Carra

[Drago]

We only conceded 35 goals last season though, with pretty much the same defence, says about out the teams set up.

That was with a world class defensive midfielder infront of them, along with Lucas playing as one. The team is set up badly but the signs were there. Skrtel, Soto, PFK, Aurellio, Agger, Johnson & even Carra cannot be relied on anymore.

Two of those for injury concerns more then anything.

[Mattshark]

That was with a world class defensive midfielder infront of them, along with Lucas playing as one. The team is set up badly but the signs were there. Skrtel, Soto, PFK, Aurellio, Agger, Johnson & even Carra cannot be relied on anymore.

Two of those for injury concerns more then anything.

I think they can be relied upon, but we need better shape to the team first.

[Drago]

I just don't know anymore. Very very few I'd keep from this current squad in any position. Anyone that thinks getting rid of Roy will solve our problems is deluded.

All the signs of dropping deep and the **** away form starting last season.

[Craig_H]

He aint top class by any means, but the games he's missed have exposed why he should still be a first teamer.

[sean_lfc]

I just don't know anymore. Very very few I'd keep from this current squad in any position. Anyone that thinks getting rid of Roy will solve our problems is deluded.

All the signs of dropping deep and the **** away form starting last season.

I actually think the opposite. The whole core of the team is there. We've got fantastic players that need to be managed in the correct way, ie. they need to know exactly what to do, when to do it, and that in any given circumstance. It's not rocket science.

I think the addition of a couple of players who fit the new manager's way of thinking can make it all click into place again.

On the one hand you could say 'they're all ****, we need a full clear-out', but that's unrealistic. A weak plant does not get ripped out of the ground and new seeds sown, it just needs the right nutrient ratio of N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) in the fertiliser to get it back to full strength. It's simple stuff, and we need a manager who can address the weaknesses and deliver an ailment.

[Craig_H]

I actually think the opposite. The whole core of the team is there. We've got fantastic players that need to be managed in the correct way, ie. they need to know exactly what to do, when to do it, and that in any given circumstance. It's not rocket science.

I think the addition of a couple of players who fit the new manager's way of thinking can make it all click into place again.

On the one hand you could say 'they're all ****, we need a full clear-out', but that's unrealistic. A weak plant does not get ripped out of the ground and new seeds sown, it just needs the right nutrient ratio of N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) in the fertiliser to get it back to full strength. It's simple stuff, and we need a manager who can address the weaknesses and deliver an ailment.

We've had a downgrade on a few players since we finished 2nd, but those who are still here havent become **** in the space of 18 months.

[little dave hedgehog]

i keep saying this, and will doubtless get ignored again, but i wonder if some of our players aren't too emotionally drained after the crazy ass 3 years we've had to succeed together again. we bring in a manager who's actually any good and the players still don't perform, and that's 3 managers (well ok, 2 1/2) who have failed to get much out of the current bunch. it's not looking good for some of them imo.

[Craig_H]

[little dave hedgehog]

i knew it

[GorbyPeacePrize]

We had a negative goal difference when Hoofy was playing, we've got a negative goal difference now. He's crap, finished, over the hill. How will being glued to the 18 yard box solve our problems?

[RedReet]

We had a negative goal difference when Hoofy was playing, we've got a negative goal difference now. He's crap, finished, over the hill. How will being glued to the 18 yard box solve our problems?

So how many goals were scored and conceded with and without 'Hoofy'?

[GorbyPeacePrize]

So how many goals were scored and conceded with and without 'Hoofy'?

-------------P W D L F A GD Pt
10 Liverpool 15 5 4 6 17 19 -2 19 <- After Tottenham

12 Liverpool 20 7 4 9 24 27 -3 25 <- After Blackburn (a)

[RedReet]

[RedReet]

Seeing as news is slowing up I may as well highlight that the standard of opposition since Carra has been out have been very poor so we’d have expected a major improvement in goal difference, not a minor one. And just to be pedantic, the second Spurs goal came when he was off the pitch, so that evens things up.

[GorbyPeacePrize]

Seeing as news is slowing up I may as well highlight that the standard of opposition since Carra has been out have been very poor so we’d have expected a major improvement in goal difference, not a minor one. And just to be pedantic, the second Spurs goal came when he was off the pitch, so that evens things up.

Yep, we were at -1 when Hoofy went off, so it's a net difference of -2 (would have been a net difference of -1 had Gerrard scored that pen )

My point is though, going back to the perceived saftey blanket of The Hoof is a false economy. Our best bet is to have 2 mobile centre backs (well at least far more mobile than Mr H) in Skrtel and Agger, maintain a higher defensive line and compress the play, not just hang around our own box like ****houses waiting for the opposition to score.