Is true, I remember a season in the early 80's, I think it was, hwhere we were like 14 points behind by Christmas. But I also remember thinking that wasn't too steep a mountain to climb, and if memory serves me correctly, it turned out it wasn't. THAT, my friend, is the difference I'm trying to put focus on here. Then we had the capacity, the ability, to go on long winning streaks, whereas today we can't. Back then we had a collective notion what it means to play in a red shirt, a will to work your socks off for the next lad. Back then, as far as I remember, we had pride. All of that got lost in the 90's and the 00's.
I pretty much agree, Martin. The word that you are looking for is
consistency.
The great sides had the ability, once they clicked, to be consistent. We had it back then. United have it under Ferguson.
You talk about working your socks off, back then. Yes, we were all socialists back then.....a sea of red, everyone working for the team. No-one above anyone else. As Bill Shankly famously said: "The socialism I believe in is everyone working for each other, everyone having a share of the rewards. It's the way I see football, the way I see life."
Sadly, in the modern era of endless media hype/analysis and vast rewards......we no longer have a team of socialist endeavour. Indeed, if you had been around longer, and saw my posts in here (and in other forums) over the years, you'd be well aware of my view on this issue. I see (sadly) vast accolades being given to supposed stars (like Gerrard and Torres).....much to the detriment of the team/club. I have no time for ego, hogging of the ball, or laziness.
We will continue to disagree on this until there's empirical evidence to support this claim as far as my opinion goes. There's nothing, in my opinion, to base that claim on. It doesn't mean I don't support the team, because I do. It means I'm honest enough to admit where and what we are, i.e., anything but a top team with a top squad.
but Martin, you talk of empirical evidence, in a game where you are not in control of all the variables. We could go out and spend 75 million this summer on three outstanding players - only to find Man Utd and Chelsea have gone out and spent 200 million each, on 5 or 6 top players. Plus the ball is round, and injuries come along. These are issues that you cannot control. You can prepare for success, but you can never guarantee it. It is a game of numerous variables (many of them outside your control). It is a game of passion and belief.
Look at Chelsea. They spent another huge chunk of money in January - and they might well not qualify for next season's Champions League.
BTW I think their 50 million spend on Torres was madness. Liverpool got by far the best of that deal. I suspect the lad's best days are behind him. He is physically, nor mentally, at the races.
Again, I can't help but feel we're talking past each other. I said time and again above all those team lose the ocassional game. My point is when 1st or 4th is in the pot and they face a team of Wigan's quality at home you will not see them drop points.
look at Chelsea this past weekend. Under your hypothesis, Chelsea would be highly motivated to take perhaps their best chance of a trophy this season, against a struggling Everton side, who are only 3 points above the relegation zone. It's a home game for the Londoners. Chelsea just need to turn up and they will win. Right?
I never understood this. Why is it you conclude I'm not behind the team just because I chose to have a critical and nuanced view on the team and the squad. I could just as easily say I'm probably more behind the team than most other as I don't blindly see us as a top team
the problem is this - I NEVER see you content.
It's one thing being critical of elements of the team, or players. Look at my much recorded view of Gerrard and Torres. But you need to be positive once in a while.
I recall one of my colleagues at work. And feck, he would find problems or negatives in everything. Endless negativity. If he found glorious gardens and waterfalls in heaven, he'd be complaining about the cost of maintaining them.
BTW I often told him that.
We can all analyse things til the cows come home. But overall one has to be positive about things. Otherwise what is the point of getting out of bed in the morning.
BTW a Panamanian friend found me a Liverpool shirt on Saturday (8 dollars new). He brought it from 200 miles away, just for me. And I am
as happy as a pig in sh.it pretty happy.
