please log in to view this image Rules. No one liners ("We were ****." etc) Positives and negatives so take a step back and look at the whole picture before posting a rant. This is a serious thread for debating our performance, no wums allowed I'll remove any inappropriate comments. Football discussions only do not go off topic No clique bollox
Not keen on playing 3 at the back, it leaves us far to exposed down the wings but I can't complain too much as in reality they didn't have many clear cut chances. I do think the combination of both Lucas and Gerrard lacks a lot of energy, but both are so important to us that it's hard to leave anyone of them out, we just need to find a better way of getting the best out of both.
I disagree, I don't think Lucas is that important that a better player couldn't be found. A stronger faster player or someone who reads the game better. I'm not knocking him just think there are better players about.
Gerrard and Lucas as our midfield just doesn't work for me. Complete lack of energy and physical presence. No one carrying it forward and taking control of the game. It will be interesting to see Henderson (hopefully) play in midfield next week. Side note, Sterling, he should be loaned out asap. Nothing like the prospect that played at the start of last season. Preseason showed that Ibe was already ahead of him, but he doesn't feature.
I like the 3-5-2 System. But will be more effective with the following players.. -------------------------- Mignolet ---------- Toure/Srktel - Skrtel/Agger - Sahko - Johnson - Gerrard - Henderson/Lucas - Enrique/Cissohko ------------------------- Coutinho -------------------- Suarez - Sturrdige Will leave us with a more than decent subs bench too. However, would like to see us sign a decent DM and another striker in Jan and if we're high up come Jan, I think FSG will back Rodgers.
Loving the win and Suarez's return to goal scoring is great too. I hate three at the back with a passion but it did give the WBs time today, shame neither of them are really creative as in this system those two players are very important. Lucas being suspended in the next game creates a new problem for us (have I mentioned we only have one DM?) so it will be interesting to see what we do against Crystal Palace; sticking to this awful system, I'd Henderson bring inside with Wisdom/Kelly on the right but suspect BR will just introduce Allen. I have said many times that Lucas is the most important player in our team and I stand by that. However, I totally agree that a better player could be found for that role. Edit: Sterling was woeful at best, again!
Positives: 3 points 2nd in the table Played well, but not great and still got the points Players starting to adapt to a new system SAS showing they're the best strike force in the PL Toure for me was an absolute beast Sakho is now looking very settled One week closer to Ford coming back Lucas getting his 5th yellow - meaning he misses a relatively easy game at home, rather than say the Newcastle or Arsenal game (no disrespect to Palace meant) Gerrard's hollywood ball Very good professional attitude after 2 losses on the bounce Negatives: Missing any real threat from the wings Sterling looked very poor (again) Hmmmm can't think of anymore right now - feel free to add some!!
Mamadou Sakho Stats Vs #SAFC 47/49 96% passing 100% ground duel win (2/2) 80% aerial wins (4/5) 100% clearance success (8/8) 100% tackle win #SAFC 1 #LFC 3 FT Possession%: 46-54 | Passes: 347-419 | Accuracy%: 80-84 | Final 3rd: 151-137 | Accuracy%: 75-77 | Shots: 23(5)-15(6) Jordan Henderson was the most creative player on the pitch today. He created 4 chances.Others were: 2 for Gerrard & Sturridge (2 assists) 1 for Enrique
It would help if we had anything on the wings This 532/352 system makes us extremely narrow and also makes us defend deep too. It restricts the out balls to long punts to the front trio, none of which are great in the air.
I like 3-5-2 but need the correct players. Think it was a means to an end today. Henderson does need to work on some of the crossing as he had the space but would not get the correct ball in. I was hoping he would maybe run at the defender and get closer/corner every now and again.
Part of me thinks the system will work better once Johnson is back but he is shocking at crosses too, of course that's when he decides to attempt at crossing after trying to beat a man or two first #hatethesystem #4231isthefuture
4-2-3-1 is the now G Again, players can make or break the system and it is good to see BR expand and also that we are not just "death by football" all the time. I thought Moses, Toure, Sakho, Sttudge, and of course Suarez were standout today.
It is yesterday, now AND the future! I just think the three at the back undermines the style we are trying to play. If we're going to try and play it out from the back then you need options. Three at the back means there are two players picking up our wide men, the middle CB is in the way of one of the CM's dropping deep to pick up the ball and the keeper can't give it to any of the CB's because the oppositions attackers split them. End result = punt up field! When we have possession at the back, we have no out ball as we are too narrow. Unless we pass it amongst the CB's and CM's for a minute, the WB's are in our own half because they've just been defending. That leaves Luis, Danny and Moses all in central areas to receive the ball, not one of them is great in the air either so a punt up field is playing into the opposition's CB's hands! The only benefit I saw was when we were in the oppositions half, the late arriving WB's got some space. However, the WB's need to be much MUCH better than what we had available today because they created an opportunity from at least less than 30% of the chances given to them (that's an estimate)! When we lose the ball in an attacking position, the opposition hit us from wide areas immediately because we have no one there, the WB's are attacking! The two CM's have also got forward because there are three CB's leaving use totally exposed. #hatethesystem
Rodgers on new system: "We've changed the structure of our team a bit to allow us to pass it better - we've still got a lot of work to do - but also to fit in with the type of players that we have. "They have worked a lot in training - it's not just something that has been dropped in. We looked at 3-4-1-2 towards the end of last season. "We did some work on it, looking at Luis coming back, and they have struck up a very good partnership." Looks like it's here to stay. Not a fan. Suarez could easily have come in from a wider position in the 4-2-3-1. Also don't see in any way how it helps us 'pass it better'.
I don't mind us playing a different formation. Yes it's a risk, but someone had to change from the usual 442 at some point and Mourinho's Chelsea were probably the best at bringing 433 into the Prem when they had Robben & Duff either side of Drogba. Systems change over time, 442 used to be the system, then it went to 433 which everyone is now playing and maybe BR has a plan and reasons as to why 352 would suit us and give us an advantage over 433. I guess the plan is to play with Suarez & Sturridge upfront, Coutinho in the number 10 role and leave them 3 to link up and cause the opposition problems, rather than having to put 2 of them in wider positions. I like the fact we're trying something different and we did it a few times last year and we're on our best run of form in ages so can't complain too much. Always nice to have different options with different players available for each of them.
Genuine question... In the last two games (Man Utd in cup and today), we have taken Moses off and brought Sterling on. In your opinion, what position has Sterling played? I find it hard to figure out. Does in play in the hole like Moses was (doubtful IMO), does he go upfront with Suarez going in the hole or have we switched to a front three?
RWB He's not good enough to play in the hole (and I don't think Moses is either). Think they're just doing a job until Coutinho comes back.
