Oldham post match

[Captain Stu]

We are totally progressing. Unfortunately we still have some weak links (who are not first teamers, luckily) but our mindset and style of football is much better than last season.

Definitely.

[tanner]

Think you have a point about the refereeing. Stevie was arguing with him for long periods. We never got any protection whatsoever today and that cunt Smith was revelling in it.

Yep, Liverpool need a favourable ref to beat a team like Oldham.

[tanner]

We are totally progressing. Unfortunately we still have some weak links (who are not first teamers, luckily) but our mindset and style of football is much better than last season.

In possession arguably, but not in defending. We've possibly improved in one dimension only. Rogers is a complete and utter charlatan.

[Chazza]

In fairness, it's not very often I get one right so I'm going to milk it

I'm disappointed though, I really thought he was going to be great for us when we signed him. We were calling out for a domineering CB with some real aerial prowess (we still are!), and I thought he might be the one.

I understand that some of his clumsiness can be put down to rustiness, but sadly it became quickly apparent there's more to it than that. He's soft, not tough enough (strange as Uruguayans are normally frightening), he can be easily bullied.

He also seems to be a bit slow of thought. Sometimes you can see his brain ticking over too slowly, by the time he's figured out what to do, the forward has stolen the ball off him, and he's stumbled to the ground.

I think a slower league like Serie A might suit him much better. I hope he does well wherever he goes next, as he seems a nice guy, but I hope he's off in the summer.

In a league which plays at a lower pace he will look much better. Technically he is very good but makes silly errors and gets bullied when playing against a physical presence.

We need another Sami but they don't come round very often.

[Chazza]

Joe Allen admits Liverpool were left hurting following Sunday's shock FA Cup exit at Oldham Athletic – but insists they cannot afford to dwell on the 3-2 defeat with crucial away trips to Arsenal and Manchester City on the horizon.

A brace from Matt Smith and Reece Wabara's header secured victory for the Latics at Boundary Park, rendering efforts from Luis Suarez and Allen meaningless as the Reds exited the competition at the fourth-round stage.

"Everyone in the dressing room is completely devastated," Allen told the Liverpool Echo.

"It's the worst feeling in football. These are the kind of games where mentally you have to be on it for the whole game but we started slowly.

"To concede three goals in the manner we did was bitterly disappointing. We wanted to do well in the FA Cup but now we're out.

"I don't think we underestimated them. But, no disrespect to Oldham, when you've been knocked out by a team in League One then something has definitely gone wrong somewhere.

"It hurts and I feel sorry for the fans. When you are representing Liverpool, you represent them. Once again they turned up in their thousands and they have gone home very disappointed."

Brendan Rodgers made six changes to his starting XI for the trip to the League One side, but still included the likes of Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Martin Skrtel in the team that took to the pitch - and Allen believes Liverpool had enough quality on show to have got the job done.

"We still had a very strong side out," he added. "The manager made changes but for those of us who came in it was a chance to impress and stake a claim.

"A lot of people will look at themselves and be disappointed that they didn't take that chance as well as they could have."

Allen's late volley reduced the deficit to 3-2 and gave Liverpool genuine hope of salvaging a replay.

It was the Wales midfielder's first goal for the club - but he can take nothing from the effort.

Allen said: "I can't take any satisfaction from that goal.

"It's irrelevant almost. Now we have gone out, it means nothing. At the time it gave us the chance to get back in the game but we couldn't find another goal.

"We picked up in the second half after Steven Gerrard and Stewart Downing came on. Stevie's shot hitting the crossbar at the end summed up our day in many ways.

"We gave away sloppy goals. You can't give any team a 3-1 cushion like that. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb."

Liverpool return to action on Wednesday evening with a trip to Arsenal before travelling to Manchester City on Sunday.

Allen stressed the importance of the Reds getting their Oldham frustrations out of their system before the journey to London.

He concluded: "We've got to move on from this. We have got two massive league games and we have to get back to the way we have been playing recently.

"In general our league form has been good. We have to put this behind us and focus on gaining points to climb the table."

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/allen-the-worst-feeling-in-football

[tanner]

I personally think you are deluding yourself

Completely agree. I've read plenty of Nigeys posts and he always puts a positive spin, but he's looking silly now. I'm convinced he's not even serious but a Utd fan or something.

[Chazza]

Completely agree. I've read plenty of Nigeys posts and he always puts a positive spin, but he's looking silly now. I'm convinced he's not even serious but a Utd fan or something.

[Alex]

Accusing someone of being a Man Utd fan doesnt really help things does it?

[Yozza]

Age doesnt really matter its the type of players that is all wrong imo

We seem to have an emphasis on signing small technical players and its clear we have a problem with the physical side of the game. We need more aggression and physicality in our side and that has to be addressed

We've always had them - Smith, Case, Souness, McMahon, Mascherano to name a few

Some tough nutter like Diame or Cattermole type player but who can play a bit - not sure about the signing of Coutinhio; where would he fit in & haven't we got enough small lightweight 'technical' players?!

[tanner]

Accusing someone of being a Man Utd fan doesnt really help things does it?

Thats the only way to explain it. Without fail, Nigey is on here and will not call a spade a spade. Every time, no excuse.

Some of my mates are completely and utterly sure that Rogers is the right man, but several times this season they've admitted that we've been piss poor. Not Nigey, oh no. Its never our fault, its always bad luck or the ref. Nevermind its Oldham, 19th in League One..., no, the ref did for us

[Alex]

Thats the only way to explain it. Without fail, Nigey is on here and will not call a spade a spade. Every time, no excuse.

Some of my mates are completely and utterly sure that Rogers is the right man, but several times this season they've admitted that we've been piss poor. Not Nigey, oh no. Its never our fault, its always bad luck or the ref. Nevermind its Oldham, 19th in League One..., no, the ref did for us

You can spin it either way though. You are negative about Rodgers, so people could think you are a Utd fan on the wind up too.

All I am saying is that calling someone a Utd fan turns the discussion into an argument.

Anyway. Back on topic

[Tribute]

Talk****e 'appalled' at the idea Dickov could be sacked today off the back of their win against us. Ronnie Irani banging on thinking he's an experienced pundit - and sounding like a complete muppet.
Dickov's league form is atrocious and the Cup is a distraction nothing more... anyone can see that. Except Talk****e. Worst.Station.Ever.

[Alex]

Dickov is mates with those on the Breakfast show. Always phoning in. He doesnt want his mate sacked.

[Bender]

Talk****e 'appalled' at the idea Dickov could be sacked today off the back of their win against us. Ronnie Irani banging on thinking he's an experienced pundit - and sounding like a complete muppet.
Dickov's league form is atrocious and the Cup is a distraction nothing more... anyone can see that. Except Talk****e. Worst.Station.Ever.

Irani is nothing more than a free loader and Alan Brazil's BITCH

[tanner]

You can spin it either way though. You are negative about Rodgers, so people could think you are a Utd fan on the wind up too.

All I am saying is that calling someone a Utd fan turns the discussion into an argument.

Anyway. Back on topic

I disagree. Thats where a balanced point of view comes in. If we play well, I'll say so, if we're poor I'll say so. I would however admit that I've not fallen for the lie that is Brendan Rogers, I can see he's stark naked. We're lightweight, we can't defend and he's an egotistical maniac and employed by people who know nothing about football, and really have no interest.

On the plus side, we have some technically gifted players. If we had the right man in, and a decent back four, we'd be in the top 4 without a shadow of a doubt, imo.