No room for passengers.

As poor as we've been playing this season one thing is obvious. We don't have the luxury to have players on the field that are passengers.

Players like Benteke (one legal goal in 6 games and little contribution elsewise) and Firminio (too slow to chase a ball and doesn't really contribute anyway) shouldn't be playing.

(bringing on La la and Firminio today was the death knell for our 3pts hope).

I'm these difficult times we need players who will contribute. If only 10 or 9 players are active in the game we will never win.

I'm not bashing Benteke and Firminio. Benteke has talent just doesn't fit our style and Firminio is new he might become a mediocre or better player yet. Until either improves they shouldn't be playing. We need 11 players who will contribute to the game on the field at all time.

La la is crap but at least he contributes. With Benteke or Firminio on we might as well be playing with 10 men.

 

Benteke has been isolated all season which hasn't helped him, but I do think that Ings was far better up top than he was today with his running around and making runs past the defenders. Benteke looked like he didn't really know how to play with Sturridge - which is understandable.

Firmino will come good I think. I just don't know where he'll play when Coutinho excels in that central role.

 

Firmino was good today.

 

I thought this thread would be about Skrtel

Your choice of "passengers" is a joke IMO

 

I agree with astro, they're not the passengers, I think Milner and Can were more the culprits today, the former being elevated to a God like status recently but he's just no t in good form.

 

Thought lala was ok today although he did mess up a couple of bits he was a least trying, if you are going to blame him for that then what about ford who cocked up a load of good situations. Not that I would say ford is a passenger just that creative types often try things that dont come off.

 

we have problems all over the pitch, the players dont seem to know what the tactics are...rodgers has lost the plot he needs to GO it's as simple as that

 

Can wasn't that bad today - he does look casual and lazy but overall, he did pretty well. Him getting the ball from defence, and pushing into midfield is great to watch at times.

Milner is just wasted in CM. He's never been THAT good but he's a useful squad player for a top 4 team. Not many people have actually watched him play week in week out for a while at City but you can see how limited he is. And he's not a captain. Such a quiet character. Instills zero leadership. And this is the man we brought in to replace Gerrard?

Lucas, Sakho, Can were the ones who were talking to players.

 

Milner and Can wernt passengers though. They got involved. Put in an effort, had time on the ball.

I'm not saying Benteke and Firminio are the worst players (although Benteke has been inefficient) I'm saying they are passengers because they almost never get the ball and almost never do anything for the team.

That's what we don't have room for. We need XI players on the team who can (and will) get the ball and contribute.

 

I'm not saying Benteke is a bad player. I'm saying he's a passenger. It may be the fault of Brodge's tactics, but he doesn't get the ball and rarely contributes. 1 goal in 6 games for a £30million striker is horrendous.

He fits is much better and should always start ahead of Benteke.

Maybe he will. But currently when we're desperately needing a goal he's the last person I want on.

 

One thing I noticed about Coutinho. Twice (or more) he tried shots when a team mate was in an excellent position to score.

Is he just selfish or has no confidence in his teammates? I wouldn't blame him for the low confidence mind you. He's usually the one to save us.

 

Actually it's not. 1 in 6 over a season is bad. 1 goal in his first 6 league games for a new club is fine. 2 goals in his first 6 league games for a new club is decent #reality

 

When he ****ed the one on one he tried his very best to rectify it which lead to the wrong decisions being made. He infuriated me in the last 15 minutes yesterday to be honest

 

I suppose that's one way of making your point stronger

Why aren't you counting all the goals he would have scored should the referee's not ****ed up?

 

Just because Milner runs around all day doesn't mean he's contributing. He's still a passenger because someone else has to take on his responsibility of creating/scoring.

Put in him in a wide position - there's a reason why City a) used him as a squad player and b) didn't play in CM.

 

I'd say 1 goal in first 6... Depends.

Crouch didn't score in his first 6 games but you could see the contribution was there. Benteke has been more like Balotelli than Crouch though so far.

Ings, Sturridge, and even lowly Origi have all looked better so far this season.

Ings and Origi are both new and Studge has maybe played, what about 3 games in the last 18 months. The fact that so far Benteke on form is our 4th rated striker is not good.

Maybe he will learn to fit in and contribute. Until then he shouldn't be starting every match. Bring him on when we're ahead until he gets up to speed.

Keep playing him and expecting him to perform different is the same mistake Rodgers made with Balotelli.

When Liverpool were their greatest we didn't give newbies automatic berth. They had to earn their position. Benteke should have to earn his position too... Not just automatically get a spot because we overpaid for him.

 

Agree that ings has looked lively. Would not be against him starting next game but it's really bad that we're at this level.