Alonso speaks

[Dan]

Xabi Alonso believes the doom and gloom engulfing Liverpool has already all but scuppered their hopes of competing for the Premiership title.

 

Another below par performance from The Reds in a goalless draw at Middlesbrough on Saturday evening means the team trail leaders Manchester United by 16 points after just 13 matches.

 

A run of just two points from 21 available away from home has left their title hopes hanging by a thread.

 

Alonso admits he would be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel, were it not for the negativity pervading the Anfield dressing room.

 

"The fight for the title is getting more and more difficult for us," said Alonso.

 

"Not just because of the points difference but because of the atmosphere I see at the club.

 

"I see pessimism and in that respect it is going to be very hard to come back.

 

"We can't put three straight wins together and are unable to transmit the spirit of Europe to league games.

 

"I don't know if it is something psychological but we are very annoyed"

 

Doesn't sound good

[redjersey]

Xabi Alonso believes the doom and gloom engulfing Liverpool has already all but scuppered their hopes of competing for the Premiership title.

 

Another below par performance from The Reds in a goalless draw at Middlesbrough on Saturday evening means the team trail leaders Manchester United by 16 points after just 13 matches.

 

A run of just two points from 21 available away from home has left their title hopes hanging by a thread.

 

Alonso admits he would be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel, were it not for the negativity pervading the Anfield dressing room.

 

"The fight for the title is getting more and more difficult for us," said Alonso.

 

"Not just because of the points difference but because of the atmosphere I see at the club.

 

"I see pessimism and in that respect it is going to be very hard to come back.

 

"We can't put three straight wins together and are unable to transmit the spirit of Europe to league games.

 

"I don't know if it is something psychological but we are very annoyed"

 

Doesn't sound good

Sounds like team spirit and morale are at a real low ebb.

[CarraLegend]

Xabi Alonso believes the doom and gloom engulfing Liverpool has already all but scuppered their hopes of competing for the Premiership title.

 

Another below par performance from The Reds in a goalless draw at Middlesbrough on Saturday evening means the team trail leaders Manchester United by 16 points after just 13 matches.

 

A run of just two points from 21 available away from home has left their title hopes hanging by a thread.

 

Alonso admits he would be able to see a light at the end of the tunnel, were it not for the negativity pervading the Anfield dressing room.

 

"The fight for the title is getting more and more difficult for us," said Alonso.

 

"Not just because of the points difference but because of the atmosphere I see at the club.

 

"I see pessimism and in that respect it is going to be very hard to come back.

 

"We can't put three straight wins together and are unable to transmit the spirit of Europe to league games.

 

"I don't know if it is something psychological but we are very annoyed"

 

Doesn't sound good

 

What do you expect him to say "Everything is perfect and we're going great at the moment especially away"?

[aka Dus]

Maybe some of our resident "positive posters" need to start spreading the gospel.

[chrisbonnie]

seriously, im not having a pop at Gerrard, but why doesnt he ever come out and say anything, just a little interview saying we`re playing crap, and need to get the finger out, f***ing anything

[redjersey]

 

What do you expect him to say "Everything is perfect and we're going great at the moment especially away"?

No, but you might expect him to say "We're staying positive and we know we can turn it round. All the players are focused on that."

[Dan]

What do you expect him to say "Everything is perfect and we're going great at the moment especially away"?

 

Would have been a bit odd if he did.

 

Point is its quite a damning statement to make and something you don't often here despite the run we are in. Suggests lack of belief rather than just frustration.

[Guest Kev]

That's probably the most honest assessment that's come out of the club and I applaud Alonso for this.

 

Realising the problem is the first stage of fixing it - Onwards and upwards from now on.

[CarraLegend]

Sounds like team spirit and morale are at a real low ebb.

 

How can you have any sort of know how on team spirit on what he's said? Morale is obviously going to be low when we play away anyway but I dont see how anyone can say team spirit is really low after reading that.

[aka Dus]

I bet a big factor is that many players are disappointed at the quality of some of the players. Particularly some signings.

 

Nothing to back it up, but if we think it I'd imagine professional footballers do.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

seriously, im not having a pop at Gerrard, but why doesnt he ever come out and say anything, just a little interview saying we`re playing crap, and need to get the finger out, f***ing anything

 

In a thread about Alonso you decide to critisise Gerrard out of the blue. How is that not having a pop at Gerrard?

[redjersey]

 

How can you have any sort of know how on team spirit on what he's said? Morale is obviously going to be low when we play away anyway but I dont see how anyone can say team spirit is really low after reading that.

 

That's because pessimism is your natural state and you can't see anything odd in that.

 

Edit. Sorry mate, I take that back. I thought I was replying to Kev there for some reason!

 

Seriously though, he doesn't give the impression that all is sweetness and light at the club does he?

Edited November 19, 2006 by Redjersey

[Guest Jude]

I have said in the Rava V Gerrard thread that there may be something rotten happening behind the scenes at our club and after reading what Alonso has said it sure has made my day a lot more depressing.

[Guest Kev]

Edit. Sorry mate, I take that back. I thought I was replying to Kev there for some reason!

 

Seriously though, he doesn't give the impression that all is sweetness and light at the club does he?

 

I read it that everything in the garden is not rosy, and it isn't at the moment.

[Andy @ Allerton]

Well - with such positive magnificant fans I can't understand why we aren't doing better

 

You would have thought that getting slagged off by the media and getting even more slagged off by your so called 'fans' would give you all the confidence you'd need.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

I read it that everything in the garden is not rosy, and it isn't at the moment.

 

That is usually what happens when you find yourself in a crisis.

[Foo]

Pah, what about Bayern Munich, where controversies might seem to be the norm. If you're a pro you get on with it. They'd better get some self-confidence from somewhere. Try methamphetamine!!

[Otocon]

What do you expect him to say "Everything is perfect and we're going great at the moment especially away"?

 

No. However, they should be looking at the root causes for the mess we are in.

 

 

How can you have any sort of know how on team spirit on what he's said? Morale is obviously going to be low when we play away anyway but I dont see how anyone can say team spirit is really low after reading that.

 

Tell me, what's the difference between "morale" and "team spirit"?

 

In a thread about Alonso you decide to critisise Gerrard out of the blue. How is that not having a pop at Gerrard?

 

Is Gerrard above criticism? Get a reality grip, it will help you get to a more objective view.

[CaptainXabi]

In a thread about Alonso you decide to critisise Gerrard out of the blue. How is that not having a pop at Gerrard?

I don't care whether or not he's having a pop. He's right though. What Alonso said - that is captain speak. He's obviously felt this way for a long time and didn't say anything publicly about it. But now he's realized that sometimes you have to call it as you see it and that's what Xabi's done. I applaud him for it.

[smithdown]

Well - with such positive magnificant fans I can't understand why we aren't doing better

 

You would have thought that getting slagged off by the media and getting even more slagged off by your so called 'fans' would give you all the confidence you'd need.

 

 

Disclaimer required, Andy.

 

From what I could hear from the comfort of the sofa with the fire on, the supporters at the game sounded magnificent throughout the first half.

[D.Boon]

The end is nigh, run for the hills.

 

Of course the atmosphere is pessimistic they are all playing s***.

 

DOesnt mean the club is rotten to the core FFS

[Otocon]

The end is nigh, run for the hills.

 

Of course the atmosphere is pessimistic they are all playing s***.

 

DOesnt mean the club is rotten to the core FFS

 

I agree. There is a distinction between a great club and a great team.

[CarraLegend]

 

Tell me, what's the difference between "morale" and "team spirit"?

 

 

Team spirit is exactly what it says "team", fighting for eachother on the pitch etc etc, morale is low when you go on a run like we have done away from home. Did you really need that explaining?

 

Low morale doesnt mean you have bad team spirit.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

Is Gerrard above criticism? Get a reality grip, it will help you get to a more objective view.

 

I don't believe I have said he is above criticism. I was just puzzled how one can say 'I am not having a pop' about a post that is blatantly a criticism of Gerrard in a thread about Alonso.

 

Can you show me where I can find a reality grip?

 

I don't care whether or not he's having a pop. He's right though. What Alonso said - that is captain speak. He's obviously felt this way for a long time and didn't say anything publicly about it. But now he's realized that sometimes you have to call it as you see it and that's what Xabi's done. I applaud him for it.

 

Imo, players should just leave the media talk to the manager. Particularly in crisis situations.

Edited November 19, 2006 by Anders Honoré

[smicer07]

Thinking positively, we have been brilliant at home, bar the Blackburn game.