Football 2013-2014

[eFestivals]

Im sure individual have had that opinion about Cleverly, what I meant was there has been no significant amount of negativity about his peformances.

but there has, every time. if that's passed you by it's passed you by.

I agree about the Sterling v Townsend comparison, but am also wary of making big comparisons when a team is in full confidence like Liverpool are now. The making of him will be whether he can make the difference when things are going against Liverpool. He is young so hopefully will improve, I see him being a top premiership player, but just like Wilshire not one of the best in the world.

Sterling already has more end product than Wilshire has ever shown. He only ever runs into dead ends and then falls over.

but you're right, it's too early to make a full judgement on Sterling, and that's mainly because the improvements are coming so fast at the moment it's hard to know where he is to know where he can go.

And it might be a form blip too, tho he's of course long looked like a very promising player else he'd never have had a big move (upto £5M, at 15!!) to Liverpool as a kid in the first place.

Edited March 6, 2014 by eFestivals

[eFestivals]

I suspect Sterling will get far closer to Walcott quality than Bale quality.

it might be a form blip of course, but i'd say he's around the Walcott level at the mo (his form since xmas).

He really has come on massively.

As PT says though, the test will come next time his and Liverpool's form dips, rather than him continuing to do well while things are good.

yep, tho it's starting to look like he's probably got enough about him to put in a good shift no matter how the team is doing.

I'm sure they'll be dips back down in form tho. I doubt he's only going to improve without the odd backwards step.

[kaosmark2]

Sterling already has more end product than Wilshire has ever shown. He only ever runs into dead ends and then falls over.

[kaosmark2]

it might be a form blip of course, but i'd say he's around the Walcott level at the mo (his form since xmas).

He really has come on massively.

yep, tho it's starting to look like he's probably got enough about him to put in a good shift no matter how the team is doing.

I'm sure they'll be dips back down in form tho. I doubt he's only going to improve without the odd backwards step.

[eFestivals]

I think it's a form blip. Walcott maintained it for 18 months, Sterling has for 3.

I agree he's been excellent during that period though.

Just looked at his stats (from wiki) - 6 goals in 23 this season (plus another 1 from 4 cup games).

Edit: plus one at england level (under 21s, I guess).

That's damned good for a just-19 year old kid who plays on the wing.

(and yes, that Wilshire goal is a beaut .... it's the only one there is tho).

Edited March 6, 2014 by eFestivals

[pink_triangle]

Surely you wouldnt compare wilshire and sterlings goal output. I would see sterling as playing s more attacking role of the 2.

[kaosmark2]

Just looked at his stats (from wiki) - 6 goals in 23 this season (plus another 1 from 4 cup games).

Edit: plus one at england level (under 21s, I guess).

That's damned good for a just-19 year old kid who plays on the wing.

(and yes, that Wilshire goal is a beaut .... it's the only one there is tho).

[DomDom1984]

I would agree with that, but for someone who is/was regularly claimed to be a top manager, he has to be able to spend that money better. Both chairman and manager are incompetent in my opinion.

[eFestivals]

Surely you wouldnt compare wilshire and sterlings goal output. I would see sterling as playing s more attacking role of the 2.

of course not - they're very different players.

I was comparing their end results - from Sterling often a useful pass, from Wilshire almost always him running into a dead end and falling over (and maybe getting a free kick).

[pink_triangle]

You could also say that it's 1 goal in 14 or whatever it is from before Liverpool's recent high-scoring rampant run. He's been in great form for 3 months, playing alongside other players in great form (inc. a rejuvenated Gerrard). I'm not saying his performances haven't been remarkable given his age, but then you could talk about Januzaj with similar stats over the season as well.

I showed the Wilshere goal not just because it's an absolute beaut, but because he's involved right from the start, he helps turn defense into attack, plays some smart passes, some simple passes, some elaborate flicks, as well as that finish. Wilshere can do more to dictate the game and impact across the pitch, including the early phases of creating an attack. All factors which make me completely disagree with your "more end product" remark.

[pink_triangle]

Oh absolutely. I am no fan of Redknapp btw, I just think other people need to shoulder some of the blame for his overspending. The chairman, when Redknapp says what he needs to spend, can say "fuck off, it's not in the budget". They're the ones who are supposed to be in charge of things like budget. If a chairman can't be trusted with that job then he shouldn't be a football chairman.

Everything seems to be going on the shoulders of Redknapp.

[kaosmark2]

I agree that wilshire can do these things, but for a player of his ability, he doesn't do it enough for me.

[DomDom1984]

While I wouldn't disagree with that, arry is quite happy to try and take all the credit for himself when the club is doing well.

[Bobs]

I thought Lescott played ok in euro 2012. Playing in a world cup in Brazil is huge, he really should have swallowed a big pay cut to get some first team football elsewhere.

[LondonTom]

For me, Lescott is still a quality player, but not for a 'Top' team, for me, he's a better option than Dawson or Caulker, and if we got offered him, i'd have him back at Everton.

[eFestivals]

That is all good for Liverpool next season when players like Coutinho and Sterling will have to be on bench at times due to European commitments.

Much rather Coutinho being the attacking option on the bench than Aspas or Moses.

Still need at least 4 players to compete next season on all levels I reckon.

yup - Liverpool have a very decent 1st 11, but the squad beyond that is very thin.

I'm not sure it'll get loads better. Rodgers hasn't bought very well in general terms.

[Essex_George]

yup - Liverpool have a very decent 1st 11, but the squad beyond that is very thin.

I'm not sure it'll get loads better. Rodgers hasn't bought very well in general terms.

[eFestivals]

Or we will just waste a load of money on tripe like Aspas again!

Aspas, Borini, Assaidi ... it's a long list of quite significant money in a short amount of time.

You can credit him for Courtinho, but not really Allen (got what everyone could see LFC would get), or Sturridge - he was the biggest no-brainer in the world since Utd signed Rooney. Tho perhaps you could credit him for making the Sturridge deal actually happen (after all, Kenny failed when he tried).

I was surprised last summer how much more money he got given to spend (which the team have yet to see any benefit from too); no doubt he'll get more, CL footie gives a justification for it.

[thetime]

Will Liverpool get loads of money though, was it 90m losses in the last 2 years.

Very close to the non existent uefa fair play.

[eFestivals]

Will Liverpool get loads of money though, was it 90m losses in the last 2 years.

Very close to the non existent uefa fair play.

yeah, I was wondering about that too.

But everyone else seems to have found ways to work around it, so no doubt they will too.

[Essex_George]

Aspas, Borini, Assaidi ... it's a long list of quite significant money in a short amount of time.

You can credit him for Courtinho, but not really Allen (got what everyone could see LFC would get), or Sturridge - he was the biggest no-brainer in the world since Utd signed Rooney. Tho perhaps you could credit him for making the Sturridge deal actually happen (after all, Kenny failed when he tried).

I was surprised last summer how much more money he got given to spend (which the team have yet to see any benefit from too); no doubt he'll get more, CL footie gives a justification for it.

[eFestivals]

But if he can move these players on without too much or of a loss or break even and upgrade them to better players then no harm done.

hmmm, I'm not sure he can. Two are out on loan at weak Prem teams and yet still aren't regulars.

[Essex_George]

Will Liverpool get loads of money though, was it 90m losses in the last 2 years.

Very close to the non existent uefa fair play.

[zahidf]

David Moyes's slight;ly cringeworthy open letter to fans

Moyes's letter in the club's 12th Man magazine read: "While I knew that this job would be a challenge when I took it on, the difficult season we have experienced was not something that I envisaged, which I am sure is the case as well for you supporters - and my players, staff and I are desperate to compensate for that.

"You are accustomed to seeing a successful Manchester United and the backing you have given the players and me throughout the season has been incredible.

"Away from home the travelling fans have remained the best in the country while at Old Trafford your unwavering faith has been noticeable and hugely welcomed.

"Supporting your team when they are winning is easy but much harder when things are not going as well, and the loyalty you have shown us has been magnificent.

"Everywhere we turn people outside the club have a lot to say about Manchester United, but we have all stuck together through some tough times this season and I firmly believe that, in the long run, we will all come out at the other end, stronger for the experiences.

"Everything we have been through will make us a better, stronger team and club in the future.

"Over the years you have seen great winning sides here and, in time, I have absolutely no doubt that we will see great winning sides here again.

"A big step towards that will be transforming Old Trafford back into the fortress it has long been renowned as, and we will do everything in our power to get the positive performances and results to do that, so that we can give you season ticket holders and all of our supporters something to shout about."

[eFestivals]

David Moyes's slight;ly cringeworthy open letter to fans

I'm thinking that it's unusual for a manager to publish his goodbye letter to the fans before him getting the sack is announced.