Koogan

I bet this thread has nothing to do with the fact that Ronny snubbed the mancs once upon a time...

The comment about Crouch's height being the reason why all our supporters have not taken to him was the daftest I've heard. I think it actually works the other way around, because he, eh... sticks out. Even Phil Boersma once scored a hat-trick for us once in the League...

One sparrow does not make summer... Still, well done, Peter!

We're not the Red Army for crissakes. He can wear an afro wig for all I care if he delivers.

Wouldn't mind getting Owen, but by the time the medical is completed it'll be April (2008)...

This is from the BBC, yesterday's match report: "Groundstaff turned on the sprinklers during the interval but, bizarrely, only to water the half of the pitch Villa were defending." I've heard it happen at Chelsea's ground more than once, but does it ever happen at ours. And what are the reasons? To slow the opponent down or something even more sinister?

Know your footie history... KooTeePee (from the town Kotka on the south coast) were formerly known as Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat, founded in 1927. Champions of Finland in 1951 and 1952, Finnish Cup Winners in 1958, 1961, 1967 and 1980. So the logic of the name is KTP -> KooTeePee

Is the one at 3:03 against mancs? Class! Never scored against us, did he?

nevermind

I remember Southampton's (or was he at Villa?) Chris Nicholl scoring twice for both teams in one match. Ended 2-2 if I remember correctly.

Quite a few players who played for rival teams in the era we ruled (from mid 70s until the end of 80s) are like Brady and Dunphy here, they still seem to carry a grudge, don't they? Giles' comments are a bit more objective (at least here), but he did manage to win a few trophies before our dominance...

Indeed. I for one was really really REALLY gutted when that didn't go in. Maybe he'll score in Athens! I was watching the match on Finnish TV and the co-commentator was a former manager of the national team and he was raving about our midfield, especially Momo and Xabi, the way they defended and didn't give any room to Deco.

Happy to oblige. I was tempted to translate the heading "Hyypiä does not fancy a move to Everton"

Here is the online version. A very quick-and-dirty translation... Hyypiä does not fancy a move to a smaller club Sami Hyypiä looks happy even though he hasn't played as much in the first team as in previous years. LIVERPOOL. Footballer Sami Hyypiä does not fancy a move to a smaller club in the english Presmiership, even though the 22-year old Daniel Agger has more frequently claimed Hyypiä's place in the centre of the defence. "Feeling is okay ? I'm not panicking yet and I'm not down either", ponders Hyypiä, who has played 24 matches so far this season. "I understand the situation. Daniel has been playing well and the overall success of the team is always more important than that of any individual", says Hyypiä, and his words appear to be genuine, not just diplomatic. The pride of Finland sat on the bench as his team won the away match at Barcelona two weeks ago and the same fate recurred on Saturday when the team were beaten at Anfield (0-1) in the classic by Manchester United. Tomorrow Liverpool will meet Barcelona at home in the second leg. Hyypiä does not know whether he will feature in the game until shortly before the match. "The line-up will always be given an hour an 15 minutes before kick-off. For me, it makes no difference as I always prepare myself in the same meticulous manner anyway." "The second goal was like a jackpot for us, but it's only half-time. Barcelona will not be defending and counter-attacking. We will be dangerous especially at corners and other dead-ball situations", he ponders. Hyypiä's contract with Liverpool runs until spring 2008. "When you get an opportunity, you must play well and win the manager's trust. It's a great challenge when you have to give the manager a positive problem as far as team selection is concerned."

Read this morning in the biggest Finnish daily that Sami has become a dad for the second time six weeks ago. I didn't see that reported anywhere. Congratulations! (Another boy, BTW) Some other tidbits from what I can remember (only a condensed article is available online): - Sami doesn't feel any panic about playing, the team comes first - Says he feels much fresher now that he's not playing every game - Normally all player interviews are recorded by the club, but Sami's interviews haven't been (I suspect because they're most often in Finnish) I'll see later if there was anything else of interest in the article.

The latest news is that Lauri Dalla Valle has decided to stay in his hometown club in Finland - at least for the upcoming season. Will propably play for the senior team which is a big step for a 15-year old (the senior team of his club Jippo plays in the second highest division, i.e. the Finnish 'Championship'). Last season he featured once in the senior team (a cup match). No news yet about the other two Jippo lads that were on trial last week.

Well, I missed some 20 minutes at the beginning of the second half, but otherwise I saw the entire match (and the highlights from the bit I missed). The thing that struck me was that he was more or less the lone striker, a bit like a target man even though Leverkusen tried to use the flanks quite a bit, he did not waste his energy chasing 'lost causes' and was seldom seen dropping down to Leverkusen's own half. And they were playing 2nd placed Stuttgart. I must say I that he didn't look bad and his shots were dangerous (even if the goal was just a tap-in)... Oh, and he is faster than Robbie, at least. Of course it is not for me to know how Rafa plans to use him.

Alves is special. If only he would cut out the playacting he'd my favourite player. Last night he lost the ball near the centre circle and instantly hit the ground as if he'd been shot in the ankle. After the ball was kicked out of play he got up and was quite OK... However, other than that incident he was relatively well-behaved (even though he got booked once again). Also saw Voronin score one goal and twice hit the post for Leverkusen vs. Stuttgart. Looked dangerous but didn't do much tracking back...

This piece of news will make a lot of people happy here... until they realise Djibril might yet return to our squad...

Sami played two great defence splitting passes today. Some did go astray but I don't think he'd play any long balls if Rafa told him not to. Sami's not the kind of guy who would disregard his bosses instructions.

The best freekick I've seen in a long while. Absolutely magnificent. Power, bend - perfect!

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He could be our new Vladi!

From what I've heard he wants to stay at Malmö FF, but nothing has been signed. Probably on a pay-as-you-play contract. Will be decided next month.