Liverpool FC Forum

by **account deleted by request** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 7:44 pm

NiftyNeil wrote:I've not read the post (no doubt it is good), and I don't intend on purchasing the book.
It's just not right for these 20 something "lads" writing their life stories.

I'd rather read Gerrards autobiography in twenty years time. Then I will be able to read about his pride at captaining Liverpool to several league titles and further European Glory. About the emotional moment when he lifted the World Cup as England captain in South Africa. About when he received his knighthood from the Queen. About the agony of seeing his mentor and close friend Rafa quitting Liverpool to be the Spain manager - but then the ecstasy of being appointed player manager for Liverpool.
I think that will make a better read.

I know what you mean, but I like to get a few insights as to how they see things while they are still playing. The fact that Riise is an insecure charactor for example, was a surprise to me. The relationship Gerrard has with Benitez (Even Gerrard thinks its strange that Benitez never mentioned his goals in the final)
I will definately be getting this book. (Has there been some controversy about it, something to do with that rag of a newspaper or am I on the wrong track?) I was surprised that Gerrard seemed to like Cisse so much as well. Lots of interesting insights about the cup final too. I cant wait to read the rest.

by **GOAT** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 8:01 pm

Yeah good read, i was reading it on RAWK the other week.

After this, cue the hundreds of people saying "gerrard is unhappy" "Rafa and stevies relationship is worrying" etc. etc.

by **yckatbjywtbiastkamb** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 9:06 pm

although i do think autobiography`s should be left to the elder statesmen of the game like bobby robson or bobby charlton i must admit its interesting reading.
rafa knows when you get a player as good as gerrard its important to keep him grounded and to make sure he understands he is part of a team. when gerrard is getting praise lavished on him from all quarters it would be easy for stevie`s ego to go out of control. which 26 year old`s ego wouldnt feel a little inflated at what he`s done in the game, he`s a legend at an age when other players are just starting to find their feet as an integral part of the team.
in fact stevie should start worrying when rafa puts an arm around him and starts telling him he is a great player. i think rafa only uses this tactic on players who have hit rock bottom confidence wise.
shankly actually used to blank players who were injured, even if they were the victim of an outrageous tackle it didnt bother him, if you couldnt play he didnt want to even say good morning to you.

by **J*o*n*D*o*e** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 9:08 pm

at the end of the day Rafa knows at some point he has to dissapoint these guys, its only right he keeps his distance.

cracking read.

by **Feeney** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 9:50 pm

john craig wrote:Interesting bit of insight into the Gerrard/Benitez relationship. I'd guessed it was like that anyway from what Guillem Balague said in his book, but still interesting to hear it from Gerrard's point of view. I don't see anything wrong with it, I think managers should be a bit detached from the players rather than being too close. If they're too close it can cloud their judgement in certain situations imo.

I read 'Rafa Benitez' by Paco Lloret when I was on my jollies and it's a brilliant insight into how Rafa works. He has worked this way in every position he has had as a manager and it certainly appears to get results.

Benitez strives for perfection. This piece from the book tells it all:-

Valencia were an implacable steamroller. They were like boxers who pinned thier opponents to the rope and wouldn't stop until they had annihilated them. The tremendous intensity of their play earned them the nickname of 'The Crushing Machine' with some of the media.
A story that describes this crushing style of play comes from the match at Sanchez Pizjuan stadium when they won the Championship with 2 weeks to spare. Pablo Alfaro, the nimble central defender who played for Sevilla, was overwhelmed by the intensity of their attacks.
"What a pain in the neck they are, let them score the goal and leave us alone once and for all!"

Lets hope this perfection could lead us to a title win this season.

by **PureLoneWolf** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 10:06 pm

I think the thing that people forget is that football is a business, and the clubs and agents are bound by sponsorships and "advertising". People tend to assume that the book is Stevies idea, something tells me it isn't. Same with the adverts. It's all about increasing the profile of the player and the club, the money (whilst bound to be stupidly high) won't be the driving factor IMO. Same with these "Day in the life" DVDs etc.

The one thing it does do though, is allow fans to get an idea of what our favourite players were thinking in certain situations, get their take on it. I loved the Fowler bio for this, and, with the candor demonstrated in this small excerpt, I suspect Stevies will also be refreshingly honest. Sure he will dress up certain aspects to either make himself look better, or to protect others, but what the hell - It isn't often you get to understand what a player with the responsibility and talent of Stevie G is thinking.

I will buy it, and hopefully enjoy it.

And as for the relationship with Rafa - Nice one, he now seems to understand it and respect it. Too many managers (Sven/Beckham) praise players to the hilt constantly, which puts them in a bad position of not being able to drop them without looking foolish. Long may it continue IMO

by **daxy1** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 10:18 pm

nice one jonnymac cant wait to read the rest... :buttrock

by **Alonso14** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 12:18 am

Purelonewolf is right, when I watched the program on Skyone about him, he genuinely seemed like he didn’t like doing the ad’s. He’s agent even said they turn down hundreds of offers because Gerrard tries to limit the amount he does.

In a selfish Liverpool kinda way, I hope he doesn’t get captaincy, because he will be forced into doing more stuff, especially when there coming up to a big tournament.

by **Bad Bob** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 12:52 am

jonnymac1979 wrote:There I was, on top of the world after the FA Cup final and having scored twenty-three goals over the season, and there was Rafa bringing me back down to earth. Even his tiny compliment was an encouragement to improve. But that’s Rafa, always challenging me to push myself higher. Go for twenty-five goals. Go for thirty. Don’t relax. And Rafa has helped my performances go to another level. He’s such a hungry manager. ‘Small details, Steven, small details’ is one of his biggest shouts. Leave nothing to chance, even the tiniest detail. I’m getting to like this Spaniard more and more, and my aim is still to get a ‘well done’ off him before I retire. But then, if he gives me a ‘well done’, I might need treatment and a long lie-down. My legs would go all wobbly, like that French presenter girl who fainted at the Champions League draw when I was handing the cup back. And it wouldn’t be just me who would keel over if Rafa dished out a compliment. Every player in the Liverpool squad would need serious attention off Doc Waller if Rafa went soft on us. His hardness drives me on. I must crack it, though. I want to deliver in games to impress Rafa. I dream of that ‘well done’!

I know this kind of stuff gets some people worried--how you doing with it, Saint?--but I think it's fantastic! Rafa has ice-water in his veins but you cannot argue with the results. So the question is, does Stevie have the right temperment to work with him long term?

This quote proves that he does. Gerrard is such a competitor--that's evident throughout the whole piece--and that's what makes this last section great: he won't rest until he's got Rafa singing his praises, which is great news for Liverpool Football Club. With a player as talented as Gerrard it is so easy to lavish him with praise and put him on a pedestal. But, if Liverpool want to achieve great things, all the players--including our captain--need to continually up their game. Over-praising them will make them complacent and that's the last thing we need.

Undoubtedly, some will not have the mental toughness to handle Rafa's aloofness (Cisse comes to mind) and will ultimately be shown the door. But, those who are able to use it to motivate them--like Stevie seems to be doing--will be that much more potent. I think I've seriously under-estimated Rafa's man management capabilities in the past. Well, no longer! :buttrock

by **The Specialist** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 2:10 am

Great read that.

Although, you can tell he had alot of "help" with his writing.

I don't get why Gerrard says Benitez hardly ever compliments him, in Benitez's first season he overly praised Gerrard in the media I thought. It was silly. This season has been different, though. I guess Gerrard is talking about doing it directly in person...

by **112-1077774096** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 1:11 pm

jonnymac1979 wrote:

I only ripped it off RAWK guys. I never wrote it. Simple copy and paste.

If anything, you should thank my brother, he told me about it earlier today that he'd read it yesterday. He occasionally posts on here as Macca if you want to PM him.

Now stop giving me thanks!!!!!

thanks for telling us we dont have to thank you

thanks johnny

by **account deleted by request** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:40 am

Just a little tip to anyone who likes Steven Gerrard DO NOT read his book!

by **The Specialist** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:44 am

Care to elaborate as to why one shouldn't..

by **account deleted by request** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:44 am

Without slagging Gerrard off not really. Put it this way, he doesnt come across as a very nice or selfless person.

I think hes a great footballer and thats what I will concentrate on from now on.

by **taff** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:19 am

Ive read it and I think he comes across very well. Im not a fan of biographies halfway through a career although je has done quite a lot.

He strikes me as a serious professional who loves being part of football. He says it as it is and I have to admit I respect the guy.

Anybody who wants rose tintes stories then buy a fictional book like Roy of the Rovers

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