Vignal never played.
Cheyrou was in and out.
Traore's still here.
Pongolle's still here.
La Tallec's coming back at the end of the season.
And we've now signed Cisse.
So actually, Steve - if you're reading - we now have one French regular in the team where last season we had none.
As for the Spaniards, Josemi, Xabi Alonso and Garcia have all fitted in nicely so why he felt it it right to criticse them I don't know.
He seemed to think playing one up front at home was negative. This after we'd beaten WBA 3-0, which kind of defeated his argument. He'd also been under the misguided impression that Benitez was an attacking coach but if you saw Valencia in 2001-02, you'd know that he likes to build from the back. His 2003-04 side was far more dynamic and scored more goals than Real Madrid but you don't just start playing like a side managed by Kevin Keegan because you've got a history of success. Even Wenger's initial triumphs were built on the famous back five he inherited and not the eye-catching football we've seen in the last couple of years. However, Benitez isn't Wenger, he's more like Mourinho. He's more tactical and personally, I think we'll go further in the CL than Arsenal will although they'll probaly romp away with the league.
But back to McMahon, what does he want us to do? Presumably to play 4-4-2 with old-style wingers and play like an old-fashioned English side? Nobody plays like that at the top level anymore; we'd get dominated in the centre of midfield and actually I wish he could have a trial run as Liverpool manager - he'd be out of his depth. And as a former Liverpool player, I think it's sad he's felt the need to pass negative judgements so early. If Benitez was Kenny Dalglish, he would have kept his mouth shut because the only managers who seem to receive criticism from ex-pros in the media are Eriksson, Benitez and to an extent, Mourinho although some actually like him and so they should.
Gordon McQueen's reaction yesterday to Mark Hughes being appointed Blackburn manager: "you know what I'm really delighted about? That they haven't gone for another foreigner."
Since when do sides like Blackburn appointe foreign managers and why would they. Mr McQueen seems to be under the impression that foreign managers are taking over when there's actually only four and they're all at big clubs (Spurs, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal). Not friggin' Blackburn.
Anyway, rant over, the media [censored] me off but it'll make it all the sweeter when we do succeed although I get the feeling only the league title will shut them up and we're a long way off that to be fair. A draw at Old Trafford will see us ten points off the pace (with a game in hand admittedly) but the team won't start playing as a TEAM until after Christmas in my opinion.
Ex liverpool players should just keep their mouths shut, unless they've got anthing positive to say.
