I don't think he needs defending...he is not under attack. Actually, I find it amusing that the Word Defence is in the title...f you really want to make a case for Brendan.
I would say that there is just growing disapointment in the season and in Rodgers because of our lacl of defence. At the start of the season, it was only reasonable to think that to improve as a team, we would need to replace some of Suarez's irreplaceable offence with an improved defence. This would have been true even if we kept Suarez and wanted to improve. Defence was a clear weakness and there was a deep well to draw from to get improved match results. That would have taken us to the next level or at least have kept us in the top 4.
Our failure to improve defensively is a major disapointment. Sure, the players need to contribute to that improvement. But defence is really down to the team shape, formation and player selection. That puts the focus on Rodgers.
Unfortunately we lost Sturridge too. Nobody should be too quick to judge Brendan when he is missing the point of his spear. Heck, to continue with the spear analogy, last season we had a trident in offence. The frustrating thing is that Brendan has been inflexible and continued to attack as if he had a sharp spear...while holding a staff. Instead of improving defence and being resourceful with the use of the squad to pragmatically survive while we had no Sturridge, he persisted with poorly performing players in formations that didn't suit the players we had at our disposal, offensively and defensively. That lack of pragmatism has disillusioned some supporters who know the players we have and how they have been used successfully.
So it is reasonable for folks to be a bit disillusioned with BR as we watch a team that still wastes opportunities because of our defending, that has players who can improve us on the bench or in the doghouse, and a manger that continues tactical choices that are repeatedly unsuccessful for reasons that seem clear to many. I wouldn't mistake that for wanting to get rid of him. It's actually that we expect so much better from a manger that has so much potential ability and that has been able to get the recipe so right. That is a compliment really.
If we can't discuss our tactics, our players and our results...all the things the manager controls...what is the purpose of this forum? It doesn't mean we want to get rid of Brendan. That would be suicide as he has so much potential and there would be nobody that could come in and magically get us to 4th. Brendan does have to show more of that potential we have seen such great evidence of last season. He has that ability to get us winning consistently and once again becoming a force.
