Despite the availability of an (almost) fully-fit squad for the Blackburn game today, victory at Ewood Park will be no easy task; in fact, Liverpool could be heading for certain defeat; and here's why.
The recovery curse! Historically, whenever a manager has returned to the game after a serious medical procedure, their first game back has always ended in emphatic victory. As we all know, Sam Allardyce returns to the sidelines after heart surgery today, and based on the past, things are not looking too good for Liverpool. Here are some examples:
Graeme Souness
Days after leaving hospital after heart surgery, Souness Led Liverpool out for the 1992 FA Cup Final. Liverpool won the game 2-0.
Gerard Houllier
Out for 5 months with heart problems. His comeback in March 2002 was Roma in the Champions League. Liverpool won 2-0 to secure passage into the quarter-finals.
Dario Gradi
Returned from heart surgery in October 2003. Crewe Alexandra failed to win a single game whilst he was away. They beat Derby County 3-0 in his comeback game.
Glenn Roeder
In April 2003, Roeder was diagnosed with a brain tumour. On his return in August 2003, West Ham beat Preston 2-1.
Johann Cruyff
Returned from heart bypass surgery in March 1991. In his first game back in the dugout, Barcelona beat Majorca 3-0.
As you can see, teams seem to raise their games significantly when their manager returns from a serious health issue! To make matters worse, Blackburn have not won a game since Sam Allardyce has been away...
There is hope though.
In 2003, Sir Alex Ferguson was treated for a heart condition, which led to a pacemaker fitted in March 2004. On his return, Manchester United faced Manchester City at the CoM stadium...
United were hammered 4-1 by City.
That is the only exception to the rule I can find (!)
Let's hope that Liverpool don't become the latest team to fall victim to the dreaded recovery curse ;-)
NB. Once again, I have to put in a disclaimer to explain to certain breathtakingly stupid people that this article is supposed to be tongue-in-cheek. It is not serious.
Jaimie Kanwar
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The recovery curse! Historically, whenever a manager has returned to the game after a serious medical procedure, their first game back has always ended in emphatic victory. As we all know, Sam Allardyce returns to the sidelines after heart surgery today, and based on the past, things are not looking too good for Liverpool. Here are some examples:
Graeme Souness
Days after leaving hospital after heart surgery, Souness Led Liverpool out for the 1992 FA Cup Final. Liverpool won the game 2-0.
Gerard Houllier
Out for 5 months with heart problems. His comeback in March 2002 was Roma in the Champions League. Liverpool won 2-0 to secure passage into the quarter-finals.
Dario Gradi
Returned from heart surgery in October 2003. Crewe Alexandra failed to win a single game whilst he was away. They beat Derby County 3-0 in his comeback game.
Glenn Roeder
In April 2003, Roeder was diagnosed with a brain tumour. On his return in August 2003, West Ham beat Preston 2-1.
Johann Cruyff
Returned from heart bypass surgery in March 1991. In his first game back in the dugout, Barcelona beat Majorca 3-0.
As you can see, teams seem to raise their games significantly when their manager returns from a serious health issue! To make matters worse, Blackburn have not won a game since Sam Allardyce has been away...
There is hope though.
In 2003, Sir Alex Ferguson was treated for a heart condition, which led to a pacemaker fitted in March 2004. On his return, Manchester United faced Manchester City at the CoM stadium...
United were hammered 4-1 by City.
That is the only exception to the rule I can find (!)
Let's hope that Liverpool don't become the latest team to fall victim to the dreaded recovery curse ;-)
NB. Once again, I have to put in a disclaimer to explain to certain breathtakingly stupid people that this article is supposed to be tongue-in-cheek. It is not serious.
Jaimie Kanwar
----
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<span>Quoted: To make matters worse, Blackburn have not won a game since Sam Allardyce has been away...</span>
ReplyDeleteSo I think the game against Bolton and Chelsea don't count right?
he is just in the stands too.... not in the dugout
ReplyDeleteanother excellently researched piece! you fucking idiot
Allardyce isnt returning to the sideline is he?? He is sitting in the stands..
ReplyDeleteDon't be such a pedant. The article is humorous, not 110% serious.
ReplyDeleteI, like many people, are getting really pissed off with the negative attitude towards LFC on your 2 bit site, I have just noticed the real name of it "Critical" is the word. If you are a true red you would balance your arguments, instead it is just wind up after wind up. Now i have registered your site, i will never read another article from it. Grow up you prick and go and support some blue shite or the Mancs.
ReplyDeleteYou fucking moron. I'm not a fan of this site but even i can see the article is light-hearted and not meant to be taken seriosly. what is wrong with some people? you are an idiot.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/v/7od-eyQaIY4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="170" height="140
ReplyDelete'<span><span>NB. Once again, I have to put in a disclaimer to explain to certain breathtakingly stupid people that this article is supposed to be tongue-in-cheek. It is not serious. '</span>
ReplyDelete</span>
Neither is it any good
That's barely humour. It's the sort of humour you'd expect from some lonely geek with no real social life.
ReplyDeletehaha. this is interesting. hope we gonna win tonight.
ReplyDeleteYEAH !!! WE DID NOT LOSE !!! WHAT CURSE !!!!
ReplyDeleteIN RAFA WE TRUST !!!!
YNWA
jamie, ur an idiot.
ReplyDeleteur writing style is poor at best, and the way you take criticism is laffable.
please start again writing articles that you feel will just get people annoyed your meant to be a journo act like one...not like a first rate prat then 99% of people here think you are
I dont see any humorous about this article! Stop spreading negative "news" about liverpool, that is not what we need at the moment..
ReplyDeleteYou don't see any humour in this article for one reason: you are humourless. Anyone being *objective* can see that it is a lighthearted post. I you don't have the good grace to see it for what it is and insist on taking it seriously, then I pity you...
ReplyDeleteHeadline implies conditional certainty?
ReplyDeleteHmmm...
If only you see your article as humorous then we all pity you....
ReplyDelete