Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is up to his old tricks ahead of Liverpool's Premier League game with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
As is usually the case when the Reds face United, Ferguson tries all kinds of subtle mind games prior to the match, and the build up this weekend's game is no exception.
Speaking to reporters today, Ferguson:
* Made light of the fact that Suarez and controversy are constant bedfellows:
"I didn't see the Mansfield game, so it's difficult to say if it was deliberate or not, but I think the lad is laden with controversy.
TRANSLATION: Suarez is shady, controversial player who cause lots of aggravation, and although I didn't see the Mansfield game, Suarez probably did it deliberately.
* Hinted that Suarez might 'enjoy' the controversy that constantly surrounds him:
"I don't know if he enjoys it or not, but it is something we hope we don’t suffer from on Sunday"
TRANSLATION: Suarez enjoys creating problems, and Howard Webb needs to make sure United don't suffer negatively as a result.
* Made an obvious veiled plea to referee Howard Webb to keep a close eye on Suarez:
"I just hope we don’t suffer from some of the decisions that have gone his [Suarez's] way in terms of that. We want it to be a good game".
TRANSLATION: We don't want the game to be spoiled by Suarez's gamesmanship, so please, Mr Webb, keep a close eye on Suarez's antics.
* Suggested that turning Liverpool around is going to be difficult for Rodgers:
"It is difficult to measure the Liverpool side of the moment against those teams of the past. For any young manager, it is going to be a challenge".
TRANSLATION: Rodgers is too inexperienced for the Liverpool job, and he has no chance of bringing success back to the club.
* Twice mentioned how 'patience', once in relation to to the fans:
"It's terrific if Liverpool fans are prepared to be patient because it's going to require it because it's a long way back to where they used to be"
TRANSLATION: It is going to take years to get Liverpool back to the top, but are Liverpool fans really prepared to wait that long for league success?
The other with reference to the club:
"Patience is a real commodity in football and if Brendan's getting that then he's very lucky"
TRANSLATION: Lots of managers get sacked quickly in the Premier League, and if Rodgers lasts the season, he'll be lucky.
Once again made reference to Liverpool's league drought:
"They haven't won the league for more than 20 years. It's a long time for a club like Liverpool."
TRANSLATION: I knocked Liverpool off their F**king perch, and even after 20 years, they're still miles behind us.
Obviously, with Ferguson, you have to read between the lines, but I think it's clear that he's (subtly) sticking the knife in. That's fine though, it all adds to the pre-game excitement :-)
Jaimie Kanwar
As is usually the case when the Reds face United, Ferguson tries all kinds of subtle mind games prior to the match, and the build up this weekend's game is no exception.
Speaking to reporters today, Ferguson:
* Made light of the fact that Suarez and controversy are constant bedfellows:
"I didn't see the Mansfield game, so it's difficult to say if it was deliberate or not, but I think the lad is laden with controversy.
TRANSLATION: Suarez is shady, controversial player who cause lots of aggravation, and although I didn't see the Mansfield game, Suarez probably did it deliberately.
* Hinted that Suarez might 'enjoy' the controversy that constantly surrounds him:
"I don't know if he enjoys it or not, but it is something we hope we don’t suffer from on Sunday"
TRANSLATION: Suarez enjoys creating problems, and Howard Webb needs to make sure United don't suffer negatively as a result.
* Made an obvious veiled plea to referee Howard Webb to keep a close eye on Suarez:
"I just hope we don’t suffer from some of the decisions that have gone his [Suarez's] way in terms of that. We want it to be a good game".
TRANSLATION: We don't want the game to be spoiled by Suarez's gamesmanship, so please, Mr Webb, keep a close eye on Suarez's antics.
* Suggested that turning Liverpool around is going to be difficult for Rodgers:
"It is difficult to measure the Liverpool side of the moment against those teams of the past. For any young manager, it is going to be a challenge".
TRANSLATION: Rodgers is too inexperienced for the Liverpool job, and he has no chance of bringing success back to the club.
* Twice mentioned how 'patience', once in relation to to the fans:
"It's terrific if Liverpool fans are prepared to be patient because it's going to require it because it's a long way back to where they used to be"
TRANSLATION: It is going to take years to get Liverpool back to the top, but are Liverpool fans really prepared to wait that long for league success?
The other with reference to the club:
"Patience is a real commodity in football and if Brendan's getting that then he's very lucky"
TRANSLATION: Lots of managers get sacked quickly in the Premier League, and if Rodgers lasts the season, he'll be lucky.
Once again made reference to Liverpool's league drought:
"They haven't won the league for more than 20 years. It's a long time for a club like Liverpool."
TRANSLATION: I knocked Liverpool off their F**king perch, and even after 20 years, they're still miles behind us.
Obviously, with Ferguson, you have to read between the lines, but I think it's clear that he's (subtly) sticking the knife in. That's fine though, it all adds to the pre-game excitement :-)
Jaimie Kanwar
For the first time since 2009 I actually believe we can do something at Old Trafford
ReplyDeleteThe FA could warn BR for talking about the officials before a game because he praised Howard Webb. Yet Fergie is allowed to tell Webb to not fall for Suarez's antics...no wonder we call them the Ferguson Association
ReplyDeleteGod I hope we destroy Utd on Sunday. Would be the perfect statement going into the second half of the season.
ReplyDeleteJust earlier this week, Fergie has been saying how much he wants an uneventful game but just days later he comes out with these comments. Maybe dementia is starting to affect him.. ;)
ReplyDeleteJaimie, how do you feel about this game? Usually I'm confident going into an OT fixure, since our boys always lift for the utd games. Something is disrupting my confidence though..
ReplyDeleteTypical ferguson nothing new there he forgets to mention some of his own past controversial players like ronaldo and cantona maybe age is playing tricks on his already selective memory....Ah well we all know what he's like... a pinch of salt is in order yet again.
ReplyDeleteroger's should have reminded fergie that the referee has 2 assistant's and also one which keeps time, but at when playing at man u they have 5!!!
ReplyDeleteThis just made me hate SAF even more.........
ReplyDeleteWould like to see a respons from Rodgers, but haven't seen his "tough" side yet. Does he even have one?
no, it's a fine 'honour' for him to be engaged in little mind battles with the 'absolutely outstanding' sir alex
ReplyDeleteTypical Fergie!!! All this tells me is that he is worried about the game, as he should be, so he is is trying to disrupt our rhythm and get Webb on his side.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be nice to discuss this match tomorrow without the, far too common, need to discuss how the ref performed and how unfair this and that was. Personally I'm feeling fairly confident, we rarely draw at OT and recently have been fairly successful. Should be high scoring though due to the form of Suarez and RVP.
Agree, Nick. I have a bad feeling about this game. LFC haven't beaten any of the clubs above them in the league yet this season, and although the last few results have been good, the opposition has been poor. I believe in karma, and I think that the Mansfield issue - the the club's subsequent defensiveness and lack of humility or apology - will come back haunt us this sunday.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing rodgers could do is rise above it and not say anything for me that's the best way to treat a wind up merchant....Cant see him doing a keegan.
ReplyDeletejeez, are you lot desperate or what? Twisting every utterance around to become the victims you cherish. Since when did being victims become the new trophy? Since you became a mid-table team and a laughing stock for your behaviour. The nation, no, the world is laughing at you.
ReplyDeleteBy respons I don't necessarily mean negative comments and entering the mindtricks battle. But some respons would be fine (IMO).
ReplyDeleteand Jonas, it is only Ferguson who gets disciplined for praising a ref. It hasn't happened to any other manager, just like Gary Nev was suspended for celebrating in front of you poor, sensittive victims. Never happened before or since.Another case of you lot totally turning the truth on it's head.
ReplyDelete"oooooooooooh, he celebrated right in front of me. Give me therapy, compo and a year off work". Oh, forgot....you don't work.
By "Jonas" are you referring to me? If so, how is this in any way a answer to my comment?
ReplyDeleteit wouldn't be the fault of the little scumbag himself would it? There's evidence all over the internet of him eye gouging, raking studs down the back of player's legs, lunging two-footed over the ball, handballing on the line, handballing a goal, diving, racism. Lovely player. makes Stevie Starfish look normal. Nearly.
ReplyDeleteJustice for the 39.
Hypocrite... What about:
ReplyDeleteHis captain Roy Keene deliberately assaulting Haalan and ending his career then gloating about it in his book?
Cantona's kung-fu kick at a supporter?
Ferdinand deliberately missing a drugs test?
Giggs sleeping with his ow brothers wife?
Rooney banging brass?
Schmicheal RACIALLY ABUSING IAN WRIGHT?
Our boy doesn't shake the hand of Evra (Even though Evra clearly pretends to move his hand out of the way, and then re-presents it to engineer the situation) and scores a goal with his hand (unintentionally) and suddenly he's the worst person that has ever lived?
I didn't see Roy Carol tell the ref the ball was 2 foot over the line when they played Spurs at Old Trafford? and I don't remember any Liverpool manager telling any Manchester United player that he was a disgrace and laden with controversy?
Bore of Fergie,
your waistin your time son .get back to kings cross rupert ur losing money
ReplyDeleteYou never know maybe he already has by praising howard webb
ReplyDeletewe will dont worry we will .they are fuckin crap at the back. have faith .luis our little street fighter will run riot.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lighthearted look at Fergie's comments. The only one taking it stong-cold seriously is you.
ReplyDeleteWait so what Fergie ACTUALLY SAID didn't do it for ya so.....ya made up your own comments? TRANSLATION: What a fucking waste of time.
ReplyDeletegreat post u forgot to mention him fuckin up a scouse linesman careera when he gave a pen against them .was a mate of mine vrs york 1995 the man is the biggest cunt in the history of the game . flyin boot in the changin room cut beckin head my arse he fuckin butted him. pass away soon and take maggie with u
ReplyDeletevery quite RUPERT must have got a punter at kings cross . rupert who the fuck is called RUPERT twat of a name. twat of a team .kings cross rent boy .dont come on a web site that knows about football if thats all you have got to offer . is your surname savile?
ReplyDeleteyou are a tit
ReplyDeletejk for f""cks sake have faith 3 nil down in 95 keep the faith we are only playin the mancs who are crap at the back no probs mate little luis will run amok !!!!!!!
ReplyDeletesorry m8 meant 2005
ReplyDeleteYou were almost close by accident: 3-0 down at home to United in 1994; ended up 3-3. I definitely think we can get a result.
ReplyDeleteI heard liverpool have already put in appeals for the two red cards howard webb is goin to give
ReplyDeleteLiverpool will win 1-3 as we have the pace and movement to bury the mancs, taggart knows it too........watch Liverpool dominate them as we did with 10 men at Anfield too.
ReplyDeleteyes he has given the green light that Webb is a top ref.
ReplyDeleteBe brave redmen go there and play without any fear, If we do we win I just know it. Sturridge, Suarez, Sterling, Downing and SG have the quality to hurt them. We have won 7 out of our last 9 games, still not there yet but good enough to beat anyone.
ReplyDeleteWatch Liverpool dominate totally, just wait and see the mancs chasing shadows.....
ReplyDeleteFergie's comments should spur our team and prove him wrong. Suarez will for sure. Typical Fergurson. Telling the referee to do his job and keep an eye on Suarez is out of order. He should be investigated for commenting on the match official before the game. But Fergursons Assosiacition will do nothing about it. It is a given right for SAF
ReplyDeleteToo right we can and taggart knows it big-time, I hope BR let's the lads run riot because their defence gives goals up cheaply.
ReplyDeleteYeah we always dominate, but won't get the goals to match it...
ReplyDeleteHe has the power to boast due to his knighthood. Put away that he will be in a lot of trouble.
ReplyDeleteMancs will score from counter attack. domination without the goals is useless.
ReplyDeleteNot to be pessimistic or anything but I think we will lose this game as well. We will play well as we always do but van persie will be the difference I don't think our defense can handle him.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I hate to agree with Fergie ultimately his right about Liverpool being years from their dominant best. Losing Gerrard in the next couple of years is gonna really hit us hard, his gonna be tough to replace.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9796981/Manchester-United-v-Liverpool-Brendan-Rodgers-risks-FA-action-for-praising-referee-Howard-Webb.html
ReplyDelete“Listen, Howard Webb is a very good referee,’’ Rodgers said. “He is well established in the Premier League and he’s managed a World Cup final. I’m very confident that the game will be decided on quality and not on a refereeing decision.”
ReplyDeleteRodgers said that his Liverpool team felt hard done by when losing toManchester United at Anfield in September. “We hope we don’t have the decisions go against us that went for United,’’ Rodgers said.
“In the first game a sending-off [Jonjo Shelvey] and penalty [from Robin van Persie] cost us the game. I hope they don’t get the decisions that can influence the results.’’
Believe me if Ferguson thought it was deliberate he wouldn't have said "it's difficult to say". Yes typical attempts at subtle mind games that add to the pre-match excitement.
ReplyDeleteThat's the kind of defiant attitude I wish more of our fans had. We didn't get to where we did with Shankly by fans constantly criticizing every press conference the manager had and constantly doubting the team. Fair play! YNWA!!
ReplyDeleteI think it would be better to just ignore the twisted old g*t. He might be a successful manager but he certainly is an inferior human being.
ReplyDeletegod that long ago i can still remember ruddocks rocket header like it was yesterday
ReplyDeletelol ;-)
ReplyDeleteI don't know who is subtly sticking the knife in more, you or ferguson.
ReplyDeleteGosh, I'm so shocked you would see it that way.
ReplyDeleteyet another, wind up debate, j-k what do you expect most lfc fans to write.
ReplyDeleteso much of your headlines are about man utd or luis suarez!!
I can understand it brings attention for your site.
but you come across obsessed by sour debates ,man utd, and suarez just to name a couple.
its mainly the same users that manage to stick to your boundries, its all becoming a bit repetitive.
you wouldn't really guess this is a LFC supporters site apart from the odd transfer rumour on here lately.
slate me, ban me. I don't care. I for one am tired of this same old tripe.
used to be good sometimes