How many times do we have to start again? There have been wonderful moments to celebrate over the last 21 years but the league title has eluded us. Many managers and players have come and gone and many a new era has turned into yet another false dawn. The league title is what we all want and what we drive towards at the start of each new season, we're an optimistic bunch and no matter what the odds we still look to that title and dream that it will be ours again. Dream is an apt word. The ups and downs of being a Liverpool supporter are there for the world to see, there's never a dull moment. History has been kind to us but also very, very cruel. So here we are again whittling away at the days and weeks trying to find ways to occupy ourselves with transfer speculation, possible formations and any other sports that we can bear to watch until finally we get to a pre-season friendly. At this point we know we are getting close to that first game of the season and that new era. What is a new era for us? We all know what we dream about but in reality success can be a long and bumpy road, I don't expect this to change. What we have to do is to build steadily to improve and gain a strong base. Our academy is starting to bear fruit and give us roots with a multitude of talented youngsters, more than I've ever seen at one single club. Brendan Rodgers also seems to understand that we need a youthful team that can learn and grow together. Inevitably we then need the strength and experience that the likes of Steven Gerrard provide. I will dream of that title at the start of the new season and of the FA Cup and even the League Cup, my dreams may well be dashed once more. When all the games have been played what I want more than anything is to look at my club and at my team and still see a strong base and a stable group that has the ability to pick themselves up and go again. I don't want to start again, I don't want a new manager or new owners I want us to move forward together through the good and bad, I want our team and manager to learn and grow and for us to become a force once again. I like the direction that Rodgers is taking us in, it fills me with hope but I also understand why his critics are concerned. I don't know how this will turn out but I will be along for the ride.
Great sentiments.. However, these dreams are likely to remain unfulfilled. Objectively Rodgers first season does not provide a lot of optimism. Could any decent manager have achieved what he has in that first season? the answer must be surely yes. Have a good season. But I cannot see you improving on your league ranking.
With the exception of the benefactor clubs - the remainder have proven that continuity is the key to delivering sustainable success. Unless you're going to spend at a level that makes it hard to fail! then maintaining stability & 'building' your club is the only way that you'll get anywhere near the top imo. Ultimately a manager lives & dies by his signing though & it's this element that you need to get right, especially after so many high profile expensive flops in recent years.
We just need a bit of stability and continuity so it's imperative that we support Rodgers and he stays in the job for the next few years. The squad is slowly improving - Coutinho and Sturridge made an impressive contribution and this summer looks to be exciting as well. Contrary to what some people think, I think last season was a pretty good first season for BR considering the poor start we had, the mistakes in the summer and thin squad. Thanks to our January signings, our second half form was on par with the top 4 and as a result, we finished 9 points better off last season and with about an extra 20-30 goals. I do think we're a few years away from where we want to be but I'm confident that Rodgers will get the squad up to shape - getting rid of the likes of Carroll, Downing, Shelvey for starters.
Thanks for the reply, I think Rodgers has an idea and vision for the future, something that is needed at Liverpool. It is no good bringing in a few players for an instant fix at Liverpool as that may be short lived and we will end up in a far worse position. I don't know if I'm right but I just feel that he understands where we need to go and what we need in order to get there.
I agree Rodgers signings will be his making or his downfall, I'm happy with them (in general) so far.
Transfer committee seems to have made a positive impact as well. I'm a lot more confident in our signings and targets.
Right. I've just put the violin down to do this post As you know having met me, I've seen and been a part of the glorious history of our great club. The last 22 years have been sad in terms of league triumphs, but it's taught me patience. I believe we are moving forwards and I believe Rodgers (and others) are capable of taking us there. However, you can be assured that he won't get 6 years like fungus did. It's a well-balanced fixture list for next season and I'm hopeful of further improvement, but I'm also pragmatic. Remember: patience is a virtue
I think that's dependant on who we actually get not just who we're after. The Toure transfer I can see the logic in but to me Aspas isn't the level required for a top 4 (first team) player. If we then lose Pepe, Suarez and Skrts that's 3 experienced international standard players gone. Replacing them and getting the new comers to gel won't be easy. This transfer window could well be a masterstroke of planning....or an absolute disaster. Either way I'm glad we're doing business early or at least trying to at any rate.
I think it's 50/50 tbh. His first 2 (Allen & Borini) were both over priced & average imo. His 2nd brace (Coutinho & Sturridge) were an improvement on what you already had & therefore made an impact. As simple as it sounds, this is where most managers fail, they buy players that aren't markedly better than the ones they already have! Therefore they don't make a big difference. Whilst there's always a need for squad depth, with prudent shopping capable understudies don't need to be extremely expensive. The managers who maximise their budgets by bringing in squad fillers on the cheap or out of contract & saving their budget to buy the best they can afford, 'star man', are generally the ones who succeed - on the proviso that the 'star man' works out.....
3 things. 1. ownership continuity. David moores did a terrible job and ruined our club that is a fact. he took over a dominant beast and through systematic small timer decisions failed to take the chance to build a billion pound business for himself. He was a fool. If he'd built a 70k stadium in the 90s and exploited our global and the prems global growth he could have minted it. FSG still have that chance but now they have 3/4 more clubs to compete with. In 20 years time anfield's expansion will seem like small change. FAHKT! If FSG stay ad provide continuity, continual investment but most of all build something that is self sustaining at the level we'd all like great. If not chuff off now and let some rich arab do it. 2. Promotion. Not every chance needs to throw the baby out with the bath water. No manager or coach should be allowed to swan in and change carte blanche all coaches. Not right way at least. We desperately need to work a supply of coaches up form youth level or reserve level and link the physio, technical analysis teams and so forth to the same structure.. for instance. Rafa had how long at it and not one coach bar his hires from barca survived? Where are Rafa's coaches? thats why a DoF should be in a club not to buy players. 3. managerial continuity. Keeping a manger 3 years should be worth 10 points by the end. So we gave rodgers one year. I don't really like him cos i think all in all he's a spoofer but if you make that decision and it's not "awful" then you must back it. Kenny would have done better last year than Rodgers. FAHKT, simply put he'd not totally change everything. Would that be the right thing long term? Not according to FSG and you know they were probably right on it. So rodgers should in theory do better this time round... unless of course he got a real late bounce last year in points and his actual position should have been tenth... the pardew effect if you will. I hope rodgers improves on last year as there's a lot to improve on. So on all 3 points i think we are doing "ok" but not great. Mike marsh did get a promotion of sorts. Rodgers didn't bring in too many of his own. But inglethorpe.. is he someone to be first team manager is 3 years? Borrell? Is there ANYONE at the club who could step in? nope and this is one issue to me. Mourinho had clarke and rodgers under him to name but a few. We need to build this. I hope FSG are for real, any LFC owner now must build and build right away to be taken seriously. once FSG shelll out for works at anfield to go to 60k they will be loved. And rodgers needs to prove himself big time.
And replacing them with the likes of Borini, Allen and Assaidi. Brilliant. Can't fail. Templete for success. Etc etc etc. If my bookie grandad hadn't robbed my pocket money off me when I was six and put me off gambling for life, I'd bet Carroll scores more goals next season than Borini.
What Carroll scores for WHU is irrelevant. If he plays the same amount of minutes for us he would most likely not score as many as he would at WHU because of contrasting styles of play.
