Liverpool FC 2006/07

2006-09-30T22:36:00.000+01:00

Bolton 2 Liverpool 0

Its a complete disgrace the away performances this season. Sheffield Utd, Everton, Bolton and Chelsea have beaten us. Okay, Chelsea but the others were essential victories. I say that because we are going for the league. I also put Sheff Utd down as a lose because a draw is a lose when you are going for the league.

I dont want any excuses from excuses from Benitez about international breaks - the Everton game was no different to the others regardless of when the game was played.

Rotation is a major problem and it will be Benitez's downfall.
Gerrard will be gone by the end of the season, because he's being disrespected.

This is seriously crap. League is over and that was the one we could have competed for.

Okay - thats the rant..

Realistically, we shouldnt have started with so many new players this season. The team wasnt ready to start. Pennant and Kyut have been good, but the defensive blokes have caused mayhem because of the changes made. Secondly, we got distracted at the start by the Champions league. qualifier against Haifa. That was bad.
Finally, we arent starting games. Our first half performances have been lame away from home.

Euro 2008 qualifier Germany v Ireland

2006-09-05T22:06:00.000+01:00

Germany 1
Ireland 0

thanks to www.thepeoplesflag.com for photo.

It has been nasty here in Ireland since the match. It probably seems crazy to anyone outside, but the reaction to this defeat has been heavy criticism from some quarters. People seem to believe what Eamon Dunphy, (Irish journalist) has to say, but his views are extreme and extremely aggressive. He talked of Ireland as a shambles and was abusive towards Staunton. He claims to be a critical thinker, as opposed to what he calls the "dancing leprechauns" who support the team.

Let me say this....

If the dancing leprechauns image is an extreme, then Dunphy is the other extreme. In my view there is no reason to not suggest that most people are in the middle. Mark Lawrenson for example. He was quite clear we arent good enough to qualify, which I wouldnt go as far as to say, but he wasnt abusive, and he gave a decent critique of the game.

Personally, after losing to Holland 4-0 this was a great improvement. That was really important. We might have got a draw but in fairness Germany were better than us. They may not be world beaters, but they have pedigree. We need to have respect in how we talk about them. We'll do better against Cyprus next and then Czech in Dublin - big game that. Our big players didn't perform as they can, but it was Germany. At this point you would say it is hard to see us qualifying, but my view is that one big result (eg Czech Republic at home in October) would change everything. You know the way it is. Our central midfield is a problem since losing Keane, but surprising Steven Reid didnt start in the centre.

Having said that, problems on the pitch are nothing in comparison to the scandalous media that has developed here in Ireland and the fact that people are actually taking the extreme views seriously... That worries me more than a bad team ever would...

League. Liverpool v West Ham. Sat 26 Aug 06

2006-08-26T23:49:00.000+01:00

Liverpool 2 West Ham 1
Agger
Crouch

Again, a relief to get the win. After the first 20 minutes though we played great football, but then started to get edgy in the last 20 minutes. Dirk Kuyt had a great intro to Liverpool. Looks like a great player. Linked up amazing with Gerrard. So hungry looking. Could be a real star.

I wanted to get through the Champions League game and a win this weekend... we did. Its been a tense start with a lot of pressure...Now lets push on and play to the potential we promise this season...

Champions League - Liverpool v Maccabi Haifa 22/8/06

2006-08-22T21:03:00.000+01:00

Maccabi Haifa 1 Liverpool 1 (agg 1-2)
Crouch

what a torture.. hated that. just hated it...

League. Sheffield Utd v Liverpool 19/8/06

2006-08-21T13:49:00.000+01:00

Sheffield Utd 1 Liverpool 1
Fowler (pen)

I suppose we have to be patient now, waiting for the next game, but its painful dropping points like that so early. To lose Carragher and Riise immediately, with Finnan already out, left us with a defence that will clearly be prone to all the problems we faced about a year or so ago. How can guys not pick up on crosses into the box. I dont understand it.

I'm concerned about Carragher especially, with the Champions league game this week. Oh for a win on Tuesday, and then a good league win at the weekend.

We're behind Chelsea and Utd already...we'll be okay though.. i'm sure...

Kuyt signs for Liverpool

2006-08-18T09:27:00.000+01:00

Ireland v Holland Friendly 16/8/06

2006-08-17T00:35:00.000+01:00

Ireland 0 Holland 4

Shocker of a result. We were missing Keane, Duff, Given, Dunne and Reid, but still the team that lined out should not have been humiliated.

No passion or drive in the first half. Staunton was livid on the touchline which was really pleasing to see. He was all over the players in that first half.

Second half was much better. The main more experienced players like Steven Reid (newly appointed captain), Carr, Kavanagh and Morrison were taken off and on came a bunch of wonder kids if you ask me - Douglas, McGeady, Doyle, Millar and Kelly put in so much more effort in the second half.

My man of the match was clearly Stephen Elliot, even though he made a mistake for the second goal. His second half display was exceptional. The crowd dont seem to notice him yet, but I like him.

Its worrying with Germany coming up in september, but I like Staunton's style and with some regulars back it'll be a different game. Some good young players have had a good early chance tonight too.

We may look back on this night as just a brutal start....

Ireland v Holland International Friendly 16/8/06

2006-08-15T11:57:00.000+01:00

Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton has reportedly survived a gun scare outside the team's hotel near Dublin.

Staunton, 37, fled and alerted staff at the Portmarnock Hotel when confronted by the man at about 2000 BST on Monday.
A man was later arrested by Irish police on a nearby beach.
The Football Association of Ireland said they could "confirm an incident took place outside the Republic of Ireland team hotel in Portmarnock".
"The Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Staunton is absolutely fine and looking forward to training on Tuesday."
A spokesperson for the Garda said: "We have one man in custody in relation to an incident that happened in Portmarnock shortly before 2000 BST.
"He was arrested in the vicinity under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
"Gardai are continuing to search the area for the weapon."
The Republic play Holland in a friendly match at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday.

Community/Charity Shield 13/8/06

2006-08-14T00:46:00.000+01:00

Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1
Riise
Crouch

I had to tape the match to watch later, but the disaster happened. A friend knocked in cause I had two tickets for him for IrelandvHolland on Wednesday. Before I could warn him he said, "Great result today eh!" looking at my Liverpool shirt. I couldnt believe it... That hasnt happened in ages. So I watched the game knowing we won all the way through...

There is no question Benitez has the beating of Mourinho now. Sky and BBC got it wrong by saying Benitez dropped the big guns because of the Champions league. He dropped Gerrard, Hyppia, Alonso and Bellamy because Mourinho had said he was going to take his big guns off at half time. So come the second half Mourinho was taking his main men off and on came Gerrard, Alonso and Bellamy. Absolute masterstroke. And our initial 11 murdered Chelsea in the first half hour.

Just look at the Liverpool management team and compare it to the Chelsea management team during a match. Who would you trust? Who looks like they know what they are doing?

Chelsea are still a threat, but we arent being bullied by them. These one off games are planting small seeds of doubt...

Riise is a total hero by the way... No one compares to him for the pleasure he gives..

Champions League Qualifier 9/8/06

2006-08-10T00:41:00.000+01:00

Liverpool 2 Maccabi Haifa 1
Bellamy
Gonzalez

Well the nightmare tie lived up to its name. I feel we'll get through in the end though, even without that second goal. There's real quality in the team now with good new players. Bodes really well for the season.

A question I have is how come it takes 70 minutes for the team to start playing high tempo football? We never really started, and got at them, but the early season is probably to blame and new players getting used to each other.

Pennant is definately the highlight so far for me. Great crossing. Composed as I said previously. Rarely gives the ball away.

So pleased for Gonzalez getting that goal, after a tough pre-season when he didnt quite perform.

Liverpool FC 2006/07

2006-08-08T00:41:00.000+01:00

Champions league qualifiers sneak up in the middle of pre-season as though they dont matter. Most of the media hasnt got into gear yet, but to lose this tie could leave a season in tatters. Maccabi Haifa of all teams. Nightmare.

Its on ITV, so that's great. I'm at a meeting on Wednesday so I'll tape it. Sit up and watch it later without hearing the score...

To me, from the clips on the website with the e-season ticket, Pennant and Bellamy are class signings. Gonzalez will come through in time thats for sure. He was amazing to watch at Lansdowne last season. I stood on the south terrace that night for Chile against Ireland.

I smile when I think of Pennant. At first I wasnt pleased given his past, but its true what Benitez said - he'll be a better person for his troubles. He looks composed on the field. Obvious speed, but very composed in his passing and movement. Cult hero in the making...

Bellamy, again, I wasnt 100 percent, but the attitude is awesome from him. He clearly realises what it means to play for Liverpool. Thats everything these days.

Paletta and Ourelio will be good in time. Its fascinating to see Hyppia, Carragher and Riise getting put under pressure from these two.

I saw Chelsea lifting that league last season and for the first time I genuinely thought "that trophies ours..." It just felt different. I even cut the picture out of Lampard and Terry with it, just as a sign or something... This is the first season that we could really go for that league properly. No doubts...this is a big season. And I tell you this for nothing - Chelsea, Utd, Arsenal - when we win this, there will have been nothing like the celebrations. You all know that's true. We want that league and whenever it comes, it'll give a whole new meaning to the word celebration. We wont just win it, we'll capture and take it back home with us..!