Brendan Rodgers

[baitman]

The sad reality IMO is that the sole reason Lucas is starting games is because he is our only DM if we buy a decent DM in January then I suspect that will be the end of Lucas' days as a guaranteed starter.

at least we can rely on rafa putting a cheeky loan bid in

[MrMichael]

I don't think that's fair. Alberto has been bought on when there are spaces centrally and he's done well. I don't think that was the case against Chelsea. To me Rodgers is playing to his strengths until he is better adapted. I think it is just a matter of time.

This, 100% this. All this nonsense about committees and Rodgers not fancying certain players is quite wrong imo, and verging on disrespectful of our manager to suggest he'd make political subs or selections rather than just picking who he believes is the best man for a job that he has available. You just have to look at players like Henderson, Skrtel and Enrique who went from sidelines to first team regulars through performance and attitude alone to see that Brendan selects on merit, probably more so than any manager I can remember us having.

Despite his age & lack of experience, with Allen going off Smith was the best replacement for him on the bench so was given a shot - Alberto may have cost £6m but he's hardly played many first team games himself and is basically a withdrawn forward, just like DWW says I don't at all think the Chelsea game in that situation was necessarily made for him (unless forced to replace Coutinho perhaps)

[The Birdman]

I didn't say anything about Lucas tackling or not tackling.
I have said for ages with Lucas (like I have with Skrtel) that he isn't dominant as a defensive midfield against the better sides.
It's got nothing to do with size and power or even athleticism (although Lucas has lost his mobility after his injuries) because Makelele was brilliant at it.

In a side that presses, with full backs pushed on up the pitch the defensive mid needs to offer a lot, lot more than Lucas does. Against the weaker sides it doesn't matter as our quality elsewhere masks it but when we play similar or better quality sides he doesn't offer enough protection anymore.

[Pablo]

I felt sorry for Brad Smith. That first touch was crucial for him IMO. He tried a clever flick and it never came off. From that moment on he looked panicked. I think had he played it simple with his first touch he might have been ok. He must have felt like crying after the game when he should have been elated. I hope it doesn't ruin his confidence.

[Sarb]

The defence and defending of set pieces has not markedly improved since he took over. We are shocking at it especially off set pieces. I fear it is something that may hold us back from the top 4

[Pablo]

The defence and defending of set pieces has not markedly improved since he took over. We are shocking at it especially off set pieces. I fear it is something that may hold us back from the top 4

It does seem to be a recurring area of weakness. I'd like to see that stats on it though. It can often be subjective. I'm sure on the commentary for the Chelsea game they said Chelsea had conceded more goals from headers than any other team this season. They're nailed on for top 4.

Maybe we're making it seem worse than it really is?

[G]

It said they had conceded 7 times from set pieces. We've conceded 8 times.

[Pablo]

Cheers. It is poor and it is a worry that it seems to keep on happening. Most worrying for me though is it often seems to be individual lapses in concentration which are hard to coach out of players. First it was Agger switching off, now Skrtel seems to be doing it.

I'm very surprised by Chelsea being up there though, I'd always considered them one of the strongest teams in the league at defending set pieces.

[G]

It's not just set pieces. Numerous goals have been due to players switching off and not tracking runners.Allen didn't track Hazard and Skrtel didn't track Eto'o,Gerrard has done it a few times too.I know almost every goal conceded by any team will be the result of an opposition mistake but we make too many of them collectively.

[Slinky Skills]

I was more "annoyed" with the Sakho substitution actually. At that point in the game, I'd have preferred him to replace Sakho with Alberto, move Agger to CB, Smith to LB, and play either Alberto or Coutinho on the left. We didn't really have much to lose at that point.

Alright Rodgers alright!

[Norbs]

[Sarb]

Is it an over focus on attacking as opposed to defending ? Almost every goal we concede is comical. Negredo's one was shocking the way we only had two defenders back in open play. Yeah lovely to watch us attack but it isnt helping in big games and I have zero belief that we are capable of a clean sheet .

It is almost Keegan-esque in his Newcastle days

[Leyton388]

Everytime we defend a corner or free kick I'm convinced we are going to concede. I just just have no confidence in our defence and IMO it is lacking a leader.

[Norbs]

Our play is Keeganesque. Said it last night that we lack a true leader in defence plus Lucas, a shouter and berator like Carra or Ferdinand. The two most like them aren't getting a game. I find the Agger situation utterly baffling. He just seems such a Brendan sort of player, a perfect fit

Is it an over focus on attacking as opposed to defending ? Almost every goal we concede is comical. Negredo's one was shocking the way we only had two defenders back in open play. Yeah lovely to watch us attack but it isnt helping in big games and I have zero belief that we are capable of a clean sheet .

It is almost Keegan-esque in his Newcastle days

Keeganesque is exactly the right word

[Sarb]

Everytime we defend a corner or free kick I'm convinced we are going to concede. I just just have no confidence in our defence and IMO it is lacking a leader.

I used to think it was personnel issue but Im just not convinced. The reason that is is because of the way we sometimes get caught in open play. The defending on set pieces is just atrocious. Skrtel the main CB never attacking the ball is just bizarre