Jan Transfer Window?

[Welcome2Anfield]

I haven't heard of anyone making enquiries on Downing but I would imagine that he wouldn't come cheap considering there aren't too many talented English born left midfielders. I'd day at least 6 million at the time being. I also agree with you Clark he still has a lot to prove before he is worthy of all the hype.

[ibreak4coffee]

Too many bloody foreigners in the English Premiership full stop.

Yeah definitely... there's absolutely NO correlation between the recent surge in quality of EPL football and the arrival of many EU and non-EU foreigners in the premiership :rolleyes:

What a stupid post... its this mentality that has also somehow continued the myth that David Beckham is the best player in the world :rolleyes:

[ibreak4coffee]

Nah i reckon that england has more class midfielders than any other country n the planet, i mean tru zidane is world class but name 5 other players contending for a midfield place in the french team that have the ability of the likes of Parker, Lampard, Gerrard, Scholes, Murphy,Cole etc. But i agree with u on the Benetiz thing i think he has done very well to intice such talent to Anfeild and they will surely help our (liverpools) cause.

But to Henry i have 3 names for you Owen Defoe and Rooney

Since when did the Liverpool boards become the "we need less foreigners" and "lets get back to tradition" boards? Are these just convenient excuses because Liverpool has fallen on harder times? Would you be making these same comments if Liverpool was recruiting Irish and Scottish players instead of Spanish ones? This is the same stupid attitude that the United States has with basketball, and its short-sighted and wrong. Furthermore, its pretty absent every time Liverpool has won 4-0 or 4-2 at home recently with goals by Garcia, Baros, or Cisse.

Blank statements like England has more class midfielders than any other country in the planet are fine - everything in international football is a matter of debate and opinion - but with all that talent wouldn't you think England could play together for once and actually make it past the quarterfinals of a major tournament? Spain aside, all the countries that are being criticized on this thread actually deliver in international competition. England is Spain, except that the Spanish press and media aren't always blaming referees or something else for their failures.

Furthermore, staying with England's midfield, I saw Gerrard make only one great play in EURO 2004... unfortunately his pass was for Thierry Henry in the 90th minute of a game England should have won. Scholes is so past his prime, and I won't even bother mentioning Murphy or Parker, who wouldnt crack the B line-up of several countries, including Italy, the Netherlands, Brazil, or Argentina. Then of course there's Beckham... undisputed proof that England dominates international football in only one category: marketing.

I will repeat that the EPL would be utter garbage without the contribution of international players. If you dont believe me, watch league competitions in Germany and France, where less foreign talent is flocking to play, to see how far those leagues have fallen.

[liverbird]

Since when did the Liverpool boards become the "we need less foreigners" and "lets get back to tradition" boards? Are these just convenient excuses because Liverpool has fallen on harder times? Would you be making these same comments if Liverpool was recruiting Irish and Scottish players instead of Spanish ones? This is the same stupid attitude that the United States has with basketball, and its short-sighted and wrong. Furthermore, its pretty absent every time Liverpool has won 4-0 or 4-2 at home recently with goals by Garcia, Baros, or Cisse.

Blank statements like England has more class midfielders than any other country in the planet are fine - everything in international football is a matter of debate and opinion - but with all that talent wouldn't you think England could play together for once and actually make it past the quarterfinals of a major tournament? Spain aside, all the countries that are being criticized on this thread actually deliver in international competition. England is Spain, except that the Spanish press and media aren't always blaming referees or something else for their failures.

Furthermore, staying with England's midfield, I saw Gerrard make only one great play in EURO 2004... unfortunately his pass was for Thierry Henry in the 90th minute of a game England should have won. Scholes is so past his prime, and I won't even bother mentioning Murphy or Parker, who wouldnt crack the B line-up of several countries, including Italy, the Netherlands, Brazil, or Argentina. Then of course there's Beckham... undisputed proof that England dominates international football in only one category: marketing.

I will repeat that the EPL would be utter garbage without the contribution of international players. If you dont believe me, watch league competitions in Germany and France, where less foreign talent is flocking to play, to see how far those leagues have fallen.

They were having each other on. Its a joke about some of our more ignorant visitors to the board. We are quite happy to have a team with a Norwegian, an Irishman, two or three Spainards, a Czech, a German, couple of Frenchmen, and the Man from Oz.

[TruReds]

I'm fine too with the current nationality composition of our team. Why complain if we haven't got Chinese internationals like Everton and the two Mancs if the only reason being marketing?

[timberley11]

They were having each other on. Its a joke about some of our more ignorant visitors to the board. We are quite happy to have a team with a Norwegian, an Irishman, two or three Spainards, a Czech, a German, couple of Frenchmen, and the Man from Oz.

I am glad somebody found the funny side of it. If the bloody non-english born players keep performing the way they did on Saturday, I don't have a problem with them at all.

Perhaps if we keep playing that way, he can keep the money in the bank, or increse players wages for their great performances. Come on somebody answer back with "the get paid to much as it is"

[Matt Clark]

Since when did the Liverpool boards become the "we need less foreigners" and "lets get back to tradition" boards? Are these just convenient excuses because Liverpool has fallen on harder times? Would you be making these same comments if Liverpool was recruiting Irish and Scottish players instead of Spanish ones? This is the same stupid attitude that the United States has with basketball, and its short-sighted and wrong. Furthermore, its pretty absent every time Liverpool has won 4-0 or 4-2 at home recently with goals by Garcia, Baros, or Cisse.

Blank statements like England has more class midfielders than any other country in the planet are fine - everything in international football is a matter of debate and opinion - but with all that talent wouldn't you think England could play together for once and actually make it past the quarterfinals of a major tournament? Spain aside, all the countries that are being criticized on this thread actually deliver in international competition. England is Spain, except that the Spanish press and media aren't always blaming referees or something else for their failures.

Furthermore, staying with England's midfield, I saw Gerrard make only one great play in EURO 2004... unfortunately his pass was for Thierry Henry in the 90th minute of a game England should have won. Scholes is so past his prime, and I won't even bother mentioning Murphy or Parker, who wouldnt crack the B line-up of several countries, including Italy, the Netherlands, Brazil, or Argentina. Then of course there's Beckham... undisputed proof that England dominates international football in only one category: marketing.

I will repeat that the EPL would be utter garbage without the contribution of international players. If you dont believe me, watch league competitions in Germany and France, where less foreign talent is flocking to play, to see how far those leagues have fallen.

Yeah ... thanks for the sermon. But perhaps you could re-tune your sarcasm radar before dropping by again?

[ibreak4coffee]

Yeah ... thanks for the sermon. But perhaps you could re-tune your sarcasm radar before dropping by again?

Sure... except I read the posts by the more ignorant posters as well and I have yet to see similar posts on other boards here. It pissed me off because I like Liverpool.

[Matt Clark]

That's lovely, except the posts you chose to reply to were

a) a sarcastic reference to the ignorant posts and
b) intended to imply scorn for such posts in and of themselves.

So like I said, thanks for the sermon, but the choir's heard it.

[usscouse]

Sure... except I read the posts by the more ignorant posters as well and I have yet to see similar posts on other boards here. It pissed me off because I like Liverpool.Talking of ignorant...!!!
You come in and read the last post of about 45, which happens to be a sacastic comment on the make up of the team. Now you're making judgements and getting up on your pulpit.

Perhaps you'd be better served by staying on the Arsenal/ Barca/L'OM/Celtic/ManU boards or whatever you're flavour of the month is.
Oh! Wait a minute the Arse lost and you're looking for another team for your list...???

[ibreak4coffee]

Talking of ignorant...!!!
You come in and read the last post of about 45, which happens to be a sacastic comment on the make up of the team. Now you're making judgements and getting up on your pulpit.

Perhaps you'd be better served by staying on the Arsenal/ Barca/L'OM/Celtic/ManU boards or whatever you're flavour of the month is.
Oh! Wait a minute the Arse lost and you're looking for another team for your list...???

For god's sake calm down... I read the entire thread and so I replied to the wrong post because it happened to be the last one I read on the thread. Fine shoot me. Can a mod edit the post so that I reply to a proper quote I was arguing against, or would that take your fun away of mocking me?

I am obviously not going to win this argument, but you're the one getting up on a pulpit here. If you had bothered to read my other posts you would have seen that I actually like Liverpool, dont come to the boards to lecture people (nor be lectured), and I admitted I replied to the wrong one but obviously you needed to be ignorant and only read "the last post of about 5" and lectured me. Hope you feel better. And I didnt realize you had to indicate Liverpool as a favorite team on your profile in order to surf the Liverpool boards. My sincere apologies.

Finally what the hell gives you the right to mock which teams I support? Arsenal lost yesterday, not a week ago when I posted. Big deal. I am not looking for another team, and supporting more than one team in different leagues does not constitute having a "flavour of the month".

[usscouse]

Finally what the hell gives you the right to mock which teams I support? Arsenal lost yesterday, not a week ago when I posted. Big deal. I am not looking for another team, and supporting more than one team in different leagues does not constitute having a "flavour of the month".Hey! Don't have a cow man. I'll accept your apology in the spirit in which it was intended.... :)
By signing on here I can mock who the hell I like. (Great isn't it?) I wasn't mocking the teams, I was was mocking (In fun) your affiliation of supporting so many but you're almost sure to have a winner that way. You can add the "Stanwood Prowlers" to your list if you want, the only other team I support. Of course they're U14 and I'm their coach and unlike the Arse they're unbeaten...!!!

In the imortal words of Bill Murray "It just doesn't matter!"

[ibreak4coffee]

[QUOTE=usscouse] By signing on here I can mock who the hell I like. (Great isn't it?) I wasn't mocking the teams, I was was mocking (In fun) your affiliation of supporting so many but you're almost sure to have a winner that way. QUOTE]

You obviously havent been following Marseille and Barcelona recently ;)

[usscouse]

[QUOTE=usscouse] By signing on here I can mock who the hell I like. (Great isn't it?) I wasn't mocking the teams, I was was mocking (In fun) your affiliation of supporting so many but you're almost sure to have a winner that way. QUOTE]

You obviously havent been following Marseille and Barcelona recently ;)
Whoops...!!! Blew that one, dinn I

[Matt Clark]

Put this here rather than the Millwall thread, because it's relevant to the thrust of recent debate.

Age just a number to happy Benitez Oct 26 2004

By Andy Hunter, Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ'S decision to give Liverpool's youngsters power without responsibility at Mill-wall tonight is a bold step by any managerial standards.

From someone accused of tearing the local heart out of Liverpool all summer, it is the finest riposte.

Lose against the first division team with a taste for cup adventure and Benitez insists he will take full responsibility for giving youth its chances at the expense of resting at least six first-team regulars.

But the fact Darren Potter, Stephen Warnock, Zak Whit-bread and Neil Mellor will get the opportunity to impress at all is reason for the club's Academy system to celebrate.

Benitez has already shown he will not place any regulation on talent this season by giving Warnock and Potter their Liverpool debuts in the Champions League qualifier in Graz and using the former on nine other occasions already this term.

For Benitez, the birth certificate is not important. And while he admits a steady stream of first-team candidates from the Academy would make his life much easier, his only demand on any player is that they deliver.

"If you ask every supporter their opinion of Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia and Josemi they will say they are good players, not Spanish ones. I don't think about the nationality," revealed the Liverpool manager.

Only about 20% of the players in the top English teams are English. Why? Because it is easier to bring in players from abroad and there are fewer really good players available in England.

"I prefer to talk about them all as Liverpool players. But if we do have good young players coming through the Academy it makes life easier for me.

"If the players come through and they can play to a level the supporters want for Liverpool then I will give them their chance, no problem.

"All the supporters prefer to win than talk about where the players are from, though. If they are from Liverpool, Chester or London it doesn't matter, the supporters just want winners."

The over-riding factor for Benitez ringing the changes in the Carling Cup tonight may be to preserve more senior players ahead of future tests, particularly next week's against Deportivo in Spain, but he is not looking at the quick-fix.

He explains: "My idea for this game is to give Neil Mellor, Darren Potter and Zak Whitbread a chance.

"I have seen them in the reserves and it is important they have the chance to show they are capable of playing in the first team too. It is important for their futures and ours.

"It is difficult to judge the reserves because you don't judge them by results. I have spoken with Hugh (McAuley) many times and said the important thing is not that the reserve team win but that the players learn our ideas and improve for the future.

"If they lose the manager and the players still get down but the most important thing is that we prepare these players for the future. We want Mellor, Potter and Whitbread developed for our future, that is the job of the reserve team."

Benitez added: "If they don't play well, then it's my problem. They need to run, to fight and to do all the things they show in the reserve games, that's all. It is my decision to play them so it is not their problem if it doesn't work."

At the other end of the age scale Jerzy Dudek is set for a recall at the New Den despite Chris Kirkland's need for an extended run of games after so long on the sidelines.

But Benitez said: "When I decided to change Dudek for Kirkland it was not because I was disappointed with Jerzy, he was playing well, I just wanted to change and give Chris his chance. Jerzy needs to play again because it is important for the squad to have two goalkeepers playing and fit."

The Liverpool manager added: "If we win players like Mellor, Potter, Biscan and Diao will have more chances to play. There will be more games and that can only help the squad.

"These games against teams in a lower league are very difficult because they want to beat Liverpool but I want to use all of the squad.

"The fans want to see the best players for nine months if possible, but if you play them all the time for the first two or three months they can easily collect an injury and then be out for two or three months."

[timberley11]

I am all for the younger players been given the opportunity against Millwall. When I firts started this thread, I wanted to see what people's opinions were, should he bring more players in or should he stick with what he has got.

He is a smart manager, and perhaps by giving the youth a run out tonight it will allow him to possibly see where he needs back up for the firts team. So I would not be suprised if no big named signings walk through the doors of Melwood come Jan.

I still think he needs some solid back up for Sami and now Jamie.

[Pazarius]

The Liverpool manager added: "If we win players like Mellor, Potter, Biscan and Diao will have more chances to play.

So are you Liverpool fans still wanting the win? Seems like a tough choice to me... :D

[usscouse]

Oh, we'll win...!

[timberley11]

Oh, we'll win...!

And win big, what goes around comes around

[Loman]

Soccernet is reporting that " AS Roma striker Antonio Cassano has been told he is no longer part of the club's first team squad" and that he might be sold in january.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=315649&cc=5901

I have only seen Cassano play in Euro 2004 for Italy, but he impressed me then. I would prefer Morientes, but Cassano might be cheaper and easier to get if he recieves no playing time for a number of weeks.

My only worry is that it might be hard to make the switch from the Italian game to the English game and he seems to lack discipline.