Liverpool Banter Archive January 21 2015

21 Jan 2015 23:23:29
Is it just me whose really looking forward to next season?
Obviously gerrard is leaving, along with probably Johnson and toure and maybe a few of Enrique, mignolet etc. Nothing against the likes of gerrard and toure clearly.

However, it's kind of like a fresh start, Maybe a new manager, and start building a team that could be around for for 5+ years. A youthful, hungry, pacey and powerful team, playing good football. Yeah we may lack experience, but I'd rather lose games like that, than some of the games this year where I don't even feel like we are going to score.
Hopefully, ibe can make good, the likes of coutinho, sterling, can markovic, moreno and such keep developing, they all seem to have the hunger to play and improve. Henderson, sakho and sturridge are still young too and will be the more experienced players along with possibly skrtel and lucas being the 'old guard'

22 Jan 2015 13:00:33
I'll let you know in August

Liverpool are the kings of 'next season'.
I worry that the changes that will almost certainly happen come the summer will mean far more 'transitional periods'

21 Jan 2015 20:27:49
My take on the race for top 4:

Southampton - on current form they're virtually shoe-ins. With 42 points already, they only really need another 28-30 points from 16 games to guarantee it as I can't see Liverpool, United and Arsenal scabbing their way to the 70 point mark. However Southampton are starting to suffer from key injuries to the likes of Wanyama and Schneiderlin so I think they may start to drop off with the combined goal drought of Pelle. I predict them to finish 6th.

Man United - going forward they're a force but they're shakey at the back. Just getting a lot of key players fit again though and look set to strengthen at the back this January. With no midweek games, they're going to be fresh every weekend and look very likely to stay in the top 4. I predict they'll finish 3rd.

Tottenham - far too inconsistent. As soon as the Europa league kicks off again they'll fall away as they don't have the strength in depth. Depth in terms of quantity, but not quality. One injury to Kane or Eriksen and it's season over for them. Predicted finish 7th.

West Ham - Great firepower in the striker department and very solid as a unit. They just lack the true quality to maintain a run of 5 or 6 wins for me. Predicted finish 8th.

Arsenal - Sanchez has been the best player in England this season and as long as he stays fit, I think they'll just nick 4th place from us and Southampton. Wenger knows how to handle midweek CL games and they'll be knocked out early anyway in my opinion. If Sanchez gets injured for more than a month then I reckon they could slip as low as 6th with Liverpool and Southampton jumping them in the table. Sanchez seems to be one of these guys who is always fit though so my predicted finish is 4th.

Liverpool - Liverpool have managed to string together a good unbeaten run against largely poor opposition but they've given away too many silly goals which have resulted in draws (Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester) and still haven't reached the heights of last season. When the Europa league kicks off again I expect them to start being even more inconsistent as Rodgers still has relatively no experience on how to cope with midweek games. I do however think we have the capabilities to win the Europa league and maybe one of the domestic cups if Rodgers focuses on cup competitions. I just don't see us getting the 35-40 points it will require to finish in the top 4. We've taken 35 from 22 games so far, so it's unlikely we'll take 35-40 from 16 games! That is literally title winning form. We're relying on too many teams to drop points and to be honest they are all in much better positions than us and 2 or 3 of them have much kinder fixture lists over the next few months. Predicted finish of 5th.

Basically, I think our hopes of top 4 this season hinge on Sanchez getting injured or Arsenal capitulating and gifting us 3 points at the Emirates. If either of these things happen, I can see us having the strength to drag ourselves above Arsenal by the skin of our teeth. Personally though, If I was Rodgers, I'd be focusing on the Europa league because I think on our day we can beat anybody in that competition. I just cannot see Arsenal and Man United racking up less points than us over the next 16 games. Especially as we still need to travel to the Emirates (which may well be the deciding game). I don't think it's impossible for us to finish in the top 4, I just really don't see it. It's easy to say "we're playing better now so we should climb the table". Arsenal are also finding some form though and United are consistently scraping points from every game and are bound to have a spell were they actually play well eventually. The only saving grace there is that United still have to come to Anfield which is an absolute must win for us to have any hope of finishing above them.

I won't give up hope until it's mathematically impossible, but all the people on here today screaming 'YNWA' from the roof tops over an above average display against a Chelsea team who wanted to sit back and reduce us to shots from 20+ yards, is not going to guarantee us top 4 and it doesn't suddenly make Rodgers a great manager. We're only playing catch up because of him in the first place.

IF he proves me wrong and we put together an incredible run to finish 4th or even 3rd, then fair enough. I'll apologise at the end of the season for doubting him and he probably deserves another chance IF he is willing to accept help from a Director of football. I'm not going to pretend this season has been okay though purely because of a cup win or a scraped 4th place finish. We had the resources last summer to mount a title challenge and the money was wasted and the squad mismanaged to the point where some people would now celebrate a 4th place finish like a league title.

People coming out and calling the realists "clowns" or telling us to "wake up and smell the coffee" need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture here. We're not the only team after that 4th place and we're currently in the worst position out of all the legitimate competition for the spot. We do not have control of our own destiny now. We need to rely on others slipping up and asking 5 teams to do that is just too much to expect. Not too much to hope for, but too much to expect. Don't set yourself up for disappointment because I really don't see it happening.

Like I say, I'll apologise to Rodgers for doubting him if we do get 4th from this position, but I'll still want his position reviewed because 4th isn't good enough. To quote the man himself, "When you spend £100m you should be winning the league". Well Rodgers, You and your committee have had £260m since you got here, so what's your excuse?

Yours sincerely,

A hopeful but realistic supporter who just wants the best for his club.

Why worry about other teams if we get enough points to get into the top four then so be it but it's really not about other teams it's about us and staying on this run, also Sturridge we give us an extra dimension which can only be good. Rodgers deserves credit for turning our performances around.

{Ed002's Note - Don't lose perspective and offer to pop around to give Rodgers a Persian Journalist. He promised the world, wasted the money, and has Liverpool fighting for the lower European places.}

Stop moaning you little podgy bum.

A long way to go yet.

I just don't appreciate being called a clown Davey.

It was uncalled for and completely premature.

{Ed002's Note - Premature? So you are going to become a clown in the future?

I have a great buddy who is a clown and one of the world's most uplifting films was made about him. "Saint Misbehaving". He started dressing as a clown in the 60s so as the cops wouldn't beat him with their night sticks at demos. Who would think they still would.}

Podgy bum!

.

{Ed002's Note - Looks like you were picked off by the Swear-O-Tron Davey.}

Maybe Utd should win the league! They spent £140 million, if that's the way it works?

I can only predict a top 2 at the moment.
Everything else is up for grabs in my opinion.
Last season we were 8pts off Arsenal at the beginning of December and we were top at Christmas.
I really don't get all the negativity.
If we were 5 pts off the top of the league we would all be saying that we are in the title race so how can we say its going to be so difficult to get top 4 when the gap is 5 pts???
That's 1 defeat and 1 draw from our rivals (utd).
Yes there are other teams going for it but I would argue that we have improved more than any of the teams we are up against which bodes well.

{Ed002's Note - You math has drifted off again.}

Agreed with everything you've just said there, EMS. We're on the edges looking in right now and while it's still possible, it's not looking probable. Reality is our poor form the first half of the season did us no favors, including seeing us miss out on a fairly lucrative stint in the CL and now perhaps making it back there again next year and a very big part of that form was the same one who is getting some credit for our semi-improved form now and that's fair enough in my mind.

Haha I meant it was a a bit premature to be saying "I told you we'd finish 4th" just because of a draw in the league cup :P especially considering at the time of posting, we are 8th!

Who knows though, I'd love to be a rodeo clown one day. Any tips? ;)

I do love your stories! You're certainly a well travelled man, I'll give you that!

{Ed002's Note - You should watch the movie "Saint Misbaving". Everyone should. These folks have done wonderful things for children and have given sight to many, many thousands of folk.}

21 Jan 2015 21:26:31
My mate used to be a clown. Gave it up - funny hours.

EMS, I think that i'd have more respect for your views if you tried expressing them before Ed001 ever did.

Anyway, I believe Rodgers should be given next season as there are many mitigating factors as to why this season got off to a poor start. Far too many to just blame it solely on one man.

The fact is that he's created teams that have/are playing some of the best football Anfield has seen for decades. Competing with teams with higher wage bills, and who have accumulated expensive squads before the FFP guidelines were introduced.

He has spent a fair sum, yet he also had to sell his best player to fund most of it. Other teams in the league simply add to there best players with more, we don't.

He worked a minor miracle last year, which many on here didn't even give credit for, due to the fact that he may have had a chat with another coach at some point! laughable.

Also, the money he has spent has come with a caveat, as other than one or two exceptions, he's having to buy young, potential stars, with the relatively low wages that they demand.

All in all, unless we can compete with the wages being paid by the likes of United and City, then we are going to need someone working a minor miracle to get us up there challenging regularly. I honestly think that he's potentially that man.

{Ed002's Note - I think your post is rather unfair on EMS. I also think that pitching for excuses for BR is a bit like the claim that L:iverpool is in another year of transition again. The owners have invested, they have made some poor choices over staff, but they crave success. Why screw around with a guy who is simply not up to the job?}

To be fair the players have to take some responsibility for the start of the season and the players we signed are staying to come good

{Ed002's Note - Spreading the blame to the players really doesn't help anyone. The ball sits with Rodgers. He is a complete flake now and, for me, Liverpool need to get the paring knife out and remove the worm from the apple.}

If we get rid of him though Ed it'll definately be more 'transition' as we'll probably get a guy in with new ideas, new players, possibly wanting a clear out.

I've seen it happen too many times over the years at Liverpool, and I really feel that there's been signs over the past couple of seasons that Rodgers might just get it right.

I strongly feel that he deserves at least until xmas, especially if our current form is carried on throughout the season, and we continue to progress. I also feel that it's a sentiment shared by many who go to the games. I just Hope our owners feel the same.

{Ed002's Note - Other clubs can change managers without "transition" - Chelsea do a couple of times a year. The problem I see with keeping Rodgers is that Liverpool will get back to getting the European place each year (3-4-5 in the EPL) but won't challenge for the Champions League nor the EPL. It sort of stinks of nothing. I don't know how long since Liverpool won the EPL/Division 1 or whatever but it is longer than a few years. The owners really want those goals - and their business model is based on success. What happens when the next owners come along - there is not going to be vast amounts thrown at the team - there will be the need to sell to buy. This year LFC has the opportunity to clear the decks a bit with the Gerrard, Kolo Touré et al getting significant wages off the books and perhaps Tiago Ilori, Fabio Borini, Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas, Simon Mignolet et al being sold on to raise transfer funds. This is something all Liverpool fans should listen to - http://tinyurl.com/ljrmsxh - it is the sound of the gravy train leaving.}

The main reason i'm doubtful of our top 4 chances are that there are 6 teams fighting out for 2 spots basically and they have all played better than us this season hence their position. Maybe we will pick it up, but we're going to have to pick up more points than 4 top teams, and let's be honest we've put in about 5 good performances all season.

If we continue to play like yesterday I will be really surprised if BR goes in the summer. The eds may not agree with me but I have a feeling the owners are not keen to get rid of him unless they feel the have to. And at the moment with how we play and with the pundits say we are best to our best etc, they will not want to unstable this ship. I think btw that they are right in doing so. I think what he did with the team in the last month is very impressive. I didn't see this coming I thought he is as good as gone and have no clue how to change things. Does this erase how poor we looked before Xams? maybe not but when you have someone who can turn things around so impressively and make a team that half of its players would have never make it even to the bench of the likes of City or Chelsea, play such an attractive fun to watch fotball, that's quite a big deal. We will have to wait and see how much is this a one off and our new form is to stay. I will just say this to end my bit: Yesterday was the first time since Suarez left when I was wondering if last year was not only Suarez lifitng our game to highs we forgot existed, but also the team under the formation and insturction of BR made Suarez look greater than he was as he looks (and he was great).

21 Jan 2015 23:11:41
EMS seemed to get defensive with the word 'premature'.just saying

Speaking of clowns, I used to work making shoes for clowns. that was no small feat!

I was a circus clown for years until I got the sack. Good news is that I sued them for a clear case of funfair dismissal.

22 Jan 2015 04:15:02
Well said Ed002.

22 Jan 2015 04:16:31
EMS - "I won't give up hope until it's mathematically impossible, but all the people on here today screaming 'YNWA' from the roof tops over an above average display against a Chelsea team who wanted to sit back and reduce us to shots from 20+ yards, is not going to guarantee us top 4 and it doesn't suddenly make Rodgers a great manager. We're only playing catch up because of him in the first place." My thoughts on last night as well and also Ed001s I suspect.

EMS - " "When you spend £100m you should be winning the league". Well Rodgers, You and your committee have had £260m since you got here, so what's your excuse?" I bet he wakes up every day regretting he said that. He basically signed his own death warrant.

Ed002 - "Don't lose perspective and offer to pop around to give Rodgers a Persian Journalist. He promised the world, wasted the money, and has Liverpool fighting for the lower European places." Exactly Ed002, very well put.

22 Jan 2015 04:16:58
Ed002 is correct. Rodgers promised the earth and has spent £260M - incidentally he didn't sell his best player to fund most of it, his best player accounts for less than a third of it. And Rodgers himself says "When you spend £100m you should be winning the league". I believe that is known as hoisted by his own petard.

22 Jan 2015 04:17:50
No point in me replying. Ed002 has basically said everything I would've anyway.

Walton, where on earth has Ed001 written a 10 paragraph (?) post predicting who will finish 3rd-8th wnd explaining why?

People always say I copy Ed001 and yet I'm constantly disagreeing with him. When I do have similar opinions though, I'm somehow copying something he's never written or that I've never seen. I really am tired of that accusation now.

Search on Moreno, Delph, Balotelli etc if you want to hunt for proof I'm not an Ed001'yes man'.

I just happen to have some views which are similar to some Editors and also some other posters. These things happen in life and I can assure you it is coincidence.

22 Jan 2015 04:19:02
We are on the edges and barring a VERY good run, top4 won`t happen (due mainly to BR`s mismanagement). Ed002 is right. We have a chance to clear the decks this summer and the decisions make then, will be CRITICAL to our long term future. The owners want success and have invested accordingly so why should they keep a manager who clearly cannot give them that?

22 Jan 2015 04:19:25
Ed002

Even if we had unlimited funds and let's say the best manager in the world (who in all fairness, I'm not sure who that actually is!) it would still be very difficult to win the Premier League. Chelsea & Man City are top teams, have ridiculously talented squads, excellent managers and a lot of money to boot.

I think it's unfair to say "Well Rodgers promised the title" - managers say a lot of things, including exaggerating the ambitions of a club. It's the same in any working environment, I highly doubt anyone that's been in an interview talks with 100% honesty of what their skills are. Of course you want to impress your prospective owners, that's the way it is. If you're someone that's never exaggerated or emphasised your areas of ability, then I tip my hat to you, you're one of the select few (along with me ;))

But back to my original point. If someone allowed you to pick a world XI and placed that team in the Premier League, you would still be hard pressed to finish ahead of Chelsea and Man City. From 2000 onward, there have only been 4 winners (Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea & Arsenal) and from 2004 onwards, Arsenal have disappeared. It's a tough ask, and anyone that was expecting us to win the league this season were dreaming in all honesty.

{Ed001's Note - maybe you should tell Diego Simeone that then? Only Atletico did ok last season with a pittance compared to Barca and Real Madrid.}

22 Jan 2015 04:15:50
How come Ed002?
I used a calculator an everything!

Ed001. that's the exception not the rule surely.
I think that shows that a really good manager can beat the money clubs like Barca and Real (city/chelsea) if they are very good tactically.
Rafa and Simeone for me are 2 of the finest tactical managers I have seen in recent years.

{Ed001's Note - but that is surely the point? That the best managers manage to challenge despite the handicaps, while the also rans make excuses about selling players. Simeone has had to sell top players every season, but he still keeps them in there challenging. If you give the best manager in the world unlimited funds, then you would have to expect them to win the league each year and be disappointed if they didn't. To say otherwise is just rooting round for yet more ludicrous excuses for Rodgers' failings.}

My point Ed is that given how highly I rate both managers they have still won only 3 of the last 20 odd titles in Spain.
That is down to money.
You can override money by good scouting and youth development absolutely but it is hard and takes time.
It is similar in this country now in my opinion. You have 2 clubs who operate on a different level to everyone else.
That monopoly will be hard to break even with the best manager in the world.
But it is not impossible granted.
On another note. I got accused last night of being anti-Rodgers.
If that does not make you smile nothing else will.

{Ed001's Note - but we have not got a manager who provides either good scouting or good youth development so why would you want to keep him? By your own admission he will win us nothing.}

Good point ed.
He did start giving young players a chance but has not done so for a while.
The scouting is just a shambles.
If we finished 3rd behind City and Chelsea by say 12 pts is that a failure in your eyes?

{Ed002's Note - I remain astonished that Liverpool supporters are still complaining about the scouting system that was revamped in the summer with folks leaving and folks arriving. The club has basically zero chance of the moaning stopping.}

Ed01

Simeone has done remarkable at Athletico and winning La Liga last season was an outstanding achievement. However, I didn't say it was impossible, but a very difficult task. It's also no suprise to me that this season it doesn't look like they'll win it and once again, the title will fall into the hands of Real or Barca and normal service resumes.

You make the point to jonnybarnes89-90 that "the best managers manage to challenge despite the handicaps", yet you were flying the Rodgers Out banner after just 10 games this season. So, we finish 2nd (which is a challenge right?) then 10 games into a new season and the knives are already out. You could have atleast waited until the end of the season to show your true colours, but hey, we're 250pts from 1st after 10 games so let's highlight to everyone the failings of the manager.

Unfortunately your distain for the manager, whether justified or not, clouds your view on any postive impact he brings to the club.

{Ed001's Note - oh don't talk rubbish. It is nothing to do with disdain for the manager, it is about his methods and his destruction of the only hope we have of long term challenges - the youth system. Rodgers had one challenge in a year when every other team was falling over themselves to lose the title, yet he still couldn't win it. That says everything about his ability to win.

This season he went straight back to the system which cost us the title last season, as it was the early season dross that saw us miss out, as much as the loss to Chelsea and draw with Palace. He is clearly not learning fast enough. He should have done his learning in the lower leagues until he is ready for a big club and made his mistakes there, not with us.

You may want to bring personal feelings into it, but I am not, that is the difference between us. That is why you are so flawed in your thinking. You think I should have waited until the end of the season, why? What kind of idiotic thinking is that? What difference does it make, when he had shown he is a failure that is the time to move him on, not when the season is over.

Nothing you have ever said has done anything but bitch at me personally, you have never once offered any kind of reason to keep a failing manager, except by saying he is not failing too badly, honest. People like you are why we got saddled with Rafa for so long, were probably happy supporting Hodgson's joke tactics, because you just make excuses for failure rather than looking to improve.}

''but that is surely the point? That the best managers manage to challenge despite the handicaps''

Just a quick 1 ed001, you have been a huge defender of Klopp, who you said is a good manager, despite sitting in the relegation zone in bundesliga, but have also made excuses for him saying he's had his best players taken from him, and sold to his rivals?
Now I agree I think Klopps agood manager, but I think to simply say good managers still challenge in spite of the sales is flawed.

It just seems to contradict your previous defense of Klopp for me. As a reader.

{Ed001's Note - how? One bad season in how many? Rodger's has had one good season in his entire career, there is a big difference. You can excuse a blip, but unfortunately Rodgers seems to have had a blip last season.}

I agree ed001. I know BR isn't the man to take us forward.
It just seemed rather reudimentry to me as a regular reader, you defended Klopp for being where he is by saying he's had 2 of his best players sold. Yet saying good managers still challenge in spite of it. Just a personal POV of that situation you seemed to defend 1 manager with that excuse, then championed another because he had that handicap. I guess the future will show how Klopp recovers.

Not meaning to attack you there ED001 just giving it you from an outsiders standpoint.

{Ed001's Note - that's fine, but it is not like that, it is like stats, it is all about the context. Klopp has consistently challenged for years and now is having one bad year. Rodgers has consistently failed to challenge for the top position in the league his team has been in, except for one season. If an outsider can't tell the difference, then that is not my fault they lack the necessary insight to tell the difference.

Rodgers is a coach, a very good coach, but he is no head coach, he doesn't have the tactical nous required, sadly.}

Sorry EMS for once I disagree with you I can't see any way that Aresenal will drop outside the top 4 in fact I think they'll be challenging for second. I think if we make fourth it'll be ahead of Southampton

22 Jan 2015 11:36:16
Maybe those changes you speak about Ed002 have yet to take hold and be noticeable.

{Ed002's Note - You are the one moaning about it - I have no idea why. My assumption is that you simply want to bleat about the club, the staff, the owners or the players.}

Ed01,

Ok, let me first set the record straight. I have no personal grudge with you, and I apologise if my comments have come across as such. My point(s) has merely been that as an editor of this site, your comments are influential to your readers, and in most cases, everything you write will be accepted and taken as fact by the majority of readers. You may indeed be correct in everything you write, but the constant negativity towards the manager, whether justifiable or not will contribute to an overall negative viewpoint of the manager from the posters here. We are now at the point whereby every failing is highlighted, and any positive move in the right direction is quickly rebutted by more negative comments. It seems to have come to the point where we, as fans on this site, are in essence, hoping we fail this season, to point to Rodgers and say "I told you so".

In regards to your point about the reasons to keep a "failing manager" - here are my reasons:

1. We finished 2nd last season. We can argue that 2nd means nothing, but considering our league positions since the Premier League has started, it was a fantastic achievement. Any fan that didn't enjoy last season are either lying, or not Liverpool fans.

2. We lost Suarez and Sturridge. Regardless of money spent, we lost our entire attacking force. Gone. Adios. Kuput. 50 goals gone, 1/3 of the pitch completely changed, and the entire dynamic of our attacking play changed. So calling for his head 10 games in was a touch premature, even if buying multiple players in the summer was to negate such a scenario.

3. His ability to improve players. Sterling, Sturridge, Suarez (arguably great anyway but certainly got better), Henderson, even Gerrard to an extent last season. Considering our squad is so young, to me, he is pretty good at improving younger players. I would not be suprised to see Can, Markovich, Coutinho, Moreno, and Lallana improve greatly under him. We are a young team, he is good at improving young players (I'm guessing there is a side argument about opportunities for other younger players, but opportunity and improvement are two different areas)

4. We have an identity to our play. This season it's been poor at times admittedly, but you can still see a philopshy being implemented. Prior to Rodgers, our football was dire, no direction, no creativity, just in general, no identity whatsoever. I would rather a manager that believes in a philosphy and an approach, then someone like Hodgson who will change his approach based on what the newspapers say. We have reverted a little this season to Rodgers'first season in charge, but the core philosophy of moving the football, utilising space, and being dynamic is still evident in our approach. His lack of flexibility was scrutinised at the beginning of the season, now we're finally getting results, there is no postivity towards the changes made.

5. Who else is out there? I hear people mentioning De Boer, now Koeman, people seem to throw out the flavour of the month. We have no idea how successful they would be here, and what criteria do they fall under? Do they have to win the league like Rodgers? What happens if they finish only in the top 4? Do we start looking for another manager again? If our goal is to win this league, how long do they get to do that? Rodgers has had 2 seasons so far, and finished 2nd last season, and people start calling for his head 10 games into the new season off the back of finishing 2nd. keep in mind that to realistically win this league, you have to finish above 3 teams, Chelsea, City & Utd. If memory serves me right, what have Ajax done in Europe since De Boer has been there? A quick scan reveals 38 games, and 19 losses. So the man people are clamouring for, incidentally is not touching any of the big teams in Europe, yet we expect him to take over Liverpool and beat these same big teams he's so far been unable to beat? (I'm not saying he's a bad manager, or indeed he wouldn't win us the league, but people need to review things objectively with reasonining)

{Ed001's Note - 1. We have finished 2nd before, it was meaningless then and it is no less meaningless now. Rafa got us 2nd, also by failing to capitalise on what should have seen us win the league. It is not a great achievement when it is achieved by throwing away 1st place to end up in second.

2. We didn't lose either, one was sold, which Rodgers knew would happen and should have planned for, which he clearly didn't do. So that is an error of judgement and against him, not for him. Sturridge's injury is a major issue, I agree, but again, he has always suffered injuries and being an explosive player you have to expect him to miss a significant chunk of a season and plan accordingly. What you have done is shown that Rodgers has failed to plan ahead, then when the worst has happened he has failed to manage his resources adequately to cope. Doesn't sound to me like reasons to keep him.

3. Yes he is a very good coach, which I have said myself, but that is not what he is there for, that is why Colin Pascoe, Mike Marsh etc are employed, not Brendan. So perhaps the answer is to just relegate him to coaching?

4. An identity to our play? What on earth does that matter? How is that even true? We have spent half a season in each of his seasons in charge playing slow pass, pass, pass football, but you think the other half a season is our identity? Not sure how that works. Primarily his job is to get results and bring through the youth, style of play is not the priority just a bonus.

5. That is the one issue that I have with getting rid of him. Though I would say De Boer's record in Europe with a weak Ajax team is hardly a reason to judge him, just like his record in the Eredivisie is no way to tell if he is the answer. The questions are does he work to integrate players from the academy into the team, rather than looking to buy success? Is he tactically able to work to the player's at his disposal's strengths? They might not be good enough to compete in Europe, but can he get the best out of them? Being able to compete in Europe can often just be a case of playing everyone behind the ball, not exactly playing to the players' strengths, which is not what we want in a manager. We need one with the ambition to look to win and the ability to get the most from the players, not one who just wants everyone defending. Has he got the passion to inspire? Does he have the contacts to help get deals done for players in and to get youth players decent loans when needed? We can employ coaches to improve the players, his job is to inspire them to play for him and us, plus to organise them into a team and arrange the tactics to emphasis our strengths and to hit the opponent's weakness. He doesn't need to be liked, he isn't one of the lads, he is their boss and I want him to lead, not be a part of it all. Oh and I would expect him to give the credit to the players when they do well, not try and claim it all to himself, but take the fall for the bad performances. As a leader that is what you have to do. The best leaders are the selfless ones.}

I strongly fancy Southampton for 3rd place, they are doing what they need to do which is beat the ''smaller teams'' even when Pelle hasn't been firing on all cylinders. I personally expect UTD to drop off and Arsenal to come in for 4th. Either way, I can't see lvierpool winning 13 games considering we have to play every team in and amongst that top 8 again. Liverpool will finish at best, 6th for me

Excellent post JimmyHustle, fair counter arguments Ed, but I agree almost completely with all of what Jimmy says.

22 Jan 2015 13:48:18
The excuses and tortured comparisons to other mangers in other leagues is getting old.

Top 4 or Rodgers will be gone. Simple. And rightfully so.

A good cup performance against Chelsea will not save his job. Any more than it saved Kenny's.

21 Jan 2015 18:01:00
We got it right last night as we choked Chelsea's link from defence to attack, Willian. Cut him or Ramirez/ Oscar out and they struggle to get things going. Matic, as good as he is looks to lay it off to the ball carrier early, as soon as one of either Willian, Oscat or Ramirez pick it up, Hazard, Costa and Fabregas are out the traps. We cut off the feed last night and it worked but I fear a lapse of concentration and they can punish. As one of the previous posters eluded too, they can ramp it up as required or defend as necessary, they're flexible and that's why they're top of the league. Tough ask at their place but possible.

We were the outsiders b4 last night and will be outsiders come Tues. We have nothing to lose and we should go out there and leave it out there on the field. I do envisage that if we were ever in the lead late in that second leg, the divers will be out in force (Hazard, Oscar, Costa etc) because Mou has got into the refs head with his constant bleating about decisions lately. All in all, let`s get the Bolton game focused on and then, deal with the Chavs.

Great point about the refs Redohio, Chelsea really seem to be getting the call on a few marginal decisions since Mourinho's 'campaign' against them.

Whatever they fined this multi-millionaire doesn't scratch the surface in comparison to the benefits they'll reap from his orchestrated whining.

This was clearly evident by the flashing of a yellow card for anyone who breathed near Hazard the other night, Lucas's card was particularly laughable. All after Mourinho whined repeatedly about the treatment Hazard has been recieving.

21 Jan 2015 17:23:48
Hi Eds.

What is the latest with the goalkeeper situation?

is there any chance we could sign Matt Ryan this window?

used the search function but couldn't find anything

Cheers?

{Ed002's Note - There is interest in Ryan. I cannot say if a deal can be agreed during January.}

21 Jan 2015 16:27:18
I see Fernando Torres is doing ok on his return to Spain. I think we missed a chance there to bring him back to Anfield as he has rediscovered his scoring boots.

Baz

21 Jan 2015 15:49:37
Hi Ed's 001 & 002. I have the opportunity to help start up a soccer division in a sports management agency here in Florida. The agency I am pitching to has basketball, baseball, and American football players as clients and are looking to jump on the soccer bandwagon. On the back of Beckham and Ronaldo both bringing franchises to Florida and of course the Orlando Pirates. I need to give them a proposal next week and I'm really excited as this could be a real life changer for me. Is there any way you could e mail me some wisdom/ideas to mention in my interview? The purpose of my role would be to procure the overseas soccer players who come and play in Florida to be represented by the sports management agency I am seeking to work for. Any help, feedback advice would be profoundly appreciated Ed's. Thanking you in advance.

{Ed001's Note - I did email you mate.}

Thank you so much for your reply ed's 001 unfortunately I didn't receive it. I'm going to message you on the 'contact us' page and hopefully we can work it out from there? I really appreciate your help mate. love you long time!

{Ed001's Note - no worries mate, I emailed you using the address you signed up with.}

Good Luck Jerry Maguire.

Show me the money! Thank's jonnybarnes much appreciated fella!

The Brendan's advocate
If you need someone scouting in the uk I'm up for that

Ed's 001 I have just messaged you on the 'contact us' section.

{Ed001's Note - got it mate, I will reply in the morning when I have a bit of time to spare.}

Thankyou Ed's 001. If i don't hear from you tomorrow ill give you a gentle reminder mate. Chris in Tamworth i don't think it's that type of gig buddy.

21 Jan 2015 13:59:11
An excellent second half which saw some crisp and intelligent passing. A fair result even over the whole 90 minutes were were the marginally better side. Thought Lucas, Moreno and Sakho were worth special mention.

Even? what game where you watching?
lol!

The game just showed how much we need to sign a striker in january.they were there for the taking, left so many gaps which a proper striker would have exploited to perfection
He clearly doesn't rate balotelli borini and lambert.why don't we sell two of them and get someone else in rather than gamble on sturridge staying fit AGAIN!!

21 Jan 2015 17:45:02
I believe the scores were even after the whole 90 minutes were they not? Or were you watching a different match?

Red Lenin, not every game that ends in a draw is an even game though is it!

Even in score and score ONLY, Lenin! We were the better team ONLY because Chelsea refused to play because Mou only knows how to park the bus and is the only coach I know, who parks the bus even at home in big games. Pathetic! With all the talent at his disposal, he still reverts to playing like Stoke (under Pulis) when even teams like Burnley play open football with a fraction of the talent (which is how they almost beat City at the Etihad). Won`t be surprised if he parked the bus again at the Shed End if they scored first in the 1st minute.

21 Jan 2015 12:38:16
Hi Ed1,

If you are around and have the time I would love to see what you analysis of last nights game was? Do you feel that "The nose" is starting to get the attacking and passing style of play going again?

Has Rodgers reverted to this high press and high intensity style or as Ed2 pointed out to me in October he is finding that players are starting to be a bit more familiar and with this and winning it breeds more confidence?

Do you think we have blown the best chance last night of giving ourselves the edge for next weeks second leg.

I find you input very good and has helped me understand some areas better when watching games.

Thanks

Jon

{Ed001's Note - it was a very good game to watch, we had lots of shots, but very few shots were what you would consider a great chance. They were hits from the edge of the box, through lots of bodies looking to block them, at the best keeper in the Prem. To me I am not that impressed.

Yes we kept possession well, but it was against a team that dropped off and let us have possession. They just looked to stay compact and stop us getting at them inside the box, which was easy for them as we barely got anyone in the box.

We are not playing like last season, all our players, including Sterling, are looking to drop deep or drift wide to get possession when we have the ball. There is a lack of bodies in the box, when Sterling drifted wide there was literally not one person in there in red most of the time.

We are pressing higher and the intensity has gone up, though I would question why it has taken so long, especially when players like Lambert, Lallana and Lovren were all well versed in a high intensity high press style. Surely questions need to be asked why it has taken so long for players to get comfortable and familiar with the same style they played all the previous season?

We haven't blown our best chance, we still have a good chance, but we have made it difficult.}

I agree with you Ed, I also think Rodgers has somewhat stumbled across the answer to the problems we were having earlier in the season and I worry that he'll change it back and lose this bit of momentum

{Ed001's Note - I worry that the fans are getting all excited about a couple of good results against awful teams, such as Villa. I don't think I have ever seen a team as bad as Villa are this season, yet we struggled to beat them by one goal!}

Thanks Ed1.

{Ed001's Note - welcome mate.}

2 goals Ed. although the second was towards the end.

{Ed001's Note - oh yeah, forgot it was the second I was thinking of.}

Earth to Ed001, earth to Ed001. You need to wake up and smell the cappuccino mate ;) we're on for the treble buddy. After our excellent 0-1 loss at the Bernabeau and our scintillating 1-1 draw against Chelsea last night, how can you be so clueless mate? The title is still easily within our reach, we'll walk both domestic cups and the Europe league is a mickey mouse cup. We'll win that with Johnson and Enrique up front. Get behind the team and Abbie Clancy!

{Ed001's Note - I am bowing my head in shame as I type....}

And so you should ;)

We are Champ19ns!

What person could press the disagree button that we beat villa 2-0. Strange, very strange.

21 Jan 2015 17:48:28
I thought Ed001s anlysis in reply to Jon80 above was excellent and incisive. It disturbs me somewhat that 21 people disagreed while only 1 agreed. That would suggest far too many fans are blinkered and think a 1-1 draw at home is 'success' when in fact it is far from it.

It was a success given the fact we were 1 nil down against a side like Chelsea.
Not a complete success but would you have preferred we lost?

No, I'd have preferred we won.

Same as Adam.
And really we should have won.
I think 2-1 would have been a fair result for us but I would have taken 1-1 at half time. Because we were losing.
Not many teams can overturn that against Chelsea.
In fact I would like to know how many teams have come back from 1-0 down against Chelsea this season to gain points. Spurs off the top of my head but I doubt many more have.

It was a good perf BUT we should keep calm and not be over-joyed to the rafters because on paper, Chelsea have the advantage BUT to me, it is still all to play for because Athletico went in there last year with no fear and did the job. Can we do it? Footie is a funny game.

We are still in recovery and there are still areas of improvement so hopefully, things will get better, IMO. Just keep chopping that tree with resolve nd determination and it will finally fall.

21 Jan 2015 11:14:15
If flano gets fully fit and produces the sam performances as last season in his natural position(right back)we may already have a solution to one of our problem areas I know he is back training how far is he off playing

We don't have a RB problem because we aren't playing with a RB

21 Jan 2015 10:32:17
Great performance last night but Chelsea will be a different animal next week. They will much more attacking minded and that's a worry for me. Only good thing may leave them prone to the counter attack. Would love a wee final in Feb.YNWA

They'll play the same way, it's their strength, and they only need a clean sheet to qualify, albeit through extra time. I'd back then to get one at least on the coubter, it just comes down to weather we can break them down.

We play well buts it's advantage Chelsea for me, I'm just happy we played well again

Only on paper, bro. You still have to show up and play which is what I hope, we will do and show no fear as we did yesterday. It won`t be easy BUT again if it was, everybody would be able to do it. You all may recall that Chelsea were in the same position last year vs Athleti in the CL and chose to park the bus in a home game after scoring in the 10th minute and we all know how that ended. Nothing has been decided yet and to me, No team has the advantage because a lot can change during 90 mins.

21 Jan 2015 09:21:20
So, good performance last night and the team does look like it's going in the right direction.

However what happens when Sturridge is back? Let's assume that Rodgers sticks with 3 at the back, who would you drop for Sturridge?

Drop Markovic and push Henderson to wing back? This would be bad!

Drop Lucas and move Gerrard to DM? This would also be bad!

Drop Coutinho and move Sterling back? This would be bad!

As far as I can see the only viable option for Rodgers now is to drop Gerrard and move Sterling back into midfield.

But that also leaves a question as to where does Lallana fit in? Or Ibe? Or Joe Allen?

Or maybe he'll change it all again and go back to 2 up-front? Who knows?

One thing is for sure though, all these people wabting us to buy this player and that player just need to take a look at the squad, we have plenty of players, and good ones at that, they just need to find a way to work together.

Would love to hear some opinions

Have a great day all!

RedDawn

There is no question about where to play Joe Allen. Not noticed how well we've done with him nowhere near the team.

Sturridge as striker, sterling, Coutinho, Lallana, Gerrard rotating for places. Fact is Gerrard won't play every game, haven't seen Lallana play a full 90 mins or at least not twice in a row. Both Sterling & Coutinho look good when regularly rested. Ibe needs gradual introduction and Sturridge is made of glass so again it's about rest and rotation.

I reckon BR might move Markovitc to LWB (we know that works for him), move Llalana to RWB and play Coutinho, Sterling and Sturridge as a front 3. Conceivably you could also put Sterling at RWB and use Llalana upfront if you wanted a bit more pace out wide.

As good as they are, I'd prefer Gerard and Moreno as impact subs or to rest Sterling/Markovitc.

My guess is Ibe will most likely get used on the occassions when BR chooses to use a front 3 to get width in attack (4-3-3), and in that setup I'd sub him in for Coutinho. Can you imagine Ibe at LW, Sturridge in the middle and Sterling at RW? Would be a nightmare for any slow defense.

----------------Mig-------------------
Can----Skrtel-----Sakho----Moreno
---------------Lucas------------------
--------Hendo---------Llalana-------
Sterling-------Sturridge----------Ibe

21 Jan 2015 11:27:36
have n't seen Lallana play a full 90 mins or at least not twice in a row
================

Yeah, does anyone know why ? is it fitness limitation or what ?

Same formation.

Drop Gerrard for Sturridge.

Sterling/Ibe and Coutinho/Lallana in free roles.

Gerrard as a rotation player.

21 Jan 2015 12:27:13
We are still in 4 competitions, there is plenty of room for all our guys to play plenty of games - it's basically 5 AM's for 4 competitions with one of them also being a back up striker

Roy, You only need to look at his work rate especially on the flanks, where he constantly, tracks and gets back, then bombs forward, He's been unlucky with 2 injuries this season as well as BR simply just not playing him sometimes in favour of fitting Gerrard in.

Allen is NOT what we need in the team right now BUT could do a job coming on to see games out, IMO.

21 Jan 2015 08:18:42
Anyone who wants BR out would only regret it when he goes. Players love him and he makes us play great. Transfers need looking at and a few aspects of the tactical side. But with a couple of additions, maybe a gk coach or dof?? He can be a world class coach. IMO

But I like Markovic and Moreno and Lallanana.

21 Jan 2015 10:47:43
Players love him? Think your username is a prime example of the opposite. Ask Mario, Borini, Aspas, Alberto, Assaidi, Agger, Ilori, Sakho, Suso, etc if they love him.

Is starting to prove people wrong but did take half a season to get us going again, but defending is still terrible and transfers as well as the academy has been left with a massive mess to be sorted.

Our squad is currently too big and with what like 10-14 players on loan plus more and more coming through the youth we have a massive mess to sort out in the summer. Have some players leaving but also have players in the current squad who want out, genuinely could easily be around 15 players leaving next season! admittedly should raise some funds, trim the squad, and leave us with only 3 or so players required. but would you trust BR with another £50-60 million?

If we continue this form and he agrees to get help (DoF + a defensive coach) will be ok with it, but a lot for him to achieve and already won't meet this seasons targets.

Need to be fighting for the title not 4th as we have the squad for it

I disagree.

21 Jan 2015 12:31:24
So a fair question to put back to you I think would be that for 3 or 4 months we wanted BR getting the team pressing more and passing less. We are now getting results by pressing forward more and passing around the defense less. So why did the fans understand instantly what we need to be doing but it take BR so long? Especially as we were clearly proved right!

21 Jan 2015 06:52:03
Think Lucas Leiva just earned himself a decent contract extension last night. Or at least I would hope. When he is at his best he is one of the best in that position. Look at the stats with him in the team.

I know that Can is mentioned as his replacement - but for me Can is too attack-minded. Lucas is happy lo limit his forward runs to serve the team in a defensive role. For me this frees Henderson and others.

21 Jan 2015 08:31:32
Agree with you. I do think Emre Can is going to be some player though.

Can was immense at times, still learning as we could see, I loved it when he pushed up that entire left flank, and was still back to tackle when it broke down and Chelsea broke on the counter.

21 Jan 2015 00:27:59
Anyone know how Skrtel played tonight?

He was good tonight imo.

it might be true that sakho and can is making him look good, but i think its unfair to him. I would actually say, sakho and can allowed him to play to his strength. our whole back line with lucas today has been very good imo, but it seemed like chelsea were not looking to attack us as much.

Everyone was good for me.
Good team performance.
I am just gutted that we have to work so hard to score ourselves yet our opponents don't really have to do much to score.
Our individual mistakes are still costing us big time.
However after that game I feel positive not negative.

21 Jan 2015 08:08:07
As usual, he was decent except for the one or two times when he had a couple of seconds to think about what he was doing and where he wanted to stand. At which point he was in the wrong place and did the wrong thing. But it didn't harm us

21 Jan 2015 00:31:39
Is there something about keepers they always seem to keep their best performance for us but that lad tonight to be fair is arguably the best keeper in the world I'm sure he has played that well somewhere else this season.

21 Jan 2015 08:33:15
He really was good, his mind is seriously sharp. He knew exactly where his area was and his positioning was spot on.