So it turns out attack is the best form of defence...

[SummerOnions]

Who'd have thought it?

Brendan the manager who couldn't stop us conceding shit goals all the fucking time, has got us 5 straight away clean sheets! But last night was kind of ridiculous and it got me thinking - we won last night with 2 CBs, 4 CMs, 3 AMs and a striker

Rodgers went full Guardiola and pulled off what looked like a 3-3-3-1 formation or something, we were kinda everywhere:

Mig
Can Skrtel Sakho
Henderson Gerrard Allen
Sterling Coutinho Lallana
Sturridge

I was saying before the game that I don't think either Sterling or Lallana as RWB is particularly effective, and it showed last night as Sterling clearly couldn't be arsed tracking back heavily. I don't imagine Lallana would either

So we went full gung ho last night, and it paid off thanks to a flukey Hendo goal, but against United? I can't see it going the same way

Anyway, how do we fit all these attacking players in without playing a 2-7-1 formation?

 

[cloggypop]

Steve Clarke.

 

[6TimesaRed]

Who'd have thought it?

Brendan the manager who couldn't stop us conceding shit goals all the fucking time, has got us 5 straight away clean sheets! But last night was kind of ridiculous and it got me thinking - we won last night with 2 CBs, 4 CMs, 3 AMs and a striker

Rodgers went full Guardiola and pulled off what looked like a 3-3-3-1 formation or something, we were kinda everywhere:

Mig
Can Skrtel Sakho
Henderson Gerrard Allen
Sterling Coutinho Lallana
Sturridge

I was saying before the game that I don't think either Sterling or Lallana as RWB is particularly effective, and it showed last night as Sterling clearly couldn't be arsed tracking back heavily. I don't imagine Lallana would either

So we went full gung ho last night, and it paid off thanks to a flukey Hendo goal, but against United? I can't see it going the same way

Anyway, how do we fit all these attacking players in without playing a 2-7-1 formation?

6 straight away clean sheets..


I was skeptical like most with this formation.. but it does seem the opposition are having trouble breaking it down..

Swansea gave it a good go in the first half.. Brodge tweaked it a little in the 2nd.. job done..

im not quite sure how and why it has been so effective, but last night everyone was chipping in with thier defensive duties..

Good to see..

 

[mark1975]

6 straight away clean sheets..


I was skeptical like most with this formation.. but it does seem the opposition are having trouble breaking it down..

Swansea gave it a good go in the first half.. Brodge tweaked it a little in the 2nd.. job done..

im not quite sure how and why it has been so effective, but last night everyone was chipping in with thier defensive duties..

Good to see..

I think someone will eventually expose it on the flanks, particularly Can's side, but what's great is that we have the option to put Skrtel on the right of the three, with Toure/Lovren coming in, also we can go defensive or offensive with our wingbacks, both in terms of position and personnel, it's a fluid, flexible system.

 

[Squiggles]

It's contravening to suggest the system is entirely responsible for the record. The reality is there has been a vast improvement in individual performances, which the system has played a part in, but it still needs identifying and praising. For instance there is only so much 'the system' can give Mignolet confidence. A lot of it is down to fighting and getting over individual psychological barriers and coming out better as a result.

It depends on the opposition, but I do favour pressing high up the pitch. I find it makes the opposition nervous at all times, restricts the opposition attackers the ball, which in turn makes them under more pressure when they do win the ball, but if they've hardly been in the game it makes it harder to produce. We've been smart enough to purchase a midfield which has the legs for it and we're reaping the rewards as a result.

 

[mark1975]

I think he's learned that we can stand off the play a bit, to allow us to defend better as a unit, because our attacking players have that much craft and pace in them, they can press backlines themselves, without the need to go gung-ho. I also think the added centre back and playing with a holding midfielder allows us a spare man or two to avoid getting hit on the counter, which was one of our biggest problems last season.

 

[Silver Sean]

Imagine at Christmas if someone on here had suggested we would equal a defensive record set in 1972 by the end of the season. Such a crazy turnaround. BR and his staff have done something remarkable. Let's hope it continues. We're coming up the hill boys!

 

[Dreambeliever]

I think everyone is forgetting the incredible luck we have had in every game not to concede.

Obvious penalties
Woeful finishing
World class saves
Last ditch tackles

A team's defensive ability should be judged on how many goal scoring opportunities they cough up not if they concede or not.

I would imagine in the 6 games our record in that department isn't all that impressive.

Ming finding form and Gerrard being out of the side would be the biggest factors for me.

Binny?

 

[Hyena]

I think everyone is forgetting the incredible luck we have had in every game not to concede.

Obvious penalties
Woeful finishing
World class saves
Last ditch tackles

A team's defensive ability should be judged on how many goal scoring opportunities they cough up not if they concede or not.

I would imagine in the 6 games our record in that department isn't all that impressive.

Ming finding form and Gerrard being out of the side would be the biggest factors for me.

Binny?

No I don't think Binny is a factor at all.

 

[jexykrodic]

I think everyone is forgetting the incredible luck we have had in every game not to concede.

Obvious penalties
Woeful finishing
World class saves
Last ditch tackles

A team's defensive ability should be judged on how many goal scoring opportunities they cough up not if they concede or not.

I would imagine in the 6 games our record in that department isn't all that impressive.

Ming finding form and Gerrard being out of the side would be the biggest factors for me.

Binny?

You could just move the goalposts?

 

[kingjulian]

I think way too much blame is being laid on the feet of Gerrard for our shit form early in the season.


The results after Lucas' injury is proof that our good form is not down to one player...the converse is true aa well.

A lot of attacking players form improved, which allowed room for the defenders and everyone else to settle/improve.

Looking at the system or an individual player to single out for praise is ridiculous.

 

[SummerOnions]

You could just move the goalposts?

Guaranteed way of not conceding

 

[jexykrodic]

Guaranteed way of not conceding

Or explaining away our defensive improvement as some sort of fluke and substituting some other guesses.

 

[Mors]

Out of the top 5, we've scored the least goals, and let in the joint most.
If we finish 2nd-4th I couldn't give a shit though.

 

[Leo]

I think everyone is forgetting the incredible luck we have had in every game not to concede.

Obvious penalties
Woeful finishing
World class saves
Last ditch tackles

A team's defensive ability should be judged on how many goal scoring opportunities they cough up not if they concede or not.

I would imagine in the 6 games our record in that department isn't all that impressive.

Ming finding form and Gerrard being out of the side would be the biggest factors for me.

Binny?

What a shit post.