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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8,564
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8,564 |
I think today shows that there really has been a great deal of progress this season. We set a lot of goals this season, many of which we've not achieved. Our cup runs and our European campaign have been cut shot. We're out of the top 4. However, Rodgers set a few other goals as well. He mentioned some of them again today after the match: we anted to score 70 goals: we've scored 67 already. Only Manu have scored more. We wanted to get 15 clean sheets. We've earned 13. Only Man City have earned more. While this season has not exactly been what we'd hoped, progress is evident.
Last year, we simply were not beating teams like this, especially without Suarez. We couldn't score, we couldn't kill off teams, and by this time last year, we were begging for the season to end. Our first 11 is miles better than it was. Jordan Henderson has doubled his goals and assists from last season, and he looks a world different than the scared boy we signed from Sunderland last year. He's composed, industrious, skillful, and hungry. 2 goals and an assist today, and he was involved in everything. Stewart Downing's transformation has been equally complete. His balls into the box are miles better, his running is better, his visions is better, his desire is better, and the one dimensional wideman we bought now looks a proper outside forward, and is a mainstay in our lineup. Gerrard has reinvented himself as a regista in the Alonso mold, and he's notched 6 more goals and 11 more assists than last season, and he's picking those famous 40 yard passes at will. Enrique looks one of the best attacking LBs in the world. Carragher has had a renaissance. Luis Surez is finally the 30 goal striker we hoped he'd be, not the wasteful player he was last season.
And lets look at the new boys. Sturridge has hit the ground running, and today, every newcastle on the pitch was visibly terrified of him. He's a complete striker: strong, hungry, clinical, quick, skillful on the dribble, he even has an eye for a pass as his assists today and last week show. Coutinho has been a revelation. At 8.5 million, he is skinning players at will, scoring goals, picking cheeky through balls, and making unlocking defenses look easy.
Today we scored 6 goals without a goal from Gerrard or Suarez. When was the last time we could say that? Don't misunderstand me, our season has been disappointing at times. I'm not going to shout "In Brendan we trust!" to the heavens. We have had our shortcomings this season, and those cannot be ignored. At times, we've lacked consistency, we've lacked steel, we've lacked experience. We've made defensive errors and given away leads. We've blown opportunities, and we've failed to secure Europe. But for the first time since Rafa's heyday, we are showing flair, invention, hunger, excitement. I feel like I'm watching Liverpool again. This is progress, lads. Brendan deserves another season. Things are starting to take shape. I want to see what he can do after this summer.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22,926
Liverpool Legend
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Liverpool Legend
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22,926 |
I think today shows that there really has been a great deal of progress this season. We set a lot of goals this season, many of which we've not achieved. Our cup runs and our European campaign have been cut shot. We're out of the top 4. However, Rodgers set a few other goals as well. He mentioned some of them again today after the match: we anted to score 70 goals: we've scored 67 already. Only Manu have scored more. We wanted to get 15 clean sheets. We've earned 13. Only Man City have earned more. While this season has not exactly been what we'd hoped, progress is evident.
Last year, we simply were not beating teams like this, especially without Suarez. We couldn't score, we couldn't kill off teams, and by this time last year, we were begging for the season to end. Our first 11 is miles better than it was. Jordan Henderson has doubled his goals and assists from last season, and he looks a world different than the scared boy we signed from Sunderland last year. He's composed, industrious, skillful, and hungry. 2 goals and an assist today, and he was involved in everything. Stewart Downing's transformation has been equally complete. His balls into the box are miles better, his running is better, his visions is better, his desire is better, and the one dimensional wideman we bought now looks a proper outside forward, and is a mainstay in our lineup. Gerrard has reinvented himself as a regista in the Alonso mold, and he's notched 6 more goals and 11 more assists than last season, and he's picking those famous 40 yard passes at will. Enrique looks one of the best attacking LBs in the world. Carragher has had a renaissance. Luis Surez is finally the 30 goal striker we hoped he'd be, not the wasteful player he was last season.
And lets look at the new boys. Sturridge has hit the ground running, and today, every newcastle on the pitch was visibly terrified of him. He's a complete striker: strong, hungry, clinical, quick, skillful on the dribble, he even has an eye for a pass as his assists today and last week show. Coutinho has been a revelation. At 8.5 million, he is skinning players at will, scoring goals, picking cheeky through balls, and making unlocking defenses look easy.
Today we scored 6 goals without a goal from Gerrard or Suarez. When was the last time we could say that? Don't misunderstand me, our season has been disappointing at times. I'm not going to shout "In Brendan we trust!" to the heavens. We have had our shortcomings this season, and those cannot be ignored. At times, we've lacked consistency, we've lacked steel, we've lacked experience. We've made defensive errors and given away leads. We've blown opportunities, and we've failed to secure Europe. But for the first time since Rafa's heyday, we are showing flair, invention, hunger, excitement. I feel like I'm watching Liverpool again. This is progress, lads. Brendan deserves another season. Things are starting to take shape. I want to see what he can do after this summer. Good post mate, however, I don't like drawing conclusions over 1 match against a team in deep [oops]. I personally would call it progress if we can get at least 10 pts in our last 5 games and would then definitely give BR the start of next season. If progress is obvious (average of 1.8 pts per game over 12 games), then keep him, if not, look for a proven trophy winner. Don't think if it goes bad at the beginning of next season, we have to wait for 1 whole season to take a decision.
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,205
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,205 |
Don't agree with you there Vish - we started the season poorly with a new manager trying to implement new tactics and work out what of the existing squad he could use, and what was surplus. To sack him at the start of next season would be rediculous.
Since Dec / Jan we have improved considerably, we have progressed, and therefore are "progressing"
We "regressed" during the same period last season.
Last edited by Ged; 28/04/13 06:46 AM.
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,060
Under 23 Player
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Under 23 Player
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,060 |
I agree we've progressed, and looking back, we were only 2 goals, 2 stupid mistakes and 1 awful ref decision away from being 3rd.
Cut out those 2 equalisers we gifted to City which should never have happened. then add another 2 points for that winner we scored against Everton which was wrongly ruled out, and that would put us up to 60 points, only 2 behind Spurs and Chelsea, which I think is were we should be right now.
The if next season we can learn to convert those draws against the likes of Reading and West ham into wins, then don't see why 4th cant be obtained next year.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22,926
Liverpool Legend
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Liverpool Legend
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22,926 |
Don't agree with you there Vish - we started the season poorly with a new manager trying to implement new tactics and work out what of the existing squad he could use, and what was surplus. To sack him at the start of next season would be rediculous.
Since Dec / Jan we have improved considerably, we have progressed, and therefore are "progressing"
We "regressed" during the same period last season. I said, if we see that whatever progress we might see this season does not continue at the beginning of next season (1.8 pts per game is not that much to ask, it's not even 10 pts over 5 games). If we do not have such an average, progress or not, we will stay below 4th. You need to put targets and objectives, this is a ruthless results world. I agree there has been progress in the league, mainly over a very bad start of the season. By the end of the season we would have progressed probably by one position even having to concentrate only on the league since beginning of March. Look how Spurs are struggling now having lost a lot of energy in the Europa league with a very thin squad. Cups do draw a lot of energy from your squad, thus RB (and not only) rotation policy.
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,205
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,205 |
I said, if we see that whatever progress we might see this season does not continue at the beginning of next season (1.8 pts per game is not that much to ask, it's not even 10 pts over 5 games). If we do not have such an average, progress or not, we will stay below 4th. You need to put targets and objectives, this is a ruthless results world. I agree there has been progress in the league, mainly over a very bad start of the season. By the end of the season we would have progressed probably by one position even having to concentrate only on the league since beginning of March. Look how Spurs are struggling now having lost a lot of energy in the Europa league with a very thin squad. Cups do draw a lot of energy from your squad, thus RB (and not only) rotation policy.
What, 3 games??? 5 games??? 7 games??? January???? May as well just sack him now.
Last edited by Ged; 28/04/13 07:49 AM.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22,926
Liverpool Legend
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Liverpool Legend
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22,926 |
I said, if we see that whatever progress we might see this season does not continue at the beginning of next season (1.8 pts per game is not that much to ask, it's not even 10 pts over 5 games). If we do not have such an average, progress or not, we will stay below 4th. You need to put targets and objectives, this is a ruthless results world. I agree there has been progress in the league, mainly over a very bad start of the season. By the end of the season we would have progressed probably by one position even having to concentrate only on the league since beginning of March. Look how Spurs are struggling now having lost a lot of energy in the Europa league with a very thin squad. Cups do draw a lot of energy from your squad, thus RB (and not only) rotation policy.
What, 3 games??? 5 games??? 7 games??? January???? May as well just sack him now. I said 12 games in the earlier post mate. This will also allow any new manager (if ever we change) to know the team well enough to have a proper winter transfer window.
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,205
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,205 |
Switching managers every season has played a big part in the mess we're in right now - with each new manager comes a handful of new players and a new footprint, have 4 managers in as many seasons and you end up with a motley crew of individuals, not a team.
We can't afford superstars, we NEED to build a team.
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 27,628
Liverpool Legend
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Liverpool Legend
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 27,628 |
Agree with the original post there has been some progress but only marginal.
IF YOU WANT TO BE HEARD SPEAK SOFTLY - BOB PAISLEY
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,077
Under 23 Player
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Under 23 Player
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,077 |
I agree that we have made progress. But it's the inconsistency which annoys everyone.
This 6-0 win could easily be followed up by a poor display against Everton.
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