Lawrenson

[Bao]

Normally I don't get wound up by ex-players and some of the stuff they spout. But this is so far below the belt, it shouldn't be ignored. By all means express an opinion that it's time for Rafa to go, but the Hillsborough references are a disgrace:

 

Timing of Rafa's Juve link is appalling in Hillsborough anniversary week

 

Rafa Benitez has an appalling sense of timing and it may just be that the Liverpool fans will finally turn on the manager.

 

Just 24 hours after the 21st anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster is not the time for your agent to be quoted talking about meetings with Juventus.

 

Hillsborough is an open wound still on Merseyside. When the facts come out, all the outrageous and false accusations about Liverpool fans will be put to bed once and for all when it will be proved beyond all doubt what really happened.

 

With such a long struggle and such a big event for so many people, Rafa's current tussle is put into very stark perspective. The timing is shocking. It's ill judged and insensitive.

 

Let's be clear on this. Even at the Benfica game at Anfield, the Liverpool fans were chanting his name, getting right behind the manager and backing him all the way.

 

They are staunch until the end and yet that is why they deserve respect and for the manager to respect them and the history of the club.

 

Rafa will undoubtedly blame the agent. But it's hard to believe Rafa didn't know what was going on.

 

The club is a soap opera right now. Will a new owner come in and try to keep Rafa? We really don't know. Nor does Rafa and maybe that's why he's looking elsewhere.

 

But would you give him backing in the transfer market? His record is shocking. He has bought so many players and yet his revolving door transfer policy has hardly taken the club forward or improved the squad. There have been far too many duds.

 

It's time for Rafa to go. It's been six years and it's time for Liverpool to say: "Thanks very much and goodbye."

Edited April 18, 2010 by Bao

[muleskinner]

He's been a prick for years.

[Bao]

He's been a prick for years.

This is different - it's gone beyond football. And using Hillsborough to bash Benitez is about as low as it gets. Especially when you can see the man understands and feels what it means. Something Lawrenson must have long forgotten.

[stonty]

He lowers the bar every time, .... total w*****

[CarraLegend]

Christ, that is f***ing shocking. What a massive bellend.

[WillG]

Making a living from having digs at your old club is shameless in itself but that's just reprehensible.

 

He should be thoroughly ashamed of himself.

[stressederic]

That's a f***ing hatchet job.

[MFletcher]

That is absolutely disgraceful.

[Frosty Jack]

is there an email address for this c*** anywhere?

[Rimbeux]

Absolute loon

[sean]

There's far too many ex legends that I simply cannot stand, through teir punditry and opinions oabout the club. Can it get any worse than Ronnie whelan? I used to worship the guy, I absolutely shiver when I see the c*** on the telly now. Stops me dead. Hate him.

[Stevie H]

is there an email address for this c*** anywhere?

he's contracted to the bbc so mark.lawrenson@bbc.co.uk might work.

[Pam]

read that yesterday and thought it was low even for him.

 

not sure if there has been press briefings against Rafa this week as there have been a few articles in similar tone this week from journalists. perhaps someone is unhappy that Rafa retains some support from liverpool fans despite all their best efforts and a miserable season and so are trying to play the Hillsborough card. Despite whether your are a staunch backer or believe Rafa has made mistakes this year i don't think anyone can deny his emotional connection with our club and his understanding of what Hillsborough means to the fans.

 

Disgusting "journalism".

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

It was Juve who came out & said we want an answer in 10 days, the c****

[Scruffysa]

Yet Rafa was at the memorial for Hillsborough, and led the way, to the rest of the team, by singing You'll Never Walk Alone.....

 

So, yeah, I guess Rafa doesn't respect Hillsborough, or love Liverpool to the bottom of his heart....

 

Lawrenson is such a c*cksucking mummyjabber....

 

YNWA

[Frosty Jack]

let's get him kicked off the BBC

[smithdown]

let's get him kicked off the BBC

 

 

was thinking that

 

he should apologise or get the f*ckin sack

 

he's contracted to the bbc so mark.lawrenson@bbc.co.uk might work.

 

 

s'no good

[fabfive]

They've puled the article because so many supporters complained.

[Swipe]

What a c***

[Redkop]

What an attenion seeking a*****, he is the pits at times..... wish him and Beglin would go and do one.

[muleskinner]

These may be of some use:

 

 

To have your say about a story email mailbox@mirror.co.uk

Online Editorial

 

*

Mirror.co.uk - Ben Rankin

+44 (0) 207 293 3396

ben.rankin@mirror.co.uk

*

Mirrorfootball.co.uk - Steve Anglesey

+44 (0) 207293 3200

steve.anglesey@mgn.co.uk

[Bao]

The following response was mailed out by the Mirror. And they also asked for comments on a Richie Buxton blog piece they want to publish (always knew that lad would hit the big time):

 

Thanks for your mail about Mark Lawrenson's column on Friday.

 

We have passed on your concerns to Mark and John Cross, who works on the column with him, has asked me to pass this message along:

 

Mark Lawrenson has been a staunch supporter of Hillsborough, the campaign for the families and for justice.

That is why he feels passionately about the whole cause and felt it was poor timing on Rafa Benitez's agent's part to be discussing interest from other clubs on or around the 21st anniversary of the disaster.

Mark, up until recently, has been a staunch supporter of Rafa Benitez but clearly feels - as you will have seen from his columns - that time has come for a change.

But to suggest he, in turn, was using Hillsborough in an attempt to turn fans against Rafa Benitez is completely wrong and untrue.

 

John also tells me Mark wants to address the issue again in his column next week.

 

As the person with responsibility for the website, it was my decision to remove the column from the site yesterday. I did so because, while I believe completely in Mark's right to express his opinion, I have the utmost respect for your stance on this matter. I've written in FourFourTwo maagazine recently about the two campaign groups and brave fight for justice and we have been proud to publish many similar articles in the paper and online.

 

To that end, could I ask each of you a question: We've just received what I think is an excellent blog from our Liverpool fan writer, Richard Buxton, which criticises Tom Hicks and George Gillett for their conduct in the week of the anniversary.

 

I am copying Richard's piece below. Please let me know whether you think it is suitable for publication.

 

Thanks very much for your help and understanding with this. Do not hesitate to contact me about this or any other issue pertaining to MirrorFootball.co.uk.

 

Steve Anglesey

[johngibo YPC]

That email is dead wierd

Richard Buxton is L4Lad by the way

[Jarg Armani]

Apparently Lawro was on a radio show with Jay Mac last Wednesday or Thursday and said that G&H coming here was "The worst day in the history of the club".

 

I personally think he is snide and thick. Quite a combo.

[johngibo YPC]

Apparently Lawro was on a radio show with Jay Mac last Wednesday or Thursday and said that G&H coming here was "The worst day in the history of the club".

 

I personally think he is snide and thick. Quite a combo.

 

I think thats just one of those things that gets said sometimes. We all exaggerate. I've done it a million times