A bit of context

[Spike]

I read all the way thru season on the brink last night and my god did it give me some perspective on things at the moment, and also made me realise some of the underlying factors.

 

Firstly, Paco Herrera has left and been replaced by Ablett on seeing his involvement in our setup beyond the ressies you can't underestimate the impact of him leaving:

 

Paco Herrera, now the reserve team manager, is also a vital component in Liverpool's scouting operation. He has taken on the job of rebuilding what Benitez judged to be the club's insufficiently stocked database of potential signings. Furthermore, he analyses rivals using cutting edge technology to prepare videos of the strengths and weaknesses, successful tactics and flaws in opponents. This material then became the basis for Rafa's technical briefings

 

Secondly, we've had a fair few new players this year and the introduction of two new wide men, a new left back, two forwards as well as injuries to players like Riise, Kewell, Carra etc which means that we have had players who may otherwise not have played in that position as early as they did in this campaign. If anyone thinks that selecting a team is simply a formation thread where you swap one player or fomation for the other then you're wrong. Experience in playing in Rafa's teams and understanding what he asks, the various tactical systems etc are probably much more complex than any club they have previously experienced as this anecdote reveals:

 

Early on on Ranieri's reign (at Valencia), Amadeo Carbonari asked his new coach what would be the best way to defend. Raniei answered 'just like you did last year'. To which the puzzled defender responded 'but we had five ways of defending last year, depending on the opponent and the situation'. Ranieri's alleged solution was 'just use whatever you feel like then'.

 

It's gonna take time folks as we are not only learning to play with a greater pace, and width, but also with new personnel who may need time to understand the job that is being asked of them. Not just in a game, but in various situations within a game.

 

Thirdly, Guilleme points out a lot that Xabi and Gerrard playing in the centre leave us defensively vulnerable to any team that has a player operating between the lines (f*** what Sky c**** say about it all - SG is best doing what SG does best and that's not always a strict positional role) and that's why Didi's introduction stopped Kaka in the bul and allowed us to play more expansively for those wonderful 6 minutes.

 

Finally, you cannot understimate the impact of the WC on our team in terms of getting to know each other. This is not an excuse but already we are into our third international break and yet we're just 7 games in. I always fecking hate the thought of our lads being trained by inferior folk to Raf and being asked to play in games where they get overhyped by the numbnuts press against a team a YNWA 11 could do some damage against.

 

Belive, believe, believe, cos the red are coming up the hill boys. Who'd have thunk of number 5 this time two years ago?

[Guest Sabre]

Great post chief

[MrNice]

Nice post, love it all.

 

I think rotation is this years zonal defending and once it clicks into place we'll be fitter and hungrier than all of our rivals. Esp in the final run in, fingers x'd we don't get hampered by injuries.

 

The fact we are still only 6 points behind the other two tells is a good indicator on how the season will probably pan out with the champions ending up on 84'ish pts. As long as we are within 6/7 points of chel$ki when we next meet them on 20th jan, it could be us!

 

I still believe we can do it.

[Woodsyla]

Esp in the final run in, fingers x'd we don't get hampered by injuries.

 

I think this is an important point, last season we won our last 11 games, was that cos we gelled at the end of the season or because our players were in better shape at the end of the season because they hadn't been overplayed early on ?

[Cobs]

or an easy-ish run-in? (Fulham, Newcastle, Brum, Everton, WBA, Bolton, Blackburn, Chelsea, West Ham, Villa, Pompey...... only Chelsea in the Cup was a real toughie)

 

season started July 2005 - i think they were all over played to some degree

[Woodsyla]

or an easy-ish run-in? (Fulham, Newcastle, Brum, Everton, WBA, Bolton, Blackburn, Chelsea, West Ham, Villa, Pompey...... only Chelsea in the Cup was a real toughie)

 

season started July 2005 - i think they were all over played to some degree

 

You say easyish but winning all 11 of those games was a fantastic achievement.

[Cobs]

You say easyish but winning all 11 of those games was a fantastic achievement.

becuase it was in a row, yes.

 

 

The fixtures themselves we'd expect to win in this or any season really

[tomasjj]

Thing is, the negatives of rotation are magnified when there are many new faces in the squad who need to get used to our system/teammates.

[Alonso]

This rotation stuff has been blown out of all proportion. Ok Rafa rotates, that?s his style. He?s won 2 La Liga titles, the UEFA Cup, Champions League and FA Cup in recent years doing it. Now where the problem lies is how and when it?s being done. There are key partnerships forged across the pitch and with the new players introduced to the squad these are taking longer to gel than usual due to the chopping and changing. Once these click either due to training or playing time then we will see the entire squad playing with rhythm, consistency and understanding whoever is picked. IMO Rafa sees this as a possible short term loss but long term gain in terms of overall style of play, results and cohesion between every squad member. In a way it?s similar to the zonal marking where at first we seemed to struggle but once everyone has got use to it it?s been brilliant. There are times when I think Rafa gets too hung up on opponents style of play and over-analyses things rather than just letting the team go out there and play and let the opposition worry about our style of play. However, he may not be confident that he can do this just yet as he may not be happy with the level of play that his team can reach. Again this will take time and understanding and a more expansive approach which is what Rafa has hinted at recently. The nucleus of the squad is there now and we can only get stronger as the season goes on. I can only see minor additions to the squad next summer and if that is the case there should be a well oiled squad there ready for an assault at the title after having a world cup free summer. Personally tho I?d like to see a core of the team remain as static as possible with the keeper back four, Gerrard, Sissoko Alonso and Kuyt starting 9 times outta 10 leaving 2 places up for grabs. The back 4 showed last year how key it is to be a settled unit and the 3 midfielders are the best at the club giving a good balance between them. Kuyt seems to have everything, pace strength, finishing, hold up play and can play with anyone and IMO should be the first striker on the team sheet. Current form suggests Crouch should be his partner.

[Woodsyla]

becuase it was in a row, yes.

The fixtures themselves we'd expect to win in this or any season really

 

I agree but surely that is the difference between winning the league and not. Winning the 'expect to win games' like Spurs and Newcastle at home. The only game that we haven't won that I'd expect to win this season was Sheff Utd and that was always going to be tricky with it being the start of the season.

 

So far our home form has continued it's excellent progress and we have had 3 really tough away matches. I really don't think we will be in a position to determine if we have a title challenge in us until the end of November. Lets assume we lose to Utd and Arsenal away, as long as we win the other 5 fixtures we will still be there or thereabout and we will have played all the top sides away from home. Obviously the onus is then on us to pick up maximum points when Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea come to us but with our recent home form that is not that far fetched. If we start dropping points at home to Villa, Man City etc and also lose to Utd and Arsenal away then by the end of November I reckon we would be out of contention.

[fyds]

Rotation is only an issue because the press say it is. It's what Rafa has always done and will always do - the aim is clear, to get at least 22 players who can all play to the same system to within a few percent of each other at the fundamental level to cover for injuries, suspension and number of games fatigue, international duty etc. then, no matter which 11 you put out to start with you expect the same red machine to come at you and be just as hard-working, skilfull, tricky, fast-tempoed and effective no matter which eleven played the last game of the next.

[Cobs]

I agree but surely that is the difference between winning the league and not. Winning the 'expect to win games' like Spurs and Newcastle at home. The only game that we haven't won that I'd expect to win this season was Sheff Utd and that was always going to be tricky with it being the start of the season.

 

So far our home form has continued it's excellent progress and we have had 3 really tough away matches. I really don't think we will be in a position to determine if we have a title challenge in us until the end of November. Lets assume we lose to Utd and Arsenal away, as long as we win the other 5 fixtures we will still be there or thereabout and we will have played all the top sides away from home. Obviously the onus is then on us to pick up maximum points when Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea come to us but with our recent home form that is not that far fetched. If we start dropping points at home to Villa, Man City etc and also lose to Utd and Arsenal away then by the end of November I reckon we would be out of contention.

 

If we lose to Utd & Arsenal i reckon we're gone for this season.

[fyds]

If we lose to Utd & Arsenal i reckon we're gone for this season.

Probably, but I think all the top four are going to lose and draw more than in recent years. I can see this being a bit of an odd season.

[Guest AnfieldGrass]

Good post, we need to remind ourselves of all the positives as mentioned - lots of new signings, fit squad, interchangeable players, adaptable team, learning new methods, positive football played the Liverpool way. Just look at the way we completely outclassed spurs second half and Gala first half. In fact we even outplayed Chelsea at theirs. If thats a taste of things to come I can't wait. People slagging off Rafa's methods, Bellamy's form, Penant etc etc, BORING!. The hunger is there, it may not fall into place for a little while yet, but it will.

 

First stop Blackburn at Fortress Anfield. let's give them something to take back and think about. (after we kick the s*** out of Newc ressies tonight of course )

[Woodsyla]

If we lose to Utd & Arsenal i reckon we're gone for this season.

 

I'm not sure because if we win all the other games in that period we would a maximum of 12pts off the pace. Beat all our challengers at home and we'd be in the race (just). Obviously taking points of Utd and Arsenal would be better but I don't think those two games are must win.

[Cobs]

I'm not sure because if we win all the other games in that period we would a maximum of 12pts off the pace. Beat all our challengers at home and we'd be in the race (just). Obviously taking points of Utd and Arsenal would be better but I don't think those two games are must win.

 

may not be 'must win' but they are definitely 'must not lose' matches.

[_00_deathscar]

I'm not sure because if we win all the other games in that period we would a maximum of 12pts off the pace. Beat all our challengers at home and we'd be in the race (just). Obviously taking points of Utd and Arsenal would be better but I don't think those two games are must win.

 

Confidence and morale....

 

If we lose those two games, we're out of it.

[Cobs]

Confidence and morale....

 

If we lose those two games, we're out of it.

aye.

[Lee W]

Obviously taking points of Utd and Arsenal would be better but I don't think those two games are must win.

 

That doesn't make sense - if we look at last season (as an example of our progress this season), it was our horrendous form against our nearest rivals that cost us at least a crack at the title. I'd say 4 out of six points in those two games are imperative for anyone who believes we have given ourselves the slightest margin of error, over the six months that follow.

[_00_deathscar]

I think the international break will help us more than the likes of Manure who're on a good run of form, it'll just break their momentum (hopefully)- stating the obvious here but it's like a rain delay when at a tennis game a random player is beating Federer 6-0, 6-0, 5-0 ... or like 'half time' during European Cup finals when a random team is losing to Milan 3-0 and generally being torn a new a****** and full time couldn't have come sooner nevermind the half time whistle- we need to regroup...and the international break allows us just that opportunity.

 

Oh, and for the record even if we do lose the next 2 games (God forbid...) I'll still think we'll win the title (until we're MATHEMATICALLY out of it) because I'm a delusional git (and I've also learnt through these last 5 years NEVER EVER to give up on your team no matter what the circumstances), although I won't be as confident as I am right now.

Edited October 3, 2006 by _00_deathscar

[Earl Hafler]

Rotation is only an issue because the press say it is. It's what Rafa has always done and will always do - the aim is clear, to get at least 22 players who can all play to the same system to within a few percent of each other at the fundamental level to cover for injuries, suspension and number of games fatigue, international duty etc. then, no matter which 11 you put out to start with you expect the same red machine to come at you and be just as hard-working, skilfull, tricky, fast-tempoed and effective no matter which eleven played the last game of the next.

 

I don't think it is an issue just because the media are saying so. They keep mentioning the 94 or whatever games since an unchanged side, which is frustrating some fans, but you have to look deeper than that.

On last seasons good run the left back was changed occasionally. This season ( partly due to Riise's injury ) Rafa has been changing the left backs but also the centre backs. We've also had changes to the wide players and forwards in the same game.

 

Last season we had a solid foundation and Rafa and the staff tinkered here and there depending on who the opposition was. Recently i've seen too many " in one game, out the next " selections for my liking.

 

Whether it's been due to injuries or Rafa's tactics, the rotation has been too many too often for the team to settle in. We have played some wonderful football on occasion but for more than 45 minutes ?

 

Also, when Sissoko and Xabi play in the centre i am worried about the lack of support from midfield. They're not really joining in the attacks which means the forwards just get marked out of the game. Also, they've both been off form this season and the passing and ball retention has not been what it should be.

[Cooldude]

 

Also, when Sissoko and Xabi play in the centre i am worried about the lack of support from midfield. They're not really joining in the attacks which means the forwards just get marked out of the game. Also, they've both been off form this season and the passing and ball retention has not been what it should be.

 

Yet when Gerrard and Xabi plays in the centre I worry about the total lack of cover the midfield's gonna give to the back four

 

Think Momo and Xabi's fine, but would like Xabi being more adventrous and dictate play higher up the pitch with his passing a lot more. At times he plays deeper than Momo, which is just nuts, wouldn't want Momo anywhere near the box since he's 100 times less likely to score or make a killer pass than Xabi