BBC Blog Network

User Profile

BigLRed

Listed below are comments made by BigLRed between Monday, 14th September 2009 and Monday, 14th December 2009.

«Newer
Older»

Wenger wins in madcap weekend 11:23am on 14 Dec 2009 Hi Phil,

Another defeat for Liverpool, and here we are talking again about Benitez and confidence.

First, my congratulations go to Arsenal for their excellent win. We can debate all day long how deserved that win was, but what Arsenal did at Anfield was win ugly, which they never used to do before, and which is a trait of Champions of the past. I honestly think that if Arsenal buy a decent striker (not that there is anything wrong with Arshavin), and manage to be there, or there abouts come March, they will have a serious say on who will win the title.

Now, turning my attention to Liverpool. We all know that the team are suffering from lack of confidence. When a team is low on confidence, isn't it the managers job to raise their spirits and believe in themselves? Rafa is undoubtedly a very good tactician and his knowledge of the game is brilliant, but I believe that he cannot motivate and galvanise players. I can put my house on the fact that today, Rafa and the team will watch the video of the game yesterday, with Rafa pointing out mistakes that were made in the second half, asking for improvement instead of galvanising his players.
I have seen countless times in the past, Manchester United teams suffer from a similar confidence crisis, but theirs seems to last for a couple of games only. When they come back, they come back with a BANG, beat the opposition by 3-4 goals, and suddenly the confidence is back and they go on a run of wins. The merit for that does not go to the players, but to Sir Alex Ferguson. He is the one that makes them understand that they are maybe EVEN BETTER than they really are.

Rafa simply doesn't posses this quality. This is the first time he is managing a team that is in CRISIS. He is magnificent when things are going well. He doesn't seem to be coping now that things aren't. I don't know anymore if he has the power of turning this around, but I was in the KOP yesterday, and for the first time in years, I was watching the team KNOWING that we were going to lose again (after Arsenal scored the second). One thing I was hoping for was a Torres or Gerrard miracle, which never materialised.

One thing is for sure, Liverpool are going nowhere in a hurry, and unless the players find that bit of confidence in themselves (because it certainsly will not be instilled by Benitez), then LFC are in BIG BIG trouble.
Wenger finds defeat hard to swallow 10:40am on 03 Dec 2009 Hi Phil,

Over the years, I have found Arsene Wenger a breath of fresh air in english football. The brand of football that he coaches and his team produce is often breathtaking and excellent to watch. However, I have always felt that (after the departure of Patrick Viera), his teams could be bullied out of a game. If you kept Arsenal out for the first 30 minutes and managed to nick one, the suddenly their heads would drop, they start looking for a leader to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and push forward.

If we look at the other "top 4" teams, they all have natural leaders: Chelsea have Terry, Lampard and often the underrated Essien, Mancester United have Rooney, Ferdinand and nowadays Fletcher, Liverpool have Gerrard, Mascherano and Carragher. Arsenal do have extremely talented players such as Fabregas, Gallas, Van Persie but I do not see a leader in their team.
In the summer Arsenal had the chance to sign a certain Lorik Cana for a bargain £5m. Even though Arsene Wenger monitored the progress of Cana since his days in Switzerland, he decided not to go for him. Ever since then Cana has gone on to become Sunderlands captain and has put in a true leaders performances game after game for the Black Cats.

I do not agree with Mr. Wengers decision not to shake the hand of Hughes after the game, I do not excuse is, and it was a very poor decision from a beaten man. However, I do understand the decision that Wenger made with regards to the young players. If he didn't implement this policy, then he wouldn't have known for sure that players like Fabregas, Denilson, Song, Traore, Gibbs and many more, are ready to break into the first team.

I cannot see Arsenal winning anything this year and probably next year. I think that they will probably finish 4th (yes, behind Liverpool) as they have more than Tottenham, Man City and Villa have.

Funny how things go. Over the last two months, most of the Arsenal fans have been telling me that Liverpool need to sack Benitez. Liverpool are now just 2 points off Arsenal, with Arsenal due to visit Anfield next week.
Benitez under spotlight after Champions League exit 12:19pm on 25 Nov 2009 Phil,

One of the names that we have been mentined in the press has been that of Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Aside from the fact that this will anger many United fans, he would be ideal for Liverpool. He would provide excellent cover for Torres, play up front with him if we needed to chase the game, and is one of the games all time great finishers. His record at United and Real is stunning. We would be getting him on loan initially, with a view to a permanent signing.
However, the bargain basement signings have been much of hit (a few: Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio) and miss (most: Dossena, Lucas, Leto etc.) for Benitez.
I like Insua, but I want a better quality left back. The problem is, that I think he is already in the club, but playing wide left, AURELIO. He is pure class, can hurt teams with his delivery, and just ask Van der Sar and Cech about his free kicks.
I think that the imminent return to fitness of El Nino, will provide a welcome boost to players and fans. Although a lot of pressure is being put on his young shoulders, he is THAT GOOD that he can handle it and get us results so we can push up the table.
Benitez under spotlight after Champions League exit 11:42am on 25 Nov 2009 Hi Phil,

By in large this squad is pretty much the same squad we had last year. The only two differences are Johnson at right back (an improvement on Arbeloa) and Aquilani at central midfield( we still dont know how good he is).

The major difference is the confidence factor. The build-up play in the last three Liverpool games has been good, we are bossing the games and creating chances. However, we seem weak at the back, particularly if we go ahead and have to defend for a few minutes when the opposition throw players forward. Last year we expected and successfully managed these storms and we were never in danger. This year, whenever the opposition builds up a head of steam, I almost expect them to score (Lyon home and away, Man City home and Debrecen nearly at the end of the game).
I do not believe that Rafa has become a BAD manager overnight, but I also think he is not immune from critisism. Some of his decisions have been baffling, but that is the way he operates, and his un-predictibility makes him a dangerous opponent, because you never know what he is going to do next.

If he knew that Aquilani was not going to be ready until the winter, why didn't he wait until January and then make the move? Why is he not playing him at all? As I am NOT a fan of Lucas, I want Aquilani in the team. Even though Lucas is getting better, he is NOT a creative player. He is a player designed to break up the oppositions play, but we already have the best player in the league that does that, MASCHERANO. Last year, Mascherano broke up play, Alonso set up a new attack. This year Mascherano and Lucas are breaking up play, but they are setting up very little.

I believe (and I have to as a fan) that we will finish comfortably in the Top 4. What we need is to get our confidence up, especialy in defence, get a few wins under our belt and have a blinding second half of the season. I believe that our team is strong enough to surprise a few people.
Can Blazevic work his magic for Bosnia? 1:37pm on 10 Nov 2009 Hi Phil,

Ciro Blazevic has been a magician for years. I remember as a kid in Prishtina, Kosova, Ciro took over our team which was languishing in second tier football. He immediately got us promoted and then we were facing the all conquering Red Star (Crvena Zvezda) in Belgrade, Serbia. We won 3:1 and that result and performance will always remain with me for as long as I live.

Ciro Majstore (Ciro the Master)
Benitez's brinkmanship strikes again 12:13pm on 26 Oct 2009 Confidence Phil,

When you are confident, then even if you are not playing well, your strikers expect to score, your midfielders expect to get the ball and your defenders expect to keep a clean sheet.
When you are not, everything is dark and gloomy, you don't want the ball, you dont want the responsibility of missing, you wander about the consequences of a loss rather than the rewards of a win.
Liverpool have had their confidence shattered in the last couple of weeks. However, this was the perfect response. If Liverpool manage a win over Fulham next weekend, I would not be surprised if we went on a run of many successive wins. That is what confidence does.

Turning my attention to United, I have been saying for ages that they have not been playing well week in, week out. Wins against Arsenal and Bolton have been undeserved, and the draw against Sunderland, was the most one sided draw I have seen this year. United's strength is how Sir Alex Ferguson manages to deflect criticism, by pointing the finger of blame elsewhere (mainly referees eg. fat referees, bad refereeing decisions).
The title race this year will be the most fascinating one for decades. Man Citeh will again splash the cash in January, and I believe that any of the current top 7 can finish in the top four. The only stand out team at the moment is Chelsea.
My top four for this year:

Chelsea
Liverpool
Arsenal
Man Citeh
Benitez's brinkmanship strikes again 11:07am on 26 Oct 2009 To all United fans:

Would you like to hear something really scary???

TORRES

Bet you're scared now
Can James answer England call? 10:15am on 08 Oct 2009 Hi Phil,

I believe that in current form David James is the best English keeper around. The truth that he is getting on now, should not discard the fact that he has been the most consistent English goalkeeper in the last couple of years.
In the long run I think that Robinson will get the jersey back. Technicaly, he has all the attributes to succeed James, and will also be much tougher mentally, after the mauling he had after the Croatia debacle, and his subsequent fall.
But ultimately, it all depends on Capello and what he demands of a goalkeeper. The modern goalkeepers should be able to start counter attacks, as well as being good between the sticks. I think two of the best in that business are Given and Reina. I am affraid that none of the English keepers have that ability, which is something that Capello would look to work on.
Finally, I don't think that England will win/lose the World Cup because of a goalkeeping error, it will depend on the tactical and motivational ability of Capello.
Squad wise my money is still on Spain.
Chelsea & Liverpool under scrutiny 10:59am on 02 Oct 2009 Hi Phil,

Even an out of form Mascherano is better than the pairing of Lucas and Aurelio in midfield. I understand why Rafa was trying out that option (didn't want to break up the Gerrard Torres combination up front), but I cannot see him employing that system again. If Masch is injured, then Gerrard will switch back into midfield and Riera will come on the left while Benayoun will play the Gerrard role.
However, I believe the game will be won/lost depending on how Johnson fares against Cole and vice-versa. This duel will be fascinating as they are both outstanding full-backs.
You mentioned the tactics that Rafa employed when he played Scolaris Chelsea, and I honestly think that if he does that again, he will stop Chelsea. All their danger comes from the deep runs that A. Cole and Bosingwa make offensivley. If you cut out that supply then Chelsea appear to be very narrow with essentially 3 central midfielders (Essien, Lampard and Deco/Ballack) and one winger (Malouda). Liverpool on the other hand do not have that problem because their players are interchangable with Benayoun being able to play anywhere across the middle, Kuyt can play and the right or behind Torres and Gerrard can play anywhere.

I tip Liverpool to win this one 1-2 (Drogba, Torres, Gerrard)
Ferguson faces huge task in Europe 4:08pm on 14 Sep 2009 Hi Phil,

As a Liverpool fan, I would swap the Champions League any time for the Premiership crown, however, I think that if we avoid English opposition until the semi-final, we will win the Champions League, even if it is the dreaded Barcelona in the final.
I believe that benitez has the measure of ANY spanish team and he seems to be able to read what they will do, and then set Liverpool up to counter that. Just look at what Liverpool did to the in-form Real Madrid last year.
Benitez's problem seems to be the English teams, and lately Chelsea. Both teams are so equally matched, that nothing separates them, and the annoying part for Benitez is his innability to find a way of dominating them.
I do not believe that United will go all the way this year, because I feel that Barca, Real and Inter would have a genuine chance of beating them.
Chelsea will again go the whole way because they are a team that can play europeanly effective football without having to re-adjust.
Arsenal will provide the entertainment but they are the team that will fall away first.
Liverpool Barca final, Liverpool winning 2-1

«Newer
Older»

^ Back to top

BBC MMVI

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

BBC.co.uk

BBC Blog Network

Find and talk to the BBC's bloggers.

User Profile

BigLRed