STEVE GRAVES and Gareth Roberts join Neil Atkinson to talk about the aftermath of Liverpool falling to a terrible defeat against Hull City. Gareth Roberts also reports on the protest at Anfield and Neil, Gareth and Steve discuss the future of the manager.
THE PINK – HULL CITY
Heard yer da stayed in Sound to watch the last half hour of The Blunt Reds when Lambo and Lallana were coming on rather than going The Kaz to watch The Twilight Sad. Have a word.
Jesus! Just finished the show and the bit where Neil whacked out the ‘I’ve been thinking Rodgers is getting sacked without 4th for the last few months’ shout felt massive; kept that one quiet with the amount of shows you stint through, mate.
Too much candid sense being spoken on this show for me to comment on all of it but, yeah… Basically, if Tom Werner is going to come out and say it’s about ‘who we don’t buy just as much as who we do’ post-Carroll before the sanctioning of Assaidi, Yesil, Borini, Aspas, Alberto, Lambert, Balotelli, etc. don’t then spin me a yarn that we’re short of the dough required to attract Sanchez or whoever away from a big house down south for one in Formby, because January 2013 aside, it’s been fucking woeful.
Get as ruthless with the faceless transfer lads as you got with Comolli before you sack the manager who coached the likes of Henderson and Sterling into being the players they are today. It’s obvious to even the most ardent Rodgers critic that the job done on improving players up to a standard has been significantly better than the one done on signing players of that standard (s’appening, 2013/14).
Ha, love the idea of Can as a false 2.
Not a lot to add to any of that. This season is a wrap. One positive is the continued improvement of Lovren. Thought he and Allen vied for MoM.
Does that make Brad Jones a false 1?
I’m no tactician but it looked like he was given licence to roam at Old Trafford.
Brad Jones is the worst GK in the World, no competition..THat BR started him in such cruicail games shows the entire world how inept and clueless BR is…Specially i clearly remeber Mignolet improving around that time, and he was dropped and would not have played again has in not been for injury..Now Rodgers takes credit for Mignolets form when its obvious he had nothing to do with him and was only creating a new problem inside his sick pathetic head to get them to buy him a world class GK..He is useless in every form and shape that Brenda, iam so sorry i supporter you strongly and didn’t open my eyes! But they are open noe BRENDA you disgrace..Bore off and take Balotelli with you..Only a pathetic manager like you thinks he can do something with the donkey Balo when the world best managers has tried and failed, your head is not right and you will never sucseed at the top level ever again BRENDA, your getting sacked in the summer and i will have a huge party to celebrate the departure of the fraud..Should start a career in politics with all his nonsensical garbage spouting
I still think your being very easy on BR here, we’ve lost to Hull aneamically, drawn with the worst Pulis side we’ve seen in years etc etc.
I know nobody wants Liverpool to be THAT club, but we are there.
To hear BR in the press calling for more players when he has had 3 years to mould his squad, and it is HIS squad, is just another in the many entries into the annals of Brendan deflecting grief onto anyone but himself. He’d throw everyone under a bus to save himself.
Interesting Pink though and it was good to hear from the guys at the protest.
Par or shite? Discuss.
We are ridiculously easy to play against.
No discussion needed. Par for BR is taking over viable squads and teaching them to play under-16s footer. You can bet your balls that if he gets another year we will start next season like we started this – ‘winning the possession’. I notice we are still being linked with ‘exciting wingers’.
There’s a saying on Australia – ‘Get a stick and kill it’ when someone or something wriggles.
Do more stuff out and about on the streets it’s boss.
So much for an end of season rally to narrowly miss out on CL qualification. At this rate we’ll be praying Arsenal beat Villa to crawl into the EL via 7th.
Where’s the passion from the players? They look utterly lost or disinterested.
Sorry, Brendan, your number is up. Thanks for the mental season last year.
“We’re watching a liverpool team that doesnt know what its doing and doesnt believe in itself. Its groundhog day. We don’t know what we’re doing.”
That was said in the first 3 minutes yet Rodgers wasnt mentioned at all. No criticism of Brendan was given in the immediate aftermath of those words being spoken.
Correct me if Im wrong, but isnt the team knowing what its doing and believing in themselves the whole point of the manager?
“They dont look like a team ultimately and its worrying saying that at this stage of the season”
Those words were said after 5 minutes. And again, no criticism of the manager immediately following them being uttered. Instead we get a discussion on Balotelli’s movement. Given Brendan’s desire to speak about Mario after every bad result, the manager would approve.
Rodgers isnt mentioned until the 11th minute and its Neil saying the lads are still playing for him. (Lets keep it positive folks) His body language & his thoughts of the sack are spoke about incredibly briefly, but still nothing on his performance.
Then there was the big talk about the managers future. Still nothing about how much he’s got wrong. Nothing about all his mistakes. Nothing about how he doesnt learn from them.
As Tom says above, Neil admitted he’s thought for months Rodgers would get sacked before the season finished. After never once voicing that opinion in these last few months on any podcast he’s done (almost them all) or in any article he’s written (quite a lot).
That did it for me Im afraid.
Robbo said in February during our good run that he was delighted Rodgers had “turned things around” and that he was “worried about him in November, as I thought his (Rodgers) head had gone.” Verbatim. But Robbo never said that on air in November or December, instead waiting months later when results were good & (he thought) Rodgers was turning things around. Safe to say it then right?
And I’ll say now what I said to Robbo in February: whats the point in doing these podcasts if you refuse to give your honest opinion? What possible reason would there be for Neil not to say, even very quickly, during all the conversations about the teams pathetic performances in the last month, or in any of his articles, “you know what lads, I don’t think Rodgers will be here next season. I mean, I want him to stay but I reckon he gets sacked if we don’t get 4th.”
This is why quite a few people believe TAW has been protecting Rodgers for months, until the Villa FA Cup semi final. Its a criticism made on various forums. Its a criticism made on here, not just by myself but a few others. There hasn’t been much disagreement from many other commenters it has to be said, even those still pro-Rodgers.
Its a criticism made on twitter. Someone said it directly to Andy Heaton and Neil last night. Andy told him he was boring while Neil used the excuse that it was only a “guess,” as if guessing things, like starting 11’s or full time scores on upcoming matches, never takes place on TAW! The tweets are still there if you don’t believe me.
Some will be glad to hear that I won’t be back on, but I can’t support TAW given this sort of blatant and deliberate holding back of opinions just because it would be critical of or casting the manager in a negative light. Its not what this sort of thing says its about or indeed what it should be about. Its agenda driven, devious and a little bit sinister. Ironic that its been me been accused of having an agenda eh?
I never had proof until now, only comparing what TAW were saying to what we as fans were saying and other podcasts were saying. Redmen TV are the exact same as TAW and its no coincidence TAW & Redmen TV have access to the club and avoided criticising Rodgers (until that position became untenable), whereas other pods and fans who have actually given negative opinions do not have nor want access to the club in order to sell a product. Remember when LFCTV was defending Hodgson to the bitter end? Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, this is similar and I find it repulsive. At least the proof of holding back negative views has come with Neil on this podcast meaning the truth is there for anyone who wants to know it.
Best of luck to all the commenters I’ve sparred with on here over the last few years. And yes, that includes you Brownie. (Even though Ive been right all along) We’ve all been hot headed at times but I wouldn’t wish anyone ill.
Sound mate. Think what you like. As if we’re that arsed to get together and decide on a line or “an agenda”. What would be the point in that? It’s simply people having opinions. Nothing more, nothing less. If it’s not for you no one is forcing you to listen or read. Also what “access” do we have? We don’t go to press conferences, we’re not in the press box, we don’t go to Melwood. But yeah, *ALL* the access that isn’t it? Great ‘proof’ that, mate.
Give over – it was a great post and he’s entitled to his opinion. If someone holds his tongue for 4 months on a forum where debate is curtency (or should be – what’s the point of everyone pulling each others pud?) then it is legitimate to ask “Why have you waited until now?” Perhaps assuming its a club PR ploy may be a step too
far, but it’s a fair point.
Did anyone say he isn’t entitled to it? I’m entitled to mine as well. And in mine there has been plenty of criticism in every single show; of tactics, of line ups, of substitutions. All of which are decisions the manager makes. Don’t really get the idea that we should be calling for his head on every show. Would get very boring very quickly. We had a show specifically on whether the manager should go in the last week or so. There have been pieces on the site advocating replacing him with Klopp, and saying he should go if that’s what is best for the club and that included a poll asking for opinion if he should go. To suggest there is an “agenda” at play because of our “access” to the club is utter shite.
I think they’ve been balanced as a whole in terms of analysing the job the manager’s doing. Slagging off the manager and calling him to be sacked is as tiresome as whinging about the ref every game.
It makes for a boring discussion as well, talking about the finer points of the game and the managers’ tactics/decisions/etc is far more listenable than just calling him clueless or blagmaster or axe him
RIP Chris ‘I’ve been right all along’ Mc. So long, sweet prince…
i hope Chris hasn’t swallowed his chewy. Like most posters to this site he is articulate and readable. He expresses largely contrary view, certainly (but one that is increasingly mainstream in my view, but then I am not a big fan of our manager.
Come back Chris – all is unforgiven!!’
This is what we’re missing:
Outgoing Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp admitted: “I did not expect such a game. I wanted us to play with more courage in the first half and I told my players that it is ok to lose here but not with this nonsense. Let’s go down fighting.”
Exactly!!!
Is that your response to a potential paying customer? If its not for you don’t listen? If you don’t like the ticket prices m8, dont go the game.
Hows about stating that all the lads on the pods like Rodgers and want him to succeed. Hows about proposing to find someone that has a different opinion from the 8-9 guys you have on the pod who are universally pro Rodgers. You never know it may spark some lively debate if you aren’t all on the same sunshine and lollipop page.
Just the same that isn’t it? Premier League ticket prices and TAW. Just the same. All of us don’t like Rodgers, so that would be incorrect. We’re not universally pro-Rodgers. So that is incorrect. Strange email address by the way. Almost like you’re the same person as Kevin Barry, what with you having exactly the same IP address and that.
Not me, pal. I enjoy banter. You have your IPs crossed, I think.
“Hows about stating that all the lads on the pods like Rodgers and want him to succeed. Hows about proposing to find someone that has a different opinion from the 8-9 guys you have on the pod who are universally pro Rodgers.”
I reckon you should change your moniker from “never comment” to “never listen”.
Gareth Roberts, for one, has been highly critical for weeks now. He wrote last week saying that if Klopp was available then we should snag him. How is this “universally pro Rodgers”?
The problem with some of you lot is that if the criticism is nuanced, balanced and well-reasoned, and isn’t one-eyed, selective and occasionally overflowing with spite, then you don’t see it as criticism at all…especially if this commentary isn’t followed by a call for Brendan to hanged from the Town Hall balcony.
How’s your own blog coming along, by the way?
BR OUT, BR OUT BR OUT, anyone who thinks liverpool need Suarez and Sturridge to beat Astonvilla,Hull,Liecester,Sunderland,Blackburn,Boro,Basel at Anfield need to see a doctor immediatly!! LIKE RIGHT NOW , because you are bringing this club down to DODGERS.FC which is unacceptable..BR OUT BR OUT BR OUT., any one who thinks conceding 179 goals in 155 games (53 cleansheets) meaning 179 goals in 102 games against us which equals 1,75 goals conceded in thoses game which means we need at least 2 goals to get anything out of over 100 games…BR OUT BR OUT BR OUT!! Anyone who thinks otherwise needs to support Newcastle or Sunderland, we are LIVERPOOL and i pay a shitload of money to support them and DEMAND MUCH MUCH MUCH better than this SH*TE Dodgers has been serving up!
Never takes the blame and throws everyone else under the buss, pathetic excuses, and when someone desereves some credit he takes it all for no reason, you think Dodgers won us the league last season? WE concecded 50 goals! Suarez and Sturridge scored 51 goals you do the math, if you know how to!!!! BR OUT BR OUT BR OUT!!!! And anyone could do a better job the dodgers, my girlfriend with no clue about football could do a better job, she was sat watching 4 minutes of the hull game and said why is everything so narrow, why are liverpool intent of breaking through the middle, why don’t they pull them out wide and get them out of position? I told her, Darling that is because under this manager passing the ball around is the most important thing and nothing else and that When Suarez was here he didn’t follow instructions or tacticts to score at least 20 goals from his magical football, she told me we should find a new manager who doesnt have to rely on the best of the best to get close to sucsess and ultimalty fail! I tell you what, she knows more about football than you thinking about it…Westham, Saints, Swansea none of them have Sturridge or Suarez quality and they have crushed the likes of hull,Sunderland,Astonvilla,Leicester, teams that all take points off us..
Rodgers is a book of excuses and his fans has become that as well, i supported rodgers strongly but no more! BR OUT NOW
Okay. So just to confirm… You’re saying you don’t want Brendan Rodgers to be Liverpool manager anymore?
Hehe, sorry for the rant
And we’d never get it from our current manager.
Bit unfair on the Wrap about them having some agenda. I was surprised that they’ve put up so many articles about Jurgen Klopp and already have a talk about it. They’ve been balanced about what’s going on as a whole I think, as balanced as a fan-based podcast can be
I think they tend to veer away from talking about sacking a Liverpool manager (which is entirely understandable, afterall it’s still a supporters podcast and they have to side a bit with the club in some matters, which is fine
I remembered some supporters (not necessarily in TAW) defending Hodgson to the death and said he needed time though, those people can fuck off
I don’t recall anyone defending the owl, only those from other clubs pissing themselves at our misfortune, and the tossers in the media.
Believe me chief, there were plenty online saying that Hodgson was the right man, that he needed time.
Now, that most of those people were the ones that vehemently wanted Benitez out and thoroughly supported Broughton & Purslow in all their dealings
You sure it wasn’t fans from other clubs pretending they’re Reds?
Very sure my friend. But of course no one will ever admit to it anymore, everyone was apparently Hodgson out from the start!!!
I think some of the commenters on here are confusing being constructive and analytic with blind support for the manager – a podcast full of sack the manager shouts (and I’ve certainly thought there’s a case for it recently) would just be boring and overly-negative …
I agree. I don’t listen to the programmes to reinforce my prejudices, I listen to see what alternative views there are. There does seem to have been an ignore the ‘elephant in the room’ tone of late (I abhor thst phrase, actually) but I may have missed some of the broadcasts. Rodgers has certainly provoked strong views, more so than any manager I can recall. Hodgson didn’t incur venom, mainly head-shaking. I can’t see it ending until he’s gone, though. It’s too deep.
I agree with DoraYNWA, TAW has been quite balanced recently in the number of articles posted in relation to Rodgers’ future and Klopp’s availability. The fact that every podcast doesn’t have someone banging the drum for him to be sacked is far from evidence of a pro Rodgers agenda.
Its easy to fixate on players, I’d prefer to look at the managers thinking which is quite fog bound.
Tonight a 4-2-3-1 basically with Can as a right back (?!) and Balotelli as the striker. So why no Manquillo? Why play Balo on his own, why play him at all, we know what he’s like.
Then subs are made – Balo off and er Lambert on, again as a lone striker. Madness.
If the season has been written off then be a bit adventurous – play Yesil off Sterling, the former needs game time has an eye for goal and wouldn’t lack enthusiasm he might even be effective. Stick Ibe as the number 10 with Can/Hendo/Coutinho as the other sides of the diamond and Manquillo/Skrtel/Lovren/Johnson at the back.
As for Sterling his head is elsewhere, does he already know he’s off or does he just want to be gone? Hardy shakes a leg.
With regard to style and tactics, Liverpool are just too slow to stretch the opposition with no pace up front esp when wing-backs are deployed, the other teams defence knows it can sit tight in a couple of lines. Liverpool players then pile up in front of same like a tectonic plate crashing into a continent until its too congested to find any space (while players remain far too static anyway!).
The whole side needs to get back to the diamond and promote pace again. Time and space is what the game is all about use both well and you’ll win far more than than you lose. Hopefully the summer recruiting will look to find that pace again
For up-front pace to work you need to draw out the opposition into the mid-field. Pace is ineffectual if it doesn’t have space to rin into. The pace is still in the squad – Sterling, Ibe, Moreno and even poor Markovic are quick if they have open spaces. When possession is the aim, though, all the opposition had to do is what Chelsea do, cede the ball and park the bus. The more passes you make the more you risk losing possession. And if your passing is confined to the mif-field you leave a gap between the defence and the keeper. Many of our concessions are worked through the huge gaps we leave on the flanks. We are easily drawn
out by teams conceding the MF and pouncing on a mis hit pass.
BR OUT
That’s where quality pace comes in, Coutinho has spent so much of this season trying to create with nothing in front of him – he is essentially working for himself or Sterling who as we’ve seen is not a natural striker and is often played wide anyway. Get back the kind of quick alert running we have so missed since Suarez left and the oppositions defensive lines can be breached.
Score first and you have them at your mercy, they have to come out and then the forwards have the space they need to make the game safe.
It makes you wonder how the hell we ended up with Lambert and Balotelli really doesn’t it!?
You almost missed best part of the match, squeezed in at the very end. I agree with what Robbo
said. Mingolet is just a savage now, destroyed those 2 and laughed, he fucked Lovren up. Redemption Song, should be his song. Also sent Reina- like ball down right channel for quick counter( nearly came off) It is amazing what Nivea for Men can do, Brendan needs a vat full right now.
I hope they do a follow up with just Migs doing some all action, super hero type shit. He must be fuming at Mario, if he sees Golden Gloves slip from his grasp.
Would our Mgr deliberately play Mario as a 1, when he knows it hasn’t worked just to say to the owners, see what you’ve given me to work with, how am I supposed to work miracles with this?, seems a dangerous game to play.
Sterling, to get the best of him must simply be played thru the middle, (ideally as tip of the diamond) where he has more chance of isolating a defender and creating havoc, see 1st leg League Cup v Chelsea. Playing wide, he is double teamed, and although quick and strong, gets nudged of balance or held up by players with more baulk and his threat is somewhat nullified. Every game from now he aint’ in centre I gonna have a right moan to whoever is in earshot, these may even be his last games for Liverpool ffs.
Brendan needs to go, i could literally write a book about his mistakes this season alone…
Good luck with the new pay wall!
I really hope it goes well. I think you all deserve it. For £1.25 a week I definitely won’t be denying myself something I enjoy because not everyone shares my point of view. The site’s been brilliant of late, varied and really interesting.