Brendan Rodgers

[The_weatherman]

Plus the ambition shown in the CL that season pissed me off no end - going to Real & playing the likes of Kolo FFS

And we're repeating that in the Europa League now, there is no winning mentality, just a developing mentality.

[Fierce]

I wouldn't argue against that Rodgers should be doing better, he should.
Where do we go if the next manager doesn't get us top 4?
Spend £100's millions again?

We cannot compete financially with Utd, City and Chelsea.
We're years away from competing financially with Arsenal.

Tottenham and West Ham will soon have new stadiums, what we should do in my opinion is hold our nerve and stay on the course we plotted, buy younger, developing players and give them a couple of seasons to mature.
We haven't been able to do that with Suarez and Sterling going. Unless Coutinho dramatically improves his end product he won't be going anywhere this summer so give it time.

Are you saying we should stick with Rodgers?

[Nicey]

I'd be amazed if gets out of this now ... the vultures are circling

[Fredo]

And we're repeating that in the Europa League now, there is no winning mentality, just a developing mentality.

Hmmm... We've got a squad and bought a lot of players, so he's utilising it and giving other players a chance. Not sure what he's doing wrong there really. He's clearly prioritising the league. I know some people would like it this way.

[The_weatherman]

Hmmm... We've got a squad and bought a lot of players, so he's utilising it and giving other players a chance. Not sure what he's doing wrong there really. He's clearly prioritising the league. I know some people would like it this way.

I would have preferred him to play a strong team in Europe tbh, the players need the experience of Europe. Very few of the main squad have done anything of note, all they are doing is battling for fifth in the league.

[Lecter]

Had Stevie not slipped that day, I genuinely believe we'd have won the league. Still think we'd have lost Suarez, but maybe getting Sanchez at the time would have been easier and Rodgers wouldn't have needed to alter the structure of the team.

I think Henderson getting sent off against City was the key point to that season

The slip can happen in any game but I genuinely think the loss of Henderson for those last 3 matches has been massively overlooked

[The Birdman]

I think Henderson getting sent off against City was the key point to that season

The slip can happen in any game but I genuinely think the loss of Henderson for those last 3 matches has been massively overlooked

Yep. THE pivatol moment

[Fredo]

Yeah, it probably didn't help as well. Fine margins I guess. Getting Sanchez was key for me, as I remember at the time that I was gutted that we missed out on him. Would have been the perfect replacement for Suarez and would have meant our philosophy and team structure would have remained the same. With Sturridge crocked, Rodgers had to go with a 4-3-3 with Balotelli, of all people at the forefront of our pressing. That is why he changed the shape and threw Sterling up there, who was also key at us going on a good run last season. All these little things contributed in ensuring that Rodger's philosophy was enforced.

Benteke is a different player and Rodgers hasn't found a way to adapt his style to his thinking, which explains the lack of identity in the team.

[The Birdman]

Are you saying we should stick with Rodgers?

I'm saying it wouldn't surprise me at all if we win convincingly against Villa and it starts to click back into place.
I'm saying I'd like us to stick with a manager through thick and thin, our chance to change was the summer, FSG didn't do that so now give him enough time this season, at least until Christmas.

I'm also saying that I think the 3 injuries have done him a favour (Benteke, Firmino and Lovren)
He is now forced to start Ings and Sturridge up front who will stretch teams crating the space for Coutinho.

I'll also accept that some (most) would argue he's got lucky, shouldn't have bought Benkete or Firmino in the first place etc... and that may be true.

Ferguson only bought Cantona because David Hirst got injured.

I'm in no way comparing the 2 managers just saying that often managers stumble across their best side by accident.

[Daniel 7]

Rodgers has reverted back to 433 at the start of every season though NigeyFredo - that's his philosophy, not the Suarez / Sturridge / Sterling swashbuckling fun of 13/14.

When a team goes into itself and retreats to the safe options at all times, doesn't have confidence in its ability and is as timid as this, its the end for the "project". I can't see any way back for Brendan now, its finished - and its a real pity.

[Vermilion]

Spurs generally finish ahead of us now, with various managers.

This rut we're in is long term.

[Fredo]

Rodgers has reverted back to 433 at the start of every season though NigeyFredo - that's his philosophy, not the Suarez / Sturridge / Sterling swashbuckling fun of 13/14.

But the balance was there two years ago when he alternated between a diamond and his preferred 4-3-3. Without the relentless pressing of Suarez or Sterling, the team lacks an edge. We used to catch teams because of our intensity. Now there's no such thing and he is trying to change it, but obviously it's like watching a live experiment game by game.

[The_weatherman]

Spurs generally finish ahead of us now, with various managers.

This rut we're in is long term.

Yes, but let's don something about it, the club is perfectly capable of doing it. All it needs is the right appointment now, and if we can get either of Ancelotti or Klopp, there is a good chance it would work.

[The_weatherman]

But the balance was there two years ago when he alternated between a diamond and his preferred 4-3-3. Without the relentless pressing of Suarez or Sterling, the team lacks an edge. We used to catch teams because of our intensity. Now there's no such thing and he is trying to change it, but obviously it's like watching a live experiment game by game.

It shouldn't take 200 million and two seasons though, he's had two pre-seasons, one full season and now about 6 weeks and things have been getting gradually worse, not better.

[Fredo]

And for all his failings in front of goal and end product, Sterling was a key player. His tactical awareness when we didn't have the ball was exceptional. His pressing and speed when in that transition phase, was the main reason we did well when we changed to that back three last year.