Brendan Rodgers

[fidget]

Making do? He's got a perfectly serviceable right back at the club in the shape of Manquillo but instead he plays Can who is a very ordinary at right back (and that's being kind to the lad because I like him). Everywhere you look players are being needlessly played out of position. There is no making do about it, he's needlessly overcomplicated things.

I'll bet if Brendan plays pool it's all trickshots and trying to seven ball people then looking down his cue as if it's bent when he misses.

[Lecter]

I think there have been green shoots - I like our young squad and I fully expect the players to step up next season (without the obvious distractions). However, we definitely need three top class players (CB, DM and striker) to help us compete for the league.

As for playing the wrong players/systems - I agree that this season has been a disaster. Playing Lovren and trying to fit Gerrard in the first eleven didn't work - and our results in the first third of the season showed this. It got better when the system changed, Lucas was fit (and Lovren and Gerrard were not in the side).

The last couple of months have been about Gerrard and Sterling.

Had Sakho, Lucas and Sturridge been fit throughout this season, I've no doubt that we would have finished in the top four.

Lots of wishful thinking and hope in this

Cant say I share similar sentiments

Betting on Sakho, Lucas & Sturridge being fit for any length of time is optimistic to say the least

I have grave doubts that things will get much better next season, I said it a week or so back I think the crowd has turned and when that happens its nigh on impossible to turn it back. Hes going to have to start on fire next season and any mistakes will immediately be seized upon. Whilst there is nobody sat near me actively shouting that he be sacked there is very few who have any optimism that he is the man to take us forward and most want him gone

[Lecter]

This is the most damning aspect after 3 years and £220m.

Are we happy with the defence. No.
Are we happy with the midfield. No.
Are we happy with the attack. No.
GK. No.

Asked if we think we need most of a new spine to the side, I'm sure most would say yes.

That's unforgivable at the stage.

[Buzzo]

Remember when he who shall not be named, though is apparently good enough for Madrid, used to sign captains.

The spine was Reina, Hyypia, Carra, Alonso, Mascherano, Gerrard, Torres all fighters, all players who commanded respect. You could fit the rest of our squad around players like that (hell even Arbeloa and the left midfield Spanish dude, Kuyt was a fighter) and we'd not be far off. But we don't have the leaders, we don't have the captains. Whoever comes in has to lay some pretty solid foundations.

We need a lot of that mentality in our squad, we are way to meek. I don't see why we bombed out the likes of Kuyt, he's exactly the sort of fella we need right now.

[ronanm]

Remember when he who shall not be named, though is apparently good enough for Madrid, used to sign captains.

The spine was Reina, Hyypia, Carra, Alonso, Mascherano, Gerrard, Torres all fighters, all players who commanded respect. You could fit the rest of our squad around players like that (hell even Arbeloa and the left midfield Spanish dude, Kuyt was a fighter) and we'd not be far off. But we don't have the leaders, we don't have the captains. Whoever comes in has to lay some pretty solid foundations.

We need a lot of that mentality in our squad, we are way to meek. I don't see why we bombed out the likes of Kuyt, he's exactly the sort of fella we need right now.

Yeah, but he couldn't win the league with the strongest side we had in the PL era

[tanner]

Yeah, but he couldn't win the league with the strongest side we had in the PL era

we weren't bad in europe though

[Lecter]

Remember when he who shall not be named, though is apparently good enough for Madrid, used to sign captains.

The spine was Reina, Hyypia, Carra, Alonso, Mascherano, Gerrard, Torres all fighters, all players who commanded respect. You could fit the rest of our squad around players like that (hell even Arbeloa and the left midfield Spanish dude, Kuyt was a fighter) and we'd not be far off. But we don't have the leaders, we don't have the captains. Whoever comes in has to lay some pretty solid foundations.

We need a lot of that mentality in our squad, we are way to meek. I don't see why we bombed out the likes of Kuyt, he's exactly the sort of fella we need right now.

This shouldnt be turned into a Rafa thread but I get what you are saying in terms of the spine and the type of players we should be signing

We should be signing "men" both physically and mentally, the football we play is weak physically and mentally. We cant mix it up because teams that are physical bully and dominate us and its embarrassing to watch

[Buzzo]

Yeah, but he couldn't win the league with the strongest side we had in the PL era

But the foundations were in place. If we'd supplemented that with some decent squaddies, we'd have been in great shape.

The problem we have is I am not sure of the foundations of this team. You can make an argument of sorts for Henderson, but he has a lot to prove huge season ahead for him. Coutinho is class. Sturridge is class but incredibly injury prone. The rest, I don't think they are top quality.

[Alex]

Bit harsh on Sakho that. Think he is fantastic. One of the best defenders we have had since Hyypia left.

[Muddled]

Making do? He's got a perfectly serviceable right back at the club in the shape of Manquillo but instead he plays Can who is a very ordinary at right back (and that's being kind to the lad because I like him). Everywhere you look players are being needlessly played out of position. There is no making do about it, he's needlessly overcomplicated things.

Manquillo isn't the answer to our right back problems. In fact, a lot of our early defensive errors were down to Manquillo. It's no surprise that he has been bombed out. Yes, Can shouldn't have been played there, but Rodgers made a temporary change to go three at the back for a host of reasons.

Because we have centre-backs that were pulling in every direction except in unison. Because none of our centre-backs complement the other. because, in the summer when we had the funds to address it, they cocked it up.

He didn't change the system because this was his long-term vision. He came up with a temporary solution with the players he had available. Or made do.

[Lecter]

Manquillo isn't the answer to our right back problems. In fact, a lot of our early defensive errors were down to Manquillo. It's no surprise that he has been bombed out. Yes, Can shouldn't have been played there, but Rodgers made a temporary change to go three at the back for a host of reasons.

Because we have centre-backs that were pulling in every direction except in unison. Because none of our centre-backs complement the other. because, in the summer when we had the funds to address it, they cocked it up.

He didn't change the system because this was his long-term vision. He came up with a temporary solution with the players he had available. Or made do.

Its also because we dont have a midfield that protects the back four

Another obvious problem position that we failed to address, yet we signed 2 more attacking midfielders

I get why Brendan has gone to a three at the back I even get why he played Can there

I dont get why he has switched him out to rightback / right wingback on occasion

[Buzzo]

This shouldnt be turned into a Rafa thread but I get what you are saying in terms of the spine and the type of players we should be signing

We should be signing "men" both physically and mentally, the football we play is weak physically and mentally. We cant mix it up because teams that are physical bully and dominate us and its embarrassing to watch

Exactly, Carra and Hyypia weren't The most gifted, but Carra had fight and could organise, and Hyypia could lead and win balls in the air. We need some scrapers and fighters. Mascherano, what a player, skilled in the dark arts, Suarez the same (well documented incidents of going too far ) I remember when Torres squared up to Terry and thinking we had some player. Flannagan was missed in this respect, he'd start the game with a few borderline tackles, but at least the opposition new they were in for a fight, right?

Who leads from the front now? Who fights and fouls? We are pussycats. We don't need to be the most loved in the league, everyone's favourite other team, we just need to win and command respect.

Who looks tough in our team, Skrtel? Do me a favour. Without Gerrard we are going to lack some real fight. The ability to raise the game and pull a win from a draw or defeat.

Huge job of work ahead for whoever takes it on.

[Lecter]

Manquillo isn't the answer to our right back problems. In fact, a lot of our early defensive errors were down to Manquillo. It's no surprise that he has been bombed out. Yes, Can shouldn't have been played there, but Rodgers made a temporary change to go three at the back for a host of reasons.

Because we have centre-backs that were pulling in every direction except in unison. Because none of our centre-backs complement the other. because, in the summer when we had the funds to address it, they cocked it up.

He didn't change the system because this was his long-term vision. He came up with a temporary solution with the players he had available. Or made do.

Also one of the major problems is for me is that each year we have had a clear problem (or two) that needed addressing and I still think 3 years into his reign there are more problems that need addressing now than when he first arrived

[ronanm]

But the foundations were in place. If we'd supplemented that with some decent squaddies, we'd have been in great shape.

The problem we have is I am not sure of the foundations of this team. You can make an argument of sorts for Henderson, but he has a lot to prove huge season ahead for him. Coutinho is class. Sturridge is class but incredibly injury prone. The rest, I don't think they are top quality.

Apologies, I was agreeing with you. I just mentioned that as it was provided for a stick to beat Benitez with when I suggested him as a replacement for Brendan.

[Muddled]

Its also because we dont have a midfield that protects the back four

Another obvious problem position that we failed to address, yet we signed 2 more attacking midfielders

I get why Brendan has gone to a three at the back I even get why he played Can there

I dont get why he has switched him out to rightback / right wingback on occasion

I agree, the in-play changes made by Rodgers have been a tad erratic. Highlighted perfectly in the Aston Villa semi-final ... jeez, that match was a mess. Recently, Rodgers seems to have lost a little self-belief in his conviction and you can often see one player playing a host of positions.

Whilst not wanting to digress too much, Benitez devised a game plan and was adamant it would come good in the 90 minutes. Rodgers seems to tweak things at the slightest inkling of things not looking right and that could be as early as the tenth minute.