I wouldn't say this is make or break for the season, or a must-win game. This is a defining game in the season though. Arguably the most defining of the season so far. And so begins my logic.
At the start of the season, having started decently in the league, the club was obviously very aware of the increased strain more games would have on the club. Players not used to our training regimes, our style of play and the other players in the squad clearly had to work much harder and pressure told. A few losses later, and Rodgers is back to square one. Lots of new players, a team that is devoid of confidence, a team struggling to play together. Rodgers is best on the training field. It would be unfair to question the work he has done for the club in the first two years. Building a team capable of competing at a much higher level, bringing the best out of suffering young talents. Getting us back to a team capable of challenging and he loses his best player, and has lost his favoured striker. With new signings, should come an expectation of needing time to settle, and yet, he has no respect.
The champions league was a big disappointment. Ludogorets home and away. Thats as simple as it gets. Madrid home and away, as difficult as it gets. Basel, a chance. Sure, we missed out, in the end, because of a ridiculous sending off, but ultimately we played too badly too early in the competition. Rodgers isn't used to those kind of games. Surely he should be forgiven for not quite being amazing on his first attempt.
Now comes the kicker. He struggles to get the team to adapt quickly to the tactic that worked so well last season. Without Sturridge, we don't have a lead forward, without his priority signing, we can't rely on a top talent to replace him, and in Balotelli, a guy I think has began to act much better off the pitch (including the ludicrous response and charge for his comments), has never been a leading solo man up front.
Now I will go into detail about some questionable decisions by Rodgers, including the team sheet against Utd, and failing to drop Gerrard sooner, but ultimately some players have let him down, some signings haven't settled when they were expected too, and we're at a game, against a top team who we're competing with for a top four place.
I repeat from August, I expect to be competing for the top 3. Automatic qualification for the CL, that has to be the aim. Right now, we are 11 points behind with a game in hand. No team is looking unbeatable beyond the top 2, and while some have impressed in periods, there have been dips and peaks. Arsenal are only five points ahead. They are through in the CL because they have a manager used to it, and players much more settled, rather than on the back of a rebuild. Win, and the players belief will rocket just when it needs to. Christmas is a tough period, but our fixtures are favourable up until this very day next month. Only one team, after Arsenal, are above us in the league (and that is Swansea), the rest, we should be looking to perform well and win. We've players beginning to impress and a team performing better under the new formation change. Rodgers makes everyone keep guessing. If our festive period kicks off with a win tomorrow, we could, and I should say I expect, to be unbeaten by the time the league cup semi against chelsea is upon us, and be at least 11 points better off, hopefully 15, not including the game tomorrow. A win would be brilliant, but a draw wouldn't be terrible. We've half a season to turn this around.
