It has been an eventful couple of days.
Firstly and most importantly, a word about Hillsborough. The very name is representative of much pain and suffering, however there may be hope and light at the end of the tunnel. The families of the lost have fought for 22 years for justice, to unlock details of what exactly happened that fateful day and to apportion some form of accountability onto those who were mandated to protect football fans. The review committee has uncovered more evidence, findings are to be released in 2012. Let us hope for everyone’s sake that the truth will finally out and that the families can find some form of peace.
Tributes have pored in for the 96 from all quarters, Merlin from Vital Chelsea shared a chilling story of what could have been on the same day, 15th April 1989, when Chelsea fans were involved in a crush at an away match. United had a similar experience in Lille a couple of years back. It is the lasting legacy of the 96 that our match going experience is now a safer one.
Friday saw the annual memorial and Anfield once again paid tribute to the 96. It was a very poignant day, as always. The Lord Mayor of Liverpool announced a motion, on behalf of the families, to propose a Knighthood for Kenny Dalglish. After the way he conducted himself in the aftermath of the tragedy and the personal anguish he suffered (also bear in mind this was the 3rd stadium disaster he was present at with Ibrox and Heysel) coupled with the way he carried the City, it would be a very fitting tribute. Not many men have excelled in sport to the degree Kenny has as player and manager, fewer still have contributed as much off the field in the form of the way he acted with Hillsborough and the benefits of the Marina Dalglish charity appeal. Suffice to say, it would be deserved.
Also, a word to a previous manager of ours who was thanked by the Hillsborough families for the work he did when our boss and the unbelievable donation he made when he left the role. Rafa Benitez may not be Liverpool manager anymore but it isn’t difficult to see why he continues to be held in such high regard, seeing his emotional response to his recognition was, well it is hard to put it into words.
Onto the football.
We don’t have much left to play for this season, after the season we have had, finishing 6th would be an achievement. Ownership sagas, managerial appointments that weren’t particularly clever and losing our star player would be enough to destabilise most clubs. Factor in possible administration and what looked like a relegation battle at one point and I will take 6th, thank you very much.
The fact that any result yesterday would effectively hand the title to United was discussed at length before the game. That we played with two rookies in defense and conceded a 98th minute goal and still obtained a draw was unbelievable.
Robinson and Flanagan are part of our future. They, along with Sterling, Suso, Coady, Morgan, Adjoran, Silva and a couple of others are part of the most exciting youth set up we have had for some time. We played Man Utd youths on Saturday, admittedly they had an eye on the Youth cup semi with Chelsea, however we were short of 6/7 regulars also. We won 6-0. The two lads yesterday were fantastic, combined age of 35 and they didn’t put a foot wrong all game. Give me lads like that, Kelly and Spearing ahead of some of the dross we have bought recently, any day of the week. Promote a few of these lads next year and, importantly, buy well in the summer. We will see where that takes us. We are going in the right direction anyway but it is a steep hill to climb.
There is a buzz around our club that has been missing for a few years. We have seen off the cowboys, judgement is reserved on our new owners however, to be fair, they have been faultless in their conduct to date.
One last thing though.
Give Kenny the job, now preferably. When Roy was here, it was claimed that it wasn’t his fault, it was that of the players. Kenny is working with a more pronounced injury list and is getting much, much more from the playing staff. We all want him to get the job permanently.
Give Kenny the job.
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