re: Liverpool FC 2011/12 Season Thread

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I liked the original lineup

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Today's wasn't so bad. I still don't like Adam starting and Downing and Carroll being left out.

Downing has finally started to show promise. But instead of trying to continue his good form, Kenny puts him in for 10 minutes.

Carroll just needs to get some full 90's under his belt. If there is a way to get him back in form, it won't come from being on the bench.

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I can't tell how much of it should fall on Kenny, but his squads and subs are terrible.

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so you all are FINALLY starting to see what i have been saying for MONTHS now!!!!

My biggest beef with KK is his moves (or lack of) in the transfer market... Im sure some of this lays on Comolli's shoulders, too...

This isn't the 80's, you cant get by on British players...

The tactics and squad choices are a product of above and injuries.

His substitutions are sometimes baffling and many times seem too late in the game...

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but I thought his motivation factor would make up for it

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just so we're clear, this doesn't really exist. It may exist in a one game scenario (Man U FA cup last year) but that's about it. It's one of the most overused sport cliches out there.

If you aren't good at the actual game managing, or the personnel managing, then you have nothing and only in extreme cases can being strong in only one of those areas make up for the other.

Guessing at what's going on at Liverpool is pointless because we have no idea, but 28 goals in 30 games is just laughable. Weak performances like this (and lots of others so far) lead me to believe that they're not because the team lacks motivation, but rather sound coaching and tactical leadership.

Charlie Adam is a horrible horrible player, but like we saw last year, he can at least sometimes make things happen or god forbid score a goal.

Downing used to be at least ok at being a winger and getting a cross in. Now he's Gareth Bale but without the pace, strength, or football ability.

Suarez can't score? Carroll? I mean, what the frick? You'd think law of averages would kick in at some point and goals would just sort of happen because these players aren't absolute shite.

Doesn't this mean that they're not being set up correctly? Not being coached properly? I think that has to be way closer to the truth than, 'they're not motivated'.

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'they're not motivated'.

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Yea, I've never quite understood this logic with professional athletes...and I guess you'd probably know better than me, but even in bad situations (lack of talent, poor coaching, locker room disasters, etc.) it would seem that a pay check and job security would be enough of a motivating factor to prevent utter complacency. I don't necessarily agree that a coach/manager cannot be a great motivator, particularly at the HS and collegiate levels...but athletes at this level shouldn't need anyone to "light a fire" under them to go out and perform near the top of their game. I guess I'm a little disappointed that Steve Clarke hasn't provided the tactical acumen whereever Dalglish may be deficient.

At higher levels of sports, motivation becomes an internal thing. You're either motivated to get better, work, and push harder or you aren't. There are no movie speeches or anything like that.

The problem with the thinking of money and job security promoting motivation, is that it gives you enough motivation to basically not get worse. The reason Ronaldo and Messi are what they are isn't because they want more money or to ensure their spot in the team, it's because they're freaks who will do everything required of them to become the best. This is the case in every sport.

But, my problem here is that unless we have a team full world class turds (of which I'm convinced Adam is) then motivation can't be their issue. I just think the way they're set up and utilized doesn't get the best out of them as a unit. From there we don't seem to have the players that can snatch a victory despite a shitty effort or a subpar gameplan (a la United).

Our insistence of playing through the wings is baffling to me. What in the frick has to be shown for Kenny to realize that this will not work?

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So far I think Kenny had done a decent job.

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really??

Charlie Adam signing? no shot at Europe ANYTIME soon, no top 4 ANYTIME soon.....

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but I thought his motivation factor would make up for it.

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even outside of today, do you really feel that this team is motivated? i mean really willing to put it all on the line every single time they step on the pitch.... i can't say that settling for a draw vs. very easily beatable teams is where we want to be....

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King Kenny

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can we retire this phrase? what exactly is King of? getting excited when we finally do the unthinkable and actually net a ball? or is it King of talking tough, then not getting any actual production, while maintaining loyalty to an inept attacking third....

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it would seem that a pay check and job security would be enough of a motivating factor to prevent utter complacency.

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why would pro sports be any different than your local Subway sandwich shop.... hell, when you go to work you either are motivated to do a great job or not based on your own work ethic, not by your paycheck.... it's not like you give a little more effort only when you get a raise....

i've worked with people that made the exact same amount of money as me, with the same amount of job security... and some of us work harder, smarter and get more production out of day than others..... it's up to the individual, not the rewards, to determine that....

job security and a pay check may get you to work every day, but it's not a determining factor in how well you perform at your job...

Sure to be an interesting summer... LINK

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can we retire this phrase? what exactly is King of?

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What? This is ridiculous. Absolutely 100% nonsense. His resume at LFC didn't need this extra chapter to earn the 'king' moniker. He's King because he won countless trophies as a Liverpool player before taking over as manager and winning more trophies, all the while holding true to Liverpool's core values. He's known the world over and his name is synonymous with Liverpool Football Club.

He saw the club through Heysel and Hillsborough while being the manager the last time LFC won the league.

Last year we were sitting through interminable shite at the hands of Hodgson and he was asked to see the club through another rough stretch. He came in, reignited the club and its supporters and gave everyone hope. This year he's won a trophy (first in 6 years and with a chance of another) and gotten us back in Europe.

Sure the league form has been shite and most of our signings have been poor, but you're suggesting he loses his hard earned moniker because of a rough few months? Absurd.