I think on an individual player basis, Liverpool have to be considered a top four team with only tottenham the only other "contender" team with players of a top calibre (besides Man City obviously). I still maintain, and I know you disagree Lord, that Benitez isn't the man to take them there and believe that if they change reins soon enough they should be able to comfortably make it.
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2009-10 Football Thread The Second Half
- Thread starter Jaffa Cake
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One thing I (and most Liverpool fans) probably agree on is that the status quo is unacceptable. Something must be done to improve results. The question is, what is going to be done, and will it work?
Hicks and Gillette are probably hoping that progress on the stadium, a few sponsorship deals and a couple good buys in the transfer market will right the ship and allow them to sell the club at a profit in a year or two. If things continue to go south, they'll probably sack Benitez and get a new manager. Which may or may not do any good. Benitez continues to be criticized for the Lucas/Mascherano pairing and lack of a creative central midfielder. But good creative midfielders are expensive.
I think that's the golden truth right there.
But I'm afraid that because the Liverpool camp is seemingly so divided (among us fans, and in the change rooms if the rumours are true) that nothing but talking will get done. Even if it's all about mentality, as some people will claim. It's hard to get out of a mental rut without something changing.
And I think they also have a manager who's up to the task too.
The contrast between the owners is quite stark as well. The Glazers and the Liverpool duo are obviously hugely unpopular, but I think Randy Lerner demonstrates it's more than possible for a big English club to come into American ownership and get things right.
On the Glazers, I've heard there's a bit of a demo planned for our visit to Old Trafford this Saturday with supporters being asked to don the green and gold of Newton Heath rather than the red polyester rags of their modern incarnation. We seem to be developing a bit of a habit of demos being planned for our Premier League away games, Liverpool and Newcastle United last season were accompanied by the disgruntled actions of the home support.
As for Benitez, I can't help but feel he'd have already gone if sacking him was a viable option.
The contrast between the owners is quite stark as well. The Glazers and the Liverpool duo are obviously hugely unpopular, but I think Randy Lerner demonstrates it's more than possible for a big English club to come into American ownership and get things right.
On the Glazers, I've heard there's a bit of a demo planned for our visit to Old Trafford this Saturday with supporters being asked to don the green and gold of Newton Heath rather than the red polyester rags of their modern incarnation. We seem to be developing a bit of a habit of demos being planned for our Premier League away games, Liverpool and Newcastle United last season were accompanied by the disgruntled actions of the home support.
As for Benitez, I can't help but feel he'd have already gone if sacking him was a viable option.
You've got to remember Randy Lerner replaced 'Deadly' Doug Ellis, who Villa fans despised for much of his 24 years as Chairman, guaranteeing him a warm welcome to the club.
To be fair though he has done a fantastic job so far, the club is now a genuine top four contender and the decision to forego the usual lucrative shirt sponsorship and support a local children's hospice has gained a lot of respect for Lerner.
I'm a fan of Martin O'Neil and admire how he has gone about acquiring the most suitable players for his team but recently, and towards the every of last season, I find their tactics incredibly one dimensional, dull and lacking. I've decided there are other teams that would better represent the EPL in Europe (like Tottenham for eg.. remember the cracking game between them).
The game with Arsenal was another typical example, when the flanks were closed down and instead of changing their approach, perhaps down the middle or retain possession more and build up attacks, they just kept bombarding balls forward with Abgonlahor chasing.
Further to yesterday's news that we're taking our former Chairman to court, more details have emerged in a statement on the City website...
Further to a statement made yesterday regarding a legal action commenced by Hull City in respect of its former Chief Executive Officer, the Company wishes to clarify the following:
1. The Company believes that Mr Duffen has acted in breach of his employment contracts and fiduciary duties as a director, through the use of Company monies for his own personal expenditure and other wrongdoings.
2. The Company also believes that he has acted in breach of his employment contracts and fiduciary duties as a director, through the payment of certain monies by third party football agents to Mr Duffen's services company, in return for which Mr Duffen procured that Hull City contract with the agents for business.
Consequently, on 15 January last, the Company successfully sought and obtained a High Court order freezing Mr Duffen's assets.
The Company also wishes to clarify that, contrary to a tabloid newspaper article today, Mr Duffen has not issued any legal proceedings against the Company and Hull City does not believe he has any basis whatsoever for doing so.
I don't know what 'fiduciary' means, but I'm certainly going to try slipping it into a conversation today. Along with 'sock-sucking moron', for that matter.
Anyway, basically it looks like he had his fingers in the till, as it were, and was getting backhanders from agents. Certainly, our expenditure on the latter increased significantly during his tenure.
Further to a statement made yesterday regarding a legal action commenced by Hull City in respect of its former Chief Executive Officer, the Company wishes to clarify the following:
1. The Company believes that Mr Duffen has acted in breach of his employment contracts and fiduciary duties as a director, through the use of Company monies for his own personal expenditure and other wrongdoings.
2. The Company also believes that he has acted in breach of his employment contracts and fiduciary duties as a director, through the payment of certain monies by third party football agents to Mr Duffen's services company, in return for which Mr Duffen procured that Hull City contract with the agents for business.
Consequently, on 15 January last, the Company successfully sought and obtained a High Court order freezing Mr Duffen's assets.
The Company also wishes to clarify that, contrary to a tabloid newspaper article today, Mr Duffen has not issued any legal proceedings against the Company and Hull City does not believe he has any basis whatsoever for doing so.
I don't know what 'fiduciary' means, but I'm certainly going to try slipping it into a conversation today. Along with 'sock-sucking moron', for that matter.
Anyway, basically it looks like he had his fingers in the till, as it were, and was getting backhanders from agents. Certainly, our expenditure on the latter increased significantly during his tenure.
It means he was expected to have acted like a gentleman but really he was a cad. Did he have a thin mustache that he used to comb into a point and have a hearty laugh like Mwur ha ha ha! Normally a give away.
No, but he was a southerner. That's never a good sign.
I'd go further than to suggest he was a cad, I'd say it looks like he's been a cad and a bounder – and as a gentleman such as yourself will know Fuzzy, there is no greater blemish upon a man's honour than being labelled as such.
Well, except maybe being called a sock-sucking moron.
Leeds look certain to sign nippy little Max Gradel from Leicester. Pace basically guarantees success in League One, and he's got plenty of it. Really tricky little player. He's come off the bench during his loan spell and changed games for the last 20 minutes. If he can do that another 5 or 6 times he's well worth whatever measly sum we pay for him.
Betting tips for the weekend..
Leeds 1-0 with Beckford scoring is 100/1 on PaddyPower, Leeds to win is 14/1 if you go through this link aswell.
Betting tips for the weekend..
Leeds 1-0 with Beckford scoring is 100/1 on PaddyPower, Leeds to win is 14/1 if you go through this link aswell.
smwatson the John McCririck of MacRumors, as this picture of him in the crowd at Elland Road proves.
Well, that's the Americans baffled if nothing else.
Well, that's the Americans baffled if nothing else.
If your Hull City's presence can engineer a sacking at Old Trafford I think that will be a crowning achievement.
Lerner has done an even harder job with his NFL team (and my home team)...he's kept the Cleveland Browns profitable and raking in the merchandising sales despite never winning anything, ever.
I'll go even farther and suggest that he was a liar, a bounder, and a cad....just like my namesake when he feigned the rescue of a French Aristocrat.
Jaffa Cake said:Well, that's the Americans baffled if nothing else.
Fear not, we have teh internets! (what an incredibly strange man)
Our young nephew Short Cake is off to Old Trafford tomorrow I'm a bit jealous as it happens.If your Hull City's presence can engineer a sacking at Old Trafford I think that will be a crowning achievement.
smwatson the John McCririck of MacRumors, as this picture of him in the crowd at Elland Road proves.
View attachment 211809
Well, that's the Americans baffled if nothing else.
Serious betting tips...
Sheff Wed v Peterborough
Blackpool v Watford
Man Utd (-2) v Hull
Preston v Chelsea (-1)
Aston Villa (-1) v Brighton
Wolves v Palace
£2.50 returns £98
Shazam.
Nice article on Leeds Captain Richard Naylor in the Daily Mail (*shudder*).
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...o-arm-proves-proud-Yorkshireman.html?ITO=1490
Hero!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...o-arm-proves-proud-Yorkshireman.html?ITO=1490
Hero!
Serious betting tips...
Sheff Wed v Peterborough
Blackpool v Watford
Man Utd (-2) v Hull
Preston v Chelsea (-1)
Aston Villa (-1) v Brighton
Wolves v Palace
£2.50 returns £98
Shazam.
Looks a good call, who's that with?
Serious betting tips...
Sheff Wed v Peterborough
Blackpool v Watford
Man Utd (-2) v Hull
Preston v Chelsea (-1)
Aston Villa (-1) v Brighton
Wolves v Palace
£2.50 returns £98
Shazam.
I put £2 on - let's see what happens
Perhaps because the Chelsea game had started, bet365 gave me odd of 51/1 for those selections.. so £2 returns £102.Thanks.
Goal for Chelsea and a hilarious miss for Preston. Good cup tie so far.
Hilario looks suspect, I can see Preston nicking one from a set piece. But Chelsea will definitely score again. So we should be fine.
Hilario looks suspect, I can see Preston nicking one from a set piece. But Chelsea will definitely score again. So we should be fine.
That'll be your beer money sorted for March, then.I put £2 on - let's see what happens
What do the '-1' and '-2' mean, incidentally? As I say, I'm rubbish at this sort of thing.
I'm no betting man, I just assumed it meant knock off their first goal or first and second goals?
If I'm right that would mean Man Utd have to beat you by at least 3 goals to register a win.
That'll be your beer money sorted for March, then.
What do the '-1' and '-2' mean, incidentally? As I say, I'm rubbish at this sort of thing.
Yup.
Basically the team with the handicap starts on whatever the handicap is... So Chelsea started on -1, so they're now winning 1-0 which means the bet is currently good. Make for better value than standard 'to win' bets, but obviously more risky.
Villa & Man Utd one up, Wolves one down...
Blackpool looking good and Sheff Wed too.
Come on Wolves!
Blackpool looking good and Sheff Wed too.
Come on Wolves!
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