West Ham on Saturday

[Modo]

We know what to expect from Big Sam's side. I think it can become a very tricky game for us, especially considering their physical play. Not expecting Suarez to carry us in this game, someone else needs to step forward.
Saw the game against Palace and I wasn't really impressed with West Ham.
Their main strength are set pieces which unfortunately is our weakness.

We need strong defenders in this game, I'd advocate playing Sakho or Touré to counter their aerial prowess.
I'd also bring Lucas in and keep Allen in the team.
Coutinho, Sterling and Suarez up front.

 

[mark1975]

I'd imagine Sakho will be back in, especially after the soft goal last night, it's pretty much given Rodgers the nod to make the change. I wouldn't be surprised to see Hendo make way aswell, if only to see how the Allen/Lucas/Gerrard triangle operates in comparison. It's all a bit late in the day though ahead of big games for us to be trying to haphazard our way to a settled lineup. Flanno will keep his place because there's pretty much no one else, same with Johnson who was good last night because that's the sort of game he thrives in.

---------------Mignolet----------------
Johnson-Skrtel---Sakho--Flanno
-----------------Lucas----------------
------------Gerrard-Allen------------
---Sterling---Suarez---Coutinho

 

[the_khl]

If Rodgers changes the CB pairing because of a soft goal 4-nil up then he is mental. It's spelled 'consistency'.

 

[Mystic]

Kris, our defence was poor yesterday, it needs changing up, and I'm afraid the big French guy should replace the big Dane.

 

[the_khl]

We'll see I guess.

 

[Mystic]

If they could play together in defence, I'd be all for it, unfortunately it seems like they cant.

 

[Red Astaire]

Liking the look of that team @mark1975 - Seems harsh on Hendo but I do agree with it.

 

[Ryan]

If Rodgers changes the CB pairing because of a soft goal 4-nil up then he is mental. It's spelled 'consistency'.

Like you would have been coming out with that selective shite had your man been on the pine last night.

 

[Modo]

Stoke City - Agger, Touré. Clean sheet

Aston Villa - Agger, Touré. Clean sheet

Manchester United - Agger, Skrtel. Clean sheet

Swansea City - Skrtel, Sakho. Two goals conceded

Southampton - Not sure, Agger, Sakho, Touré and Skrtel all started. One goal conceded.

Sunderland - three man defence, Sakho, Skrtel, Touré. One goal conceded.

Crystal Palace - Sakho, Skrtel. One goal conceded.

Newcastle United - three man defence, Sakho, Skrtel, Touré. Two goals conceded.

West Bromwich Albion - three man defence, Sakho, Skrtel, Touré. One goal conceded.

Arsenal - three man defence, Sakho, Skrtel, Touré. Two goals conceded.

Fulham - Skrtel, Agger. Clean sheet

Everton - Skrtel, Agger. Three goals conceded

Hull City - Skrtel, Touré. Three goals conceded

Norwich - Agger, Skrtel. One goal conceded
----------------------------------------------------------------



Looks like it should be Agger + 1 to me.

 

[the_khl]

You don't chop and change your CB's constantly, and even though Skrtel has looked dodgy for three games in a row now it is not helping him either with new partners every new game. Disagree all you like. I'd play the same two, and as said, we'll see. PS I really hope he doesn't start Sterling, and Henderson should not be dropped imo.

 

[Mors]

If Rodgers changes the CB pairing because of a soft goal 4-nil up then he is mental. It's spelled 'consistency'.

He needs to fuck 'cant head' agger off and get sakho in

 

[Red Astaire]

Like you would have been coming out with that selective shite had your man been on the pine last night.

What's wrong with what @the_khl said? I also think it's a little harsh to drop him based on that conceded goal. I do want to see Sakho though so I'm a little conflicted.

 

[mark1975]

Bit selective really, Modo.

We've conceded one or less goals against:

Stoke
Villa
United
S'ton
Sunderland
Palace
West Brom
Fulham
Norwich

Agger played in 6 of those, Skrtel played in 7.

 

[the_khl]

Yet Modo listed all our games and you only listed a selected few? Anyways Sakho may turn a beast but in his 7 games we has conceeded 10 whilst we have conceded 5 in Agger's 7. Hardly a rock solid case there to drop Agger for Sakho after we've just won 5-1 is it?

 

[Modo]

Bit selective really, Modo.

We've conceded one or less goals against:

Stoke
Villa
United
S'ton
Sunderland
Palace
West Brom
Fulham
Norwich

Agger played in 6 of those, Skrtel played in 7.

Yes but how many goals were conceded with Agger on the pitch compared to Skrtel?

 

[the_khl]

*have instead of has, in my post at one stage. Dont have tappadappatiptopchattalk installed.

 

[mark1975]

Yet Modo listed all our games and you only listed a selected few? Anyways Sakho may turn a beast but in his 7 games we has conceeded 10 whilst we have conceded 5 in Agger's 7. Hardly a rock solid case there to drop Agger for Sakho after we've just won 5-1 is it?

I was looking at the games where our defensive record has been good and pointing out who played how many games. The point was, saying Agger played in so many games where we conceded no more than a goal a game is ignoring the fact that Skrtel has also featured in 7 of those low conceding games. Or is it better for you if we ignore that?

And yes I agree, I wasn't saying we should drop Agger, I was saying in light of everything, if all these stories some of you have got all hysterical about in recent days are true, then it's played into Rodgers hands.

I'm the one who's stood here for days pointing out that the article is a load of context skewed bullshit, where Rodgers doesn't directly reference Agger in a derogatory way. I've pointed that out 3 or 4 times and as per, the agenda driven lot have chosen to ignore the point.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I find the fact we're turning Agger into some defenisve juggernaut is quite telling ... of how poor we've been defensively (and yes, I like Agger but I'm pragmatic)

People forget last year how average our defense was until Carragher started to start every single game ... Agger and Skrtel are good, loyal Liverpool CBs - but remaining loyal to them come January or Summer time would be unwise. We need to get better here. Nothing against them, we just need a much better spine.

 

[mark1975]

Yes but how many goals were conceded with Agger on the pitch compared to Skrtel?

He's played fewer games than Skrtel also, he didn't figure against Arsenal for starters, and the game where he came back in, we still conceded three, so there's no real clear cut summary you can make, that we concede less, given he's had the fortune (or misfortune) of missing a chunk of games due to injury and then having his place taken (again).

 

[Modo]

He's played fewer games than Skrtel also, he didn't figure against Arsenal for starters, and the game where he came back in, we still conceded three, so there's no real clear cut summary you can make, that we concede less, given he's had the fortune (or misfortune) of missing a chunk of games due to injury and then having his place taken (again).

Well he didn't figure against Hull either. All I'm saying is that we concede less goals when he's playing. He's got more clean sheets than anyone of our other CB's.

 

[Spionkop69]

The defence played well last night. So keep the same back 5. Build some consistency and stop tinkering.

 

[Hansern]

Even the West Ham thread is turning out to be about Agger. I wont be surprised If the NFL thread and pictures thread in GC also turns into an Agger discussion. I'd consider moving him out left just to get Sakho in there and then bench Flanno. But I think we'll see the same side as yesterday tbh. They deserve another game aswell. West Ham are a physical side but that makes it even more important that we move the ball quickly and have loads of movement in the side.

 

[Whirly]

Agger is a really mediocre defender if you ask me.

Factoring in other aspects like ability on the ball, he is a pretty good CB. But if you're looking at just his ability as a defender, he's not very good.

Opposite for Skrtel I think where he's an good defender, but is found lacking in most other parts of his game.

 

[Modo]

Training session for those who weren't involved or barely played against Norwich.

Ilori and Ibe joined the first team squad.
Guess we know which reserve players Brendan rates.

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

They will try and rough us right up and as mentioned look for a goal on a set piece, Toure and Sakho should be ideal, could do with a tough player or 2 in midfield but were lacking with that.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

I'd prefer Henderson to start again. He ran himself ragged pressing and harassing in the opponents' half against Norwich, especially in the first half. That he was withdrawn in the second half was for me a decision to give him a rest after the legwork he'd done in the first 45 minutes, rather than a sign of his performance.

Sure, he should have done better with the opportunities he got, but if I recall correctly, he also didn't give away the ball as cheaply as several of his team mates. I'd like to see him used high up in the pitch again pressing the Hammers when they have possession. As the inside right/left of the midfield three, he'll probably have a field day pressing Downing (or Cole if used out wide) and forcing him to pass backwards like he did all the time for us.

 

[Modo]

No, having Henderson further up the pitch disrupts our attacking play.

 

[MaBigTip]

Yet Modo listed all our games and you only listed a selected few? Anyways Sakho may turn a beast but in his 7 games we has conceeded 10 whilst we have conceded 5 in Agger's 7. Hardly a rock solid case there to drop Agger for Sakho after we've just won 5-1 is it?

Oh my! @Rosco, Football desperately needs some comparative stats like baseball. Were the average against your opponents counts in determining how good you've done. Puts all this subjective mumbo jumbo to bed.
And the positive/negative effect on offense and defense. @Ryan, roughly how many goals is Agger directly responsible for this calendar year? I like Agger. But now we have Sakho, a proper beast. Strong in the tackle and great in the air. Sakho + 1 for me. And that 1 can be Agger. I can't believe two professional Footballers cent play together because they have the same strong foot.

 

[Gary25]

Btw, Setanta Sports 1 are showing this match!

 

[Jack D Rips]

ROI only I think