You lot are pathetic.

75. At 10:04am on 21 Oct 2009, RandomMemorableName wrote: You lot are pathetic. The fact that your so eager to pounce on (a rare) run of poor form says it all. This constant tirade aimed at Rafa and his 'failings' in the transfer market are ridiculous. You cannot judge a player singularly in this situation, you have to assess the bigger picture. The fact that every player signed and sold by Rafa has been sold for a profit suggets he knows what he is doing.

Hmm. A bold claim.
Let's have a look, shall we?

Rafael Benitez has indeed made a number of signings he later sold at a profit, the most notable of which being Xabi Alonso, of course. Here's a list:

Carson £1m in £3.25m out = £2.25m
Alonso £10.5m in £30m out = £19.5m
Bellamy £6m in £7.5m out = £1.5m
Crouch £7m in £10m out = £3m
Sissoko £5.6m in £8.2m out = £2.6m
Arbeloa £2.6m in £3.5m out = £0.9m

Total = £29.75m profit

Not bad. A near-£30m profit on players bought and subsequently sold by dear Rafa.
But wait! Surely there are more than that? Surely he's signed and sold more than six players?! But... he couldn't have, could he? After all "every player signed and sold by Rafa has been sold for a profit." Have a look:

Morientes £6.3m in £3m out = £3.3m loss
Luis Garcia £6m in £4m out = £2m loss
Gonzalez £4.5m in £4.2m out = £0.3m loss
Pennant £6.7m in £0 out = £6.7m loss
Leto £1.85m in £1.3m out £0.55m loss
Keane £19m in £12m out = £7m loss

£19.85m loss

So, indeed a bold claim... and a false one.
Overall, of players bought and sold by Rafael Benitez, he has made losses on as many players as he's made a profit. He's lucky Martin O'Neill priced him out of buying Gareth Barry because in that case he would have sold Alonso a year earlier for £14m and the figures wouldn't look so good at all. So, thanks Martin.

Example: ith our limited budget - check our NET SPEND each year compared to those around us (including the likes of Villa and Spurs) - we couldn't have arrived at Torres without first making a profit on players like Crouch and Bellamy.

You didn't sell Crouch until a year after signing Torres so I'm treating that part as absolute nonsense. Likewise, the net profit on sales of £9.9m is almost entirely thanks to the £19.5m profit on Xabi Alonso, a player who was sold a full two years after the signing of Fernando Torres. I doubt the measly £1.5m profit on Bellamy really made all the difference.

As for the net spend - clickity click here.
04-09, Rafa's period in charge, Liverpool are 3rd. Behind Chelsea and Man City, ahead of Villa and Spurs. What exactly are you trying to claim here?

The rate at which this squad has improved gets overlooked just all too often. Time and time again people fail to see that what we are chasing is not a stationary object. Chelsea, Utd, Arsenal - they are all improving. The fact is however, we are improving at a faster rate.

That is not a fact. Manchester United and Chelsea have been scoring consistently in the high-80s in points for the last 4 or 5 years. There is very little, if any, room for improvement beyond that. It is a lot easier for a team like Liverpool to improve from 68 and 76 points to 86 than it is for Manchester United to improve on the 90 points they scored last season. No team is going to finish the season on 100 points.

We finished over 30 points behind the champions in Rafa's first year in charge. Each year we are getting closer. Miracles we do at once, the impossible takes a little longer.

The first part in italics is indeed true. The second part in bold... is not.
In Rafa's second year in charge you finished 9 points behind the champions on 82 points.
Third year - 68 points, 21 points behind the champions. Incidentally, the champions that year were Manchester United, who had finished the season on 83 points the year before, only a single point more than Liverpool. They went forward, Rafa's Liverpool took a huge backward step.
Fourth year - 76 points. An improvement on the year before, still less than he achieved in his second year.
Fifth year - 86 points. Yes. Finally, an improvement on the second year of Rafa's reign. It doesn't change the fact he achieved less in the third and fourth years than the second.

To summarise, you did get closer last year but to say you have been getting closer each year is clearly untrue.

Good day.

Tales From The Bed Of Scott Bakula: The Lost Memoirs

1. When I was in my early twenties on a trip to East Africa, I saw a gazelle giving birth. It was truly amazing. Within minutes, the baby was standing up—standing up on its own. A few more minutes, and it was walking. And before I knew it it was running alongside its mother, moving away with the herd. Humans aren't like that, Sir Blavalon. We may come from the same island, but we're pretty much helpless when we're born. It takes us months before we're able to crawl—almost a full year before we can walk. Our quest for the forgotten runestones of ju'gar isn't much different. We're going to stumble, make mistakes — I'm sure more than a few before we find our footing. But we're going to learn from those mistakes. That's what being human is all about. I'm sorry you can't see that.

The who's who of World Cup 2010

On 15th October in 1946 Hermann Goering poisoned himself the night before his execution. That was a genuine tragedy as justice could not be served upon one of history’s most evil men. But like the two sides of justice – right and wrong – football is a game of two halves. And it is in that spirit my father, a real football man, always said to me "you can never write off the Germans."

Indeed, going into the world cup the Euro 2008 finalists Germany have been largely ignored despite negotiating a tricky qualifying group containing Euro 2008 semi-finalists Russia, with media coverage extending mainly to the exploits of Brazil, Spain and England. A situation perhaps justified because while Germany demonstrated their usual efficiency the question remains whether their side is truly world class?

While the German campaign was characteristically solid, the two most eye-catching performers in the UEFA qualifiers were undoubtedly England and Spain. The European Champions romped home with a perfect 10 out of 10 record, plundering 28 goals in the process and conceding only 5. With a world class line-up containing a number of Barcelona’s all-conquering superstars of 08/09 alongside the world’s best striker Fernando Torres they are unquestionably the team to beat. The splendid Spaniards are a joy to watch with their tantalizing triangles and perfect passing, a pure footballing team. Surprisingly Torres, the world’s leading marksman, failed to notch a single goal in the qualifiers, unluckily enduring a somewhat frustrating time on the fringes of most games, almost ominously quiet in the lead up to the big event - form is temporary, class is permanent. It would take a brave man to bet against them, no question about it, though one must question whether they’ll be up for a proper physical battle should they face such opposition?

Meanwhile, England showed bouncebackability in the wake of their Euro 2008 humiliation by storming to victory in their group despite a number of question marks hanging over the team. Goalkeeping problems remain, with the ageing David James seemingly first choice ahead of the fantastic Bob Green of West Ham, though neither are world class. The timeless left-wing problem remains, with the world’s most complete all-round midfield player Steven Gerrard having been shunted out to the left, much like Rooney for Man U in past seasons, in order to accommodate Frank Lampard who is incapable of playing together with Gerrard in his natural-born central midfield position. Can England really get the best out of Gerrard by playing him out of position?? Gareth Barry partners Lampard in central midfield at Gerrard’s expense, and while the Manchester City grafter will give 110% and cover every blade of grass, is he really a world class performer? At the end of the day Gerrard is England’s best player and probably the best player in the world. England have to acknowledge that Gerrard is the best player and build the team around him. He is England’s Maradona, Zidane, Platini, Ronaldo (the Brazillian) etc. The others have to understand that he is the most talented and most important player. There has to be hierarchy of responsibility and respect for a team to win a major championship. The outstanding player has to be given the freedom to influence games and perform to his best. England have to get the message through to the Lampards and Rooneys etc that they have to play for Gerrard and England.

Up front, England are as conflicted as ever. Emile Heskey provides physical presence and a selfless work ethic but remains incapable of finishing the simplest of chances. You can’t help but feel that in some of the matches where Heskey fluffed numerous opportunities, Jermain Defoe could have had a hat trick! The Tottenham Hotspur sharpshooter is a natural predator who never misses a chance, and in tight games at critical moments, it’s a no brainer who you’d rather have that crucial chance fall to! If Capello must go for a big man up front, then surely Peter Crouch should get the nod with his excellent international scoring record. Moreover, he offers far more than Emile Heskey ever could, with people often forgetting that Crouch has a great touch for a big man as well as an imposing aerial threat. The real problem, as always, is whether any of Rooney’s potential striking partners are really world class? Most of Crouch and Defoe’s goals have come against poor opposition, so if Rooney isn’t firing where are the goals going to come from? Looking through the England team, similar problems are evident. Is the defensively suspect Glen Johnson actually world class? Who will play on the right? Lennon? Wright-Phillips? Walcott? They are full of pace, power, technique and enthusiasm but are any of them really world class? Can Beckham still do it at this level?

England have struggled to become a genuine footballing side to rival the likes of Spain who play the game the way it’s meant to be played, with their passing disjointed and movement often lacking. They play like eleven individuals rather than a team. One wonders whether relocating Steven Gerrard to his natural position in the midfield engine room would help rectify this situation, with his world class passing ability enabling the team to dovetail more effectively. Again, it seems odd not to play the world’s greatest central midfielder in central midfield. England can’t compete with the best without developing a free flowing passing game.

Moving onto South America, perennial world cup challengers Brazil are the main, probably only threat. The samba boys swashbuckled their way through the qualifiers as always, playing the right way and dazzling their opponents into submission with the silky skills of the likes of Kaka and Robinho. They are perhaps not the greatest in defence, but when have they ever been? For Brazil such things are of no concern, with careless defending and dodgy goalkeeping a happy concession to allow for exhilarating attacking play. What more can be said about Brazil than "watch out"? Stopping Brazil, like Spain, may be like trying to resist an irresistible force. You just know they’ll be there or thereabouts come the latter stages.

To conclude, it’s a big ask, but if Capello and England could treat the impostors of triumph and disaster the same going into the world cup, then maybe ours would be "the earth and everything that's in it", as Kipling would say - and "which is more" the England national team would be "a man, my son!"

satirical if you hadn't guessed.
if you hadn't you're humourless

Orwell would be pleased to know he got it right

Yes, Phillip in Peterborough, I'm sure all he ever dreamed of was his novel about a repressive totaliatarian regime coming true. He would, without doubt, be absolutely delighted by such a turn of events.

Anyway, let's look at some more of the insightful and entirely original comments made by our good friends, the pseudo-intellectuals of Have Your Say. They are all extremely well-read people, don't you know?

George Orwell was mostly right, he just got the date wrong by 25 years.
[DisgustedOfMitcham2], London, United Kingdom

Mostly? Sir, you are too conservative!

Orwell got everything right except for the year.
[jerryatric], Up the Labour creek without a paddle, or even a canoe!

George Orwell may have got the year wrong, but he was dead right - we are IN 1984.
Dave Mazzetti, Aylesbury, United Kingdom

Talk about Orwell's 1984 - only 25 years late!!!
Pincher Martin, Birmingham, United Kingdom

george orwell was right, his only mistake was to misjudge the year it would happen by 25 years. but don't worry, they only take away all our freedoms in order to preserve them from terrorists (a logic both infantile and strangely amusing)
Jack, The North

How eloquent. I couldn't have put it better myself.

George Orwell was right, big brother is watching us
Gazza Fish, Basingstoke

Three words are enough to summarise this: Nanny, Paranoia, Orwell
[markus_uk], United Kingdom

Yes. THEY are the paranoid ones.
THEM.

The reality is that we now live in an Orwellian environment where the politicians treat citizens with contempt at every turn in an effort to continue in their self-serving bureaucratic ivory towers.
[podracev]

Before long, the government will require all would-be parents to be finger printed and DNA'd before they can conceive. Don't laugh. George Orwell was right.
Sue, Liverpool

Don't laugh? I can't promise anything.

Welcome to the world of George Orwell "1984".
J Masters, Birmingham

The Orwellian society is finally here.
Charles Robertson, Oxford, United Kingdom

Finally! Hallelujah!

This government is truly George Orwells 1984 come true!
ian gray, Wigan, United Kingdom

Rejoice!

for God's sake lets get rid of Brown and his Orwellian government before it really is to late ..
Rob Clarke

For what? Dinner?

George Orwells 1984 was a warning not a manual.
Free Humanity, Oldbury

Good one, mate! Did you come up with that yourself?!
Wait...you've been surpassed...

A message to the people in power...George Orwells 1894 was a warning.....not an instruction manual !!!
David Icke was right all those years ago...take a look at his work
[toughsausage]

!!!
Lock your doors, barricade your windows, the Reptilians are coming !
It could be anyone! The Queen? George Bush? Boxcar Willie? TRUST NO-ONE.

Typical government - someone's on holiday reading Orwell, like it's a diy project.
Aldophino

The stories we here about cameras on every street and even cameras in some peoples home there in England are scary. It shows that freedom is slipping away and that a world envisioned in Orwells "1984" is coming. Resist this!
Ivan Benich, aurora, co

In...people's...homes...?

Orwell was right about the UK and it's future. 1984 wasn't fiction, but a prediction.
Jason Davis, Oxford

George Orwell wasn't a fiction writer, he was a prophet.
Scott W, Port Orchard, USA

Oooh, another snappy one! How long did it take you to come up with that? Oh, wait...

Gerge Orwell is looking more and more like a prophet than an author of fiction - 1984 here we come.
[SketchyBFC], Derby, United Kingdom

Let us remember that the philosophy behind the big brother society in George Orwell's 1984 was called "Ingsoc" - from English Socialism, as Orwell detected in the 1940's Labour party. A prescient man!
Philip, Twickenham

Read Orwell but did not expect to live it.
Labour are a disgrace in every way.
Blackadder rejectedparadox

For Gods sake Britain WAKE UP!!!! These Orwellian Buffoons make Stalin and the Gestapo seem like Boy Scouts.
Dennis Richards, Haverhill


Yes! We are sleepwalking into an Orwellian state. The novel 1984 may be set in the PAST, but it is our FUTURE.
We are all supposed to feel bad about China and Zimbabwe, but we have no freedoms here!
[ArthurBCavendish], Thank GOD for The Daily Mail!, United Kingdom

My friend, I thank God for the Daily Mail every waking moment of my life and then some.
Zimbabwe is a veritable Garden of Eden compared to Britain. I suggest you emigrate there immediately. If only we could return to simpler times and live out our lives in the Gulags.

I am quite frightened by the thought of how much worse this could get.
What's that whirring sound? Oh, it's George Orwell spinning in his grave.
Hattie, London

Yes, it is indeed terrifying. I spend countless sleepless nights worrying what CCTV will do to my life next. Will it catch a rapist?? Will it catch a murderer?? Will visible cameras act as a deterrent to crime?? Will the proliferation of CCTV cameras result in an ever-increasing number of TV shows like World's Wildest Police Videos? I cannot say, but I will say this; I am quite frightened by the prospect of the latter.

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

Well, wasn't that quite the ride?
Two dozen people without an independent thought in their brains, programmed to come out with the same ill-conceived remarks as have others before them. Towing the party line of conspiracy theorists worldwide. It's almost as if Orwell was right.

Nuff said.

Tales From The Bed Of Scott Bakula: Volume 12

13th September, 1967

Good day fair maidens. It has been some time since my last letter. I have been thinking of you all this time, fear not. Every day I wrote this letter in my head to you, my dearest wives, while I was locked away in the wizard Fnar'jnir's dungeon. Every day I looked into the eyes of my evil captor and gazed upon my own reflection, dreaming of being with you(se). The only thing that kept me going was seeing that sight day after day, that hairy chest and manly jaw, the jaw of Scott Bakula.

I write to you now though with those wretched days behind me, free at last or at least free from the cellars of discontent. While I remain stranded on this northern island, I hold hope that one day I shall find my escape and see you (all) once again.

I am on a trek to the furthest reaches of the island, to a place known as Gle'nary, where I seek a man named i'An Og. It is said by the inhabitants of the western caves that he holds many secrets and I hope to find him well and in good spirits.

I am short on parchment so for now, wish me well.
S.

Football Revolution

Revolutionary

A Window Into The Mind Of Oatcakes

No wonder she's so incomprehensible on MOTD, if this is how she views the world