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Over the years, and I'm strictly speaking from experience, I have seen a lot of my good friends depressed, dejected and even upset by their personal relationships with the opposite sex. Now in this context, when I say experience, I mean what I learnt from their mishaps and unfortunate turn of events. And when they have been disheartened by their counterpart, they start feeling dull and miserable which is normal human behaviour. This is how we express ourselves, the way we act is influenced by what we feel or what we have seen within our environment or even beyond it in some cases.
I consider myself a good listener but this does not imply that I may also be good in offering legitimate or appropriate advice. That said, when a friend of mine came to talk to me about the hardships he was facing in his relationship, a notion came to my mind. Why get depressed ?? What is the point of getting sad, dull and low ?? Now, your thinking this idiot is just rambling on and I better hit the close button.
What I would do...
If that person meant a lot to me, I would not get depressed or sulk day in day out. I would turn gay. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating homosexuality or any behaviour of that sort (Family & Friends... Relax, it's not what you think...). Show the world how hurt you were that you had to take this step. It's not revenge, its merely expressing your distress and how troubled your were that you had to march on to the gay-side of life. Turning into a fruit-cake (No disrespect towards anyone) would show people how much the counterpart meant to you and to what extreme's you may go to express inner feelings.
As I said, am a good listener but my advice could raise a few eyebrows.
Now if I was able to make a significant change in your thinking, I would strongly recommend you watch this re-make from 1972. Sleuth stars Micheal Caine and Jude Law. Caine is an aging writer who confronts an aspiring actor, Jude Law, who has lured his wife away. The movie is crude with respect to the dialogues and language. Both men take part in a game of deceit and trickery. Mind games turn into seduction, and one man prevails in his overtures. Similar concept to what I had been debating, but not quite.
Just to inform all the women out there, no woman has broken my heart yet... ;)
Picture Source : Flickr & Yahoo
The previous season could be considered as the most attack-minded season under Rafa Benitez. But as the strike force became positive, the defending put the team down.
A step back into the past...
It all began when Rafa bought the likes of Torres and Babel, also completing the permanent deal for Mascherano, we all knew that something good was to come from the talents that were brought in. Results are visible, Torres scored 33 goals in all competitions in his inaugural season at Liverpool and Babel reached double figures with his goal tally. Not to forget the likes of Kuyt who flourished himself on the right wing and also reached double figures. Benayoun and Crouch had limited appearances due to the good form shown by Kuyt and Babel, but both of them also reached double figures. Another new addition, Voronin, was too injured to be evaluated appropriately. Fears of another Kewell perhaps ??
Captain fantastic, Gerrard, has never let the team down and proved his mettle striking an amazing partnership behind Torres and scoring freely. Midfield duties were on the shoulders of Mascherano and Alonso. The latter struggled with injury and form, presenting a chance for young Lucas to shine when given the opportunity. Pennant carried out his job of supplying strikers. The ever-injured Kewell's doctor hopes he now receives equal rent from Kewell as he has permanently moved into the hospital.
Moving on to the defence. Hyypia had a consistent season after Agger had been crocked, Carragher and Finnan showed signs of age and did not have the best of seasons. Both have retired from international football and can focus completely on the club now. Arbeloa and Aurelio were dependable and steady throughout the season. Riise had a nightmare season with the Reds. Skrtel had a solid debut season and learnt quickly from Carragher.
Reine kept well in goal winning the Golden Gloves Award for the third consecutive time. He received no competition what so ever from Charles Itandje.
Saddest part of the season was that Liverpool finished the season without any silverware. Played well in the Champions League but unfortunately got dumped out by Chelsea in the semi's. Rick Parry has made the League title priority for next season and is still working closely with Rafa to end the boardroom bust-up between the US co-owners. Rafa could have easily left his post when the Klinsmann saga rambled on. But being the bigger man, guided Liverpool safe to the Champions League spot and his now focused on the job at hand for next season.
Liverpool’s league record under Benitez:
04/05:
Home: 12 wins, 4 draws, 3 losses
Away: 5 wins, 3 draws, 11 losses
58 points
05/06:
Home: 15 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss
Away: 10 wins, 4 draws, 5 losses
82 points
06/07:
Home: 14 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss
Away: 6 wins, 4 draws, 9 losses
68 points
07/08:
Home: 12 wins, 6 draws 1 loss
Away: 9 wins, 7 draws, 3 losses
76 points
League goals for and against:
04/05: 52 scored, 41 conceded (82 for in all competitions)
05/06: 57 scored, 25 conceded (104 for in all competitions)
06/07: 57 scored, 27 conceded (90 for in all competitions)
07/08: 67 scored, 28 conceded (119 for in all competitions)
Top scorer:
04/05: Milan Baros - 9 in the league, 13 in total (Gerrard and Luis Garcia also finished the season with the same respective tally)
05/06: Steven Gerrard - 10 in the league, 23 overall
06/07: Peter Crouch - 9 in the league, 18 overall (Kuyt finished top scorer in the league with 12 to his name)
07/08: Fernando Torres - 24 in the league, 33 overall
Clean sheets:
04/05: 7 in the league, 18 overall
05/06: 22 in the league, 33 overall
06/07: 20 in the league, 28 overall
07/08: 18 in the league, 25 overall
Points behind the league winners:
04/05: 37
05/06: 9
06/07: 21
07/08: 11
Back to the present...
Liverpool have sold Riise to Roma. Rafa gave Riise the chance to join a could club as he was not guaranteed first team football anymore. Riise opted to move and is looking forward to the Italian challenge. Le Tallec has been sold to Le Mans. Harry Kewell had been released earlier and has now found a better operation table in the likes of Galatasaray.
Liverpool have signed Phillip Degen on a Bosman-transfer from Dortmund to offer Finnan and Arbeloa competition. And Adrea Dossena has been snapped up by Rafa from Udinese and will go head to head with Aurelio for first team football. Crouch could be on his way to Portsmouth and Alonso could be close to a switch to Juventus. As for the Gareth Barry saga, it seems to be far from done.
As for the future...
It's the balance Rafa's seeking in the team and will need more finances to aid the team. What happens in the coming season ?? Who knows. But attractive football will always be offered by the Reds. Keep up the good work Rafa !!
Picture Source : Flickr
In my previous articles, I have openly slaughtered Mr.Grant for his mundane and pathetic management skills both on and off the field of football. So, with respect to all of the above I wont bother myself debating a fact and as to why he was fired on 25th May 2008 or even to justify the decision. I will simply quote 'The Special One' who has now become the jack of all trades for Inter Milan and is currently building a squad to challenge all competitions respectively." Chelsea almost won the Carling Cup, almost won the Champions League, and almost won the Premier League. Almost is nothing. After two titles per season for the last three years there were zero titles this season. In my philosophy that means a really bad season. Maybe in the philosophy of a loser this was a great season, which I respect... " --- Jose Mourinho
Picture Source : Sky Sports
Spain ended a 44-year wait for silverware when they outclassed Germany in the Euro '08 Final on 29th June. Aragones set himself a target to win this trophy before the tournament commenced. He did that with ease and also showed the Spanish FA who reluctantly defended Aragones on many of his public outbursts. Aragones is now off to Istanbul, visions of a Turkish Delight with Fenerbahçe soon ??
While the experts were rallying for a midfield battle a certain striker, who had scored 33 goals in all competitions for Liverpool (in his first season in England also surpassing Ruud Van Nistelrooy's record), and having been written off by pundits after scoring just one goal in the competition stepped up and had 'Fiesta' on his mind. Torres was extremely sharp from the first minute and had already threatened Lehmann's goal having hit the post with a downward header. Soon after, Xavi slid one of his trademark slide-rule passes that was perfectly read by Torres and finished the move off with the most sublime of finishes. It could be argued that Lahm should have been a little more alert and stronger but Torres was too hot to handle.
Germany were a goal down and never really looked dangerous. Silva could have doubled Spain's lead but volleyed well over having been left unmarked. Ballack, who passed a late fitness test, had a snap-shot on Casillas' goal but was just wide. Both respective captains were booked for not having controlled their teams in an incident involving Ramos and Ballack. Fabregas was not at his brightest but did contribute in halting the German midfield trio by offering little space to work with. Fabregas was withdrawn on the hour mark and was replaced by another of Liverpool's Spanish quartet, Alonso, who as always did not waste a pass.
Seventy eight minutes, Torres received a standing ovation by the crowd and was replaced by Daniel Guiza. Germany's hard-fought road to the final was subsequently over and Joachim Low was left unsatisfied, dejected and for lack of better English, low. Germany's lack-luster and monotonous football was easily exploited by the Spanish Armada. A look on the brighter side would show that they were lucky to concede just a solitary goal. Germany's defenders looked completely bewildered throughout the match and I can firmly say that Algeria's defence could have urinated all over the Germans.
Spain's triumph was not just celebrated in Spain but also across England. The scousers in the red half of Liverpool are still rejoicing Rafa's spectacular signing. On a final note, the prediction I made turned out to be wrong but the outcome was the same, as well as the goal difference. Torr de force !!
Picture Source : Sky Sports
Over the years, and I'm strictly speaking from experience, I have seen a lot of my good friends depressed, dejected and even upset by their personal relationships with the opposite sex. Now in this context, when I say experience, I mean what I learnt from their mishaps and unfortunate turn of events. And when they have been disheartened by their counterpart, they start feeling dull and miserable which is normal human behaviour. This is how we express ourselves, the way we act is influenced by what we feel or what we have seen within our environment or even beyond it in some cases.
Now if I was able to make a significant change in your thinking, I would strongly recommend you watch this re-make from 1972. Sleuth stars Micheal Caine and Jude Law. Caine is an aging writer who confronts an aspiring actor, Jude Law, who has lured his wife away. The movie is crude with respect to the dialogues and language. Both men take part in a game of deceit and trickery. Mind games turn into seduction, and one man prevails in his overtures. Similar concept to what I had been debating, but not quite.
