It's a big season next year just because of that ... we need to maintain/build this season's work -
Just to get a little perspective
- Thread starter dee
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Status
It's a big season next year just because of that ... we need to maintain/build this season's work -
There is no point saying "well, we would've taken 2nd before the start of the season" because that just doesn't apply anymore. It's like going up 100K in a casino, blowing 95K and then saying "well, I would've been happy with 5K at the start of the night". At one point in the night you had 100K in your hand... you can't wash away that loss.
We've all waited so long for a title and this year it was finally within our grasp and yeah, it does feel a little like we threw it away. I don't agree that the players don't care though. Perhaps Macca has more insight into what goes on behind closed doors, but the reactions of at least a few of them suggest that they're not simply turning up for a paycheck.
I'm a little bit wary of any kind "we're back!" talk. We've sabotaged ourselves every time we've finished close to the leaders in the past and we're not above doing that again. Plus the competition is so so fierce right now, even a CL place is not assured next year nevermind a title challenge.
Maybe we'll be surprised again, who knows, but this season did feel like a bit of a gift, a rare chance, and it's hard to see another one quite like it coming along again in the near future. I don't think that's being negative, just realistic.
We've all waited so long for a title and this year it was finally within our grasp and yeah, it does feel a little like we threw it away. I don't agree that the players don't care though. Perhaps Macca has more insight into what goes on behind closed doors, but the reactions of at least a few of them suggest that they're not simply turning up for a paycheck.
I'm a little bit wary of any kind "we're back!" talk. We've sabotaged ourselves every time we've finished close to the leaders in the past and we're not above doing that again. Plus the competition is so so fierce right now, even a CL place is not assured next year nevermind a title challenge.
Maybe we'll be surprised again, who knows, but this season did feel like a bit of a gift, a rare chance, and it's hard to see another one quite like it coming along again in the near future. I don't think that's being negative, just realistic.
I think a little perspective might be gained by one or two normally sensible posters taking a few days out.
"champions league doesn't stop this being a fucking shit season." , "preening little shit bags"
Embarrassing.
"champions league doesn't stop this being a fucking shit season." , "preening little shit bags"
Embarrassing.
I agree with @keniget
He right its sickening that we let it slip (lulz) . But what are we gonna do?
We can highlight the later results being at fault for the way we finished, but kolos pass, awful first half against villa, Southampton at home, all can and should be pointed at.
We don't know how we'll progress until next season. So, at the moment I'll take the CL, I'll take second, and I'll take the top 2 scorers.
He right its sickening that we let it slip (lulz) . But what are we gonna do?
We can highlight the later results being at fault for the way we finished, but kolos pass, awful first half against villa, Southampton at home, all can and should be pointed at.
We don't know how we'll progress until next season. So, at the moment I'll take the CL, I'll take second, and I'll take the top 2 scorers.
I still don't understand why this was such a rare chance. Yes, a couple of the normal challengers weren't as strong as normal, and that will change, but then on the other hand that's surely more or less balanced by how easily and extensively we *should* be able to improve this summer.
Hell, this wasn't only a paper thin squad, but young as well. The only exception to that is Gerrard. Otherwise, Sterling, Henderson, Allen, Sturridge, Flanagan, Sakho will all improve over the next few years. That's before even considering the possibility of players like Ilori, Borini, Wisdom, Suso et al making an impact.
Hell, this wasn't only a paper thin squad, but young as well. The only exception to that is Gerrard. Otherwise, Sterling, Henderson, Allen, Sturridge, Flanagan, Sakho will all improve over the next few years. That's before even considering the possibility of players like Ilori, Borini, Wisdom, Suso et al making an impact.
I don't get it either. We finished 4 points behind eventual winners Manu in 2008-2009 when the club was a mess with all the hassle between Rafa and the board and all the crap with Keane, Barry and Xabi etc. To come second in five years shows that it's not guaranteed to be a rare chance. A great chance, but it'll happen again.
Except you can't have both together
Quite. People said after Hodgson and again after Dalglish that we wouldn't win the title again, we wouldn't challenge for years. I agree there are both sides to not knowing what the future will hold, but as said, some people are blatantly dismissing the promise we've shown to actually get this close. Others might improve (like Arsenal & Spurs might have challenged for the title), but so might we.
Have some faith and stop being such pussies. The defense mechanism of saying that was our only chance, is understandable, but ultimately a bit ironic, given the same posters suffering from such post-season blues are leveling "cowardice" criticisms at the players.
Grow some.
And tbf, it IS Rafa's defence.
That is indeed a sobering observation and one that folks expecting an improvement or at least anticipating us staying the course next season should take note. It would not be surprising to see us actually go backwards points- and position-wise next season.
But before you despair, here's two interesting simple charts (IMO anyway) tracking the progress of the two most successful clubs in the league since they returned to the top division. The charts below are adjusted for 3 points for a win, and 38-game seasons.
Before the Premier League, finishing in the 70-80 point range (adjusted) was often enough to win the title. If you look at the Mancs, they went through 3 such surges over 70 points over a 13-season period and didn't win it, before they finally surged again in the 1991-1992 period and from then on, maintain an amazing period of consistency, picking up titles along the way.
Man United
How about Liverpool? Prior to our success in the 70s and 80s, we went through a similar period where we'd break past the formidable 70-point mark, finish first or second, then collapse back again. When we finally broke through the 70-point mark and stayed above it for 18 seasons in a 20-season span, we picked up 11 league titles.
Liverpool
It's interesting that since 2000, the bar has been raised - while 70-odd points used to win titles, we've hit or surpassed the 80-point mark 4 times now in the last 12 seasons, and have only got 3 runners-up and 1 3rd-place finish to show for them.
Anecdotal evidence supports Rosco's implied message - there's a much higher chance of a bust following a boom surge. The good news is that it does not always follow one though, and being able to sustain the surge is what's crucial for winning titles. You probably don't need charts to show you that. 😉
I know, I'm only jesting, but three quarters of the backline who've played a large chunk of the season, are Rafa's players.
Excellent post.
So's this.
I suppose I think one chance every four to five years is rare. I think it will be difficult to challenge for as long next season, we could, but it's unlikely unless we get the summer spot on. We don't have as much margin for error as the other top teams do.
I suspect if we don't challenge next year, we will soon enough again, it just depends on how soon that is.
I suspect if we don't challenge next year, we will soon enough again, it just depends on how soon that is.
This was not a once off challenge and we won't fizzle out. BR restored our identity and credibility as a club.
We will improve with new first team players coming in and the young players gaining experience. That our run lasted so long with a thin squad is remarkable in itself. BR has shown growth and maturity beyond his years tinkering with formations and playing teams sometimes without the obvious stars while still getting results. We are on the path to the title.
We will improve with new first team players coming in and the young players gaining experience. That our run lasted so long with a thin squad is remarkable in itself. BR has shown growth and maturity beyond his years tinkering with formations and playing teams sometimes without the obvious stars while still getting results. We are on the path to the title.
If it's anything like it was in Rafa's time the team will drop far too many points after playing midweek champions' league games, so it's a question of priorities. Plenty of points were won this season by exploiting other teams' tiredness. That won't happen next season. The likes of Spurs, Southampton and the mancs will probably do that to us. It's more likely the team could win a cup, but then cup competitions have been pretty much thrown away in the last two seasons. So some really hard-headed decision-making will be needed as to which games are really vital. This has been a strange, dream-like season mainly because the league's been the one obsession.
We did that a lot before didn't we, peaked in the second half of a season, when it was too late?
I think last season was more a reflection of the introduction of Sturtidge and Coutinho plus the team getting more used to Rodgers s style of play. Plus a slightly more pragmatic approach by Brendan
Possibly/probably.
I just remember us getting excited about second half of the year performances before and ending up disappointed. And the same goes for having good seasons, we don't tend to follow an upward trajectory through very often.
Obviously this year has been great, and I'm hopeful for next year, but I won't be putting my mortgage on it.
We went from 7th to 2nd.
We won 84 points.
We qualified for the Champion's League.
We qualified for the Champion's League straight into the group stages.
The trophy was in the stadium on the final day for the first time since 1989.
We scored over 100 goals.
We finished 20 points ahead of Man Utd.
We finished above Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton, Spurs and Man Utd.
We won 11 games in a row.
We played fucking amazing attacking football.
We had the top two scorers in the league.
We have the double footballer of the year.
We have one of the most exciting front three in world football.
We beat Man Utd home and away.
We embarrassed Spurs home and away after they spent £100 million.
We dicked Everton and Arsenal.
We made Maureen finish outside the top two for the first time in 10 years of management.
We had 5 regular starters who are English (not that I give a fuck about that, but still quite unusual these days).
We are about to start revamping Anfield. It will be boss. No new, soulless corporate bowl for us.
We have an excellent manager who learns from his mistakes.
We have excellent owners.
We have the nucleus of a fucking ace squad.
We have loads of fucking ace young players.
We have one of the youngest average aged teams in the league.
We are sending Victor Moses back to the hole he came from.
We will buy top players attracted to us as a club because of our history, our exciting style of play, our fans and our competing at the top once again.
We have signed huge corporate sponsorship deals that mean we are finally beginning to maximise revenue streams. More money.
We're the best supporters in the land.
A long way from nearly doing a Leeds under those other Yanks. A long way from Hodgson, Poulsen and Konchesky.
We won 84 points.
We qualified for the Champion's League.
We qualified for the Champion's League straight into the group stages.
The trophy was in the stadium on the final day for the first time since 1989.
We scored over 100 goals.
We finished 20 points ahead of Man Utd.
We finished above Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton, Spurs and Man Utd.
We won 11 games in a row.
We played fucking amazing attacking football.
We had the top two scorers in the league.
We have the double footballer of the year.
We have one of the most exciting front three in world football.
We beat Man Utd home and away.
We embarrassed Spurs home and away after they spent £100 million.
We dicked Everton and Arsenal.
We made Maureen finish outside the top two for the first time in 10 years of management.
We had 5 regular starters who are English (not that I give a fuck about that, but still quite unusual these days).
We are about to start revamping Anfield. It will be boss. No new, soulless corporate bowl for us.
We have an excellent manager who learns from his mistakes.
We have excellent owners.
We have the nucleus of a fucking ace squad.
We have loads of fucking ace young players.
We have one of the youngest average aged teams in the league.
We are sending Victor Moses back to the hole he came from.
We will buy top players attracted to us as a club because of our history, our exciting style of play, our fans and our competing at the top once again.
We have signed huge corporate sponsorship deals that mean we are finally beginning to maximise revenue streams. More money.
We're the best supporters in the land.
A long way from nearly doing a Leeds under those other Yanks. A long way from Hodgson, Poulsen and Konchesky.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
