Liverpool Banter Archive May 26 2015

26 May 2015 22:48:01
Hey eds love all your work you do here. ed001 always love your insights and thoughts and agree with nearly everything you say, and find myself constantly reassured that i'm not the only one feeling this way about the club.
Just thought i'd mention on the guardian football weekly podcast Rafa Honigstein had texted Klopps agent and asked if the reports of the 6 months off were true. the reply he got was "it might be, we will see."
Basically Rafa aluded that Klopp would be interested in us and that Klopp would only be taking the 6 months if a job he was interested in didn't come up.
I am hoping to god fsg see sense and go get Klopp. I honestly can't stand the thought of another season with Rodgers. For me he should have gone for the disgrace of the champions league.
How can he be trusted with another transfer budget. and if the Benteke rumours are true we are in trouble. Unless he is going to change his tactics we will just have another striker that is completely wrong for the system he wants to play and we'll blow 30mil and end up with wingers upfront again.

26 May 2015 23:44:48
No Klopp and no Benteke either.

27 May 2015 03:56:21
we could do worse than Benteke and let's face it, its hardly like our tactics were succesful this year so wouldn't be a bad thing if we changed them!

26 May 2015 22:35:31
I'm okay with Toure and Wisdom as they will fight to be in the team. We need some of that next season. I'm quietly optimistic that we'll pull out of this funk with a little good luck (and a fresh outlook).

And a new manager, but I'll get behind him if he stays. He's definitely lost his tactical acumen at points in his career, but I have seen him pull rabbits out of hats too.

Hope we do some proper business this summer and instill some confidence into the fans for once! It wasn't so long ago we were screaming as Coutinho laced one into the back of the net, assuring we were in first place over City AND Chelsea.

All it takes is a run of results at the start of the season to give us that confidence. We have a good core group of individual players, but they are crying out for some attacking prowess at the top of the pitch. And even if we don't buy anyone (or maybe just sign Ings), we still have a lot of young players that could give this team a jolt in the right direction.

26 May 2015 23:24:34
Four paragraphs of wishfull thinking.

27 May 2015 08:05:43
Yes no wishful thinking on this site, negative posts only please! ;-)

27 May 2015 08:17:58
Don't agree with Toure - big wages and doesn't look sharp or fast enough. As a squad player that's fine but we have plenty of centre backs and i would much prefer the younger fellas be given a chance rather than have their opportunities stifled by an aging, expensive player.

27 May 2015 12:32:35
Yeah, but imagine Toure helping to improve Wisdom's game this season to the point that he takes command of that CB spot. A worthwhile investment then.

We know what we've been lacking is a striker. If the players we want for center forward aren't available, I would be happy with Ings. We never got a replacement for Suarez, and if there isn't someone with the potential to be in that class available, don't waste the funds. Would rather improve the squad in other areas.

27 May 2015 13:12:13
He lost it at chelsea last year when he was certain he was going to win and do his old boss a new one.

Obviously not the same likeable bumbling average joe we got two years before.

27 May 2015 13:37:35
I like Toure. I think he brings a lot of leadership, experience, and he's a winner. He can help the younger players to improve.

26 May 2015 21:38:13
Respected ED'01 and ED'02,

I would like to begin by thanking you for the tremendous job you guys do everyday.

Now i haven't posted in a while, but it seems now is the right time to ask you one question that has been bothering me for sometime.

This one is for you ED'02, I know you hate the constant moaning of some of the fickle Liverpool fans and this post might seem like one.But i'll be really grateful if you answer this Ed.

So here it goes, With the review soon coming up nobody knows for sure what will happen with BR.

What i want to ask is if say FSG sack BR after the review, which manager can we viably go for?

Like most fans and our awesome ED'01, I too want Klopp to takeover but I read what you quite brilliantly explained about his situation on the European page and it doesn't look good for us.

Apart from him:-

- Ancelotti is taking a year off and has to undergo a surgery, so he is out and anyways his chances of joining us were very bleak.

-Rafa will in all probability replace Carlo at RM.

-Emery has a chance to win the EL this time and qualify for CL and has various offers aswell.

Now with these 3 and Klopp looking unlikely,
its doesn't leave us with many good options.Probably De Boer(never coached in the PL but is a winner of 4 consecutive league titles unlike BR when he joined us or Blanc(doesn't seem plausible).

So under such circumstances, it really scares me that BR might just keep his job and continue with us.So if you could give me a better perspective of where things stand it'll be big relief.

Sorry for the long post ED.

Your reply is always appreciated and looking forward to it.

Cheers

{Ed002's Note - There are plenty of managers Liverpool could look to. Klopp might be one. Laudrup another. Benitez would be a thought - he would jump at the job. Bob Bradley is doing well and might be interested. All sorts of folk who speak English fluently and could step right in. Ancelotti would not be an option.

Benitez does have support at Real Madrid, but critically three others do as well. Emery has three opportunities I am aware of. I think it a year too soon for de Boer. A third party was, some months ago, touting Blanc to Liverpool - there is no point in going in to detail. Bilicis available. Klinsmann probably not. Villas-Boas was being touted again but has said to another club that he will not be at Liverpool next season.

Plenty of options out there - but it is not the time to get too excited just yet.}

26 May 2015 22:41:37
And are any of them a real inprovmwnt on Brendan lol landrup? Billic? Avb? Klinsman? De boar? Bob Bradley? Come on!

Regardless of your hate for him truthfully is we didn't have Brendan per say and they were our choices would you be excited by any of them!

26 May 2015 23:06:08
Any would be an improvement on Rodgers

26 May 2015 23:33:19
Kilnsman, Bradley and Laudrup need not apply, IMO.

26 May 2015 23:33:52
Eds, not jumping on band wagons here.

But read some articles on bob bradley and boy is this guy determined, refuses to go back into the comfort zone of mls.

Taking a job in Norway and delivering in a sense.
Real love and passion for a game that within his life and native country was probably a poor choice of career.

Every thing I read about the guy i liked.

Im not suggesting he's the man for LFC but a great story and coach to follow. a lot like uk guys beating the odds and getting into the NFL.

27 May 2015 00:30:03
Please not laudrup if he did come happy to be proved wrong though.

27 May 2015 00:40:31
Don't understand that ed to be honest, the need for a manger to immediately speak English fluently. If you apply yourself with study and immersion you can pick up a language in no time, the guys at FSG ought to know that. Someone like Bielsa could some here and pick the English in 12 months no problem, I'd offer him lessons for free, if it meant seeing the back of Rodgers.

27 May 2015 06:01:54
Bob Bradley is one of the few people ever mentioned on here I've had the privilege to meet. Very nice guy, well spoken, and quite knowledgeable. Not saying he's right for Liverpool or anything, mind.

27 May 2015 00:26:14
Respected ED'02,

Thanks for replying to my post sir.I understand your point about getting too excited as BR might stay.

After going through your post aside from AVB,Emery and Klopp all the others managers might join us without any fuss.

So here goes my question:-

- AVB will not join anyhow as stated above.So he is out of the race.

- Emery has options in the form of Napoli,RM(I think he might be 4th choice on the list of managers as stated by you) and i don't know about the third club.So assuming Rafa or Klopp get the RM job,that leaves us with a good enough chance to compete for his services with the remaining clubs.

I'm I right with my above assumption ED???????

-Finally we come to Klopp,he has a whole host of options.

(1)Basically the RM job is already up for grabs,PSG and Barca may change managers this summer and he will be targeted.So when these clubs come calling we have no chance then.

(2) I excluded City because everybody knows they want Pep.I heard they offered Rafa to takeover for one season if MP was sacked and go for Pep in the summer of 2016.So Klopp to City is not very plausible.

(3) This brings me to the most interesting aspect that is 2016.As stated by you 2016 is the year many high profile jobs will be available namely Arsenal,Bayern,United,Barca and RM(depends upon how the 2015-16 goes for the latter 3) and not forgetting the German National team job might be available then.

I feel the above is the most likely way Klopp will go.

(4) But assuming he is up for a less attractive job we might just have a chance with him.Our competition is basically Napoli,Fenerbahce or any other club who goes after him aside from the top clubs stated above.

What I want to know from you is ED is :-

-Firstly,As we all know we are taking a very measured approach via advice from third parties and they don't feel he is the manager we should go after.Can you tell me who these parties are and why they don't see Klopp as a manager fit for our club?

-Secondly,one thing that really caught on to me was that even if we get him he will not completely be into the job with us as he is waiting for the perfect or right job.Can you tell me what club is he specifically looking for exactly?

I know it is a really long post again and has lot of questions.But as always I hang onto your every word regarding my beloved club.

Your reply is always appreciated ED.

CHEERS

{Ed002's Note - This was simply an example list of managers in response to your question. (a) Real Madrid is undecided at this time but there will be a decision very soon - there are four people with support. (2) I have explained the MC situation on other pages - but the offer of one year was not to RB but someone else - they spoke with his representative but no offer. (3) Some of this is correct. (4) Liverpool has a manager right now and my understanding is that his was not a name proposed by those advising the club.

The rest is assumptive or of no importance.}

26 May 2015 20:32:08
Surely the reports in the express of a double deal for both Lacazette and Gaitan are well wide of the mark?

{Ed002's Note - Twitter I guess.}

26 May 2015 20:09:56
Hello Eds, Ed001, if you wouldn't mind. Could you perhaps give a summery on Jordan Rossiter?

I remember Fowler raving about him saying he's the next SG or something along those lines.

Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - he is not big and powerful like Gerrard, but he has got that eye for a pass and decent shot on him. He will never be able to do the driving runs that Gerrard did in his prime, he is more likely to end up as a holding midfielder, as he lacks pace and power to burst through defences like Stevie G did. Rossiter does have a better reading of the game defensively, but he is miles behind Gerrard as an attacking threat. He has needed a run of games in the first team for a while now, it is hindering him still playing in the reserves, when he needs to face tougher competition.}

26 May 2015 21:14:13
He might have got a loan but he got injured!

What's the score with brannagan eds if you can look past your hatews for Brendan and an easy reponce blaming kt purely on him. Brannagan was on the bench for a few games but didn't even get a little run out. How come ? Was he just filling the bench out or do the coaches rate him.

If it were up to me hw would take Allen's slot in the team straight away! For the games Allen actually plays with injury, would prefer one of our younger players there as that option. He looks a good player and funnily out of the academy players hw looks like he is brendans wet dream in terms of 'technique' etc

26 May 2015 23:39:40
Hatred is a strong word that should not be part of any discourse. because many of us disagree with his methods and just want more for our club as well as another manager to come in after he's had his chance, doesn't mean we hate him. Some do and that is wrong but to suggest that we hate him just because he has failed us is just ludicrous.

26 May 2015 20:15:07
God help us, Wisdom and Toure sign new deals

26 May 2015 20:31:27
God help us with fans like you. Toure's experience is essential for younger players, especially now Gerrard has left.

Wisdom was having a decent season before Pulis became manager, probably only dropped because he's not a giant.

Seriously mate, you're the reason myself and probably many others don't read this site as much anymore. I use to be on here every hour. unfortunately not anymore.

26 May 2015 20:35:12
What's wrong with wisdom???

26 May 2015 20:45:58
Great support. Nothing wrong with Wisdom, needs to play with his own squad, very useful at RB and CB. Toure is our only winner in the dressing room and only CB that talks during a game.

We are no longer in a position to be flippant with trophies, league cup and Europa just as important as any other. There are five teams above us and better then us wanting the three English cups, a CL place for the Europa winners.

These two are welcome, they both want to stay and play for us.

26 May 2015 21:05:05
With fans like you, who needs manc trols?

26 May 2015 21:11:10
I strongly suspect Toure and Wisdom would, along with most of our defenders, be perfectly fine if someone on the coaching staff knew the first thing about instructing and drilling a defence.

26 May 2015 22:52:58
To all of the above,it is quite simple,neither are good enough and IMO Wisdom will NOT make it at LFC

26 May 2015 23:41:38
That's your opinion but does not allow you to slate the boy the way you did. And if he proves you wrong which he may or may not, I hope you will do back here and admit you were wrong.

27 May 2015 07:21:27
No your not allowed to slate players but managers are fair enough. Hypocritical?

26 May 2015 17:23:51
A question for the Ed's.
This isn't specific to Liverpool, but to clubs in general.
Do clubs directors actively inquire about managers availability(in short term long or long term), even if they are happy with their current manager? Like they do with players.

or are they more respectful and only inquire to agents if they want a change?

{Ed002's Note - No, and they don't enquire about players if they have no interest..}

26 May 2015 17:06:37
Hi Eds,

Do you believe that we could make a move for Rodrigo from Valencia?

I know his goal scoring record isn't great but would he may be an option if available?

Cheers

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool has shown no interest.}

26 May 2015 22:02:40
Sigh. Better to Remain Silent and Be Thought a Fool than to Speak and Remove All Doubt


"Defending is not hard to coach. It's very easy to set a team up to defend."

My personal favourite from his time at Swansea:
“It is great for the public here at Sunderland to see us,” said manager Brendan Rodgers. “They must have been wondering what this team everyone is talking about are all about and now they have seen"
Swansea lost 2-0 in that game.

"My biggest mentor is myself because I've had to study, so that's been my biggest influence."
This one got me, because one of my favourite ever quotes is this from Hunter S Thompson: "He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master."

Seems apt at this junction.

26 May 2015 13:48:50
Hi Eds can you tell me more about a player Clinton N'Jie from Lyon ? The French League 1 highlights and was hoping to catch glimpse of Lacazette and Fekir, but the highlights shows this lad very positively, he has pace, good technical skill, a few tricks and he scored, he is only 21 and a Cameroonian International, but this is the first time I have seen him or become aware of him . Can you tell me is he held in high regard in the footballing world or did he just have a good night on the highlights ? If he is much sought after who has shown an interest ?

{Ed002's Note - Cut and paste the question to the European pages and I will answer it.}

26 May 2015 10:54:09
Hi ed2 you recommended sanson from montpellier before. having not seen him play could you elaborate please on what would make him and ideal signing. Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - I am not going to get in to that DR - try the search function please.}

26 May 2015 11:20:48
We would be taking a risk signing him in the summer as he ruptured his cruciate knee ligaments in April. However every signing is a risk I guess

26 May 2015 20:06:33
super mario was a risk , but if you could grade a risk , then mario would be very near top of the class .

26 May 2015 10:34:05
How restricted are Liverpool by FFP? It may be an impossible question to answer but how much money do you think we'll have to spend in the summer (assuming Raheem isn't sold)?

26 May 2015 10:55:12
It isn't so much of ffp, it is simply tge top 4 have a far greater spending power. End of!

If we got taken over by a sugar daddy ffp would not be an issue!

Even more so now they are relaxing the rules.

{Ed002's Note - You clearly don't understand how much Liverpool has spent nor FFP. And Liverpool has a sugar-daddy.}

26 May 2015 10:56:54
Id say its a Sell before buy policy for this summer.

26 May 2015 11:15:00
A sugar daddy?

26 May 2015 12:53:08
Seriously ed? A few million quid fine and a restricted squad! Hardly a big deal is it?

{Ed002's Note - This is why we don't discuss money because you have no grasp of the situation at all. I remain truly astonished by the complete lack of knowledge people like you have. €60M is the highest fine handed out. Seven teams were banned from competition last year alone - the levels of pig ignorance and arrogance are astounding.}

26 May 2015 19:55:52
Guys, just read the posts and stop asking the Eds about money-related issues because clearly it is hard too understand.

26 May 2015 10:30:27
Eds please tell me there's no truth in these latest Abdennour rumours? We're not interested anymore are we? Quite literally the last thing we need is another left-sided centre back. Actually, that's probably exactly what Brodge will buy. :/

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what you are referring to.}

26 May 2015 11:11:27
Various sources saying we're interested in him & Kondogbia, presumably just makey-up nonsense.

26 May 2015 19:56:15
Nothing to see, here.

26 May 2015 09:24:28
A post for Ed001 if possible.

Just wondering if he's felt the same as myself this season and any other fans. I've started to feel disenchanted with LFC this season and football in general. It's perhaps down to the globalisation of the game and the lack of passion and sincerity involved. When we lost 6-1 I found myself not been that bothered at all, when I really wish I did. Another reason is probably the sheer incompetence of our Football Club at times, but I just think the way footballs going is making me slip away.

Cheers

{Ed001's Note - I always think the same, until I start watching a match and then I get caught up in it just like I always did. So no, I was still absolutely gutted at the end of the 6-1, it really hurt seeing that kind of inept performance from the team.

I have to admit, if the club persist with Rodgers, despite his obvious ineptitude, for next season, it will be a struggle to care as much if we lose, because it will become the expected result. That does worry me. I have always had hope, no matter what, that we could get back into any match. That completely went in the first half against Stoke.}

26 May 2015 10:19:12
Ed001 I fail to see how they can keep him at the club, and more importantly why they would want too? Imagine next season starts with him in charge and we begin the season as we always do under him. There will be uproar after a couple of poor results, and then we will have to find a manager a couple of months into the season. Surely he has to go???

26 May 2015 10:45:29
Stured - you're not the only one. I feel the same way. There's very few footballers now with a passion for the club they play with. As one of the Ed's said earlier, "players are merely transient employees of a club". I only hope my passion is restored when the first game of the season gets underway.

26 May 2015 10:46:30
Oh my days Ed001, I don't even want to think about FSG having thoughts about persisting with BR, it's just to scary. How on earth could they! If they keep him, then all I see is complete craziness at the club next season (well, i guess its crazy no). If players don't want to play for him now, I don't see it changing for the new season. I just hope FSG bring someone in that has the relevant managerial experience to take LFC forward. We know BR is not that person.

26 May 2015 10:58:44
Sad isn't it Digger.

I'm not old enough to ever have witnessed pre Premier League football & LFC but it's just a pity the way it's going. I imagine I'll have given up entirely in the next few seasons.

FWIW, last season (13-14) really brought that passion back, without sounding like a glory hunter. It was great to see the fans all United.

Cheers

26 May 2015 11:19:28
If they persist with BR then I'm taking a sabbatical from Liverpool and the PL for a year, I'll watch La Liga and the rugger and come back next summer when Rodgers has been sacked for another rubbish season. That's not me throwing my toys out the pram, I just can't bring myself to watch my beloved team being managed by my creepy uncle. The thought of that clown staying is simply devastating. FSG will feel the same way when he's landed the club further in debt with bad signings, p*ssed off a new crop of players and got us into 6th or 7th again, the guy's a genius really, all that money he's made in his career.

26 May 2015 16:45:23
Being one of the supporters who was shocked (and disappointed) at Rodgers initial appointment, I was again amazed that he was still in charge at Christmas (past), but alas the owners saw fit to retain his services, and unfortunately I believe they will still be retained next season.

I may be completely off the mark, but I think FSG will use this opportunity to introduce a Director of Football by which Rodgers, will have to either oblige and accept, or resign (and he won't resign because he is an egotistical, opinionated, so and so, plus if he does he will forgo severance money).

Further, I think by keeping Rodgers it will expedite Sterlings departure, i.e. I believe part of Sterlings "want away" is down to Rodgers, now i'm sure the owners will look at Sterling and see a great opportunity to create £Millions, this assessment, off the basis that Ibe has just signed a lengthy new contract, and Markovic, with whom they invested a large sum, are very similar players . so why not sell a player whom for all intensive purposes has publicly stated (via his greedy agent) stated that he isn't happy, and may or may not simply run his contract down? but if an new manager was to enter the fray, perhaps Sterling may have a change of heart?

(From a personal viewpoint I do like Sterling and would like him to stay, perhaps he is just a naive kid who has had his head turned by a greedy, gravilicious agent wanting a payday, but alas I do think he has burnt his bridge).

Una Cerveza por favor!
Ein Bier bitte!

26 May 2015 20:01:19
If they keep him, they have written and signed our warrant for midtable oblivion. I just don`t see that happening because if the way they deal with Red Sox was any indication, then he will not retain his job and infact, should have been sacked in December already. He`s gone and I`ll believe he is not when I see it.

26 May 2015 07:30:24
Hi ed's,

I was just wandering if the stadium is on track to to be completed on time. And also if there has been any real interest in the naming rights.

Cheers,

{Ed001's Note - bit early to tell that mate, right now it is on track. There have been ongoing talks regarding naming rights to the stands, also adding a sponsor's name to that of the stadium. There will always be interest in those kind of things.}

26 May 2015 08:36:33
I read our Europa early rounds will cause disruption with the stadium. Need Arsenal to win to avoid this.

Adds to the disaster.

26 May 2015 06:37:04
evaluate me after 3 years. 3 years later we lose 6 - 1 to Stoke.
If you spend 100milion (Spurs) you are expected to be challenging for the title. We spent 113 million.
Bodgers is a joke if Fenway do not sack him its a traversty and criminal to the paying customer.
FSG will alienate thousands in their hundreds of supporter who will just switch off in purchasing merchandise.

26 May 2015 07:08:48
Too many Scooby snacks for you if you believe that. Merchandising has never been better.

26 May 2015 07:10:38
I don't know if you spend £100M if you should be challenging for the title, but one would think it would be enough to finish above Tottenham.

26 May 2015 07:43:29
I still think he will get sacked. He has failed at every target,Not won anything and if the owners keep him we will sink faster then the titanic.

26 May 2015 08:19:58
Brendan has failed every target he presented to the owners. I didn't know failures are rewarded nowadays but some fans never learn. The earlier Brendan goes, the quicker the club can move on and improve. He has taken us as far as he could and this is Brendan's ceiling. Appointing a mid table maanager to take over at a club like LFC was always going to end in tears

26 May 2015 08:52:26
Ancelotti sacked. Di Matteo sacked.

Both did quite well.

But Mr 'Useless' Rodgers stays.

Expect worse next season.

26 May 2015 10:27:59
Even funny Yuri is the reason Ancelotti was sacked. Perez said he didn't know when asked why he was sacked.

26 May 2015 20:11:28
..........nonsense deleted...............

26 May 2015 03:26:05
When you look at squad depth 6th league position is good in my view. but rodgers had chance to buy better players. even konoplayanka and remy would have been better buy. we also had chance to get bony.


Truth is that owners donot want to pay huge wages for players, this is y gerrard, reina, meirless went and above mentioned signings did not happened.

{Ed001's Note - you are quite simply wrong. We were better than 6th and the owners have no issues with paying the wages, Reina went because he fell out with the club over his constant angling for a move away. Meireles went because he was crap. Gerrard went because Rodgers did not want him. It is nothing to do with their wages.}

26 May 2015 07:25:13
No way is it "good", even Rodgers would not say that.
It's slightly below reasonable expectations, but it's not good.

26 May 2015 08:57:32
There are no expectations at a well run business, just targets, and Rodgers gas failed to meet all of them.

26 May 2015 08:59:02
I'd kind of agree, 6th is were we are at. I'm at peace with that. You have to look at what's above us. Top 4 have better squads and managers with a list of winning titles. They have buckets of money. We have spent big but have no lure for the top draw players, Sanchez and Depay show this as fact.

So our squad is 6th, maybe four of ours would get a place in the squads of the current top four? and not as starters.

We need to do something drastic, as always we have yet another important summer. Tottenham will improve, West Ham are a season away from moving to a stadium which will boost them and they have cash + London. Swansea, Stoke and Southampton will be touching us if we don't do something to pull away. You could possibly, after Ashley's comments, add Newcastle.

We are in real danger of getting sucked into a pack that make places 5-10 any ones guess. A lot closer then top 4.

26 May 2015 09:38:16
Ron, I know you are Rodgers biggest support and if you go back through the posts I used to support him heavily aswell.

But he's been well and truly found out this season. It's not just the results which are below par. You can argue slightly. I would argue they are far below par.

Its the playing players out of position, the horrible defensive organization, the lack of control of almost all games. The Performances are some of the worst I've seen as a Liverpool fan. He stands for good football but the football this season has been horrible to watch.

lets face facts. last season results was because we had a world class centre forward. 3rd best player in world. What Brendan did well was to press the ball and get the ball to Suarez as quickly and regularly as possible. The Defence/game control was still terrible (cost us the league) but the players bought into it becuase they knew Suarez was a machine and we did well.

Now we don't have Suarez and we're not getting him back. All the failings have come light. All the things that cost us the league last season are still there and most of the things that got us into that position to challenge are not (suarez).

To get the team back to where it needs to be we need:

- Defensive Organization
If you want Rodgers to stay, surely you must admit he needs a new defensive coach to help him in this department. It's an absolute neccessity but he seems unwilling to accept help. How long can you go on blaming individual defensive errors before you realize its a problem. So far its 3 years and counting. Will it change?

- We need a strong squad mentality. We have to play players in their proper positions. A striker gets injured, we need the other strikers thinking here's my chance. Emre Can has played centre midfield twice this year. What must the right backs be thinking seeing him play there. Emre Can is a better player than Manquillo but Maquillo is a far better right back than Emre Can. This goes the same for all the horrible player choices this season and I see no change to that philosphy throughout the season. He is completely unwilling to give the players in those positions a chance when someone gets injured. It creates massive disharmony and must be stopped immidiately.

- We need better game control. For me the tactics are completely wrong. We still have a gun ho approach but the players are not buying into it anymore as there is not a Suarez up front. i still think we need to press and attack quickly but we need contingency plans to ensure we defend better and have some well positioned numbers when it breaks down.

_ transfer policy. If you want to leave Rodgers off the hook for this then so be it. I think he is completely unable to attract the top players we so badly need. Sanchez was offered more salary to come here. He is also quite heavily involved in player selection, and the backup selections to the ones he wanted but couldn't attract are not as good as they could be. Obviously on last years transfer market he is partially to blame but let's not forget before last years transfer market he had full control and didn't do well either.

To sum up, there is no logical football reason to keep Rodgers in charge. There is only financial. But I cling to hope he will still be sacked. It's the only way forward IMO as he will not accept any help to do his job. he thinks he can do it all and he has far too many failings to do it all.

26 May 2015 10:36:15
Really good analysis Davey, couldn't have put it better myself. It's the same as happened at Reading and Watford, only difference is he didn't have class players there to bail him out like he did last year with Suarez and Studge.

26 May 2015 18:04:08
My god, in what world is 6th good? Seriously, even with our squad now I think it is better than Utds. Even if you disagree at one point we were a couple points behind them with not long left in the season after a dreadful start, dreadful finish and dreadful manager.

6th is nowhere near good enough at all. Some fans will just accept mediocrity.

26 May 2015 20:37:20
The fact that some fans say 6th is great while others either minimize his failures or still want him here in spite of them, is the very cause as to why we will remain clueless as a club and left behind by even Southampton and Stoke because we have now accepted mediocrity as a way of life w/o any logical reason behind that acceptance. We have a squad capable of top4 or top 3 with a better manager and 3 top signings YET people are accepting underacheivement as ok or acceptable while we were the second bigest spenders in the EPL this season. No wonder BR thinks he can do no wrong with such fans rooting for me.

26 May 2015 21:11:55
Sorry, I meant "rooting for him" as in BR