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smplfc's rumours posts with other poster's replies to smplfc's rumours posts

 

15 Apr 2018 14:50:54
Hi Ed's and Reds.

As you know I very rarely post "rumours" however I've heard from my source at Swansea that us, along with a number of Prem clubs have been closely watching Ollie Watkins of Brentford. Now I know we watch loads of players all the time, so I'm not saying there is concrete interest, but I'm wondering if any of the Ed's had heard his name mentioned in relation to us scouting him? And if he is any good?

Cheers.

smplfc

{Ed002's Note - Others I am aware of, not Liverpool.}


1.) 15 Apr 2018 17:21:16
Ok thanks Ed.


 

 

28 Apr 2017 15:13:03
Good afternoon Ed's and reds.

I very rarely post rumours as I don't have many sources.

However, I have just been confidently told that Aaron Creswell will be a Liverpool player in the summer. Do you know if there is any truth in this?

Thanks.

smplfc

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of Liverpool and West Ham agreeing the transfer of Aaron Creswell this summer.}


1.) 28 Apr 2017 15:44:53
Ok thanks for the swift reply Ed.


2.) 28 Apr 2017 16:26:08
good player.


3.) 28 Apr 2017 17:25:55
That would make no sense to me.


4.) 28 Apr 2017 18:17:17
He's had shocking season, small upgrade on Milner.


 

 

28 Jul 2016 20:28:16
Evening Eds and Reds.

My pretty reliable source at Swansea has said that he has heard that both us and West Ham have enquired to Leeds about the possible sale of Charlie Taylor.

Any truth in this eds?

Cheers, YNWA.

smplfc

{Ed001's Note - last I heard we hadn't, but since then he has made it known he wants to leave and turned down a new contract. So it is entirely possible.}


1.) 28 Jul 2016 22:50:47
How good is he Ed?

{Ed001's Note - not sure, only seen him a couple of times, but the Leeds fans on their site are happy to see him go, which is never a good sign!}


2.) 28 Jul 2016 23:46:15
Do you rate him Ed01? Other posters?

{Ed001's Note - not seen enough of him sorry.}


3.) 29 Jul 2016 05:18:15
Are the fans happy for him to go because of the money he would bring or because they don't rate him? There's a difference. I don't want Coutinho to go but if a mega Sterling type offer came in I would be happy for him to leave.

{Ed001's Note - he is in the final year of his contract, he won't bring much money. They are happy to see him go anyway.}


4.) 29 Jul 2016 08:01:05
Ed001 Do you believe about klopp saying our transfer business is over now (excluding the players going out) and klopp will stick with moreno and turn milner as backup fullback?

{Ed001's Note - nope, we are still trying to sign full backs.}


5.) 29 Jul 2016 08:16:55
Same old story.

We spend money on areas that aren't really a priority then the 1 area we needed more than anything (LB) we try and spend as little as possible.

We would have been better just keeping Smith.


6.) 29 Jul 2016 09:09:06
Can he play attacking midfield? 🤔.


7.) 29 Jul 2016 10:30:03
We not only need a LB but need backup too. Moreno has shown his lack of defensive ability all too often.


8.) 29 Jul 2016 12:38:56
The transfer windo does not close until the end of August. Plenty more suprises to come in the transfer market yet. Have patience. We will sign a LB before then pkus 1/ 2 more will leave.


9.) 29 Jul 2016 16:30:32
The internets says he can play as a full back or a left winger which immediately makes me think

RUN! Run as far away from this deal as possible and never look back 😄.


10.) 30 Jul 2016 12:21:13
Modern football sadly, apparently the first job of a full back is to be a winger and if they can't defend then that's a minor issue. Frustrates the life out of me.


 

 

06 May 2016 16:35:16
Hey Eds and Reds. Still buzzing from last night.

Now as you know from my lack of posts on the rumours page, my insider knowledge is evidently non-existing and I'll only post if I hear something.

Now I previously mentioned from my contact at the Swans that they are looking to take Joey Allen back this summer.

The same contact has also informed me that Swansea and Liverpool are 2 of 3 premiership clubs with concrete interest in Lukasz Teodorczyk, a polish striker playing in Ukraine. Now I had to look him up as I've never heard of him or seen him play. I was wondering if any of the Eds or reds had seen him or know much about the lad?

Keep the faith guys! YNWA.

smplfc

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of any English interest in Teodorczyk at this time - last up it was Wigan, Sheffield United and Wolves but he moved to Dinamo Kyiv.}


1.) 06 May 2016 23:34:25
lol not going to happen.


2.) 07 May 2016 09:47:02
Sure he played and scored against Everton last season. Name rings a bell.


 

 

15 Aug 2015 08:49:34
Good Morning Ed's and Reds.

Unfortunately the only rumours I get from my source are Swansea City related.

He told me last night that the Swans have made tentative enquiries in to the possibility of taking Allen back to the Liberty Stadium but were told by us that he isn't for sale.

Not sure how reliable this is, just wondering if you had heard anything?

smplfc

{Ed001's Note - I already mentioned there were talks a while back regarding him, back then we were considering selling him as Kovacic was possible. Now that has died, Allen is no longer available.}


 

 

 

smplfc's banter posts with other poster's replies to smplfc's banter posts

 

24 Apr 2021 10:49:47
Morning Ed001, your thoughts if you're about please mate.

I've been thinking about a post previously in which someone asked you to name a replacement for Bobby for the same role and the thread concluded that there isn't really anyone out there that can offer the same as Bobby (When on top form) .

Now before people bite my head off, I'm not suggesting for one minute this person is as good as or Bobby (when in form) but I'd just like to throw another hat in to the ring. Patrick Bamford.

Again I'm not saying he's top class or that he'd be better than Bobby in his prime (circa 2018), but someone who potentially matches a few of Bobby's attributes in his role for the team.

We know he'd have no complaints matching him for work rate as you don't lead the line for Bielsa if you don't run your socks off. Furthermore, he's also well-versed in linking play up as again being fluid with your movement and creativity is something Bielsa also demands. Whilst I'm definitely not a stat-man and would never base a judgement on a player purely on stats, the lad does have 22 goal contributions in the Premiership so far this season, so would argue against anyone saying he isn't cut out for this level.

Again I'm not saying we should sign him, it's more just towards the question of who could come close to matching the role in which Bobby plays whilst wearing the number 9.

(Running for cover) .

smplfc

{Ed001's Note - not for me, he should have been more than good enough, but he got lazy after getting a big move to Chelsea as a youngster and that has cost him any chance of being top class.}


1.) 24 Apr 2021 11:33:23
Harry Kane has proved that is superior in the 9 and the 10 role. He would get treble Bobby’s goals and assists. We don’t have the Bobby of 3 years ago so any number of players could do a better job atm. Sadly I don’t see Bobby getting back to anywhere near his 2017 level but hope to be proved wrong.


2.) 24 Apr 2021 11:41:22
Ed1. I’m with you in that the front three situation naturally needs a transition into what will be the new generation of forwards. Jota would be the natural replacement for Mane. Elliot, who I have said many a times is special and we need to integrate him into the team. If Mane decided to move on this summer, maybe as you said the money should be spent elsewhere. Bissouma for me and integrate Jones from a squad player into a first teamer. That gives us a pretty strong midfield in Hendo, Fab, Thiago, Bissouma and Jones in the attacking midfield role or left forward similar to how Grealish operates. Elliot who I see also playing the attacking midfield role or cutting in from right, which in some games would allow Salah to play through the middle.

Hendo is the one I can't bear to bring myself to even think about. Luckily it’s a number of years away before we need to start thinking about his replacement as he can play until 34/ 35 just like Milner. His presence and leadership off the pitch is equally important as is his presence on it, which makes you not wanting to think about the day he eventually retires. Ed1, you might not of given it much thought but is there anyone out there you have seen that you would take in a few years to be Hendo’s successor? Not saying their similar but he is clearly talented and from what I have been reading he appears to be mature beyond his years and has the makings of a leader and future captain and that’s Bellingham. It does hurt that the kid is clearly talent as well but would like to get your thoughts.

{Ed001's Note - Bellingham would be the dream choice from the players I have seen. He is the real deal by the looks of it.}


 

 

21 Apr 2021 08:58:23
Morning All,

First of all thanks in particular to ED002 for his work in what's been a rollercoaster few days.

Secondly, a take that probably won't go down as well, I'm not 100% behind the idea of FSG out.

Personally I think a lot of fans, and I include myself in this (I'm not trying to take a moral high ground) need to be more realistic and are part of the problem.

Despite being the owners that saved us from H&G, the ones who have paid millions in fees for some amazing players, brought in a world class manager, bankrolled a world class new stand (with another in the pipeline) and training facilities, we constantly want more from them.

We seemingly expect them to spend whatever it takes on transfers whilst spending ridiculous amounts on wages to keep our best players. Some will say "But look at the net spend", but that doesn't take in to account wages, agents fees etc. that ED002 repeatedly tells us that we spend a hell of a lot on.

We want them to spend all this money to be able to compete with the nation state owners and Oligarchs, yet slag off those clubs for their morality. Yet who do you think can honestly afford to buy the club and the plough in the endless amounts of money us fans expect to be spent? Oh and whilst spending all this money, please can you make it more affordable for fans?

They are businessmen after all. Yes they've bought our club, but do you honestly expect them or any other business to bankroll everything without making money back?

And who buys them out? Who has a spare couple of billion that won't have the same interests? Or as ED said are so desperate for an Arabian Prince to come in and bankroll us? And we'll just ignore everything else in the background?

I'm not saying FSG are saints, I'm not saying I want them unequivocally to stay, I just think it's also negligible to want them out regardless.

smplfc

1.) 21 Apr 2021 10:02:32
One of the Ed’s made a great analogy. Just because your partner buys you nice shiny things doesn’t mean a relationship can’t be toxic. They have shown time and time again that despite their bluster they don’t share the values of the club. The constant tapping up, the furlough, the raising of ticket prices, project Bigfoot, being the ringleaders of the ESL etc. When do we say enough is enough stop dragging our club through the mud? Or will we just look the other way the next time they sign a world class player?

{Ed001's Note - now is the time.} Become a Patron!


2.) 21 Apr 2021 10:08:56
Summed up my earlier point, just did it with more time and thought. Cheers. That's what happens when you've finished work for the day down under and are sitting on the beach with a nice crap Sauv blanc and don't put the effort into your post 😁.


3.) 21 Apr 2021 10:13:10
Not with you on that, they need to sell up, we are being run on the cusp every season, time for all these pundits, players etc to start pushing for caps if they care that much, but as if that will happen, they take as much out the game so are to take some responsibility for this too.


4.) 21 Apr 2021 10:20:50
Nobody is perfect. They're just greedy buggers but that's how they're rich, this is nothing new and not surprising. End of the day I go on the overall picture and overall, they've worked wonders for us. We need to be careful what we wish for. I'm open to them selling but we all know it's not going to happen anytime soon, we move on.


5.) 21 Apr 2021 10:40:06
I’d agree with that smp. I’ve lost count of the amount of times somebody on here has asked if we are signing Mbappe or Haaland. People on here constantly complain that the owners aren’t spending enough on players and we have to sell to buy etc.
I’ve never done it myself but it must be a very difficult job to run a football club. There must be loads of work that needs to go in to generate revenues whilst keeping costs at a sustainable level whilst maintaining competitiveness at all levels whilst developing your own talent etc. etc.
Yet we expect them to do all of things whilst putting their hands in their own pockets to give us success on a Saturday (well it could be any day of the week these days! ) . It’s just not realistic.
I own a business and during C.V. it’s been very difficult to keep it going and I haven’t lost anywhere near the revenue that a football club has lost.
I think whoever the owners are in future we as fans have to have a much more realistic expectation of where we are and what we can realistically sustain. The owners don’t exist to spend their own money on making the club successful. The club itself has to be able to financially maintain that.


6.) 21 Apr 2021 10:46:08
I totally understand your point Bledd85 mate I really do. I’m not for one minute apologising for FSG or condoning this recent act of stupidity/ greed.

But I think to just force them out because “no one could be worse” (not your quote, but the general response) is a dangerous line to take.

At the end of the day, it could be worse. In an ideal world, FSG sell up and we find a buyer that can fund the club and not take too much out of it in return, but realistically how many of those are around? Surely the only people/ businesses with enough funds to pay for LFC are going to be money-orientated themselves and will look for ways to make profits whilst meeting the fans constant demands of signing the best players to keep up with other clubs’ spending?


7.) 21 Apr 2021 11:22:47
Absolutely smp just demanding they sell to anyone simply because they won’t be FSG is a stupid and dangerous strategy. However I do think enough is enough they have dragged us through the mud too many times. The Ed’s are privy to more information than us but what I gather the respect we have within the game is rock bottom. This ESL is an example why. The wheels should be in motion to now move on and find the right owners. Easier said than done obviously.


8.) 21 Apr 2021 09:48:17
Every Liverpool fan should join Spirit of Shankly, simple as that.
Fan ownership of the clubs is the ideal.
If the Germans can do, so can we.

{Ed002's Note - The club will not become fan owned.}


9.) 21 Apr 2021 09:52:10
I think I agree, it was an awful idea but I get the feeling it was made by people who were ill informed and who are, for the most part, too far removed from football and the fan base to understand the impact of the ESL.

FSG are not in a great position at the moment and they'll need to do some real groveling to get most LFC fans back on side!


10.) 21 Apr 2021 09:54:55
Their position is completely untenable, the cat is out of the bag. The total distain they and the Glazers in particular have shown for the fans is completely abhorrent. They were not only willing, but happy and self satisfied to play chicken with the loyalty of the fans and the history of this football club, and had the others not backed out and forced their hand, they were willing to destroy this club and everything that it is.

The curtain has been pulled back and behind it is a most ugly, monstrous truth, not just for football but western socio-political issues as a whole. Now is not the time for us to breathe a sigh of relief and sit back. The organisations who started this mess, UEFA and FIFA, have to look within themselves to improve, otherwise this will start again. Laws and reforms must be brought in to give fans a seat at the table. Most important of all, venture capitalists who are not fit and proper owners should leave this sport and never return.

For so long i thought that our goals were aligned with FSG, but no longer. The cat is out of the bag. There are absolutely no limits to what they will do to make more money, no amount of fan backlash they care about. We are simply customers to them, and if we don’t like it, they’ll just go and find some more. We can’t stop now, we have to keep pushing. Let these people know that the status quo is not acceptable. Let FSG know that we don’t want their kind here, not in our sport, not in our city.


 

 

20 Apr 2021 09:46:45
My two-pence worth as everyone else is having a shot.

First of all, I'm definitely anti-super league. I don't want it to happen.

However, I'm struggling with the hypocrisy of Gary Neville being some white knight, a saviour for the people, for the good of the game and what's right.

This is the same Gary Neville, who part owns Salford, a club that signed players on £4k a week contracts in the Conference, in order to be the 'super club' in that league so that they could buy their way in to higher divisions.

These are the same Sky presenters telling us to take back control, but at the same time, between them and BT, charge me over £100 a month to follow my club if I want to watch them every week.

And don't get me wrong, I fully appreciate the clubs get a hell of whack in return from the likes of Sky and BT for broadcasting rights, and that's why I'll keep paying my subscriptions to watch them, but let's not pretend that they care for anything bar the money they would potentially stand to lose.

smplfc

1.) 20 Apr 2021 10:15:04
Very well said. This is all it comes down to, Sky and BT care only about the revenue it will loose as once the ESL is up and running CL will loose its aura. Then again if Liverpool were not a part of the ESL plan fan would have been complaining that we are no longer the Elite club or part of the big boys and would have blamed FSG for it. I really don't care about a new league formation or not I only care about LFC not being left behind by the rest of the bunch who would have more money than us and will be becoming more powerful and rich and we LFC will be holding on to our tradition but will be looking at the big boys making billions as we struggle to buy a CB worth 20 million. I know it will not be a popular opinion and a lot of u will jump on this opportunity to call me names but this is my opinion.


2.) 20 Apr 2021 10:36:03
We do need to separate out two issue here - money and anti-competitiveness.

Yes, the game is awash with money, money that ultimately us fans are funding through ticket sales, Sky/ BT subscriptions, merchandise etc.

However, the core principal that has so many people aghast at the ESL is the anti-competitive nature of it. Without the security afforded to the founding teams, it isn't much different to a revamped CL. The issue is that those 15 teams could do terribly in their leagues or even get relegated and yet STILL be playing in the ESL and profiting financially from it.

I don't have an issue with the core structure (in terms of mini-leagues and midweek games) of the ESL as a replacement for the CL, albeit I would rather players played fewer rather than more games. I cannot abide the fact that those 15 teams have a RIGHT to play every year regardless of how they perform.

Much as I can't stand the spiky little dwarf that Neville is, I cannot argue with his ire at the anti-competitive nature of the ESL. And is Salford paying players £4k a week any different to Blackburn buying the league, or Chelsea or Man City or even us, having more money to spend than, say, Burnley? The only team in EPL history (imo) who didn't in some way buy the league was Leicester, who relied more on planets alligning and the hard work done by Ranieri (and Pearson) in finding and moulding the team.

I don't, therefore, find it hypocritical of him or Sky or BT. Its not about the money, its about competition.

Money is a separate and real issue in the game and whether it is addressed through wage caps, agent fee caps or any other measure, I hope that it is addressed soon and ubiquitously as unless it is mandated throughout all leagues, we will find the best players potentially moving to follow the money as they have done in the past.

But to come back to the ESL, I cannot even begin to imagine how the English clubs (especially) could not see the fatal flaw here. Sports are about competition, the chance that anyone could win (albeit, likely needing a pot of cash to do so! ) . Without competition, sport is just scripted entertainment. I want to watch the EPL and the UCL not WWE.


3.) 20 Apr 2021 10:42:00
Football as we know would be dead. The benefits to Liverpool are secondary.


4.) 20 Apr 2021 11:10:33
Football is not awash with money, the players are. Premier League clubs are losing millions due to mismanagement of wages and C.V.. The money to pay the players has to come from somewhere. How many times have I read on this forum that FSG need to put their hands in their pocket to buy this player or that player. Mbappe reportedly wants £750,000 per week Haarland reportedly wants £1m per week. We fans must realise that this money has to come from somewhere and the true reality is we get the owners we deserve. Football died in 1992, what is happening now is just the inevitable conclusion of the change from the Football League to the Premier League and the change of the European Cup to the Champions League.


5.) 20 Apr 2021 13:44:21
Zedd, ironically, I’ve seen you mention the wwe and anyone that is a wrestling fan would know what happened with the plight of professional wrestling. They used to have a territorial structure which they all peacefully coexisted with, creating competition amongst each other and in turn massive popularity which extended globally. Then one company came in (wwf at the time) and bought out most of the major territories in order to nationalise that company and only that company, it was essentially monopoly. Once wwf beat out any competition that decided to match them and nationalise (wcw mainly) they became the forefront of professional wrestling and the only place you could go for it, whether you wanted to be an employee or a fan. It worked for maybe a decade at most surviving on the previous buzz pro wrestling had for decades before becoming washed up and absent of the premise it once had. Now there are no stars, far far far less of an audience and they’ve sold their soul to outside investors and made it a publicly traded company with scripts for just about everything.

The point I’m trying to make is, once competition was gone, and the rules of competition became stricter the product went down the toilet. You can’t change a structure that was built from the ground up, prospered for a century, then try to change the whole base of it over night and expect it not to fall down, the same thing will happen here with the ESL, LFC will have no affinity with Liverpool and anfield anymore once it’s eventually not even based there, which will end up happening.


6.) 20 Apr 2021 14:02:29
NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Super Rugby, NRL aren't anti-competitive. Just a different structure.


7.) 20 Apr 2021 14:50:53
Those leagues are micro-competitive, Faith. Liverpool can potentially play hundreds of different teams in all number of competitions right now. Those matches add revenue to smaller clubs domestically and internationally and help them prosper. Playing the same 12 teams each season helps the same 12 teams get wealthier. The competitive edge is lost when it doesn't matter if you finish 6th or 10th or 12th.


 

 

16 Dec 2020 11:49:12
Wildcard option!

Now before I get some undoubted over-the-top backlash from this, may I first state that I am definitely in the 'I love Bobby' camp. I'm not trying to find or suggest a replacement as I think he's irreplaceable in terms of all of what he offers, but I've been thinking about another option in that deep-lying forward role and I was wondering if anyone can see where I'm coming from on this one. Dele Alli.

Technically, I feel he's very good on the ball and his peak years up to now (2-3 seasons back) have seen him operate in a 10 Role, which is in the deeper attacking positions that Bobby likes to drop in to, so he's more than used to and comfortable with receiving the ball in crowded areas . Whilst it was a different tactical set up, with space being created for him to attack from deep by a Striker, he's shown he can attack the box from deep and get goals, with excellent technique, as well as being good in the air.

He's physically strong enough and even at a young age, showed he can handle himself in the Premier League, so dropping deep to receive the ball wouldn't be an issue for him in my opinion.

Technically and Physically, I think he has the tools.

Tactically and mentally, well that's something you can't compare to Bobby and where I would have my main reservations about Dele. However, as he was a boyhood Liverpool fan and working under a manager like Klopp, maybe that would increase his work rate and desire and get him back on track as he seems to have lost his way in the last couple of years, but he's still just 24 years old and is clearly out of favour. It would also be a change for him tactically, but that doesn't mean he couldn't adapt.

Again, I must state I'm not for one minute comparing him to Bobby, just looking at a different option. I'm sure I read an article recently that stated Dybala is the only one that comes close to hitting the same stats all round that Bobby does and realistically, I can't see that move happening.

Just an idea for a fun Christmas chat. What do you think Ed01?

smplfc

{Ed001's Note - oh gosh no. He is a tool who has disappeared up his own backside. Steer well clear.}


1.) 16 Dec 2020 12:53:48
I think I do see where you're coming from: You found some suspicious mushrooms growing your back garden and you ate them.

Dele Alli may have all the tools but he hasn't used them in at least 3 years. Even if Bobby brought a deckchair onto the pitch and sat on it for 90 minutes he'd still be trying harder than Alli. Avoid.


2.) 16 Dec 2020 13:47:14
OP, the moment you mentioned Dele Alli in your first paragraph, I stopped reading. You had me going there, tho. I'll give you that. And stay off the mushrooms, man. Very bad for your health.


3.) 16 Dec 2020 13:51:18
Never rated Deli really, showed a few signs of talent and scored a few decent goals but not upto standard to play in our team.

My opionion is that there are very few like Bobby if any, if he could just score a few more goals he would be raved about by the media etc like he was a while ago. The team at the minute is not as settled as it was with all the injuries, young lads and a lot of games in quick succesion it has definitely had an affect on certain paleys.

It will come for him and same with Sadio as he has gone a few games with out a goal now!

This again is just my humble opinion as always.


4.) 16 Dec 2020 14:03:07
We have several options in the squad that are better than Dele - namely Ox, Shaqiri, Minamino and even Gini and Thiago can play that role if needed. I can appreciate that you spent a lot of effort on writing that, but Alli has a lot of work to do to convince even his current manager to play him regularly, much less any other top flight managers to give him a chance. The backlash you were expecting is not at all over the top - the lad just doesn't work hard enough and does not offer enough. The one thing he does have on his side is time, but he got seven minutes off the bench against Palace when they needed a boost and even then it was nowhere near Bobby's role - he was playing deep. I can only remember him making a tackle on his own end of the pitch.


5.) 16 Dec 2020 14:29:30
If you would have said Son, I would have agreed.


6.) 16 Dec 2020 14:40:28
Son 100 times yes Ali 100 times nooooooo.


7.) 16 Dec 2020 15:10:58
Shame is that when he came on the same he definitely WAS someone good enough to be in and around our first 11.Alli at his best from a few years ago would be very hard to leave out of ANY side, shame he just seems to be happy with them couple of years and doesn't think he has to try anymore.


8.) 16 Dec 2020 18:16:53
I used to watch Dele when he first came through in league 1. He played in DM or CM and got around the pitch very well.
Yes it was in a lower league but he was very young. He was as fierce as Gerrard and broke forward only when he could.
However, he barely tackles nowadays and is a completely different player.
Dele of old, yes please. Dele now, no thanks.


9.) 16 Dec 2020 18:48:58
Too lazy.


10.) 16 Dec 2020 19:10:47
Ali is everything what is wrong with modern day football.
Son is on a par, if not better than Bobby IMO.


11.) 16 Dec 2020 22:53:31
This thread aged well.


 

 

05 Oct 2020 09:11:39
Don't really post, but thought I'd throw my 2 pence in.

Last night was a freak result. I don't buy the rhetoric about the high line being the main problem that Carragher and everyone seem to be pedalling. For me the high line isn't in isolation. For us to use a high line, you need and agressive midfield and forward line press, something that we didn't have at all. For me, all of our midfield went missing, they didn't win many tackles, didn't track runners and were sloppy on the ball. On top of that, our front 3 didn't press as they usually do, Mane proving to be just as big of a miss off the ball as on it.

However, as the lack of press allowed Villa to pick passes for fun and midfield runners to go un tracked, there was another way we could have tried to protect the high line. It took until the 76th minute for Adrian to work out that he could help his back 4 out by pushing his starting position higher up the pitch and actually coming out of his box to sweep up.

Now there were some shocking 1v1 defensive errors, particularly on Gomez and Trent's part where they let their man come in side on to their stronger foot to shoot, but I personally don't buy the rhetoric of scrapping the high line, for me it wasn't the main or sole fault. I do believe Hendo being out made a difference, but that was a team pretty much full of experienced Prem players who should be able to lift themselves and not sulk after conceding like some seemed to do.

We've been absolutely spoilt rotten this last few seasons with trophies and consistently winning. It was a horrific performance but we take it on the chin and move on. No major upheaval needed at all.

Oh and fair play Villa. They were excellent in compounding our misery.

YNWA.

smplfc

{Ed025's Note - you need to post more smp..


1.) 05 Oct 2020 09:29:17
Spot on, OP. posted the exact same thing even tho I think we need to tweak the high line esp. if we need to accommodate Adrian in goal for the time being cos he is not a GK that can perform in such a system cos he is poor with his feet and rash in his decision-making.


2.) 05 Oct 2020 09:30:07
Completely Agree smplfc, especially on the point about Adrian.

The same rhetoric was banded about the high line at the start of last season. Yes we didn't lose but at the time we had the same issue with Adrian. He simply refused to leave his 6-yard box irrespective of the rest of the team being in the opposition half. It just left way too much space for the opposition to run into.

Hopefully he will finally learn from this experience or the coaching staff can correct it.


3.) 05 Oct 2020 10:18:25
RedTD, That is my point, exactly. Adrian is not tailored to play in our system so we have to tweak it a bit to accommodate him cos like it or not, Adrian is who we have right now.


4.) 05 Oct 2020 10:21:41
I think that has been the best summary of the game I have read and I couldn’t agree more.

👍🏿.


5.) 05 Oct 2020 10:32:18
Thanks TAA.

As I said, take it on the chin and move on.


 

 

 

smplfc's rumour replies

 

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04 Jun 2022 20:13:50
Ed001, that’s Graham Potter and Havertz we’ve agreed on now. Quick say something nasty about me before people starting talking about us…. ;)

Although I reckon we’d definitely see a different output from Havertz were here under a progressive thinking coach like Potter and not a 0-0 merchant in Tuchel.

smplfc

{Ed001's Note - exactly. Ooops another agreement.}


 

 

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04 Jun 2022 13:38:00
I personally think Havertz is the perfect Bobby replacement and would excel in that role under Jurgen.

A very intelligent footballer being stifled somewhat by Tuchel’s preference for boring football.

smplfc

{Ed001's Note - I agree sm, he is a very good player. Unlike Abraham, who can trap a ball further than most of us can kick it.}


 

 

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14 Jan 2022 01:01:44
Kun Aguero.

smplfc

 

 

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20 Jul 2021 11:19:44
Completely agree with you ED0666.

smplfc

 

 

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13 Jul 2021 18:01:55
Never heard of wrong page Ed, is he any good? ;)

smplfc

 

 

 

smplfc's banter replies

 

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15 Feb 2024 14:50:39
What’s more impressive about him Ed001is that JWP wasn’t his signing. That one would have worried me otherwise! Completely believable he was a Moyes signing without needing to confirm it mind.

I feel like I’m missing something here, or maybe it’s my naturally pragmatic outlook, but to me Ed, as much as I didn’t want Klopp to leave yet, Alonso and Steidten look like a pretty good duo to bring in now, do they not? Our squad seems as tactically flexible and technically proficient as they’ve ever been under Klopp, with plenty of youngsters to build around and with a DOF with a good track record to replace some of our ageing stars in the next few weeks.

smplfc

{Ed001's Note - it does feel like a natural progression to get those two in. It would take it from being an ending, to being a new beginning.}


 

 

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19 Dec 2022 20:33:58
It’s also worth remembering that Hurst didn’t get the ball over the line 3 times.

smplfc

 

 

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29 Aug 2022 01:47:50
Setting aside his legendary status as a player for us, Stevie G is just another Brendan Rodgers when it comes to management. His ego completely outweighs any tactical nous. Hopefully failure at Villa will kill any potential disaster of him ever managing us. It really is a disaster waiting to happen.

I know I’ve been banging this drum and I’m sounding like a broken record, but to see a coach who’s tactical ability absolutely outweighs his own ego and would absolutely be my pick down the line, go and watch Potter at Brighton. His constant systematic tweaks to nullify the opposition are brilliant, whilst employing a style of play that is the complete opposite to what their previous manager Hughton had the team playing, whilst still playing a number of the same players such as Dunk, March, Gross etc.

smplfc

 

 

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07 Aug 2022 23:32:21
Can’t we have the one you missed last season to read in the meantime please Ed? Think it was the Southampton game? ;)

smplfc

{Ed001's Note - I will ask Ed33 to see what he can do!}


 

 

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04 Jul 2022 17:26:09
I’m personally in the pro Curtis Jones camp. I actually think he’s improving. I think he’s definitely learning from Thiago and for me it was evident in his start against Villa away. His progressive dribbling was very impressive in my eyes and I think the lad will only get better as he continues to learn from someone like Thiago.

smplfc

{Ed0666's Note - I’m of the impression he will not make it at Liverpool but will go on to have a reasonably successful career


 

 





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