Quantcast
View from the Kop

Who’s To Blame For FA Cup Exit?

|
Image for Who’s To Blame For FA Cup Exit?

Rodgers suffers defeat with LFCLIVERPOOL FC suffered an embarrassing FA Cup fourth round exit at the hands of Oldham Athletic on Sunday as they become the victims of a 3-2 defeat at Boundary Park.

Now that the dust has settled on what was a disappointing day, it is time to decipher exactly what went wrong and who was to blame for our catastrophic cup exit.

First things first; the team that Brendan Rodgers chose to start the match with was, on paper, a very strong one.

It was a team that ultimately gave Liverpool fans confidence that it held enough quality to overcome Oldham – a side 56 places below the Reds in the English league system.

Names such as Skrtel, Henderson, Sterling, Sturridge and Suarez immediately jumped out and suggested that the firepower was there should this match require anything more than a steady canter. After close inspection of the team, it became clear that due to the nature of the XI, one or more players would be playing out of position; not a wise decision against a determined lower league outfit.

It was evident from the first minute that Rodgers had gone for too many attack-minded players and not enough defensive cover. The contest became a physical assessment for the Reds from the first minute and their cause wasn’t helped by the fact that Rodgers had gone with a team that consisted of just three outfield players over 6 feet tall (Skrtel, Coates, Wisdom).

The game started pretty much as it meant to go on. Two minutes in, and following gritty determined play from Oldham winger Youssouf M’Changama, powerful forward Matt Smith rose above a complacent Sebastian Coates to head home the opening goal. Therein lay a major factor for the defeat – Coates.

The Uruguayan struggled throughout and could not handle the beastly presence of Matt Smith. It was a stark reminder that the centre-back is far from ready for the battling nature of English football. Despite it being an issue in itself, the need for Coates to go out on loan and gain some valuable experience is vital in order for him to progress at Liverpool.

The game cried out for an experienced head and, in hindsight, it would have made much more sense for Jamie Carragher to start ahead of Coates. Carra has the experience of facing inspired underdogs and would have not been daunted by the battle against unknown quantities such as Smith.

The likes of Jack Robinson and Joe Allen suffered from the brutal nature of the game. Robinson is very lightweight for a defender and it was his failure to challenge Reece Wabara that led to Oldham’s second goal. The 19-year olds performance was yet more evidence that Liverpool are in desperate need for another left-back to adequately cover or challenge Jose Enrique.
[ad_pod id=”unruly-video” align=”center”]
As for Allen, the Welshman looked lost in the midfield for large periods of the game. To his credit, the ex-Swansea man gets stuck in when it is needed; however, at just 5 feet 6 inches tall there is only so much he can endure before he becomes nothing but a small obstacle to overcome in the midfield. There is no doubt that Allen also suffers when Lucas is absent as he is forced to concentrate on more than just his passing game he is renowned for.

Further up the field, Fabio Borini, looking to impress following a long injury lay- off, resembled that of a recently decapitated item of poultry. At one point, I thought I had gone back in time and was watching a young Milan Baros with a brand new hairstyle. His runs are aimless and his touch and vision are non- existent.

Liverpool fans are usually, excluding Lucas, well-known for their patience and support for new signings and Borini will be given the chance to prove his worth. Having said that, now is the time for the young lad to spend less time with his hair products and more time on the training field to improve his overall game.

Suarez and Sturridge both struggled. Sturridge failed to impose himself enough on the game and was found guilty of snatching at the chances he was presented with due to the frustration of being behind. As for Suarez, despite scoring, he was often smothered by two or three Oldham players each time he had the ball and was unable to produce the magic that would have potentially seen us through.

So, who is to blame? All in all, Rodgers picked the wrong team and the wrong formation. On another day, especially if Brad Jones hadn’t dropped that clanger for their second goal, the Reds could have got lucky and sneaked through – or at least took Oldham to Anfield for a replay.

The real reason behind the defeat belongs to a phrase that has haunted Liverpool fans for years – ‘lack of strength in depth’. It may agitate the fans and the management; however, it is an accurate analysis of Liverpool’s current crop of players. With both Gerrard and Lucas in need of a break, the Reds did not have sufficient cover for the roles they supply the team with. Nobody was able to step in and link the midfield to the attack as well as Gerrard does and, similarly, there wasn’t one player on the pitch who was able to stop the opposition linking their midfield to their impressive forwards in the style of Lucas.

We have to take it on the chin and move on. Onwards and upwards to Wednesday – Arsenal away. A massive game. We have to get behind the team as we attempt to fight for the much coveted European places.
[ad_pod id=’DFP-MPU’ align=’right’]
Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at live4liverpool@snack-media.com

Follow us on Twitter here: @live4Liverpool and ‘Like’ us on Facebook

Share this article

34 comments

  • pep says:

    Rodgers is to blame 100%

    picking Joe Allen when its going to be a physical battle is suicidal . Mansfield made a mug out of Allen and unbelievably Rodgers picked him again . We lost midfield battle as we always do when Allen plays

    I also thought it was disgusting behaviour from Rodgers trying to shift the blame onto the young kids . Disgusting – not befitting a Liverpool manager . Allen and Borini his 2 pets were awful but they dont get criticised

    • Towson Tom says:

      Spot on, but it goes further than that, every team needs at least a couple of ‘hard men’ to combat the more physical sides and apart from Stevie (who can look after himself) we only have Shelvey with any go about him, Carrol may have cost a fortune but would be an option against the Stokes etc… we have already lost the money on him so we might as well bring him back and use him when the occasion demands.

      • Richlang says:

        The manager picks the team and is ultimately responsible. Brendan Rodgers seems naive enough to think a second Anfield side could conquer in the cups. He was almost found out in the last round, scraping through against a non-league side. It was wrong to blame the players, the failure was in the manager to assess the strength of his side and the opposition. Any Liverpool fan could tell Rodgers we don’t have the strength/quality in depth to make 6 changes and provide a challenge to a side fired up to get a result.

  • simon says:

    Even when something went wrong during Dalglishs reign , that wasnt the managers fault ( like someone getting stupidly sent off or something ) , Dalglish would always take responsibility and take the blame , yet Rodgers tries to blame everyone else except himself

    And blaming the kids , not the senior pros is low

    Rodgers picked Allen in midfield
    Rodgers picked the invisible Borini
    Rodgers picked 4 attackers and left midfield weak with the puny Allen
    Rodgers left out Carra
    Rodgers didnt change it when we were getting dominated
    Rodgers brought on Gerrard too late

    Rodgers is to blame . Awful management . Dalglish would have played a proper team and we would still be in the cup

    • Dave Tobin says:

      All true . I know KD made some mistakes but at least he was man enough to take responsibility

      Rodgers is a worm . Always blaming others

    • Ozred says:

      Do the players take any responsibility Simon you tool? Based on your thinking, the players aren’t even relevant and not worthy of assessment.

      They were disgusting on the weekend and should hang their heads in disgrace.

      • Jay says:

        Ozred you are missing the point. the manager gives a drilling to the players in private and behind closed doors, not in the public media.
        Everyone agrees it’s down to the team to go out and perform, but the manager takes responsibility for his team selection.
        in this case BR got it all wrong.

      • Dean says:

        Ur talking total rubbish ozred . The idiot Rodgers picked a totally unsuitable team away to league 1 side

        Picking Allen ? Well we might as well play with 10 men

        Shocking , Pathetic management from Rodgers (again)

        • HoneyNeny says:

          Really shocking, wat pains me most is that this Rodgers man has succeeded in eliminating us from carling cup,and FA cupwith his useless selections.Every manager feilds in a stronger team for FA, ok u wanted to leave out Gerard then wat happens to Shelvy, he has the strenght for such battle, why the 4-3-3 formation, wouldnt you have done 4-4-2 to help the Useless back four you chose. we were the runners up of that Cup last year n now couldnt go beyound 5th round.i hav said it again and again what is in those Borini and Allen, they dont trip me, they are in a club bigger than them even the club is bigger than u Rodgers. you have been confused on how to win matches.you were reserving players but liverpool has not been able to beat any top 6 clubs, y wount you play your key players and tak them off when you are comfotably wining?this cup is lose n go out n they are our serious chances of silverware why throw away the chances?for all i care this Rodgers guy is just a moron n incapable of managing a traditional club like Liverpool.look at his buys very funny, u had a big chance of negociating with Sneidjer and

          bringing
          him to Anfeild but you said no and went and got couthinho another tiny and fragile player.
          Get rid of this man. He is drowning liverpool to league 1.

  • badnaan says:

    There’s way too much analysis on ONE game! Robinson had a very rough game; but he should have been provided decent cover with a def midfielder.

    Coates hasn’t played at all. Cant expect him to come for just 1 game in a season and play like Beckenbauer! Its all Rodgers’ fault for neevr playing him or giving him game time. This kid was copa america young player – dont forget that. Lousy management cost us.

    Why did we even buy Borini. I cant see him ever coming good. Allen needs time, almost a Lucas situation with him now,. Lucas grew and established himself despite all taht criticism. Hope allen doesn;t fall prey to that criticism and pack it in.

    Why is Rodgers’ saying Downing & Gerrard came on and you could see a difference. Yeah Gerrard made a difference – who is downing? He has not done enough to wear the shirt.. sorry 1 goal every 20 games dont cut it for a starting winger!

    Sterling was way off- kid needs to be told his dribbles are only good if he runs at players. Without his pace, he is not going to scare anyone’s grandma. he stands in same place and tries to dribble. He aint messi. He is liek Lennon and Bale – good at dribbling in pace.

    Hope somebody told these guys something of this sort after that game!! Rodgers needs to get a kick on his rear and has to show some urgency. He is talking like its a 5 year project everyday. C’mon dude show some energy and urgency. Dont lose this season talking about 5 seasons later.

  • LFCMad says:

    Every person coneected to LFC has a responsibility, and no one is above criticism.
    For me Brendam was barmy to have a back four with only ONE having lots of experience! and THEN to have sected Borini and Sterling as wingers (too light weight) in a game that was OBVIOUSLY going to be physical.
    I think everyone can see the “Coates” issues! (before Sunday to)
    We had a very laid back Henchoz play for the Pool for years BUT he had plenty about him.
    BUT Coates ALWAYS looks like he needs a bomb under him.
    The mind and body are SLOW!
    Robinson’s F off to Suarez I believe has earned him his last game of the season!

  • Jimmy Areabi (Editor) says:

    As I stated in this previous article…http://live4liverpool.com/2013/01/view-from-the-kop/rodgers-damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-dont

    For me, the blame has to lies somewhere between the two – but Rodgers should shoulder more of the responsibility.
    On one hand, a manager can’t legislate for awful mistakes (Brad Jones) and poor play, lacking in real fight/being bullied/general sloppiness (Coates, Robinson, Borini), and yes, the team (players) selected *should* have had more than enough about them to win the game.
    HOWEVER, Rodgers is more culpable and here’s why:
    – his selection resembled that of someone playing a computer game. Just because we now have more than one forward to select shouldn’t mean we select them all at once – Suarez, Sturridge, Borini AND Sterling, leaving just Allen and Hendo in mid to cope with a battle? The shape suffered as a consequence and the mid (with an out-of-form Allen) was never present until the introduction of Gerrard. Sturridge, Borini and Sterling had poor games with Suarez becoming increasingly isolated with no service from mid.
    – Then there’s the defensive selection. What baffles me on Rodgers’ part is…how can he state last week (v Norwich AT Anfield) that the team lack dominant voices/are quiet, hence the inclusion of Carra, THEN a week later when playing in an away game that will be a complete battle against lower league oppo, leave the most vocal and best defensive organiser, who has all the attributes for a dogfight, out? Surely one week hasn’t made other team members find their voices? And saying that, this week’s team included players who need more guidance on the pitch, not less (without the likes of Gerrard, Lucas, Agger and Johnson).
    Rodgers was responsible for the team selection and shape. It is increasingly worrying how we are getting bullied at the back, as well as in midfield. We lack a dominant ball-winning aggressor (Lucas ain’t aggressive) in the mould of Momo or Mascherano

    • Chan says:

      Jimmy, i and many others had been saying all along that BR is not fit to be our manager because :

      1) He lacks qulification and experience managing in the top flight, let alone a club such as LFC. Writing 180 page dossiers and that single season with Swansea does not really count.

      2)Hyprocrite – Saying one thing and does exactly the opposite, just as you had said above.

      3) Irresponsible – Sending out a wrong team and when things go wrong duly lay ALL the blame on the players, just like the Oldham game.

      4) Lack man management – Coates for example is South American Champ, in the same team as Suarez. Here in LFC he was so poorly managed by BR he is now chumps.

      Yet, there are a few who would defend him at a heart beat, completely ignoring the above and as i remember correctly, Tim and you are part of the BR band wagon.

      • Jimmy Areabi (Editor) says:

        Chan, here you go again with bandwagon nonsense. Forgive those who wish to judge a new manager after more than one game (which you stated you would, but never did) – you only appear here to moan, and never truly discuss anything other than to slag off Rodgers/Dalglish because the club hasn’t re-employed Rafa.

        Once again, the game is full of opinions and for some, it is not as simple as black and white. People can support the team but still question or disagree with certain things they/management do – things do not have to be turned into troll-fests as you are so very keen to do. Even Rafa was prone to errors, misjudgment and flaws in his style – he wasn’t immune to questioning either. I’m certain had you been ‘around’ here under his regime towards the end, you would have only appeared to slate him…but we can’t prove that can we?

        The facts now are you only turn up when there’s a bad result and are never around whenever there’s a good one…and I include last season in that, so don’t bang on about this year’s form.

        Slating/slandering others for supporting the club and having a different opinion to your own just makes you sound like the internet warrior-trolling,football-only-began-when-the-Prem-began, super ‘fan’ you are.

        • Chan says:

          Ahh, Jimmy, ever so ready to dismiss my opinion without answering the questions posed. Funny, you said this is something that you would not do.

          Now, Rafa made errors, we all know how stubborn he can be, there were times i was frustrated with him too. However, he was our only world class manager in recent memory (the one who broke the duopoly of Real and Barca in La Liga)and was eager to come “home”. During his time here, he faces various obstacle, most notaby the 2 cowboys and yet won us CL in his first season, an FA Cup and nearly the league. He had one bad season and he was sacked. Many, including me wanted him back to finish what he started.

          Now lets look at KD. He had the full backing of the owners, to the tune of 100 mill and yet only delivered the league cup, bought 4 dudes to the tune of 85 mill and finished 8th. He contantly moaned how our strikers were not scoring and yet csn’t do nothing about it despite being one himself.

          As for BR, well, it had been well documented isn’t it.

          Oh Jimmy, when calls were made to sack RH, were you busy defending him as well? I mean RH was sacked in a little more than 6 months and this guy has way more pedigree and success compared to BR. Were you also advocating “hey, we can’t judge a manager in just 6 months” kind of line?

          Oh please enlighten us Jimmy.

      • Jimmy Areabi (Editor) says:

        Chan – what question did you pose?? All’s I see is you crying out for Rafa’s arrival…again. Yes, we all know our recent history, so why continue to cry?
        I haven’t dismissed your opinion, it’s well documented on here, believe it or not! But forgive me if I’m suspicious of a ‘fan’ who ONLY appears on here to gripe and moan after anything negative happens. As I’ve stated before, well done you for supporting the success stories at our club – you must be very proud. It must be very easy to come on here, AFTER any negative events occur and use them to portray ‘your opinion’. Well done.
        Lots of us would have loved Rafa to come ‘home’, but it didn’t happen. Get over it.
        Roy Hodgson was an unmitigated disaster – EVERYTHING about him was just wrong for our club, on that I think we can all agree.
        With Rodgers, many of us are prepared to see how the season progresses before passing full judgement – not just one match.
        As you’re so knowledgeable on all things, as I’ve stated before, why not submit a few articles? Or can you only comment on negative events AFTER they occur? It would be nice to read your views on things other than ‘BR/KD/FSG/KD&BR signings/Bring back Rafa’…

        • Chan says:

          Jimmy, from all our exchanges i would have thought you knew what questions already. Ok, it seems you don’t. Its very simple :

          1) I listed at least 4 reasons above why BR should be out. Why are you defending him ?

          2) It your answer is “Hey BR is here only 6 months”, then what about RH, you said he was a disaster but here was here only 6 months. Why the double standards?

          I had been a fan for almost 30 years, and we have not won the league for more than 20 years. If i am the fair weather type, i won’t be here having all this exchanges with you. I would chase glory with MC, United or Chelsea, depending who is the current flavor.

          I did not pass judgement on BR over 1 match, but over a series of events since the first day it was announce that he would manage this club (read my first post above). I am not alone in calling for him to be sacked, i believe many fans are in favour of that but obviously not you and Tim.

          In short give us a compelling reason why we should support a man who is the antithesis of everything Liverpool, tactically inept, poor man management skills, who double talks (noticed his U turns), basically a coward and he had displayed all this in 6 months. Imagine what he can do in 6 more. Why Jimmy? Why?

  • Tommy says:

    Rodgers is a clown
    picking Jo Allen cost us the game , Allen is not fit for Liverpool reserves .. maybe he is the right size for a ball boy

  • tommy says:

    what about oldham , they done well , they were stronger , physically!,wish we had Ronnie whelan in our team, thoughs were they days

  • Erin says:

    Rogers need to own up to his mess. Simple. All we gear is shifting blame to players, etc. explain why we were so bad first half v Man U? Who’s fault?

  • Barney says:

    Rodgers MUST take responsibility . Blamin the kids is shameful . BR out !

  • Danny says:

    Do u know what i would love more than anything else ? If i had one football wish ? – it would be that Brendan Rodgers is the next Man U manager , then we can laugh at them , the way they laugh at us now

    • Chan says:

      Well said Danny, well said. However the Glazers are no fools like FSG and BR would not even be a junior coach there, let alone the manager.

  • Snake Plissken says:

    Brenda is solely to blame, he thinks this is the tippy~tappy Dutch league. Wise up Brenda! This is English football, it’s rough, aggressive, combative etc. His signings reflect his attitude, small midget players who wimp out at the first sign of a tough battle. Ian Rush would have worked harder than Borini in that game against Oldham even in his 60’s and that is no joke.

    • danny says:

      Rodgers is an embarrassment , time for him to go

    • Ozred says:

      Brenda is solely to blame…. Another champaign moment.

      Not Brad Jones who isn’t fit to play in the Australian W League.

      Sterling who didn’t contribute? Coates who was disgusting?

      Of course Rogers takes responsibility as the manager but these articles are nothing more than a waste of time.

      The players kick, pass, tackle etc. They along with the manager take responsibility for the inept performance. I don’t see how any of those players could have walked off the pitch saying “we lost solely because of Rogers”. If they did then they don’t belong in a red shirt.

      • Jay says:

        Ozred – explain this: how come we are now out of 2 cup competitions?
        Last season, under Kenny, we were in 2 cup finals.
        do you think we are making progress under BR?
        BR hasn’t won anyting, and we sacked Kenny for this guy?

      • Dean says:

        ozred you dont seem to grasp the fundamentals of soccer … manager picks team , tactics , makes subs etc

        ie … If Carra and Gerrard played , and not Allen … Then ? Yes , we win ,, get it ?

        Im not sure who knows less ? u or brenda ?

      • simon says:

        again an uneducated silly response from ozred

  • Chan says:

    In short BR is to blame as he is the manager, the buck stops with him.

    I am not too sure he understands this concept though as he was busy deflecting ALL the blame on the players. Have we won i could guarantee he would say exactly the opposite and says what a genius he is.

  • Jay says:

    is it just or me, or you really fed up every time BR opens his mouth ?
    he is not intelligent, and makes the most absurd idiot statements i’ve ever heard.
    He makes Mr. Bean look more intelligent/normal.

Comments are closed.