes goes it will be Van Gaal (according to every Dutch reporter the last few weeks).

      You're right Bloggidy. He's looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights since September. From watching tv, seeing him on the touchline you could almost taste the fear.

      Some say he's lost the dressingroom, I don't think he ever had it. He came into a team of winners, and although he had enough PL experience, he'd never himself won anything at the top of the game.

      How the hell was he going to lead?

      Delete
  10. It'll be a toss up between Van Gaal and Sammy Lee.

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    Replies
    1. Or Laudrup. Di Matteo? Rafa?Sparky? Can spurs please sign up Van Gaal quickly?

      Delete
  11. Rafa to ManU would be brilliant. If there has been one thing missing from the PL this season, it's the Special One getting on Benitez's nerves.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Moyes latest
    Neil Custis, football correspondent with The Sun, has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 live about newspaper reports saying that David Moyes is set to be sacked by Manchester United:

    "This is nailed down, I would expect it to be announced tomorrow, undoubtedly before Saturday. Yesterday's performance at Everton was the final straw. There has been a lack of faith in his ability since the 2-0 defeat to Olympiakos. They expected a down-turn of sorts no matter who took over from Sir Alex Ferguson, but to second or third, not to seventh."


    Looks like we failed to......


    SAVE DAVE

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    Replies
    1. if the source is a Sun reporter there remains a slim chance it's not true! Probably delayed pending negotiations with his agent about how many millions he gets in compensation.

      Delete
  13. Ladbrokes are reporting a high clip on Klopp

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  14. I admire Gerrard for sticking with Liverpool over the years. He was courted by a number of big named clubs and offered bucket loads of cash to leave but he remained loyal to his beloved 'pool. Loyalty is a rare trait in today's footballers and hopefully his will be rewarded with PL title this season.

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  15. Klop seems to be the most favoured one to replace the Chosen One. Personally, I'd like to see Dave fulfill his 6 year contract, unfortunately there seems little likelihood of that, especially since he has reportedly lost fergie's backing.

    It seems that Moyes will only receive a one year payout due to a clause in his contract requiring him to secure European football next season, something he has obviously failed to do.

    I know it seems pointless but hey, never say die.

    SAVE DAVE

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  16. According to some charmless nurk from the Manchester Evening News on Radio 4 this morning,Dave's gone,Giggs and Butt to caretaker manage until the end of the season and Van Gaal to take over after the World Cup.

    Nothing like hindsight,as this bloke was all about how he's been saying all along blah,blah,blah.

    One bad season,that's all.However,the last truly dominant team of English football replaced a league winning manager with a Scot,finished 7th the following season and have yet to take the top title since (although that may alter in 3 weeks time).

    More crucially,I'm a bit pissed off we couldn't take advantage this weekend of the other play off chasing teams slipping up.Still,I'd have taken top 10 after the last 5 seasons of relegation battles.

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  17. Confirmed that he's gone.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27107795

    SAVE VAN GAAL.

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  18. Good blog Robbo, although I'm not sure why you think Spurs fans think they're "entitled" to win trophies (1 Carling Cup in the last 15 years does not a bulging trophy cabinet make).

    I have to agree that Liverpool have played the best and most entertaining football, and deserve the league (and it's right for all the reasons you mention). Also, unlike their main rivals they're not financially doped (Citeh at least try and play decent football). They'll find next season much harder, though, when they have to play European football as well.

    Much as I'd like to see Everton get 4th (Martinez has done a great job there), I suspect the Gooners will manage to stagger over the line.


    Jedi

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  19. Who next for Manyoo?

    Gotta be Rafa!


    Jedi

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  20. Surely big Sam? Bring in Nolan and Carroll, they could really cement their place in mid table.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Boring manager facts part 94.

    Only 7 Premier League managers have been in their post for 1 year or more (Hughes is 8th longest at 327 days)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thasnks for the laughter Dave, it was fun while it lasted.

    ReplyDelete
  23. although to say it before you do, moyes is no clough

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed,Nigel's done a great job for The Blades.

      Delete
  24. Bo (from previous)

    Although I feel that Giroud is a pretty limited striker, what he does do, he does well, when Arsenal have the players in the team tjat help play to his strengths. Take out the likes of Ozil, Ramsey and Walcott and Girouds skillset is negated. He needs players that are smart enough to run in behind him as he often wins the balls from defendrs and is very good at bringing others into play, it's no coincidence that he has looked a lot better in the last few games with Ramsey and now Ozil back in the team.

    as for poldi, I don't think he;d fit as a lone striker in the 4-5 1 system that Arsene prefers. He isn;t like Giroud, he can't hold the ball up as well nor can he make the deft touches, but unlike Giroud he is a very clinical finisher.

    In my humble opinion, Poldi would be best deployed just left of Giroud as a dual strike force. I feel that over the season he has been asked to play a little too wide on the left hand side, but wenger has finally twigged to that too and has now given him the freedom to come inside more, even switching positions with Giroud, this could be seen in last weeks game against Hull, carrying on from the role he played against West Ham a few days before. It's no coincidence that he notched four goals in those two games.

    I believe that wenger will see out the season with OG in the target role with LP just left of him, with the return of our midfield this formation will probably be enough to drag us over the line. In the summer a striker of reputation must be high on the shopping list though.

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  25. Personally I blame the Man City fans for our failure with the Save Dave campaign, they jumped on bandwagon far too late yesterday with this

    https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/458389990334951425/photo/1

    So moyes the pity, Dave is gone ....





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    Replies
    1. Fergie has to claim that he underestimated his own genius by thinking anybody else could fill his boots and achieve even a modicum of success with that squad.

      Delete
  26. Ryan has got the Gig(gs), together with Nicky, they are going to be the Butt of our jokes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coach Phil Neville must be a bit irked at being passed over for a chance at being the Temporary One. Or is he seen more as one of Moyes' boys?

      One would think SAF's hip should have healed enough to allow him to return, or at least enough to truthfully in detail explain why Moyes was his choice. That's got to be one hilarious conversation.

      Delete
  27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry1rgUb4JcY&feature=youtu.be

    The finest commentary I've ever heard.

    It may be Rugby League,but it's genius.

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    Replies
    1. Absolute genius, I'll laughing all day about one.

      Delete
    2. There's nothing like a good unbiased commentator, and that was indeed, nothing like a good unbiased commentator. ;)

      Delete
    3. I would actually pay more for my Sky TV - & I hate that company SO much - if they employed commentators like that to liven up some of the football matches they show (especially some of ours of late)

      Delete
  28. Early odds for next 'permanent' Man Utd manager:

    Van Gaal: 2-1
    Klopp: 4-1
    Some combination of Giggs, Neville, and/or Butt: 10-1
    Simeone, Blanc: 12-1
    Sir Alex: 15-1
    Rafa: 20-1
    The Special One: 25-1
    Harry Redknapp: 35-1
    AVB: 40-1
    Moyes again!: 50-1
    Pep: 75-1
    Robbo, any regular poster: 100-1

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No odd for Iain Dowie or Dougie Freedman?

      Delete
    2. Doh! Here's the 's' for odds.

      Delete
    3. They're both pretty odd choices.

      Delete
    4. Whatever choice United make, it won't solve the fundamental problem there (and at A**enal). The Glazers take a shed full of cash out of the club every year to pay them (or the banks) for buying it (the Gooner owners just trouser the profits). Chelski and Citeh owners are putting money in (some via the back door). So it's not surprising Citeh and Chelski are moving ahead. The PFS and Wongeur might be able to delay the inevitable, but that's all.


      Jedi

      Delete
    5. Blimey, I go away on holiday and miss all the fun! I'd just come out of a cave halfway up the Rock of Gibraltar, went into the gift shop which had Sky Sports on and saw the news!

      Manpoo favourite film - Saving Private Ryan.

      Wot, no odds on Roy Keane??

      Spider

      Delete
  29. This has got to be the most boring CL semi finals ever.

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  30. My dark horse entrants (read: not at all serious) for new United manager:

    Fabio Capello - in a shock move, Capello quits Russia and returns to England, citing the pressure of the upcoming Sov-er, Russia World Cup. He has United back on top of the Premier League by December. Fans are thrilled. They even rework that cute "Mr. Capello" song Robbo liked so much. Unfortunately, he 'mysteriously' contracts radiation poisoning and is dead by January. Putin is rumored to refer to Capello having received "my deluxe severance package," and giving that freaky grin with the hard killer's stare.

    Martin O'Neill - The "Second Choice Chosen One" is another manager who was rumored in recent years to be a possible SAF successor, having (similarly to Moyes at Everton) done more with less at Aston Villa. United fans are predictably outraged, particularly as O'Neill proceeds to lead United further into mid-table mediocrity, looking even more out of his depth than Moyes. The situation is rescued when the Glazers reveal the appointment was a delaying tactic while Sir Alex's brain was transferred to a cyborg body. RoboFergie resumes his place as United manager, melting O'Neill with the hairdryer concealed in his robotic leg.

    ReplyDelete
  31. it would appear that which ever manager utd choose we are destined for mid-table mediocracy. we might as well go for alan curbishley... nailed on with him in charge!
    rjs

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    Replies
    1. Whoever it is, the PFS will be involved apparently

      http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27123088

      Because it went so well last time, I guess.



      Jedi

      Delete
  32. hey blog... still a clever bastard then ;-) (and a lucky bleeder to boot, one hopes!) long time no read... i await your words on the ex-moyes (who now looks to have been pre-selected by the most unreliable whim/possible fellow-scot leg-up imaginable - and hence doomed to failure under any circs; - end of play (for him), verdict is the same from anybody and everybody: would you trust this man with 100 miliion and change of your money... not bleedin likely squire ;-)

    c

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  33. Odd. Mo didn't blame the ref for the injuries. On the bright side, if we lose the home leg (or manage to squeak through and get blasted by Real Madrid or Bayern), we can blame it on injuries then, right?

    ReplyDelete
  34. Moyes' top 10 mistakes:

    1) Fellaini.

    ...actually, that's all 10 right there, because it set the tone for the rank desperation and flop sweat that followed for the next 7-plus months.

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    Replies
    1. agreed, this was totally incomprehensible and became a bigger joke every time he played.

      Delete
  35. Surely only one choice for the New Permanent One: Big Sam.

    Or they may want an Interim Manager. I hear there's a man with experience of that job.


    Jedi

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  36. Finding myself agreeing with Robbie Savage, or at least the BBC title of his article, "Savage on Man Utd: Spend £200m and sell 12 players."

    Start by selling De Gea, Mata, Rooney, Januzaj, Van Persie, Welbeck, Chicharito... and anyone else for whom they receive an offer of at least £20. (Not £20m, £20.)

    Buy Fernando Torres (big money signing) and 10-15 (more) squad players.

    That would truly savage Man Utd.

    ReplyDelete
  37. the Gooner owners just trouser the profits

    According to who?

    Released statements clearly show that profits have been used to pay off the stadium debt, the surplus is in the transfer kitty, which by many acounts, AW refuses to spend. Rumour (from within the club) has it that the board had to almost order him to splash the cash on Ozil.

    Records show that Kroenke hasn't taken a penny out of the club (yet) and unlike the Glaziers he used his own money to secure his shares.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not like Stan needs any cash from the Gooners, he's worth about 10 billion. More likely he uses the Gunners pie franchise as a tax write off.

      Delete
  38. Jurgen Klopp has ruled himself out of the united job, but his brother Klippety says he's still interested.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. did Scouse Phil send you the same text as he sent me? He's been laughin' so hard this week that his hub caps fell off.

      Delete
  39. After the goalless match, manager Jose Mourinho said he could field a weakened team against Liverpool on Sunday
    -------------------------------------------------------
    And so the mind games/excuses begin.

    And speaking of class, I thought Moyes post-sacking interview was pretty darn classy.
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27129396

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. relax AH, don't worry about Jose or anything, just enjoy these two weeks, bask in the glory, it might not happen again for 20 years.

      Delete
    2. All I'm basking in right now is that we've sealed at least 3rd spot, which means CL group stages without having to worry about qualifiers. That in itself is more than I had hoped for at the start of the season.

      Delete
    3. "It is understood Ed Woodward will keep an open mind about potential candidates and will consider managers even if they are under long-term contracts, although there is an acknowledgement from inside the club that this may make it harder to secure a deal. That approach would not rule out a move for Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho."
      =============================================
      Nobody, not even Jose, walks away from Abramovich.

      Delete
    4. Nobody, not even Jose, walks away from Abramovich.

      Why would he? As a manager (or player), where would you rather be next season, Chelsea or Man Utd?

      Delete
    5. No risk of a polonium night-cap at Un**ed Stephen.

      Delete
  40. David Moyes will receive no more than £5m in compensation because of a clause in his contract.
    ===========================================
    Poor bastard, how will he ever put food on the table?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He'll offer all 5m for 100m worth of food, then panic and buy 1m worth of food for 4m because he's hungry.

      Delete
    2. Now that he's not in a dressing room chock-a-block with me-first, psychologically delicate prima donnas who are on their mobile to their agent or the tabloids at every perceived slight, or partying after CL exits. I expect Moyesie will sift through his options and relax in the meantime. And there will be offers, because despite all the abuse we're heaping on him (myself included), he can build a decent side on a budget and keep a team in the PL.

      I personally wish him well - he's a good guy, and though on the one hand it's been comical to see him cringing on the touchline or listen to him make gaffes with the media, I have a certain amount of empathy - he just hasn't looked or sounded himself since his last Everton press conference.

      Delete
    3. Christ, sorry to come across as rational there. I imagine a lot of you are laughing about as hard as I did when Sparky got it in the neck from Citeh after overpaying for Lescott...

      Delete
    4. I'm with you on this Scott. They need to be told what fuckin' day it is and Scholes will not hesitate. If Fergie was a hairdryer, Scholes will be a flame thrower for the next few weeks. It'll be the step up or fuck off approach.

      Delete
  41. Just read notes from Martinez' press conference: Jags out 'til Citeh, Distin also out this weekend, possibly more. Mirallas done for the year, Traore probably the same. Coupled with their points lead, advantage: Arsenal, I'd say.

    Still, it could be worse - I mean, Everton could be linked in the papers with Welbeck and Cleverly as transfers. Oh, buttermilk, we are. But it's only in the Express and the Mail...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, you never know, Martinez could be to Cleverly and Welbeck, what Rodgers was to Henderson and Sturridge.

      Delete
    2. It's not just you: Walcott out, Wilshere out, Diaby out but on his way back (as always, remember him?), Gibbs out but maybe on his way back...Ozil, AOC, Rambo all recently back from injury....and the rest of the squad just itching to join our illustrious injury list.

      Rastafairy

      Delete
    3. Fair points, AH and Rasta - Martinez seems to have his eye in for players who can fit his system. Perhaps more telling is his willingness to part with those that don't - Jelavic, who started hot for Moyes but rapidly cooled off being a case in point. And at this point in the season, most teams have got a M*A*S*H unit running. Still think the points might be too hard to overcome, having stumbled against Palace and with Citeh on the schedule.

      Delete
  42. You're right about Moyes Scott.

    He's a decent enough manager, but going to yanited always meant he was on a hiding to nothing, he'll be ok.

    If IOU bring in Van Gaal, I think they'll be back at the top pretty quick and he won't really have to spend a fortune to do it. He'll get the best out of that lot. He doesn't suffer fools gladly and defenitly won't take any shit from a primadonna.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Former Manchester United manager David Moyes has emerged as a candidate to become Tottenham boss.
    Full story: London Evening Standard

    Yes, yes, yes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That would be just dandy. Long may he take out one of our rivals each season.

      Delete
    2. That should guarantee Spurs finishing 5th - 8th for the next five seasons!

      Spider

      Delete
    3. I commented on here about five blogs ago that Utd would fuck up our appointment of LVG by sacking Moyes first. That looks likely now.

      And as soon as Utd sacked Moyes, I just knew Levy would be thinking to himself 'hmmmm, available without having to pay compensation to his former club'.

      I'd rather have: Jacques Santini, Christian Gross, Juande Ramos or Ozzie Ardilles. Fuck, I'd even rather have George Graham back.

      But he'd be an improvement on Timmy.

      Delete
    4. Oi-vey, we're probably doomed to another installment of David Pleat or the return Glenn Hoodle after mentioning those names.

      Delete
    5. are Spurs gonna sign Fellaini for 30 mil too?

      Delete
    6. Get ready for SAVE DAVE II - ELECTRIC BOOGALOO (or THE WRATH OF MOYES)

      Delete
  44. I thought the most hilarious part of our failed SAVE DAVE campaign was a Breaking news message on Sky Sports: "Paul Scoles arrives at United Training Ground". Yeah, like it's not something he's done virtually every day for the last 20+ years. Jeez what will they come up with next? Giggs picks team, Butt picks nose? SAF dries hair?

    SAVE ???????

    Spider

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  45. Man Utd need someone to put them in their place. Moyes thought that place was the Championship. (I concur.) However, if they need someone who has won trophies to come in, tell them what's what, and beat them into shape, maybe Magath is the answer. Who wouldn't want to see Rooney's "hair" flapping in the breeze as he climbs... well, you don't have any mountains, but I'm sure they'd find something.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Cardiff owner Tan buys racehorse. Unnamed colt is reportedly well-bred, in good form, full of horsesh*t, willing to wear red, and accustomed to being whipped by a little old man who won't stop looking over his shoulder; thus, good--neigh, perfect--for the Man Utd. job.

    http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/wales/27151811

    ReplyDelete
  47. Turned on the Everton match just in time for the comedy OG by Alcaraz. Also following live commentary on Beeb. A couple of comments (really like the second one):

    Ed: If Alcaraz has to play the rest of the season for Everton, they can kiss goodbye to fourth. Awful defender.

    Adam: Stunning diving header from Alcaraz. Top finish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Everton...

      Wheel<--------- Cart --------->Wheel

      Delete
  48. No escape for Alcaraz.

    12.45 kick offs don't work for Everton, they've lost 4 out of 5 this season.

    ReplyDelete
  49. While I hope naaarwich wipe the smile of giggsys gob, I don't think they will.

    I see he's dropped himself. Wonder if he'll take the opportunity to sign himself for a few more years, redesign the kit, complete with chest wig, eat a pawn sandwich, write the theme toon sing the theme toon.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Giggs obviously knew I had Mata as my captain. Every time I draft him into the team, the manager seems to not want to play him. First Jose, now Giggs.

    ReplyDelete
  51. A pattern is developing at old Trafford....Saf there since the beginning of time, Moyes 9 months, giggs 4 games..... Will the new manager last beyond 7 nano seconds?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 7 Nani-seconds, I would think.

      Though Fergie time is the end of time itself... stretches on until He deems it should end.

      Delete
  52. Liverpool v Chelsea is akin to watching a child finger-paint. Unpredictable excitement interspersed with periods of watching paint dry, plus the threat of tantrums.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Was that the PL trophy slipping out of Gerrard's hands then?

    ReplyDelete
  54. Fuck...huffed and puffed but couldn't blow the house down. Now need to hope Palace and Everton take points off City. Chelsea back in the race as well. I would rather they had the penalty for Flanagan's handball rather than through Gerrard's mistake. What must he be feeling poor bastard.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Pressure finally telling on Suarez. He's getting more jittery on the ball with each passing game.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Actually I would think Chelsea are more than just back in the race. City have palace and everton, liverpool have palace and newcastle, but all chelsea have is norwich and cardiff. And more importantly, they have Mourinho.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. perfect, Everton to help the Pool win it with a goal from Chelsea's Lukaku.

      Delete
  57. Best cricket match ever?

    http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cricket/27177518

    ReplyDelete
  58. They interviewed the 1966 world cup winners on the radio...they were on £60 per game and got £1000 bonus for winning. Jeff hurst was on £90 per week at west ham. They played for the honour and exhilaration, the glory and some solitary impulse of delight, different fuckin world in other words.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Yep, Blogs, at that time, athletes here in the U.S. of A. were making a bit more than the folks attending the games, but not astronomically more. Folks who 'tailgated' (that's American for hanging out in the stadium parking lot before and after an event, grilling meat and drinking) would socialize with the players once the game was over.

    Just last week, athletes at one of our Universities voted on unionizing, claiming they should be paid as workers. Problem is, even with the massive TV subsidies, studies have shown it costs colleges up to $300,000.00 per season to put one college football player on the field. Different fucking world, indeed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. well, back in the day they also had proper jobs. They might have put a shift in down the pit before a Saturday afternoon match. Of course now they can't cause all the pits are closed. Only the fans are to blame!

      Delete
    2. Absolutely. I'm wearing my Everton "penance" jersey right now, as we all do and should. (Nike, £90, Barclay's badges and squad numbering extra. Burlap, with thorns and brambles on the inside.)

      But didn't I learn from Pete Postlethwaite and co. that Thatcher closed all the pits? Here's a scene from a documentary about U.S.coal mines:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsj9odqwMPQ

      Delete
  60. The Messiah walks among the Un**ed faithful with the promise of great things to come (fresh out of miracles though)... however, the resurrection will take longer than the expected three days. He who was responsible for the false God was heard to whisper, " I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it" but the false God had already walked away with his head hung low and 40 pieces of silver jingling in his pocket.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Dani Alves does not monkey around about racism.

    http://soccer.si.com/2014/04/27/dani-alves-banana-barcelona-villarreal/?eref=sihp

    ReplyDelete
  62. Suarez responds to biting criticism by winning PFA POY. Anyone want to Hazard a guess at the PFA YPOY?

    http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27180793

    ReplyDelete
  63. Oh, and before a new blog entry goes up, and because I can't resist making the obvious joke:

    I love a happy ending too, Robbo - I ask for one every time I go to the massage parlor. [Rim shot - sound of crickets chirping]

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Make your mind up - a happy ending or a rim shot....two different prices.

      Rastafairy.

      PS aah hey sof' la'...you've gorra laugh eh our Stevie.

      Delete
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