Given how the season has panned out thus far I was wondering how it is going to be perceived on a boardroom level, and where it sits in the master plan – however long that plan may be mapped out for. A work in progress has been the term most often bandied about regarding Liverpool football club, so how far have we progressed. Taking last season as year 1 of the plan I suppose, and the fact that ownership battles dominated the beginning of the season, I’m inclined to think that the new ownership were prepared to let the season pan out as it would to give them a baseline on where we were and where they expect us to go. Last season we finished 6th, 10 points off CL qualification, 4 points from EL qualification. Knocked out of both cups in the 3rd round. This season, looking destined to finish 5th or 6th, currently 10 points off CL qualification, League cup winners (qualified for EL) and still in the FA cup ¼ finals. Looking like its unlikely we will improve on last years league finish, unless by one spot, but excellent progress in cups. How long do people think the “master plan” is? Or what is likely to keep FSG content with the clubs direction and progress? Year 1 – Baseline club Year 2 – Qualify for European competition (Europa league) Year 3 – Qualify for CL Year 4 – Title challengers. With domestic cup success sprinkled in years 2-4. Personally I think the League cup this season will be seen as a bonus and as an indication that the club is progressing at a pace that will satisfy the owners. Not trying to turn FSG into another big bad wolf (we’ve had enough of that type of owner), merely wondering what people think will keep them contented that their business (and regardless of spin doctoring, attending matches, and singing You’ll never walk alone nobody will convince me its not exactly that for them), is in good hands and moving forward and most importantly for us the fans, putting their hands in their pockets to improve the team.
I doubt there is a "master plan" - More likely that the owners would like to see us in the C-Lge as soon as possible, but thats hardly a master plan. We're improving all the time and the club is heading in the right direction. Results like today are frustrating but thats life. Getting into the top 4 next season is crucial and if you want to call that a masterplan then fair enough.
id say its defo progress this season its more or less a brand new team in there first season, its the managers first full season we play some good stuff at times and its only our finishing letting us down.we have a cup in the bag for the first time in 6 years and in with a great shout of another one.we have also qualified for europe.with 1 or 2 additions in the summer we will start turning them home draws into wins and we will be right up there. this is the first step on the way back to the top and its a big step imo.
If you want to look for a blueprint or plan of success then you just have to look at city for that. They were bought in 2008, won the cup in 2011 and are challenging for the title in 2012. Most big scale rebuilding jobs take roughly 4 years and a lot of money. You only have to look at the amount of money city have spent realise how hard it is. The most important thing fans need to have is a little bit of patience. We have won a cup in dalglish first full season whilst playing lovely football at times, so we have most definently progressed. Its been a bit frustrating in terms of our finishing but thats football. Just looking at city's first season and they finished 10th so we are ahead of them in terms of progress and they spent twice the money we have. I said we will be challenging for titles and the champions league within 3 to 4 seasons and we are on track for that.
Ok I admit its unlikely theres a 30 page document with the title of master plan going around the offices in Anfield but to be honest, after spending 10 years working for Americans/American companies I can practically guarantee that theres a plan. The only thing they love more than strategies, is big convoluted strategies with lots and lots of goals,targets and flowcharts. I'd be stunned if they havent got a model of where they expect the club to be financially and on the field of play at the very least season by season, and wouldnt be at all surprised if its broken down further than that.
i think so. we were cat last year. now we had a squad. when lucas comes back i think he ll be a big addition. i think we need to add a few more clinical players and that would complement the rest of the squad! way better situation then a year and a half ago!
Were not that far off. I think Kenny and Commoli have a massive summer ahead. CL football is unlikely so we can forget about signing the Cavanis and Hazards that are apparently available this summer.
we've made some progress..to be honest we were woeful as a team last year but scored alot more..according to the stats page located here http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/first-team/statistics we have improved dramatically defensively, which we already knew, but scoring is letting us down. Last season in total we scored 59 goals and this season already with 12 games left we have just over half that with 30. we all know where we need to improve and hope the owners do aswell but as a squad we have improved and our drive to succeed and will to get back into games if we are down has definitely improved
Considering its Amercain owners you can be damn sure there have a stage plan, if the plan is'nt going well people will be moved on. They defo want Champions lge in a big way, the league cup should keep KK in he's job this season,but next season is a different story.
There's no doubt we are improving. Every match this season ive felt confident of winning beforehand, I didn't feel that last season. But, im sure our goal at the start of the season would have been a top 4 place. There has been a big outlay, with big money signings like Carroll, Suarez, Downing, and Henderson etc. We need success asap. Our best player is going to be 32 in May. Im sure at the end of the season if we finish with a Carling Cup and 6th place it will be regarded as a disappointing season, by Gerrard, Kenny, and those in the boardroom. An FA cup could change things, but there's a long way to go with that. And can anyone say they are excited about the Europa League qualification? It's a crappy competition that will just hinder us next season in our top 4 quest. Obviously every summer is important. But with Gerrards age, and I fear another disappointing season could make Suarezs' mind wander towards a more competitive team(because he's that good!), it's vitally important the right signings are made during this summer. Every man and his dog knows we are cryin out for a top class right winger, and a natural goal scorer. They will be expensive yes, but add those 2, a bit of luck with injuries, and I'd be very confident of finishing in at least the top 3!!!
Thought we were improving and we are to some degree.The cup is great and so would the fa cup but in the league we have won two of the last ten games.That is shocking.Today we had so much possession we didnt know what to do with it.But to deserve to play in the champions league you need to be winning 6 out of every ten games or 7 out of every ten games. Two out of ten is excusable because we won the league cup, but from now on anything less than wins will not be enough.but its progress to have won a cup for the first time in a few years.
yeah good post, i would agree with all of this. A lot is said of this progress stuff and all... On another day, we'd have been 4-1 up at half time, missing a peno and hitting the post twice. In the second half martin kelly missed a sitter too. Arsenal are no stranger to conceding goals either. Personally, i think they are not a patch on what they used to be.... In the medium to long term, we are actually doing better than them IMO. Despite what league positions say at the moment.
I think I have to agree with you there Bobby. It's your classic case of, the league table doesn't lie. were easier on the eye, no question, and if half of those 21 efforts off the posts/bar plus 6 peno misses went in, we'd deffo be in a much better position and we'd all be talking about mounting a challenge for 3rd but half of them didn't go in.
We are improving no doubt but with the money we have spent we should be improving quicker. Top 5 finish and carling cup and please god the fa cup would be a success. but getting into 4th was our main goal this season and its not looking great at the minute.
[/I] agree with all of above...especially the Europa league bit....considering our league position at this stage (WEST FCUKING BROM are 4points behind us) & we hadn't even the Europa Cup to contend with, it is worrying for next year... LFC in the past few years are always missing a piece of the full jigsaw....one year we can't defend, the next we can't score etc etc... & you can be sure that even if we got a finisher, some other area of the field will go to sh1te One would have to ask, are we full on practising our finishing, penos, frees & corners in training, because all of them have been abysmal, not only this year but for the past several years At this stage, considering our league position I definitely think we should now blood the likes of Sterling....He's been really impressive this season, & should now get some 1st team gametime..
Second half of last Season we were a top 2-3 side and playing great fluid football , this season we look to have taken a step back even after spending decent money on proving the squad. Still feel more than just 2-3 quality additions theres something not right at the club as though it's been over the last few years been added to our DNA. Could ramble on for ong while on formation , players etc but still feel its more than that Attitude ? Believe ? Players ?
Everything short of putting the ball in the back of the net has been improved. There is no denying that. Kenny has one massive priority in the summer. Buy a proven goalscorer/poacher or 2.
Falcao, Higuain, Soldado, Cavani, RVP Any one of those along with Hazard/Goetze/Marin & Erikson for the midfield and I'll be happy