11 May 2015 10:42:56
Funny that yesterday. Sinclair was given 25 minutes and we didn't get hammered. I thought playing youth players meant you got slaughtered?
Just goes to show the massive amount of opportunities to blood youngsters this season that Rodgers has wasted.
If we'd finished 5th whilst integrating several academy prospects into the team then fair enough. But we've finished 5th persisting with Balotelli, Gerrard, Johnson, Skrtel and Allen.
This has been the worst season in the last 5 years. And Hodgson spent about 5% of what Rodgers has!
11 May 2015 11:14:47
I know where your coming from EMS, was good to see a few of the young lads getting game time. Only thing I would disagree on would be I wouldn't have Skrtel in that list of players. I think he has been on our more consistent defenders.
Last two games, should be much the same, give Sinclair a start.
11 May 2015 11:16:36
Why is everyone constantly looking for reasons to have a pop at the gaffer?
Red Rum
11 May 2015 11:28:39
It's a fair point about introducing youngsters. Harry Kane, who was cited below, I think got his chance in the Europa League.
That could be an opportunity next season for us, if the club decided on that route and the fans accepted it.
And this is the crucial part, isn't it ?
Wenger used to use the domestic cups as entry points for youth players but then look what happened. Several years crept by, Arsenal's trophies dried up and he was under massive pressure for his job with so much abuse and criticism.
The other thing to consider, is shortly Liverpool will have a 60k stadium to fill.
Do you think the owners would be happy if 38000 turned up on a Wednesday night to watch a virtual Liverpool reserves / youth side play in the League Cup ?
Clearly no, nor would the finances add up.
Perhaps it is incompatible now to freely add promising youngsters into a top Premiership side with all the resultant pressures that go with that.
It's OK for say a Southampton to do it, and I say that with due respect, because there is not the same expectation.
If, however, that is to be the policy then fine, owners / management should clearly explain and adjust ticket prices accordingly. May give younger supporters in turn the chance to actually see a match anyway.
But it's just not as easy as writing a few lines on a forum and having a go at the manager because a new Academy prospect is not given a debut every week.
As Ed002 has said, perhaps it's the loan arrangements that need improving. They seem, from what is said on here at least, to be rather willy nilly.
11 May 2015 12:22:48
Worst season for 5 years but our second best finish.
Weird statement.
11 May 2015 12:26:47
I agree with you about youth and opportunity, I'd also have to say yesterday has to be placed in context - The title was over and even Chelsea wanted to blood the odd youngster, who equally had a good game against us.
The biggest thing shown yesterday was how comfortable our lads are with the more free flowing three-at-the-back formation of the second half. We were faster and more assured and even Stevie G seemed to enjoy it more. Lallana had a much better second half that got me excited but it was blatantly obvious that we need a clever and fast striker who will take a risk on playing the space. Lambert tried (bless him) but he was too static. I like Sinclair. he's a strong and commanding lad who could come through very quickly so I'd also like to see him get more opportunities. but with the news today that FB could be wanted by Lazio for £12m-£14m I think the owners could take the hit they do not want to on MB and rectify the mistake they made last year with just about enough money for a top quality striker. along with Ings and Origi I'd like to see Vietto. Ings has proven he can get double figures and I think Origi will do okay (10 or 11 goals) but will develop contrary to the opinions of many others. so Vietto, Sterling and a fit Studge would make us more threatening if we can stop the leaks at the back and have an assured midfielder to plug the gaps that Hendo leaves when moving forward. Kovacic please (I know I'm being overly hopeful). I think Ibe is now a first team player and I hope that Sinclair will get a few outings next season with the possibilities of our younger players being given the onus to progress in the early stages of the Europa Cup. Finishing 5th must be used as an opportunity to move forward. but we'll have to wait and see.
11 May 2015 12:38:58
Good points Juicer. However, i would say Arsenals lack of trophies was more down to consistently average big signings rather than just giving youth a chance.
They've managed to sustain their poor business by funding it with selling off their lesser academy players for decent prices.
When you look at the likes of Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Arteta, Arshavin, Rosicky, Podolski, Giroud etc they've just failed to sign any truly top players. In the last 2 seasons they've signed Ozil and Sanchez to add to Cazorla and all of a sudden they're second and probably going to win back to back FA cups.
Their squad now contains the likes of Scezeny, Gibbs, Wilshere, Ramsey, Coquelin, Bellerin etc. that's probaby saved them £100m there so they could afford to buy Ozil and Sanchez.
There is definitely a need to find a balance between youth and signing players. But when you're beating a team at home and you decide to give Lambert or Borini 10-20 minutes instead of Branagan, Sinclair, Yesil or Ojo then you're having a laugh.
We have to start getting these lads into the first team picture so they can fight for a starting place.
11 May 2015 12:50:37
I just haven't enjoyed our football for any sustained run of games Ron.
In 13/14 we had that great 11 games winning run.
In 12/13 we had a great run after January when Sturridge and Couts hit the ground running.
In 11/12 we had some great cup runs and won our last major trophy.
In 10/11 we had a great second half of the season after Hodgson was replaced and our form was actaully second best in the league during Kennys time in this season.
This year though we've won nothing, not even got to a final and haven't played good football consistently even once. Even our 'decent' unbeaten run was blighted by bore draws and low scoring games we should've walked as well as three whimpering cup exits.
Why do we watch football? Entertainment. What the target? To win trophies. This season has failed on both counts. I don't care where we finshed in the league unless we were involved in a title fight. What are we, Everton fans? I want to win trophies and be entertained. Not bragging rights over the other mid table teams.
11 May 2015 12:52:27
Sinclair barely touched the ball to be fair.
11 May 2015 13:04:00
bit of an overstatement ems. i think you've got a short memory. this has probably felt worse after expectations were raised through the roof off the back of last season.
11 May 2015 14:02:58
EMS,
in terms of this season, it quickly became apparent that last Summer's transfer acquisitions, certainly as regards the strikers, was not working as wished.
The whole balance of the team consequently became disrupted.
I don't therefore think it was as easy as you suggest to incorporate 4 or 5 Academy players in to a struggling team, short of confidence.
The squad size was padded out because of the increased number of games that was faced and, as it was, several first team players did not get much a look in anyway.
There needs to be some serious thinking done - the transfer committee, types of players that are targeted and how / when Academy players may be introduced.
Is that DoF country !?
11 May 2015 14:08:22
I agree TJ Red. To flip it on its head you could ask why put a complete novice on the pitch for the last 25 minutes when we needed a goal. I don't think Sonclair touched the ball as you say. Is that what we needed? There is a time and a place, yesterday was neither.
11 May 2015 14:47:39
That is the prob, Irish. Nobody seems to understand what is going on with decisions being made about transfers, youth integration, tactics and systems. These youth players need to be shown a clear vision that we believe in them and that they will get a chance. Playing them after all else has failed is not a youth strategy. It is desperation. We buy players yet play them out of position then claim they are not good enuff at the position they are weak at. Can and Marko are good examples of this. This is a mess and needs to be sorted because no new manager is going to come into such a shambolic state of affairs
11 May 2015 20:35:17
EMS I think you may find Rogers