So, this Saturday we face Roberto Martinez's Wigan side in the league. Martinez claims he was offered the Liverpool managers job in the summer but turned it down because he did not like the planned structure changes at the club, and because he said he still had work to do at Wigan. Our owners deny Martinez claims, and changes to the clubs structure have not been made. Rodgers was top of our owners wanted list, having declined and taken a u-turn on having an interview for the job. But Martinez was obviously listed as an option. I believe that our owners used Martinez to distract the media whilst they did their work. It is easy to see that Wigan play a similar stye to us. But they have never really been more than just relegation servives under Martinez, however nice the footbll is. But there are signs to suggest that things are on the up, so we will need to be strong in this game. This is a game we have to be looking to win. Reina is back, Suarez cruising and Sterling high in confidence. But Sahin has been poor and Shelvey mildly injured. Shelvey can also make a good attacking impact sub. Wigan's three center back approach with wing backs could be an extra challenge for our wide forwards, so a narrow, interchangeable attacking approach maybe be the best option here. My team idea will look like this: ------------------------Reina--------------------- ---------------Skrtel-----------Agger------------- ---Johnson-----------------------------Enrique---- -------------Gerrard--------------Allen------------ ------------------------Suso---------------------- -------Sterling------------------------Assaidi------ -----------------------Suarez--------------------- Assaidi and Sterling will keep the wide forwards busy and open up space for Johnson and Enrique to attack. Opening up space in the channels. Suarez and Suso will take on the back three and defensive midfielders just by doing what they do best. But Suso will have to join Suarez in attack and goal scoring responsibilities. It will be Gerrard and Allen's job to control the midfield. They did this brilliantly against United so they can do it brilliantly here. Neither will be stand alone DM's. I fancy a goal from Sterling here on the back of his England debut.
Whinging Whelan gave Martinez a pay rise and a new contract because of 'the mix up' with us over the managers job so hes happy enough at the pie eaters these days.
I realised what it was suppose to say but add to re-read it a couple of times first My only concern with the side you suggested is defensively. Yes, Wigan play with three at the back but that also means they play with three up front too. Johnson and Enrique pushing on will leave space, do we really think Gerrard and Allen will sit and cover for ninety minutes? I'd like to see Henderson given the DM role until Lucas returns, let Gerrard and Allen play football
There has always been some thing I dont like about Martinez, but I dont think its a footballing thing necessarily. I do think he can be a decent manager, and could do a good job at a club like Fulham, Everton or Spurs. But they do not need managers at the moment. I feel he wont achieve his dreams at Wigan.
Odd side Wigan, one week they look half decent, the next they can be absolute toilet. Depends which one turns up on Saturday.
I can't disagree with the team anyway. i think giving our owner or ayre the credit for anyhting like a use of martinez as a bait and swtich is going to far given how august 31 showed cold hard reality of what they can do. i believe the comment on assiadi and stelring is directed towards wigan pulling thier own wide men back to double up outt wide... If they do that they are foolish. I would simply let lfc have it all they want wide as theres nobody in the box for a ball. but thats just me.
Right choice by the owners imo, hopefully the right overall choice but we wont know that for a while.
I've liked him ever since he came out and supported Rafa in a time where Fergie and his 'troops' i.e. Pulis, Allardyce etc were ganging up on Rafa. I think Martinez is tactically inept but he plays one way and that is attacking relentlessly, and admire him for that.
I usually look at our potential team and wonder how I would set up as an opposition manager before games and this is a common thought for me. It is far too easy to defend against us because we are predictably going to try and use our only unpredictable player. Always through the middle too
Di Santo has been pretty good of late and you can't afford to let Arouna kone slip through as no one will have the pace to keep up with him. Other than that we should really have a go at that backline. Isn't Al Habsi hurt or a red card or something as well?
This is Wigan's team from last week. Not many men in the middle. please log in to view this image If we keep the ball well then it wont be a problem. But we cannot garuntee that. One option would be putting Henderson in, who can cover full back areas. Another would be asking the full backs to be a bit less attacking. I see Di Santo as the biggest threat. So limiting his time on the ball is important. When Wigan attack, Allen could move in between Agger and Skrtel. This is common with the DM in Rodgers system. But Allen isnt a big guy, and I dont want him sat to defensively.
We can't keep the ball for ninety minutes, they will have possession at times. I don't think asking the fullbacks to stay back is the right option, they provide much needed width, especially with Sterling loving a wonder inside Assaidi stays wide but I reckon Suso will play out there again meaning it is another player that comes infield. We need a dedicated DM in the middle to cover the fullbacks and IMO Henderson is the best option beyond Lucas You rightly point out that it isn't Allen's best role.
He should be the AM full stop for me. Gerrard, Allen, Suso. He looks such a better player in that role. Hell ****ing rest Allen ( wont happen........ever) and lets go for it Sahin, Gerrard, Suso in the middle. If that midfeild trio can't create a fair few chances then well, we know what result we will get.
I agree about Suso but I am considering what I think Rodgers will do. A trio of Sahin, Gerrard and Suso would be great going forward but we would get gang raped defensively, especially if the fullbacks still get forward. We'd be leaving Agger and Skrtel far too exposed
What do you think of the inverted trianlge in the middle? --------------Hendo---------------- ----------Gerrard---Suso--------- I have always been a fan of this. I understand it can leave you exposed but for **** sake we continue to ship goals anyway.
