Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2013/14 Mod warning post#7005

Devilman40k · 18-02-2014 12:59PM

K-9 wrote: »

The likes of Reina, Johnson, Skrtel or Agger would be profits on player sales so that shouldn't be a big problem, also big wages off the books. The FA regulations mean we can only increase wages by £4 Million so they are important, actually more important that when we used to have the "wages saved" debates!

Not entirely true..that is an increase of 4m on the previous season, anything extra can be offset with new commercial revenues, I wonder what we did in January on that side...hmmmm :cool:

Knex* · 18-02-2014 12:59PM

Seems less and less we, as a fanbase and the Club as a whole, are shying away from the challenge.

Cautious optimism for the season is being replaced, gradually, by confidence and an almost bullish belief. Its great to see how the team is performing right now, and inevitably that brings the fans along in a wave of belief.

We can actually tell people we believe Liverpool will win the league, and they can't laugh or call us deluded.

I'd nearly repeat that last line again. Look at Kess's posts above, there's a clear sense of hope and confidence in this team, whereas 6 months ago if anyone here said we believed Liverpool would win the title, he'd have nearly hit you with the ban hammer.

I suppose years of being mediocre and falling short has me somewhat apprehensive in my own belief, but **** it, this is what we follow the Club for and this is beyond everyone's expectations for the season. Far, far beyond.

I'm hopping on the coat tails and going to enjoy this run while I can. Who knows when next we'll be so close?

tok9 · 18-02-2014 01:01PM

Kess73 wrote: »

Think all that matters right now is the 12 remaining games.

Despite it being an awful cliche, those games really have to be treated like 12 cup finals.

Saw an interesting stat last night which surprised me a little. We are closer to first place in terms of points after 26 games this season than we were after 26 games in the 2008/09 season.

While I admire your optimism there is no way I'll be getting my hopes up just yet.

Our run of results in the last 12 games of 08/09 was astonishing if I remember correctly.. 11 wins and 1 draw.

If we were to pull off a similar result set now we would definitely win the title... I just can't see that happening.

K-9 · 18-02-2014 01:04PM

Kess73 wrote: »

Ged restored some pride and gave a feeling of hope. Rafa fanned the flames of hope and turned it into belief and expectation. Rodgers is very close to turning a hope of chasing glory into a belief that we can actually fight for it.

Come on Sunday, and bring on Swansea.

The team spirit and morale must be great. With Sunderland off 3 points are essential to lead us into Sothampton and United Away. 6 points out of those will set us up nicely for Spurs, which really is going to the game to decide if we are in a scrap for 4th or a decent shot at the title.

Devilman40k · 18-02-2014 01:04PM

tok9 wrote: »

If we were to pull off a similar result set now we would definitely win the title... I just can't see that happening.

Exactly...thing is are any of the 3 ahead of us guaranteed to put together a run like that either? This season has been so off the wall that maybe, just maybe we can nick it.

Dammit Kess...I said I wouldn't get my hopes up

Kess73 · 18-02-2014 01:05PM

Iang87 wrote: »

I love that post Kess the only huge difference for me is that we're chasing down 3 teams as opposed to the one

Yes we are chasing down three teams, but two of those three have to come to our gaff.

It's not in our hands, but if we look after ourselves and keep picking up points then they cannot slip up.

They have more money, they have bigger squads, they have world class players, and right now they have more points. One of them should win the title , they should be fully expected to win it by their own supporters and the media, They have no excuses for mt winning the title, and that is real pressure.

We are just the underdogs, the plucky chasers if you will, and that takes away some of the pressure on us.

skywalker · 18-02-2014 01:07PM

Devilman40k wrote: »

Kess, considering the dross we have had served up over the past few seasons, the false dawns, watching the club at the edge of the abyss , just being in the position to be able to dream is wonderful.

I do think that, whatever Rodgers has said publicly, he's said something VERY different to the players. He can sense a shot at top spot too, he'd be insane not to

Youve got to remember also that Rodgers perspective on things is going to be very different to a player like Stevie, or for that matter Agger, Skyrtl, Johnson, Lucas or any of the other senior pro's who may not be here, or may not be playing as big a part in the team in Stevies case, over the next few seasons.

Rodgers is only starting & will potentially have plenty of chances to cement his Liverpool legacy. For some of those players, its now or never.

messinkiapina · 18-02-2014 01:07PM

If Liverpool were level on points with Chelsea right now, I still would make City/Chelsea decent favorites for the title. 4 points behind, we're certainly outsiders. We have a chance, but I wouldn't be getting too carried away.

18-02-2014 01:09PM

Kess73 wrote: »

We are just the underdogs, the plucky chasers if you will, and that takes away some of the pressure on us.

A little horse perhaps?

K-9 · 18-02-2014 01:09PM

Devilman40k wrote: »

Not entirely true..that is an increase of 4m on the previous season, anything extra can be offset with new commercial revenues, I wonder what we did in January on that side...hmmmm :cool:

It's hard to know when these things kick in and how they are structured, but they'll help no doubt. I suppose there's nobody at the club we'd have to take a big hit on if we sold them, Borini maybe the most, that will help us in the future too.

I'd hop we'd have €50/60 Million minimum because we'll need that to upgrade for CL.

garra · 18-02-2014 01:09PM

hefferboi wrote: »

I was a fan of the owners up until January. Someone really fcuked up the transfer window imo, be it the owners not giving the cash, Ayre messing up negotiations or the targets not being right. One or two proper signings that are still needed and we'd be real title contenders right now.

The type of players who'd just tip us over the edge against the likes of Hull, Southampton and Villa. I'm still very bitter over it.

I think we all got our hopes up in expectation of a couple of new faces to cheer on, it didn't happen for a number of reasons - probably a combination of
a) the right players were not available at the right price &
b) in Kono's case, the club just didn't want to sell and therefore did not negotiate - there may have been other complications but if both teams wanted to do a deal, it would have been done.

Far from feeling bitter about it, I have taken on the more Zen-like attitude that if the players are right for us, they will not pass us by... and perhaps we will be relieved we didn't sign the Ruskie... I'm not exactly heart-broken on missing out on Salah for instance.

Plus it means more lolly for strengthening in the summer, as someone else mentioned it would be favourable to finish 3rd and have the financial forecasting (ie CL money accounted for) completed ahead of bidding on new recruits.

hefferboi · 18-02-2014 01:11PM

Kess73 wrote: »

Yes we are chasing down three teams, but two of those three have to come to our gaff.

It's not in our hands, but if we look after ourselves and keep picking up points then they cannot slip up.

They have more money, they have bigger squads, they have world class players, and right now they have more points. One of them should win the title , they should be fully expected to win it by their own supporters and the media, They have no excuses for mt winning the title, and that is real pressure.

We are just the underdogs, the plucky chasers if you will, and that takes away some of the pressure on us.

Biggest difference between this year and 08/09 is there's relativity no pressure on us this year. That alone could make the difference.

hefferboi · 18-02-2014 01:13PM

garra wrote: »

I think we all got our hopes up in expectation of a couple of new faces to cheer on, it didn't happen for a number of reasons - probably a combination of
a) the right players were not available at the right price &
b) in Kono's case, the club just didn't want to sell and therefore did not negotiate - there may have been other complications but if both teams wanted to do a deal, it would have been done.

Far from feeling bitter about it, I have taken on the more Zen-like attitude that if the players are right for us, they will not pass us by... and perhaps we will be relieved we didn't sign the Ruskie... I'm not exactly heart-broken on missing out on Salah for instance.

Plus it means more lolly for strengthening in the summer, as someone else mentioned it would be favourable to finish 3rd and have the financial forecasting (ie CL money accounted for) completed ahead of bidding on new recruits.

To be honest, I ddn't really care if we signed either Kono or Salah. Would be very good additions to the squad, alright, but we could just as easily get them in the summer. We needed dynamic centre midfielder. Still do really, but to be fair, Gerrard and Coutinho have been excellent since Jan.

Kess73 · 18-02-2014 01:14PM

tok9 wrote: »

While I admire your optimism there is no way I'll be getting my hopes up just yet.

Our run of results in the last 12 games of 08/09 was astonishing if I remember correctly.. 11 wins and 1 draw.

If we were to pull off a similar result set now we would definitely win the title... I just can't see that happening.

Thing is we are supporters. We can afford to get our hopes up. So what if those hopes get dashed. We can always let something else raise our hopes in the future.

But supporters with raised hopes make a lot of noise, and they will roar players on, even the less loved players, and if I was a player who was starting to think that there was a chance of a title medal, well I sure as hell would respond to 40,000 plus voices roaring me on and push that little bit harder which in turn would cause the volume to rise and the cycle repeats itself.

We may well crash and burn, but wouldn't it be fun to find out just how far we can go this season? To just take the shackles off and say "let's be fcuking having you" to any team that stands in front of us.

12 matches

12 rounds.

Go into the fight wanting the win, and you just might get it.

Vinz Mesrine · 18-02-2014 01:15PM

A United supporting friend of mine put this on Facebook earlier saying "any time now......right?

"

Washington Irving · 18-02-2014 01:16PM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

A little horse perhaps?

I think 'chihuahua' is the one we're going with.

Boom_Bap · 18-02-2014 01:16PM

If we were 3 points ahead of City, I'd still have them as favorites.

The brilliant thing is that we are in the mix for winning the league, and we havent been there is a while.
The players seem to have changed thier outlook in that rather aiming for top 4, they are just aiming for top. This change in phsycology has a huge bearing on a team.

I wrote something before the season start about how Utd under Ferguson from day 1 would be talking about winning the league, same goes for City and CFC. Having that instilled in a team rather than a top 4 aspiration changes the outlook and sense of accomplishment in a team.

Kess73 · 18-02-2014 01:19PM

Deleted User wrote: »

A little horse perhaps?

Suits me. Hell Rodgers can be our Frank Hopkins in that case.

Kess73 · 18-02-2014 01:23PM

Aim for 1st, and get 4th if you fail, or aim for 4th and get 7th if you fail.

Let those chasing us worry about us, and we will worry about those we are trying to catch.

Grayditch · 18-02-2014 01:24PM

Norwich haven't conceded at home in the league since the United game in December, keeping out City the other week. Anyone fancy them to hold Spurs to a draw, or will Adebeyor sneak one in in the 86th minute?

Devilman40k · 18-02-2014 01:25PM

Grayditch wrote: »

Norwich haven't conceded at home in the league since the United game in December, keeping out City the other week. Anyone fancy them to hold Spurs to a draw, or will Adebeyor sneak one in in the 86th minute?

Hold on I got this....Spurs 4-0 :cool:

thats how it works right? :pac:

DrumSteve · 18-02-2014 01:25PM

Grayditch wrote: »

Norwich haven't conceded at home in the league since the United game in December, keeping out City the other week. Anyone fancy them to hold Spurs to a draw, or will Adebeyor sneak one in in the 86th minute?

Spurs have a great away record, I'd fully expect them to beat Norwich.

Keep us on our toes also.

18-02-2014 01:33PM

Kess73 wrote: »

Think all that matters right now is the 12 remaining games.

Despite it being an awful cliche, those games really have to be treated like 12 cup finals.

Saw an interesting stat last night which surprised me a little. We are closer to first place in terms of points after 26 games this season than we were after 26 games in the 2008/09 season.

We were 7 points off of first after 26 games in 2008/09, and we are 4 points off after the same amount of games this season.

12 massive games. 12 games that give Rodgers an outside chance of pulling off something that would be bigger than our CL run in 04/05.

When a fan starts to dream it can be something that leads to heartbreak, but I sure as hell hope that some of our players are starting to dream and that it puts some extra fire in their bellies. Sone of the senior players certainly seem to have sensed there is a chance, however slim, and their reactions after goals have reflected this.

One thing I do know is that if, at 15:00 on Sunday May 1th, we are in a position where three points can still win the title on, then I am confident that I will be sat in an Anfield that is louder than the one I sat in when we played Chelsea in the CL semi final in 2005. That for me is the dream.

I got goosebumps reading this tbh

18-02-2014 01:33PM

Kess73 wrote: »

Aim for 1st, and get 4th if you fail, or aim for 4th and get 7th if you fail.

Let those chasing us worry about us, and we will worry about those we are trying to catch.

No offence as I generally like your posts but I think that's bollocks.

Once the transfer windows have passed, what the team is 'aiming for' is going to be llargely irrelevant. If the first line of your post was even close to the truth then it would be the easiest solution for any team in trouble. Whether the target is 1st or 4th Liverpool are going to go into every game from now until the end of the season looking for a victory, so the long term 'goal' really makes no difference.

Grayditch · 18-02-2014 01:33PM

DrumSteve wrote: »

Keep us on our toes also.

You know what, you might be right. Windows of opportunity don't seem to always go our way, maybe we need a fire under our arse the whole time.

whatawaster · 18-02-2014 01:39PM

I read that if we win on Sunday we will have more points after 27 games than in any other season since 87/88.

Kess73 · 18-02-2014 01:47PM

AdamD wrote: »

No offence as I generally like your posts but I think that's bollocks.

Once the transfer windows have passed, what the team is 'aiming for' is going to be llargely irrelevant. If the first line of your post was even close to the truth then it would be the easiest solution for any team in trouble. Whether the target is 1st or 4th Liverpool are going to go into every game from now until the end of the season looking for a victory, so the long term 'goal' really makes no difference.

The target set by the manager behind closed doors will matter a hell of a lot. Lots of players are confidence driven, and players who think, who believe, they can finish high will stand a better chance of doing so than a group who are told they are not expected to finish as high and for whom a lower finishing position would be more realistic.

Regardless of where we eventually end up this season, I hope to hell that Rodgers and his team have the players looking at the league table and believing in themselves that they can go after the teams above us.

If you run a business and you need your business to hit X amount, you don't set X as the target for your employees to achieve you aim higher so that if the named target is not met that you still might hit the needed target.

Same thing applies, for me, in sport. Aim as high as is possible for the individual or team and that way if they do not make it then they may reach a level that would have been acceptable before the competition began.

Right now we are in a position where we have an outside chance, so that has to be pursued until we either succeed or it becomes an impossibility.

I'll let the insufferable Jim Carrey take it from here

DrumSteve · 18-02-2014 01:55PM

Grayditch wrote: »

You know what, you might be right. Windows of opportunity don't seem to always go our way, maybe we need a fire under our arse the whole time.

The "every game is a cup final" menatality.

Paulegend · 18-02-2014 01:58PM

Kess73 wrote: »

The target set by the manager behind closed doors will matter a hell of a lot. Lots of players are confidence driven, and players who think, who believe, they can finish high will stand a better chance of doing so than a group who are told they are not expected to finish as high and for whom a lower finishing position would be more realistic.

Regardless of where we eventually end up this season, I hope to hell that Rodgers and his team have the players looking at the league table and believing in themselves that they can go after the teams above us.

If you run a business and you need your business to hit X amount, you don't set X as the target for your employees to achieve you aim higher so that if the named target is not met that you still might hit the needed target.

Same thing applies, for me, in sport. Aim as high as is possible for the individual or team and that way if they do not make it then they may reach a level that would have been acceptable before the competition began.

Right now we are in a position where we have an outside chance, so that has to be pursued until we either succeed or it becomes an impossibility.

I'll let the insufferable Jim Carrey take it from here

an old college lecturer used to tell me that students biggest problem is that they know 40% is a pass so they aim for 40%. a lot of the time if the student is competent they will pass and get around 50-60% but sometimes because they are thinking "i just need to get 40%" they end up getting closer to 30-39%.

if a student didnt think that 40% was passing level and that they had to get as much of a percentage as possible then they would be aiming for 100% instead of just 40. so if they do miss out they end up with 80-99% as opposed to 30-39%

dont know if any of that makes sense but in short we should be aiming for 1st. if we miss out we could get 2nd 3rd or 4th. but if we aim for 4th and miss out we would be getting 5th 6th or 7th.

i for one am not counting my chickens just yet. im all about optimism but if we are within 7 points of top after the games against swansea southampton united cardiff and spurs then ill start believing ye can do it. we do need to beat city and chelsea though but i do think we can. the same as arsenal we had bad ref decisions against us in the away games so hopefully we will have them go in our favour at anfield

gimli2112 · 18-02-2014 02:01PM

DrumSteve wrote: »

The "every game is a cup final" menatality.

2001 was like that for the final few months, when we did the cup treble and qualified for the CL via the league. It was very stressful. This would be much much worse. If we're still in it near the end I won't be able to watch.

Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2013/14 Mod warning post#7005

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