Brendan Rodgers Discussion Thread

We haven't been quite at it since the Bayern game, and the drop off in form and results has been quite remarkable.Not quite sure where to put the finger on it, but it always seems to come back full circle to the midfield. We have a serious lack of pace and power in the midfield, and opponents seem to be able to play right through it with ease, and not just top quality teams like Villa and Bayern, but the Huns and even other SPL teams. Couple that with a lack of creativity and guile from the midfield and what have you got left ? Zilch.

The lack of these qualities in the midfield causes our back four to be exposed time and time again, and upfront starves our wingers and strikers of ready made ammunition. It's not hard to see where the problem is really, and don't get me started on our corners, which equally come to zilch.

I'm not too concerned about the Hun games and losses, because the last loss was down heavily to Brothers McLean and Beaton's interference. Not so much the Ibrox game, where we were well beaten, and again our midfield was non existent.

I'm still concerned mind you that Schemeichel conceded nine goals in three games against them, which may arguably be the worst record of any Celtic goalkeeper in three consecutive Old Firm games. Be interesting to know if that is accurate or not ?.

Normally Brendan's first pick midfield is McGregor, Engels and Hatate, which is as weak as a new born kitten, even St.Johnstone played right through it, and the lack of quality service to our forwards is abysmal.

If the midfield is sorted properly in the summer, and we get the right mix and depth in there, then I would be confident of another successful season again next year.

 

I think the dip is the result of a number of things but Rodgers doesn’t get a pass. Being so far ahead, complacency can set in, players not switched on enough (we have been starting games so slowly). Some players off form or not putting in a graft (Kuhn), some injuries…but Rodgers is paid a handsome salary to make sure the mentality is right. It’s not a one off so he carries the can a fair bit for that. We also need to look at tactics, as we have become really one dimensional and we don’t seem to have a plan B. That’s on him too, whether it’s stubbornness or sticking to his principles, it hasn’t worked. He’s an excellent manager and has done well this season, but like the players, he needs to pick it up and push for the treble, and get us back playing the football that we all raved about before Xmas

 

Called the players out (rightly so) for being in a comfort zone due to being so far ahead but is every bit as guilty of it himself.

1st time around he seemed far more flexible in terms of formations, off top of my head I can remember us playing, 442, 352, 343, 3421, 3 diamond 3, 433, 4231, in domestic games. We even had a hybrid 4231/3421 depending on in or out of possession for large parts of his 2nd season here. This time around it's been 433 and very little else.

It's as if his attitude is we are better than the rest so let's just turn up do the same thing as last week and that will do.

He really needs to start looking at himself more and realise that in almost every job he's had things go sour in year 3, he needs to freshen things up and motivate the players and himself

 

the backwards sideways pish is a problem for sure but at the same time rodgers doesnt have the personel to change it up .if we are struggling in a game the only trick we have to play is to bring on idah . any other subs are a waste of time . mccowan aint as good as the rest of the midfield ,bernardo solid enough i wouldnt class him as a game changer ,yang is pish no matter how bad kuhn is hes still the better option .

 

100% Rodgers isn't immune to criticism. I find some of his team selections bizarre. Nawrocki hasn't put a foot wrong but yet gets dropped all because he prefers a left footed CB. Continually picking players through bad form.
At the end of the day though were on course for another treble (won't be as easy as a ride as we all thought a few weeks ago though) and we had a much better showing in Europe which is what we all demanded so I do think a little balance is needed. Folk saying they want him gone is a step too far for me and I actually can't stand the bloke

 

Guys a ego maniac let's not beat around the bush. Best for all concerned if someone comes in this summer for him. He leaves with at least a league cup and title (if we get over the line given the last few performances will be a limp over line at best) the performances aren't good enough since December. Be the worst celtic team over his two spells if he manages to fluke his way to a treble playing the way we have doubt we will and hopefully knock some of the arrogance out the support who think trebles are a given.

Born liar also comments about a left footed CB why Nawrocki was dropped didnt have a left footed CB first team unless you count Marvin Compper.

No time for the guy anymore, one dimensional football, narcissist. Totally gone off him last few months.

Time to go!

 

Iv always said it. He'll do it the opposite this time. Start *, get a we bit better, then season 3 blow us away and walk off.

If he doesn't blow us away, atleast we won't be sad when he walks off

 

Hope he doesn't get a third season mate if its the same turgid * from the first 6 months of last season and the last 4 months.

 

Would be wise to cash our chips on a few players this summer and get a rebuild done. A few are clearly wanting away, at their peak selling age and the right contract situation to sell. However , I feel Rodgers may dig in and try and keep them to get us through next season, which is a real risk as those same players will be getting more apathetic towards being here as time goes on. There's 5 or 6 probably looking for moves . Rodgers , with only one season left won't be looking at long term planning or developing a side. Just winning once more . Could backfire and make his successors job alot more difficult than it needs to be.

 

Totally agree in everything you said mate

 

Performances in the last 'meaningful' games of the season will be a big indicator if he has in in him to get this group of players back to their best. If we don't win the Scottish Cup and lose at the huns, then next season is a massive concern.

The meaningful part aimed at people defending our * poor displays at times in the latter part of the season.

 

Hopefully ange is about to sort us out again

 

Getting the team back 'up for it' or hoping to see 'a reaction' shouldn't be necessary but it is. How can you get more from certain players that don't have consequences to a run of poor showings? Do you stick or twist? Bring on new blood hoping they perform adequately enough for the points, if they don't you're wrong to do it. Stay with who got you this far and hope they find previous form and desire, if they don't you're wrong. A good result eases tensions and gets you a little closer to the finish line and happier support, a poor one and it's more anxiety and frustration for fans. Getting right, every time, all the time. Who would be a manager eh? (not for the love nor the money).

In the words of the Doris Day song "Bewitched, bothered and bewildered", (sorry wrong album), "Que sera sera" (though stating that, maybe the first track is applicable too for some).

I don't profess to know the answers but I'm not paid too. I just know somethings have to improve, maybe giving 'Drakhan' and 'Wee Baldy' their shot would be advantageous and warrant their inclusion in the 'side'. Got to be worth a go hasn't it? They would definitely give their all, without question.

 

Hes been given the money an looks like hes * it.

11 million on Engels that can barely beat anyone in the SPFL and a Striker in Idah at 9 million who has played around 15 mins of proper football for us.

I don't trust Rodgers with that kind of money tbh if hes given it again.

And its kinda well known a majority of managers have their downward spiral in their third season.....So im assuming hes either off next year or even as early as this summer.

Players have been a joke as well though so im not blaming Rodgers in this absolute fall since January.....They also should be hounded out.

For everyone i honestly think that they fight to win this Treble and a majority move on......even Rodgers.....All on a high.....because i have a scary feeling if he stays and this starts going downhill fast next season we are gonna be in for a tough ride.

 

Typed a response but it never posted for some reason. The fans should be reimbursed by the players for that performance. Motivation should not be a ln issue on the way to claiming the biggest accolade of the season.

 

If he delivers a treble and with the improvements made in Europe this year then hes more than earned the right to go again next season I think.

But, something is off with the team and has been for a while - and Rodgers needs to address it. It cant be these step back from things type interviews where the board need to be more ambitious or the players need to be more focussed. I think he needs to own it as well. Theres a real danger his tactics are stale and the squad arent responding to them now. Rodgers has been slow to consider change. Its happened in the Old Firms, its happened regularly away from home. HAs he considered changing anything from his end? Not on what we have seen so far.

The vibe I get off the team isnt good. The body language doesnt look great. You can get in the depth of Winter having to go play in some of these SPL grounds in the cold and wet may not be particularly pleasant. But weekend there gone sun is out, Summer on the way, supports travelled in numbers, pressure is off and you can look forward to closing in on the tile. You would think there would be a sense of enjoyment about the squad where the shackles would be off playing the bottom placed team. But many of the players just didnt look to be enjoying things at all. The game looked like a chore for them. I read the recent from McGregor there - he makes wrapping up the tile sound like having to lift the squad for a trip to the dentist. Its strange.

 

I wouldn't read too much into McGregor's interview, he's got a strange way of talking, that just sounds like recycled platitudes, none of it makes sense.

The root of the problem is we are severely lacking in quality midfielders of the right type, they are all a bit of much of the same, and some of them look demotivated because of a lack of game time, so consequently, we have no real game changers on the bench anymore.

McGregor is aging and lost a yard, I wouldn't be surprised at all if he chucks it at the end of the season on a high hopefully ( the treble is not a gimme anymore ), on the back of three league defeats in six games, and the Huns rattling nine goals past us in three games.

That has eroded team confidence.

We have lost all our momentum and are limping towards the league title, and facing an uphilll task to lift the Cup, and as I have said many times before, the 4-3-3 system with our current crop of players is killing us, as other teams have long sussed out how to beat it.

 

Have levy and spurs came calling yet for rodgers.lol. HH

 

Imo theres trouble between rodgers and the players. HH

 

The players have become complacent as is natural in man,when one thinks the goals have been reached and you settle for just a performance and nothing more. They have to get it into their heads and keep going until the very end and I mean the very end . Get it done this weekend with a great performance and keep it up.