After Liverpool's pitiful 2-0 home defeat to West Brom on Monday, Reds coach Brendan Rodgers basically accepted mediocrity by proclaiming that he couldn't fault his players for the defeat. Anyone who watched the game knows that players were very much at fault, and deserved criticism, but once again, Rodgers didn't have the balls to tell it like it is. The pattern continued again last night with his assessment of the club's 2-0 defeat to Zenit St.Petersburg, which - with all due respect - smacked of staggering self-deception.
After a toothless attacking performance and another abject defensive display, Rodgers made the following observation:
"We're very disappointed to have lost the game. After that opening spell, when they had too much space, I thought it was a near perfect away performance"
This really is an insult to the intelligence. Does Rodgers really expect Liverpool fans to believe that a 2-0 defeat constitutes a 'near perfect away performance'? Seriously, on what planet is he living?
* Shambolic defensive mistakes yet again.
* Lots of poor finishing.
* Endlessly giving the ball away.
* Zenit had more possession overall.
* LFC's lowest possession stats of the season.
* Zenit had not played a competitive game for TWO MONTHS.
Beating Barcelona 2-1 at the Nou Camp in the 2006-7 Champions League is an example of a 'near-perfect away performance'. Ditto Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Juventus at the Stadio delle Alpi during the club's CL run in 2005.
Fans are more likely to be forgiving in defeat if the manager tells the truth about the performance/result, but Rodgers continually tries to pull the wool over the fans' eyes with his hollow, cloying post-game revisionism.
I totally understand that Liverpool are in transition, and there will be hiccups along the way to achieving the manager's vision. Indeed, I've argued all season that long-term thinking is required by fans, and that the bigger picture is what matters. However, Rodgers continued gross overpraise of players, and ill-advised comments like the above just make him look like a desperate amateur who's completely out of his depth**.
I've said it once and I'll say it again: Rodgers clearly has a serious inferiority complex. He is so desperate to keep his infinitely more famous senior players onside that he is afraid of rocking the boat and upsetting them. He'd rather massage their egos and give unwarranted praise than tell it like it is, and the 'near-perfect performance' comment is yet another example of that.
Can you imagine Rafa Benitez describing last night's performance and result as 'near-perfect'? How about Ferguson, Mourinho, Wenger or Louis Van Gaal, who wanted the LFC job last summer? Winners do not make lame excuses for defeat, and with his constant kowtowing to the players, Rodgers is showing that he lacks the personal authority of a real winner.
It is a major problem. A manager who is afraid of upsetting his players is, basically, a lame duck. How can Rodgers operate effectively if he's constantly treading on eggshells trying to avoid putting noses out of joint? No one is suggesting Rodgers should slam the players after every bad performance/result, but for the love of God, stop making ridiculous comments that have no connection with reality and insult the intelligence of fans.
I believe in Rodgers' vision, but he needs to stop treating the fans like idiots. Keeping the fanbase onside is vital, but if he keeps coming out with comments like this after defeats, fan support for his 'project' will fade away sooner rather than later.
** I don't believe this is true, but it's the impression Rodgers gives off with his ill-advised comments.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
After a toothless attacking performance and another abject defensive display, Rodgers made the following observation:
"We're very disappointed to have lost the game. After that opening spell, when they had too much space, I thought it was a near perfect away performance"
This really is an insult to the intelligence. Does Rodgers really expect Liverpool fans to believe that a 2-0 defeat constitutes a 'near perfect away performance'? Seriously, on what planet is he living?
* Shambolic defensive mistakes yet again.
* Lots of poor finishing.
* Endlessly giving the ball away.
* Zenit had more possession overall.
* LFC's lowest possession stats of the season.
* Zenit had not played a competitive game for TWO MONTHS.
Beating Barcelona 2-1 at the Nou Camp in the 2006-7 Champions League is an example of a 'near-perfect away performance'. Ditto Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Juventus at the Stadio delle Alpi during the club's CL run in 2005.
Fans are more likely to be forgiving in defeat if the manager tells the truth about the performance/result, but Rodgers continually tries to pull the wool over the fans' eyes with his hollow, cloying post-game revisionism.
I totally understand that Liverpool are in transition, and there will be hiccups along the way to achieving the manager's vision. Indeed, I've argued all season that long-term thinking is required by fans, and that the bigger picture is what matters. However, Rodgers continued gross overpraise of players, and ill-advised comments like the above just make him look like a desperate amateur who's completely out of his depth**.
I've said it once and I'll say it again: Rodgers clearly has a serious inferiority complex. He is so desperate to keep his infinitely more famous senior players onside that he is afraid of rocking the boat and upsetting them. He'd rather massage their egos and give unwarranted praise than tell it like it is, and the 'near-perfect performance' comment is yet another example of that.
Can you imagine Rafa Benitez describing last night's performance and result as 'near-perfect'? How about Ferguson, Mourinho, Wenger or Louis Van Gaal, who wanted the LFC job last summer? Winners do not make lame excuses for defeat, and with his constant kowtowing to the players, Rodgers is showing that he lacks the personal authority of a real winner.
It is a major problem. A manager who is afraid of upsetting his players is, basically, a lame duck. How can Rodgers operate effectively if he's constantly treading on eggshells trying to avoid putting noses out of joint? No one is suggesting Rodgers should slam the players after every bad performance/result, but for the love of God, stop making ridiculous comments that have no connection with reality and insult the intelligence of fans.
I believe in Rodgers' vision, but he needs to stop treating the fans like idiots. Keeping the fanbase onside is vital, but if he keeps coming out with comments like this after defeats, fan support for his 'project' will fade away sooner rather than later.
** I don't believe this is true, but it's the impression Rodgers gives off with his ill-advised comments.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
I'll say it again - the job's too big for him. I want to support him too but he is showing all the traits of someone who blags himself into a job - all talk no action, always wanting to curry up to the people he thinks are on a higher level than him etc. He has nice ideas but that inferiority complex will cost him. He's supposed to be the boss so be the boss!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like he was playing for a draw then. IMO you should never play for a draw, no matter what. Because you leave yourself open to constant pressure which can lead to goals, which is what happened last night. Suarez had no one around him, we looked like a long ball team, just lumping it to him and hoping for the best.
ReplyDeleteIm starting to lose faith in Rodgers now. His lack of 'balls' in critising players is a problem.
BR sounds like a used car salesman , lots of useless talk
ReplyDeleteJaimie, I agree with most of what you have said. It makes his earlier calls about we can make 2nd and we can get top 4 (the latter only a couple of weeks ago) seem ludicrous. Almost like he was pandering to a fan base that would have questioned his ambition had he not come out and said it.
ReplyDeleteYesterday you praised him for having the 'balls' to drop Agger (a senior player) yet now say he's afraid to rock the boat with them - which is it? There have been occasions when he has openly (publicly) criticised players and it's had a positive effect (Hendo, Downing, Enrique) so that would suggest he's also probably doing it in private.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong the last two results have been awful, and nobody should be excused examination for that. But I can't help thinking that all this focus on Rogers post-match comments lets players off the hook.
Suarez was as much to blame for missing so many chances, tho can be excused given overall record this season. Had he taken any of those the whole perspective could have been different. But my main concern is that too many players put in a couple of decent performances and then believe their own hype (our priority next season has surely got to be a couple of commanding centre backs).
What exactly is it about this "vision" that you believe in so much Jamie? I realise your opinions on Rodger's have changed since your initial assessment but you still talk about his "vision", "project", "bigger picture", "long term thinking" etc etc. What has he actually done to install any belief?
ReplyDeleteNotice opposing managers know the easy way to defeat Liverpool? just praise Liverpool before the match, last week Clarke: Liverpool playing bets football in the league.
ReplyDeleteLaudrup: Liverpool are on the up.
Then just show the slightest resistance to our weak spineless cowards on the pitch and watch them roll over, im absolutely disgusted, sickened and embaressed, the squad is rotten to the core and we have a clueless inept moron as so called 'manager', get some money on swansea!.
Rodgers, Pascoe, Marsh OUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!
The job isn't too big for him at all. You have unrealistic expectations! We, thanks to KK, have one of the weakest squads we've had in a while and also thanks to KK again, no money to spend.
ReplyDeleteBR inherited a squad with 5 international experienced players outgoing due to mismanagement and a very limited budget. (Outgoing players CB, MR, DK, JC, AA, FA) That doesn't include JS or CA because they were never good enough to start with.
You should be able to see that this isn't just about getting results this season, its about a season or 2 from now when the plan is closer to realisation. We'll experience some ups and downs along the way but get behind BR and the team... going to the match might actually help for a few!
Redraider u had my vote hehehe.... i would like mention GLEN is not a good RB....y BR keep playing him at there....he should play him at RM more suit his style....n since LFC playing 4-5-1/ 4-3-3 is not that impress me....i prefer 4-4-2 for current squad we had....we had good player in hand just miss placed....AGGER should be DM or DOWNING not suit at all RW....
ReplyDeleteThere's no damn vision... There's only mediocrity and STUPIDITY...
ReplyDeleteHis post match conferences are all the same...
We win, we draw, we lose...
"Its been a fantastic performance, the players deserve a lot of credit... Blah blah blah..."
Stupidity, my dear friends, has no limits...
Whether Agger was actually dropped is unknown at this time. That's just my guess. Rodgers is bound to be asked about it in his press conference this afternoon, and I'm sure he'll say that he 'rested' Agger.
ReplyDeleteIt was premature. Signing a young player is different to a young manager. The player can be dropped to reserves level, or loaned out. What is going to be painful is watching BR make all the mistakes he has to make in order to learn. But instead of it being at a legitimate mid-table club, it'll be at Liverpool. Which is sad, because with Carragher already realizing it'll take an age for BR to be what Liverpool need him to be, Suarez will be off to find a more ambitious club in the summer, and Gerrard's clock is ticking too. BR has potential, but then all top managers did, while making mistakes at smaller clubs before cracking a top job. If we are all to lower our expectations so drastically, why was Dalglish sacked? Bad transfers - as if we're all ecstatic about the Allen, Borini, Sahin and Assaidi signings. And being out of both domestic cups, very nearly the European cup, and in a worse position than Dalglish was 12 months ago. Where have we progressed, other than our passing game. which would naturally be better since players are more settled than last season, and well, they're good enough to pass no matter who's coaching them. Last season top 4 was expected, and missed, and so heads rolled. What's the objective this season then?
ReplyDeleteHe wont stop, that is just who he is, Original Chan posted up a great line from him, after Swansea lost to Sunderland. The bases of it was he said something like this "It is good the Sunderland fans got to see what this team everyone is talking about is, how amazing we played" They lost.
ReplyDeleteBR, like him or hate him, will always talk like that.
To start, I don't really give a sh8t in what he says in interviews after the game, cos like you I believe in what he is trying to do. But have to say I always enjoy his interview before and after games. I think he comes across as a very honest and decent man. I doubt he says some things "to question fans intelligence". That is more stupid then what he said. If he thinks they played very well for most of the game then let him. For example if Suarez converted half of his chances we would be talking about how good Pool were. I think his interviews are always more interesting then the lark we heard from Kenny last year or the bullying you see from likes of Ferguson. With so many interviews he obviously may say one of the two things over the top.....
ReplyDeleteMy opinions haven't really changed, I'm just more critical of him now than I was earlier in the season. Unlike Dalglish, Hodgson and (arguably) Benitez near the end of his tenure, Rodgers clearly has a specific plan he's trying to implement at LFC, and this involves:
ReplyDelete* Re-aligning the style of football to fit LFC's historically successful pass and move philosophy.
* Installing a new system of play at the club
* Prioritising the development of young players
* Reducing the average age of the squad
* Building a possession/pressing based philosophy at the club.
Rodgers is passionate about his ideas, and he's not just blindly winging-it from one week to the next. This makes a huge difference IMO. I'd rather have a man with a plan at the helm than someone without a longer-term strategy.
Short term pain for long-term gain is what the club is experiencing right now. I wrote this season off before it even started, and my only hope was that we'd finish higher in the league than last season. That's still possible.
Yes, other managers like Clarke and Laudrup have taken on new jobs this season and have done better, but where will West Brom and Swansea be in 2-3 years? I doubt they'll be in the CL, but I have no doubt Liverpool will be.
One of his Rodgers' major mistakes is placing too much trust in the senior players already at the club. He probably looked at Agger, Skrtel, Reina et al and thought 'Yes, these are top players', and why wouldn't he think that? However, he's learned that they're basically too error-prone for the long term, which maybe explains why he hasn't replaced them yet.
Rodgers has bought badly so far, but every manager makes transfer mistakes, and he'll hopefully learn from his very quickly, and once he's had time to overhaul the squad properly, things will get better.
I see the this season and the next two in the following terms:
2012-13: Learn, assess, and overhaul.
2013-14: Build, consolidate and improve.
2014-15: Deliver the goods (i.e. CL qual/league challenge)
I really hope this turns out to be true.
ReplyDeleteI cant wait to hear the Champions League music at Anfield again.
Jaimie, I happen to agree with you in this case.
ReplyDeleteHere's my question to you: What would you prefer that he say?
You mention that you'd prefer he tell the truth. How would you prefer he say it?
Near perfect analysis Jaimie - Given enough rope he will hang himself
ReplyDeletethe 3 year plan has turned into a 3 month plan with some of our "success now armchair fans", we were never going to challenge for the title this year or next, a cup would of been a bonus but hey ho it hasn't happened this season. but, he is steering us the right way and BR should have everyones support!!
ReplyDeletetotally agree(except about him having more time)the worst thing is his after match comments they are starting to border on the ridiculas he should get himself to speck savers
ReplyDeleteYou said it!!
ReplyDeleteBrendan Rogers lost my support when he stated that the players could not be blamed for losing at home to West Brom! Unbelievable! I am convinced Man Utd turn around so many games at the end because the players are shit scared of Fergie....he would never tolerate such a result and someone would be on the receiving end of a boot! We need a manager with "cojones"
ReplyDeleteIn this case, just don't say it was a 'near perfect performance'. In his other comments, Rodgers said it was disappointing etc, and that's fair comment and it's enough.
ReplyDeleteI personally would prefer the following:
* Reserve superlatives (outstanding, terrific, amazing etc) for when Liverpool WIN.
* Those labels should never be used when the team draws or loses, no matter how good the performance.
* Tone down the sycophantic praise of individuals. Instead of saying 'he was outstanding', focus on something specific. i.e. 'Gerrard's through ball for Suarez was sublime' etc.
* If Liverpool lose, explain why we lost, and what needs improvement. Don't go on about how amazing the performance was. It doesn't matter: we lost.
* When the performance is clearly lacking, don't give the players a pass by saying 'I can't fault them. They were fantastic'.
* Stop going on about players' effort. This is their job! They are paid obscenely well, and the minimum requirement is 100% effort. They shouldn't be praised for something that is a pre-requisite.
Seriously, if I ever have enough money I will buy LFC (!) and the manager will have to adhere to these guidelines or face the sack. I would also completely overhaul the club's PR policy (amongst dozens of other things)
A few more defeats, starting with swansea at the weekend, will see some more of the indoctrinated Rodgers lovers wake up.
ReplyDeleteI always though i'd give Rodgers a season, then judge him, but can't see us changing much, between no and then, so now i think he's not up to the job. Allen, Borini Assiadi, that's £30 millions worth of crap! Can't see how Downings improved so much he gets a start ( another load of crap, but that was KK's mistake ) and Sturridge only looks good 'cos the rest of the team is so poor. FSG wiil certainly take a good look in the summer, suprised if he'll still be with us. The fans have been kind to him up 'till now, but they won't be fooled much longer.
ReplyDeleteI used to think the players are letting Rodgers down, they are the ones responsible to play out the tactics and get the result. But then I think about Rodgers, he doesnt have a plan B. His plan B is currently at West Ham wearing the number 9 shirt.
ReplyDeleteAt Wembley last season, Carroll and Suarez up front caused carnage. Imagine Carroll as the focal point with Suarez and Sturridge buzzing around him. With a central midfield of Lucas, Gerrard and Henderson and Johnson bombing on down the right flank, thats a pretty serious team in my head.
Sterling is young and he has signed a new contract so isnt going anywhere unless we get a stupid bid for him.
Shelvey just isnt good enough. Bags of energy and passion but doesnt have the skill to warrant a place.
I feel sorry for Joe Allen. He isnt a £15m player and his performances have shown that.
I also feel sorry for Fabio Borini. This guy was at one Italian club who then sold 50% of his ownership back to Roma for about £8m, who was then sold onto Liverpool for £10m. The figures I use are estimates by the way not factually correct.
So I dont think Fabio ever wanted to come to Liverpool, he was forced to because the money we offered was silly.
It's hard to keep the faith when we win a game every three or four. It used to be that we would lose one game in four.
I loved the bit about growing pains, more like rigor mortis!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd get Suarez in line or sack him lol ;P
ReplyDeleteIn our past 5 games we have conceded 2 or more goals.
ReplyDeleteI would've intervened already re Suarez and sacked him myself ;-)
ReplyDeleteLast season top 4 was a fair objective considering the huge amount of money spent by Dalglish and Comolli. Things are different this season; much lower financial outlay.
ReplyDeleteSteyg - Please do not personally insult Rodgers.
ReplyDeleteIn the words of James Carville from Old School:
ReplyDelete"Oh... It... We... Have No Response. That Was Perfect."
Just as I suspected: Rodgers just said he rested Agger for this weekend. He also claimed he's been 'absolutely outstanding' this season.
ReplyDelete*shoots self*
"My opinions havnt changed Im just more critical than I was at the start of the season" ?.
ReplyDeleteRodgers showed his lack of knowledge of the european game, he is poor making substitutions, Stirling should have come off well before he did. lucas our best player in the last match is left out for brendons pet buy.
ReplyDeleteTrue that :)
ReplyDeleteOpinion as in to give him time for his plan,and to more critical because hes in the job longer and should know how to use his best players etc etc. (I think)
ReplyDeleteI know there are a growing group of supporters looking for Rodgers' head but if we sack him now it would just set back the club even further unless the likes of Mourino came (which is zero chance),so if he gets next season,The summer transfer window will be where his fate will be decided down the line
ReplyDeleteits as simple as this, our squad is far too average so were not clinical enough. were the first team in europe to reach 500 shots on goal, which shows rodgers style is working, but the right players are just not in the right positions, meaning our squad is too average
ReplyDeletei know we havent got alot of funds anymore, but rodgers did say that the business done in january was just what they had missed out on in the summer, so this summer, a good £50-60million needs to be invested into players with players also being sold to provide more funds or our club is at a big risk of becoming just history. rodgers cannot afford to go for players such as borini, allen as this will not improve the squad. he needs to really study and scout his players with as much care as possible and get the best out of the funds given to him.
the two players holding up our club are basically on the verge of leaving. this was basically our only season to get the best out of gerrard and suarez. suarez is much too good for the average players around him and although he loves liverpool so much, a guy of this quality cannot be without champions league and if he were to leave would have my blessing and remain in my heart forever as i know he only gives his all for the club and as fans that is all we ask for, and to be fair to him, if we did qualify for champions league, he would not leave, which says alot about his character and how much he really loves the club. gerrard is our captain and has been for a long time but after the 2014 world cup would have lost ambition for the game, and with livepool not at its best, will probably retire. after these two leave, serious replacements will need to be made as these are VERY crucial players in our starting 11.
In the words of Benitez "Facts" - BR record from 42 games (excluded the 3 friendlies which would make it worse):
ReplyDeleteWin percentage 43% Lose percentage 31% draws 26%:
And its getting worse not better:
2013 from 9 games: Won 33% Lost 44% draw 22%
its as simple as this, were not clinical enough and our squad is far too average. were actually look like a mid-table side and this is because we have too many average players in our squad. theres only about 3 players in our team who could make it in the worlds top 5 which says alot about the club and how much of a slump we have taken in recent years.
ReplyDeletesuarez and gerrard hold up our club right now and these 2 players are basically on the verge of leaving. Luis Suarez is WORLD CLASS and despite how much he loves liverpool, he is far too good for the average players around him and a player of this quality has to be able to show this in the champions league. sadly for him this wont be with liverpool. and to be fair to him if he were to leave, he would leave with my blessing and remain in my heart forever as i know he gives his all for the club and thats all the fans can ask for + i know if we had qualified for CL he would stay. Gerrard is our captain and eve with suarez on the pitch we just dont look the same kind of side without stevie in the midfield, no matter how old he gets. gerrard seems to be the only player really on suarez's wavelength on the pitch and sturridge is starting to show signs of it too. but after the 2014 world cup, i reckon gerrard will lose ambition and call it a day with liverpool no longer at the heights it once was.
wee the first team in europe to have had 500 shots on goal, which shows rodgers philosophy is working but our squad is just too average to turn those 500 shots into at least 200 goals. our club is at serious risk of becoming literally just HISTORY and a major investment needs to be made in the summer. rodgers did say the business done in january was what was not completed in the summer, so this summer we should look to give him at least £60M. rodgers needs to really think hard about the players he signs and if they have what it takes to play for liverpool and cant afford to sign the likes of allen, borini (26M combined) who are average players and wont improve our side. if suarez leaves the club should not try to sign a player who would be cheaper but use all the funds from him to properly replace him with someone of his ability. and just like how we have to make a proper investment to replace carragher, when gerrard decides to call it a day we must do the exact same.
its as simple as this, were not clinical enough and our squad is far too average. were actually look like a mid-table side and this is because we have too many average players in our squad. theres only about 3 players in our team who could make it in the worlds top 5 which says alot about the club and how much of a slump we have taken in recent years.
ReplyDeletesuarez and gerrard hold up our club right now and these 2 players are basically on the verge of leaving. Luis Suarez is WORLD CLASS and despite how much he loves liverpool, he is far too good for the average players around him and a player of this quality has to be able to show this in the champions league. sadly for him this wont be with liverpool. and to be fair to him if he were to leave, he would leave with my blessing and remain in my heart forever as i know he gives his all for the club and thats all the fans can ask for + i know if we had qualified for CL he would stay. Gerrard is our captain and eve with suarez on the pitch we just dont look the same kind of side without stevie in the midfield, no matter how old he gets. gerrard seems to be the only player really on suarez's wavelength on the pitch and sturridge is starting to show signs of it too. but after the 2014 world cup, i reckon gerrard will lose ambition and call it a day with liverpool no longer at the heights it once was.
wee the first team in europe to have had 500 shots on goal, which shows rodgers philosophy is working but our squad is just too average to turn those 500 shots into at least 200 goals. our club is at serious risk of becoming literally just HISTORY and a major investment needs to be made in the summer. rodgers did say the business done in january was what was not completed in the summer, so this summer we should look to give him at least £60M. rodgers needs to really think hard about the players he signs and if they have what it takes to play for liverpool and cant afford to sign the likes of allen, borini (26M combined) who are average players and wont improve our side. if suarez leaves the club should not try to sign a player who would be cheaper but use all the funds from him to properly replace him with someone of his ability. and just like how we have to make a proper investment to replace carragher, when gerrard decides to call it a day we must do the exact same.
+1
ReplyDeleteThanks Stu.
Much money was spent last term, but shouldn't we expect so many new faces to take time to gel. KD must be some kind of genius to get such 'average' players to 2 cup finals and win one.
ReplyDeleteLet's not belittle the amount of money BR has spent thus far. He's spent in excess of £50M with only one of his buys (Sturridge) looking half way decent. I do expect great things of Coutinho, however.
said that many times before mate .... unfortunalty 2 many supporters like the salesman talk
ReplyDeleteAlthough IMO BR has to take some responsibility for some of the results (taking off Henderson v WBA for example and seriously weakening the midfield, not playing 3 at the back v Stoke...) he is not to blame against Zenith. Liverpool were actually quite comfortable in the 2nd half until Downing lost the ball in midfield to Hulk, a criminal mistake to make against good European teams. The second goal was also an error, this time Johnson switching off. You can't blame BR for Suarez missing several chances last night. Everyone knew this season would be a transition one and yet we lose a few games and people are calling for his head. Too many fans have become hysterical in the last few years..we win a game and we are world beaters, lose one and we are the worst club in the world. I like the style BR has brought to the club but I also think we need a bit more steel, particularly at center-half. We also need a plan B for certain games. It is disappointing that we can play so well at Arsenal and City and so poorly against WBA. But a lot of our players are capable of making costly mistakes, as we have found out too often this season.
ReplyDeleteNice points, apart from the West Ham No. 9 (I believe AC wears No. 8 there though). Carroll is a donkey & 'll end up in Championship soon. No pace, no skill, horrible first touch, no position sense & too heavy to turn.
ReplyDeleteWest Ham is probably the closest team to express his strengths & the hammers are already looking for his replacement. Most of our problem started when we spent 35mn for AC.
1. At least 25mn was wasted for his purchase. He never was, is or 'll be a more than 10mn player
2. To utilize his so called potential, we spent silly money for Downing & Adam
3. To accommodate those players KD off-loaded quality ball players like Mirales & never gave due chances to Acqualini. Under BR's system both could have been terrific players
4. Our football ignorant Yank owners came with very high hopes & spirits. But they burnt their fingers through his purchase & we don't have money & the owners have become too cautious.
5. We build the team for AC, which was a sky-hoof English game of 70s & 80s; it didn't work obviously with so many quality ball players playing now days in BPL, the incompetent Manager was sacked & rightly so. Now the new Manager is trying to play the team more on grass than air - we call it trying to fit a squire peg in round hole.
The earlier we sell AC is the better. He is depreciating at 300% annually.
Some may call that Progress , i call that disgusting ....
ReplyDeletei was always brought up to believe you get your defence right first then the rest will follow..well last year jaimie we got the defense right ...this year our defence is a shambles we are going backwards
ReplyDeletethen I really am losing patience with Rodgers !!
ReplyDeleteI think come Swansea you see Liverpool fans walking out early again, then without doubt its over for him.
I like the optimism but I can only agree with some of what you say.
ReplyDeleteYes he has a plan but all managers do. The difference is Rodgers talks a lot as if he has to sell himself and his ideas, at times it is cringeworthy.
I feel that although you are clearly not fooled by his ridiculous after match comments you have been easily convinced by his words about his vision etc. At the end of the day its actions that matter not words and he has done little to back his words up with I'm afraid. What has he done?
I know as you said there have been some good performance this seasons but there were last season too and our results against teams above us were better.
He brought in Sahin and spent money on Borini, Allen, Assaidi. Yet none of these players now seem to be part of his vision. That to me is worrying.
alot of what you have said is true but KK also contributed massively the current horror show of liverpool. he spent 100m all on completely average players who shined for their average, mid-table clubs and this really hurt the club. were now basically living in a nightmare daglish started.
ReplyDeleteBR is the blind leading the blind with all the pro Rodgers brigade
ReplyDeleteTo be fair Comolli has to take some of the blame for the poor signings in the KK Era as well
ReplyDeletenet wise what kenny and rogers have spent isnt that different ...carroll fee was offset by torez and arguably 3 of our best players in hendo downing and enrique are kenny signings so you have no argument,,,rogers has spent big on players who cant make the team...there come a point where you cant blame the predessor kenny inherited rubbish from roy and rafa ...cue aquaman poulsen cole..the bald rightback...and the player who was the next henry who we shipped off to germany
ReplyDeleteid like him to do well but i dont think he can or will ...if we get beat by swansea hell be close to his walking papers and rightly so
ReplyDeleteoldham played skyhoof against us and whooped us
ReplyDeleteif near perfect is losing 2 nil what is perfect or bad ....i may start using that excuse when explaing my figures at work when i miss....
ReplyDeletewe where average and got beat 2 nil would be a start
ReplyDeletethat entire sentance sums the guy up...walter mitty
ReplyDeletenet spend isnt much different
ReplyDeletein the words of Bane...do you feel like the boss
ReplyDeleteBang on the money JK
ReplyDelete"Can you imagine rafa calling it a near perfect result?" No, but then neither did Rodgers. Result is not the same as Performance. Learn the difference. I realise we're all a bit unhappy, but you're now shooting holes for no reason.
ReplyDeleteAnd in case your memory is not so good, Rafa praised poor performances all the time when he was in charge, as did Kenny, as have most managers. In fact the default is to praise the performance and say thigns didn't go our way, but there were positives. All managers do that.
Occasionally a performance is so bad that it requires the manager to say so, but that's a rarity.
We are already preparing EXCUSES FOR SWANSEA ON SUNDAY = why is borini at anfield ?????????????
ReplyDeleteYou reflect my sentiments exactly...
ReplyDeleteI do fear for next season though and could not bear another like this one.
I came out at the start of season believing in the 'plan' and bought into it wholeheartedly, but his signings (apart from DS and PC, who we haven't really seen yet) have seriously underperformed. My optimism is waning.....
I really want to be holding my hands up and stating "what was I worried about?" by the end of next season. Just can't shake the feeling I will be taking it on the chin from all the fans who dismiss the current regime....
And you'd trust BR for another season ?
ReplyDeleteAND let him brin in MORE P Poor avarage players like Borini.??
Jamie, in his defence how many managers are critical of their players in public?
ReplyDeleteHow do we know Rodgers is going to bring us success - we don't.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment he is coming across as a one tactic bullshitter who does no homework on the opposition and who does not seem to give a shit about defending - one area we have regressed on massively since he came to the club. He is starting to sound more and more bizarre with his excuses - almost like Roy Hodgson.
The team is split on the pitch - the attack are too high and the defence too deep, which is why we have been so vulnerable to counter attacks ALL season. Our build up is painfully pedestrian, while the opposition get back into position and park the bus - what a joy it would be to see Pepe kick or throw the ball out quickly again, to start an attack.
Rogers has to stop the bullshit and change his beloved philosophy and quickly as the empty seats will rack up at Anfield and John Henry will have no choice.
Yeah, i want a manager that strikes fear in the players and this will push them to their limits... No more lazy performances... You get paid lavishly, so you work your socks off...
ReplyDeleteWho asked for only beautiful football??!!
For me, the beauty lies in passionate football... With players putting their bodies on the line... Running like their lives depended on it... But that my friend, is a dream...