Wow...
How you manage to put up with such level of incompetence is quite beyond me (and I've had my share at times)...

Try "there does be many regional networks..." on them for size

> Some days it's hard not to believe this whole
> country, and its economy, is nothing but a sham,
> proliferated by agreement at all costs and the
> following of ridiculous orders because that is what
> the hierarchy dictates.

Amen.

"There does be many regional networks in Asia, Bud."

I rant a lot about tax here as the minimum income tax for non-EU institutional workers is 45%. For that I would expect a metro service that times itself to my daily movements, bars with juke boxes full of 1994-97 jungle drum and bass, clean streets, no dogs, slow people in a slow lane, double-cuff shirts obliatory for office workers, days off after successful Liverpool European Cup triumphs, free Belgian beer tasting afternoons, no noise when I am sleeping and so on. None of the above exists. I wonder what I get for my taxes. Currently the binmen seem to stop outside my window at exactly 6h48 every Tueday and Friday mornings as if to announce that they do indeed work and they are indeed collecting my neatly sorted garbage. The street cleaners and their powerful dog shit jet spray nozzles also arrive and congregate beneath my window. I suspect, again, that with their gleeful arrangements of artful spraying that they are suggesting that they too have arrived and that I am indeed getting value for my taxes. I would rather wade through mountains of dog shite than lose 45 minutes of sleep a day.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N149253050705-1435.htm

I could start ranting now but will wait a little longer.

Right. Let him go.

"Some days it's hard not to believe this whole country, and its economy, is nothing but a sham, proliferated by agreement at all costs and the following of ridiculous orders because that is what the hierarchy dictates.

I'll never fit into a hierachical system based on the assumption of automatic deference as opposed to earned respect."

Not a truer word spoken; not a truer word spoken.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N149256050706-0857.htm
he's insane

I think he wants to leave but woke up this morning realizing he can't. The consequences for himself, his image and his family would just be too great. In many ways, this was the only decision he could make.

I disagree - he went through this last year when he almost moved to Chelsea. He knows what the reaction will be and despite this he announced yesterday he couldn't sign. He has been very badly advised and has acted like a spolit brat. I now think he should be sold and I suspect Rafa wishes he had gone. He and his image have been heavily tarnished because of this. If he stays he should sign a clause stating he refuses to talk again about this issue, sign a long term contract and when he opens his soft gob should only say that he is committed to Liverpool football club.

That's not really disagreeing though Pat. I've no sympathy for him either, but I do feel he woke up this morning thinking he couldn't go through with it. How about looking at it this way: if he left, life would be very difficult not only for him but his family. Maybe there was pressure from them?

I'm agreeing that he felt there was pressure but I'm not agreeing that it is a new feeling. He has been aware for over a year that this situation would be highly charged and I don't believe that his change of heart has been brought on by a heightened awareness of family pressure.

Yes, it's not new. But surely it's the same reason as last season? i.e. realizing the consequences of leaving. If not, what else could it be?

Giving himself more power? He has acted as if he wanted to be mollycoddled by the club and told by them just how much they want him. Maybe this weeks events have got him what he wanted publicly. This is his own power game and he seems to be winning it.

The consequences of leaving and his reflection on such issues is something he refers to when he commented yeterday that it was the hardest decision of his life. In making this u-turn he has made life very difficult for himself and needs to apologise, commit to the club, get his head down and train really fucking hard.

Here's a different intepretation from both of ours Pat (from RAWK).

A plot so cunning you could put a tail on it and call it a fox.

Im trying to take the positive view to this which is IMO:

SG has had his bluff called. Heres the contract lad. You dont want it? You say you want to leave? Ok, not a problem, when a decent bid comes in you can do one. yeah, we'd love you to stay, but at the end of the day were Liverpool FC and 30 - 40 million is a lot of money. For that we get loads of new players, the manager lays down the law, and the SG media circus is out of L4. Its been great fun, no doubt we'll miss you, but remember to close the door on the way out. See ya!! Oh, give me a call tonight if you fancy taking whats on offer.

Love the bit where Rick says the contract hasnt changed, no more negotiations. this is the offer you had, now take it, or were not arsed anymore if you go. And we WILL let you go.

I hope the contract is a min of a 2 year extention, anything less and any stupid get out clauses need to be sorted for the benefit of the club.

I think this is a fucking big wake up call for the ego that is SG. Yeah lad, YOU'RE good, but at the end of the day WE'RE liverpool FC.

Glad he's staying from a purely football (playing) perspective, but £30 - 40 mill is a huge amount of cash AND the removal of a problem child. I really, really hope he comes out and clears the air, shows a bit of humility, and demonstrates his loyalty to the club, the fans, and the city.

I like that angle a lot. If it serves to put him in his place then things are looking up. He needs to show a humble side as the RAWK poster said above. Interesting times.