Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has thrown his support behind beleaguered Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay, who is under intense pressure at the moment after another public spat with Bluebirds owners Vincent Tan.
On Monday, Tan - Tan, who has an estimated wealth of $1.3bn - accused Mackay of 'placing unnecessary pressure on the club' with his demand that Cardiff sign three new players in January.
The Welsh club's 'extremely upset' owner then confirmed that 'not a single penny' would be made available for players during the upcoming transfer window.
When asked during his pre-Cardiff press conference today about Mackay's situation, a clearly irritated Rodgers made it perfectly clear where he stands on the issue. He barked:
"He [Mackay] has totally transformed the culture and mentality of the club, so I find it absolutely astonishing what he's had to go through. You've got a business guy [Tan] who's operating the club, and he knows absolutely nothing about football. When I see what Malky's had to put up with, I find it remarkable".
To a tee, Rodgers always shows solidarity with fellow managers, which makes sense considering the precarious, ephemeral nature of the job these days. With so many sackings ever season, it's probably a case of 'there, but for the grace of God go I' for Rodgers, but in this case, I'd argue that Tan has a point. According to Lim:
“His [Tan's] view is that due to the funds already committed, including the originally authorised summer transfer budget of £35m that rose to £50m in total, including add-ons, the manager has been fully supported"
£50m to spend for a newly promoted club seems pretty fair to me, and if Mackay hasn't spent that money effectively enough, then he only has himself to blame, surely?
Rodgers worked with Mackay at Watford, and admits that he is 'very good friends' with the Cardiff boss. However, as he admitted in the press conference, that friendship 'will cease' on Saturday, and he'll want to win the game. Indeed, Liverpool have scored TWENTY goals in the last five home matches, so unless the Reds are hit by some bizarre performance catastrophe, Cardiff could be in for a hammering on Saturday.
As Jimmy Greaves once said, 'football is a funny old game', and the ultimate irony of Rodgers emphatic support is that a heavy defeat to Liverpool could ultimately hasten - if not directly precipitate - Mackay's demise at Cardiff (!)
Let's hope complacency doesn't derail Liverpool's current momentum this weekend...
Author: Jaimie K
On Monday, Tan - Tan, who has an estimated wealth of $1.3bn - accused Mackay of 'placing unnecessary pressure on the club' with his demand that Cardiff sign three new players in January.
The Welsh club's 'extremely upset' owner then confirmed that 'not a single penny' would be made available for players during the upcoming transfer window.
When asked during his pre-Cardiff press conference today about Mackay's situation, a clearly irritated Rodgers made it perfectly clear where he stands on the issue. He barked:
"He [Mackay] has totally transformed the culture and mentality of the club, so I find it absolutely astonishing what he's had to go through. You've got a business guy [Tan] who's operating the club, and he knows absolutely nothing about football. When I see what Malky's had to put up with, I find it remarkable".
To a tee, Rodgers always shows solidarity with fellow managers, which makes sense considering the precarious, ephemeral nature of the job these days. With so many sackings ever season, it's probably a case of 'there, but for the grace of God go I' for Rodgers, but in this case, I'd argue that Tan has a point. According to Lim:
“His [Tan's] view is that due to the funds already committed, including the originally authorised summer transfer budget of £35m that rose to £50m in total, including add-ons, the manager has been fully supported"
£50m to spend for a newly promoted club seems pretty fair to me, and if Mackay hasn't spent that money effectively enough, then he only has himself to blame, surely?
Rodgers worked with Mackay at Watford, and admits that he is 'very good friends' with the Cardiff boss. However, as he admitted in the press conference, that friendship 'will cease' on Saturday, and he'll want to win the game. Indeed, Liverpool have scored TWENTY goals in the last five home matches, so unless the Reds are hit by some bizarre performance catastrophe, Cardiff could be in for a hammering on Saturday.
As Jimmy Greaves once said, 'football is a funny old game', and the ultimate irony of Rodgers emphatic support is that a heavy defeat to Liverpool could ultimately hasten - if not directly precipitate - Mackay's demise at Cardiff (!)
Let's hope complacency doesn't derail Liverpool's current momentum this weekend...
Author: Jaimie K
He has definitely spent minimum £35M so his complaint lack concrete validity. I don't doubt the club needs reinforcements but of course he did spent a vast amount of money.
ReplyDeleteI got a feeling goal difference will play a big part this season so it's imperative that we try and score as many goals as possible. If we can get a goal in the 1st 25 mins then we may have a chance at thrashing them.
Ps Jamie, how do you think we'll do vs City and Chelsea?
ReplyDeleteIMO if we beat Cardiff, City and Chelsea then we need to capitalize on that spend money one at least one world class player to make that final push!
I can't see us picking up 9 points from the next 3 games mate! I'd take 4 points right now!
ReplyDeleteComplacency is our biggest enemy in the next game, both from the players and the supporters! We need to make sure the atmosphere at Anfield is the best it can be whether we are playing Cardiff or Man Utd and the players need to work as hard no matter who we are playing.
ReplyDeleteThe greatest teams all have one thing in common - hard work off the ball!
Complacency has already begun subconsciously. We are all expecting to win at least by 3 goals. On paper we are superior but as we know games are not won on paper.
ReplyDeleteI am expecting a win though. If we lose then the Totte win would be deemed worthless.
Why am I more relaxed about Man C & Chelsea than ruddy Cardiff on Sat?
ReplyDeleteAnd the third is not even a reason why he will be gone. Did you read this through before posting it Jaimie?
ReplyDeleteIMO Suarez will be with LFC next season. He may have considered other bigger clubs at the end of last season but things were different then. He has also realized the amount of fame that he is getting at LFC as being their star player is worth twice more than just being one of the star players at Real Madrid or Bayern Munich
ReplyDeleteBecause we seem to play to the level of the competition? Cardiff should be a reaffirmation of the style of football played vs Spurs. However Spurs played a high line which allowed our MF space to pass into...so I wouldn't expect that from Cardiff on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteWe would be idiots to have such a relatively small release clause and then pay him £200k a week. No way we have a marker in Bale and should stick to it, we simply can't be mugged. He is far to important to us to let go for £60m
ReplyDeleteI would so put a cheeky £30M bid for Mata!
ReplyDeleteBack to twisting my words, I see.
ReplyDelete* I have never doubted Suarez's football ability. That is the point here.
* Even throughout my various critical articles about him, I've always stated that he's a brilliant footballer. (check past articles)
* You are completely missing the point. I may have argued that LFC are better off without him, but that doesn't mean I don't acknowledge his genius as a footballer, which I do. It's a matter of weighing the negative impact on LFC vs. the benefit Suarez brings as a footballer. But you knew that already.
As a comparison: X's girlfriend is the most beautiful woman on earth. She cheats on him. X kicks her to the curb. but can still appreciate that she's a beautiful woman.
So please, desist from misrepresenting my views on this issue. Thanks :-)
Or X's girlfriend is really sorry for cheating on X and throws herself on his mercy. X forgives her and ends up happily ever after. Sometimes it happens.
ReplyDeleteCardiff has been put in a weird position by Tan.
ReplyDeleteFiring what amounts to being the football director and replacing him with his son's 23-year-old friend who was painting the walls of the stadium a few months before the promotion.
Mackay asked to sign 3 players in January. It's not like he's looking to be another 10. I understand he was given a nice influx of cash in the summer, but for the owner to further his lack of support for the manager by stating outright that their will be no more funds for January, it's just another nail in the coffin in the owner/manager relationship.
Tan has essentially cut his manager's legs out from under him.
I thought it was constructive. Not being funny and tone is hard to convey in this scenario but if you are going to write write an article titled 3 reasons....well....you know. Give three reasons.
ReplyDeleteIt just seems that it is actually one reason, thats my point. It's a good reason and your probably right in that he will be gone but there is not more to it. He obviously has that winning mentality and will want the highest prize and we are (unfortunately ) way off.
If we get big bucks and Champo we will hopefully do better in the market than Spurs. Just a couple of brilliant players and we can hopefully not fall behind too much without him.
Do you still think we are better without him?
ReplyDeleteNothing beats proper 'on the ground'' scouting.All tech can be edited.
ReplyDeleteTo me it's a reason. To you it's not. Who cares? It's irrelevant to the point of the article.
ReplyDeleteRodgers obviously knows more about Mackay's situation then what any of us do. This Tan guy even changed their home kit from blue to red in order to increase revenue for Cardiff in Asia as red is supposedly a luckier colour in that part of the world.
ReplyDeleteIt is like changing our home kit from Red to blue. Would any of us be happy with that? Obviously Mr Tan is their for one thing only and that is for the benefit of his own pocket.
You make a good point about the fame - while it wasn't lack of fame that he had a problem with, it was imfamy. Lot of people chalked the press treatment argument as an excuse for wanting to go, it was a legitmate reason. The press treatment was an issue for him long before the summer where he brought that up - and really they are vultures - the gross magnification of things like that mansfield handball and the stoke dive really got to him - and it has to be said theat the treatment he received was way different than anyone else would get. It would be hard for anyone in his position not feel ostracized.
ReplyDeleteThis year there has been an emourmous turnaround on this front, 1 he's taking interview in English - at least allowing him to have some input on things, have a voice on his story. 2) his behaviour has been exemplarary - you could hardly name a player with better on field behaviour. 3) the narrative has gon from evil, racist, biting, terrible human being to humble, genius, leader. Event Garth Crooks who will find any excuse to take a dig is slowly coming onside.
Suarez is not seeking fame or glamour (in the conventional sense), but rather legacy, he wants to be loved and apreciated by the fans, raise his family, be renumerated well, and above all win things. Most of those boxes are already ticked, if Liverpool Club, playwers, Owners, and Manger really start pushing to win things, then he will stay - last season this wasn't this case, this season it's beginning to change.
Not sure I agree here JK. Many clubs struggle during their first year in the Premiership. Especially the ones that basically bought their way there like Cardiff. The difference in quality between the two leagues is so big, that competing in the PL takes even more investment if you want to compete. It's only teams like Swansea who slowly build towards a PL worthy team, not a collection of individuals that manage to stay up with little additional investment. In the end the price of going down will be far higher thanthose three additional players. Especially if they can get one on loan. With a world cup coming up, I'm sure there will be plenty of bench warmers at big clubs willing to move to Wales for six months to make sure they're on the plane.
ReplyDeleteI thought we were talking about the article.
ReplyDeleteAnyway never mind. What is the record for goals in a season?
......"and we are (unfortunately) way off"......
ReplyDeleteReally????? Is that what you honestly see? If that is a reality then I must surely be tripping.....
I thought we were actually doing what everyone WANTED us to be doing this season, if not a little more. It surprises me that we sit second in the league, (much higher than I had actually anticipated before the season's start), and some still refuse to acknowledge progression. If I have misinterpreted your views then please accept my apology, but your expression leads to that conclusion....
I honestly have been made up with our progress this season. If consistency is upheld, we will all be really happy come the end of the season. I have faith and the belief purely from what I am seeing happen in front of my eyes..
A few tweaks in the right areas with a couple of decent buys and we will be amongst it I'm sure...
No way - 3 against Cardiff and draws against Citeh and Chelsea are the minimum. I think we'll get 7 though.
ReplyDeleteVery true
ReplyDeleteI think you have misunderstood a bit of my post and ran with it. I was saying we are way off the highest prize, meaning winning the champo not just being part of it. Winning the league is a close second is world (which I don't think we will win but think we are in the fight) renown but is not as prestigious as the CL which Real and Bayern are much much miuch more realistic candidates to win it. "Highest prize" mate. Apology accepted.
ReplyDeleteI agree we could be great with a couple of tweeks but that would mean keeping Suarez. If he goes we will dip. Maybe not as far as Spurs or United but dip for sure.
Believe me mate I am made up with us this year and would have bitten your hand off at the beginning of the season if you offered me this then but it all seems a touch flimsy. The league is mad at the minute.
Owners for the most part are a capricious bunch of megalomaniacs. They aren't in it just for the money, it's an ego thing, a power thing - it's business based on emotion, satisfying the thisrt of your fans, and impressing other billionaires with your impressive pawns (for the most part).
ReplyDeleteGood for Rodgers to call it like he sees it, they are an odd bunch these owners. Case in point, Levy. AVB gets all the blame for their failures, and while it is probably mostly his fault, look at the way Levy messed around with the Bale transfer. He arguably would have had fist pick of Ozil and Hguain, but he wanted a world record fee to satisfy his ego, luckily, think of how good Spurs would be with those two rather than the hodge podge United Nations signings they made.
As for Cardif, Carling Cup Revenge, etc. etc. They play well at home - but this will be another slaughter. No complacency, this will be nothing but a ruthless blood-thirsty display from Suarez and co. The past 3 games have been a frenzy, and there's no stopping it!
Please remember that once upon a time, Shanks changed our kit to red!!!
ReplyDeleteNo he did not.
ReplyDeleteHe changed both shorts and socks to red - which at the time was a significant change.
ReplyDeleteI think he will sign a new contract but only to put a clause in the contract that would actually allow him to leave instead of the one he and his agent thought did. I think he will be gone in the summer (i don't want that to happen) but i think he wants to leave and so the only reason to sign a contract would be to put in a clause that would get his move.
ReplyDeleteYou are making something of nothing.
ReplyDeleteWould you have been happy if our shirt changed to blue?
I definitely dont like this way of talking. First of all why rodgers is bothered about cardiff problems? Did he solve all his at lfc already? He might get fined or banned for insulting or so, so why do it? Its absolutely none of his business and thats not proffesional either, and secondly did you notice every press conference he does he praises the opposition team and manager, about every single one he says "hes done a fantastic job there", I find this ridiculous, or he says its going to be a very difficult game, as I remember Woy used to do that a lot, seriously needs to stop, its ridiculous, isnt it?
ReplyDeleteRem our kit started out blue (1892) !!!
ReplyDeleteWhat I think I am saying is as follows:
1. If a "decent" owner comes in to save a club by pouring his hard earned money, then he ought to have control over how the club is run. Chelsea is the prime example here, but Hull and Cardiff are the current examples in the news.
2. "Decent" is subjective especially by fickle fans who demand unlimited investment for immediate success only for the money to be wasted by woeful managers and overpaid prima-donnas.
3. We have experienced the worst type of owners, who did invest in the first team, but by leveraging to such an extent, further investment was constrained by paying the debt first.
4. Much like every fan, I've invested a considerable amount of time, money and heartache into supporting Liverpool. Yes I have a very strong emotional attachment to the club. BUT.. have I invested any money to buy Suarez's little pinkie - NO, And unfortunately this is the harsh true reality of football business economics.
Gary Medel and some striker cornelius.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely concur. BR has never been my cup of tea. I just wish he would look to Bob Paisley's way of doing things: softly spoken, understated with loads of humility. He always suggested we were "lucky again" winning for the umpteenth time, with none of the over the top back slapping superlatives.
ReplyDeleteRoy Hodgson is liked and respected in the game of football exactly because of the understanding and respect, and at times the practical assistance, he extends to his colleagues in management. It's obviously an advantage for Rodgers, and by extension for Liverpool, and is not ridiculous at all, and something to be welcomed. It's also smart to resist the temptation to talk down Cardiff or to disrespect them or their manager before the game; and it's also good for managers to answer questions from the press when they are asked them as it is part of building relationships, again, which can be leveraged for advantage down the line.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of cooperation is something you'll find in most demanding professions with an advanced technical element, such as the law, teaching, academia, finance, and so on. Top people who are ostensibly competing with each other, working for different institutions or departments, also collaborate, working together to achieve excellence as an end in itself. They form important working relationships, and sometimes friendships, from undertaking that enterprise together; and they take a poor view of amateurs in government or in local administrative systems who interfere with their work. Maybe you can see the advantages of having a respected and well-connected manager for Liverpool, with plenty of friends in the game?
If Suarez goes, provided we get £60+ mil in the summer, then I'll wish him all the best. I can honestly say that it has been an absolute privilege to watch him these last few years. Here's hoping he can fire us into the European Cup for next season.
ReplyDeleteIf that happens, there is a chance, a small one, that he might stay. We've got to stay in those places. It might be worth spending slightly bigger in January, because if we get into the CL, that will cover the increased expenditure but if we don't Suarez will certainly leave and the hefty fee will cover January's recruitment drive.
34, shearer
ReplyDeleteIf Real Madrid came in for him in the summer I think he would go. If not I am not sure he would necessarily leave for another team. If we quaify for the CL he might prefer to stay and see if the resurgance continues at a club where the supporters have shown him such loyalty. If he does stay it would be bitter sweet for me as i would have supported selling him last summer to any foreign club.
ReplyDeleteHe'still with us, rogers has expessed how much he values him as a player, at the same time getting him to realise how the fans have backed him through everything he's been suspended for, he's come straight back in and blitzed it, there aren't many teams playing better football than us and we can beat anyone as we'be shown over the years,to say gGerrard has missed out on shedloads of trophies is not accurate, the only major trophies he hasn't won are the premier league and the world club championship, I'm not getting excited yet, however after the Christmas fixtures,a good run by us and you never know!!!! Why won't it be us this season?? Think positive!! Shanks used to say that he was sure the fans in the Kop, with the pure support had kept a few shots out and willed a few goals in! YNWA
ReplyDeleteA billion!
ReplyDelete* In a 22 team league. In the current 20 team format, record is 31 held by Ronaldo. Either way, I'm thoroughly convinced he'll beat both those.
ReplyDeleteThat *sooner* is taking quite long though... Every player leaves the club he plays in eventually and even if Suarez leaves in the summer (which I don't think he will) that would make 4 seasons in one same club. For me that is later rather than sooner.
ReplyDeleteFound this great ad featuring Luis.. have to admit it made me giggle :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlhDbLbsuEk
SUAREZ HAS SIGNED A NEW CONTRACT
ReplyDeleteStop shouting!
ReplyDeleteI still think he'll go in the summer if we don't get Champions League. I think this is more to do with protecting his value because he only had a couple of years left on his contract.
A release clause may also have been installed.
HE SIGNED
ReplyDeletecan't we be optimistic for once why are we always so negative what if suarez really believes in our project here
ReplyDeleteVermHat, you're as much an Eeyore as Jaimie. He's signed!!!!!!! "3 reasons why Suarez won't sign a new contract" HaHa.
ReplyDeleteIf we deliver for the rest of the season as we have been doing he will stay. What's more, this takes away all of the indecision and distraction of speculation during the upcoming January window, which will aid better performances on pitch.
Wrong again Jaimie.
Sorry to disappoint you, but Suarez has just signed a new 5 year contract to stay on Merseyside until 2018 - seems he believes in LFC a little more than you thought
ReplyDeleteJamie Kanwar u havent got a clue
ReplyDeleteSuarez has signed a new contract so what u gonna do
He's here long term and the kop goes wild
and i just cant seem to get enough
Suarez
do do do do do
Luis Suarez
Jeez, how many times? Taking a realistic view is not negative. Everyone can have their own opinion; this is mine. If you want to think the opposite, go ahead. Not everyone has to think the same as you.
ReplyDeleteSent from Samsung Mobile
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Great that he has signed but who knows what release clauses are in it.
ReplyDeletewhat do u expect from a f***in manure supporter
ReplyDeletei didn mean against u jamie i like your articles i meant for vermhat we just signed on suarez to a new contract and the first thing u can say is well if we don't qualify for cl he's gone as true as that might be can't we for once be happy about such a great accomplishment fending off countless suitors for this great footballing star
ReplyDeleteOh well, looks like we're stuck with the best player in the league for a few seasons more.
ReplyDeleteWell Jamie there is a bit of egg on ya face now man. Brilliant news for the Reds this man is special he will probably go on to be one of the greatest Kop legends. If I was you Jamie I would get behind him he is looking like a changed man and the contract will be water tight, Don't get me wrong if we don't make that top 4 I can see a catch coming in then but its up to the rest of the squad to put suarez work rate in, like they are doing at the mo. happy Days ahead.
ReplyDeleteEgg on my face why? I gave my opinion. I was proved wrong. Big deal. I'm not so vain that I think I should always be right. In any event, signing a new deal doesn't mean that Suarez will stay for another 4 years. Threre are probably get out clauses in the contract, and a massive buyout clause to protect the club. We haven't heard the last of this, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteI'm not fussed either way. Suarez's behavioir has improved, and if it stays that way, I don't have a problem.
Sent from Samsung Mobile
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Just had a thought about this. The reason he may have signed an extension at this stage of the season could be that the board have shown him our transfer targets for next month and may have told him "fuck top 4, let's push on and win this thing, here's who we're going to try and sign to help you do it"
ReplyDeleteThat is what I would like to think happened, although I'm not going to claim it actually did happen as that would be speculation and we all know what happens to speculators on this site ;-)
You're absolutely right...I don't think either party is under any illusions. Suarez will do his best to get us to the CL and he expects FSG and Liverpool to do theirs and get him more players who will help. If it doesn't work out it won't be Suarez's fault. Here's hoping he doesn't get injured because that will make it tricky for everyone.
ReplyDeleteAm actually surprised by this news Jaimie, although its awesome!! I thought he would at least wait until new year to see how we go through this tough period. Its still hard to accept that he will be at Liverpool for long-term unless we are actually challenging for titles. I hope we do step up next season, not for Luis Suarez but for the club of this stature as well. We need to be challenging for big trophies from next season. Bring it on!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd once again Suarez proves Jamie wrong.
ReplyDeletelooks like you are both wrong Jaimie, Suarez jus signed a new deal.
ReplyDelete