Hate to say this..

[Guest rickyjohn]

but can you see the similarity....

 

Think 3-4 years ago under Houllier. Went unbeaten for 11 games and had the best form on the league (start of season). Then when the run was broken, we looked like a team who couldn't score in a brothel, plenty of inneffective passing with no bit or real belief. Every new game we'd think we'd shake out of the slump and would start brightly for 20-30 minutes only to go behind and then go back into our shells. Ended up without a win for... well, can't even remember. We went from Championship hopefuls to miss out on the CL.

 

Please don't let it happen again......

[R A Softlad]

Do get a grip.

[Cheesecake]

All this negativity must be a follow on from our run of 12(?) games before Xmas.

 

Apparently we were the dogs balls now were its turds.

 

The team is a work in progess.

 

Just because we won the Euro Cup doesnt make us the best team - we're not. Accept it and realise that the team is still being developed by

Rafa

 

Look at the work Rafa has done with the midfield, allow him the summer to do likewise with the forwards.

 

Some of the negativity here is unbeliebable - yes we lost, we're all pissed off with that but some people need to take a wider view.

 

How long before someone puts up stats saying if we take our last 4 league games and apply it over a season we'll be relegated?

 

Instant success, I demand it now, dammit - f*** off and celebrate loadsamoney winning the league if thats what you want.

 

If you want to support a real team stay put and hang on for the ride.

Edited February 8, 2006 by DPD1973

[Guest rickyjohn]

eh? WTF are you talking about. Can't see the similarity then? We've played 4 games and got 1 point and 1 goal. That may have included Utd and Chelsea but also but also included playing Brum at home against 10 men and a p**s poort Charlton team. We've got 30 goals in nearly as many games and are now without the only player can score for us, the captain who is expected to attack, defend, cross and score from his own f**king crosses. We don't even look like scoring.

 

I'm bricking out personally cos its suddenly becoming obvious that great run we had was utterly reliant on our defence keeping clean sheets and hoping we'd grind our way to a goal. As per almost exactly as it has been for quite a few years now, I see us go a goal down and know it's an upward battle. Rafa has reversed that trend to a degree with some highly notable exceptions, but it's still painfully present. Do you think we'll win on Sat against Wigan?

[Guest Syfer]

stop complaining, you have been performing far better than anyone thought you would.

[Dule]

I think people are getting a little impatient. Rafa has already stated the team is not what he wants it to be, so get a grip and just keep supporting the lads, and most importantly the manager who will rectify problems we have, just like he has in the past.

[Cheesecake]

Wigan? Yes I think we'll win, I always think we'll win and wont shoot anyone if we dont.

 

Long term mate, not 90 minutes or 5,6,7 12 games. Long term

[liverbird04]

think people have an emotional reaction when you start comparing benitez to houllier like its a terrible thing but I can see what your saying I just dont' agree with it .Although you do wonder where the next goal is coming from ,I almost reminisce about baros.Instead of comparing it all to houllier ,better comparsion might be to compare it all to our terrible away form from last season ,its back .....

[Red_Rob]

I didn't get carried away when we were on that great run and I won't get carried away. We're not the finished product yet, Rafa still hasn't got the squad he wants and even when he does it won't provide immediate success.

 

However, we are better than we were this time last season which was better than we were the year before and this time next year we'll be better still. To be honest I couldn't give a s*** about tonight's result as in the great scheme of things, it doesn't matter.

[Guest rickyjohn]

All this negativity must be a follow on from our run of 12(?) games before Xmas.

 

Apparently we were the dogs balls now were its turds.

 

The team is a work in progess.

 

Just because we won the Euro Cup doesnt make us the best team - we're not. Accept it and realise that the team is still being developed by

Rafa

 

Look at the work Rafa has done with the midfield, allow him the summer to do likewise with the forwards.

 

Some of the negativity here is unbeliebable - yes we lost, we're all pissed off with that but some people need to take a wider view.

 

How long before someone puts up stats saying if we take our last 4 league games and apply it over a season we'll be relegated?

 

Instant success, I demand it now, dammit - f*** off and celebrate loadsamoney winning the league if thats what you want.

 

If you want to support a real team stay put and hang on for the ride.

 

That is f**king typical of this forum. Post an opinion, post your concerns, and your support is f**king questioned. Do you f**king know me? Have I said I expected us to win the league, have I said I expected that 10 game run to go on forever? No, I'm worried s***less that some of the Houllier mentality is still present in our squad. YES I believe Rafa will get us there, but at the moment I am very concerned about the end to this season. That ok with you?

[Guest Syfer]

on another note, isnt it somewhat foolish of benitez to state that he`s not happy with the current squad ? we all know sir alex isnt satisfied with the manchester united midfield, though he simply states that he has fate in his players.

[Hugh]

We're European f***ing Champions. We're a bloody long way away from Houllier now regardless of four f***ing games.

[Tosh]

Xabi is in a 2nd season slump, and tired. His form is way off last years

 

Momo is still acclimatising. Shocking I know

 

Sami is one year older and like others is struggling for form

 

We still have no specialist left back like we have Finnan on the right

 

Luis is really inconsistent/injured and thus we lack his spark/creativity

 

Morientes cannot score, nor can Cisse, or Crouch

[CaptainXabi]

So how is Calliste coming on

 

I think the issue here is that we've hit a wall mentally and physically, about a month before any other Prem side has. Obviously the early start to the season has a big part in this, and the trip to Japan. While one could argue we played less friendlies to compensate for the CL qualifying games, it just really isn't the same. I really think the mental tiredness is the real issue here.

 

Unfortunately, until the others hit it also it's going to be hard for us to turn it around. I think it's more or less going to be damage limitation for February. After that I think we'll become more competitive. Anyway, that's my theory and I'm sticking to it.

[alias75]

I just think at the moment individual mistakes are costing us, and thats either a sign of tiredness or because we're bringing players in that arent match sharp. (when was the last time Djimi or Dude played for the 1st team)

 

Crouch has to play well for the team to function well as an attacking force and at the moment his form isnt great. Its obvious we need new players espeically in terms of scoring and creating goals, how many in form attacking players do we have at the moment? Gerrard, Kewell, anyone else?

 

Chelsea are the team we're looking to catch and look at the attacking options they have, Duff, Robben, Cole, Lampard, Crespo, Drogba, SWP, Gudjohnson if players are having an off day they have others that can come on and change the game, we dont.

 

Goals change games and at the moment we simply arent scoring enough goals and thats putting the defence under more pressure, the strikers have to take some responsibility they simply arent scoring enough goals, if chances arent being created for them then they can create their own chances thats what top quality strikers do.

 

Every team goes through dips in form and we're in a bit of a dip at the moment. That said the last few games we've played well but simply havent got the goals then we concede and the confidence goes. This month will be a busy one hopefully the players find a 2nd wind and kick on again.

[R A Softlad]

stop complaining, you have been performing far better than anyone thought you would.

 

Says who? This is a minor slump. Form is temporary, class is permanent and all that.

 

We're European f***ing Champions. We're a bloody long way away from Houllier now regardless of four f***ing games.

 

[Cheesecake]

That is f**king typical of this forum. Post an opinion, post your concerns, and your support is f**king questioned. Do you f**king know me? Have I said I expected us to win the league, have I said I expected that 10 game run to go on forever? No, I'm worried s***less that some of the Houllier mentality is still present in our squad. YES I believe Rafa will get us there, but at the moment I am very concerned about the end to this season. That ok with you?

 

No I'm questioning why youre so negative and so cant understand that this team isnt the finished product. Not questioning your support just that a lot of people seem to expect, demand a win. That has to be earned. Currenty we dont have the team or squad to get that week in week out. We are heading in that direction though. Some poeple jump the gun and want it now. We're getting there, we're closer than 12 months ago and will be closer again in 12 months time.

 

If you want to have a hissy fit go ahead, youre entitled to your 'opinion'. But we all know whats said about opinions.

 

If you dont like whats typical of the forum then find another there are plenty.

 

Lots of people on here talk sense.

 

Why dont you go look at some cartoons and burn something - do us a favour and piss off if you cant tolerate reasonable debate and reasonable viewpoints other than your own?

Edited February 8, 2006 by DPD1973

[Nebraska Red]

Says who? This is a minor slump. Form is temporary, class is permanent and all that.

 

minor slump???, we have scored 4 goals in the PL this year and conceded 8. we have taken 5 points from 18, a recognised striker has not scored in any of these games.

 

for my money that is a major slump.

[pjwy]

I just think at the moment individual mistakes are costing us, and thats either a sign of tiredness or because we're bringing players in that arent match sharp. (when was the last time Djimi or Dude played for the 1st team)

 

Crouch has to play well for the team to function well as an attacking force and at the moment his form isnt great. Its obvious we need new players espeically in terms of scoring and creating goals, how many in form attacking players do we have at the moment? Gerrard, Kewell, anyone else?

 

Chelsea are the team we're looking to catch and look at the attacking options they have, Duff, Robben, Cole, Lampard, Crespo, Drogba, SWP, Gudjohnson if players are having an off day they have others that can come on and change the game, we dont.

 

Goals change games and at the moment we simply arent scoring enough goals and thats putting the defence under more pressure, the strikers have to take some responsibility they simply arent scoring enough goals, if chances arent being created for them then they can create their own chances thats what top quality strikers do.

 

Every team goes through dips in form and we're in a bit of a dip at the moment. That said the last few games we've played well but simply havent got the goals then we concede and the confidence goes. This month will be a busy one hopefully the players find a 2nd wind and kick on again.

 

 

One thing watching the game tonight..our midfield of Alonso and Sissoko created virtually nothing in the way of chances for the strikers other than the Xabi pass to Crouch in the first half which he should have scored from..Xabi's free kick which was perfectly placed but nobody bothered to get on the end of and Nando's one effort in the second half.

For the most part it was one long ball after another lobbed into the box and their defenders had no difficulty there.I am CERTAIN that our current crop of strikers is one of the worst in the PL but it's not helped by the fact that without Gerrad in the middle we have zero creativity either.

I know we might not be the finished article but this 'blip'is now beginning to look like the start of a real slip-up for whatever reason and,for me anyway,there are real concerns that we may see our improved form and recent challenge peter out.

[lawrie]

We need to stop hoofing it, to stop hoofing it we need to be less reliant on Crouch, to be less reliant on Crouch we need to put a bit more faith in Cisse, to put a bit more faith in Cisse, we need to play Garcia on the right and to play Garcia on the right we need to put Stevie back in the middle and while we're at it perhaps Hamann could be used a bit more so Alonso or Sissoko could have a bit of a rest

[alias75]

One thing watching the game tonight..our midfield of Alonso and Sissoko created virtually nothing in the way of chances for the strikers other than the Xabi pass to Crouch in the first half which he should have scored from..Xabi's free kick which was perfectly placed but nobody bothered to get on the end of and Nando's one effort in the second half.

For the most part it was one long ball after another lobbed into the box and their defenders had no difficulty there.I am CERTAIN that our current crop of strikers is one of the worst in the PL but it's not helped by the fact that without Gerrad in the middle we have zero creativity either.

I know we might not be the finished article but this 'blip'is now beginning to look like the start of a real slip-up for whatever reason and,for me anyway,there are real concerns that we may see our improved form and recent challenge peter out.

 

That was true tonight but good strikers have the ability to make chances for themselves, even a player like Darren Bent isnt getting great service every game but he is a nuisance because he works hard sooner or later he will create something for himself. Our strikers simply dont seem to do that. When was the last time any of our forwards created a chance for theselves? Yes guys like Morientas and Crouch are more reliant on service but Cisse with his pace should be able to create his own chances but usually his attitude stinks and he whinges rather than working hard and giving his amrker no rest.

[Cheesecake]

until the forward positions are sorted out then were always going to rely on SG.

 

This season, less so, with the peformance of Alonso and thr reemergence of Kewell.

 

The forwards arent up to it, thats true and until thats sorted we cant judge Rafas Liverpool. We can criticise but until we see what he does in the summer.

 

We were the better team apart from the finishing but that will come. Unfortunately people only see the negative result and not the positives and miss out the direction were heading.

 

Still one swallow makes a summer doesnt it. We've lost to Charlton, big deal. Its expectations that need to be considered, some people are ahead of themselves.

 

WIP people, give it time to develop. Jesus all your bad vibes are too much

 

Cheer up ffs - we're European Champions.

Edited February 8, 2006 by DPD1973

[pjwy]

That was true tonight but good strikers have the ability to make chances for themselves, even a player like Darren Bent isnt getting great service every game but he is a nuisance because he works hard sooner or later he will create something for himself. Our strikers simply dont seem to do that. When was the last time any of our forwards created a chance for theselves? Yes guys like Morientas and Crouch are more reliant on service but Cisse with his pace should be able to create his own chances but usually his attitude stinks and he whinges rather than working hard and giving his amrker no rest.

 

You are right about our strikers.like I said,I sincerely believe we could find a couple of far better strikers even in the lower divisions but certainly in the lower reaches of the PL.I personally happen to believe that Crouch for instance is a very average footballer and Morientes was a class player but looks past it and Cisse's touch makes him nowt but a fast runner with boots on and that lot cost £27m.I'd rather have Baros and Pongo honestly.BUT what is compounding the problem is that with Gerrard on the right,we lack any real drive and creativity in the middle of the field as tonight's procession of long balls illustrated.Xabi playing with Sissoko just dont provide enough imho and it has to be making things even worse.Tonight we had plenty of possession and passed ball about a lot but created precious little.We were lucky not to get beat 4-0.

[Stevie H]

Do get a grip.

 

 

bloody right.

[Cheesecake]

the 'too many games' argument does hold water. We're heading for 70 games this season. Doesnt excuse the forward situation though.

 

time for the likes of Agger and Kromkamp to play for a while and maybe Hamann also to rest other players

 

Nothing else to do until the summer.

Edited February 8, 2006 by DPD1973