ctkeepercoach

Please... That probably WAS a Hodgson teamtalk (OT anyone?). We don't need that anymore.

Love Badstuber... great name...

From what I've seen of N'gog, he's either not strong enough on the ball or has taken lessons from the Didier Drogba Diving Academy as he's always knocked off the ball and always leaving his feet looking for fouls.... Too much of that and not enough end product.. Thought he had turned the corner a bit with his performances in the beginning of the year, but it appears not. I would sell him for his own sake, he won't play here and needs the games at his age and stage of development...

Haha. Ace! Was waiting for that to come up!!

I would disagree, Hodgson had more than his fair crack at the job. His JOB was to a. inspire confidence, b. imprint a style of play and plan(s) for the team in attack and defense, and c. identify players to improve the collective squad, all with the expected result of winning games. He did NONE of these. He constantly lowered expectations (which we constantly fell short of), he routinely complained that he 'hasn't had the time to imprint his style even after more than 6 months in charge even though it was painfully apparent that the mentality was to defend 0-0 and hoof it long, using , and his signings have been disastrous (even the 'successful signing' Raul has become so much more under Kenny)... In contrast, Mourinho and Kenny each had their teams playing with the beginnings of their style within three games of taking charge. THIS IS WHAT GOOD MANAGERS DO!! To bring this post back on track to the rest of the thread, this was Carra's first game under the king. Kenny will do with Carra what he has done with the rest of the squad: Put the team first, get maximum commitment to the cause and remind everyone the privilege it is to play for the red shirt and inspire confidence. As we have seen with many of the others, Kelly, Glo-Jo, Skrtel etc... he will get the best out of Carra and I expect we will see a return to the Carra of old. I'm sure the rest has helped him as well, and may be a good way for Kenny to remind Carra (gently) that he's no spring chicken and can use a break here and there to stay fresh...

You forget to mention that total is half of hodgsons total league wins while in charge..... Details, details......

Shape isn't as important as HOW we play. Pressing their backs and forcing them to go direct negates much of their midfield play. If Sunderland could do that, we can. I think we've got better players to do that in Kuyt and Meireles and Suarez, and we still have the ability to keep the ball and go at them. I can't see lady-boy enjoying that kind of game on his debut, but it gives Carra, Skrtel, Agger and Kyrgi (whomever plays) plenty of chances to kick the piss out of him...

They get around this by naming parts of the stadium (Coca-Cola Club, Budweiser Roof Deck, EMC Club, State St. Pavilion) all sponsored so as to preserve the name Fenway Park but give sponsors the chance to get into the picture. Can't see them doing anything with The Kop, but could see them rename other parts of Anfield to keep it Anfield and preserve The Kop.

Should know that... mum's an english teacher....:whistle:

No chance... 40,000 (less than a sell out) @ $50 per ticket (avg) = $2 million per game 70,000 at $25 per ticket (more than your 'tenner') = $1.75 million per game THAT is cutting their nose off despite their face. *pardon the $, I don't have a pound symbol, being american...

Please remember that this is an area in which FSG have experience and a track-record. In redeveloping Fenway Park, they added 5-7k new seats on a much smaller footprint, and they have done wonders to the area surrounding the stadium such as restaurants, bars and other facilities. I can see them, over about 4 years, renovating each stand and gaining 15k new seats in the process... Without a complete re-build, they can renovate and improve corporate structures which currently exist making those facilities comparable to the other big clubs, and use renovations of the surrounding area (if possible as I've not seen the surrounding neighborhoods) to bridge some of the gap. They were really innovative with the way they did this at Fenway, building UP rather than out, taking existing parts of the stand and expanding them, putting seats where they previously didn't exist... and they completely re-did the luxury boxes and brought them up to speed with what was on offer with the rest of baseball. They felt the history and tradition and atmosphere of the stadium was worth keeping but they realised the need to get more from what they had. They did almost all of their work during the off-season, so as to not affect the games or their ability to make money during the season (which is more day-to-day than the football season...) They will make up the difference in revenues with offerings to supporters globally, by breaking ground in new markets, i.e. USA, Asia and South America (could be an interesting sub-plot of the Suarez signing...) and by unique offerings such as alternate sporting or entertainment ventures at Anfield. They have recently held a football match last summer and hockey games at Fenway this winter, have had concerts and other events during the summer (while the team was playing a series of away games) and I can see them doing something similar with Anfield. They are very good at marrying the past with the present. My reason for sharing is that I know how we (the TLW Forumites) can be, and I would ask people to see the plans and keep an open mind before slating them. Many people in Boston who were dead set against renovation have since come around to love what they have done with Fenway. It is my belief that this is what they will do at Anfield and my hope that it will be received positively.

Does Adam have a get-out clause in case of relegation? Like to see him keep playing well but see the team drop just to watch Halloway and Oyston scream about how big teams unsettling their best player has led to their drop.........

To some degree, if Kenny were appointed in the summer, we'd still probably be in the shit because the success on the field may have seen Cancer and Aids remain in charge somehow.... As much as it pains me to say it (in light of the season and our recent turn), I think we almost NEEDED Roy Hodgson to drive us down... to make C n A's future untenable and force thru a sale. The one decision I'm glad Broughton and Purslow got right is to sell to FSG. But some of their poor decisions may have unwittingly contributed to our salvation... But enough depressing shit... He's the KING, he should rule for life!

You mean Roy is Tony Pulis's new first team coach?:whistle:

Why the hell would anyone want out now?!? I know the Chelski gazillions and being tapped up and being a judas and all... but for the rest of the squad? Why would anyone who is playing regularly, suddenly winning with some regularity and moving forward want out at this moment? after all the bullshit they've tolerated for the past season and a half?!? Doesn't make sense. Don't think it true... Also I hope Carragher takes home Torres' leg on Sunday as a trophy.... whether or not Torres is still attached is besides the point.

OK first: STOP NAMING THE TRAITOR! Second: Not enough vampire references for Suarez. Third: There's plenty of material between vampires, biting, handballs off the line, fighting, burning shit, jail and long hair to make something at least workable.... Off you go.

We offered 10 mil for him, they rejected it then stopped answering phone calls. Spurs offered 6-7 mil and 'couldn't find shareholders to sign off on it' and that's why it failed. Point is, Oyster and Hallowanker didn't want to sell to US... not that they didn't want to sell. Why is that? because we're the club that he wanted to join? because we are the 'reason' he put in a transfer request? or because we didn't come out with 14-16 mil after Ginsoak's corners remark?? Saw it above, if he's so valuable, why did he have to take them to court for his bonus? Was that resolved or could he revive that and go on a free?

Honda for 10-15 matuidi or mvila for 10-15 nzogbia for 10 lukaku for 20 there's goals there, a future star or three and all are young and will keep resale value if sold on later. Would address forwards, width and the cm spot. Leave the backline for summer. All couldve been had now and still may if we've for $ to play with.

I will say they have seen this before (I know its only baseball, but same shit)... In the first year after appointing their own manager, they traded (essentially player-exchanged) Nomar Garciaparra who had been the team's long-time superstar and replaced him en route to winning the world series... Only two seasons ago, they had to deal with Manny Ramirez throwing a temper tantrum and quitting on the team and they dealt him to the Dodgers... In both instances, they came off better than the team who received our player. As I said, they have seen this before. It will be interesting to see how they handle this situation with the different rules (transfer window etc...) in football.

I'm a big fan of Bradley. Does a good job in the deep midfield role. Needs a more cultured passer nearby (which the US team lacks) but he is a bit of a bulldog in the midfield. Still really young also (22 or 23 I believe)...

Robben had a torn quad from playing injured in the World Cup. Needed surgery and missed the season up till christmas for Bayern...

Realistic targets I think we could get before the deadline: Honda - CSKA player, we can snap him up after the Asian Cup final today (10-15 mil) Lukaku - May have to pay a touch extra to prize him away now, but I have a feeling this kid's gonna be legit (20-25 mil) Hazard - Another who may cost a touch more, but has a bright future (20-25 mil) Downing - Adds to wing depth, but is not the ideal... (10 mil) N'Zogbia - Winger, explosive and could be very positive addition (10 mil) Summer additions: Turan - Winger, pace, vision, delivery and the odd goal... Subotic or Sakho- Young Stud center back to play alongside one of our future stars from the academy Contreau - Left back to sort out that position once and for all... M'Vila - Holding central mid. Young, ambitious, ready for a step up. Looks the part from what I've seen of the French league. Others to consider: Michael Bradley Charlie Adam (if it doesn't happen before Monday) Alexis Sanchez Cavani Meuller Not a big fan of overpaying for the 'English Tax' and I don't buy into the whole 'Premier league takes time to adapt' stuff. Agreed, moving to a new country takes time, but quality on the field is just that and will come good. Also, take the caretaker tag away and make Kenny the manager for the long term. He's made such an impact in just 4 games... I can't wait to see this team with his imprint on signings and a longer term approach.

Stop confusing patience, and making decisions that are thought out and not appeasement driven as a lack of ambition. FSG will come good. Just be patient. Even if its not this window, they will invest...

She would have gotten that call right...:wallbutt:

No Lucas for us due to injury - sorry Code, not ineptitude... No Schwarzer for them because of the Asian Cup - which means they will be playing their best keeper tonight...