Football Focus

[Jah Lush]

There is an element of truth in it though Keef.

[Keef]

Well he was an alcoholic drug abuser in the 90s, not now (I don't think), and yes, he probably gambled away a few quid, but if he'd been on anything like the money that lesser players (like Johnson) are on today, he probably wouldn't need the cash.

I've always liked Johnson, but he has been shite this season, and he needs to learn to take a bit of critisism, otherwise get out of the limelight.

[ratty]

Merson has systematically gone round slagging every person in football that has ever helped him out. GJ just telling the truth. Merson has no class!

[Emerson Crane]

Keef Wrote:

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> Well he was an alcoholic drug abuser in the 90s,

> not now (I don't think), and yes, he probably

> gambled away a few quid, but if he'd been on

> anything like the money that lesser players (like

> Johnson) are on today, he probably wouldn't need

> the cash.

>

> I've always liked Johnson, but he has been shite

> this season, and he needs to learn to take a bit

> of critisism, otherwise get out of the limelight.

Merson is spot on, and Jahs comments are expected as a spud supporter. Merse is and was a class act. He tells it like it is, even in respect of the Arsenal. He's cleaned his act up as has Tony Adams. Wonder what Jhnson would have said, or if he would have had the nerve, if Adams had pulled him up. Adams was worth 3 of him. Instead of lashing out at those who tell him he's not good enough perhaps he should get his thumb out of his backside and put in a shift.

Now I'll get off the soap box.

[Annasfield]

I went to a sportsman speaking event last year and Merson was one of the guest speakers. He basically bragged about his gambling, drink and drug problems and spoke a bit about football. Whilst Johnson shouldn't have said what he did, Merson doesn't help his cause when he behaves like that.

[Emerson Crane]

Annasfield Wrote:

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> I went to a sportsman speaking event last year and

> Merson was one of the guest speakers. He basically

> bragged about his gambling, drink and drug

> problems and spoke a bit about football. Whilst

> Johnson shouldn't have said what he did, Merson

> doesn't help his cause when he behaves like that.

Wasn't aware Merson needed to shrink from his past Anna. What do they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I digress. Mersons comments stung Johnson because they are spot on. As Phil Thompson recently said on Sky some of the Liverpool players should take a long hard look at themselves.

[Jah Lush]

Johnson's been shit all season and Merson still can't walk past a betting shop (allegedly).

[Emerson Crane]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> Johnson's been shit all season and Merson still

> can't walk past a betting shop (allegedly).

Nor can Kenny Sansom (allegedly), but both twice the player Johnson is.

[Emerson Crane]

Ars?ne Wenger has been named World Coach of the Decade.

The Arsenal manager edged out Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho to take the award handed out by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics.

The organisation conducts an annual Coach of the Year vote. Results from the last 10 polls were aggregated to find an overall winner. Wenger ended up with 156 points, Ferguson 148 and Mourinho 135.

The Frenchman will receive a certificate and golden trophy at the World Football Gala later this year.

Get in old vinegar face

[Jah Lush]

How'd they work that one out then? He's not won anywhere near as much as the other two. He's a bloody good coach though and I admire the style of football he chooses to play and working within a budget and bringing on the youngsters. Oh! hang on, maybe that's why. Is it? What do you think?

[Emerson Crane]

Well that stuff was lifted from a website, can't remember which one, but the formula used is described within the text of the piece. Good for him. I see Maradona is beinf linked with Blackburn, allegedly. God that would be funny to see. Talk about culture clash!!!

[Jah Lush]

It's possible Maradona would attract top quality players given money to spend. Depends how much. It would also put the club in the world spotlight because of his fame. It's a big risk as he's completely bonkers. He would certainly need some top quality coaches to work alongside because technically he was seriously found wanting during the World Cup. I think anyone appointing him would be mad to take him on.

[kpc]

But, based on previous experience, the press conferences would be worth it.

[Mick Mac]

Emerson Crane Wrote:

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> Ars?ne Wenger has been named World Coach of the

> Decade.

>

That's a joke presumably? Or was it an all French panel with Monsieur Platini at its head?

[Emerson Crane]

Mad as a box of frogs (never knew quite what that meant!!!)

[Emerson Crane]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> Emerson Crane Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Ars?ne Wenger has been named World Coach of the

> > Decade.

> >

>

> That's a joke presumably? Or was it an all French

> panel with Monsieur Platini at its head?

Careful your sour grapes are showing.

A joke? No. Nowehere near a hilarious as having Celtic in the Champs League eh?

[Emerson Crane]

Players' chief Gordon Taylor has described the Football Association as "very precious" for charging Liverpool winger Ryan Babel over Twitter posts.

Babel linked to a mocked-up picture of referee Howard Webb in a Manchester United shirt after the Reds lost 1-0 to United in the FA Cup on Sunday.

"Where's our sense of humour gone in our game?" Taylor, Professional Footballers' Association head, asked.

"He's apologised, let's move on," he added on BBC Radio Merseyside.

Quite. But thats the FA all over. Humourless, witless, and ultimately clueless.

[Annasfield]

Quite. A player admits to diving for a penalty and nothing is done. Another player posts a picture that I have received about 30 times via email in the last 36 hours and he gets in trouble.

The world has gone mad.

['bout now]

Good article on Kenny here

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-dalglishs-link-with-the-spirit-of-shankly-offers-starting-point-for-liverpool-revival-2181149.html

[kpc]

Strange semi-final. Birmingham were abject in the first half and superb in the second. A bizarre and unnecessary sending off when Obinna back-heeled Larsson in the nuts at a throw in. And then Foster, who had been brilliant, lets a 'shot' from Cole trickle underneath him. And still time for Phil Dowd to deny Blues a penalty. Still fancy our chances of going to Wembley.

[legalbeagle]

That was a stone wall penalty. Upson looked so guilty afterwards! Zidic came close but Jerome was frustrating to watch as usual. McCleish defo put a rocket up them at half time. Maybe he threatened to kick them all in the nuts if they didn't get a move on. And then Obinna did it for him.

[kpc]

Just needs to have them motivated from the start at St Andrews - that and play either Zigic or Derbyshire upfront with Jerome with Beausejour wide left.

[legalbeagle]

Absolutely. Particularly excited about Derbyshire. He did well against Milwall. I still fancy our chances.

[Emerson Crane]

legalbeagle Wrote:

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> That was a stone wall penalty. Upson looked so

> guilty afterwards! Zidic came close but Jerome was

> frustrating to watch as usual. McCleish defo put a

> rocket up them at half time. Maybe he threatened

> to kick them all in the nuts if they didn't get a

> move on. And then Obinna did it for him.

Stonewall penalties are only awarded at Old Stratford, didn't you know that?

[SeanMacGabhann]

Fortuitous win for West Ham last night, but the 5-0 loss aside the team seems to have found some momentum, spirit and perhaps most importantly, luck

Would now be a bad time to sack Grant?