A Few Reasons Why Owen Chose United Over Hull

Capello has just announced the squad that will face Brazil, and despite calling a few unusual faces like Warnock and Huddlestone, Michael Owen remains to be left out.

Looking back now, Owen’s motive for joining Liverpool’s biggest rival was, and has always been, to gain a spot in the 2010 World Cup squad.  Now that it appears extremely likely that Owen is ranked, in Capello’s mind, after Strikers like Rooney, Crouch, Defoe, Bent, and Agbonlahor, his chances of going to next year’s World Cup as a player is slim.

In hindsight, had Owen joined Hull instead of Manchester United, in my mind, would at least give him more playing time to prove himself.  Instead, he opt for a ‘brand name’ club, which happens to be, once again, Liverpool’s biggest rival.  A high-level comparison between Manchester United and Hull, in my opinion, would be the lack of European football.  Something that Owen has already tasted, in person, as a player at Real Madrid, and also played in various UEFA Cup appearances for Liverpool.  After all, he doesn’t need ‘European’ experiences to better himself at this stage of his career.  Instead, if his objective is to get chosen for the World Cup squad, what he really needs is… ‘playing time.’  (And goals, of course!)  Something (Playing time) that I would guess he will get a whole lot more as a player for Hull, than Manchester United.

But just to play devil’s advocate, I tried to imagine what would Owen say when he was shopping for an employer when he had Hull and United available for him to choose…

• I will get better quality passes/setup from quality midfielders like Giggs, Scholes, Carrick, Valencia, Nani, etc…
• I will get less chances to get injured because I know I will not be playing 90 minutes every game… meaning I will have a higher chance to be healthy to service Capello and my Country come next year.
• I will have better coaches to know better to go easy on me during train sessions.  (This one is a long shot.)
• Defenders will be busy marking Rooney, instead of me, which will gives me more chances to score.
• I can mentor some ‘wonderkid’ strikers at United so that they will mention my name when they become the next C. Ronaldo.  (I totally made this one up with my imagination.)
• United offers me the Number 7 shirt, while Hull’s offer is Number 79 (the year he was born… like he cared!) (Yes, I made that up too!)
• I do not want to help another team to relegation.  I put in a lot of work to get injured, just to help Newcastle to get relegated!  (If you can do this to United, Liverpool’s fan will forgive you on all your stupid decisions you have ever made, and reference you as a Legend with likes of Fowler, Dalglish, etc.)
• And most importantly, I will get better Physios at United.

For a full line-up of Capello’s squad for the upcoming friendly against Brazil, please click here .

Sven-Göran Eriksson on Kleenex® TV Commercial

Check out this Kleenex® commercial which in addition to Emma Bunton, Tom Hardy, and Sir Bob Geldof, you’ll get a chance to see former England, Manchester City, and Mexico Manager Sven-Göran Eriksson making an appearance… pretending he’s ‘letting it out.’

Considering how emotional-less he was as the England Manager, I really think they had cast the wrong person to be in this commercial.  More importantly, if there’s a reason for him to ‘let it out’, it would be him getting fired more than scoring a goal.

 

You can also check out this behind the scene footage of the making of this commercial.

Insua’s Goal Against Arsenal

All White, No Red!

First of all, this is a very poor photo-shop of my head onto who-knows-who-that-is doing the volley!

Second, at least give me a bit of my neck back!

Last but not least, at least do me a favor my putting some red color stripes on this outfit.  It looks too much like a Real Madrid outfit, and if do go, I’d prefer Barcelona, please!

Gary Neville’s Nasty Tackle

I can’t believe that the Captain of Manchester United would send out such a nasty tackle!  The F.A. should impose further punishment onto him! 

Sunderland vs. Liverpool Post Game Thoughts

Folks, look at it this way.  Even if Torres and Myself were available to play, an Away visit to the Stadium of Lights under the new leadership of Steve Bruce was never going to be easy! 

On the Beach Ball

I’m not going to go into too much detail about that beach ball incident.  We have all read, by now, that it is an outside agent of the game, and the goal should not be counted.  Instead, I rather focus, once again, on how much we missed Xabi Alonso. 

On Xabi Alonso

In our last season, when was a Premiership game played without Torres, Alonso, and Myself?  I’m not talking about a game against lower league teams in the FA Cup, or the Carling Cup.  But to my recollection, I don’t remember we played any game in the top flight without all three of us.  With that in mind, I think Rafa is forced to try something new.

On Formation/Tactics

So Rafa put 3 in the back, 2 Wing-Backs, 2 Midfielders, and 3 players in ‘attacking role.’  A very Continental formation.  His thoughts?  With 3 quality Defenders, and 2 defensive minded midfielders sitting in front of the defense, it ‘should’ provide sufficient protection while allowing the offense to happen down the Wings, and maybe from the middle.  The result?  If you subtract the ‘beach-ball goal’, we really had a draw… technically!  Was the formation a success?  If you are aiming for a Draw, with the possibility of a win, then heck yeah I think it was working.

On What Went Wrong (in General)

‘Beach Ball’ aside, this team shows the same weaknesses that has been in existence since the first day Rafa took charge.  "Liverpool is a 1-man Team.’  However, please give Rafa some credit for transforming Liverpool from a 1-man Team to a 2-men Team these days.  (It would have been (was) a 3-men Team, but we didn’t realize it until it was too late.)  So from my point of view, there were 2 things that went wrong:

1. Key players get called up to International duties when their home nation has already secured top qualifying position for the World Cup… resulting in these players getting injured
2. The team lacks depth to provide coverage for the ‘G’ and the ‘T’

Obviously, there isn’t much that we can do with #1 above.  Besides, any team in the world would hope that they can acquire players who are good enough to be picked by their National Team.  So that’s just part of the growing pain for big clubs.

As for #2 above, instead of immediately point my finger at Rafa, I instead chose to look at our rivalry, Manchester United.  The fact that both Giggs and Scholes still play a role in a somewhat regular manner, tells me that Sir Alex’s purchases in the recent past years didn’t fare too well either.  Valencia, Anderson, and Nani, all couldn’t hold down a regular place like Ronaldo, Lampard, Frabegas, or Myself does, which tells me that even with lots of money, finding/buying an ‘automatic pick’ is really NOT that easy. Now if you have even less money to play with, which has been our situation all along, it makes things even more difficult. 

On an Alternative

So with limited amount of spending money, my next chain of thought is… do what Arsenal did… get the youngsters when they are very young, and cheaper.  Wait a minute!  We did take that approach!  We have Babel and Lucas!

On Babel and Lucas

Babel did not perform as expected during the game against Sunderland.  Babel’s starting position is Forward, partnering Kuyt.  He was later shifted to the sides, and eventually gotten substituted.  During the game (and I’m going to exaggerate a bit here), he failed to complete passes and he failed to finish his dribbles.  It was extremely frustrated watching him play… when I KNOW that this boy has got plenty of talents! 

Lucas, in my opinion, did a decent job during Sunderland’s game.  My general-criticism of him is his passing and (long-range) shooting.  But hey, Mascherano can’t shoot either!

On Jay Spearing

As if our Formation isn’t confusing enough, Rafa threw in another wild card… the debut of Jay Spearing.  I wasn’t perfect when I first started, but when Arsenal can put up a team of ‘minors’ to play with decent results, I have to hope that our youngsters are at least at par against theirs.  Unfortunately, looking at the performances of Babel, Spearing, and Lucas, I couldn’t say the same.

On Liverpool’s Coaches and the Academy

To continue my effort to find someone to blame, I have to look to the Training.  Here we are with so many ‘wonderkids’, why aren’t they performing?  I would bet that had Babel joined Arsenal, he wouldn’t be one of the most lethal Attacker in the Premiership.  Why is Lucas’ passing and shooting so poor?  Why did Spearing looked so out of space when playing a team like Sunderland?

Are the Coaches and the Academy to Blame?

YES!  I’m afraid!  I’m not saying that they should bare full responsibility.  The Players and the Manager, by defaults, must own up to their share of responsibilities.  However, in my opinion, the Coaches now need to step up and find a way to make these Players to perform at a level where they are capable of. 

We need these players, with or without, Gerrard and Torres!

I Really Like This Rafa Banner

I saw this banner before the game today and I thought they’ve made Rafa’s face way too chubby.  I’m glad that someone took a picture of it. 

[Source: 101 Great Goals]

Video Highlights – Liverpool vs. Burnley

Watch it before YouTube takes it down!

Liverpool vs. Burnley Post Match Rating

I mentioned in the earlier post but I want to mention it again, today’s formation of moving me back to Alonso’s position has been called out on this blog 10 days ago!  I have to admit that I was expecting to partner Mascherano, and not Lucas, but that’s totally fine.  I just came back from England duty; I scored 2 goals, and I’m red hot!  And before the game starts, I told Lucas that he better not disappoint me because I’m NOT going to sit back there, with him, to help defending.  He didn’t disappoint.  I have to assume that I brought out the best of Lucas today.

Reina – 7 – Hardly challenged all day.  I wanted to give a 6, but hey, a clean sheet is a clean sheet!

Skrtel – 7 – Just like Reina, he didn’t have much to do today either.  There were a few defending runs and he didn’t get caught out.  His jaw looks strong as usual!

Carragher – 7 – Again, rarely challenged.  Clean sheet!  That’s good!

Insua – 7 – On a day like today, playing against a weaker side, I was hoping to see more of the attacking side of him.  But with Glen Johnson bombing forward on any given chance all the day, we do need him to stay back to help out. 

Johnson – 7 – Should we ever need a defensive minded Winger, he’ll be playing in that spot.  Come on, Glen!  It’s time to improve your defensive skills further.  I’m afraid you’ll get targeted when we play against teams with a strong Left Winger.

Lucas – 7 – Just avoid the attacking!  Otherwise, you did a much better job today to provide the much needed coverage to the defensive line.

Riera – 5 – I’m not impressed my your performance today.  Babel should have played today, instead of you.  But he suffered a mouth and tongue injury!

Benayoun – 10 – Hat Trick!  Lots of dribbling!  Enough said.

Torres – 6 – It’s cool that you get tightly marked all day long.  Guess what!?  You’ve freed up Benayoun!

Kuyt – 7 – You did okay for trying to be me.  But you know you’re not me, right?  Congratulations on your goal!

Me – 7 – I think I did well.  It’s been a while since I played in Alonso’s position and I still prefer to go forward and attack. 

Degen – 6 – Premiership debut!  Congratulations!

Voronin – 5 – You still haven’t improved your shooting; nor did you improve on your runs.  You continued to run into positions where I would go. 

Ngog – 5 – He didn’t play long enough

Babel, You Were Not Even On The Bench Today!

Where were you?  Oh, I forgot!  You pissed off Rafa!  Today’s game is against Burnley.  While you were at home watching the game with your girlfriend, I bet you noticed the formation that Rafa put out today, is exactly what I called out 10 DAYS AGO!  Rafa has been asking me to play Alonso’s role.  (I just didn’t expect my Midfield partner is Lucas.)  So today, I played Alonso’s position.  Who filled my position?  Kuyt.  More importantly, who filled the Left Side attacking position?  Riera!  Did he have a particularly good game?  No!  Could you have done a better job, especially against a weaker opponent while playing at Anfield?  Quite possibly.  But what did you choose to do?  And what is your end result now? 

You should have kept your mouth shut!

(Post Match Review to follow right after this post.)

Pictures of Michel Platini’s Official Visit to Russia

The President of UEFA looked more like a KGB Agent in these pictures.  These pictures made him look (at least in my opinion) so sad, lonely, and hard-working.  The one picture standing in the snow really makes me want to go hand him a hat or an umbrella. 

Click on the image below for additional pictures. 

Maradona’s Comment of Argentina’s World Cup Qualification

“As long as I have a drop of blood left, I will fight to get Argentina qualified. We’re not out of the World Cup. I’m not afraid of criticism. I’m not afraid of anybody. I’m going to continue no matter who criticises me.” - Diego Maradona.

But your blood is tainted with drugs from years of drug abuse!

Showboat Videos

Nice!  I have to try a few tricks these days to get myself into these kinds of highlights.  I hope Rafa doesn’t mind.

 

My 2 Goals Against Croatia and England’s Highlights

This is Sickening!

Yes, the trick is simple!  And I blame the Goalie’s positioning.

I did a shot like that when I was 7 years old.  But still.

Prayer Answered – The Entire Man U Team Disappeared

Unfortunately, it was a game against Arsenal.

Babel Sucked, But He Must Stay!

I was extremely pissed off when I read about what Babel’s whining on the Internet this morning.  First of all, he needs to just shut his mouth!  Second, he needs to start using his brain more, and start using his footballing skills even more.

Look, Babel, you sucked!  I asked Rafa to give you another chance to prove to the world your talents.  But all you got to show, when I passed you the ball, was with your head down and dribble unsuccessfully.  How many times have I told you that you are NOT Stevie G!  You’re not me in terms of 1) skills, 2) the captain of this Liverpool team, and 3) born and raise by Liverpool.  When you have the ball outside of the box, pass the fucking ball after 2 dribbles, would you?  You know what you remind me of?  Milan Baros!  And you know very well how his career ended up! 

Also, when I said you don’t have a brain, you really didn’t make it difficult for me to prove it.  Look at our squad!  Let me make it a bit easier, just look at the 3 + 1 positions in Rafa’s 4-2-3-1 formation.  You will never ever replace Torres as the first choice in that ‘1’ up front.  Rafa has been assigning you to play on the left side in those ‘3’ Attacking Midfielder positions.  Also playing in that position could be Riera and Benayoun.  If you look to the right side, there’s Kuyt, and usually Benayoun is his backup if needed.  (We all know El Zhar is not ready yet!)  So including yourself, we are looking at 4 players fighting for 2 outside positions.  Was it that bad for such a World Class football club, with so many games to play in a season?  (I hope you have enough of a brain to figure out that the central Attacking Midfielder role is forever mine, but more on that later.)  I know this is a ‘World Cup season’, and you want to be certain that you’ll get picked for the World Cup.  But had you keep your mouth shut, I would have fought for you for at least some Carling Cup games, if not FA Cup’s too!  But no, you want to open your big mouth to ‘tell Ajax to come bail you out!’ 

Now, back to my central Attacking Midfielder position.  Please take a good look at Lucas’ recent criticism!  Rafa has been begging me to play in the ‘Alonso role!’  I didn’t play in that position during our last game against Bolton because Rafa thought Lucas could handle Bolton’s midfield.  Should I have to play in Lucas’ position, I see either moving Kuyt to partner Torres in a 4-4-2, or to have Benayoun trying to be me and remain in 4-2-3-1.  If this is the case, we are now suddenly looking at the same 4 players fighting for 3 positions.  Was it that tough? 

This team need creative attacking players… like me.  Although there’s only 1 me, we still need all the talents available to last an entire ‘title challenging’ season.  Normally, I would just ask Rafa to send you back to Ajax.  Instead, I’m demanding you to make a public apology to Rafa, and to the team, and to tough it out for the rest of this season.  We need you! 

Now go shut the hell up and honor your contract!

Milan vs. Inter Highlights

I watched this game today.  I truly believe that Leonardo wouldn’t last through September.  This Milan team is way too old.  It’s literally the same team as the 2005 team that I played against in Istanbul. 

Bolton vs. Liverpool Highlights

Watch Bolton 3 - 2 Liverpool in Sports  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Liverpool vs. Aston Villa Post Match Review

Reina – 5 – I blame you for conceding the second goal.  Stop waving at the ball.  Block it!  Punch it!  Do whatever you need to do to prevent it from getting inside the net!

Skrtel – 7 – I can’t complain much when you are playing with a broken jaw-bone.  Thanks for the effort!

Carragher – 6 – Where’s Agger?  I think you’re reaching the end of your career!

Insua – 6 – You’re still better in attacking than defending.  Overall, I’m happy with your performance.  However, you could easily be the weakest link in the defense.

Johnson – 7 – Your attacking runs and plays are just awesome.  Please make sure you go back to defense if/when needed.  Someday, you’ll get caught out.

Lucas – 5 – You can’t pass.  You can’t shoot. You can’t tackle.  You can’t head the ball.  What else do you want me to say?

Mascherano – 7 – Please don’t go.  Losing Alonso is bad enough.

Benayoun – 5 – I think you are much better when you come off the bench.  I’m going to have a talk with Rafa.

Kuyt – 5 – Your performance today reminded me of why I dislike your contribution in the team so much last season. 

Torres – 6 – Just shut your mouth.  Stop being like a cry baby.

Gerrard – 4 – Yes, I’m a bit harsh on myself especially when I’m the one who conceded that PK.  But this is a team sport.  I can’t carry the team on my back at all time… even though I’m the captain!

Voronin – 4 – Please send this guy back to Germany.  He can’t shoot.  He can’t run.  And when he made a run, he ran into my space!

Babel – 5 – Please don’t disappoint me any further.  I have really high hope on you.

Tottenham vs. Liverpool Post Match Review

Yes, I’m disappointed.  Extremely disappointed.  But what can I do about it?  As you can see from my performance, I wasn’t 100% fit.  I had a slight groin injury and I wasn’t completely healed.  But I knew that playing away at Tottenham could be a challenge, not to mention that Robbie Keane will be wanting to put one past Reina (Rafa) badly, just to get back on Rafa.  That’s why I insisted to play on.  It turned out that we conceded 2 goals.  I was actually worried that we’ll concede more goals because it was clear that Carragher was still in pain after the Carragher vs. Skrtel incident.  But we hung in there.  And ‘yes’, I do think it was a penalty when Voronin was knocked over in the box.

Reina – 7 – Yes, I know he conceded 2 goals.  But look at that save that he did to deny Robbie Keane’s goal attempt!

Skrtel – 7 – Despite playing in pain, he delivered a good performance.  I have to give him some sympathy points for playing through the pain barrier.  (I also heard that he was seeing double vision immediately after the collision with Carra.)

Carragher – 6 – I think he needs to take some responsibility for the second goal.  Yeah, I should have headed the ball too, but I could only jump so high!

Insua – 7 – I’m really impressed by his performance today.  His support in attack was really impressive!  I’m expecting more from him in the next few weeks.

Johnson – 8 – Yes, just what I expected from him since the day Rafa told me that he’s a potential transfer target. 

Lucas – 6 – He’s no Alonso.  He’s no Mascherano.  Show me something to convince me please!

Mascherano – 7 – Solid as usual.  I wish he could avoid be carded so frequently.

Babel – 5 – I had high hopes on you.  What happened to you?  Please don’t disappoint me anymore.  Otherwise, I’ll have a chat with Rafa.

Kuyt – 6 – I think the International game that he played a few days ago worn him out a little.  He didn’t quite deliver today.

Torres – 6 – He hardly got a chance.  Partly because I hardly delivered any decent passes to him.  And when I stop delivering, we all know that we can’t always count on the Attack Midfielders playing out wide.  And to win the Title, I think those two outside Attacking Midfielders need to start delivering, with or without me.

Myself – 6- Yes, I know I scored.  So?  I wasn’t at all happy about my own performance today.  Partly because of my injury, but I’m not going to use that as an excuse.  I think I’m just missing Alonso too much.

Benayoun – 7 – I think Rafa should have started him instead of Babel.  But introducing Benayoun later on in the game provides some x-factor to the opponent.  We just didn’t expect us to be chasing the game when we needed Yossi.

Voronin – 6 – Had it been me who got knocked sideway in the box, the Ref would have given us 2 penalty kicks!  Did the German league not require the players to run?  Voronin could hardly walk, let alone run!

Ayala – 7 – Scared the crap out of me when Rafa told me that he needs to put on Ayala and to take out Skrtel.  But Ayala didn’t disappoint.  In fact, I think he did a pretty good job on his Premiership debut. 

Skrtel Strained His Hamstring?

The season hasn’t even begun and Mr. Terrorist-face-Martin just called me to apologize to me for straining his hamstring. 

“You know that’s a bad sign for the remaining of the season?”  I said.

He was quiet.  Partly because his English is still crap and when he cries, he forgot all the English words that he’s learned since joining the Club.

In order to challenge for the title, we need everyone fit!  And when I said ‘Everyone’, that’s including Nabil (El Zhar)!  Apparently Nabil sprained him medial ligament in his right knee.  Fortunately, I don’t see Nabil playing until the next League Cup game.  This means that he will have plenty of time to heal.

Meanwhile, back to Martin… I’m going to have a talk with Rafa to see his plan with Martin’s injury.  No No No… I know Agger is there to cover.  But what if Agger hurts himself too?  I know someone who is very suited to backup Skrtel and Agger… John Terry anyone?

Not Guilty!

What do you want me to say?  My legal team rocks!? Did you really think that the jury is really going to convict me?  Come on, this is the Liverpool Crown Court, not the Chelsea Supreme Court!  Hello?  Hello?  Have you heard of the term:  "Home Court Advantage?" 

 

Oh, and on that scale of 1-10, I wasn't at level 7 in terms of drunkenness.  My lawyer told me to say '7' because this is a special number for the team.  I wanted to say '8', but my lawyer said that's too much.

I don't want to hear anymore complains from the Americans that Football is boring!

I just watched the Game 5 of the NBA finals between L.A. Lakers and Orlando Magic, and let me tell you, it is a very boning game! Compare this Game 5 to the Champions League final between Manchester United and Barcelona, and I can tell you immediately that which game I'd rather be watching!

I'm not saying that Basketball is a boring sport to watch. In fact, I've seen some very exciting Basketball game in the past. But when it comes to a game between a strong team and a weak team, I know damn well which sports will provide me with a greater entertainment!

It's even better when it is your fierce rival that is gelling trashed. Good job, Barca!

And Congratulations to Kobe Bryant. I know you are one of the very few Americans who really understand football. Although you seem to be more of a Barca fan, than a Liverpool fan.

Stoke City vs.. Liverpool Post Match Review

I knew I had a poor game!  I don’t know but during the first half, I just couldn’t stop worrying about the Court appearance that I have to make later this month.  I just disappeared from the field. 

It was not until late in the second half that I realized this season is not the same as the seasons.  We are actually leading the table this time in January.  I tried to pick-up myself from the mental crash, but it was tough.  Rafa later sent in Torres to help me out.  He did!  But the post didn’t!  I hit it twice today! 

It’s a miserable day for me, and probably for the team too.  There is a possibility that we have just lost the Premiership Title, TODAY! 

Now when I watch Chelsea hosting Man U tomorrow, I have to hope for a draw.  Either side win will be a disadvantage to us.

Reina – 5 – I’m sorry, I know you got a clean sheet, but that stupid pass that you made almost game me a heart-attack.

Hyypia – 7 – I think he did okay today. 

Skrtel – 7 – Welcome back!  And yes, you also did well.  Your partnership with Hyypia seemed to work well today.

Aurelio – 6 – A very quiet day.

Carragher – 6 – I don’t like seeing Carra playing as Right Back.  His crossing sucks, and he lacks pace.  And looking at how often Stoke came down their Left side, I don’t think I’m the only one who sees Carra that way.

Mascherano – 5 – I had a quick chat with Maradona after the game today, and I told him not to judge Mascherano based on his performance today.

Lucas – 4 – His passing was miserable today! 

Kuyt – 5 – We know his finishing sucks.  By the time Rafa moved him to Right Wing, I think he only had less than half a tank of gas left.

Myself – 6 – I didn’t show up in the First Half.  I only started playing after Torres was brought on.

Riera – 5 – He did a few good runs from the Left early-on.   But he disappeared in the Second Half, and subsequently being substituted. 

Benayoun – 5 – Always one dribble too many.  He was given quite some time on the ball and he failed to deliver.

Torres – 6 – Got about 30 minutes of play and that Header-pass to Gerrard was magnificent! (Almost gave him a ‘7’)

Babel – 6 – With only 10 minutes or so of playing time, I shouldn’t even be rating him.  But I do think that his Dribbling and Pace are both better than Benayoun.  He was/would-have-been my pick to start the match on the right.

In conclusion, WE MISSED ALONSO!  I don’t know how Rafa could entertain the thought of selling Alonso early this season.  His range of passing was clearly missed today!  And if we do end-up losing the Title, today’s match, in my opinion, is the final nail to the coffin. 

Rafa Overdosed on Pain Killer!?

My mobile phone kept ringing off the hook this morning as if I was arrested again.  Fortunately, I forgot to switch off the silent mode after watching a movie last night.  So I missed all those calls and got to sleep in for a bit.

But when I woke up, there were  24 Missed Calls, and 38 SMSes in my Inbox.  By the time I glanced through the first 5 messages and there were only 1 common things… Rafa!  “What the hell is going on?” 

I booted up my PC and the first item from my RSS Reader reads something like “Rafa Go Hostile on Sir Alex!”

I immediately log into my Liverpool email account and downloaded the transcript of Rafa’s interview. 

“If Mr. Ferguson wants to talk about the fixtures, and we want to be on a level playing field here, there are two options: one is where is the same as in Spain. The first part of the league, all the teams know at this time they will play against this team on this weekend, or that weekend, and the second half of the league will be the opposite - you will play away… Or maybe the other option would be Mr. Ferguson organizing the fixtures and everything in his office and sending them to us - then everybody will know and nobody can complain.”

Holy crap!  I was laughing my ass off!  Way to go, Boss!  It’s about time someone shut this Old Fart up, and tell him that we are not afraid of him! 

But honestly, I do know that Rafa is still under heavy medication from his Kidney Stone removal operations, and his mind wasn’t clear.  He must thought that he was talking to Sammy Lee in the Boot Room.  That’s cool with me.

By the way, I also came across this later today.  I need to ring up King Kevin to confirm this.

Rafa: My Stoke City vs. Liverpool Team Sheet

			Reina
Carragher		Hyypia		Agger		Aurelio
		Mascherano		Lucas
Babel			Myself			Riera
			Kuyt

• Not much changes in the back.  It turned out that putting Carragher in the Full-Back position has been working out, so I’ll just stick with it.
• Insua is not available so I put Aurelio on the other side of the defense.  I’ll let him take a few free kicks if/when I choose to.
• Alonso is injured so Lucas will take his spot
• I chose to put Babel on the right because, 1)  Riera has been doing well on the left, and 2) Babel can play the Striker position while (the alternate) Benayoun cannot.  I would like some options here.
• Kuyt over Torres even though Torres is available.  I’ll put Torres on some time in the second half.  I just don’t want him to get injured by doing a full-game so soon, and Away.

My prediction:  Stoke City 0-4 Liverpool

FA Cup 4th Round Draw

My pal Rooney just called to tell me that we are playing Everton in the 4th Round of the FA Cup.  He asked me to make sure that 1) I will get to play, 2) Torres will play, and 3) To score a few more goals for him.

This is going to be one nasty tie!  Yellow and Red Cards are going to flying in from every angle, especially if Phil Neville is playing. 

Let me put some more thoughts into this game since it doesn’t get played until later this month (January 24/25). 

Preston vs. Liverpool Post Match Review

I told Rafa during our mid-week training that I want to play today because I want to thank my fans and supporters for their unconditional support during this tough period. 

Personally, I know that the only way to clear my mind these days is to score a hat-trick of goals and assists in an official game… preferably ManU or Everton.  But since Preston is our upcoming game, I knew they were the unfortunate ones.

When Rafa asked me to give him my line-up, I have to admit that my version of the team-sheet includes a few of our Reserve players.  But when I saw Rafa’s team-sheet, it tells me that he means business this time!  With our next game in a week’s time, I supposed we can afford to send out our full squad to ensure a passage to the next round of FA Cup. 

The game started off a bit rust for me, and the team.  I could clearly see that Bable, Mascherano, and Keane are a bit off with their passes in the beginning.  But as we settled down a bit, I began to find my rhythm and made a few killer-passes.  Unfortunately, Keane failed to convert those opportunities.  Riera’s shot was awesome!  The result came instantly after Sammy Lee told Babel and Riera to switch side after 20 minutes.  Sadly though, Alonso was injured right before half time.  It looked serious and only an x-ray can tell how serious was the injury.  

The second half was more or less the same.  It’s good to see Mellor did relatively well up-front.  I saw him made a few good looking passes in the second half.  Credit to Preston, they really tried to come-back but our defense line held up nicely! 

To compensate the sad news of Alonso’s injury, it’s good to see that Torres made a return to action.  Yeah, I know I could have scored that goal myself; I just want to give it to Torres to celebrate his return. 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to my Solicitors, Fans, Supporters, Teammates, and the Management Team. 

Thank you for your continuous support!

May this year be the year that I will bring home the Premiership Trophy.