Topic: Comolli: Only 1or 2 adjustments in the summer

[AJ4Seven]

The Buy British policy was probably down to the rule changes and the fact that we didn't have that many British players in the side after the Rafa era (with Gerrard and Carragher but getting on).

Why is myth still around? If that was the reason we wouldn't have been trying to sell on players that qualified as Homegrown.

[Juan Loco]

It has to be Kenny who made the signings.

I don't believe Comolli would want that many British players if it's down to him.

Didn't pay any sort  of attention to who he signed at Spurs then?

This "british" (weh weh weh) policy started with Rafa, and it's being followed at a younger level by Borrell and Segura.

It's not something Kenny did, or Hodgson, it's something that Rafa wanted to put in place when the new rules came in initially, and it's something Borrel believes quite strongly in. The players best placed to "Defend the shirt", I think were his words.

[Quintet]

Kenny choses the player, Comolli pays the silly prices 

[rocco]

It has to be Kenny who made the signings.

I don't believe Comolli would want that many British players if it's down to him.

See it the same .

[Cybertom]

Comolli has possibly the most exciting job in football. Watching numerous games of football, fantasising about who you'd love to see playing for the team that are paying you thousands of pounds a week to fly around the world when you find a man who excites you enough.
If I was him, I'd avoid the public spotlight and enjoy one of the most exciting jobs imaginable. If he avoided the spotlight, he could avoid the media drivel and pressure from his superiors; can you honestly describe a better job?

From the little that I know of Dalglish and Comolli, combined with the perceptions that have been portrayed, I'd assume that the likes of Adam, Henderson, Carroll and Downing were Dalglish buys. We've seen the British policy in his earlier stint as a manager and Damien seems like he prefers continental players - blame must be attached to Kenny for the summer purchases.
Even though it's hard to agree on transfers when there's two people having an input, I would like to see some of more 'Comolli' type players being purchased.
Listen to him Kenny, he's a good scout.

[AJ4Seven]

Didn't pay any sort  of attention to who he signed at Spurs then?

This "british" (weh weh weh) policy started with Rafa, and it's being followed at a younger level by Borrell and Segura.

It's not something Kenny did, or Hodgson, it's something that Rafa wanted to put in place when the new rules came in initially, and it's something Borrel believes quite strongly in. The players best placed to "Defend the shirt", I think were his words.

I don't recall Rafa buying more British players than foreign players at any point in his time with us. I know he wanted our youth policy to be British, but I don't know if that applied to first-team signings.

[djschembri]

Didn't pay any sort  of attention to who he signed at Spurs then?

This "british" (weh weh weh) policy started with Rafa, and it's being followed at a younger level by Borrell and Segura.

It's not something Kenny did, or Hodgson, it's something that Rafa wanted to put in place when the new rules came in initially, and it's something Borrel believes quite strongly in. The players best placed to "Defend the shirt", I think were his words.

Question is, at a more senior level, are the likes of Downing and Adam more likely to "defend the shirt" than Suarez or Enrique for example? I'm not too sure. I do believe that our focus on British senior players last year was probably down to a number of factors, but I don't think pride in the shirt was one of them.

[Gromit]

I don't believe Comolli would want that many British players if it's down to him.

Was he at Spurs when they signed Dawson, Reid, Jenas, Huddlestone, Defoe, Bale, Hutton, Bently and probably a few others in short space of time?

[Juan Loco]

I don't recall Rafa buying more British players than foreign players at any point in his time with us. I know he wanted our youth policy to be British, but I don't know if that applied to first-team signings.

I'm not searching for the quotes again. They're out there. If people really want to try and spin and interprit them any other way because they don't believe Rafa wanted more British players at senior level then bloody go for it. He did.

Question is, at a more senior level, are the likes of Downing and Adam more likely to "defend the shirt" than Suarez or Enrique for example? I'm not too sure. I do believe that our focus on British senior players last year was probably down to a number of factors, but I don't think pride in the shirt was one of them.

I didn't use it as a justification for them, just saying it was something that Borrell believed strongly in, and Borrell was brought in to implement that by Rafa. And for what it's worth, I agree. I think Kenny and Comolli looked at the United and Chelsea squads (and now City) of the last few years and saw how they were built up, with a fair few British players (certainly at United) and wanted to replicate something similar. I think how we built our squad in the summer was a bit reminiscent of the sort of players that City brought in in the first season and a half, before they went out and said "we're having Aguero, we're having Dzeko, we're having Nasri".

[AJ4Seven]

I'm not searching for the quotes again. They're out there. If people really want to try and spin and interprit them any other way because they don't believe Rafa wanted more British players at senior level then bloody go for it. He did.

"We have been working (like that) for years,' said Benitez. 'I was trying to sign Gareth Barry before and Glen Johnson was the same idea: we were trying to bring in British players with passion.
'Players who could feel what Liverpool means for them. Shelvey is one of these and we have two or three names ready so we will try to do the best for the club.
'We have this long-term plan in place and we will try to follow the plan."

I found that, so you were right, I just didn't think his actions ever supported that particular plan.

[Juan Loco]

"We have been working (like that) for years,' said Benitez. 'I was trying to sign Gareth Barry before and Glen Johnson was the same idea: we were trying to bring in British players with passion.
'Players who could feel what Liverpool means for them. Shelvey is one of these and we have two or three names ready so we will try to do the best for the club.
'We have this long-term plan in place and we will try to follow the plan."

I found that, so you were right, I just didn't think his actions ever supported that particular plan.

Well he did say it about a month before he was sacked.

[eirwen]

Interesting.
I really think this British policy should be more about homegrown players. I mean, buying British certainly doesn't equal buying loyalty. Just look at Cole, Rooney etc.

[AJ4Seven]

Well he did say it about a month before he was sacked.

 

[Aido LFC]

So Comolli is the scapegoat now?

[WarringtonRed]

Lets speculate for 4 months until the transfer window opens about who we might sign, or make up that someone at the club has told us that we're signing whoever, and then cry and spit your dummy out when it doesnt happen and threaten not to give any more made up info.

[djschembri]

I didn't use it as a justification for them, just saying it was something that Borrell believed strongly in, and Borrell was brought in to implement that by Rafa. And for what it's worth, I agree. I think Kenny and Comolli looked at the United and Chelsea squads (and now City) of the last few years and saw how they were built up, with a fair few British players (certainly at United) and wanted to replicate something similar. I think how we built our squad in the summer was a bit reminiscent of the sort of players that City brought in in the first season and a half, before they went out and said "we're having Aguero, we're having Dzeko, we're having Nasri".

Agree. I think what we have now going into the summer transfer window is a solid base from which we can push on and top up with a couple of genuine quality players. What is vital is that your squad players remain there for the long term, and that is more likely with British players rather than foreigners. British players are less likely to fail to settle in and clamour for home after a couple of seasons, hence they give us a platform from which to push on. Also, for most of them playing for Liverpool is going to be the pinnacle of their career, so they're unlikely to push for moves away from the club.

If we bring in a defensive midfielder, a winger and a top class striker who is clinical AND can play in tandem with Suarez, then we can be confident going into next year. This year was all about transition and progress, and even if we finish 7th (ie 1 place below last year) no one can say that there hasn't been a marked improvement in our play compared to last year.

[eirwen]

Agree. I think what we have now going into the summer transfer window is a solid base from which we can push on and top up with a couple of genuine quality players. What is vital is that your squad players remain there for the long term, and that is more likely with British players rather than foreigners. British players are less likely to fail to settle in and clamour for home after a couple of seasons, hence they give us a platform from which to push on. Also, for most of them playing for Liverpool is going to be the pinnacle of their career, so they're unlikely to push for moves away from the club.

If we bring in a defensive midfielder, a winger and a top class striker who is clinical AND can play in tandem with Suarez, then we can be confident going into next year. This year was all about transition and progress, and even if we finish 7th (ie 1 place below last year) no one can say that there hasn't been a marked improvement in our play compared to last year.

Compared to last season while Kenny was here, I don't think you can say there has been an improvement. Towards the end of last season we were playing great football and with the points/game to prove.

[careful on these streets, I've heard stories]

Didn't pay any sort  of attention to who he signed at Spurs then?

This "british" (weh weh weh) policy started with Rafa, and it's being followed at a younger level by Borrell and Segura.

It's not something Kenny did, or Hodgson, it's something that Rafa wanted to put in place when the new rules came in initially, and it's something Borrel believes quite strongly in. The players best placed to "Defend the shirt", I think were his words.

Think if you look at history you'll see Kenny favors British players. Fact!

[Juan Loco]

Compared to last season while Kenny was here, I don't think you can say there has been an improvement. Towards the end of last season we were playing great football and with the points/game to prove.

We also played some turgid, lifeless football which no-one seems to remember. Fulham away wasn't the default performance for Liverpool last year any more than West Brom away was.

[Not funny reecehenebry]

Didn't pay any sort  of attention to who he signed at Spurs then?

This "british" (weh weh weh) policy started with Rafa, and it's being followed at a younger level by Borrell and Segura.

It's not something Kenny did, or Hodgson, it's something that Rafa wanted to put in place when the new rules came in initially, and it's something Borrel believes quite strongly in. The players best placed to "Defend the shirt", I think were his words.

Very true, but to be fair the failures in last summers transfers were the experienced players we bought, mainly Adam and Downing.

[careful on these streets, I've heard stories]

Question is, at a more senior level, are the likes of Downing and Adam more likely to "defend the shirt" than Suarez or Enrique for example? I'm not too sure. I do believe that our focus on British senior players last year was probably down to a number of factors, but I don't think pride in the shirt was one of them.

If we don't start challenging for honors I wonder how much pride will be left for players to fight for. You have to remember these players are human

[eirwen]

We also played some turgid, lifeless football which no-one seems to remember. Fulham away wasn't the default performance for Liverpool last year any more than West Brom away was.

Yeah but was it worse than this season when we just can't score at all?

[careful on these streets, I've heard stories]

Was he at Spurs when they signed Dawson, Reid, Jenas, Huddlestone, Defoe, Bale, Hutton, Bently and probably a few others in short space of time?

And a whole host of foreign players

[Juan Loco]

Very true, but to be fair the failures in last summers transfers were the experienced players we bought, mainly Adam and Downing.

Think Adam's done well myself. He's up and down, but strangely effective. He's like having Kuyt in midfield. Downing I won't be writing off because I rate him. He shows flashes, hopefully we'll buy a few attacking players who can carry the threat themselves and Downing plays an effective part of the supporting cast. He looks the worst buy so far though. Adam is more than worth his price, however unpleasing on the eye he might be. Henderson and Carroll have a ways to go, but they've got players buried in there somewhere. You occasionally see something come out, then they'll both disappear for a month.

[Quintet]

Kenny chose Carroll, Downing and Adam and to suggest otherwise and you'd most likely be wrong.

We can either sack them off or give them another chance. I don't know what I'd do with them at the minute, but they are not good enough for our first 11 if we want to improve.

[KirkVanHouten]

Comolli has possibly the most exciting job in football. Watching numerous games of football, fantasising about who you'd love to see playing for the team that are paying you thousands of pounds a week to fly around the world when you find a man who excites you enough.
If I was him, I'd avoid the public spotlight and enjoy one of the most exciting jobs imaginable. If he avoided the spotlight, he could avoid the media drivel and pressure from his superiors; can you honestly describe a better job?

From the little that I know of Dalglish and Comolli, combined with the perceptions that have been portrayed, I'd assume that the likes of Adam, Henderson, Carroll and Downing were Dalglish buys. We've seen the British policy in his earlier stint as a manager and Damien seems like he prefers continental players - blame must be attached to Kenny for the summer purchases.
Even though it's hard to agree on transfers when there's two people having an input, I would like to see some of more 'Comolli' type players being purchased.
Listen to him Kenny, he's a good scout.

This is ridiculous firstly Carroll was bought in January. We bought 8 players last year you have put down every one of the struggling ones as 'Kenny buys'. The only definite successful British transfer you excluded in Bellamy and the two foreign summer buys in Enrique and Doni were totally forgotten. There is no information on who decided on the transfer targets its all speculation because Kenny is Scottish and Comolli is French. But really who cares who chose the players, they are here now and until the end of the season we have to get the best out of them.

The major flaw in our game at the moment is finishing as everyone who has watched any of our games this season knows. Aside from this there are no other major deficiencies in our play we dominate teams but are incapable of scoring. In my opinion every other problem apart from Carroll's form are a result of the inability to finish. Downing would have a lot of assists if some of the chances he has created had been put away. The pressure has built up because of it too and for these new players it can be very hard to adjust to that.

Even if we don't make fourth which is looking extremely likely at this stage this season will not be a complete failure and hopefully give our players a platform to build from both in ending our trophy drought and realising the sort of pressure that they're under to perform week in week out. We have depth now we need quality on top of that to make us better. I think we need to be mindful of what just happened in January and how little money was spent. I think the summer will be very similar as clubs are going to adjust to FFP rules and be mindful of not overspending. I don't think we'll be going for obvious targets that will start bidding wars like Cavani or Hazard, I hope we will try and pull off a couple of kwality surprise transfers.

[Juan Loco]

Yeah but was it worse than this season when we just can't score at all?

Yes. This season has silverware. Last season had, what, a couple of big home games against the mancs (yup, done that at home in the cups) and twatting Fulham. Great, I mean really, I enjoyed it... but didn't actually get any reward for it.

A lot of people forget that a lot of that football we were playing under Kenny last year had a lot of breaks going our way. We weren't walking the ball in even in the games we twatted teams in.

Birmingham at home - Ben Foster spills the first, the second, the 4th and the 5th into the net. Newcastle at home there's a massive deflection in the first and 3rd goals. United at home you've got Nani's bizarre header and VDS dropping the ball on Kuyts foot. Fulham away they fail to clear their 6 yard box for the first and then Schwarzer throws it into his own net for the 3rd.

We played some nice football, but we had a whole fucking host of breaks in some of those games. Bit like Brighton at home, who we also managed to hammer.

[SkinHimHesShite]

If we don't start challenging for honors I wonder how much pride will be left for players to fight for. You have to remember these players are human

i swear we won the league cup last week?

[rocco]

We also played some turgid, lifeless football which no-one seems to remember. Fulham away wasn't the default performance for Liverpool last year any more than West Brom away was.

but if you look at our position from the time Kenny took over we were top 2-3

And after spending a lot of cash we could end up 4-7th

[Juan Loco]

but if you look at our position from the time Kenny took over we were top 2-3

And after spending a lot of cash we could end up 4-7th

... The sample pool isn't exactly the same size. We've also got some silverware 'n' all, obviously.

[KirkVanHouten]

We also played some turgid, lifeless football which no-one seems to remember. Fulham away wasn't the default performance for Liverpool last year any more than West Brom away was.

This is what people seem to forget, the horrible games like Villa away on the last day. I honestly think there has been a massive improvement in our play, we have dominated teams home and away consistently with admittedly a few hiccups along the way like United, Spurs and Bolton. Our biggest problem isn't like Arsenals leaky defence we cannot hide our awful finishing and because scoring is the most important thing in football it often makes thing appear worse than they are.

[selas]

We just need a poacher / goal scorer

We have enough strength everywhere else - its just they are lacking confidence or need a little more coaching by Robbie / Rushie

I'd say we make a cheeky bid for RVP or Pogrebnyak , Defoe or Steven Fletcher - that's all we need ...

Put simply anyone with a proven record of being able to shoot at the target ffs - not row Z - simples

[rocco]

... The sample pool isn't exactly the same size. We've also got some silverware 'n' all, obviously.

just don't se we have progressed on the pitch , feel its more than just needing 2/3 quality hungry youngish players .
Attitude for me from the players at times just doesn't seem right  not saying bad attuide or not trying attuide , more like the DNA of the side has changed over the last few years and it seems ingrained as to say Were Liverpool football Club is not inside the players with confidence .
?

No that wrong to say we haven't progressed on the pitch as have looked great but just not converting our chances

Fcuk just frustrating

[Juan Loco]

This is what people seem to forget, the horrible games like Villa away on the last day. I honestly think there has been a massive improvement in our play, we have dominated teams home and away consistently with admittedly a few hiccups along the way like United, Spurs and Bolton. Our biggest problem isn't like Arsenals leaky defence we cannot hide our awful finishing and because scoring is the most important thing in football it often makes thing appear worse than they are.

I agree totally with this, but there we go. Our problem is that last thing. I don't mind that too much. It's frustrating, but it's obvious to see and I think there's been an all round improvement elsewhere. Personally, I think our 'failures' in the market - save for Carroll so far - have shown what they would offer with a more clinical, instinctive forward. That's not to say I wouldn't want another creative midfielder who could play out wide though.

[Danny_]

just don't se we have progressed on the pitch , feel its more than just needing 2/3 quality hungry youngish players .
Attitude for me from the players at times just doesn't seem right  not saying bad attuide or not trying attuide , more like the DNA of the side has changed over the last few years and it seems ingrained as to say Were Liverpool football Club is not inside the players with confidence .
?

No that wrong to say we haven't progressed on the pitch as have looked great but just not converting our chances

Fcuk just frustrating

So, we just need a friggin striker that can put the ball in the back of the next like Aldridge.  That's all - nothing to do with an attitude problem.  I agree with you -  I think we are playing some great football now.  We are just not getting the reward for it and it is incredibly frustrating, especially when we had the perfect striker to partner Suarez and sold him, albeit for a huge transfer fee.  Even if we had somebody like Darren Bent up front, I think we would be sitting in 4th place right now, maybe better.

[djschembri]

Compared to last season while Kenny was here, I don't think you can say there has been an improvement. Towards the end of last season we were playing great football and with the points/game to prove.

There has been improvement. The only area we have truly regressed is when it comes down to finishing. Obviously goals decide results but I do think that had we been a bit more lucky/clinical in front of goal the progress would be more apparent.

When we've played the right system we have shown we do create enough chances to beat anyone. Our main problem this year has been our lack of composure in front of goal. Apart from that I'd say we've improved quite a bit over last year.

[lillo83121]

would anyone else on here take stephen fletcher from wolves in addition to another striker since id imagine hed be available for 6-7million should wolves be relegated

[djschembri]

Yes. This season has silverware. Last season had, what, a couple of big home games against the mancs (yup, done that at home in the cups) and twatting Fulham. Great, I mean really, I enjoyed it... but didn't actually get any reward for it.

A lot of people forget that a lot of that football we were playing under Kenny last year had a lot of breaks going our way. We weren't walking the ball in even in the games we twatted teams in.

Birmingham at home - Ben Foster spills the first, the second, the 4th and the 5th into the net. Newcastle at home there's a massive deflection in the first and 3rd goals. United at home you've got Nani's bizarre header and VDS dropping the ball on Kuyts foot. Fulham away they fail to clear their 6 yard box for the first and then Schwarzer throws it into his own net for the 3rd.

We played some nice football, but we had a whole fucking host of breaks in some of those games. Bit like Brighton at home, who we also managed to hammer.

Exactly. Case in point:

Liverpool 3 - 0 Man City (last year)
Possession: 57-43
Shots On target: 7-4
Shots off target: 8-9

Liverpool 1 - 1 Man City (this year)
Possession: 56-44
Shots On target: 9-3
Shots off target: 8-5

We actually had more shots on goal this year than when we beat them 3-0 last year. They even had less shots this year compared to last. But the result is very different because we couldn't convert our shots into goals. Obviously this is just 1 game but it would be interesting to see from a statistical point of view whether we've improved compared to last year in terms of possession, shots for & against.

[rocco]

would anyone else on here take stephen fletcher from wolves in addition to another striker since id imagine hed be available for 6-7million should wolves be relegated

No thanks

Have enough squad players

[KirkVanHouten]

I agree totally with this, but there we go. Our problem is that last thing. I don't mind that too much. It's frustrating, but it's obvious to see and I think there's been an all round improvement elsewhere. Personally, I think our 'failures' in the market - save for Carroll so far - have shown what they would offer with a more clinical, instinctive forward. That's not to say I wouldn't want another creative midfielder who could play out wide though.

Exactly its so obvious to everyone that I am confident it will be fixed in the summer. I feel the same way I would love a Modric or Sneijder type player who could feed our forwards with intelligent passing but its not our most urgent need once we fix our problem with hitting every post in the league that top quality attacking midfielder/winger is what takes us from very good to a top class side in my opinion.