7 Dec 2014

Dump Him: 77% of fans want LFC to sell 'exceptional' €20m star ASAP. Surprise?

Earlier this week, reports Italy claimed that Mario Balotelli wants to quit Anfield in January, and that his Agent is actively trying to negotiate a possible transfer to Napoli. Given Balotelli's ongoing struggle to fit-in at LFC, it'll come as no surprise if the club decides to cut its losses, but what do Liverpool fans think about this possibility?

In November, an exclusive in Italian newspaper Tutto Mercato claimed that:

* Balotelli's Agent, Mino Raiola, is working behind the scenes to secure a January transfer to Napoli.

* Balotelli wants the move 'soon', and has made himself 'available' for a transfer.

I recently conducted a site poll asking whether Liverpool should sell Balotelli if the chance arises:

* 13270 visitors participated in the poll.
* 77% of participants voted for LFC to sell Balotelli.

Clearly, Liverpool fans have little confidence in Balotelli, and I can't see that changing any time soon.

I was in favour of signing Balotelli but only because of the comparative bargain of a transfer fee, and if Rodgers decides to dump him in January, then so be it.

The brutal truth is that Liverpool won't miss him, and with another striker almost certain to come in (plus Sturridge to return) Balotelli's chances of regular first-team football look set to rapidly dissipate anyway.

I do, however, have sympathy for Balotelli over his spurious FA charge for breaching FA Rule E3[1], which the FA defined as follows:

"It is alleged that [Balotelli] breached FA Rule E3[1] in that his posting was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper. It is further alleged that this is an 'Aggravated Breach'...as it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or color and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief".

The media hysteria over this is an absolute joke, and is clearly part of an ongoing witch-hunt. In my view, Balotelli - recently described by Diego Maradona as an 'exceptional' player - clearly made an innocent error; there was no intent to offend and/or be 'racist', and I sincerely hope his lawyers fight the FA every step of the way on this.

Was Balotelli stupid for failing to check the image properly before posting? Yes, without a doubt. However, he doesn't deserve to be branded 'racist' for that, and if he's 'convicted' by the FA, he'll forever be branded racist, and that's just totally unfair.

Author:


77 comments:

  1. I reckon he'll be okay. Most people have actually thought for themselves on this one and rejected the media's sensationalism, for a change.

    A slap on the wrist and a small fine, methinks.

    I've sympathy for the lad though. He's an eejit, no doubt, but he's just immature. Not malicious. Can't buy a bag of chips without causing a major media story.

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  2. BREAKING NEWS: Mario Balotelli has just made a public statement supporting obesity and diabetes in children.

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  3. it hasn't worked out but that's more down to Liverpool than Mario in the way they have not found a system to get the best out of him. I think baring one are two games that he has worked very hard for the team plus he has taken a hell of a lot of slack with for a few months deflected the heat of Rodgers and the rest of the team. Hopefully there will a twist in the tale for Mario to finally make a mark.

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  4. Razor Ruddock, Jan Molby, Julian Dicks and John Barnes are all coming out of retirement to take part in said competitive meals.

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  5. Hopefully that 'mark' will be his signature on a new contract elsewhere. Most over-rated striker ever.

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  6. I'd settle for Markovic just getting a fair shot.

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  7. Aintree is fairly close to Anfield. Suggest you go to the next Grand National and tell all the punters not to bother backing any GG at more than 12/1 because they have 'no chance'.
    As for the world ending in 2012 - I attended funerals in 2012 - I hope William Hill paid up!

    If you could give me 12/1 on winning the Lottery I will do it for the first time ever. Good odds 12/1.

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  8. New reports suggest that he's banned from all meals altogether, his subscription to Food magazine has been terminated.

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  9. Personally I agreed with the selling of Andy Caroll. BRs philosophy did not cater to Andy Carolls strengths also I was happy to see SAS take flight. Regardless if Andy Caroll has scored two goals this season I'd take record breaking, potentially world class Sturridge any day. Next you will be calling for Downing to come back... Funny how people blame BR for selling Suarez when he made it plain as day that he would start biting his own arm if LFC didn't let him go. BR did well to keep him last season with all his antics.

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  10. True. Very true.

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  11. Balotelli made the cover of Time magazine for his fight against racism i really doubt this is anymore than media sensationalism.
    Anyway this would be more likely labelled bigotry not racism.

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  12. It's human nature. You can't change it.

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  13. How is it racists. Jews aren't a race, bigoted yes, but not racist.

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  14. Getting AVB as manager would instantly set us back a decade. I don't believe a word about that rumour. FSG aren't stupid as some people seem to think.

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  15. I honestly think we should keep him at least until the end of the season. Given Sturs injury record, I believe he will be needed (that's if BR decides to go with two up).

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  16. Time magazine is the very definition of media sensationalism. It's what they do.

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  17. I think you miss the point Jaimie we should have went after Costa and Benzema when we were a certainty to make the CL we always new Suarez was going when the Spainards came knocking it didn't stop ManU. Money talks and gets results look at Barca and Real, Suarez was sold far too cheap in today's market (Bale) if you say he was the best player on last seasons form. Sturridge always was injury prone in his DNA . And don't tell me Gerrard should have been played were Rodgers and Hosgson play him . I only hope They don't stuff up with Odergaard! Anyway I stand by what I said an exceptional player raises the standard, l personally don't think Rodgers will be there next year hope he proves me wrong but I don't think so and believe the money could have been better spent . Remember his one for the future Centrehalf? anyway I have aerated long enough . I hope we win on Tuesday. Cheers BB. Ps Steve Gerrard should never take corners remember Istanbul !

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  18. I don't see any evidence that either Carra or Gerrard have the tactical knowledge to properly manage a team. Sure, they can run some basic drills and get the team all excited with a dressing room talk but modern football is a fairly intelligent game that needs managers with serious tactical awareness. Is Stevie G really going to know when to play a 4-2-3-1 vs a 4-4-2 diamon? Could he make subtle changes to Mario's positioning so that he gets in the box more often? Does he know about how to cover advancing wing backs? He's a great footballer, as was Carra, but there is a big big difference between being able to play the game and having the first clue on how to manage it. It's a hopelessly romantic notion that either player would be better than Rodgers, in the short term or the long term. If it worked it only be because Rodgers had drilled the team so well that they already had their basic formation worked out and all Gerrard did was give them a rallying cry or hit them around the ears during training if they were not working hard enough.

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  19. A bit like Johnson - my view it that there is no point just getting rid of him like he's some kind of sickness. Having him around won't be a problem, it's a question for the club to resolve in terms of getting the best out of him, making sure he doesn't lose value etc. So maybe he needs to be sold in January in order to get back a decent amount of money, but otherwise I'd be fine with him sticking around. Having Mario Balotelli as a third choice striker is not a problem. And maybe at some point he'll finally come good and start scoring goals.

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  20. They actually are a race

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  21. This I agree with. There's no point in selling him unless we're confident of a quality replacement.

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  22. Sorry Nick they are not. Your response even backs up the fact they are not. I dont think you properly understand the meaning of race.

    "Race is a genetic distinction, and refers to people with shared ancestry and shared genetic traits. You can't change your race; it's in your DNA. I could never become black or Asian no matter how much I might want to.

    Common ancestry is not required to be a Jew. Many Jews worldwide share common ancestry, as shown by genetic research; however, you can be a Jew without sharing this common ancestry, for example, by converting. Thus, although I could never become black or Asian, blacks and Asians have become Jews (Sammy Davis Jr. and Connie Chung)."

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  23. A Jew is by definition a person that believes in Judaism. I could become a Jew if wanted to. No matter how hard i try, i can never become black!

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  24. Yes, but most generally speaking, most practicing Jews actually do share common genetic characteristic distinct from everyone else. I didn't deny that you can convert to Judaism, it's just that it's a pain in the arse. In fact, my best mate's cousin has a Jewish dad, and when he was born, his dad asked the local Rabbi if he could be a practising Jew. He wasn't accepted because his mother wasn't Jewish. This is why Jews are also seen as a race, because they are almost completely racially exclusive as a group.
    Daniel Radcliffe is an Atheist, yet he still describes himself as 'very proud of being Jewish'. So, you can still be Jewish while you don't even believe in the Jewish faith.

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  25. I also think this site's moderation system is racist because it doesn't seem to like the word 'Jew'...

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  26. Maybe but it still proves he took up the fight against racism in a big way that is what matters.

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  27. If your English at least a good suntan will change your complexion.

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  28. Unless you're one of the 'black Irish' kind, it's hard for a pom to tan unless they spend their whole life in the sun...

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  29. OK your critical pessimism has convinced me I will sack him first thing in the morning ;_)

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  30. Lets give him a chance with another forward. i still feel he will prove his worth, provided he is used correctly. neither he or us have anything to loose. we'd get almost the same fee back if sold, and yet he is an exceptional talent. selling him in Jan would be a mistake

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  31. Equal rights for lobsters

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  32. If BR gets sacked, say, this month, then I don't see the possibility of Liverpool attracting big name managers in the middle of the season. A combination of Gerrard and Carragher as caretakers would suffice although not the preferred choice,



    This should give plenty of time for the owners to sign a top class proven manager. For me it would have to be De Boer, Klopp or Simeone.


    I feel getting Benitez would be a step backwards to be honest. But that's just my opinion.

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  33. our transfer strategy deliberately pushes the image that liverpool is a rich mans swansea. So we would rather spend 40 miliion on 2 above average players than 40 million on one outstanding player. its ok if you get it right like fat sam but if you dont then it looks horribly wrong. FSG have done this since day one. In reality Suarez Coutinho and Sturridge are the only successess.

    If you tally up what FSG have spent we have spent no less than either chelsea or utd. But we have sod all to show for it. The money is there, the support is there but the will is not there. BR is a very decent manager and has the potential to go all the way but he is not a proven winner. If you look at united, they had 1 bad season and they targetted the elite class players. Mata,Di Maria, Falcao etc. And they will target more in january and the summer. This is how top clubs react. and this is how those who see themselves as top clubs react. We are a top club but we dont see ourselves as top clubs. We dont even compete for players with tottenham never mind chelsea. The day we sold Torres to Chelsea was the day we sent a message that we wont compete with Chelsea. 99% of the battle is psychological - unfortunately we lost that a long time ago.

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  34. Okay let's think about this...

    Mario has absolutely no excuse to do something as dumb as posting that picture on instagram, but this was inevitable, something like this was always going to happen, whether today or tomorrow.

    Look at his history, he has a history of doing things without thinking of the consequences, this was one of them.

    I do not think he done it with a racist intent at all but the picture was posted nonetheless.

    Of course, this sells stories and the hypocritical media are making a meal of it, but he brought it upon himself, let's not make excuses for him.

    His actions will no doubt be to the detriment of the team (not that he actually makes any sort of contribution but I digress).

    But like BR said "it was a calculated risk"...well....calculate that Brendan.

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  35. Jaimie,


    You know I always give my honest opinion from when you first started this.
    I'm not trying to offend you but this is a poor article.


    When are you going to do an article on this 'Transfer Committee'?
    Who is on it , who has final say etc?


    Before we worry about who is going to replace Brendan Rogers we should be trying to get to the bottom of what is going on.

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  36. erm wasn't it also to do with the caption he added to the picture? I find it hard to have sympathy with someone with his track record, if this was Suarez you would of been calling for his head. Sorry but the lad is tainting the Image of LFC, why we signed him in the first place is beyond me

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  37. That is one reason BR wont be sacked anytime soon there is no decent managers available with good credentials of which Gerrard and Carra have none.
    I doubt either would have fifa accreditation as managers either.

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  38. Absolutely. The only people in control of the expectations surrounding the club are the fans. If they are subsequently disappointed when unrealistic goals are not met then it's their own fault. I have little sympathy for them.

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  39. If you agree with the selling of Andy Carroll(I also do) because he didn't fit BR's style, do you agree with buying Lambert?

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  40. steve g. Australia10:54 am, December 08, 2014

    be gone;;; balotelli is luggage. dead weight.useless.

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  41. Fair enough. I feel terrible about not properly replacing Suarez and wasting 200 million in the past three years. I apologize.

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  42. Instant? The man has been in this job for three years. As with the managers before him, its not about winning the League or not, its about progress or lack thereof. And yes we sold Suarez but do you remember what people said would happen to Man United if ever Beckham left? Or Keane? Or Stam? They all left and the manager adjusted the team to function without them. In a summer. Not in three years. I would go as far as to say that the club fared better than the players who left

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  43. Don't be silly it's not all your fault. It's mostly your fault, but not entirely:-)

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  44. im 100% with you mate, everyone crying here like little kids, well what about to support your team when everything goes to hell? its easy to blame everything and everyone, at the end if someone wants always to win he can always support RM or Barca

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  45. Sell him along with Rodgers.We get Higuain and Rafa and Rodgers can waste good money in the sun of Naples

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  46. I'm afraid you miss the point. LFC is renowned throughout the football world for their fairness - fans, managers and owners alike. Andy Carroll was not treated fairly by BR when he was frozen out without without being allowed to show what he can do. My comment has nothing to do with his two brilliant goals and assists at the weekend - but I admit to being pleased to see him perform so well after his long lay-off. No, BR came in and just said 'I don't rate you even though Kenny Dalglish paid £35m for you - be off'. It had nothing whatsoever to do with all his "philosophy" twaddle peddled in support of the sale. Downing was at least allowed to show before being moved on but isn't it good to see him doing well too. Maybe we should be thinking of bringing in Sam Allardyce? :-) :-)
    PS Was pleased to read recently that his sale of Carroll also upset our owner Mr John Henry.

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  47. Couldn't agree more magic2ouch! Carragher was right we are bullied around by other clubs on the field and in management recruiting we need to be more aggressive rember Mascherano coming out at Old Trafford snarling like a Pitbull. We need to be ruthless in management at least Benitez could get good players from Spain and maybe Klopp could attract them from Germany. Latest news reports Arsenal sniffing around Odergaard and correct me if I'm wrong wasn't Bale a childhood Liverpool supporter . Got to go just hope BR doesn't play our top goal scorer at the back against Basle! Cheers Bb

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  48. So you guys took over 10k on the world ending in 2012? Who bets on that? Only way they could win is if world (including betting parties) ends! How is this even logical? I don't believe it.

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  49. Who knows, but I certanly hope they will both reach that level...

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  50. thexcuriousxwanderer3:50 pm, December 08, 2014

    I would sell 12-1 if I could. Definitely not the next manager. I could see him though doing something like what Giggs is doing though, but he doesn't seem to be the coaching type tbh. Alonso or Carragher would seem to be more of a coaching type. But what is a coaching type? I don't know either.

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  51. thexcuriousxwanderer3:52 pm, December 08, 2014

    I'm surprised that the people betting on it thought that there would be a payout when the world ends

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  52. I'm glad you do mate, Lambert? Not really, I was anticipating a different profile of a forward player i.e Sanchez etc.. With Lambert sentiment goes out the window I'm afraid although hes technically sound as I said previously. What are your thoughts?

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  53. Hey I respect your point of view mate :)

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  54. And you talk as if you're some authority at par with FSG !!
    Adam you're not an LFC fan.
    You are seriously Brendon's sycophant.

    I suggest you stop following LFC and start worshiping some Villa or Brom because you sound so lame.

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  55. David you sum up perfectly Stuart C's point

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  56. FSG PLEASE SACK BR! HE IS THE MOST DISMAL MANAGER AND HE DOESNT DESERVE LIVERPOOLFC. SACK BR.

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  57. Silence or blind support does!! What's your assessment?

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  58. I'll accept that because you're obviously only about 14 years old and it's the best you can come up with. Well done for using the word sycophant.

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  59. 14 is being generous

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  60. Can't believe what I've just read. You, Adam, sit down in judgement of two outstanding Liverpool players and deem neither to have the tactical nous to play or counteract the various formations which are the staple diet of modern coaches. Be careful my friend you're may be in danger. Even more worrying are the 6 who support you! Stick to fantasy football and avoid taking it too seriously if you win.
    PS Does Eve agree with your views!?

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  61. Please do not post sniping comments like this. If you disagree with Adam, then submit a civil counter-argument, or don't post at all. This is pointless, and does not promote debate. Any further comments like this will be deleted.

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  62. If he is that good pay the price before the others do it may save the season

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  63. haha...Thanks..I appreciate your kind words..
    You sound so lame every time you give stupid reasons to defend BR and criticize fans who want him sacked. I suggest you a better job of handling his twitter account.
    I wonder to whom you would show reverence once BR is gone because he'll be gone sooner than you think !!

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  64. and what are you? his secretary ?

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  65. Somewhere in between I suppose. Either extreme is hard for me to understand but generally I lean towards supporting people. Especially when I can see no reason for those in charge not to be trying their best and I feel they deserve a bit of slack after the relative success of last year.


    I do though share the frustration

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  66. I think still getting 15 million for Carrol in spore of everything was probably the only good piece of transfer business Rodgers has done at the club

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  67. Ask your babysitter

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  68. no doubt you're as miserable as your name

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  69. Quiet now son grown ups are talking

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  70. Am surprised that you threaten a Liverpool fan who endeavours to defend two of our stand-out players over the last 15 years with "deletion" when he is offended by someone who derides their capacity to understand and counteract basic tactical football scenarios. Well I will continue to defend them against those who imply they are stupid. He asked "Who is this guy?" May I ask has he got his EUFA qualifications to manage and thereby judge? Sorry Jaimie if you cannot accept that but I will continue to defend those that are the subject of such ire.
    I cannot Adamneve it that his post was not deleted!

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  71. that's not the way you talk to your daddy.

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  72. go and get Simeone...Show him the money and he can come...I suggest instead of wasting money on buying players in January FSG should spend the funds on a top manager.
    This should be the one decision that will pay maximum dividends in the time to come.
    Let's first oust BR !!

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  73. Do you think his views of two of our great players was fair? He criticised their tactical nous and even referred to one team set-up to include the "diamon" sic. What right does he to refer in the way he did to our outstanding captain & former England captain?

    Is he a qualified coach?

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  74. He has to be sacked. Last season BR got lucky and his strikers hit it off, yet the defence was shambolic, now minus suarez and 117 million we are mid table and to be honest we play at mid table standard. Tactically Brendan is average, he reminds me of a salesman all talk and charm aka the red nets to win over the kop lads, the shanks style celebrations, the old sign brought back, his PR advisors must have scored massive brownie points because so many fell for it. now i remember BR saying he wanted to make his players better human beings, then rumour has it he dumps his wife of many years and shacks up with a travel co-ordinator, good example there brenda. I don't think any of the entire back room staff can inspire professionals as those that have played did so at a rather poor level with the exception of Marsh.

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  75. The stark reality is that BR told everyone who would listen that he built the team around Suarez, which was no favour to Suarez it was a favour to those who wanted to hide behind him. Ian Ayre, BR, PAscoe, Hendo, Allen, Johnson,Mignolet - all looked world beaters. With him gone we see them for what they are - and its not pretty.

    Against Basel yesterday we were a team who were confused. No one really knew what they role was - hence 70% of the flicks went to basel player rather than our own. Hendo looked totally out of sorts - infact the player King Kenny signed!

    Despite the summer spending spree, we look a team 6-7 players short. One would have thought that FSG would have looked at all BR successful purchases and thought should we really be handing over 120 million quid to him? No disrespect this is a guy used to buying players for reading,watford and swansea! Foreign stars arent going to be enamoured by him until he wins something in europe and that is a mile away. We poo poo the europa league but if we play to this standard we dont deserve to be in that either!

    I still dont say get rid of BR because i know FSG like this template for their managers - so there is no chance they will go for a big name.

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