EVERYBODY loves numbers right? Let me throw some at you: 18,500; 5,841; 6,102; 70; 9; 119. I could go on but I was starting to feel like Carol Vorderman, so instead let me ‘countdown’ what these mean.
Well 18,500 is the maximum capacity of the Stade Louis ll stadium, 5,841 was the average attendance at AS Monaco home games in the 2012/13 season with the highest gate being 6,102.
£70m is the rumoured cost of James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho that AS Monaco have recently paid, the number 9 is the shirt number for Falcao at Ateltico Madrid – a rumoured big money target – and finally 119 is the recent position ranking of the owner, Dmitry Rybolovlev on the Forbes Billionaires list.
Now there is wrangling from within France regarding the tax issue that AS Monaco benefit from, but as yet, nothing from anyone regarding our good friend Financial Fair Play (I can see you recoiling aghast with a combination of shock and horror).
So with murmurings afoot of serious Middle East investment at Anfield, the discussion needs to be had on how we want our future to unfold, and who better to have it than Frugal Frank and Splash-it Steve:
Steve: Hi Frank, how are you?
Frank: Good thanks Steve now that I have discovered the economy flush on the loo, saves 25p every 5 years you know!
Steve: Fascinating! Reluctantly moving on from toilet talk, it’s about time we talked about my favourite subjects: Money and Liverpool!
Frank: Right.
Steve: I know you have applauded FSG in the past for their ‘Moneyball’ but not ‘Moneyball’ approach, and how well they have done to shave a couple of million off the price of Sturridge and Coutinho, but have you looked across the Channel recently?
Frank: Monaco?
Steve: Dam right Monaco! Russian billionaire, heard that before, involved and flashing the cash. Just promoted from the second division, like Hull for example, and signing players like Rodriguez, Moutinho (who Spurs couldn’t agree wages with!), Falcao and Carvalho, with more to come!
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Frank: Nice to see FFP coming down hard eh! I don’t want my club run like that thanks.
Steve: What? Why the hell not? The opportunity to see someone like Falcao smashing in a hat-trick at the Kop end? You would be mental not to want that!
Frank: Of course I want to see that, but for starters I don’t want to see a player pull on the jersey I have longed to wear just because we offered him wheelbarrows of cash! I want my side to contain players with passion and fire in their belly; money can’t buy that.
Steve: Wake up Frank, that’s modern football! Everybody is a boyhood fan who will kiss the badge one minute and pose in an opposition shirt the next. Look at Torres! Loyalty is a dying concept and the sooner we realise it the better we will be. The only way to guarantee loyalty to an extent is to be good and win! But even then it’s not enough: Ronaldo?!
Frank: Fair point I guess, we can only dream of a team of Carragher’s really, but this whole business runs deeper than signing him or him. It’s about sustainability. It’s all good in the moment when you get an Aguero, or a Shevchenko or a Falcao but nothing in life is certain.
The likes of City, Chelsea and PSG are riding the crest of their waves at the moment but the future of their club is dependent on the whim of one man. Look at the mess at Malaga! Portsmouth! Leeds! For crying out loud we almost lost our club a couple of years ago.
Steve: That’s because we sold to the wrong people and proper checks and research wasn’t done. The mistakes made then were all avoidable. Get the right person in now, and: Booom! Let the good times roll.
Frank: So what, we bring silverware because we had more money than everyone else? I don’t want that! I want the club to be self-sustainable and able to continue regardless of who is in charge. Continuing on this path, with good coaching, good scouting and shrewd buying will move forward, and the further we move forward the more finance we will generate and therefore the more we will be able to invest.
Steve: Yawn, what’s the point in that? I want success now! I want Champions League now and I want to challenge for the title now!
Frank: Quick win, quick win, quick win. The biggest problem with modern society. Nobody is prepared to work for what they want. Our greatest period in history took time to arrive. United’s sustained success under Ferguson took time, but both earned what they achieved. What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals (and if you can tell me where that quote is from I will be impressed!)
Steve and Frank could go on, but I cut them short! Where do I side?
With Frank. I want my club to be self-sustaining as in the future I want an element of fan ownership; something that can’t happen with a Sugar Daddy. I want our success to be earned and not ‘bought’ (that is a crude way of putting it I know).
Where do you stand? Who’s side do you take? Do you have a different option?
Please leave comments and catch me on Twitter @timdibs
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If anyone is interested in my latest article.. http://live4liverpool.com/2013/06/view-from-the-kop/is-this-the-way-to-mona-go
More idiotic nonsense from this rubbish writer . Only a total fool would choose greedy yanks over a sugar daddy .
Monaco have years of top players to enjoy , battling it out for the top trophies and probably winning some.
Liverpool have years of selling our best players, no top players wanting to come here , and not competing for any trophies
??? Like I said , only a complete moron would prefer the FSG way
Phil is tailor made for City. Go on they’re right down the road.
I like how this is idiotic nonsense from a rubbish writer, yet you read it!
Would love to hear why you think FSG are greedy? H&G yes, these guys??
Malaga spent loads on the back of a ‘sugar daddy’ how they doing now? What they win? A fine line between say a Chelsea style investment and Malaga style investment. You want to risk the future of the club? Again??
Selling our best players??? Go on…..
Players leave for all sorts of reasons, ronaldo? Wasn’t he at a successful club?
You talk deluded rubbish , always
Well you have argued your case well there Phil lad, well done
I do not like your writing. FSG is no good. BR is disaster.
Any news of new manager/owner for LFC ??? Please share with us
Your choice my friend, I value all opinions.
Why do you think BR is a disaster? FSG rubbish?
It’s interesting Tim how these clowns never answer your questions.
Lol. Debating with Tim is like debating with a parrot in a pet shop – they keep talking back and repeating the same nonsense again and again. Pointless
Funny how you never answer my questions either stevieG! I would love it if I was engaged in debate about this wonderful club, and even more so if my opinions were changed through well thought out reason and logic! It seems to me that rather than argue out a point, if someone doesn’t agree it reverts to name calling!
Viewpoint X, I’m used to it really, I think the art of debate and discussion is lost on some, unless you agree with their opinion you are a socialist tw@t cabbage! I have even been compared to a nazi!
A socialist tw&t nazi cabbage ? ….good one ….that suits.
No offense Tim….but you really are detached from reality…it’s impossible to debate with you rationally. You see what u want to see…not things the way they really are
your right it suits, a socialist and a nazi! a skill to be both!
yet again, you have the platform to put across your point of view or challenge mine but instead you take pot-shots! If I am detached from reality and and only see what I want to see then show me up in a debate! or…write a piece for this site giving your thoughts on Rodgers and/or FSG. Personally I would love to read your opinions
Ok tim .here it is in a nutshell. Rodgers= poor manager. FSG = here to make profit . FSGs plan ( achieve success with inexperienced manager and not spending as much as others) = ridiculous waste of time and will never work
Short term solution = sack Rodgers hire proper manager. Long term solution = force FSG out
I couldn’t be bothered going into more detail as if you need to ask why , then you just don’t see reality
My two solutions WILL happen eventually. Because of fans like you it probably won’t happen for a year or two. But they Will happen.
I know all your arguments and excuses as ive read them 100 times so don’t waste your time
Move to monaco then phil
The FFP is a brain child of a Frenchman & I think that burning lot of British skins. Last week I read the entire transcript of Platini, & that man knows the game. He said it several times & I reiterate again – FFP is not to restrict clubs from spending big on players; no regulator can do that when the Russian mafias are pouring black money in football or the arrogant Arabs spoiling from inflated price of natural fortune. FFP is there to make sure that, clubs don’t fall into administration by every year’s incremental debt.
Monaco owner is worth of $15BN, recently his 23 years old daughter purchased an NY Apartment for $90mn, must have some illegal money to flash in the pan (may be from titanium sale, may be from oil rigging, may be from Rubble printing press). He is buying for fun & trying to buy glory. At least, all Monaco’s purchases make sense, are much, much, much better than the other Russian Mafia or Arab scoundrel vandalizing in UK.
FFP ‘ll never work, unless egoistic maniacs like Perez, Laporte, Ab’vic, Mansoor, Thani, Roby’lov, Morarti, Balursconi play the fair game, in the spirit of sports rather than keep trying to purchase glory. & I am happy that LFC are bought by a sports management group, rather than becoming a prostitute in Arab harem or Russian brothel. They did off loaded the club from debt (see the figures for MU, Chelsea, Real, Barca or MCity), did spent enough in first year, unfortunately the then incompetent Manager blew the money.
Do you hve a link to that article mate? Would like to read it.
The biggest problem for me in modern game is the horse has already bolted and only how are we trying to shut the gate! Hence my argument here was more about what I want at my club rather than slating others
Phil spot on lad . This author is a complete cabbage. If you don’t mind being average and having no money or ambition …then you should be supporting Everton.
Monaco will have Falcao …we will have aspas . Socialist tw@ts like Tim & brad should go to goodison
A socialist tw@t cabbage?? That’s a first for me!!
We have money and clearly have ambition, so I don’t get your point??
Money talks / Bullsh?t walks !!!
That the harsh reality of modern day football. Anyone disagreeing with that is incredibly naive
We will achieve no success under FSGs frugal approach NONE.
City , Monaco PSG have the money
We have the Bullsh?t ( FSG and Rodgers)
Sad times 🙁
Hmmmmm didn’t we win a trophy in their first year proper?? I’m not sure show they are being frugal?
We are mid table under FSG , no longer a top team due to their unintelligent managerial appointments.
unintelligent managerial appointments??? they have had 2, Dalglish and Rodgers, you having a pop at both of them in your all encompassing comment??
I would suggest that both appointments were shrewd and gave me hope, the ‘unintelligent’ aspect was firing Dalglish when they did. Why back him to the extent they did not to allow the man to follow through?
Over 160 million spent. League finishes of 7th and 8th. If you think that is ‘shrewd’ …I think you are insane.
Ok Kenny won a cup and got to another final….but both managerial appointments have been huge errors. How can anyone say those appointments were justified.
Maybe FSG have handled the club ok off the pitch , maybe. But their decisions affecting on the pitch have been shambolic
Every appointment gives us hope, but until we get in a proper manager that hope is wasted. As a FSG apologiser I’m sure you will retort with more lame excuses imminently
Im not sure what a £160 million spend had to do with a managerial selection being shrewd. they are 2 seperate arguments.
Im not sure you can describe either managerial appointment as a huge error unless you are taking a very limited view. If you start with Kenny, the man was the only choice for me in replacing Roy. The club was on the rocks, had been through some of its darkest days and desperatly needed positivity and an icon to drag us forward. Absolutelt the correct decision in the circumstances. He was then only given 18 months in charge, and anyone thinking 18 months is long enough to install your beliefs and ideas and to truly get the best out of a new and young squad has been corrupted by the ‘want it now’ society we live in.
Describing Rodgers as a huge error is bonkers!! He has had 1 year and you are prepared to write him off? Despite the turnover in playing staff, loss of experience and complete change in footballing philosophies he still managed to attain more points in his first season than most whilst bringing through a lot of young faces and scoring a lot of goals! To write him off now, or describe him as a huge error is insane!
financially wise FSG have done very well for us, and whilst I dont go as far as describing their actions affecting on the pitch as ‘shambolic’ they have often left a lot to be desired. Handling of the Suarez affairs, monies spent on players, the sacking of Dalglish.
As I have said many times I am not an FSG apologiser and have written articles about FSG with my critique of decisions and so forth. What you will find is that I am not one to slag someone off without looking deeper.
For me FSg have done ok so far during a difficult time for the club and we should know more about them come September 1st as this is a huuuuge few months for them. As for Rodgers, he has impressed e.
If you disagree with either of those then get back to me and lets have a deabte over it
Thoreau
Aspas on my lfc top and ur grass crown from monaco must be on to tight who was falcao before porto
Phill and kav r probably bell ends that don’t go to the games. Maybe there not even lfc fans
There a f ing embarrassment.
Roger will improve the team. Look at Henderson’s improvement, he knows what he is doing. I have no dout that he will take us in the right direction. FSG gave kenny 100mill. Rogers won’t get that but he will get some quality players.
If we start next season like we finished this one we will be in the top 4. Get a few more signings the following year and so on.
Everyone wud want a billionaire owner but its not guna happen anytime soon.
Get behind the team and the manager coz roger is a class act.
YNWA
Your the bellend . And a total delude that knows fk all about football
Anyone thinkin a trophyless loser like Rodgers is a ‘class act’ is simply insane
You obviously don’t have a clue. Go educate yoursself
Lol . You can’t even spell our managers name. Josh u must be about 6 or 7
Shut up kav you nonce, you know your clutching at straws when you bring up spelling mistakes. Sort your life out you fool
Baby Josh. Get back to your crayons you muppet.your an embarrassment
He could be 5 years old and still know more about footy than you Kav you mug
My god , what a immature response.
Do you even speak English ?
‘he could be 5 ‘ ?!??
You mean ‘i could’
You are the epitome ( look it up ) of a dumb internet armchair fan
Education is not one of your strong points Jon ?
Who the f?ck asked you david ? Or should i say kav, tommy or realist as these are your other names.
How does it feel to need to create multiple accounts because nobody shares your pessomistic views???
Your as sad as it gets mate , some might even say the epitome of a dumb internet armchair loser.
Jog on you balloon
Can’t speak for others , but this is the only name I use . You need to grow up pal , you have anger issues
No, i’m just sick of internet experts trying to educate me in football when its quite obvious that they dont know sh!t
You included PAL
Stop making dumb comments and people won’t have a go at you . Accusing others of being same person is a bit pathetic
Yea nice try lad, behave yaself
Lol . So everyone who disagrees with Jon is same person ? Lol. What a little kid u are Jon or josh ,or is it craig ?
Total loser
I like to come on here to read people’s views on Lfc not have put up with children bitching at each other. Grow up or don’t both wasting everybody’s time!!
SOME FANS MAKE ME CRY AND WONDER IF THEY ARE TRULY LIVERPOOL when they keep painting a picture of rodgers like he was bill shankly. FSG has got a good plan that wont work, if they dont correct this ghastly error of brendan rodgers and his syndrome. Its liverpool to support our own, but ignorance is not part of it. he is learning and might learn in the long run, but at whose expense? we simply have the wrong coach to implement that plan. The fact is that we need RAFA BACK
True. Well said
who exactly is making him out to be Shankly?
let me get this straight, in your mind it is un-liverpool to support your manager??
Why exactly is BR a ghastly error? I would love to hear your points on this.
Personally I disagree, I dont think he is the messiah and I certainly dont think he is a very naughty boy (Life of Brian by the way). Judging any manager after a year is ludicrous. A year in which actually, given the circumstances wasnt as bad as it could have been.
We lost a legend, we lost experience, we went with youth and we ended up with a higher points tally in a managers first year since Evans! Do you honestly believe that had we hired Rafa instead we would be looking at a drastically different season? I love Rafa, he is a world class manager that simply got us! I didnt want him to go in the first place even with the poor league and cup showing in his final year. But go he did. I didnt want Kenny to go, I believe given time the side would have found its rythym and balance. Thats what a manager needs, time! Getting rid of BR starts the process again! again!
Good job internet and social media didnt exist in the time of Shankly, do some research, took a good couple of years before any ‘success’. Despite the modern game being vastly different to back then, one thing remains the same, long term success and greatness is built on solid foundations. Through bad luck and poor judgement we have been reduced to establishing that solid base. Whether it be BR or Rafa this has to be done, shame you have little!
You have just proven my point . You dont see reality. You just make up imaginary excuses.
If you can’t see what a poor manager Rodgers is , then you simply don’t have a background in football and you don’t understand football
It’s a waste of time discussing anything with you , last October you pleaded foe more time before judging . And in January , now you are doing it again
Rodgers has failed. Rodgers will fail next season as well . Then ( hopefully) he will be sacked…but people like you will just say if he was given more time he might have got success .