Liverpool are currently in what we’d call a transitional phase, off the field anyway. On the field, we’re what some may call ‘stuck in the mud’. The recent abject showing against Wolves made two things abundantly clear to me. 1) Andy Gray and Alan Parry are so unbearably buffoonish that I watched the majority of the game on Sky with the mute button on and 2)Roy Hodgson does not have the ability to manage Liverpool.
What we have at Liverpool is a swinging axe, and Hodgson’s head is edging nearer and nearer. Firstly, the failure by Statler and Waldorf in the Sky gantry to call into question even one of their mate Hodgson’s tactical or team choices, and instead to simply act baffled while the crowd chanted for Dalglish was criminal, for so called experts. When the crowd reacted ironically to Konchesky’s substitution, they failed to grasp two important points, that the Konchesky family has had a bit too much to say in public and that he is probably the worst left back the club have had for decades. Even Andreas Dossena could lash in a good cross (and score some memorable goals).
My only salvation was to reach for the mute button and reject the bile being spouted from the TV. The loyalty by Sky and the London press in general to their mate manifested itself even more so when Parry felt the need to give his two pence on Rafa Benitez tenure. Mockingly inferring fans must be crazed to have him back, oh what some would give to have the goatee’d maestro at the helm.
The second point, which will no doubt be much discussed, is the ability of the incumbent manager, Roy Hodgson. To put it bluntly he lacks a few qualities to be a success at the top; the ability to adapt during a game, the ability to motivate world class stars, and the personality to create an atmosphere within the club of superiority. I have previously defended Roy (mildly), and suggested we may as well give him the season, and I may think differently in the morning, but I can’t bear this suffering much more. I am unsure about the appointment of Dalglish, would it be silly to suggest if we appoint him, fans will find it too difficult to let go. Especially if he divides opinion with an indifferent tenure, although, I would be curious.
The solutions aren’t obvious, and in my previous posts I’ve highlighted candidates such as Flores, Deschamps and Coyle. I think blaming Benitez for the mess we’re in now is a classic case of passing the buck. Rafa’s ‘rejects’ aren’t that bad, it’s a team full of internationals and youth promise. All we missed at the end of 2009 was a game controller, someone to move the ball quickly from side to side and show a bit of ingenuity. Aquilani would be the obvious choice, considering he’s already our player, but Roy sees it differently.
Continue Reading on Page 2 . . .
Its live fantasy football! Become part of Liverpool’s next live match and play Picklive for FREE. A Free Trial for every reader here
This week it is Liverpool WAG Alex Curran!
————–
CLICK ON THE IMAGE OR HERE TO GET TO THE GALLERY
–
http://www.petitiononline.com/hodgson/petition.html
Was it not the same media that created all the hype about roy in he first place….a lucky cup run last year and suddenly he was midas, how naive?…… JW said he was gonna listen… honeymoon is over John, start listening or it won`t be just Woy that loses the fans!!!
I also wanted to comment on Andy Gray’s horrible analysis on the game tonight. It took him “15 mins” to realise that Stevie G and Raul switched positions in the first half. He mentioned that Raul M was a flop this season when most people would say that his game has vastly improved over the past weeks since he was moved to the middle of park . And he s****ed on David Ngog for the whole time that he was on the pitch. Ok Ngog’s last 15 mins wasn’t great but I thought he played well in the 1st half. His hold up play is much better now and he wasn’t afraid to shoot (one of his shots that was blocked was heading goal bound) but Gray was on the guys back from the 1st min where as Torres pretty much got off scot free (no pun intended) Why do you think that Man City have not put a bid in for him this transfer window they know he is not worth the cash. He reminds me of Owen and Rooney, playing from a early age and peaking in their mid 20s and then they are a shadow of their former selfs. Time to get rid of him along with Hodgson and start a fresh .
is it me or when sky want to blame Rafa for anything and all of whats going on at Liverpool, he is not even in charge! its getting like a madness with them now.
Rafa was great and rafa was at times very poor but come on! to blame rafa for liverpools problems now, when he left johnson, torres, reina, gerrard kuyt agger and some other good players at the club is just digusting and its what sky want to do.
When will people wake up in this place, its what sly sports do,,, keys just keeps talking about rafa and so does gray,,,, roy is now being protected by media men and production companies like sky because that way they can dig at liverpools failure.
roy…. has to go and he has to go becasue.
1, torres and reina and others do not want to play for him.
2, the club needs a fresh young manager who has a name that players respect and want to play for.
3, the results have been poor.
4, his media management is just shocking, joe cole press confrence falling out with glen, agger and many more.
5, siging konchesky and poulsen, and jones? what the hell was that about….
6, has to go becasue the PAYING FANS IN AND OUTSIDE OF LIVERPOOL AND ANFIELD WANT HIM GONE…
LAST TIME I CHECKED IN ANY BUISNESS, ITS THE CUTSOMERS THAT PAY THE BILLS. WELL THE FANS ARE THE CUSTOMERS AND HAVE JHAD ENOUGH.
7, ATTENDENCES ARE DOWN BY AROUND 2,500 PER GAME ON AVERAGE…
WHAT ARE THE MUG OWNERS WAITING FOR…
Agree Samuel, all you say is true. After hearing his post match comments I think Roy believes his own press. Very unwise of him to mention Dalglish – like putting the noose around his own neck.
Very good article and I agree 100%.
Disturbing facts. Very disturbing facts indeed. Read below:
From Wikipedia:
Inter Milan days
Given that Inter had a recent history of winning UEFA cup finals, with victories in both 1990 and 1994, the Italian side started as favorites against Schalke. When the German underdogs won the final in Milan, Inter fans pelted Hodgson with coins and lighters.[10]
Hodgson later admitted that, throughout his one-and-a-half seasons at Inter, there had been regular speculation that he would get the sack, but he insisted he had had the support of the owners. (Same tactic now. Insisting he has the support from the club owners. Boy, this man is a shameless prick)
Blackburn days
Blackburn’s owner gave him the chance to resign honourably, but he refused to do so, leaving the club with no option but to sack him: “To Blackburn’s honour, Jack Walker wanted me to resign, he wanted to still pay for the rest of my contract. He said, ‘Why don’t you resign? You’ve had enough, it’s not working out.’ I refused to do that, arrogant of course as I was in those days. I thought if they stuck with me I’d save them from relegation. I do think that the players were very much still with me, so I couldn’t resign because that would be a suggestion that in some way I was doing something or something was happening which I didn’t see to be the case or the truth. I gave him no choice but to sack me”.[16] His final game was a home defeat by Southampton.[15][17]
(THIS PRICK WILL NEVER RESIGN EVEN IF HE LOSES HONOR, PRIDE, ETC. SAME SITUATION NOW. HE FEEL THAT HE CAN TURN AROUND LIVERPOOL’S FORTUNE AND WILL NOT RESIGN BECAUSE HE FEEL HE IS DOING THE RIGHT THING AT THE MOMENT. THIS OLD MAN IS TOTALLY INSANE AND FULL OF HIMSELF)
This is a very good article indeed. I am sure as of yesterday (after the match) the new owners would have decided that the time to put their plan into action has arrived. Roy looked well and truly beaten after yesterday’s game.
roy hodgson is so stupid…he let meireless play on the right..y roy?y? Are u nuts? He’s very good in central midfield..y not play him alongside lucas,so SG can play with torres.. I think now its time for daglish to finish the job and influence the players and crowds..i’m sure he’ll be good..jan transfer window? Just sack roy!! Sell konchesky & poulsen.. And bring just two good players myb edenhazard & ashley young.i think hodgson lost the plot already,f he’s a tinker,he should play johnson at the right wing..give him a chance and let kelly play at the rightback..hodgson is well known as an xperience manager?b******t!!.. He keeps on manage around the globe cuz he love the managerial career..but he’s not that good..thats y he always get sacked cuz he dont have charisma & deep intelligence abt game…time for him to go..
Andy Gray is a nob, all he does is sits in his studio and go on about how it’s all Rafa’s fault. I can’t believe he even gets paid for what he does. Whenever he opens his big mouth, all you can expect is tripe.
Roy Hodgson is out of his depth and the guy’s proved again and again he’s not good enough to move the club forward. I’ve had enough of his pathetic excuses and his negativity. NESV please get this guy out before he drags the club further down and wastes 10 mil on Charlton Cole.
After seeing yesterday’s match i have forgotten top four hopes and now ‘m praying god to deliver LFC an spot in europa league atleast because v haven’t played like an club with top 4 aspirations i was detestated and irritated after that match so henry must realise now or he will lose many kopites supporting liverpool all over the world…….
Let England have Hodgson and then we can all see just what a great manager he is!
Whats wrong with JH bringing Rafa back on a rolling contract to suit the club??Torres is NOT up for the games now, (is it maybe that he is disgusted that Gerrard and Carragher where instrument in the back stabbing of Rafa??,do SG & JC now realise that Rafa
was the right man after all but have to keep face with their endorsement of the manager now?? the feelings i have now are utter DREAD at what can and will happen next,how far down will this man take us?
how could Liverpool Football Club be in such dire straights with the gruesome twosome gone??
It seems Rafa can do no right in the eyes of these fools. Not too long ago, we used to rule Europe, beating the best teams in their own backyard. Now pub teams can easily beat us in our own backyard. Heck, even when we were not winning, I was still entertained. We were playing proper football, not this s**t.
Roy was never the right man, Rafa was not the right man (please stop bringing up the 2005 final – great comeback that it was, it was nowt to do with Rafa. He was forced into a change bringing on Hamann who should have been on at the start and not that lazy Aussie Kewell. The rest is history and a mainly Houllier purchased team).
Only one man can bring back the glory to Liverpool and thats Martin O’Neill. Sorry I dont agree Kenny is right either, he walked out on us part way through a season and some of the last 20 years of pain should be firmly put on his shoulders.
Martin O’Neill is no better than Hodgson. The guy’s done nothing in his life and only won fans over by playing defensive, counter attacking football at Villa. You really think this guy will bring back the glory to Liverpool. Just like Hodgson, you have no idea what you’re talking bout.
Kenny walked out as he was struggling to cope with the memories of Hillsborough etc. I dont believe he is the answer long term but do believe that just the belief he could bring for the last half of the season would see us playing with more heart and belief. Time is up for Roy – he has to go and the sooner the better.
Martin O’niell is a ‘plonker’- too exitable for starters! He had ‘lower division’ success only! At the time he was at Celtic any school kid could have managed them ! I get really irate with people pushing for him. LFC need a manager with the tactical knowledge that Benitez has,but I’m not sure that they can find someone with that quality!