Liverpool Banter Archive April 09 2015

 

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09 Apr 2015 23:19:34
Background info on Emre Can please. I've seen a few moans about BR playing a midfielder in defence. These moans and groans were not voiced during a run of clean sheets that broke a 40 yr record, but more recently, as usual after a loss.

Emre, isn't he a utility style player? Playing CM, a defensive holding CM and LB? Had he never played at CB before he did for us?

Did he play in Munich's youth team? Was he always a midfielder there and then at Leverkusen started to play in defence?

Thanks for any info

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10 Apr 2015 00:07:20
I personally would consider it irrelevant whether he's played CB before. Because:

1) He was signed to play defensive midfield. Remember at the start of the season, our DM was Gerrard, and apparently Rodgers was planning to reduce his playing time over the season (or so he claims anyway). So it would logically follow that Can was going to be introduced into the first team to replace Gerrard. But he's only started 3 games that I can think of in central or defensive midfield. When was he going to get the chance?

2) To me he appears to be more suited to a central midfield role than CB, and I seriously doubt I'm alone in thinking that. Although I think from the fleeting moments he has played as a CM, he has a bit to learn positionally and tactically. He won't learn it playing as a CB.

3) He's been shaky at center back when put under any pressure and clean sheets or not, that was obvious within a few games. We may have had no option other than him when we started playing with 3 center backs (I genuinely can't remember if Lovren or Toure were fit at the time). Yet, even when Toure & Lovren became available, Can was still selected ahead despite the fact that the other two might have been better options on the basis that they're actually CBs.

4) Tangentally related: We loaned out three players who are more natural CBs than Can at the start of the season (Coates, Illori and Wisdom), because we had too many CBs. But then er changed to a system that involved three center backs, which would've allowed more opportunities for those players, particularly Wisdom & Illori.

Irrespective of Can's merits as a player, Rodgers' use of him as a CB is demonstrative of poor forward planning. A real issue with his reign.

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10 Apr 2015 00:40:58
Many people have written their opinion of his use in the back line even during that historic run which in the grand scheme of things will mean squat diddly in the context of our season.

Ed01 has constantly written about his lack of positional sense and advocated him playing in his stronger position. Some would argue that the run of clean sheets was not necessarily because he was in the back three but because the system flooded the midfield and as a by product made us more solid. Whose to say that playing toure there would not have yielded the same results.

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10 Apr 2015 03:29:10
Many of us have been moaning REGARDLESS of the good run that he is NOT a CB and would get found out against quality forwards and sure enuff, he has. He is weak at the fundamentals of defending (positioning, heading ability, tactical discipline and awareness) because he is simply not bilt to play there as much as he has. He was supposed to be a bandaid/stop-gap as was the system, to stop the bleeding of leaking goals BUT BR messed up and hought playing a new system using square pegs in round holes was the long term solutions and ate up all the plaudits that came with it instead of doing some forward thinking/planning.

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10 Apr 2015 05:35:25
Can is not a DM I wish people would stop saying that.
His best position imo would be in mid where he has a licence to get forward he's so strong and has good skill for a big player.

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10 Apr 2015 07:53:34
Something Red has said what needed to be said

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10 Apr 2015 09:24:09
Benny,he's mainly played DM,he's strong and gota good engine,there's nothing stopping DM's getting forward when you're applying pressure,it'sabout making sure he know he has to get back and take up his position if he does go forward and communicate. Mascherano, and makelele used to sit deep,but our own deep player in Lucas,often used to press up,Kroos and Schweinsteiger when they played their for Bayern would go forward as well as Alonso for Madrid. As long as they are mindful of their position in the pitch it's fine.

I would personally prefer him there as I think Hnedo can do the box to box stuff,and I think he's more creative in the final 3rd along with couts,sterling,ibe,studge,lallana etc.

I would prefer Can playing the ''quarterback'' role like stevie last year,picking up the ball on the counter and spraying it forward,which SG did to great effect last year I feel Can has this in his locker better than Hendo.

All this on the basis that,I don't think Allen should be playing for us,and that I am unsure of Lucas's future at the club and to introductions such as Rossitter

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10 Apr 2015 12:37:28
He's played CB and DM for Germany

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09 Apr 2015 22:21:23
Genuine question for united fan, with 20 odd years gone without managing to win the premiership, do you think you will win it in the next 5 years? I personally don't

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09 Apr 2015 23:08:42
Its a fair question, and I think an awful lot depends on whether we change manager this summer.
Strikers aside, I think our squad is better than the league position would indicate. For me, we underperformed mainly because Rodgers could not or would not find a system that worked for the first 15 games.

Also, he doesn't seem to be able to motivate the players the way a top coach should. I don't know what he does for his pre game team talk, but our players often seem to show less fighting spirit than the opposition- as against utd recently for example.

Also, for a so-called pressing team, we don't press as effectively as many others, and we don't cope very well when we get pressed.

Also, I don't think he is as good a coach as people say- Lovren turned from a competent cb into a complete disaster under his coaching and management, and I don't think Raheem's game is progressing the way he should.
Moreno doesn't seem to be getting a lot of defensive coaching either

Take away all of those issues by appointing a new coach, and I think this squad will play a lot better than they are now over a full season.

The idiotic and wasteful transfer strategy is going to be brought under control as well.

The only team really pulling away onto a different level is Chelsea. Everyone else has had significant wobbles this season, even City at the moment.
I honestly think if LFC can get hold of a very good striker, and strengthen one or two other key positions, then under a different manager this squad can challenge for second place, even next season.
No-one will catch Chelsea for a while yet, they just have too much quality and are very well managed and shrewdly run as a club.

The restrictions of FFP might mean the likes of City can't simply splash the cash to buy a host of top new players and catch Chelsea, so the race in the next five years will mostly be for second place, and I think LFC have just as much chance of a second place finish as Utd and arsenal have.

On the other hand, if BR stays I expect a few poor or unnecessary players to be signed in the summer, and then a very poor first half of next season, and him gone by xmas anyway with a caretaker manager in place and yet another season written off.

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09 Apr 2015 23:22:25
how long did it take you to think of that question? Been working on it since Monday I bet?

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09 Apr 2015 23:27:30
First of all, we don't think in sections of 5 years or even in 20, we think in 50s, long perspective (and life). Second we don't make predictions. What we do know is that when we will win it it will be because we will make the most of a decent squad, not because our sponsor pour on us billions of pounds so we can practically buy our trophies.

In any case, wining the premiership seems a bit of a long shot for both our clubs at the moment so let's focus on the next important trophy. see you in the semi final of the FA cup, mate? Oh sorry I forgot you are not there. so maybe focus on winning your match agaisnt the 'noisy neighbour', for a change? we may genuinly wish you good luck on that one although I personally don't think you are good enough.

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10 Apr 2015 00:29:01
Give it 7 years and we will be there. If we have a manager who gives players their chances whilst taking into account the 'home-grown' rule, I think our academy can more than make the difference. We just need to be willing to give players a chance. Other sides will struggle with that rule, especially the rival teams.

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10 Apr 2015 00:04:25
Haha fanobip you make me laugh. Constant stupid replies to any normal question. See you in the semi. Like you have anything to gloat about. 1 trophy in 8 years? What a tool. My question was genuine based on thig like the money Chelsea and City have incomparison to everyone else. You've obviously took it to heart. Like how you say we bought the league. You are joking or very very silly. Do you not remember the beckhams, Neville's , scholes , butts, giggs?? No money spent but we doninated for years! You spend millions every year, but as your own fans often comment you waste it. My opinion is you won't win the league for the next 10 years. I think we will in the next 2 - 3

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10 Apr 2015 00:45:52
Anonymush you say your squads better than your position indicates but can u really believe that your squad is better than utds, citys arsenals or chelseas? I honestly don't think your squad is great and bar sterling and maybe sturridge will get in those teams. Take a central 3 of henderson allen and lucas. Do they really compare to herrera carrick mata? Matic fabregas oscar? Wilshere ozil ramsey? Yaya, fernandinho silva? No. Your defence is a shambles and your only good striker is injured so tbh 5th is what i would expect to be the best for youse based on squads. i'm not having a go, liverpool have a good squad and really talented youth but you're first team need a lot of improvements to compete top 4 and it looks like you could fall further behind with no ucl

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10 Apr 2015 03:40:25
We have a good squad even last season although limited. All we needed was a touch up w/ 3-4 class players for the first team and use our good academy graduates as squad cover. BR thought differently and bought a whole new squad while pissing away loads of dosh. He wasted half a season dithering and all this has set us back. Did we have a chance at the PL? Had we made ay while the sun was shining, maybe. But we have to make uch better decisions with the transfer strategies and structure of the club and a clear vision of the coaching staff and we WILL win the PL in due course.

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10 Apr 2015 07:27:02
Lol hook, lines and sinker.

Fanobip, yes u will do it the right way ;)

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10 Apr 2015 08:04:13
Problem with this question is that if I'd asked a United fan in January 2013 when they thought they would first miss out on the CL spots, they'd probably have said never. If I asked them last March when they would next be in one, they'd probably have gone foetal. You can't predict 5 years in football. If Ibe, Sterling and Coutinho all stay and keep developing we could have an attacking midfield formation amongst the deadliest in Europe. Or they could all stagnate and become injury prone wastes of space. You just never know

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10 Apr 2015 08:09:14
Tbh thought it was a genuine question but both fans took it to heart. Could we win the league in the next 5 years, yes but wouldn't be easy. needs good management and getting transfers spot on (for example what Mourinho did with chelsea).

Do United have a much better chance, yes of course they have more money and look likely to get CL football. But Google the top ten most expensive signings in the BPL and the majority have failed (Torres, Carroll, shevchenko, etc. and di Maria or falcao have hardly lit the league a light from the bench).

About squads, firstly disregard chelsea. If you made a premier league team of the season about 9 would be from their team. Secondly is more about the sum of the parts than the individual, how many of athleticos team would have gotten in real or barcas last season? Who won that league? Have a great group of players that with the right manager and a few signings could easily compete for the title and same applies to Arsenal, city, and United.

Do I think we will win it in next 5-7 years, yes. Mainly because club is taking steps to look at the whole structure of the club and how to get it right and as I said have some really good players just need to move the right ones on and get the right ones in. Not likely at all but I think we will

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10 Apr 2015 09:21:47
Trumours, all United fans were moaning about how Mata was a waste of money a few months back now you're comparing your midfield with Chelsea. Henderson is better than Herrara and you compare Mata with Allen why not compare him with a similar player in the position he plays like Coutinho or Sterling who are both younger and over a season both done better than he has. You say our defence is a shambles but without De Gea for the first half of the season you wouldn't have picked up the points you have would you? It works both ways

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10 Apr 2015 09:41:45
Stand united that was very funny, the money that City and Chelsea have, ha ha. Ye right, didn't you have about a billion pounds sponsorship with Adidas earlier this year stating everywehre that they will pour as much money as needed until you win the PL back?

I seriously rate our 2nd place last year with the squad we had much more than your last title won only after you bought the best player in the league from a main rival (RVP if anyone forgot).

I don't think it was a genuine question, you basically came to shout that we will never win the league so I say go argue about that with your super rich neighbours. The league became a bit like formula 1 when there are 2 or 3 (or maybe 4) teams that have the money to produce a car that will be so faster from the others that they will win the title no matter who is a driver. So what is the point to make predictions?

You had a miracle called Alex Ferguson, I won't take that from you, but the minute he left you fell apart and now try to buy your way back with billions of pounds. You pay 250k a week to a player just to sit on the bench where our club refuse to pay more than 100k a week to our bigger star and most of us think this is still way more than a player in LFC should get in his age.

In any case, I genuinly wished you good luck in your match against City, how often you get a LFC supporter genuinly wishing you to win a match? Embrace it and leave us alone, we still have to settle our weekly debate which is if BR is more or less responsible than Skertl for us being out of the top 4.

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10 Apr 2015 10:19:57
Fanobip, we don't have adidas sponsorship this season pal. Starts next season. And the figures are what the figures are when your the biggest club in the world. Nobody just plonked us there. We did it winning consistant trophy a with the best batch of homegrown players in premier league history. Any club in the world is going to negotiate for the biggest possible deal, why wouldn't you. You bleat about money , go back over the last 5/6 years and you've spent a as much as us if not more. Don't know why you keep thinking you don't spend big. The fact we pay higher wages if because we make more money than you. Through success. And if you think £100k if the highest wage you will pay have a word with yourself mate.

As for the comment about mata, if you look over the united pages you will see all season long I have said mata should start every game , never have I wanted him out.

Hererra IMO will be a better player than Henderson, but that's my opinion. And as for coutinho being your best player, and di Maria our worst, di Maria has more goals and assists than him this season. While being out injured a lot. Say a lot doesn't it

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10 Apr 2015 12:18:50
Henderson better than Herrera? Please dont. I honestly don't think one player in your team would get in our team.

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10 Apr 2015 15:46:29
Alex4 i'm not comparing our mid with chelseas. a poster said your squad is better than your position indicates but its not better than any of the top 4. Ok compare coutinho with mata and still mata is better. Our defence started as shambles yes but as seen our defence has vastly improved with smalling being a revelation.how many errors have we had leading to goals compared to liverpool? Check the stata and the fact you think hendo is better than herrera is laughable.

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10 Apr 2015 16:57:45
TRUMOURS - sorry fella but your defense is shocking and the only reason you haven't made many more mistakes that led to goals is that your keeper alone is phenomenal. Our defense is a long way off being golden but that doesn't make yours good. Recognise what you have - a world class keeper and a bunch of mid table, injury prone defenders in front of him

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10 Apr 2015 17:41:11
Hjikle.

3rd best defence in the league in a season where we've apparently been terrible, and out defence a shambles. Just think what we will be like when we get a couple top defenders and CDM in the summer :) roll on next year!!

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10 Apr 2015 18:23:29
Sorry Trumour but not just your midfield that doesn't compare with Chelsea is your whole team par De Gea (Personally think Courtois is better but will give credit is an amazing keeper). Don't get me wrong genuinely impressed that united have done so well as personally don't think a lot of your players are anywhere near what old trafford is used to (personally think you need a DM, 2 CBs, RB, Winger, and a striker - have the money but getting it right is more important the the sum).

Though is pretty sad when the two most successful English clubs fans are bragging about fourth (as the top European sides will take them apart anyways. sanchez and di maria are both rejects from them for example) and if they can win the title in the next 5 years.

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10 Apr 2015 20:37:49
Do you think United will?
I don't think so either.
As for Liverpool.
It depends on whether we are silly and sack the manager.
Too many people are too quick to forget.
In that 20 yrs you are on about which manager came the closest to winning the league so far?
Yes, it was Rodgers.
Last year.
In his second season, as a rookie manager.
If we keep the guy then I think he will end the drought.
But then my thoughts on Rodgers are well documented.

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10 Apr 2015 21:07:31
Sorry guys if i offwnded anyone, just a bit of friendly banter :) and i agree are defenders aren't great but i think they've done pretty well bar evans who needs to go.

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10 Apr 2015 21:32:58
trumours- I have plenty of friends who are Manchester United season ticket holders living around an area with majority being United fans and even United fans who actually go to matches admit they would take Henderson over all the midfielders except from Carrick, as for Mata and Coutinho, they are both good players but Coutinho has age on his side and on his day is better than Mata however inconsistency is a problem

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11 Apr 2015 00:01:00
Coutinho, Hendo, Sterling, Sahko will walk into utd's team easily, MUIRE. EASILY!

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09 apr 2015 20:29:03
bring kenny back

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09 Apr 2015 21:44:49
I would give Rodgers his P45.

If he is any good he will make it elsewhere.

I would do it ASAP.

King Kenny would take over. This time only temporarily until a long term replacement is found.

I would do it, the owners will not. Sack Rodgers and one loses face. Because they chose him in the first place.

We will bumble along going nowhere even after spending £120+ million.

No plan A, B or C. No tactics or framework. The academy not managed properly. Just a philosophical long ball up the field. Hoping for something.

These are not my thoughts but what I have read here.

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09 Apr 2015 21:48:28
See benitez thinks Napoli are doing well dispite being 7 points adrift of champions league place and having spent another small fortune on players.

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09 Apr 2015 22:19:33
Gunner
Rafa has signed one big player in Higuian replacing Cavani and then an £8 million player this season. I don't know where you are hetting this "small fortune" from.

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09 Apr 2015 22:24:43
Some of you that want rodgers out are suffering from delusion. Who else you going to bring in ? King Kenny ? Oh come on get real an move on.

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09 Apr 2015 22:50:03
Yes, can can, let's keep a manager who's (just for example) spent nearly £100m on 5 strikers and 4 center backs in 3 years, but still ends up having to use Sterling as cover for Sturridge and has played a midfielder at center back for half the season.

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09 Apr 2015 23:27:40
do the can can, in April 2012 were you screaming out for Rodgers to be our manager? Thought not, so why be so opposed to someone else now?

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10 Apr 2015 01:29:52
Fascinating, but not as we know it.

Some of the comments here,are,quite frankly, illogical.

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10 Apr 2015 01:38:47
Indeed. It is a pity some do not read my post properly.

It is a boolean of the posts here.

I did not say it was my view, just what I would do.

I then quoted many posts in a compressed style.

If you want the status quo. You will see the result.

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10 Apr 2015 03:45:01
KK and Rafa are the past and should stay there. N BTW, Rafa HAS spent a small fortune on players like Callejon, De Guzman, Albiol, Mertens, Gabiadini, Ghoulam and so on. Just saying!

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10 Apr 2015 09:03:16
"I would do it, the owners will not. Sack Rodgers and one loses face."

And the owners have never sacked a Liverpool (or Boston Red Sox) manager before, right?

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09 Apr 2015 18:05:52
Is it just me or do we have a full squad for Newcastle? Assuming Sakho shakes his off,

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09 Apr 2015 19:43:51
Sakho's out for at least two weeks

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09 Apr 2015 20:25:31
Suspensions to Gerrard and Skrtel. Ibe hasn't returned to full training as far as I'm aware

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09 Apr 2015 14:23:50
Eds, is there interest in clubs from clubs in Kieran Trippier(Burnley), Joel Ward(Crystal Palace) or Ki Seung Yung(Swansea)? Thanks.

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{Ed002's Note - See the answer to your previous question. Or look on the other club pages.}

09 Apr 2015 22:19:05
I think we should leave kenny alone,he's earned his rest.remember the vitriol on here last time he was manager and things weren't going as well as expected.the man is a club legend for both on and off field activities,and should be treat as such.im not saying people shouldn't get criticised,but some of it was disgraceful

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09 Apr 2015 13:47:11
Eds, interest in Charlie Austin? Thanks.

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{Ed002's Note - Use the search engine - asking endlessly about random players is wasting my time. Sorry.}

09 Apr 2015 13:09:55
Ed001, what do you think about bringing Lovren back into the starting 11? Not just because players are injured but on a permanent basis with Sakho/ Skrtel?

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{Ed001's Note - as a back 3? No thanks, go back to a four please. I would put Lovren in ahead of Skrtel though.}

09 Apr 2015 14:23:20
Same here. He and toure looked solid yesterday and that can only help his confidence. he`s a good player who just needs to be in the right state of confidence as well as in the right system like he was in Southampton. Skrtel is poor and capable of making good CB`s look poor.

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09 Apr 2015 14:35:28
Sakho and lovren as the 2 centre backs for me.

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09 Apr 2015 14:47:47
Good grief. Louvren was ghastly; could barely win a clean header. Really don't know what people see in him other than a multi-million pound sink. I love Ed001, really do, light in the fog and all that, but Skrtel plays defence. Louvren? Looks as useful as a hamster diving for seahorses in the central Pacific.

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{Ed001's Note - why Skrtel? So he can sit too deep and drag the whole team back and play opposition strikers onside? So he can make rash challenges and expose his team mates? Or perhaps so he can get nowhere near winning a single header all game and just leave them for Sakho? Or maybe it is so he can not bother communicating with his partners, so they have no idea what he is doing at any moment, as his rashness could mean he suddenly charges forward to make a nonsense challenge out of the blue, instead of constantly dropping back? Skrtel needs to be sold. Lovren needs time to establish whether he can be good enough, though you seem to have written him off already, despite him having shown at other clubs he has got ability. I will take no notice of your view as that description of Lovren was just a terrible attempt at being funny with no basis in reality at all. You clearly have no idea what you are talking about.}

09 Apr 2015 15:34:39
Edd001 what's wworrying is Rodgers rates skittles high as does his potential replacement De boer.

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09 Apr 2015 15:43:24
Seriously ED001 get nowehere near winning a single header all game? Skertl? drag the whole team back?

As I said before people here just set an opinion on a player and nothing will change them from it. Not even facts. I understand you and the other here cannot argue with the fact that between the two losses to ManU we had one of the best defensive record for that time in the PL so now the new argument is that he drags everyone back. Well what I remember from most of those wins is that he and Sacko were the only one left in our half, all the othr running forward. He shouldn't be sold and I am certain as I am certain about anything about next season that he will be in our starting 11.

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{Ed001's Note - clearly you have no idea what I meant, so try watching a game and you will see how deep he drops all the time. As for the opinion, it is formed from watching him, how we have had to go to 5 at the back to make up for his deficiencies, rather than just getting rid of him and playing a decent defender. Now stop being so arrogant as to assume it is not facts, just because your opinion differs. Having a good defensive record is an idiot's answer to a defender being not good enough, as it is a team game, so it is down to all 11, not just him. Stoke had a good defensive record under Pulis, despite not having one defender good enough to get into a top 4 team, but don't let facts get in the way of your baseless opinions.....}

09 Apr 2015 16:02:10
I think skrtel is our best defender . He's just not vocal enough . I'd play skrtel and Lovern before toure n sahko . I think Lovern is a good cb . He was left exposed by rodgers in the 1st 4 months with the dreadful set up . No proper defensive midfielder in there to shield the back 4 .And this endless ticcy ticcy playing the ball out from the back is scandalous .

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09 Apr 2015 16:23:50
Skirtle has been our best defender for most of the season. He has had more good games than Lovren and Sahko put together. Certain people on here have criticized him all season even when he has played out of his skin.It was no coincidence that we went on that run once he came back into the team

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09 Apr 2015 16:39:30
"Stop being so arrogant as to assume it is not facts , just because your opinion differs" sorry eds but this quote is exactly what you do, lot of respect for the job and insight you give here but you often yourself a victim as passing off your own opinions as facts, time and time again I see your analysis of players and although I may disagree you bite people's heads off for doing so. Great example was when you were arguing with everyone saying that the whole of last season was a failure for not winning the league and from memory were too arrogant to concede other people's opinions. Keep up the good work,

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{Ed001's Note - what on earth? What has arguing a point got to do with it? This is a guy telling us that we are wrong and that it is because I am biased against Skrtel that I am wrong. Nothing to do with having an opinion, it was his false accusation I was referring to. So your response is just a needless bitch over nothing and has no relevance. And that last bit was complete idiocy and makes no sense in any regard to this. It has nothing to do with anything, apart from showing up how much you failed to understand what I was saying.}

09 Apr 2015 17:22:11
Heres one for the Mrs to read Ed!! You will be getting a telling off tonight :P

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09 Apr 2015 17:26:26
Why are there so many people with so many issues with the various Ed's views and 'attitudes' that continue to frequent this website? If you are so offended, why are you here? The thing that actually makes this sites better than your average forum is them

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09 Apr 2015 17:37:26
Ed1 you obviously don't trust Skrtel and you make some good points, if I remember rightly when he first came he was a very very good player before he had the serious knee injury, I think it was away at City, did his injury change is game or as he always made the same mistakes? I know he as always been rash.

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{Ed001's Note - I never saw a good player, I saw a player who had the same issues but was alongside Agger, who would work his game around him. He was always deep, but in those days we played a deep line, so it wasn't an issue, especially when alongside Carra, who also wanted a deep line to make up for his lack of pace. The problem is that he is alongside people who aren't making allowances, they aren't sure what he is doing, and so we look disorganise. It is as much about a lack of defensive coaching as it is him. If we had, for instance, George Graham in charge, he would be drilling the defence constantly, so that they would know where to be and how to communicate between each other.

The injury that most affected him, in my opinion, was when he had a clash of heads with Carragher, because before that he was excellent in the air. Since then he has never been as dominant. It was a long while after that before he stopped being tentative when the ball was in the air.

If you are going to play the Gerrard Houllier/Rafa Benitez deep defence and look to hit on the counter, then Skrtel will do ok. If you want to push up and deny the opposition space, well that is just alien to him. He is always looking to drop off, with no shout to tell his partner that he is doing so, which leaves space to either side of him. He would be a much better player if he would just fix that communication issue alone, as it would also help team mates deal with his rashness too. One shout as he charges out would give the midfield the split second extra warning to drop in, as they could just react instinctively to the shout. Right now they have to look, see him charging forward, wonder if he is going to stop and drop off in a second, wait a bit to see, then it is too late to drop in and cover.}

09 Apr 2015 20:14:11
Ed is right. i used to be like many on here and say he was a great defender and all until last season when Ed was stating the same thing he is stating now. then, i began to watch Skrtel more closely and I saw everything the Ed is saying now. He is poor, period. He seems to be our best defender because he makes tackles and wins headers. if that was the only requirement, I would be a good defender. he has no pace (hence dropping off0, no positional sense (hence the tackles), no sense of anticipation nor communication skills. The fact that we have to play a back FIVE just to babysit him says it all really. he is capable of making defenders around him or any defensive system (bar lying deep in defence) aweful. Sahko, lovren, Toure were quality defenders yet when any of them partner Skrtel in a back four, they are poor. A pairing needs communication, positioning and anticipation as well as chemistry with your partner like Henchoz and Hyppia for example. Skrteel lacks EVERY single one of these qualities. Watch closely with YOUR OWN eyes and form an opinion instead posting stats as if he plays defence ALL by himself and the rest of the other stuff.

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09 Apr 2015 20:28:23
Both are not good enough. I prefer skrtel but he's clumsy as is lovren. I think we need a clear out of defenders

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09 Apr 2015 20:24:56
As we are on the topic of defense, my opinion is a back four of Lovren, Sakho, Moreno and someone other than the poor right backs we have at the club. Even Moreno may not suit a back four as much. Ed001, Who would a realistic right back be for next season, as I don't think Wisdom, Manquillo or Flanagan have made the cut?

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{Ed001's Note - Flanagan has just been injured, he showed last season he is good enough for the left or right back slot. With Wisdom as a very able back up. I don't see the need to buy anyone for that position, Can, Sterling and Henderson can all play there in an injury crisis. That is not a position I see any need to look to bring anyone in for.}

09 Apr 2015 21:29:45
Are you joking about Skrtel? Easily our best defender. You can point out flaws all you like, I'm sure you could find a load more with Sakho and Lovren. I would hate to imagine our 2015 form without him, He has positional errors, lapses of concentration from time to time, but there's no denying he's our most reliable Centre-half, saves us time and time again, making up for the mess often left by Sakho. I've no idea how you could want us to sell Skrtel over Sakho.

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{Ed001's Note - I have no idea how you could rate Skrtel over anyone, he is our least reliable player. It is his mess that is being cleared up most often, not Sakho's.}

09 Apr 2015 22:27:39
Come off it ed skirtel has been pretty solid up till his ban.

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{Ed001's Note - no he hasn't. that is why we had to shift to a back 3 in the first place.}

09 Apr 2015 22:32:30
How strange that so many people can have such huge differences of opinion on Skirtle, from 'Our Best Defender' to 'Our worst defender'.
It's amazing there can be such difference.

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{Ed001's Note - I don't think he is the worst defender, just simply not good enough for us.}

09 Apr 2015 22:41:06
Come off it that wasnt the reason .BR likes to play with wing backs this is why he plays 3 at the back.

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{Ed001's Note - no he doesn't, it was done so he could cover the defensive liabilities and put extra bodies in midfield. Nothing to do with wing backs. Perhaps you should speak to the coaches involved before spouting nonsense.}

09 Apr 2015 22:42:50
Thanks for the knowledgeable replies Ed001. Unlike some, I do appreciate your response when I ask a question!

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{Ed001's Note - cheers mate. Though I did have to grit my teeth on my reply when you used the American spelling of defence! I don't know why things like that irk me, and the misspelling of colour ugh!!!! I nearly went off on a rant about Americanisms then. My missus would be on my case then.}

09 Apr 2015 23:06:10
We could always be really particular and say the French spelling of defense, in which the English defence derives from, but that would be.so picky😉

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10 Apr 2015 00:25:47
When I post a reply and see red squiggly lines, I replace it with the first suggested word. Don't mention the rant to Ed002 though!

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10 Apr 2015 06:59:34
Does your wife visit the site much then ed? Maybe ed002? Makes perfect sense!

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10 Apr 2015 09:17:55
Regardless of how you feel about Americanisms, Ed001, it's obvious you realize that our defensemen have not been well organized when turning out in LFC colors, and our season is only alive due to clutch overtime victories, in one or two road games!

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{Ed001's Note - arggggghhhhhhhhhh!!!!!}

10 Apr 2015 20:59:41
Rodgers has started using words like "serves the ball well".
He needs to stop that right now.
I went over to America to play and the manager told me to serve it into the penalty zone. (cross it in the box)
I just walked off the pitch!!
As for Skerts. He has improved but the dropping off thing is what is stopping him from being a really good centre back.
Communication is important but some of the best players ever to play the game were not the best talkers.
Talking helps but it is not vital if your decision making is spot on.
The best centre halves in my opinion recognize when they are the last line of defence and understand that it is their responsibility to step up and either stop the man, the ball or both. The best ones just take the ball.
On numerous occasions I have seen an opposition player run at Skerts from the half way line and seen him retreat and retreat sometimes into the box.
When an opposition player gets past Lucas then it is the job of the defenders to then step up and deal with that.
He does not do that.
Having slated him for 20 paragraphs, I have to say that he has improved since he got dropped by Rodgers in his first year as boss.
He still makes that 1 basic error though.

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09 Apr 2015 11:52:19
Hind sight is a wonderful thing but looking back do you think finishing 4th last season would have been better than being runners up.
I know it sounds like a strange thing to say but 4th would have been steady positive progress without raising expectations to a virtually unsustainable level overnight.
Of course everyone wants to win things but it seems to me without hundreds of millions to spend season after season on fees and wages steady but sure process is better than a sudden boom that almost always leads to bust

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09 Apr 2015 12:21:44
Spoken like a true gooner! Happy with 4th everyear with nothing else ;) I think we all realised we finished 2nd in an awful quality league last year and losing our only world class player without replacing him with all the other teams improving/ getting back to their usual quality & us having the extra games and the loss of the quality all expected to finish lower than last season, it was a 1 off freak of nature and we should have won the league. I'd say we're back to normal but we should expect and try to be better. Brendan isn't the man to bring that. Change it find someone that is. Who it is idk but it's not him

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09 Apr 2015 12:22:20
It's not a strange thing to say. It's a silly thing to do. The higher you finish the better it is. The fact that we failed to build on it is a separate issue

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09 Apr 2015 12:33:16
In hindsight finishing 1st last year would have been better than runners up. It would have raised expectations even higher for this season but I still would take it.

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09 Apr 2015 13:12:40
I like the happy with 4th gunners bit harry :-) we certainly made a habit of it that's for sure, of course every team finishers as high as it possiblely can each season but personally I do think long term something steady and sustainable would have been better for you than a massive leap from 7th to 2nd in a season that was never going to be maintained and could only ever lead people being disappointed.

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09 Apr 2015 14:32:18
Love you to death, gunner bro BUT pls, keep that comment well clear of here because 4th in the end is NOTHING if you have dominated European and English footie as we have for almost 2 decades. It is rhetoric like that that make Arsenal the laughing stock of many and the reason why your club will NEVER win the CL and will continue to be left behind in the PL and never win it as well with that type of attitude. You were top last season and still finished 4th. That should be failure at any big club BUT to many of the fans, it`s a trophy. We should have won the PL last year hands down and you had a chance as well to win it and had you won it and struggled for 4th this year, would you say that? Didn`t think so hence,

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09 Apr 2015 15:05:08
Some of you are being a bit harsh I think, what Gunner is saying kind of makes sense. In terms of our expectations of this season, if we had scraped 4th last season, clinging on to the hope of top 4 this year would be easier. I don't know about you guys but the devastation of coming second outshone the achievement of nearly winning the league. I felt like we had every reason to be hopeful of a title challenge this year, and I trusted BR to build on what we achieved last year. That didn't really happen which makes this season all the more frustrating. Finishing 5th, wouldn't be so bad if it was BR's first season have previously finished outside EL spots. Now I'm (sort of) over the disappointment of not winning the league, I can appreciate that 2nd is a pretty decent achievement when looking at our competition, I think everyone is all the more disappointed at our lack of title challenge this year.

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09 Apr 2015 15:16:00
This season would be no better if last season was worse. The average would just be even lower. That's the only difference.

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09 Apr 2015 16:05:33
I do think if you'd finish 4th last season instead of going so close lots of things would have been different this season and you'd still be looking to repeat it and be in next years CL too.
The panic over Saurez wouldn't have been so urgent without so much expectation around the place and possibly (I'm not sure on this one) but maybe some of your transfers would never have happened at all.

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09 Apr 2015 20:18:10
There was no panic over Suarez because we all knew he was a goner after the WC. It was the manager that messed up with his "kid in the candy store" approach to transfers instead of being much more focused on how we needed to replace not the player, but his goals as well as plan for studge`s annual 10 game absences. The expectations were also raised by said manager as well with his mindless drivel in the media which may end up being the source of his demise because his failures are well documented. Why finish 4th when you can win the PL outright?

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09 Apr 2015 22:33:42
redohio,lol,you slag of arsenal calling them a laughing stock who will never win the prem or CL,and then you say 4th is nothing for a club of liverpools stature as you have dominated european and english football for almost 2 decades,i don't know if its your delusional red tinted glasses your wearing again or if its the medication,but the last time i checked it was 25 years since liverpool dominated anything,this is exactly why people poke fun at liverpool supporters

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10 Apr 2015 17:00:02
Good post the word that clearly highlights what fans of teams like Arsenal seem not to get. Arsenal would have no-one poking fun of them if they didn't think they are winning. The fact that they call 'not winning' winning is what's so funny. There are other things funny about Liverpool true, but at least by and large the majority seem to recognise that you can do well till you're blue in the face - until that doing well becomes an actual win you're not winning. Earning the right to try again doesn't count.

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10 Apr 2015 21:00:51
There is no doubt that by finishing 2nd expectations were raised far more than if we had finished 4th and scraped it on the last day.

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09 Apr 2015 11:15:42
Eds, who is interested in Javier Hernandez? Thanks.

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{Ed002's Note - You need the Manchester United page for this.}

09 Apr 2015 14:33:51
To continue my earlier post,

Hence, we should strinve to be better and strive to win the PL because that is what made us the institution we are today instead of "settling" for 4th which is 3rd place in Loserland.

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09 Apr 2015 22:18:19
You've tried for the last 20 years to win the premiership and will be another 20 years before you do IMO

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09 Apr 2015 10:17:35
BR out brigade, would you forfeit the fact cup if it meant rodgers was sacked or win the fa cup and he gets another season?
Not saying we're defo gunna win the cup just a pointless question. ?

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09 Apr 2015 10:43:20
No. All LFC fans at all times should want us to win, it's pathetic not to. We just want our owners not to be blinded by it and make future decisions, whether they involve keeping BR or not, regardless of a cup win

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09 Apr 2015 10:52:21
Would rather win the cup and hope Brendan turns into a better manager.

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09 Apr 2015 10:55:15
I'd rather he had us in a more realistic league position that spending 130 million pounds in a single transfer window ought to get you, say 4/3 or even top 2! Is that to much to ask?

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09 Apr 2015 11:07:16
I'm not Rodgers out (or in really) but I don't think FA cup will save him without top 4. The club needs regular Champions League and the terrible start to the season with all the money spent will see him gone I imagine. John Henry doesn't suffer fools or failure if the Red Sox is anything to go by

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09 Apr 2015 11:09:35
Win the FA Cup and get rid of Brendan, that imo would be the best for the club. The owners will no doubt be happy with a trophy, but top4 was always the priority and failure to get that after spending so much money was always going to end badly for Brendan.

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09 Apr 2015 11:40:35
F A Cup won't save his job

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09 Apr 2015 12:55:58
Would rather the cup and he stays then the opposite if that's the scenario, but still even if he gets the cup not sure if it is enough.

problem is for every positive there is a negative to negate it.

- Has brought through youth and improved a lot of players (but overrall has failed in transfers and no good improving players if they leave - saurez and potentially hendo/sterling)

- has got the team to go on great runs and playing great attacking football (but start poorly so left with a mountain to climb and still can't defend)

- is a promising young manager (but isn't learning from his mistakes)

Would love him to prove me wrong and take liverpool to trophies and titles, just not convinced he will - but will gladly eat my words if he does

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{Ed001's Note - what youth has he brought through? He has tried to buy in players to block their progress in every window. Markovic was bought when we had Ibe, for instance. The only time youth gets a look in is when we have an injury crisis. We hear all the moaning about our central defenders, so why wasn't Lloyd Jones given even a look? Instead he would rather put a midfielder in defence.}

09 Apr 2015 13:41:52
Sorry didn't word that right was typin quickly! Agree with most of what you say and have said the same thing previously.

Meant more that has shown he can develop young players and the ones he had brought through seem to flourish under him, but isn't really great when buying them and consequently the players he develops look else where.

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09 Apr 2015 14:41:35
Essex is right. The PL was his promise to the owners. Then, it was 4th and the FA Cup, then it is now just the FA Cup and then what after that. We finish the season strong and transition year the next ? So we are reducing expectations w/ every blunder he makes just to act like he is the right man when clearly he is not? GIVE ME A BREAK! BR would have survived w/ top 4 and FA Cup. W/O CL footie, he is a goner because JWH does NOT reward failure here nor at the Red Sox.

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09 Apr 2015 14:42:33
I have to agree with edd 01. The great development has been from our academy, not by Rodgers

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09 Apr 2015 09:50:53
Nobody notice the obvious? Lucas playing, no goals conceeded.

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09 Apr 2015 09:57:14
Didn't he play against arsenal.

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09 Apr 2015 10:06:34
He's good but not superman. More to do with the fact it wasn't utd or arsenal, it was Blackburn.

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09 Apr 2015 10:17:41
Except the 4 we did on saturday lunch time??

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09 Apr 2015 10:25:20
Ummm Lucas played against Arsenal and we conceded 4 goals and could've conceded more.

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09 Apr 2015 10:53:19
He looked awful against arsenal. A mixture of not being fit and really bad tactics.

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09 Apr 2015 11:08:18
I like Lucas and our record with him is much better than without

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09 Apr 2015 14:03:52
Lucas is a decent player and seems a really nice guy. However, he is far, far too slow, he can be clumsy and his first touch is not the best. He was alright yesterday but playing him against Arsenal was always going to be a risk, considering the pace they have.

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09 Apr 2015 14:42:57
He was severely rusty against the gunners but looked better yesterday. By the way, the reason we did not concede was MINGO and nobody else.

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09 Apr 2015 14:57:21
I think Lucas still looking for his form before the injury; he was awful at Emirates (but most of the team was), and yesterday he did not play his best football, but he was with coutinho the ones who really turned our season.

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09 Apr 2015 17:39:30
He did play against Arsenal where we conceeded 4, but if you check all the statistics for this season we rarely concede or lose if he plays. nearly every match he is in we win and the opposition doesn't score - and that's the point.

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09 Apr 2015 09:35:13
I thought the game last night was okay and we did just about enough to go through in the end. For me there are big pro's and cons with Joe Allen. The cons are he doesn't offer enough options for the defenders on the ball, he should be finding space off it and giving the defender on the ball a easy option for a pass. We play from the back, we like possession in the first quarter of the pitch and its very much vital the defenders have options to pass to otherwise we are vulnerable to turnover of possession in dangerous areas. Also, I don't like the fact he and Henderson interchange who goes forward and who provides cover, for me Allen should be the one covering and Henderson should be the one pushing further up the pitch. With Henderson dropping deeper we are losing a player who has provided the most key passes for Liverpool this season and has chipped in with a few goals too, it makes little sense having him cover Joe Allen a player who has scored no goals and made no assists so far this campaign. Anyway, the pros are his work rate, think he covers a lot of ground he also presses the ball well and is very good man on man marking when designated on a particular player and his attitude is second to none. However, I do think unfortunately he lacks that bit of quality needed to be a permanent fixture in the team, but for certain games I think he can be effective in a deep lying role. What's everyone else's thoughts?

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09 Apr 2015 14:48:31
He`s a squad player at best and eeven he knows it.

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{Ed001's Note - Allen is the most ineffective player I have ever seen at the club. Not rubbish, he isn't detrimental to the team. Just ineffective. Totally ineffective. He is just there. He has no effect on the performance. While that is better than say Johnson, who makes things worse, it is still not what we need. At a lesser club he might well be able to dictate possession, but for us he offers nothing, he doesn't help the defence by showing for the ball, he doesn't create, he is just there running round (mostly at half the pace of the average human being) jumping but getting nowhere near ever reaching a header. He just isn't the right player for us.}

09 Apr 2015 20:20:55
Point well taken, Ed. He is a squad player who is useful BUT not one who will offer anything that can effectively turn or affect a game. he has his qualities BUT for a team trying to get to the next level like us, he is not a starter and to others, should be sold.

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10 Apr 2015 12:37:50
Momo sissoko would have to be in contention with allen :')

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08 Apr 2015 22:49:01
Hi eds, wandering your opinions about any potential players coming through the academy. Do you feel there will be any breaking into the first team squad/ regulars in the next 2/3 years? Thanks.

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{Ed001's Note - impossible to say when we don't know who will be in charge. They need to start getting chances or they won't break through. Sadly none are being given a chance right now. There are a number of players who are knocking on the door, but Rodgers is not putting them in the team.}

09 Apr 2015 11:14:10
I watch a fair amount of 18s and 21s. Just my unexpert opinion but the following are most likely to make it I would say

Ryan Kent
Harry Wilson
Jordan Williams
Jordan Rossiter
Sheyi Ojo
Jerome Sinclair
Sergi Canos
Pedro Chirivella

But as Ed says they need a chance in the first team .

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09 Apr 2015 12:29:26
BR doesn't give young academy players a chance, now I've heard it all!

Flanagan
Ibe
Ojo
Sterling
Rossiter
Jordan Williams
Ward (gk)
Texieria
Sinclair

What a joke of a post. All the above have been part of the squad, on the bench or loaned out to prepare them for first team action.

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{Ed001's Note - Flanagan came in when injuries meant there was no other option.
Ibe was farmed out on loan repeatedly, until Rodgers was told in January that he would not get a forward unless someone was sold and to make use of the players at the club. Ibe was then recalled and put in the team to prove a point, after Rodgers was told in the summer that he was ready and should be playing. Hardly giving him a chance when he is not an academy player, he was a Wycombe academy player, we bought him in, like Sterling. Difference was Ibe was already a first team player when we bought him and we held him back.
Ojo? What chances has he had? When has he had a run of first team games?
Sterling? He was a first team squad player when Brendan took over, Kenny gave him his chance, Rodgers just left him in there.
Rossiter? How on earth do you figure out he has had a chance? You mean the being dumped back in the U21s after one game? You really are getting desperate if you are including him as being given a chance.
Williams? Have I missed something or are you just really this obscenely ridiculously naive?
Ward? How many appearances has he made?
Teixeira? So a cameo off the bench, where he is the best player on the pitch, only to never be seen off again is giving a player a chance now? This is idiotic now.
Sinclair? Ok now I know you are just a wind up merchant, no one could possibly believe he has been given any kind of chance!}

09 Apr 2015 12:40:02
I assume we're leaving out the older ones like Wisdom, Flanagan and Texiera? I'd broadly agree with Essexred but would add Brannagan and LLoys Jones

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09 Apr 2015 14:41:01
Was addans post sarcastic or just idiotic? I really couldn't tell. Lol

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09 Apr 2015 14:51:39
That was defo a windup post because he clearly has no idea what he is talking about.

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09 Apr 2015 15:11:37
I think if Brendan had given the young players a chance and failed he would have a lot more credit in the bank than having spent loads and failed.

Interesting from Ed1 about Ibe, cheers for the info.

Not sure about Brannagan. He's a busy little player but end product isn't the best. I imagine he will end up as a good league 1 or Championship player.

Ryan Kent and Ojo stand out for me at the moment, really direct pacey wingers who could have done a good job for the first team this season.

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09 Apr 2015 15:41:35
You expect rodgers to throw every academy player who looks half decent straight into the premier league, when we already have some of the most exciting young talent in europe already around the team. Who says Ibe was a first team player when we brought him aged 16? Have you spoken to Rodgers,didnt know you were so close.

Couthino 22
Sakho 24
Henderson 24
Can 21
Markovic 21
Moreno 22
Origi 20

Please tell me which current adacdemy players you want to replace the above with, your laughable.

Ibe
Ojo
Sterling
Rossiter
Jordan Williams
Ward (gk)
Texieria
Sinclair all been involved in first team squads, which shows Rodgers gives youth a chance and is bedding the best one ins slowly.

How are utds, citys, chelseas academies doing?.Your utterly deluded if you think they should be thrown straight in. What do you want Liverpool under 21s v Chelsea ?
next youll be telling us Youd rather play lloyd jones instead of skrtel in the semi final.
When they are ready and good enough they will get a chance. Typical BR hater.

p.s

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09 Apr 2015 16:27:20
Brad Smith could have played instead of Enrique. Kent, Sinclair, Ibe or Ojo instead of Balotelli or Marko. Just a thought.

And I don't hate Brendan, I think he's a decent coach.

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09 Apr 2015 16:48:01
Markovic is a very experienced 21 year old player. Won league titles in Portugal and his homeland.

People would be up in arms if balotelli was dropped for sinclair. Sinclair is currently not better than balotelli, however bad he may have been this season. Your talking about an Italian international here.

Ibe has been involved, ojo is getting vital experience at another championship club. he's 17,you can't just throw him into the premier league. If your going to play these players you test them in the capital one cup and europa league. You can't just throw them in at the deep end unless they are ready.

Ojo and Ibe will make the breakthrough next season and be squad regulars, but even then will be competing with lallana, markovic, sterling, couthino, origi!

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09 Apr 2015 19:04:02
Addan no don't be ridiculous, we are not saying replace our best players with players from the academy, why play allen and not give rossiter or williams a chance? Why play balotelli who doesn't give a toss over sinclair? Why play can in defence when he is a midfielder. I don't mind markovic if he is a liverpool player I will support him all the way but you have to question why he was brougt in when ibe and ojo are here. The same applies to lallana and teixera your opinion makes no sense whatsoever and if you are going to throw insults out calling people laughable when you clearly don't understand the conversation you have to expect it back.

It is obvious rodgers is reluctant to use the academy he is makeing at a waste of time and resources

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09 Apr 2015 19:04:34
Addan, what about appearances that have been given to Enrique, Aspas, Manquillo, Lambert, Borini, Johnson, Assaidi, Coates over the last 3 years. None have worked out and all could have easily resulted in more appearances of youth team players instead of wasted money.

Rodgers doesn't bring youth through. FACT. Rodgers plays young players but he outside of Sterling hasn't really brought a single player through the our academy. Flanagan was a squad player under Kenny, Rodgers used him as a last resort.

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09 Apr 2015 19:06:29
Yes you can give them a chance in the europa league and the capital one cup but if they do impress during these short cameos and its not ttanslating into regular game time even if ir off the bench in the league it is not benifitting the team or the player

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09 Apr 2015 19:07:24
Origi, have you seen him play?

Just because BR says he will be world class doesn't make it so. From what I've seen *shakes head* he's gunna struggle will the prem. Just my opinion, you are entitled to yours.

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09 Apr 2015 20:23:44
Addan is defo trying to wind us all up and he has without a doubt, succeeded. i will suggest he stop listen and taking every word BR and his other apologists in the media say about him because he will remain clueless just like BR is now atm.

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10 Apr 2015 00:07:08
Yes I have seen Origi play and a front 3 of origi sturridge sterling could be electric. he's a full Belgium international aged 20 and is regarded ahead of benteke and lukaku often.

Your repeating yourself LFCSTE. You want allen out rossiter in, Sinclair in balotelli out, lallana out texeria in.

Youve just dumped 3 full internationals all only 26 or below for 3 potential top players, great work. Who shall we blood them against, Chelsea away !? So what Can has played in defence, where did Gerrard start his career. Can, can play anywhere except in goal.

These things take time, this is why rodgers uses the loan system. Please don't tell me loaning out Ibe was a bad idea and it didn't improve him .
Ojo will come back a better player too.

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10 Apr 2015 00:19:26
Surely if he was giving them a chance we would never of spent millions on marcovic, origi, can, Alberto, etc and integrated the talented players from our own academy. Some would argue this is a better option than our current transfer policy as we would have more money to spend on experienced quality in the crucial areas to take us to the next level. As it is we have no real experience in the team and a team full of potential and no guiding influence to take us to the next level. We missed a trick when Suarez was sold, sadly we have been here before but never seem to learn the lesson.

Sterling, flanagan and ibe aside I can't see how we are giving our academy players any hope of breaking through and two of those were given their chance by the previous manager.

With regards to who could make it, there are more knowledgeable people out there to comment, but I defo see something in rossiter, and ilori should be given at least one competitive game considering how much we paid for him.

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10 Apr 2015 09:18:52
Surely if he was giving them a chance we would never of spent millions on marcovic, origi, can!

Youve just mentioned 3 of the hottest young talents available in europe, who do they play for ???

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{Ed001's Note - seriously? You have to be the least worthwhile WUM ever.}

09 Apr 2015 07:10:32
Good result last night after our 2 losses. Always going to be a difficult game.

I know it won't please everyone but we have a chance for a trophy :-)

BR out brigade won't like it as were not top of the league/still in the CL. even though we haven't done that for over 20 years lol lol. a new manager will of course rectify that as it solves all problems.

Believable1 Unbelievable11

09 Apr 2015 07:43:25
why was it always going to be a difficult game? the players should be chomping at the bit to get out there and put right what has been undone in the last couple of weeks and book themselves a place in the semi,s,and boy did they make hard work of it,against an average championship squad,liverpool won't get past villa playing like that

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09 Apr 2015 08:15:30
Ridiculous post. Limped to victory at the second time of asking against a team not even challenging to enter our league, which makes the view that BR's league performance hasn't been good enough 2/3 years laughable? And because people have given up on BR they won't be happy Liverpool are in a trophy semi-final? Why don't you climb off your high horse and come back down to where everyone else is talking, you might hear them better

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09 Apr 2015 08:25:19
Is that you Brendan?! Any chance you can stop LOLing and do some work please because I'm struggling to see exactly how we've progressed over your past three seasons in charge. ? It's easy to brand all reds supporters as somewhat delusional but I don't think expecting to compete after the time & money you've been afforded is asking too much.

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09 Apr 2015 10:21:20
It was always going to be a difficult game because it's the FA Cup - away from home!

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{Ed001's Note - against a struggling team from a lower league.....}

09 Apr 2015 12:44:46
. but we won, and we progress Ed 1.

You only have to look at Bradford and Middlesbrough to realise it was a good result.

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{Ed001's Note - not sure it was a good result, 3-0 or 4-0 against a team that poor is a good result, 1-0 is just the minimum expected.}

09 Apr 2015 14:59:54
The team is lacking confidence and it showed. It was not a good result based on the perf but a much-needed result.

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09 Apr 2015 03:44:32
Ins: Lacazette, Clyne, De Brune/ Sissoko, Jerome Sinclair, Ojo

Outs: Balotelli, Lambert, Markovic, Borini, Toure

Believable1 Unbelievable12

09 Apr 2015 08:16:17
Very nice of you to donate the diamonds that you started pooing every day to Liverpool FC as transfer and wage funds. Most generous

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09 Apr 2015 08:53:11
Come back to planet earth mate.

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09 Apr 2015 08:54:42
Lacazette, Clyne and De Bruyne??? LOL. The closest these players will come to wearing a LFC shirt is in charity games.

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09 Apr 2015 15:02:45
And who is Robin Hood going to rob to get the funds for these players?

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09 Apr 2015 00:59:22
I never thought I would say this but I prefer a back 4 with Johnson in, than a back 3 with skrtle in instead.
Lovren looked short of confidence (no real suprise) but I would keep him in now, he played a lot better than early season. Wonders what a (almost) properly set up defence can do to a defender???!!!
Moreno didn't seem as lost as usual, I said a few weeks ago a right back would be top of my list of prioritys for the summer so we can play with a back 4 again, hopefully you can see why now.
Overall I don't think we played particularly well, but I'm thrilled Brendan changed the formation. I want to see Can instead of Allen, sakho and lovren as the 2 centre backs and Brendan to play 2 up top more, even if it means ballo, borini or lambert, I feel we need 2 strikers to really click. Diamond formation for me.

Believable7 Unbelievable3

09 Apr 2015 08:17:11
Shocking that a defense spread across the field, with an actual holding midfielder in front of it, makes the defense look better isn't it?

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09 Apr 2015 08:56:39
With flanno and wisdom coming back mikey,do you not think we are set there? I wouldn't prioritise rightback this summer. I think both those player mentioned should be enough cover,and we may also have Manquillo on loan still as a 3rd option.
Preference would be flanno,with wisdom cover incase of injury,and then Manquillo as a last option. We also have Ryan Mclaughlin too who will be knocking on the door surely? I've not watched Liverpool youth for a while though so not sure on his progression.

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09 Apr 2015 08:59:03
I don't know where have you two been since January, our back three including Skertl were one of the stable defences in the league including 6 consecutive clean sheets in away games. This is also the same defence that didn't concede in Anfeild in the first game. Our defence yesterday was OK, nothing sensational, better finishing from the Blackbourn forwards and we would have been in problem.

I know some people just hate some players no matter what they do, but I will keep insist that in 2015 Skertl together with Ming maybe were are two best players. For me Skertl is still the first name on the paper of the starting 11 when fit and not banned.

In any case, for me the main changes for next year have to be around what we do and mainly what we don't do in the last third. We have several players who can take the ball and run defenders - Sturridge, Sterling, Couts, but their decision making once what to do with the ball if they cannot have a shot on goal is pretty shocking (Sterling by far the worst). we also don't have people who wait in the box for crosses and can head them in like RVP, Rooney or Falliaini and no one who is googd in running on the wings and give accurate crosee (the like of DI Maria, Young or even Valencia). I don't think we scored one header from a corner all season. Even Couts great goal yesterday demonstrated that. The corner obviously didn't reach any red head but was cleared, fortunately it went back to Couts and after a great touch and go with Henderson, when he ran towards goal you would think he should pass it for a tap in given the angel he is in, but given how poor our players in taking advantages of crosses are, it was probably wise from him to go for goal and luckily for us his finishing was top class. If we don't massively improve our decision making in the 3rd half plus brining people who could cross and head the ball - we will have a big problems because our current attacking play is quite predictable.

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09 Apr 2015 10:58:49
No bob. I wish I could have as much faith in flanno and wisdom as you do but I just don't. Flanno might never come back the player he promised to be and wisdom is still raw.
I would give one the chop or send on loan and keep the other as back up to whoever I brought in. I would give the chop to both Johnson and manquilo as well.

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09 Apr 2015 12:20:18
we haven't had a back 3 though it's been a back 5 primarily,I don't think Markovic and Moreno have gotten forward enough for wingbacks. Often it's been left to Can to step out and do their work and drive forward with the ball, which has at time left our right wingback exposed. Ibe is the only one I've seen truly fulfill that role getting back and attacking.(My OPINION fAN o BIP)

I said over and again,we weren't playing well,our defense didn't concede because quite frankly Migs pulled of some out of this world saves at times and we lacked so much going forward that it was pretty much 2 holding mids at times in Allen and Hendo, pushing forward when they could and a forward 3/4 of Sterling coutinho sturridge lallana. I don't think we've actually looked solid over the period we didn't concede.

I think a clear out of the defense is neeeded ,coates Ilori's future,possibly academy players,skrtel etc. We have far too many centrebacks who aren't performing and so incompetent on the ball,that we've push a DM into a central 3 who plays the ball out. This is not good man/team management for me.

Mikey I've liked the Wisdom I've seen play at WBA personally. I'm not sure on how much Flanno's injury will effect his career and development,people said the same of Kelly,get rid,2 bad injuries over last 3 years.He's performing will at Palace,bombing up and down the right. I'll personally keep faith in those two. :)

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{Ed001's Note - I wish we still had Kelly, he was the best defensive prospect we had and we wasted his potential and then let him go for peanuts.}

09 Apr 2015 13:51:01
Me too ed001, me too :'(

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09 Apr 2015 17:29:53
Although that's true Ed001, I can't help but think injury issues had started getting to his head and leaving has done the lad a world of good.

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{Ed001's Note - the only thing that was getting to his head was not being given a chance to play. That is what has changed.}

08 Apr 2015 22:58:25
Really, no special mention for Mignolet? pretty much dragged us through to the semi. The best lfc player this side of christmas for me. His shot stopping, unreal, and now he's coming and punching ( granted, not catching, but still an improvement ) my motm tonight. who was yours ed?

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09 Apr 2015 00:49:43
Yeah he was probably mine.

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09 Apr 2015 09:01:28
i agree mate. The thing is he can play like this all season if eventaully he will make one silly mistake as GKs do occasionaly, everyone will say ah he is rubbish.

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09 Apr 2015 09:09:16
Mignolet was exceptional.

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09 Apr 2015 10:01:39
Mignolet and Sterling were great.

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{Ed001's Note - what did Migs do that was great? Made a couple of saves, but he also failed miserably to command his box and communicate with his defenders. Sorry but he has not improved at all, he was always a decent shot stopper, but the rest of his game is simply not good enough. You could see when Sakho waited for him to come and collect that he indicated that Migs should have made sure he knew there was an attacker behind him. There were issues later with Toure and Lovren as well, I seen Lucas indicate a similar thing that he is not helping them.

So what did he do that was great? One save from behind Allen was good, the save from their keeper was simple enough as it was straight at him and yet he fumbled it and was lucky no one was around him.

I find it bizarre that people are talking about him being man of the match when we played a poor team from a weak league (this season the Championship has been awful, even more of a dip in standards than the Prem), who sat back and looked to hold on. It wasn't like they attacked us and peppered the goal with shots, they never went at us at all, so how can he be considered for man of the match? Were the rest really that bad???}

09 Apr 2015 10:46:06
Ed001 - simply put, Mingolet was as average as anyone else all told, but had an outstanding moment (the save behind Allen) when no-one else really did.

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09 Apr 2015 11:00:33
Not saying he was world class or anything ed, I agree he had a mixed game. But did anybody else play better on the night?

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{Ed001's Note - surely Coutinho, who also had a mixed game due to the awful tactical decision to play him wide, had the most effect on the game, so he would have to be the MotM? Though why no one at the club could see that Williamson, in Rovers' midfield, was constantly off the pace with his challenges, and so moved Coutinho or Sterling infield to attack him? Williamson would have either got sent off or given away a pen if anyone had gone at him, instead of being able to stroll around doing nothing.}

09 Apr 2015 14:48:40
I would have migs ahead of coutinho in terms of influence on the game ed. But only just.
The team looked a little bit lost yesterday, like they have forgot to play with 4 at the back, hopefully the team will start to play more as a team in the coming weeks and we will start to see coutinho and sterling for example taking advantage of the oppositions weak links more. Provided Rodgers and the coaches also open their eyes.

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{Ed001's Note - I don't see how Migs' was a good influence when the few chances that he had to save he had as much of an influence in allowing them to be created as anyone else. Until he learns how to command a box his influence will always be as negative as it is positive. He reminds me of Given, a completely woeful keeper who everyone raved about because he was a good shotstopper making lots of saves. What none of the pundits knew enough about the game to spot was that 90% of the shots he stopped came about because of his complete lack of any kind of control over the penalty box. He had no idea about organising the defence in front of him and how to communicate effectively what they should be doing.

People should go and watch keepers like Shilton, for instance, who was not the best shotstopper in the world, he would concede shots a truly world class keeper should have got to, but he organised the defence so well he very rarely was having to make those stops. Migs is lacking in any aspect of the game other than shotstopping. He had a good game because Rovers were looking to play out time for a draw, they never put him under pressure, so he never had any effect. There is absolutely no way he had a bigger influence on the game than Coutinho, who was attempting to drive us forward, even if he wasn't at his best, or even close to it.}

 
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