Woe Woe And Thrice Woe 
Liverpool have been dire in many games this season. At times, they've produced scintillating football. Other times, they've play like a Sunday pub team. Inconsistency has been the norm. Too many times, they have struggled against mediocre and lesser opposition .
Yesterday, Liverpool were held to a 0 - 0 draw against Swansea, who were promoted from the lower division last season. It should have been a walkover for the 'Reds". Instead, Swansea in white kit, stormed 'Fortress Anfield' and almost took 3 points. Swansea were only denied all three points, by a poor call from the referee. Liverpool struggled and could not unlock the Swansea defence. Liverpool hung on for a lucky draw. What does that tell ya?
Liverpool were held 1 - 1 by lowly Norwich few weeks ago. Again, Norwich were promoted from the lower division last season. On paper, Liverpool should have thumped them, but they didn't. Liverpool just scraped through and were lucky to get a point from the game.
At the beginning of September, Stoke, a middling premiership team, beat Liverpool 1 - 0. In the middle of August, Sunderland, another middling team, held Liverpool to a 1 - 1 draw at Anfield.
In mid September Spurs thumped Liverpool 4 - 0. Spurs like Liverpool are vying for a top four finish to qualify for the Champions League.
So what's happened. Where has it gone wrong?
From the online dictionary.reference.com:
regression - noun
1. the act of going back to a previous place or state; return or reversion.
2. retrogradation; retrogression.
3. Biology. reversion to an earlier or less advanced state or form or to a common or general type.
4. Psychoanalysis. the reversion to a chronologically earlier or less adapted pattern of behavior and feeling.
5. a subsidence of a disease or its manifestations: a regression of symptoms.
adjective
6. of, pertaining to, or determined by regression analysis: regression curve; regression equation.
How can this be? Considering the new American owners have spent £100 million on players?
Suarez was an inspired buy. The moment I saw him, in his first game for Liverpool, I knew he was magic. I labelled him "The Wizard". Carroll on the other hand, has been a poor buy. A disaster. An unknown quantity. Untried, untested. His performances this season have confirmed this. He's missed too many chances, and performed poorly when starting games. I'm confident he'll be the same for the rest of the season.
Downing and Jordan, have been poor to middling. Sometimes good, sometimes, forgettable. They may yet produce. Time will tell.
Charlie Adam has been great. He's performed peerlessly, scored goals, created chances, great vision, great crosses, and commanded the midfield. Adam has been an excellent buy.
I have views on why the Liverpool locomotive has been derailed.
Thats for my next footy post.
Liverpool have been dire in many games this season. At times, they've produced scintillating football. Other times, they've play like a Sunday pub team. Inconsistency has been the norm. Too many times, they have struggled against mediocre and lesser opposition .
Yesterday, Liverpool were held to a 0 - 0 draw against Swansea, who were promoted from the lower division last season. It should have been a walkover for the 'Reds". Instead, Swansea in white kit, stormed 'Fortress Anfield' and almost took 3 points. Swansea were only denied all three points, by a poor call from the referee. Liverpool struggled and could not unlock the Swansea defence. Liverpool hung on for a lucky draw. What does that tell ya?
Liverpool were held 1 - 1 by lowly Norwich few weeks ago. Again, Norwich were promoted from the lower division last season. On paper, Liverpool should have thumped them, but they didn't. Liverpool just scraped through and were lucky to get a point from the game.
At the beginning of September, Stoke, a middling premiership team, beat Liverpool 1 - 0. In the middle of August, Sunderland, another middling team, held Liverpool to a 1 - 1 draw at Anfield.
In mid September Spurs thumped Liverpool 4 - 0. Spurs like Liverpool are vying for a top four finish to qualify for the Champions League.
So what's happened. Where has it gone wrong?
From the online dictionary.reference.com:
regression - noun
1. the act of going back to a previous place or state; return or reversion.
2. retrogradation; retrogression.
3. Biology. reversion to an earlier or less advanced state or form or to a common or general type.
4. Psychoanalysis. the reversion to a chronologically earlier or less adapted pattern of behavior and feeling.
5. a subsidence of a disease or its manifestations: a regression of symptoms.
adjective
6. of, pertaining to, or determined by regression analysis: regression curve; regression equation.
How can this be? Considering the new American owners have spent £100 million on players?
Suarez was an inspired buy. The moment I saw him, in his first game for Liverpool, I knew he was magic. I labelled him "The Wizard". Carroll on the other hand, has been a poor buy. A disaster. An unknown quantity. Untried, untested. His performances this season have confirmed this. He's missed too many chances, and performed poorly when starting games. I'm confident he'll be the same for the rest of the season.
Downing and Jordan, have been poor to middling. Sometimes good, sometimes, forgettable. They may yet produce. Time will tell.
Charlie Adam has been great. He's performed peerlessly, scored goals, created chances, great vision, great crosses, and commanded the midfield. Adam has been an excellent buy.
I have views on why the Liverpool locomotive has been derailed.
Thats for my next footy post.
Don't Talk To Cops - Part 2
Bite Your Lip 
Following on from the previous post, here's the second part of Don't Talk to Cops. Appropriately titled: The Other Side of the Story.
In Part 2, George Buch a police officer with the Virginia Beach Police Department, gives his take on why you should NOT talk to the police or answer any questions, without your lawyer present. The second talk gives the police view of getting a statement or a confession.
Following on from the previous post, here's the second part of Don't Talk to Cops. Appropriately titled: The Other Side of the Story.
In Part 2, George Buch a police officer with the Virginia Beach Police Department, gives his take on why you should NOT talk to the police or answer any questions, without your lawyer present. The second talk gives the police view of getting a statement or a confession.
After a brief intro, officer Buch opens his talk with a few questions;
"Are any of you guilty of anything? How many drive here today? Anybody go above 55 on the interstate? Hold your hands up."
People raise their hands.
Professor Duane off-screen, admonishes them for admitting guilt:
"Why are you holding your hands up. I told you about that."
Uproarious laughter.
Officer Buch continues: "And there you go. People are inherently honest, and that's the problem."
"When I was a police officer in uniform on patrol, I could follow a car however long I needed to and eventually they will do something illegal. And I can pull them over."
"When you get stopped for speeding. Everyone likes to be somewhat honest. First thing police officers asks you? Do you know how fast you were going? If the speed limit is 35, you say, oh 38 - 40. You wanna be kinda honest even though you were doing 50. You just said you were doing 38 - 40. You just admitted to breaking the law. You just confessed. They can go to court with that. That you confessed and get a conviction."
Its worth watching to get an insight into how the police view their work.
Officer Buch: "People are stupid. They do stupid things. They talk to the police." "I've dealt with a 1,000 felonies and 2,500 misdemeanors with a 98% conviction rate. 80% of those I don't even have to go to court. Why? Cos they confessed."
"People like to talk to the Police. They like to tell their story."
"My job is to get you to talk. To develop a great case. A great case is a case with a confession."
Later on in his talk officer Buch honestly states:
"The defence attorney's job is to get to his client and stop him talking to me."
Officer Buch: "People are stupid. They do stupid things. They talk to the police." "I've dealt with a 1,000 felonies and 2,500 misdemeanors with a 98% conviction rate. 80% of those I don't even have to go to court. Why? Cos they confessed."
"People like to talk to the Police. They like to tell their story."
"My job is to get you to talk. To develop a great case. A great case is a case with a confession."
Later on in his talk officer Buch honestly states:
"The defence attorney's job is to get to his client and stop him talking to me."
Here's the link to the video: Don't Talk to Cops, Part 2
Done.
Don't Talk To Cops - Part 1
Silence Is Golden 
If you haven't watched it yet, take time to view an excellent video posted on YouTube, given by a Lawyer. His name is James Duane a Professor at Regent Law School.
Professor Duane starts by explaining the top ten reasons for not talking to the police (without your lawyer present), or helping police with their inquiries. No matter how trivial it may seem, or how innocent you may actually be. He goes on to give several examples of how your statements or your answers can be used against you, and in many instances may be the only grounds on which you are convicted, even if you are 100% innocent.
He also explains that police officers are human, and sometimes make errors when collecting or giving evidence.
Its funny and essential viewing, and may one day save you from being convicted of an offence you did not commit. (Or even one that ya did).
The video runs for 28 minutes, but its worth the time invested.
Here's a link to the video: Don't Talk to Cops, Part 1
Done.
If you haven't watched it yet, take time to view an excellent video posted on YouTube, given by a Lawyer. His name is James Duane a Professor at Regent Law School.
Professor Duane starts by explaining the top ten reasons for not talking to the police (without your lawyer present), or helping police with their inquiries. No matter how trivial it may seem, or how innocent you may actually be. He goes on to give several examples of how your statements or your answers can be used against you, and in many instances may be the only grounds on which you are convicted, even if you are 100% innocent.
He also explains that police officers are human, and sometimes make errors when collecting or giving evidence.
Its funny and essential viewing, and may one day save you from being convicted of an offence you did not commit. (Or even one that ya did).
The video runs for 28 minutes, but its worth the time invested.
Here's a link to the video: Don't Talk to Cops, Part 1
Done.
Liverpool Woes Continue
More Pain
I'm sitting at home blogging on health issues on my new health blog, and I check the BBC sport website to see Liverpool are playing Tottenham at White Hart Lane. I don't have Sky Sports any more. I could go down the pub and watch the game, but I have serious reservations about Liverpool's abilities to beat a middling team such as Tottenham. I read that Liverpool are trailing Tottenham 1 - 0.
Liverpool showed how inept they were when they hit stoke last week. I see more pain today. I follow Liverpool and feel with their pedigree, they should be at the top, near always.
The Liverpool dynasty was established by Bill Shankly, a tough, no-nonsense progressive scot with a big heart. He took Liverpool from the lower ranks and set the foundations for them to become a major force in English and European football. All feared and respected Liverpool fc.
When Shankly retired in 1974, he handed the reigns to what was to become Liverpool's and one of English football's most successful managers: Bob Paisley. Paisley brought unparalleled European glory to Liverpool. Paisley's time in charge was fruitful and glory-filled. Cup after cup. Title after title. Year after year. European cup, Eufa cup, FA cup, league cup, league title. Liverpool were untouchable. Paisley retired in 1983.
Joe Fagan took over from Paisley and continued the success and the Liverpool tradition. Fagan remained in charge till the Heysel Stadium incident. He retired in 1985 when King Kenny took over.
Kenny inherited a powerful all-conquering team which continued Liverpool's success. Kenny stayed in charge till another major spectator incident occurred at Hillsborough. King Kenny retired in 1991.
Graeme Souness, a respected Liverpool player was appointed manager and oversaw the first stages of Liverpool's decline. He won the FA cup in the '92 season but nothing else.
Souness was dumped in 1994 and replaced with Roy Evans one of the Shankly Boot Room boys. Evans steered Liverpool to a single success, and was eventually replaced by Gerard Houllier in 1998.
Both Evans and his successor, Houllier oversaw the continued decline of a once awesome footballing force. Houllier won a few prizes, but nothing of real substance. Yes, Houllier won three cups, but in reality the football they played was scrappy. It must be acknowledged that Houllier upgraded, rebuilt the training regime, along with Melwood, Liverpool's famous training facility. Houllier being French brought with him continental training techniques and methods. English football still lived in the days of a bucket of cold water and sponge as being the most common treatment for most ailments.
Houllier was given marching orders in 2004. The search for a replacement begun. It was at the behest of Liverpool's bright young striker, Michael Owen. Liverpool played Spanish side Valencia in a European game and lost. Owen was overawed with their style of play and openly stated their manager should be the next Liverpool manager. It was how Liverpool should play.
The management heard the echoes and duly employed Valencia's manager Rafa Benitez to take the helms. Benitez arrived in 2004 and steered Liverpool to their 5th European cup. The city was ecstatic. The club was ecstatic. It seemed Liverpool had finally found someone to take them back to the top, where Liverpoolfc belonged.
Liverpool under Benitez was a rollercoaster ride. He brought some freshness to the team, but there were many problems on the pitch, off the pitch and in the boardroom. Benitez bought badly, as had some of his predecessors. The team did not gel. Of course this was not helped by Benitez constant player rotation, which unsettled so many players. Benitez was restrained by lack of funds. Given different circumstances, perhaps Benitez could have worked his magic at Liverpool, got them playing great football, and restored their former glory.
For years Liverpool's ownership had quietly contributed to their success. In 2007 Liverpool was sold to Americans Gillet and Hicks. Much has been written of how the 'Americans' milked Liverpool. I don't wholly agree with this view. But the coupling of 'American' ownership and Benitez petulance eventually saw his dismissal in 2010.
Roy Hodgeson was poached from Fulham FC to take charge in 2010. Roy inherited an unsettled squad and did not immediately stamp his authority. Roy was outspoken on some issues that alienated him from Liverpool supporters. Liverpool's efforts on the pitch were dire, leaving them dwindling in the drop zone. Liverpool fans chanted 'Hodgeson for England' suggesting his poor management skills would suit and continue the poor form of the English national team.
Hodgeson was given his P45 and replaced by 'King Kenny', for Kenny's second stint in charge. Kenny along with his new backroom staff took Liverpool out of the drop zone and took them into the top six. It looked like the 'King' was back and he had not lost his 'Midas' touch.
But that was not the case. 'Kenny Dalglish' came back to inherit a poor Liverpool team. A mediocre squad with little self belief. 'King Kenny' sold the unsettled 'Torres' for £50 million to Chelsea and bought two players in his place. The mercurial wizard Suarez and the pedestrian Carroll.
Suarez plays the continental style of football. Fast, sharp, passing and movement. This was how Liverpool played in their 'All conquering' hey day. Carroll, tall, slow, centre-forward in the traditional British mould. Think aerial. Think high-balls. Think long-balls. Think frequent punts. Liverpool are going backwards.
Whenever a new manager is brought in, the team, any team responds with good results. When 'King Kenny' came back it was the new manager syndrome re-visited. That has now worn off. The initial feel-good factor is gone. Its back to the daily grind and all the associated emotions.
This shows in some of Dalglish's selections and the poor results against mediocre opposition. Some media pundits were predicting that Liverpool would be a top 4 team this season. Bah. Humbug!
If Liverpool finish in the top 6, it will be a miracle. As I finish writing this post, I check the BBC sports page and see Liverpool were beaten 4-0 by Tottenham. Its downhill all the way.
Last week I posted the 'King Kenny' was not the man to take Liverpool back to the top.
Watch this space.
I'm sitting at home blogging on health issues on my new health blog, and I check the BBC sport website to see Liverpool are playing Tottenham at White Hart Lane. I don't have Sky Sports any more. I could go down the pub and watch the game, but I have serious reservations about Liverpool's abilities to beat a middling team such as Tottenham. I read that Liverpool are trailing Tottenham 1 - 0.Liverpool showed how inept they were when they hit stoke last week. I see more pain today. I follow Liverpool and feel with their pedigree, they should be at the top, near always.
The Liverpool dynasty was established by Bill Shankly, a tough, no-nonsense progressive scot with a big heart. He took Liverpool from the lower ranks and set the foundations for them to become a major force in English and European football. All feared and respected Liverpool fc.
When Shankly retired in 1974, he handed the reigns to what was to become Liverpool's and one of English football's most successful managers: Bob Paisley. Paisley brought unparalleled European glory to Liverpool. Paisley's time in charge was fruitful and glory-filled. Cup after cup. Title after title. Year after year. European cup, Eufa cup, FA cup, league cup, league title. Liverpool were untouchable. Paisley retired in 1983.
Joe Fagan took over from Paisley and continued the success and the Liverpool tradition. Fagan remained in charge till the Heysel Stadium incident. He retired in 1985 when King Kenny took over.
Kenny inherited a powerful all-conquering team which continued Liverpool's success. Kenny stayed in charge till another major spectator incident occurred at Hillsborough. King Kenny retired in 1991.
Graeme Souness, a respected Liverpool player was appointed manager and oversaw the first stages of Liverpool's decline. He won the FA cup in the '92 season but nothing else.
Souness was dumped in 1994 and replaced with Roy Evans one of the Shankly Boot Room boys. Evans steered Liverpool to a single success, and was eventually replaced by Gerard Houllier in 1998.
Both Evans and his successor, Houllier oversaw the continued decline of a once awesome footballing force. Houllier won a few prizes, but nothing of real substance. Yes, Houllier won three cups, but in reality the football they played was scrappy. It must be acknowledged that Houllier upgraded, rebuilt the training regime, along with Melwood, Liverpool's famous training facility. Houllier being French brought with him continental training techniques and methods. English football still lived in the days of a bucket of cold water and sponge as being the most common treatment for most ailments.
Houllier was given marching orders in 2004. The search for a replacement begun. It was at the behest of Liverpool's bright young striker, Michael Owen. Liverpool played Spanish side Valencia in a European game and lost. Owen was overawed with their style of play and openly stated their manager should be the next Liverpool manager. It was how Liverpool should play.
The management heard the echoes and duly employed Valencia's manager Rafa Benitez to take the helms. Benitez arrived in 2004 and steered Liverpool to their 5th European cup. The city was ecstatic. The club was ecstatic. It seemed Liverpool had finally found someone to take them back to the top, where Liverpoolfc belonged.
Liverpool under Benitez was a rollercoaster ride. He brought some freshness to the team, but there were many problems on the pitch, off the pitch and in the boardroom. Benitez bought badly, as had some of his predecessors. The team did not gel. Of course this was not helped by Benitez constant player rotation, which unsettled so many players. Benitez was restrained by lack of funds. Given different circumstances, perhaps Benitez could have worked his magic at Liverpool, got them playing great football, and restored their former glory.
For years Liverpool's ownership had quietly contributed to their success. In 2007 Liverpool was sold to Americans Gillet and Hicks. Much has been written of how the 'Americans' milked Liverpool. I don't wholly agree with this view. But the coupling of 'American' ownership and Benitez petulance eventually saw his dismissal in 2010.
Roy Hodgeson was poached from Fulham FC to take charge in 2010. Roy inherited an unsettled squad and did not immediately stamp his authority. Roy was outspoken on some issues that alienated him from Liverpool supporters. Liverpool's efforts on the pitch were dire, leaving them dwindling in the drop zone. Liverpool fans chanted 'Hodgeson for England' suggesting his poor management skills would suit and continue the poor form of the English national team.
Hodgeson was given his P45 and replaced by 'King Kenny', for Kenny's second stint in charge. Kenny along with his new backroom staff took Liverpool out of the drop zone and took them into the top six. It looked like the 'King' was back and he had not lost his 'Midas' touch.
But that was not the case. 'Kenny Dalglish' came back to inherit a poor Liverpool team. A mediocre squad with little self belief. 'King Kenny' sold the unsettled 'Torres' for £50 million to Chelsea and bought two players in his place. The mercurial wizard Suarez and the pedestrian Carroll.
Suarez plays the continental style of football. Fast, sharp, passing and movement. This was how Liverpool played in their 'All conquering' hey day. Carroll, tall, slow, centre-forward in the traditional British mould. Think aerial. Think high-balls. Think long-balls. Think frequent punts. Liverpool are going backwards.
Whenever a new manager is brought in, the team, any team responds with good results. When 'King Kenny' came back it was the new manager syndrome re-visited. That has now worn off. The initial feel-good factor is gone. Its back to the daily grind and all the associated emotions.
This shows in some of Dalglish's selections and the poor results against mediocre opposition. Some media pundits were predicting that Liverpool would be a top 4 team this season. Bah. Humbug!
If Liverpool finish in the top 6, it will be a miracle. As I finish writing this post, I check the BBC sports page and see Liverpool were beaten 4-0 by Tottenham. Its downhill all the way.
Last week I posted the 'King Kenny' was not the man to take Liverpool back to the top.
Watch this space.
Liverpool Woes
Here we go again...
Okay, its been a while since I last posted as I was travelling in Asia. I toured Japan, Hong Kong and Korea. I had a great time and its good to be back in Europe. Now I feel I have to post on the situation at Liverpool.
If your not a football fan (Soccer to all you american dudes), switch off now. Much has been made of the return of 'King Kenny'. He came in last year and turned things around. Revived flagging fortunes. Picked things up after Roy Hodgson's disastrous tenure. Kenny did the right things to get the team back on track and get Liverpool out the drop zone. Okay that's the good part. Here's the rest.
King Kenny should go.
Why?
Several reasons. Allow me list them:
1. He quit Liverpool when things got tough last time round
2. He quit Blackburn after a difficult spell
3. He quit Celtic after a difficult spell
Well, err can anyone see a pattern here???
Don't go backwards unless you want to go backwards.
Question: Does that make sense? Maybe not.
I'll elaborate. How many bands reform after years apart to try and re-capture their glory years.
Answer: Too many
They get together after patching up their differences and personal hostilities. Try to recapture the 'love' they felt back then, and do one more gig for the management (and the bank manager).
What they soon discover is that you cannot recapture the magic and the glory of days gone past. The past glory was a result of actions and events rooted in that time and space/place. Trying to re-create the conditions that contributed to those events is just not possible.
So many external conditions contributed and supported those events, and those conditions cannot be re-created. Its just not possible. So forget it. Move on.
Have ya ever tried to get back with an old flame. Tried to re-capture the magic of your earlier relationship. You can't do it. Forget it. Move on.
Have ya ever met up with old school friends, tried to relive the past, and get shocked at how they changed. How fat they got. How old they got. How rigid/ingrained they become in their ways. Forget it. Bury it. Move on. Go find new pastures.
Ya see things are constantly evolving. Changing. New influences are impacting on situations. You can never recapture the past. You can never re-create those magic moments. They are gone dead. Buried.
So, where does that leave us, 'King Kenny' and Liverpool?
Right now, I'd say 'dead in the dust'.
Here is my prediction for the coming season.
What the new owners need do is find a bright, young, innovative, energetic manager. Someone forward thinking. A young visionary. Some like Pepe Gardiola, perhaps. Forget about the past. Forget about the old. Time to move on.
Embrace the future. Embrace the new.
Okay, its been a while since I last posted as I was travelling in Asia. I toured Japan, Hong Kong and Korea. I had a great time and its good to be back in Europe. Now I feel I have to post on the situation at Liverpool.If your not a football fan (Soccer to all you american dudes), switch off now. Much has been made of the return of 'King Kenny'. He came in last year and turned things around. Revived flagging fortunes. Picked things up after Roy Hodgson's disastrous tenure. Kenny did the right things to get the team back on track and get Liverpool out the drop zone. Okay that's the good part. Here's the rest.
King Kenny should go.
Why?
Several reasons. Allow me list them:
1. He quit Liverpool when things got tough last time round
2. He quit Blackburn after a difficult spell
3. He quit Celtic after a difficult spell
Well, err can anyone see a pattern here???
Don't go backwards unless you want to go backwards.
Question: Does that make sense? Maybe not.
I'll elaborate. How many bands reform after years apart to try and re-capture their glory years.
Answer: Too many
They get together after patching up their differences and personal hostilities. Try to recapture the 'love' they felt back then, and do one more gig for the management (and the bank manager).
What they soon discover is that you cannot recapture the magic and the glory of days gone past. The past glory was a result of actions and events rooted in that time and space/place. Trying to re-create the conditions that contributed to those events is just not possible.
So many external conditions contributed and supported those events, and those conditions cannot be re-created. Its just not possible. So forget it. Move on.
Have ya ever tried to get back with an old flame. Tried to re-capture the magic of your earlier relationship. You can't do it. Forget it. Move on.
Have ya ever met up with old school friends, tried to relive the past, and get shocked at how they changed. How fat they got. How old they got. How rigid/ingrained they become in their ways. Forget it. Bury it. Move on. Go find new pastures.
Ya see things are constantly evolving. Changing. New influences are impacting on situations. You can never recapture the past. You can never re-create those magic moments. They are gone dead. Buried.
So, where does that leave us, 'King Kenny' and Liverpool?
Right now, I'd say 'dead in the dust'.
Here is my prediction for the coming season.
- After much expenditure on the wrong players, Liverpool will fail spectacularly.
- Carroll will fail and become marginal. He's a misfit in the Liverpool squad.
- Liverpool will sack 'King Kenny' or 'Kenny' will leave by mutual consent, after a string of mediocre or poor results.
- Liverpool will not make a top four finish. They will languish in 6, 7 , 8, or mid-table.
What the new owners need do is find a bright, young, innovative, energetic manager. Someone forward thinking. A young visionary. Some like Pepe Gardiola, perhaps. Forget about the past. Forget about the old. Time to move on.
Embrace the future. Embrace the new.
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