There is a reason that, as Steven Gerrard observes, the best teams in Europe
fear being paired with Liverpool. They are close. Really close. Indeed,
Liverpool may be as near as a group of players can get to becoming a truly
outstanding side without actually getting there.
They are the team that Fabio Capello, the England manager, would like to have:
a classic leader of the line, a solid centre, pace and wit on the flanks and
Gerrard playing as he does for, well, Liverpool. Rafael Benítez has
Liverpool set up to play the system Capello demands, with the type of
players he requires, and when it works - as it most frequently does in
European games - they are the model of modern efficiency, almost Italian by
design despite the Iberian influence.
And unless the two cowboys in charge of the club sort their problems out, the
whole thing could go to hell even before the start of next season.
That is what makes Liverpool so frustrating. The club contrive to be, at once,
on the brink of greatness and disaster. That a team so accomplished against
the toughest opponents in Europe should still be looking over their shoulder
in fourth place in the Barclays Premier League is laughable. Everton and the
rest should be specks on the horizon by now.
The myth about Liverpool's success in Europe is that it is a fluke. Certain
aspects, maybe. To go three goals down to AC Milan in a Champions League
final playing as badly as Liverpool did in Istanbul before coming back to
draw 3-3 - while still not playing particularly well, just with better shape
and self-belief - will never be repeated without influence from the Almighty.
Yet the rest of it, the deserved victories over Inter Milan, Juventus, Chelsea
and Barcelona, the capacity to find reserves of resolve in the tightest
corners, happens too frequently to be merely the work of the Fates. If it
was that easy for a failing team to raise their game in the Champions
League, they would all do it.
Valencia, for instance. This has been a poor season for them, stranded in
mid-table, no chance of making the Champions League next season. Still, big
clubs such as that, with experienced players and strong European pedigree,
should be able to put matters right on one front.
Well, no, actually. Valencia finished last in their Champions League group,
having won a single match in six and recorded home and away defeats to
Rosenborg. Same with Werder Bremen, who are fifth in the Bundesliga. They
finished five points adrift of the woeful Olympiacos in group C. Lazio,
eleventh in Serie A, were bottom.
What Liverpool have achieved by reaching two Champions League finals in three
seasons (plus the last 16 in 2005-06 and now the last eight and counting) is
an indication that there is a fine team in there waiting to break out. It
may not have looked that way at Old Trafford last month as Liverpool were
outplayed, but Benítez is two or three players away from giving Manchester
United a real run for their money.
Signing Daniel Alves, the right back at Seville, would be a start. He was
linked to Liverpool two summers ago and at the start of the season was
courted by Chelsea. When the West London club bought Juliano Belletti from
Barcelona instead, Alves was angry that José María del Nido, the Seville
president, had priced him out of the market and a war of words broke out,
swiftly curtailed by the untimely death of Antonio Puerta, the Seville
player. Feeling it important that all were viewed as united at a tragic
time, Alves stopped agitating for a move. This summer, however, he may feel
a proper period of respect has passed and with Seville's moment in the sun
perhaps at an end - they have slumped to sixth after finishing third last
year - he could look to follow Juande Ramos, the former Seville coach, to
the Premier League.
Alves has the potential to be a revelation at Anfield because Benítez has his
team mapped out in the modern way that thickens the middle and attacks from
the flanks. It is the style that Capello seeks and explains why his England
team did not function in France, lacking the pace to cause a threat from
wide. Benítez's frequent changes have made a first XI hard to pin down, but
the manager is at last beginning to arrive at a best team, or at least a
favoured pattern of play: 4-2-3-1, like England, but with players wholly
suited to their roles.
Benítez likes a back four with two disciplined central midfield players
guarding, a passer such as Xabi Alonso or Lucas Leiva and a scrapper to
break up the play in Javier Mascherano, the best in the business at present,
despite his aberration at Old Trafford. He has also located Gerrard's impact
position - in the centre, behind Fernando Torres - and they have excelled as
a partnership. This means he can play Ryan Babel on one flank as a genuinely
quick winger who is also capable of getting up in support, as Cristiano
Ronaldo does for United, and Dirk Kuyt on the other. Kuyt is maligned in
some quarters yet does an unselfish job for his team, is strong physically
and has good positional sense when coming inside to support Torres.
What Alves would bring is a fast, overlapping wide presence, presumably on
Kuyt's side, meaning that Liverpool could attack with pace down both flanks
while remaining padlocked defensively. When the full back breaks forward,
one central defender shuffles across to cover and the holding player drops
in.
Brazil have played like this for years. Indeed, few teams have the most
creative players operating in a central midfield two these days - they start
wide or “in the hole” because it makes them harder to pick up. For the same
reason, some strikers peel off to the flank to come back in again, as
Thierry Henry did with Arsenal. Why stand next to the central defender? Why
try to hack your way through central midfield areas that are hopelessly
congested?
If Benítez could add a full back of Alves's calibre to his side, all that
would be left to do is strengthen the squad. A lack of depth is what has put
the brakes on Arsenal's title challenge and it is no shock that the past
three championships have gone to the clubs, United and Chelsea, where the
pool of players is deepest.
United are not the same without Ronaldo or Wayne Rooney, Chelsea without
Didier Drogba or Frank Lampard, Arsenal without Cesc Fàbregas, but Liverpool
often drop off the radar if certain players are not selected (Mascherano, as
much as Torres and Gerrard) and no team can sustain a campaign with that
degree of vulnerability. In the summer, Benítez must work on back-up,
because Liverpool's present squad cannot cut it.
This is why the boardroom split between Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr is so
harmful. At the Emirates Stadium tonight, if Arsenal's board of directors
want a lesson in what cannot be allowed to happen if Arsène Wenger's young
side are to build on the many positives of this season, they have only to
look at the two American owners of Liverpool, sitting at opposite ends of
the room like sulking children at a birthday party.
Gillett's ill-judged radio interview last Friday, in which he was openly
hostile to his partner, even brought a growl of discontent from Rick Parry,
the Liverpool chief executive, who has valiantly tried to make sense of
their excesses until now. Parry's admission that the rift between Hicks and
Gillett and the continued uncertainty surrounding the sale of the club to
Dubai International Capital is “not conducive to long-term managing and
planning” is the closest he has come to losing his rag publicly and he could
be forgiven if he marches into the boardroom tonight and bangs their heads
together. That is if he can get a ticket - the warring Americans have
apparently snaffled 20 of them for their respective entourages.
That Benítez is on the brink of real achievement makes the estrangement of
Hicks and Gillett more damaging. If the manager cannot make the necessary
strides this summer, there is a danger the moment will be lost. Towers of
strength in defence are not replaced easily and Jamie Carragher will turn 31
next season while Sami Hyypia is 35 in October. It may be too late in two or
three years' time.
The bigger worry is that Benítez will grow frustrated and return to Spain,
where, as a supreme tactician in Europe, he must be appealing to Real Madrid
and Barcelona. If Benítez walks, the entire structure becomes vulnerable.
For so many at the club, not least Torres and Mascherano, the appeal of
playing in England while communicating with a Spanish-speaking manager at a
very Spanish club is significant.
Gerrard, too, may become disillusioned with stagnation, particularly if a
leading rival dangles the carrot of a starting role in the central midfield
position he loves and will never get under the pragmatic Benítez. This is
the doomsday scenario. The alternative is that Benítez is provided with the
finances to finish what he has started, spends wisely and Liverpool bypass
the other also-ran positions to jump directly from nowhere to first. He will
have to take greater risks than he likes in big matches, but this is what
champions do.
And that is the real paradox of Liverpool Football Club. Not that a
fourth-placed team could win the Champions League, but that the same group
of players could be so close to ascending the summit while simultaneously
hanging from a cliff edge by their fingertips.
"*insert current Liverpool manager's name* is two or three players away from giving Manchester United a real run for their money."
You'd think jigsaws were made entirely of "last pieces" the amount LFC have needed in the past 15 years.
David, Liverpool,
As a Chelsea fan I have some sympathy with the money argument....until you realise the Prem titles won by Arsenal cost miles less than what Houllier/Benitez have spent. In league terms Liverpool underachieve becuase Benitez will not commit his best team (or at least his best 8) week in week out to winning league games. We have a manager with a great squad and limited tactical nous whereas Liverpool have a tactically sound manager with a lesser squad.....swapsies anyone?
Peter Bench, London,
not even stevie g would get in the man u team, how many times has he went missing in thoses games, anderson ( at 19) has had him in his back pocket and will continue to do so, plus their back 4 are finished.
Brian Boru, Belfast, northern ireland
I think everyone forgets that Manu spent around 80 Million in the summer. This is the same figure, possibly more than Benitez has had to spend overall. As for Houllier he brought in terrible players who should never have been at the club. Here's a few - Cheyrou (4 mill), Diao (5 mill), Diouf (11 mill), Heskey (11 mill), Biscan (6 mill), Kewell (5 mill), Traore (5 mill), Baros (7 mill), Cisse (14 mill). There's 68 Million alone. Benitez has bought players he could afford then replaced them - when it was possible to. I don't believe he has lost any money & infact made money on players. And how did we compete in Europe? We were awful. In the league? How would Houiler have competed after Chelsea started to spend big, then Manu also? Anyway the point is we have a manager who needs time & also some financial backing so that we can keep up with Chelsea & Manu. Also don't forget that Fergie & Wenger have had around 30 years between them over here. I'm fed up thickle, no nothing fans.
John, Cleveland, England
This article is typically pro-Liverpool, written with red tinited spectacles. Pace on the flanks?! You state here indirectly that Joe Cole and Sean Wright Philips are not as pacey as Kuyt and Babel!!
When you look at the Liverpool team who in that team would make it into the Man Utd team? - Gerrard or Torres. Who from the Man Utd team would get into the Liverpool team? - the goalkeeper, the defence, the midfield AND Rooney and Tevez.
This is not a club competing on the same level.
Benitez has a knack of turning good players into bad ones: Sissoko, Kuyt are the most obvious. Having spend >£100M, his tactics are all over the place. Recent success has been a result of Stevie "Me" being allowed to do whatever he wants on the park and on the undisputed quality of Torres. What has the boardroom battle got to do with quality on the pitch, why would the players even care? Its a mere excuse. The club are not on the verge of greatness, they are merely on a crest of a wave.
Adrian, London, UK
Man United have a decent squad but even they would suffer without Ronaldo.
Where would they be without his goals
Phil, St helens,
In reading through the comments - most original one " Benitez looks like Ben Affleck" perhaps the Times could devote a column to the thought of a movie about the Premier league and which actors could play the roles of the managers... after all they did one entitled 50 worst football kits!
Mark, Virginia, USA
'Eric' of Ellesmere Port - The article was written PRIOR to the match last night, appearing in yesterdays edition of The Times and was based on the commonly held belief that both Gillet and Hicks would be in attendance and thatthey were unlikely to be sharing a pie and bovril.
NO facts diminished in the article at all as it happens!
Jez, Telford, Shropshire
Great article. Incisive insight into what might happen to Liverpool at the end of this season.
paul, cockermouth, cumbria
Decent article, but I think we need one or two first team players to start even thinking about being serious contenders in the Premiership. I think we are paying the price for transfer dithering a few seasons back when we had to haggle over 500k for Alves. Sadly it looks like he won't be here but Rafinha will, time will only tell whether he is a "poor mans" Alves or not. I agree we need some genuine attacking threat on the flanks though, just a shame Kewell is not upto it anymore as he would be perfect for the left side and put babel on the right of Torres.
Jonski, Liverpool, Merseyside
The two owners sitting at opposite ends of the directors' box!
Where were you, Martin? As I understand it Gillette did not
appear because he was snowbound in Colorado. Suggest,
Martin, that you do your homework properly before waxing
lyrical on the 'problems' and 'future' of Liverpool FC. Apart
from that, it wasn't a bad bit of fiction.
Eric, Ellesmere Port, UK
"pace and wit down the flanks"
Great article but that's the one thing they lack! Babel is hardly a genius (although he may become one yet) and Kuyt has only recently adapted to his role on the wings. But I agree overall, Liverpool can become great under Benitez as long as he recognises taht every game in the league is important now. When you need 80+ points to win it you have to play your best players.
m, london,
Doesn't your headline describe the permanent state of Scousers, Half genius, half despair ? Wouldn't have them otherwise.
E Skelton, cardiff, W
Wait, they sell tickets to the boardroom now?
Or do you mean the directors box?
michael, ealing,
decent article.
but as an lfc supporter i must say that, despite istanbul, benitez is still to deliver. keeping in mind the money he splashed ending up fourth and fifth is just not suiting this clubs ambition.
remember ged also won a european cup and fa cup and finished second - and got the sack after all.
if we talk igor and cheyrou we should mention mcallister, hyppia, riise, finnan, milan as well as carra and stevie entering first team football. and all of them almost instantly delivered. most of them are still here and have been great signings - constantly playing though.
apart from torres and masch, maybe agger i can not see the same quality in rafas signings: morientes, garcia, pennant, josemi, nunez, aurelio, kuyt.
and this will not change, im afraid, no matter the funds available.
i think the problem lies with rotation and defensive tactics as well as constantly picking the 1st eleven without crouch.
and, i have to say, this is down to the manager.
Adrian, mannheim, germany
I don't think the idea of Liverpool as "nearly there" stands serious scrutiny. They have two top class players, Gerrard and Torres, although even then it is hard to pin down Gerrard's best position, which is a little odd and raises question marks. Mascherano maybe. But the rest of the first team would hardly get a game at Chelsea or ManU, and the reserves beyond that are nowhere. Look at the strength in depth that ManU and Chelsea have - ManU had Hargreaves, Giggs, Tevez and Nani in reserve last night. If ManU were given the pick of the Liverpool squad they'd have Torres, and Chelsea probably wouldn't bother with any of them.
Arsenal are perhaps a better model to hope to emulate, but they are fading fast now, because they also don't have the strength in depth either and are odds on to win nothing this year.
Liverpool are achieving what you'd expect - no more, no less.
Nick, France,
"Also, by your reasoning George Best is not a great player because he won nothing 'worth mentioning' and that Bergkamp was rubbish wasn't he!? never won anything! "
Best retired early before he could really be called a legend - and he was a drunk. Bergkamp? Never heard of him.
"Alas, James in Salisbury, your point is wrong:"
You've just signed away your right to complain next time England lose a friendly or fail to qualify for a major tournament.
The World Cup is not a lottery : how many games must England play and win to qualify for the final group stages? then win 3 out of 4 Final Group matches then win the 5 knock-out matches in a row to win the tournament...
As long as the small Englanders convince themselves players can be legends without winning on the World or European stage then we are relagated to second best from a group of "stars" who think they are the best - we'll see in 20 years time - if anyone outside of Manchester remembers Rooney...
James, Salisbury, UK
Have I just interupted the Liverpool FC Self Help/Care in the Community meeting?
Glyn, Leeds,
I hardly ever agree with Martin S on things regarding Liverpool so it is refreshing to see an article of his where I find so many points hitting the nail on the head. I think what many people forget and in part got carried away with due to the Champions League win in Rafa's season is that he inherited a team of no-hopers.
The team has improved leaps and bounds since 2004. Ask any Liverpool fan if they prefer Igor and Cheyrou over Mascherano and Torres and the answer is almost rhetorical. I say almost as there are still too many baggages in the current Liverpool team such as Riise and Finan. Don't get me wrong, they are great servants to the club, I do not doubt their devotion, just their ability. Good squad players but never going to consistently deliver the Hleb or Vidic type of quality needed in champions. If being at the cusp of greatness means replacing these 3-4 squad players (masquerading as first team players) with true quality, yes, I agree... Liverpool are close to it
Craig, London, UK
A very sensible argument, and I'm glad to see someone mention one of the most glaring problems to have dogged the club in recent years.
It's easy to peal off the names of exceptional players already at the club, but where's the backup? If any of Liverpool's first choice midfielders or attackers are unavailable, the side suddenly looks markedly weaker.
The only way to fix this is with real investment and patience. At the moment, Liverpool are a long way from having either.
Rob, Newcastle upon Tyne,
Martin, I like your article. It is well thought through, and I agree with the crux of your argument. The fact that Babel and Kuyt are not natural wide men actually gives a lot more credence to your theory as they draw markers inside and create space on the flanks; equally, if the funds are not forthcoming and Hicks and Gillett continue to drag the club's finances through the mire, a Champs League trophy will be the very least we need to ensure Benitez can get the capital to finish what he started. It is, as you say, an incredible paradox, but also nice to hear from a writer such as yourself of your confidence in the team, albeit subject to a couple of quality signings and new owners! Keep up the good work.
David, London,
An interesting and thought provoking article, as testified by the readers comments to date. So often, supporters forget that the off field shinanigans can influence on field performance, and I think it more than a coincidence that Liverpool fell from the title race with consecutive draws and losses, largely to 'lesser' teams during a period when the DIC issue was at its peak. I fear now that 'Hank & Marv' have decided to go public with their spat, the publicity they are attracting will again manifest itself in a slump in form. The real fear in that scenario is of course that Liverpool cannot afford to slip up in these knock-out stages of the UCL, nor on the domestic front with Everton, et al, so close on their heels.
A plea to Messers Gillet and Hicks, as a life-long Liverpool supporter: Take what profit you can and leave the football club to people that care about it.
Lastly, try as he might Devon Loch was a better finisher than Dirk Kuyt!
G Jones, Neath,
Do keep up - Liverpool have already signed Rafinha.
As for the urgent need to replace Carragher and Hyypia - has anyone mentioned Skrtel and Agger to you?
Andrew, Geneva,
These 'next season liverpool can really challenge' articles are getting earlier every year....
Graeme, Telford,
Bang on, Martin! (as per). That said, Dirk Kuyt has to go. Oh to have Frank Ribery there in that role!
Alas, James in Salisbury, your point is wrong: you could make up an instant team of great European players who won nothing with their country: how's Eusebio, Puskas and Best up front for a start? Need I go on? Cruyff. Dalglish. Stoichkov. Boniek. Charles. Deco. Figo. Yashin.
Personally I think the pressure/focus on national sides come the World Cup or Euro Championships is way over the top, for what are in effect lottery competitions lasting a matter of weeks every couple of years ... and taking place at seasons end when top players are often worn out, carrying niggles etc. I would say, too, that the quality of football in the past few international tournaments has been poor, because of these factors. And success in these proves nothing: what fan would take any member of Greece's 2004 Euro winning team over Gerrard. You're talking stuff and nonsense, my friend.
david, london, england
James from Salisbury - Beckham not won anything worth mentioning?? Champions League 1999. Gerrard too??
Also, by your reasoning George Best is not a great player because he won nothing 'worth mentioning' and that Bergkamp was rubbish wasn't he!? never won anything!
Dave, Bristol, England
An excellent article, Martin. It's great to get a well-balanced, measured view of what is happening at Anfield. There is real room for optimism for the future IF the cowboys sort themselves out. A couple of decent full backs and a classy right sided midfielder could make Liverpool a far more potent force in the Premiership and with an exciting group of young lads in the reserves things could really improve.
Steve Warriner, Overton, Hants, GB
Great article Martin, totally agree with what your saying, the core's there, just need to supplement the already excellent spine with 2-3 quality players (mainly in wide areas) and Liverpool will take a great leap forward in their progress, not unlike United. The only thing that will bring this scenario about though, as you so rightly point out is the boardroom situation (and also the financial backing Rafa deserves) and Rafa's continued tenure at the club. Some people say Liverpool are entering the most crucial 18 months of their recent history, I disagree with this, I think the next 6 months are the key. a: Get the backing, we kick on further and we're in business. b: He gets the run around from the guys in charge, get's spare change for transfers, has to make do with Bentley, Glen Johnson and Aliadiere, then he walks, to a job in a sunnier country, where his talent and achievements are truly appreciated. Rafa deserves the best, it's why he left Valencia, though it broke hisheart
Ronan, Derry,
As a life long Liverpool fan I never thought I would say this but : who cares about Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester or Chelsea?
It's England that counts. The defeat in Paris last week is forgotten - it should not be.
All the great and legendary footballers of the last 70 years have won either the World Cup or European Cup as part of their service to the National Team : Pele, Platini, Bobby Charlton, Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckenbauer, Rossi. Even Maldini - who lost with Italy in 2 finals.
Rooney, Beckham, Gerrard and company are not on the list - why? Well, they just haven't won anything worth mentioning.
James, Salisbury, UK
So K Johnson, do you weant us to step up and become boring? Kind of sums up the sad state of the Permiership really. Obviously I wish Liverpool well, but it would be nice if (next season) the 'big three/four) was broken up.
Adrian R, Crosby,
Spot on!
Dave, Wirral,
We have aparently already signed Rafinha from Schalke, from what i have seen of him he looks a very good signing.
Timmy, L39,
Finally, a well balanced Liverpool article. Articles such as this give journalism hope.
Roland G, Johannesburg, South Africa
Neither Barca nor Real Madrid would put up with Rafa's style of play for very long. Look at the managers who get FIRED from Real M. even though they've won trophies!
tkehler, Vancouver, Canada
I on't often agree with you Martin but this time I think you've hit the nail firmly on the head. I made a similar post on a football news site saying that with the players we have at the moment that Rafa is reasonably comfortable with the core of his team and to truly take advantagae of the current system he was short the rampaging fullbacks. Alves of course is a no-brainer, especially with him showing the kind of form he earned his reputation with over the preceding 2 seasons, but I also proposed Philip Lahm for the left flank. I know this is fantasy football season and it's more wishful thinking than anything else but I think he would compliment the left side, the rumours of Riise's demise won't go away and Aurelio (when fit) seems to be first choice for the bigger games.
The only other area that could do with solid back-up is upfront with Crouch also seemingly on his way, due to lack of contract talks, but finding someone quality willing to play second fiddle will be a tall order.
Alan, Santa Ana , CR
An article full of insight, Martin Samuel has nailed the truth about the club. It depends how far Gillett and Hicks take their feud at the expense of the club. Presumably, DIC threatening to walk ,leaving them high and dry may focus their attention.
On the playing side, the core of the side is there, with Agger returning next season and Srktel, growing into his role the spine looks good. Alves, would be good and I would like to see Nemeth who is in sparkling form up front for the reserves move into the first team squad next year.
Russell Green, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Wow what a great article, where did you conjure that one from Martin, well done.
That sums up exactly where Liverpool are right now - you can see a team there that is almost ready to be more than fourth place - I pray every night that Liverpool next season will be Arsenal this season (but with a bit more longevity) and i think they can; but only if DIC take over from the yanks, invest a healthy but not extornionate amount of money, keep Benitez and then just keep quiet. But thats where it becomes difficult for Liverpool fans - thats a lot of ifs.
mark, reading, uk
A thought provoking article,particularly for a Liverpool supporter like myself.Liverpool looked a million miles away from being Premiership contenders when we were outclassed again by Man U the other week but with players of the calibre of JC,Mash,Stevie G and Nando as well as the generally reliable Reina,speedy Babel and the indefatigable Kuyt all playing week in week out,then surely the pattern should change.....especially with the addition to the squad of the likes of Alves as an attacking right back and a potent striker.(suggestions?).Let's hope this ongoing embarrassing disorder with the Club's owners doesn't jeapordise it all and the Reds can start to worry the likes of Fergie and Avram. For now however,I wouldn't be surprised to see us lose to Arsenal in the league game but charge into the semi's of the Champs League with the media again berating our inability to produce European form domestically.
S.Woods, Melbourne, Australia
Kuyt is much maligned in most quarters because most people can see clearly he isn't good enough for a team of Liverpool's expectations and demands. Yes, he works hard for the team, but so would any punter at Anfield paid 40 grand a week. He lacks skill, technique, pace, power and goals.
He is the same as Heskey and like Heskey will go no where but to a low level club when he leaves Anfield because everyone can see he isn't good enough for the top clubs. No one wants Kuyt to stay in the Liverpool team more than Man U fans. Need I say more.
Alan, London,
Liverpool have been 'not far off' since Roy Evans was in charge almost 15 years ago. Benitez is now going into his fifth year and Liverpool still haven't bought a top class attacking player on the wings so an attacking full back isn't the main problem, but it would help. He doesn't trust his own buys like Pennant and Benayoun, which is proven by the fact he'd rather deploy Dirk 'I word hard' Kuyt.
Also, from what I understand Rafinha is the real target for Rafa in terms of full-backs...
BLittle, London, UK
benitez looks a bit like ben Affleck from certain angles
Nicko, Singapore,
Thats a really good article, had to be from the Times! Anyway you can completely kill the tabloid papers????
JD, London, UK
Another fantastic article Martin; Alves would be a fantastic signing but is probably overpriced and out of reach
Faraz, London,
The charm of being a Liverpool fan is this: when they walk out on the field you don't know if you will see the killers or the wilting violets. It' s like being addicted to a never ending soap opera. The other top three, they go out, they win; so boring.
I think in this article you have really captured this. This is a team, always on the cusp of greatness, needing only a slight shove to push them up.
K. Johnson, Port Otange, USA