johnson was lazy.. he was standing hoping for a pass off the two midfield clowns. then he's trotting back not really trying and skertls racing out to his spot. i do believe it is more personnel that tactics as he's being lazy... see yellow recently for a fat mans trip as a player raced off and he wasn't bothered to chase
Personally, I don't think it is a coaching issue - I think the players simply don't have the required concentration levels to succeed to the next level (in Gerrard's case, it's more to do with his age now). Johnson has never been good defensively IMO. His speed would help him recover but he is a brainless footballer, as are Skrtel and Enrique. Reading of the game and positioning are completely lacking from our defensive set up (i.e. back line and DM).
Come off it Jimmy, "the players simply don't have the required concentration levels to succeed to the next level "!!!! Irrespective of the style of football it has been proved countless times that football is a mix of routines and inspiration. It is not a major cerebal process and concentration is not in itself a major process. I'll ignore the Gerrard put-down as it's just par for the course eh!). I truly don't believe that we are watching the same game. Lucas's game is all about reading the game. He's not a dynamic tackler and must read the game to be in position before the ball arrives. Of all of the players you mention then perhaps Enrique can be described as bullish - if it's green run on it: if it moves tackle it!
"Enrique can be described as bullish - if it's green run on it: if it moves tackle it! " I like that Dave, that sums him up . Cant wait until he's back and stick Flanno rightback
To the op we can win it until we cant surely! If we cant I dont want Chavs winning it, would much prefer Arsenal or City
Like you I believe that we have to keep thinking that we are going for No 1 until it proves impossible to achieve that mathematically. After that point has been passed we can settle for ensuring a lower top 4 finish!
Top 4 is an absolute must! (although 2nd would be nice if not 1st as then we wouldnt have to do the qualifiers!) And you know what, if we have Sturridge and Suarez up front and a better performing Coutinho we have nothing to fear at home v the top 3
I'd not gothat fr... we can compete on the day one off at home... but... its not about those 3 games its the 14 others. if we win 14 games and lose those 3 we'd be flying.
Yeah that as well but also obv the other 3 will be '6 pointers' Of course the other 14 games are the bread and butter but what im saying against the better teams on paper we can give them a run for their money, on the field at least
they will be 6 pointers in going for winning the league no question. but to get 3rd? I dunno. in the end get it to suarez... do try not to flog too many but get it the f to suarez. in 1995 blackburn were a 4th placed team really but shearer was a goal a game nearly, he made the difference... blackburn could defend though with hendry etc... we need suarez scoring 2 a game the way we defend. here's to one more win this weekend!
We're clearly not watching the same game if you think Lucas is reading the game well. How many times have our defence been exposed? How many times has he lost his man, or ignored a runner going straight through us? And concentration for defenders is absolutely critical!! How can you say otherwise?? Defenders and GK can play well for 89 mins but one slip up i.e. losing your marker at a set piece and it costs us. What have we achieved with the likes of Lucas, Skrtel, Johnson, Enrique? It may seem harsh but the truth is is that they are simply not good enough if we want to progress. Especially in the cases of Lucas, Skrtel and Johnson - is it really a coincidence that our team has underperformed since they all became regulars? At the moment, Johnson is defending as he always has. Sh*t. Problem now for him that he can't use his attacking ability to mask his deficiencies as a defender.
The players, staff, coaches etc should believe we can win it but the fans don't really need too, they just need to support the team at each game. I think the fans can look at it with a bit more realism.
We'd need the other 3 to drop points and us to beat them at ours All a big ask def if we thinking with our heads rather than hearts, sure Chavs can lose away to Sunderland etc but all 3 is a big ask Hopefully poisonous Terry can do some work, Arsenal can lose their confidence and City? Well damn shame Manchini isnt there anymore!
Have you seen our remaining away fixtures? West Brom Fulham Southampton Man Utd Cardiff West Ham Norwich Crystal Palace
Obviously we should try to win everything and aim for the top... ... but I don't think we can be angry with 4th.
And you'll achieve absolutely nothing! The team we have now has to learn as it marches and those that can't keep up have to be replaced. There's no time for that parental approach. These guys know what has to be done. Hard but as professionals they have to accept that they will be tested in the heat of the fire. If LFC are going back to where the club and supporters believe that they belong then the players have to be capable to get us there.
