Friday, 16 November 2012
All I Want For ( A LIVERPOOL FC) Christmas
Poor Old Hal White has gone through a series of changes this past few months, an, as a result has been lagging in his posts on this little blog. As I know my readership is small, I don't think I've let you down too badly, but I am sorry.
I've had the greatest pleasure in coaching a fine squad this last outdoor season (this is Canada after all0) who had the distinction of winning their provincial championship, with an over all record of 23 wins, 4 losses and 6 ties. They took a league and district championship as well as placing in the "medals" in three tournaments. It was a true "Treble". Beat that this year Sir Alex!!
One new feature I am going to add is WWSD, or "What Would Shankly Do?". Not that I know what the great one would or could do now, but it is an opportunity to speculate and wonder about the future of this great Club, LFC.
All I want for Christmas this year is simple:
Three more strikers and a new home for Downing and Henderson. Who is out there for the taking, no one, so we have to do a little hunting:
Germany:
ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI (STRIKER) BORUSSIA DORTMUND- Robert Lewandowski will no doubt be one of the most talked about, and wanted, strikers in world football after Euro 2012. The 23-year-old doesn't receive any attention outside of Germany and Poland, despite being the most important player for Bundesliga table-toppers Borussia Dortmund this season. In 27 league appearances so far, he's scored 17 goals and made eight assists, and on average creates another goalscoring chance for a teammate. If that's not enough to convince you, overall this season Lewandowski's got 22 goals and 10 assists from 39 games. He is no doubt one of the main reasons behind the rise of Borussia Dortmund in the past two seasons.
Get him before Manchester does. Simple.
OLA TOIVONEN (STRIKER) PSV EINDHOVEN- Perhaps one of the most underrated footballer in Europe would be this man, Ola Toivonen. This 6 feet 3 inches PSV Eindhoven striker has been the key figure in the attack for past 2 seasons. He has so far played 76 games for PSV in the Eridivise and has scored 46 times. He is strong in the air and has great physical strength which makes it hard for the defenders to stop him in his stride. He can play on either Flanks, as an attacking midfielder and also as the centre forward. His hard work and great scoring records has made him one of the favorites among the PSV supporters and he is now regarded as an asset to the club which already boasts of numerous young talents.
OK, a big striker, with goal scoring potential and can play in the midfield. Where could we get one of those? It isn't like we have one already.
Giovani dos Santos RamÃrez[2] (born 11 May 1989) is a Mexican footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Spanish La Liga club RCD Mallorca. He can also play as a winger or second striker.
Dos Santos was a member of the Mexican National U-17 team that won the 2005 U-17 World Cup held in Peru. He made his debut for the Mexico national team in a 1–0 victory over Panama on 9 September 2007. He was called to play at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Dos Santos was also a member of the gold medal winning team at the2012 London Olympics.
An attacking midfielder, who'da thought it, Liverpool needs another attacking midfielder. Why?Somebody is about to fall from his physical peak, and a good short passing midfielder like Dos Santos would allow Stevie G the breaks he needs during the season, and could easily fit into the current managers tactical plan.
Downing and Henderson? Anywhere they can learn to play soccer again. Loan them out, sure, but make sure it is somewhere they can relearn their confidence. If not, send them to somewhere. Take the loss and move forward.
This is Hal White, Manager of A Championship Squad.
YNWA
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
Am I A Loser?
Unequivocally no!!
A supporter is a supporter is a supporter, regardless of how well their team is doing.
Liverpool Football Club is a great club, that currently does not have a great team. It has some great players (Gerrard, Saurez, Agger), some formerly great players (Carragher), and some players on their way up (Sterling, Morgan, Coates).
As fans, we are suffering. Every defeat, every missed win, every missed shot, every sending off, we are suffering. We have suffered for two whole seasons, and I have no reason to suspect that we are going to suffer this season and one or two more to follow.
But at this very dark time, this is when we can find and know the true fans. The ones who support the Club, and what it means, and what it will be again.
This is the best time to be a supporter, to be there when it is bleakest and to experience the inevitable climb back to the top, and with time patience and prudent investment, the Club will return to the top.
As supporters we need to recognize we are at the beginning of a brand new era. We have the opportunity to support our Club at the ground floor of a new dynasty. But if we insist on immediate and overnight results and dismiss managers and impulse buy players then we will not succeed .Fenway Sports Group, be patient. Let the new manager and style develop. The new era is upon us.
WE ARE LIVERPOOL.
Hal White
Of what worth are convictions that bring not suffering?
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
A supporter is a supporter is a supporter, regardless of how well their team is doing.
Liverpool Football Club is a great club, that currently does not have a great team. It has some great players (Gerrard, Saurez, Agger), some formerly great players (Carragher), and some players on their way up (Sterling, Morgan, Coates).
As fans, we are suffering. Every defeat, every missed win, every missed shot, every sending off, we are suffering. We have suffered for two whole seasons, and I have no reason to suspect that we are going to suffer this season and one or two more to follow.
But at this very dark time, this is when we can find and know the true fans. The ones who support the Club, and what it means, and what it will be again.
This is the best time to be a supporter, to be there when it is bleakest and to experience the inevitable climb back to the top, and with time patience and prudent investment, the Club will return to the top.
As supporters we need to recognize we are at the beginning of a brand new era. We have the opportunity to support our Club at the ground floor of a new dynasty. But if we insist on immediate and overnight results and dismiss managers and impulse buy players then we will not succeed .Fenway Sports Group, be patient. Let the new manager and style develop. The new era is upon us.
WE ARE LIVERPOOL.
Hal White
Of what worth are convictions that bring not suffering?
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Thursday, 6 September 2012
For God's Sake Hit The Net!!!!
Liverpool's attacking troubles
Shot conversion rate
· 2011-2012: 9.13%
· 2010-2011: 13.59%
· 2009-2010: 13.32%
· 2008-2009: 13.46%
· 2007-2008: 12.52%
· 2006-2007: 10.56%
· 2005-2006: 10.59%
· 2004-2005: 11.61%
Suarez's conversion rate at Liverpool: 9.26%
Av conversion rate in PL 2011/12: 13.30%
Quite frankly what you see above, sucks. If you want to win, you have to put the ball behind the keeper and in the net. Liverpool, in all their wisdom and "money ball" calculations, do not have a true finisher since "El Nino" left. They loaned out Carroll this year, got rid of Kuyt, sold Peter Crouch three years ago etc etc. They were all finishers (Carroll is in my opinion getting back to form, my opinion remember ). For heaven's sake they could have signed Berbatov, a true goal poacher if there ever was one.
Now I suspect John Henry and Fenway Sports Group won't listen to me, or read this Blog, but if they would this is what I would tell them:
1. Be patient and learn the game.Just as Kenny Dalglish couldn't manage the Red Sox, you can't expect to understand the nuances of a completely foreign sport in two years.
2. Keep the manager. Someone has to have a plan, and Brendan Rodgers has a few clues.
3. Buy low, sell high. Remember how money is made. Nothing worthwhile is quick.
4. Find Steven Gerrard's replacement. Not now, YESTERDAY!!! For this you will have to spend $$$$$$ I like Iniesta.
5. Invest at the grass roots. Make Liverpool a destination of choice for youth and academy aged players.
6. Sell Anfield and buy Messi.
TRAINING STUFF
Over the last season my youth squad moved from a strong defensive side to a more balanced attacking side. The big reason was more emphasis on shooting and encouraging players to shoot. Every practice contained a component that encouraged the players to take chances and to shoot. As the season progressed every other training session had a penalty shoot out, which allowed players to experience the pressure of a shoot out and allowed the coaches to observe shooting technique of all the players.
One game that we used frequently was "King Louis". This game requires two full sized goals, and a keeper in each. Mark out a 25x35 field with a half line. Place an attacker in the offensive half. In the defensive end place three defenders. In effect it is 1 v. 3 in each attacking zone. the game is designed for the three players in the defending half to move the ball and either thread a pass to the striker to poach a goal, or ideally, have the defenders shoot and the striker pick up any rebounds.
This game allows for lots of shots, passing and shot stopping. I usually play to five goals and switch the teams or keepers. The coaches should be on the sideline and feed balls in if they go out of bounds, and to encourage passing and taking chances to shoot.
Why is it called King Louis, I have no idea.
Hey Brendan, you may want to use this.
YNWA
Hal White
Now I suspect John Henry and Fenway Sports Group won't listen to me, or read this Blog, but if they would this is what I would tell them:
1. Be patient and learn the game.Just as Kenny Dalglish couldn't manage the Red Sox, you can't expect to understand the nuances of a completely foreign sport in two years.
2. Keep the manager. Someone has to have a plan, and Brendan Rodgers has a few clues.
3. Buy low, sell high. Remember how money is made. Nothing worthwhile is quick.
4. Find Steven Gerrard's replacement. Not now, YESTERDAY!!! For this you will have to spend $$$$$$ I like Iniesta.
5. Invest at the grass roots. Make Liverpool a destination of choice for youth and academy aged players.
6. Sell Anfield and buy Messi.
Match Winning Goal!!!!
TRAINING STUFF
Over the last season my youth squad moved from a strong defensive side to a more balanced attacking side. The big reason was more emphasis on shooting and encouraging players to shoot. Every practice contained a component that encouraged the players to take chances and to shoot. As the season progressed every other training session had a penalty shoot out, which allowed players to experience the pressure of a shoot out and allowed the coaches to observe shooting technique of all the players.
One game that we used frequently was "King Louis". This game requires two full sized goals, and a keeper in each. Mark out a 25x35 field with a half line. Place an attacker in the offensive half. In the defensive end place three defenders. In effect it is 1 v. 3 in each attacking zone. the game is designed for the three players in the defending half to move the ball and either thread a pass to the striker to poach a goal, or ideally, have the defenders shoot and the striker pick up any rebounds.
This game allows for lots of shots, passing and shot stopping. I usually play to five goals and switch the teams or keepers. The coaches should be on the sideline and feed balls in if they go out of bounds, and to encourage passing and taking chances to shoot.
Why is it called King Louis, I have no idea.
Hey Brendan, you may want to use this.
YNWA
Hal White
Monday, 3 September 2012
The Worst Start in Fifty Years
How could it get any worse? How could this all come undone so soon? Why oh why oh why must we suffer?
Who was this manager who guided Liverpool to this same woeful start as the financially emasculated Brendan Rodgers?
It was that scatter brain, Bill Shankly. And we all know what a disaster he was. He was, for the non- Liverpool reader, perhaps the greatest manager of the 1960's and 1970's, as well as the greatest manager of Liverpool ever.
So what is wrong with us? Like the rest of the world we are too impatient. We want instant gratification. We want the destination and no journey. We want to be like Manchester City, a squad of great players, but with no real depth of character.
As fans of Liverpool, and of the game, we need to remember that true success is not an overnight event. It takes time, guidance and nurturing. The Club barely escaped administration, and barely avoided being in the same situation as Glasgow Rangers, or Leeds United. The Club and manager have to be prudent with their investments, their players and their transfers, and not just in the short term, but for a very long time. If they do this, and we as supporters drop our rabid desire for instant success, we will get what we really want, a Club that will have the foundation to succeed over a number of years like it did with Bill Shankly.
Brendan Rodgers, stand fast, have a long term plan and stick to it.
We are Liverpool
YNWA
Hal White
Who was this manager who guided Liverpool to this same woeful start as the financially emasculated Brendan Rodgers?
It was that scatter brain, Bill Shankly. And we all know what a disaster he was. He was, for the non- Liverpool reader, perhaps the greatest manager of the 1960's and 1970's, as well as the greatest manager of Liverpool ever.
So what is wrong with us? Like the rest of the world we are too impatient. We want instant gratification. We want the destination and no journey. We want to be like Manchester City, a squad of great players, but with no real depth of character.
As fans of Liverpool, and of the game, we need to remember that true success is not an overnight event. It takes time, guidance and nurturing. The Club barely escaped administration, and barely avoided being in the same situation as Glasgow Rangers, or Leeds United. The Club and manager have to be prudent with their investments, their players and their transfers, and not just in the short term, but for a very long time. If they do this, and we as supporters drop our rabid desire for instant success, we will get what we really want, a Club that will have the foundation to succeed over a number of years like it did with Bill Shankly.
Brendan Rodgers, stand fast, have a long term plan and stick to it.
We are Liverpool
YNWA
Hal White
Saturday, 21 July 2012
The Fields of Anfield Road
Fields of Anfield Road
Fields of Anfield Road
Outside the Shankly Gates
I heard a Kopite calling
Shankly they have taken you away
But you left a great eleven
Before you went to heaven
Now it's glory round the Fields of Anfield Road.
All round the Fields of Anfield Road
Where once we watched the King Kenny play (and he could play)
We had Heighway on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
Of the glory round the Fields of Anfield Road
Outside the Paisley Gates
I heard a Kopite calling
Paisley they have taken you away
You led the great 11
Back in Rome in 77
And the Redmen they are still playing the same way
All round the Fields of Anfield Road
Where once we watched the King Kenny play (and he could play)
We had Heighway on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
Of the glory round the Fields of Anfield Road
Soccer friends at 8:25 AM
Friday, 20 July 2012
Tomorrow
I will be in Toronto to see LFC play TFC. It won't be their first team, but it doesn't matter, it will be Liverpool. It will be a great summer day, with many fellow supporters.
It will be a great day to be alive. All I will need is some green grass and a ball.
YNWA.
See you at SkyDome everyone!!!!
Hal White
It will be a great day to be alive. All I will need is some green grass and a ball.
YNWA.
See you at SkyDome everyone!!!!
Hal White
Monday, 16 July 2012
It's Not The Jersey, It's The Heart Behind It
Liverpool wears Red. Red shirt, red shorts, red socks. But that is just one configuration of uniform. Over the years, Liverpool has worn black, blue, green, yellow, stripes, and now purple.
Below are some of the strips throughout the years.
Kit History
Below are some of the strips throughout the years.
Kit History
1892-1897 A
1900-1906 A
1906-1907 A
1909-1911 A
1911-1912 A
Used once in charity match
1912 A
1922-1923 A
1926-1930 A
1930?-1935 A
1938-1952 A
1953-1954 A
1957-1958 A (1)
Warm weather version
1957-1958 A (2)
Cold weather version
April 1958 A (3)
1960-1963 A
1964-1968 A
1966 EUR
v Ajax December 1966
1968-1970 A
1972-1973 A
Umbro
1977 FA Cup Final
Umbro
1979 3rd
Umbro
1979-1982 A
Umbro
1979-1981 3rd
Umbro
1981-1982 3rd
Umbro
1982-1984 A
Umbro
1984-1985 A
Adidas
1985-1986 A
Adidas
1985-1986 3rd
Adidas
1986-1987 A
Adidas
1986-1987 3rd
Adidas
1987-1988 A
Adidas
1988-1989 A
Adidas
1988-1989 3rd
Adidas
1989-1991 A
Adidas
1991-1992 A
Adidas
1992-1993 A
Adidas
1993-1995 A
Adidas
1994-1996 3rd
Adidas
1995-1996 A
Reebok
1996-1997 A
Reebok
1997-1998 A 98-99 3rd
Reebok
1998-1999 A 99-00 3rd
Reebok
1999-2000 A 00-01 3rd
Reebok
2000-2001 A 01-02 3rd
Reebok
2001-2002 A 02-03 3rd
Reebok
2002-2003 A 03-04 3rd
Reebok
2003-2004 A 04-05 3rd
Reebok
2004-2005 A 05-06 3rd
Reebok
2005-2006 A
Adidas
2006-2007 A
Adidas
2006-2007 3rd
Adidas
2007-2008 A
Adidas
2007-2008 Eur
Adidas
2008-2009 A
Adidas
2008-2009 3rd
Adidas
2009-2010 A
Adidas
2009-2010 3rd
Adidas
2010-2011 A
Adidas
2010-2011 3rd
Adidas
2011-2012 A
Adidas
2011-2012 3rd
Warrior
2012-2013 A
Warrior
2012-2013 3rd
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