Manager for next season

[passitsideways]

I know it's six years ago now, and the Championship is apparently a lot tougher these days, but it has to be encouraging that Di Matteo did get Albion promoted quite comfortably, and with a strong goalscoring record, even without a prolific striker. That surely speaks to his ability to form an effective attacking gameplan at Championship level, which I think is what we'll have to rely on if we're any chances at promotion.

I get the point about us maybe needing someone with a sense of authority about him, but surely the apparent troublemakers are getting ditched this summer anyway?

[robbo1874]

Oh sure, but Rodgers' main way of defending was playing keepball, which the Liverpool fans disliked early on because they saw it as overcautious. To compensate, Rodgers went to that insane attacking diamond system which got them to second, but only because of Luis Suarez - without him it fell apart, leaving them with the worst of both worlds.

relatively short memories then the scousers- didn't their strongest most successful period happen when they employed keep-ball tactics. I remember watching them as a kid knocking it around for minutes at a time, back to Clemence...rolled out again...then repeat.

[HolmesyVilla]

Oh sure, but Rodgers' main way of defending was playing keepball, which the Liverpool fans disliked early on because they saw it as overcautious. To compensate, Rodgers went to that insane attacking diamond system which got them to second, but only because of Luis Suarez - without him it fell apart, leaving them with the worst of both worlds.

relatively short memories then the scousers- didn't their strongest most successful period happen when they employed keep-ball tactics. I remember watching them as a kid knocking it around for minutes at a time, back to Clemence...rolled out again...then repeat.

Pass & move it's the Liverpool groove.

How you described Liverpool playing is exactly how a remember them, albeit with Crazy leg Grobbs in goal. They'd go one up and then just pas it around between the goaly and defence, even on goal kicks.
I'm sure they are the main reason for the back pass rull introduction

[adrenachrome]

Oh sure, but Rodgers' main way of defending was playing keepball, which the Liverpool fans disliked early on because they saw it as overcautious. To compensate, Rodgers went to that insane attacking diamond system which got them to second, but only because of Luis Suarez - without him it fell apart, leaving them with the worst of both worlds.

relatively short memories then the scousers- didn't their strongest most successful period happen when they employed keep-ball tactics. I remember watching them as a kid knocking it around for minutes at a time, back to Clemence...rolled out again...then repeat.

Pass & move it's the Liverpool groove.

How you described Liverpool playing is exactly how a remember them, albeit with Crazy leg Grobbs in goal. They'd go one up and then just pas it around between the goaly and defence, even on goal kicks.
I'm sure they are the main reason for the back pass rull introduction

Everton were the prime exponents of passing to the goal keeper. There was even a widespread chant "Pass the ball back, Everton".

[HolmesyVilla]

Oh right, pesky scallys!
Thank McGrath for the back pass rule, could you imagine Barcelona without it?!

[Countryside Villain]

Martinez now very much available....again.

[andyh]

Martinez now very much available....again.

We weren't good enough for him (or Whelan) before. Fuck him.

[Hookeysmith]

Martinez now very much available....again.

We weren't good enough for him (or Whelan) before. Fuck him.

100% this

[PaulWinch again]

Martinez now very much available....again.

We weren't good enough for him (or Whelan) before. Fuck him.

100% this

Well I've never heard Martinez say Villa weren't good enough for him. I suspect what is more likely is that he didn't want to work under the restraints that Lerner had placed on the club, which given the subsequent events that have transpired is pretty understandable. I wouldn't tar Martinez with what Whelan says either. I'd consider him as an option.

[Countryside Villain]

Martinez now very much available....again.

We weren't good enough for him (or Whelan) before. Fuck him.

100% this

I'd generally say the same but on the flip side has lower league promotion experience as well as a better than average Premiership record.  Were it not for his previous shun, you might say he ticks the boxes.

[PaulWinch again]

Martinez now very much available....again.

We weren't good enough for him (or Whelan) before. Fuck him.

100% this

I'd generally say the same but on the flip side has lower league promotion experience as well as a better than average Premiership record.  Were it not for his previous shun, you might say he ticks the boxes.

I still think his shun was to do with the restrictions Lerner had in place, which to be honest looks pretty sensible.

[dave shelley]

Judging by the way Everton have defended of late, Martinez (and his defensive coaches) are ones to avoid.  We know all too well about the 'sieve' method of defending.  That's even before the shot-shy form of attack is addressed.

[CJ]

Martinez did well at Swansea and had them playing some good football. He was pretty shit at Wigan - 3 seasons circling the plug hole then dropping in the 4th season. He did win them the FA Cup though. And I think he's done OK at Everton. As someone who could get us back up and keep us there I wouldn't be too averse to getting him.

[ozzjim]

Martinez has failed. Time and again.  No.

[PaulWinch again]

Martinez did well at Swansea and had them playing some good football. He was pretty shit at Wigan - 3 seasons circling the plug hole then dropping in the 4th season. He did win them the FA Cup though. And I think he's done OK at Everton. As someone who could get us back up and keep us there I wouldn't be too averse to getting him.

Martinez has failed. Time and again.  No.

That's a bit harsh, what exactly were the expectations of Wigan when he was there? I'd imagine fight bravely against the drop. They managed that pretty well and won the FA Cup as well. He hasn't had a great time this season at Everton, but he did alright last year. He also did pretty decently with Swansea.