Making reference is getting on my tits though. We should play a style that is us. Rafa came close to that, attacking when we needed but pretty tight nit group that functioned well together, especially against the big teams. Reading through Gerrard and Carra's book it is really under Rafa and the early years of Houllier that they had that feeling of winning a game before even stepping on the pitch because of the tactics, style, personnel, and confidence in the team. Not playing like anyone else, playing like Liverpool and getting the results.
Pretty much. But Moores and them ****ed it all up with Evans and the Houllier debacle. They had a great set of talent coming through and we were playing good stuff under Roy but they chopped his legs from under him with Houllier. Whilst Houllier was good in his first term, when he came back from being sick he wasn't quite the same. Back when getting 2-4th wasn't quite good enough, how times have changed. :/
This is part of the problem - I think we lack the winning mentality. I can only see Luis who has the bottle to fight for the win. The reason why Man Utd win a lot of points, and come back from losing positions is because they fight and attack relentlessly until the final second. Teams know what's coming so they capitulate. They are almost beaten before they step on the pitch. We've lost that fear factor now. Will be difficult to get it back anytime soon.
Yes and where did Rodgers' inspirations get their own inspiration from? (the answer is us, in case you're struggling!!!) Rodgers is not bringing a previously unknown style of football to Anfield for the first time, despite the hype, he will merely restore a style of football that used to be the basis of LFC that has gone missing in the last few years due to uncertainty in the on-field and off-field structure at the club. To play that kind of football, as being exemplified by Barca today, we need a settled squad where everyone has a clearly defined role, there also needs to be a mentality based around and a strong belief in that style of play running through the club at all levels, and we have to give credit to Rafa for implementing this in the youth teams seasons ago. It will take some more time to buy players that fit in with this ethos and to develop other young players who maybe aren't quite at the advanced-for-their-age level that Sterling, Wisdom, Shelvey, Suso for example, seem to be.
I think that is a great point. We need a system from the top down and a lot of credit has to go to Segura and Borrell to have the players acclimated and ready to step up to the first team as it is the same style and ethos in the club. Easy transition to give our youth players the best chance to succeed.
Tactics and strategy sheets from a few local Sunday league clubs I picked up off the rain sodden playing fields and dried off with a hairdryer, in the post Brendan, should be on the mat in the morning.
Allen is very good with possession. That said he is not as good as Lucas as a DM Does not have the creativity of Suso as an AM. I think when Lucas is back he will not get as much game time, but this will make him available more for Europe and Cup games giving us a stronger squad in all competitions. It also gives us more variety so if we do need to play more midfielders at anystage we have someone who can come in next to Lucas, (or slightly infront) and have an impact. With everyone fit and on form, he is not a starter for me. GK: Reina RB: Johnson/Wisdom CB: Skrtel CB: Agger LB: Enrique/johnson CM: lucas CM: Suso CM: Gerrard LF:Sterling RF: Suarez/Assaidi CF: Suarez/Carroll (Who?????)
Also playing the kind of passing game barcelona do is easier when the players have an almost telepathis connection....Knowing who will be moving, where they are going. This often comes with players playing together from a young age..... borrells u21s play a similar style to the first team, but they have more end product as the relationships between the players are better and therefore they are more effective in the final third.......Passing in the middle of the park and maintaining possession can be developed over a couple of weeks, but developing that into a winning strategy will take a bit longer and will come as more youth players come through and new senior members become more accustomed to their team mates strengths and thoughts... We just need time in my opinion...(And rafa in charge of bringing in new youth prospects for the rest of time.)
Lucas distribution is not great, it’s his ball winning capabilities that we miss so much. Allen will always be a starter under Rodgers
I agree that Allen will be a starter under Rodgers but I thought that with Borini too. Lucas is a better passer than most give him credit for. He doesn't just pass sideways, backwards or five yards either. He played AM at Gremio and is capable of seeing a pass, he's played a few through balls that have got him an assist during his Liverpool reign too.
I don’t see Lucas as a pass and move kind of player, he will break things down and leave the creative side of things to the more creative players. Don’t get me wrong he is a needed but we need both Allen and Lucas in the middle they complement each other. Not sure of the stats but I doubt if Lucas assist tally is all that good.