Kindred

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Warnocks on MOTD2 right now - his comments might be interesting!

A touch can be anything from a brushing past of arms upwards (in realtime!). A lot of players nowadays will go to ground for this kind of touch, regardless of whether it has actually affected them in anyway and whether they are able to keep on their feet and get a cross/shot away. As far as Gerrards incident is concerned, that was clearly more than a 'touch' (!), but equally he 'played' for it, knowing full well what the likely outcome would be. In the current climate, hes done nothing wrong.

I think this was one example of the majority of penalties that are awarded nowadays. It was as much a penalty 'won' as 'conceded'. If any player feels a 'touch' of any kind in the box from the opposing player, they will go to ground, thereby 'winning' the penalty. Its rare to see a player charge into the box, receive a 'touch' and continue towards goal. Technically, this may be against the spirit of sportsmanship, however if the player does not go to ground the penalty is far less likely to be awarded by the ref, even if it was a 'genuine' foul. What Gerrard did was 'clever' play within the current conditions & standards of refereeing. The defender was nieve at best to expect to get away with it right under the refs nose.

Im sure I had something similar quite a while ago and the only way I could get round it was to disable my firewall whilst the licence was sorted and then re-enable it afterwards. Not the best of solutions but it worked! Can't remember how it finally got sorted though! Incidentally quite often the content 'available at midnight' is actually available all evening prior to that on the 'whats new' tab. Anyone else found that?

Fascinating interview. Thanks for posting it.

eseasons got it as 451 - bellamy left & finnan right

Typical of the complexities that have surrounded Mascherano, and Carlos Tévez, since they arrived at Upton Park in August from Corinthians in Brazil, it is not clear how much Liverpool have paid for the player. The club would only confirm that Mascherano had severed all links with West Ham and was on an 18-month contract, with a view to an extension thereafter. Kia Joorabchian, the businessman with a stake in both players, is understood to have relinquished his ownership of Mascherano, who is valued at about £15 million, although it is believed that he also has an option to buy the player back in 18 months? time. MD@Times

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he fell over.

Ah yes, but he wasn't that tall!

There is an article on the offal with his picture, quoting Alonso as saying that he would welcome Mascherano signing. Subtle way of letting the fans know he's on the way?

Balagues described him as being strong, not afraid of a challenge and with a bit of skill so that he can play both right back & central defender which he has done in the past. Said he should fit into premiership football ok and that he was a good player. Looks fairly tall on the brief footage on SSN.

FT 1-0 Just watched the 2nd half - missed the goal - 30 yarder apparently. There wasn't masses of quality in the final third but the back 5 (including Hansen - keeper) looked very solid individually and collectively. That is probably the greatest strength of this side - its full of hardworkers, good tacklers and a lot of team spirit. The new swedish lad (not going to try and spell his name!) certainly looked promising. Full of awareness, vision, always available and a good passer - although largely left footed. He played quite deep, as a playmaker really and didn't do that much legwork but didn't shirk his defensive reponsibilities either. Perhaps used to a little more time on the ball, but certainly a promising start. Linfield tried hard but couldn't often hold the ball up long enough for the midfielders to join him - if he had I think we might have sneaked another goal.

1-5!

after 2 xrays - 'only' a 6 inch laceration down his ankle. No fractures.

Thats the key for me. The system that rafa seems to want us to play relies heavily on the wide players. At the moment none of them seem at the right level to do that consistently, particularly against the better teams, which is why, I think, we sometimes struggle to win those games. Hopefully they will come good. Ive thought from early in the season that towards the end of this season we will be seeing some very good performances (which will no doubt fill us with hope for next season!), because, as with zonal defending, rafa is making quite big changes to the style of play and it takes time for all the players to fully understand it. What rafa doesn't seem to do is change. He will stick with what he feels is best no matter what and he will see it through until the players get it and suceed. When they do, is when we will see the better performances more consistently, which I think there are already signs of.

I'll always remember one of my first home games whent the kop was the kop (standing only). I was in the main stand not far from the away fans, who before the game were 'playfully' goading the fans on the kop. As one, without any chants, eveyone on the kop held their scarves aloft - to which the away support could do nothing but applaud. For me it was a most impressive sight.

Haven't got a tux! Its just that depending on the result we can be the best or the worst team ever according to some. Think we just need to recognise whats going on with the team (and the club) and enjoy the ride to (hopefully) our eventual success.

Everyone keeps saying how the top teams still have to come to anfield. Thats all well & good, but we still have to beat them all there, to stand any chance of even nicking second (which might yet be possible) and thats easier said than done. Rafa has altered the way we defend, hes now altering the way we attack - both of which has taken time, but I think its clear to see that the foundations of a great side have been laid. Whilst I believe we are well capable of getting the results against these teams this season, its still not a foregone conclusion. What is for certain is that we are on the path towards our goal, lets just try to enjoy the ride (ups & downs) and give the team everything that we've got and we might just make it.

I thought the new UEFA rules did not neccessarily mean the players had to be of the home nation i.e. any young player brought into the setup and been with the club for a set amount of years. So probably all the young players that Rafa has brought into the reserves would probably qualify (- if they make it).

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It was interesting that Rafa wants him for an extra year. Possibly means that Carsons out on loan again next season.

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