Credit where credit is due: Benitez at Liverpool

Having openly slated Benitez for off loading Peter Crouch and constantly rotating his squad, I think it’s only fair that I now peak in his defence over this summers signings.
The signing of Robbie Keane will not only be a good signing because he’s a decent, hard working player it’ll be a good signing because Keane has a long standing love affair with Liverpool, it’s the team he supported as a kid, but even more importantly it will keep Stevie G happy.

It wouldn’t be fair to say Liverpool are a one man team, and based on Torres performances last season it’s clear they’re at least a 2 man team these days! But in all seriousness, Stevie influence at the club is massive and if he can be kept happy the club will remain settled.

I can’t help but think Liverpool will require a top 3 spot this term to see Rafa keep his job but with the arrival of Keane I thoroughly believe he signals his intent to push for that.

I’m pretty sure that Gareth Barry will arrive at Anfield this week or next and with that Midfield and those forwards you’ve got to fancy Liverpool to be there or there abouts this season.

Redknapp going for top 4 with Peter Crouch at Portsmouth?

I’m a massive fan of Harry Redknapp. I don’t really care about any gossip that follows him regarding deals etc.

I like him as a person, he always seems to give an honest and straight answer when talking about his football, whether it be his teams he is talking about or others. More importantly though I like him as a football manager and for me that is what he is, a manager not just a coach.

There’s two types of gaffer. There’s the all round manager such as Redknapp, Fergie, Wenger and the newer bread such as Mark Hughes and David Moyes. Then there is the more modern coach, who knows all the the drills for the training pitch, is tactically very aware of what goes on but perhaps can’t hold or comand the full respect of their players. Into this category I’d probably put the likes of Scholari, Paul Ince, Steve Copell and Steve McClaren.

I have to admit I prefer the Manager approach. I think the old fashioned “boss” approach has better results and always will in the Premier League.

Harry has continued to make progress as Portsmouth boss and in the signing of Peter Crouch I think he will take Portsmouth up another position or two. I would love to see Crouchys goals take Portsmouth above Liverpool in the coming season. For this could really come back to haunt Benitez.

I just wish Everton had made an offer but I have said that year in year out about Moyes and Everton, and Moyes always pleasantly surprises me just as I am getting frustrated.

 

Who’s to be a toffee? Crouchy for Everton

As an Everton supporter I was thrilled to hear we where tracking the talented Arshavin, the Russian player catching so many people’s eye at Euro 2008.

I wish though he had not returned from his ban! Since his return he’s orchestrated much of the Russian game and caught the eye of all the big clubs out there, which unfortunately, I think, has put him out of our reach. Especially as he openly admitted on TV last night that his dream was to play for Barcelona.

Funny enough Barcelona today launched a bid for him.

So who will we turn to now?

Well personally I would love us to launch a cheeky bid for Peter Crouch. With a couple of teams looking at making bids for Andy Johnson I reckon we could throw a £10million bid on the table and bring him across the park.

Crouchy is a huge talent, no pun intended, and it’s a shame to see him wasted on the bench at liverpool. If only he was Spanish he would be starting every game!

I think his goals together with Yakubu would be enough to take us one place higher next season and that would see him pay for himself in one season!

Who’s to be a toffee? Crouchy for Everton

As an Everton supporter I was thrilled to hear we where tracking the talented Arshavin, the Russian player catching so many people’s eye at Euro 2008.

I wish though he had not returned from his ban! Since his return he’s orchestrated much of the Russian game and caught the eye of all the big clubs out there, which unfortunately, I think, has put him out of our reach. Especially as he openly admitted on TV last night that his dream was to play for Barcelona.

Funny enough Barcelona today launched a bid for him.

So who will we turn to now?

Well personally I would love us to launch a cheeky bid for Peter Crouch. With a couple of teams looking at making bids for Andy Johnson I reckon we could throw a £10million bid on the table and bring him across the park.

Crouchy is a huge talent, no pun intended, and it’s a shame to see him wasted on the bench at liverpool. If only he was Spanish he would be starting every game!

I think his goals together with Yakubu would be enough to take us one place higher next season and that would see him pay for himself in one season!