Dear Jamie: It’s Not You, It’s Me

By: Noel | September 12th, 2011

You’re still the same man you always were; the same yelling, passionate defender. There are still those glorious, goal saving last ditch tackles to look forward to. At least sometimes. And there are still those clearances that get lost in the stadium lights, too, which—let’s face it—are hardly a recent development. And we’ve had some good times over the years, even if perhaps you’ve lost a step along the way. But then again, doesn’t everybody?

In the end it’s not as though the endless hoofing and that lack of pace is some new revelation, and I’m probably the one to blame for not recognising sooner that those were the sorts of things I would have trouble living with. For thinking that you could change; or that I would change. And it’s not as though I don’t value that heart and passion and all those good times, because I do. It’s just that they only seem to exist in the memory these days, and with every passing week those memories now only fade deeper into a past I’m no longer sure was quite so rosy in anything but the recollection, leaving but a present wherein I cannot help but feel more bitter than I’m sure that you deserve.

I know that people talk of how loyal you are to the club, and that everybody seems to feel that that loyalty is some kind of trump card. It’s even been something I’ll admit to having fallen back on in the past when times have gotten tough. But sometimes it’s hard to wonder if that talked about loyalty truly goes both ways with anybody in football any more, or whether people are simply reading it into you because deep down they have a need for somebody to be that loyal servant to the cause. After all, there were those uncomfortable rumours two years ago that if a new first choice centre back had been brought in you would have agitated for a move elsewhere, and that Rafa’s attempts to do just that were the beginning of the end of your relationship with him. That once your drive to remain the club’s first choice defender after the manager had signaled it was time to begin phasing you out put an end to that relationship it was your whispers to friends in the press and on the board that helped lead to his removal and the eventual installation of Roy Hodgson as manager.

Maybe those rumours don’t tell the whole story. Or perhaps there simply isn’t anything to condemn in a football player putting his own career ahead of the good of the club he plays for, and instead the true failure lies in those who allowed you the power to do so rather than in you for wielding it. But it’s hard not to have those thoughts bubble to the surface, whispering indictments each time another aimless hoof sails down the field. Whispering that perhaps that unquestioning loyalty so many feel, the chorus insisting that one cannot question Jamie Carragher’s anointed place in the first eleven because he’s Jamie Carragher, isn’t a loyalty that’s ever been returned in full.

And maybe next week against Tottenham you’ll put in a man of the match performance. Fowler knows you’ve still got it in you to stretch just that extra inch to make a last second, game saving tackle every now and then. To leave all of those who die a little inside each time an unforced clearance is sent fifty yards and onto an opponent’s foot feeling guilty for their wayward, doubting thoughts.

Every defender makes mistakes; every player misplaces passes. But it’s a question of intent. And there’s really only one thing that’s different now: I notice it more. I think that change began all the way back in 08-09, when you refused to play at right back against Middlesborough and Martin Skrtel was forced into action—and forced into one of the worst performances I’ve ever had the displeasure of witnessing.

Now obviously that crushing loss wasn’t the only difference between a Premier League title and a strong second place showing, and it would be unfair to blame you entirely for a team loss in any case. But your decision to draw a line in the sand that day, a combination of your local hero status and the lack of funds to buy a proper replacement fuelling a declaration that you were bigger than the manager and that your desires trumped what he saw as the best interests of the club does stand out as an exceptionally sore spot, a wound that is to this day hard to completely ignore. Maybe it was even the beginning of the beginning of the end, after which those attempts to find a long-term replacement—and all the negatives that stemmed from that—would begin in earnest. And maybe it was the beginning of the beginning of the end for me, too, even if I didn’t fully realise it at the time.

Is there something you can do? I just don’t know. More showings like Arsenal and Bolton, where you only turned the ball over with long, unforced clearances three and four times, respectively, and less like Sunderland and—especially—Stoke would always help. But when people bandy about the title hero, intellectually I can understand where they’re coming from. Emotionally, though, I can’t deny that there has been some strain done to our relationship in recent years; that every time a ball flies off your boot and into the opposition half I see a pauper’s pantheon of idols: Purslow and Hodgson and Winter and Samuel lurking in the shadows of memory, making this latest hoof something more than just one more unfortunate punt. Emotionally, when people whisper hero and loyal and all the rest, I can’t help but think back to your defensive contemporary Sami Hyypia and find you somehow lacking by comparison.

I don’t want to feel this way; at times feel downright guilty that I do. But I can’t change it. And I can’t change that deep down, I cringe every time you receive the ball these days, waiting for what seems to be inevitable. Cringe because even if it’s not this touch—even if by some miracle it isn’t this match—I know the aimless hoofs will come, that they are the antithesis of the flowing football I desire, and that I can no longer bury these feelings as a part of me might still desire to. Yet I feel guilty because deep down I truly want to be more positively disposed towards a player who through years of service after coming up the ranks seems as though he should deserve to be lauded, feted, and honoured. I feel guilty because it’s impossible not to when faced with a sea of shaking of heads and disappointed looks from those who believe that to even suggest Jamie Carragher is in any way unworthy of worship and devotion is sacrilege.

And perhaps, I always think, I’m not being entirely fair; not being properly objective. But like I said, it’s not you, it’s me. It’s where I am now, and about what I want in a centre half. And I think, deep down, I’ve known it for some time, even if it’s taken quite a while to fully admit the truth to myself. Whatever we may have once had has been over for a long time now, and it might be best for all involved to face that fact head on and try to move forward as best we can.

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Category: Match Recaps, Miscellaneous, Premier League

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poorscouserbobby

Hmmm, Jamie Carragher is one huge last ditch tackle of a reason I fell in love with Liverpool. That one night in Istanbul. Anyways. I'm one of those who cringes every time he blasts the ball away when a simple pass would have easily sufficed. I think he knows his time is coming, I think the King has had the conversation. Carra knows. Maybe not as much as Bo knows ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... ) , but you get the point..
carra will go, it's just going to take a bit of time. Anyone suggesting he get dropped immediately doesn't know much about football.
Latortillablanca

I agree pretty much with everything ur sayin, and hope, as redtrev does that this doesn't lead to shameless cries for the old boy's head, and can only add that i can see parallels between the carra/dalglish relationship and the pep/puyol relationship and hope that it can play out in the same way.

pep and dalglish are in the undisputed top 2 (if not the top) legends of their respective clubs, and both made outstanding managers with that extra special ability to spark emotion out of overpaid athletes. puyol and carra both are hard-nosed local lads that paid their dues out of position early in their careers, rightfully earning their berths at the heart of central defense and, really, embodying the heart and soul of their respective clubs and towns. recently, they've both lost a step and been prone to the occasional demonstration of the lack of their physical prowess. So, what do you do with a club legend in the last phase of his career? Well, look at how pep has handled it and tell me it can't work exactly the same way here at liverpool.

Pep brought back Pique, who has developed into the best all around CB on the planet, but more importantly has distinct strengths to his game than puyol does. he complements puyol in a way that puyol can concentrate solely on what he has always been good at, a skill set that will only slightly diminish over his final few seasons - being a destroyer. he doesn't have to be CB1 in any other way other than being the emotional flag bearer for barca, and when the chips are down he still brings it. but pique, in the sense that he fulfills different roles in the side, was quietly and quickly introduced as CB1 without ruffling puyols feathers. puyol's role hasn't really diminished, and he's asked to play a simpler tactical role because pique is every bit the organizer ol carles is. he's even accepted playing either fullback role when called upon, much like early in his career.

The problem with carra, other than wat u point out above, is that Agger is supposed to be his Pique, only agger hasn't played (by comparison to pique) more than a handful of games opposite the older, grimier, grizzier veteran, and thus hasn't been able to take that mantle over as CB1. the opportunity may have passed for him to ever do so, but i believe if he can put the next couple seasons together injury free, then this whole carra convo wont be such a 'difficult conversation' at all. i honestly think this was rafa's plan all along before the dane proved to be more brittle than a rice cake. so, good points, hear hear on the post and all that, all im sayin is lets wait and see what we get out of agger, because he may be the soultion this whole 'problem'. and if he isn't, we better hope to fowler that coates develops quickly...
CSD

I can't help but wonder if we'd be having this "conversation" if a penalty had not been awarded. When a player makes a mistake, he is suddenly put under the microscope and examined from the sorts of angles that would make a man working for Roto-Rooter blush. I do not think that just because we endured our first loss of the season that it is time to grab the shotgun and take old Jamie behind the barn.

Carragher knows his time is limited and he has stated before that he retired from playing in the national side in the hopes of prolonging his club career. He has already spoke about coaching and his love of working with the youngsters. Carra will likely be part of this club on some level for many years to come and we will be better because of it.

As for the present, who would you pick other than Carragher? If history has shown us anything, it has made it painfully obvious that there is no one yet that can fill his role. Maybe Coates, Kelly or Agger (if they stay fit) can eventually take over leadership of the back line but currently, it's pretty grim. Yes, he's getting slower. Yes, he makes his share of mistakes. But if you were to ask Pepe Reina which player he wanted in front of him, what do you think he would say?

It is painfully obvious to everyone that the sands of time are running down on Jamie's career, but I think busting out your chalkboards after the first loss of the season is quite disrespectful to a man that has done nothing but give his all to the club. Suggesting that he has a view of being bigger than the club is incredibly degrading. I don't normally criticize fellow bloggers, but you're right. It's not Jamie, it's you.
Ed

I think we've been having the conversation for awhile now, and the overall performance from Jamie Carragher against Stoke merits discussion. This isn't a case of overreacting to an isolated incident, just as you say, "it is painfully obvious to everyone that the sands of time are running down on Jamie's career." His loyalty and place at the club makes it uncomfortable, sure, but I think it's merited.
steven.

a post i would neither have the balls or the mental capacity to write.
well in Noel.
NotTooXabi

Dear Noel,

A hot little young South American number rolls into town and you drop me faster than 1st period French? How cliche. Me, the good wife who cleans up after you, pays the bills, and keeps the house warm during those cold winter nights? For some Spanish speaking poster girl you met on the internet?

Hope you have fun with the tart. Enjoy the take-out curry, the dirty laundry, the constant drama, and doing your own shopping. When you've gained 20 pounds, can't find a towel, and can't make out why you have 23 jars of nutella but not one slice of bread...don't call me. Fuck you and the temerity you rode in on.

Sincerely,

Jamie. 3 Years Ago.

...oh
Johnarejr

Is there a young CB on the roster who could be eased into a starting role along with Coates? Or, should the Reds consider getting someone in January?
PDubz18

Agger is not in the same Carraboat, he's only 26.
ReadLiverpoolFC

I'd say from the amount of comments here it's very clear that you're not the only one having these feelings about Jamie Carragher. For all the talk that it'd take balls to drop him from the starting eleven, it took some granite cajones even to post up this carefully worded criticism, too. I've not seen anyone do it before, despite the fact that obviously many have felt the same for quite some time. Well done.
Sandro

I agree that Jamie will probably revert to a quad player by season's end but his presence early on in the season was much needed. With a new left back, a young right back and Agger returning from injury to try to cement his place in the side Carra's experience was critical. Despite one or two personal errors, his presence has lead to a solid back four. Once Enrique, Kelly ect bed in I expect to see the integration of Coates/Skrtel... at least until Agger gets injured and Jamie returns!
Red2death

No offence, but I hope you're wrong about Skrtel. Every time a corner comes in I'm amazed at how he manhandles the opponent and yet it's not a penalty.

Whenever I think refs have an agenda against us, I remember Martin Skrtel and then it's slightly more even.
Sandro

Nah that's fine, I completely agree with you and would prefer that it wasn't Skrtel. It just seems that as a more established figure than Coates he'd be the next in line. In saying that, I've barely seen Coates play so right now it's more of a case of thinking that he's done nothing wrong so he must be the perfect defender.
Suarez from the car park...

Indeed. Goal difference isn't bad and this is 4 games for a new team.
ejbauer11

Nothing to say that wasn't said by Noel, redtrev, et al. F'ing legend; Kenny will handle the business the liverpool way: in the boot room. Would add that it might be time to retire the "team of carraghers" song, which - having been a central defender that wanted to punch glory-hogging-nancy strikers in the face once and awhile - was one of my favorites.
Suarez from the car park...

And I can't imagine Coates not getting significant playing time this season.
JPR

He was on the bench at Stoke which certainly must signify KK's intention to bring him into the side sooner than later. Even though Kelly is injured. My guess is he'll be starting by midseason.

And what happened toJohnson at Stoke? Is he injured again?
mcshattery

i must say regardless of my opinion in relation to the content of this article, it was a tremendous read.

very well written.

and although i hate to admit it myself, i agree

McShatter
Rickbroma

Ooh you sarcy git! Brilliantly written creative article, and sadly, largely
true. Such a refreshing change to the inane over-sentimental armchair
punditry we have to trawl through on LFC blogs. I had tears running down my face...but yes, thank you Jamie, it's time to move on.
Nbusa

You and Kris seem to speak with one voice... you guys must be around each other a lot.
redtrev73

A great and necessary read that will, as mardia rightly says, start a "difficult conversation" that is very timely....

I've watched Carra since he broke through as a kid and served the Reds at centre-mid, right back and most impressively, left back in his early years under Houllier before Rafa moved him into the centre of defence. Since then his starter-status and centrality to any LFC 11 has been, right or wrong, unquestioned.

Noel, you and Ed have a kind of guru status on this excellent blog and that respect has been duly earned so I am wary of saying that I disagree with how you've presented Jamie here. Mainly because I don't disagree at all. I do, however, fear that the depiction (based on the rumours I also heard and gave credence to) of our vice-captain as a self-centred 'me-before-the-club' type is dangerous. Dangerous, because of the influence your opinions have and the snowball effect that might result. Take, for example, the speed with which the disdainful references to 'Carrahoof' (not your term, I know) took off with minimal encouragement from yourself. The Scouse soul of LFC may be flawed but he doesn't deserve to end up as some two-dimensional villain-of-the-piece. Your piece is balanced and fair and I'd hate to see it lead to a flurry of Carra-baiting 'round here.

For the first decade of this millennium Jamie Carragher took over from God as my favourite Redman ( only Barnesy and The King before that, so pretty exalted company) but even I've been voicing my increased disillusionment with Carra over the last two seasons. The default-punting, the decrease in mobility, the very public backing of The Hodge, the pseudo-managerial observations on the club and then, of course, came his book and the confirmation of much of what I had feared about his respect for Rafa.

Yet I can forgive and indulge SO much when it comes to Jamie. The almost-blind loyalty you speak of is the main reason for my affection for Carra. It's also at the heart of the guilt we feel when we articulate our frustrations with the man. As I've often said on here, Jamie is Mr Liverpool for me, even more than Stevie. Those last-ditch tackles are a delight (and still a regular feature) but it's the less-glamorous interceptions, organising and tackles that make him worth his place. Or at least, they DID.

Last season and the season before Jamie started poorly and eventually recovered his form. 11/12 seems to be going the same way to an extent. Nothing to suggest that won't happen again, I guess. Carra getting skinned for pace is nothing new but his cock-ups against Bolton and Stoke were down to poor positioning and getting out-muscled. That is a worry.

However, all of this is somewhat irrelevant as long as Kenny continues to rely on the veteran. I'm not a misty-eyed nostalgia-monkey dwelling on his glorious cramp-impaired magnificence in Istanbul. I was at the Sunderland game and winced at the punt-tastic long balls out of defence but I also know what the guy can do and does in every game. Ugly, sensible and boring stuff that wins games nearly as much as the attacking brilliance of Suarez.

More than likely you and I will continue to guiltily curse those hoofs and grudgingly praise the blocks and tackles but if Carra's time is up or nearly done....well, there's nobody better than Kenny to manage that with the dignity he brings to all his dealings on LFC's behalf. Maybe, with the return of Stevie we will see the gradual phasing-out of this genuine legend and the introduction of Coates or Kelly.

When that day comes I will be first in line to thank the man for being a proper Redman and a loyal servant to the club we both love. He won't thank me for it and will probably call me a "soft twat" and insist he should still be playing. That's why I love the guy.
Tropics Red

Awesome mate.

Business says you should sell a player before their value decreases. Some players you just can't do that to. Carra is one of them, Gerrard is another. Simple.
Suarez from the car park...

Hear hear.
Justin

Brilliant redtrev73. My sentiments are very much the same. While I don't live in England, nor have I made the pilgrimage to our Holy Mecca, Anfield, my heart has been with the club from the moment I first bothered to watch the EPL, and Jamie has been an absolute Adonus for as along as I can remember. Separating him from the club would be akin to full-scale self-induced quadriplegia from a supporters perspective. Not a pretty picture.

That being said, there is no one I'd rather have sitting at the helm than Kenny to handle a situation like this. And to a great extent, I don't really think we'll see the full exclusion of our vice-captain this season, but Kenny has the kind of class and candor needed to handle our talismanic center-half with the kind of respect and admiration he deserves.

I can feel my twat softening now.
Kris

Ooh you sarcy git! Brilliantly written creative article, and sadly, largely true. Such a refreshing change to the inane, over-sentimental armchair punditry we have to trawl through on LFC blogs. I have tears running down my face...thanks Jamie, it's time to move on.
Duck of Death

Great letter and a nice way to deal with this dilemma. I hate watching Carra these days and i would like to see him sit it out from here on apart from the lesser games.. He's valuable but not on the pitch.. great service but not what Liverpool need to play pass and move. Kenny will handle !!
Suarez from the car park...

Where did you get that handle?
Ed

Had to be Unforgiven, right?
Red2death

It'll take balls to drop Carragher. Not because of fans reactions (because Kenny can well handle that), but because we don't have another commanding presence in defence.

Ability-wise any of the younger kids would probably be able to provide the same level of defensive cover that Carra does, perhaps even better, and with far less hoofing. But who else marshals the rest of the defence? Who gets in everyone's faces when they don't do their job or when they're not tracking their man closely enough? Carra's there because he's the leader. And until get another leader-type, or until someone else steps up to the role, I think he'll remain in the team.

Same thing with Stevie G. It helps that he's a world-class midfielder, has great ball skills, and still has that extra step when he needs it. But even if that ceased to be the case, there'd still be value for him in the team because he's the guy that makes things happen. Charlie Adam is doing a decent job, but he's not half the leader Gerrard is.

That said, I hope we find a replacement for Carra soon. It's not ideal to have to choose between ability or leadership. A top team can't afford to sacrifice one for the other.
Tropics Red

Agree with that point mate. Agger is top drawer but injury prone, Skrtel just hasn't proved he deserves to take the spot from Carra. Thats why he;s still getting game time.

I would have liked to see us pick up a quality CB in the trasnfer window, becuase for all his potential, Coates is still just a prospect. He's 20, and whilst he did well in another league, Wilson was doing well in another league two years ago and he still has work to do to get into our side.

I think the lack of CL football restricted our ability to bring in a proven top class performer, and the board Kenny didn't necessarily see the value in Cahill/Dann.
Suarez from the car park...

we may not have had the option of Cahill and it seems we either didn't want Dann or didn't think we could fit him in with Coates having such a promising cv, winning young player of the Copa Am. tournament ahead of Neymar and Ganso.
paul

Skrtel and Agger were considered out future CBs quite some time ago. We now have Kelly that grew up in that position, and a giant from the depth of South America. We have Johnson that can play both sides and two kids by the names of Robinson and Flano adding further cover.

Reina, Agger and even Adam can do a leader's role with ease. Gerrard is back soon, maybe even this weekend.

Unless we have a pretty bad spell with injuries, why does Carra need to start?
Bill

Forget Johnson, he's finished.
Red2death

Well, we don't know what the squad dynamics are behind the scenes. There needs to be someone very well-respected at the heart of defence to coordinate everyone and put them in place. We all know Reina is world-class, but do our young defenders look up to him the same way they look up to Carra? Agger certainly has leadership qualities, especially given he wears the armband for Denmark. So, the Danish squad respect him highly - is that the same with Liverpool's crop? (In both these cases, I'm not saying yes or no). Basically, I don't know. But Kenny does and people behind the scenes who watch the training and locker room interactions every day would know. Just gonna trust that they're well aware of Carra's weaknesses, and have chosen to keep him in the team despite of them...
Suarez from the car park...

I agree with all that. I think Agger can provide leadership at the back but he needs to bank a solid season without significant injury to be in the mould.

His career has just been too chequered with injury to date.
mardia

This is my main concern with the idea of dropping Carra. Without him in the squad, I don't think Kelly, Flanagan, and Robinson would be as successful as they have been, and if we're really going to try and blood academy kids into our defense, we need to bring them in alongside experienced players the way (dare I say it?) Man United have managed to do this season. (And the way that Arsenal, I think, have failed to do.)

At some point, Liverpool is going to need new Carraghers and new Gerrards. The question now is whether the ones we've got can still do the job.
Suarez from the car park...

Face it Noel, you were just never meant to be in a relationship. It's not that you're not in touch with your defensive side....well, yes it is.

"Try to see it my way.....da da da da da da da da da da da da da"

Sincerely yours
Woy.
Conor8923

TPiss off an abusolutely horrendous article. Ya he is getting a bit older but still has 2 years before we even think about phase him out. His experience more than makes up for the lack of pace because look how easy the youngsters have fit in because Hes guided them and told them where to go
Suarez from the car park...

"...told them where to go"
don't think you meant it like that, but its funny anyway.
Collie

A team that aspires to the very top can't be too sentimental. Old W. N. cut Wes Brown loose while he was still a good player because he knew he might not be quite so good in 6 month's time, and he needed to integrate the younger players. Liverpool also need that sort of attitude.
Suarez from the car park...

Also, Old W.N. also had players busting to get into the side already.
Jerod

Psychologists who study survival situations observe that the most important mental attribute for escaping alive is the ability to expel dogma and meet the situation on its own terms. The mind has a way of trying to match reality to its expectation of reality, often times filtering out or explaining away anything that contradicts its mental model of a particular experience or even an entire worldview.

In the modern game, players that dedicate themselves to a football club should be heralded. Loyalty is a lost virtue in this post-postmodern-whatever-the-fuck era we're living in now, and it needs to be valued, noted, and praised, when it's there.

I can't speak on Jamie Carragher's loyalty to Liverpool FC. His actions and words have always led me to the understanding that he's a die-hard Red, even if he wasn't raised one.* But, it doesn't change the awful, flooding feelings of relief and optimism I experienced last November when he was sidelined for a month and a half with a shoulder injury.

It's not personal. It shouldn't be dogma, either way. It should be about the performance on the pitch. And, if we're honest, it's obvious what that performance is telling us.

*I don't remember the row with Rafa, Noel, but cheers for the reminder. As usual, well done with the article ... I mean, letter. Also, it would seem I can speak on his loyalty, but whatever.
Tom Foolery

Carrhoofs always seem to bring the best out of you, Noel. Do you have a link to that older post (last season, I think) on Jamie's need for a hoof? Twas was one of my favorites.
Noel

Do you mean Waiting for Hodgson, or something else?
Tom Foolery

That's the one.
From a darker time, no doubt.
Thanks
JPR

It will be interesting to see how KK handles the transition to Coates over the season and how it all develops. Very touchy subject for the fans and the manager. Trust in KK to handle it appropriately. As Mardia mentioned, there would be no one better to help develop the youngsters. Jamie would be stellar in that capacity. And, Jamie as backup is not so bad.

The two gifted goals over the past two games is tough to really accept. Whatever the circumstances, I know neither would have happened five years ago. He would not have found himself in the position to concede the penalty against Stoke. And the first touch in the Bolton match would have been to one of our guys. Was really attributable to him being pooped after 90 minutes.

To be fair to Jamie, Noel, you should publish the chalkboards from the last four games that show the total passes and successful and unsuccesssful ones. They tell the story of what we all already know. He hoofs a bit much and all his hoofs end up on an opponents foot. But, he is still completing from 75% to 90% of his total pass attempts, and almost all of his completions are short balls. You really see the complete picture. (for passes, anyway).
Justin

Top post again Noel. Love the format. Love the content. No, I won't try to make out with you now.

I think it could be useful to take a more pragmatic approach to this. I suspect that Carra has something like 1-2 years left on his current contract. The club would have very little reason to drop a player on contract that still has so much to offer the club. The most obvious solution is to just not start Carra anymore, and I think this is something we can all agree upon. However, this should not be so for lesser cup matches and some league games. Strength in depth is always desirable, and hoofballs aside, Carra is still a very talented defender who can do a job for us.

In my opinion, Kenny should do his best to establish two or three fieldable squads and then adjust from there based on injuries and availability. Carra would be ideal for games with little weight or against lesser opponents and should almost always be given the start, say, in front of Doni and with the armband of course.

I think once we bring Stevie back into the picture things could get a bit more complicated as I feel that Carra's current greatest qualities are his leadership and as you rightly said, his tremendous experience. With Stevie back on the pitch and leading the troops, Carra isn't so vital anymore. Reina has showed many times before that he's plenty capable of orchestrating our defense and generating attack from the back. And with a backline including dos hablantes de español (Coates/Enrique), Reina would most likely be able to convey slightly more complicated orders that Carra's barking might not otherwise accomplish.

I also believe we probably all share the opinion that Carra would make for an ideal manager someday. Whether that be at Liverpool or elsewhere, Carra's contributions would be much more lasting if he were to "step down" to a coaching position. Personally, I'd like to see him take on a smaller role in our current staff for awhile, so that he can get his feet and coaching badges.

Alas, 'tis a sad day when we all stop dreaming of a team of Carraghers...

It's Justin-credulous.

In the meantime: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Seanster

Great read Noel, echoes probably alot of fans thoughts as the minute, uncomfortable as that may be. We got to be thinking at this stage how many of the top six clubes would have him as first choice at this stage of his career and the answer is probably none.

Probably a similiar situation to when Kenny first took over as manager in 1985 he shipped out Phil Neal, who was club captain and a team mate of Kenny's for the previous eight years. He'll be tough enough to do the same with Carra although its up to Carra to accept a phasing out process and if he can I've no doubt he'll always be at the club in some capacity.

Wouldn't like to see any fans turn on him though.
Noel

Absolutely—I hope that Dalglish is the one who'll be able to phase him out without it either leading to a mess in the press or a departure, because despite any misgivings I'd still very much like to see him finish his career at Liverpool if that's possible.
Septimus_RED

Excellent prose sir I salute your article.
That having been said, expect a chorus of disapproval from a large section of so called fans.
Jamie Carragher would not get into Chelsea, Man City,Manure teams and frankly he should not be an automatic 1st team player.

I would also like to add that if Carragher really loved Liverpool FC he'd do the honourable thing.
That said it will be interesting to see just how Carragher will fancy going up against Kenny Dalglish if Kenny has the balls to drop him.
The best central defender we had in the last TEN YEARS is SAMMI HYPIA not Carragher.
One things for certain Jamie is going to disrupt things if he's dropped and if that's the case he should be transfer listed.

I look forward to Kenny dropping him and Carraghers reaction to it
Ghaniselbi

He should be benched...his playing days are numbered...dont be too sentimental with him...
mardia

This...is gonna be a difficult conversation that we're probably going to have over the course of the season. And I'm not trying to discount the hoofing, or the mistakes that have cost us goals over the last two games. Not going to do that.

However, let me bring something else up. I don't know if Jamie Carragher should be an automatic starter for LFC in the months/years to come. (And yes, I feel really guilty even saying that.) But I think that his experience is hugely important, particularly when we're trying to bring in promising academy kids like Flanagan and Robinson. Flanagan, Robinson, and Martin Kelly have all stated how much Carra's experience has helped them in training and in the big games. And honestly, without Carragher there to help him, you have to wonder if Jon Flanagan's performances against Man City and Arsenal last season would have been so impressive. I also think, without having those experienced defenders in the squad (even if they are, perhaps, a step slower, more prone to hoofing) you end up with the situation that Arsenal were in at Old Trafford, having a bunch of inexperienced teenagers getting terrorized. And I mean *terrorized*, by the end of that match I was ready to start a collection for those kids to get therapy.

Now, that being said--I'm still really excited to see what Coates can do. The idea of having TWO ball-playing, pass-first,hoof-last CBs in our backline sounds AWESOME. In the end, what I come down to is, that if it is time to phase Jamie Carragher out of the starting XI, there's no other manager I'd want handling that transition but Dalglish. Not just because it's Dalglish, but because Dalglish's reputation with the fans, and the obvious respect the squad (including Carragher to be fair) has for him would shield him, I think, from a lot of the knee-jerk condemnation and outrage.
Geza27

Very good point Mardia. The young generation can hugely benefit from Carra's experience, passion for the club and never give up attitude. I think that we have easily reached the point where he could add bigger value in an accademy coaching role than on the pitch.

Now to those rumours... not sure what to think really, what is the truth in them... Let's not forget as well about the context, the civil war that was reigning at the time at Anfield, all the crap that was flying around...

But seriously, does any of the regulars on this blog really believe that Carra considers himself as bigger than the club??

On a personal note, I will always remeber him for his performance during the over-time in Istanbul, when despite all the cramps, he made one last ditch tackle after the other. As you are mentioning it, I am convinced as well that Kenny will handle his transition to the bench with all the dignity he deserves.
Daniel Creer

A little over-exaggerated maybe, but I can't help feeling that the core of your point is right. I never thought I would ever say this, but Carra is the weak link in our team. Even reading that back feels way too weird.
Noel

I hope it comes across as a touch over-exaggerated in places—it is, after all, meant to be a Dear John letter. Though of course people are free to disagree with my decision to take that approach instead of going the more straight-forward article route. Or I suppose they can disagree with the core thesis, too.