Lou

I never said he was a saint and I have repeatedly said I think he got the job at Sunderland because of his connections. You say he was bombed out of United but they somehow managed to put up with him for around 12 years and he only actually left when his career was at an end. Ince meanwhile moved from club to club at his peak and invariably left a bad taste in the mouth when he moved on. The statement was made that Ince has not been given a top job because of his race. I'm merely pointing out that there is strong evidence of other reasons for him not being offered a top job.

If I was a chairman I know what would affect my judgement....the experiences of Ince's previous employers, many of which are well documented in the press. Would he be given a glowing recommendation from West Ham? Manchester United? Liverpool? Fergie's word, rightly or wrongly, carries a lot of weight in the game and he had negative things to say about the man. What about his disruptive influence at Liverpool or his slagging off his ex-employers when he was transferred? It adds up to the impression that this is a difficult man to deal with and one who may be more trouble than he's worth. Keane had personal connections with Quinn and sometimes it's not what you know but who you know. That may not be fair but it's something we all have to put up with. Whether he'd have got a job elsewhere is open to debate. He also had a reputation for being difficult at times - largely due to the world cup fall out. But if he'd been that difficult he'd probably have had a longer list of clubs to his name (as the Savages, Bellamy's of this world do). We can never tell if Ince's race has put people off but I'd suggest his big-time Charlie, mouthy reputation has probably done more damage

I'd hardly class the role of a slave as a job. The suggestion was that an owner would not give a black man a job. But they do with players all the time - and highly paid jobs at that. As for the Roy Keane situation - I'd suggest his personal connections with the chairman probably helped. Keane can be difficult but Niall Quinn felt he could work with the man. Others may not have felt the same. Paul Ince has a poor repuation on a personal level and this may put people off. Simply putting it down to his colour is over simplifying the situation

But they seem happy enough to offer black players a job. If you compare the racial mix of players in the England side to other European countries I'd suggest that we're doing much better than most at offering a level playing field. Furthermore those who do make it, do so on merit. I'm not suggesting everything is perfect but the scale of the reaction here is over the top not least because it suggests that a successful player will become a successful manager.

He's been decent enough but I thought he had his worst game in a red shirt today

I'm sure I heard Gray credit us with defending well at set pieces. But that only serves to prove he has no idea what he's talking about!

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They could have the makings of a great partnership. But given the problems with Agger's foot, it may be sensible to write off the rest of this season for Agger and focus on sorting out the root cause of the problem - assuming Carra and Sami both stay fit of course

Horne is a Bitter who takes every opportunity available to him (generally in The Echo or on local radio) to make snidey remarks about Liverpool. At his very best he was nothing more than a very mediocre player. His comments are generally best ignored

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Today's quotes from the man suggest he thinks they were once a dominant force in Europe.

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If we were, he'd probably not have started. The lad looks like he needs a few games in the reserves to get back some match fitness but it was a good move on Rafa's part to give him a run out yesterday. If he'd not recovered early in the second half then I'm sure we'd have seen Carra much earlier.

It probably didn't help having Itandje behind him either. He also looked a complete liability at corners. Trying to find some positives..... Skrtel had an awful first half but seemed to recover a lot of composure in the second half. With some players when they start badly they just get worse (e.g. Momo) so kudos to him for picking up. He looks a decent passer of the ball rather than a hoof the ball anywhere forward centre-half. I'd agree also on the Carra comment. Sami's not exactly the vocal type whereas Hobbs remarked that playing alongside Carra you're getting constant advice. Of course that all assumes Skrtel can understand Scouse

They appear uninterested in what we think. If a groundshare made them more money, then they would go for it

Everton's interest in ground sharing tends to depend on the options that are available to them. When the Kings Dock was a possibility they weren't interested. When the Kings Dock failed they were. Now they think Tesco will pay for the bulk of the project they no longer appear to be interested. Whereas we have never been interested....or so the Americans told us

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They have been denied European exposure since the mid-80's largely due to their inept domestic performances. They were never really on the European map (as revealed recently in the stats for the total matches played in their history) They were not there all time in the 80s. How can you get back something you never really had in the first place?

So who has enhanced their reputations in the last 7 days and who has lost out? Winners: Our fans - a great show of red strength on Wednesday and done in the usual classy manner Rafa - albeit that he shouldn't have gone public with this because it's not the Liverpool way The players - kept their heads down and turned in a couple of great results Neutral: Parry - where has he been? Hopefully he's been trying to smooth things over quietly out of the gaze of the media. Liverpool Football Club - not the greatest week in the history of Liverpool FC but everyone really pulled together on Wednesday night Negative Gillett - not sure about this one (maybe a neutral) Most of the negative soundbites appear to have been coming from the Hicks camp. But why wasn't he around for such a big European game? Hick - his image has taken a serious nosedive amongst the fans and, like Gillett, where was he on Wednesday? Bascombe - does he really have any genuine inside info any more or did he lose that before he fell out with GH. The story of Rafa being replaced by Jose didn't even make sense (getting rid of one manager for mouthing off and replacing him with the ultimate gob on legs)

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As I don't read the NOTW I can only go by what is reported of the story elsewhere. Am I correct in thinking that the NOTW are suggesting that Rafa will be sacked because of him mouthing off to the press and that G+H will replace him with that nice, shy, retiring Mr Mourinho?

In view of the local people's club stuff, it's ironic to see Union Jack's and St George's crosses amongst their flag repetoire. No self respecting Scouser I know would be waving either