What would you do to sort this mess out?

[Ric Flair]

Come on then, what's the answer? We've several key players injured and several out of form. What on earth do we do?

 

How do we get our two in form players in Iheanacho and Vardy on the pitch at the same time, whilst also having a strong enough defence and midfield? 

 

How do we get Daka much needed game time and what's now the goal for this season? If we miss out on European football is it the end of the road for us? Will it be such a bad thing to rip this team up and rebuild again given our recent recruitment success or is it a worry that even if Brendan goes we've still got Lee Congerton?

 

I don't want us to go to a back 3/5 but then what midfield and defence is good enough in a 4-4-1-1 / 4-4-2 with this next run of really difficult games before Ndidi returns?

 

Is it time for Benkovic to be thrown in in the hope he somehow does OK with Soyuncu? Or do we not need to worry as Evans is going to be OK as he's ill not injured. 

 

I think I'd sacrifice Barnes for a few games and stick either Soumare or KDH in to the midfield with Soyuncu and Amartey as the CB's if Evans is unavailable. We may need to practice how we maintain the width if we don't have 2 wingers but KDH tends to drift wide and Lookman could be given a free role to operate in a 4-3-1-2 like Rodgers loved at Liverpool during his best spell before the slip. Lookman would be Sterling in this instance. Daka could be given the final 20 mins for a renewed attack and Barnes and Maddison have to prove their worth with sub appearances where required, they can slot in to this system of sorts.

 

It's by no means any better than what we've already tried, but the one constant is those 2 up top have to play right now. They score or create almost all of our goals and given how desperate we are elsewhere it's just madness to go with anything else. Our defence needs simplifying but it needs pace as well which Vestergaard doesn't have and I'm not sure there's a defensive partner we have here that covers his limitations in a back 4. He's evidently a back 3/5 defender but we just don't have the players for that system, certainly not at the minute if at all with this squad.

 

This next run of games is crucial (aren't they all) but we've stumbled in to this break with some pretty shocking results against some teams we ought to beat and with what's to come it could well get worse which is a harrowing thought. It would come as no surprise if we didn't win more than 1 of our next 5 league games and we could be all but out of Europe by the too. We'd be in a very dark place if that happens and I fear for the future.

 

We have to get some divine inspiration, we have to get Evans on the pitch and keep him there and we have to have a midfield that can get the ball in to our strikers and then maintain a good fight in the middle when we're under the cosh. We can do it, this regime has been unbelievable given the horrendous injuries and setbacks we've had and I don't want to see it fall apart in this way.

 

Come on Brendan, time to regroup and earn your wedginals.

 

[LestaFox92]

With our current injuries i'd probably change tactics and go very counter attacking play choudary and soumare holding tielemans creating and any of our attacking players in a front 3 combo

[Guest Chocolate Teapot]

Back 3, swap the family stand with the kop, no more club led tifos, no slanderous chants, more noise at the kp, although less loutish behaviour (I'm ex forces you know), don't play hamza, sack brendan, replace him with that guy from celtic and above all else say I told you so.

 

Think that'll sort it?

[Finnegan]

Take a comprehensive look at the sports psychologist/s at the club. I know Ranieri didn't believe in it and let the guy that was here in 15/16 go but I don't know who we've hired since, if anyone. 

 

I'd also be looking at this as the second or third time under Rodgers tenure that the players have lost confidence and had such a significant wobble and I'd be looking at finding a coach or an assistant with a good track record of building and maintaining morale and confidence within the squad. If its something that's a weaknesses in Rodgers managerial style then who can we bring in to suppliment that. Football is a team game on and off the pitch, no man is an island and if there's gaps in Rodgers portfolio then they need to be filled by the help. 

 

On that note, we've been shit at both ends of the pitch from set pieces for way, way too long and it isn't good enough. I'd be searching the continent for innovative set piece coaches and looking to poach them. 

 

 

Edit: oh and stop fvcking dropping Iheanacho. 

Edited 5 October 2021 by Finnegan

[Guest Chocolate Teapot]

Just now, Finnegan said:

Take a comprehensive look at the sports psychologist/s at the club. I know Ranieri didn't believe in it and let the guy that was here in 15/16 go but I don't know who we've hired since, if anyone. 

 

I'd also be looking at this as the second or third time under Rodgers tenure that the players have lost confidence and had such a significant wobble and I'd be looking at finding a coach or an assistant with a good track record of building and maintaining morale and confidence within the squad. If its something that's a weaknesses in Rodgers managerial style then who can we bring in to suppliment that. Football is a team game on and off the pitch, no man is an island and if there's gaps in Rodgers portfolio then they need to be filled by the help. 

 

On that note, we've been shit at both ends of the pitch from set pieces for way, way too long and it isn't good enough. I'd be searching the continent for innovative set piece coaches and looking to poach them. 

There is a sports psychologist 👍

 

I basically think the whole coaching staff are too nice. We need a scary ****. My mind springs to Terry but I'm not a fan, but I cant think of anyone better.

[Will1981]

7 minutes ago, Chocolate Teapot said:

There is a sports psychologist 👍

 

I basically think the whole coaching staff are too nice. We need a scary ****. My mind springs to Terry but I'm not a fan, but I cant think of anyone better.

Wasly

[lcfcfoz]

4-4-2

 

Kasper.

Thomas. Vestergaard. Soyuncu. Castagne.

Barnes. Tielsmans. Soumare. Perez

Nacho. Vardy.

 

 

[Fox92]

Two up front.

[filbertway]

4 2 3 1

 

Schmeichel

 

Ricardo

Amartey

Soy

Castagne

 

Soumare

Tielemans

 

Lookman

Kel

Barnes

 

Vardy

 

If we've got the ball at the back and we're being pressed high, then go long, hit Lookman and Barnes in the channels.

 

If the opposition is sitting deep get the ball out wide and have Ricardo/Lookman and Castagne/Barnes overloading out wide and get crosses into the box. When we do this with intent and the opposition clear it, we tend to have possession of the ball very quickly again.

 

Press high and as a team and try and kill the game before before the half time whistle has gone, like the good old days.

 

 

[EastAnglianFox]

Get the old band back together as defensive coaches. 

 

Put Huth, Wes, Simmo and Fuchs through the coaching badges ASAP and get them to sort our current shower out. 

 

 

[Ric Flair]

1 minute ago, filbertway said:

4 2 3 1

 

Schmeichel

 

Ricardo

Amartey

Soy

Castagne

 

Soumare

Tielemans

 

Lookman

Kel

Barnes

 

Vardy

 

If we've got the ball at the back and we're being pressed high, then go long, hit Lookman and Barnes in the channels.

 

If the opposition is sitting deep get the ball out wide and have Ricardo/Lookman and Castagne/Barnes overloading out wide and get crosses into the box. When we do this with intent and the opposition clear it, we tend to have possession of the ball very quickly again.

 

Press high and as a team and try and kill the game before before the half time whistle has gone, like the good old days.

 

 

This would be my temptation, if it doesn't work then drop KDH in there too instead of Barnes but the mentality needs to change and the football purist notion of Brendan's ignored for a while at the very least.

[Ric Flair]

28 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

Take a comprehensive look at the sports psychologist/s at the club. I know Ranieri didn't believe in it and let the guy that was here in 15/16 go but I don't know who we've hired since, if anyone. 

 

I'd also be looking at this as the second or third time under Rodgers tenure that the players have lost confidence and had such a significant wobble and I'd be looking at finding a coach or an assistant with a good track record of building and maintaining morale and confidence within the squad. If its something that's a weaknesses in Rodgers managerial style then who can we bring in to suppliment that. Football is a team game on and off the pitch, no man is an island and if there's gaps in Rodgers portfolio then they need to be filled by the help. 

 

On that note, we've been shit at both ends of the pitch from set pieces for way, way too long and it isn't good enough. I'd be searching the continent for innovative set piece coaches and looking to poach them. 

 

 

Edit: oh and stop fvcking dropping Iheanacho. 

Aberdeen have got hold of the set piece coach that was working for Southgate at England. Think he's temporarily/permanently relinquished his role with England due to a drink driving case but putting morals to one side if there's one strength of that England setup it's the set piece work that's gone on, I'd be offering this geezer all sorts and a chauffeur 🤌😂

 

 

[Izzy]

28 minutes ago, Chocolate Teapot said:

There is a sports psychologist 👍

 

I basically think the whole coaching staff are too nice. We need a scary ****. My mind springs to Terry but I'm not a fan, but I cant think of anyone better.

[TheFiveTime]

3 - 5 - 2. 

 

Schmeichel

Amartey Soyoncu Benko (maybe veste depending on how benko does but try him - maybe even james when he returns he always put a shift in and can drive the ball forward)

 

Soumare tielemens maddison/KDH/choudary- try all of them out and see which one works

 

Pereira/castange/james and barnes/lookman. one defensive one offensive wing back

 

Kels - Vards

 

Anyone who wants to put kel and vards up front must know that our defensive is too bad not to have either 5 at the back or 3 in midfield. I agree kels and vards must play together but this comes at the sacrifice of wingers until we get our best cb back. 4 4 2 doesnt work proven by palace as our cb's are just sooooo bad atm that we need to protect them or keep shipping goals.

 

 

[Chrysalis]

Back to basics first and foremost, players doing what they good at not been forced to a play a way that doesnt suit them.

 

React to whats happening in a game instead of doing pre planned changes,

 

If doing that still doesnt yield results I would recognise I am not the right man for the job and resign.

[filbertway]

3 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

This would be my temptation, if it doesn't work then drop KDH in there too instead of Barnes but the mentality needs to change and the football purist notion of Brendan's ignored for a while at the very least.

 

This for me is what I want to see again, when we attack it's quick and look at the bodies getting forwards. Look how many men we have in their half when they're on the ball.

 

We now play like that Arsenal team, very timid and look at 6s and 7s when we give the ball away and get turned over. 

 

We need to be 20 yards further up the pitch. We look so much better when we're higher up and turning the ball over in the oppositions half.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50271775

 

 

[Kilworthfox]

Defend and counter. 

 

He will never do it. 

[Vindaloo FOX]

attack is the best form of defence.

 

 

[Le Renard]

Either go the way of Tony Pulis and put the tin hats on or go full on Newcastle a la Keegan, it is obvious we can't defend, so why not just go out and try and score more than the opposition.  Joking aside I haven't got a clue, there are too many players off form to make little tweaks.  All I can say is that if Rodgers continues to play Vestergaard then it has to be a back 3.

Edited 5 October 2021 by Le Renard

[Foxes96]

Honestly no clue in terms of system/ personnel. Feel like we’ve tried most options now, 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, 3-5-2 etc. Think not having Mendy in the squad does limit us somewhat now Ndidi is out, he did well at the start of last season when he could sit in front of the defence when we played 3-5-2/ 3-4-3. But don’t trust any of Choudhury or Soumaré to do the same and sit there and keep us ticking over. 
 

Therefore, I think we need to play to our strengths which at the minute is more or less limited to Nacho and Vardy. However, to keep a bit of balance to the side I think Perez may have to come in and sacrifice one of Barnes/ Lookman (likely to get pelters for that suggestion). Soumaré played in a 2 in France so should be able to do it, think we’ve mostly seen him in a 3 with Ndidi so far, so it may be that in a 2 it forces him to be a bit more disciplined and sit in front of the back 4 with Youri.
 

Not convinced on any options at LB, so might be worth giving Ricardo a go as he can’t be much worse than Bertrand is at the minute. Obviously all this hinges on Jonny being fit enough to play some part for us, which is by no means guaranteed, and hopefully Justin, Fofana and Ndidi not too far away either. Either way need to try and get a few key players back into some form Maddison, Barnes and Youri and our defence simply has to improve otherwise we will ship a couple every week.
 

Toyed with the idea of going 4-3-1-2 like Rodgers played at Liverpool and could work with our full backs providing the width, but think that would need Ndidi in the middle of the 3 in midfield to drop into the CB position when in possession, to allow the FB’s to push higher up. And without Wilf I don’t think any of our other midfielders are capable of doing that. Therefore leaves me with the below, but no clue what the right answer is at this point. Time for Brendan to earn his money.
 

                      Schmeichel 

Castagne - Evans - Söyüncü - Ricardo 

              Tielemans - Soumaré

         Perez - Nachoman - Lookman

                          Vardy

[sacreblueits442]

38 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

Take a comprehensive look at the sports psychologist/s at the club. I know Ranieri didn't believe in it and let the guy that was here in 15/16 go but I don't know who we've hired since, if anyone. 

 

I'd also be looking at this as the second or third time under Rodgers tenure that the players have lost confidence and had such a significant wobble and I'd be looking at finding a coach or an assistant with a good track record of building and maintaining morale and confidence within the squad. If its something that's a weaknesses in Rodgers managerial style then who can we bring in to suppliment that. Football is a team game on and off the pitch, no man is an island and if there's gaps in Rodgers portfolio then they need to be filled by the help. 

 

On that note, we've been shit at both ends of the pitch from set pieces for way, way too long and it isn't good enough. I'd be searching the continent for innovative set piece coaches and looking to poach them. 

 

 

Edit: oh and stop fvcking dropping Iheanacho. 

....very much this....!!!

Probably the reason for the majority of the frustration with Rodgers, is very glaring problems he chooses to ignore. My remedy may not be a too welcomed one, but I would like to have Shakespeare back in, as I believe his is a very good coach and a conduit for the players.

  I always thought it strange we went to a High Tempo and High Press when we won the Championship and that was not a very Pearson type approach to take.

[Haywood_6]

A mentality change.

 

We need to get back to basics as a team. Defending better and being more solid because we've conceded too many goals. 

 

In terms of tactics. As long as we don't play slow, passive football. We've got the quality to create chances, score goals and hurt teams. Play with Intent!!!

 

Let's also work on delivering quality into the penalty box and people attacking balls with aggression. From set pieces and open play. 

 

In terms of personnel I'd like to see Kelechi and Vardy partnership upfront. Lookman on the left, Barnes on the right. Thomas instead of Bertrand. Janik dropped to the bench.

 

                    Kasper

Ricardo Amartey Soyuncu Thomas

Barnes Soumare Tielemans Lookman

             Nacho Vardy

[RonnieTodger]

13 minutes ago, filbertway said:

 

This for me is what I want to see again, when we attack it's quick and look at the bodies getting forwards. Look how many men we have in their half when they're on the ball.

 

We now play like that Arsenal team, very timid and look at 6s and 7s when we give the ball away and get turned over. 

 

We need to be 20 yards further up the pitch. We look so much better when we're higher up and turning the ball over in the oppositions half.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50271775

 

 

We were brilliant that night. Really made Arsenal shit themselves.

[turtmcfly]

11 minutes ago, Kilworthfox said:

Defend and counter. 

 

He will never do it. 

 

Are you drunk sir? 

 

 

 

[Mickyblueeyes]

49 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

Take a comprehensive look at the sports psychologist/s at the club. I know Ranieri didn't believe in it and let the guy that was here in 15/16 go but I don't know who we've hired since, if anyone. 

 

I'd also be looking at this as the second or third time under Rodgers tenure that the players have lost confidence and had such a significant wobble and I'd be looking at finding a coach or an assistant with a good track record of building and maintaining morale and confidence within the squad. If its something that's a weaknesses in Rodgers managerial style then who can we bring in to suppliment that. Football is a team game on and off the pitch, no man is an island and if there's gaps in Rodgers portfolio then they need to be filled by the help. 

 

On that note, we've been shit at both ends of the pitch from set pieces for way, way too long and it isn't good enough. I'd be searching the continent for innovative set piece coaches and looking to poach them. 

 

 

Edit: oh and stop fvcking dropping Iheanacho. 

This is a really good point. Was it at Liverpool, in his final season that the board sacked his assistant - I don’t know if that was specific for football reasons or not. 
 

I think the back room staff are all good coaches. People who work well with players which is why there is a high opinion of Brendan generally from the players. I don’t know him so it’s difficult to say whether motivation is actually a strong suit of his. Maybe we need a Terry Venables/Bryan Robson sort of arrangement where a man motivator comes in to deal with form drops like this.