*Official* English Football Season 2011-12

[TT Boy]

Incidentally, the Guardian Joy of Six great individual performances mentions both the Manure vs Juventus and Liverpool vs Milan games.

For the great individual performance in Istanbul it highlights Dietmar Hamann as the player.

And Smicer and Dudek were also heroes on that night as well. Gerrard's role gets a little bit overplayed, inspirational, unforgettable performance no doubt but a few other much more maligned figures helped on that night or in previous rounds to get them there (Igor Biscan).

 

[Uppercut]

Tbf can't even imagine Martinez working with Downing. Any continental manager is going to come in and ask: why did he sign loads of players with no technique?

 

[Ikki]

Doing well at a small club is not enough to take over a club like Liverpool. You're talking about big players and big expectations from everyone. Martinez is a likeable guy and has done well with a smaller team and played good football along the way but I would be very surprised if he was appointed.

He would be a pretty bad appointment IMO. I don't think his appointment would unite the fans at all at the best of times, let alone after sacking someone like Dalglish. That will only happen with a world-class manager who has done something. I hope the owners have a trump card in the works.

Honestly, I'd love to see Rafa back. He's re-energised, and you can tell from his interviews he'd change his methods. He could concentrate on football instead of having to war with the owners. Also, the kind of money he'd get to spend would be wonderful. People can trip over themselves to say Rafa wasted money but he rarely bought players with lots of money, mainly lots of players for little money. And he'd stop buying mediocre English crap.

 

[Uppercut]

Doing well at a small club is not enough to take over a club like Liverpool. You're talking about big players and big expectations from everyone. Martinez is a likeable guy and has done well with a smaller team and played good football along the way but I would be very surprised if he was appointed.

He would be a pretty bad appointment IMO. I don't think his appointment would unite the fans at all at the best of times, let alone after sacking someone like Dalglish. That will only happen with a world-class manager who has done something. I hope the owners have a trump card in the works.

Assuming you can't get Rafa back, who would you go for instead? Who would come?

 

[sledger]

I'd probably agree with Ikki that Martinez is not high profile enough for the job, but as a caveat, managers like him have to be given a chance to prove themselves at higher levels. The much esteemed Rafa, was after all relatively inexperienced (by his own admission) when he took on the Valencia job.

 

[Ikki]

Assuming you can't get Rafa back, who would you go for instead? Who would come?

I don't know, that is upto Rafa. But we were linked with a lot of good players that fell through because we couldn't pay 5-10 million more than what the clubs asked. I think this team is 2 very good signings from being a big contender again. We need a world-class CM most of all.

I think Rafa's knowledge and connection with Spanish players, in this era of football where their footballers are so good, is very important.

I'd probably agree with Ikki that Martinez is not high profile enough for the job, but as a caveat, managers like him have to be given a chance to prove themselves at higher levels. The much esteemed Rafa, was after all relatively inexperienced (by his own admission) when he took on the Valencia job.

He was, for sure. I think these managers tend to be pretty rare. It really is a gamble bringing them. I think with Liverpool, after the last 2-3 years, people aren't in the mood to gamble. The fans want some pedigree, some assurances rather than long shots.

 

[Ikki]

Going round reading online Liverpool forums is getting a bit depressing. People have to put their hero worship aside and see that the guy really had a bad season.

 

[sledger]

He was, for sure. I think these managers tend to be pretty rare. It really is a gamble bringing them. I think with Liverpool, after the last 2-3 years, people aren't in the mood to gamble. The fans want some pedigree, some assurances rather than long shots.

Yeah, I'd agree. I think given the circumstances Liverpool would be wise to go with someone with a decent track record at the highest level. But these types of coaches (that are available, and would be willing to do the job) are perhaps as rare as the Rafa-like up and comers. That said, if I was the owner and a club and looking to roll the dice...I'm there are any managers who'd be more deserving of a go than Martinez.

Will be interesting to see where Liverpool go from here in any case.

 

[social]

Doing well at a small club is not enough to take over a club like Liverpool. You're talking about big players and big expectations from everyone. Martinez is a likeable guy and has done well with a smaller team and played good football along the way but I would be very surprised if he was appointed.

He would be a pretty bad appointment IMO. I don't think his appointment would unite the fans at all at the best of times, let alone after sacking someone like Dalglish. That will only happen with a world-class manager who has done something. I hope the owners have a trump card in the works.

Honestly, I'd love to see Rafa back. He's re-energised, and you can tell from his interviews he'd change his methods. He could concentrate on football instead of having to war with the owners. Also, the kind of money he'd get to spend would be wonderful. People can trip over themselves to say Rafa wasted money but he rarely bought players with lots of money, mainly lots of players for little money. And he'd stop buying mediocre English crap.

This is the thing that truly ****s me about Liverpool fans and I'm a closet one myself

It's not a BIG team - it's mid-table

They are not BIG players - see above

The fans of LFC need to get over themselves and realise that they are the only ones that give a **** about ancient history and give whoever comes in the opportunity to transform this bunch of over-paid (Carragher is on 90 k per week ffs!), over-hyped princesses into something resembling a team

 

[GIMH]

A lot of Liverpool fans have told me that Barnes never got a fair chance with the SWA. I say he deserves another chance to prove himself on Merseyside.

 

[Uppercut]

Yeah, why don't they just go for a top-class manager with an excellent record. Genius call.

 

[Ikki]

I get the place we are now, but I think you're forgetting what makes a "big team". You don't lose those expectations or those beliefs overnight.

Moreover, we were runner-up in the league just 3 seasons ago and the #1 ranked team in Europe. Pre-Rafa, you probably had more of a point. The new generations of fans have had a taste of the highest success, they're not going to settle. And why should they?

Dalglish's form was inexcusable. Relegation - Hodgson - form for half a season. Are we to be happy with a Carling cup? We should still be challenging for top 4; I really doubt any of the other clubs would hire Martinez if that was their aim. If we can't get a manager of the highest class and have to settle, so be it. But IMO they should at least be looking.

 

[GIMH]

Should go for Mourinho

 

[marc71178]

Also, the tactical change Rafa made is rarely mentioned.

You mean the tactical change where he took Gerrard out of the middle where he was being made to look a **** by the Milan midfield for the entire first half?

 

[social]

Said it before and I'll say it again - LFC could do faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar worse than Capello

He is one of the few guys in football that neither the players or fans could complain about

If they like Martinez, make him his assistant so he'll be ready to take over once Fabio has purchased his next Picasso

In the scheme of things, that will cost a lot lss than Andy Carroll and the chances are that the return will be infinitely higher

 

[Uppercut]

Yeah, I'd agree. I think given the circumstances Liverpool would be wise to go with someone with a decent track record at the highest level. But these types of coaches (that are available, and would be willing to do the job) are perhaps as rare as the Rafa-like up and comers. That said, if I was the owner and a club and looking to roll the dice...I'm there are any managers who'd be more deserving of a go than Martinez.

Will be interesting to see where Liverpool go from here in any case.

Martinez would be odd, he'd be going from an extremely continental style to an extremely English one.

Obvz I'm a huge fan but I don't think his record comes close to justifying giving him the Liverpool job.

 

[Uppercut]

I get the place we are now, but I think you're forgetting what makes a "big team". You don't lose those expectations or those beliefs overnight.

Moreover, we were runner-up in the league just 3 seasons ago and the #1 ranked team in Europe. Pre-Rafa, you probably had more of a point. The new generations of fans have had a taste of the highest success, they're not going to settle. And why should they?

Dalglish's form was inexcusable. Relegation - Hodgson - form for half a season. Are we to be happy with a Carling cup? We should still be challenging for top 4; I really doubt any of the other clubs would hire Martinez if that was their aim. If we can't get a manager of the highest class and have to settle, so be it. But IMO they should at least be looking.

Disagree. If they can get a manager of the highest class they should say no and employ someone **** instead.

What are you actually on about, ikki. Firstly, you're stating the obvious- if they should get a world-class manager than they should. Secondly, I don't get why you think "high fan expectations" count for ****. This is all a bit like me breaking up with my girlfriend, then saying "I should go for someone really hot. I have extremely high bedroom expectations because I pulled a supermodel once seven years ago, and almost pulled another one three years ago (before she eventually ended up with my much more attractive neighbour). If I have to settle for a mediocre girlfriend, then so be it. But IMO I should at least try to get an awesome one."

 

[Furball]

Martinez could do with a season where Wigan aren't toal crap for two thirds of the season before he gets a big job.

And lol at Liverpool being a big club.They were closer to being relegated than they were to the top 4, and were it not for winning the Carling Cup would be facing a second season without Europe.

 

[roseboy64]

Said it before and I'll say it again - LFC could do faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar worse than Capello

He is one of the few guys in football that neither the players or fans could complain about

If they like Martinez, make him his assistant so he'll be ready to take over once Fabio has purchased his next Picasso

In the scheme of things, that will cost a lot lss than Andy Carroll and the chances are that the return will be infinitely higher

Capello would be mad to take over a side like Liverpool. With his age and his accomplishments, trying to transform someone like Liverpool's too much effort. Could see him at a PSG or Spurs or Napoli or Inter.

 

[cpr]

Capello wants a Prem gig, unless Chelsea sack Roberto he's got no other options (dont think Chelsea would want him)