Liverpool FC Forum

bigmick wrote:Usually when a long standing top ranked performer in any sport falls, it's not suddenly. It happens bit by bit, the ropes have to be slung over the statues shoulders first, fires lit underneath the feet to weaken the very foundations upon which the castle is built. Like Federer in the tennis, gradually the up and comers are not just asking questions, they don't respect your guns anymore and they storm the ramparts. You begin to realise that what was easy is harder as straight sets wins are won in four sets, what was difficult sometimes becomes impossible.

It happens too in boxing. Routine title defences become much harder, the pavements littered with cast away betting slips which predicted early round wins. Often it can be that the writing is on the wall long before final curtain. Look carefully and you'll see the glances at the corner, the pauses for extra breath which were previously unnecessary.

It takes a wee bit of time though. The seasoned pro can move the young buck around the court with his subtlety, his know how of many hours in the higher echelons of combat enabling him to win matches and contests which perhaps he shouldn't. The aging boxer can hold off the challenger for one more big payday, hitting inside, staying on his stool for a fraction of a second extra to maximise his breathing space.

And so it is with Ferguson. He looks to me like a man who is glancing at his corner, wondering how many seconds are left in this particular round. He has the look of a man who knows he may make it through this particular tie break, but the future ones may present questions for which he increasingly struggles to find answers. There is a weariness in his speech, the fire and desperate will to win replaced by a bitterness and eagerness not to lose. The attacking football filled with verve which even his fiercest of rivals have had to admit has often been uber easy on the eyes is increasingly being replaced by dour functionality as the Champion holds for one extra breath.

He may yet make it through this particular last round. He may cling on, land enough blows inside and use the know-how built up over many years to finish with enough of a flurry to swing the final verdict. My guess is though that this time there'll be no triumphalism, no laps of honour for him round Old Trafford. Ferguson is many things, but a fool isn't one of them. My guess is that if they manage to hold us off and win the title, this season will be his last. He will know in his heart of hearts that his time is almost up, and those who look closely enough will agree with him. The touchline tantrums were of a different kind to the ones we've seen before, like the jibes against our manager last week they had a hint of desperation, almost a sadness about them.

The ropes are over the shoulders, the fires have been lit and the pulling from side to side has begun. Already there are discernable wobbles, soon there will be a mighty crash. That doesn't mean they're finished of course, it just means he is. They'll then have to find another who is in someway comparable to Ferguson. Much as I can't stand the fella, it won't be easy.

thats why I missed you mate 

bigmick wrote:He may yet make it through this particular last round. He may cling on, land enough blows inside and use the know-how built up over many years to finish with enough of a flurry to swing the final verdict. My guess is though that this time there'll be no triumphalism, no laps of honour for him round Old Trafford. Ferguson is many things, but a fool isn't one of them. My guess is that if they manage to hold us off and win the title, this season will be his last . He will know in his heart of hearts that his time is almost up, and those who look closely enough will agree with him. The touchline tantrums were of a different kind to the ones we've seen before, like the jibes against our manager last week they had a hint of desperation, almost a sadness about them.

Effes wrote:

bigmick wrote:He may yet make it through this particular last round. He may cling on, land enough blows inside and use the know-how built up over many years to finish with enough of a flurry to swing the final verdict. My guess is though that this time there'll be no triumphalism, no laps of honour for him round Old Trafford. Ferguson is many things, but a fool isn't one of them. My guess is that if they manage to hold us off and win the title, this season will be his last . He will know in his heart of hearts that his time is almost up, and those who look closely enough will agree with him. The touchline tantrums were of a different kind to the ones we've seen before, like the jibes against our manager last week they had a hint of desperation, almost a sadness about them.

Im not so sure Mick.

I think his mission from day one was to knock us off our fukkin perch, as he so eloquently put many years ago.

I cant see him walking away yet - IF, and I mean if, he gets ahead in League titles then he may consider retiring.

Reg wrote:April 21, 2009

Rafael Benitez's silence speaks volumes

Rafael Benítez's absence from one of the most eagerly awaited press conferences of the season yesterday was put down to “business meetings” to attend to, but the Liverpool manager's no-show in itself spoke a thousand words.

It was a warning to Sir Alex Ferguson, his Manchester United counterpart, that, as far as Benítez is concerned, the time for talking has stopped.

Ferguson may have accused Benítez of being contemptuous, arrogant and lacking in humility last week, but by refusing to rise to the United manager's goading, the Spaniard played a blinder and he can only hope that his players do the same against Arsenal at Anfield this evening.

It is perhaps the ultimate irony that Benítez said more by saying nothing than either he or Ferguson have managed in their increasingly venomous war of words, one that has provided a riveting if rather childish sideshow to a title run-in that has gone from a procession to an enthralling nip-and-tuck race in a matter of weeks.

For the third week running, Liverpool will have the opportunity to leapfrog United at the top of the table should they defeat Arsenal and to listen to Sammy Lee, who filled the breach in Benítez's absence yesterday, there is the conviction that they can pull off one of the great comebacks and deny United the title that would draw the league leaders level with the Merseyside club's record haul of 18 championships.

“When I look at the players, I see belief,” Lee, Benítez's assistant, said. “Belief and, in that, determination and a will and desire to go on and be the best they can be.

“That is not making any false or silly promises. They have done it all season and hopefully they will continue to do that over the last six games.”

Steven Gerrard, the captain, will be missing again because of his troublesome groin strain, but even in the absence of their talisman, it is easy to see why Liverpool are infused with self-belief.

They have scored 25 goals in their previous nine matches, compared with only ten in the nine games before that, and rather than be dismayed by their elimination from the Champions League last week, have actually taken great heart from the manner of their performance in the scintillating 4-4 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Ferguson was at it again yesterday, reacting to rumours that Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, may field a weakened team against Liverpool by saying “no matter what team he puts out, they will always try because Arsène is a winner”, but Lee and Liverpool appear unconcerned by anything that the United manager has to say.

That said, Lee refuted Ferguson's claims that Benítez was arrogant by describing the Liverpool manager as “driven, astute, learned and educated” and expressed surprise that Sam Allardyce, the Blackburn Rovers manager with whom he worked at Bolton Wanderers, had not conveyed his dismay about Benítez's controversial “cut” gesture immediately after his side's 4-0 defeat at Anfield.

“I was certainly surprised because we sat together after the match and he [Allardyce] said nothing about it,” Lee said. “If he felt that strongly I thought he would have said something to me because we have a good working relationship. I am not getting involved in a slanging match with Sir Alex, but we know what our gestures are meant for - they are meant for our players and affecting what we do.”

Liverpool (possible; 4-2-3-1): J M Reina — Á Arbeloa, M Skrtel, J Carragher, F Aurélio — J Mascherano, X Alonso — D Kuyt, Y Benayoun, A Riera — F Torres.

Arsenal (possible; 4-5-1): L Fabianski — E Eboué, K Touré, M Silvestre, K Gibbs — T Walcott, Denilson, F Fàbregas, A Song, A Arshavin — N Bendtner.

Referee: H Webb

Game on !!!!