Thompson - Liverpool will finish Champions

yop · 19-09-2003 1:04pm #1

Liverpool assistant boss Phil Thompson has claimed the Reds will defy their early-season critics and win the Premiership title.
The Merseysiders' poor start to the season saw them attract criticism over their performances, but two wins in two games has seen them jump to seventh
Thompson said: "I believe we can win the league. We've had unfair criticism, but I have faith in this set-up."

Pepe LeFrits · 19-09-2003 1:12pm

Liverpool assistant boss Phil Thompson has claimed the Reds will defy their early-season critics and win the Premiership title.

Thompson said: "I believe we can win the league. We've had unfair criticism, but I have faith in this set-up."

Yeah yop, lets stir the shit! woo! wind up those liverpool fans good!

saying they can win and they will win are two very different things.

JohnnyBravo · 19-09-2003 1:13pm

That dope is living in la la land

Space Coyote · 19-09-2003 1:17pm

"I have faith in this set-up."

Scandal !!! So the Pool have been pretending to be cráp the last couple of years...thank feck.

Sposs · 19-09-2003 1:20pm

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hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
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woosaysdan · 19-09-2003 1:21pm

yeah yop keep telling yourself that and if ur really lucky it might just come true!!!

bucks73 · 19-09-2003 1:31pm

Lol. I honestly believe both Thompson and Houllier are completely blind and daft.

Four more years, Four more years.

irishgeo · 19-09-2003 1:31pm

arsenal, chelski and the scum aren't exactly setting a great pace now are they?

so lets just wait and see.

Ronan|Raven · 19-09-2003 1:33pm

*stir stir*

super_furry · 19-09-2003 1:43pm

You can have all your little snipes and digs, but we'll see.....

yop · 19-09-2003 1:48pm

yeah yop keep telling yourself that and if ur really lucky it might just come true!!!

I will believe what?

All I did was post up the idiotic statement that Thompson made. Take it as you wish just shows that if scouse have a pleb like this as assistant then they will go far.....

p.pete · 19-09-2003 2:09pm

I don't think that yop is a pool supporter (could be wrong). I'd like to know the source of that - hopefully it's out of context cause I really hope he didn't say that.

The guy is going nuts trying to defend GH but if went as far as saying that then I really don't think there is too many lights on upstairs.

He has been trying to ask the question, who could liverpool have in charge that would be doing better. Hopefully it's a case of he believes that Liverpool can win the league under GH in general, not any season in particular like...

p.pete · 19-09-2003 2:19pm

From U.TV
SOCCER: Thompson backs Pool title bid

Liverpool assistant manager Phil Thompson is adamant the current team are still capable of winning the Barclaycard Premiership this season.

The Reds missed out on a Champions League place last season by finishing fifth and are rated well behind Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea as title favourites.

But Gerard Houllier`s right-hand man insisted there is a belief among the Anfield squad that they can win their first league crown for 13 years.

He told LFC Magazine: ``I still think that with good runs, we can win the league. I believe that. We are one of those teams who can put runs together. We`ve done it before and we can do it again.

``Last year we had our good run at the start, and we had our bad run in the middle. That spell will never, ever happen again. Towards the end we also had a great run, but the last two games were two games too many.

``We didn`t lose the Champions League place against Manchester City or Chelsea. We lost it earlier in the season, but we still managed to put a string of wins together which took us back into the frame.

``I`ve got great faith in the squad, I`ve more than got faith in Gerard to succeed and to bring more trophies to the club.``

He added: ``I think Gerard has been great. It`s not just that some of the criticism has been unfair, I actually can`t believe it at times. People talk about making changes here, but who could you get better than Gerard Houllier?

``Who else could come into this football club and do what he`s done, what he`s doing and what he can do in the future? It honestly baffles me.

``Sometimes I think people know Gerard Houllier and then sometimes I think they`ve not got a clue about what the man has done or what he can do.

``Some people talk about making changes without saying where they`d go from here. And one or two of the names that have been mentioned couldn`t hold a candle to Gerard`s CV. And they can`t hold a candle to how these players feel about him, either.``

Thanx 4 The Fish · 19-09-2003 2:22pm

Nope, yop is a Man United fan. That however makes no difference when he is quoting Phil Thompson. Obviously I would like to see Liverpool win the league but even me at my optimistic best am only hoping for second spot.

Still I think that GH has gotten it right in the last two games, sending the guys up the pitch a bit instead of just sitting back and hitting on the break.

yop · 19-09-2003 2:26pm

It was on one of the teletext stations last nite, either Ceefax or BBC - unsure which one - going on the LFC mag it looks like a case of "take his words, mess them and print out what sounds good"
Still think he is off his rocker

dudara · 19-09-2003 2:26pm

you mean that houllier has discovered which end of the pitch to send the players towards.

I hate the way liverpool play so deep, it's so fustrating to see owen wandering around lost at the other end.

yop · 19-09-2003 2:29pm

Take it back 12 months and there were pool supporters here who believed that they could win the league, I did think that they were in with a massive shout, but it fell apart.

This year, maybe I am wrong, but the scouseheads here do not have the same hopes, so going on that the statement makes Thompson look daft.

No wonder he has the big red nose, must be his pinochio tendencies! ww)

p.pete · 19-09-2003 2:30pm

yawn, i can see where this thread is going....

JohnnyBravo · 19-09-2003 2:36pm

Where

Villain · 19-09-2003 2:40pm

I think old boy Phil has hit the bottle

yop · 19-09-2003 2:42pm

I think old boy Phil has hit the bottle

Or even hit with a bottle !

p.pete · 19-09-2003 2:47pm

Originally posted by JohnnyBravo
Where

Just general liverpool bashing. At the moment we are reduced to the twisting of a simple man like Phil T's words and making fun of him for having a red nose (despite alex ferguson having a nose of the same variety). All a pit silly really....

Thanx 4 The Fish · 19-09-2003 2:48pm

Agreed P, but that's not where you really meant was it

p.pete · 19-09-2003 3:08pm

Originally posted by Thanx 4 The Fish
Agreed P, but that's not where you really meant was it

Not quite sure what your infering, is it any of the below?

-GH should be sacked
-Liverpool are too defensive => boring
-Gerrard is a scumbag (we weren't on that path but it's amazing how quickly we could end up there)
-Liverpool are crap => will be lucky to finish with a Uefa spot
-Or just spend three pages of posts slagging phil thompson

JohnnyBravo · 19-09-2003 3:13pm

we could even turn it into gerrard is a filthy player and neill is a great layer and houillier is off his rocker if you want

Villain · 19-09-2003 3:15pm

Originally posted by p.pete

-Liverpool are too defensive => boring

Allways will be when old boy Phil (a old CB) is assistant manager.

p.pete · 19-09-2003 3:25pm

Originally posted by irish1
Allways will be when old boy Phil (a old CB) is assistant manager.

That's an interesting thing to say. Given that phil is unlikely to be removed until whenever GH is removed you will most likely never be proved wrong.

Btw., did you see any of the last few games?

Villain · 19-09-2003 3:32pm

Originally posted by p.pete
That's an interesting thing to say. Given that phil is unlikely to be removed until whenever GH is removed you will most likely never be proved wrong.

Btw., did you see any of the last few games?

I did, do you not think that he could be causing their defensive style?

I'd love to see a liverpool training session and see what input Phil has.

I found it a bit weird when he was appointed given that his last job was with sky sports talking bull.

I wonder what kinda input sammy lee has aswell, it seems to me they need some offensive input

Thanx 4 The Fish · 19-09-2003 3:39pm

[Humour Warning]

They should get yop on board so, he can be pretty offensive, especially about liverpool

[/Humour Warning]

/Meh would like to apologise to any and all insulted by the above text

Although I am sure yop would agree with me..

StickyMcGinty · 19-09-2003 3:44pm

Originally posted by dudara
you mean that houllier has discovered which end of the pitch to send the players towards.

I hate the way liverpool play so deep, it's so fustrating to see owen wandering around lost at the other end.

did you actually watch liverpool play in recent matches??

last season we were defensive, its gone the other way now since the villa and spurs game.

marct · 19-09-2003 3:51pm

Well, in fairness what is he supposed to say when asked??
'God mid-table would be great'
'We're only here to make up the numbers'
As a Pool supporter I would prefer him to say we have a chance rather than writing us off in the public domain and having those sentiments seen by the players. He is supposed encourage the players not deflate them. And to whoever thinks he should'nt be there as his last job was punditry- he has more medals than Roy who would be welcome on the Utd bench in years to come so you might want to rethink that one..

yop · 19-09-2003 4:21pm

They should get yop on board so, he can be pretty offensive, especially about liverpool

.....picks himself off the floor with power of insult! :ninja:

did you actually watch liverpool play in recent matches??

Personally I have not seen a whole pool match lately, time will tell of course, season is long and as we all learned last season no point in ruling any team out until March or April.

***except scouse of course***

jesus_thats_gre · 19-09-2003 4:39pm

I honestly feel that Liverpool are one of the major challengers this season. Last season is irrelevent to be honest as the bad run was a freak.....

They have made some quality additions to the team once more and seem to have moved on from the defensive mentality they stuck by lst season... Besides for Chelsea, the other big clubs have not made many additions to their squad that are worth noting...

Will see what happens.... And all assistant managers are mad anyway!

yop · 19-09-2003 4:42pm

Besides for Chelsea, the other big clubs have not made many additions to their squad that are worth noting

So you would not rate Howard, Kleberson, Djemba or Ronaldo! You drinking from the same bottle as Thompson?

p.pete · 19-09-2003 4:48pm

Originally posted by yop
So you would not rate Howard, Kleberson, Djemba or Ronaldo! You drinking from the same bottle as Thompson?

I would rate them all as either good squad players or ones to watch for the future.

yop · 19-09-2003 4:51pm

Howard will establish himself, Djemba hard to know, Kleberson again should, Ronaldo will

All definately more than "not worth noting" me thinks, could be wrong

GuanYin · 19-09-2003 4:58pm

Howard is a very good keeper.
The jury is out on the others before saying they are star players.

Personally, I was pleasently surprised by Liverpool's attitude this season and it looks like it took them 3 games to get used to the change in playing style.

They still have a tendancy to resort back to the route one football to owen, which is too one-dimensional to be effective, but I think their biggest problem for this season was squad depth.

I maintain that if Liverpool had invested in a centre half of hypia's quality, an international class midfielder in the Hamman mould and a striker they would have challanged strongly for the title.

As it is I think their lack of squad strength may cost them early and I would put them 4th at best.

p.pete · 19-09-2003 5:08pm

Originally posted by sykeirl
Howard is a very good keeper.
The jury is out on the others before saying they are star players.
Personally, I was pleasently surprised by Liverpool's attitude this season and it looks like it took them 3 games to get used to the change in playing style.
They still have a tendancy to resort back to the route one football to owen, which is too one-dimensional to be effective, but I think their biggest problem for this season was squad depth.
I maintain that if Liverpool had invested in a centre half of hypia's quality, an international class midfielder in the Hamman mould and a striker they would have challanged strongly for the title.
As it is I think their lack of squad strength may cost them early and I would put them 4th at best.

Your remarks on Liverpools squad depth are quickly becoming platitudinous. Would it be fair to say that if we hold our own till around Christmas that the chances would be improved dramatically?

We need another striker and all the reports today are saying that Djibril Cisse is on the way - it won't be this season but quick fixes are a bad thing. I think we've already spent about 100m on players that were supposed to be the quick fix in the last few years.

Medina will be the next central defender to come through but for the moment we will have to hope that Biscan does a good job. Ayala rumours are still about but that would have to wait til christmas anyway.

As for buying a midfielder, I think we have to decide on how our midfield is supposed to be working first. It's quite cool the way it is at the moment but I don't believe in my heart that it will be left like that - particularly in matches against the top 3.

super_furry · 19-09-2003 5:13pm

Originally posted by JohnnyBravo
Where

The same place every other Liverpool related threat started by a Man Yoo'er - slagging off the Reds and praising Man Yoo to high heaven.

GuanYin · 19-09-2003 5:14pm

Originally posted by p.pete
Your remarks on Liverpools squad depth are quickly becoming platitudinous. Would it be fair to say that if we hold our own till around Christmas that the chances would be improved dramatically?

Ya know.... you try to be constructive and this is the thanks you get.

I think its not a case of holding out, I think its a case of getting results against the top teams while maintaining squad strength in light of internationals (looks like you'lll have a few players in the Euro Playoffs), UEFA cup matches (happen later in the week than CL) and domestic cup distractions.

I don't think the players on the bench are good enough to do the job. But I'm happy to admit that I was wrong to be as negative about their chances as I was.

[edit]And I'm far from a Man Utd Supporter[/edit]

p.pete · 19-09-2003 5:18pm

Originally posted by sykeirl
Howard is a very good keeper.

He's certainly put in some very solid performances so far but I'm not convinced - best of a bad bunch [me waits for the over reaction to my over reaction]

Villain · 19-09-2003 5:23pm

Originally posted by p.pete
Your remarks on Liverpools squad depth are quickly becoming platitudinous. Would it be fair to say that if we hold our own till around Christmas that the chances would be improved dramatically?

We need another striker and all the reports today are saying that Djibril Cisse is on the way - it won't be this season but quick fixes are a bad thing. I think we've already spent about 100m on players that were supposed to be the quick fix in the last few years.

I'm sorry but how long is Baros out for again??

Because if your going to rely on Heskey to partner Owen up front then I think the pool will suffer. Cisse may be good for next season but for now the pool are left way short up front, letting Mellor go on loan to West Ham could prove to have been a major mistake!!!!

smemon · 19-09-2003 6:02pm

the day liverpool win the championship under houllier is the day manu and arsenal get relegated. and pigs will fly phil thompson. 5th last year, 2 more players added and u think you'll win the league?!

howard is a good keeper and looks pretty solid. he's made the odd mistake but i think mistakes at utd are magnified 5times compared to other clubs.

liverpool dont need strikers, they need midfielders. kewell, if u can even call him a midfielder is the only one that stands out.

GuanYin · 19-09-2003 6:09pm

Originally posted by smemon
the day liverpool win the championship under houllier is the day manu and arsenal get relegated. and pigs will fly phil thompson. 5th last year, 2 more players added and u think you'll win the league?!

howard is a good keeper and looks pretty solid. he's made the odd mistake but i think mistakes at utd are magnified 5times compared to other clubs.

liverpool dont need strikers, they need midfielders. kewell, if u can even call him a midfielder is the only one that stands out.

It'd be sad to think that soccer might be one of the things you know most about.

jesus_thats_gre · 19-09-2003 6:29pm

Originally posted by smemon
the day liverpool win the championship under houllier is the day manu and arsenal get relegated. and pigs will fly phil thompson. 5th last year, 2 more players added and u think you'll win the league?!

howard is a good keeper and looks pretty solid. he's made the odd mistake but i think mistakes at utd are magnified 5times compared to other clubs.

liverpool dont need strikers, they need midfielders. kewell, if u can even call him a midfielder is the only one that stands out.

While some of the things you say are pretty interesting, after about five sentences you turn into a ****ing fanboy.

Last seasons finish was a freak incident, considering they had their worst run in history and still finished 5th says alot. You forget the season before where they finished second and third the one before that.. Correct me if I am wrong, Liverpool had one of the best opening months to any new season last year before the bad run and their form was one of the best in the league after the bad run. It was freak and if you knew anything about football you would acknowledge that..

So you would not rate Howard, Kleberson, Djemba or Ronaldo! You drinking from the same bottle as Thompson?

Not one of them has established themselves in the starting 11, Howard looks like he is going too but Barthez is far more experienced and is likely to get his place back. Ronaldo certainly has massive potential, I wont dispute that. United have lost Veron and Beckham and do not have anyone to replace them of equal quality, thus they are a weaker side. They still have an excellent squad however and will likely win the league. Dont be so biased all the time.

As for Liverpool, they have a massive squad and pretty much have more than adequate back up for every position. Well they did until both Baros and Carragher got injured. The who squad is also very settled as they have been with the club for quite a long time. Chelsea have a massive squad and the squad just needs time to gell. As for Arsenal, have a deadly first team but are in dire need for some decent squad players for back up, this was highlighted during the week really.

smemon · 19-09-2003 7:10pm

i will not praise or acknowlegde any side that puts defense before attack most games when they have no reason to. liverpool may have improved on last season, may. but i dont think so. come may liverpool will not be challenging in the top 3.

you can almost guarantee utd and arsenal will be there, u cant say liverpool will. as for the worst pool run in their history, maybe its because they have their worst team and manager in their history? bottom line is they finished 5th, what they deserved.

newcastle, chelsea, utd and arsenal are all better than them. its time the pool fans stoped living in the 70's, you are no longer a dominent force.

Villain · 19-09-2003 7:50pm

Originally posted by jesus_thats_gre

As for Liverpool, they have a massive squad and pretty much have more than adequate back up for every position. Well they did until both Baros and Carragher got injured. The who squad is also very settled as they have been with the club for quite a long time.

Liverpool have not got a strong squad only players that have real quality are:
Dudek
Hypia
Finnan
Gerrard
Hamman
Owen
Kewell

Thats 7!!!

Sorry but buying a few french guys that you hope may one day be good players is noty having a good squad.

Why can't pool fans accept they are only a top 6 side!!!!!!!

jesus_thats_gre · 19-09-2003 8:02pm

Originally posted by irish1
Liverpool have not got a strong squad only players that have real quality are:
Dudek
Hypia
Finnan
Gerrard
Hamman
Owen
Kewell

Thats 7!!!

Sorry but buying a few french guys that you hope may one day be good players is noty having a good squad.

Why can't pool fans accept they are only a top 6 side!!!!!!!

That list is not truly representative of the squad.

As a first team of players, its a very good team:

Dudek

Hypia - Henchoz - Risse - Finnan

Gerard - Kewell - Hamann - Murphy

Owen - Heskey

For back-up:

Kirkland

Traore - Carrager - Biscann

Smicer - Diao - Le Tallec - Cheyrou

Diouf - Baros - Pongolle

Back to my point, for every first team player, there is someone in the squad that can fill the role when required. United have the same back up in place more or less, so do Chelsea but Arsenal do not. Arsenal's squad is not big enough to cope with any problems they encounter, i.e. injuries or suspensions.

So a list of quality players Liverpool have:

Dudek
Hypia
Henchoz
Risse
Finnan
Gerard
Kewell
Hamann
Murphy
Owen
Baros
Diouf
Carragher
Kirkland

Potentially:
Traore
Pongolle
Le Tallec
Cheyrou

jesus_thats_gre · 19-09-2003 8:12pm

Originally posted by smemon
i will not praise or acknowlegde any side that puts defense before attack most games when they have no reason to. liverpool may have improved on last season, may. but i dont think so. come may liverpool will not be challenging in the top 3.

you can almost guarantee utd and arsenal will be there, u cant say liverpool will. as for the worst pool run in their history, maybe its because they have their worst team and manager in their history? bottom line is they finished 5th, what they deserved.

newcastle, chelsea, utd and arsenal are all better than them. its time the pool fans stoped living in the 70's, you are no longer a dominent force.

With two or three games to go last season, Liverpool nearly finished 3rd... Check the tables for each of the last few weeks of the season. They ended up 5th but it was still a fight to the end. At one stage, united were languishing in mid table.

As for not repecting a team who defend before they attack, what ****e are you talking about. Every team have their own style of play and whether you like this style of football or not, is irrevelent to where they deserve to finish. A season is fought out over 38 games and if a club finishes 1st or 5th, they deserve to finish in that position.

So if a club plays with a defensive style of play and finish first, fair ****s to them, they deserve it as they were consistent over the whole season. Its such as flawed argument, football is about winning and if you can win consistently with a certain style of football, then go with it. Its not about keeping an opposing group of fans happy, its about winning...

ShriekingSheet · 19-09-2003 8:35pm

So if a club plays with a defensive style of play and finish first, fair ****s to them, they deserve it as they were consistent over the whole season. Its such as flawed argument, football is about winning and if you can win consistently with a certain style of football, then go with it. [/B][/QUOTE]

BUT THEY ARENT WINNING CONSISTENTLY!!!!! and they most certainly arent finishing first!!!!!

FURTHERMORE!!! Football is only totally about winning when YOU are playing in the ****ing team not when youre watching on sky sports! Its entertainment and supposed to be entertaining! obviously winning has alot to do with it but look at the year Arsenal did the double with George Graham, Ian Wright, Nigel Winterburn, Tony Adams, Alan Smith etc -Id top myself having to watch my team play like that every week despite them winnning the double!

Bottom line- Liverpool play a crap style and its not even a case of 'at least it works!!!' cause it doesnt!

Villain · 19-09-2003 8:47pm

Originally posted by irish1

Why can't pool fans accept they are only a top 6 side!!!!!!!

Jesus_thats_Gre why can't you accept my quote above?????

Thompson - Liverpool will finish Champions

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