Season 2012-2013

[Ageing Stick Insect]

You keep saying 'minds made up' as though it's a fact. It's not, it's just your opinion. This is what I don't understand. There's no camps, or at least I haven't made a conscious decision to align myself with some group or other.

Yes it might just be an opinion but it's not far from the truth.

What I find interesting, is 'those of us', just to keep the 'camp' thing running, who as yet aren't as impressed with Rodgers as 'others of us' don't mind either way that not everyone sees things the same way as we do. We don't question your support, even though you seem satisfied with our position and seem much more easily able to overlook some things in order to accentuate other things. We don't accuse you of accepting mediocrity, whilst we claim to want much more for our club than 'you lot' do. (Jeez, this segregating nonsense is getting tedious). On the other hand, we're getting told we're wrong, our minds keep being attempted to be altered, our opinions changed to suit yours, in other words, "we're wrong, your right, so we need to change our opinions accordingly".
And then there's the little barbs and digs aswell, just like the one you threw in, Ray.

I have no argument with balanced opinions Tes. The trouble is some are not balanced. They're polarised and extreme. Others are fine and I have no problem with someone having a different opinion to me. And I don't recall ever telling you you were wrong with an opinion.

The reason you find it easier to 'take the rough with the smooth' and hence feel more able 'to give him time' is that as individuals you have the belief in him. What you base that on is your own personal reasoning. It's exactly the same thing that those of who aren't yet sold on him do. We have our own personal reasoning that doesn't produce belief.

Belief is one thing. Blind hope another.

Mine isn't blind hope. It's hope and everyone should have that.

[Ageing Stick Insect]

Dunno, imo his latest Press Conference was impenetrable gobbledygook

"The squad got to two cup finals last season but it was broken up.
Players left. I moved some on. Last year the Carling Cup was a clear
priority for Liverpool. For me, it couldn't have been. I didn't have the
depth of squad. As much as I wanted it to be, I never felt it was going
to be that sort of season unless we could get the reinforcements. This
has been a great learning curve and we need to keep building the group."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/feb/20/liverpool-zenit-st-petersburg-brendan-rodgers

I seriously have no idea what he's on about.

Just an embarassment ahead of an important European tie.

It's perfectly clear to me. Players left before he took over and he didn't want others. He couldn't treat the CC as a priority with such a small squad. He's learning as the season progresses and more quality players are required. Crystal clear!

[Ageing Stick Insect]

i'm hoping obviously that we win tonight. Do i trust Rodgers to pick the right team? Nope, not me.

When the team is announced please post your thoughts on it and what changes you would have made.

[Ed]

IGNORE MODE = TRUE

C'mon ASI at least have a sense of humour?

Anyway regards tonight, I think (much as I'd like us to
win and go through) that we're in danger of turning the
great European comebacks into a cliche, a panacea to
excuse mismanagement and a detachment from reality.

Judging from the buildup and words of the gaffer I'm not
in the slightest bit optimistic, feeling that the sensible
approach would have been resting key players (Gerrard in
particular) and taking a 1-0 against the Swans. What I've
noted this season is that the decision making around important
fixtures when he has to juggle against the schedule has been
highly suspect and rarely paid off.

I see lads stepping up tonight and actually fancy us (with the
help of the crowd) to bag 2 but the chickens will come home to
roost in a lapse of concentration (which we have seen consistently
all season) and the post-match script will be:

"I can't fault the dedication and commitment of those players out there tonight"
"I'm proud of each and every one of them"
"The crowd were absolutely magnificent"
"I'm disapponted for the fans"
"Since I came into this place"
"Young Raheem"
"I've always said this season will be a learning curve"
"It is important now for the group"
"Going forward"

Again, I'll eat humble pie if I'm wrong and feel it would be a
big achievement for the gaffer were he to be successful tonight!

[Martinmarx]

C'mon ASI at least have a sense of humour?

Anyway regards tonight, I think (much as I'd like us to
win and go through) that we're in danger of turning the
great European comebacks into a cliche, a panacea to
excuse mismanagement and a detachment from reality.

Judging from the buildup and words of the gaffer I'm not
in the slightest bit optimistic, feeling that the sensible
approach would have been resting key players (Gerrard in
particular) and taking a 1-0 against the Swans. What I've
noted this season is that the decision making around important
fixtures when he has to juggle against the schedule has been
highly suspect and rarely paid off.

I see lads stepping up tonight and actually fancy us (with the
help of the crowd) to bag 2 but the chickens will come home to
roost in a lapse of concentration (which we have seen consistently
all season) and the post-match script will be:

"I can't fault the dedication and commitment of those players out there tonight"
"I'm proud of each and every one of them"
"The crowd were absolutely magnificent"
"I'm disapponted for the fans"
"Since I came into this place"
"Young Raheem"
"I've always said this season will be a learning curve"
"It is important now for the group"
"Going forward"

Again, I'll eat humble pie if I'm wrong and feel it would be a
big achievement for the gaffer were he to be successful tonight!

Cynicism gets a face. You say you'll eat humble pie. Only til the next game I reckon.

[Martinmarx]

When the team is announced please post your thoughts on it and what changes you would have made.

Will do mate.

[Ageing Stick Insect]

C'mon ASI at least have a sense of humour?

I have Ed but I just didn't find it funny.

Anyway regards tonight, I think (much as I'd like us to
win and go through) that we're in danger of turning the
great European comebacks into a cliche, a panacea to
excuse mismanagement and a detachment from reality.

Bit harsh. We've had great comebacks under Paisley, Dalglish and Rafa. Hardly mismanagement.

Judging from the buildup and words of the gaffer I'm not
in the slightest bit optimistic, feeling that the sensible
approach would have been resting key players (Gerrard in
particular) and taking a 1-0 against the Swans. What I've
noted this season is that the decision making around important
fixtures when he has to juggle against the schedule has been
highly suspect and rarely paid off.

Gerrard has not missed a minute of league footie this season and seems stronger than ever. I think that 5-0 win will give them a real boost but even so I would be surprised if we progressed. But if we give it a good shot then that's all we can ask of the players. They're experienced enough to know to keep things tight. Agger, Carragher and Skrtel have all played for their countries after all.

I see lads stepping up tonight and actually fancy us (with the
help of the crowd) to bag 2 but the chickens will come home to
roost in a lapse of concentration (which we have seen consistently
all season) and the post-match script will be:

"I can't fault the dedication and commitment of those players out there tonight"
"I'm proud of each and every one of them"
"The crowd were absolutely magnificent"
"I'm disapponted for the fans"
"Since I came into this place"
"Young Raheem"
"I've always said this season will be a learning curve"
"It is important now for the group"
"Going forward"

Again, I'll eat humble pie if I'm wrong and feel it would be a
big achievement for the gaffer were he to be successful tonight!

Rafa had a set number of statements for the press. IThey were quite monotonous. I'd much rather hear someone speak from the heart even if it doesn't always go down well with everyone. Who knows how this team will cope with the crowd if they turn it on. If it affected Chelsea then they could well be affected. I remember Juventus lost an early goal in 2005 because the crowd so affected their concentration. We do have a special crowd and ground. More than we sometimes appreciate.

[Martinmarx]

I don't know why, but I don't have a single doubt in my mind we won't progress.

[Ageing Stick Insect]

I don't know why, but I don't have a single doubt in my mind we won't progress.

As a programmer I find double negatives particularly difficult to cope with. Does that translate as "I have no doubt we will progress"? 

[Martinmarx]

As a programmer I find double negatives particularly difficult to cope with. Does that translate as "I have no doubt we will progress"? 

Are you criticising my perfect Swenglish???!!!

[Ed]

Bit harsh. We've had great comebacks under Paisley, Dalglish and Rafa. Hardly mismanagement.

Hold up a sec, what I meant was it does a disservice to those
managers to think that we can now mismanage our approach
to Europe and rely on the "big night" effect to get us through.

Gerrard has not missed a minute of league footie this season and seems stronger than ever. I think that 5-0 win will give them a real boost but even so I would be surprised if we progressed. But if we give it a good shot then that's all we can ask of the players. They're experienced enough to know to keep things tight. Agger, Carragher and Skrtel have all played for their countries after all.

I've no doubt Stevie will be determined and has the quality and
nerve to grab a goal. He's just not a spring chicken anymore, so
a rest seemed logical. Regards the 5-0, it's meaningless because
Swansea were weakened and we don't have Sturridge or Coutinho.
These Zenit lads are Champions and have quality an entirely different
proposition imo.

As a programmer I find double negatives particularly difficult to cope with.

Yet you can decipher BRs messages perfectly? 

[Martinmarx]

Team for tonite's game from The Empire of the Kop:

Starting XI :  Reina, Johnson, Enrique, Agger, Carragher, Lucas, Allen, Gerrard, Henderson, Downing, Suarez

Subs :  Gulacsi, Coates, Wisdom, Shelvey, Assaidi, Suso, Sterling


People will probably scream at the inclusion of Allen. We'll see. It's a home game and if he's ever gonna turn around his fortunes it's probably at home. As long as Shelvey's kept out of the starting line-up I'm fine with this.

[Ageing Stick Insect]

Are you criticising my perfect Swenglish???!!!

LOL! Not at all.

[Ageing Stick Insect]

The inclusion of Allen concerns me. It will be difficult. What a pity Couthino and Sturridge can't play. They would make a huge difference.

[Martinmarx]

Yet you can decipher BRs messages perfectly? 

Taken into context there's no other award than a fiver!