Absolutely- I think we let him have enough rope to hang himself by not saying anything.
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http://www.grandoldteam.com/news/general-news/2012/oct/31/bitter-gerrard-retracts-long-ball-comments
Bitter Gerrard Retracts "Long Ball" Comments
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has publicly retracted comments he made following the Merseyside Derby regarding Everton´s style of play, admitting that they were borne of frustration rather than fact.
Gerrard had suggested that the Toffees had adopted a direct, physical style of play, comparable to fellow Premier League side Stoke City.
However, he was laughed off in the media for his outburst - simply because the statistics of the match didn´t back him up in any area.
Liverpool ´keeper Brad Jones launched more long balls than Tim Howard, Everton completed far more short passes, had the lions share of possession and the higher pass completion rate - just a few notable statistics highlighted by the BBC, ESPN, Sky and the Independent newspaper, amongst others.
Now aware of the embarrassing nature of his frustrated tirade, Gerrard has moved to clarify his comments.
“Just to clarify, I’ve watched the game again, and I’ve seen some of Everton’s matches this season, and what I said in relation to their style of play went too far." Stated the 31-year-old.
“I was frustrated by the disallowed goal from Luis [Suarez] when I spoke and also some of the things that have been said about Luis in recent weeks which haven’t been fair in my opinion."
Notably, Gerrard didn´t mention his frustration at Raheem Sterling not being sent off for two bookable offences, or the lack of punishment for Luis Suarez when the Uruguayan committed two horrific stamps during the game on Kevin Mirallas and Sylvain Distin.
Everton have published the retraction on the official website.
Bitter Gerrard Retracts "Long Ball" Comments
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has publicly retracted comments he made following the Merseyside Derby regarding Everton´s style of play, admitting that they were borne of frustration rather than fact.
Gerrard had suggested that the Toffees had adopted a direct, physical style of play, comparable to fellow Premier League side Stoke City.
However, he was laughed off in the media for his outburst - simply because the statistics of the match didn´t back him up in any area.
Liverpool ´keeper Brad Jones launched more long balls than Tim Howard, Everton completed far more short passes, had the lions share of possession and the higher pass completion rate - just a few notable statistics highlighted by the BBC, ESPN, Sky and the Independent newspaper, amongst others.
Now aware of the embarrassing nature of his frustrated tirade, Gerrard has moved to clarify his comments.
“Just to clarify, I’ve watched the game again, and I’ve seen some of Everton’s matches this season, and what I said in relation to their style of play went too far." Stated the 31-year-old.
“I was frustrated by the disallowed goal from Luis [Suarez] when I spoke and also some of the things that have been said about Luis in recent weeks which haven’t been fair in my opinion."
Notably, Gerrard didn´t mention his frustration at Raheem Sterling not being sent off for two bookable offences, or the lack of punishment for Luis Suarez when the Uruguayan committed two horrific stamps during the game on Kevin Mirallas and Sylvain Distin.
Everton have published the retraction on the official website.
Very much this.
As I said earlier, the notable contrast between our club apologising for a dive within seconds of the final whistle, where their club would wear T-shirts defending a bang to rights racist cheat at any given opportunity, speaks volumes, and this is just another example.
thebluefox
Player Valuation: £50m
thompson on the telle .aldo on the radio ,now stevie mee in the papers ,the whole country knows what they r
Del
Ric Wee fan club member 2014
Ugly?
I'm made up the club have just sat back; they've let gerrard look like a tit, most of the media picked up on it and ran the stats to show he was totally wrong. FSG have told to keep his gob shut, its one thing i admire about the owners over there, they don't like bad publicity. They made an example of KKK and by the looks of it, Stevie Me has been told to button it.
Del
Ric Wee fan club member 2014
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, though, is not someone who will change his philosophy and he has added further spice to the fallout by backing up his captain’s claim that Liverpool have to play in a certain, attractive manner.
He did, however, acknowledge that Everton do have a number of skilful players who have made significant contributions this season.
'I believe there were two different styles,’ said Rodgers. ‘This is a club brought up with a certain way of playing. Its history has been defined by the many great managers who have been here. You have to win games but you have to win games by playing in a certain style.
'It’s the beauty of the Premier League - there are so many diverse ways of working and playing. We play a certain way. If you look at Everton and a number of other teams, they are a bit more direct and then play off the front players.
'But they have players with finesse like Leighton Baines and Leon Osman, who are terrific footballers. For us here at Liverpool, there’s a way in which we play and want to win games. the supporters and the history of the club dictates that.’
ITZ ALL ABOUT DER TAKA TIKA
He did, however, acknowledge that Everton do have a number of skilful players who have made significant contributions this season.
'I believe there were two different styles,’ said Rodgers. ‘This is a club brought up with a certain way of playing. Its history has been defined by the many great managers who have been here. You have to win games but you have to win games by playing in a certain style.
'It’s the beauty of the Premier League - there are so many diverse ways of working and playing. We play a certain way. If you look at Everton and a number of other teams, they are a bit more direct and then play off the front players.
'But they have players with finesse like Leighton Baines and Leon Osman, who are terrific footballers. For us here at Liverpool, there’s a way in which we play and want to win games. the supporters and the history of the club dictates that.’
ITZ ALL ABOUT DER TAKA TIKA
davek
Player Valuation: £150m
Short term they've lost the initiative now, because taking these to task after the (non)apology will make us look daft. They missed the boat on that, but they had Sunday, Monday and yesterday to respond and didn't do it. It's been a hopeless twiddling of thumbs when a decisive response was called for.
Longer term Moyes (or whoever's in charge) need to get on the front foot post Derbies and get our retaliation in first. Lets not kid ourselves, there's no love lost between us and them. When United/City; Celtic/Rangers; Arsenal/Spurs; Uniteds/Liverpool play - they all have the narrative in place before they face the cameras. It's an important part of managing news and taking positives away from important, often season-defining encounters. Moyes just doesn't know how to deal with them, it's clear. Which has always surprised me a bit given how he announced himself to Merseyside football.
To sum up, what we've had is insult heaped upon followed now by a qualified 'apology' from them and a weak as gruel offiocial club statement on the matter.
I find all that a bit hard to classify as us coming out with dignity.
davek
Player Valuation: £150m
He's found a nerve and he's going to keep pressing it until he's smacked back into line.
Disagree mate, they've played it right and allowed Gerrard to look like a bell by retracting a statement and apologising without the club needing to do anything. It doesn't matter iof the apology was forced on Gerrard from above, it was still an apology. The media were on Evertons side, the club sat back and watched the show unfold.
I'm sure Moyes will get his little dig during a couple of press conferences along the way, and thats all he needs to do.
You go into a public slanging match with your closest rivals and you start looking bitter; when infact its Gerrard who has brough the reputation of Liverpool down another notch
davek
Player Valuation: £150m
That wasn't a retraction though. He hasn't said Everton aren't long ball he said he went 'too far' which means precisely sweet FA.
Everton have forced nothing from the situation - it hasn't been a dignified silence it's been a shameful standing back while our reputation was kicked about by a pair of massive belters.
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