Topic: Kenny (to) Rodgers: the Gambler

[kcbworth]

2.Do you think they will give him 3 years or expect him to get 4th place in a season or was that just bollocks from the people getting rid of Dalglish?

They will give him time, and no such bollocks were there re Dalglish (despite how many times it's said here). I suspect that if we are there or there abouts with our traditional rivals (and whichever one or two teams have a good season), then no questions will be asked. However, if the team shows relegation form for half of the season, and breaks losing records all over the place, and actually starts tailing off as time goes on, then I suspect Rodgers will be under the microscope just like the management was this season, but even then I suspect he'll survive, as he is young and I believe the club really wants to build a dynasty here.

[Les Willis]

I don't know how FSG came to the decision to appoint Brendan Rodgers, but I've a feeling that it could be an inspired decision, whoever made it. FSG have held their cards close to chest over this. I for one, expected it to be Martinez all the way so I was quite surprised to see Rodgers appointed.

Who at FSG has the football nous to make these decisions? This is the other thing, who is advising them? Does that mean we also already have a new DOF in place?

Having said all that, after not knowing much about Rodgers, what I have read impresses me a lot, so I am quite optimistic for the new season.


I for one will be backing Brendan all the way. Good luck.

[steveee]

1.  They have done something forward thinking for sure and something that is the true “Liverpool Way”

2.  I’m not sure about 3 years for sure but FSG will not sack him him if he doesn’t get top 4 his first season which will have some maybe mad about that even because some will say they didn’t give that to Kenny.

3. I’m looking forward to watching exciting attacking possession passing football.   My biggest concern would be not from him exactly but the fans expecting too much maybe too soon.  I believe if we go through a rough patch some fans will turn on him faster than FSG will.   The way some talk on here some have already turned on him.   We need to be patient but with that said I expect him to finish at least 10 points higher next season.  I look forward to the start of a new era of Liverpool football.   Rogers will be a breath of fresh air for everyone involved with Liverpool. 

4.  I think in a couple years we will be looking back saying what a great move by FSG in hiring Rogers honestly… and some will be saying FSG got lucky still criticizing them on things.

[JackWard33]

Looks like he has got responsibility on signing players unless the press reports are completely out of whack.

If true its a colossal gamble - he's never had to identify top level talent, never had to manage it and never had to deal with the pressure that comes with a top club

I hope beyond hope that he's the second coming of Shankly however that doesn't stop me being saddened by the fact that our short list was the manger of Swansea and the manager of Wigan when better qualified, more proven managers waited on the sidelines - all the positivity in the world isn't going to stop me being hugely worried about the club and its ownership. But like I said hope it comes good

[Dubai_Red]

1. I think that's a bit up in the air at the moment. Certainly, FSG targeting the likes of Martinez and Rodgers suggests that they wanted young, attack minded managers/coaches but the structure is still open to debate. I guess more will be known in the upcoming weeks but at present, it's a bold move and risky but it looks to be a positive one.

2. I think if we're improving and getting close, they'll persist with him. It's clear though that 4th is the priority and Rodgers will obviously be aware of that so they'll be looking at league form very closely. We've had four managers in two years and this'll be the second that FSG have appointed in 18 months but the excuse that was used for them was that they didn't have their own man and the fans wanted Dalglish. Now they haven't got that excuse and if they sack Rodgers within the next year, serious questions have to be asked. I think they will persist with him though, or at least I hope they do even if we don't get 4th or finish in a similar position to last year.

3. Well the football is the obvious thing. Swansea clearly played good football under him and he clearly has a philosophy and style that he wants to imprint. He seems to place emphasis on 'control' and that's something we've not had since Rafa (and it's something I've missed) so in that respect I'm looking forward to see his Liverpool side in action. That's a definite positive and I hope the fans, the players, the coaching staff and the owners support him in that.

There's no doubt though that it's a huge risk, he's unproven at the level we want to aspire to and he could just be another 'flavour of the month' type appointment - I don't think he is but he's only had one season managing in the Premier League. We've seen other examples where it doesn't work out, most recently at Chelsea where Villas Boas got sacked after less than a season (though I still think he's a good manager). So there's questions about whether he can handle pressure and expectation as well the 'egos' inside the club. We'll see soon enough whether he can. There's also been criticisms of having no plan B and assertions that teams come to Anfield to defend and how Swansea didn't have that problem so they're all questions that need to be answered. I think he'll definitely have some problems, that's natural, whether he's got the solutions is the most important thing. I hope he does but as mentioned, everyone needs to support him because aside from the fact that he's at a new club, he's still young, not yet 40, so he's still improving - and again, that begs the question about whether he's right for the club at this stage of his career - and I'm sure he'll be trying to adapt to different circumstances.

He's definitely got a number of players here who fit into the way he wants to play such as Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Lucas and Reina (been reading about he used to use Vorm and that sounds like it'd fit Reina to a tee) but there are others who may not. Does he adapt to using the players he has or try to get them to adapt, or make huge changes to the squad? So there are concerns about that as well and how successful he'll be with it.

So there are quite a few concerns as well as things to be optimistic about with this appointment.

4. It's a definite gamble but one that could be a huge positive for us. Equally, it could fail and we'll be back to starting again. I know that's probably sitting on the fence but as mentioned, there's a lot of questions that need to be answered, given what we're supposedly trying to put in place and how FSG have behaved regarding Comolli and Kenny. I hope they show patience though because I'm a quietly optimistic about this appointment if we've got the right structure in place and he's supported by the club.

Exactly the reasons why you can't do nothing but sit on the fence on this one!

[Gnurglan]

1.Have FSG taken LSD and gone loopy or have they actually done something interesting and potentially forward thinking by looking backwards to a man who's his own man?

That remains to be seen, doesn't it? It's certainly a much better intent than when we hired Hodgson. I don't know much about Rodgers, but Swansea impressed last season. I admire their approach, in particular as they were new to the PL. I also like the fact that Rodgers has gone to Barca to learn something new. At least he's open minded. That I like. Unlike with Hodgson, we have someone who fits with the style of play we want to implement. So far, so good. But the job is bigger than that.

2.Do you think they will give him 3 years or expect him to get 4th place in a season or was that just bollocks from the people getting rid of Dalglish?

A key question. Going by what we've seen so far, I think we have to expect him to get us to top four. Everything else and his job will be seriously under threat. We haven't had much patience to date. It will look strange if we offer Rodgers the patience we didn't give Kenny. That's when serious questions will be asked about our owners' true intentions. That we pushed Kenny aside, didn't improve and now what?

3.What are you looking forward to, and what are you concerned about with BR?

I like the way Swansea played. If we can replicate that, I'll be optimistic. We'd have the right approach and something to build on. Something which will help players improve. My concerns are basically around how he handles pressure:
- Both Carra and Gerrard are on a downward slope. Can Rodgers reduce their roles? Can he handle the effects if he does reduce their roles?
- Can he handle the pressure from the press, the pressure if we were to lose a couple of games? Questions will be asked immediately and it's likely that we'll see it within the next 6 months from today. 
- Can he attract the kind of players we need? Can he make sure to keep our best players?

4.Is it a gamble or a shrewd investment.... Show us your crystal balls now and in years to come, we'll look back as say "Ah, they knew what they were on about" or, more likely "See, none of us ever know.."

It's a gamble. It's a huge gamble. My impression is we're trying to look clever. That we have a need to look smarter than everyone else. A need to find the unpolished diamond, or find a new (statistical) approach that no-one else has seen. As if we as a club and the sport in general, are light years behind. No harm in trying, but I feel we have to make a big deal of it. And I don't like it.

IMO we want the success of the big club, but we think like a small/mid-table club. 8 years ago, the rumours were around Mourinho or Benitez. CL or UEFA Cup/La Liga winner? Two of the most exciting managers around (anywhere) at that time. Who would it be? Compare that to today. Nothing says Rodgers can't be a success, but my point is: known quality vs future potential and now we value potential.

Should this work, we'll have our moment. We will indeed look to have outsmarted everyone and it will be champagne all around in the board room with admiration from the press.

However, if we were to fail, we will look careless and very stupid. And we will have to start from scratch as a club. Really from scratch. From a mid-table position. I fear that we'd lose more or less all our best players. The back five, Lucas and Suarez. Other big players have had enough in the past and we've seen three seasons of mid-table football on the trot already. The likes of Carra, Gerrard, Kuyt and Bellamy will be lost due to age anyway. LFC is a tough task, even with very good resources.

All in all, it's a HUGE task for ANY manager. My view is we should go for one of the known top names in the situation we are in now. While we can. Not Rodgers. It's too much youth and future potential and not enough experience and known quality. Not just with Rodgers, but overall.

I fear that we won't reach top four next season. And I fear that this will result in new battles within the club, with the press making sure the fires are kept alive.

[RedinExile]

Hard to say, as FSG may have changed their mind about what's important to them again before the night is out.

Two CL Finals and a run at the title in 7 seven years and we're all excited to get Rodgers in. He's got a chance, even a stopped clock is right twice a day, but you could have said that about Coyle too who was touted for big jobs this time last year. Brenno speaks Spanish, but that gets on the lads tits by all accounts.

Seems a nice fella, with a good attitude, and if they had gone for solely him all along I would have said 'strange but at least you have courage of your convictions' whereas the way it has played out it looks like they are lurching from one farce to another.

Even I win on the casino now and again though, so here's hoping it comes good; FSG? Hmm......half term report - 'could do better'.

[andywilko]

I'm excited for next season now.  The owners have taken their time, looked at all the options (van Gaal would have been hugely entertaining but a massive risk) and gone for something that maybe was not their first choice structure or personnel when they started the process.  That's entirely normal in the real world, why not in football? What I like about Rodgers is that for the first time in a long time we will have a plan of how we want to play.  What worries me is whether the current squad has the technical ability to carry out that plan, how long it will take to build a squad that does and whether we (by which I mean us, the fans) will give him enough time.  Although things seem to happen very quickly for him at Swansea, he inherited a squad that was built by Martinez and Sousa to play that system.  Here, he will have to start from scratch and I expect an interesting debate on RAWK over the next few weeks as to who will fit the system and who won't.

[rola]

1.Have FSG taken LSD and gone loopy or have they actually done something interesting and potentially forward thinking by looking backwards to a man who's his own man?

It's loopy, interesting and potentially forward thinking.  This is entirely FSGs choice. It's the first definitive statement of what they want to do with LFC.  It's not coloured or influenced by fan opinion and comes on the back of sacking a legend and completing a boardroom pogrom. Radical. Haven't a clue of how they got to this point - though I speculated that their key criteria were based on ambition, flexibility & innovation.  I assume they know what they want and that BR is part of it. 


2.Do you think they will give him 3 years or expect him to get 4th place in a season or was that just bollocks from the people getting rid of Dalglish?

As it's their man, their judgement and ultimately, their vision on the line here I can see them giving him time providing he delivers their minimum requirements.  Not sure what they are but they'll be linked to the financial model they're operating to.   Essentially, they'll set BR goals & milestones to deliver on, and he'll succeed of fail on those terms. 

That doesn't mean that it will be as simple as must finish 4th or you're out.  That would be the aim - 4th, but a lower placed finish playing a style (or brand)football that was generating a buzz about the rise of LFC - which has the potential to attract fans, improve marketability & appease sponsors.  What won't be tolerated is any perception of regression.  It did for Hodge (freefall and toying with relegation) and ultimately did for Kenny too (poor league form from turn of year).     

3.What are you looking forward to, and what are you concerned about with BR?

Right now, all I'm looking forward to is the possibility that things might improve.  That's all it is - possibilities are limitless right now.  Reality kicks in from tomorrow @ 10am when the full beam spotlight hits BR in the eyes.

Concerns?  Loads.  I posted on Rogers in the new manager thread. I pretty much dismissed him as too callow and inexperienced to be ready for a job like this.  I've now had to take him a bit more seriously since - gibe him credit for playing a blinder in the interview merry go round, so savvy and shrewd (but then so was Comolli and look how that turned out). 

Try as I might, one good season with Swansea ("good" based on Swansea's expectations) doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.  The guys record in management cv is pretty thin - 151 games as a manager with a 41% win ratio, and 1 full season in a top flight league. He has a great rep in coaching circles according to reports.

4.Is it a gamble or a shrewd investment.... Show us your crystal balls now and in years to come, we'll look back as say "Ah, they knew what they were on about" or, more likely "See, none of us ever know.."

It's a calculated gamble.  I think FSG have looked at successful appointments elsewhere and seen the success of Guardiola (Barca), Mourinho (Chelsea & Madrid), Villas Boas (Porto), Klopp (Dortmund).  They've developed a profile of young, ambitious, intelligent, innovative managers who have achieved success without a significant managerial CV. We had our own man with that profile when we recruited Rafa from Valencia.  So they've backed themselves - modelling best practice from other successful clubs.

It could work but there are so many things that need to fall into place, and so many variables that it will either take a massive slice of luck or consistently applied football genius to achieve success.
His immediate impact on the club - players, staff & fans will set the scene.  He needs to bring as many people with him as possible.  If he can do that, then his job gets a little bit easier and the club can build some momentum on and off the pitch and we're off an BR's magical mystery tour.  If not...well, it's along hard road ahead.

[RedinExile]

I don't think he has to start from scratch mate the team has plenty of talent and potential we just didn't tap into it properly last season. In fact I fully expect an improvement - but while everyone wanks themselves silly when it happens - we need to establish what is expected from him in terms of his goals early on. We have been backsliding in our ambitions ever since we were told missing out on fourth isn't good enough, then all of a sudden we are the biggest pile of dogshit ever, haven't done fuck all for 20 years and should be lucky to finish top half. Un-fucking-believable, the same people were probably booing the West Ham draw we got to take us top.

Is sixth good enough for us? Fourth? Getting to the EC Final? What would represent progress for LFC?

[BigV]

I'm personally thrilled about this - if we give this guy a chance, he could well have a chance of bringing about success.

1.Have FSG taken LSD and gone loopy or have they actually done something interesting and potentially forward thinking by looking backwards to a man who's his own man?

I like the fact that he's opinionated and goes against the grain, even in the minute details by the looks of the interview he gave in the Telegraph. I'm also in a way impressed that he initially turned the job down meaning that it's likely he's got the job on his own terms.

2.Do you think they will give him 3 years or expect him to get 4th place in a season or was that just bollocks from the people getting rid of Dalglish?

I think we've slipped so far, we really stand as a mid-table club at the moment and I think they realise that. Because of this, I suspect he will get time as long as he shows some kind of progress. If we can see an improvement from last season with reciprocal enthusiasm for our style of football, I think and hope they'll give him more long term backing.

3.What are you looking forward to, and what are you concerned about with BR?

He seems so proudly opposed to anti-football and so passionate about possession and pressing. It looks like he won't compromise this for anything and this is what we need because in the immediate future, it is not about results, it is about cultivating an identity on the pitch that will hopefully lead to long term success. The managers I was initially hoping for have done this to some extent at their current/previous teams (e.g. Loew, Rijkaard) and I think Rodgers has the same progressive and youthful mentality.

What concerns me is whether he is going to have the freedom to improve the squad this summer, especially on the midfield. I'm concerned that if our midfielders aren't up to the task, that Rodgers is going to be scapegoated. FSG need to put their money where their mouth is and allow him to buy the players he wants.

4.Is it a gamble or a shrewd investment.... Show us your crystal balls now and in years to come, we'll look back as say "Ah, they knew what they were on about" or, more likely "See, none of us ever know.."

It's a shrewd investment but it all depends on how they play it from here. He needs to be given the freedom to run the team in his own way.

[RedRush]

I don't think he has to start from scratch mate the team has plenty of talent and potential we just didn't tap into it properly last season. In fact I fully expect an improvement - but while everyone wanks themselves silly when it happens - we need to establish what is expected from him in terms of his goals early on. We have been backsliding in our ambitions ever since we were told missing out on fourth isn't good enough, then all of a sudden we are the biggest pile of dogshit ever, haven't done fuck all for 20 years and should be lucky to finish top half. Un-fucking-believable, the same people were probably booing the West Ham draw we got to take us top.

Is sixth good enough for us? Fourth? Getting to the EC Final? What would represent progress for LFC?

Exactly my sentiments. Our target (looks long term now) should always be the Champions of England, not the cash bonus from CL qualification.

[Billman]

1.Have FSG taken LSD and gone loopy or have they actually done something interesting and potentially forward thinking by looking backwards to a man who's his own man?

I think they've done something interesting. And practical too in its own way. He's his own man but entering unchartered territory so will need some bit of guidance and that little bit of vulnerability probably suits them in terms of power relations.

2.Do you think they will give him 3 years or expect him to get 4th place in a season or was that just bollocks from the people getting rid of Dalglish?

Barring total disaster, two years definitely. After that who knows.


3.What are you looking forward to, and what are you concerned about with BR?

Looking forward to getting to know him better and seeing how his style develops. Judging by some of the performances last season, if he can bring the team on a bit and they become more clinical, then they could develop into quite a fearsome prospect.

Concerned about whether or not he can stamp his authority. With Kenny players knew he was such an important figure that clashing with him in public would have been futile. Now that a younger man is in place, who is not a club legend, will one or two try throwing a few curveballs if he is not to their liking?

Also, and this is not completely to do with him, but it is yet another season of transition ahead, and a concern would be one or two players that we would like to keep getting itchy feet and deciding 'sod this I'm off'. Can he secure a champions league spot, and how soon. It has been a few years already.

How will he work within the management structure that is yet to be fully revealed?

And what kind of a shorthand name is going to be bestowed on him....Bredny/Bren/Buck/Bucko/Brodger/Rodders??? Did not want Martinez in but thought 'Bobby M' had a ring to it at least. Harder to find a suitable fit in this case!


4.Is it a gamble or a shrewd investment.... Show us your crystal balls now and in years to come, we'll look back as say "Ah, they knew what they were on about" or, more likely "See, none of us ever know.."

It's a calculated risk is probably how FSG see it. But I think a gamble. None of us ever know what's around the corner. Just look at how last season unfolded.

[WOOLTONIAN]

1.Have FSG taken LSD and gone loopy or have they actually done something interesting and potentially forward thinking by looking backwards to a man who's his own man?
LSD ? are we talking high grade Khaki Pyramid, White Lightning or the giggle juice Grey ?
or are we talking Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds ? or Pounds Shillings and Pence ? All three relate to a period when Success ran rife within the Hallowed Halls of Anfield. Whatever they're on, they chose the same fella I would have.
His style of football last season was very reminiscent of our pass and move of yesteryear.
His side looked like a TEAM, they played like a unit. That alone would be a forward move for us.
In a word I think this is an 'exciting' appointment.

2.Do you think they will give him 3 years or expect him to get 4th place in a season or was that just bollocks from the people getting rid of Dalglish?
Seriously depends on who 'THEY' are. The owners ? The fans ? or the Players ?
Sadly nowadays any one group seems to be able to swing the axe.
The owners have committed themselves to 3 years, only they will look foolish if they pay for three and employ for less.
Player power only comes into play if the new manager allows it. I hope we see a return to strong management, where what the boss says is written in stone.
It's the fans that worry me. They no longer have hope in their hearts, they have EXPECTATIONS.
This three year period will see the retirement of both Carra & Stevie, how will the fans accept a Liverpool Team without Liverpool Players ? Will they blame BR for lack of local lads ?
Our fans cannot even agree on what our goals are.  Some want Silverware of any description others would rather be the fourth best team in England just to qualify for whores tournament.
In a game of 'Chicken' it's gonna come down to who blinks first.
It's my opinion that the fans will lose patience before the owners and that's the saddest thing of all.



3.What are you looking forward to, and what are you concerned about with BR?
I'm looking forward to seeing us play a style of football that will remind me of the Glory Years.
I'm looking forward to supporting a TEAM not an individual with a me me me character.
I'm hoping to see a manager who will make substitutions that makes sense and at an appropriate
time, not when it's too late to make an effect.
My only concern about BR is whether he has a strong enough personality to rule the roost.

4.Is it a gamble or a shrewd investment.... Show us your crystal balls now and in years to come, we'll look back as say "Ah, they knew what they were on about" or, more likely "See, none of us ever know.."
Of course taking on such a young man is a gamble, but I am hoping it proves to be a shrewd investment when we look back in years to come. As to my Crystal ball, I have to admit...
..... To my eternal shame, I once said .... "How can a bucket and sponge man ever fill Shankly's boots"
What followed as you know is history

[royhendo]

Nice that mate

[woof]

I reckon FSG would want to see incremental gains in the first season. What I meant was:

- Without a huge injection of funds into the transfer kitty, FSG wants BR to get the team to play attractive football to win back the trust of the fans
- Win at home
- Harness the talents we have at hand including ones which are almost out of the door

I don't see a top 4 finish being a KPI for the first season. If we are in top 6 and still play attractive football, perhaps BR will get a bigger transfer kitty the following season.

[Hinesy]

To my eternal shame, I once said .... "How can a bucket and sponge man ever fill Shankly's boots"
What followed as you know is history

good one mate.

[Degs]

1.Have FSG taken LSD and gone loopy or have they actually done something interesting and potentially forward thinking by looking backwards to a man who's his own man?

I do not think Rodgers is a throwback at all, I believe him to be well versed in all modern aspects of the game including the dark arts of stats manipulation.  Whatever was said in the press conference about Directors of Football, total control, etc. is a sham.  There will still be a structure in place that FSG want, the only difference will be in the titles attached to these roles as "Director of Football" has negative associations in this country.

The success of John Henry and FSG is built on one thing alone - being different.  By not facing up to the "big boys" at their own game Henry was able to play the financial markets, by adopting Moneyball he then went on to do the same in baseball.  There is no way that the men who only ever seem half interested in football have been charmed by sitting at home and watching Swansea and the press conferences of Brendan Rodgers.  What they have been taken in by is a manager who has Moneyball sitting on his desk:



FSG don't care how he looks, walks, talks, or plays football - at the moment that's a happy coincidence.  They do care that he speaks their language of stats and, like Martinez, gets more points than his budget says he should. Despite what you read he'll also be open to their management structure, if tweaked a small amount.

Looking backwards? No way.

2. Do you think they will give him 3 years or expect him to get 4th place in a season or was that just bollocks from the people getting rid of Dalglish?

Rodgers will be given longer than Kenny because he is "their" man.  They approached him, interviewed him.  He fits their structure, their way of thinking and he plays their game.  Kenny was placed in the manager's seat by the fans and his excellent first 6 months in charge.  "Finish 4th or else" was an ultimatum to Kenny from a group of men unconvinced by the old ways of doing things.
Any failures Rodger's makes will be brushed aside with "long-term" the go-to phrase, a luxury Kenny was never afforded.

3.What are you looking forward to, and what are you concerned about with BR?

A passing side.
A side that bores into the opposition with unrelenting possession.
Taffy-Taka (I made that up, no you can't have it).

As much as I love Kenny we became so old fashioned under him it was embarassing. 4-4-2 every match, Carroll a million miles from the action, Downing on the left and never moving from there, no right winger, 2 men in central midfield not suited to be there (Spearing, Gerrard, Adam).

I want a high-back line, 2 pressing full backs, a midfield 3 that can finally get the best out of Adam and Henderson (and maybe Gerrard), I want Suarez on the right of a front 3, I want passing throughout the entire team, I want Carroll in and around the box like Mario Gomez, I want a high back line, I want a sweeper keeper.  I want slow build up or fast counter attacking when it's right, I want bodies in the box even if it risks a counter attack.  I want us to be fucking Liverpool and what excites me is I believe Rodgers is the only man in the Premier League who will play like this.

What worries me about Rodgers is his 1 season of mediocrity at Swansea is the greatest thing he has achieved.  Leaving Watford and Reading doesn't look good on the CV and he has the look of a man ready to go mental at the first sign of pressure.

4. Is it a gamble or a shrewd investment.... Show us your crystal balls now and in years to come, we'll look back as say "Ah, they knew what they were on about" or, more likely "See, none of us ever know.."

I want him to succeed but it is out of his own hands and entirely in those with the money.
He inherits a side that has a future: Lucas, Henderson, Coates, Shelvey, Kelly and Sterling will all be good enough for Liverpool yet there are still cracks to be filled: Bellamy, Kuyt, Gerrard, Maxi are all past their best and need replacing while there are some areas that are threadbare already (left-back, right-wing) and some that have just poor (Downing).

What Rodgers has been brought in to do is make a little money go a long way. A moneyball man.  It has worked at Newcastle this season but if it is a success then, like baseball, every team will try and copy it. 

If Financial Fair Play is real, and I don't think it is, then Rodgers should do well over time (which he will be given by the fans for attempting to play football).  If it is not then I fear without a new/redeveloped stadium we will be in a perpetual battle for 4th, as Spurs are now, getting it one year and missing the next and being defined by moves in the transfer market.

I do like the strategy FSG want to put in place: use the academy more, buy good for cheap, sell when the price is higher than the value.  I hope they have the balls to go through with it because if we carry on as we are, thinking we're in the same league as City, Barcelona, Madrid then we'll be forever doomed.

Prediction: 3-4 season's of fighting for 4th