Portsmouth 2-0 Liverpool - POST MATCH

[el matador]

Thats partly true, but the most significant factor was Scholari at Chelsea. We would've finished 3rd had Hiddink been there all season.

I agree with the rest though, 2 defensive midfielders and one up front will not win the EPL and the problem now is that several other teams have a fair bit of money to spend, and some of those play more attacking football.

Our starting 11 is still enough to make some of those sides mouths water, so although they may have spent more money recently than us, the actual value of our 11 against theirs shows that we should be doing far better than them. Now, with Villa, Spurs and Citeh spending a bit, playing this type of footy will produce less fruit in the form of cl football. It was fine a few years ago when we could pretty much guarantee a top 4 finish, but that all changed this season and we'll have to win more games. The goalposts have moved and Rafa needs to adapt.

I think that this season people have figured out how to play against this 4231 system which is designed to be a counter attacking system.

Rafa doesnt realise that teams over here are content to sit back to play for a point and its up to us to break them down whereas in spain even the lesser teams will play attacking football. There is no way that kuyt, dossena, insua, or lucas are good enough to create a consistent number of chances for the one striker that we have.

Its simple, we dont have enough creative players like arshavin, giggs or even joe cole. We have hard working defensive players will little or no flair or incisiveness going forward - gerrard and possibly yossi apart.

Rafa wont change this system because he believes 100% it works whereas the rest of us realise it doesnt - in this league.

[gaz01]

Snap

me too

[el matador]

Kenny is not the answer and I'm sure he's said as much fairly recently. Enough is enough though.

if rafa goes then until the end of the season he and we may have no other choice.

Besides he's got sammy and if he brings in phil thompson then he's got a solid support team added to what's already there.

[gaz01]

I think that this season people have figured out how to play against this 4231 system which is designed to be a counter attacking system.

Rafa doesnt realise that teams over here are content to sit back to play for a point and its up to us to break them down whereas in spain even the lesser teams will play attacking football. There is no way that kuyt, dossena, insua, or lucas are good enough to create a consistent number of chances for the one striker that we have.

Its simple, we dont have enough creative players like arshavin, giggs or even joe cole. We have hard working defensive players will little or no flair or incisiveness going forward - gerrard and possibly yossi apart.

Rafa wont change this system because he believes 100% it works whereas the rest of us realise it doesnt - in this league.

I totally agree with that, Rafa will never second guess himself which is fine if you're right but clearly he's not now.

[SimonNo7]

Sunderland have pulled one back.

[Mattshark]

well, the fact that Hiddinks form extended across the entire season would've won the league gives it a little weight you numpty.

No, you can't factor in any other changes that could have happened before that, it is a meaningless argument.

[el matador]

No, you can't factor in any other changes that could have happened before that, it is a meaningless argument.

no i dont think it is.

[DannyMan2006]

Rafa wont change this system because he believes 100% it works whereas the rest of us realise it doesnt - in this league.

Any system is good enough with the right players. Last season we had an inform Riera then Yossi and Kuyt on the wings, whilst Xabi played the best football he has ever done.

Plus when Torres was out we had Robbie Keane to lead the line.

4231 works, but it needs creative players on the flanks and one of the DM to know what to do with a ball at his feet.

[Darkon]

God this is depressing - thankfully I'm going to get ****faced tonight - and hopefully waking up to better news than I can possibly expect!

anyone know what Rafa's commented after the game?

[ex_KT_red4ever]

I'm so utterly confused and I don't know what I want

Me too. I have no idea wtf is going on anymore... apart from supporting LFC is proving to be very very painful at the moment...

I cannot understand why we aren't seeing Aquilani on the pitch for games... spending £20 Million on a player - who doesn't play just doesn't add up IMO.

My Dad (LFC Supporter from Litherland and lifetime Red) told me some weeks ago he has no idea now what Rafa is doing and cannot understand his selections... I backed Rafa then... now though... even I am starting to wonder... I stupidly thought we'd put down a marker at Portsmouth.. Manure went 1 nil down and won 1 - 4... we go one nil down and loose 2 - 0...

Sorry but I am so so ****ing down!

Right... back to www.lemans.org - at least Aston Martin Racing give a decent account of themselves!

[FatTony]

No, you can't factor in any other changes that could have happened before that, it is a meaningless argument.

like **** it is, they have a better squad and Hiddink is a better manager. Scholari didn't know how to manage the ego's at club level, Hiddink did, simple as that. Hiddink wouldn't and didn't drop Drogba.

Meaningless my ass, continue pursuing your blinkered views, I love the comedy value.

[SimonNo7]

Fulham 1 up against Scum.

Perhaps something will go for us today!

[Rich]

My biggest issue with the current situation is that Rafa doesn't appear to know how to change the way we play to get out of the mess - or he's that stubborn he's refusing budge from his system. If we were in a rut and Rafa was actually trying things, change of tactics, of systems, or players then I'd be more forgiving.

Simply the key players in our system aren't good enough - or are suffering so hideously in form that I can't see a way out.

Look at what was on display today:

Both fullbacks can't really defend, both central midfielders can't create, Kuyt can't control the football, the fulcrum of the side and system (Gerrard) can't be arsed or is injured. That's 6 positions where we're really, really struggling. Yet the central midfielders are rarely broken up, Kuyt is never dropped, and we've painted ourselves into a corner with our choice of "attacking" fullbacks.

This is Rafa's mess and it feels awful to say this, I don't think he's capable of making radical changes to improve things.

[JohnDoe]

I think a midfield of Kuyt, Dossena, Lucas and Mascherano is going to be **** regardless of the formation you put them in.

[FatTony]

Danny Murphy!