A good article from BBC Sport. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21805915 Long piece but a good read.
We have gone forward from last season, but how much is Rodgers to thank for that? Say we hadn't changed manager would we be further forward now? It's hard to tell.
This is pretty accurate. One thing I will say for BR is we are better than last season with a far lower wage bill
Good piece; think it says what we all knew, once a new manager was brought in it was going to take time & judgement is still out. We can see glimpses of the vision BR has of where he wants the team to end up. Its whether he can obtain that in time with whatever budget he has. This window will see which of the previous two was the accurate reflection, the mess of last summer or the smart buys of winter.
I fear we may have gone backwards another step with out a manager change. Dalglish made big mistakes. He showed clear favouritism towards players who were struggling in the team, like Adam, Downing and Henderson even though the alternatives like Maxi, Kuyt, Spearing and Shelvey were better when in the team. Are style last season was rushed and rash to. Thats why we missed so much chances. Our defense has taken a step backwards this season but I put that down to Steve Clarke. My only major issue with Rodgers is all this stuff with Joe Allen.
I think weve gone backwards. Last season we were unlucky, dominating games, hitting the bar et al. Had two long cup runs in the mix too. This season we have generally just been **** and had a world class player to keep our heads above water. We are in trouble for next season when he goes.
I think we are heading in the right direction, as long as there is improvement next season then I have high hopes of the one following that. What Rodgers needs next season is a trophy.
Don't agree with this at all. We've been inconsistent that's all. We've had games where we've played some great football and we've started to beat the teams at the bottom of the table, something everyone says we should be doing but something we always struggled even since Rafa. We're competing against the top clubs and been unlucky (although don't like using that term too much) against City on the opening game, United when we should have won even with 10 men. We've just gone on a good winning run beating Spurs in that run and then lost to Southampton - that's being inconsitant. Apart from Southampton & Villa, I can't think of one game where we've been absoloutely awful. Even agaisnt west Brom twice, we dominated games and just failed to take chances. I think BR's improved us, but in comparisons to other teams in the league we've not moved on masses amounts. 90% of teams improve each year and if you don't you find you drop down the table so when you talk about improvement are you comparing us to our tema last year, or to the rest of the league? This summer will be BR's first proper summer where he can do good business. Will be interesting to see who is brought in as we all know there are 2 key area's that need improving with is in defence & a creative midfielder. If those areas get strengthened and w don't lose any key players then that added with another years experience to the younger players (Wisdom, Suso, Sterling, Henderson & Kelly returning) and another year getting used to BR's style I can see us challenging for top 4.
Fair enough, last season we were inconsistent and too many draws, this year inconsistent too many losses but a few more wins. I think the shape of the team has changed a lot. Last year we had a much older and experienced team, played full strength teams in the cups for the most part. This year we have gone quite young and blooded the youth in the cups for the most part. Also hurts losing Kuyt, Bellamy, maxi who were all very experienced players for me as well.
I'm not sure that rings true to me JK. Basically had Suarez put the ball away as well last season as he has this we'd have been way behind now where we would have been last year. No real progress in the league and yet no good cup runs to compensate despite having the top scorer. The fact is up until the Suarez affair and the total mis-handling of it by all at the club we were playing really well. Had we had those dramas to contend with this year we'd have suffered just as much IMO. My own personal opinion is that BR's done ok, as a young manager we shouldn't have expected perfection and as frustrating as it is we have to expect there'll be more mistakes in future. It's a question of how he learns from them going forward that matters most to me. If we judge on the two transfer windows then he has improved over the season as he improved the squad in January. If we go on team selection throughout the season then he hasn't improved. Most important of all if we go on results then he hasn't taken us forward (including cup and league results) but he hasn't taken us backwards either. If he fails to take us forward again next year then people will start to get on his back. However after less than a full season I think it's only fair that he is given a chance by ALL supporters to see what he can do now he's settled at the club and has had a year to assess where the team is at.
My biggest worry this season is the defence. Taken a major step backwards since last year, losing Steve Clarke has the biggest loss. The attacking football has improve immensely, despite the crappy summer transfers, Suarez has got his scoring ratio to a good level and the other players have started chipping in with goals and creating stuff (Even Downing!!) BR is clearly a good attacking coach, as he was with Swansea who played some of the best attacking football last year. The defence however doesn't seem to be getting to grips with the system BR is trying to implement. There have been too many times this season where they've played themselves into trouble losing possession and they get bullied by big strikers and physical teams (Stoke, Oldham and Aston Villa), the whole lost need to toughen up a bit. Plus there is the worry of who is going to playing at CB next year. So Overall: Attacking big improvement. Defensively: Step backwards
Regarding the defence... I don't think there are any teams this year that have been solid compared to last. City, United, Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal, none of them have been brilliant defensively. The fact we have the 2nd best defensive record this year (or we did before the Southampton game) proves that it's not just us that have been average at the back.
There is no such thing as luck or unluck. Our finishing was so poor last season because our players had no composure in the box. They also seemed to have this 'get the shot away as quickly as possible' mind set.
Also we had Carroll who despite his height and strength couldn't stay on his feet and hit the target once every 9 shots.
Yeah you are right but I just feel that if he gets a trophy then the faith from fans will be longer lasting.
Next season I'd like to see top 4 over a trophy, only because it will increase our chances of keeping key players and bringing in better ones. It could potentially increase our chances of getting more success in the future. Realistically I want to see a trophy and top 4 obviously.
Agree, we won a trophy last year (albeit the 3rd ranked domestic trophy) so it's not like we've gone 4 or 5 years without silverware. However we have gone 4 years without Champions League so would take that over a trophy next year.
