The end of season report

[~LFCHistory~]

I can recall three occurrences off of the top of my head last season when we won after going behind (admittedly two were in the cup):

2-1 vs Stoke in Carling Cup
3-1 vs Newcastle in the league
2-1 vs Everton in FA Cup semi

Not really that important, but it's not as rare as you make out.

A team's league form is the real indicator of their quality IMO, I mean Big Eck won the Coca Cola Cup a couple of seasons ago and then proceeded to get Birmingham relegated, Wigan too won the FA Cup and got relegated.
Proves **** all the domestic Cups, the league is what matters. We came from behind once in 1 league game last season as you rightly pointed out but it was a one off IIRC, we've done it several times this season with a weaker squad than last season.

[Reece]

I tend to agree. The point is, the Newcastle result alone proves the following assertion to be incorrect, even if I am being particularly pedantic:

Last season that would never, ever have happened, in fact you'd probably have to go back to the 2008/9 season to find instances were that has happened.

[dom9]

A team's league form is the real indicator of their quality IMO, I mean Big Eck won the Coca Cola Cup a couple of seasons ago and then proceeded to get Birmingham relegated, Wigan too won the FA Cup and got relegated.
Proves **** all the domestic Cups, the league is what matters. We came from behind once last season as you rightly pointed out but it was a one off IIRC, we've done it several times this season with a weaker squad than last season.

Well, cups onviously have no bearing on league position, but winning one is certainly a lot better than not winning anything at all. It is possible to be satisfied with performance in one competition without the other.

[~LFCHistory~]

I tend to agree. The point is, the Newcastle result alone proves the following assertion to be incorrect, even if I am being particularly pedantic:

Actually you edited my original comment:

''What I mean by that is several times this season we have gone behind in a game and managed to fight back and win. Last season that would never, ever have happened, in fact you'd probably have to go back to the 2008/9 season to find instances were that has happened.''

So I'm still right in a way, the Newcastle result was a one off, the fact that we've come from behind several times this season in league games proves that those comebacks were not flukes and that BR has instilled a more positive mindset in the players than Dalglish ever did.

[~LFCHistory~]

Well, cups onviously have no bearing on league position, but winning one is certainly a lot better than not winning anything at all. It is possible to be satisfied with performance in one competition without the other.

Of course winning a cup is nice but what I'm saying is that a domestic cup does not cancel out a horrific league campaign as many posters on here argued last season.

[el matador]

I think Brendan Rodgers has done enough to deserve at least another season. Our form after xmas has been very encouraging and 61 points is a very good start and if Im honest at xmas I didnt think we looked capable of breaking the 60 points barrier.

The introduction of sturridge but especially coutinho has given us another dimension, while one looks to run in behind defences the other works in those gaps that the movement has created.

Coutinho looked a decent player in italy and with espanol, but his range of passing and the incision he offers has been breathtaking. He looks every inch a proper no.10, which makes the christian eriksen signing less relevant imo. Our style of play has changed too because we look to play a bit more on the counter attack and again both sturridge and coutinho have really helped with movement in forward positions. We just look much more of a threat.

All in all, i think its a season of encouragement and something to build on. The worrying think is that this season we rebuilt the midfield and it took a long time to settle, and if we're rebuilding the defence and goalie this season it could be xmas before we get going again.

[Tee]

I think Brendan Rodgers has done enough to deserve at least another season. Our form after xmas has been very encouraging and 61 points is a very good start and if Im honest at xmas I didnt think we looked capable of breaking the 60 points barrier.

The introduction of sturridge but especially coutinho has given us another dimension, while one looks to run in behind defences the other works in those gaps that the movement has created.

Coutinho looked a decent player in italy and with espanol, but his range of passing and the incision he offers has been breathtaking. He looks every inch a proper no.10, which makes the christian eriksen signing less relevant imo. Our style of play has changed too because we look to play a bit more on the counter attack and again both sturridge and coutinho have really helped with movement in forward positions. We just look much more of a threat.

All in all, i think its a season of encouragement and something to build on. The worrying think is that this season we rebuilt the midfield and it took a long time to settle, and if we're rebuilding the defence and goalie this season it could be xmas before we get going again.

Good to see you back on the site again mate.

[Alex]

Nice to see you again el_matador!

[el matador]

Good to see you back on the site again mate.

thanks mate.

Unfortunately, i had to deal with a couple of deaths in the family one after the other and just needed some time away.

But as I said, rodgers has done alright and as long as there's not too many outgoings at the back this summer, we can be positive about next season.

[el matador]

Nice to see you again el_matador!

thanks mate

[ChesterDave]

I have to agree that it is baffling people do not see improvement from last season

More points (17% more)
Substantially more goals
Negligable increase in goals conceeded.

If Suarez stays (and I believe we have 1 more season to show him we are a side that can give him CL football) and we improve the defence I think we will be in a good spot to get top 4.

From there with European football we can attract more players to strengthen the squad. CL football should also convince the owners to allow a bit more cash to be spent with the increased revenues too.

Many points this season lost through stupid errors (City x2, Arsenal immediate spring to mind). Yes there have been games where we have been poor but a lot of games where we should have got more out of such as playing against United with 10 men or games where we have been our own worst enemy.

I don't think there have been many games where we have been truly outclassed (ignoring the opening game), just some days where we were poor or lacklustre.

I am expecting good things next year

[Tee]

thanks mate.

Unfortunately, i had to deal with a couple of deaths in the family one after the other and just needed some time away.

But as I said, rodgers has done alright and as long as there's not too many outgoings at the back this summer, we can be positive about next season.

Sorry to hear that mate. My condolences.

I agree that we can be positive for next season as long as we don't waste out funds on Ashley Williams.

[Resu]

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.

As Muddy said I think it`s a forced rebuild. How big it needs to be is up to BR. Carra needs to be replaced, hopefully by someone good enough to go straight into the starting eleven. Coates doesn`t have a future here, but he doesn`t play anyway. The big thing is Skrtel leaving or not. If he stays we have a proven CB pair if a new signing fails, if he goes at least one of the new CBs has to be a succes from the start.

[dom9]

thanks mate.

Unfortunately, i had to deal with a couple of deaths in the family one after the other and just needed some time away.

But as I said, rodgers has done alright and as long as there's not too many outgoings at the back this summer, we can be positive about next season.

I'm sorry to hear that El Mat.

[The_weatherman]

Sorry to hear el matador, my condolences