xavier

But we did beat Wigan Those bastards calling for Rafa's head were fickle idiots. They probably even thought that rotation was the main reason we were losing points. That said, it wasnt only the fact that we werent winning away from home that irritated them, but that we had a very good transfer window and thought that we were well in with a shout for number 19 and still out of the race for the league by early December that did. Anyways, thats a discussion irrelevant to this thread. We might have spent 70-80 million in the last three seasons but its quite a way less than what Chelsea and Man U have spent. That was the point i was trying to make. Another point people underestimate is the fact that we had a very poor squad when Benitez took over. He not only did have to build a good first team but also a good squad. So quite a bit of our kitty went into getting a pool of 20 players in. Houllier wasted a lot of money on shit players. Rafa spent the money he got in replacing those players with better ones. Erm..Where am i going? Ok. To win a couple of cups, and a regular European spot finish one needs to have a good side. But to win the title one needs to have a brilliant side for which money needs to be spent. And it needs to be there for it to be spent. Hence, im happy with the investment. Although it has its drawbacks, its a move in the right direction. Is the difference so black and white? Do you honestly think that there's nothing more to it than that? And the 'ego messages' arent really ego messages. Everton fans are looking for a European spot. Liverpool fans are looking for us to win the title. We're building a new stadium. We could do without investment but it would mean taht our tranfer kitty would be affected for an n-number of years. Benitez is the best manager we've had for a long while now and it makes sense that he had money to play with (When compared to Chelsea and Man U). Its easier to make a 4 place jump from 9th to 5th place but a LOT tougher to make the same 4 place jump from 4th to 1st. Hence, although it might seem that we've spent quite a lot in the last few years, its only meagre when compared to Chelsea and Utd. And i can make my appearance whenever i want, thank you. Ive been busy-still am.

I disagree. When people pick teams to win cups and titles, Liverppol are one of the clubs whose name is chosen as the favorites along with the 'Other Three', not EFC. Our boards has always backed us with something like 30 million to spend every season, including sales. Thats not really good enough for a title challenge, which our supporters aim for. Wenger did it with Arsenal, credit to him for that. But to spend less and win leagues, you need to have a good bunch of kids who can take the place of someone whose injured or can aim for a first team place in a couple of seasons. Under Houllier, we never had that. Rafa came in and has bought A LOT of youngsters, both from England, and elsewhere. With the money we did spend, we won quite a lot, A European Cup, A UEFA Cup, A couple of F.A. cups, A carling cup etc...the league has looked out of our grasp due to our inability to spend our budget on big players. So, although how you spend it, is important (Houllier wasted a lot on shit players) but you need to have big money nowadays to win the league with the Chelseas and the Man Uniteds spending a lot. Those three might walk into our squad, sure but no ways will they be in my first eleven, week in week out. You have a good team. You could do with a thicker squad though..and as much as ive blamed Moyes for poor transfer moves, Lescott and Johnson this season have had major impact. As you said, if you could get a couple of more players who can do the business, you're looking at a decent league position straight away. And its not like all of our star players have cost a lot of money. Hyypia was bought for 3 mil, Riise 3.5 Finnan 3.5 and Carra is local. Agger and Reina cost about 6 mil each. So did Sisokko. Although it looks like we have payed over the odds for Crouch, we haven't. We've still only payed like 3-3.2 mil to Southampton. The rest depends on the number of England caps he gets, cup wins etc etc. Rafa has spent a fair bit on kids..Palletta 2 mil, Anderson 2 mil, Roque, Hobbs, Antwi, El Zhar, Insua. So he's looking to fill a couple of positions in the future with these kids who we hope atleast one of them comes through. You dont need big money to build a good squad. but you do, toaim for the league looking at the money Man U and Chelsea have spent in the past.

Are you the same Fabster from OnlineArsenal?

I'm a southpaw myself.

Bloody assignments and submissions never gave me the oppurtunity to spend quality time on the internet. My Crimbo hols start on the 20th of next month. Hopefully, ill be able to spend some more time here once they start. Go away!

Im back.

Happy Birthday

I dont drink.

Aye. Its my mistake that i tried to spread my knowledge

We dont have a 'Pauleta' in our squad. Its Gabriel Palletta.

Hahahahahaha. Actually thats not Hindi. Its my mother tongue, tamil. But still, funny.

Erm..hi?

Superman London or Manchester

Watching Bellamy swear at opponents, refs etc always gets me laughing my arse off! I'm just 'hahahahaha' like a mad man for 10-15 secs. A football manager win against a big club makes me happy. Watching Seinfeld too.

Tractor

Cows

Well, i believe that we're better and we'll see who is at the end of the season. They might have better strikers, but we have the best midfield amongst the three. Our defense broke all kinds of records last season. Once we gel together up top, i can see a lot of goals coming from our team.

Think we're going to be contenders for the second place, myself. In fact, the only Arsenal players i'd have in my squad are Toure, Gallas and Henry and Fabregas (who wouldnt start ahead of Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko). Would have Ronaldo and Rooney from Man U. Our squad has tremendous depth and quality in all positions except for maybe right fullback. Cant see how our squad is being considered weaker than those.

As Rafa has said, 'You dont need the biggest leg to fit your table, you need the perfect one'. We might not be the best team in the world now, but to say we're not one of the biggest is ignorant. You're right, we havent won the league since 1990 but have certainly won trophies. we had a dry spell in the 90's but have won quite a few trophies in the 2000's. Rafa got us to 3rd place last season (1 pt behind 2nd), with a lot of poorer players in it and many holes to fill. He has filled these holes this time out. We're very confident this time out in the league, which we werent for the past 2-3 seasons. I dont think we'll win it, but we have a fantastic chance of getting to 2nd place. We have a balanced squad this time out, which IS stronger than Arsenals or Man U's.

Mario brothers Grim Reaper or Roy Keane?

Nah. He hasnt had a problem with Rafa. You're quite mistaken. Neither would I. But they are definately one of the biggest teams in the world.

You should. We are. Everyone in the world knows that he's had a horrid past. I wont even try to defend him. I'd be deluded if i try to defend his previous antics off the pitch. As ive said innumerable times, i'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Two reasons:- (1) He's our player, now. (2) His attitude towards us has been examplary.

Rocky, defo. Chocolates or Ice Creams?

History backs it up? How? He left Newcastle because he had a major, major fight with the staff. He left Blackburn because his favorite club (coz Rush and Toshakc are Welshmen, probably?) and one of the BIGGEST clubs in the world came in for him. Two different things altogether.