18 Oct 2018 14:13:48
How's the article comparing our current squad with the 08/ 09 squad coming along Ed?
Can't wait for the game on the weekend, feels like this international break has gone on forever again!

{Ed001's Note - do you mean this one?


1.) 18 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 15:42:07
Great article Tris.

We will no doubt be accused of having failing memories (esp you :-P) but I can honestly say I've not felt as confident watching us play as I vaguely remember I did during the end of our golden era. Given I Was 13 when we last won the league, those memories are very hazy, but this confidence in the team is both very satisfying and a little bit scary!

{Ed001's Note - agreed mate, it does feel like the closest to glory since that time.}


2.) 18 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 17:04:53
Fantastic article Ed001, really enjoyed that. I think in sports in general, but particularly football, people tend to look at era’s with rose tinted glasses. But I thought you were fair throughout.

I’d probably go with Robertson over Aurelio as I have a hard time looking past his fitness issues, but as you aptly pointed out this was a comparison between the teams at their best. I mentioned the other day that I thought the biggest difference between the squads was the quality in wingers, really just goes to show. Though I do wonder what Torres could have done with better service. Would love to have Gerrard and Xabi in the current squad.

{Ed001's Note - cheers mate, glad you enjoyed. It was hard choosing between them but today's team is a whole squad of quality whereas that was 7or 8 and then fillers.}


3.) 18 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 17:12:11
Thanks Ed! Don’t know how I missed that, have a good one.

{Ed001's Note - I did it during the international window so it wasn't long ago.}


4.) 18 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 17:51:40
Nabil El Zhar scored recently in Leganes 2-1 win over Barcelona. I was surprised to see that he is still playing.

{Ed001's Note - he has scored a few recently, it woke me up as well, I had completely forgotten about that waste of money. He was one of our highest paid players ever when we signed him.}


5.) 18 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 18:01:33
Was this article posted up on the site Ed because I don't remember it mate? maybe it's just old age and I've already forgot about it! Either way, fantastic article as always, keep them coming mate, quality.

{Ed001's Note - yes mate, well I posted it on the thread that reminded me about it, I don't know if the autolink generated as well. Maybe it didn't work then, I never thought to check.}


6.) 18 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 18:11:17
Really enjoyed that. Thanks edd 1 bravo.

{Ed001's Note - cheers neggy glad to hear that. Though that was a positive comment be careful!! ;-)


7.) 18 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 18:26:51
Ah it might be just me not remembering Ed mate lol memory like a sieve at times!

I must ask Walter, are you feeling well? a positive comment! does this mean we're changing you mate? slowly but surely making you into a believer! ;)


8.) 18 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 20:01:16
Hi Ed001, I know that Kuyt isn't a quality player, but he makes up for it with his working off the socks and has some good finishing skills. I would also think that Benyaoun is another good small player.

{Ed001's Note - Benayoun was excellent but Rafa kept him on the fringes of the team far too much, understandable as his best position was off the striker and Gerrard played there. If Gerrard hadn't thrown his toys out of the pram about playing on the right, where he had his best season, then Benayoun would have played behind Torres and excelled more I think.}


9.) 18 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 20:22:40
Loved Benayoun as a player. Not only his talent and ability BUT most of all, his work rate, work ethic and relentless attitude to the cause. Great player and a gentleman.


10.) 18 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 20:46:11
Brilliant stuff ed, can't wait to read it. Thank you very much.

{Ed001's Note - welcome mate.}


11.) 18 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 21:00:24
Very interesting article, thanks Ed001.
I missed that first time around too somehow.
One thing not mentioned, in favour of the 09 team, was a more even spread of goals around the respective teams.
09’s defence scored a very decent amount, whilst Gerrard in midfield was a huge contributor.
Our team now is very reliant on the front three, as we’ve seen. We really need the other parts of the team to start adding goals too.
Having said that, today’s team is chock full of pace all over, and I think they’d be too much for the 09 boys perhaps.

Add Gerrard, Alonso and Torres to today’s squad and it could well win the League.
Or add Van Dijk, Mane and Salah to 09’s and that would have too!?
Hey ho.

{Ed001's Note - let's hope we have enough to win it without those 3.}


12.) 18 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 21:29:51
Brilliant read and analysis, Ed. I had posted on an earlier thread on this same issue and w/ o even blinking, I said that this team is better than the '09 team, hands down esp. now that we have a better GK, defence and depth in the team. However, the way you analysed both team (awash with pace) in the article was pin-point and bar the midfield (no one can argue with Xabi and SG) of the 0'09 team, Klopp's team is way better in near every other dept. I mean, imagine Carra, Skrtel, Hyppia (the later two were great), going against the relentless movement and guile of Salah, Bobbie and Mane? That would be epic.

Also, Rafa only had Utd to contend with, just as BR only had City to contend with and they screwed up mainly due to their arrogance and ego (esp. BR) BUT the bar is WAY higher for Klopp now cos he has near 4 teams to contend with hence, his margin for error is minute. Hope he can succeed were the others failed. YNWA!

{Ed001's Note - 4 teams? Surely it is only City to contend with?}


13.) 18 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 22:32:11
City, Chelsea. and ourselves as our main challenges to the title in my opinion. If we keep our heads and teams start attacking city I think we’ll be grand. Could be a great season. Regardless, second season in a row with heart in my mouth - that’s what football is about.


14.) 18 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 22:54:36
Not sure if it was mentioned when comparing now with 08/09, after 8 games we were joint top with Chelsea on 20 points and united were on 14 points, just one more point than they have now.


15.) 19 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 23:33:11
Showed how hood rafa was though! Love the bloke.


16.) 19 Oct 2018
18 Oct 2018 22:41:50
What a brillant read ed.

{Ed001's Note - thank you Para.}


17.) 19 Oct 2018
19 Oct 2018 06:37:39
The 4-1 win at Old Trafford was great but the 11 draws did for us that season which I guess shows the lack of squad depth and maybe Rafa’s tactics were slightly more defensive because of this . think we started and ended the season great but struggled to cope with champions league and domestic cups along with league fixtures
Will be interesting to see if Klopp can manage this better squad effectively through the season.

{Ed001's Note - Rafa's tactics were defensive because that is the way Rafa plays, nothing to do with squad depth.}


18.) 19 Oct 2018
19 Oct 2018 06:59:58
I was trying to be generous to him . great coach bit overly defensive.

{Ed001's Note - I love Rafa, but, no matter how generous you can be, he blew that season by being too defensive at the start.}


19.) 19 Oct 2018
19 Oct 2018 10:19:55
do you not view chelsea as a threat this year ed?

great article, i absolutely loved torres, was my favourite player just as i was really getting into football. the way he moved with the ball was fantastic. thanks for the reminder about degen and el zhar, had finally managed to forget about them!

{Ed001's Note - to us, yes, but they are playing for second or third imo.

Degen was an embarrassment.}


20.) 19 Oct 2018
19 Oct 2018 11:57:07
Lol Rafa had a tendency to really pull out shocker, remember the Paulsen old man from Juve, Veronin and his ponytail and the Serbian guys who played on the left. It does make me wonder as a lot where so called free agents or low profile transfer that can be seen as alternative for primary targets. My main question is now that Mr Mou is self distructing with signings that don't make sense and Rafa having a history of making it publicly known when he feels he isn't backed, how similar are the two men as managers as they seem to have a lot of common things besides Real Madrid and Inter.

{Ed001's Note - wasn't Poulsen signed by Hodgson?}


21.) 19 Oct 2018
19 Oct 2018 12:59:48
yes he was a hodgson signing.


22.) 19 Oct 2018
19 Oct 2018 19:22:55
Spot on, Squizza. Rafa's defensive nature cost us the league that season, end of. I have NEVER bought the whole schstick/ excuses about the owners stifling him (which was true to an extent) and not letting him buy players. He bought a whiole bunch of dross when he WAS given money so that was down to him and nothing more.

The fact was that we were top till Jan BUT it was the 11 draws (vs low block teams) was what cost us. Rafa would rather play not to lose sometimes instead of going for the win. He would often play two sitting DM's at home vs the likes of Hull, Wigan, Birmingham etc and then we are surprised we got draws, all 11 of them. The hope now is that Klopp can get it done this season so here's to hoping.