Brendan Rodgers | Rejoins Celtic on 3 year deal

Dumbstar

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Wouldn't be surprised if he loses the semi-final to Southampton next week. He blew a good chance with us to Villa in 2015.
Yep, that sums up Rodgers. Maybe he will become a world class manager eventually when he's old and grey from his years of near failures.
 

UweBein

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Mr Almost. Next stop Leverkusen.
 

Ludens the Red

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Fair enough, you should back your own. But, hand on heart, the only united defender I see getting in, is Shaw, and that's only because Justin is injured. He is younger, quicker and amazingly versatile. Harry is no way budging any of our centre backs, Evans made him look good. As for Wan Bissaka, a full back who gets nose bleeds in rhe opposition half, is no kind of full back in the modern game. Castagne every time, until Ricardo returns to his previous, near world class level. Bruno, with Ndidi and Tillemans behind him would be the choice midfield. Cavani, Vardy and Rashford up top. Martial would be no where near this team. That all said, my specs are probably as blue, as yours are red.
Simply no way is AWB a better full-back than Ricardo.

From my biased Leicester perspective, the only shoe-ins from Man United would be Bruno (for sure), Rashford and Pogba (if it's the decent Pogba). I'd say the jury is out on Shaw / Justin (I'd say Shaw for longevity, though Justin was nailed on to get our player of the season had he not got injured).

As for center-backs, I'd go for any of Evans/Soyuncu/Fofana over Maguire.

As for the Cavani / Vardy debate. Vardy hasn't been in great form - he's been coming back from his hernia operation - and I can see why people might choose Cavani, but even if you discount goals, Vardy has 7 assists this season, which is nearly as many as Cavani's goals and assists combined (8). I suppose neither are particularly outstanding up front options this season though.

If Rashford could play as a striker, I'd take our Vardy and put another Leicester midfielder in there. Either way, this'd probably be my ideal team (at least player wise - I accept the formation may be a little iffy).

Kasper

Ricardo, Soyuncu, Evans, Shaw
N'didi
Tielemans Pogba
Bruno
Barnes Rashford*

*(Barnes and Vardy have played as a front 2, so maybe Rashford could play the Vardy role)
I think it's time to realise that this is probably not true. @FriendlyFox I know you said from your 'bias perspective' and I know Maguire played under you (Evans played here too) but I've seen you guys have so many defensive collapses this season. And a lot of the time it's Evans and Fofana in particular at the heart of it. Fofana will be awesome one day but he's not mastered the art of defending yet. Doesnt read the game well and is regularly out of position. Evans on his bad day has all the worse things about Lindelof and Maguire. Slow, meandering, unconvincing, etc. The idea that any of these two and even Soyuncu are better than Maguire is beginning to look more and more delusional with time.
 

Jimmy Skitz

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well we haven't had that many defensive collapses at all and unlike Harry ours play behinds only a single dm, play only 1 at United then judge Maguire
 

Bebestation

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well we haven't had that many defensive collapses at all and unlike Harry ours play behinds only a single dm, play only 1 at United then judge Maguire
This is why we probably wont target Ndidi. He goes around everywhere to defensively influence the game - a bit like a better defensive version of Fred.

However, we will target a CDM that tends to stay in on central position and give us a symmetrical structure to the squad. Instead of chasing the ball it will look like the opposition has to get past the CDM to take on the CBs. It gives the CB the time to reposition rather than having open space when the CDM goes chasing a ball This is why I believe Rice maybe targeted over someone like Ndidi.
 

Maluco

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When you see the class that the likes of Greenwood showed coming on today. The quality Luke Shaw has shown all season and the determination and desire Fred brings to the team, I think it’s clear that very few Leicester players get in United’s first eleven. Ndidi and possibly Perreira/Fofana. And those last two are very debatable.

Just as Arsenal are now underrating their players in a bid to defend Arteta, Leicester fans are now overrating their own. Rodgers is doing a fantastic job. Leicester are where they are because of a solid squad and an excellent coach.

They are in the top 4 because of him.
 

AltiUn

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well we haven't had that many defensive collapses at all and unlike Harry ours play behinds only a single dm, play only 1 at United then judge Maguire
A double pivot =/= two defensive midfielders. Maguire frequently plays behind 1 defensive-minded midfielder, usually that DM is either Fred or McTominay, who aren't really DMs, they're box to box CMs being shoe-horned in as defensive mids. Unless the implication is that Pogba's a defensive midfielder because he's playing in the double pivot, but that's a disingenuous line of thought. The usual formation is Pogba - and one of Fred or McTominay.
 

Idxomer

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well we haven't had that many defensive collapses at all and unlike Harry ours play behinds only a single dm, play only 1 at United then judge Maguire
Evans is a mess and fails constantly at keeping players offside, it's not something new either.

He's never been better than Maguire who I don't really rate very high.
 

Jimmy Skitz

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Evans is a mess and fails constantly at keeping players offside, it's not something new either.

He's never been better than Maguire who I don't really rate very high.
when they were playing together for us he was but now no, his natural regression and Maguire's progression has swapped that around, next season I don't think Evans will be starting for us, Fofana and Soyuncu would be my first choice pairing
 

TheReligion

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when they were playing together for us he was but now no, his natural regression and Maguire's progression has swapped that around, next season I don't think Evans will be starting for us, Fofana and Soyuncu would be my first choice pairing
What's the word on the street about the omission of Maddison and co?

I'm curious. Not the first time there's been issues like this.
 

Jimmy Skitz

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What's the word on the street about the omission of Maddison and co?

I'm curious. Not the first time there's been issues like this.
broke covid protocol after the Man City game, 3 were dropped from the West Ham game as punishment 2 were injured anyway, the 3 will be back involved next week, not sure what will happen to Barnes and Morgan
 

passing-wind

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Leicester in no wise have a team that eclipses United's for quality. It's a strong testament to how good a job Rodgers has done. Only players I'd imagine slotting into a United team is Ndidi and Vardy.
 

AshRK

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People can keep on defending him by downplaying their squad but surely it is inexcusable to bottle a top 4 twice.
 

mu4c_20le

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Leicester in no wise have a team that eclipses United's for quality. It's a strong testament to how good a job Rodgers has done. Only players I'd imagine slotting into a United team is Ndidi and Vardy.
By that logic, Moyes is even better. Also, Pereira is one of the best right backs in the league, and I'm sure lots of top teams have time for Tielemans.
 

Ludens the Red

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well we haven't had that many defensive collapses at all and unlike Harry ours play behinds only a single dm, play only 1 at United then judge Maguire
West Ham dismantled your defence twice this season.

Leeds did the same and probably the worse one was Arsenal.
Your defence has a habit of crumbling.

I’m afraid I can’t work in hypothetics, only with what evidence is there. And the evidence is clear. None of Leicester’s cb’s are better than Maguire.
 

roonster09

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well we haven't had that many defensive collapses at all and unlike Harry ours play behinds only a single dm, play only 1 at United then judge Maguire
We don't play any sitting DM at all. We play with 2 CMs.
 

KM

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I think it's time to realise that this is probably not true. @FriendlyFox I know you said from your 'bias perspective' and I know Maguire played under you (Evans played here too) but I've seen you guys have so many defensive collapses this season. And a lot of the time it's Evans and Fofana in particular at the heart of it. Fofana will be awesome one day but he's not mastered the art of defending yet. Doesnt read the game well and is regularly out of position. Evans on his bad day has all the worse things about Lindelof and Maguire. Slow, meandering, unconvincing, etc. The idea that any of these two and even Soyuncu are better than Maguire is beginning to look more and more delusional with time.
Great bump.

It's hilarious how underrated Maguire is. He's an excellent CB and probably top3 in league and yet every team fan thinks they've a better CB than Maguire :lol:
 

roonster09

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I think it's time to realise that this is probably not true. @FriendlyFox I know you said from your 'bias perspective' and I know Maguire played under you (Evans played here too) but I've seen you guys have so many defensive collapses this season. And a lot of the time it's Evans and Fofana in particular at the heart of it. Fofana will be awesome one day but he's not mastered the art of defending yet. Doesnt read the game well and is regularly out of position. Evans on his bad day has all the worse things about Lindelof and Maguire. Slow, meandering, unconvincing, etc. The idea that any of these two and even Soyuncu are better than Maguire is beginning to look more and more delusional with time.
As usual with most of these combined 11s, timing matters. That was day after Leciester beat us in the cup game.

Again going by these opponent fans, Ole must be a genius, Wolves fans said they have/had better team last season, Spurs fans said only couple of players at max will get into their squad, Leciester fans think only 3 players will get into their team, Chelsea fans said only 2-3 players will make their team and we finish above them last season and have comfortable lead this season.
 

Cascarino

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When you see the class that the likes of Greenwood showed coming on today. The quality Luke Shaw has shown all season and the determination and desire Fred brings to the team, I think it’s clear that very few Leicester players get in United’s first eleven. Ndidi and possibly Perreira/Fofana. And those last two are very debatable.

Just as Arsenal are now underrating their players in a bid to defend Arteta, Leicester fans are now overrating their own. Rodgers is doing a fantastic job. Leicester are where they are because of a solid squad and an excellent coach.

They are in the top 4 because of him.
While acknowledging he was great today, I'd have Tielemans over Fred. Same as you I'd have Ndidi in the team. Fofana maybe, he does look like he will be quality but still very young, I'd probably say yes. If this was last season then Pereira would be an easy yes for me, but he was unfortunate with that bad injury. Assuming he'll get back to his best I'll say yes. That's 4-7, Justin has been great but he's unfortunate that Shaw has been class. think Leicester have poor depth in a lot of positions as the United backups are better than their counterparts too.

Don't agree about Arsenal underrating their players, the Arsenal squad is gash. If I was to do the same thing and compare how many Arsenal players would get into the United team, I can name only Saka (Greenwood is a great talent, but while he was good today and obviously a heck of a talent he's struggled this season and I think Saka is more suited to the RW spot). This forum massively overrates this Arsenal side, do you think any other of their players would get into the United lineup?
 

KM

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Simply no way is AWB a better full-back than Ricardo.

From my biased Leicester perspective, the only shoe-ins from Man United would be Bruno (for sure), Rashford and Pogba (if it's the decent Pogba). I'd say the jury is out on Shaw / Justin (I'd say Shaw for longevity, though Justin was nailed on to get our player of the season had he not got injured).

As for center-backs, I'd go for any of Evans/Soyuncu/Fofana over Maguire.

As for the Cavani / Vardy debate. Vardy hasn't been in great form - he's been coming back from his hernia operation - and I can see why people might choose Cavani, but even if you discount goals, Vardy has 7 assists this season, which is nearly as many as Cavani's goals and assists combined (8). I suppose neither are particularly outstanding up front options this season though.

If Rashford could play as a striker, I'd take our Vardy and put another Leicester midfielder in there. Either way, this'd probably be my ideal team (at least player wise - I accept the formation may be a little iffy).

Kasper

Ricardo, Soyuncu, Evans, Shaw
N'didi
Tielemans Pogba
Bruno
Barnes Rashford*

*(Barnes and Vardy have played as a front 2, so maybe Rashford could play the Vardy role)
I'm presuming you'd take Rodgers over Ole too which tbh isn't a controversial opinion.

So just three of our players make it in your combined XI and yet we've scored more goals than you, conceded less goals than you and have a seven point lead. How the feck is that possible?
 

city-puma

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Leicester has developed very good squad. But, players can’t be judged purely on paper. It is whether the team as a whole can play together to bring the best out of each.
For me, Ndidi and Madison would improve manutd. It doesn’t mean the other players of Leicester are not good enough. Leicester has too many injuries lately and Madison is disappointing to make wrong judgment for COVID rule breach. Well, he’s young and can learn from it.
 

FriendlyFox

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I'm presuming you'd take Rodgers over Ole too which tbh isn't a controversial opinion.

So just three of our players make it in your combined XI and yet we've scored more goals than you, conceded less goals than you and have a seven point lead. How the feck is that possible?
I've answered that a few times in this thread already. So I will give you the abridged version.

To sum up: Injuries, Injuries, Injuries, Injuries, Pogba/Bruno/Rashford are very good, injuries, injuries.

Also, it's now clearly apparent that Vardy is done.
 
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FriendlyFox

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I think it's time to realise that this is probably not true. @FriendlyFox I know you said from your 'bias perspective' and I know Maguire played under you (Evans played here too) but I've seen you guys have so many defensive collapses this season. And a lot of the time it's Evans and Fofana in particular at the heart of it. Fofana will be awesome one day but he's not mastered the art of defending yet. Doesnt read the game well and is regularly out of position. Evans on his bad day has all the worse things about Lindelof and Maguire. Slow, meandering, unconvincing, etc. The idea that any of these two and even Soyuncu are better than Maguire is beginning to look more and more delusional with time.
I will maybe cede the point on Evans. He does seem to have got shakier as this season has gone on. Would still take Fofana over Maguire (Maguire does have more experience at the moment, but he's just so slow!). And - unless I'm reading this wrong - you say "even Soyuncu", as if he isn't the best out of the 3 defenders. IMO Soyuncu is the best out of all 5.

There's a lot of recency bias in here - we've been letting them in left, right and center at the moment, but we've still only conceded 3 more goals than you this season. And that's with all the injuries and unsettled back lines. We're playing with Amartey in a back 3 at the moment (Soyuncu has covid). I still honestly believe that, could our defence stay injury free and get a run of games together (we've played so many different formations and combinations to accommodate injuries, which doesn't help), it's the stronger of the two, albeit not by much.

It's your attack which really blows us out of the water. Vardy is finished, Barnes is good, but not Rashford, Perez is useless, Maddison can pull off a worldy but is inconsistent. We're only hanging on by a thread thanks to our Lord and Saviour, Iheanacho. We don't have anyone of Bruno's or Pogba's quality.

I don't think we'll get top 4. Think we're looking at a last-season-like melt down. Something seems quite mentally fragile with this team, but I don't know if that's the players or Rodgers, or both.


Edit: Another point I should probably make. Ricardo still hasn't really looked the same yet, since coming back from his ACL injury. Pre-injury, I'd definitely put him above AWB, but now I'm not so sure.
 
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anant

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I've answered that a few times in this thread already. So I will give you the abridged version.

To sum up: Injuries, Injuries, Injuries, Injuries, Pogba/Bruno/Rashford are very good, injuries, injuries.

Also, it's now clearly apparent that Vardy is done.
Come on! Everyone has had injuries - sure you don't have the depth to deal with them as well as us for FBs but surely you need to acknowledge that either at least one of the statements is true "Utd have better side" or "Utd have a better manager". You have been recruiting as well as any other side in Europe for the past 5 odd years that has helped you reach these heights, but you have to acknowledge as good as some of your players are/potentially are, our players are better.

I mean we were ahead of you even before Justin got injured. And before you bring up Soyuncu's injury, I can do the same for Cavani missing some games at the start, Pogba not being fit enough, Rashford playing with an injury, and so on.
 

Castia

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In danger of becoming known for bottling it (if he wasn’t already..)

I like him as a manager, he plays attacking football and let’s be honest he’s punching above his weight at Leicester but after getting into such a comfortable position for 2 years in a row he has to see it out, the repeat of last season is well and truly on.
 

FriendlyFox

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Come on! Everyone has had injuries - sure you don't have the depth to deal with them as well as us for FBs but surely you need to acknowledge that either at least one of the statements is true "Utd have better side" or "Utd have a better manager". You have been recruiting as well as any other side in Europe for the past 5 odd years that has helped you reach these heights, but you have to acknowledge as good as some of your players are/potentially are, our players are better.

I mean we were ahead of you even before Justin got injured. And before you bring up Soyuncu's injury, I can do the same for Cavani missing some games at the start, Pogba not being fit enough, Rashford playing with an injury, and so on.
Eurgh, I didn't really want to write this all out again, because like I said, I've answered this before.

United have a better side.

I've not disputed that. Because you have a far better/bigger squad, you have world class players in Bruno and Pogba that are above the quality of any players that we have, and while I would put more players in a combined XI (as I've said before, I do think in full fitness, our defense is stronger), there's probably not a great deal of difference between them, while your attack blows ours out of the water.

I made this explanation before. You could make a combined XI, and swap out a Leicester defense with a United one, and probably not notice much difference. The Leicester players that (I believe) are better than their United counter-parts aren't significantly better. If you had Leicesters defense, you wouldn't do any worse. If you had Leicesters attack, you'd probably plummet down the table.

But also, injuries.

Saying "but everyone has injuries" is incredibly disingenuous. I think we had over half our first XI out at one point, and I still don't think we've actually had our "strongest 11" fit since 2019. Trying to even imply that both teams have had near similar levels of injuries is a bit of a joke.

Strength in depth is massive too. Look at our bench yesterday, ffs.

  • 11Albrighton
  • 12Ward
  • 24Mendy
  • 28Fuchs
  • 33Thomas
  • 38Leshabela
  • 46Daley-Campbell
  • 50Tavares
  • 64Suengchitthawon

Compare that with your bench
  • 1de Gea
  • 8Mata
  • 11Greenwood
  • 19Diallo
  • 27Telles
  • 31Matic
  • 33Williams
  • 34van de Beek
  • 38Tuanzebe
 
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TrustInJanuzaj

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One thing I did like was his post-match comments where he talked about the incident keeping his players out. I admire the way he handled that situation and the fact that he stated one of his primary goals was to raise the standards around the club. That's a positive for a club that has had a few dodgy incidents over the years.
 

AgentSmith

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probably Fofana for the rest of this season, next season I think it would be Evans

Schmeichel
Pereira Fofana Soyuncu Justin
Ndidi Tielemans
Perez Maddison Barnes
Vardy​

I think that’s a really nicely balanced team for you guys moving forward, although there’s always the question mark of how long Vardy can stave off Father Time. Iheanacho has definitely stepped up with goals recently though.

Think you could also upgrade Perez for a more natural RW as well. Someone like Pereira from WBA would be a good and relatively inexpensive option imo.
 

liam93

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Iheanacho has to be in the team, he is showing his class now. There’s a reason Man City have a £50 million buy back clause
 

city-puma

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I will maybe cede the point on Evans. He does seem to have got shakier as this season has gone on. Would still take Fofana over Maguire (Maguire does have more experience at the moment, but he's just so slow!). And - unless I'm reading this wrong - you say "even Soyuncu", as if he isn't the best out of the 3 defenders. IMO Soyuncu is the best out of all 5.

There's a lot of recency bias in here - we've been letting them in left, right and center at the moment, but we've still only conceded 3 more goals than you this season. And that's with all the injuries and unsettled back lines. We're playing with Amartey in a back 3 at the moment (Soyuncu has covid). I still honestly believe that, could our defence stay injury free and get a run of games together (we've played so many different formations and combinations to accommodate injuries, which doesn't help), it's the stronger of the two, albeit not by much.

It's your attack which really blows us out of the water. Vardy is finished, Barnes is good, but not Rashford, Perez is useless, Maddison can pull off a worldy but is inconsistent. We're only hanging on by a thread thanks to our Lord and Saviour, Iheanacho. We don't have anyone of Bruno's or Pogba's quality.

I don't think we'll get top 4. Think we're looking at a last-season-like melt down. Something seems quite mentally fragile with this team, but I don't know if that's the players or Rodgers, or both.


Edit: Another point I should probably make. Ricardo still hasn't really looked the same yet, since coming back from his ACL injury. Pre-injury, I'd definitely put him above AWB, but now I'm not so sure.
I know the results lately let you guys feel down but I don’t think you need to be pessimistic to make a top 4. Madison is available and your team finds the way to play Iheanacho. These two players are the most important to your team for the overall performance and they play. Some might underestimate how important Madison is to the defensive part of your game and think his contribution is solely on offensive part.