Costa was only referenced to show that better standards of player will naturally settle quicker simply because they are better players. I accept fully that he wasn't a target we could chase but the point stands. Younger, less experienced players take longer to "settle" than their more experienced counterparts I don't doubt the transfer market is a tough place but we have a much vaunted "committee" that we were sold would stop this kind of thing happening. I appreciate we aren't in a position to compete with the oil clubs but nevertheless we were in a better position this year than any for a good few years and it still feels like we were scrabbling around in the middle range of the market. I think that stinks of bad planning and just a touch of bravado on Rodgers part that he thinks he can turn water into wine. As much as I admire that in him (all the best managers have faith in their abilities) it shows that he still has a lot to learn. It's not a question of shame in relying on certain players. I agree we miss Sturridge (less so about Allen) but again my point was that two injuries shouldn't lead to such a collapse in team style having spent a hefty wedge in the summer. I DO expect us to transition smoothly after spending that amount on top of a very successful season (in terms of development if not trophies). The whole point is if we want to compete regularly we HAVE to transition smoothly every summer. Basically we've seen and heard all this **** before and yet lessons aren't being learned at the club. I totally agree about Rodgers knowledge of defending btw. I get the feeling he'd turn Bobby Moore into Bobby Davro given six months on the training ground
Didn't spurs copy us? We bought Suarez, Carroll, Downing, Adam, etc after selling Torres, Babel and Mascherano! So, if anything, we're doing a Liverpool...again!
This is irrelevant, because we're talking about how we've played so far this season, with those who have been present, not how we would have played if everything had been lovely. The fact is, only in the first two games of the season did we have fewer than 4 new players in the starting line-up. Often, even when the newcomers have been as few as 4, they've been supplemented by players who had limited game time last year, such as Enrique, Sakho or Toure. My point is that the team is barely recognisable from the one that got us to 2nd last season.
Ironically - Manquillo and Moreno (two young lads) have settled in far quicker than Lovren and Balotelli lol. And you're right - 2 injuries, regardless of how important they should not completely disrupt the team. Fair enough if we struggle to score goals but we should still be attacking with fluidity, movement and speed. Rodgers has complained about having to play a lot of new signings a lot sooner than he would have liked but he's also changed the formation. I know we will struggle to play the diamond with Sturridge, Allen and Can but he could have tinkered slightly - Henderson and Coutinho as the CMs in front of Gerrard, Lallana as the 10 and use Sterling as Sturridge's replacement to partner Balotelli. I don't know - we will have to wait and see really. But it's all about being patient but I'm confident we will get it right eventually. Hopefully we'll still be in the running for top 4 by that time!
The team is different not just in personnel but also the formation. Rodgers has switched from the diamond to the dreaded 4-2-3-1.
True. Presumably he thinks that ought to work better with the players he's using, but who knows? I agree with what you said higher up. We have to be patient and see if he can bring it round again. It's frustrating, but there's nothing else we can do. Anyway. 10-0 win tomorrow and we'll all be chuffed again.
We have been what I would call a team out of influence for a while now. By this I mean we do not quite have the pulling power that matches the likes of City, Chelsea and frustratingly United who I guess are going off Fergies reputation and the recent title to pull in managing personnel and attacking talent. I think this is due to the slightly longer transition period not helped by the implementation of Woy. regardless due to this, it has a massive effect on the calibre of player we are able to bring in. To be honest we did well last year to finish where we did, pound of pound punching way above our weight! However, saying that, I think the current crop we have brought in this season are a league above of the Aspas and the Cissokhos of this world. They aren't quite title winning signing though but it may be a start. My take on the current blip is, we we're over reliant on our attack last season (with our defence being tat). It would be foolish to believe that we can simply replace Suarez and out Attack every side during every game, so we have to change our game whilst still putting some enthuses on attacking play. I don't think we have found the balance just yet, but this could be due to a variety of factors such as attacking players bedding in. Say what you want about Ballotelli but I think he is slightly better than what we have seen so far. We will have to rely a little more on our defence this year, I for one am looking at our captain to change his game yet again to accommodate for this, he has been by far our best player for the last two games but I can't help but feel he lets the team down defensively by "using up" a CDM position. It is a tricky one.
