Odd feeling about this year’s team
It may be old age, but I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling that this season I don’t feel I know my team. I don’t mean reel off our first 11 as I’m sure Nostradamus and Mother Shipton couldn’t predict Rafa’s teamsheet between them, never mind lil ol me. No, what I mean is that I’m not feeling comfortable with the team we sometimes put out.
Take last night’s game v PSV. I am the only one who read the words Zenden, Aurelio, Warnock, Agger, Kuyt, Bellamy and think hang on, where’s me team gone?
It’s not that I don’t know they’re Liverpool players, don’t be daft, nor that I wouldn’t want them to be. Rather it’s a feeling that apart from Carragher and Finnan and maybe Reina, the team sheet looked odd. Un-Liverpool like, unusual, like the ‘real’ team were somewhere else.
Maybe this is a season of transition, maybe it’ll all end in tears, but one thing’s for sure, I don’t feel involved, associated, linked, at one with my team. And for a fan that’s just the worst thing ever.
Now I come from a time when we won the league with 16 players, so perhaps it’s the rotational thing. Or maybe it’s that there a lot of new players, playing in new ways and it’ll take time to get used to them. I have very high hopes for Dirk, possibly Bellamy, certainly Momo, and I think Agger began last night the proper start of his Liverpool career. But when we signed the 2 SH’s, Smicer, Hamman even, it didn’t seem like a new team, rather some new names coming in. And in reality that’s what has happened here. But I do feel that somehow the train has left the Lime St. Station without many of us emotionally on board.
I dunno, it’s an odd feeling, losing to the charlatans across the park hit me hard, but when it has comes to me looking forward to seeing lil Luis playing, or reassured by having Kewell at least on the bench, then something’s definitely up.
My feelings for Liverpool have not dimmed one thousandth of a percent. But that’s my love for the team, the club, the trappings of being a Red. But right now, not the players.
September 13th, 2006 at 2:29 pm
Dear Boy,
I think you should remain calm.
In Rafa we trust and all that, but I do think he knows what he is doing.
This team will take a little while to gel, for sure. It may or may not help that process to rotate in the way Rafa has been. Maybe we don’t know the full story - certainly both Xabi and Stevie looked to be off their respective games at the weekend. There may be some psychological scheme at work here also. Anyway - there are some great positives from last night - Bellamy and Kuyt looks like it will work, and as you say Agger is clearly going to be a first team regular now.
I’m staying chilled me. Kfc
September 13th, 2006 at 2:53 pm
I know what you mean. There were a lot of changes over the summer, players coming in, and some very familiar players going. So some of the players who left may not have been good enough, but they had been at the club a long time, we were used to them, and the level of performance that they gave. All the new players have come with high hopes, but so far none have made me go ‘wow’. I’m not sure if this is the best we will get from them, or whether once they have settled in, they will blossom. I’m sure we all hope so.
A less than stunning start to the season hasn’t helped of course, and it’s just not the Everton defeat either, we haven’t looked like a team going forward.
Now that the boss has the players he thinks he can trust to change formations, the actual formation of the team, and the personel used will take some time to get used to.
It may also be minor, but having 3 completely new kits takes a bit of getting used to.
There has been a lot of changes, and while a lot of fans may see nothing different, I’m feeling a bit uncomfortable at the moment.
September 13th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
Know exactly what you mean, but perhaps it’s a transition to ‘total football’, Rafa is pretty canny - Koeman didn’t know what to do and it broke up his plans for at least two thirds of the match…there is method in the madness and wasn’t Kuyt fantastic? We need to keep it in perspective there’s something really special in the offing I feel it in me bones…..This is Rafa’s team and our team - I’d be gutted if anyone like Hyppia were just discarded but this is about strength in depth and being able to play in a dozen different ways….
Also Chilled - YNWA
September 13th, 2006 at 3:37 pm
In work we recently had a few people leaving, good friends of mine and good workers, well most of them. They have worked with us for a couple of years and we all gelled well and have had some success in recent years. Then during the summer they moved on and we have a few ‘newbies’. Its weird and I’m not as comfortable as I was and I miss my old friends. But they seem to have potential, I don’t really know them yet and we don’t really exchange too many words apart from hello and work related conversations. This is what it was like when I first started, but after a few work nights out and a few jokes it was grand. We aren’t as polished as before but the new guys have shown some promise and the future looks good.
September 13th, 2006 at 3:38 pm
The only problem i have with the rotation system is that too many new signings ae playing at the same. We had 5 new signings in the starting line up last nite (Including Agger who actually played his socks off) with a 6th coming off the bench and I just think its too much. I think new signings should strengthen the starting 11 not change it
I think we should be blooding these guys into our systems more gently more like the way Agger has been blooded. I know we’ll get it right eventually cos Rafa always seems to, but the majority of the guys that played through our 11 clean sheets are still here (Our squad wasnt that bad last season) and apart from didi its mainly surplus players that have gone. I just hope it aint too late by the time we work it out and we’re not thinking about challenging for the title next season by Christmas
Still in Rafa I trust
September 13th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
Strange that, I have the exact opposite feeling. I think that knowing what Benitez wants from his teams helped me a little (I literally studied his Valencia team’s playing style). I do not mean that I can predict his formations, but I am not surprised by the vast rotation.
What i find frustrating is that some players are looking a bit lethargic, while others are clearly trying too hard to impress. I need to see a little more cohesion too, but that will come with more training and more games, I hope.
September 13th, 2006 at 4:56 pm
I think rather than the players you should look at the team on the whole. Even without the stars we still did well against arguably the toughest team (aside from us) in the group at their home stadium. I think once the players settle down and can focus on club football rather than internationals, we will see the team playing well no matter who is wearing the shirt.
Eg we started the match against chelsea without Gerrard and more than matched them so it’s the system rather than the players (most of the time anyway).
Side note: Morientes is scoring like mad eh? Guess the english league and our style of play were not suited to his… good for him though.
September 14th, 2006 at 9:47 am
Think how Moainho is feeling - not only does he not know who will play, he can’t direct abuse to unsettle players ahead of the game as he no clue as to who will play and where!!!
September 14th, 2006 at 10:28 am
The message is clear to the players - no one is indispensible. Players must fight for the jersey. I was fraught with worry when I saw the tream aginst PSV. They played well enough to win the game but we lacked a playmaker. Gerrard’s introduction could have won us the game becuase we were all over them like a rash.
The clean sheet was welcomed but I’m hoping that Kuyt scores quickly. Agger has proved his worth and should start against the Chavs. I liked the look of Kuyt and Bellamy. Quick understanding, pacy and brilliant movement. It can only get better.
September 14th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
It’s age mate - either that or you need to hit the prozac. Just listen to Hansen or Lawrenson when they talk about Rafa - they are always comparing Liverpool to Valencia and I think he is right to try out the new signings ASAP.
The thing about Rafa is that he wants a strong team unit that defends and attacks together. The only way you get that is by having the whole squad at the same playing level - and to do that you need to give players games. I believe partly the world cup has left a few players jaded and a few are not match fit but it is far better to peak during a season than at the start. I still believe we are right in there but the team and not the players must come first.
Have faith and keep taking the pills!