Villa (h) Post match

[Slinky Skills]

now, when our one and only DM is out injured, I wonder if it's finally time to buy another, or shall we just bring Conor Coady back from loan at Sheffield..

I'm out of words when it comes to our defense formation, it's Hodgsonesque.

Not really, we're missing Sakho and Agger - two of our main centre backs.

Our main left back is missing. Flanno is missing, Johnson has been ****e, Sissoko isn't great.

We're really not that well covered in either left or right back. The only one consistently performing is Skrtel and he spends half his time elbowing or grappling hold of opponents.

[Chazza]

You can see why Rodgers fancied 3-5-2 as it gives him the front 2 and the 3 central midfielders.

We are lost with a 2 unless the midfield goes narrow and the width comes from the full backs. With the current players we have that isn't going to work.

[Exiled_red]

Not really, we're missing Sakho and Agger - two of our main centre backs.

Our main left back is missing. Flanno is missing, Johnson has been ****e, Sissoko isn't great.

We're really not that well covered in either left or right back. The only one consistently performing is Skrtel and he spends half his time elbowing or grappling hold of opponents.

I don't think RB is an issue, despite the stick Johnson is getting he is a good player, I'm watching MOTD and essentially Johnson, Skrtel and Toure were playing as three centre backs as Cissokho was out of position so often. Him, Kelly, Flanagan (and Wisdom) is adequate.

Left back on the other hand, we really have issues, I don't rate Enrique but his stock is rising with every game Cissokho plays, because Cissokho should be nowhere near our team.

[SK]

i'm writing this half pissed but all in all we got a point today we did not deserve, we can however only get better, either by injured players coming back or new signings.. i think we've all (brendan included) learned a lesson today, we have to respect every team. we're not good enough to win on reputation...and for the love of god brenno, stevie has never had the patience and composure to play deep..

[Fredo]

Not happy with Mignolet. Think he's a downgrade on Pepe.

Other than that, first half was one of our worst displays for a long time. Tactics were utterly wrong. 2-1-3 just does not work with what we've got. When Lucas came in for 20 mins we looked like getting control of the midfield and we would probably have won the match If he'd stayed on the pitch.

We've found our level. 4th is what we should aim at. Anything higher is preposterous.

[G]

He's not reacted well to his first major mistake that's for sure, making 3 more soon after, sign of mental weakness imo

[Fredo]

Don't think he's got the commanding personality needed to succeed here. Shot stopping is one thing, but commanding and organising a defence something else.

He's still young but I would look bringing Pepe back next year.

[Chazza]

Pepe played with the a solid back four for a long time but for the last couple of seasons made some mistakes coming of his line and letting them in near post.

If or when Mignolet gets a settled centre back pairing in front of him and is still making the same mistakes then it is a issue.

Any keeper would look Ropey with that defence in front of them.

[Fredo]

Villa's second goal was basic keeping mate. Completely flapped at the cross.

[Chazza]

And Pepe was letting em in near post, coming off his line and missing.

It's easy to point the finger at a keeper for goals. Hart got clogged went out of the team came back in and has looked solid. De Gea got a load of grief but still looks a good keeper.

He is a great shot stopper and doesn't look great on crosses but until he gets a decent solid cb pairing in front of him then I don't think we can judge.

[breffniboy]

That was woeful stuff from us at times. Our gaping defensive holes and an increasing frailty on Mignolet's part have been up to now papered over by the goals-for-fun show at the other end from Suarez and Sturridge.

Injuries have exposed the lack of real depth in the squad and I have been appalled to read suggestions in the press this week that we won't really strengthen this window, with perhaps Salah our only target who IMO should not be a priority as out weaknesses are elsewhere. I hope to Christ that's not true because we need a solid DM urgently.

Coutinho had a mare today and couldn't pass water but in general, attacking-wise I think we are ok. It's at the back and in midfield where we need the surgery.

Second half was better but we still barely threatened their goal in any real way, and the penalty was dubious IMO - although on balance of others we didn't get in other games, I'll take it. The final ball was all too often dreadful, and despite an otherwise strong display yet again, Sterling was culpable in this regard. But he will come good eventually.

And Cisshoko runs like he's wearing wellies on the wrong feet and sprinting through treacle.

[Fosterbloke]

On another note, it's really good to see lots of people returning to the site!

[RichC]

On another note, it's really good to see lots of people returning to the site!

[Gibbo]

Has Morse just decided to **** MOTM off?

As already suggested Gerrard is so much better in a 3 where he is further forward, good idea Rodgers but it didn't work, take it back to how it was.

Someone's going to have to be dropped though, probably one of Sterling/Coutinho, I think that was the main reason for that formation yesterday actually, Brendan not wanting to dent Sterling or Coutinhos confidence by dropping one of them.

[RichC]

Yup, we need to drop one of the attacking 4 and the obvious one is Coutinho