BRENDAN Rodgers has undoubtedly been under the cosh for the past few games with the undesirable results that have emanated from some quite convincing displays.
However, just when the clouds of doubt were beginning to darken, I feel he has given us cause to believe in his philosophy and proved that, with time, we will reap the reward of unflinching patience.
Poor officiating and hard luck have no doubt been up to their old tricks again this season and shy of a few individual mishaps, could have been solely to blame for our abysmal tally of points after our first five league games.
Save the higher pass count; there was apparently no difference between the team under Rodgers’ and King Kenny’s stewardship – lots of possessive, stylish football without an end-product.
However, our League Cup game against West Brom showed that Rodgers’ philosophy can produce good football even with an inexperienced and pre-dominantly youthful side, and that he is fully aware of the potential of the team he has been charged to lead. It also demonstrated that Rodgers wants to implement his new style in absolution by not changing the approach play – even when the majority of the squad has been. Rodgers showed real belief in his own system and the ability of the youngsters, fielding them against a team not much weakened from the side that inflicted our opening day defeat.
A change in tack demonstrated that he (Rodgers) had learned from our previous encounter, and the final result showed that he had successfully devised a counter-system that he could effectively deploy even with his least experienced charges. True, at times we did narrowly escape the disastrous consequences of slack defending and passing, but on the whole, I think we were never overshadowed and deservedly won that game by the sheer determination and commitment the youngsters showed, staying tactically disciplined for the most part and coming back from an early setback.
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A spine is something the team has been lacking for quite some time now but little by little, especially after the West Brom game, I feel it’s finally growing back. For too long the confidence and game-plan of the team has been shattered quite easily by goals conceded early in the game or against the run of play. Apart from that, we have always allowed ourselves to be put under pressure by the opposition after scoring. To his credit, Rodgers’ tiki-taka has given the team a feeling of surety and we have managed to still look threatening or favourites, even when either a goal down or up.
It may still be early days and even though there might not be much to show for it yet, I think there is only one direction we can move in with the steady improvement of these tweaks and perks that Rodgers’ philosophy seems to be adding. I have previously highlighted the need for consistency, in results primarily, but also in performance. If we are able to maintain our standard of play I am quite sure dropping points to relatively weaker opposition will not be as a big a problem in this campaign as it has been in many others.
It’s always good to be optimistic, but it’s much better when you have good reason to be, and from what I’ve seen of the team so far this season, I strongly believe FSG have made a turning point decision in appointing Rodgers. Quite strong words I know, but I have faith that Brendan Rodgers will bear them out in due time.
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Shelvey is some BOOTLICKER!! His nose has permanent brown from Ferguson’s arse…… if what is reported that he said after the recent game is true.
who cares what he said…. that was two weeks ago. let it go.
No, NO BOOTLICKERS IN A LIVERPOOL JERSEY!
give it a rest lad. You don’t have to like Ferguson, but you do have to respect his achievements. That is something Shelvey, and you, forgot; only he forgot in front of 45000 people and the man himself. I am pleased he apologised, it shows humility and at least half a brain.
Focus your obvious passion on supporting the club and team, don’t waste it negativity that only damages yourself and the wider perception of Liverpool supporters.
You are right Thomasz. I had been a LFC fan for 26 years and obviously is no bug fan of AF but his achievements had to be respected. He won what, 11 or 12 Prem titles, had rebuilt his squad several times and still challenging even after all these years.
In the mean time we struggled to even win 1 Prem title had crap managers except for Rafa (the ones like KD are not even fit to smell AF’s arse), in short we wish we could have our own AF.
BR in my opinion is a continuation with our recent tradition of appointing crappy managers. Some might get carried away with the recent win over Norwich but seems to forget our opposition last week had not won a game even until now and if not for the individual briallance of Suarez, its another drawn game. Also don’t forget under BR’s watch we had our worse start in more than a century.
We might not like AF but i hope our manager like him can grow a spine and actually know how to win games (pity his 180 page dossier had lefty out this part). Except for Rafa i can;t recall anyone in recent times who can even challenge AF.
“Save the higher pass count; there was apparently no difference between the team under Rodgers’ and King Kenny’s stewardship – lots of possessive, stylish football without an end-product.”
There is a ton of differences between Rodgers’ and Dalglish’s stewardship. King Kenny is an icon, but let’s not pretend that his style of football in his 18 months in charge is anything different than Rodgers is doing now. It is too early in the season to judge Rodgers tenure, but to say there is “no difference”, is not a compliment at all to BR and bears witness to a backhanded nostalgic reference of how life was under Dalglish. Pull out some match film and compare against the two. YOU WILL SEE A HUGE DIFFERENCE! The first thing you should notice is no Adam, Enrigue, Downing, Hendo and Carroll in a lot of BR’s game film.
I agree, there is no difference, both do not know how to win games and like to blame refs.