J ROD ..Liverpool are sniffing around !

[This Charming Man]

Big summer anyway, as to keep all these in-demand players we'll need to strengthen further and show them the club does have major ambition. The next couple of years look like potential top 7 or the break-up of the team and relegation fights.

 

Think we're reaping the benefits of a more long-term approach. People tried to explain this in L1 and the championship, but many didn't listen, our fans and rivals. You can build a short term team for promotion, Warnock style, or even go on a good run like Reading, or do what Saints did. Get good young players experienced and stronger, build the core of a team and let it develop, rather than starting over every year. Money can't buy you the understanding players like Morgan, Cork, Lallana and Lambert have.

 

No, but the millions that they cost did.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Liverpool is they continue to fail to make the Champions Legaue yes, but as soon as they are on there they are only 2nd to United for size, no issue with that, them and United are the only two global clubs we have in England.

Arsenal, Chelsea, City and Spurs dont even add up to one of them Worldwide.

 

Yeah perhaps.

 

But I'm not talking about fan base. I'm talking about what goes through a players head when choosing who to sign for.

 

Clearly, not being a professional footballer myself, it's just speculation. But 'top players' that want to seriously challenge for titles, trophies or be playing regular Champions League football, will in my opinion go for teams such as City, Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal for these reasons. I don't think what a club has won historically is such a great consideration for players when deciding who to join.

 

This is why I would put Liverpool (presently) one bracket below the clubs mentioned above, probably about on a par (maybe financial reasons give pool a slight edge) with Everton. Still clearly above us though.

[Barry Sanchez]

Yeah perhaps.

 

But I'm not talking about fan base. I'm talking about what goes through a players head when choosing who to sign for.

 

Clearly, not being a professional footballer myself, it's just speculation. But 'top players' that want to seriously challenge for titles, trophies or be playing regular Champions League football, will in my opinion go for teams such as City, Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal for these reasons. I don't think what a club has won historically is such a great consideration for players when deciding who to join.

 

This is why I would put Liverpool (presently) one bracket below the clubs mentioned above, probably about on a par (maybe financial reasons give pool a slight edge) with Everton. Still clearly above us though.

 

As I say the moment they start qualifying for the champions league again(if) they will instantly become the 2nd most attractive club in England to go to, if not then they are competing with Spurs and other European sides.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

As I say the moment they start qualifying for the champions league again(if) they will instantly become the 2nd most attractive club in England to go to, if not then they are competing with Spurs and other European sides.

 

I'd go along with that.

[Barry Sanchez]

Does that make sense? Money can't buy it...but the money they cost can....what???

 

Again, money can buy you players, but only time playing together long-term builds up that understanding needed for a really good side.

 

Up to a point but Blackburn bought the league, Chelsea continue to buy players every season and win things and PSG and not short of a bob or two, the huge amount of money know some of these clubs have you can literally buy success.

[Barry Sanchez]

2nd?!

 

Man Utd are biggest and probably champions. Man City can pay the most and challenge for titles. Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs can all offer similar money, as much chance of success and more importantly, living in London. Liverpool are a hell of a long way from being 2nd most attractive.

 

If Liverpool were qualifying for the champions league, London is only attractive for wags, the heartland and history of football is the North West, its as simple as that.

Liverpool are a far far bigger club than City, Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal, there is no argument on that, the only thing is players wont go there if they are not qualifying for the champions league.

[Dig Dig]

If Liverpool were qualifying for the champions league, London is only attractive for wags, the heartland and history of football is the North West, its as simple as that.

Liverpool are a far far bigger club than City, Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal, there is no argument on that, the only thing is players wont go there if they are not qualifying for the champions league.

 

 

Not many modern day players will go there based on what Liverpool did in the 70's and 80's.

 

Get with the times Bazza, when Liverpool were in the Champions league just a short time ago, they still couldn't attract the calibre of player Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea were.

[Wes Tender]

If Liverpool were qualifying for the champions league, London is only attractive for wags, the heartland and history of football is the North West, its as simple as that.

Liverpool are a far far bigger club than City, Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal, there is no argument on that, the only thing is players wont go there if they are not qualifying for the champions league.

 

I really do wonder whether players, especially those imported from abroad, place too much weight on the historical background of clubs. To a young player from abroad, much of Liverpool's illustrious glory was in the distant past. The current clubs making the waves and gaining recognition as the glory clubs for plastic fans to support, beside the ManUre, are Chelski and Man City. Chelsea advanced their cause massively by becoming European Champions, and City for becoming Champions. In the far flung corners of the World, you still see the Liverpool, Arsenal and United fans, but that is because those plastics started supporting them earlier and have stayed with them. The younger supporters are going for Chelsea and City now.

 

So a team's history has some affect on where a player might go, but increasingly it is all about money and environment too. After all, when the Skates were in their pomp, massively overspending on players they couldn't afford, they had half the England team playing for them and several other International stars who are still playing for top clubs here and in Europe. Why didn't they prefer to play in the historical heartland of English football, or one of those bigger clubs in London?

[Barry Sanchez]

Not many modern day players will go there based on what Liverpool did in the 70's and 80's.

 

Get with the times Bazza, when Liverpool were in the Champions league just a short time ago, they still couldn't attract the calibre of player Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea were.

 

Chelsea the money, Arsenal! Who the **** with any real intention goes there, you cant question Liverpool and use Arsenal as an example, even them most one eyed Arsenal fan would agree with that, what have they won lately?

Liverpool are a World club, not simply because of their trophy cabinet, they are an institition, I dislike their fans arrogance and the medias love in with them but you can not deny their size, players from the World over know of the kop and the European night atmosphere.

If there was parity between Chelsea and Liverpool as there was 6/7 years ago then the player would go to Liverpool no doubt, no question of that.

[Barry Sanchez]

I really do wonder whether players, especially those imported from abroad, place too much weight on the historical background of clubs. To a young player from abroad, much of Liverpool's illustrious glory was in the distant past. The current clubs making the waves and gaining recognition as the glory clubs for plastic fans to support, beside the ManUre, are Chelski and Man City. Chelsea advanced their cause massively by becoming European Champions, and City for becoming Champions. In the far flung corners of the World, you still see the Liverpool, Arsenal and United fans, but that is because those plastics started supporting them earlier and have stayed with them. The younger supporters are going for Chelsea and City now.

 

So a team's history has some affect on where a player might go, but increasingly it is all about money and environment too. After all, when the Skates were in their pomp, massively overspending on players they couldn't afford, they had half the England team playing for them and several other International stars who are still playing for top clubs here and in Europe. Why didn't they prefer to play in the historical heartland of English football, or one of those bigger clubs in London?

 

In the last few years I have been to North America, Australia, India and all over Europe and I still see far far far more Liverpool and United shirts than any other, Africa I can not comment on but people through popular media still see those two clubs on the tv more than anyone else, I saw the Manchester/Liverpool game in Goa and over 500 people were around the sports bar watching it, the next day Chelsea were playing and there were maybe 20 people there. That sort of says a lot to me.

[Dig Dig]

Chelsea the money, Arsenal! Who the **** with any real intention goes there, you cant question Liverpool and use Arsenal as an example, even them most one eyed Arsenal fan would agree with that, what have they won lately?

Liverpool are a World club, not simply because of their trophy cabinet, they are an institition, I dislike their fans arrogance and the medias love in with them but you can not deny their size, players from the World over know of the kop and the European night atmosphere.

If there was parity between Chelsea and Liverpool as there was 6/7 years ago then the player would go to Liverpool no doubt, no question of that.

 

Again though, you are still comparing clubs hisorically, players don't do that in the same way.

 

In the last 15 years, Arsenal have provided the premier league with many more World Class signings than Liverpool have. Most of Liverpools prominent players during this time have been academy players like Owen and Gerrard.

 

The reality is that when Liverpool had Champions League football, they still were not competing for players on the same level as the others which made up the traditional "top 4" as it were back then. Very recent history shows your argument is not valid. Other clubs have been a bigger attraction for years now.

[Barry Sanchez]

Again though, you are still comparing clubs hisorically, players don't do that in the same way.

 

In the last 15 years, Arsenal have provided the premier league with many more World Class signings than Liverpool have. Most of Liverpools prominent players during this time have been academy players like Owen and Gerrard.

 

The reality is that when Liverpool had Champions League football, they still were not competing for players on the same level as the others which made up the traditional "top 4" as it were back then. Very recent history shows your argument is not valid. Other clubs have been a bigger attraction for years now.

 

What World class players have Arsenal attracted? Bergkamp yes but Van Persie was not the finished article, Arsenal have never spent as much as Liverpool in the transfer market and have relied on Wengers Afican experience of buying gems, no comparison.

Liverpool have bought shocking but Arsenal have not bought at all really, the size of the clubs and Worldwide stature is massive as well.

[Wes Tender]

In the last few years I have been to North America, Australia, India and all over Europe and I still see far far far more Liverpool and United shirts than any other, Africa I can not comment on but people through popular media still see those two clubs on the tv more than anyone else, I saw the Manchester/Liverpool game in Goa and over 500 people were around the sports bar watching it, the next day Chelsea were playing and there were maybe 20 people there. That sort of says a lot to me.

 

Who were Chelsea playing that next day? Wigan? Hull? (depending on how long ago it was). Go to the Far East and you'll see giant billboards with Chelsea's players featured on it with some strapline along the lines that this is a team of champions. Loads of older people supporting Liverpool around the World are ex-pats who emigrated, so equally you see quite a few Rangers and Celtic shirts for similar reasons. But unless Liverpool start winning things soon, and improve on their league position, then they are destined for a gradual decline amongst the plastic fans, who don't like to go to their nearest bars around the World and see them beaten comprehensively by the likes of teams like us that they've hardly heard of before. At home here in the South, the kids like those who used to follow Liverpool twenty years ago, are now wearing Barcelona shirts. Such are plastics; whoever is successful currently, they will be supported. Thankfully we don't see many Skate shirts on the local kids recently compared to when they won the Cup and had half the England team playing for them. But not many of them will have switched to Liverpool instead.

[Barry Sanchez]

Who were Chelsea playing that next day? Wigan? Hull? (depending on how long ago it was). Go to the Far East and you'll see giant billboards with Chelsea's players featured on it with some strapline along the lines that this is a team of champions. Loads of older people supporting Liverpool around the World are ex-pats who emigrated, so equally you see quite a few Rangers and Celtic shirts for similar reasons. But unless Liverpool start winning things soon, and improve on their league position, then they are destined for a gradual decline amongst the plastic fans, who don't like to go to their nearest bars around the World and see them beaten comprehensively by the likes of teams like us that they've hardly heard of before. At home here in the South, the kids like those who used to follow Liverpool twenty years ago, are now wearing Barcelona shirts. Such are plastics; whoever is successful currently, they will be supported. Thankfully we don't see many Skate shirts on the local kids recently compared to when they won the Cup and had half the England team playing for them. But not many of them will have switched to Liverpool instead.

 

Strange two of my close mates are cling on ****e Liverpool fan plastics, they still come up and stay at mine to see the ****, like most its a weak childhood instant gratification thing, I tell them this all the time and that they were not loved as children etc etc.

Chelseas far East thing is Samsung orientated, Liverpool will tour and have been touring Thailand for years and 1000's will follow them, they are also going to Australia as my mates down there can not wait to see them and are travelling from Perth to Melbourne to see them, of all the World clubs with followings with fans that actually travel and not simply watch a tv in a bar

Liverpool

United

Celtic

Are leap years ahead, this includes Madrid, Barcelona, AC/Inter, Bayern etc etc, they may have bar fans but real fans travelling to a game consistantly? No way.

 

You could put a Liverpool game on in Tibet and people would travel to see it, I dont like them as fans but they do travel and are a World club, one of the only two in this Country.

[Barry Sanchez]

Who were Chelsea playing that next day? Wigan? Hull? (depending on how long ago it was). Go to the Far East and you'll see giant billboards with Chelsea's players featured on it with some strapline along the lines that this is a team of champions. Loads of older people supporting Liverpool around the World are ex-pats who emigrated, so equally you see quite a few Rangers and Celtic shirts for similar reasons. But unless Liverpool start winning things soon, and improve on their league position, then they are destined for a gradual decline amongst the plastic fans, who don't like to go to their nearest bars around the World and see them beaten comprehensively by the likes of teams like us that they've hardly heard of before. At home here in the South, the kids like those who used to follow Liverpool twenty years ago, are now wearing Barcelona shirts. Such are plastics; whoever is successful currently, they will be supported. Thankfully we don't see many Skate shirts on the local kids recently compared to when they won the Cup and had half the England team playing for them. But not many of them will have switched to Liverpool instead.

 

And as for who were Chelsea playing the next day? I dont know but I do know the sports bar gets 100's more United and Liverpool fans watching than all the others regardless of games.

[Saint Garrett]

Who cares who is a bigger club. Yes it might persuade a player a tiny bit, but if a club is playing in Europe every season and has money then there is Jo reason why they won't sign the bigger names.

[Wes Tender]

Big club, they used to be a big club.

 

Unless Liverpool buck up their ideas soon, that is what will be chanted at them, even with tongue in cheek, just to annoy the Scousers.

 

As I said already, all those fans travelling to watch matches played by Liverpool are mostly ex-pats, just like all those you mention going to watch them in Australia.

 

One also sees plenty of Geordie ex-pats wearing Newcastle shirts for the same reason. Depressed areas of the UK with poor employment prospects, so they emigrate, but follow their team wherever they end up. Many of those fans packing the bars around the World aren't necessarily all United/Liverpool/Celtic fans, but fans of other teams whose matches are televised because their teams are playing those glory teams.

[shurlock]

Would be interesting to know if Jrod has managed to settle down south - upping sticks was a big deal and was one of the reasons he was linked so heavily with Everton in the summer.

[Miltonroader07]

I know it's only the Star, but his progress is being tracked.

 

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/307239/?

 

They can **** off

[Barry Sanchez]

Big club, they used to be a big club.

 

Unless Liverpool buck up their ideas soon, that is what will be chanted at them, even with tongue in cheek, just to annoy the Scousers.

 

As I said already, all those fans travelling to watch matches played by Liverpool are mostly ex-pats, just like all those you mention going to watch them in Australia.

 

One also sees plenty of Geordie ex-pats wearing Newcastle shirts for the same reason. Depressed areas of the UK with poor employment prospects, so they emigrate, but follow their team wherever they end up. Many of those fans packing the bars around the World aren't necessarily all United/Liverpool/Celtic fans, but fans of other teams whose matches are televised because their teams are playing those glory teams.

 

 

There are many 2/3rd generations who still support their fathers grandfathers team, glory hunting but its also a pride thing, one I don't truly grasp but one I am jealous of none the less, Liverpool regardless of success will always be huge, look at celtics worldwide appeal, Liverpools similar, not just a football club but an institution, Chelsea simply could not be like that nor arsenal for a long long time.