Kopites are stunned as Rafa Benitez gets in the zone
IF anyone is still perplexed by the vagaries of zonal marking you could do a lot worse than seek out a member of the official Liverpool supporters club.
On Monday night, Rafa Benitez followed up an appearance as guest of honour at the ECHO Cup final at Anfield with a stint as guest speaker at the supporters club's end of season meeting.
Pressed on why he prefers zonal to man to man marking, the Reds boss launched into an impromptu demonstration of the merits of his chosen system, much to the delight of those gathered.
One fan told Blood Red: "It was one of the best forum nights we've had.
"You've got one of the best managers in all of Europe and he's explaining his methods to us.
"It was so good I think even the biggest critics of zonal marking left the room believing that man to man marking has had its day."
Maybe someone should have invited the London media....
Sorry Martin - but you've got it wrong!
MARTIN O'Neill's anger about Liverpool's offer for Gareth Barry seems to be centred on the fact that news of the bid appeared in the ECHO within hours of it being faxed to Villa Park rather than on the offer itself.
The Villa boss has convinced himself that the story was leaked to the ECHO by someone at Liverpool Football Club.
But like the Alonso conspiracy theorists, O'Neill hasn't called this one right. Journalists never reveal their sources but it would be remiss to allow the current misapprehension to go unchecked.
No-one at Liverpool leaked news of the bid for Barry. Simple as that.
And the truth over Alonso...
XABI Alonso's omission from the Liverpool squad which travelled to Tottenham for last weekend's end of season clash had the conspiracy theorists salivating.
Surely it meant the Spanish midfielder's days at Anfield were over? Or so the thinking went.
As is so often the case, the truth was much more prosaic as Alonso's absence was due to a twisted ankle suffered in training two days earlier rather than any decisions having been made about his future.
Older/Newer
« Record-breaking Liverpool were pure class | High time for Liverpool to find positive joys »
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Kopites are stunned as Rafa Benitez gets in the zone. TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.liverpoolbanter.co.uk/cgi-bin/mt421/mt-tb.cgi/5295
"No-one at Liverpool leaked news of the bid for Barry. Simple as that."
I'm sorry, my friend, but I just can't believe this statement. Surely, if this was true, Rafa could - in theory - charge MON for slander for openly claiming that the Liverpool boss rang him after the article was published to "cover his backside".
What this statement proves is that your newspaper and Liverpool f.c. are as thick as the proverbial thieves as regards this sordid, shady affair.
"No-one at Liverpool leaked news of the bid for Barry. Simple as that."
I'm sorry, my friend, but I just can't believe this statement. Surely, if this was true, Rafa could - in theory - charge MON for slander for openly claiming that the Liverpool boss rang him after the article was published to "cover his backside".
What this statement proves is that your newspaper and Liverpool f.c. are as thick as the proverbial thieves as regards this sordid, shady affair.
i like cheese
Danny, if you just bother yourself to think streight into this "affair", you have to know that Liverpool's offer was basic by the book. a NEWSpaper had it's own sources to reveal it, and it did not come from Rafa at any point untill your O'Neill came out crying that Liverpool had an offer for Barry. And even then, he only said that the club is trying to tie targets as soon as possible and did not make a meal of it like your MON. Get a life, can ya?
Brian
Ive got a life, a beautiful wife, a gorgeous son, lots of cash and you are a stinky poo leg arm face.
Brian.
If you are going to enter an informed debate learn to spell first, soft lad.
"Until" one "l".
"Straight" no "e".
As always, you scousers claim to be the wronged party. Not in this instance. In an underhand manner you have tried to unsettle one of our players. Your club is in the wrong...if not, why doesn't Rafa throw the book at Martin re. the "cover his own backside" comment?
Rafa has been very quiet since, having been firmly put in his place like a naughty seven year old. Fair play to Martin O'Neill.
Here's hoping Gillett and Hicks put you through 25 years of what Doug Ellis (a scouser) put us through - what comes around goes around as they say!!
Aston Villa - The Club That Invented The Game You Play. William McGregor 1888.
(The Club That Invented The Game You Play)
At least you managed to have one correct statement, maybe if your team tried to play the so called game they invented, then maybe they would be higher up in the league and get to play in Europe, now and again.