Thanks, PoP.
While I imagine we all count our blessings, and there is much in life for which to be thankful – family, friends, good health (I hope for all) and beer –spring to mind. Yet, often times “life” seems a chore. Work, money (or lack of it), bills, taxes, crap weather, general headaches, shit on the news, getting older and the swiftness of time all weigh on us. “Dysons aren’t supposed to fucking break after 6 months!”… I digress.
Football is a release from this for sure. It is much less so when there’s dysfunction around your club, or you lament finishing 7th or 8th, missing out on hopeful targets, and shit like languishing stadium redevelopment, the endless oil money buying up players and prizes. Space Invaders-inspired away kits. You get my drift. But still it is there for us to enjoy – or even escape from the other things in life. And there’s a permanent pride in the LFC supporters local and worldwide for many reasons we all know, and rightly so. And this doesn’t fade.
But this year it is different. People seem to have that "hope in their heart(s)" for real. But, there’s a difference between “hoping” to fare well, and “believing” you will do so.
Brendan Rodgers and his team don’t seem the hopeful lot. They are playing each match with belief and getting the results as proof. Remember how if we went down a goal, so would our heads? All in the past, my friends.
Our manager is a youngish fellow, who is intelligent, articulate and has a knack for improving players. And we have some fine talent, much of it young. This at once made me hopeful for the future – and that was good for a time.
This team plays exciting and at times riveting football. “SAS”…”Hendo hounding the opposition”…”Stevie in his new role”…”Did you see that pass from Coutinho??”... and on.
It’s fun to watch, as have been celebrating the results. We are in the hunt not only for CL places, but for an outright title challenge. The air is fresh and tingly these days folks, and I for one am in the believing camp.
Cheers!