WELCOME one and all to our annual silly season!
Despite this slightly odd time of year never truly leaving us it is fair to say that the next 3 months truly amplifies waffle and guesswork.
I have already lost count of the number of players that are supposedly signing for Liverpool in 2013, but if true I simply have no idea how Rodgers will keep all 97 members of this new squad happy and how the hell FSG will pay all the wages! Is there a whip round? Or is this the justification for ticket price hikes?
I think it is fair to say that in recent years Liverpool as a club has been quite poor in terms of scouting and player recruitment. In terms of players that have left the club recently we have a veritable who’s who of red disappointment.
I apologise in advance for any nightmares that may result from reading the following words, but please stick with me and if necessary I shall sing a soothing lullaby at the end…Konchesky, Poulsen, Cole, Aquilani, Jovanovic, Adam…(if you need it…lullaby and good night, go to sleeeeeeep…)
In addition to this we must also look at the prices paid for signings too, whether it be Carroll, Downing, Henderson or Allen. Whilst it being truly important to never judge a players contribution and value for money until they leave the club (personally I think Henderson and Allen will be worth every penny and more), you only have to mention these players names and every football fan in the land can quote their price tag. It is this very price tag that itself can hinder progress.
Would Henderson have had the stick he had in his first year if we had only spent £1 million? Would Downing? Would anyone?
This is one of FSG’s biggest challenges; they have to show they have learnt lessons from the past in terms of scouting talent globally and not overpaying.
If you are going to pay the big bucks you have to be 95% certain that the player can deliver immediately, such as Ronaldo, Suarez, Van Persie and Aguero. Taking Torres and Chelsea as a prime example of what can go wrong when the money doesn’t deliver.
Look at the impact the likes of Michu, Cabaye, Benteke and Hernandez have had to date in comparison to their exposure to the average fan prior to signing and the fee paid. They are the direct result of a good scouting system and effective club approach to player acquisition.
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It sounds so simple doesn’t it! This is where the spanner in the works is thrown as a result of the modern environment and social media.
In the recent weeks there have been links to players such as Alex Pearce, Iago Aspas and Ashley Williams for example, which have drawn varying amounts of negative critique (personally I could only make an informed summary on one of those and he has an awesome surname!)
Even if they were purchased and pulled on the red jersey they have already been judged not good enough in some quarters. Why? Informed decisions based on a deep knowledge? An unknown player who must be rubbish? A player from a relegated side therefore must be rubbish?
Regardless of detailed scouting clubs can be derided in a very public forum as names don’t fit. Had Liverpool bought Michu or Benteke for example would there have been complaints from the outset that they are neither the name or have the status our club requires?
Another link in the past week has seen us apparently talking to Kolo Toure. For me, a potentially astute signing that can bring a positive impact on and off the pitch with his experience and professionalism. Yet this once again attracted negative responses in some quarters. It makes you wonder what would have happened if Twitter appeared at the turn of the century when Houllier signed McAllister.
We seem to be existing in a very damned if you do, damned if you don’t footballing world. ‘Why the hell didn’t we sign Aguero, we must be skint’ ‘Why are we looking at Kolo Toure? We must be skint’, ‘Why the hell didn’t we sign Michu, do we have no scouting?’ ‘Why the hell are we linked with Aspas?’
In a world where you are seemingly judged purely on your last performance (just look at the shift in opinions this season on both Henderson and Skrtel), FSG are to be judged on January, which was excellent and well thought out and executed. Sturridge in early doors (for a snip), followed by the Countinho which was effectively daylight robbery.
The talk we are hearing is encouraging that wheels are already in motion to get deals done early and that the new scouting department is earning their paycheques.
This leads me to a controversial statement and talking point: I believe that after years of mess, pieces are finally starting to fall into place.
A manager has the faith of the owners, the club has shown it can play beautiful football, the squad is young with a legion of homegrown talent knocking on the door, effective and informed recruitment policy…the future most certainly is starting to look red.
What do you think…?
YNWA come find me on twitter @timdibs
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yes u r absolutely right. Liverpool r headed in a right direction. a few smart signings n we will b challenging for top4 or even better. we just need to spend wisely early n offload some of the overrated ones
like that bit at the end there is a legion of youngsters coming…. even in the 18s there is alex ohanlon who looks a star and suso kelly sterling wisdom ibe and others all looking good enough to progress to first team football and rodgers has done an outstanding first yr with all he has had to put up with he has handled himself brilliantly !! if he gets some decent new players in we could have a great yr next yr and we dont have the distraction of euroa lg travelling away on Thursday we can focus on the lg so i think things looking great
I think you’ve somehowly put the point rightly and again credits to the manager for his tireless efforts and visionary abilities. let’s give him the time and see how he works out his ideas.
Wow what an article, couldn’t agree more on every point, especially aspas having a tremendous name!! The future is bright but we need to get this transfer window spot on so we can make a push for the top 4 next season
IN ROGERS I FULLY TRUST. LET HIM PROMOTE MORE OF THOSE ACADEMY GRADUATES THIS SEASON AND TELL ME WHO WILL STAND OUR WAY IN THE NEXT 6-8 YEAR. THOSE LADS HAVE IMMENSE POTENTIALS AND QUALITIES.
Touche.
“…A manager has the faith of the owners, the club has shown it can play beautiful football, the squad is young with a legion of homegrown talent knocking on the door, effective and informed recruitment policy…the future most certainly is starting to look red…”
Siempre es posible. YNWA
The youngster who is a class above them all is being wasted by our coaches – he should be the next one in to the first team squad – TEXIERA is his name.
He has not long gotten over a spinal injury mate, i think they are just bedding him in gradually.
I agree with you though he is a class player.
Adorjian needs to start pushing for 1st team this season, as he has the skill, he just needs to work
Absolute drivel . I’m afraid that those who think Rodgers will bring success are deluded
…and the bit about Joe Allen been worth every penny shows what a total fool the author is
How come your always on here spreading you negativity. Every other comment above is positive, then you come on here with your moaning. You sound like an evertonian you sad act
You for real ? I haven’t commented in about 2 weeks . Get a grip you sad fool
I fully agree, Liverpool supporters really need to get behind rodgers and give him and the team their full support. A few astute signings in the summer and a couple of under performers off-loaded, combined with rodgers’ youth policy and we could see some serious progress in the next couple of seasons! YNWA.
I believe the club is righting many wrongs of the past. Kenny turned the club in the right direction however his transfers let him down. Henderson being the exemption he will be a force in a few years. We made mistakes re kenny transfers but one managers mistake ( bearing in mind downing was the form player an we got Suarez an Carroll for Torres great business) shouldn’t stop us from buying the odd ‘marquee’ signing as every team needs a world class in both experience and ability. We are liverpool not Swansea just because Carroll went Pete tong we should still go for a proven! I agree the club is moving the right way but also small transfer budgets yr in yr out suggest mediocre team
Pls let all this pessimistic supporters give BR a break, they are only fit for mancity where they want to win 5 trophies in 5 yrs. The truth is that no matter wat u do they r never impressed. I believe that in a few yrs world class players will want to play for LFC. … YNWA
Good to with brenda rodgers,with the signing i have seen lfc will be great next season but we need more experience player in the cm. Christian Erickson of Ajax is the guy to fill the void Rodgers should go for that guy.Lfc defence & attack should also be strenghten then we can compete.
I think lfc should be bold in offloading overated nd incompatible players in the team, this would create space, increase competition nd funds. though it aint easy, it can be done as shown by tothenham.
What is FSG waiting for ??? Just announce a new manager for LFC and we already solved 80% of the WRONGS.
And get who?
What a joke, zero patience.
maybe fsg are waiting for the guy that walked on water to make his comeback! remember we had st. john to assess us!!… red, seriously, strap yourself in and enjoy the ride as real liverpool fans are prepared to give him a couple of seasons to see how we go… and if it doesn’t work out THEN i for one just might consider calling for a change. who knows, brendan just might lead us to the promised land!!… UCL!!!!! YNWA
You guys are the joke . Deluded . Is anyone seriously stupid enough to think trophyless inexperienced Rodgers who has achieved nothing , and has failed in his first season will get liverpool to top 4 ?
It’s not going to happen. Wake up
Respect to that.
Mr red, u really don’t know anything bout football
sell pachecho, brad jones, danny wilson, carroll, spearing, downing, ngoo,
buy , I centerback, ajay guy Ericson, a winger , backup keeper
It is silly season wit silly away with the fairies rubbish like this article
With Andy Carroll, the club is doing it all wrong again…
Konchesky,Poulsen,Cole,Aquilani,Jovanovic,Adam, all these guys were such a waste of money, unbelievable.
Rodgers- “finishing above 8th would be fantastic.”
LOL!!!