Liverpool Banter Archive November 15 2014

15 Nov 2014 21:54:25
It's interesting that Rodgers took advice from Bielsa but has now reverted back to his old methodology. It reminds me of how Napoleon beat the Prussians because they were still using the outdated training and tactics of Frederick The Great and had fallen massively behind the times. Rodgers has his Barcelona-style philosophy which is now outdated. His failure to grasp this reality is at the heart of his inability as a leader.

Relying on methods because they worked in the past is a recipe for long term failure. What he is lacking is presence of mind and as such is unable to react to the changing nature of football. Football like war is in constant flux and thinking that there are inexorable laws to follow is a big mistake.

Napoleon said he followed no principles of war and was thus able to adapt quickly to changing situations. When things go wrong you can endlessly analyze what you should have done differently (like all the hand wringing by fans after the Chelsea game last season). What most fail to realize is that it wasn't what was or wasn't done that mattered but rather the inability to think clearly in the present moment and therefore act appropriately. I think if Rodgers had presence of mind he would find that he would have far fewer mistakes to analyze.

Some ones been playing too much real time strategy games

Spank, I absolutely love your post. Brilliant.

Wth lol

One of the best posts i have read on this site for a long time. Well done.

Steven Gerrard In an interview with American network ABC, he said: "Tactically he is very clever, reacts to situations, changes things for the better, see problems and adjusts things very quickly.

"In the two years I have worked with him he is up there with the best of them and I've worked with (Rafa) Benitez, (Fabio) Capello, (Roy) Hodgson - big names.

"He can play any formation he wants to play as he knows he has the personnel and he is not scared to change formation from game to game or tinker with it as the game is going on.

"He is a players' manager, a manager you want to work hard for and win for.

"He shows the players unbelievable respect, he treats them like his own children and creates an unbelievable atmosphere to work in.
"I have been blown away by how sharp he is in the dressing room, how quick he is to see a problem."

I am really worried at the minute with our form, as are most of my fellow reds. I'm even more worried about what's going on in Rodgers head. He most definitely must be able to see that the split centre half thing is adding pressure and that Balotelli looks like he's just been dropped onto the pitch from another planet and has no idea what's going on around him. So is it just being plain stubborn? Does he wanna be there? Has he took his eye off the ball because of his break up from his missus? I don't know the answers I just feel like he's not operating with the focus he used to show.

BR's first year, and we operated with 1 striker for most of that season. Not with hell of a lot of succes. Second year and we start playing 2 up front. Things are happening and we are challenging for the title.

3. year and we go back to playing with 1 striker ??/

Hardkaar, could you or anybody answer this, pls? When we had LS as the only fit striker in BR`s first season and we later got Studge in Jan, didn`t BR play them both for most of the games b4 LS bit Ivanovic and got suspended? He then reverted to a 4-4-2/3-5-2 as soon as his ban was over and even tho we struggled a bit especially in midfield, I think BR played them both whenever they were available. Hence if that was the case, I do not understand all this 'Bielsa advice' BS going on because if my memory serves me well, BR always wanted Studge at LFC and played him w/ Suarez when both were healthy or unsuspended in 2012/13 season. Or did the Bielsa advice happen b4 BR bought Studge? I really need an answer frome someone, anyone because I just don`t get this lovefest w/ Bielsa from some people on this forum.

15 Nov 2014 17:55:46
Blessing in disguise?? Balotelli out with an injury. Now Rogers will have to change the front line, hopefully Sturridge will be back but definitely not the savior of this team.
Still behind the team regardless & hope Rogers wakes up to what everyone else can see.
YNWA

I thought two of them together was supposed to do the trick.

So one our players getting injured is blessing in disguise, right? How`s he supposed to improve and/or score if he is injured? Clueless post!

I for 1 must admit I'm glad it might make Breandan thinkt wice about playing him. He rarely shows any running in behind, after 15-20 minutes seems to just give up and play lacklustre. He hasn't shown one ounce of improvement in 685 minutes of football in the prem, and Lambert deserves another chance to lead the line.

I thought "blessing in disguise" with question marks was a question not a statement of fact, i don't think canadian scouse meant he wanted the player injured, but an injury will force BR to play some one else up front. someone jumping in to early? not for the first time either.

Jack, you have your intepretation and I have mine BUT your last point there is quite childish and petty. IMO, I don`t see any of our players getting injured as a "blessing in diguise". It`s just something that bothers me which is why I don`t make such comments regardless if the player is good or poor.

Exactly jackthelad. I don't want to see any of our squad get injured in any way, it was a question to maybe try shaking thing's up, from what I have read I think 95% of the post's have said Balotelli isn't working out, lazy, shoot's on sight, not tracking back enough etc etc, so maybe give Lambert & Borini a run out, try something different. Sturridge isn't going to be a savior that Rogers is hoping for & I for one hope they give him time to try turn the team around. I don't want us to be changing manager's every couple of years.
YNWA.

Spot on, canadian! I apologize if you took my post the wrong way. I`m just not comfortable hearing/reading such comments even if it wasn`t meant in a bad way.

15 Nov 2014 17:39:46
so ballers is out for a few weeks. I guess it will be a straight swap for studge, and keep the same tactics from rodgers ?

I guess so.

15 Nov 2014 14:17:12
I have recently joined the bandwagon blaming BR to all our ills. Think I would like to get back off the bandwagon, and see how it all plays out. I think things will move in a positive direction when Sturridge is leading the line, and think BR could bring us back to a contender for top 4. I do disagree with a lot of his decisions, but until we are throttling everyone 5 - 0, we will always identify faults.

That said, I hope he gives Lambert or Borini a chance up top with Sturridge and let Balotelli earn his starting birth with performances in the cups, not PL or CL. Also, bring Sakho back, put him alongside Lovren ( our 40 million dollar CB pairing afterall. ) and allow a true partnership to develop.

Ynwa

15 Nov 2014 15:06:46
While I want to agree with you, it's probably a safe bet that Sturridge is going to be injured more. And it could be partially coincidental that we do better with Sturridge because BR will play 2 strikers when Sturridge is fit.

Sturridge will definitely improve us; but certain problems still remain. One striker up front. ? weak midfield play. ? poor defending. still!?

Yes, Sturridge's injuries are proving pivotal, and the last thing he needs is more pressure. I don't think we need to rely on Sturridge, but I think he can kick start a sluggish offence, and if so, confidence will build. All the banter that our players aren't talented and scouting are useless, etc is nothing more than frustration boiling over. No doubt Markovic, Lallana, Balotelli have talent and will thrive. The transition has been tough and the pressure has made things worse. I suspect that when things start clicking we will see the quality this trio has to offer. The eds have been suggesting all along that this will be a transition year, and I have to agree. Top 4 is critical though, and I hope we do sign one star in January to allow us to push on. I personally think Higuain would be an ideal poacher, but would require the sale of a few of our players. For me, Allen is expendable, and would do my best to sell either Borini, Lambert or Balotelli to make room.

We don't need to bolster defence. Simply finding a stable duo at CB (Lovren/Sakho for me) and coach them appropriately. Wouldn't hurt to keep Can infrint of those two, and retire Stevie to the bench where he can be an impact sub for the rest of his career. People keep saying he doesn't have the legs, but I am 4 years his senior and even I can put on the throttles for 20 to 30 minutes! Just not for 60 to 90

Transition year? We lost one regular starter. This should have been anything but.

{Ed002's Note - Talk to the manager.}

RDL, If I hear that word "transition" from BR one more time, I`ll break something in anger.

Transition.
sorry.

16 Nov 2014 04:23:32
True enough, Ed002, although his messaging changes weekly. I figure the weather will be the next victim- it's almost like he has a dart board to select the next flogging.

{Ed002's Note - He won't be saying as much from now on.}

Aussie, Really?

16 Nov 2014 07:50:06
Interesting tidbit, Ed002. Did BR get read the riot act then?

{Ed002's Note - You should already have noticed he is saying less.}

16 Nov 2014 08:15:52
Well i hope BR keeps his mouth shut from now onwards Ed002.

He should just sit there and let his press officer do the talking, IMO.

15 Nov 2014 10:04:52
Those who think FSG will be making more money available this season to sign new players are living in a dream world.

15 Nov 2014 18:38:30
We are living a dream this season a nightmare. But I'm hopeful things will get better and this talk of replacing Brendan stops soon.

15 Nov 2014 05:28:14
Anyone else irked about our promising youngsters wasting away in lower leagues? I no there young and need experience but man poor texiera had that one game for us played very well ran his socks off was technically brilliant but. Never played again! Ibe is young but every time I've seen him play he seems like he's got better qualities than sterling and to be honest looks a million miles better than markovic.
Ed why do you think has sterling been given the chance since he was 17 and not the others?
When the others have looked just as impressive.

{Ed001's Note - because he was there at the right time. Injuries and lack of other options forced the club's hand.}

Obviously advertising to fund the site. but still thanks. ha

better content than some of our performances this season

{Ed001's Note - you really have lost me now!}

Ha sorry replied to wrong post, got a week off work on holidays with the little one, need some entertainment while he's asleep, sus out the chive on a search engine ha you may be into it

{Ed001's Note - hmmmm I think I will give it a miss, not that I don't trust you, but usually when someone says something like that it means it is best to avoid it!}

Ha good choice, your wife will be unimpressed.

love the site by the way, been on here since the torres transfer and have been on here daily.

Im based in brisbane and saw air force one near my house this morning, pretty terrifying and exciting having the G20 on our doorsteps.

{Ed001's Note - we aren't even married yet, so it would be more likely to be my ex-gf if it is that bad! Glad I stayed clear now. Yeah not sure I would want to be that close to the G20 myself. Rather you than me mate. I just hope you are not being too disadvantaged by all the security etc.}

Im a chef near the city, just in a restaurant, i have a mate who works at the Marriot Hotel, (where obama is staying) all the chefs there got the weekend off and obama got his team of chefs in. pretty crazy, but i guess its a pretty crazy world.

6000 police in the city today, naval officers in the river and in the sky. and the russian president brought his navy vessels.

happy to live in the suburbs

{Ed001's Note - chef huh? So you are the person to talk to if you want to impress the missus with a homecooked meal that is actually edible for a change then? ;)}

Ha yea I've been with mine for 7 years i think, cooking is pretty easy mate, just google what u like eating, if u can read u can cook that's how i see it.

i'm off for beers and watch the rugby league with the neighbour, take it easy mate

{Ed001's Note - take care mate enjoy.}

15 Nov 2014 00:24:28
ed001 coutinho or suso. i prefer suso just feel sorry for the guy

{Ed001's Note - I don't see why it has to be a choice.}

I would prefer to see both a the club along with Teixiera. But the unnecessary Lallana and Markovic signings have all but chucked my hopes down the drain.

Why can`t we have all of them.