Spurs (h) build up

[Shaggy]

This makes sense, of course. But BR is aware of it, right? He has to be. So he has to have a reason for not doing it, unless we want to just say he's being careless (unlikely) or doesn't trust his bench (possible, I guess, but he trusts Lucas and Sakho at the very least). And this is just my theory, but I think his reasoning for not making that kind of change is the same reason he seems to refuse to sit on a lead - doing so is reactionary. And being reactionary is anathema to BR, and to the spirit he's tried to instill in the team. We set out to dominate teams and blow them away and take no quarter and slaughter everyone 5-0 or die trying. He doesn't want to play the circumstances. **** the circumstances - make the circumstances bend to your will. It costs us sometimes, but the belief and attitude and fearlessness and relentlessness in the team has been a massive factor all year and, along with the brilliance of Suarez, might be the biggest reason we're title challengers in the first place. It's acted as a multiplier, basically, and while it might go wrong at the margins, consider what those margins are - I'd much rather lose the title because we were too foolhardy than nip fourth being strategic and reactionary. And I suspect BR would, too.

That's all counter-factual, mind, and I'm not saying that this is actually the case - we can't know - only saying that it might be a reason for BR's thinking here and it's something to consider what effect that no-holds-barred attitude really does have on the team. Long-term I do suspect he'll start being more strategic like that, once he's confident the mentality of the squad is established and once we have expectations to win things. But BR doesn't see this as a window and has said as much. No need to throw his principles out right now if we're going to be challenging every year.

Interesting post and absolutely agree.

For what it's worth we have made the fewest substitutions in the league this season, and it would seem fairly obvious why that is the case. You'd expect him to be making more changes next season with a better set of alternatives.

[S-RED]

Pressure does crazy things....but if we handle the pressure we win this game.

this

[S-RED]

we are +45 they are 0 GD !!!!!

[Saveloy]

This makes sense, of course. But BR is aware of it, right? He has to be. So he has to have a reason for not doing it, unless we want to just say he's being careless (unlikely) or doesn't trust his bench (possible, I guess, but he trusts Lucas and Sakho at the very least). And this is just my theory, but I think his reasoning for not making that kind of change is the same reason he seems to refuse to sit on a lead - doing so is reactionary. And being reactionary is anathema to BR, and to the spirit he's tried to instill in the team. We set out to dominate teams and blow them away and take no quarter and slaughter everyone 5-0 or die trying. He doesn't want to play the circumstances. **** the circumstances - make the circumstances bend to your will. It costs us sometimes, but the belief and attitude and fearlessness and relentlessness in the team has been a massive factor all year and, along with the brilliance of Suarez, might be the biggest reason we're title challengers in the first place. It's acted as a multiplier, basically, and while it might go wrong at the margins, consider what those margins are - I'd much rather lose the title because we were too foolhardy than nip fourth being strategic and reactionary. And I suspect BR would, too.

That's all counter-factual, mind, and I'm not saying that this is actually the case - we can't know - only saying that it might be a reason for BR's thinking here and it's something to consider what effect that no-holds-barred attitude really does have on the team. Long-term I do suspect he'll start being more strategic like that, once he's confident the mentality of the squad is established and once we have expectations to win things. But BR doesn't see this as a window and has said as much. No need to throw his principles out right now if we're going to be challenging every year.

Loving that post.

I can see that Brendan is trying to instil a mindset, culture and belief that becomes all encompassing. Tweaking around the margins only weakens that, as you say.

But if that's his game, then it seems quite fundamental to me. Fundamental to how he man manages, and how he wants to build the mentality of the club. Not sure he'd drop that next season if he had a stronger bench.

[Gibbo]

I was nervous before the Sunderland game but felt a bit better about this one, especially since we saw the Sunderland game out.

And then today's results happened and now I'm ****ting it again, massive massive game.

If we lose to this mob I'll be absolutely gutted.

[Saveloy]

Loving that post.

I can see that Brendan is trying to instil a mindset, culture and belief that becomes all encompassing. Tweaking around the margins only weakens that, as you say.

But if that's his game, then it seems quite fundamental to me. Fundamental to how he man manages, and how he wants to build the mentality of the club. Not sure he'd drop that next season if he had a stronger bench.

I guess that the bench bit was more a reply to Shaggy .

[Hemingway]

Interesting post and absolutely agree.

For what it's worth we have made the fewest substitutions in the league this season, and it would seem fairly obvious why that is the case. You'd expect him to be making more changes next season with a better set of alternatives.

Entirely agree with that, our bench has hamstrung him most of the season in that sense.

Loving that post.

I can see that Brendan is trying to instil a mindset, culture and belief that becomes all encompassing. Tweaking around the margins only weakens that, as you say.

But if that's his game, then it seems quite fundamental to me. Fundamental to how he man manages, and how he wants to build the mentality of the club. Not sure he'd drop that next season if he had a stronger bench.

Thanks Saveloy And I know the last paragraph is to Shaggy more than me, but for what it's worth I think his point different. If BR sees certain substitutions as reactionary, that doesn't mean he'll see all substitutions as reactionary. Progressive substitutions definitely exist (Sterling coming on against Southampton being the prime example) but our bench being what it is, BR doesn't have many options when it comes to making them. If we have a stronger bench he'd be making more substitutions in general and changing the game from the touchline, as a separate matter to this.

[kingfunk]

Don't think I'm gona sleep tonight! **** this fighting for the title crack!!

[DannyMan2006]

Entirely agree with that, our bench has hamstrung him most of the season in that sense.



Thanks Saveloy And I know the last paragraph is to Shaggy more than me, but for what it's worth I think his point different. If BR sees certain substitutions as reactionary, that doesn't mean he'll see all substitutions as reactionary. Progressive substitutions definitely exist (Sterling coming on against Southampton being the prime example) but our bench being what it is, BR doesn't have many options when it comes to making them. If we have a stronger bench he'd be making more substitutions in general and changing the game from the touchline, as a separate matter to this.

As said, with better players on the bench we will make more substitutions. As also said, Rodgers will not make a change for the sake of it. I can't remember if it was him who said something like ; If you have to make three subs, it's because you've got it wrong earlier. For me, Rodgers just doesn't panic. He's tried a system all week and he'll want to stick to that system. Don't throw it out the window because you've gone a goal down. That just brings chaos and the game is then lost. Stick to the plan and % wise you'll have better results. I think against Villa he waited too long, but you have to have faith sometimes.

Re. Subs in late games; As fans we will always think the same. But if your team is coping with what's being thrown at them, why change? It may waste some precious seconds, but the player you bring on will not be up to speed & may not know the position as well as the person he's replacing ( after all, if he was better he'd have started ). It's a gamble. He will however make changes if his team isn't coping. I remember Sakho coming on for a few minutes to use his height & strength against Stoke.

[Leyton388]

I'm ****ting myself thinking about the game. Defo can't sleep.

[Vermilion]

I'm ****ting myself thinking about the game. Defo can't sleep.

Wired!

I'm lurching from thoughts of a **** up tomorrow, to having the title won with games to spare!

[Leyton388]

Wired!

I'm lurching from thoughts of a **** up tomorrow, to having the title won with games to spare!

[DannyMan2006]

In times of panic I look at it a bit more rationally. If I was a betting man, my money would be on LFC to best Spurs. I'd probably also have us coming 2nd to City. Chelsea 3rd, Arsenal 4th, Everton 5th. Spurs 6th.

[Exiled_red]

I was nervous about this game in the week, but after yesterday's results and a chance for us to go top I'm really ****ting it now, I really don't want us to slip up.

[Fredo]

Why the panic chaps? We should embrace this. This is what we've been dreaming for 24 years!

Jesting a little bit. Of course it's understandable that the nerves kick in.But I'd panic if we were trapped in a relegation battle.