LFC v villa post match. scapegoat thread

[captainfog]

After 4 games my biggest concern is Gerrard who is so off the pace it's unreal. Can can't get back to full fitness quick enough.

[captainfog]

I dunno, perhaps. I think playing a diamond would have had us still playing through the middle and we would still be struggling to get through Aston Villa's defence right now. We just ran out of ideas - it's not the first time and it won't be the last. The way Villa were set up, our only option was going wide and our delivery from the flanks was atrocious.

We'd have been better sticking Lambert in the middle and sticking Henderson wide right and seeing what happens. Instead, we kept working it across the pitch for Coutinho to have an attempt from distance.

Aimlessly lumping crosses into the box is exactly what we shouldn't be doing.

[Exiled_red]

I think without Sterling and Sturridge we lacked pace to get behind them and cause them problems. The players we have are good and can pass the ball but without those two there is no one making runs in behind, and we spent much of the game playing in front of their back 4.

However defensively we made mistakes again which meant we got 0 points instead of 1

[BobTheCharmer]

Yet towards the end there was a moment when Gerrard ran with the ball and tried to commit players. I think he could offer more in games like this by moving upfield for the last ten. I think he still struggles to understand his role at times and Rodgers could give him licence to get involved more. Unless the body is too knackered.

[Exiled_red]

Yet towards the end there was a moment when Gerrard ran with the ball and tried to commit players. I think he could offer more in games like this by moving upfield for the last ten. I think he still struggles to understand his role at times and Rodgers could give him licence to get involved more. Unless the body is too knackered.

[captainfog]

Yet towards the end there was a moment when Gerrard ran with the ball and tried to commit players. I think he could offer more in games like this by moving upfield for the last ten. I think he still struggles to understand his role at times and Rodgers could give him licence to get involved more. Unless the body is too knackered.

One moment is not enough and yeah I think his body is knackered. He was supremely ineffective when Rodgers was playing him in a more advanced role.

[MrMichael]

That was what I worry about being normal for Balotelli. Massive mitigation of course but... well my concerns are on record.

International breaks can **** right off

This is Rodgers' first foray into the CL and managing squad rotation at this level. I think he's shown in the past that he is a very fast learner but this could be a bit rocky to begin with.

I hope the pressure doesn't get to Lovren. So much bedding in to do at the back. I like Manquillo but he is not comfortable going forward yet at all imo.

Mignolet is not developing presence. A real worry.

We'll be fine in the end, too many talented players not to be.

[tanner]

Was bored senseless by that. Fair play to Lambert, who I like, and Villa, who I ****in detest. Senderos did exactly what he should have done and got away with it. Fair play to Balotelli for not reacting. I hope Gerrard tried to do the same to Agbonlahor. If the fat cunt's job was to manmark SG, then he should have gotten a punch in the ribs and a stamp on the ankle in the first two minutes to make him back the **** off. Despite all our skill and speed and beautiful football, we need to generally be more horrible. Villa did all the right things today and wee were ****e. We'll play way better and win games but we're vulnerable.

And to tell the truth I reckon that Rodgers has an Achilles heel when it comes to coaching a defence. It remains to be seen how much this will hold us back.

Rogers really does need help with this, we're a bloody shambles at the back. I really don't think we've improved the defence at all this transfer window, none of the new players are an upgrade of what we had, and thats the problem. Lovren and Sakho were both hugely overpriced and not an upgrade on either Agger or Skrtel, yet Rogers has spent £50m on 3 defenders (inc Moreno). For £50m we should be rock solid at the back but we're no better than when he started here, you could say we're actually worse and thats a shocker and thats why we probably won't make the top 4 this season. The CL is going to have a devastating effect on us. £117m in the summer and it seems we still can't carry an injury.

[captainfog]

That was what I worry about being normal for Balotelli. Massive mitigation of course but... well my concerns are on record.

International breaks can **** right off

This is Rodgers' first foray into the CL and managing squad rotation at this level. I think he's shown in the past that he is a very fast learner but this could be a bit rocky to begin with.

I hope the pressure doesn't get to Lovren. So much bedding in to do at the back. I like Manquillo but he is not comfortable going forward yet at all imo.

Mignolet is not developing presence. A real worry.

We'll be fine in the end, too many talented players not to be.

Disagree about Manquillo, think he gets forward well. Also don't forget he's just a baby and so will have ups and downs. Agree with the rest.

[Muddled]

Aimlessly lumping crosses into the box is exactly what we shouldn't be doing.

It wouldn't be aimless, they'd be heading towards Lambert.

I'm not saying this should be our Plan A, I'm saying in the 80th minute when were struggling to get anywhere in front of goal, we'd have been better playing the percentages and looking for a knock down, a ricochet, a deflection ... *anything*. The whole working the ball from right to left, back to right wasn't working in the tenth minute and it wasn't working in the 80th minute.

I think without Sterling and Sturridge we lacked pace to get behind them and cause them problems. The players we have are good and can pass the ball but without those two there is no one making runs in behind, and we spent much of the game playing in front of their back 4.

However defensively we made mistakes again which meant we got 0 points instead of 1

Yup.

Balotelli looked lethargic and didn't really work their defence. He didn't make the runs, he drifted ... it was pretty painful to see.

Also, if Markovic can grow in confidence and offer the same kind of direct running that Sterling did when he came on, we will offer more of a threat.

[MrMichael]

Disagree about Manquillo, think he gets forward well. Also don't forget he's just a baby and so will have ups and downs. Agree with the rest.

I thought he put the effort in but his delivery and decision making was poor offensively, too often he checked back rather than having the confidence to drive forward. Really good pick up but he has a lot of development and learning to do still.

[rodo]

i blame them new floodlights

[Leyton388]

How the hell have Aston Villa turned into our boggy team?

[G]

Give Tony Pulis a call and ask him to show the coaches how to drill the defence. No seriously,

[Leyton388]

I know the defence is new but you don't need to be together a long time to know how to clear a ball. Its a bloody joke. Even with a new defence the same defensive mistakes are happening. Its got to be down to the coaching.