Exactly. A decent, British manager who's done well at everywhere he's been except Leeds, He also doesn't sign dross like Hodgson; Konchesky and Poulsen. Some of O'Neils signings at Villa include; Milner, Young, Friedel, Cuellar etc. I think there will be sufficent funds available in Janurary for recruitment, with the new owners, one signing in Janurary that looks to be nailed on is Rennes winger; Sylvain Marveaux.

During the Bolton game I was wondering whether the players were playing to get rid of Ancelotti. It seemed to me that it was possible that unless you're a Mourinho or a Hiddink, the players can't accept any faults you have and will make sure you're out of the door. There was even rumours that the players were the driving force behind the exit of Jose.

Didier Drogba is a pretty good example of just how much a set of ***** the players can be at times. The recent poor form has seen numerous examples of him acting in a totally ridiculous manner. I can't remember which game it was but Drogba and a defender went up for a header. It was just a normal striker/defender challenge and the ball fell to a Chelsea player to attack. The defender fell to the ground. Drogba, instead of running free and using the man advantage we'd been given, turned round and helped the defender to his feet. Man, I nearly smashed my TV I was so mad. The defender wasn't injured or anything, he'd just gone up for a ball and fallen to the ground.

The terrible slump has been down to a convergence of factors.

Firstly, the injuries were to nearly all of our most important players. Lampard, Terry, Essien and Alex were all injured at one point, along with Drogba suffering from malaria. On top of that, we got rid of 5 players in the summer and only brought in Ramires. That's a lot of experience we've lost. I also think it's pretty clear Ancelotti struggles to make changes during the game. He really does appear lost when things aren't going right.

I also think that although we won the double last season, truthfully we weren't that good. The same applies to United this season. But IMO at least United have a reason for not hitting when the heights when events have conspired to rob them of Ronaldo and Tevez.

I have no idea why Wilkins was sacked. So how much a problem it's been is difficult to assess. But it's simply bizarre to get rid of an assistant, mid season, against the wishes of the manager. In a way I could understand it if Ancelotti is phoning it in until the end of the season, when he'll walk, if the management of the club do that kind of 5hit without good reason.

Another reason that explains our slump is if opponents have figured out how to play us and we don't have the ability to adapt to the change.

Personally, I'd take Hiddink back in a heartbeat. It is only his insistence on not leaving Turkey which means he isn't in charge. I think the players want Hiddink and that's part of why they don't seem to want to play for Ancelotti.

I said at the time we'd miss Ballack but i didnt think we would as much as we have. I was always a big fan of him and we're missing him and Ricky C.

Ramires is such an annoying player. He walked MOM for me last night, he did against Arsenal at home aswell, yet when he comes on from the bench he doesnt seem to be able to get going. Ideally id have him instead of Mikel and have Essien in thhe 'Maka role`.

Keep hearing that David Luiz is our no1 target for the January transfer window. Cant say ive seen to much of him.

It's time this myth about us having a worse squad for decades or that Benitez has left the club in a worse state than he found it is put to rest.

In 2005, our CL winning team was:


LIVERPOOL:
Jerzy Dudek
Steve Finnan
Jamie Carragher
Sami Hyypiä
Djimi Traoré
Xabi Alonso
Luis García
Steven Gerrard
John Arne Riise
Harry Kewell
Milan Baroš

Substitutes:
Scott Carson
Josemi
Dietmar Hamann
Antonio Núñez
Igor Bišćan
Djibril Cissé
Vladimír Šmicer

Arguably our best current first team choices are (though somewhat bizarrely Ngog is preferred up front to our best front two pairing in years with Gerrard in central midfield):

Reina
Johnson
Carragher
Skrtel
Konchesky (Hodgson signing who is worse than the option Benitez left)
Rodriguez
Lucas
Meireles (Hodgson signing after Mascherano left)
Kuyt
Gerrard
Torres

Subs:
Jones
Agger
Aurelio
Cole
Babel
Jovanovic
N'Gog.

Apart from Hyppia, Alonso and a younger Carragher, man for man we are a better squad than the one Benitez inherited. So yes, I'll blame Hodgson for our current form.

mutt1 - Which top 4 team do you think would take Glen Johnson?

I think G Johnson did very well to end up at a
traditional 'big' club, i always thought he'd end up going between mid-table / relegation clubs, i certainly don't rate him too highly, and would be distraught if United ever signed him

Good point i can't think of what team he'd get in, maybe i was just feeling charitable trying to make the scousers feel better FWIW i don't rate Johnson he likes to go forward but doesn't put any effort into tracking back when defending, he's a typical sunday league footballer.

At least Benitez didn't spend a sizeable amount from the non-existent imaginary pot of money he was never given to take him to Anfield.

I'm bemused that so many people think that Benitez is some kind of football god on a blip. A jammy European Cup with Liverpool and a couple of other trophies with what was effectively Houllier's squad, and a few sackings in Spain and now Italy. Repeated falling out with various members of his own staff. Only at Valencia did he excel.

I would be horrified if he turned up at City. He's like a Spanish Megson.

Liverpool's midfield is criminally short of quality since Mascherano and Alonso left. Take out Gerrard (who is more of an advanced midfielder / support striker these days) and there is no quality or drive in there. They have no ball winning midfielder, no creative player and more apparent than anything for me is the lack of pace throughout the side particularly in the attacking areas. Just look at the current top 5 clubs and all 5 of them have fast players who will run at defences. Chelsea have Malouda, Anelka, Essien and Kalou. Man Utd have Nani, Valencia and Rooney. Man City have Ballotelli, Milner, Johnson, Y. Toure and Silva. Arsenal have Nasri, Fabregas, Arshavin, Wilshere and Diaby. Tottenham have Bale, Lennon, Modric and Defoe. Liverpool have nobody. Gerrard and Torres are capable, but need to be at their very best. The likes of Lucas, Maxi, Kuyt and Poulsen shouldn;t be first choice midfielders for a club as big as Liverpool. If they're going to recruit anywhere, that's where they should be looking desperately.

There was a post on one of the Liverpool forums by this guy that got tonnes of praise. He was basically saying that Benitez was in the process of building a legacy at Liverpool which was interrupted by his sacking. This poster's big concern was that Rafa would end up at City where he'd be given time and money to support his vision thereby dominating the Premier League until he retires. I'm with you though lol.

My god some people are just plain deluded