Brendan Rodgers

[JohnDoe]

I think that Rafa and Rodgers had opposite problems, Rafa had a solid team, but attackwise we just had Gerrard and Torres who were top class in an attacking sense. Rodgers has an outstanding attacking front 3 or 4, but defensively it is poor, if we had Rafa's defensive set up (back 4 and 2 DM) with our current front 4 that would be phenomenal (and well balanced) team.

Yep, but striking the balance is much harder than it is on paper. It's what seperates the good from the great. Part of the reason Rafa's sides were so solid defensively was because we had those two deep lying midfielders and very rarely were our defenders isolated with a runner through the middle. It happens constantly under Rodgers because he encourages playing a very high line with only one defensive midfielder sweeping between the CB's, but that high line is why we're so fluid offensively as it keeps the distance between our players at a minimum when in possession.

The truth is, we shouldn't be trying to defend like the Rafa teams because we're built up differently. We need pace at the DM position, we need pace in defence and we need defenders who are comfortable at closing down large amounts of space while being comfortable on the ball when a stray ball comes their way.

[Hemingway]

Three at the back concedes the middle too often. I didn't mind it at the time, but going forward, we can't rely on it.

I don't know about that, it's the same three-man midfield as a 4-3-3.

[Exiled_red]

Yep, but striking the balance is much harder than it is on paper. It's what seperates the good from the great. Part of the reason Rafa's sides were so solid defensively was because we had those two deep lying midfielders and very rarely were our defenders isolated with a runner through the middle. It happens constantly under Rodgers because he encourages playing a very high line with only one defensive midfielder sweeping between the CB's, but that high line is why we're so fluid offensively as it keeps the distance between our players at a minimum when in possession.

The truth is, we shouldn't be trying to defend like the Rafa teams because we're built up differently. We need pace at the DM position, we need pace in defence and we need defenders who are comfortable at closing down large amounts of space while being comfortable on the ball when a stray ball comes their way.

I'm not saying we should defend like we did under Rafa, I just believe that 2 DMs combined with the attacking players we have would give us a balanced side.

[JohnDoe]

I'm not saying we should defend like we did under Rafa, I just believe that 2 DMs combined with the attacking players we have would give us a balanced side.

I think it would hurt our movement and fluidity signifcantly.

[Exiled_red]

I think it would hurt our movement and fluidity signifcantly.

I don't think it would hurt us that much to be honest.

[RedRum]

I've warmed up to Rodgers because I think he's trying to build the foundation of a top class attacking side, but is currently struggling to shore up our defence because of personnel issues. I'm still worried about him in the transfer market but I think he's steering us in the right direction.

You are right, he is.

[G]

He needs to swallow his pride and abandon it right now. Pretty sure Gerrard doesn't want to play there. I don't get this whole moving him back thing. You need more legs - tracking, covering, pressing - in the deeper role IMO and him being there negates most of his quality. It was apparent when almost as soon as he moved forward he did a couple of great things. His passing is high risk much of the time and it's better to lose the ball nearer their goal than ours. And if he doesn't give it away in those areas, he's causing havoc.

I reckon his days as an absolute fixture in the side every week ought to be being gradually brought to a close, but he should play more often than not and when he does it has to be in an attacking role. Daniel7 made a great point - you don't see Totti playing holding mid.

I got that impression too from his interview after Stoke,the way he continually emphasised that he was playing further back. I don't think he enjoys it and its pretty obvious he isn't very good at it.

As I said after the Stoke game,play him as part of the front 3(in behind the SAS most likely) or put him on the bench.Its that simple for me

[el matador]

Ive never seen us so open. Today going in with only one central midfielder and Gerrard was a mistake. Villa dominated us right from the start and it wasn't a surprise.

That's a major tactical error and once the team was announced we all knew that our midfield wasn't going to compete against villas 3. We effectively had 1.5 midfielders because Gerrard cant play in a midfield 3 let alone a midfield two.

It was a car crash of a performance. First half was a total disaster.

[danperkins]

Coutinho needs dropping with Gerrard slotting into that position further up the pitch.

[vlahka]

I'm pretty happy with Rodgers too, hes great. I had no idea what to think of him when he first signed up though. I also believe the formation yesterday would of proved fine if we didnt have such a poor defence at the moment. Once we replace players like Cissokho, toure, and johnson, we'll be fine. I'm hoping next season players like Flanagan and Kelly will play more.

Does anyone know what Robinson is doing? I thought he was on loan somewhere but cant find info about performances etc. I definitely liked the look of him whenever he played, ignoring inexperience.

[RichC]

Robinson is playing at Blackpool, supposedly doing ok bar getting sent off twice in quick succession.

We've got Sakho, Flannagan and hopefully Enrique due back before the next league game on the 28th so we will be getting back to having a settled back 4 soon

[Exiled_red]

Robinson is playing at Blackpool, supposedly doing ok bar getting sent off twice in quick succession.

We've got Sakho, Flannagan and hopefully Enrique due back before the next league game on the 28th so we will be getting back to having a settled back 4 soon

It will be interesting to see who plays at LB when everyone is fit, it certainly won't be Cissokho, personally I don't rate Enrique but his stock is rising with every game Cissokho plays, I thought Flanagan did well before he got injured and I would like to see him get a chance to continue that, but I suspect it will be Enrique who gets the nod, but I don't think he is the answer long term.

[Fredo]

It doesn't help that we've had to change our defence, but I think we've conceded 5 goals in the last two games out of putting out the wrong system rather than it being the back four's fault.

Listened to BR's post match interview this morning, and it seems he attributed our poor first half to some players not being at their best and Villa playing really well. He should have held his hands up and admitted to ****ing up last night IMO.

[Exiled_red]

It doesn't help that we've had to change our defence, but I think we've conceded 5 goals in the last two games out of putting out the wrong system rather than it being the back four's fault.

Listened to BR's post match interview this morning, and it seems he attributed our poor first half to some players not being at their best and Villa playing really well. He should have held his hands up and admitted to ****ing up last night IMO.

I didn't see the Stoke match (only the highlights) but yesterday it was painfully obvious what the problem was straight away. As I said in the match thread I'm not a fan of the first half substitution, but given how the game was going I thought that 20mins in we should have brought Lucas on it was blatantly obvious to everyone surely.

[RichC]

It will be interesting to see who plays at LB when everyone is fit, it certainly won't be Cissokho, personally I don't rate Enrique but his stock is rising with every game Cissokho plays, I thought Flanagan did well before he got injured and I would like to see him get a chance to continue that, but I suspect it will be Enrique who gets the nod, but I don't think he is the answer long term.

Myself I'd go with Enrique over the longer term (for this season) BUT he's going to be really lacking match practice which could be a concern.

Having both Flannagan and Enrique back will help both sides of defence though as Flannagan can play either side as can Johnson who is in need of come competition for the RB slot.