Written by Damian Thursday, 11 March 2010 11:03
This isn't meant to wind up the red half of Liverpool, but it needs to be said, just so there is a reference point to it in the future. Martin O'Neill will not leave Aston Villa to manage Liverpool, simply because it isn't the step up a manager like Martin O'Neill would need to take, at this stage in his career.
Martin O'Neill is 58 years old and while he doesn't need to work, is probably as addicted to football as the rest of us and wants to achieve things with a club, that he can truly call his own. At Aston Villa he isn't living in a shadow but if he went to Liverpool, rightly or wrongly, he would be and that shadow at Liverpool would never be his.
Don't get me wrong, it would be a step up for him, but it is not a huge step up. Martin O'Neill doesn't like to do things the easy way and that step would be too easy for him.
He has spoken in the past about the Manchester United job and described it as "the impossible job" but I really do think it would be the one job he would leave us for. It would be the challenge of a lifetime and while it would be hard, scrap that, almost impossible, for any manger to equal what Sir Alex Ferguson has at Manchester United, for that reason alone, it makes failing that much more difficult as no manager would be expected to achieve what Sir Alex has.
The manager that does finally take over at Manchester United will not be expected to do what Sir Alex Ferguson has done - he will just be expected to do his best and win things and with what they have to offer the next manager in terms of squad and buying power - it is almost as if O'Neill, or any manager, would do well. It would actually be harder to fail at United than to succeed.
So, Liverpool, you don't have that pull you once had and it isn't enough of a challenge for O'Neill, maybe the Ringmaster, but if United came knocking, I'm not so sure O'Neill could say no, it is one of the biggest jobs in football.
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Dave Lynch
said:
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... So if Martin goes to Manure the odds are that he would take his beloved Heskey with him . |
mac
said:
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... Don't you realise that this is just press speculation because they have nothing factual to write. I don't imagine he would leave for anyone other than ManU or possibly City or Chelsea, just to test himself with obscene amounts of money to spend. Why leave a job when you are enjoying yourself and are having success. |
DavidC
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... I disagree. I think for managers/people of MoN's generation, Liverpool is still the pinnacle. Its been chipped away at throughout the 90s/00s, but its still there. Its drummed into us each time they're on the telly ("the famous kop roar", "those glorious european nights" etc). And credit to them, they do tend to stick by their managers. Not saying that Lerner doesn't / won't. But managers do have a long shelf life at Liverpool generally. Their fans are supportive (Benitez would have been long gone at any other club), which is not something that goes universally down here at VP. I know there's less and less sense in it these days, but football IS an emotional game. Logic is not always the be-all and end-all. I hope I'm wrong. I hope its just the pessimist in me. |
Dave Smith
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... As a scouser living in the midlands I can't see why MO would want to leave villa to manage liverpool at this time.Liverpool need to get rid of yanks first,then under new owners give Raffa a budget to buy the players he keeps saying he needs but out in his contract that if it doesn't work he will resign without any sort of a big payout and let Liverpool move on.,and then let a new manager come in . |
peter haworth
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... Whoever takes over at Manure will be taking the poison chalice. 1 billion in debt,fans ready to revolt,no money to buy new players for an ageing squad,not many youngsters to fill the boots of Scholes,Neville and Giggs. Cannot imagine MON going their until the club has stabelised,perhaps with new Arab owners who will write off the debt. |
Adrian Kilgallon
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... I know i'll get abuse for saying this but im not sure big clubs like Utd and even Liverpool who's survival is closely tied into how they get on in the CL would be that interested in a manager who has never done anything in the CL that would say he is tactically asute enough to be a top CL manager? He couldn't even get us past a pisss poor Austrian team this summer. It would be a massive gamble by these clubs and also no way would Utd want MON and his football style at Old Trafford. MON is a good manager but not a great manager and these clubs will be after great managers. |
Damian
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... ak_27 my views on o'neill are quite clear, if a little grey but i think given the squad he would have at united and the buying power - players want to play for united first manager second, he'd do okay - he would win things ... i think any decent manager would find it hard to fail at united ... |
Damian
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... it was a spoof letter created by churchill http://www.thevillablog.co.uk/...letter.jpg |
Carl Main
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... I think the next United manager is going to need to be a huge character. It sounds stupid but Fergie has got an easy job at the moment. He isnt a tactition. He always has a good group of staff or a good number 2 who helps him that stuff. He runs United with his stature and amount of respect any player has for him. When Fergie leaves, the whole season will be focused on United under their manager. The only bloke I think can take that sort of pressure and provide the level of respect and stature that Fergie gives is Mourinho. Id love it if United fall and crumble when Fergie leaves! It could be this season if they win the league and take over 'pools league title count! |
DavidC
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... ak_27 - completely agree that Man U won't touch him. There's only two managers that are in the frame for them: Mourinho or Capello (assuming he does well in SA in the summer). I wouldn't discount Liverpool tho. What better/easier way to buy off a fan rebellion about foreign owners like Hicks, than giving them the highest rated British manager* as a present in the summer. *Subjective I know, but the only other candidate is Moyles. And he's be tough to prise from their local rivals. |
Frankie Pimblett
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... Pretty sure Mourinho will got to Liverpool, and Moyes to Old Trafford in a couple of seasons. Can't see MON going anywhere unless he has a fall out with Randy, think he's found his true British club. |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
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...but i think given the squad he would have at united and the buying power - players want to play for united first manager second, he'd do okay - he would win things ... i think any decent manager would find it hard to fail at united In Europe you need everything to be successful. MON may be successful in England with Utd for eg but i really couldn't see him ever win a CL no matter the money he has to spend. Tactics (and possession football) are vital in European football and these are his weakness in my opinion. |
Keith
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... I have it on good authority that Man Utd are lining up David Moyes to replace Fergie. I was told that discussions have taken place already and that is the reason Rooney made up with Moyes  Remember were you heard it. |
Damian
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... keefvilla that wouldn't surprise me. moyes plays decent football and is a decent manager |
John Samuels
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... Moyes is a good manager, with a good squad that he has been allowed to build very gradually over a long period of time supplemented by a good crop of youngsters. Many clubs would have sacked him when Everton were struggling in his second/third season and that he was backed by his chairman is marvellous. Personally I see similarities between him and O'Neill and with the right additions over the next couple of seasons there is no reason why Villa won't be playing the same quality of football that we see Everton play at times. Fortunately for us I don't think we are a selling club, but due to Everton's financial position they aren't in a position to turn down decent bids for any of their players. If Moyes had some real money to spend I think he's do very well. I wonder if he'd be able to do it right away tho, would he need a season or two to stamp his mark on the team and would he get that time? Would anyone get that time? |
robb david
said:
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... MON wont leave, and i will explain why: We all know what MON is like, who he is, the way he does things, what he wants. He doesnt want to be remembered as a manager who won the champions league with liverpool, he doesnt want to be the manager that took over from alex fergurson. What he wants is for his name to be synonmous with a massive club. he wants to be the next fergurson, not fergursons replacement. He wants to build a club that is his own, he wants to tun Villa into the next Man utd. Man utd were nothing before fergurson, nothing compared to what they are know. Villa are in a similar position, we were nobodys before MOn, he has turned us into somebodys, and he wants us to be THE SOMEBODY. He wants his name to go down as one of the greatest ever, and to do that he cant be someones replacement. He cant take over united, because when he won the league everyone would say it was fergursons team, His ego wouldnt allow it. This is what i think, the impression i get from MON, he wants his name to be synonomous with the glory days of Aston Villa, Like brian clough with forest, like fergurson with united, like shankley with liverpool. Whether or not He will succeed is up for debate and people have their opinions but we all know he will either do it, or give himself a heart attack trying. |
robb david
said:
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... Sorry JPA but if all we can hope for is the same quality of football as Everton we are in dire straights. Look where they are in the league, behind the clowns. Besides the fact they dont even play attractive football, not particully, we arnt talking arsenal, or even wigan. MON's style is the chelsea way (under morinhou), win at all costs, and i like it that way. |
robb david
said:
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... Ak -----> Tactics (and possession football) are vital in European football and these are his weakness in my opinion. Really becasue what i saw last night was a possession football team go down 4-0 to a (very very very good) counter attacking team. |
Adrian Kilgallon
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... JPA there a just a few things that i see in Moyes that i haven't seen in MON. Moyes is open to looking at bringing in players from anywhere in the world and as a result has brought in some very good players like Fallini, Piernaar, Heitica for eg. This also has meant he has been able to build his squad far cheaper and also has a sqaud with a lot more skill and techinique in it. He also seems very keen to play a young player if he thinks they are good enough and as a result he now has Gosling and Rodwell well used to playing the PL. He also had no fear of putting Rooney in at 17 years of age whereas i have my doubts if MON was at Everton the same would have happened. I know you will say he had to play the kids because of injurys but the reality is MON would more then likely have opted to senior players way out of position rather then trust youth. |
Adrian Kilgallon
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...counter attacking team. Thats tactics Ron. Utd knew they could sit back and catch them on the counter as Milan had to come at them for a change and try and get 2 goals. If Utd had to take the game to Milan they would have had a different game plan as Fergie has more then one tactic. |
Adrian Kilgallon
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...Sorry JPA but if all we can hope for is the same quality of football as Everton we are in dire straights Do you actually watch football? You must have missed the sublime football they played againest Hull at the weekend. If they had their full squad available all season i think 4th spot would be Everton's. |
Andi
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... I hate it when new blogs come out and i am still left on the old one wandering if the world has ended or something, I missed 24 posts before I realised that something was going on  |
flogger
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... use r a joke martin would leave villa in a heart beat. the pool job would b a challege and thats what he wants.he knows that villa will never make the top 4 and its only a matter of time before young milner and gabby leave for a bigger club. |
Nathan Price
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... Evertons football has been very good at times this season, and they have had a deperatley depleted squad. I think Moyes would do a good job anywhere if he was given the backing that kenwright has given him. If they actually had money to spend I would be very worried. I dont believe MoN would leave, for all the reasons above. Lets be honest I dont think Manure fans would take him, as much as I love him he's not a fashionable enough name for them. Ive said it before they will go for Mourinho or Guardiola when SAF gets carried away in a box (he wont leave them before that). L'poo has to admit they are no longer a club that can turn heads the way they used to. The are on a par with us, City and Spuds, but are going the wrong way and under leadership with no money and no sense. Their history means they will be able to attract decent names though. Lets hope they go for someone like Klinsman, then they'll be in a worse situation than today. |
Andi
said:
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..."use r a joke". Something tells me your from one of Liverpool's finest schools? Scousers so many jokes and not enough time  Biggest scouse joke so far ?? well two LCFC and RAFA Guaranteed 4th he said, cause it was |
DavidC
said:
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...You must have missed the sublime football they played againest Hull at the weekend Shouldn't read too much into one game. We played sublime football against Burnley the other week (second half). Moyles is a very good manager. He's got a plan. He sticks to it. He doesn't buy stars. He plays effective rather than possession footbal. He's been unlucky with injuries yes. But he's won no more (or less) than MoN has with us. |
scott harwood
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... ak27 spot on everton are great to watch at full strength and ronrabbbit i have been making comparisons to us and chelsea for a while now.thats the team we are closest to football and attitude wise |
Andi
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... David Oleary back in football next season !! the premier league needs him Blues if Mcleish goes to Livepooo or better still straight in at Liverpooo how funny would next season be |
John Samuels
said:
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... Ak, I see what you're saying but I have arguments for you. I don't believe Rodwell and Gosling would have had anywhere near as many games this season and last had it not been for their dismal injury record which has seen them have a terrible start to the last three seasons and a lat flourish. Forunately we have been lucky with injuries and had Everton been able to play their first team from the start of the seaosn they'd be in a much better position. As far as foreign players go the only players in their current squad who haven't played in any of the british leagues before is Fellaini, Heitinga, Bilyaletdinov and Pienaar. These are more recent 'luxury' signings after he'd built his squad over the previous few years. Heitinga is a solid CB that cost £5m but he is not as good as Cuellar or Dunne and more on a par with Collins who cost about the same amount. Pienaar was on loan twice to minimise the risk and make sure he could cut it in the EPL and is now improving with every season, but he wasn't that great in his first year. Fellaini cost £15m and would have been our record signing and Bilyaletdinov wasn't cheap either. Man for man their squad was not assembled for much less, if it was less at all. It was merely assembled over a longer period of time as we are playing catch up in a massive way. You comments on O'Neill playing Rooney at 17 are hypothetical and the likliehood is that he would have played because he was good enough. Sorry JPA but if all we can hope for is the same quality of football as Everton we are in dire straights Speechless. |
DavidC
said:
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...Really becasue what i saw last night was a possession football team go down 4-0 to a (very very very good) counter attacking team. Spot on. Completely refreshing that the likes of Milan have been found wanting coming up against teams showing the traditional British traits of workrate, pressing, endeavour. Tactics and technique used to be enough to bat English teams aside in the 90s. But its not enough these days. I'd argue Chelsea, Liverpool and Man U adopt classic British style in the way they play. There's only Arsenal that are the anomoly. |
John Samuels
said:
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... Man U played a bit like we do last night. Deep, determined and prepared to run the channels and get crosses in. Classic counter attacking and they pi**ed it despite Milan smashing them on passing and possession stats. That's for you Damien. |
Chris Harper
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... All I know is that we're better than AC Milan. Man U weren't able to roll us over like that  |
Andi
said:
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...All I know is that we're better than AC Milan. Man U weren't able to roll us over like that who needs beckham, ronaldhino, pirlo, inzaghi, huntelarr give me sidwel and the MULE any day |
Chris Harper
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... He could have scored the first goal of the game yesterday but his touch was shocking. |
Andi
said:
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...Huntelaar would not make it in the EPL. yet EMULE can ?? Torres isnt the strongest yet he has made it, not sure i would agree with that one JPA |
Regional Accent
said:
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... If O'Neill wants a challenge he should stay at Villa - like you said "It would actually be harder to fail at United than to succeed." - "Martin O'Neill doesn't like to do things the easy way..." so why would he want to go to United? Liverpool looks like the 2nd biggest challenge in the PL at the moment (behind keeping Pompey up). Trying to emulate Alex Ferguson will be a big challenge but returning Liverpool to the quality of that of their glory days is looking more and more unlikely. So i would say that Liverpool is the bigger challenge. Not to mention the financial aspect - United are some £700m+ in debt - if that continues they'll be thrown out of the Champions League in a few years, Liverpool are only £200m+ in debt in comparison and apparently only have the 6th largest wage bill in the PL. Moving to Liverpool will give O'Neill a similar challenge to the one he has currently however he will have a little more money to play with and the expectation/pressure of the Liverpool fans to finally return them to winning ways. |
Carl Main
said:
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... Il get shot for this I think. Is it only me or has the Champions league lost its sparkle? The last couple of seasons, I just havnt been that excited by it. Its getting pretty predictable with Man Unt, Chelsea, (usually) Liverpool, and Barcelona being the only real threats? The group stages are not even worth watching sometimes and some of the teams that get into the competition are just a joke. This has been one of my favourite seasons as a Villa fan in years and thats down to us doing well in our own domestic cups! Its really taken the attraction of finishing 4th away for me. |
Liverpool Fan
said:
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... We are on a par with Villa, City and Spurs this season. But last season Arsenal were closer to your level than they were to Chelsea, us and Man United; the next season it has been different and they're in the title race. Football changes from season to season. We may be going the wrong way, we might possibly bounce back as well. The only thing that is holding us back is our owners really - and, arguably, Benitez, but ultimately football these days comes down to the men at the top and how much they can afford to back the manager. Without being arrogant, there will always be people or businesses interested in buying a great football institute as Liverpool. And Hicks and Gillett will sell up when they can make a good profit (hopefully that doesn't mean waiting for the stadium to be built, but history tells us they won't stick around that long). When that happens, assuming new owners can back whoever's in change to a reasonable extent, we will be able to compete in the market again and not have to rely on player sales to bring others in. I think that O'Neill would be tempted by Liverpool because the opportunity to manage one of Britain's truly elite doesn't come up often. For many managers it never will - you have to take the opportunity when it comes. He may want to write his name in Villa history and be "synonymous with their glory years", sure, but is there not that same thing to be achieved at Liverpool? Imagine being the modern successor to Liverpool's greatly successful past. People when speaking about the club would reel off the men responsible "Shankly, Paisley, Fagan, Dalglish and O'Neill." when talking about our great heritage. If he could bring back the glory days. Being the man to win Liverpool the Premier League title for the first time, the person to win Liverpool their first title in 20+ years, that is a mammoth achievement. Far more than could be achieved at Man United for instance since they are already at their pinnacle under Ferguson. There is a tremendous lure at Liverpool still for a manager that wants to write his name in football lore. Course, i'm not naive. It's a tremendous challenge which brings tremendous rewards, and in that there is a great possibility that managers will fail (as with Souness, Evans, Houllier and, thus far, Benitez). It would depend on whether O'Neill thought he could win the title in our current situation, which is difficult (yet not impossible). But as said by someone else, Liverpool managers are given a lot of time. The financial situation could easily change in that time (even with the current owners). As it happens, i wouldn't want O'Neill as our next manager anyway (in an ideal world). At best it would be a sideways step from Benitez. And i'm not fond of Villa's style of football (a bit rich given how we're playing at the moment, i'll admit); it's basically about getting the ball from front to back as quickly as possible, playing counter-attack with pace and putting balls in the box. It's very English, not very modern and i don't personally think the way forward, though it's getting the results for you and that's what matters most. The football we play is usually one constant criticism as it is and something most Liverpool fans would want to see improved a lot. Then there's the lack of European pedigree as pointed out (assuming we're in Europe in the future!); for whatever Rafa's failings have been, big games in Europe's knockout phase do not fall in that bracket. Losing a two-legged tie with Rapid Vienna doesn't bode well. I'm also not convinced O'Neill's a massive improvement in the transfer market. What he does have is excellent man management though, which is something i feel we need if we replace Rafa. The Premier League's fast and furious style rewards motivators more than tacticians. There has been rumours that O'Neill would be the first name on the shortlist if Benitez was sacked, so we may find out the answer to the as yet hypothetical question. Of course, knowing Hicks and Gillett, we'll sack Rafa, bypass O'Neill and plumb for the managerial mastermind of Jurgen Klinsmann. Cue Liverpool entering Newcastle mode. (Apologies if any of that came across as sanctimonious, by the way.) |
John Samuels
said:
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... Chiefy, I'd have expected him to finish two of the chances he got in that tie considering his last two moves have commanded a combined fee of around £35m. Heskey cost 10% of that figure and he's got half as many goals as Huntelaar has this season. Not a bade return. Waste of money if you ask me. Torres is clinical. He'd have bagged at least two of those chances, and he's deceptively strong too. |
Kaleem
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... As a LFC supporter, I hope he remains at Villa all his life. Without being disrespectful to Villa, we simply do not need or welcome his style of football at our club. So this rumour should be treated with the contempt that all gutter press reports deserve. |
Max
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... I remember Torres shrugging off Ferdinand with relative ease, granted it was when Ferdinand was playing poorly (with a bad back..) but I wouldn't say Torres lacks strength. To be fair to Huntelaar, I think he is still relatively young and bouncing around Europe "elite" can't do him many favours. |
Joe Coghlan
said:
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... Vote for Big John as player of the round oin the FA site http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/...R_6RP.aspx |
John Samuels
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... Richo, Huntelaar is 26 and hasn't been able to make the step up. He scored 6 in 20 apps at Real and has 8 in 21 apps this season at Milan. I can't see him being able to handle the EPL. Yet another highly rated dutchman can't make the grade. No wonder no english clubs went for him. At £8-9m fine, but £24m??? No chance. Kaleem, I can understand what you mean my friend. Liverpool have been playing some amazing football this season haven't they. Especially in the two games against us. What a joke. |
Andi
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...Without being disrespectful to Villa, we simply do not need or welcome his style of football at our club arguably working better than RAFA's style |
Andi
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...As a LFC supporter, I hope he remains at Villa all his life As an Aston Villa supporter i hope RAFA stays at Liverpool for a while yet, the silky football and commanding performances are a joy to behold |
Max
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... Fair enough, had it in my head he was younger than 26. I always find it funny when thinking of ages in football. I'm 26 and plenty of time to develop in business but a footballer at 26 is unlikely to kick on and develop further and quite often has under 6 yrs left at high level. I often forget how young some of the players are in "real" life. |
Keith
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... Chiefy stop winding up the scousers. Serve yourself right if your car is on bricks when you go to drive home. |
Andi
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...Chiefy just going to check now |
John Jordan
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... Chiefy....Those boots were made for walking!...Start using them...Your wheels have gone!!  |
Andi
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...Chiefy....Those boots were made for walking!...Start using them...Your wheels have gone! |
tomx
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... dont know why this fuzz about o'neill,he is a half good manager,who fits well to manage in the middle of the premier and teams like villa,b'ham,and so on he is def. not suited to manage top teams...like Manu,chelski,Arsenal..or liverpool...i think the top clubs will always look for a good manager and not settle for the likes of o'neill,moyes,and so on.... he is yours to keep villa....and as long as your satisfied with the fact that you never will be much better than you are now...well isnt that just dandy... |
tomx
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... chiefy....i didnt think we discussed education...but thats fine...when one doesnt want to accept facts...go pick on something else eh...well as long as villa do what they always do ..its just fine ..satisfied in watching a half good team managed by a half good manager...have fun..and yes i wish you all the best...;...not easy knowing that your team never will be there up amongst the best...well well.. |
scott harwood
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... what was that tomx 2 players away from mid table mediocrity! u had a w****r of a manager who shit on alonso with the barry situation and ended up with none of them look forward to the europa league again next season and with it ur last hopes of being one of the sky 4 as us city,spurs and everton take over r.i.p liverfool |
Keith
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... tomx Liverpool are 3 points ahead having played 3 games more. Villa have played in 1 cup final and are in the FA Cup semis. Who do you think is better? You enjoy the Europa league again next season. Chiefy is always fuzzy about spelling. Or is that fussy? |
scott harwood
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... and tomx u r the laughing stock of football.even one of ur homegrown legends carra says he will have no problem leaving when his contracts up.says it all really.when u dont make cl this year it wouldnt surprise me if gerard and torres go.steve said he wants to win the epl before he retires and lets face it hes got no chance with u bindippers lol |
John Samuels
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... tomx, I'm going to enjoy watching you team financially implode, Gerard sign for Chelsea, Torres sign for Man City and Liverpool enter into a long period of mediocrity. You don't get points for history mate, ask any Villa fan. You had your chance last season and blew it. Opportunities like that don't come very often adn I think Liverpool are now on a downward slide. No money, no champions league and owners that don't care. Villa are on the incline and if you can't see that then that probably explains why you can't see that Pool are in serious troublr thisd season. |
swissvilla
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... anybody knows when the we can buy tickets for the semi.final against chelsea? and where i can buy? |
Andi
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...chiefy....i didnt think we discussed education...but thats fine...when one doesnt want to accept facts...go pick on something else eh...well as long as villa do what they always do ..its just fine ..satisfied in watching a half good team managed by a half good manager...have fun..and yes i wish you all the best...;...not easy knowing that your team never will be there up amongst the best...well well.. do I really need to reply to you honestly? Think about what you are typing before you post it that way I wouldnt need to question your ropey education. What facts would you like me to except ?? that we went to the league cup final ?? that we are in the semi's of the fa cup ?? or you are 3 points in front along with 3 games in front ?? It is you my friend that needs to except facts your team has become the laughing stock of English football. Oh and yes I am quiet satisfied thanks for asking |
tomx
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... well there is just one thing that is for certain..and that is..villa's going to crumble like they always do...even the spuds have a better chance than finishing fourth than villa...when the going gets tough..villa gets soft...or ?..so a small advice ..dont get your hopes up..be good and stand in line...maybe next year eh..?? |
Damian
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... only time will tell what happens in the future but sometimes looking back does give you a fairly good idea of what will happen and i wouldn't be surprised it hte top four this season were the top four from last season, but i also wouldn't be surprised if one of them dropped out - it has happened before. but when it happened before, they came straight back in .. liverpool are a big club and they might slip out, but they might not and their debt, isn't so big and if they do get purchased by someone with a little cash - there is nothing to say that they couldn't go on and win everything decent side, fantastic history and a much much better position than us in terms of attracting players and spring boarding for the league title - they finished 2nd last season and you dont go from 2nd to not good enough in one season |
Keith
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... Damian and their debt, isn't so big £237 million isnt so big? Weren't you moaning that Villa had debts? a much much better position than us in terms of attracting players I disagree, they can't afford players, especially without the Champions League money and if they don't finish 4th then they will not be an attractive proposition for a lot of players. |
Damian
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... keefvilla a club can have a billion pounds worth of debt but if they are turning over a billion pounds, the debt isn't really that big in terms of the ability of the club to pay it back i dont know where you got the figure of £237mn - they are probably new figures this year, but last year, there debt was £280mn with turnover of £160mn - in those terms not so much debt - especially when you consider your bank will probably easily lend you three times your annual gross income to buy a house as for me moaning - christ - i was saying the club is in more debt than it ever has been and our owner is taking out over £7mn in management fees - its a little different as for them attracting players. they are consistently finishing in the top four, consistently playing champions league football and have possibly the best striker in the world when fit - you'd have to be a fool to think they are not in a better position to attract players than us liverpool are a global brand. we want to be a global brand |
John Samuels
said:
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... If Liverpool don't make CL this season they'll be slightly f**ked. The income won't be enough to service the interst on their debts and player sales will be the only way to recoup the loss and they still win't be able to afford to offload Benitez so all this talk of O'Neill is pointless. They are still in the mix, but it was the nature of the defeat to Wigan that must have been so dissapointing for fans. Rubbish. Villa haven't put in a performance that bad since Wigan at home on the first day. I think we smashed three past pool just after that too didn't we. BenitezGillett and Hicks |
Andi
said:
|
...well there is just one thing that is for certain..and that is..villa's going to crumble like they always do...even the spuds have a better chance than finishing fourth than villa...when the going gets tough..villa gets soft...or ?..so a small advice ..dont get your hopes up..be good and stand in line...maybe next year eh..? you are just like RAFA, Liverpool and Lucas a joke. Open your eyes realise where you are and what's going on around you and stop spouting rubbish, Liverpool has only ever produced a couple of things worth mentioning The Beatles, Jennifer Ellison's tits and the comedy RAFA is providing us with. Isnt your tag going to go off shortly run along |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Damien, turnover is a very different thing to profit my friend. Man U made £90m profit last season and finished with only £35m after servicing debts. Liverpool are on a knife edge and not qualifying for the CL would be a serious problem for them. |
Nathan Price
said:
|
...they finished 2nd last season and you dont go from 2nd to not good enough in one season Which is their real position though? Like us last season being 50 points clear of ars at this point or whatever it was, it was a false posisition, and in the end we faded. Last season was a false dawn for l'poo, mostly because they were carried by Gerrard, Torres (and Alonso). That has been proved by this season as Gerrard being out of form and Torres being Injured and they are no where to be seen. If they lose G and T this year, they will really be worried, of cause they can attract better players but can they afford them? I would be worried if I was a fan of theres. |
Damian
said:
|
... Juan Pablo Angel i'm aware turnover is different to profit, thanks. my point is, the last filed accounts for liverpool showed they made a pre-tax profit after servicing those debts of over £10mn - okay, not great sums of money, but still, after servicing those debts, they made a profit my point is, liverpool are a big club that will, if they fail to finish in the top four this season, bounce back its nice and easy for us to say they might not, but in reality, chances are they will - yes, we can hope for it to all go wrong and they slide down the table - and that really would be fantastic, but chances are even if they dont finish in the top 4 this season - they will next - becasue their owners might be characters from dumb and dumber but they will know exactly what they have to do if they want to challenge and they will - because for them, liverpool is a vehicle to make money and they wont make money if they are not spending it incidentally - that pre-tax profit was the highest pre-tax profit the club had made in a long long time |
Keith
said:
|
... Damian If Liverpool don't qualify for the champions league this season their turnover with be massively reduced. They will have to sell players in order to buy and they will not be an as attractive to players. Do you think Torres would have signed for Liverpool if they weren't in the champions league, just because of their history? Not a chance. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/t...028368.ece |
Nathan Price
said:
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...maybe next year eh..? Good advice, isnt that what you've been saying for the last 20 seasons? |
scott harwood
said:
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... yeah damo but say for instance my predictor comes true(hope not) and citeh come forth.with there spending power and cl football they will get first refusal on top players.i cant see everton having so many injuries next season either and they will be in the mix.i really think liverpool are fooked if they dont finish in the chumps league.in fact ill use rafas terminolgy and GUARANTEE liverfool wont finish in 4th! |
Damian
said:
|
... keefvilla okay - that article says 237 - so it must be a new figure. i was working off the last filed accounts at companies house. maybe they know something different i agree that their turnover will reduce by not qualifying for the champions league but we don't know that they will have to sell players to buy and i accept that because they are not playing in the champions league it wont be as attractive a proposition, but opposed to us - still more attractive, which was my point as for torres - next time you see him, ask him. i'm not going to even begin to think what he would have done 3 years ago if liverpool were not in the champions league |
Keith
said:
|
... Damian But if we qualify for the champions league, won't we be an attractive proposition? More attractive than Liverpool and the europa league? |
Damian
said:
|
... keefvilla if we were to finish 4th and get through the qualifying rounds possibly, but it could easily be positioned that we wouldn't be because of what i have written above and why it would be hard to bet against liverpool not bouncing back, if they didn't finish 4th this season - regardless of if we did or not if we do finish in the top four though a lot comes down to how much money o'neill gets to spend. i mean, how much more is lerner going to put in - we don't know. if o'neill is given serious funds to go and buy a serious player or two you could argue that had he had that money last summer we could have gotten the player and if the player is really serious and actually worth it, he'll already be playing champions league football or likely be wanted by one of the clubs who regularly play in that league look what happened to everton the season they got in the game is horrible now, it needs fixing, but if liverpool dont finish top four and if we manage to beat spurs and man city and dare i say it everton to 4th place, then we will stand a good chance of attracting players - if given the money but would we be a more attractive proposition to liverpool becasue we finish 4th one season - i'm not completely convinced |
keith
said:
 |
... but chances are even if they dont finish in the top 4 this season - they will next - becasue their owners might be characters from dumb and dumber but they will know exactly what they have to do if they want to challenge and they will - if we finish 4th are you assuming that rl will do nothing? |
Damian
said:
|
... i will add though - if we did it 3 seasons on the bounce and did well in the champions league and liverpool were nowhere to be seen, sure - we'd be more attractive. but one swallow and all that |
Damian
said:
|
... keithj if we finish 4th i would hope lerner will do what is necessary to stay in that bracket, but i dont know what he will do and i wouldn't dare assume about what he would do about something that might happen in the future i do know, or actually i think, getting into the top four is the easy part ... the hardest part of getting into the top four is staying in the top 4 - which is why i also think that while liverpool might not finish in the top four this season - there is every chance (although i think they will) - they will know what they have to do to get back in if we finish in the top four, it will be all new ground and as we saw with everton - it went horribly wrong for them - it isn't easy |
John Samuels
said:
|
... Damien, I agree with some of what you say, but |Everton have never had loads to spend and they went out in the qualifying round while the window was still open. If we were to qualify and the window was open we would definitely be attracting a different calibre of player. Also I don't agree that we would need any more investment than we already have in the summer. If O'Neill gets his usual budget (somewhere in the region of £30-£40m) that is more than enought ogo out and buy two maybe three (if we generate some cash from the sale of a few fringe players) players that might kick us on to being a CL side. The advantage is that we have a young team and if they get some experience of winning a few things and playing CL football I really do believe th sky is the limit. Players like Ash, Milner, Delph adn Gabby really could go on to be proper players with the experience and coaching. |
Damian
said:
|
... Juan Pablo Angel but the thing is, it would still be more investment. our net spend averages at about £25mn a season - we'd need that again and possibly more, if we were to qualify and the demands of domestic competitions and league but all of this is if if if .. we might not finish 4th (we were in a better position at this stage last season) and even if we do .. there is still the qualifying to get through and we struggled in the LDV league - so what is to say we will do any better in the proper tournament .. too many ifs for me at the moment lets finish 4th and then see what happens then argue about it. still a long way to go |
john doyle
said:
 |
... there is no way in the world that any of the so called top 4 clubs would want martin he aint good enough he dont take risks if he had been at everton roony would still be in the second team like the fonz is at the villa our best player by a mile for skil and controle and goal scoring but he is left to rot in 2nd team while sicknot the mule plays as i have said before the second worst player we have ever had after balaban thats why a top clup dont want martin |
john doyle
said:
|
... all you have to do is look at martins transfers to see he could not mage a top club 54 mill spent on our defence 54 mill on midfeild and 13 mill on scoring goals its a joke |
Damian
said:
|
... john - if all that adds up, i'm not doubting you, just saying .. then what is to say that this summer o'neill doesn't go spend on his strike force and equal things out? |
frem
said:
 |
... villa should buy mathews-young right back hleb or ireland ohara andress guardado jones and doyle or jotevic |
John Samuels
said:
|
...ets finish 4th and then see what happens then argue about it. still a long way to go I agree, Everton went out to Villareal which is a very tough draw, I think they went all the way to the semi's that season! I think we'll see a slight increase on our net spend this season on a smaller group of players too. The defence is sorted and I think everyone agrees that the priority is a striker. If we can sign the right kind of forward and keep the squad together then we'll be looking good. Depending on the typ of budget available I'd then look at two midfielders. One attacking and one as more of a defensive enforcer. It'll be interesting to see hoe Delph progresses and whether he can develop into one of these players. I think with the fullbacks we've been linked with recently and the players we've signed it is clear that Martin is looking at getting the average age of the squad down and looking at the next five years for Villa. We are on the verge of competing, but it would be nice to see some young players stepping up over the next few season and making the club a bit of money. Delph, Ash, Milner, Gabby, Davies, Albrighton and Delpfouneso all fall into this category for me. It would be nice to get the youngsters a bit more eiropean football and see if they progress a la Fletcher, Gibson and Evans. Experience at the highest level can be a surprising thing. You think a player may struggle to make the grade and then a couple of seasons down the line they've suddenly got bags of experience and are suddenly first teamers at the age of 23/24 |
Nathan Price
said:
|
... If we were to finish 4th, I think we would see some serious investment. The five year plan was to get us into chumps league. If that is achieved then its just the begining. MoN will know that and he will have drummed it into RL that if and when we do get CL football, we will big investment. I agree with most of whats been said though, £25-30 might be enough. If spent wisely and I have no reason to doubt MoN would do that, it could be more than enough for a special player or two. |
Andi
said:
|
... 4th he said cup run's expected challenge for the title they wanted we have the greatest history of any team they said our football is beautiful fantastic football team they said CRAWL back under you rocks scousers you are skint and in the space of a week you have been well and truly put in your place !!! MON wouldn't think of moving to a sinking ship, Man Utd seem to be plugging the holes in there ship as they appear yours keep getting bigger and bigger. Shove your history its happened lets talk about here and NOW !!! "Liverpool Season 2009-10" now where should this DVD go the club shop, You've Been Framed or It will be All right on the night The entertainment just dont stop with you scouse lot |
keith
said:
|
... dont want mon and his type of football? it must be be they like watching that sh*** and losing |
keith
said:
|
... damian if you watched that game can you seriously say you still expect pool to finish 4th? if weve only played 25 mins of good football in 2010 then pool have got 25 mins to catch up |
Andi
said:
|
... Is there not any scousers knocking around this morning wanting to enlighten us on how great their team is? Doesn't anyone want to tell us all about yesteryear and what a big club you where? Shame that could have done with a laugh this morning how does it go 4th place and you f"£%$d it up, 4th place and you f£$%"*d up, european champions and you f"%£"d it up, european champions and you f""£))d it up |
Adrian Kilgallon
said:
|
...I agree, Everton went out to Villareal which is a very tough draw, I think they went all the way to the semi's that season! They couldn't have got a tougher draw. Villareal only missed out on getting to the final that year by missing a last min pen againest Arsenal. |
Darragh McGeown
said:
 |
... What's the difference between watching Liverpool FC and watching paint dry? At least you get a result watching paint dry  |
quinn
said:
 |
... face it you scouse idiots you are a very poor team with a manager who has bought and played 2nd and even 3rd rate players Torres apart he hasnt signed anyone decent. liverpool are in a battle for 7th with brum and everton forget 4th |
Alec Mcdonald
said:
 |
... I only see two candidates for the Man utd job they being Martin O'neil or David Moyes I believe Ferguson and Moyes share a pretty special relationship and would be surprised if he didn't have some sort of input as to who his successor should be! |
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