A Letter of Apology

Dear Igor and Djimi,

I am writing this to you as I genuinely would like to apologize and admit that I was wrong for writing the two of you off at the start of the season. I would be very grateful if you were to forgive me for all the times that i have ranted for the two of you to be "Shipped off the next day" or the times when i have referred to you as animals, such as a donkey or a monkey or other types of mamals.

I have now come to realize that under proper guidance, Djimi, you seem to have evolved into a pretty solid left back. In the game against the Spaniards during the week, you have shown that you are able to actually defend properly and keep a winger in your back pocket. You have definitely managed to cut down on your costly mistakes, and you have managed to make good use of your gangly long legs, especially with all those stupendous last ditch tackles against Deportivo, although I do have to admit I still do get minor heart attacks when you do attempt those tackles in the penalty area. However, I do think my faith in you would increase with more solid performances like that.

As for you, Igor, I now fully realize that, although I did mention it before, that if you were to play in your proper position as a central midfield player and not as a centerback, as you showed also against the Spaniards, that you are actually a decent central midfielder and someone who I would not mind having come in for the likes of Gerrard, Alonso or Hammann. Although I do agree that you were a tad bit overhyped when you first arrived, with all the hoo haa about you being the "Croation Zidane" (enough with the sniggers there!!), but I would think that if you were actually playing in your proper position all this while, and not a central defender, or a right winger, or even as a striker, I am sure you would have realized your potential much earlier. Your performance against Deportivo reminded me of one of your first games for us a few years back, or was it your debut, where you were paired with Stevie G in the center of midfield against the Manc, and we actually played them off the park. It was great to see us control the game in the first half and you and Hammann were actually dictating the play together.

This, for what I can see, is the change that Rafa Benitez is actually trying to make to the team as a whole. He is actually giving all the players a decent chance and also, more importantly, giving them a chance to play roles that they are comfortable with, and not try and fit square pegs into round holes as what Houllier was attempting to do. Rafa has come in and instead of just throwing out the so called dross and start a new, he has actually come in and try and see what he can make out of what he already has. We are definitely moving in the right direction and although I have mentioned it so many times before, it feels good watching us play nowadays.

So, lads, keep up the good work, and here's to more improvement in the coming months.

You'll Never Walk Alone

p/s As for you, Salif Diao, you have still not been able to convince me that you deserve to be wearing the red jersey, and until you do, you are still on my "f*ck off please" list.