Swansea: Post Match

[danperkins]

I was at this one, so might have missed some things. What stood out for me was the shocking state of Joe Cole, how tired Joe Allen looked and from where I was, it looked like Downing missed an open goal from Gerrard's shot - did he?

Joe Cole - I can't believe we started him. Massive, massive mistake. He was puffing and blowing after 5 minuted of light running. Hands on hips, he looked hungover. I find the whole Cole thing ****ing offensive. all that money going into his bank account and he can't even make the effort to be make sure he's fit enough to run for 10 minutes. Its unbelievable. Obscene. we're paying £90k a week for an out of shape, physical wreck. He's no athlete.

Joe Allen needs a rest. The sooner Lucas comes back the better.

Henderson looked terrible at right back, kept losing his man, looking around him bewildered.

Yesil seemed to have trouble with his first touch.

Suarez - well he can't do it all on his own can he? Sooner we can get some quality around him the better.

[danperkins]

That's probably true, however, we've also had to change our defence a fair bit this season, rely on 17/18 year olds, have an out-of-form keeper (and despite a string of good saves last night, a replacement who quite frankly isn't good enough), play players out of position (i.e. Henderson last night), and possibly the biggest factor - we've not had a natural defensive midfielder in Lucas' absence.

They're all facts rather than excuses, but I do think they've played a part. I don't know if it's also a case of Rodgers and his team not coaching the defensive side of things properly.

I listened on the radio and kept half an eye on the stream last night, but it seemed on many occasion Allen was left alone to cover in midfield. Cole was non existent, and Shelvey clearly likes to get forward so Allen was left exposed. Add in the full backs bombing forwards and you're asking for trouble.

So as well as desperately needing some more firepower in the transfer window, we also need some out and out defensive midfield cover. Which we all already knew but hey

[dww]

That's probably true, however, we've also had to change our defence a fair bit this season, rely on 17/18 year olds, have an out-of-form keeper (and despite a string of good saves last night, a replacement who quite frankly isn't good enough), play players out of position (i.e. Henderson last night), and possibly the biggest factor - we've not had a natural defensive midfielder in Lucas' absence.

They're all facts rather than excuses, but I do think they've played a part. I don't know if it's also a case of Rodgers and his team not coaching the defensive side of things properly.

I listened on the radio and kept half an eye on the stream last night, but it seemed on many occasion Allen was left alone to cover in midfield. Cole was non existent, and Shelvey clearly likes to get forward so Allen was left exposed. Add in the full backs bombing forwards and you're asking for trouble.

So as well as desperately needing some more firepower in the transfer window, we also need some out and out defensive midfield cover. Which we all already knew but hey

For me it is mostly a sign that the midfield has been woeful at controlling games as much as anything. That is the core of the way Rodgers wants to play.

My feeling is that the 'basics' of Rodgers style are different to the 'basics' that under pin most British teams. However I think that we are having similar problems in terms of altering mentality to those we encountered under Hodgson. I think Rodgers needs to have a couple more players on his wavelength in the team. So far I think we essentially have Allen and maybe Johnson.

[Daniel 7]

For me it is mostly a sign that the midfield has been woeful at controlling games as much as anything. That is the core of the way Rodgers wants to play.

My feeling is that the 'basics' of Rodgers style are different to the 'basics' that under pin most British teams. However I think that we are having similar problems in terms of altering mentality to those we encountered under Hodgson. I think Rodgers needs to have a couple more players on his wavelength in the team. So far I think we essentially have Allen and maybe Johnson.

I think you're spot on there. He sees something in Shelvey, I get the impression he might be Brenan's rough diamond. He's definitely got him at the right time. You could argue Sterling and Suso are Rodgers type of players too, but inexperience and not wanting to burn them out tempers how effective they can be for him yet

The main one though is Lucas. I imagine that the whole make up of central midfield will change when we have a fit, effective Lucas back.

[malg]

Its not the players fault it's Rodgers. He picked the team and there was no chance that first half team would ever overcome a decent Swansea side. The blame is the managers.

[Mark79]

Its not the players fault it's Rodgers. He picked the team and there was no chance that first half team would ever overcome a decent Swansea side. The blame is the managers.

Whats the manager supposed to do, play our first choice 11 every match? They'd be burnt out by Christmas.

You've got to rotate and rest players if you want to be competitive in every competition. The fact that our current squad isn't strong enough to handle that cannot be blamed on a manager who's been in the job less than 6 months.

[yamiedo]

I worry about Shelvey. He is very hit or miss for me. I think he has talent but I think he is slightly overrated. Probably get crucified for saying it.

[Assassin]

I worry about Shelvey. He is very hit or miss for me. I think he has talent but I think he is slightly overrated. Probably get crucified for saying it.

He's 20, the majority young players are a little erratic with their performances

[yamiedo]

He's 20, the majority young players are a little erratic with their performances

Yes I know but I'm not sure I see the same potential in Shelvey as say Suso, Sterling or Robinson. I hope he proves me wrong because he definitely has a confidence and belief about him that the club needs.

[Assassin]

Yes I know but I'm not sure I see the same potential in Shelvey as say Suso, Sterling or Robinson. I hope he proves me wrong because he definitely has a confidence and belief about him that the club needs.

Relax, there is a lot being asked of all the youngsters at the moment. Hopefully, we wil get some new signings in January to take the pressure off them a little

[frank the tank]

I've not read all the thread but was at the game. I didn't comment until now as i was calming down (big time cheesed off on Wed night) but the following would be my points:

1. Jones isn't good enough. With him in goal, we look well dodgy from corners....
2. Carragher is past it. In the 1st half there were a few occasions where he was slow to act, slow to think and generally slow. People seem to think he can be like Sami in his last year or two for us and guide the young players but the difference is Sami always read the game a lot better - Carra's A-game of 2004-2008 used his recovery skills a lot!!! Brendan isn't making the same allowances as Roy / Kenny though - remember how when Agger was injured it would be Skrtel that needs to move to the left hand side of central defense? Not anymore and Coates started on the right on Wed.
3. Allen is a good player but he isn't a defensive midfielder. The sooner Lucas gets back the better.... this should see Gerrard, Lucas and Allen as our middle 3 - with Stevie as the guy that bombs on...... (on another note, Sahin has been a bit disappointing hasn't he?? still it's early days)
4. Henderson wasn't that bad. He was playing right back for god sake and did actually get forward a lot. I think he can still be a squad player for us.....i think Brendan is probably seeing his attitude with regards to flexibility etc more than anything else. I hope he gets this season and next because I could see that focker Martin ONeill buying him back for Sunderland for something like £5m and him being good again for them....
5. Shelvey thinks he is better than he is....
6. Joe Cole should NEVER play for the LFC 1st team again. Let him rot until 'arry Redknapp gets the QPR job and takes him on a free....(we'll probably end up supplementing the fockers wages - but how he was selected over Pacheco is beyond me)
7. Downing - we need to get rid asap. He was atrocious. That miss?@??? It should have been 1-1 and then we are in the Q-final.....
8. Rodgers - the same as those before him but the way to introduce the likes of Yesil is to start with Suarez and bring on youngsters when we are 2 goals up..... i felt sorry for Yesil because he was up there on his own and got very little support from Downing and Shelvey....he got NONE from Cole!!!