Other Games 2014-15

[Monty]

Xavi got a tremendous reception from the Athletico supporters when he came on tonight.

The emetic coverage of Stevie G's 'so long and thanks for all the death threats' ceremony is absurd enough to begin with, but it almost looks like self-conscious satire when you consider the comparison between his Liverpool career and Xavi's at Barca - and that's without comparing their respective international records. Xavi's effective retirement is a real moment in the history of the game, a player who actually changed the sport a little bit leaving the stage; Gerrard has been an exceptional player with many fine moments (and also an underwhelming player with many terrible moments), but he's got absolutely nothing on Xavi.

[Risso]

It'll be fascinating to see the media response when John Terry leaves Chelsea.  A similar number of years at Chelsea as Gerrard had at Liverpool, and apart from a short loan spell as a youngster, a one club man.  Won a lot more than Slippy G, and has been the bedrock at Chelsea for over a decade.  BUT, an absolute cesspit of a human being, and probably up there as one of the all time most despised Premier League players.  The media managed to conveniently forget most of Gerrard's misdemeanours, but shagging a team mate's other half and racism is a bit more difficult to turn a blind eye to.

[old man villa fan]

I used to like Liverpool in the days of Souness, Dalglish etc  but for a number of years have really disliked them.  Similarly with Spurs but have always disliked them.

I started to think why I dislike them so much and then realised when somebody mentioned it earlier.  It is not the team or players so much but the media hype.  The more they go on about them, the more I dislike them.

I have followed football for almost 50 years now and I know a good player when I see one, a good pass etc. and I do not need a commentator telling me that X player is great when he is clearly not when compared with others.  Similarly, when a player hits a 40 yard pass that goes out of play when a team mate just fails to get there, is not a great pass with vision, especially when it is hit with so much pace, controlling it would be very difficult.  A great pass is one hit with just enough pace and direction that a player does not have to break stride to take it.

Gerard has been a very good PL player with his never say die attitude and some very good goals but has got a way with a lot, whether it be over the top tackling or diving.  He is not a 'great' as he has never been able to deliver the dominating play at international level.

[Dante Lavelli]

Xavi got a tremendous reception from the Athletico supporters when he came on tonight.

I saw that.  Do any of our posters live in Spain, how has their media compared to ours with Gerrard?

[Walmley_Villa]

I don't begrudge Gerard his swan song, it is the press not him who have made a big deal of it. There are many scumbags in the English games and he isn't one of them, stayed loyal to his club and has scored some incredible and crucial goals for them. Liverpool will go backwards now as they have lost their last talisman and are left with the likes of Sterling and Balotelli.

[cdbearsfan]

I'm not sure that DJ would agree that he wasn't a scumbag. And is this the statement of a "loyal" player?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4653041.stm

In any case, he's only stayed at one of the biggest clubs on the planet and been paid handsomly for it. It's not like he's stayed at Lincoln City, rejecting numerous advances from global giants.

[Lizz]

Joey Barton made the best comment about SG IMO.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32769620

[Walmley_Villa]

I'm not sure that DJ would agree that he wasn't a scumbag. And is this the statement of a "loyal" player?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4653041.stm

In any case, he's only stayed at one of the biggest clubs on the planet and been paid handsomly for it. It's not like he's stayed at Lincoln City, rejecting numerous advances from global giants.

I was working in Liverpool at this time and well aware of the 'pressure' the low lives of Liverpool were supposed to have applied to Gerard to change his mind but he is no Marlon King is he?

[cdbearsfan]

No. He's still a scumbag though.

[cdbearsfan]

Although it does give me an idea... could we persuade/bribe the gangs of Birmingham to threaten Benteke into staying?

[PeterWithesShin]

I'd be loyal for 180K a week and keeping my kneecaps as well.

[footyskillz]

Yes he's had quite a career with his back passing vision and over hit hollywood passing. Included v arsenal when he passed back to assist henry as well as costing the game v France in 2004 and of course what he did v Uruguay to assist Suarez for the goal and his title costing slip.

The reckless tackle on George boateng back in the day was a disgrace villa deservedly won 3-1 There were other tackles like  90 minute kevin campbell assault in a derby they were losing .at thecstatb of his career 19 years old!! But did he learn ?? Well no what was his performance against manu this season . The guy cant take losing.

He also took a red card v Chelsea in a must win match which cost liverpool champions league place in 2003!! Effectively a play off Stevie g cost liverpool again.

Oh and there also those interesting  links... Check out this article in to background of Stevie g ....


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-560616/Soccer-star-gangsters-Steven-Gerrard-murky-depths-Liverpools-underworld.html


Perspective and balance to the Liverpool leg end

[footyskillz]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GprcTAFLQCw

Oh forgot that back pass to drogbraaaa as well
Nice one Stevie

[PeterWithesShin]

Or his one against France at Euro 2004.

[john e]

I'm quite sure if Gerard's  last match was played at VP and he was substituted with a few minutes to go he would get a standing ovation from the crowd