SSN: "Downing won't commit to Villa"

[Dave]

Put yourself in SD shoes....

Same wages......

Kenny Dalgish manager or Alex Mcleish.

Bent & Abnoglahor or Carroll & Scharez

To supply the strike force or work with the manager?

I genuinely can't work out whether you're trying to say that he's better of staying with us or moving.

He would get the play with THE Andy Carroll?

What an honour.

[Eigentor]

Put yourself in SD shoes....

Same wages......

Kenny Dalgish manager or Alex Mcleish.

Bent & Abnoglahor or Carroll & Scharez

To supply the strike force or work with the manager?

I genuinely can't work out whether you're trying to say that he's better of staying with us or moving.

He would get the play with THE Andy Carroll?

What an honour.

Maybe it's easier to cross accurately when you can aim at the pony-tail.

[KevinGage]

Not if the ponytail is in Broadmoor.

[Ian.]

Put yourself in SD shoes....

Same wages......

Kenny Dalgish manager or Alex Mcleish.

Bent & Abnoglahor or Carroll & Scharez

To supply the strike force or work with the manager?

I genuinely can't work out whether you're trying to say that he's better of staying with us or moving.

He would get the play with THE Andy Carroll?

What an honour.

Me too, I can't work it out what he was implying. The way it's been put I'd rather play for Villa.

[TheSandman]

I think he's having one of these silly, tedious digs at the manager that are becoming de rigueur.

[Redman]

why would we accept our current position outside the top-4 now that regime has gone?

Because there is no natural gravity force that pulls Liverpool to the top unless there is some evil Yanks holding you back. Yet you Liverpool fans seemingly believe so.

I'm not saying that you cannot get back into the top 4, but I suspect that you'll find it a lot harder than you believe it will be.

So I keep reading. However, with the greatest respect, how would you know? You aren't speaking with the benefit of experience.

The top-4 isn't some kind of holy grail to Liverpool. We've finished third more often than fourth in the past decade. And two years ago, we finished second with a points total that would have won the league last season.

So I don't expect it to be easy but who knows? It might be. It has been before.

[Dave]

And two years ago, we finished second with a points total that would have won the league last season.

With a midfield three that was the envy of pretty much every team in the world.

Now you can't put together a midfield three that's the envy of Newcastle  or Fulham.

[The Moose]

Redman, so you're better than us. So what? Take Downing and f*ck off.

Direct enough?

[VillaAlways]

Top 4 2011/12 and for the foreseeable
ManU
ManC
Arsenal ( Wenger will spend big this window)
Chelsea

[The Moose]

And....?

[Redman]

And two years ago, we finished second with a points total that would have won the league last season.

With a midfield three that was the envy of pretty much every team in the world.

Now you can't put together a midfield three that's the envy of Newcastle.

Thankfully, football is played on grass and not paper. We should wait until this midfield has actually played together before making comparisons.

[Redman]

Redman, so you're better than us.

That wasn't the point I was making.

[Billy Walker]

Redman, genuine questions:

How's the "Scouse Not English" thing going?  Do The Spirit of Shankly still push this astonishing piece of cultural revisionism?  What do you think was the motivation behind starting up such a group/campaign?

If I thought it was a genuine question, I'd happily indulge you.

Genuine questions, I assure you.  No worries, though. 

[Eigentor]

why would we accept our current position outside the top-4 now that regime has gone?

Because there is no natural gravity force that pulls Liverpool to the top unless there is some evil Yanks holding you back. Yet you Liverpool fans seemingly believe so.

I'm not saying that you cannot get back into the top 4, but I suspect that you'll find it a lot harder than you believe it will be.

So I keep reading. However, with the greatest respect, how would you know? You aren't speaking with the benefit of experience.

The top-4 isn't some kind of holy grail to Liverpool. We've finished third more often than fourth in the past decade. And two years ago, we finished second with a points total that would have won the league last season.

So I don't expect it to be easy but who knows? It might be. It has been before.

Because there is a natural force of gravity that pulls you to the top. 

You have got rid of two of the worst owners in PL and a manager, who despite a decent record, didn't understand the club, and have replaced them with a seemingly decent owner willing to invest and a manager with legendary status. So I understand there's a great reason for hope and optimism.

But I don't understand the need for arrogance.

Three seasons ago you were close to winning the league (and probably deserved to), but the spine of that team (except Reina) is either gone (Alonso, Mascherano, Torres, Arbeloa) or deteriorating (Carragher, Gerrard). The reality is that despite of being in the top four most of the last decade, you've missed out two seasons in a row. You're in danger of making it a habit.

[villa-love]

When did this become the discuss Liverpool thread?