Vs Manchester City (A): Post Match Thread

[Vermilion]

Having sloped away from the game then avoided sports media oulets since last night, i've only just realised we scored a goal!

Just go's to show timing is everything though, if we had got the first goal i still think it could have been a different game altogether.

But we didn't, we could have! but alas we did not, and woe is us till we spank Spurs!

A Rock solid defence and we could be awesome! Make it so BR!

[BobTheCharmer]

We will NEVER have a rock solid defence under Rodgers, the sooner we accept that the better. If we can get a settled back four and cut out the mistakes it will help. Our game plan under Rodgers is attack and I can't see it changing, nor should it. Very rare you get a rock solid defence and great attacking these days, the game is all in favour of speed and attack, look at the world cup, proper defending is a dying art.

[frank the tank]

We will NEVER have a rock solid defence under Rodgers, the sooner we accept that the better. If we can get a settled back four and cut out the mistakes it will help. Our game plan under Rodgers is attack and I can't see it changing, nor should it. Very rare you get a rock solid defence and great attacking these days, the game is all in favour of speed and attack, look at the world cup, proper defending is a dying art.

Good post.

I think the settled back 4 will help big time but i am not sure Rodgers knows himself what his preferred back 4 will be. Everyone expects Lovren to be 1st choice because we paid £20m for him but we also paid close to that for Sakho not so long ago. Sakho and Lovren could be a very good partnership. I expect that Agger will leave the club because he could end up being 4th choice but the stats from last year certainly point to that being a mistake. It will be interesting to see how it pans out but it is something that could hurt our season if we dont sort it out asap.

I watched the game last night and looking at the two teams. We needed to score first to win the game. Some of the football was very very impressive -it was the cutting edge in the box that we really missed. From City's point of view, they take care of Sturridge and Sterling and the rest takes care of itself. When Balotelli, Markovic and Lallana get up to speed, then that should change dramatically.

I look at the team that started last night, and i really feel that we are missing a Mascherano in the middle of the park protecting the back 4. Lets just say we did have Masch, then put Gerrard in place of Joe Allen and we would have a very very strong team. Without someone like him, then i can't see us ever being effective at protecting a lead - we might add to it with the whole "attack attack attack" philosophy and extend leads but lets say we were 1-0 up with 10 mins to go last night and Johnson needs to go off, i wouldn't expect us to take the 3 points.

Sturridge likes to drift wide during games. It means that he is much more effective with a strike partner up top with him. We all saw it last night - i thought he played good and worked hard throughout the game but looked more dangerous when Lambert was also on the park. I think Rodgers might find it tricky to implement a system that gets Markovic, Balotelli, Sturridge, Sterling and Lallana all on the pitch at the same time but it's a good problem to have - as opposed to looking to find a system to keep Moses, Aspas and Cissokho as far away as possible!!!

[Vermilion]

We will NEVER have a rock solid defence under Rodgers, the sooner we accept that the better. If we can get a settled back four and cut out the mistakes it will help. Our game plan under Rodgers is attack and I can't see it changing, nor should it. Very rare you get a rock solid defence and great attacking these days, the game is all in favour of speed and attack, look at the world cup, proper defending is a dying art.

Sort of what i meant tbh.

[Lecter]

Lack of movement in the final 3rd was a massive problem for us, that coupled with us taking too long on the ball which was probably a result of the poor movement. City's flicks had purpose ours seemed to be more in hope than anything else really.

Basically every time Johnson got the ball going forwards the move broke down and he was then in a race to get back into position.

Allen was really good and basically ran himself into the ground like Henderson did last week, but it made me think its a tactic for us to have just one CM doing all the pressing because Henderson was much more disciplined this week. (I'm thinking to protect Gerrard? But its understandable to have 2 deep vs City)

Markovic looked lively when he came on, no idea why we stopped giving him the ball because he was causing them all kinds of trouble and looked to have a decent understanding with Moreno which is encouraging.

One of my mates was saying that you can't have Coutinho in a set up like that and expect to get the most out of him but for me he was giving the ball away far too easily, sometimes in deep positions in 5-10 yards of space and ****ing up a sideways pass under little to no pressure. 2 games in a row he's been poor now, Southampton marshalled him well but I'm afraid last night was just plain awful.

Oh and Mignolet, saved us last week but what the ****ing hell was he doing for the Aguero goal?????

I think Henderson has been really poor in our last two games

Really lacked energy in both performances

Maybe its because I've come to expect him running all over the pitch like the Duracell Bunny but I have been disappointed with his performances so far in this regard

In fact I've been disappointed with our pressing generally think its been lacklustre and sporadic to say the least. This was a problem in Brendans first season also but we excelled at it for most of last season but there has definitely been a noticeable drop off in intensity this season imo

[Tee]

I think Henderson has been really poor in our last two games

Really lacked energy in both performances

Maybe its because I've come to expect him running all over the pitch like the Duracell Bunny but I have been disappointed with his performances so far in this regard

In fact I've been disappointed with our pressing generally think its been lacklustre and sporadic to say the least. This was a problem in Brendans first season also but we excelled at it for most of last season but there has definitely been a noticeable drop off in intensity this season imo

Fair comment but its only 2 games in. I think Sturridge is less likely to close down as intensely and as often as Luis. Cannot see that improving much with Balotelli either. ****, we really do miss Luis.

[BobTheCharmer]

****, we really do miss Luis.

Not in the slightest as he would be banned right now anyway. So currently he is absolutely no loss whatsoever. We most probably WILL miss Luis going forwards though.

[CAD]

The way we play will always leave us open to quick counter attacks due to Rodgers playing an attacking style of football with the fullbacks bombing on and the two central midfielders pushing on to support the front three, this leaves Gerrard and 2 CBs holding the defensive duties for when and if the move breaks down, if it breaks down and a counter is launched quickly there's a lot of ground to potentially cover this is where having high energy fullbacks and centre midfielders are essential as they have the ability to get back and help cover off the threats.

But all this only supports the fact that we need a proven bona fide HM? Or I'm i misunderstanding your point?

[baronvonskidmark]

I think Henderson has been really poor in our last two games

Really lacked energy in both performances

Maybe its because I've come to expect him running all over the pitch like the Duracell Bunny but I have been disappointed with his performances so far in this regard

In fact I've been disappointed with our pressing generally think its been lacklustre and sporadic to say the least. This was a problem in Brendans first season also but we excelled at it for most of last season but there has definitely been a noticeable drop off in intensity this season imo

Personally I think he's looked ok. Perhaps not at his best, but in the Southampton game he did win the ball, riding two tackles before playing a twenty yard ball with the outside of his right foot leading to our first goal of the season.

That said though, I thought Allen pressed better than him last night.

[BobTheCharmer]

But all this only supports the fact that we need a proven bona fide HM? Or I'm i misunderstanding your point?

Whether we do or don't is irrelevant as Gerrard will play more often than not. So we have to find a way of making it work with him. It did for most of last season.

[G]

Nobody is looking for a rock solid defence. One that doesn't make silly individual errors time and again would be nice though.

[kingfunk]

Vs Manchester City (A): Post Match Thread

It was the second game of the season, 3 points better off than this time last year, don't have to play the champions away again, we are a new look side, the defence will only improve, I'm sure of that, it might take a couple more scrappy games but when Rodgers gets this team into stride we will be steamrolling teams again. I would have been devastated with the loss last night if I thought there was no hope, but this squad has immense potential.
I can see the vision BR has, this summer was all about adding dept to a squad that had basically a 1st team and that's it, there is now a decent squad in place, BR has said himself, any additions after this window will be world class additions. As has been said on hear already, last season was an anomaly, imho it will take another year before we become genuine title contenders, with the financial might City have. Personally I'd be happy with third this season, anything else is a bonus. Enjoy the ride.

[BobTheCharmer]

You make some good points in there Funk. We have huge potential. Not only were we much better than Utd last season, I think we will go on to establish we are a better side than them this one too. That hasn't happened for over 25 years! City are the side to beat, no doubts.

[I, Ravel Morrison]

It was the second game of the season, 3 points better off than this time last year, don't have to play the champions away again, we are a new look side, the defence will only improve, I'm sure of that, it might take a couple more scrappy games but when Rodgers gets this team into stride we will be steamrolling teams again. I would have been devastated with the loss last night if I thought there was no hope, but this squad has immense potential.
I can see the vision BR has, this summer was all about adding dept to a squad that had basically a 1st team and that's it, there is now a decent squad in place, BR has said himself, any additions after this window will be world class additions. As has been said on hear already, last season was an anomaly, imho it will take another year before we become genuine title contenders, with the financial might City have. Personally I'd be happy with third this season, anything else is a bonus. Enjoy the ride.

Man City are champions, and pretty much seasoned champs with their second recent crown. They have been spending huge amounts and effectively building towards being champions since 2009 after the Arabs took over.

They are an extremely well-organised side with power, pace, creativity and world-class players throughout.

And we gave them a decent tussle till we goofed up late in the first half. I'd only duly worry if we exhibit similar frailties against Spurs.

[Muddled]

Man City are champions, and pretty much seasoned champs with their second recent crown. They have been spending huge amounts and effectively building towards being champions since 2009 after the Arabs took over.

They are an extremely well-organised side with power, pace, creativity and world-class players throughout.

And we gave them a decent tussle till we goofed up late in the first half. I'd only duly worry if we exhibit similar frailties against Spurs.

The voice of reason.