Re: Football Chat Thread - Euro 2012 edition : Mon Sep 03, 2012 12:06 am  

Roddy B wrote:

Can't understand what's happened with Reina, nothing adds up other than poor form and confidence, but even then, he's a goalkeeper so it shouldn't be too hard to pick up your confidence or form. He had a poor season last year and he's continued in the same vein.

He's going stale at a club who are sinking beneath him.

Re: Football Chat Thread - Euro 2012 edition : Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:12 am  

Roddy B wrote:

Can't understand what's happened with Reina, nothing adds up other than poor form and confidence, but even then, he's a goalkeeper so it shouldn't be too hard to pick up your confidence or form. He had a poor season last year and he's continued in the same vein. Gerrard clearly is a natural decline through age and probably still paying for the Euros. We should be using him less and less now, or looking to play him into a different role. I'd consider moving him up front, Totti-style, if he continues his sloppy play as a midfielder.

Agree about Gerrard, i would put him on the right of the front 3, this would allow Borini to come on from the bench to replace one of the 3 in the 2nd half.

This would also give us a more stable 3 in the middle with Lucas (When playing again) Allen and probably Sahin.

Should give us a more attacking bench as well with the likes of Borini, Downing and Assaidi ready to come on.

Re: Football Chat Thread - Euro 2012 edition : Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:16 am  

WireFanatic III wrote:

Anyway, since you have been very vocal on Liverpool's shortcomings this weekend, and throughout the season so far, you seem to have stayed pretty quiet regarding your own team's shortcomings on Saturday.

Why is that?

I'd say Everton losing away to a fellow mid-table side in good form is probably the expected thing and not really worthy of much discussion.

Re: Football Chat Thread - Euro 2012 edition : Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:52 am  

The post morterm on Liverpool is easy. Man for man they are no better than the likes of Sunderland, Aston Villa and Fulham. Liverpool fans, you may say this is wrong, but its not.

Its just their fans think they have a devine right to be there and thereabouts whilst the truth is, whilst other clubs have, over the years, been shrewd with their signings and investments, Liverpools have been nothing short of abysmal which is why they are a mid table team with a bleak future. Even their one saving grace, Gerrard, who has been able to mask over the teams short commings is looking like a player who is ready for the knackers yard.

Re: Football Chat Thread - Euro 2012 edition : Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:54 am  

Pretty funny open letter to Liverpool fans today from the owners, explaining that they would never risk the future of the club with risky spending. A pretty ridiculous statement to make given their recent signings, very few of which are looking like good buys at present.

Re: Football Chat Thread - Euro 2012 edition : Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:22 am  

Dita's Slot Meter wrote:

Have to agree that while Gerrard has been a fine player, his time is looking up at the top level - Watching today, I had to wonder how long Rodgers will put up with him giving the ball away, while attempting his trademark 'Hollywood' pass, considering that the new manager is trying to instill a culture of keepball at Anfield?

He'll no doubt have flashes of the old Stevie G this season, but I think one of Rodgers major jobs will be to find a new midfield general to take his place as soon as possible.

Can't disagree with this, and I've worshipped Gerrard for years. If he continues to give possession away so cheaply (and they're costly mistakes) when the rest of midfield are trying to retain the ball then I can see Rodgers running out of patience very quickly.

I’d like to say we played well but we really didn’t. We moved the ball around averagely without ever looking like getting behind their defence. Allen hardly gives the ball away but doesn’t look dangerous. Sahin did very little, but then again you've got to give him time. Gerrard & Suarez really need to pull their fingers out. If they don’t perform, we don’t win, it’s as simple as that. Suarez did very little (but should have had a penalty) and Gerrard, on the evidence so far, does not fit into Rodgers’ style of play – constantly going for the Hollywood ball instead of keeping things simple, giving the ball away which is leading to the other team scoring (Arsenal’s first was a carbon copy of the Agger red vs. West Brom). Sterling once again, was the only one who ever looked like causing Arsenal problems. If Liverpool & Sterling continue their respective form, he’ll be moving on in the summer.

Arsenal basically schooled us, because we’re trying to play them at their own game. Destroyed us on the counter attack. Diaby bossed the midfield. Carzola looks decent. Defensively they were pretty solid.

I'd like to think it's just a difficult start coupled with the players settling into a new system, but unfortunately things don't get any easier with Sunderland and Man Utd coming up. We’re already in a position where we need to be beating the likes of QPR & Norwich to give ourselves a lift. If we start dropping points against these like we did last year then we’re in big trouble! Still, we’re paying for years of mis-management and Kenny flushing £100m down the toilet. No choice now but to stick by Rodgers, ride it out and hope we improve as the season goes on.

Re: Football Chat Thread - Euro 2012 edition : Mon Sep 03, 2012 11:57 am  

Saint Viper wrote:

Gerrard and Reina both looked a shadow of there former selves today, i hope they can get back to somewhere near their best pretty quickly.

I don't think Gerard has the legs to play in a three man midfield anymore. Didn't help that he was playing against a midfield that can move the ball so quickly and fluidly. The return of Lucas/four in midfield will help him no end.

PS

Just seen what Rody said about a Totti-type role for him. Would seem to be the perfect answer, and would certainly help out Liverpool's attack which seems a little blunt at the moment.

Re: Football Chat Thread - Euro 2012 edition : Mon Sep 03, 2012 12:16 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

Pretty funny open letter to Liverpool fans today from the owners, explaining that they would never risk the future of the club with risky spending. A pretty ridiculous statement to make given their recent signings, very few of which are looking like good buys at present.

We've had our best transfer window for a while.Who isn't looking like a good but at the minute? We've sold all of our deadwood, except Joe Cole and brought in some very good players. The only mistake I think we've made is sending Carroll out on loan without a replacement.

Re: Football Chat Thread - Euro 2012 edition : Mon Sep 03, 2012 1:38 pm  

Only a couple of weeks ago Liverpool outplayed City, being unlucky to only get a draw. Now they're doomed? Give over. I get the impression they may have stiffed on the transfer dealings by not being able to pick up a striker but I'm not sure how responsible Rodgers is for that. He's had a few weeks to sift through players and marry them with his spending budget. It says a lot that he was after Sturridge because he was merely a stop gap measure until he could properly ascertain what it is that he needs.

Re: Football Chat Thread - Euro 2012 edition : Mon Sep 03, 2012 2:38 pm  

Liverpool aren't doomed.

But, as Robbie has said on numerous times on here, they need to play the transfer game at a fantastic level if they are going to make up for the lack of money that their rivals have.

And they've just stood on the ball and ended up flat on their face.

Drawing at home to Citeh, while deserving a win, is pretty good. Losing at home to Arsenal isn't too bad. But those games came after a 3-0 opening day drubbing at West Brom.

As someone with zero liking of Liverpool, this season has started beautifully. It's been great.