deep blue

Because the team was being selected by Rodgers, hardly a reliable barometer of the player's ability.

Something I would like to see tried against "Park the bus" teams is to find any way possible to get the ball to your tricky wingers in the box (or get them to run into the box once in possession) and get them to use their fancy footwork. In a crowded box it would be hard for defenders not to trip those players and give away penalties. Well, it's a theory

In 2015-6 we were bookies' favourites to get relegated

But but but ... isn't Rodgers an elite coach too?

Yes, a lot of fans seem to be unaware of that, or forgotten it. In my opinion this contributed to to putting a pause on Hamza's career & development, and likely dented his confidence.

Maybe one of our current players would be better at taking set pieces; and what about Alves. We don't necessarily need/can't afford to buy someone specifically for that role, just assign it to someone else from within the squad. Oh, and there's the whole of the preseason for candidates to practise and stake a claim for the role.

I think this is spot on, especially when you compare with how Chilwell worked on bulking up and his athleticism that summer. I wonder whether Thomas has missed the boat or whether, with the right guidance, it may not be too late for him to work on those things and improve himself this summer. I would like to see him succeed.

Precisely

2 shots, 2 goals. Shouldn't we we looking to sign Svmodics (?) In the s ummer?

I have the same misgivings, though I can see that his aggressive on-field nature and energy may be an asset to us. Does anyone think there is anyone in our development squad who shows similar aggressiveness and skill and has the potential to reach the level required for the Prem? Maybe there is someone who is a better investment than O'Hare. Obviously it would be a huge step-up for an academy player, but I would say that O'Hare is hardly oven-ready for the Prem himself.

Agree at least about staying on as attacking coach. Hard to think of a more intelligent striker in the leagues.

I'm inclined to agree. Maresca is very inexperienced as a manager; it's possible he will learn next season ( though if we're in the Prem it will have to be a quick learning curve). Being a good coach is one thing, but to be a good manager demands several other abilities (of which game management is one), and good coaches don't always mature into good managers. Enzo's inflexibility doesn't help either.

Very difficult to show a presence when you're on the bench.

Not only that, but it will be their 2nd long trip in 3 days.

But also Enzo's player selections. Why doesn't he play Cannon, FFS?

I think Stolarcyk is the better keeper too, and keeping out goals is more important than fancy passing from the keeper at this stage.

In a nutshell!!

You could still argue that Daka's movement has value in tiring out opposition defenders, but that only makes sense if you sub him on 60 mins, not wait till 85.

I would agree - Pearson the ideal sort of person for DOF - but doubt his health would let him take the job.

Enzo brought Daka back into the starting line-up, we won both games and stopped the rot. So the next game (Millwall) what does he do? Removes Daka, starts Vardy, and we lose. Madness. Daka does miss a lot but his overall contribution to our game is more effective than any other of our strikers.

It worked at Bournemouth

Didn't he captain the side last time out? I was impressed by him last season ... hope he comes through.

I remember thinking we should have gone for Kinnear around the time when we lost O 'Neill and Taylor did so badly for us. I think Kinnear would have suited our squad.

Good spots. For me Coady & Albrighton are essential in a situation like this where we need more experience & commitment. I suspect Cannon might be the most clinical of our strikers at present. As for the midfield, why not try one of our academy lads to see if they can liven it up a bit? It looks like Enzo doesn't trust our subs, but his first choice players aren't producing the goods. Has he forgotten our performance at Bournemouth where he had to include some of the "lesser lights"? His thinking seems to have gone completely off the rails. To get rid now looks like pressing the panic button yet it's hard to see him being able to recover from this slump. Can only Hooe I'm wrong (but I wasn't wrong about Rodgers!).

It's really unfortunate timing that they go for him when we are at a low ebb and on the back of a manager who has been extremely reluctant to give our youths a chance. I think there's a good chance that had he stayed this summer Enzo would have brought him into first team training and given him positive encouragement. Of course, given the money Liverpool could bribe him with and their position in the league hierarch, it may still not have been enough to make a difference.