Burnley vs Liverpool match thread

[Mattshark]

We get hustled and bustled by most teams away from home. We are soft as ****e and don't like it when teams have a go at us in that way.

Which is what we really have to address, it isn't a problem if you are winning games, but when you aren't it builds up and that effect carries on through the season.

[Bender]

We're not playing well, nothing to do with motivation there.

Sorry but ......where is the teams desire .....where is their passion why can't the manager get the players to raise their game why have we looked so inept against a **** team like Burnley ......

[Mattshark]

I think Aquilani has had a couple of nice touches but apart from that....this isn't the league for him, to put it bluntly

Bit rash quite frankly, he has been one of better players.

[Guest]

I think Aquilani has had a couple of nice touches but apart from that....this isn't the league for him, to put it bluntly

Not sure, I think he is showing some quality. He sees an early pass and seems to be industrious enough. He isn't at his best after having a stop start season. I'll judge him next year.

[little dave hedgehog]

I think Aquilani has had a couple of nice touches but apart from that....this isn't the league for him, to put it bluntly

i agree. he's given the ball away and fallen over far too many times.

he and kuyt need to change their boots here.

[wiw]

We need to be a bit more positive and er, assertive, and really press the ball quicker. This is another one of those games where it feels like the other team have more players

[Bender]

Yep the players just can't be arsed playing for Rafa anymore.

This is where decent managers give rockets up arses and we come out a different team .

Pretty certain we will come out exactly the same for second half

something needs to happen, the only good thing about today is 1 less game we have to endure till season finish!!!

said this all along

[cream]

I think Aquilani has had a couple of nice touches but apart from that....this isn't the league for him, to put it bluntly

I think he's been good, just what we've been missing.

[Guest]

Sorry but ......where is the teams desire .....where is their passion why can't the manager get the players to raise their game why have we looked so inept against a **** team like Burnley ......

Don't be silly, we're playing badly, that is all.

[SimonNo7]

We're not playing well, nothing to do with motivation there.

Ok, I'm not going to get into a motivation discussion with you as I know you don't believe in it

[TheElephantMan]

Not a bad game so far, some nice open football from both sides. Burnley give the ball away a lot in the midfield if we had someone with a bit of skill and pace then we'd be winning this game now. If we keep working like we did in the first half we'll break them down in the second. Some decent corners and crosses into the area from Gerrard, hopefully Kuyt will get on the end of one of them soon.

[MrMichael]

But is it his fault that they seem to go out in games against supposed lesser opposition and not appear to be motivated?

Across the season its looked that way on a regular enough basis that yes, I think the buck for team morale and motivation in any walk of life, let alone football, does stop with the manager / boss. It looks to me like the majority of our squad no longer really believe in the manager's masterplan, and has done for some months.

However, these guys are all on the sort of wages per week most people don't come close to in a year. In isolation I do believe the players have to take a lot of the responsibility for their own sluggish performance. I'm damn sure Rafa's not stood there now telling them to make mistakes, pass to the opposition and generally look like they aren't up for it. People being pissed off at yet another aimless game is one thing, and maybe ultimately that does have to be brought to Rafa's door, but posting that this game is going this way right now because Rafa doesn't care is not only wrong because Rafa isn't like that, but also because it way overestimates the influence anyone off the pitch is having on it during this game.

[wiw]

Bit rash quite frankly, he has been one of better players.

Yeah he has, but he's a big fanny

Not sure, I think he is showing some quality. He sees an early pass and seems to be industrious enough. He isn't at his best after having a stop start season. I'll judge him next year.

He's looked lazy to me. I will judge him next year too, but he irritates the **** out of me Clean slate next season for him after pre-season

[Bender]

Don't be silly, we're playing badly, that is all.

yeah all season ......not getting into a debate yet but it's clear where you and i sit on Rafa ....if we don't win this place will kick off

[Guest]

Not a bad game so far, some nice open football from both sides. Burnley give the ball away a lot in the midfield if we had someone with a bit of skill and pace then we'd be winning this game now. If we keep working like we did in the first half we'll break them down in the second. Some decent corners and crosses into the area from Gerrard, hopefully Kuyt will get on the end of one of them soon.

Across the season its looked that way on a regular enough basis that yes, I think the buck for team morale and motivation in any walk of life, let alone football, does stop with the manager / boss. It looks to me like the majority of our squad no longer really believe in the manager's masterplan, and has done for some months.

However, these guys are all on the sort of wages per week most people don't come close to in a year. In isolation I do believe the players have to take a lot of the responsibility for their own sluggish performance. I'm damn sure Rafa's not stood there now telling them to make mistakes, pass to the opposition and generally look like they aren't up for it. People being pissed off at yet another aimless game is one thing, and maybe ultimately that does have to be brought to Rafa's door, but posting that this game is going this way right now because Rafa doesn't care is not only wrong because Rafa isn't like that, but also because it way overestimates the influence anyone off the pitch is having on it during this game.

A couple of sensible posts at last.