No point in having two no.1's la. Someone has to give.

Here's a bloke I've been eyeing for some years now but because he plays in France, I hardly get to watch him. He played for Mexico recently which reminded me of him. This videos a little old but it gives you some idea why clubs like Arsenal and Man Utd were rumored to be interested recently. Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa!



This post has been edited by Duke Red: Sep 10 2012, 10:03 AM

Nah I don't think I'm writing off Pepe, I'm just saying that he needs to good no.2 to give him some competition. It says something that appearances from Doni and Jones as as frequent as Haley's comet. Pepe is underrated as a keeper because people only judge him based on the saves he makes, or doesn't. Not enough attention is given to how good he is at defusing threats before they occur, by rushing off his line, prompting the term, "sweeper - keeper". Having said that we should be looking at a good deputy that can at least feature during cup games. Every player suffers from match fatigue and needs a break every now and then.

Well England did just score 5 goals under Hodgson, the most I think any of his teams have ever scored To be fair, he's been doing a pretty decent job for England but we all already knew that he was good at making average teams play above themselves.

I agree that keepers don't exert themselves as much physically but I think that works against them actually. Given the English weather especially, keepers have to keep themselves warm and limber especially when they don't see a lot of action because they never know when they'll have to make a full stretch save. From experience, it isn't easy to maintain your concentration when you have next to nothing to do. I for one find it easier to concentrate when I'm deeply involved in the thick of the action. Like you've pointed out as well, there is a lot on pressure on keepers. People seem more forgiving with Suarez for example for missing heaps of chances but when Pepe makes a mistake, he comes under fire. Would one mistake matter had Suarez converted half of the chances he missed?

To answer your question therefore, I'd say that he hasn't let us down as many times as some of the outfielders have, including Suarez and Gerrard.


An interesting and somewhat controversial discussion topic. This thread went through a heated discussion when Rafa was relieved but the issue still lingers. Winning in Istanbul was amazing. How I felt the time cannot be articulated in words. After hearing so much about our European exploits, I was finally a part of history, and we won it despite being heavy underdogs.

I felt we played our best football under Rafa when we finished 2nd and it was because we played positive football hitting 4-5 goals past the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Man Utd, not to mention smaller sides like Aston Villa and Blackburn. We were on a rampage for the better part of 3 months as we were chasing the title. The very next season, we reverted to our usual controlled, somewhat negative style of football which left me perplexed. I still don't understand why we never took the game to other teams anymore.

Rafa is a good man. He's so fond of the club and he has developed a deep connection to Hillsborough. He even bothered to read about Shankly when he first signed to understand why it is he is still so revered. That being said, his constant undermining of players by continuously suggesting we needed better players, and his complaints that he had no money to spend were not healthy for the team and he lost the dressing room. Also, despite claims that he is a great tactician (something people constantly repeat but never really justify), he made some pretty questionable decisions in his time as manager and didn't have all that much success against sides lower down the table, something that seems to be a permanent problem at Liverpool for whatever reason. One of his famous quotes was asking asking for a table but being given a lampshade instead. The thing is, you often have to play with the hand you've been dealt. If you were given a lampshade, you have to decide how best to use that lampshade.

I love Rafa to bits but there is little doubt in my mind that given the circumstances, it was time for us to part company. The owners were going nowhere at the time and the players were not responding to him any longer.

I hope Rafa is right and fans do give Rodgers a chance but you get the feeling that he'll be getting lynched if the next few games don't go our way.

I've always liked managers who expressed their emotion on the pitch much like Rodgers does now. I miss seeing the likes of King Kenny, Thommo, Roy Evans and Sammy Lee on the touchline celebrating in ecstasy each time we scored because you know they are red through and through, and when they are celebrating, they are doing so not just as employees, but as fans.

Oh but what a reception he got when he returned eh? Macca's goal was nothing short of amazing. From all of 40 yards. Watching the replays, Everton keeper Paul Gerrard left his near post uncovered but what a free kick nonetheless. Of everyone that celebrated on the touchline, Sammy Lee has to be my favourite, because he is also a smashing bloke in person. Friends of mine met him in Singapore and he invited them to join the team and the coaching staff although it was a closed event. Top bloke.

I wouldn't pay FIFA sanctioned awards much attention. We all know for a fact that FIFA have been embroiled in corruption scandals with Blatter and Hamman openly accusing one another, and we all know they are very political.

It was actually a couple of years before that. The day before the exhibition game, they had gone to the hotel the team were staying in and bumped into the coaching staff. The players had turned in. They took some pictures, chatted a little and that was it. The night of the game, they went back to the hotel and this time the area was cordoned off because it was a closed function. Sammy saw my friends, recognised them and told the security guard to let them in where they got to meet the players. They described Thommo as being quiet and reserved but Sammy an absolute riot. Best night of their lives as they say

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Added on September 12, 2012, 10:08 amOn a more serious note, ITV in London release this documentary. I implore that each and everyone of you take the time to watch it, especially if you aren't familiar with the events at Hillsborough. This is the story as seen through the eyes of those who were there, and it will give you some idea of why until today, we are united in our call for justice.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xth43u_it...-for-truth_news

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Sep 12 2012, 10:08 AM

Robbie tried to take his head off with a football.

Do take some time to watch the video I posted. It's pretty emotional and you can tell from the way those who were there were chocking on their tears as they recalled their accounts. It's pretty long so most won't bother I suspect.

I know the feeling.

Chief Inspector Duckenfield should be brought to justice. He mismanaged the situation and then tried to absolve himself of any blame by pinning it on the fans, and while the S*N may be forgiven for printing the story they got from a source, they cannot be let off the hook for refusing to apologise until today. Justice needs to be served and for the first time in a long time, it just may. Not a wonder fans are still sore with Souness for giving them an interview.

Kenny was right in the thick of it, and he and several other players and staff attended as many funerals as they could, up to 2-3 a day. We are family.

David Cameron issues an apology.

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/169873.html

Closure.

I'm just amazed it took this long.

Here's what Xabi Alonso posted on twitter.

"At least, the truth came out after 23 years. The dignity and respect of the families of Hillsborough was always an example #JFT96".

It is but it is a landmark moment that they have finally issued a formal apology after two decades.

Nice. Hope you catch a game whilst you're there.

It doesn't take much effort really. I've a pretty decent job which keeps me occupied but I only need to spend about 15-30 minutes a day reading articles to keep up. Posting is easy because everything is already at the tip of my tongue, so to speak. When you are truly passionate about something, you'll put in effort automatically without having to force it.

I must say guys, I'm proud that so many of you have put in the effort to find out more about Hillsborough. I can honestly say that I never expected to see two days worth of posts on the topic. Keep it up lads and educate your friends who aren't here. It's up to us all to ensure we preserve and honour our history and traditions. Full marks

That's what they want to think naturally. Simple minds cannot comprehend that some things are bigger than rivalries. In the end, there can always be mutual respect. My long time supporting manc buddies sent me supportive messages. Your mates need to know their priorities.

Sweet. Some of us have been fans as far back as the 80's. Hope you enjoy lengthy discussions.

Same as Vreis though I only started supporting seriously around 90/91. Coverage was poor back then compared to what it is today. Having said that, good that we stuck around. Talking about heartbreak, I have a standing bet with my friend where whoever finishes below the other will have to buy the other a bottle. Count how many bottles I've lost!

Quoted for the truth. It's why I'm still single perhaps

Yes and no depending on how you look at it. He has a Champions League medal. If he had stayed, he'd only have won a League Cup. That being said, I miss the Torres bounce and chant. One of the coolest in recent history.

Indeed and we let him for got all of 2 million. He may have been in the last year of his contract but I thought it would have been smarter to keep him for a year rather than let him go for such a paltry sum.

Kinda points to the fact he left for money doesn't it? I mean he was on the verge of becoming a legend at the club and in such a short time. He kept saying that fans don't understand why he left. Well he hasn't really explained it to us has he?

Absolutely gutted. We lose two of our best defenders, fight valiantly though we had to play half the match with 10 men and get undone by an abysmal decision. What a load of crap. It doesn't take a lot to ensure these things don't happen again. All you need is an extra official sitting in front of a telly like we are.

I'm fine with the rivalry just so long as it stays clean and my rivals aren't dumbass, know next to nothing, bandwagon hoppers.

Did it stay clean yesterday? Well have a look at this and tell me if it did?

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=I_uLFvJwfrc...v%3DI_uLFvJwfrc

"Some" fans sang it? They have really loud voices then. Wonder why we call you scum do ya? Last week against Wigan and now in our own backyard. Then again respect is not a word they use often. The questions is who goaded who first? http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story...-united?cc=4716

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Added on September 24, 2012, 7:52 amIn today's game however, you get sent off when both your feet leave the ground. Doesn't matter that his studs weren't showing, and he won the ball with the side if his foot. If you look at the replay, Johnny Evans went in with both feet off the ground as well didn't he? Shelvey just happened to win the ball first. Someone please tell me that Evans didn't lunge in with both feet.

Speaking of two footed challenges, was it Van Persie that launched himself into a two footed challenge as well? Only got a yellow didn't he? How about some consistency then?

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Sep 24 2012, 08:18 AM