Crystal Palace away Build up.

[The_weatherman]

Coupled with others also being in the red form wise helps us further. But by God I've never got through so many nails and underwear by November.

The only encouraging thing I can offer is our '2nd leg' performance against Madrid and then Chelsea were quite positive and if we can achieve those levels we should be able to put those mythical back to back wins together. Only have to hope we don't revert to the Hull/Newcastle form.

Thing is, that line up didn't have to carry Balotelli, Lovren and Gerrard.

[Doc_Piptorious]

I'm not sure that dropping the entire team is an 'obvious solution'. It is really easy from outside to point at individuals but we have no idea what Rodgers is trying to achieve in the bigger picture. Sometimes you have to persevere when things aren't working in order to perfect your plan.

I can see a good argument that the best way to integrate new players is into a team which is working. It seems quite likely (to me at least) that Rodgers feels that having the majority of players in the team being those who have taken his instruction well before would be a good way to build a new team. Something does need to change or progress but I'm not sure change for the sake of change which seems to be what people are advocating is a good plan (long term especially).

Yes, but sometimes you have to remove underperformers from the firing line and let them work their way back into the team rather than chucking them in week after week regardless of form.

Plus it is not as though all the replacements would be new to the club or league. Defeats the point of having a squad system if the second string remain on the side lines when their first string counterparts stink up the place for a prolonged period of time.

Guys like Lucas, Allen, Borini, and Manquillo should be chomping at the bit, and all have been integrated into the team already so should be able to ake the places of underperformers.


Lallana should be getting game time. He is an experienced player and one we seemed to chase hard to get.


Toure is a viable option for either Skrtel or Lovern at present and if Toure was played no more than one game a week then he would remain fresh.


It is all well and good if Rodgers wants to persist with more or less the same team week after week, but when the weeks roll by and the same players keep putting in sub par performances, and the results continue to be patchy, then there is a strong argument for changing some of the team. Rodgers could still persist with whatever systems he is trying to implement, but freshen them up with some fresh blood from time to time and if the replacements get results then they keep their places, if they do not, then we can always go back to the players who were underperforming as they may then have a point to prove after being dropped/rested.

[BigChief]

Thing is, that line up didn't have to carry Balotelli, Lovren and Gerrard.

Agreed, though Lovren did alright against Chelsea (he played in that right? My memory is blocking out pain). Gerrard should be ok against Crystal Palace and Balotelli is injured but isn't that much worse than Borini minus the running.

Yes, but sometimes you have to remove underperformers from the firing line and let them work their way back into the team rather than chucking them in week after week regardless of form.

Guys like Lucas, Allen, Borini, and Manquillo should be chomping at the bit, and all have been integrated into the team already so should be able to ake the places of underperformers.

Agreed with all of your post but quoted the important parts. Lucas, Allen and Can (and even Borini) when played together provide an altogether different challenge to opposing teams who have to sit deeper because we hunt in packs. When those players are dropped the opposition know exactly how to hurt us - i.e. high line (as we ain't scoring anyway) and press on Gerrard. Easy.

[frank the tank]

is Balotelli definately injured for Sunday though? I didn't think it was a long term thing - just didn't heal as well as thought for the Italy international game so he came back to Melwood....

I think our main problems at the moment are:

(1) We can't defend for ****
(2) We don't seem to be creating enough clear opportunities in the penalty area

For me the temporary solution to both of these issues is to move gerrard to the #10 role behind either one or two strikers. He is more likely to create something out of nothing from that position on the pitch.......

If we drop points in this game then i feel that our season is screwed to be honest. Our league season anyway.......

[Slinky Skills]

is Balotelli definately injured for Sunday though? I didn't think it was a long term thing - just didn't heal as well as thought for the Italy international game so he came back to Melwood....

I think our main problems at the moment are:

(1) We can't defend for ****
(2) We don't seem to be creating enough clear opportunities in the penalty area

For me the temporary solution to both of these issues is to move gerrard to the #10 role behind either one or two strikers. He is more likely to create something out of nothing from that position on the pitch.......

If we drop points in this game then i feel that our season is screwed to be honest. Our league season anyway.......

Hopefully.

[G]

Apart from last season, this is exactly the type of game we routinely drop points in so I'm not expecting much from tomorrow, especially without Sturridge.

[Pablo]

Apart from last season, this is exactly the type of game we routinely drop points in so I'm not expecting much from tomorrow, especially without Sturridge.

I guarantee you we won't be picking up any points tomorrow.

[baitman]

I guarantee you we won't be picking up any points tomorrow.

insider info

or just seen the dates on the fixture list

[G]

I'm not expecting much from the game, whenever the bloody thing is.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Lets see something different instead of the same old record.

---------------Mignolet
Manquillo--Skrtel--Toure--Moreno
---------------Lucas
----------Can------Allen
-------------Coutinho
--------Sterling---Balotelli

Lovren
Johnson
Gerrard
Henderson

All out of form and the others have at least proven they'll graft when given the chance.

[SB]

Lets see something different instead of the same old record.

---------------Mignolet
Manquillo--Skrtel--Toure--Moreno
---------------Lucas
----------Can------Allen
-------------Coutinho
--------Sterling---Balotelli

Lovren
Johnson
Gerrard
Henderson

All out of form and the others have at least proven they'll graft when given the chance.

I'll have that.

[Rigadon]

Lets see something different instead of the same old record.

---------------Mignolet
Manquillo--Skrtel--Toure--Moreno
---------------Lucas
----------Can------Allen
-------------Coutinho
--------Sterling---Balotelli

Lovren
Johnson
Gerrard
Henderson

All out of form and the others have at least proven they'll graft when given the chance.

Good side However, I'd go with Lallana instead of Coutinho (for this game) and possibly Lambert instead of Balotelli.

[Rigadon]

Think our season will (finally) start on Sunday.

[BigChief]

Lets see something different instead of the same old record.

---------------Mignolet
Manquillo--Skrtel--Toure--Moreno
---------------Lucas
----------Can------Allen
-------------Coutinho
--------Sterling---Balotelli

Lovren
Johnson
Gerrard
Henderson

All out of form and the others have at least proven they'll graft when given the chance.

Perfection. Easily beat Palace with that team. Easily.

So it won't happen. Expecting Lovren and Gerrard to start.

[danperkins]

Lets see something different instead of the same old record.

---------------Mignolet
Manquillo--Skrtel--Toure--Moreno
---------------Lucas
----------Can------Allen
-------------Coutinho
--------Sterling---Balotelli

Lovren
Johnson
Gerrard
Henderson

All out of form and the others have at least proven they'll graft when given the chance.

although would have Lallana instead of Allen.