mooks

I said as it is threatening to. There have been dozens of articles on the topic ... although recently everyone seems to be interested only in debating whether we should keep Alonso or buy Barry.

The artist formerly known as Mooks - no question If our financial situation deteriorates as dramatically as it is threatening to and we end up in mid-table mediocrity or in the Championship you will be one of the first to stop going to the game.

You read my words incorrectly. What I am saying is that the long-term future of the club is far more important to me than short term success. I am further saying that if things start to go badly wrong on the pitch I believe it will hasten the day the 3 bloodsuckers leave our club and we can start to build again on an even keel. Let's just pray it's not too late by then. See above, Scot. I don't even understand your example. Brett Favre is just one player at the end of his career. Gilllett, Hicks and Parry could sink us for years if not permanently. Ever heard of Leeds United? Now tell me that my instincts about Rafa's state of mind are incorrect.

Hysterical, innit?

You're wrong, bro' Anything that happens on the field now (including getting into the Champions League) is pretty much irrelevant until we have new ownership and Parry is replaced

How many of Babel's goals were in the league? And how many came in games he started?

I didn't realise professional footballers had any choice in the matter

Right, well last summer I did some research and concluded Georgie Gillette had been less than honest with us about the takeover. You gave me some (good-natured) grief about it, saying why would I even want to question our new owners. Then when everything blew up in November you disappeared from the scene so I wasn't sure what your position is now.

Excellent - glad you've come round

I would say one positive from last night is that it should be obvious to at least some of the muppets how important it is to rotate the likes of Torres. He's running on empty right now - I fully expect him to be rested on the weekend or at least start on the bench a number of times early on this season.

So what are your current views of our owners?

The lack of an away goal could come back to haunt us ...

1. Reina 2. Plessis 3. Carragher Dossena had a good second half Alonso showed both why many people want to keep him and why our manager wants to replace him

My new signature

Fantastic

Did you expect to close the gap?

Okay - that's more worthy of discussion

Are you saying that by picking a side that was expected to be much superior to Reading Rafa was "surrendering"?

I'm trying to infiltrate your ranks

Oh, I think the reason is apparent to everyone except you and Gunga Din You come across as the type of fan Gillett and Hicks dream of: "It doesn't matter what transfer budget is made available to the manager I still expect a title challenge!"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...Keane-deal.html Rafael Benitez confident of Robbie Keane deal Rafael Benitez remains confident of reaching a successful conclusion in his attempt to complete the £20 million signing of Robbie Keane, writes Ian Winrow. By Ian Winrow Last Updated: 7:24AM BST 21 Jul 2008 Benitez and Liverpool believe Levy's decision to report the club to the Premier League will come to nothing and that a deal will be struck that will permit Keane to join Benitez's squad within the next week. The manager is also hopeful of completing the £18 million transfer of Gareth Barry from a reluctant Aston Villa and with Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso due to report back on Friday for the first time since helping Spain to Euro 2008 success, Benitez's pre-season preparations will begin to gather momentum. The latest stage of those - Saturday's 1-1 with Polish side Wisla Krakow in Switzerland - was overshadowed by the return of captain Steven Gerrard to England for treatment on a groin problem that will keep the midfielder sidelined for around 10 days.

That's the spirit! I take it you won't be joining SOS anytime soon?

How dare he! It's not as though Ferguson (for example) ever picks different strike partnerships from game to game. By the way Torres wasn't rested in either of those games.

Drum up the money from where? Selling Steven Gerrard?

Cheers - that post seemed completely out of character for you