The end of season report

[Chazza]

So how do we think it's gone??

No trophies but an improved league performance compared to the end of last season.

Some buy's have been good (Sturridge, Phil ) some with work to do (Borini and Allen) some better not spoken about.

Personally I am positive about next year if we can get the purchases right we should get a good run at the top 4.

[Fosterbloke]

Goals win games and we've addressed that. Sort out the defence and we're looking even better.

[kingfunk]

What stands out for me is the style of football BR ha implemented, fantastic to watch, it took time but we are now starting to see the results. I fully trust in what he is creating and the calibre of players he will buy and I cannot wait for next season

[Lee]

Staggered how some people recently posted that we haven't improved on last season.

We're heading in the right direction, the football this season has been really good, and if we have a good summer window then we'll be challenging for top four next year.

Key that we keep Suarez though and I wouldn't be comfortable losing three of our centrebacks plus our keeper in the same window.

Promising. Looking forward to next season.

[McDermotX]

Need to build on what we're doing right in terms of goals and eliminating silly errors.
Consistency is they key, its what will get us into CL positions...........3rd and 4th spot were achieved this season by teams able to maintain a certain run of form, getting the results they're expected to.....not because they're overwhelming great football sides.
There was a period earlier in the season where it was almost like a game of chicken between Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs as to which of them wanted to seal a spot. Rafa solidified Chelsea's form, dropping a few stupid points but succeeding in the end. Arsenal quietly went about their business, and there was a point in amongst all the slagging of Wenger etc etc, when a lot of people took their eye of Arsenal and before you knew it they were up there doing what they've done well over the years.
There's nothing special about these sides, but they will more than likely address their shortcomings in the summer, certainly Chelsea will, and push on.

We need to be productive this summer in the market, keep Suarez etc etc, and hopefully we can add an element of consistency into our results.
Not gonna be easy though, as right now we are weaker squad-wise than we were yesterday.........sort out the CBs first and foremost.

Brendan has us playing nice, attractive football and has done relatively well in the January window. His summer purchases are a bit of a write-off so far as to how their seasons went fitness-wise, but hopefully they'll prove good value in the long-term. It certainly looks like the team has 'bonded' with him, and that's been reflected on the pitch over the second half of the season, with the added bonus of certain players showing improvement.
Looking promising.......C+

[SB]

Brendan has steadied the sinking ship & has us back on track. Looking forward to seeing who we sign this TW as a good start to the season is imperative. I hope we get our targets in early as I want to see them on Melbourne in July.

[Resu]

The most positive thing for is that BR has a clear vision of how he wants play, and he brings in players that fits that vision. I`m sure King Kenny had a vision as well, but it certainly wasn`t clear to me. The players he bought looked more random, and not part of a long term plan.

It looks like the scoring side has been more or less sorted, it`s just a shame it seems we have to rebuild the defence.

[topscorer]

Based on the second half of the season and January transfer window I'm very optimistic but we've still had some frustrating results this year.

What dampens my optimism are three things.

Firstly, as Lee has said, the possible loss of Reina as well as Carra and the need to rebuild the defense could kill our chances of a top four finish next season before the season has even started. To have a new defense hit the ground running is going to be very difficult, especially if we lose Reina as well as Carra.

Second, whilst I'm not concerned about Luis leaving in the summer he will still miss the first 6 games of the season and a strong start is going to be crucial. He's missing the first 15% of the season and he's our star player.

Thirdly, I think the Mancs, Man City and Chelsea are shoe ins for the top four next season and three don't go into one. Arsenal and Spurs are going to be fighting for that fourth spot and they are going to strengthen this summer too.

I'm not sure we are going to see too many new faces, indeed I would almost prefer 3 or 4 really solid buys than lots of 'who are they' and 'one for the future' buys so we are still going to have quite a threadbare squad next season and I think we will still be seeing the kids getting games, which is great for the future but isn't going to help us next a top four finish next season.

To end on a positive I think BR has learned a lot this year and I think he's become a lot more pragmatic in the second half of the season as well and is not so dogged about only playing one way. Personally I hope that learning period will open the door for Carroll coming back rather than being sold. He's still only young and 'offers something different'. I think he can be a useful member of the squad and I'd like to see him given a chance at least until January rather than flog him for a huge loss this summer.

[Muddled]

Staggered how some people recently posted that we haven't improved on last season.

We're heading in the right direction, the football this season has been really good, and if we have a good summer window then we'll be challenging for top four next year.

Key that we keep Suarez though and I wouldn't be comfortable losing three of our centrebacks plus our keeper in the same window.

Promising. Looking forward to next season.

+1.

Exactly this.

[BG1973]

The most positive thing for is that BR has a clear vision of how he wants play, and he brings in players that fits that vision. I`m sure King Kenny had a vision as well, but it certainly wasn`t clear to me. The players he bought looked more random, and not part of a long term plan.

It looks like the scoring side has been more or less sorted, it`s just a shame it seems we have to rebuild the defence.

Does the defence need rebuilding though? Or is it the system that allows us to score more goals that is the problem?

We're woefully vulnerable to set pieces. So maybe a commanding centre back but as a defensive unit were not that different to past squads that did a lot better in this department.

[Exiled_red]

We're a team in transition, but we have scored more goals and got more points than last season, we are also IMO playing better football which is progress. I think people are saying that we haven't made progress are probably referring to a lack of silverware, but cups aren't a good measure of progress, the league is the barometer, and that shows an improvement.

I think that the good thing that has happened in the second half of the season is the evolution of our style and the fact that Rodgers has abandoned the constant slow build up, and allowed us to counter attack quickly.

[Muddled]

Does the defence need rebuilding though? Or is it the system that allows us to score more goals that is the problem?

We're woefully vulnerable to set pieces. So maybe a commanding centre back.

I think Resu means 'rebuilding' in terms of departures; It is highly possible that Reina, Skrtel and Coates will be sold. With Carragher retiring, that's three centre-backs and a keeper that need replacing before you even look to add squad depth.

There have also been snippets - which may be untrue, granted - that our fullbacks are also available to the highest bidder, which would mean an entirely new back five come August.

[Muddled]

We're a team in transition, but we have scored more goals and got more points than last season, we are also IMO playing better football which is progress. I think people are saying that we haven't made progress are probably referring to a lack of silverware, but cups aren't a good measure of progress, the league is the barometer, and that shows an improvement.

I think that the good thing that has happened in the second half of the season is the evolution of our style and the fact that Rodgers has abandoned the constant slow build up, and allowed us to counter attack quickly.

I agree with that - in particular, your last point. Kudos to Rodgers for showing flexibility in his approach and especially for how quick he changes something that isn't working.

Rodgers isn't afraid to make changes at half-time or to tinker with his tactics if things aren't going our way. People may suggest that he should have got it right first time, but at least he doesn't allow his ego or stubborness to get in the way of his decision making.

[Reece]

We only conceded 3 more goals than last season, whilst scoring 24 more.

If we have to take a slight hit on the defensive strength in order to become a more dangerous and efficient attacking team, than that's certainly palpable to me. For example, we conceded the same amount as the league winners.

Obviously ideally we'll end up finding the right balance, and perhaps some new defensive faces will help that.

On the whole though, I'm very optimistic about the future. Getting fourth next season is still going to be a massive ask, but that's as much to do with the competition as it is us.

I can't see Everton reaching these heights again next year, so that's perhaps one less team to compete against.

So I think Rodgers is doing some good things with the group and that they'll continue to improve. As long as they do it for Lucas. Okay?

[Alex]

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