Liverpool Away February 10th 2022

[Foxes96]

Reading between the lines a few references to Fofana being missing and Evans out being the big misses. Suggests to me he doesn’t consider Söyüncü as his first choice CB/ isn’t happy with him. Surely will be gone in the summer. 
 

Interesting comment about a lack of leaders in the squad, hopefully something that will be looked at in the summer (and that doesn’t mean Bertrand and Vestergaard type signings!)

 

Relatively pleased with his comments there, and talk about top 5 and FA Cup can’t be the pinnacle, and a need to keep pushing on. Contrary to his previous comments about over-achieving. 

 

 

[Foxes96]

2 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

There's a photo of when it was taken and its the 16th Jan. So so odd that it was uploaded at 5am on Monday morning though, makes you wonder if it was deliberate.

Ahh okay fair enough didn’t know that. I assumed if they did have training the following morning, it would’ve been fairly obvious if those 3 had turned up hanging out their arses, so fair enough. Will take Brendan at his word, seems strange to post it then still

[Happy Fox]

5 minutes ago, Foxes96 said:

Reading between the lines a few references to Fofana being missing and Evans out being the big misses. Suggests to me he doesn’t consider Söyüncü as his first choice CB/ isn’t happy with him. Surely will be gone in the summer. 
 

Interesting comment about a lack of leaders in the squad, hopefully something that will be looked at in the summer (and that doesn’t mean Bertrand and Vestergaard type signings!)

 

Relatively pleased with his comments there, and talk about top 5 and FA Cup can’t be the pinnacle, and a need to keep pushing on. Contrary to his previous comments about over-achieving. 

 

 

He’s clearly trying to save face, I doubt the owners have been impressed by his comments and if he doesn’t get two wins from the next two games he will be out the door

[notnow john]

38 minutes ago, The_77 said:

Now it we can only figure out how to get Mo Salah to miss a penalty and its rebound again…

They’ve been awarded a penalty already!!

Thats early even for Liverpool.

[Les-TA-Jon]

6 minutes ago, Happy Fox said:

He’s clearly trying to save face, I doubt the owners have been impressed by his comments and if he doesn’t get two wins from the next two games he will be out the door

Owners would be stupid to be that binary

[stu]

3 minutes ago, Happy Fox said:

He’s clearly trying to save face, I doubt the owners have been impressed by his comments and if he doesn’t get two wins from the next two games he will be out the door

You think the owners are expecting two wins against Liverpool and West Ham to save his job?  2nd and 4th in the league? Don't be silly. He will be judged on the performances and results in Europe and of the teams that are below and around us.

[AKCJ]

32 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

What were the worrying signs?

“Our lack of response was the surprise. We made mistakes. We started well and looked in the first 20 minutes to have the quality and game idea. But we conceded a soft goal and an even softer second one. It was the reaction from that. You need to have that leadership to go again. It wasn’t there at the weekend.”

It's ****ing scary that he was surprised with our lack of response to the 1st goal.

 

I think every man, woman and child in the away end could sense we were about to fall apart.

[SuperMike]

4 minutes ago, notnow john said:

They’ve been awarded a penalty already!!

Thats early even for Liverpool.

.......still checking VAR - possible red card, too!

[justfoxes]

after reading

16 minutes ago, Foxes96 said:

Reading between the lines a few references to Fofana being missing and Evans out being the big misses. Suggests to me he doesn’t consider Söyüncü as his first choice CB/ isn’t happy with him. Surely will be gone in the summer. 
 

Interesting comment about a lack of leaders in the squad, hopefully something that will be looked at in the summer (and that doesn’t mean Bertrand and Vestergaard type signings!)

 

Relatively pleased with his comments there, and talk about top 5 and FA Cup can’t be the pinnacle, and a need to keep pushing on. Contrary to his previous comments about over-achieving. 

 

 

weve always said there’s no real leaders in the squad there no real general that kicks an arse or two when heads go down, interesting about Fofana and Evans seem to agree that his confidence in Cags is a bit short his short fuse at times is almost a couple of seconds near a Red card.

 

He Talks the right things we want to hear the desire to finish top 4 and the talks of refreshing the squad, but was talking about refreshing the squad one of the reasons we so dramatically capitulated on Sunday some of the senior players thinking they haven’t got the full backing of Brendan?

 

We all know the January window is the fire sale window and not many top players are sold at this time but we missed the boat not bringing in some cover for defence, and now it’s a wait till the end of the season to be able to bring in some replacements and sell on the players on Brendan’s list who he thinks are not good enough so it’s time to dig an and hope the lads we have can sort out the dreadful displays start digging in and get us finishing as high as we are able too?

[Mickyblueeyes]

40 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

Pre-match Press Conference vs Liverpool

 

Injuries?

“It’s pretty much the same squad from our weekend’s game.”
 

Stand by words at the weekend?

“The responsibility, like it always is with a loss, it’s the manager’s. I pick the tactics and team. But there is an accountability with players and we didn’t hit our game and we deservedly lost. We need to show our resilience as a team. We haven’t been consistent. With it being a derby game, it was a huge disappointment because of what it means for the supporters. They saw the team not play to the level we want. I will always support and protect players, but there is accountability. We have to bounce back.”
 

Pressure?

“I haven’t seen anything. I am experienced and I know if you win games it’s great, and when you lose you’re open to criticism. I’m sure that will have been the case. You’re always under pressure if you don’t get results. Results like the one at the weekend will always put you under pressure, I understand that.”
 

Backing of the club?

“I always have. I have a close working relationship with everyone, but I also understand you have to get results. Those relationships don’t change. This season has been a challenge. The weekend’s result wasn’t great and not what we would want.”
 

Aims?

“We need to finish as high as we can. We are still in a cup competition and we need to go as far as we can in that. I hope to get players and get players playing consistently.”
 

Forest?

“The nature of the game, we started well, and looked a threat. As soon as we conceded the two goals, it rocked the team. When you don’t have that stability, and we haven’t had that in the bedrock of the team, in the heart of defence.”
 

Tough game v Liverpool?

“It’s the toughest game you could have in the wake of such a result. We showed great spirit the last time we played, so I know that is there. We need to show hunger and fight.”
 

Response to weekend words?

“It’s been a reflective mood since then. It was hugely disappointing. Sometimes you can bounce back really quickly. We will go again, we will galvanise the squad. It’s what you have to do in these moments. You have to look at the performance. What must never be broken is your spirit because you always get the chance to go again. It’s the challenge you live for, to show that resilience."
 

Injuries?

“There have been opportunities for other players to come in and amid the issues we’ve had, we’re sitting in a mid-table position. But we want to climb upwards.”
 

Refresh the squad?

“The performance reaffirms what we knew anyway. We’re talking about a healthy shake-up. Nine of the 11 were here on the first day I arrived. And now it’s three years later. You need to evolve the squad. It’s a healthy shake-up that is required. We must always have a hunger to develop, and sometimes that means bringing in players who have that. Competition is a great coach. It’s not on the back of the weekend, it’s something that we need to happen.”
 

Any players back?

“Wesley will look to train with the squad next week and then it’s about when he can play. JJ is back and playing some games. He was never going to be perfect. Ricky got some game-time, Timothy is still a bit of time away. Vards is still a few weeks away, so is Jonny.”
 

What were the worrying signs?

“Our lack of response was the surprise. We made mistakes. We started well and looked in the first 20 minutes to have the quality and game idea. But we conceded a soft goal and an even softer second one. It was the reaction from that. You need to have that leadership to go again. It wasn’t there at the weekend.”
 

Missing leaders?

“That side of it, I wouldn’t say we have natural leaders. We have a lot of young players who are developing. Take Jonny out and Fofana is inspiring in his performance, and when you miss those two, the team can suffer. When I came in we were 13th in the table. They have finished in Europe and won an FA Cup. That cannot be the pinnacle. We have to keep striving. You can’t be timid.”
 

Evolving?

“We need to reinvigorate the squad. It’s as simple as that. In order to evolve, you need to bring in players. The summer is an important time for us. Naturally if you have success, it brings a comfort. We’re not a top squad where we can bring players out and put others in. My job is to push them and not let them settle and help them be the best they can be.”
 

Realistic to keep challenging for top four?

“If you look at the fight for the top four, there’s probably 10 or 11 clubs that feel they can be in there. There is the natural top six in terms of history and financial clout, but there are teams that can disrupt that. We are probably on a par. But we want to challenge towards the top. We’ve shown we can do that. This season has been a struggle, but it’s not what the supporters want to hear, we want to keep challenging.”
 

Video of Ward, Justin, Choudhury?

“I wasn’t aware of it myself and I’ve spoken to the guys. I don’t think it was the most sensible thing to put something out. But I’m assured it wasn’t at the weekend. It happened a number of weeks back on a Saturday when they had no game. They have been categoric with that and I trust them.”
 

Liverpool?

“We’re playing against a top team against with top players, you have to run, to work, you have to take opportunities, and then get a bit of luck. Let’s see if we can perform to a much higher level than we did at the weekend.”

His tone on so many issues has changed from earlier on in the season. I'm not saying he is wrong for that but it does give the impression he is trying another tactic to get the players motivated - which scares me. Why does it need such an extreme approach (i.e. the interview post match on Saturday) to get a reaction out of this lot. 

 

How many bloody cowards do we have in our squad that they need motivating to not be humiliated nearly every week. I mean how weak are they ?  I'm angry at Brendan because I think he has got far too much wrong in the last 12 months. However, a large amount of our players need to grow up a bit. Have some pride you morons. 

[Happy Fox]

20 minutes ago, stu said:

You think the owners are expecting two wins against Liverpool and West Ham to save his job?  2nd and 4th in the league? Don't be silly. He will be judged on the performances and results in Europe and of the teams that are below and around us.

They will be expecting a reaction that’s for sure, our form has been dogshite for a while. If we don’t get two wins from two ( minimum of 4 points) especially if we don’t win against West Ham I feel it could become toxic both off the pitch and on the pitch and Rodgers position will become untenable.

[NasPb]

10 minutes ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

His tone on so many issues has changed from earlier on in the season. I'm not saying he is wrong for that but it does give the impression he is trying another tactic to get the players motivated - which scares me. Why does it need such an extreme approach (i.e. the interview post match on Saturday) to get a reaction out of this lot. 

 

How many bloody cowards do we have in our squad that they need motivating to not be humiliated nearly every week. I mean how weak are they ?  I'm angry at Brendan because I think he has got far too much wrong in the last 12 months. However, a large amount of our players need to grow up a bit. Have some pride you morons. 

True, but i think he's got a big part to do with why they're cowards. A weak mentality breeds weak mentalities, especially when it's in charge 

[An Sionnach]

Thing is ,if these players are not good enough for us, who are they good enough for. There is little chance of any substantial fee for them. In truth ,they are good enough but are playing way below form. One or two off form is normal but six or seven suggests deeper problems.

[filbertway]

16 minutes ago, Mickyblueeyes said:

His tone on so many issues has changed from earlier on in the season. I'm not saying he is wrong for that but it does give the impression he is trying another tactic to get the players motivated - which scares me. Why does it need such an extreme approach (i.e. the interview post match on Saturday) to get a reaction out of this lot. 

 

How many bloody cowards do we have in our squad that they need motivating to not be humiliated nearly every week. I mean how weak are they ?  I'm angry at Brendan because I think he has got far too much wrong in the last 12 months. However, a large amount of our players need to grow up a bit. Have some pride you morons. 

 

 

The aggression and mindset comes from the top. It should be drilled into the players every day. I'd expect experienced players to have that mindset, but I'm not surprised that a collection of young players lack that aggression and leadership. It's something that should be ingrained into the players day after day.

 

I imagine he's far more concerned about being popular and telling people what they want to hear though. Talks an excellent game and would be a superb corperate drone, but seems to be serverely lacking in man management skills.

 

It's quite amazing that he's saying things that people on social media and messageboards have been saying the past few days. Almost like he's some kind of mad AI robot that's been scraping the web and putting together the most popular answers. These are things that an experienced manager shouldn't be surprised about and not something that should shock them 3 years into their tenure.

[Spudulike]

I think that even the Flask Mob might start to grumble on sunday if the players put in a performance similar to the second half against Brighton. 

[Ric Flair]

59 minutes ago, An Sionnach said:

Thing is ,if these players are not good enough for us, who are they good enough for. There is little chance of any substantial fee for them. In truth ,they are good enough but are playing way below form. One or two off form is normal but six or seven suggests deeper problems.

They evidently are good enough. We spent 95% of the previous 2 seasons in the top 4 and won an FA Cup. What's happening to the majority now is just capitulation and a complete loss of momentum.

 

There may have been an element of everything aligning and being finely turned to maximise this teams ability to succeed which in some peoples eyes is called over performance but there's a large nucleus of this squad that will have proven to many lazy elite clubs that don't really specialise in thorough and considered scouting that they'd love to get hold of some of our players.

 

If we really wanted to we could raise £150-200m selling 4 or 5 players in the summer and try a huge rebuild. That would be very brave/reckless and instead we need to somehow move some of the dross on and a couple of players in the higher value bracket that have stagnated/want out and maximise our funds to bring in 4-5 new players that compliment the rest of this decent squad. It also needs a new manager to buy in to their methods. They're bored of Rodgers and have switched off to his guff.

[coolhandfox]

19 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

They evidently are good enough. We spent 95% of the previous 2 seasons in the top 4 and won an FA Cup. What's happening to the majority now is just capitulation and a complete loss of momentum.

 

There may have been an element of everything aligning and being finely turned to maximise this teams ability to succeed which in some peoples eyes is called over performance but there's a large nucleus of this squad that will have proven to many lazy elite clubs that don't really specialise in thorough and considered scouting that they'd love to get hold of some of our players.

 

If we really wanted to we could raise £150-200m selling 4 or 5 players in the summer and try a huge rebuild. That would be very brave/reckless and instead we need to somehow move some of the dross on and a couple of players in the higher value bracket that have stagnated/want out and maximise our funds to bring in 4-5 new players that compliment the rest of this decent squad. It also needs a new manager to buy in to their methods. They're bored of Rodgers and have switched off to his guff.

Playing devils advocate, couldn't you use the same argument for the Manager 

[FoxyJim1987]

4 hours ago, Ian S said:

Wouldn’t have any of the other 3 in the team either.He has been very poor this season with the odd excellent performance, if he wants a big move surely he understands he can’t play half a season? He would be shipped out pretty quickly.

Class act in our team when on form , but i will repeat what I have said numerous times, if he thinks he is a starter in one of the top teams he needs to give his head a wobble.

Well really he has been a starter in a team which has for 2 years been a top team, as we were in top 3 and 4 for most of the past 2 seasons and he was a vital part of that. It seems daft to suggest that he wouldn't be able to play for a top 4 team, with better players around him I think he'd fit in well. He'd be perfect for Liverpool or Chelsea I reckon.

[Blanchflower78]

You sense BR desperately wants the season done and to realign the squad. That's the most encouraging thing I've heard of late. It's stale and needs change. If he does enough to keep us ticking till then I'm pretty sure he'll stay.

 

But I'm also not convinced if things remain consistently poor and results follow then Top won't take action. Players relationship also key with these things and board normally have the inside view when taking all things in to consideration. If its smells of a breakdown and results poor game over.

 

 

[SkidsFox]

2 hours ago, An Sionnach said:

Thing is ,if these players are not good enough for us, who are they good enough for. There is little chance of any substantial fee for them. In truth ,they are good enough but are playing way below form. One or two off form is normal but six or seven suggests deeper problems.

You would have thought the players themselves would realise they have a better chance of a transfer bid and a higher salary, if they show they are up to the challenges of top flight football. Bottling it is not a great selling point to would-be buyers.

[An Sionnach]

7 minutes ago, SkidsFox said:

You would have thought the players themselves would realise they have a better chance of a transfer bid and a higher salary, if they show they are up to the challenges of top flight football. Bottling it is not a great selling point to would-be buyers.

I agree with that , professional footballers should take pride in their performance standard. Knowingly playing below your capabilities is out of order. You can't play brilliantly every time but you have to give it your best shot.  Its at the most three hours a week so if you can't do that , find another job. Having said that ,if the conducter of the orchestra is tone deaf , even eleven blokes trying their best are likely to make an awful racket.

[Ian S]

2 hours ago, FoxyJim1987 said:

Well really he has been a starter in a team which has for 2 years been a top team, as we were in top 3 and 4 for most of the past 2 seasons and he was a vital part of that. It seems daft to suggest that he wouldn't be able to play for a top 4 team, with better players around him I think he'd fit in well. He'd be perfect for Liverpool or Chelsea I reckon.

Fair enough, we will agree to disagree and time will tell who is right.I will be amazed if either of the 2 teams you mention actually sign him.

[ARM1968]

5 hours ago, Foxes96 said:

Reading between the lines a few references to Fofana being missing and Evans out being the big misses. Suggests to me he doesn’t consider Söyüncü as his first choice CB/ isn’t happy with him. Surely will be gone in the summer. 
 

Interesting comment about a lack of leaders in the squad, hopefully something that will be looked at in the summer (and that doesn’t mean Bertrand and Vestergaard type signings!)

 

Relatively pleased with his comments there, and talk about top 5 and FA Cup can’t be the pinnacle, and a need to keep pushing on. Contrary to his previous comments about over-achieving. 

 

 

Rodgers has been here best part of 3 seasons now. Surely it hasn’t taken this long to realise we haven’t got any leaders really. 
 

Soy was being talked about as a £50-70 million CB, envied by the big boys. What has happened to him?

 

Many questions. One thing for sure though, it won’t be Brendan’s fault. 🤣

[LestaAl]

If we get spanked because the players don’t step up will it be his fault or the players.

[sdb]

I don't think BR is anywhere near the chop, for several reasons. We'd have to finish the season appallingly badly, and probably end up in the bottom 6 for Top to pull the trigger (and cheque book out). This isn't Ranieri 2nd season levels of decline (yet) and there will always be the caveat that the squad has been decimated with injuries. He'll get pre season and a good stint into next season before any huge call is going tk be made, I'd imagine. The guy does my head in at times but a reality check is needed and he's done more than enough to earn some time to reflect and refresh.