[Archived] Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers

[Tom]

I'm not saying sack Sam but what I will say is at this moment finishing tenth last season means naff all, it isn't a free pass.

The league is funny this season, for example we could have gone to 7th or 18th today, the issue is there doesn't appear to be many worse teams than us at present.

Something needs to change clearly, whether tactically or with personnel.

[Ricky]

Usual over reactions on here.

When did we last actually go to anfield and win in the league?? It's not unusual for us to lose there.

Last season we finished 10th and looking at the games we've already played i reckon we've picked up a similar amount of points from them.

I haven't got the stats to hand but I reckon we might be a point different to last season.

[sambo]

If we had got anything at anfield it would have been a surprise, we rarely do. To come away from there just 2-1 losers is not that bad. They paid more for Torres than our whole team is probably worth. We will be lucky to get ought from Chelsea so it's the teams in and around us we need to be getting results from for now.

First we need to look remotely like creating chances, which seems a dream now

[Majiball]

I think Davies would be one of the few players who might actually make a difference - and you can see why, even at 32, Sam was pushing for the board to release 5M to sign him. He was and is the perfect player for Sam's turgid style of play. None of Niko, Benjani or M. Diouf have the strength to play in that position. Niko just gets outmuscled and falls on his arse, Benjani meanwhile has a first-touch that makes Roberts look like Pele comparatively.

Sam had 6m the season before and bought a player he could mould into a davies. He's been here 18 months or so and its quite clear he is never going to thrive in his current role. As much as I like the lad and think he could do well, I just don't see it happening at Rovers. JW once said we couldn't afford to get it wrong with our big money buys, this could be the one that causes the most problems. Its a sad day when the only way for a manager to succeed is based solely around 1 single player in the whole world of football.

Plan B, needs to become plan A and we see where we go from there.

[Amo]

Usual over reactions on here.

When did we last actually go to anfield and win in the league?? It's not unusual for us to lose there.

Last season we finished 10th and looking at the games we've already played i reckon we've picked up a similar amount of points from them.

I haven't got the stats to hand but I reckon we might be a point different to last season.

I can only speak for myself, but I'm not disheartened that we lost, I'm disheartened by the way we played. If we had played at our best and really gave it a go, I could have no complaints. At least we'd have something to take heart from. Instead, we got the usual dross from Sam and his prehistoric tactics. If a team of Blackpool's size can go there, play positively AND get a win, why can't we expect at least the former?

[DE.]

Usual over reactions on here.

When did we last actually go to anfield and win in the league?? It's not unusual for us to lose there.

Last season we finished 10th and looking at the games we've already played i reckon we've picked up a similar amount of points from them.

I haven't got the stats to hand but I reckon we might be a point different to last season.

It's not really about the result though, it's about the performance. If we'd played well today and lost I would have brushed it aside and thought along similar lines to you, but that performance was shockingly insipid and it's not the first time either. If not for Robbo it could have been 4-0 to them at HT.

How many goals have we scored from open play this season that have not been the result of a ridiculous mistake?

I don't think anyone can be blamed for being worried or upset. It's not just this game but a culmination of how we've been playing over the course of the season so far. Something has to change - but a lot of people, including myself, are worried that Sam is going to stick to this hoofballing style and leave it too late to try and change things.

[Dan]

For me Sam has to go cap in hand to Roberts say, sorry and get him back on the pitch.

N'zonzi/Goujon Grella

EH Diouf Dunn Olsson

Roberts

For me has to be the way forward. Starting with plan B and reverting to plan A, when the need arises.

He won't though, will he? Sam is the expert and he is good enough to manage Madrid. Sam won't go and say sorry to anyone. Benjani is as @#/? as everyone predicted. At the time we signed him I rated Roberts more.

Sad state of affairs that we are wanting Roberts back. What I'd give for a inform unfat Benni McCarthy! More than a fillet o fish!

[chocky]

At least we did not get battered like City are..

[Brfcrule1]

I have to agree with most on here we need this takeover badly so that we can get rid of the fat Bolton reject. Having listened to the commentary player this guy is clueless,arrogant & is someone who will never change his tactics even if it is not working. Joey you say we looked pretty dangerous in the 2nd half as DE4Life says to be dangerous you have to create chances and if you call 2 shots on target whole game as being dangerous you have obviously been watching the wrong game. I agree with most on here it is not fully Sam's fault because without investment even someone like Guardiola would struggle. But I agree with beerwins Sam is tactics with the wrong sorts of players for instance and I feel very sorry for Kalinic being the lone striker but he is not exactly big or musculur to ask him to play that role is like trying to put square pegs in round holes it just can't happen. I also think that hauling off at half time trying to lay the blame at his door is unfair & is a thankless task. I also feel if Sam wanted to play these sorts of tactics he should have bought someone like Zigic or even Aristide Bance although Kalinic will be a good player when the ball is played to feet is not suited to the long ball game. I don't think it would put off potential investors more the opposite will probably make them more determined to conclude the deal and get rid of the joker in charge. As for the person who said Benjani is better suited to that role needs to look closely at the game to know he is a million miles from a target man there is only one place Benjani should be put & that is Blackburn Infirmary apart from creating the goal his contribution was poor his passing was shocking, control non existant, & should have gambled when Olssen put that dangerous cross into the centre towards the middle of the half. Another thing that puzzles me when we were losing we were supposed to put on our better players to get something why bring on Benjani when MB diouf is sat on the bench even MB Diouf would make a better target man than Benjani/Niko in my opinion Benjani should be at the bottom of the pecking order. But I have to say after this game this is the straw which broke the camel's back for me negative tactics too arrogant to change formation even when things are not working out for me he has to go now before we get really embroiled in a relegation scrap. Rant over!.

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

Losing today's game will not define our season. Our lack of ability to create chances in open play will. Sam's tactics worked last season, it was ugly, boring, dull but worked regardless of what anybody says. It also worked when he replaced Ince in 08/09. People have been screaming that Sam will take us down playing this football for the past 2 years and frankly Sam has proven all of those people wrong.

Today however was concerning. Offensively we were shocking. We had no options, no creativity, no guile. Since Bentley left we have never had a decent creative midfielder, and there is no bite in the midfield. Im still not quite sure what Nzonzi brings to the side.

Kalinic is a prospect but we're not playing his game. I like what ive seen of Niko but he seems so wasted trying to control high ball after high ball.

If we had a player who could do the job Sam is expecting Niko to do then we would have a £20m player.

Liverpool dont have a great squad but individually they have skill. Give them the ball for 90 minutes and surprisingly they will do something with it. The amout of times we gave possession away was frightening.

I dont blame Sam for reverting to a more physical approach. Given the lack of investment and the quality of our squad as it stands, a physical game would work with our team however, there needs to be an alternative.

You look at Stoke, they have players who can lump the ball forward and cause problems via set pieces but they can also get it down and pass it. There is a middle ground.

Our players are never going to play total football but at least give them an opportunity to execute a few passes in the midfield instead of aimlessly hurling the ball fowards and expecting a slight player like Kalinic to control it and lay it off by himself when he has 4 defenders aroud him.

[bigbrandjohn]

At least we did not get battered like City are..

That's why Liverpool are crap. Arsenal are playing total football and taking advantage of a man advantage. Loyal city fans have deserted the stadium in droves. Money can't buy Football happiness.

[sweet]

At least we did not get battered like City are..

no. at least we werent playing arsenal today - because believe me, it would of been alot of a worse score than 3-0.

[des]

Sam neds to decide what type of forma does he want to play.

If he wants to play the long ball game them he must play two up front along side each other.

If he wants to play one up front, with two wide players playing behind the lone forward, then you have to play through the middle to give players the time to support the lone forward.

We seem to be play the quick long ball forward, with only one forward and no time for other players to support the attack.

Its make your mind up time.

[Amo]

Sam neds to decide what type of forma does he want to play.

If he wants to play the long ball game them he must play two up front along side each other.

If he wants to play one up front, with two wide players playing behind the lone forward, then you have to play through the middle to give players the time to support the lone forward.

We seem to be play the quick long ball forward, with only one forward and no time for other players to support the attack.

Its make your mind up time.

I can't remember who originally said it in this topic, but our five-man "advantage" in midfield is pointless. We don't support the lone striker or keep possession, and teams pass through us with ease. Why bother? Throw someone else up front with Kalinic and you've increased the long ball accuracy by 100%.

[Fife Rover]

Is it Samba up-front time yet?

Samba just being on the pitch would have been a huge improvement from the sounds of it.

Until today I have always stayed a Sam supporter......not because I like his style of play (far from it) but because I have felt that for Rovers in the moneyless situation we are in, he is the best man for the job of just keeping us in the Prem. However from todays performance, and given the position Liverpool were in before the kick-off, I really feel that it is time to give Sam an ultimatum. Either get more flexible tactically or start looking for another job. From all the posts today it really sounds as bad as that. No doubt the new owners (whoever they are) will be taking notice.

[chocky]

no. at least we werent playing arsenal today - because believe me, it would of been alot of a worse score than 3-0.

I don't know, Sam would have put ten behind the ball and not vetured into their half. Maybe we will get. a 1-0

[Brfcrule1]

Ricky wrote:Usual over reactions on here.

When did we last actually go to anfield and win in the league?? It's not unusual for us to lose there.

Last season we finished 10th and looking at the games we've already played i reckon we've picked up a similar amount of points from them.

I haven't got the stats to hand but I reckon we might be a point different to last season.

Ricky whatever has happened in the past will never help our current problems & the thinking should have been Blackpool went there and one Everton beat them last week we beat both Everton & blackpool so in theory we should have gone there and at the very least got a point I have to say if our potential new owners watched that dross I would hope they take control of this club very quickly and get rid of this Bufoon before we look the championship in the face.

[beerwins]

I can't remember who originally said it in this topic, but our five-man "advantage" in midfield is pointless. We don't support the lone striker or keep possession, and teams pass through us with ease. Why bother? Throw someone else up front with Kalinic and you've increased the long ball accuracy by 100%.

That would have been me and I believe its right, if you mix your 2 strikers one with pace and the other with height and power you can vary your long balls and cause more problems, we dont vary anything and have become very predictable, not to mention that every ref seems determined to blow for a foul every time our player goes near the opposition keeper (which seems our no1 goal threat)

Does'nt really seem much point playing 3 central midfielders when 2 are basically defending and one doing nothing, at least bang another striker on to try and win some long balls.

[Majiball]

Are Sam's after match comments available on line yet?

[Dan]

Ricky wrote:Usual over reactions on here.

When did we last actually go to anfield and win in the league?? It's not unusual for us to lose there.

Last season we finished 10th and looking at the games we've already played i reckon we've picked up a similar amount of points from them.

I haven't got the stats to hand but I reckon we might be a point different to last season.

Ricky whatever has happened in the past will never help our current problems & the thinking should have been Blackpool went there and one Everton beat them last week we beat both Everton & blackpool so in theory we should have gone there and at the very least got a point I have to say if our potential new owners watched that dross I would hope they take control of this club very quickly and get rid of this Bufoon before we look the championship in the face.

The problem is that John Williams isn't going to sack Fat Sam. He sits there looking all gormless in the stands, smiling when we are getting shown up by the opposition. How much does he actually know about football?

[S15]

How much does he actually know about football?

Judging by some of the crap you've posted, a lot more than you.

[robbojohnno]

After the same 9 games last season we had 8 points, this season we have 9. We were without Samba and Nelsen today and lost nzonzi after 15 minutes, thats 90% of our gameplan gone as we dont really have anyone to hoof the ball to without samba and nzonzi. Fair enough we apparently were @#/? today but weve also had some good performances, albeit they seem to be getting worse. There isnt a crisis, we dont need to sack the manager, but we do need to pick up some points and sort out the centre of our midfield as we seem to be losing the battle in there most weeks at the moment. Lets hope this goulon guy has something about him as we could do with him coming in and making an impact.

[Dan]

Judging by some of the crap you've posted, a lot more than you.

Who rattled your cage Shirley?

After the same 9 games last season we had 8 points, this season we have 9. We were without Samba and Nelsen today and lost nzonzi after 15 minutes, thats 90% of our gameplan gone as we dont really have anyone to hoof the ball to without samba and nzonzi. Fair enough we apparently were @#/? today but weve also had some good performances, albeit they seem to be getting worse. There isnt a crisis, we dont need to sack the manager, but we do need to pick up some points and sort out the centre of our midfield as we seem to be losing the battle in there most weeks at the moment. Lets hope this goulon guy has something about him as we could do with him coming in and making an impact.

Football isn't as black and white as that though.

[robbojohnno]

Considering out lack of quality due to no funds, were not doing badly, look at Fulham who are much better than us on paper, doing similarly to us. Once we get a run of easier games, ie in December and can build some confidence, I have no doubts Sam will guide us to a mid-table finish. Or we could sack him, (Please don't use that word again) our finances even more and increase the chance of us going down.

[Brfcrule1]

Robbo either you don't realise it but having 3 players playing well out of 11 in this league is not good enough it just papers over the cracks you say there isn't a crisis look at the league table then say this is not a crisis. You say we should not sack the manager what even though he is too stubborn to change things when things are not working & he constantly plays players out of position & although the players are good he does not buy the right players for his type of tactics. It has been obvious from day one although Kalinic is good ball players what he will never do is outmuscle players out of the way he will never be that type of player not his fault just Sam's thinking he can put square pegs in round holes obviously a bid for Kevin Davies would have suited Sams formation,tactics better.