Liverpool v Wigan Post Match Thread

[refugee]

I don't think it was so much the case in the summer, but January certainly

Sorry, anger confused me.

[Chazza]

Carragher is past his sell by date. Ther is TOO MUCH sentiment. Coates should be playing

I think Carra started today because Flanagan was starting, the coaches probably didn't want to have 2 inexperienced players in the back 4

[Mostar]

Disappointed by his comments...

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/kenny-tiredness-took-its-toll

Kenny: Tiredness took its toll

Kenny Dalglish attributed our 2-1 defeat to Wigan to tiredness following three games in a week.

Goals from Shaun Maloney (pen) and Gary Caldwell meant Luis Suarez's 12th strike of the season was immaterial to the result.

Dalglish felt having to compete against Stoke last Sunday and QPR on Wednesday took its toll.

"I think we looked a wee bit tired," he said. "We had a lot of possession in the game but we gave away the ball quite a lot in vital positions. It's not because they can't play, it's because of tiredness.

"If you play Sunday-Wednesday-Saturday it's going to take its toll. A lot of the lads had played all three games, and for us that's a reason behind our performance.

"It's because of the demand on them with games, and we've not had enough players at our disposal to give them adequate rest.

"It's a problem we face and it's dictated to the clubs and the players by the television schedule. The fact we've done well in two cup competitions has obviously given us lots of extra fixtures.

"We'll accept our progress in the cups and we'll have to accept that we're going to be a little bit tired. If we're going to be successful we've got to be able to handle it."

Referee Lee Mason awarded a penalty for a high challenge from Martin Skrtel and disallowed another Suarez goal for handball.

Dalglish added: "It doesn't matter how well or badly you play, you still need a wee bit of luck sometimes and there is no reason why the second goal should be chalked off for me.

"But we can't control referees, we can control ourselves. We'll brush ourselves down and get ourselves going again. We've got a week's rest now until Newcastle next Sunday, and we'll make the best of that."

The game was also notable for the debut of 17-year-old Raheem Sterling, who became the club's third youngest ever player.

Jonjo Shelvey and Jon Flanagan were also involved.

"It's nice to see the kids get a game but it's also better for us to look after them," said the boss. "We're not going to throw kids in and destroy them, but it's nice to see them on the pitch.

"Jonjo came on and gave us a wee bit of a lift as well."

[red g]

The sad thing for me is if we win the fa cup I can see Kenny getting another season and I honestly don't think he deserves it regarldess of how well he's done in cups. The league is the most important tournament as was said when Rafa was here. It shouldn't change just because Kenny is the manager. That's called double standards in my book.

is it as good as Anfield Exposed?

[Bender]

Newcastle up next and we could be joint 11th

[Slinky Skills]

Johnson, Agger and Bellamy would make a big difference.

With our first choice back four, we're solid and that gives us a base.

Its time to pull together and not fall apart.

we're stuck with this group of players until May. we know some aren't good enough. lucas getting injured really has ****ed us. spearing is a good footballer, but we have no one in the squad that can play the lucas role.

good to see sterling come on. it make take a youngster with no fear to lift us. like owen did.

We miss Lucas massively.

[Shanks]

So tiredness took it's toll?... What was the excuse for Wednesday

and if that was the case why not bring Sterling/Shelvey on 10 mins earlier.

You can see how people get frustrated...

[rodo]

Dalglish added: "It doesn't matter how well or badly you play, you still need a wee bit of luck sometimes and there is no reason why the second goal should be chalked off for me.

wish kenny would **** off with the wee bit of luck line

[Exiled_red]

I don't like the excuses of luck and tiredness. We shouldn't be tired we have a decent sized squad and we haven't been in Europe this season so tiredness shouldn't come into it IMO.

[BootRoom]

So tiredness took it's toll?... What was the excuse for Wednesday

and if that was the case why not bring Sterling/Shelvey on 10 mins earlier.

You can see how people get frustrated...

Bad luck.

[baitman]

we all know that lucas has been a massive loss, and there isnt adequate cover in another ready made DM. this means that the manager has to make the best of what he has, and play to his strengths. he puts kuyt on the left, and downers on the right... he plays a slow, ageing hoofer carra, instead of a young, confident, ball playing coates. i believe coates in the middle of the defence would allow him to step forward and almost cover the defensive duties of a DM.

this then allows you to play the rest of the lads in a more offensive formation.
we should be all over teams like wigan, etc, especially at home.

several lads have talked about the manager not having much to work with...
the same could also be said for o'neill when he went to sunderland. he has them playing together, and winning. i really dont see these lads having any drive or belief. this is down to motivation from the management team. yes, getting rid of the bodge and kenny coming in did lift the team, but maybe some of the lads are disheartened at kennys reluctance to drop under performing dross.

[Mostar]

I don't like the excuses of luck and tiredness. We shouldn't be tired we have a decent sized squad and we haven't been in Europe this season so tiredness shouldn't come into it IMO.

Tiredness is something every manager deals with so it should be no different for us.

That is the reason why you have a squad so you can rely on other players if you need to give a rest to some.

When it comes to luck, well that cannot be used as an excuse all the time.

Simply we need to acknowledge we're not good enough.

[McDermotX]

I don't like the excuses of luck and tiredness. We shouldn't be tired we have a decent sized squad and we haven't been in Europe this season so tiredness shouldn't come into it IMO.

Tiredness is something every manager deals with so it should be no different for us.

That is the reason why you have a squad so you can rely on other players if you need to give a rest to some.

When it comes to luck, well that cannot be used as an excuse all the time.

Simply we need to acknowledge we're not good enough.

Tiredness frequently comes across as a bull**** excuse, and there are a number of factors why it isn't entirely relevant to us.
But you can be rest assured, it wouldn't be getting mentioned if we were picking up points.

[Slinky Skills]

Dalglish had a pop at Derry the other day for saying we're tired, Dalglish response was that we're not tired and that we're fit, fitter than most.

Can't understand why he's changed his tune today.

I still don't want him given the chop though. He needs backing again in the summer and the chance to build the team he wants.

He will help bring us confidence and self belief back and help take us forward and in the right direction.

I know it hurts losing these games lads but stay together please, all of us.

Remember who it is you support.

YNWA.

[Daniel 7]

It always sounds bad when managers trot out excuses. You wonder what else he has to say to be fair. He has a mic stuck under his nose and he has to think of something to say after the worst run of results against garbage teams, when all he really wants to do is just leave. He's a fan too and will be hurting after this.