Well the season is finally over and the main man Jamie Carragher has retired! I think now is a good time as ever to start evaluating whether/how much we have improved from last year. This year: 7th | W 16 | D 13 | L 9 | 61 pts | Scored 71 | Conceded 43. Last Year 8th | W 14 | D 10 | L 14 | 52 pts | Scored 47 | Conceded 40. Its amazing we have scored 24 more goals than last year and the comments about our defence being much worse simply don't stack up - maybe because of Carragher!? What does everyone think?
I think this season was crap. 1 league position better than last season with no trophies or even hint of a cup run ... bah humbug. on a brighter note ... coutinho looks like a bargain and sturridge is looking value too
In terms of the league, yes we've progressed. Especially when you take into account a new manager and lack of real squad depth in the first half of the season. BR has also seemed to get Henderson playing well and Downing, although not great has probably been a 6/10 overall this season compared to a 4/10 last year. However, last year we won a trophy and reached another final, so in that area this season has been disappointing to get knocked out relatively early in both cups and Europe. Overall, the playing staff has progressed depite losing established key experiened players in Bellamy, Kuyt & Maxi and the average age has been brought down with Sterling, Ibe, Wisdom all being given a chance to show what they can do. Overall, slow but steady progress in the league, but could do better in the cups. Next season we need to be challenging for 4th all season and doing better in the cups to be classed as progressing again.
The biggest difference is in the goals scored. Last season are defense was rightly rated but we only conceded three less. That is interesting. I am going to check Arsenal's scored and conceded stats to see how we compare to theirs in 4th.
I remember the end of last season being a bit of a sorry affair. There was an atmosphere around the club of "forget this season, let's try for next", whereas there's been much more of a party atmosphere this time round with lots of reasons to be optimistic. It feels much more likely that we'll push on now than it did at the end of last season and I certainly fancy our chances of having a crack at the top 4. Losing only 9 games compared to 14 is a massive improvement too, considering there's a considerable number of those losses where we threw the game away undeservedly. Contrast that with the fact that every time we've won a game it's felt like a hard-earned, deserved win rather than a scrappy 1-0 job. Bring on 2013/14!
Last season: 18 points from the last 19 league games. This season: 36 points from last 19 league games. Progression.
Arsenal: Scored:72 Conceded: 37 Points: 73 Barely any difference in the goal stats. I'd ay the issue is to many 0-0 draws compared to goal haul victories.
eat that MFG? I expect the two cup finals comeback post soon Our defence was **** in the first half Bow, last year we conceded a few batches of goals, this year was more of a constant dribble of concession in the first half of the season. Things have improved immensely since crimbo?
Yeah I agree they have. We have to remember this is the first proper season with Rodgers. It has clicked in the second half and if our owners can back us up we could be in a lot better position next year. A lot depends on what happens with Everton and Bale. I think Arsenal will be right up there next year so we must invest.
Brendan Rodgers finishes with more points and a higher goal difference than any of Houllier, Benitez or Dalglish had in their first season.
Last season we came 8th and won the league cup and drew so many games at home. This season we came 7th drew six ganes at home and lost four games at home,our total point tally is 61 better than last year.We also won more games away than last year our goal difference is 28 better than Tottenham 5th position goal difference. Our manager already said we are capable of challenging for top four next season.I also think we can do this. if we can continue our second half form next season.To me, I think we are progressing. Your opinion.
We've scored the most goals in the league this year, fact. However too much slack defending and aimless possession throughout the season has neutralised our attacking. I think we now have the basis of a very good squad but need key players to start performing regularly and step up (Skrtz, Aggz I'm looking at you) and to sell/bring in a few across the pitch.
He's done well I think even with Bale, we should be looking to surpass Spurs tbh, most of their squad are not amazing, they have a few good players but on the whole they have been poor without their main threat, it takes me back to AVB having the team play to bale's tune and if the fiddler is missing it hasn't gone well or them. As for Everton, they have done well for what they have to spend but we should be looking to go beyond 6th instead of competing with 6th, not because we think we deserve it but because we have played some great football, the summer will be important, very important. I think Enrique and Johnson can offer more if they make better choices, we are not nearly getting enough end product from the sides, today was a perfect example of that.
Yeah fair points Sisu. I think Spurs have better depth than us in midfield and at the back. One or two more players from us and we will be in a much better position than this year. I hope we spend wisely though. Spending more doesn't always mean a better player: - Carroll = £35 Mill - Downing = £20 Mill vs - Coutinho = £10 mill - Sturridge = £12 Mill 2 or 3 more of those then great. Everton need to react soon or risk a poor season next year.
For and Against 1 ManU 86 43 2 ManCi 66 34 3 Chelsea 75 39 4 Arsenal 72 37 5 Tottenha 66 46 6 Everton 55 40 7 Liverpool 71 43 Not bad given our **** start, 4th in the league in goals scored.
Progress or not, Rodgers has proven he's deserving of more time given how we ended the second half of the season. Lots of positives and some really great football. I think he's on the right lines. It's not been an awful first season for him in what was a big step up in terms of Club stature. More points than last year and more goals scored with a similar defensive record. Plenty to build on I would expect to be much closer to 4th next season if he can continue adding quality to the squad.
I'm happy with the progression this season - 9 points is quite a big difference IMO. Also, everyone talks about the defending last season which was very good in the first half of the season but seem to forget the atrocious second half. Our form over the second half of this season is extremely encouraging and is no coincidence that it's when Coutinho and Sturridge joined. 2 massive signings which have transformed us. We have scored a lot of goals this season but we need to spread them around more evenly - what I mean is that tend to score 3-4 in a single game and then drew 0-0 the following week. Alternatively, we could just score 3-4 every game.
Got to say, I am surprised at the goals conceded, I thought our defence was awful this year. I guess it is perceptions, maybe it seemed worse because we conceded a few sloppy goals that gave away the lead / points? Yeah, but his win percentage before joining the club was much lower and that's what counts
