The size of the fight in the dog

[TSD]

How strong is the squad's mentality these days? We have shifted out the mewling quims (read Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing) and brought in grit and steel (Toure and Sakho), captains of men. Gerrard and Agger's bottle have been stirred and renewed, and everyone looks a couple of inches taller. There's a togetherness and fight I've not seen in the team since Rafa's time.

We've passed the first hurdle and won the first three games with tactical discipline and testicular fortitude, overcoming two boggie sides and a side formerly above us. Can we turn a league match around should we go a goal behind? Can we bounce back from a defeat? The next test is another stern one: winning those 'winnable' games, beating teams we ought to be beating but always coming short on match day. Results against Swansea, Southhampton and Sunderland will determine how strong or brittle our newly forged mettle is.

 

[Mors]

For me, they look the same as last season. The real test I think is in these next 3 games, last season we'd batter them and then get rolled over by a stupid mistake from the defence/keeper - has this changed?
I think we've still got the mentality to come back from behind more, and 'try' to kill off the game. It's the concentration I hope he's fixed. Against the scum they showed they'd got it, and they were disciplined playing deeper against the vile.

 

[Fabio]

We look like a unit.

Long may it continue

 

[Rosco]

[Sarcasm] We haven't really faced a challenge yet. [\Sarcasm]

Edited.

 

[Dahuge]

I know, UTD aren't a challenge are they. They only won the league at a canter by 15 points last season, we only beat Spurs last season of those who finished above us, so far we have beaten those we were expected to beat and also those who were meant to beat us based upon last season.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

First time I've seen Lombardi referenced on this site.

 

[Mystic]

We haven't really faced a challenge yet.

I'd argue the second half of Villa was a challenge.

 

[Rosco]

I know, UTD aren't a challenge are they. They only won the league at a canter by 15 points last season, we only beat Spurs last season of those who finished above us, so far we have beaten those we were expected to beat and also those who were meant to beat us based upon last season.

I'll edit my post for you

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

There was one stage a few years ago where we had captains right through the team, nearly everyone was a captain at underage or international or whatever. It made fuck all difference.

When we'll really see, is when we have a game where we do everything but score, then concede. How we react to that will show how far we've really come along. Yes, I know that kinda happened against Notts County, but I want to see us do it in the league.

 

[Jack D Rips]

I'd like to see us play some football in the second half of games. For whatever reason, ( tactics, fitness) we seem to be handing over the initiative to the opposition and my heart just isn't going to be able to stand up to that for much longer.

 

[Judge Jules]

It has defo been an encouraging start, but that's all we can say so far.

I can't help wondering if this business of our falling away in the second half of games is a fitness problem. Rodgers' preferred style involves most players buzzing around like angry wasps from the first whistle. Maybe our fitness still needs work to be able to sustain that for 90 minutes.

 

[Frogfish]

I can't help wondering if this business of our falling away in the second half of games is a fitness problem. Rodgers' preferred style involves most players buzzing around like angry wasps from the first whistle. Maybe our fitness still needs work to be able to sustain that for 90 minutes.

It is a worry. 60 mins / 50 mins / 40 mins - we seem to be regressing ! Although some of it is undoubtedly fitness I also wonder if we are getting found out. United pressed us far harder in the second, as did Villa, and that puts us on the back foot, struggling to get our game going again. The positive is we seem to be irresistible when we get our passing game going or teams stand off us. Does Rodgers need to change things around earlier when this happens ? Is it fitness ? Are we tactically limited ? We need an answer soon I feel.

 

[Brizzle]

I think a lot of it is due to being just 1 goal up by half time. When we dominate a first half like we have in the past few games and go in 2-0 or 3-0 it will be a lot different.

 

[Jack D Rips]

Like against Notts County?

 

[tombrown]

Why worry about how we react to being a goal down or bounce back from a defeat. If we win every match 1-0 (Sturridge) then those factors don't come into play.

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

Why worry about how we react to being a goal down or bounce back from a defeat. If we win every match 1-0 (Sturridge) then those factors don't come into play.

Because that's not going to happen. But I'm sure you know that already...

 

[juniormember]

It is a worry. 60 mins / 50 mins / 40 mins - we seem to be regressing ! Although some of it is undoubtedly fitness I also wonder if we are getting found out. United pressed us far harder in the second, as did Villa, and that puts us on the back foot, struggling to get our game going again. The positive is we seem to be irresistible when we get our passing game going or teams stand off us. Does Rodgers need to change things around earlier when this happens ? Is it fitness ? Are we tactically limited ? We need an answer soon I feel.

We just need to get better at passing and moving. Movement off the ball is key, and we can still sometimes look static.
I think it's just one of those things that will come with time.