David Hodgson

Yawn.... This is laughable. All this moralising and bullsh*t based on the flimsiest evidence. If people want to take this approach it's easy enough to make David Moores look an unscrupulous undesirable too, and Mr Parry his willing lackey. Let's just wait and see who it is that's stumping up the money and then worry about how nice they are to children and furry animals. Let it also be said that we can't say on the one hand 'oh I don't want him, or him', and on the other say 'at least Moores/Parry have the clubs interests and traditions etc at heart'. Who do we think will be making the bloody decision to accept investment ? That's right : Mr Moores and Mr Parry. So if we trust them generally, then trust 'em to bring the right men for the job in, too.

It was Hansen-esque. For me, when a team feels comfortable enough to let a centre-back break forward like that, things are going very right. It's the 'total football' philosophy at it's very best.

Yeah. Fair play to him. I was all but ready to give up on him a week ago, but 2 goals in a week make fickle fools of us all.

The most interesting thing about that goal (apart from the fact that it won us the game) was Agger's role in it. I just love to see the 3 at the back system used, to the extent that one of the 3 is at liberty to break out from defence to attack. When it's done well, with the right player, it's a devastatingly effective tactic. Agger didn't just bring the ball out, he kept going, and was the red shirt nearest their keeper when the ball went in.

I agree.

Was it 9 of those duds who were on the pitch when we won the champions league last may ? And all those duds signed just to win poxy trebles and gain the clubs highest points total in the last 16 years. That's some sorry legacy.

What cos I'm the only one who speculates as to who we could buy ? Jeez, I'm a real one off aren't I.

I don't disagree with that, but I think there are weaknesses in both men and they have become a problem in recent years. Regardless, I did not start this thread to re-engage on this hoary old debate. I get accused of having 'an agenda', but all I'm seeing in this thread is people trying to create one that doesn't exist. I repeat, this has been a fascinating week for the club, and it's upshot looks like being stupendously good for us : a) we keep Rafa, b) we get to SIgn BiG NameS.

I think you're right, but there are some very clear indicators out there right now. I'm convinced there will be enough money coming in to see Rafa raise his summer spend significantly, but I'm not expecting any silly investment levels.

F*ck off.

I think you'll find if your information bears any resemblance to that which might appear on 'other' sites that it'll be wrong. Hope that helps.

We are one of the top 3 or 4 brands in world football, have one of the largest turnovers, an enourmous world wide fan base, are the most successful British team of all time, and the current European Champions. I'd say all that gave us a cache that a few other teams don't have. Meanwhile back at the thread : it's been a helluva a week huh ? Au contraire dear Rushian. You're wrong. He wasn't far away from being tempted, make no mistake about it. As for the investment : I choose to believe Bascombe. Do you have evidence to the contrary ? I note Rafa's comment yesterday 'next season will be completely different. Especially financially.' What can it all mean ? Agreed.

Regardless, I've seen countless rich men talked about on this site, including American cheese makers, ad nauseum. It's a bit late for us to be getting pious about another hat being thrown in the ring.

Yes, and Allah be praised for that. My only point was, that it was a momentous story, that the main stream press missed the emphasis of. Is all.

If, when the details are revealed, it shows a job well done then I'll be fulsome in my praise I assure you. If your implying that the fact of getting investment, at all, vindicates the job 'pinky and perky' are doing, in itself, I would say you were wrong. I will retain my conviction that Moores is an unintelligent man and a weak leader, and that Rick Parry lacks real dynamism and 'killer' instinct. However, I'll be far more interested in the ramifactions for the future of the club and enjoying the prospect of seeing Rafa being able to work to his full potential. I look forward to the day when what the men in suits are doing is the last thing on the mind. I am convinced by what Bascombe has written and other information I've had. We were close to losing Rafa.

Oh my aching sides. 1) Agreed. 2) Agreed, however, I think we overplay this one. If and when Liverpool announce an investment deal it isn't going to take a rocket scientist to work out that we'll have a few bob to spend on players.

Reading Bascombe in last nights Echo, and Rafa's comments yesterday, it's only just sinking in what a week we've been through. I think we're so atuned to big dramas at the club being played out in the media, that if they're treated as low key, we don't get as excited. I think there were two big stories that the media largely missed, or at least missed the emphasis on : 1) Rafa nearly (effectively) quit the club. 2) LFC have virtually announced that long awaited 'lottery' win, and will be buying really really big this summer. We may come to see this week as a key turning point in the club's modern history.

He's the official club 'talker to men in pubs to make them feel like they're getting some inside info but he isn't really privy to any secrets himself' man.

Do we dare to speculate just how much Rafa might spend this summer ? I'm gonna throw my hat in the ring and say it'll be 50-60m. That's assuming he pulls in 20m in sales. £50-60m buys plenty of SWP, Defoes, Owens and Kuyts. Heck, maybe we should go for Ballack, just to upset Chelsea.

I'm just so happy to see him back. The season finsihed for me the night his sight was put in jeopardy. I don't like people getting all sanctimonious about the odd broken leg, but the prospect of a man going blind playing football was just really upsetting. If Momo's back, the season re-starts here.

I did stress that there are no guarantees. Let's put it like this : if the esteemed Mr Benitez thinks 'boy wonder' Torres is worth paying over £15m quid for, I'm gonna get excited, despite what you boys who've watched him 3 or 4 times might say. ..what he said.

Why ignore the substance of my point and just be pedantic ? You happily have a sly dig at GH, but get all patronisingly touchy when you think there's an implied criticism of Rafa. At no stage did I make any criticism, or imply it, of RB.

Not blaming Rafa for buying obscuroes from Spain. Blaming his transfer kitty. Rafa's done what he can. The transfer market is an absolute lottery. The one thing spending bigger gives you is an increased likelihood that you will be signing a top player. Not a guarantee, but an increased likelihood. If one was to pick the last 10 £15m+ deals done in Europe, and compares them to the last 10 £4m deals done, I'd safely bet that a higher percentage of the more expensive players have had a greater impact than the cheaper ones. It's bloody obvious. All managers f*ck up in the transfer market. You can't judge a manager by his mistakes, only the impact of his successes. Houllier can be blamed for many a trnasfer mistake, but I prefer to say that in 5 years he won us 4 major trophies, 2 minor ones, finished 2nd one season on 80 points, so he was mostly doing things right. Likewise, Rafa already has a plethora of transfer flops behind him, but has delivered the Champions league in his first season.

Absolutely. We will in time hear how Rick Parry is a genius for bringing an investment deal to the table. I will not be agreeing with that assessment (in that it has taken a staggering amount of time to achieve), but by then hope not to care either way as I'll merely be celebrating the prospect of Rafa being armed with the money to buy some really good players.

I agree.......Sack Parry....hey, I'm just sayin'.......