I think there's definitely something to be said for going more aggressive and direct, not worrying so much about possession or conceding and trying to get back among the goals again. Right now the team don't believe they can score, which puts massive pressure on the defence.

I hope we go really strong against Birmingham tomorrow. Nobody benched unless there's an injury concern. Except Chilwell.

The only thing that will change it is N’didi coming back. Without the pressing, interceptions and aggression he brings, the team look a bit lost. Brendan isnt going to change his style of play now - so it’s going to have to come from the players

Good post Nev.

One good point is Kasper is back on form..... down to us conceding way too many chances!!

But the points you raise are right, and followed up with equally valid posts.

What I hope is that Ndidi’s return gives us a little kick on to scramble the results needed to cling on to the top four with our fingernails.

I do however fear that Norwich was critical to our confidence, and the drop in confidence is now terminal. Rodgers has to change something to help the mentality change. Is Ndidi enough alone?

I’m with BS and Dunge. I want us to play more on the front foot and look to be more aggressive. Stop worrying about what teams can’t do to us and focus on getting our creative players in positions that can hurt the opposition.

Im not even sure we need to drop Chilwell - we just need to ease the burden on his limited defending by giving other teams things to think about.

We need our confidence back. I really really worry about next season and what could happen if we don’t get it.

Time to return to my cupboard of darkness!

"Im not even sure we need to drop Chilwell - we just need to ease the burden on his limited defending by giving other teams things to think about."

--------

I don't think increasing the burden on his limited attacking is the way to do that.

I do prescribe to Chilwell’s attacking being limited when we play with a more narrow midfield. Chilwell does better when he has someone ahead of him in wider positions for him to play fast incisive passing with on the overlap.

Pereira is ridiculously good at that.

The fact that Chilwell does very little with the ball after that is frustrating but less terminal than his current standard of either:
A. Run in to a defender
B. Simply run out of play
C. Just let the ball run under his foot so he doesn’t have to deal with A or B!

Chilwell's strongest in attack when he collects the ball deep and drives inside through a midfield gap into space. The timing of his runs out wide is poor and his reluctance to take someone on down the line restrictive.

Birmingham match is Wed not Tues- phew, this got me worried, I had to check I got my days right!

comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 9 minutes ago
Chilwell's strongest in attack when he collects the ball deep and drives inside through a midfield gap into space. The timing of his runs out wide is poor and his reluctance to take someone on down the line restrictive.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Point I’m making is that midfield gap rarely happens when we don’t play with width pulling players out.

He overlaps well sometimes, then scuffs a ball out of play or plays a short pass granted, but he can do it!

K. P. Filbert - Apologies, I earlier today I would have sworn it was tomorrow, but actually it is indeed Wednesday.

Mersey - I just think enough is enough from recent form. It's bad game after bad game and there comes a point when the team has to come first. Justin looks inconsistent but from what I've seen he's done enough to deserve a shot with Chilwell so far out of form.

comment by The_Dungeon_Master (U4830)
posted 13 minutes ago
Mersey - I just think enough is enough from recent form. It's bad game after bad game and there comes a point when the team has to come first. Justin looks inconsistent but from what I've seen he's done enough to deserve a shot with Chilwell so far out of form.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

He looks a much better player to me. Just raw at the minute. I’d be more than happy to give him a go so he’s ready to replace Pereira in the summer when he leaves...

It was a bit subdued on the moanin last night we need a good win in the cup to cheer everyone up.

Thought it was OK, apart from the cringeworthy playing of the Champions League music by Stringer!

That is the one thing they get the biggest amount of stick for on social media even Pipes get it too.