What's your opinion of Brendan Rodgers?

[Brownie]

Beg to differ. Even in years when we didn't win anything under Rafa, the actually feeling that we were gonna win something was always there. We could be going into a cup tie against better teams like Chelsea, Barca, Real, Juventus, Ac Milan etc, and we would all be holding genuine and justified hope that Rafa was gonna outwit, and so he did countless times. I felt that way when we got to the second CL final against Milan, when we almost beat Utd to the title and in that Europa semi-final against Atletico even though we didn't win anything anything these years, the belief that we were gonna win something never went away.

 

I'm sorry to say I've never felt that way with Rodgers, never would I expect Rodgers to outwit Mourinho in a CL semi-final. Each to their own and all that, but that genuine belief that we could beat better teams is what I really long for, not the all style little substance of our play today. I do fear last season is as good as it will get under Rodgers especially with the team Chelsea is currently building and I just can't see Rodgers actually outwitting someone like Mourinho unfortunately. I genuinely don't expect us to win anything under Rodgers (after all, the guy's won fuck all) and that's a feeling I'm not comfortable with.

 

Again, I can understand why some might be satisfied with just some good-looking football, but I also can't deny that this loser-like attitude that's growing in our team and fanbase seriously bothers me. All this let's play attractive football as we won't anything talk, may I say, just sounds very un-Liverpool-like to me. As I said, it just screams of Arsenal of the last 10 years to me.

 

I respect your view but did you honestly feel like this last season? I didn't really have time for any of those kinds of thoughts, I was too busy pissing myself laughing at how utterly mad we were.

 

This season is a different story of course but we are in a semi-final against Mourinho so I guess we'll find out.

[moof]

I think we have a better chance of winning the league with a manager who is willing to throw caution to the wind rather than one who is fundamentally cautious. It's also a reason why we will come unstuck against class european opposition.

I'd quite like to have a serious pop at the league, far more than I relish semi finals against Mourinho. But, hey, that's just me.

Not that I'm looking to diminish Rafa's achievements or anyone else's. I couldn't be more proud of our european heritage, it's what sets us apart from other english clubs. I never felt like we were the best team over a 38 game season but we could beat anyone in a two-legged tie. I feel the opposite way with Rodgers. We're very beatable but I fancy us to destroy the majority of teams because he's not as cautious. (This season notwithstanding, of course).

[Red House]

Oh, you're one of those people who thinks last season was all down to suarez? Pointless continuing this conversation, really.

No, but if Rodgers couldn't win it last year with the impact a player like Suarez had, I seriously doubt he's gonna have any chance of getting near to winning it again. But, anyway, you might be right, continuing this conversation might be pointless. How about you just give me a call when Rodgers wins us the league, eh? (Even though we both know you and me it ain't gonna happen). On my side, I'll make sure of giving you a nice little reminder of the astounding sum of fuck all premierships that Rodgers brought us when he gets the inevitable sack.

[Brownie]

I think we have a better chance of winning the league with a manager who is willing to throw caution to the wind rather than one who is fundamentally cautious. It's also a reason why we will come unstuck against class european opposition.

I'd quite like to have a serious pop at the league, far more than I relish semi finals against Mourinho. But, hey, that's just me.

 

That's a good point.

 

The majority of games you play in the league are against teams that you should be beating, not against the world class managers. The Mancs have shown for years that if you approach those games with the mentality of just crushing them, then that goes a long way to putting you into contention for the league.

 

Personally speaking, the league is the most important thing to me. European nights are boss but i'd never choose that over success in the league as that's the bulk of your games and is the best barometer for how good a team you are.

[stringvest]

No, but if Rodgers couldn't win it last year with the impact a player like Suarez had, I seriously doubt he's gonna have any chance of getting near to winning it again. But, anyway, you might be right, continuing this conversation might be pointless. How about you just give me a call when Rodgers wins us the league, eh? (Even though we both know you and me it ain't gonna happen). On my side, I'll make sure of giving you a nice little reminder of the astounding sum of fuck all premierships that Rodgers brought us when he gets the inevitable sack.

 

that's just so bitter, man.  You need to find love.

[Brownie]

It does sound very bitter, I honestly don't understand that type of attitude. Especially when we haven't won the league for 25 years. It's not as if Rodgers is failing recent expectations by never winning the league, he's just repeating what the other guys have done.

[moof]

No, but if Rodgers couldn't win it last year with the impact a player like Suarez had, I seriously doubt he's gonna have any chance of getting near to winning it again. But, anyway, you might be right, continuing this conversation might be pointless. How about you just give me a call when Rodgers wins us the league, eh? (Even though we both know you and me it ain't gonna happen). On my side, I'll make sure of giving you a nice little reminder of the astounding sum of fuck all premierships that Rodgers brought us when he gets the inevitable sack.

It's not my style to rub it in anyone's face, and besides I'll be too busy celebrating.

[Denny Crane]

The only way you can make a case for Rodgers challenging for the league is if he leads us out of the European spots.

 

The reality of him finishing out the European places, is he will rightly be sent packing, so very very unlikely that he would survive such a disastrous season.

 

So if he gets 7th/8th and fails in all the cups (like in his first season) then he might have a small chance.

 

His two starts to a season where he has had Europe have been on a par with the Hodge.

 

A Liverpool manager is expected to balance the League and Europe.

[Red House]

It does sound very bitter, I honestly don't understand that type of attitude. Especially when we haven't won the league for 25 years. It's not as if Rodgers is failing recent expectations by never winning the league, he's just repeating what the other guys have done.

Nothing to do with how Rodgers compare to previous managers or the past 25 years. Just replying to moof's claim the we will win the league under Rodgers and recent re-iteration about he will be celebrating when we do so compared to my own belief that we will win fuck all leagues under Rodgers. Simple as.

[Bjornebye]

The only way you can make a case for Rodgers challenging for the league is if he leads us out of the European spots.

 

The reality of him finishing out the European places, is he will rightly be sent packing, so very unlikely.

 

So if he gets 7th/8th and fails in all the cups (like in his first season) then he might have a small chance.

 

His two starts to a season where he has had Europe have been on a par with the Hodge.

 

A Liverpool manager is expected to balance the League and Europe.

 

[Lee909]

I don't see Rodgers ever winning the league myself. He really just doesn't seem to give a crap that we can't defend as the defense has got worse every year he has been here. You can't need to score 3 goals a game and win the league IMO. Also going by the transfer his eye for talent is crap. I hope he does but tactically I don't think he is good enough

[Dr. J]

Last season, we didn't go on our run until Feb, after the West Brom draw. We'll be in the EL this  at that time this season.

 

Since we can't win the league I'd rather we went all out to win the EL. It's a trophy and would get us back in the CL, something that is a long shot right now.

[Anubis]

You will not win the league throwing caution to the wind. The attacking is unsustainable over the number of games unless you have two equivalent class players in each position (as injuries and fatigue take their toll), and you will concede too many goals. Even Chelsea and Real don't have that level of playing resource, and they seem to have bought half of Europe's footballers between them. 

 

You need some sembelance of balance between attack and defence.

 

EDIT: As for rather seeing exciting football than winning, even Arsenal fans have moved past their 'we play the best football so we don't care about trophies' phase.

[moof]

I actually think he's quite tactically astute, it surprises me when people say he doesn't have a clue. A lot of people imply that he merely stumbles upon tactics that work for him, and isn't adaptable - which is clearly total bollocks. I'm not saying he's on par with a Rafa or a Mourinho but he's a lot better than people give him credit for.

[magicrat]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30644126

 

Well from this low-beat interview today it would seem fairly clear to me reading between the lines. He isn't getting the sack yet but there's no money to spend in January which considering the GK situation is a little short-sighted by the owners. We can now spend until April debating what constitutes doing enough with what he has to keep his job, Probably top 4 finish to my mind. 

[Brownie]

I think our defending has improved in the last 10 games. It's still not good enough by a long way but it has improved a bit.

 

We've conceded 11 goals in those 10 games. The previous 10 games was 15 conceded and the 10 before that was 16.

 

That's a positive trend over 30 games which isn't insignificant.

[Lee909]

I actually think he's quite tactically astute, it surprises me when people say he doesn't have a clue. A lot of people imply that he merely stumbles upon tactics that work for him, and isn't adaptable - which is clearly total bollocks. I'm not saying he's on par with a Rafa or a Mourinho but he's a lot better than people give him credit for.

He can get a team ready going forward but his teams do not look solid at all. Far too often teams can get control of the midfield. I'm sick of shitting myself every time somebody attacks. Even at 2-0\3-1 you know they are still in the game.

[Red House]

If we win the league under anyone in this era of sheikhs and oligarchs, I'll go giddy.

 

"Under their skin"

2013-2014:

 

Real Madrid: Buys Bale for 80+ millions, and spends 30 odd millions each on Isco and Illaramendi.

Barcelona: Buys Neymar for some 50-60 millions.

Atletico Madrid: Loses Falcao for 50 millions and brings in Villa for peanuts.

 

Title Winner: Atletico Madrid

 

It's hard, but a top class manager can beat sheiks and oligarchs once in awhile.

 

I think we have a better chance of winning the league with a manager who is willing to throw caution to the wind rather than one who is fundamentally cautious. It's also a reason why we will come unstuck against class european opposition.

I'd quite like to have a serious pop at the league, far more than I relish semi finals against Mourinho. But, hey, that's just me.

Again, Simeone would beg to differ.

[moof]

Simeone had the balance spot on, he's hardly what i'd call cautious.

[Jairzinho]

 

Again, Simeone would beg to differ.

 

Aye. There is no correct way for all situations. Atletico got the most out of their squad by being resolute for every second of every game, hanging on to 1-0s when necessary. We did the opposite for the second half of last season, trying to win every game 8-6, and that got the best out of our squad.

 

Neither would be sustainable over a long period. So you/we have to adapt.

[Anubis]

Simeone had the balance spot on, he's hardly what i'd call cautious.

 

Equally it's not the charge of the light brigade style football we played last season. His teams can defend as well as attack. There is a balance there to be had. It's whether Rodgers can find it that concerns me, because I'm not convinced he thinks it's necesssary.

[Denny Crane]

At least there seems to be some sort of growing consensus, fail to get top 4 or win the Europa, Rodgers goes on his way.

[Jairzinho]

That trio of midfielders Gabi, Mario Suarez, and Koke, all of whom came through Atletico's academy, were absolutely top class for the entire season. Hard working, mentally strong, and technically proficient.

 

Would love to sign any of them.

[moof]

I'd also just like to say I'd sack rodgers tomorrow if Simeone wanted the job

[Dr. J]

Everybody rates Simeone.

Nobody rates Torres.

Simeone rates Torres.

 

Go figure.