³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

I believe the two Liverpool teams would draw 10 times out of 10!!!

Dan - love reading your blogs mate, but the sandwich just sounds bonkers!

Also, this could be one of the very few occasions on which I'd say I agree with Lawro!!

Let's be fair, neither of those teams look like they could win the League, they didn't even win the Champions League, that was all Stevie G. Without him they would have been about as ordinary as Spurs or Villa have the past ten years.

thats hardly fair. uve just taken out the 2 best players. take out gerrard n owen from houlliers team and replace with perhaps smicer n barmby (cant remember the exact squad from back then) n its a bit more even.

mascherano will be as gd as hamann is when hes the same age, agger, not skrtl, could potentially be the next hyppia (class defender, intelligent, gets forward n scores), reina is miles ahead of dudek. degen isnt our right back, johnson is. i could go on but i cba to scroll up and point out more flaws

Houllier’s team looks like his strongest eleven whereas Rafa’s is missing Torres, Gerrard, Johnson, Benayoun, Agger and Riera.

Houllier’s side does look the strongest overall, though the difference is Kewell/Aurelio, Gerrard/Degen and Owen/Ngog. I’d take Lucas and Mascherano over Murphy and Didi, and I’d probably take Kuyt over Heskey.

Taking into consideration how each manager would work with the teams available to them, I reckon it would be pretty much even. A couple of wins each and the rest would be draws.

> Houllier’s side does look the strongest overall, though the difference is Kewell/Aurelio, Gerrard/Degen and Owen/Ngog

You forgot Kyrgiakos / Hyppia. At Champions League level that's a big factor, especially assuming that the opponent gets a corner now and then.

Incidentally, the sandwich sounds truly revolting. Even without the cheese in it I couldn't stomach that.

The finest sandwich known to man is white bread (bloomer is good, or a sandwich baguette,) butter, a bit of mayo, good quality ham (ideally off the bone,) slices of hard-boiled egg, lots of freshly-ground black pepper. Suddenly I feel a bit peckish.

Dan you are obviously a man after my own heart with trying the combos of dreams on sandwiches... try this doosy... thick bread, mayo, peanut butter and chicken with any crisp you feel may compliment this titan of the sandwich world..

I think Houllier's team would edge it.. and that is only looking at the name Kyrgiakos in Rafa's team.. that, for me, was the most bizarre transfer of the summer.. the guy is hopeless.. 4 full backs in Rafa's team with 2 holding midfielders says it all really.

Mikey (#8) I think you're being a bit harsh on Kyrgiakos. I love the guy's attitude and his enthusiasm. The way he wholeheartedly launches himself at clearing headers is great to see and he is a cult hero in the making. We needed a replacement for Sami and had to find someone good enough to fill a hole when needed and not so good as to be unwilling to accept that his primary position is on the bench.

I think that in 2004, Liverpool would probably be in a better position to win the Title, than they are in 2010. So, I would agree with Lawro. They could proabably beat them 6 times out of 10

One other thing. Your sandwich suggestion sounds disgusting, yet one of those things that you never really know about until you try.

"...if you wake up in the morning thinking about revolutionary ways of cutting a Premier League goals montage..."

How about making it worth watching. There's more to goals than the final touch, cut up, slowed down, f-f-freeze framed, migraine inducing, Edward Scissorhands rubbish that the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ thinks people are interested in seeing. We wish to see the action, not what new toys the editing room boys have to play with. Imagine a show of FOOTBALL matches - no pundits, no gimmicks, no mindless stats. Ah, sorry, I forgot: that's how Sky do it (the bad way)so the Beeb has to follow suit. Common denominatoring to the lowest Panda!

Crisps enhance any sandwich - Fact. I recommend Pringles.

I'm sorry but you can't beat fish finger sandwiches; bit of buttered bread, two fingers and a squirt of ketchup et voila!

I think the message to be taken from the Lawro argument isn't that this player's a bit better or that player's got more experience. It's the point that with nearly six years and millions of pounds in transfers and wages, Rafa hasn't really improved his squad as he should have.

12. you clearly need a sandwich or two boyo. the fact that the been always put out VTs that show thought and care, unlike itv (same music every time) makes me appreciate them even more.

Lord Walker. what an invention!! my pickle jar is emptying at an even faster rate than the usual save-them-from-drowning patrols that I undertake :) your post has also reminded me that even though I reaching the end of university, I have yet to try a chip butty. I hear they are a bit marmite for some but who am I to judge?

on that note, please tell me you are a marmite man?

I think Liverpool are as close to winning the premiership as I am to trying your revolting sandwich !! White Bloomer,Cheese,Crispy Lettuce,Salad Cream,Good quality Ham off the bone,and a side dish of Plain Crisps, with a very cold Banana Milkshake to wash it down with, in front of the football,.......now that IS heaven !!

Your defense a mighty doorstep, a midfield as pure, smooth and connective as the best Irish butter, the front line a slab of top quality farm shop meat, these are the fundamental particles of football and food. I'm sure your fancy onions and exotic combinations thrill for a while but its not long before one of those silver-skins squirt Ronaldo-like across the kitchen floor. More bread and meat football please.

I'm pretty sure Dan's sandwich could start in the current Liverpool team alongside Mascherano and still do a better job than Lucas.

12. At 9:27pm on 21 Jan 2010, rastafairy5 wrote:

Common denominatoring to the lowest Panda!


eh??

#9 Im sorry I would write your name but I like cheese too much to do so.. its a little blasphemic for my liking.. I used to watch Kyrgiakos when he was up at Rangers and he is murder.. yes he tries but he often fails and his antics when he is penalised for his countless fouls soon become grating..

Another good blog Dan - and I believe Football Focus has improved since you took over. Any plans to come to Scotland (particularly Celtic) to do a piece?

Cheese and golden syrup..........what a sandwich!

As per usual, its very easy for ex-players to call these things a crisis and throw in their opinions, very few of which are objective or balanced.

Considering the crisis liverpool are supposed to me in, with endless ex-players rounding on the manager, knowone seems to consider some of the following:

In the first game of the season Bassong shouldnt of been allowed to play for spurs as he was sent off for newcastle at the end of last season, he didnt serve the final game of this ban.
The goals scored by West Ham and Sunderland which werent even within the laws of the game.
Numerous blatent penalty shouts turned down.
Poor form from afew usually reliable players (carragher earlier in the season for example, gerrard all season).
A long injury list, most noteably to the defence early on in the season.

Injuries aside I dont see benitez hiding behind any of the above, yet people without the bottle or skills to take the job feel theyre within their rights to criticise.

Liverpool are in a much better position than in 2004. Last season was the best for at least 20 years and in years gone by the total would have been enough to win the league.
Granted performances havent been great this season, but this is nothing more than a storm in a tea cup, Benitez deserves more respect for his achievements, Harry Redknapp is lauded and for what? One FA cup, he not even in the same bracket as Benitez.

For a fantastic weekend lunch sandwich just toast one side of two slices of bread (i.e. use a grill), a layer of butter on the untoasted sides (so the toasted sides are on the outside) and a bit of ketchup then four fishfingers and a fried egg on top. Maybe sprinkle a small amount of grated chedder if you like.

Yummy yummy for my tummy.

Great blog as usual Dan!

I read the other day Benetez thinks he has improved Liverpool since he took over. Maybe this is the problem. He hasn't a notion. Very comic though.

It's very rare that I agree with Lawro, but I have to say that I do about the two Liverpool teams.

Liverpool are going through a bad time at the moment and I think they will come through and start performing how they should be soon. The win against Spurs was massive, and it'll be a massive confidence boost for them. They'll be a tough team to beat again very shortly.

Dan - I think Lawro is pulling a fast one there; bet I can reduce any team in the Premier League by six first team regulars and make a case for them being beaten by a full strength team under a previous manager.

I could probably make a good case for the team of 1999/00 beating the current one being fielded by Manchester United - now that's something which Lawro should really sink his teeth into ;)

Anyways, throw in Torres and Gerrard into that Liverpool team and it's certainly not going to get beaten that much. Only player I'd really want to take from Houllier's team is big Sami. And I'd put him right next to Jocky in my all-time Liverpool XI too :D

@23 PepeXabiBarnes

I agree with everything you say...but you're not Paul Tomkins in disguise are you?

By the way, you are all sick. Some disgusting sandwiches being touted here. Give me a Cheese and Ham salad on a brown baguette with branston any day...

Please not another Arsenal piece with that old has been Sol Campbell.

Sounds like those 8 AP's haven't got much imagination between them. Focus is just an Arsenal appreciation society.

Hi Danny boy,

What's on focus this week? Can we to presume Liverpool will take a back burner and will we look to the bottom of the table for a pseudo cockney knee-ups following the new owners at West Ham and perhaps a mention on Pompeys latest crisis?

Incidentally off topic but where do people stand on Sol Campbell suing Portsmouth. Bit callous no?

The sandwich sounds rather random but then I like Mayo on toast (apperantly thats weird). Bah. It is in fact a delight.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Sorry folks.... all your sandwiches are a bit girly

white bread, bacon, drop of sauce (HP or ketchup... down to personal choice)... perfect sandwich for any bloke

All this talk of salad, salad cream etc.... i fear for the future

31. At 10:29am on 22 Jan 2010, realronburgundy wrote:

Incidentally off topic but where do people stand on Sol Campbell suing Portsmouth. Bit callous no?


What would you do if you were owed 1.7million mate?

to all those cries of stevie and torres, may i point out that liverpool have still been pathetic with those two in the team. i'm guessing houllier's team would just about edge it-5 wins and 2 draws.

I know I am going to get slated for this but for me the best sandwich in the world is cheese and a jammie Wagon Wheel sandwich.On paper, it sounds horrible but it is the ultimate comfort food

Konnichiwa Dan,

Great blog!
Always catch up with the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ blogs as I am currently living in Japan.
Speaking of chili mayo, which I completely agree with, may I recommend something which I have found here in the land of the rising sun...wasabi-mayo!!
Awesome...don't knock it till you try it!!

@ 13: i've often wondered about" fish fingers". add to that "chicken breasts" and "buffalo wings", and i think biology teachers have plenty to answer for. it's not enough to murder these creatures; we have to remix their anatomy while we're at it!

That is a ridiculous statement from a constantly depressed pundit.

Reina, Aurelio, Carragher, Agger, Johnson, Kuyt, Mascherano, Aquilani, Riera, Gerrard, Torres with Benitez at the helm would more often than not beat Houlliers 11.

In addition to this you now have a bench when everyone is fit, consisting of the likes of Benayoun, Skrtel, Insua, Rodriguez, Lucas, Babel, Ngog. Im not saying they are all world beaters but Lawro as usual makes sweeping statements without thinking. He's also overhauled the youth system and the internal club structure and a lot of those changes will not bear fruit in the short term. It's easy to criticise when things are going badly. Ferguson took a number of years before winning the League; this league is a lot harder than it has been for a number of years.

Wenger has been criticised for a number of years on various issues also but patience will bear fruit. They are now top of the league and still arguably play the best football in the league. Again I’m not saying they are going to win the Premiership but no one can argue that he is a success at Arsenal. Is this is a bad season for Liverpool….YES ,has Benitez made mistakes…YES. Who hasn’t? Everyone needs to deal with the issues and improve and Benitez will achieve this in time. No one has a right to win everything and there are a number of very good teams in the league who will challenge for top spot for many coming seasons. The media can try to continue to get rid of Benitez but the fans will support him all the way. Lawro think for a second before you speak. End of rant.

Dan, i think you should consider changing your surname to Cropley , with that choice of fillings you are clearly the long lost child of Mrs Cropley from the Vicar of Dibley - her gastronomic genius extended to such wonderful pairings as Anchovies and Peanut butter etc etc-youve clearly got the genes

and as im someone who suffers ( that is the correct description) from an allergy to wheat and therefore has to avoid bread - that last nights Kipper mashed onto Rice cakes with a dash of lemon and black pepper was out of this world

Another favourite of mine: Chicken Super Noodles Sandwich.

A ridiculous comparison between the two Liverpool teams. One with all the best players in the squad at the time, playing, the other ravaged by injury.
Reina,Johnson, Aurelio, Agger, Carragher,Maxi,Mascherano,Aquilani, Riera, Gerrard,Torres. Would beat Houllier team 9 times out of 10.
Its such poor journalism to print that nonsense.
Do it with Man Uniteds teams, the one that lost to Leeds and the one that won the CL final, please.

17. At 05:16am on 22 Jan 2010, supersuperkev10 wrote:

I'm pretty sure Dan's sandwich could start in the current Liverpool team alongside Mascherano and still do a better job than Lucas.

Quality.

Dan, that sandwich is the second worst food/drink combo I have ever heard of. The first being a milkshake on offer in a Shake shop in Bristol....... Marmite Shake!!! Surely even the most die hard Marmite fans wouldn't dare.... would they??

The 2004 team wins 7 out of 10 for me, but not if 2010 team has Torres, Gerrard and Riera (although mainly Torres and Gerrard)

Yeh youre dead right Dan, rafa does say some nuts stuff and some of his subs do baffle a lot of people, I just think there is an unfair stigma around rafa thats difficult to shake.

Similar to players like Lucas or Ngog who always get slated in spite of what they actually do, or on the flip side, plyers/managers championed inspite on ineptitude.

#29. haha, no im not, he does talk a lot of sense though, well, aside from liking Ryan Babel...haha


Off topic, Id love to see football focas do something in depth about the financial situation in the premier league, maybe get Alan Hansen to do one of his specials. Seems to be a massive issue right now...

Dan, I take it they didn't invite you on 'Sport Relief Does Masterchef' after reading what you eat. Only a pregnant woman would be justified in eating that sandwich! God knows what you would have in your bag if you went on Ready Steady Cook.

I reckon Liverpool will finish in the top 4. Does it matter that Houllier worked under different people when he was at Liverpool? and the club was more stable? I'm not a Liverpool fan, so I don't know.

To be honest i wouldn't care if liverpool got relegated

Dan. Re - the Lawro comparison between the Houllier and Benitez teams.

As others have pointed out the Benitez team is missing about 5 or 6 first team players whereas the Houliier looks full strength. To me this is symptomatic of the laziness/ dumbing down/ tabloidism the seems to permeate sports coverage by both pundits and journalists from the majority of outlets. Sky are probably the worst for this, but the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ seems to be getting progressively worse in this respect too.

There doesn't appear to be any kind of insightful, interesting, or even accurate sports journalism any more. Sports coverage these days seems to be an excercise in reductio ad absurdum with everything distilled into single serving soundbites - anything for an easily digestible headline or simple pantomime story, no matter whether it is factual or adds anything of value to the debate.

Ah well.. sign of the times I guess.

Good blog Dan, as always.

Just one thing... Cheese, pickles and crisps in a bloomer, sounds great.

Adding of the chocolate spread - Wrong, on all levels.

With regards to the comments from Lawro, yes, I agree with him. Houllier's side of 2004 would beat the Rafa Benitez team of 2009/2010.

At present, Liverpool are carrying far too many passengers that are simply not up to the mark for a club of Liverpool's stature, in my opinion. They have too many players that are 1) out of touch with what it means to play for a club like Liverpool and 2) are just not good enough.

Liverpool realistically have 4 players that are good enough for most teams in any league in the world. They are Gerrard, Torres, Reina and, I believe, Mascherano.

The rest aren't good enough or have ran out of steam i.e. Carragher.

(First ever comment, but talking of world beating sandwiches I just couldn´t resist)

Start with a toasted bagel (preferably with medium size hole). Add (in this exact order) butter, marmite, slice of cheese (edam preferable, others acceptable), tuna/sweetcorn spread (Marks & Spencer if you really want to go for it) and top it all off with onion crispies (for those of you not yet enlightened to the glory of the crispy -

I think it is impossible to say which team would win of the two Liverpool´s, old or new. Either way it doesn´t show whether they have gone forwards or backwards over the years as the entire league has changed. COYS!

Hi Dan, fin e effort once again.

I'll break it down as you did;

1. Funnily enough, while watching the open sequences I mentioned that the opening shot must have taken a while to shoot.
She replied that she really wouldn't know as she has no interest in football.(?) *Cue her being sent out to the shops*

2. Nice insite to another aspect of the making of a show. Keep them coming please.

3. Dear O dear. That sandwich sounds like an accicent waiting to happen, a cholestrial time bomb. Chocalate and cheese in the same sandwich? Sounds like something the Lost Boys from Peter Pan would snack on, but to each his own I suppose.
but I do think crisps are a must with a sandwich, I've been doing that for years over here and have had to endure many a strange look over that time. (like I care)

4. Comparing teams from different era's may be a bit of fun for in a pub or on a blog, but in reality it is a futile exercise. The players have changed, heck, even the game has changed (speed of the game and fitness levels)The L'pool team that Lawro and Hansen played for that were highly succesful would probably take a good beating from the present lot if you factor in how the game has evolved.

Although I am no fan, I do feel that the whole L'pool story has gone a little too far lately and i't's a bit sad to see all the former players come out and have a go at the team. When a guy like Souness starts complaining about the state of the club then you know your in trouble.
But seriously, last week it was the end of the world etc, etc, then after one win over Spurs they are sudenly only one point off 4th place. Shame about the CL and the FA cup, but is this what really constitutes a "crisis"?
Or are we really that fickle?

@Dan (51). Thanks for the response. I appreciate what you say about balance, and I imagine that you probably have a target demographic to cater for (most of whom are probably happy with the majority of your output), I just personally find it weighted too far to the tabloid end of the market for my own tastes.

I find it a bit of a shame though, because I feel there is an opportunity and a market for a football show that provides real in depth, intelligent debate about the issues affecting football today (whether they be fiancial, tactical, or whatever) in a way that you can't really do in 5-10 minute segments. I suppose budgetary and time constraints have a say here, but would love the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ to produce a show like that (as I can't really see anyone else doing it).

Rafa's "First" eleven would provide a tougher test, but I have to agree with Lawro on the teams above. No contest !

Take your point Dan but I don't think you've read my comment properly.

I wasn't stating Lawrenson was talking rubbish simply because I disagreed with him that would be petty and stupid. I am trying to say that you have to have thorough reasoning before making such statements.

In his position he should have some substance to support his point. Obviously everyone has the freedom to make wide sweeping statements and he is free to do so. However the thought ‘it’s better to be thought of fool than to open your mouth and prove it’ comes to my mind when I think of Lawrenson and he seems to prove it quite often.

Its terrible journalism when someone can say something with having no need to back it up just to have a debate. It reminds me of a radio station which regularly does the same thing. Unless you have an agenda to push which more than not the media does.

Alex Ferguson is a rubbish manager, they lost to Leeds!

Taking issue with #56. Firstly, I read your first comment as well, just to make sure I interpreted you as correctly as possible. Lawro is not 'constantly depressed', he simply possesses a very dry sense of humour, which is the reason most people love him. The man is also an ex-professional footballer who has played at the very highest standard at club and international level. I would say that this in fact gives his opinion more weight than yours and mine.

This is not to suggest fans opinions are not valid, of course, I am simply suggesting an Orwellian 'some are more equal than others' state of affairs.

Dan, on the sandwich front, at the pub I used to work in the chef used to do staff these roast dinner sandwiches. Beef, roast potatoes, sausage and bacon, mustard and gravy. Truly, they were the cat's pyjamas.

anightatthechopra, now THAT'S a sandwich worth hyping.

I used to do someting similar with the leftovers of xmas dinner with a few pickled onions chucked in for good measure.

Sorry Dan, If chocolate and cheese is "presidential" then I'd have to compare it with Nixon. They take their cheese very seriously over here in Holland, and I could be "impeached" if they found I was mixing it with chocolate.

Dan & Bloggers,
Your sandwich sounds nice, next time treat your self to a deerts after the sandwhich. Try a jellie-bean deser. I keep banging this drum because they brilliant, and you can make all sorts of cocktails.

The AP rant was not interesting, no offence Dan, but both were incidental to the footy that was eventually discussed.

Lawro might be right, hey he probably is right, not that any one will ever know, of course, it is just one of those what ifs from the past. One question though, how many of the other teams can place their May 2004 squad on paper against their current squad and say "look clear improvement". I do not think Arsenal can, I do not think Man U can. (In 2008 - 2009) they could have. I think Hull, Burnley and such like could, and I am a little unsure of the actual effect of Abrahmovic's millions on Chelsea in May 2004.

Interesting. Seeing as Liverpool's points tally last season would have won the league in most seasons I think we can say Rafa's team was an improvement.

The strongest Liverpool XI at present would be (in my opinion):

Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Rodriguez, Aquilani, Mascherano, Gerrard, Torres.

Much stronger than the equivalent 5 years ago... and, due to the injuries to Aquilani, Mascherano, Gerrard, Torres and Agger one that hasn't played together at all!

RCM

Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Aquilani, Gerrard, Riera, Lucas, Torres.

You can interchange Lucas for Aquilani and bring in Benayoun, Babel or Aurelio in their respective positions and the team is still much stronger. The individual quality of the players now far outweighs that we had then.

I really can't see the comparison as anything but part of the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ and media's agenda against Liverpool. Why on earth pick a full strength side then against a (less than) half strength side now?

It's really frustrating how many people have come out the last couple of weeks and tried to stick the knife in to the club and to Rafa in particular, especially ex-players who should know better, in that their comments are only furthering an apparent attempt by the press to destabilise the club. The multitude of people who have been trotting out the same garbage as one another, all of which is blinkered and completely ignores Rafa's achievements over the last five years and focusses on the difficulties of the last 5 months - it's absurd.

Personally, I'd rather we finished 10th under Rafa and he saw the season out (and was given a bash at next season, too) than that we allowed the press and armchair post-Istanbul fans to dictate who's in charge at our club, purely on principle.

Just watched the Comic Relief clip on Question of Sport and it had me thinking, are anybody on FF going to do anything for Sport Relief this year and if yes, what is it they are going to do?

Hi Dan,

Being a Southampton fan, I couldn't care less about Liverpool.

However, i would like to see decent goals in full on focus. The Villa break at Blackburn was brlliant last week and although I'd seen it live my dad hadn't seen it. I saw it was about to be on focus and called him to watch only for you to cut it totally so it looked like a tap in! I've missed both this weeks League Cup games, so please show all the goals in full tomorrow!!!

anightatthechopra - Point taken. However you'd be surprised how many ex internationals don’t speak a lot of sense when it comes to football.

Interestingly not all managers are ex professionals who played at the highest standards. It's interesting that some of the greatest managers didn't play football to a very high standard at all. No doubt there opinions on the game were/are very valid.

Playing football too a high standard doesn’t necessarily equate to great football understanding.

Surely the king of sandwiches must be the breakfast-in-your hand that is bacon, egg, sausage, tomato, black pudding and mushroom on a large white breadcake? May I suggest a trip to Scott's Pantry (just down the road from the students union) next time you are up in Sheffield to conquer one of these?

My Dad always swore by beef dripping in a sandwich as the only true winner. But on reflection, he may have been TOO working class to exist in modern society.

One other factor to take into account when comparing sides and sqauds between Houllier and Rafa is the fact the the previous squad Rafa inherited was worth £100m whereas now it is around the £300m mark.