SSN: "Downing won't commit to Villa"

[ozzjim]

The interesting thiing is that, for all Liverpool's history (and let's be totally honest about it, it is outstanding), they haven't won the league for over twenty years now. In fact, the last time they won the league was only nine years after the last time we won it, which puts it into perspective somewhat. The CL win was obviously big, but they really do need to win the league some time soon.

I remember when Man United went 25 (or so) years without winning the league, then Ferguson did it, and look what has happened since. The difference is that Man United were perfectly placed to profit from the Sky football boom, coming to prominence when they did, and built on it accordingly.

Liverpool aren't going to have that luck. In fact, they're going to be trying to regain past glories when it is more difficult than ever, with plenty of teams with as much money as they have and a fading allure.

Interesting times.

All true. I don't think Ferguson had the most difficult task establishing his club's dominance and I don't think he's ever assembled a truly great side but he has extended their spell at the top of the English game for an awfully long time. For me, that's his greatest achievement. As long as he's there, it'll be difficult for any team (including Liverpool) to topple the Mancs.

Really? Never created a truly great side? Are you sure?

[Redman]

Have a read of this thread Redman.  I'd genuinely be interested to hear what a fan from another club thinks of this particular chapter in the history of football.

http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=44122.0

It's clearly something to be proud of.

[hawkeye]

Hi Redman
what are your expectations for this season ?
Do you realy believe that the gambles that Kenny has made will pay off?

[Ads]

I have, indeed, sampled The Kop, Kevin.  I've sat in its spine-tingling silence.

 

Glass houses & stones come to mind here. I know our away support is excellent but VP does not rock on a regular basis.

True enough, but their away support is a bag of balls too. Compare the end of season away at Arsenal with their day-trip to B6

[Redman]

The interesting thiing is that, for all Liverpool's history (and let's be totally honest about it, it is outstanding), they haven't won the league for over twenty years now. In fact, the last time they won the league was only nine years after the last time we won it, which puts it into perspective somewhat. The CL win was obviously big, but they really do need to win the league some time soon.

I remember when Man United went 25 (or so) years without winning the league, then Ferguson did it, and look what has happened since. The difference is that Man United were perfectly placed to profit from the Sky football boom, coming to prominence when they did, and built on it accordingly.

Liverpool aren't going to have that luck. In fact, they're going to be trying to regain past glories when it is more difficult than ever, with plenty of teams with as much money as they have and a fading allure.

Interesting times.

All true. I don't think Ferguson had the most difficult task establishing his club's dominance and I don't think he's ever assembled a truly great side but he has extended their spell at the top of the English game for an awfully long time. For me, that's his greatest achievement. As long as he's there, it'll be difficult for any team (including Liverpool) to topple the Mancs.

Really? Never created a truly great side? Are you sure?

Absolutely.

[KevinGage]

I have, indeed, sampled The Kop, Kevin.  I've sat in its spine-tingling silence.

 

Glass houses & stones come to mind here. I know our away support is excellent but VP does not rock on a regular basis.

Maybe the point there is we don't bore the arse off the world with tall tales of the Magic of the Holte? (though in my experience -even if it is a notch or two below it's halcyon days- it's still one of the better stands in England. Biased? Never.)

[hawkeye]

This thing about home support is a load of rubbish, all supporters claim that they have more passion than the home supporters because it is usually true. Villa Park has often been bereft of atmosphere.
Apparently Stokies  are different, PersonalyI have never had the urge to see a load of interbred half wits making lots of noise in a mecarno constructed charecterless edifice.

[Redman]

Hi Redman
what are your expectations for this season ?
Do you realy believe that the gambles that Kenny has made will pay off?

Hi Hawkeye.

My only expectation is CL qualification. I'll be disappointed with anything less. It won't be easy but I sense enough vulnerability amongst the current the top-4 to bridge the gap.

As for Kenny's signings, we've overpaid in some cases but I do think we've bought good players to fit a system. It seems Kenny has a vision of how he wants to play and he's targeting players with specific attributes. I don't think there'll be as much pressure for our signings to perform immediately as we'll have more depth.

[hawkeye]

Redman do you rate Downing?

[Redman]

Redman do you rate Downing?

I rate him to an extent. I would rather have Young but I like the consistency of Downing's crossing. Top priority for me this summer was to buy players to service Andy Carroll and I think Downing is a fairly safe bet in that regard.

Not sure I'd pay £20m for him though. More talented wingers like Vargas and Bastos are a similar age and likely available for less.

[pauliewalnuts]

I have, indeed, sampled The Kop, Kevin.  I've sat in its spine-tingling silence.

 

Glass houses & stones come to mind here. I know our away support is excellent but VP does not rock on a regular basis.

True enough, but their away support is a bag of balls too. Compare the end of season away at Arsenal with their day-trip to B6

All home support is gash these days, but Liverpool's away support is utterly dreadful.

The Mancs are annoying with their well honed "we'll do what we want" nonsense, but they at least seem to be a manifestation of their support which is largely from Manchester, and thus at odd with their home support.

Liverpool's away support is toe-curlingly embarassiong. Jester hat wearing Irish once-a-year types, star struck Scandinavians, and camera toting tourists who have never been to a match before and find the whole experience somewhat mind boggling.

[Billy Walker]

Redman do you rate Downing?

I rate him to an extent. I would rather have Young but I like the consistency of Downing's crossing. Top priority for me this summer was to buy players to service Andy Carroll and I think Downing is a fairly safe bet in that regard.

Not sure I'd pay £20m for him though. More talented wingers like Vargas and Bastos are a similar age and likely available for less.

They would want Champs League footy, surely? I fear they would be aiming a little higher than 'Pool.  Downing is perfect for a club aiming for top six - and for twenty million it would be the perfect deal for all parties in my view.

[Dante Lavelli]

Redman,

You mention that Kenny has a "system". What do you think that is? Based on the signings and reported targets (especially when you consider the plus points of Lucas and Meriles (sp?) last season). I am struggling to see where Gerrard fits into the first XI. Admittedly it's a squad game nowadays but if you had a bad start I could see a Kenny v Gerrard war developing amoungst the fans or alternatively Henderson being marginalised.

From an outsiders perspective that would be great to watch but I guess not from your point of view and equally harsh on Henderson who will be desperate for games to justfy his fee.

So how do you think they'll line up?

[Redman]

Redman do you rate Downing?

I rate him to an extent. I would rather have Young but I like the consistency of Downing's crossing. Top priority for me this summer was to buy players to service Andy Carroll and I think Downing is a fairly safe bet in that regard.

Not sure I'd pay £20m for him though. More talented wingers like Vargas and Bastos are a similar age and likely available for less.

They would want Champs League footy, surely? I fear they would be aiming a little higher than 'Pool.  Downing is perfect for a club aiming for top six - and for twenty million it would be the perfect deal for all parties in my view.

CL is not the be-all-and-end-all. No CL footie hasn't done City's recruitment drive much harm. And we're talking about Vargas and Bastos here, not Sanchez and Neymar.

[pauliewalnuts]

City offer stratospheric money, though. Liverpool don't.

It's a pretty big swinging factor.