adiman

Just noticed former UEFA communications director Mike Lee arriving with the owners. Most recently head of pr for successful London and Rio Olympic bids.

Logic has point on the 4-4-2. 18 teams at world cup played 4-2-3-1, also the system that had Liverpool playing their best football in aeons. But its more than that. The modern approach is also more about what you do off the ball. Thats where Roy is way behind. No pressing, no getting the ball back where we can do most damage.

bensmith_times Ben Smith Hicks/Mill deal has failed - although he will now sue for $1.6bn in damages. #lfc

Dan Roan @danroan Dan Roan Anti suit injunction granted

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Live near Lausanne - in the second division in Switzerland - so would love to get them. Also hoping that BATE Borisov and Young Boys get in the same group and that the Swiss side win, thus prompting a "Young Boys master BATE" headline.

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Trabzonspor coach interview - interesting snippet about 1976 at Anfield Interview from UEFA site As Trabzonspor AŞ head for Anfield for Thursday's UEFA Europa League play-off opener against Liverpool FC, memories are flooding back for coach Şenol Güneş. The 58-year-old played in goal for the Black Sea side when – fresh from becoming the first team from outside Istanbul to win the Turkish title – they met the same opponents in the 1976/77 European Champion Clubs' Cup second round. A Cemil Usta strike gave Trabzonspor a 1-0 victory in the first leg, but while they lost the second 3-0 on Merseyside, Güneş tells UEFA.com "a big upset" could be in the offing this time – provided, of course, they bring their wet-weather boots. UEFA.com: What did that 1-0 win against Liverpool in 1976 mean to Turkish football? Şenol Güneş: We had beaten a world football institution. It gave us great belief and we were very proud. That victory was like a miracle back then. Trabzonspor were a newly emerging club on the European stage, while Liverpool were a big club from England – from the birthplace of football. UEFA.com: What do you remember about playing at Anfield? Güneş: It was exciting and fascinating. In those days Turkish football was not so advanced in terms of infrastructure and facilities. The first steps were just being taken. Early in the morning of the matchday, we went to see the state of the pitch. It was sunny and the surface was dry. However, when we got to the stadium in the evening, it was wet and slippery. We were 3-0 down within 20 minutes. Back then we didn't know people watered pitches before the game – we saw that for the first time at Anfield. The boots we had were not suitable for a wet pitch. UEFA.com: How good was that Liverpool side? Güneş: Liverpool were the best team in Europe that year. They had excellent players – goalkeeper Ray Clemence and midfielder Terry McDermott were leading names, while Kevin Keegan was fantastic. Tools of mass communication were not so widespread in those days and Trabzon is quite a long way from Liverpool, but we knew Bob Paisley was a well-respected coach. UEFA.com: Can Trabzonspor spring a surprise 34 years on? Güneş: We aim to cause a big upset. We are playing against a team that perhaps ought to be in the UEFA Champions League, but nowadays you can get any result in football. In order to be a big club, you need to work hard enough to spring surprises. That's what we are doing. It's like a final for us. I desperately want my team to carry on in Europe. If we can reach the group stage and get to the last 32, I will consider that a success. UEFA.com: Trabzonspor took the Turkish Cup last year and recently won the Turkish Super Cup: what are the targets for this season? Güneş: Winning the title is, of course, one of our targets, but especially fighting for a Champions League place. I want Trabzonspor to be an ever-present in European competition. We want to be a competitive brand that gets impressive results, to be able to use our home-grown players, to play brave, entertaining and attacking football with principles. ©UEFA.com 1998-2010. All rights reserved.

We should get Neil Mellor back while we're at it.

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No wonder with Dirk squeezing one out behind him.

From Beeb article "Huang is offering to clear Liverpool's debt to RBS and hand new manager Roy Hodgson funds to do business in the transfer window. The tycoon also plans to build the club a new stadium as soon as possible. " Let me be the first to welcome our new Chinese overlords.

Welcome Danny Obligatory YouTube clip

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Was great to hear the RTE panel being so effusive about Dirk before the match night. Couldn't believe Dunphy saying he was an amazing player and Giles saying that he is a real manager's playr. I've been telling people the same for the past two years; good to see he's getting the acclaim he deserves.

Bobby Zamora

Might not be completely relevant but here is Roy explaining the virtues of various systems especially 4-4-2 Woy on UEFA Training Ground (Dates from late 2006/early 2007) Woy on the 3-5-2 now UEFA Training Ground 3-5-2

With Rafa in charge it was difficult to protest against the club because it could easily be perceived as a Rafa Out protest, Now, we can protest against the ownership and not worry about the manager - unfortunately stuck in the middle but seemingly willing to do the owners' bidding - being perceived as the object of our ire.

Here it is again - its orginally from uefa.com Pellegrini's winning formation

Just been chatting to a Chilean colleague here. He is of the opinion that Pellegrini speaks decent English - "better than Ancelotti's". He really likes him and says he has been successful everywhere he went - winning title with River Plate before Villarreal. Says he is a "tactical" coach and "is known for protecting his players".

Good point. Wedding kicks off at 1630 so that could be ideal...or not

So Manc United away on my wedding day...I'm sure it will be changed to the Sunday though - the match that is