Mid-season Evaluation

After two brief stints at the top and majority of the time within T4; we are currently fifth, 6 points off the top and one point off CL places. Key players like Enrique, Johnson, Agger, Gerrard, Coutinho, Sturridge and Suarez have missed considerable amount of games at various points; meaning we never played at full strength. Keep in mind we have the weakest squad among the Top-Eight bar Everton and Newcastle. While we have rooms to improve and our stated minimum objective of CL qualification is in no way guaranteed, our performance bears promise, at the very least.

In the summer we signed Mignolet, Shako, Aspas, Ilori, Alberto, Cissoko and Moses; the later two on loan. Mignolet has been an indisputable success. Shako has been good but he failed, in my view, to provide the physical & aerial security in the box or during the dead-ball situations. Ilori hasn’t played yet and Alberto has played too few to make any evaluations. Aspas, Moses & Cissoko failed to make any (positive that is) impact which is a great concern as they are key depth-players in a very lean squad. Aspas and Cissoko, as one might argue, came from a different league but it’s really disheartening to see the performance of Moses.

Lucas shows all the signs of a burnt-out player. Since we sold Spearing, he has been either injured or had to play without a break. Johnson has drifted between ok and average. Henderson was pretty good when he played on the wings. However, he has been an absolute revelation once put in his proper place, central mid-field. Allen has missed some very good scoring chances, but overall, he has been pretty good and bears the promise of being a very good player. Raheem was average in beginning of the season but lately he has been awesome. True, he missed 5-6 very good scoring chances in as many games, but his movement, link-up and foot-work has been very good. Yes, he needs loads of work in his passing and shooting. Coutinho has been a tad disappointing, to me at least. Yes, he has been great in creating chances. But he isn’t scoring, is he! In fact he rarely ventures into scoring positions inside the box (like Raheem) and his long-range shots are speculative, at best. Sturridge had a fit of nerve once Suarez came back and missed some good chances. But he has become a great asset with his predatory instinct, foot-work, movement and link-up.

I think we had very few poor games, where we dropped points as a result of poor performance or tactics. However, I expected better returns from games against Swansea, Southampton, Newcastle and Hull. We have managed only five clean-sheets thus far. This is really disconcerting specially given the fact we have probably the best assortment of GK+CB in the league. Hull has conceded as many goals as us and Everton and Southampton have conceded less. Also, 28 of our 44 goals came from two players. Suarez alone or along with Sturridge can’t do what’s taking 4-5 players for other contenders. Impotency or profligacy may have cost us dropped points against Swansea, Southampton, Arsenal, Newcastle, Hull, City and Chelsea.

For once, after a long while, teams aren’t too eager to face us. For a change it’s not about damage control but about raising the bar. Yes, it’s only half the season, but we are half way there.

Wishing a very happy 2014 for Art Morte, BeautifulGame, DontthreadonRed, Edulfc, ExtremistEnigma, Fahim89, Heil Mein Reds, Hoxtygen, McAgger, Mr-r34, Nishank, RedOrange, Sepi Portman, Stevieg8 (did I miss any). Wish you health and peace.

Happy New year Ifthi to you as well.

Just to add to add here's our table positions by matchday in the first half of the season.
1: 4th
Matchday 1: 4th
Matchday 2: 2nd
Matchday 3: 1st
Matchday 4: 1st
Matchday 5: 2nd
Matchday 6: 2nd
Matchday 7: 1st
Matchday 8: 3rd
Matchday 9: 2nd
Matchday 10: 3rd
Matchday 11: 2nd
Matchday 12: 2nd
Matchday 13: 4th
Matchday 14: 4th
Matchday 15: 2nd
Matchday 16: 2nd
Matchday 17: 1st
Matchday 18: 4th
Matchday 19: 5th

This is the first time all season we've been out of top 4

Midway through it, our season is hanging in the balance. This can go either way from here, but we probably need to improve a little bit.

The good news is that we've got some quality players linking up well with each other. Suarez, Sturridge, Coutinho, Henderson, Sterling, Gerrard. Apparently going to get a (left) winger in in the form of that Salah dude. Attack looks set for the season.

On the negative side, our full-back situation has been between OK and dire. Johnson's form has been below par - although I don't think he's been as bad as most on here seem to think - and missing Enrique on the left hand side has left us short of skill and experience there.

Moreover it's our midfield that needs one more central player. Lucas has been off-the-pace and Gerrard's role should begin to slowly diminish, in my opinion. I dream of a Gerrard - Mulumbu - Henderson midfield with Allen replacing Gerrard at around 60 minutes.

Anyway, there's reason to be very very hopeful of a top-4 finish and personally I won't be satisfied with the season if we fail to achieve that. That's what Rodgers was brought in to do, that's why Kenny got sacked, and that's the only way we can consider ourselves to have had a successful season by the end of May. So let's f***ing do it!


Also, happy New Year to you all

We will be in the top 4 without any doubt!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!    

McAgger wrote:Happy New year Ifthi to you as well.

Just to add to add here's our table positions by matchday in the first half of the season.
1: 4th
Matchday 1: 4th
Matchday 2: 2nd
Matchday 3: 1st
Matchday 4: 1st
Matchday 5: 2nd
Matchday 6: 2nd
Matchday 7: 1st
Matchday 8: 3rd
Matchday 9: 2nd
Matchday 10: 3rd
Matchday 11: 2nd
Matchday 12: 2nd
Matchday 13: 4th
Matchday 14: 4th
Matchday 15: 2nd
Matchday 16: 2nd
Matchday 17: 1st
Matchday 18: 4th
Matchday 19: 5th

This is the first time all season we've been out of top 4

After losing to Saints in matchday 5, we dropped to 5th. tha'ts inaccurate.

We'll be back in top 4 tomorrow anyways