Brendan Rodgers

[Exiled_red]

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.

Like I say I'm not a big fan of Enrique but he is 10 times the player Cissokho is. Also I think playing Flanagan at LB would help Johnson out at RB, because I believe that when we have two attacking fullbacks it always seems to be Johnson that is the one who has to rein his attacking game in so that we don't get caught out (Despite him being the best attacking fullback we have). It was obvious yesterday where he was basically playing as a 3rd CB to cover for the fact that Cissokho was constantly out of position. He does the same to a lesser extend when Enrique plays, which is why I'd go with Flanagan - I think it gives us a better balance.

[Sarb]

We need to go and sign a LB. That's what I would be looking at

[RichC]

We probably could do with a LB but we've got to make sure we get the right one in, much like every position really.

All fine and good saying buy for this position or that position but if the right type of player isn't a) available or b) willing to come then it's about making the most of what we've got.

In reality when all fully fit our defensive unit is pretty solid it's just seemingly made of twiglets.

[Sarb]

We probably could do with a LB but we've got to make sure we get the right one in, much like every position really.

All fine and good saying buy for this position or that position but if the right type of player isn't a) available or b) willing to come then it's about making the most of what we've got.

In reality when all fully fit our defensive unit is pretty solid it's just seemingly made of twiglets.

Do you think there is an issue with set up though and not having the right balance between attack and defence? Im not wholly convinced it is purely a personnel issue

[Exiled_red]

Do you think there is an issue with set up though and not having the right balance between attack and defence? Im not wholly convinced it is purely a personnel issue

I think that it is a bit of both. You could argue that the system we had yesterday might have worked had we had the right personnel, for me that would have to be a solid DM (someone like Mascherano) and a LB who didn't constantly go missing. Although personally I would have started the game with the system we started the 2nd half with. Either way the problem that needed addressing was the midfield area and not getting overrun in there which is what was happening.

[RichC]

I think there is a problem in so far we've tried to fit Sturridge back into the side with the removal of a midfielder rather than an attacker which for me just doesn't work.

With the players we've got it makes the most sense to be playing a 3 man midfield and then 3 up top; the addition of Lucas to the side yesterday for Coutinho I think highlighted that pretty clearly.

I can see what Rodgers is trying to do with Gerrard as this deep lying midfielder but it just doesn't work with a two man midfield and it's really not his natural game, if honest the best combo this season in midfield was when we had Lucas, Henderson and Allen playing but with a fit Gerrard he will start and to be honest probably should.

For the next home game and relying on players actually being fit I'd hope to see this line up.

................Mignonet........................

Johnson..Skrtel...Sakho...Enrique...

.................Lucas.......................

.........Gerrard.......Henderson..........


.....Sterling....Suarez......Sturridge.......

[Norbs]

Strange thing is that we could all see this weakness and yet the manager didn't. 4-3-3 is where we've looked most effective and we had the resources yesterday to start with that formation. Coutinho is set for a chunk on the sidelines now I think.

Allen/Lucas - Gerrard - Henderson
Sterling - Sturridge - Suarez

Seems pointless to consider any alternatives imo

[RichC]

Yup I'd agree with that, I wonder if yesterday's tinkering was a little bit of over confidence from BR, thinking we should have more than enough to walk through them.

On a positive we did manage to get the draw after being 2 down and he has so far learnt from his mistakes.

Yesterday could have been a complete disaster and in reality whilst we didn't win it wasn't.

[Sarb]

Was a basic **** up by Rodgers in selection. Disrespected the opposition. If we had kept the same formation and benched Coutinho, we would have won the game most likely. Its the **** thing about it really.

[G]

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.

Especially since his half time sub and change of shape showed that we set up wrong in the first place.

[RichC]

It does but it also shows he's capable and willing to make changes which for me is a good thing.

Too often in the past we've had managers unwilling to change things

[Alex]

Dare i say it a certain previous manager wouldn't have made such a massive tactical **** up in the first place.

Are you on about Shanks? Or Paisley? Because all managers make mistakes. But the good ones sort them out and fix the **** up. Which Brendan did second half.

[RichC]

Are you on about Shanks? Or Paisley? Because all managers make mistakes. But the good ones sort them out and fix the **** up. Which Brendan did second half.

Rafa I'd imagine who was also known to have the odd rick as well. As you've said all managers make them it's how they react to them though that's important.

[Norbs]

Yup I'd agree with that, I wonder if yesterday's tinkering was a little bit of over confidence from BR, thinking we should have more than enough to walk through them.

On a positive we did manage to get the draw after being 2 down and he has so far learnt from his mistakes.

Yesterday could have been a complete disaster and in reality whilst we didn't win it wasn't.

If I could pin a potential flaw on Brendan then it would be over-confidence. Success may change him but he has to be successful first

[Fredo]

It does but it also shows he's capable and willing to make changes which for me is a good thing.

Too often in the past we've had managers unwilling to change things

Yes it's a good thing and to be fair to him, he changed to 3 at the back after 35/40 mins, then went with 4-1-2 at half time, which brought us back into the game. But at the end of the day, he cost us 2 points.