'We released four strikers during the summer transfer window - Kaut, Bellamy, Maxi, and Ecclestone, primarily because they were considered too old and overpaid. FSG wanted younger players and a drastic reduction in the wages bill.
The owners overlook, however, that experience matters, and that young players are still learning their trade. Ideally, of course, the team should be a blend of both. Both FSG and Brendon Rogers do a lot of talking and promise us a glowing future - but how is it that we couldn't afford an additional payment of £2m - £3m extra for proven striker Clint Dempsey ?
Dempsey is said to have wanted to join us, but we apparently weren't prepared to increase our offer - and we now have no new strikers, and are left with Suarez upfront (who isn't a striker anyway), and Borini, who acts like a frightened rabbit caught in the headlights!. To make matters worse, Rogers loaned Carroll to West Ham - before ensuring that we would have in replacements. How stupid is that!. Sure, Rodgers can talk the talk; he says what he thinks we like to hear. But he doesn't have to act like a donkey.
The present lack of firepower is down to him. HE cleared out all those strikers. What a state we're in! And what about Rodgers' tactics ? OK, he wants the team to play as far up the pitch as possible - 'to put pressure on our opponents'. But there's not much good doing that if there's no-one up there to stick the ball in the net!
And what happened to our defence ? We had the reputation for having one of the best defences in the English Premier League, but we're now leaking goals. Why ? Because our left and right fullbacks are spending most of their time as attacking wingers, leaving just two midfielders in defence. And when the opposition counter-attack, we're suddenly faced with up to four opponents racing to our goal. And four against two usually means that we conceed a goal. And you can't blame our goalkeeper for our bad results - he's now under pressure because he doesn't have his normal defensive screen; pressure leads to mistakes - but Reina isn't to blame because the tactics are wrong. Tactics are down to the manager.
Rodgers - get a grip! Be prepared to change the game and formation during the match. Have a Plan B for Christsakes! Opposing teams are all different and require a bit of tactical nous. Our formation and current style of play is an embarrassment. We deserve better'
image: © Sanjiva
The Alchemists: Three Central Bankers and a World on Fire
Hubris: How HBOS Wrecked the Best Bank in Britain
