I think "Crunch time" is a little sensationalist, even if it is meant to stir up good debate; it circumvents broader issues here and using a snapshot of games to determine the longevity of Rodgers' management is a little naive IMO.
We're in a position where we are hanging on by a wing-and-a-prayer to somehow improbably scrap 4th place, with an FA cup semi-final looming. Nobody should scoff their noses up the most prestigious domestic trophy in football (the FA cup) but the position we find ourselves in now with regards to our league position should be on the overall picture of the campaign, and not off the back of defeats to Arsenal and Manchester United.
We've been playing catch-up pretty much since the season started and that a pattern has emerged where fellow Reds say to each other Brendan Rodgers' sides usually come good in the second half of the season. Like it's a given, that we're expected to start sluggishly and someway ramble back into proceedings with the expectation of better form in the latter part of the season. Well, guess what, that is a load of bollocks! As seen recently and stretching back further than the Mancs and Arse's games our form has been waning and we've had no buffer in this marathon of a race to wane, as it seems we've put all our eggs in one basket expecting ourselves to romp the second half of the season. It's failed miserably up until this point, and coincided with pinning our hopes on "Crunch time" to see how Rodgers reacts is almost folly, the horse has already bolted!
For me, the season needs to play out in whatever fashion it does. It would be fantastic to win the FA cup and it is something we should be striving for now to bring some positivity, confidence, morale and togetherness back among players and fans alike. It will be the perfect tonic to an average season and should stand everyone in good stead for next season.
Rodgers has to address our sluggish starts. For me this is are our 'Crunch time' issue that will pave the way to this point next season.
I'll give a manager of my club the benefit of the doubt, be it Rafa, Dalglish or for my sins Hodgson - my patience doesn't wear thin quickly on managers whom of which I recognise are burdened by the history and expectations of this great club, added for ominous measure that they don't have the means of wealth, that clubs like Citeh & Chelsea have. Realism and pragmatism has to be used these days when supporting our club in its current climate. Realistically, we can ask why Rodgers and the team have performed under-whelmingly at the beginning of each? season. It's something he can control and take responsibility for especially if we know we can more often than not reverse first half season trends in the second half of seasons. We have got to fight in the league for 10 months of a season, it's no good only being able to do that in 5 months. That's the crux of our issue and it's that reason we're questioning things now, not because of recent defeats in the league to the Mancs and Arsenal.
I will say, I share very similar sentiments to dunlop liddell shankly as well, that I find it quite unpalatable that fellow Reds are talking up the prospect of other would-be managers. For me, and the reason why my patience can be stretched for Liverpool managers; is because it feels like turning my back on the manager admits defeat for my club. Using him (Dalglish or whomever) as the sacrificial lamb to undo everything that has been done feels treacherous. That's not to say that the next manager who comes along will have a hard-time winning me over because of the way the last manager was 'treated'. I didn't want Dalglish to go, he should have been given more time, but I'll be fu**ed if I'm going to blame that at the feet of Brendan Rodgers. Like DLS, I'll move on when the time comes for Rodgers but I won't condone or participate in eye-lid pashing for another manager while there is already one in the hot-seat. I support the manager because supporting him supports my club. It isn't blind support either, Rodgers has shown he has the capability to be one of the most modern young managers on the continent. What he has achieved isn't Paisley-esque but as the story goes 'from little things big things grow' and hopefully it becomes more Shankly-esque. There has been enough little pieces here and there to suggest something can possibly grow, and for something to grow, time is needed and patience afforded. Winning the FA cup would be a very advantageous building block for Rodgers, but again I wouldn't burden him with the expectation that he has to win it like some sort of ultimatum. It would be nice though.
My requirement for him would be, go and try to win the FA cup and make sure our form from August to December has us sniffing around 2nd or 3rd place come next season, in that time stay in as many cups as you can - and from that, see where we go.
« Last Edit: Apr 19, 2015 05:47:56 am by Beerbelly »
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