On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[Annasfield]

It was said tongue in cheek Keef. I hate over using smileys.

(P.S - Alonso who?)

[matthew123]

Good point, by the way everything i say on this thread is said tongue in cheek unless I use Sandpersons's favourite smiley :))

[matthew123]

Get in there!!

 

[Keef]

Sorry Anna. That's the problem with written word. I don't like he smileys that much either, but they do avoid things getting misinterpreted at times. So do we all hate Alonso now? Interesting discussion, why do we still love some players who leave, yet feel betrayed by others? Discuss.

[matthew123]

I don't think Liverpool have really suffered with players walking out on them. The only ones who spring to mind are Keegan, McManaman and Alonso. But Keegan gave 12 months notice, and we tried to sell McManaman with 2 years on his contract to Barcelona (but they used him as a pawn for Rivaldo) and of course trying to sell Alonso last year did not help.

I think it's when you get players coming out in media and demanding a move, such as Sheringham at 1998 World Cup, or Ince putting on the United shirt whilst still a Hammer, or forcing a move to a rival like Barmby or Sol Campbell. Lampard using his father's sacking as excuse to demand Upton Pk move. So that kind of stuff will always stoke the fires.

Only ex-Liverpool player who has roundly received a bad reception at Anfield has been El Hadji Diouf.

[Keef]

Surprised you've not mentioned Owen.

As you point out, Alonso could well have felt a bit hurt that he would have been shown the exit to make way for Barry, so I can't really blame him. I appreciate loyalty to a club, but it works both ways IMO.

[Mick Mac]

Keef Wrote:

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> To be fair to Mick, I'm sure he stays with his

> team, which is Celtic. Him supporting a different

> prem team each season is like you following Real

> Madrid one year because Alonso has gone there,

> then Barcelona another year, because they buy

> someone else (just an example obviously).

In England I tend to follow whoever I have bet on - so I follow the money. Arsenal this year.

If I had to choose the team that had given me most entertainment over the last 10 years I'd have to go for Man United. Sorry but think year on year they play the most attacking football. Other teams play attractive football but with less bite.

[kpc]

Think attitude to ex-players depends on which club you support and your expectations as a fan. Birmingham have always been very fair to returning players (probably just grateful that they were prepared to play for us in the first place) with the notable exception of Robbie Savage. No problem about what he did on the pitch for us, just the b*ll*cks he came out with when leaving. Having just signed a four year contract he wanted to move to Blackburn to be nearer his father who was ill at the time. As any fool would know, Blackburn is four miles further from the Savage family home than Birmingham is. Rule 1, don't lie to the fans or treat them as though they're stupid.

[Jah Lush]

Birmingham 1 Bolton 2

Blackburn 1 Aston Villa 2

Fulham 2 Arsenal 2

Liverpool 5 Hull 0 (Mr Perma-tanned is heading for the sack)

Portsmouth 1 Everton 2

Stoke 1 Man Utd 3

Tottenham 3 Burnley 1

Wigan 1 Chelsea 4

Sunderland 2 Wolves 0

Man City 3 West Ham 1

[Sandperson]

I hate smileys too. I've just learned to use them to try and not start rows. I think they are stupid things if the truth be told.

[matthew123]

Owen was slightly different in that we forced his hand but yes looked set to run his contract down and walk out but still would classify him no worse than McManaman in that respect. Of course since then he has fallen further foul of Liverpool by rejecting a return to Anfield in 2005 when he chose Newcastle and now by breaking the unwritten rule of joining rivals Man U.

To be honest, I'm quite cool now on the whole Owen is playing for United - I think I'd be more disappointed with a player like Alonso, who is not emotionally bankrupt, joining United in a few years time.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> Liverpool 5 Hull 0 (Mr Perma-tanned is heading for

> the sack)

Please god, I can't stand the nasty Allardyce acolyte.

[kpc]

Talking to Hull fans last week, neither can they any more.

[kpc]

Hull fans don't like him any more either.

[kpc]

No longer popular in Hull either.

[mockney piers]

Alonso is obviously a wanker. Spaniards man can't stand them.

Smiley serve a purpose, yes they're naff but they stop confusion and are easier than tags

Paul Ince etc

[matthew123]

I actually think Liverpool will run up quite a few goals tomorrow - I've seen some positive signs recently that suggest we could be looking at 6 or 7 goals for the Reds against Hull. I'm going for a Torres hat-trick and at least one goal from Babel.

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

Birmingham 2 Bolton 1

Blackburn 2 Aston Villa 2

Fulham 1 Arsenal 0

Liverpool 3 Hull 0

Portsmouth 0 Everton 4

Stoke 1 Man Utd 0

Tottenham 0 Burnley 2

Wigan 0 Chelsea 4

Sunderland 2 Wolves 2

Man City 2 West Ham 1

[Annasfield]

I'm still using this one.

Jah Lush should start another thread anyway as he started the original when it was a nice place to talk about football.

[Jah Lush]

This has moved.

[Annasfield]

Double posting,.

la la la la la

[Mick Mac]

matthew123 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I actually think Liverpool will run up quite a few

> goals tomorrow - I've seen some positive signs

> recently that suggest we could be looking at 6 or

> 7 goals for the Reds against Hull. I'm going for a

> Torres hat-trick and at least one goal from Babel.

I might keep this post until the end of the weekend Matt. Thats a very confident prediction.

[Jah Lush]

Annasfield Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I'm still using this one.

>

> Jah Lush should start another thread anyway as he

> started the original when it was a nice place to

> talk about football.

Oh thanks Anna. JD & Coke for you next time I see you. x

[Annasfield]

KTOFFT (Keep the old football focus thread) >:D

[Mick Mac]

Is there a banner to go with that Anna?