Liverpool set the transfer ball rolling this week with the £20m capture of Jordan Henderson. Damien Comolli insists that the spending at Anfield is not going to stop here and the Reds fans can expect plenty of new additions in the coming weeks.
At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of blogs that include why Charlie Adam could cause Kenny a selection headache; a transfer pattern emerging at Anfield and 4 reasons why Liverpool will make the top four next season.
We also look at the best Liverpool articles around the web this week.
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Caption Competition: Carroll and Rooney provide a snap for the album
An unnecessary signing for Liverpool FC?
Liverpool’s Greatest ‘Foreign XI’ of all time
£5m move to Liverpool could revitalise his career
To those who think Liverpool shouldn’t sign him, think again
Liverpool’s transfer activity and player development (Hybrid Moneyball)
A transfer pattern is emerging at Anfield
4 reasons why Liverpool will replace Arsenal in the top four next season
Transfer will cause a real dilemma for Kenny
Why I don’t understand the outcry over Liverpool fee
Why £20m duo would be money well spent by Kenny
*Best of WEB*
A Surprising Fact that Comolli wouldn’t have Failed to Notice – Live4Liverpool
Liverpool’s seven summer signings – Our Kop
Liverpool FC: England’s Answer To Barcelona? – Tomkins Times
Why FSG are wise to invest in the future, but should never overlook quick success – This is Anfield
Perhaps selling him is not as ludicrous as many seem to think – Live4Liverpool
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Click on Wayne Bridge’s lady below to unveil our WAG XI of the season
Spain are currently the greatest football team in the world. The 2010 World Cup winners boast Barcelona stars Xavi, Andres Iniesta and David Villa in their team amongst others, while they also draw on talent in the Premier League. Liverpool’s Fernando Torres regularly makes the first eleven, but Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas often has to make do with a place on the bench. They also boast a pretty good foosball team, too!
Even though foosball is popular all over the world, most people don’t know it’s history. Invented in Spain, foosball means more to the Spaniards than you can possibly imagine, and the most passionate fans live in Madrid. So we met with the Spanish National Foosbal Team in one of their daily training sessions at a popular bar that is basically their second home. Here, we hung out with this elite team of wrist flickers whose goal is not only to keep the game alive in the country, but also to be the best in the world. Drawing inspiration from Spain’s own victories in soccer, and with the help of Spanish Champion Jorge Gomez and the rest of the Spanish team, we went to find out what fuels these guys to make it to the top.
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For an insight into the We Are Eleven series check out our interview with producer Santiago Stelley.
After seeing some of the response on the internet to Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Blackpool I think we need to calm down and actually get to grips with where we are as a club.
We had a fantastic but also somewhat lucky season in 2009 where we reached the Premier League, much of the money from that season paid off debts and parachute payments have been used to cover costs of being relegated, on the wages for players like Andre Bikey and bigger contracts for the likes of Jay Rodriguez. Brian Laws was a mistake and Eddie Howe has had a bigger rebuilding job – I’d like to think we can agree on that.
As for now, we have a big problem with our supporters. The away fans this season as always have been fantastic and remained behind the team. However our home support (which has significantly dwindled since the Premier League) I can only describe as embarrassing. Often the atmosphere has felt flat and with a team trying to develop a new playing style, that is incredibly frustrating for those of us who do get behind the team!
After the Blackpool game I had a brief look on Twitter and regret doing so. Some of the idiotic comments on the #twitterclarets hashtag were just pointless. As as for our messageboards this season, well lord give me strength.
Let’s see where we are at for next season. We’ve got a pretty strong base in our team with good young and hungry players that are getting close to adapting a style similar to the likes of Wigan and Swansea who have won rave reviews this season at times in the top flight. I’ve been pretty pleased with the Austin/Ings partnership and with the extra forwards such as Paterson we have at our disposal I’m not totally worried about the loss of Jay Rodriguez.
The defence (with the exception of Saturday) has been looking fairly strong of late and that is a sign for a better start to next season than this. With a couple of sensible additions then I think we can make this even better, I for one am very happy with the initial signs of Danny Lafferty. The supporters baiting and criticism has helped to ruin the Burnley career of Brian Easton who I wish the best of luck with another club.
With some strong youngsters coming through the ranks, whom I hope to break through to the first team squad, I think we have the potential for an excellent season. Our finest moments have come with the backing of the fans, 10 away wins this season is testament to our away support, so let’s get behind the boys and help them to a prosperous 2012/13.
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To start this transformation I suggest fans get out in force for the final home game of the season vs. Bristol City to not only start getting behind the boys but also pay tribute to two of our major forces in the boardroom. Barry Kilby and Paul Fletcher, who have offered a great deal to this club over the years, let’s pay tribute to them!
Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has cast doubts on his long-term future at Goodison Park.The Belgian midfielder, in talks with the club aimed at securing a new contract on Merseyside, has indicated he could leave the Blues to pursue Champions League football.
Keeping the 23-year-old is one of manager David Moyes’ priorities, and it had been hoped he would agree to a lucrative extension of his current deal.
Moyes has a good relationship with the man he made the club’s record 15 million pound signing from Standard Liege three years ago.
Speaking in Belgium, where he continues his rehabilitation from the ankle injury that ended his season two months early, Fellaini told media 7sur7: “One thing is certain, I want to play in a team that wins trophies and play in the Champions League. Everton is a team of sub-top.”
For now, Fellaini, whose contract expires in two years, wants to remain in Merseyside despite interest from Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid.
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The fans’ favourite added that he will not necessarily leave the Toffees this summer, suggesting he will wait to see whether Moyes can lead his side back into Europe before deciding on his future.
Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton will take his time over appointing a new assistant following the departure of Colin Calderwood.
Calderwood left St James' Park last week to take the managerial reins at Scottish Premier League side Hibernian.
Former Magpies coach and Chelsea number two Steve Clarke has been linked with a return to the north-east, but Hughton is in no rush to make a backroom appointment.
"It's something I have wanted to take some time over. I don't expect to take too long over it, but I haven't named one yet," he explained.
"I have a few in mind, but certainly no decisions have been made yet."
Speaking about Clarke, who has been out of work since leaving West Ham at the end of last season, Hughton added:"Probably the reason it has been mentioned is because he is a very, very good coach who is available and he has a history at this club.
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"But he is one of a few very good coaches who I would have thought about, but I categorically haven't made any decisions yet.
"I have given myself that little bit of time to make what I feel will be the best decision."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Ahead of their second leg Champions League semi final against Barcelona in the Nou Camp, Chelsea might feel a little confident that this weekend’s Clasico will hit Barcelona for six, one way or another. They might also find inspiration from teams such as Sevilla going to the Nou Camp back in October and getting a 0-0 result. But ultimately, the only way forward for Chelsea in this tie is to attack.
At this stage, with an unlikely lead to protect against one of the world’s most devastating attacks, it only seems rational to go into the Nou Camp and park the bus, plane, and any other large unit that may come in handy. But games like Sevilla’s 0-0 should be seen as the exception. A game in which goalkeeper Javi Varas was the undoubted man of the match, denying Lionel Messi from the penalty spot in the 94th minute. Yes Sevilla parked the bus, and Freddie Kanoute did all he could to further frustrate the Catalans. But if there was game for Chelsea to use as a template heading into next week, it should be either Athletic Bilbao’s 2-2 draw in the Basque country, or Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.
On both occasions Barcelona were given a much more open game than they’re used to. Playing at high tempos from one end to the other doesn’t suit Barcelona’s style of slow and patient build-up play. And it certainly doesn’t help when one of their key assets in their attack in Dani Alves is stuck in his own half defending the advances from the opposition.
Both 2-2 draws were slightly different affairs in the bigger picture, but ultimately neither Bilbao nor Madrid had anything to lose. With that mentality they were able to pin Barcelona back and stop them dictating the game in a fashion they’re comfortable with. Chelsea, on the other hand, do have a lot to lose. But losing their lead seems almost guaranteed as Barcelona have not failed to score at home since the visit of Sevilla.
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It has been brought up a number of times since Chelsea’s surprise victory on Wednesday night that Chelsea got everything spot on tactically and suffocated the space in their own half. To an extent that’s true, but it doesn’t disguise the twenty four shots Barcelona had, or the lion’s share of possession. Instead, it highlighted the deficiencies in this Barcelona team. A team who are completely lacking any alternative options when a game becomes difficult. It would be completely foolish on Chelsea’s part to believe that will be the case the second time around next week.
Barcelona will be expecting a team to sit with 10 men behind the ball and afford them the time and space to meticulously prod and probe the Chelsea defence for gaps. What they won’t expect is a team to go out and genuinely give them a tough time and go looking for more goals.
There’s no denying that Barcelona’s defence has holes and weaknesses. Javier Mascherano has been preferred as the regular centre back for Guardiola this season, and he’s been a success for the most part against La Liga opposition. A player unlikely to see many games ahead of Sergio Busquets in his favoured position, he’s managed to excel in a less familiar role. But there were noticeable problems against Chelsea and Didier Drogba. The Barcelona backline are not used to dealing with aerial long balls, and that combined with the presence of Drogba forced a number of uncertain moments for the centre backs.
In much the same way, Athletic Bilbao were able to pressure the Barcelona back four with their pressing high up the pitch. Marcelo Biesla has transformed that team into much more than just a long ball team with Fernando Llorente at the tip of the sword. Instead, they’re forced to press the opposition when in possession. Real Madrid did the same thing when the tie seemed over in the Copa del Rey and it highlighted that Barcelona can’t handle the kind of pressure they like to impose on their opponents.
Again, while it has been done before, it would be almost surrendering the game if Chelsea were to go into this game with a defensive mind. They’re certainly not going to see much of the ball, but that shouldn’t discourage them from pushing bodies forward when an opportunity does arise.
Roberto di Matteo’s team have pace, power, and goals in them that would frustrate Barcelona and put them under enormous pressure.
With seemingly the Champions League as the top priority for the season, there’s very little chance of Barcelona not scoring on the night, regardless of Chelsea’s defiant backline. The only option for Chelsea on the night is to score more.
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Do you fancy playing on the pitch at Stamford Bridge?
In an interview with LFC TV, former Liverpool player Xabi Alonso stated he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of playing for the Reds once again in the future:
“Why not? I think that in football so many things change, and why not? I have my red passion and if circumstances arrived then why not? At the moment I don’t know what is going to happen, but it could be a possibility. Never say never.”
At 29 years of age, Alonso hasn’t got that many years left at the top of his game but it seems he may like to have a swansong back at his old club sometime in the future if he was given the opportunity.
The circumstances surrounding his departure were controversial, and I am not going to discuss them here because they are now irrelevant in regards to the future (any comments below debating this issue will be deleted as I haven’t got the time to moderate an argument which may well go long into the night), but I think it is fair to say that we have certainly missed him over the last couple of seasons.
Certainly his best season came in his last campaign for the club when the Reds were challenging for the title, and he was the integral conduit for both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to receive the ball further up the pitch. Without needing to go deep to find the ball, players such as Gerrard knew that Alonso would pick him out with his pin point accurate passers. The Basque was just as accurate at pinging a 40 yard diagonal ball as he was passing short a few yards to a team mate.
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The deep lying playmaker effectively made the team tick and dictated the tempo of play in Rafa Benitez’s side. We have yet to replace him, and hopefully King Kenny and Damien Comolli are on the case searching for an ideal replacement. A Player such as Charlie Adam has been touted as a possible signing but I am unsure about whether he would in fact be a direct replacement.
Perhaps it is impossible to find a direct replacement without being able to raid Barcelona for someone like Xavi. That’s how highly I rate Xabi, and the fact he was selected consistently beside the midfield maestro for Spain during the side’s World Cup triumph, shows how highly people back in his homeland rate him too. He is now an integral part of the Real Madrid side and has stated he is happy to stay in Spain.
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For the time being we will have to move on. Players I rate with the same style of play and passing range are few and far between, but I would be happy to see the likes of Ever Banega or Steven Defour to fulfil that role. Still, I am hopeful that sometime in the future Xabi will return and will perhaps show us once more how great he could be.
If memory serves us correctly, it wasn’t so long ago that a certain person, of the name Joey Barton and who also had the envious profession of being a professional football player, was a figure of derision and despised for his demeanour and actions predominantly off the field of play. These actions were numerable and malicious, with most other people who commit these acts being reprimanded in much stricter ways. The majority of people would agree that Barton was a lucky man to have such a safe environment that protected him from harsher punishment whilst he marauded about unleashing his fury at will. I’m also fairly certain that the majority of people would have rejoiced at Barton being cast off to jail for a lengthy period of time or prohibited from playing football ever again.
The incidents that gave Barton notoriety included the stubbing out of a cigar on the face of a reserve team mate whilst at Manchester City, assaulting Ousmane Dabo at the same club in training, charged with assault and affray for a fight in Liverpool after a night out and further accounts of disorderly behaviour. To combat this reckless behaviour he had to attend anger and behavioural management sessions in order to try and curb his explosive character when confronted with aggressive or problematic situations. These clinical sessions have obviously accounted for the progression of Barton’s character from reprobate to role model. Although it has been a long and arduous battle for Barton and those around him, he has now been repaying the faith that others had in him. For no one can doubt that he is a talented player and one who may well earn an England call up if he continues to impress, all that was needed to compliment his ability was the mentality that allowed controlled aggression and to eradicate his disposition to violence.
Now I know it is quite early on in the season to be hailing this transformed character and forget all of his previous history that shadowed his image, but after the commanding performances he has displayed, it is positive and welcoming to see. The main example is when Newcastle played Wolves, with Barton being subjected to a fine folly of overtly physical challenges, with players careering into him in order to evoke a reaction and sway the match in Wolves favour. Yet Barton maintained a philosophical approach and played his game, with the Wolves tactic failing to materialise a sending off. He has cemented his position in the centre of midfield, with Alan Smith making way for the new signing Chiek Tiote, marking Barton’s centrality to the team.
A man’s reputation often precedes him, as the saying goes and in this case it is no different. That is until that reputation becomes false in the face of new experiences or a change in character. This latter transformation is the case for Joey Barton; he has come through the turmoil, tribulations and answered his detractors to forge a new path that bodes well. He was obviously a troubled soul that often vented its frustrations and insecurities in the wrong manner, fortunately being a professional footballer can be very forgiving and the necessary recourses to help were found. Yet he still had to want this change and achieve it, which owing to recent performances he has proven.
Rather than throwing in the towel and neglecting the troublesome young man, there was enough to suggest that he would reform himself. Having done so, it serves as a lesson that the long-term is more desirable than the short-term which could have been taken in dismissing the lad altogether. Through rehabilitation, hard work, a desire to succeed and the belief of those around him, Joey Barton has emerged as the player that Newcastle paid nearly £6million for and the person that doesn’t arbitrarily commit offences within society.
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Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill has warned his players that they cannot afford to take their foot off the pedal just yet, after a downturn of form of late.
The Black Cats faced a relegation battle when the Northern Irishman took over at the Stadium of Light in December, but the inspirational coach has led the Wearside club up into the top half of the table.
However, Sunderland have not been at their best of late, and were beaten 2-0 by Everton at home in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night; O’Neill has told the squad to buck up their ideas.
“Having reached 40 points, there’s absolutely no way we can afford to rest on our laurels. We’ve got to push on, and we can’t start to think about an early summer holiday,” he told Mirror Football.
“Back in December, if you’d offered me 40 points at the end of the season – never mind with eight games to go – I’d have been delighted.
“Back then, the chances are you might even have twisted my arm to accept 38. When I took over, the situation we’re in today looked a decent way off,” he concluded.
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It’s been a difficult week for Ryan Giggs, after MP John Hemming exposed the Welshman in the House of Commons as being one of the celebrities to have taken out a super-injunction after allegedly having an affair with Imogen Thomas. It’s an important week for Giggs, as after lifting the Premier League trophy at Old Trafford last Sunday, this Saturday the midfielder has the chance to add to his medal haul with a Champions League winners’ medal, with Barcelona at Wembley standing in Man United’s way.
Sandwiched in between that was the Gary Neville testimonial, in which Sir Alex Ferguson’s golden age of players were brought together once again. Retired Manchester United full-back Gary Neville was re-acquainted with his former team mates this week in his testimonial match against Juventus. Gary embraced Ryan as he left the pitch in the first half. After all the publicity surrounding Giggs, what advice was Neville giving the Welshman?
Leave your suggestions below…
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This week you can win a Championship Manager Goody Bag!
Championship Manager is the closest fans will get to actually managing their team, fighting the relegation or promotional battles, dealing with the big name injuries or transfers as they unfold in the real world, throughout the real season.
The Goody Bag includes A Mug, Stress Ball, Notepad, Managers Notepad, Pencil, Bag, Copy of CM2010 on PC + CM2011, Fan Challenge, CM 1970s Legends and Big Cup Cricket for iPhone.
For the FootballFanCast.com Caption Competition Terms and Conditions click here
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Check out our Caption Competition Gallery for some inspiration and to see the winners so far.
Last week’s winner: Phil Tinkler – click here to see all entries