Liverpool Thread 2013/14

[mancboy123]

Do you think Brendon Rodgers is up to the task of managing Liverpool and making you a force again ? I have my doubts tbh, he came across like David Brent in that documentary.

Brendan has a good chance to build something at Liverpool, whether he has enough to get us challenging for the PL again, who knows? Some things he has proved so far is that he's not proud - happy to drop players he brought in if they're not playing well. He's a fantastic man manager, he likes to be friends with the players ala Mourinho. He's got great tactical awareness, made a number of changes at key times in matches that swung the momentum (Everton away, Spurs at home, Wigan at home) lastly he's very pragmatic, he knew he didn't have the players for the tika-taka football he wanted. He adapted the style well and that's why we had such a strong second half of the season.

Some very strong qualities which all the great managers have - he's definitely got the potential. Whether or not he'll make it will be down to hard work and a sprinkle of luck.

Thankfully coming across badly in a tv show doesn't mean he's an incapable manager.

Welcome LFC-Jay and Scouse Jimi, good to see LFC fans on here with descent posts, you were the set of fans noticeable by their absence.

Thanks

I think it's far too early to think anything about what might happen in the coming season. Too much will depend on ins and outs. Can't see the top 4 changing though.

Disagree it's too early, based on last seasons form towards the end of the season and some of the additions that are coming in, we'll definitely be stronger with or without Suarez. Agree on the top 4, it might be a bit of a stretch for us.

Spurs know only too well how reliant they were on Bale, and I think they will sort that to a reasonable degree. They have some good players already that I expect to do better this season.

Yep, Holtby looks like a great player but as with every Spurs side in recent years you do worry about their ability to break teams down when they really need to. Bale did it for them too many times last season, he can't be on that sort of form forever.

However, you have a big problem there. The owners know that you need to expand the stadium. In that you are like a few others. Arsenal have already done it and it nearly caused them huge problems. They are clear of it now and can push on, but the lessons re player buys (or lack of!) are clear. Chelsea and Spurs are in the same boat. We can ignore Chelsea; investing in this isn't part of FFP and Roman has a few quid to cover it. Not sure, but Spurs maybe slightly ahead of you?

The owners have committed to financing the stadium deal with their own money - LFC spends what it earns through our footballing income to keep a steady transfer kitty of £30m per year.

TBH, if you're in any shape to try to gatecrash the new 'top 4' any time in the next decade I'd be surprised. And that's assuming your owner thinks its worth investing in trying.

The owners wouldn't be here if they didn't want that. The CL represents return on investment for them - hence the investment in the long term strategy of the club with the Stadium, the youth setup (we've signed 2 youth players so far this window and another 2 or 3 are expected)

It might be a couple of years before we're back in the CL but when we are, we'll be in much better shape to consistently challenge due to the framework of the club.

Its great to here some reasoned debate on here and the reason i highlighted that last bit is because its almost become a comedy mantra for liverpool for as you can see that your building and next year will be your year and youve increased it to a couple of yearts but im still not convinced really. On the surface you have some quality players but that still didnt get it done last year are the new additions the push you need im not sure, also the elephant in the room of replacing steven gerrard will have to be adressed in the near future wont it?

 

[Scouse_Jimi]

Its great to here some reasoned debate on here and the reason i highlighted that last bit is because its almost become a comedy mantra for liverpool for as you can see that your building and next year will be your year and youve increased it to a couple of yearts but im still not convinced really. On the surface you have some quality players but that still didnt get it done last year are the new additions the push you need im not sure, also the elephant in the room of replacing steven gerrard will have to be adressed in the near future wont it?

Ah the replacing Stevie question: I don't think we'll see him play every minute of 34 games next season. I reckon we'll get another 2 seasons out of him, maybe more if the team is successful, he's adapted his game in the last year - he's not so much of an energetic Centre Mid these days, the deep lying playmaker he played last year was great once he adjusted to it. Less running for him to do and he can pick out some great passes.

Replacing him is impossible to do, we can only hope that one of our Centre Mids can come into his position. Henderson has shown some real guts in fighting for his place in the team, he's energetic, chases every ball and we've seen some fantastic passing though it's not as often as it could be. Gives the ball away a lot but I think he'll push on this season. Suso is another one that can fill that position, he's been dropping deep during the U20 Championships to devastating affect, question marks over his strength though.

Last season was quite a funny one, the first half of the season was marred by Brendan Rodgers finding his feet and the players finding their feet with the new system. Not to mention the balls up that was the summer window. The club failed to land a replacement for Carroll and were forced to blood youngsters. If we'd have played as we did during the second half of the season we'd have finished 3rd. BR has no excuses this year and I expect them to hit the ground running.

As for "it's our year" I'm sure you've got your fair share of positive and negative fans on every subject. Us older fans who've suffered since the 90's are a little more realistic but it's not as fun as tarring everyone with the same brush.

 

[mancboy123]

wasnt using it as a stick to beat you with pal, i was saying it in the sense of its almost become a parody in the its our year thing, you seem to have a sense of realism though which makes debate possible with you, i think as a fan when you realise where you're team is at and accept that and go along with the improvements it makes it much easier than to hope for the past to repeat itself.

 

[Hamann Pineapple]

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Hadn't realised they'd got 36 points in the second half of the season. That's certainly close to top 4 form but although I can see them easily finishing above Everton and challenging Spurs, I really can't see them overtaking Arsenal.

 

[The_Mo]

Hadn't realised they'd got 36 points in the second half of the season. That's certainly close to top 4 form but although I can see them easily finishing above Everton and challenging Spurs, I really can't see them overtaking Arsenal.

If anything, Arsenal will be moving forwards now. Their debt is more or less paid off so we can expect to see them make some decent signings other than some french kids who no one has heard of.

 

[THFC6061]

Hadn't realised they'd got 36 points in the second half of the season. That's certainly close to top 4 form but although I can see them easily finishing above Everton and challenging Spurs, I really can't see them overtaking Arsenal.

As it happens, Spurs amassed 39 points during the second half of the 2012-13 season.

If only the first half was as good, we would have had 78 points - exactly the same as Manchester City in 2nd place.

Oh well!

 

[mancboy]

Its all ifs and buts mate thats football. If we had taken our chances in the first half that we created against you wed have been on for another 5 -1 but we didnt and capitualted in the second half and you won.

 

[Scouse_Jimi]

As it happens, Spurs amassed 39 points during the second half of the 2012-13 season.

If only the first half was as good, we would have had 78 points - exactly the same as Manchester City in 2nd place.

Oh well!

How many of those were soley down to a Gareth Bale worldy? I was looking for some stats on it last night but couldn't find any.

 

[afhald]

It's their year.

to fail maybe?