Liverpool FC Forum

we've avoided get our pants pulled down and a severe spanking away from home at 2 of the leagues strongest teams. Credit where credit is due I think BR got it spot on during both games.

ycsatbjywtbiastkamb » Mon Dec 30, 2013 10:14 am wrote:

Stu the Red » Sun Dec 29, 2013 11:50 pm wrote:Half way through the season, United have been shocking and took time to get going, they're two points behind us and we're fifth, we're only 3 points ahead of 8th. All of a sudden there can be a bit of perspective.

fine margins though mate, we are only 1 point from a CL place and 6 from the top, plus if we would have got what we deserved in terms of refereeing decisions we would have got 4 points from the last 2 games and not 0.
we have just gone through the toughest part of our fixture list and whilst i`m not saying it`s plain sailing from here on in what i would say is that we have got home advantage from here on in, arsenal for instance have got to play everton, spurs, chelsea and us away yet, not to mention cope with the champions league.

I agree with that, but we all know football isn't played on paper, just as it isn't played in a calender year.

We said before these two games we'd have a better idea of where we stand afterwards and I still believe thats the case. Fourth is a realistic target, first isn't. We could still finish seventh, which would be a disaster so perspective is still needed.

The point is though, we both made (I think) earlier in the season was if we could get to now... still in the hunt, then January would be critical and I believe it to be. For me, we need another attacking threat. IE a good verson of Sterling, a top top player and a deep midfielder. They should be the priority at the moment. Alonso would be high on the list as we know what a massive improvement he'd be on Lucas, even at 32 we'd still get another 2 years out of him because of the way he plays.

For me now, we need to go and spend the summers transfer budget this month and take the gamble, because I can absolutely assure you, Arsenal, Chelsea and City will improve next season and I can't for the life of me see United getting any worse.

Johnson and Skrtel have had their time now and failed, Johnson can be easily replaced with Flannagan and Kelly. For the fee you receive and wages that get freed up by letting them go we could sign another decent centre half, even if we have to wait till summer its not a problem as we have players in their to provide enough cover.

ycsatbjywtbiastkamb » Mon Dec 30, 2013 9:14 am wrote:

Stu the Red » Sun Dec 29, 2013 11:50 pm wrote:Half way through the season, United have been shocking and took time to get going, they're two points behind us and we're fifth, we're only 3 points ahead of 8th. All of a sudden there can be a bit of perspective.

fine margins though mate, we are only 1 point from a CL place and 6 from the top, plus if we would have got what we deserved in terms of refereeing decisions we would have got 4 points from the last 2 games and not 0.
we have just gone through the toughest part of our fixture list and whilst i`m not saying it`s plain sailing from here on in what i would say is that we have got home advantage from here on in, arsenal for instance have got to play everton, spurs, chelsea and us away yet, not to mention cope with the champions league.

Not to mention our injuries, with Enrique, Sturridge and Gerrard out for the festive schedule. I'm confident that the return of those three (plus a couple of January additions) will give us a second wind to carry us to a top 4 spot. 

Like everyone, I've enjoyed our flirtation with the title fight, but our battle this season is for CL footie, not the league.

stmichael » Sun Dec 29, 2013 8:00 pm wrote:Bringing Smith on was clearly a message to the owners about the thin nature of the squad. You could also tell that Rodgers was biting his tongue in the interview after his comments the other day.

if he is playing games like that with the owners then it isnt going to end well for him. lets not be oblivious to the fact that he has been given enough money to at least build a squad that shouldnt have to rely on handing debut's to kids from the academy in a tough away game.
it all comes down to the players he has signed not being good enough.

red till i die!! » Mon Dec 30, 2013 3:19 pm wrote:

stmichael » Sun Dec 29, 2013 8:00 pm wrote:Bringing Smith on was clearly a message to the owners about the thin nature of the squad. You could also tell that Rodgers was biting his tongue in the interview after his comments the other day.

if he is playing games like that with the owners then it isnt going to end well for him. lets not be oblivious to the fact that he has been given enough money to at least build a squad that shouldnt have to rely on handing debut's to kids from the academy in a tough away game.
it all comes down to the players he has signed not being good enough.

Despite the two consecutive defeats I'm quite satisfied with BR. Lets not forget we lost to the last two teams possessing the strongest squads in the league. We demonstrated that we're not afraid to attack but I felt BR gave a little much respect to Jose's team yesterday.

We took the lead in both Man C & Chelsea games & edged out by a single goal. We also played with such high intensity & good fighting spirit in both games (something I have commonly seen replicated with Man Ure & Whisky Nose).

Things are looking very well for the future. Just need to make one marquee signing (Gerrard's role) and also strengthen up on the wings, and also ensure the January's signing aren't the likes of Assaidi, Aspas, and Borini etc..

Well done so far, BR.

He's been charged for his comments about that City ref.

maypaxvobiscum » Fri Jan 03, 2014 6:51 pm wrote:He's been charged for his comments about that City ref.

aw shucks

it was inevitable though

maypaxvobiscum » Sat Jan 04, 2014 1:51 am wrote:He's been charged for his comments about that City ref.

And he can wear it like a badge of honour

The Oldham FA Cup match on Sunday, his son Anton will be playing against Liverpool. I wonder he will be giving any father-son advice for that big match of his son or not.    

IMO he should have been more critical of webb than the ref of the city game, I don't think the pen appeal at city was as clear cut as the chelsea match and it was the linesman who called the offside not the ref.

Rodgers should have come out before the Chelsea match and pointed at Webb's previous performances against us especially after the way Lee Mason and his team of officials performed in the game before.

Webb had one of the worst games of his career in that Chelsea match, there were 8 or nine basic decisions he got completely wrong and 4 major ones.