Corluka

[mark1975]

[quote author=KHL link=topic=43470.msg1245570#msg1245570 date=1294395035]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=43470.msg1245448#msg1245448 date=1294362337]
Is that because our right back is fucking wank?
[/quote]
Our right back is pretty wank alright when playing in a team that's defensive-minded and almost 100 % relying on him to deliver the goods down our right side because every other winger we've got can't leave a man stranded.

When a new manager comes in, hopefully one with an optimistic and attacking-minded approach, he'll be one of the most important players in the team.

For me, Glen Johnson is a formidable player, but as goes with a fair deal of his teammates at this day and age, we are NOT playing to his strengths.
[/quote]

Are we really defensive under Roy? Not being able to string two passes together and playing shite, one dimensional football isn't 'defensive', if anything the defence don't get any protection from the midfield these days and there are holes appearing all over the place because we're leaving ourselves wide open, and Johnson doesn't help, he can't defend, he barely ever tracks back when caught out of position, and he's brainless.

I don't think we're defensive at all, I just think we're shite.

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=Krump link=topic=43470.msg1245574#msg1245574 date=1294395155]
Yeah, and the other teams aren't helping either - by purposefully running at him when they know he's a load of shit.
[/quote]
That too.

In a good team - as we've already seen especially in his first Season here - he's a tremendous player and certainly one I'd hold on too even though he's been abysmal of late.

In other words Glen Johnson is NOT the problem and I'd never ever swap Corluka for him.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=KHL link=topic=43470.msg1245584#msg1245584 date=1294395502]
[quote author=Krump link=topic=43470.msg1245574#msg1245574 date=1294395155]
Yeah, and the other teams aren't helping either - by purposefully running at him when they know he's a load of shit.
[/quote]
That too.

In a good team - as we've already seen especially in his first Season here - he's a tremendous player and certainly one I'd hold on too even though he's been abysmal of late.

In other words Glen Johnson is NOT the problem and I'd never ever swap Corluka for him.
[/quote]

He's a tremendous player when on good attacking form KHL, but he's a fucking shit defender. He was shit under Rafa last season too. Going into an attacking lineup might highlight his attacking qualities, but it won't paper over his defensive flaws, he still has to defend in any side.

 

[Jack D Rips]

I still cant understand how he wasnt even tried at RM with Kelly behind him. Im not saying it would work but ffs at least give it a try

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=43470.msg1245581#msg1245581 date=1294395421]
[quote author=KHL link=topic=43470.msg1245570#msg1245570 date=1294395035]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=43470.msg1245448#msg1245448 date=1294362337]
Is that because our right back is fucking wank?
[/quote]
Our right back is pretty wank alright when playing in a team that's defensive-minded and almost 100 % relying on him to deliver the goods down our right side because every other winger we've got can't leave a man stranded.

When a new manager comes in, hopefully one with an optimistic and attacking-minded approach, he'll be one of the most important players in the team.

For me, Glen Johnson is a formidable player, but as goes with a fair deal of his teammates at this day and age, we are NOT playing to his strengths.
[/quote]

Are we really defensive under Roy? Not being able to string two passes together and playing shite, one dimensional football isn't 'defensive', if anything the defence don't get any protection from the midfield these days and there are holes appearing all over the place because we're leaving ourselves wide open, and Johnson doesn't help, he can't defend, he barely ever tracks back when caught out of position, and he's brainless.

I don't think we're defensive at all, I just think we're shite.
[/quote]
I can't remember watching a more negative and defensive-minded Liverpool team ever to be honest (bar the odd away game at Spurs or Home to Chelsea).

Our pressing-game is almost none existing, we are simply inviting teams on EVEN AT HOME TO WOLVES AND BLACKPOOL and we've suffered greatly from this as we've only used one defender slightly capable of playing football. Glen Johnson. The rest loses possession over and over again when we're inviting pressure on as we do.

Our 'attacks' are often set up with a 'hail mary' from our backline or keeper even.

We've been playing with a defensive midfielder for quite some time as our right winger.

Apart from the odd half here and there I can't remember seeing us attacking in numbers. We've become stationary and predictable. And when players like Glen Johnson takes part in our attacks as he did a lot against Blackburn then we're completely exposed at the back because of the rest of the defenders and defensive midfielders complete lack of positioning. Look at the the first goal we condeeded at Ewood Park, Johnson was easily overplayed, but where was the defenders? Kyrgiakos and Skrtel were both stranded around the center of the after park and was jogging back. Abysmal.

I know it's a bit simplified but in my opinion our tactics and approach has overall been the worst, most negative I've seen in a long time and this has obviously affected our attacking-minded players the most.

 

[mark1975]

[quote author=Jack D Rips link=topic=43470.msg1245592#msg1245592 date=1294396149]
I still cant understand how he wasnt even tried at RM with Kelly behind him. Im not saying it would work but ffs at least give it a try
[/quote]

Everyone can see it, it's got to be worth a go, surely?

 

[Woland]

It's not really fair on everyone else when we've got a mong like Skrtel playing next to him, but even so Johnson is weak as fuck defensively.

 

[mark1975]

We used to press under Rafa and get men behind the ball, now we leave the back four exposed all the time. I don't think we sit back, we don't play good stuff but we create chances and we get men forward, but the wide play is terrible and aside from Gerrard, there's no one really in central positions who is a threat.

To me, being defensive is sitting back as a team, he seems to want the defence to do their job alone and have the rest of the team higher up the pitch, which is proving disastrous. I wish we were defensive right now because we might stop shipping goals.

 

[dmishra]

Corluka is a good player but I'd be fucking annoyed if we got rid of Johnson. On form, Johnson is a tremendous player and while he's made lots of defensive lapses, I'm convinced we'll see the best of him once the team and defence are stable, and once we have a decent DM again. I've also always maintained a good manager will have him playing good defence sooner rather than later.

 

[dmishra]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=43470.msg1245551#msg1245551 date=1294393609]
Another issue to consider is that we have a similar tall RB / CB in Kelly.

If Kelly is considered good enough to be here in the long-term, we should really invest in him now, which means giving him opportunities to play.
[/quote]

This is a very valid point. Kelly is in fact very similar in style and stature to Corluka. I'd rather play him to be honest. And if we're spending money on the defence, centre-back and left-back should be top priority.

 

[the_khl]

Maybe defensive isn't the right expression then.

Negative, however, is spot on in my opinion.

I believe your assessment is bang on Mark - as I've never seen a Liverpool team hoof as much as we've been doing this Season either - which indicates there's space between the lines at least defensively. I really dislike these kind of tactics and whilst they may be attacking-minded and direct in their approach they've looked awfully negative and the complete opposite of what I would've preferred to see.

Had we been going for the win in industrious manner against the likes of Wolves - as in enjoying possession trying to create chances from anywhere and put incredible pressure on the opposition - I'm quite sure I'd feel a little less sadened. They enjoyed the majority of possession however, they had the most chances, they were the ones applying the pressure. And is wasn't for the first time this Season even that we'd been out-played and out-maneuvered by inferior teams - even at mighty Anfield.

 

[Jack D Rips]

I think Martin Kelly will be our long term CB. Probably Carra's successor. I think he could do a job there now as well.

 

[dmishra]

[quote author=Jack D Rips link=topic=43470.msg1245625#msg1245625 date=1294397842]
I think Martin Kelly will be our long term CB. Probably Carra's successor. I think he could do a job there now as well.
[/quote]

I agree. Kelly and Shelvey are the two players I'm most excited about in the squad and one of my pre-requisites for a new manager is that he plays them both regularly.

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=dmishra link=topic=43470.msg1245627#msg1245627 date=1294397983]
[quote author=Jack D Rips link=topic=43470.msg1245625#msg1245625 date=1294397842]
I think Martin Kelly will be our long term CB. Probably Carra's successor. I think he could do a job there now as well.
[/quote]

I agree. Kelly and Shelvey are the two players I'm most excited about in the squad and one of my pre-requisites for a new manager is that he plays them both regularly.
[/quote]
Indeed. And I'm certain Pacheco and to some extent Suso, despite his tender age, could make an impact next Season under the right manager.

 

[RolandG]

Of the touted managers, who has a track record with bringing youth through?

 

[the count]

[quote author=RolandG link=topic=43470.msg1245753#msg1245753 date=1294409362]
Of the touted managers, who has a track record with bringing youth through?
[/quote]

David O Leary

 

[reuque]

[quote author=RolandG link=topic=43470.msg1245753#msg1245753 date=1294409362]
Of the touted managers, who has a track record with bringing youth through?
[/quote]

Rangnick, Laudrup (and Klopp I think).