FTB - Belief

by PPP on Sep 13, 2008 6:44 AM EDT

Belief is not something that you can quantify but I still think that it plays a massive part, whether negative or positive, in the outcome of sporting events. All you have to do is watch how the Leafs' collapsed so frequently last year when they looked good for a win through two periods. At some level they believed that it was just a matter of time and they were right.

In about an hour things will kick off at Anfield as Liverpool host their rivals from down the road in one of two hate-filled matches this season. Under Rafa Benitez the one thing that Liverpool have lacked is the belief that they should beat their local rivals. Update: Well, they better fucking believe because Gerrard AND Torres have to start on the bench after they raced back from injuries. Especially at Anfield they have dominated games only to see a chintzy goal take the three points down the East Lancs. If Liverpool are serious about challenging for the title this year then the belief in the squad has to change. At Anfield Liverpool should beat everyone. Why? Because of this:

Tell me that the hairs on your neck don't stand up and you wouldn't run through a wall for those fans? Update: Here's the winner from today's match (more highlights here):

COME ON YOU REDS!

Montreal initiates Plan F.
Vegas isn't so sure that the Leafs will be horrible.
The Globe's capsule on the Leafs.
Thus begins the greatest rope-a-dope in the history of sports.

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Comments

I’m going to have to keep my council here…we can’t keep on beating you at Anfield forever after all…

I now accept that Andrew Raycroft was not the answer to our problems.

by Mattblack on Sep 13, 2008 6:53 AM EDT reply actions

die

Yup and we can’t keep giving you lots chances to get even closer to our title count…it stops today ;)

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Sep 13, 2008 7:00 AM EDT up reply actions

This could be the season it becomes 18 all :)

Only 45 to go now – so I’m off to my local to watch it. We can compare notes later.

I’d wish you luck but….well… :D

I now accept that Andrew Raycroft was not the answer to our problems.

by Mattblack on Sep 13, 2008 7:04 AM EDT up reply actions

In real news...

You need to crop your profile pic! I can tell it’s awesome but I want to see the dazed look on Alfie’s face.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Sep 13, 2008 7:02 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ll get on that later on. I quite liked it as an abstract “Prostrate Senator in Repose” – but your way is probably better!

I now accept that Andrew Raycroft was not the answer to our problems.

by Mattblack on Sep 13, 2008 7:06 AM EDT up reply actions

SoccerPlanPuppets.com

Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Sep 13, 2008 9:15 AM EDT reply actions

RYAN BABEL!!!!!!!

That is all.

The race is on.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Sep 13, 2008 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

Liverpool! Liverpool! Liverpool!

Liverpool! Liverpool! Liverpoooool! Liverpool! LiverpoolLiverpool! Liverpool
LIVERPOOL!!!

by leosc on Sep 13, 2008 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

L-I-V
E-R-P
Double O-L
LIVERPOOL FC!!

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Sep 13, 2008 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

I'll just leave this here

I now accept that Andrew Raycroft was not the answer to our problems.

by Mattblack on Sep 13, 2008 12:21 PM EDT reply actions

Nice pic. I watched the game at my cousin’s and after three minutes I was slightly worried.

It’s a good thing for Fergie that he probably have four or five whiskeys before the game because he’ll want to drink away memories of his (almost) best XI being played off the park by a Liverpool side without Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Sep 13, 2008 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Can’t deny the better team on the day won – so it’s not all doom and gloom.

However, two teams normally featuring $tevie Me putting up two great performances when he wasn’t playing in the space of 4 days….interesting…

I now accept that Andrew Raycroft was not the answer to our problems.

by Mattblack on Sep 13, 2008 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Now your avatar is money!

If you are suggesting that Lumplard is better than Stevie G then I can only assume that you’ve had as much to drink as Fergie.

Today Liverpool’s game was all about outworking United. If Gerrard was playing instead of 2-1 it would have been 4-1 or 5-1. Stevie G is still the key.

As for doom and gloom…never underestimate the ego boost that a win like this can give a club on the verge. We’ll see come the return what effect today’s win will have but I think the psychological boost will be immense.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Sep 13, 2008 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

We don’t talk about Fat Frank in any terms whatsoever round here….good or bad.

14th March 09 is the return fixture – to be continued!

I now accept that Andrew Raycroft was not the answer to our problems.

by Mattblack on Sep 13, 2008 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree. Lumplard is not fit for discussion…or to play a game of soccer.

We’ll see what our respective fortunes are by then. I have it circled on my calendar.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Sep 13, 2008 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

peh. we won 4-0 AWAY from home.
Silly Northrn squabbles…….. (good result for the pool though, have that Mr Ferguson (knight of the realm my arse)

by gooner4ever on Sep 13, 2008 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

Adebayor

Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Sep 13, 2008 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

still not forgiven him though.
And I’m not entirely sure that he understands the offside rule.
Walcott looks good though.

by gooner4ever on Sep 14, 2008 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Thomas Steen

Alex’s dad is running for the Conservatives in Elmwood-Transcona (in Manitoba).

Been a pretty strong NDP riding for almost forever though, so dunno about his chances..

Just thought that was interesting.

by LeafFanInVan on Sep 13, 2008 7:05 PM EDT reply actions

interesting

I didn’t even know he was eligible. Huh. You learn something new everyday, I s’pose

Making stuff up since real Leafs news is far too depressing

by loser domi on Sep 13, 2008 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you just have to have become a canadian citizen, doesnt matter where you were born etc..

by LeafFanInVan on Sep 14, 2008 1:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

My co-worker is into Canadian politics and he says that in Manitoba they are running a number of ex-athletes.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Sep 14, 2008 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Tell me that the hairs on your neck don’t stand up and you wouldn’t run through a wall for those fans?

I’ve heard better…

by article1 on Sep 13, 2008 9:13 PM EDT reply actions

you're drunk

I’ll just assume that you actually heard the Istanbul half-time version of You’ll Never Walk Alone that singlehandedly won the European Cup.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Sep 14, 2008 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions

the one that goes:
“sign on, sign on, with a pen in your hand, cos you’ll never get a job
You’ll never get a job……”
Also, Gattuso touching the cup on his way back onto the field for the second half won you the cup.

by gooner4ever on Sep 14, 2008 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I am surprised that an Arsenal fan knows the words to any song considering how quiet the library is during games.

Well, that’s not fair. There’s always “1-nil to the Arsenal”

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Sep 15, 2008 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Anfield is only loud on European nights.
The rest of the time it’s quiet.

The Emirates (herein referred to as Ashburton Grove) is not that quiet. Sometimes it’s a bit quiet, but that’s only because everyone is sitting around with their mouths open due to the amazing football being played.

Furthermore, 1-0 to the Arsenal is now only sung in an ironic sense. And it’s a classic tune.
Not as good as “my old man said be a tottenham fan……” but then not a lot is.

by gooner4ever on Sep 16, 2008 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Too bad they don’t give goals for pretty passes ;)

Anfield is pretty quiet comparatively on regular games because of all of the plastic fans. Same as Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, and Ashburton Grove. The big difference is that for big games Anfield blows the other three away.

I don’t know the song that you are referring to but judging by it’s start it must be hilarious.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Sep 16, 2008 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

if they change the rules we might. However I’m not sure that we’re all that shy in front of goal any more. eleven goals in three games is pretty good going.

You’re right about the European nights. Anfield does come alive on those nights. Which has obviously helped you win five European cups. Stamford Bridge is quiet because no one goes to European games (24000 v Rosenburg last year. What a disgrace) The old scrapyard is full of prawn sandwich eaters and Ashburton is full of middle and upper middle class people, and stewards who tell you off for singing!

the song has a very rude ending. it finishes “f$%k that b*ll*cks you’re a c*&t.”

by gooner4ever on Sep 17, 2008 3:44 AM EDT up reply actions