Liverpool FC Forum

[maguskwt]

look we all remeber last season and the seson before that, we all kept saying that if we had, had a better start we would have won it. This is our better start, its veen our best start under Rafa, and were unbeaten.

Last season we were .

The season before last was the only time we've looked a very very strong team under Rafa.

We were only two players away, this one is still 3 or 4 away. Infact, the more I see this team at the minute, the more faults I can see with it.

err how can this squad be weaker than prev 2 seasons ago

[account deleted by request]

look we all remeber last season and the seson before that, we all kept saying that if we had, had a better start we would have won it. This is our better start, its veen our best start under Rafa, and were unbeaten.

Last season we were .

The season before last was the only time we've looked a very very strong team under Rafa.

We were only two players away, this one is still 3 or 4 away. Infact, the more I see this team at the minute, the more faults I can see with it.

err how can this squad be weaker than prev 2 seasons ago

It was a better balanced team, with a fit Kewell, Hyypia was two years younger. Only real improvement we have made since then is Torres and maybe Mascherano. Agger is not yet quite up to the Hyypia of two years ago although he is streets ahead of Hyypia now.

Midfield :-

Gerrard Sissoko Alonso Kewell

Pennant Gerrard Alonso Leto/Benayoun/Riise

I would say the first was stronger

[Smeg]

look we all remeber last season and the seson before that, we all kept saying that if we had, had a better start we would have won it. This is our better start, its veen our best start under Rafa, and were unbeaten.

Last season we were .

The season before last was the only time we've looked a very very strong team under Rafa.

We were only two players away, this one is still 3 or 4 away. Infact, the more I see this team at the minute, the more faults I can see with it.

err how can this squad be weaker than prev 2 seasons ago

Where did I say the squad was weaker?

We had a balanced first team lad. That picked up 82 points.

We haven't replaced Kewell or Hyypia adequately. Riise's completely stagnated. Finnan's got older and the balance in the midfield isn't as good.

Upfront, Kuyt hasn't give us the attacking edge Fowler, Morientes and even Crouch gave us that season.

The balance of the team was very impressive that season, we didn't have trouble "breaking sides down". We also beat alot of teams, won the FA Cup and generally looked an excellent side every time we played. Something we haven't done since that season finished. We've shown many inept performances, we've looked disorganised at times, lacking spark and ideas at others.

We have the basis and foundation for a brilliant team. But we've had the for the past 10 years, no-one has yet taken us to that next level.

[redtrader74]

Where did I say the squad was weaker?

We were only two players away, this one is still 3 or 4 away.

Quotes Smeg.

You thought 3 years ago we were 2 players from a title side, and the current side is 3-4 players away..... simple deduction by maguskwt will get you to the top line.

[Scottbot]

Where did I say the squad was weaker?

We had a balanced first team lad. That picked up 82 points.

Still worth noting our start that season was a good few points worse than this time around Stu lad. I'll bet a good few of us were  not liking the way things looked 8 games in at the time. We'll have to see how it pans out.

[account deleted by request]

Where did I say the squad was weaker?

We had a balanced first team lad. That picked up 82 points.

Still worth noting our start that season was a good few points worse than this time around Stu lad. I'll bet a good few of us were  not liking the way things looked 8 games in at the time. We'll have to see how it pans out.

Kewell only came back from injury in October that year, just before our great run to the end of the season started.

Maybe he can spark another one this year (touch wood)

[Kharhaz]

not when we are throwing points away the way we are.

So why don't you criticise the rubbish performances by certain individuals, rather than put all the blame on Rafa?

Agreed. Although rafa does seem to rotate in positions to give others a chance when others are playing well then sat on the bench the next game, it doesnt change the fact that the players should be playing for the shirt, the supporters and the wages. Only Reina recently has done that. All the players have been poor in the last few games. If some players have confidence issues then a few games in the reserves will bring it back. They will then miss playing in front of the Anfield crowd and be grateful.

[Smeg]

Where did I say the squad was weaker?

We were only two players away, this one is still 3 or 4 away.

Quotes Smeg.

You thought 3 years ago we were 2 players from a title side, and the current side is 3-4 players away..... simple deduction by maguskwt will get you to the top line.

A first team can be weaker but have a stronger squad behind it.

IE 11 Gerrards and 11 Traores or 22 Alonso's...

So what were you saying?

[Smeg]

Where did I say the squad was weaker?

We had a balanced first team lad. That picked up 82 points.

Still worth noting our start that season was a good few points worse than this time around Stu lad. I'll bet a good few of us were  not liking the way things looked 8 games in at the time. We'll have to see how it pans out.

With all due respect lad, you heard what I said 10 seconds before Torres' goal on Sunday. You heard me loud and clear.

That doesn't mean I'm happy with everything so far. I've seen promise, but I need to see more. We also need more of that "luck"/desire.

I believed what I said, theres a chance.

We done something we haven't done in a while. But it has to start now! No more about.

[Smeg]

Where did I say the squad was weaker?

We had a balanced first team lad. That picked up 82 points.

Still worth noting our start that season was a good few points worse than this time around Stu lad. I'll bet a good few of us were  not liking the way things looked 8 games in at the time. We'll have to see how it pans out.

Kewell only came back from injury in October that year, just before our great run to the end of the season started.

Maybe he can spark another one this year (touch wood)

Exactly.

The main reason for this is he makes others play, provides chances aswell as having the ability to hold the ball.

He's also considerabley better than our other options in that position.

Here's hoping.

[Scottbot]

With all due respect lad, you heard what I said 10 seconds before Torres' goal on Sunday. You heard me loud and clear.

Think it was about 2 seconds....was prety spooky....bit of an omen maybe? Let's hope so mate

[RedBlood]

Remember "In Rafa we Trust"..............no....anyone, how fickle we suporters r. im the same its beco it means so much 2 us these r the times when i wish i was just a fan

I admit some of his decissions baffle me but he hasnt been helped by injuries either

carragher
Gerrard
Alonso
Agger
Torres (& these r are star players.....not bit parts)
& now Kuyt & Torres
Kewell (who lets not 4get is still a world class talent when he plays)

& were only in October

lets get behind the man whos gaVe so much 2 this club oVer 3 years

[heimdall]

Remember "In Rafa we Trust"..............no....anyone, how fickle we suporters r. im the same its beco it means so much 2 us these r the times when i wish i was just a fan

I admit some of his decissions baffle me but he hasnt been helped by injuries either

carragher
Gerrard
Alonso
Agger
Torres (& these r are star players.....not bit parts)
& now Kuyt & Torres
Kewell (who lets not 4get is still a world class talent when he plays)

& were only in October

lets get behind the man whos gaVe so much 2 this club oVer 3 years

Yes lets all bury our heads in the sand and be happy clappy it will all magically work itself out, you'll see...

Wake up dude, Rafa is a stubborn and is no where near the genius most people believe, with the amount of money he has spent we should be a hell of a lot better.

"What Rafa has given to the club", oh has he not been collecting a big fecking pay check then, he's only doing his bloody job, he probably doesn't give a toss about Liverpool, he's just waiting for Real Madrid to really come asking and to lure them it's all about the champions league, how else do you explain Dudek!! 

Nope I'm fed up with Rafa now and no I'm not being fickle, I've been off with him for a long time now.

[The Grudge]

Remember "In Rafa we Trust"..............no....anyone, how fickle we suporters r. im the same its beco it means so much 2 us these r the times when i wish i was just a fan

I admit some of his decissions baffle me but he hasnt been helped by injuries either

carragher
Gerrard
Alonso
Agger
Torres (& these r are star players.....not bit parts)
& now Kuyt & Torres
Kewell (who lets not 4get is still a world class talent when he plays)

& were only in October

lets get behind the man whos gaVe so much 2 this club oVer 3 years

Yes lets all bury our heads in the sand and be happy clappy it will all magically work itself out, you'll see...

Wake up dude, Rafa is a stubborn and is no where near the genius most people believe, with the amount of money he has spent we should be a hell of a lot better.

"What Rafa has given to the club", oh has he not been collecting a big fecking pay check then, he's only doing his bloody job, he probably doesn't give a toss about Liverpool, he's just waiting for Real Madrid to really come asking and to lure them it's all about the champions league, how else do you explain Dudek!! 

Nope I'm fed up with Rafa now and no I'm not being fickle, I've been off with him for a long time now.

Amen ...my mate can get you a job??

[maguskwt]

good points by smeg/stu and saint on the team of two seasons ago. I can see where you're coming from and kewell did make a difference that season (even though I'm not one of his proponents).

However, to me, we did look a very balanced side in our first few games. Our slump is down to a few points... Gerrard's dip in form after the international break, the injuries to alonso and agger, our second strikers (kuyt, crouch, voronin) not being able to continue their strong starts, and some would say rafa's team selection (or gasp... rotation). So we should wait and see when alonso and agger comes back and when gerrard manages to perform at his tip top level (and of course when rafa starts picking a consistent side...which IMO he already seems to be doing for the league).

IMO the midfield of Gerrard, Sissoko, Alonso, Kewell is not more balanced than today's Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso, Riise/Benyaoun/Babel. In the first one, both Gerrard and Kewell are not out and out wingers... They both did a good job though... but it is also easy to justify the past (what has happened) rather than the present... cause I remember there were complaints like we don't have a proper right winger so Gerrard is playing there instead of playing in his strongest position! (IMO how can that be a balanced midfield?) Now, Pennant is a true winger and he's doing a good job (more effective than Gerrard as a winger IMO), Gerrard is at his Strongest position, and Riise and Benyaoun (especially the latter) can do a good job on the left... even though it doesn't seem to be the most ideal. I especially think that Benyaoun should be given a run on the left side and I'm sure he can do as good a job as kewell did (can't see a reason why he can't). So IMO we do have a better midfield now and whether or not it is less balanced can well and truely be argued.

For strikers... only one word... Torres. Did we have as good a first striker as Torres 2 seasons ago? I think not. He has already scored 7 goals now.

Upfront, Kuyt hasn't give us the attacking edge Fowler, Morientes and even Crouch gave us that season

You're comparing Kuyt (our second striker now) to all the strikers we had two seasons ago...whatever happened to Torres??

With all due respect to Robbie... he was past his prime... he contributed well when he played but he didn't play all the time...Kuyt's contribution now is not less than Robbie's contribution then...

and Morientes? I like him honestly... WHEN he was playing for Real and Monaco... come on now you're talking about one of the biggest failures in recent Liverpool history... with all due respect again... it rivals Veron's failure at united...

Crouch? He did give another dimension to our game and when he first arrived there was some hope. But you have to admit he IS limited... and of all ppl I think you would know that Stu...since you were talking about one player being better than another is a fact on another thread. And why are we talking about Crouch cause we still have him in our squad dont' we...

Personally I would take today's pairing of Torres and Kuyt over every possible combination that two season's ago could provide (gasp... I even forgot to talk about Cisse)...


In the defence... It is really up to person to compare who's better... Hyppia two seasons ago or Agger now... so I don't really wanna go into it but I'm gonna have to... Personally I don't see much difference in quality even though I admit that Hyppia 4 (yeah not 2) seasons ago was better than Agger now simply because of his aerial superiority. But the FACT is Hyppia is ageing and past his best... the only way he's going is down... and rafa had to replace him and Agger is more than an ADEQUATE replacement. His age is that of a baby for a defender. If he is this good now and we're already feeling his absence he can be a monster of a defender in the future because he has all the time and potential. He can even be our future captain alongside Torres. To use the comparison between Hyppia and Agger and say that we only needed 2 more players for that squad is not realistic...because it was inevitable that we needed to replace Sami.

On the Right side I don't see Finnan in decline. He's as consistent and as reliable as ever. On the left side we've got even more possibilities now. Not only is Riise there... but we got Aurelio who played very well before he got that unfortunate injury and now we've got Arbeloa who improved tremendously.

In goal Reina to me seems to be more stable than when he first arrived probably due to him getting more experience in the league as well as his consistent partnership with his defence. Nothing much to say here really.

So really ppl... today's squad is less balanced than two seasons ago? I don't think so... on top of that we now have more options and a stronger squad to cope with injuries...a realistic critique on our current team can only be made at the end of the season...