The Irish coach Brendan Rodgers found himself at the center of a wave of sharp criticism following the recent decline in Al-Qadsia's results, after a remarkable period since he took over the coaching role last December.

Al-Qadsia delivered impressive performances that made it a strong contender in the Roshan League, before unexpectedly stumbling in the last two rounds, losing five crucial points in the race for the top four.

The loss in the "Eastern Derby" against Al-Ettifaq with a score of 3-2 marked a turning point, ending an exceptional streak for the team that lasted 17 matches without any defeat.

Rodgers expressed his dissatisfaction with the refereeing decisions during the match, especially after the expulsion of the duo Mohamed Abu Al-Shamat and Gaston Alvarez, considering that it directly affected his team's defensive balance.

The situation did not improve in the following round, as Al-Qadsiah settled for a 1-1 draw against Damac, in a match that revealed the absence of the offensive effectiveness that previously characterized the team.

The Irish coach admitted after the match that he felt frustrated, noting that his players lacked the necessary energy to capitalize on opportunities, which was reflected in the final result.

The Al-Qadisiyah squad is experiencing a clear crisis in their defense line, with the absence of four key players, most notably Waleed Al-Ahmad due to an ACL injury, in addition to suspensions and other significant injuries.

Rodgers was forced to rely on young players to compensate for the absences, such as the Spaniard Alejandro Vergas, which affected the cohesion of the defense that conceded four goals in the last two matches.

Despite this decline, Al-Qadisiyah still holds the fourth position with 61 points, with opportunities remaining to compete for advanced positions and continental qualification.

The real challenge for Rodgers lies in quickly restoring technical and psychological balance, especially with upcoming tough matches against teams like Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad.

The Irish coach has an impressive record with the team, having led Al-Qadsiah in 18 matches, achieving 13 victories, 4 draws, and only one loss.

The fans remain in suspense, wondering whether this decline is just a temporary setback or the beginning of Rodgers' style being exposed to his competitors in the league.