Brendan Rodgers

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

He left gaps lays year, which they showed. They weren't punished because he had Morgan and Wanyama who sat deep and dropped into the gaps. They also track runners into the box that ran into the gaps. In fairness, whilst it's obvious to see now, it wasn't probably so obvious to scouts as maybe they thought that's the way So'ton played.

For So'ton he looked great. He was very aggressive to the ball. He could be. If went out of position when he did this he had cover. He also looked better on the ball as he always had the pace of Rodriguez to hit which stretched teams, or a simple pass to Morgan or Wanyama. At present, until MUFC game, we didn't have runners in behind to hit so play was condensed.

I actually thought Lovren looked OKAY against Basle when Lucas was covering. I think the only gaps Basle hit were between Johnson and Skrtel. So I guess that shows that gaps between Lovren and Moreno aren't the exception. It's the norm. In fact, the only player shown to be covering properly is Toure. Lovren and Sakho are young so I let them off slightly. Skrtel, well I've given up on him. As an individual he's probably our best defender. But I'd love to see a combo of Lovren or Sakho with Toure.

Even last season people, me included wanted to see Toure/Sakho but I don't think we got to or am I forgetting?

Lovren has issues, we have issues and together its a cluster****.

[Lecter]

Here's a thought.

If a local journalist is on the Rodgers camp, what does it make you think?

I can't imagine a local journalist being in the Rodgers camp if he wasn't on stronger footing than others at the club. Put yourself in the place of Pearce. You have to have a close link with the club or you're out a job. Better to back the man who will win is it not? I understand a British scout for the club got the boot after the start of the season. Maybe someone's already aware we had issues?

Hasnt it been well know that the Echo's links with Rodgers have been less than with previous managers????

I suppose if someone throws you a bone then you are bound to wag your tail and listen

Dont get me wrong I think the Committee is an issue BUT so is Rodgers and if that article is true then it only makes me more resigned to change than before because clearly he hasnt a ****ing clue

[Lecter]

It depends how you define 'very well', because to me, all I read is people suggesting alternatives because they're fed up with the performances of some players, regardless of their ability to do the job.

He's picking our best players on ability rather than form. Whether that's right or wrong, Rodgers - who works with these players every day - wants players who can grind out these results he desperately needs.

He's tweaked the team to be more resolute, something that had been gradually learned and implemented over the last couple of weeks. This has been clear to see to the detriment of our attacking football.

These instructions, tactics, whatever are attempted to be followed, but we are so low on confidence at the moment, that it just isn't clicking and playing Can, Manquillo and Borini isn't going to resolve that.

I'd argue that he has not even picked our best players on ability

Lovren is only being picked based on his price-tag because he has little or none of the abilities to be a good centreback. Johnson has been going downhill rapidly for a year or so and again his ability just isnt there anymore. As for Allen I dont know what ability he actually has, but hes clearly someone Brendan over-paid for and I suppose that is as good a reason as any to pick him, dont want another mistake highlighting do we

To me there is just no defence or justification for continuing to play them 3 because all the arguments to back this up with are as fragile as our back four

[danperkins]

Not only is Rodgers not picking on ability or form... he is playing players out of position constantly & it's ****ed up any sort of balance or cohesion in the side.

[npinn001]

Feels like everyone is saying it IS Rodgers to blame then? Not solely - transfers etc all seem to be to blame, but Rodgers IS the one putting out the team, dictating the style of play and making the subs, and thats the bit that seems to be winding us all up.

[Slinky Skills]

I wonder what his instructions are to Allen

"Dont tackle or compete for possession, get knocked off the ball as often as possible. When you get the ball make sure you look who is behind you and to the side of you and pass to them and never ever threaten the opposition box"

"Thats it top man Joe, follows my instructions and can be relied on as hes one of my experienced heads on the pitch"

[Lecter]

I didnt watch the game on Sunday as I was out having lunch in Manchester with a Manc and a Bluenose - which is as bad as you can get on a normal day

Before the game had even kicked off, both of them were questioning Brendans line up in particular - playing Johnson (nevermind putting him at centrehalf), playing Allen & Lovren at all and putting Gerrard back in the holding role

Now you know you are in the **** when opposition fans arent taking the piss out of you but are genuinely questioning your managers team selections

[Muddled]

I'd argue that he has not even picked our best players on ability

Lovren is only being picked based on his price-tag because he has little or none of the abilities to be a good centreback. Johnson has been going downhill rapidly for a year or so and again his ability just isnt there anymore. As for Allen I dont know what ability he actually has, but hes clearly someone Brendan over-paid for and I suppose that is as good a reason as any to pick him, dont want another mistake highlighting do we

To me there is just no defence or justification for continuing to play them 3 because all the arguments to back this up with are as fragile as our back four

Manquillo isn't ready to replace Johnson, Lovren has been dropped and Toure has come in. This isn't Rodgers covering his arse, this is Rodgers trying to remedy serious problems up and down the pitch. There is no picking of teams based on the transfer fees, there is no picking of teams using only players he wanted. There isn't any conspiracy, this is just Rodgers reacting to pressure - rightly or wrongly.

Not only is Rodgers not picking on ability or form... he is playing players out of position constantly & it's ****ed up any sort of balance or cohesion in the side.

Because he's trying to plug holes in a sinking ship

[danperkins]

If their is a committee & the Rodgers deciding on transfers and they've had issues.. both are to blame. But as regards the way we've played, team selection, formation, tactics & setup... there is only one man responsible for that. All the finger pointing cannot detract from what's happening on the pitch.

[DannyMan2006]

No not like most of us, they are experts, defenders at the highest level of the modern game winning league titles, champions league medal and plenty of cups. All that whilst working with great managers in great defences so I'm pretty sure both, who are actually well known for knowledge of the game are pretty well placed.

Neither were trying to look smart arses, the showed Lovren leaving the same massive gaps at Southampton, he wasn't punished or under as much scrutiny as he is now.

I agree its not the be all and end all but to anyone that watched it, surely it was clear as day he is still playing the same way (not talking about errors here) he gets very tight to his CB and that hasn't changed but is now getting punished.

Its made worse by the fact we as a team already had massive issues before he came here, a bad combination of a team who is **** at defending (backed up over 2 season worth of stats if you want) and a player who is suspect at times positionally and going through a rough time anyway.

Lovren lacks balls. As does Skrtel and Sakho.

When a gap opens up on their side of the pitch they need to move across. Plug the gap left by the full back moving out.

In theory:

Correct

LW gets the ball out wide. Our RB moves across to challenge. Our RCB moves across. Our LCB moves across. Our LB moves across. A midfielder on the left hand side of the pitch covers any gaps near the back. The main area of danger is the area of the pitch where the ball is at. Spaces not covered can be picked a part by simple ground passes that are easier to do. A lofted ball that switches play, well they're more difficult to pull off and are more of a % pass. Only few gifted players have a high accuracy with them. Best exponent is Gerrard in our team. Most players who could do such a pass sit deeper.

Now the LW has a few options. His first option, a pass between full back and centre back is covered. A pass inside for a midfielder to run on and strike is covered by our right sided midfielder. They either have to do a random cross into the box, or just recycle the play and start again.

Incorrect

LW get the ball out wide. Our RB moves across to challenge. Our RCB stays where he is. Our LCB stays where he is. Our LB stays where he is. DANGER!!!!

Now the LW has a few options. His first option, a simple pass between full back and centre back is open. Does our right sided midfielder cover this gap? If he does, he leaves an unmarked player who can receive the ball and get an unchallenged strike on goal. If he doesn't, an attacking player can run into the space and get right at the heart of our defence, in an area of the pitch that is very dangerous. Too often, the right sided midfielder will be stuck in no mans land and cover neither area. Players that play "Between the lines" end up having a field day against us, be that Downing, Ward-Prowse or whoever.

[Muddled]

Feels like everyone is saying it IS Rodgers to blame then? Not solely - transfers etc all seem to be to blame, but Rodgers IS the one putting out the team, dictating the style of play and making the subs, and thats the bit that seems to be winding us all up.

I lay a proportion of blame at some of the players too.

[Alex]

I love that the club has a 'Committee' to blame things on.

Fact is Rodgers is equally as to blame as the players. Them getting played out of position does not excuse their woeful performances in it. They are professional footballers, and they need to take some responsibility.

Its easy to make up reasons why its going wrong like 'Rodgers is picking players to prove a point' But thats a fat load of rubbish when it comes down to it. Its just someone hearing something, reading into it and then basing an argument off of it.

Its everyone. No one person is doing right at the moment. Apart from Sterling.

[Lecter]

Manquillo isn't ready to replace Johnson, Lovren has been dropped and Toure has come in. This isn't Rodgers covering his arse, this is Rodgers trying to remedy serious problems up and down the pitch. There is no picking of teams based on the transfer fees, there is no picking of teams using only players he wanted. There isn't any conspiracy, this is just Rodgers reacting to pressure - rightly or wrongly.



Because he's trying to plug holes in a sinking ship

All of this is ****e, I'm sorry Mudds but there is zero defence of Rodgers in this matter

Johnson has continually been picked at either right or leftback at the expense of Manquillo or Moreno there is zero justification for this other than sentiment because Johnson has been shockingly bad the whole season. Manquillo & Moreno might not have excelled but they have certainly been no worse than Johnson

Yes he replaced Lovren with Toure briefly but on Sunday when Toure was fit and after another shockingly bad performance against Basle Lovren retains his place - its mindblowing

Then we go to Allen, how he gets a game week in week out is earth-shatterring. How he seems to escape substitution after contributing nothing is crazy also and yet others - such as Lallana will be canned at an instant even if they havent been that bad

I'm so sick and tired of this **** now

Its all bollocks, hes run out of credit. He has zero excuses left and no justification for it

[danperkins]

Because he's trying to plug holes in a sinking ship

He's made some changes of late dropping Lovren & bringing Lucas back in.. but how long & how many disasters did it take for that to happen? Johnson is awful & Manquillo is young and inexperienced.. but i kind of get why he would pick Johnson at RB (Even though i can't stand him ) but at LB too in some games? Can for example is everything that Joe Allen isn't. A physical presence & progressive. Can hasn't looked out of place bar maybe one game... but just can't seem to get in even if he puts in a very good performance. There's no incentive for these players if they know their join got be dropped the next game.

You say he's trying to plug holes on a sinking ship, IMO he just doesn't know what to do. Forgetting the issues of the committee for a second, the team we have are much much better than the league position and the performances have shown. The players have to take the blame too but it seems to me that Rodgers just doesn't know what players to play & where to play them.

I'm genuinely astonished at how bad things have got, it's draining watching us play. When it gets to this stage of the blame game & pointing the finger in public... i think that's the time when something has to give for the good of the club & to try to save whats left of this ****ty season.

[Alex]

All of this is ****e, I'm sorry Mudds but there is zero defence of Rodgers in this matter

Johnson has continually been picked at either right or leftback at the expense of Manquillo or Moreno there is zero justification for this other than sentiment because Johnson has been shockingly bad the whole season. Manquillo & Moreno might not have excelled but they have certainly been no worse than Johnson

Yes he replaced Lovren with Toure briefly but on Sunday when Toure was fit and after another shockingly bad performance against Basle Lovren retains his place - its mindblowing

Then we go to Allen, how he gets a game week in week out is earth-shatterring. How he seems to escape substitution after contributing nothing is crazy also and yet others - such as Lallana will be canned at an instant even if they havent been that bad

I'm so sick and tired of this **** now

Its all bollocks, hes run out of credit. He has zero excuses left and no justification for it

Why is it ****e to expect a manager would look to experience over youth to get him out of a hole?

Lovren in for Toure is the only one you could question. But Toure is a woeful player now. Everyone has forgotten about him last season.