Given that we've been royally shafted by all the decision makers at Anfield, I reckon we should set our team up like this (Bear in mind this is only my opinion but would appreciate yours) -----------Reina----------- Kelly-----Skirtel-----Agger------Enrique Johnson------Allen--------Sahin Suarez-------Borini--------Sterling This, I think is the strongest we could look as it would be giving Johnson the opps to get forward and not worry about getting back which we know is an issue given the game against Arsenal Sunday. Kelly, I think will give the option to overlap alot with GJ and balance things out as Sunday showed we are a 1 sided team in that the majority of play went down the left with very little movement elsewhere. I think Gerrard, and I know this is where you guys might give me a kicking, hasn't been his best for some time. He could come in and out of the game exchanging places with Borini depending on the opposition - This is all about making the best of a bad situation and is, I really believe, playing to our strengths. All in all, we don't have that bad a team and we certainly have strength in squad depth with the likes of Downing, Hendo etc so there's my advice to BR - Hope you're reading Rodgers!
Never been fond of Johnson as a defender, likes to get forward and doesnt track back, plus he's not the best at marking. (Although he can tackle). Kelly is a much better option for a defender particularly when we need to be more solid in defence, as it looks like we wont be scoring loads of goals this season. Pushing him higher has often been asked for by fans but that was for a wing role. I question his ability to hold the centre of midfield, he likes to hug the line and then cut inside (like a winger). Stevie G looks jaded and disinterested so should be benched, but I'd prefer Shelvey or Hendo to be given a go
I would rather keep Johnson as RB as I don't have much faith in Kelly. He is technically limited and it shows when he's at RB. Would like to see him as the CB where his technique won't be under as much pressure as it is currently. Would rather see Henderson or Shelvey alongside Allen and Sahin. The simplest change that could have the biggest impact (IMO) is swappnig Borini and Suarez (as you have done above). Suarez is so dangerous when he has the space to run into and can drive into the box and whip a low ball in. Borini is a poacher, not a creator - get him in the box where he can get on the end of chances.
Yeah i agree with most of this! Imagine how the likes of Hendo, Shelvey and Gerrard would feel to see Johnson pushed further up in front of them? Although it may give Gerrard the kick up the arse he so obviously needs!
Johnson's defending is far better than this cliche which continues to permeate. He was following orders against Arsenal and getting caught. He was England's best defender in the Euros and if Hodgson knows anything it'll be defending. Conversely four managers (five if you include Capello) have now ignored the hype about him playing midfield so maybe it's time to drop it. It's not gonna happen.
I agree with MFG, Johnson's defending is not that bad, managers continually picking him shows this. He got caught out and shouldn't have expected others to pick up Podolski in the Arsenal game. I think he'll start as our RB, regardless. Dropping Gerrard -- one of, if not the, best of our finishers -- is an interesting proposal. Probably would unsettle the team, somewhat. I agree that Gerrard's not had the best few games, and needs to up his performance, but I think dropping him without fitness reasons would be counterproductive. If Gerrard didn't start, who do you then pick for captain? Reina and Lucas would be the obvious choices, but with Lucas injured and Reina in the unfavoured goalkeeper position, I'd opt for Agger. However, I still don't think BR will drop Gerrard.
I disagree with the GJ arguements on the grounds that just because he constantly gets played in defense doesn't mean he wouldn't work in midfield. I really thknk he'd work well overlapping young Kelly and would give a new dimension to the righ side. Gerrard needs a kick up the arse and the best way to that is to rest him for the odd game - It may have a positive effect on the rest of the team seeing captain dependable sidelined may just make them sit up and take notice of teh gaffer! Captain - Would have to be Agger or Skirtel for me...Just saying!
I'm not a fan of Johnson and would prefer Kelly to play, you are right in that we shouldn't blame him for everything, Shelvey was at fault for the 2nd. With Enrique not playing well I'd keep Johnson at LB as he seems to play better and have Kelly RB.
The only thing I saw wrong with the first goal in terms of Johnson is that he jogged back, clearly saw Podolski in the position that ( if he did not go forward) should have been but dind't decide to actually sprint until the pass went out to Podolski. Had he just busted ass a few more yards earlier, he cuts the pass out or at least gets in front of podolski to deny the shot. Replays show he was a whisker away from blocking it, just that extra bit of work rate would have made the difference. Exact same issue with the second goal, Shelvey came on with fresh legs and just watched as cazorla dribbled, pass, move, receive. Shelvey just let him go. Either way, Johnson would have to be higher up and not in the middle. Although with the way our goal scoring is at the moment might as well put some defenders up top to have a go!
It's an annoying aspect of Shelvey's game that I see all the time. When Skrtel passed it back only for Tevez to intercept, Shelvey should have been moving into a better position to receive a pass. I do see similarities between him and Stevie in their dynamism but I can also see that laziness as well.
He gives off that sluggishness but then has some brutality in him as well ( snapping tackles, out of play and damn near threw ramsey into the crowd, etc). He has the technique, just want to have more willingness to do both sides of the ball. Could also be him being more of an AM that CM most of his life. Lucas had a bit of that, promising AM from Gremio turned into a DM by Rafa. I am sure you have heard MFG go on about that.
Definately, he does possess that dynamism to go flying in etc etc but as you say, he does show signs of sluggishness. Hopefully we can beat that out of him! One thing is for sure, I would rather have him or Henderson in place of Gerrard.
At the moment yes. I would also drop Reina. I know that is unpopular but he needs a kick up the ass. 2 gafs ( him perosnally) in 1 week? I would give Doni a go and show Reina that you know what, you are our number 1, but you haven't been performing like it for awhile. Step your game up or get comfortable. Doni is more than capable of filling the shoes, was a good GK at Roma for many years. Same with Gerrard, you are the captain and the heartbeat of this team, but at the moment you are more like a clot. Get your act together or else these yougn guns will take your place, they are hungry and showing it. I think Suarez could use a break, not so much dropped but could use some time to get the legs back, he seemed a step slow on Sunday and his dribbles weren't as sharp as they normally are. Again, this is all for the manager but I think our senior players are talking the talk ( sound familiar) but not exactly walking it.
From the BBC website: The only strategy we need is for the players to up their finishing accuracy, until we can sign one or two out-and-out poachers. Once some pressure is off our current players to score, I'm sure we'll get plenty of goals from those who've been so profligate in front of the onion bags last year and this (although it's still early doors!).
Doni is a bit of a mystery at the moment, he's still listed as being on the clubs books but no one knows where the hell he is and he hasnt featured in any games including pre-season. There were rumours about him going back to Brazil but again its all so unclear and as mentioned he's still listed as a Liverpool player. Anyone know where he is?
He's not in my cellar....honest guv Last thing I heard (mid-summer) he wanted to go and we were going to let him. Never heard anything more after that....maybe he didn't hear anything else either so he just got off The only reason anyone at the club's actually noticed is because of Pepe's hands falling off...
I think Doni is on 'compassionate leave' for the time being, hence why Jones is on the bench. If Doni was available, then I wouldn't mind dropping Reina but I really don't have much confidence in Brad Jones. Suarez was poor on Sunday, whether it was down to playing on Thursday or if he just had an off day. Again, he is key to our attack and we heavily rely up on him and he can't be dropped. Gerrard has been poor for a couple of years now and we do have replacements for him. He can be dropped without significant impact to our team.
