retired_workingmom77

Dear oh dear, the level of intellect among some forum members is quite frightening.

Couldn't have put it better myself axeman :thup:

retired_aurie

Thanks -Xenon-
I just feel bad for those who are trying their hardest to make a story out of their game, when morons come around and blast them to smithereens with some ill informed nonsense.

Like I said, uskopite is doing a fine job of telling a story, I'd love to see where he can take it from the player's perspective.

retired_aurie

What has that got anything to do with the stories written in this part of the SI Forums? If you want to spout nonsense, do so elsewhere. Nobody in here appreciates your BS.

retired_aurie1201

Xenon and axeman - I appreciate your support for the structure of the forum - and thanks for the encouragement.

Johned - Look mate, I really love the rivalry between our teams - and in any other forum I would enjoy tearing your side apart. But this really is a story forum, and so your type of baiting has no place. If you offered something in the way of constructive criticism, and a barb, I wouldn't mind it at all; But as it is - give it a rest.

retired_aurie1201

5.11.2005

Three matches now with the reserves since the call up from the Academy, and I felt I was going from strength to strength. My first game out was a bit of a shocker against Leeds, but I didn't play badly. Against Blackburn I found my voice in the side and struck the back of the net. And now - a hat trick.

I would'nt dare talk to the coaches about what thier intentions with me were. Maybe that was for fear that they would tell I was going back down inspite of all that I felt I was accomplishing. Maybe also for fear of looking like I was trying to show off and draw attention to myself.

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Liverpool v Birmingham

The Brummies of Birmingham were more recently seen as cannon fodder of the Premiership. A team upon which the large clubs feaster for points. But this year was turning out to be a banner year for the Blues. They were sitting 5th in the table due mostly to their great form at home, and making themselves unbeatable on the road with a 5-6-2 record in all games.

The squad was coming off a run of tough games in succession, and the pace of the season might have started to wear on the side. Rafa looked to mix it up a bit up front, with Morientes leading the line and little Luis in the hole. Rafa also pulled Gerrard in off the wing and tried putting Alonso out wide, looking to start the build up from the flank, with Gerrard bowling up the middle to change the angle of attack.

Birmingham indeed turned out to be a very well organized side, and for long stretches it looked like the Brummies were going to come to Anfield and take a point. But in a stunning 2 minute period, Gerrard's had an irresitable moment of genius (cracking a 20 yarder through the crowded box off of a Riise set piece lay off) followed by a mazy run and finish from Morientes, and Liverpool conjured up thier 6th clean sheet in 11 Premier league games to stay atop the table by a clear 5 points over Chelsea and 6 over Arsenal.

The victory set the stage for a short turnaround - when just 4 days later Birmingham would return to Anfeild for the 4th round of the league cup.

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"Three goals!! Bloody hell Murph, what has gotten into you."

"I don't know Mark, it's just clicking. Things definately move faster here, and are much more physical - but people like Mellor and Gonzales are pure quality. They've taken alot of attention on the field, and open up alot of possibilities to me."

"Well, you certainly are taking your chances. We were all pulling for you mate. So what do you think your chances are of getting a run out in the league cup game?"

"Its not impossible, but I really doubt it Mark. Rafa has said that he intends on taking these cup game very seriously. A few of the reserve lads may get a run out, but I would not be surprised at all if you see a pretty strong side fielded. Well anyways, enough about that mate. I think your time will come soon."

"Ah whatever Murph. We are enjoying our football here. Its only a matter of time now, I figure. Might as well win everything we can since we are here."

"Hah, so you think you lot can score without me - You'll be begging me to come back down there in a couple of weeks!"

"Don't make me laugh. I didn't think it was possible but it turns out your head is just as big as the rest of yer, you knob!"

retired_aurie1201

7.11.2005

"Terrance Patrick Murphy - well that sure is a good full blooded Irish name." said Paul Willis beaming as he and I sat side by side during training warmups. Paul was the back up keeper for Liverpool's reserve side. He was also the starting keeper for Northern Ireland's U-21 men's team. His obvious talent was one of the reasons that Liverpool had brought him into the team. Paul was going to be a good professional keeper no doubt, but it was looking more and more like he was going to have to really break into full time footballing at another team, and likely at a lower level.

"Well, my dad and his whole half of the family are tickled absolute pink with this whole proposition." I said. "Of course they think I should grab on with both hands. Their whole arguement is, basically, that England has enough 'stars' that grace thier ranks at all levels. Shooting stars more like it. One generation replaces the next, and as brightly as your star shines, it is as quickly extinguished. But once a legend in Ireland - always a legend."

"Trust me on this one Terry. Playing in the English Premier League is no doubt the greatest professional acheivement that anybody from the United Kingdom could hope for. Any Irishman would be right proud to strap on the boots for any of these top teams. And the money . . . ooh I don't have to mention," Paul said with a chuckle, and then went on in seriousness, "but when it comes to playing for your country and following your heart - Ireland always holds it special players close to her heart. There is a special appreciation there, the likes of which you don't see after young guys leave the English U-21 and national team set up. For England it is always about - who is the next big thing. I'd say ring up Potter before you go off making any big decisions. Things in the Republic of Irelands U-21 side might be different, but I suspect you would be accepted immediately, and be truly appreciated."

I listened closely and pondered on that for a bit, but the my decision on who to play for was already made up in my mind.

Neil Banfield, the coach of the Republic of Ireland's U-21 team had called my home last night, and broached the subject with my father. This morning Coach Herrera pulled me aside and also spoke to me Ireland's desire to call me up for the next Internation junior friendly on the 11th. This, after a few weeks ago being called into Coach Owens office with the news that England's U-21 set up was also looking to bring me into training camp.

I knew this moment would come soon after England came a knocking. Because of my trio of citizenship's with the US and Ireland through my dad and grandpa, and England through my mom - I was going to be at the center of a little international . . . er . . . personal crisis. Who did I really owe my allegiance to? where did my heart lay when it came to international football. I always followed each of the teams closely in qualifications and the world cup. Most of my interest lay in how the United States was progressing by leaps and bounds in the international arena. But truth be told, I had already dropped off of Bruce Arena's and his US scouts radars as I didn't really get into organized football until, well . . . just now. Zach Witbread reassured me that nobody over there (state-side_ had the slightest idea about me - and that they were alread too nearsighted to notice what was going on outside of the "Olympic Developmental Team" in terms of talent for the national youth squads.

So that left England or Ireland. And my mind was already made up . . . .

retired_aurie1201

9.11.2005

(League Cup 4th Rnd)

Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Opponent: Birmingham
Attendance: 26919

LFC Reserves Starting Line-Up:

………Mellor……Cisse
Riise…………………………Sinama-Pongolle
……………Sissoko
……………Hamann
Warnock……Josemi……Carragher……Finnan
………………Dudek

Bench:

Zenden (on 61 for Warnock)
Gerrard
Reina
Crouch (on 82 for Sinama-Pongolle)
Murphy (on 61 for Hamann)

Score: Liverpool 2 – 0 Birmingham
Birmingham: None
Liverpool: Cisse 76’(pen), Mellor 83’ (Crouch)

Man of the Match: Steve Finnan

To say that I didn’t expect to even make the bench for this match would have been just about right. It was a bit embarrassing at first, as I felt there were several others who were equally as deserving to be in my spot, if not more so. But there I was, in my gray “trackies” sitting down the end of the bench – right next to the man for whom I drew a lot of comparison: Peter Crouch.

The crowd wasn’t half the size of those I’d experienced as a supporter on European nights, but when you are down on the pitch and you are met by the wall of sound after YNWA, even half the number seems like the whole world in bearing down on you to a bloke who has never experienced support from so many of the Anfield faithful. I was in awe. Good thing that I wasn’t starting, as surely I wasn’t really in the proper mindset to be out there right now.

When the opposition side was announced and the players took up their places on the field, among those to take their placse was a former Red whose Anfield career was largely anonymous right up until practically his last kick with the Reds. But those last few kicks would propel him high up in Liverpool lore forever more. [B}Vladimir Smicer [/B], the oft injured attacking midfielder, struck European gold with his now legendary strike which took the Reds in Istanbul to within one goal of A.C. Milan on that night in May. His last kick for the Reds would be a superbly taken penalty in the shootout which kept Liverpool in the drivers seat. Vlad had missed the return to Anfield just 4 days ago due to fitness problems, but as his name was announced the kop erupted in applause and cheers, showing genuine gratitude for one who had, at the 11th hour, become their own.

A half hour into the match, when I’d finally come to a bit of a sense of how things were going on the pitch. It was apparent that Birmingham were once again proving to be very pesky in their organization. The crowd roared the Reds on, but the whole match right into half time had been very stop-start, with neither side taking a clear grasp on the match. Sinama-Pongolle had provided consistent scoring chances, but his efforts, though well stricken, were unfortunately almost straight at the Brummie keeper Taylor – and really posed no problems. The best chance of the half came in the dying seconds when Mellor’s glancing header from a typical Riise long throw, was tipped over the bar safely by Taylor.

Half Time: This was really my first time seeing how Rafa handled the squad behind close doors. I marveled at how well organized and clear his ideas were as he set up the side and changed tactics for the second half. My previous coaches, Paco Herrera and Coach Owens, also presented their changes during the half time break – but the instruction provided and the idea behind those changes were not always clear and most of the time amounted to a quick rah rah to get the lads up again for the second half. But Rafa, just then, grew to be a giant in my eyes. He was not a player on the pitch, and yet somehow you just felt it was he who was pulling the strings and would be a huge influence despite not one kick on the ball.

Liverpool started the second half in a much livelier and organized fashion. And, although Birmingham had the first opportunity of the second half, when Emile Heskey (another former Red) muscled his way past Josemi into the box to head a lofted cross just over the bar, amazingly that proved to be the last REAL chance that the Brummies would have. Cisse should have put us up in the 49th minute as a well worked ball in the midfield found him in space, and even with plenty of time, Cisse clear shot was too near Taylor, who pushed it away and out for a corner. With that, Rafa had all us up off the substitute’s bench and warming up.

I was grateful to be up running around now – even if only for the possibly to work out some of my nervous energy, though I kept one eye on the game.

We were keeping the pressure on, but many of our chances were coming from distance; a cross would come in from wide and the taller Birmingham players like Heskey and Upson would turn away the good chances, leaving Riise and Sinama-Pongolle to pick up the bits and pieces to blast back in. Taylor was dealing with those well.

In the 59th minute, Paco Ayesteran called Zenden and myself over to the technical area and began briefing us on the situation. First and foremost, Birmingham was winning way to many of the 50 – 50 headed balls into the box. Second, Warnock was sitting solid in defense, but wasn’t looking comfortable going forward. At that moment – Rafa walked up, and taking Zenden and me by the shoulders, walked us over to the 4th officials area all the while providing instruction on what his ideas for the game were going to be.

“Terrance, you know in the reserve side we have been playing you in the center of the pitch and allowing you to make your way forward at the end of the attack to come in less marked – and possibly by smaller players. This time, you will get forward early from midfield into the attack. I want you to draw the attention of their central defenders off of Cisse and Mellor. Make them go with you! Also we do not expect you to hold the ball and create out of midfield, so don’t worry – the flow of play is going up the flanks – but you must try to win more of the high ball into the area. If you do not, you must race back on defense and win those same ball for us on the other end. Go now . . . okay Bolo, you need to . . . “

Zenden joined me at the half field line, and in the 61st minute I came in for Didi Hamann.

I was in! I was in the side at ANFIELD – on the very same pitch as Carragher, Cisse, Riise, and Dudek!!! What a high. What a dream.

Catching my breath, it was a few minutes before I really had the wherewithal to work in with the play. But as the opportunity presented it self I pushed forward, and just as Rafa had foreseen, the center half would pull out on me, leaving Mellor and Cisse to deal with the smaller Birmingham fullbacks. Cisse in particular enjoyed a run of 7 or 8 minutes were he was torturing Martin Taylor, and forced two good saves from Maik Taylor, the keeper – though at a sharp angle.

The pressure was fully on, as we won 3 or 4 corner in succession. On the last in that series, Riise whipped a corner in. Carragher, rising above his smaller marker was clear in on the cross when suddenly Maik Taylor came rushing through the crowd to try and punch. Getting nowhere near the ball, Taylor made solid contact only with Carra on the lunge and sent him sprawling into a crowd of players. Out came the shrill tweet of the refs whistle. . .PENALTY. . .
Carra, the captain on the day as Stevie sat over on the substitute’s bench, signaled Cisse to take it. Confidently, and with no little arrogance, Cisse spotted that ball, and blasted a be-be into the roof of the net, right over faltering Taylor.

Liverpool (1 – 0) Birmingham : Cisse 76’ (pen)

Birmingham was down, and now had to try and get men forward in attack. However we were more than up to it, especially with Sissoko was winning the ball back in midfield with ease. In the 81st minute Rafa brought on Crouch for Sinama-Pongolle – and he pushed Cisse out on the right wing. The idea was to have our midfield drop back more in support of the back four – and then try direct play down to Crouch to hold onto and bring Cisse, Mellor and Zenden into play.

The tactics didn’t really have time to work as in the very next minute we had the ball in the back of the Birmingham net again! Finnan collected a back pass from Sissoko and immediately sent Cisse marauding down the right wing with a 30-yard pass. Cisse drew in toward the box and crack a 25 yarder that Taylor could only block back out. We were all breaking forward into the area when the rebound came out to Crouch at the top of the box. With Upson and Cunningham (the two CBs) pulled out on me and him, Crouch slipped a nice pass into the seam for Mellor to run onto, and he blasted a 15 yard shot in stride right past Taylor for the second goal to kill off the tie.

Liverpool (2 – 0) Birmingham : Mellor 83’ (Crouch)

Down two nil, Birmingham didn’t close up shop, but pushed to the last whistle to make a game of it. Yet, it wasn’t enough – and when the whistle blew I was standing on the field with arms raised in victory listening to the roar from the fans.

It was then that I realized something that would make my travels at Anfield seem a bit easier. I might never be as influential as Gerrard or Alonso in the team. How could one hope to come and supplant such a tandem laying at the heart of Anfield’s success these last couple of years. But at some point in the future I could still have a place on the pitch near them. Rafa had shown me that I have been, and will be influential in games – with out hardly even touching a ball: As much as my height has made me a target for ridicule in the past, it is that self same attention that it draws on the football field which will disguise our other players movements around the box and up the field. I could make a difference.

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Stats:
Name(form)min/pas,cmp,key,tck,won,hea,won,key,int,run,off,fou,fl d,sho,sot-gls/ast-note:
Terry Murphy (7) 29 / 10 9 2 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 – 0 gls/0 ast