After an underwhelming start to the league season, the LFC doom and gloom brigade is out in force, confidently predicting that the end is nigh. Apparently, the club will be lucky to finish in the top half of the table; Roy Hodgson’s job is on the line, and a new Manager's first 6 league games is all it takes to predict how an entire season will pan out (!). Any fair-mind, reasonable fan will just dismiss such hysterical nonsense outright, and as I will show, the first 6 league games are an accurate prognostication of precisely *nothing*.
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the first 6 league games under every manager since Graeme Souness:
So – what can we learn from these figures?
1. A high points total in first 6 games doesn’t necessarily equate to a higher league finish. Examples:
91-92: 13 points in first 6 games. Final position = 6th
96-97: 14 points in first 6 games. Final position = 4th.
09-10: 12 point in first 6 games. Final league position = 7th.
2. A Low points total in first 6 games does not necessarily indicate a low league finish. Examples:
05-06: 7 points in the first 6 games. Final position = 3rd
97-98: 9 points in the first 6 games. Final position = 3rd
3. Low number of goals scored and/or poor goal difference does not necessarily mean a poor league season. Examples:
05-06: 4 goals scored/6 conceded in first 6 games (-2 goal difference). Final position = 3rd
97-98: 8 goals scored/8 conceded in first 6 games. Final position = 3rd
4. Lots of goals scored does not necessarily mean a good league finish. Examples:
02-03: 13 goals scored. Final position = 5th
09-10: 16 goals scored. Final position = 7th
Looking at the table above, were the first 6 games of any of the previous 19 seasons an accurate indicator of how things actually turned out? In 95% of cases, the answer is no. You can also interpret the figures in several different ways to back up whatever argument you’re trying to make. The point is, trying to use the first 6 league games as an indicator or *anything* is clearly ridiculous.
Fans need to start looking at the bigger picture: this season is not about rebuilding, playing sexy football, or mounting a title challenge. It is and always has been about transition and consolidation, and the ONLY target is finishing in the top 4. Cup runs are a welcome distraction but it all comes down to finishing in the top 4, and that MUST be achieved at all costs. If that means the club stumbles through the season and just scrapes in on the last day of the season then so be it; if it means the club has to win ugly, then that’s the way it has to be.
Such an approach is anathema to Liverpool fans (and is the complete opposite of what I want to see from LFC), but this is the reality, and I think fans have to start accepting it. In all probability, things will probably get worse before they get better; I imagine we’ll see a few more disappointing results in the next couple of months. However, as long as the club is within touching distance of 4th place after Christmas, I think we’ll be in a great position to build momentum in the second half of the season.
The squad is lacking real quality in certain areas but we still have the players – and the manager – to get the club into 4th place. I truly believe that, which is why I am not worried in the slightest about our current form.
And please don't give me the Man City excuse, i.e. 'But City have spent X amount of money, which means they'll overtake us'. There is no evidence whatsoever to support that. Look at the facts: In the last 3 completed seasons, City spent 250m + on transfers, and finished 9th, 10th and 5th, failing to qualify for Champions League even once. Money is not always the deciding factor when it comes to finishing in the top 4, and this season will be no exception.
Patience is the key here; this season is/will be a (sometimes gruelling) marathon, not a sprint, but Liverpool is capable of crossing the finish line in 4th place.
Jaimie Kanwar
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the first 6 league games under every manager since Graeme Souness:
So – what can we learn from these figures?
1. A high points total in first 6 games doesn’t necessarily equate to a higher league finish. Examples:
91-92: 13 points in first 6 games. Final position = 6th
96-97: 14 points in first 6 games. Final position = 4th.
09-10: 12 point in first 6 games. Final league position = 7th.
2. A Low points total in first 6 games does not necessarily indicate a low league finish. Examples:
05-06: 7 points in the first 6 games. Final position = 3rd
97-98: 9 points in the first 6 games. Final position = 3rd
3. Low number of goals scored and/or poor goal difference does not necessarily mean a poor league season. Examples:
05-06: 4 goals scored/6 conceded in first 6 games (-2 goal difference). Final position = 3rd
97-98: 8 goals scored/8 conceded in first 6 games. Final position = 3rd
4. Lots of goals scored does not necessarily mean a good league finish. Examples:
02-03: 13 goals scored. Final position = 5th
09-10: 16 goals scored. Final position = 7th
Looking at the table above, were the first 6 games of any of the previous 19 seasons an accurate indicator of how things actually turned out? In 95% of cases, the answer is no. You can also interpret the figures in several different ways to back up whatever argument you’re trying to make. The point is, trying to use the first 6 league games as an indicator or *anything* is clearly ridiculous.
Fans need to start looking at the bigger picture: this season is not about rebuilding, playing sexy football, or mounting a title challenge. It is and always has been about transition and consolidation, and the ONLY target is finishing in the top 4. Cup runs are a welcome distraction but it all comes down to finishing in the top 4, and that MUST be achieved at all costs. If that means the club stumbles through the season and just scrapes in on the last day of the season then so be it; if it means the club has to win ugly, then that’s the way it has to be.
Such an approach is anathema to Liverpool fans (and is the complete opposite of what I want to see from LFC), but this is the reality, and I think fans have to start accepting it. In all probability, things will probably get worse before they get better; I imagine we’ll see a few more disappointing results in the next couple of months. However, as long as the club is within touching distance of 4th place after Christmas, I think we’ll be in a great position to build momentum in the second half of the season.
The squad is lacking real quality in certain areas but we still have the players – and the manager – to get the club into 4th place. I truly believe that, which is why I am not worried in the slightest about our current form.
And please don't give me the Man City excuse, i.e. 'But City have spent X amount of money, which means they'll overtake us'. There is no evidence whatsoever to support that. Look at the facts: In the last 3 completed seasons, City spent 250m + on transfers, and finished 9th, 10th and 5th, failing to qualify for Champions League even once. Money is not always the deciding factor when it comes to finishing in the top 4, and this season will be no exception.
Patience is the key here; this season is/will be a (sometimes gruelling) marathon, not a sprint, but Liverpool is capable of crossing the finish line in 4th place.
Jaimie Kanwar
i disagree watching liverpool this season has been painful. torres has been isolated (roy is doing a good job in making him look worse than zamora). i mean we dont even look like winning games, not 1 game this season can you say we have been unlucky. he has a nearly fully fit squad to choose from, he is picking the right team or there abouts (poulsen looks as bad as lucas in my books) but still we arent creating enough chances..too much of a gap between our defense and attack. players look disinterested like at the end of last season. personally i would give him until xmas if things havent improved then him & the owners really need to go
ReplyDeleteWhat can also be seen is that in the first 6 games we have the lowest points and worst goal difference of any of the years you've decided to cover, therefore by deduction, this year is outside your "stats window". Lets just hope the club get new owners and they get a proper manager in charge.
ReplyDeletedisagree with a few things. wages are proportional to success. fact. man city have high wages.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you....This Article is like a boost for me as a supporter. YNWA
ReplyDeleteIt is not a 'fact' that wages are proportional to success. There are countless examples of this, one being Chelsea. Between 2006 and 2009, Chelsea had a higher wage bill than Man United, yet United won the league 3 years in a row, AND the CL, which Chelsea have never won despite paying high wages. How do you explain this?
ReplyDeleteLiverpool won the CL in 2005; Porto won prior to that; both teams had smaller wage bills than some of the other top teams in the competition.
Wages is a factor; it is not everything.
good post, agreed with what you said- like always ;]
ReplyDeletethis is our squad:
Reina, Jones, Johnson, Kelly, Darby, Carragher, Agger, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Konchesky, Aurelio, Maxi, Kuyt, Gerrard, Pacheco, Lucas, Poulsen, Jovanovic, Babel, Torres, Ngog, Spearing, Meireles, Cole, Shelvey, Eccleston = 27 man squad..
Now the squad may not be the greatest but it is decent- Man Utd's squad isn't anything special either, but they are a team. That's what's missing. The desire, the effort, the work rate. No 'I'm leaving because there aren't any good owners' (TORRES). You either want to play for us, or not. No point sulking. Now I don't know what happened between Torres and Gerrard but if they have fell out: good on Gerrard! Torres is sulking/bad body language, and doesn't probably wanna play for us. Gerrard is liverpool through and through and he will stay, new owners or not. I think 1 or 2 signings would do us nicely, and we would have a very good squad; I don't want us to do a Man City and buy for the fun of it.
Where do you think we will finish Jaimie?
sorry did not read what you said where we will finish..
ReplyDeletewhat would you say Roy should do in order to improve on where we are right now (excluding buying players)? and what do you think our best line-up is?
ReplyDelete^ reply please, JK, would like to hear your opinions.
Totally agree with your points, dfg, especially about Torres. If he doesn't want to play for Liverpool then let him leave. it would weaken the team (in the short term), but team spirit is more important than one player.
ReplyDeleteI also don't want us to go the Man City route; I would personally hate that.
I think we will finish 4th; we'll probably scrape through in the last few weeks of the season. it all depends on who (if anyone) we bring in in January. If we buy well (o even loan well), it could make all the difference.
I still think Rafa should have been given more time, unless you have buckets of cash the only way to success is through a slow building process. The most succesful team in the last 20 years has been Man Utd, it is no surprise that their manager has been in charge for 24 years. (His first 6 years a lot worse than Rafas). The only other major success has been Chelsea who had hundreds of millions to give to a top class manager. Then of course Arsenal who again have had their manager at the club for 14 years.
ReplyDeleteAll this proves that a club will achieve very little by changing managers unless the change comes with a blank cheque book.
I like Roy Hodgson, but then I liked Gerard Houllier too, just think if Houllier was still in charge today where would we be? He would have been in the job over 12 years by now, I’m certain despite the current owners with that stability and longevity Liverpool would be in a much better place than it is now.
We lost a good manager in Houllier and we lost a good manager in Rafa, we are where we are because we are too impatient and demand instant success.
As I've said consistently, the results are not what are turning me against Hodgson, it is the performances. He is doing EXACTLY the same things that saw us have such a dire season last year (a deep defense, a lack of urgency or movement in defence or attack, passive management during games, same under-performing players retaining their places while the fringe players are scape-goated etc.), and since it looks like he isn't prepared to/capable of making changes, then the best case scenario that we can hope for is a duplication of that effort.
ReplyDeleteEverybody else may be content with the "shit on a stick" being paraded at Anfield, due to whatever excuse they may choose, but I refuse to be placated. Everything did not have to be as bad as it was last year, and things do not have to be as bad as they are presently
The major issue is not the results, but rather the manner in which they were achieved.
ReplyDeleteIn previous seasons we've dominated teams yet conceded a last minute goal and dropped 2 points. Or perhaps been hit by a debilitating spate of injuries that maim our title chances.
This season, we're simply playing badly. Full strength team, no conviction, no inspiration, being outplayed by average sides. Moreover, we have a manager that seems at a loss for what to do. He doesn't know how to change tactics when they're not working, has all the ambition of Fulham FC, and is frankly just clueless about how to handle LFC. THAT is difference between this season and ones before.
It's not about lack of patience, because being LFC fans we're all an extremely patient lot - 20yrs and counting, still keeping the faith. But when we have a manager who doesn't believe in the club, who has no dreams, and who can't even inspire his own players, let alone the fans, then that's a big fat red flag that should be heeded.
1. End the defeatist mentality. Every 5 minutes we're hearing stuff from players and Hodgson about how tough it us etc; how the ownership situation is tough; how it'll take time to get things right etc. This needs to stop. As Shankly said, 'A lot of football success is in the mind. You must believe you are the best and then make sure that you are'. No one connected with LFC is doing that at the moment.
ReplyDeleteYes, we know there are problems but stop bitching about it. Get your heads down and get the job done. It has to come from the top, and Hodgson needs to lead by example, but surprisingly, he's not doing it at the moment.
2. Put aces in their places. No more square pegs in round holes (I thought we'd had enough of that under Benitez). Sometimes it's necessary (Agger on the left, for example), but Meirelles on the right? No need for that. I want to see players playing in the best positions; that means Gerrard and Meirelles in midfield.
3. Stop starting Johnson, Maxi, Lucas and Carragher. I know that sounds harsh, but Carra is a defensive liability these days, as is Johnson. Agger/Skrtel are the future (unless we sign someone else) - let them start forging a partnership now. Carra will be increasingly caught out, and he has been already this season. He doesn't have the game intelligence of Sami Hyypia, and if you don't have pace, that intelligence is key.
4. Make Martin Kelly first choice right back. He deserves to be promoted, and everything I've seen so far suggests he is a very competent defender.
5. Stop playing 4231 all the time. Two defensive mids has got to end, and Torres is not in the right frame of mind to be completely reliable as a lone striker this season.
Preferred formation/line up:
Reina
Kelly ---- Agger --- Skrtel ---- Konchesky
Jovanovic --- Gerrard --- Meirelles --- Cole
------------- Kuyt --- Torres
if we must play 4231:
Reina
Kelly ----- Agger --- Skrtel ---- Konchesky
-------------- Gerrard -- Meirelles
Kuyt ------------ Cole ------- Jovanovic
----------------- Torres
Jay - don't you think it takes time to change a team's entire philosophy? With a couple of exception, the squad is used to the Benitez way of playing. That cannot be changed completely in a couple of months. At present, they're still used to playing that way, which is why (in part) some of the performances are so insipid.
ReplyDeleteThe legacy of the Benitez era is there for all to see, and it will take at least half a season to see Hodgson's changes start to bear fruit.
when has Torres said that he doesn't want to play for us?? He probably is pissed off at being fooled by Hodgson's big talk over the summer (pass and move!?) that has suddenly changed into contentment with back to the walls performances against the likes of Birmingham and talk of ownership issues again.
ReplyDeleteI also doubt that Hodgson informed him that we'd be employing exactly the same failed system as last year with him required to try to take on entire defences by himself. In spite of all this, from what I've seen, he has put himself about as usual and has looked no more frustrated than any striker that isn't receiving any service.
Mike - Arsene won the title in his first full season in charge at Arsenal. His success has diminished as he has become comfortable at the club. Mourinho also had instant success at Chelsea and the club were already on a noticeable slide before he cleverly moved on without taking the hit to his reputation. Ancelotti has also now come in and had immediate success after revitalising that Chelsea squad with little additional investment.
ReplyDeleteThe evidence points to managers being more successful when their ideas are fresh, with them tending to stagnate as time goes on. Ferguson looks to be the exception, not the rule...
Hi Jaime, I think things will get better on the ptich as we are in false postion and when i saw our fixutre at the start of season i predicted that many fans by 5th game will start moaning. when you look at it we had Man U, Arsenal and Man city away form home in first five so it was prtedictable to not get many points. and when you put not having cole and torees not being fully fit, we got ot be happy that it s not worse.
ReplyDeleteMy worry is things outside the ptich, the debt, the deadline of 6th of october by banks and the clueless owners. I think those three factors will finally get some of our good players away from the Liverpool.
I dont agree with the point you made about Carragher, i agree he is not very quick but Carra still reads the game better than others and got a heart and love for the game, and you could see that agaisnt Sunderland and also Carragher is one of our real true leaders on the pitch.
one thing Jaimie, you say end the defeatist mentality, i just remind you that was what we were telling you all last reason and season before ubt you seemed to always focus on negaitve than psotive when rafa was in charge.
Jay
ReplyDeleteits the 6th game of season and manager need time to turns things around. we honestly cant judge his stlye so soon.
I heard one or two people asking for him to sack,
honestly sacking a manager so early in season will makes a laughing stock of football,
if by end of season we are still struggling and playing badly then we could say he had failed
i agree with every point you mane for once, lol
ReplyDeleteMo - there is a difference. I did not have a defeatist mentality over Benitez; he was the wrong man for Liverpool, so I wanted him out. That's just facing facts. It was obvious he was wrong for the job, and was doing more harm than good. I'm not going to be positive about him when it's obvious he needs to go. If you know an asteroid is going hit the earth, you face the truth; you don't live in some kind of bubble and pretend it's not going to happen.
ReplyDeleteDefeatist mentality of the players/manager is what I'm talking about. That's far more damaging than individual fans like me having a problem with the manager.
Agreed, Mo. Calling for Hodgson to be sacked now is embarassing. If we don't finish in the top 4 this season then I would have no problem with him being replaced, but after 6 games? Ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteMiracles do happen it seems :-P
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind if he was actually changing our philosophy, but it looks like Hodgson is scared to actually make any changes to Rafa's system (aside from leaving at least one man up at corners (which I agree with) and switching from zonal marking at corners (which I am not fussed about) and is instead taking the easy option of keeping everything the same so that he can just blame any failures on Rafa leaving him a team that should finished 7th (rather than the bulk of a squad that was comfortably Top 4 for several years prior to that season)
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't take any amount of time to realise that we can't employ a flat 4 man midfield, nor does it take any amount of time to realise that we are not good enough to sit back and invite teams onto us. These are things that are easily changed by the manager. At the very worst, if he insists on using the same system, at least change the personnel from those who are proven failures in the system!
Whether the changes reap immediate benefits or not is not the issue - the issue is that he has to make changes in order for things to improve from what we saw last year. Just playing exactly the same way that we played for a whole year already and hoping that everything clicks eventually doesn't sound like a great plan to me, so if the new manager isn't prepared to make any changes, then that responsibility should be taken from his hands and handed to somebody else...
quickly replacing Ramos once they realised that they'd made a mistake didn't turn Spurs into a laughing stock...
ReplyDeleteLike I said, I usually am pretty patient and though he wasn't who I wanted I was content with Hodgson coming in from what I heard about him, but he is very quickly turning into the manager that Rafa eventually became which is quickly turning me against him too :(
I have to take you to task over your Benitez comment: "It was obvious he was wrong for the job". What was obvious that was he had finally managed to drag us up to the level of title challengers and European heavyweights yet again despite being financially hamstrung compared to the other contenders, and was rewarded for being two goals away from a league title with three transfer windows of negative spend at a time when we were crying out for some significant player investment. Any other manager would have walked away long before he was pushed; few managers could have achieved as much with the resources he was given. I'd love to be proven wrong but I fear that the true measure of Benitez will be in a few months when Hodgson has undone all of the hard work and we're languishing in mid-table. You don't know what you've got till it's gone.
ReplyDeleteI agree Jaimie. I'm sick to death or these knee jerk reaction fans calling into 606 and the like and calling for the managers head. Judge Roy at the end of the season. Yes some of the tactical decisions have been odd, as have the team selections but for f**ks sake, the man is trying to force his own style of play on the club and get a feeling for his best 11.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it can't be helpful chanting 'rafa benitez' as I heard fans doing during the man city defeat. IMO It's not really appropriate when the manager has a fucking tough job as it is and is not getting backed by the fans. There may not have been any malice intended but regardless it undermines the current manager and can't help.
sorry i thought you meant the defeatist mentality of fans.
ReplyDeleteI think your asteroid example does not aplly to Benitez. I cant understand your dislikes for him and I have ot be honest soem of your criticism of him was right however I dont think you could compare him to asteriod hitting earth.
my view always bene I supprt my club through everything and always prepare to give any liverpool manager at least one bad season. I am not saying i am right or you are wrong on this matter, i just am this way.
I think some section of fans blame everyone or everything for our failures , they want success straightaway and they want it done in beautiful way and live in cukko land and some times they are part of the prblem(btw i am not having a go at you here) as they negative attitidue on the ground has effect on the team perfomance and put more pressure on the players and managers. this section of fans are mainly in their 50s and had been and seen liverpool in 5 finals and tasted all those success and are not prepared ot give any young player more than one bad games, and always name 10 playes of squad that are not good enough to wear the red shirt. they are old grumpy fan. they hardly travel with the team for away games
when i talked to younger fan last season they were more positive and in general supported rafa and some of those bad players. the truth is nowadays mainy old grumpy fans are the ones who can afford to pay for season tickets. you see more younger fan in away games and then you see the differnecein homw and away games in regard to the fans.
The legacy of Rafa? I'm not so sure he would have West Brom and Sunderland dominating the midfield at Anfield. The tactics so far from Roy have shown me nothing that he the right man for us. Saying that I do want him to succeed, but at present I am so very worried that we will be lower half of the table. I just don't see him changing this 'sit back' mentality.
ReplyDeleteMaybe though I speak too soon, as the last 15 min against Sunderland he seemed to go for it. We actually played with some width and made chances, but too little too late.
For me, if we are bottom 3 (as if?) at xmas, a change would have to be made.
Personally I would have gone for Pelligrini or Van Gaal.
What it all says is woy has got to go soonest.
ReplyDeleteJamie, agree with the majority of this, especially the view of the season being for consolidation. Its a good boost when facts are clearly laid out. I was always of the opinion the Rafa was not the man for the job. Istanbul papered over the cracks. It was no magic formula he produced to get us back into that game, same with the FA cup win. It was homegrown character and sheer will to win from players and fans and we won in spite of Rafa not because of him, it was his tactics and negativity that got us bwhind in those games. Lets not also forget that he virtually blew our best chance of winning the league with his Fergie rant, of course the Media wasnt gonna let him get away with this. Also, dont froget, he left Valencia in a similar position to what he left us in, lets see if Inter let him do the same? Woy is there to stabalise us through the sale process and steady the ship. He was never gonna get bundles of money but I cant help but feel the job maybe too big for him, then I think of how much he was loved at Inter! - So the best thing is to give it a bit of time, this time next month the waters will be clearer and we all may be a bit happier. Our start to the season hasnt been the easiest either and its world cup year. We are not the only team with an average start. its just that everyone seems to LOVE IT when we are struggling a little but as the saying goes, form is temporary and class is permanent, the cream always rises to the top!
ReplyDeleteIt could be worse , we could be Evertonions!
Jaimie writes:
ReplyDelete<span>"You can also interpret the figures in several different ways to back up whatever argument you’re trying to make."</span>
Very valid point.
Except anyone who argues 'doom-and-gloom' is labelled '<span>hysterical', whereas (I presume) Jaimie's assessment of everything working out OK is '</span><span>fair-minded & reasonable'</span>
You really couldn't make this nonsense up if you tried.
Incidentally, I will have a £500 bet (to go towards a Hillsborough charity) with Jaimie that we won't finish fourth this season.
He seems very confident with his '<span>Liverpool *will* cross the finish line in 3rd or 4th place' statement.</span>
Over to you Kanwar, if you want to put your money where your mouth is.
Roy out ASAP! Bring Rafa back in Jan.
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely stupid article, its depends on who ur playing in those 6 games. Liverpool had some tough games already this season so to make a comparison over such a small period as 6 games shows just how fickle and narrow minded you are
ReplyDeleteOnce again Jamie, you are talking absolute shite. Patience you say. Well my patience has just about run out. Konchensky, Poulsen these are the has beens that he brought to the club, let Aqua out on loan, and now we are playing the worst football in the entire history of our club. I realise you are a major anti Rafa instigator, hell i wasnt a big fan of his either. But after seeing the dismall perfromances, and thats nicest term to phrase it, i would rather have Rafa on board then what can only be described as a nighmare of a manager.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, he didn't have the balls,(well maybe he does but they are permanatley planted in Fergies left pocket) to stand up for Torres after Fergie showered the media with his Torres the cheat campaign. Manager? i think not..
Secondly, i can count on one hand how many times Torres has actually received the ball in front of him in all the games we have so far played.
Now correct me if im wrong, but for us to succeed we need to score right? And for us to score we need to get the ball up to our strikers right? So when do you propose that Roy will actually implement this in his tactical genius? Hoofing the ball out of defence has only cost us to lose the ball time and time again. Torres having to cut back and fight for the ball in the mids is not what he is supposed to do. Playing Miereles in 3 different positions in the game against Manure, i understand he needs to find the right position for him but not in the one game. And then when we are finally looking to come back with Meireles penetrating the Mids, he subs him?? call it what you will Jamie, Roy is useless. He is way out of his dapth, and if it were any othter top flight club,( which it seems we may not be anymore) he would have be axed already.
Yeah bang on about lack of funds blah blah. Why buy poulsen and konchensky, when for the price of those 2 over the hill hacks he could have brought Banega. Keep Insua at left back, he could not have done any worse than what Konchneky has so far done. in a year or two we will have to replace these retirees and for what gain?????
Yeah have faith in Roy...
he is doing a marvelous Job....
So, apart from Hogdsons tactics, squad selection and media handling, would you still say he's doing a good job then?
ReplyDeleteWell we can make statistics say what ever we want. But watching LFC on the field this year is.......
ReplyDeleteAll your stats prove nothing with Roy Benetiz, we are a mid-table side and we better get use to it!
ReplyDeleteLet's be logical about this.
ReplyDelete1.Forget about the manager
2.this is Liverpool
3.Ignore tactics
4.No rants
5.Respect traditions
NOW
1.6 games
2.-3 goal difference
3.6 points on the board
4.No zip in our play
5.Content to draw games
6.defense solidity GONE
I would say we are RUBBISH it is a FACT
You nhave a bet, £500 that Liverpool will finish in the top 4 this season.
ReplyDeleteOf course they prove nothing - that's the point! Making a decision about anything after 6 games is silly.
ReplyDeleteOh these so called fans that are calling for Roy's head 3 MONTHS into the job?
ReplyDeleteLets see what happens if he ever had to land the Holy Grail which we all want to see, SOMETHING THAT BENITEZ COULDNT DO IN SIX YEARS. Now we will get excuses again on why Benitez couldn't. What will all of you calling for Roy's head now be saying then? =-O
I couldn't even be bothered to comment on here anymore, it is as if the BENITEZ BRIGADE wants to see this club go down. Ridiculous...
Oh these so called fans that are calling for Roy's head 3 MONTHS into the job?
ReplyDeleteLets see what happens if he ever had to land the Holy Grail which we all want to see, SOMETHING THAT BENITEZ COULDNT DO IN SIX YEARS. Now we will get excuses again on why Benitez couldn't. What will all of you calling for Roy's head now be saying then? =-O
I couldn't even be bothered to comment on here anymore, it is as if the BENITEZ BRIGADE wants to see this club go down. Ridiculous...
i think better sack Roy,,not too early.Liv becoming mess. Tectically nan technically getting worst starting from Rafa..changing coaches is football needs as well..se how
ReplyDeletewhat if a martin vs roy situation happenned to pop up Jamie?
ReplyDeleteUltimately, I want to the best for LFC, and whilst I think RH is a good manager, I would obviously prefer MON...but not at the expense of conducting things in a diginified manner.
ReplyDeleteSacking a new manager mid-season is not the Liverpool Way, and nor should it be...UNLESS the situation is so irretrievably dire that a change is unavoidable.
We are nowhere near that stage yet; to even think about it is ridiculous.
As i said in the article, the only goal this season is to finish in the top 4. We're more than capable of doing that, and as long as that is achieved, who cares how we did it?
Irrespective of what happens this season though (even if we finish 4th), if MON is still available at the end of the season I would have no problem with RH being replaced.
Ultimately, I want the the best for LFC, and whilst I think RH is a good manager, I would obviously prefer MON...but not at the expense of conducting things in a diginified manner.
ReplyDeleteSacking a new manager mid-season is not the Liverpool Way, and nor should it be...UNLESS the situation is so irretrievably dire that a change is unavoidable.
We are nowhere near that stage yet; to even think about it is ridiculous.
As i said in the article, the only goal this season is to finish in the top 4. We're more than capable of doing that, and as long as that is achieved, who cares how we did it?
Irrespective of what happens this season though (even if we finish 4th), if MON is still available at the end of the season I would have no problem with RH being replaced.
You're kidding, right?
ReplyDeleteWhy do you feel tha 6 league games is enough to condemn a vastly experienced and respected manager with a proven history of getting the best out of his teams?
Do you not think you're jumping the gun a little?
Agree, Max. Calling for RH's head after 3 months is pathetic; and from what I can see, it's the mainly the pro-Benitez Cult who are doing it. (no surprise there).
ReplyDeleteThanks god that possibility is less likely that Dalglish coming out of retirement and partnering Torres up front :)
ReplyDeleteDeal.
ReplyDeleteProof of £500 donation to Hillsborough charity to be provided in May by the losing party.
What proven record would that be then?
ReplyDeleteHaving a fluky season last year with Fulham? cause face FACTS
He almost got Blackburn Rvrs relegated the year after they won the league and was sacked at Christmas.
He saved fulham from relegation got them to 7th then the following season fell 5 places to 12th.
How many trophies has the man won in a 30 plus year managerial career? oh but every one likes him so that's ok.
He was the wrong choice for the job in the first place. when others such as Pellegrini Rikaard Dalglish and Deschamps were in the frame.
Ok so Deschamps turned the job down. but what about Pelligini who had a better record of getting the most out of players hmmmmm.
So you'd swap one defensive minded counter-attacking manager for a long ball merchant. do you know anything about SHankly's philosphy on football. you know the one in which this team had been ingrained Pass and move ring any bells.
ReplyDeleteI actually wanted Rafa out, and only am turning against Roy because he looks to just be a cheaper version of Rafa to me - if Rafa deserved criticism for his silly decisions, particularly last year, then Roy deserves the same criticism for replicating those exact same decisions.
ReplyDeleteTime is not a relevant excuse to me - he can watch a flipping DVD of how crap we were while using this same system last year and throughout this season, and how mostly the same players were successful in a different system in previous years.
Roy Benetiz is not good enough for our club his "stats" prove that, stoned out of Inter is a good enough reason not to employ him, but the 2 cancers wanted a yes man in charge and that is what we have...... we will be flirting with the bottom 6 all season.... some people need to open the rose tinted eyes a bit.
ReplyDeleteOh i wouldn't want RB back either he was lost at the end
I wonder how the mood will be after Utrecht beat us later.
ReplyDeleteStats won't say a thing, that's true. But it seems that you are using them to prove your point, no matter what they say. You just seem to pick favourable stats that confirm your opinion. No offense. I just hope that you're not using stats to make your opinion to look more like a fact.
ReplyDeleteWhat comes to Roy Hodgson, it's too early to judge him. I'm though a bit worried of his tactical stubborness, the very same thing Rafa was slated, for example in this blog. When Rafa stuck with the players he had bought over the years, seems that Roy doesn't have any better vision for potential of our squad. I'd like to see Gerrard in more advanced role roaming around and making Torres' job easier. And how about Jovanovic as a forward? With Torres they could be a force, because they could both play through flanks. This would give more space to our midfielders to make runs. The defense line is another problem, they play way too deep.
What do you think?
you are one very boing person jk.
ReplyDeleteI openly admit that I was and am very pro Rafa, however, Rafa is not here and we have to deal with what is ahead. Whether RH is the right appointment or not in people's minds we have to understand that 6 games in and all you can do is support the team. Nothing in life is guaranteed and if RH is not the right man for the job I believe that can be judged in December based on the league position. Despite the squad depth etc there is no excuse for not being in touching distance (which we are now despite the poor start) in December and that is a good manner of viewing whether RH will be on course for his real target of 4th or above.
ReplyDeleteTry to forget the doom and gloom on the pitch be patient, its only a matter of months. Also if you want to focus on negativity then help voice your opinion on the ownership issue by urging RBS not to refinance etc and hopefully we will get some better custodians for LFC. Lets get behind the squad and the manager and judge them on the first real milestone in December and it does not matter what previous managers have done up to a certain point. All that matters is how far away we are from 4th. If it mattered about previous manager's points haul then Rafa could still be here Roy Evans could still be here. In any other season 86 points would have won the league but the point is that it was not enough in THAT season and that is ALL that matters.
Judge with the circumstances relevant at that time.
YNWA
Hello, personally i like your positive slant on the start of the season, it is just 6 games and in those 6 games we have faced arsenal man utd and man city, 2 being away from home. So i agree with what you are saying, i also think its ridiculous for people to say sack the manager at this stage. However i am slightly concerned with all this sideways football and the lack of chances created for torres. Also another point that worries me a Jaimie is what hodgson said about Meireles. He said he didnt know where his best position is? this concerns me because if your signing somebody for 11.5 mill, you would think he would know exactly where he wants him in his team. He played him out right for last 15 against man u and most of the game against sunderland and from what i know, which i admit is little about the portugese fella is that he is NOT a right midfielder and never has been. Hodgson is apparently a 442 man so i would have preferred a target man sort of striker for torres to play off instead of someone who he is not sure about. We were supposedly offering 10 mill for Carlton Cole towards end of deadline, although how true that is i dont know but 11.5 + whatever we had left could have got us a decent striker. What worries me is we look toothless and vulnerable at back. I wasn't expecting miracles from hodgson so early on but when a new manager comes in, you usually see the players lifted but all i see at the minute is rafa mark2
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should look at the next 6 games: Blackpool (H), Everton (A), Blackburn (H), Bolton (A), Chelsea (H), Wigan (A)...We should be able to get 3 points against Blackpool, Blackburn and Wigan, the others I'm not so sure. What I'm worried now is the confidence level of the entire team, was so frustrating watching them played against Utrecht (live at 1am in the morning), some players can't even make a simple decent pass. By next few weeks if we can't close the gap between the top 4, then probably we won't be playing in the champions league next season...remember Man City beat us 3-0 and the champion 1-0 and we are already 5 points apart, not forgetting Spurs and Villa are above us too!
ReplyDelete<span><span>05-06</span>: 7 points in the first 6 games. Final position = 3rd</span>
ReplyDelete<span>I remember that was Rafa's second season, after a bad start and a 4-1 defeat at home to Chelsea, a good winning run of 12 games and 10 games without conceding a goal...I do not think this current squad can do the same, but let's wait and see, and I would love to be proven wrong!<span>
</span></span>
By the way, Benitez's Inter are top of both their domestic and Champions League groups already. Probably Mourinho's work though, eh? Blinkered and excessive groundless anti-Rafa bias is just as ignorant as the opposite.
ReplyDeleteGenius Jaimie, why do you think Roy is the right man then? Please elaborate. His past records is nowhere near Rafa's and already his 6 games has given us an indication that we're in a bad time! (though I must say it is still too early).
ReplyDeleteGood to see the Max & Jaimie tag team again...how I missed it? Hmmm....as far as I know, we're 6 points after 6 games...and Rafa's Inter is top at Serie A looking down at the Milans, Romas etc....clearly show that both these jokers (Max and Jaimie is a "SACK RAFA CULT") and still want to argue that our situation is due to the legacy of Rafa....
ReplyDeleteMax, wasn't that you who wanted our club down when Rafa was in charge??
Sorry..left Torres upfront alone is a rediculous tactical.Rafa did before and Roy continue it due to bla bla..thats why we find diffculties to score even a sigle goal through real tactical and team plan.( is no hope). The burden goes to Gerrad .we can smell it through his body language. correct me if I`m wrong..Charlton Cole actually is the best partner but why too late or Obifami Martin is next..
ReplyDeleteYOUR figures show that Roys start is as good as the worst start to a Liverpool season in 18 Years.
ReplyDeleteWell done. He is as Good as Souness' worst start. If thats your defence of the man, I'd hate to see you start on him.
Roy never has been and never will be good enough for LFC. I'm not calling fo his head, it should never have made it to the L4 home dugout. He is a nice man who is being hung out to dry. Top 4? I'd take 16th on the performances I'm watching.
We have just struggled to a 0-0 draw against a Dutch side that are struggling in the Eredivisie (I think its called). As a measure of how poor that result is, Tottingham just burst the league leaders 4-1. And Roy claimed we should be happy with that result?
Laughable. Out of depth and out of Ideas. I'd never call for his head, but he should not have been here in the first place.
A bad start does not necessarily mean a bad finish. Under Benitez in 05/6, Liverpool got a paltry 7 points out of 18 in the opening 6 games, and had a goal difference of -2. We finished the season in 3rd place with 82 points. I remember fans throwing in the towel then too, but look what happened.
ReplyDelete<p><span>Fans are negative cause of the performances, not just the results thats worrying.</span>
ReplyDelete</p><p><span> </span><span>It's Roy's TACTICS, thats a cause for concern. He's out of his depth at a top club</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>We defend very deep, 2 narrow banks of four, have fullbacks that rarely overlap, and most of all - we don't press teams.</span>
</p><p><span> </span><span>Thats why we've been dominated by every single league team we've played so far. Its the way we've been tactically set up. </span>
</p><p><span>The pressing from the Rafa days are gone.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Under Benitez, even in his worst season, with an injury hit squad - In defeats to lesser teams, we at least dominated and had more chances.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Under Roy, we defended deep and got dominated to Sunderland. That would never happen under Rafa.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Fulham's Hangeland and Murphy said, under Roy they didn't press teams, instead they'd concede possession and let teams play.</span>
</p><p><span>http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6332060,00.html</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Well, we are doing the same thing here, regardless of whether we are playing Man utd away, or Sunderland at home.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Thats Roy's football philosophy. It works very well for Fulham or other small clubs, but doesn't work at a top club.</span>
</p>
<p><span>Look at Jovanovics comments about defending.</span>
ReplyDelete</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Or look at Lars Bohinens( player who played under Roy) comments. He said Roys tactics suit small clubs, not big clubs like Liverpool. http://bohinen.tv2blogg.no/article1981101.ece</span>
</p><p><span> </span><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Torres looks ineffective, and is lacking service, as Carra admited in an interview.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Its cause of Roy tactics, its not suited to his strengths.</span>
</p><p><span>Under Rafa, wed press teams, a lot of goals came from pressing high up the pitch, winning the ball + scoring. We'd play AMs between the lines that Torres would thrive off. Now we play our widemen as wingers - not suited to it</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>This season hes struggling and will continue to struggle under Roy.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>
</span>
</p><p><span>Im not saying Benitez was blameless.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>I know last season was bad, but I can point to an injury crisis hit squad and "some" players attitudes. I never once thought Benitez entire football philosophy was wrong and didn't suit the players.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>At his worst, only bad season, we finished 7th, yes, but we were only 7 points away from 4th. 7 points. </span>
</p><p><span>Im sure if we didnt have an injury crisis, we would of got at least more than 7 points, and got 4th.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>I doubt we get close to that under Roy with an injury crisis or without one.</span>
</p>
<p>
ReplyDelete</p><p><span>I think Roys a likeable man, and I know the "liverpool way" is to support your manager. But I'm honest, I don't think hes good enough, he's out of his depth, and to be fair its not his fault that is the case. Im not calling for his head, just stating my views.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Its not based on the results of the first 6 games, but an unchanged 30 year old football philosophy that doesn't cut it at a top club at the top level.</span>
</p>
<p><span>Under Roy, I fear we will be hopelessly outplayed by our next opponents.</span>
ReplyDelete</p><p>I will continue to feel this way under Roy.
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>I think Roys a likeable man, and I know the "liverpool way" is to support your manager. But I'm honest, I don't think hes good enough, Im not calling for his head, just stating my views.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Its not based on the results of the first 6 games, but an unchanged 30 year old football philosophy that doesn't cut it at a top club at the top level.</span>
</p>
Its embarrassing at times, I mean, we made Sunderland look like freaking Barcelona!
ReplyDelete<span>
<span>Under Roy, I fear we will be hopelessly outplayed by our next opponents.</span>
I will continue to feel this way under Roy.
<span> </span>
<span>I think Roys a likeable man, and I know the "liverpool way" is to support your manager. But I'm honest, I don't think hes good enough, Im not calling for his head, just stating my views.</span>
<span> </span>
<span>Its not based on the results of the first 6 games, but an unchanged 30 year old football philosophy that doesn't cut it at a top club at the top level.</span>
</span>
<p>
ReplyDelete</p><p><span>Look at Jovanovics comments about defending. </span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Or look at Lars Bohinens(played under Roy) comments. Said Roys tactics suit small clubs, not big clubs like Liverpool. <span>http://bohinen.tv2blogg.no/article1981101.ece</span> </span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Torres looks ineffective, and is lacking service, as Carra admited in an interview. </span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Its cause of Roy tactics, its not suited to his strengths. </span>
</p><p><span>Under Rafa, wed press teams, a lot of goals came from pressing high up the pitch, winning the ball + scoring. We'd play AMs between the lines that Torres would thrive off. Now we play our widemen as wingers - not suited to it. Scored 22 goals last season. </span><span>This season hes struggling and will continue to struggle </span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Face it, Rafa for Roy IS a step backwards.
</span>
</p><p><span>I know last season was bad, but I can point to an injury crisis hit squad and "some" players attitudes. I never once thought Rafas entire football philosophy was wrong and didn't suit the players. </span>
</p><p><span>
</span>
</p>
<p><span>At his worst, only bad season, we finished 7th, yes, but we were only 7 points away from 4th. 7 points. </span>
ReplyDelete</p><p><span>Im sure if we didnt have an injury crisis, we would of got at least more than 7 points, and got 4th. </span>
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p><span>I doubt we get close to that under Roy with an injury crisis or without one. </span>
<span>
</span><span><span>Its embarrassing at times, I mean, we made Sunderland look like freaking Barcelona! </span></span><span>
<span> </span>
<span> </span>
<span> </span>
<span>Under Roy, I fear we will be hopelessly outplayed by our next opponents.</span><span> </span><span> </span>
<span>I will continue to feel this way under Roy. </span>
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>
<span>I think Roys a likeable man, and I know the "liverpool way" is to support your manager. But I'm honest, I don't think hes good enough, Im not calling for his head, just stating my views.</span><span> </span><span> </span>
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>
<span>Its not based on the results of the first 6 games, but an unchanged 30 year old football philosophy that doesn't cut it at a top club at the top level.</span><span> </span></span>
</p><p> </p>
<p>Not saying rafa blamless.
ReplyDelete</p><p>
</p><p><span>I know last season was bad, but I can point to an injury crisis hit squad and "some" players attitudes. I never once thought Benitez entire football philosophy was wrong and didn't suit the players.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>At his worst, only bad season, we finished 7th, yes, but we were only 7 points away from 4th. 7 points. </span>
</p><p><span>Im sure if we didnt have an injury crisis, we would of got at least more than 7 points, therefore we would have finished at the very least 4th.</span>
</p><p>
</p><p><span>I doubt we get close to that under Roy with an injury crisis or without one. </span>
<span>
</span><span><span>Its embarrassing at times, I mean, we made Sunderland look like freaking Barcelona! </span></span><span>
<span> </span>
<span> </span>
<span>Under Roy, I fear we will be hopelessly outplayed by our next opponents.</span><span> </span><span> </span>
<span>I will continue to feel this way under Roy. </span>
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>
<span>I think Roys a likeable man, and I know the "liverpool way" is to support your manager. But I'm honest, I don't think hes good enough, Im not calling for his head, just stating my views.</span><span> </span><span> </span>
<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>
<span>Its not based on the results of the first 6 games, but an unchanged 30 year old football philosophy that doesn't cut it at a top club at the top level.</span><span> </span></span></p>
<p>Not saying Rafas blameless.
ReplyDelete</p><p><span>I know last season was bad, but I can point to an injury crisis hit squad and "some" players attitudes. I never once thought Benitez entire football philosophy was wrong and didn't suit the players.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>At his worst, only bad season, we finished 7th, yes, but we were only 7 points away from 4th. 7 points. </span>
</p><p><span>Im sure if we didnt have an injury crisis, we would of got at least more than 7 points, therefore we would have finished at the very least 4th.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p>
</p><p><span>I doubt we get close to that under Roy with an injury crisis or without one.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>I think Roys a likeable man, and I know the "liverpool way" is to support your manager. But I'm honest, I don't think hes good enough, he's out of his depth, and to be fair its not fault. Im not calling for his head, just stating my views.</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Its not based on the results of the first 6 games, but an unchanged 30 year old football philosophy that doesn't cut it at a top club at the top level.</span>
</p>
<p><span>Not saying Rafas blameless. </span>
ReplyDelete</p><p><span>I know last season was bad, but I can point to an injury crisis hit squad and "some" players attitudes. I never once thought Benitez entire football philosophy was wrong and didn't suit the players. </span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>At his worst, only bad season, we finished 7th, yes, but we were only 7 points away from 4th. 7 points. </span>
</p><p><span>Im sure if we didnt have an injury crisis, we would of got at least more than 7 points, therefore we would have finished at the very least 4th.
</span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>I doubt wel get close to that under Roy with an injury crisis or without one. </span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>I think Roys a likeable man, and I know the "liverpool way" is to support your manager. But I'm honest, I don't think hes good enough, he's out of his depth, and to be fair its not his fault that is the case. Im not calling for his head, just stating my views. </span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Its not based on the results of the first 6 games, but an unchanged 30 year old football philosophy that doesn't cut it at a top club at the top level.</span>
</p>
<p><span>Not saying Rafas blameless. </span>
ReplyDelete</p><p><span>I know last season was bad, but I can point to an injury crisis hit squad and "some" players attitudes. I never once thought Benitez entire football philosophy was wrong and didn't suit the players. </span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>At his worst, only bad season, we finished 7th, yes, but we were only 7 points away from 4th. 7 points. </span>
</p><p><span>Im sure if we didnt have an injury crisis, we would of got at least more than 7 points, therefore we would have finished at the very least 4th.
I doubt we get close to that under Roy with an injury crisis or without one. </span>
</p><p><span>Its embarrassing at times, I mean, we made Sunderland look like freaking Barcelona! </span>
</p><p><span> <span>Under Roy, I fear we will be hopelessly outplayed by our next opponents.</span><span> </span><span> </span>
<span> </span></span><span> </span>
</p><p><span>I think Roys a likeable man, and I know the "liverpool way" is to support your manager. But I'm honest, I don't think hes good enough, he's out of his depth, and to be fair its not fault. Im not calling for his head, just stating my views. </span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Its not based on the results of the first 6 games, but an unchanged 30 year old football philosophy that doesn't cut it at a top club at the top level.</span>
</p>
<p><span>Look at Jovanovics comments about defending.</span>
ReplyDelete</p><p>
</p><p><span>Or look at Lars Bohinens(played under Roy) comments. Said Roys tactics suit small clubs, not big clubs like Liverpool. <span>http://bohinen.tv2blogg.no/article1981101.ece</span></span>
</p><p>
</p><p><span>Torres looks ineffective, and is lacking service, as Carra admited in an interview. </span><span> </span><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Its cause of Roy tactics, its not suited to his strengths. </span><span> </span><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Under Rafa, wed press teams, a lot of goals came from pressing high up the pitch, winning the ball + scoring. We'd play AMs between the lines that Torres would thrive off. Now we play our widemen as wingers - not suited to it. Scored 22 goals last season. This season hes struggling and will continue to struggle </span><span> </span><span> </span>
</p><p>
</p><p><span>Face it, Roy for Rafa IS a step backwards.
</span>
</p>
<p><span>Not saying Rafas blameless. </span>
ReplyDelete</p><p><span>I know last season was bad, but I can point to an injury crisis hit squad and "some" players attitudes. I never once thought Benitez entire football philosophy was wrong and didn't suit the players. </span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>At his worst, only bad season, we finished 7th, yes, but we were only 7 points away from 4th. 7 points. </span>
</p><p><span>Im sure if we didnt have an injury crisis, we would of got at least more than 7 points, therefore we would have finished at the very least 4th.
I doubt we get close to that under Roy with an injury crisis or without one. </span>
</p><p><span>Its embarrassing at times, I mean, we made Sunderland look like freaking Barcelona! </span>
</p><p><span>Under Roy, I fear we will be hopelessly outplayed by our next opponents.
</span>
</p><p><span>I think Roys a likeable man, and I know the "liverpool way" is to support your manager. But I'm honest, I don't think hes good enough, he's out of his depth, and to be fair its not fault thats the case. Im not calling for his head, just stating my views.</span>
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p><span>Its not based on the results of the first 6 games, but an unchanged 30 year old football philosophy that doesn't cut it at a top club at the top level.</span>
</p>
<p><span>Look at Jovanovics comments about defending. </span>
ReplyDeleteOr Aggers interview, where he implies hes not being picked cause he doesn't "hoof" the ball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZT2zbqwMng
</p><p>
</p><p><span>Or look at Lars Bohinens(played under Roy) comments. Said Roys tactics suit small clubs, not big clubs like Liverpool. <span>http://bohinen.tv2blogg.no/article1981101.ece</span> </span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>Torres looks ineffective, and is lacking service, as Carra admited in an interview. </span>
</p><p><span>Its cause of Roy tactics, its not suited to his strengths. </span>
</p><p><span>Under Rafa, wed press teams, a lot of goals came from pressing high up the pitch, winning the ball + scoring. We'd play AMs between the lines that Torres would thrive off. Now we play our widemen as wingers - not suited to it. Scored 22 goals last season. This season hes struggling and will continue to struggle </span>
</p><p><span>
</span>
</p><p><span>Face it, Roy for Rafa is a MASSIVE step backwards.</span>
</p>
<p><span>Not saying Rafas blameless. </span>
ReplyDelete</p><p><span>I know last season was bad, but I can point to an injury crisis hit squad and "some" players attitudes. I never once thought Benitez entire football philosophy was wrong and didn't suit the players. </span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>At his worst, only bad season, we finished 7th, yes, but we were only 7 points away from 4th. 7 points. </span>
</p><p><span>Im sure if we didnt have an injury crisis, we would of got at least more than 7 points, therefore we would have finished at the very least 4th.
I doubt we get close to that under Roy with an injury crisis or without one. </span>
</p><p><span>Its embarrassing at times, I mean, we made Sunderland look like freaking Barcelona! </span>
</p><p><span>Under Roy, I fear we will be hopelessly outplayed by our next opponents. </span>
</p><p><span> </span>
</p><p><span>I think Roys a likeable man, and I know the "liverpool way" is to support your manager. But I'm honest, I don't think hes good enough, he's out of his depth, and to be fair its not fault thats the case. Im not calling for his head, just stating my views. </span>
</p><p>
<span>Its not based on the results of the first 6 games, but an unchanged 30 year old football philosophy that doesn't cut it at a top club at the top level.</span></p>
<span>
ReplyDelete<span>Not saying Rafas blameless. <span> </span> </span>
<span>I know last season was bad, but I can point to an injury crisis hit squad and "some" players attitudes. I never once thought Benitez entire football philosophy was wrong and didn't suit the players. <span> </span> </span>
<span> <span> </span> </span>
<span>At his worst, only bad season, we finished 7th, yes, but we were only 7 points away from 4th. 7 points. <span> </span> </span>
<span>Im sure if we didnt have an injury crisis, we would of got at least more than 7 points, therefore we would have finished at the very least 4th.
I doubt well get close to that under Roy with an injury crisis or without one. <span> </span> </span>
<span>Its embarrassing at times, I mean, we made Sunderland look like freaking Barcelona! <span> </span> </span>
<span>Under Roy, I fear we will be hopelessly outplayed by our next opponents. <span> </span> </span>
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<span>I think Roys a likeable man, and I know the "liverpool way" is to support your manager. But I'm honest, I don't think hes good enough, he's out of his depth, and to be fair its not fault thats the case. Im not calling for his head, just stating my views. <span> </span> </span>
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Its not based on the results of the first 6 games, but an unchanged 30 year old football philosophy that doesn't cut it at a top club at the top level.</span>
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ReplyDelete<p><span><span></span></span>
</p><p><span><span>Not saying Rafas blameless. </span></span><span>
<span>I know last season was bad, but I can point to an injury crisis hit squad and "some" players attitudes. I never once thought Benitez entire football philosophy was wrong and didn't suit the players. </span>
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<span>At his worst, only bad season, we finished 7th, yes, but we were only 7 points away from 4th. 7 points. </span>
<span>Im sure if we didnt have an injury crisis, we would of got at least more than 7 points, therefore we would have finished at the very least 4th. </span>
<span>I doubt well get close to that under Roy with an injury crisis or without one. </span></span>
</p><p><span><span></span>
<span>Its embarrassing at times, I mean, we made Sunderland look like freaking Barcelona! </span>
<span>Under Roy, I fear we will be hopelessly outplayed by our next opponents. </span></span>
</p><p><span><span></span>
<span>I think Roys a likeable man, and I know the "liverpool way" is to support your manager. But I'm honest, I don't think hes good enough, he's out of his depth, and to be fair its not his fault thats the case. Im not calling for his head, just stating my views.</span></span>
</p><p><span><span></span>
<span>Its not based on the results of the first 6 games, but an unchanged 30 year old football philosophy that doesn't cut it at a top club at the top level</span></span>
</p></span></span>
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ReplyDelete</p><p><span>Not saying Rafas blameless.
I know last season was bad, but I can point to an injury crisis hit squad and "some" players attitudes. I never once thought Benitez entire football philosophy was wrong and didn't suit the players.
At his worst, only bad season, we finished 7th, yes, but we were only 7 points away from 4th. 7 points.
Im sure if we didnt have an injury crisis, we would of got at least more than 7 points, therefore we would have finished at the very least 4th.
I doubt well get close to that under Roy with an injury crisis or without one. </span><span> </span>
</p><p><span>
Its embarrassing at times, I mean, we made Sunderland look like freaking Barcelona!
Under Roy, I fear we will be hopelessly outplayed by our next opponents. </span><span> </span>
</p><p><span>
I think Roys a likeable man, and I know the "liverpool way" is to support your manager. But I'm honest, I don't think hes good enough, he's out of his depth, and to be fair its not his fault thats the case. Im not calling for his head, just stating my views.</span><span> </span>
</p><p><span>
Its not based on the results of the first 6 games, but an unchanged 30 year old football philosophy that doesn't cut it at a top club at the top level</span>
</p>
But that was under Benitez a much better manager than the clown we have now.... Makes all the Rafa bashing look so silly. If Oneill was to replace Roy we'd be looking at slipping even further and when he's playing Poulsen and Konk will you still be blaming Benitez! It seems the Internet warriors show very little understanding of football especially the ones agreeing with Kanweer ..... Delete delete delete!!!
ReplyDeleteBut that was under Benitez a much better manager than the clown we have now.... Makes all the Rafa bashing look so silly. If Oneill was to replace Roy we'd be looking at slipping even further and when he's playing Poulsen and Konk will you still be blaming Benitez! It seems the Internet warriors show very little understanding of football especially the ones agreeing with Kanweer ..... Delete delete delete!!!
ReplyDeleteYup I remember that season, Liverpool gone on to win 12 straight games and without concealing a goal for 10 games, after a 1-4 defeat at anfield by chelsea, one of the best run of games in the club's history. I seriously doubt we could achieve that this season...
ReplyDeleteYup I remember that season, Liverpool gone on to win 12 straight games and without concealing a goal for 10 games, after a 1-4 defeat at anfield by chelsea, one of the best run of games in the club's history. I seriously doubt we could achieve that this season...
ReplyDeleteOMG beaten by Blackpool at HOME...what you got to say about that Jaimie???
ReplyDeleteAnd I thought we can beat Blackpool...next EVERTON away...we are looking more and more like a team fighting for survival
ReplyDeleteThat is really unfair! IMO very few could have taken over when he did and accomplished what he did with the club's resources at his disposal. 2 CL finals in his first 3 years! How many have Fergie or Wenger gotten to in their time? You were never fair with Rafa, never! Always used the gross spend and never the net, but a business is not run that way and LFC is a business!!! And that's what the board want from a manager. The fact he was ruthless in improving the squad and had the balls to risk buying his 3rd or 4th choice transfer targets is admirable. Momo for example was Rafa's beloved but he sold him to raise funds for a better player in Masch. Crouch and Bellamy for Torres. I wish Jamie, that you would do what you ask others to do and be objective and fair towards Rafa.
ReplyDeletevs Blackpool shown everything..die hard fans chanting about Daglish..
ReplyDeletenow we at the basement so call relagation zone..whats next??
I`m not Jaimie..Roy is kidding now..
ReplyDelete