v Arsenal (A): Post Match

[chadrtc]

Just the way these days isn't it... not that long ago a ton of Arsenal fans were on the "Wenger out" bandwagon. Fwiw I think any expectation that we have to qualify for the CL every season for the manager to keep his job is unrealistic given the relative strength and spending power of our direct rivals for those spots. This season has been disappointing but I would have hoped most LFC fans could see enough positive at the club, and enough to be gained from stability and consistency, to give Rodgers at least another season.

Sadly, that's not the way of things anymore.

[Gibbo]

You don't have to trust him as he isn't the one who decides who we sign. If he did we'd have signed Ashley Williams every season since he came. He's given options and he picks from the options. You really think Balotelli would've been his first choice?

Mixture of both isn't it? Isn't it supposed to be common knowledge that Lovren and Lambert were both very much Rodgers signings. I'm not having that Brendan has no say at all. Rephrase is maybe to "I don't trust the committee" but still.

[DannyMan2006]

It feels like the last couple of games have screwed our season, truth is the damage was done really early on, the squad isn't good enough despite having numbers we don't have quaility and we have players who just don't play and to be honest might as well not be here. Without Sturridge we have no quality strikers, when he is out we have so little faith in Balotelli, Borini and Lambert that we will play a kid out of position there. Defensively Lovren is the same we wasted the £40m quid in the summer on players who can't even get a game when the squad is down to the bones of it's arse in their position. And although Lallana and Markovic are decent players they haven't established themselves in the team on a regular basis yet, we are essentially left with last season's squad minus Suarez, despite spending £100m

I thought the 3-4-3 was working, the problem is we have been changing players around and around, I don't think we know who should play where. I think we need to sort this out so we can figure out what we need to bring in.

343 was never going to be a long term plan. It was a way to improve us and try and limp over the line. It put our best available players in the team and in the main it was going well up until the Swansea game. Personally I think now we have Sturridge back its time to ditch it, especially as it's been found out. Arsenal at Anfield couldn't get near us, today they pressed us high like United & Swansea and we struggled.

[MrMichael]

Well to go to a four as I'm suggesting, then those two are our best choices right now. Toure is a ****ing useless cunt that serves no ****ing purpose, the cunt just looks a clown, plays like a clown and should go for a walk and get lost in the way back. Sakho and lovren would be the only centre backs available. Johnson is our best fit right back.

Balotelli because I know you love him. Seriously, we just lost 4 - 1, it couldn't be any worse with him starting.

Losing, even badly, does not in itself indicate a requirement to change everything up with 8 games left of the season, especially when its to a good side and the proposed changes go back to a system that was losing to much worse teams not 4 months ago.

I agree Toure was bollox today, I expected Lovren to start today but he has had some pretty atrocious performances too. Johnson has been terrible for ages, is on his way out, and would be totally not-match fit. I'd say you could make as good a case for Manquillo... and the problem with going to a flat 4 is it will expose Moreno more on the left, potentially hurt Sakho who looks more comfortable in a 3, and not give us the option of filling in on the right with a more attacking player, something which has worked well since Xmas for us apart from against the better sides admittedly.

The calls for Balotelli are just ridiculous and defy rational explanation

[DannyMan2006]

Mixture of both isn't it? Isn't it supposed to be common knowledge that Lovren and Lambert were both very much Rodgers signings. I'm not having that Brendan has no say at all. Rephrase is maybe to "I don't trust the committee" but still.

If he could pick who he wants we'd have Ashley Williams. He's given options and he picks from those available. Maybe we need someone who can pick better out the options. Personally I'd keep Rodgers. But if he were to go I'd scrap the system entirely and give Rafa Benitez free reign.

[ChrisDR1968]

If he could pick who he wants we'd have Ashley Williams. He's given options and he picks from those available. Maybe we need someone who can pick better out the options. Personally I'd keep Rodgers. But if he were to go I'd scrap the system entirely and give Rafa Benitez free reign.

He'd just moan that the owners weren't backing him again though... regardless of how much he was given to spend

[BobTheCharmer]

I'd start Lambert every game. But I wouldn't ask him to run around trying to close people down. Watch the tapes of his time at Southampton and realise what it requires to get the best from him. Its not rocket science. Same goes for balotelli. Both are capable of scoring games, but they require minutes on the pitch and players around them to do the running. No point having fit young things closing down if they can't shoot for ****.

[Mattshark]

We need more quality midfielders

[captainfog]

Bob defiantly doesnt want Europa football with his calls for Rodgers to play Lovren Johnson and Lambert ha!

[captainfog]

Was surprised that Markovic got hooked he was one of our better players. Also do you need Allen Lucas and Henderson all in the same midfield together?

Why wasn't Mario even on the bench?

[gentingfrmhell]

If he could pick who he wants we'd have Ashley Williams. He's given options and he picks from those available. Maybe we need someone who can pick better out the options. Personally I'd keep Rodgers. But if he were to go I'd scrap the system entirely and give Rafa Benitez free reign.

Keep Rodgers and bring in Rafa as DOF

[cream]

We need more quality midfielders

Three at least, current crop aren't good enough.

[DannyMan2006]

I'd start Lambert every game. But I wouldn't ask him to run around trying to close people down. Watch the tapes of his time at Southampton and realise what it requires to get the best from him. Its not rocket science. Same goes for balotelli. Both are capable of scoring games, but they require minutes on the pitch and players around them to do the running. No point having fit young things closing down if they can't shoot for ****.

You make a good point.

But the biggest point was one we all knew before a ball had been kicked this season, we hadn't signed a player good enough to take the place of Suarez. And I wasn't expecting someone as good, just someone good enough to play up top in this league in the style that we like. And we didn't do that. All the players in world football and we can't find an aggressive & hard working striker in the mould of Suarez. It was pathetic & a huge let down.

[DannyMan2006]

Keep Rodgers and bring in Rafa as DOF

Wouldn't work as they have different ideas on how the game should be played.

[vlahka]

Don't want Rodgers sacked. But wouldnt have any issues if her were uppercutted for his purchases.