Ninja
15 years ago
7 years ago
5,341
Rojo won't ever be anything more than an okay central defender, his positioning lacks and he's too undersized. The only way to help cover this areas of weakness is to literally partner him with a bigger stronger centre back. He has the urge to try to nick the ball in front, similar to Luiz and also Carvalho back in the day, the difference is that they're both bigger stronger players who could also use their body if needed- Carvalho also read the game far better and combined well with Terry because each other covered the others weak points. A consistent partner may help, but no one Man Utd have in their squad is going to be the right sort of partner he'll need.


Carvalho's a weird example because Rojo is both taller than him and I'd say stronger too. He certainly looks pretty strong, and has a scrappy sort of determination that will see few players better him one on one. Obviously doesn't read the game as well as Carvalho at his best, but few do.

At 24 I see a lot to be positive about he's 6ft 1 (not massive by any means, but the same height as Terry), quick along the ground, strong and good on the ball. He does read the game fairly well, and I think the only time I've ever seen him properly out of position is when his central defensive partner did something stupid and unexpected.

Given that the alternative was Vermaelen, I'm very happy with him so far and he's far exceeded some fairly low expectations.
George14brfc
13 years ago
4 years ago
3,912
ah ok I thought did Shaw did quite well with a few tackles but perhaps that was a result of him being out of position in the first place...
Ninja
15 years ago
7 years ago
5,341
ah ok I thought did Shaw did quite well with a few tackles but perhaps that was a result of him being out of position in the first place...


To be fair, opinion seems very divided on him from yesterday. Some think he was excellent and others think he was appalling. He definitely showed that he's a very good defender at times though but I thought Navas got in too easily. I reckon LVG would try him at centre back if we had an alternative to him at left back.

On his game, he's top class defensively, but offers little going forward. That will probably develop, but he's got all the tools to move inside.
Based Jorge
11 years ago
4 years ago
1,399
Rojo is essentially Vermaelen tbh. Better at left back than CB. It's not like there weren't doubts when you signed him.
Ninja
15 years ago
7 years ago
5,341
Rojo is essentially Vermaelen tbh. Better at left back than CB. It's not like there weren't doubts when you signed him.


He's not better at Left Back.
Based Jorge
11 years ago
4 years ago
1,399
Was good there for Argentina, touted a liability as a CB for Sporting and now United.
tmatthew
18 years ago
1 year ago
771
How the hell was he a liability for Sporting? He was one of their best players.
Sam
18 years ago
2 years ago
5,092
He was apparently very inconsistent.
tmatthew
18 years ago
1 year ago
771
Tom Kundert, Portuguese football expert:


He became a pillar and a leader at the centre of defence, utilising his lightning pace to make endless timely interventions. He also became a potent goal threat with his powerful aerial game and thunderous left-foot shot, scoring six goals during the season – before impressing again at this summer's World Cup in Brazil.
Ninja
15 years ago
7 years ago
5,341
Tom Kunert, Portuguese football expert:


No, sorry. A liverpool fan wrote an article for Sporting Witness that more people saw so we're going with that version of events.
tmatthew
18 years ago
1 year ago
771
Apologies.

He's a liability. And a left-back being played out of position.
Sam
18 years ago
2 years ago
5,092
Tom Kunert added:

When playing at centre-back, he has a tendency to be pulled out of position.


Which I've seen him do quite often. He had Mauricio to cover for him at Sporting. I'm not saying he definitely won't come good (I hope he does), I'm just not convinced he's a very good CB. I think he's a better LB.

£16M isn't too bad, but Garay went to Zenit for only £12M - and we really could have done with him. Plus we're paying £4.8M to loan out Nani as part of the Rojo deal. Argh.
bluemoon.
17 years ago
2 months ago
2,411
Premium
No, sorry. A liverpool fan wrote an article for Sporting Witness that more people saw so we're going with that version of events.

To be fair that guy runs a site on Portuguese football. He's about as much of an expert as Tom Kundert.
tmatthew
18 years ago
1 year ago
771
Tom Kunert added:

Which I've seen him do quite often. He had Mauricio to cover for him at Sporting. I'm not saying he definitely won't come good (I hope he does), I'm just not convinced he's a very good CB. I think he's a better LB.

£16M isn't too bad, but Garay went to Zenit for only £12M - and we really could have done with him. Plus we're paying £4.8M to loan out Nani as part of the Rojo deal. Argh.


I'm not saying he's perfect, but that above quote shows he was certainly not a liability. And Mauricio is wank.
tmatthew
18 years ago
1 year ago
771
To be fair that guy runs a site on Portuguese football. He's about as much of an expert as Tom Kundert.


Are we talking about Jan Hagen? I thought he was just a freelancer? Kundert runs a Portuguese football site.

Not that it matters. But criticising Rojo's Sporting form when people hadn't even heard of him a few months ago is ridiculous.
bluemoon.
17 years ago
2 months ago
2,411
Premium
Are we talking about Jan Hagen? I thought he was just a freelancer? Kundert runs a Portuguese football site.

Not that it matters. But criticising Rojo's Sporting form when people hadn't even heard of him a few months ago is ridiculous.

Yeah, if I remember rightly he specialises on Portuguese football and has his own site. Might be me wrong mind.

Yeah, I agree with you there.
Ninja
15 years ago
7 years ago
5,341
Can we all just agree to bash Rodgers for the latest round of ridiculousness instead?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B1i0IyaIMAArSJo.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B1eb4kNIYAADGPp.jpg
Slashman X
18 years ago
1 year ago
6,000
Being stubborn and arrogant only works when you're winning. I for one am loving his shitness this season, can't stand the way he speaks
bluemoon.
17 years ago
2 months ago
2,411
Premium
He's a prize wanker.
Chera
17 years ago
4 years ago
248
His comments about spurs last season saying a side who spends 100 million in a transfer window should be challenging for the title could put pressure on himself.

Also, Gerrard hasn't been outstanding, especially this season but also most of last season, Henderson carried him most of last season.

He also said its hard to replace 80% of your goals from last season in Sturridge and Suarez missing when in fact they scored around 50% of the league goals.
Based Jorge
11 years ago
4 years ago
1,399
Anyone got the image of him with a 'ghost' Shankly next to him?
Slashman X
18 years ago
1 year ago
6,000
Also: "Defending is easy"
Ninja
15 years ago
7 years ago
5,341
Anyone got the image of him with a 'ghost' Shankly next to him?


The worst thing about that nonsense is that their official twitter account tweets it.

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bi3XVJ4IgAAYMf2.jpg

this is my all time favourite Rodgers quote from a game when he was Swansea manager though:

'“It is great for the public here at Sunderland to see us,” said manager Brendan Rodgers. “They must have been wondering what this team everyone is talking about are all about and now they have seen"

In a game they got beat 2-0 and had one chance in.
Tommo.
13 years ago
6 months ago
2,272
I love the fact they said Please Retweet. Beg much
Sam
18 years ago
2 years ago
5,092
Rodgers is an absolute moron. He talks so much nonsense. A very mediocre manager.
Poe
18 years ago
2 weeks ago
3,675
Wes Brown needs to retire.
BR.
18 years ago
3 years ago
1,896
A very mediocre manager.


Hmmm, have to disagree Sam.... He's got a struggle on his hands this season but came within a whisker of winning the league last season and gave Liverpool their most exciting league campaign (playing excellent football) for god knows how long.

Let's see how he copes with this tough period (looking at their next two games things might be about to get worse before they get better), but I think he's a good manager, although his summer signings can definitely be questioned.....
.verse
13 years ago
1 year ago
871
Hmmm, have to disagree Sam.... He's got a struggle on his hands this season but came within a whisker of winning the league last season and gave Liverpool their most exciting league campaign (playing excellent football) for god knows how long.

Let's see how he copes with this tough period (looking at their next two games things might be about to get worse before they get better), but I think he's a good manager, although his summer signings can definitely be questioned.....

Liverpool's challenge last season had more to do with Suarez's sheer footballing ability than that of Rodgers managerial nous. Was easy to play attacking football when Suarez was firing. When it came to actually relying on more than that, Rodgers faltered.

Naturally, trying to replace someone like Suarez is basically impossible, but expecting a regularly injured Sturridge to replicate and exceed his efforts last season was always going to backfire. Rodgers has also invested a lot of money into average players who've ultimately not really improved the squad whatsoever. Along with believing he could summon sense into Balotelli to deliver on his footballing ability.

Now, most of Liverpool's hopes are pinned on a 19 year old Sterling.
Crane
15 years ago
1 month ago
2,434
Premium
Liverpool's challenge last season had more to do with Suarez's sheer footballing ability than that of Rodgers managerial nous. Was easy to play attacking football when Suarez was firing. When it came to actually relying on more than that, Rodgers faltered.

Naturally, trying to replace someone like Suarez is basically impossible, but expecting a regularly injured Sturridge to replicate and exceed his efforts last season was always going to backfire. Rodgers has also invested a lot of money into average players who've ultimately not really improved the squad whatsoever. Along with believing he could summon sense into Balotelli to deliver on his footballing ability.

Now, most of Liverpool's hopes are pinned on a 19 year old Sterling.


I really hope you're saying that to try and get in on the Rodgers bashing, rather than actually believing it.
Croy
14 years ago
1 month ago
207
At our peak last season, at the end when we won like 11-12 games in a row, Suarez was far from his best: he started being a cunt again, selfish and diving, not scored nearly as much as he did previously.

I still have great hopes for BR, he is still young and inexperienced, did some mistakes this season but hopefully he will learn from them and get the team firing again.

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