Topic: Brendan Talks To RAWK - December 21st 2012

[Sarah Deane]

A bit short this month - pesky Christmas takes up a lot of time, so....

**************
When Brendan Rodgers walks into a room, it's hard not to take notice. Surprisingly short in stature, he more than makes up for it with a presence that's so instantly charismatic, he has grown men almost bowing to him as he shakes their hands.

RAWK is at Melwood for another Q&A with the forums, and all of us here have two burning questions:

What's going to happen in the January transfer window?
and
What the hell happened against Villa?

The former, is a question Rodgers is understandably reticent to answer, the main reason being he simply doesn't know and, even if he did, it would be a bit stupid to tell a bunch of websites his game plan. He wants "2 or 3 players", but won't be drawn on specifics, except to say, a bit obviously, that there are "areas which need support" and "we need to bring in goalscorers". Understandably, Rodgers is wary of the press and discourages fans from believing anything they read in the papers.

About the Villa game, Rodgers is quite clear on what went so wrong. "Last weekend, it's probably as confident as we've been [before the game]. But what we lost last week, for me, was graft, sheer hard graft. That was missing from our game."

The players, he reckons, were suffering from a major bout of over-confidence.

"It was complacency." he says, "All week, you couldn't avoid it, the radio...the papers...everyone saying that Liverpool could be top four, and everyone's feeling that, and everyone's thinking that. And the Friday before the game, the atmosphere here was fantastic. But there are a lot of inexperienced players in our group, and they're hearing these things, and no matter what you tell them, they're believing it, but you have to go through experiences, to realise that no matter what people say, think or do, you have to graft. We never got the goal early on, and then when we went behind, we just didn't have the intensity or the aggression in our game."

What really riled him, however, was seeing fans leaving Anfield with still 20 minutes to go.

"It was probably as disappointed as I've been. We're not always going to get the results, it happens in football. But the one thing I never, ever want to see, is the home supporters walking out of Anfield, with fifteen, twenty minutes to go. That's not acceptable. It's not acceptable that they don't believe we're going to get something from the game. That was something that hurt."

Rodgers is acutely aware of how not killing off games, has cost us points.

"I'm as frustrated as you. We dominate games so much and sometimes you only go 1-0 in front, but no matter how much you dominate a game, and it can become a war in the last ten minutes, you scrape through, but you get no comfort. You think 'we should have won that by so much more'"

Despite the many dropped points of the season so far, though, Rodgers still has his eye on a decent second half of the season. "It'll be tough, but we still can make the top four. I genuinely believe that."

For the full interview, including his opinions on players' agents, the evolution of Jordan Henderson and Jose Enrique, and why "Being Liverpool" was "about as far removed from who I am", click below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaDGGZJonVo&list=UU30avO2n6knAFiH2c8e4qiw&index=3

[Eeyore]

A bit short this month - pesky Christmas takes up a lot of time, so....

**************
When Brendan Rodgers walks into a room, it's hard not to take notice. Surprisingly short in stature, he more than makes up for it with a presence that's so instantly charismatic, he has grown men almost bowing to him as he shakes their hands.

RAWK is at Melwood for another Q&A with the forums, and all of us here have two burning questions:

What's going to happen in the January transfer window?
and
What the hell happened against Villa?

The former, is a question Rodgers is understandably reticent to answer, the main reason being he simply doesn't know and, even if he did, it would be a bit stupid to tell a bunch of websites his game plan. He wants "2 or 3 players", but won't be drawn on specifics, except to say, a bit obviously, that there are "areas which need support" and "we need to bring in goalscorers". Understandably, Rodgers is wary of the press and discourages fans from believing anything they read in the papers.

About the Villa game, Rodgers is quite clear on what went so wrong. "Last weekend, it's probably as confident as we've been [before the game]. But what we lost last week, for me, was graft, sheer hard graft. That was missing from our game."

The players, he reckons, were suffering from a major bout of over-confidence.

"It was complacency." he says, "All week, you couldn't avoid it, the radio...the papers...everyone saying that Liverpool could be top four, and everyone's feeling that, and everyone's thinking that. And the Friday before the game, the atmosphere here was fantastic. But there are a lot of inexperienced players in our group, and they're hearing these things, and no matter what you tell them, they're believing it, but you have to go through experiences, to realise that no matter what people say, think or do, you have to graft. We never got the goal early on, and then when we went behind, we just didn't have the intensity or the aggression in our game."

What really riled him, however, was seeing fans leaving Anfield with still 20 minutes to go.

"It was probably as disappointed as I've been. We're not always going to get the results, it happens in football. But the one thing I never, ever want to see, is the home supporters walking out of Anfield, with fifteen, twenty minutes to go. That's not acceptable. It's not acceptable that they don't believe we're going to get something from the game. That was something that hurt."

Rodgers is acutely aware of how not killing off games, has cost us points.

"I'm as frustrated as you. We dominate games so much and sometimes you only go 1-0 in front, but no matter how much you dominate a game, and it can become a war in the last ten minutes, you scrape through, but you get no comfort. You think 'we should have won that by so much more'"

Despite the many dropped points of the season so far, though, Rodgers still has his eye on a decent second half of the season. "It'll be tough, but we still can make the top four. I genuinely believe that."

For the full interview, including his opinions on players' agents, the evolution of Jordan Henderson and Jose Enrique, and why "Being Liverpool" was "about as far removed from who I am", click below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaDGGZJonVo&list=UU30avO2n6knAFiH2c8e4qiw&index=3

Is he having a laugh, he was probably the worst culprit for building ridiculous expectations with the interviews he gave, he wasn't talking about top four he was talking about 3rd.

[Redman0151]

Spot on about supporters leaving early. Too many whoppers fucking off early so they can bail onto the motorway, if you're not going to bother supporting the team then stay in your armchair

[itsgunnabebarnes!]

Good god he is the one who built the expectancy with his aims

[Redman0151]

Good god he is the one who built the expectancy with his aims

He was getting hung drawn an quartered on here when he had realistic expectations at start of season in fairness, he couldn't win either way.

As I have said before, LFC job is a bigger poisoned chalice than the England job

[edeyj]

The point about raising expectations is a fair one to be honest and something he needs to manage with the players. We should only ever be concerned with the next game and the players (and management) need to appreciate that. We still have Colin Pascoe talking about taking full points from the next few games. Deal with the next one, pick the strongest team for that.

Regarding supporters leaving with 15 - 20 minutes to go is poor. Can't believe that a committed supporter would do that in any game to be honest.

[careca]

Spot on about supporters leaving early. Too many whoppers fucking off early so they can bail onto the motorway, if you're not going to bother supporting the team then stay in your armchair

Too true couldn't be put any better.

[fowlermagic]

Even title winners cant get complacent so when most of our lads in the first team look at their trophy cabinet and see a League Cup winners medal perhaps then how do they get complacent? Its match day so other things to be chatting about but if you think you have earned 3 points or 4th spot based on what you read in the papers then the fall will be swift and deserving.

[God's Left Peg]

Good god he is the one who built the expectancy with his aims

Maybe he's learning, too.

[LondonRedMan]

Spot on about supporters leaving early. so they can bail onto the motorway, if you're not going to bother supporting the team then stay in your armchair

Well actually it's their right to leave whenever they want. Leaving a game of football {aside from reasons of doing work of real life} is a way of statement-making. It's quite a powerful statement to have a load of fans leaving early being shown on SkySports. It's expressing dissatisfaction and protest.

In fact these types of actions before a transfer window could well spark a board into action.

Riling against these fans as though they are not-committed is unfair. In fact leaving early can be a sign of commitment and passion.

[bas5times]

The players really shouldn't be feeling over confident after TWO wins on the bounce lol, that is quite surprising.

[DyingAtheist]

Well actually it's their right to leave whenever they want. Leaving a game of football {aside from reasons of doing work of real life} is a way of statement-making. It's quite a powerful statement to have a load of fans leaving early being shown on SkySports. It's expressing dissatisfaction and protest.

In fact these types of actions before a transfer window could well spark a board into action.

Riling against these fans as though they are not-committed is unfair. In fact leaving early can be a sign of commitment and passion.

I really disagree.
If you're leaving early, you're putting no faith in the team or the manager, you're not supporting them with your presence. And honestly, how do you think it feels for the players to see people leaving so early? That's going to dash confidence.

[Solomon Grundy]

He was getting hung drawn an quartered on here when he had realistic expectations at start of season in fairness, he couldn't win either way.

As I have said before, LFC job is a bigger poisoned chalice than the England job

This is very true.

[Samie]

He was getting hung drawn an quartered on here when he had realistic expectations at start of season in fairness, he couldn't win either way.

As I have said before, LFC job is a bigger poisoned chalice than the England job

Agree mate he can't win can he?

[Kop10]

Yeah that's exactly what it was Overconfidence.

Aston Villa got their tactics down to a tee and excecuted. We tried really hard - as our crossing stats will bear testament to -
but just weren't good enough on the day.

[Red Genius]

Confidence isn't the issue, you want your players having complete self belief, it's the managers job however to ensure they are not complacent.

Lets hope that this acts as a learning curve for players and Brendan a like moving forward. When we get another couple wins under our belt and the PR machine goes into overdrive and media tout us for greater things, Brendan can refer the lads back to this Villa result and use it as a tool for focus and hard work.

[LondonRedMan]

I really disagree.
If you're leaving early, you're putting no faith in the team or the manager, you're not supporting them with your presence. And honestly, how do you think it feels for the players to see people leaving so early? That's going to dash confidence.

I see your point but I think during the game the players will be unaware

However at the end of the day - the right to leave early still remains with the fan. To be fair since the fans left the stadium early we have won 4-0...maybe it has an effect

[Cid]

Not sure if he's having a go at the fans or the players here but everyone knows we got fucked over in that match because we set up completely wrong and got hit on the counter constantly.  Wish he'd take his fair share of the blame to be honest, because it's his whether he claims it or not.  We've been vulnerable to the counter all season and I suspect we will continue to be.  Complacency?  He was going on about 2nd place!

Well actually it's their right to leave whenever they want. Leaving a game of football {aside from reasons of doing work of real life} is a way of statement-making. It's quite a powerful statement to have a load of fans leaving early being shown on SkySports. It's expressing dissatisfaction and protest.

Indeed.  It's akin to turning your back on a play, it's about the only method a paying crowd has to display their distaste.

[kopitecrash]

Not sure if he's having a go at the fans or the players here but everyone knows we got fucked over in that match because we set up completely wrong and got hit on the counter constantly.  Wish he'd take his fair share of the blame to be honest, because it's his whether he claims it or not.  We've been vulnerable to the counter all season and I suspect we will continue to be.  Complacency?  He was going on about 2nd place!

'"It was probably as disappointed as I've been. We're not always going to get the results, it happens in football. But the one thing I never, ever want to see, is the home supporters walking out of Anfield, with fifteen, twenty minutes to go. That's not acceptable. It's not acceptable that they don't believe we're going to get something from the game. That was something that hurt."'

He's not blaming the fans.

[Cid]

'"It was probably as disappointed as I've been. We're not always going to get the results, it happens in football. But the one thing I never, ever want to see, is the home supporters walking out of Anfield, with fifteen, twenty minutes to go. That's not acceptable. It's not acceptable that they don't believe we're going to get something from the game. That was something that hurt."'

He's not blaming the fans.

As I said, not sure.  It's a pretty vague comment and could be taken a few ways.  Certainly not as clear cut as you're making out.

[Canada Loves Anfield]

"Oh my god. Im manager of Liverpool Football Club and I cant believe that we are talked about in the press."

[Zeb]

As I said, not sure.  It's a pretty vague comment and could be taken a few ways.  Certainly not as clear cut as you're making out.

It's very clear if you watch him saying it. Was a criticism of the team's performance and lack of effort rather than of the fans.

[JohnHobbes]

Sarah, thanks for taking time for this. Watched one of these the other day and is always fascinating listening to him speak and articulate about his plans, his thinking and why he believes certain things occurred.

Just a shame that people are posting about the fourth comments. If he hadn't have said anything then he would have been accused of lack of ambition. Saying it was just inviting complacency.

Currently the job is indeed a poisoned chalice.

[Redman0151]

Well actually it's their right to leave whenever they want. Leaving a game of football {aside from reasons of doing work of real life} is a way of statement-making. It's quite a powerful statement to have a load of fans leaving early being shown on SkySports. It's expressing dissatisfaction and protest.

In fact these types of actions before a transfer window could well spark a board into action.

Riling against these fans as though they are not-committed is unfair. In fact leaving early can be a sign of commitment and passion.

 Not having this in the slightest.

I suppose it's sound to boo the players and managers now right?

I mean it's a way of showing passion and dissatisfaction.

That's not how LFC has ever worked and it's not how it should work.

 You aren't a "consumer" dissatisfied with a product or a meal, you're a Liverpool fan, you are expected to behave a certain way just like the manager and the players are.

The moment leaving early is condoned is the moment the flood gates open and we start seeing mass booing around Anfield, Wanker Hats around every corner and renditions of "YOUR NOT FIT TO WEAR THE SHIRT".

[Benimar Col]

Well actually it's their right to leave whenever they want. Leaving a game of football {aside from reasons of doing work of real life} is a way of statement-making. It's quite a powerful statement to have a load of fans leaving early being shown on SkySports. It's expressing dissatisfaction and protest.

In fact these types of actions before a transfer window could well spark a board into action.

Riling against these fans as though they are not-committed is unfair. In fact leaving early can be a sign of commitment and passion.

I think your spot on,

we have too much media interference nowadays, we get a win under our belt then expectations raise slightly ( tonight included )  then you get the manager saying where not aiming for 4th but higher.

Players over confidence was evident last weekend, we got mauled after the tenth minute, they must have thought they only had to turn up against a depleted Villa side.

I cannot believe for love nor money that he said publicly the players where over confident, that's totally inept

[Il Capitano]

As I said, not sure.  It's a pretty vague comment and could be taken a few ways.  Certainly not as clear cut as you're making out.

No, that's definitely not what he meant. He's talking about the team's performance being unacceptable. You have to listen to him say that to know what he means.

[jamieredders]

Well actually it's their right to leave whenever they want. Leaving a game of football {aside from reasons of doing work of real life} is a way of statement-making. It's quite a powerful statement to have a load of fans leaving early being shown on SkySports. It's expressing dissatisfaction and protest.

In fact these types of actions before a transfer window could well spark a board into action.

Riling against these fans as though they are not-committed is unfair. In fact leaving early can be a sign of commitment and passion.

It's their right but shows a total lack of commitment to the cause.

Every fooker should have left at half time in Istanbul.  Showed the watching millions on TV what we thought of the shite first half. 

 

[John C]

That was a really good listen. BR clearly enjoys the interaction and 'holding court'.

So, Robinson is set to go on loan somewhere. I've no doubt he'll benefit and I sincerely hope he returns.

[robgomm]

That does seem to overlook the tactical reasons we lost. But complacency did seem very present. He's learning too!

[Narwin Dunez]

What really riled him, however, was seeing fans leaving Anfield with still 20 minutes to go.

"It was probably as disappointed as I've been. We're not always going to get the results, it happens in football. But the one thing I never, ever want to see, is the home supporters walking out of Anfield, with fifteen, twenty minutes to go. That's not acceptable. It's not acceptable that they don't believe we're going to get something from the game. That was something that hurt."

Damn straight.

[hedger]

Fantastic interview. I think its clear Rodgers knows the game inside out. I was very pleased to hear him talking about the need for experienced players. If he is backed in the transfer market i think we have a good future

[nellyp]

Sorry people, but 4th place is a joke. I think we can look at 6th, which would be great after our start. Our only hope is that other teams have a second half of the season like our start to the first. Man U, Man C, Chelsea, Arsenal will be top 4. We then have to compete  with Everton, Spurs. Swansea could be in with a shout if they keep playing with the confidence they have, I think West Brom will burn out.

[PhaseOfPlay]

Sorry people, but 4th place is a joke. I think we can look at 6th, which would be great after our start. Our only hope is that other teams have a second half of the season like our start to the first. Man U, Man C, Chelsea, Arsenal will be top 4. We then have to compete  with Everton, Spurs. Swansea could be in with a shout if they keep playing with the confidence they have, I think West Brom will burn out.

5 points off 4th

Steadily rising points per game trend

Goalscorers to come in January

Tight league season predicted

Additionally, setting a high standard than expected forces players to raise their game. Aiming realistically high shows the players the manager means business, and separates the ambitious and hard-working from the unambitious and lazy.

I'd say we're in with a shout.

[Fromola]

Even title winners cant get complacent so when most of our lads in the first team look at their trophy cabinet and see a League Cup winners medal perhaps then how do they get complacent? Its match day so other things to be chatting about but if you think you have earned 3 points or 4th spot based on what you read in the papers then the fall will be swift and deserving.

It's ridiculous. Look at Barcelona. They treat every game like a cup final and never take any opponents lightly. That's what winners do.

The Chelsea result today just makes that farce last week all the more criminal.

[PhaseOfPlay]

It's ridiculous. Look at Barcelona. They treat every game like a cup final and never take any opponents lightly. That's what winners do.

The Chelsea result today just makes that farce last week all the more criminal.

You mean the game against the current European Champions?

Hardly a fair comparison

[aman92]

Wonderful interview...listened to it in the Anfield Wrap. Funniest moment was Brendan alluding to his 'peep' during the flight.
Very rational points put forth by him though.

[aman92]

It's ridiculous. Look at Barcelona. They treat every game like a cup final and never take any opponents lightly. That's what winners do.

The Chelsea result today just makes that farce last week all the more criminal.

Can't compare...different weeks different team. We thrashed fulham 4-0 but Chelsea only drew 0-0 against them at the Bridge.

[Alf]

I watched this yesterday on Redmen TV, it went well over an hour so fair play to him.

[Harinder]

Can't compare...different weeks different team. We thrashed fulham 4-0 but Chelsea only drew 0-0 against them at the Bridge.

Don't say that. It spoils his belief system 

[Andy]

Well actually it's their right to leave whenever they want. Leaving a game of football {aside from reasons of doing work of real life} is a way of statement-making. It's quite a powerful statement to have a load of fans leaving early being shown on SkySports. It's expressing dissatisfaction and protest.

In fact these types of actions before a transfer window could well spark a board into action.

Riling against these fans as though they are not-committed is unfair.

You've misunderstood I think - he is saying he is disappointed that the team haven't given the fans reason to stay to the end, that we weren't competing to get any sort of meaningful result. He's not slagging off the fans (though I do think they should be shot for leaving before the end) but expressing disappointment with the team.

In fact leaving early can be a sign of commitment and passion.

Sorry, that is bollocks! "We are so committed we are leaving 15 mins before the end, cos we don't believe we should support a team that is losing".