More Random Thoughts

 A few things Liverpool related have struck me over the last few days so I thought it was time I shared them.

 Firstly, I have to say I'm finding it hard to get overly excited about our search for a new manager. I'm putting this down to the fact that there are simply no obvious candidates, there is nobody who stands out as a man we simply HAVE to get, a man who all the fans want, a candidate with proven experience who will lead us all into next season with optimism. I like the fact that Louis Van Gaal is being linked with us, he's a coach I've always respected and he's had plenty of success at big clubs. He's also someone who gives the impression of taking no nonsense and that could be ideal right now. However, I think he's maybe a little older than our owners would like and there are certainly questions about how he would adapt to Premier League football fairly late in his career. The media seem to think he would be coming to us as a director of football which in my opinion could be a good move. If, as reported, we end up with the likes of Roberto Martinez or Brendan Rodgers as our new boss then having the name and reputation of somebody like Van Gaal on board would be necessary in luring the top players to Anfield. It's looking increasingly likely that we will have an up and coming Premier League manager in charge of our team next season and there are positives attached to this. Our last three seasons have begun with three different managers, all of them experienced in the game, and all three seasons have ended in a well below par league position. A younger, hungrier boss with a point to prove has not yet been tried and the time for that could be now.

 Something else I want to pass comment on is how it seems the media report on Liverpool, not all of them but a vast portion of the national journalists seem to find it very hard to stick up for anything Liverpool related. A case in point is the England squad. As soon as Capello stood down (my thoughts on this already shared in this article) the press were united in saying the new manager should give youth a chance. Roy Hodgson was appointed and the media still consistently called for a new generation to take over from the old guard. Hodgson picked his squad for the Euros and included a 23 year old striker with masses of potential, who ended the season in good form and who has the physique European defences traditionally struggle against. And the majority of the media decided to question the inclusion of our number nine rather than get behind the decision and objectively report that despite a struggle for goals this season Andy Carroll still has a long career ahead of him and the experience of playing in a big international tournament can only benefit the player and the national team for the next decade. The same story goes for Jordan Henderson's inclusion in the standby list. And as for the massive over reaction to Stuart Downing being called up for the tournament..... There is hardly a journalist out there who hasn't been scathing of both Hodgson and Downing since the squad was named. The lack of goals and assists for Downing this season is well documented and the argument for leaving him at home is definitely there, but, no other candidate stands out, Downing is the best Englishman in his position and on that basis should have quite obviously been one of the first names in the squad. A quick look at the league table should help make this decision. 1st, Man City, left wing, David Silva. 2nd, Man Utd, left wing, Giggs/Nani. 3rd, Arsenal, left wing I'm not sure but he's certainly not going to be English. 4th, Spurs - Gareth Bale. Newcastle - Hatem Ben Arfa. Chelsea - Juan Mata. Everton - Pienaar/Guaye. 8th, Liverpool, left wing Stuart Downing. Decision made.

 Even more than the anti Liverpool reporting I have to say the recent coverage of Joey Barton borders on the ridiculous. It's not really anything to do with Liverpool but I'm on a roll so I'm going to allow my rant to continue. Barton has received a 12 game ban for three separate incidents in the Man City v QPR game and most of the radio phone ins and written press seems to want Joey Barton sacked and never employed again within football. Barton doesn't come across as a particularly likeable chap and I think this doesn't help him but I believe incidents should be judged on their own merit, rather than on the personality of the accused. The ban has reached 12 games as a result of four incidents. His first sending off this season was for a headbutt when TV replays seemed to show there was no headbutt, and if there was it Bradley Johnson of Norwich who 'butted Barton rather than the other way round. My verdict? Not guilty. The second sending off was for a slight elbow on Carlos Tevez. Tevez hit him first and hardest, Barton did hit him back but not very hard and Tevez dropped to the ground. My verdict? Silly, a certain red card for both players after a small scuffle but no real violence and no lasting damage. The next incident was a knee to the back of Sergio Aguero which was stupid and unnecessary, certainly worthy of a ban. My verdict? Guilty, but he didn't get him particularly hard. And his explanation afterwards of trying to get a City player to react and be sent off also wasn't a clever thing to say but it wasn't a bad idea. QPR were fighting to stay in the division and Barton put them at a disadvantage, he tried to rectify that and failed but had Aguero got back up and gone for Barton he would also have seen red and City would not have won the game. Stupid but clever from Barton. The final incident was a headbutt aimed at Kompany. My verdict? Didn't touch him, wasn't trying to, no damage. Not clever but not worth a ban. Djibril Cisse has also been sent off twice for QPR this season (both incidents far more dangerous than anything Barton has done) but scored the goals which have kept them up. Does anyone want him sacked? 'Course not. And ask yourself one more question. Would you rather be on the receiving end of all four of Joey Barton's 'indiscretions' or Mario Balotelli's over the ball, studs first lunge into Alex Song for which he got no ban whatsoever? Not a hard decision is it?

 Sorry this has gone on so long, hope you've stuck with me. And don't forget to vote on the Liverpool goal of the season poll in the top right corner of the website. Thanks, YNWA.