Elements in a Champion

I can see some of us seem really stressed up and it's obvious we are very eager to see Liverpool winning the EPL title. I am not an exception. Some say Champions must play attacking soccer like Man United, but we see Chelsea winning 2 titles with negative (ugly at times) soccer. While it is natural use last season's Champs as a milestone, we need not do that.

I noticed Liverpool fans have a habit of appointing a scapegoat each season for our mis-performance. This year it looks like it's going to be Kuyt or Sissoko or even Alonso. But its hearterning to see the a better player as a scapegoat year on year. We're improving I guess.

In actual fact, a Champion does not need a scapegoat. This is not to be mistaken with the myth of every player performing excellently in a Championship winning team. In fact, in every Champion, there are players who sucked that season.

Thus, it is no point blasting our players game after game. It could only affect our fanbase morale and make supporting the club less fun. I mean, it's good to criticise but it kinda gets boring if we hear the same music every day, no?

Every EPL winner over the years had 1-2 outstanding players that season. These players would be on everyone's lips throughout the season. C.Ronaldo for Man U last season, John Terry and Cech for Chelsea previous, Henry for Arsenal the previous before and probably Garcia for Liverpool during our great CL win. Debatable yes, but face it, he made the difference.

That's the key. Players making a difference and that's what we need. It has to be the secret behind any Champion. Every team has their duh players, why do we expect any difference? But we do not have enough key players making the difference, the shining beacon. I do not know what constitute such a player. Talent? Heart? Influence? Skills? It really baffles me. In my opinion, as long as we do not have some players of this nature, the title is out of reach. Gerrard definitely has the footballing capabilities to be our player, but he fades off too regularly in a season. To put it simply, we are still a (but a much stronger) one-man team as in GH's era.

Second factor I feel is luck. Every Champion needs lotsa luck throughout the season. Incredible luck. Luck which makes the rest of the league howl in frustration at our fortunes and green with envy. Luck gives us deflected goals, goals from every seemingly harmless shots from average strikers. Luck gives us penalties we do not deserve. Luck gives us room for impossible goals from every angle. Luck bail us out with keepers scooping back disallowed conceded goals that crossed the lines. Luck gives us unbelievable last seconds injury time winners. Luck baffles everyone but face it, every Champion had a LadyLuck on their backs. Luck truely makes a difference in seperating strong title-chasers.

We have definitely assembled a squad which is capable of winning the title by a manager with abilities to bring us there. But we need something special. Luck, like any form of opportunities, can only happen if the players and manager are well-prepared to receive it. Players have to believe, and prepared to work very very hard to receive the blessing. At this early stage, I can only pray to see these 2 crucial elements shining in present for us throughout this season. If it happens, there'll be a new Champion this season.