As we approach the Christmas period, it’s fair to say that 2010 has not been kind to Liverpool fans. We had a mediocre 2009-10 season; Rafa Benitez was sacked which, for a large number of Reds fans, was the years lowest point. Then the announcement of Roy Hodgson as his replacement was greeted, largely, with bemusement. The second half of 2010 has staggered from pillar to post, like a middle-aged drunk trying to find his way home in the dark. In plainest terms: the year can’t end soon enough. So, as 2011 steam-rolls toward us, here are a few things I’m hoping the club – belatedly, in some cases – gets for Christmas.
New Manager – I welcome all criticism for this, as I have been loud and open in my opinion of Roy from the start; writing a number of articles in the past 4-5 months surrounding his performance, methods and suitability for the job. In contrast, I have equally given praise where it’s due. We were asked to judge him after 10 games, he’s had nearly 30. An overall record of 12 wins; 7 draws and 8 defeats is incredibly average and can’t mask a league record of 6 wins; 4 draws and 7 defeats. By comparison, our league form is – to quote Tom Werner – ‘unacceptable’. Call me a typical fan; call it a knee-jerk reaction but the man has to go.
Players – Paul Konchesky anyone? Christian Poulsen? Brad Jones?? (I know – who?). Apart from the re-signing of Fabio Aurelio and the great form of Raul Meireles, we have had a dearth of good signings this year. While the jury will remain out on Joe Cole for some time, there are a number of players and positions that need to be addressed and we can only hope that Santa (or perhaps, John Henry) sends a few crackers our way in January. If he has any plans to start reform in the playing squad he should start at left back. My initial anger at the signing of such a low-quality player has since been replaced by pity. I now actually feel sorry for Konchesky, in the same way you had to feel for Djimi Traore; it isn’t his fault he’s out of his depth, he didn’t sign himself and he doesn’t pick himself every week. He just happens to vaguely resemble a deer in headlights. As such (and unless Aurelio suddenly finds some kind of miracle injury cure), we first need a new left back.
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This week it is former Liverpool player Danny Murphy’s wife Joanna Taylor!
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Bringing back Gulacsi from loan at Tranmere would resolve the goalie issue. The lad looks topdraw and had bags of potential. I have no idea why Brad Jones was ever bought, saying that I’ve no idea why Konchesky or Poulsen where ever bought either.
Mind you what do I know. I haven’t been in management for 35 years or managed Inter Milan twice!
managed 20 teams since 1976 – Inter for approx. 2 months the second time
Hodgson will sell Gulacsi soon since he’s not English and/or 29/30…
I fear you right there Eric, not English therefore no good!!!! Konchesky rather than Insua!!!
so roy thinks the players are trying too hard ? has he actually watch fernando torres lately.
question, what have these so called sports scientists been putting into fernado’s head ? could this be behind his lack of effort ? roy said these people changed his mind about playing torres last night, what is he a manager or whatl great liverpool teams and players won everything by playing with knocks etc. shut them up or get rid they have too much say.
Roy clearly does not have a mind of his own, he reacts to those around him, to the press or to the fans when we have a go at him. remember he defended Torres only after the stink from the fans, not before. The man is a weak willed and inconsequential waste of space.
PS is till don’t see the nice man everyone talks about, he seems more of a snidely, blame everyone else type.
What the players need is some coaching from Tommy Smith, Ron Yeats, Ian Callaghan Ian St John, Rushie, Hanson etc , Guys who had talent and weren’t wimps.
well as we dont know much about Brad Jones,we cant actually say much..he was good against utrecht making some good saves.konchesky and poulsen are players good for fulham at best and we definitely need a partner for torres.also our squad depth is s**t.we need 3 or 4 players to fight for the title.hulk,suarez,aguero,cassano,vucinic,adebayor,pazzini,lavezzi,toivonen,…to name a few.my favorite would be suarez as i rate him very highly.and definitely a left back:cissokho,coentrao,lahm,santon,..to name a few.my picks would be suarez and santon as they are both very young and talented.also we might need cover in midfield should(HOPEFULLY) we sell poulsen.a young player needs to be scouted here and i read that this guy M’vila has it all to be the next star.i heard that we need wingers but i dont believe it all.we have maxi,joe cole and jovanovic who i rate very much.
Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Santon
J.Cole Gerrard Meireles Maxi
Suarez Torres
Bench:Jones,Skrtel,Kyrgiakos,Aurelio,Kelly,Lucas,M’vila,Jovanovic,Kuyt,Babel,Ngog..i think Kuyt should be dropped to bench and i cant actually figure why he is considered a starter..
but i forgot to say that i would never say no for us to buy a young and talented winger such as hazard,cazorla,arda,ashley young,…
All I want for Christmas is King kenny in the dug out, perhaps with Paco Ayesteran behind him, Woy knows nothing and sorry Sammy but you are out of your depth. Surely King K can get something out of the players we have, failing that maybe he can put on the old shirt and SHOW them how its supposed to be done, with pride
NESV, i’m fast losing faith in u
concur, sadly they are proving no better the the other Yanks
on a day our so called super new scout(the one with the a stupid tittle) that over rated;
damien Comolli is waisting time sitting waiting for the draw,
DO YOU KNOW WAHT ELSE HE COULD BE DOING?
I do, he could be thinking this is the time to try and get to sergio aguero, i find it very odd that when team like benfica and atletico who are having hard times, as like us, they have great players in some very needed positions that our team could do with.
What does he do, he sits there doing nothing when he could out getting deals done, im not saying that we have a huge chance of getting aguero, but if this club had any ambition and comolli had any positive go getting attitude then he would know that the best time to get players like coentrao, aguero and others like now carzola is right now.
What is it with this club, all the talk is wait, wait for what? we already face and uphill challenge to get the even young proven talents, never mind world footballs most prized assets.
Why do we insist on making it difficult for us, we are going to need investment but all we do is wait, its like rafa said, stop mucking about and get the deal done, but if not at least show us that that the board and club are trying to bring in better talent.
If the club hasnt put a bid in for AGUERO i want to why, simple as…..
Couldn’t agree more with tis article. All I want for Christmas is a new world class manager for our club and some fresh faces. We definitely need a left back, a winger and a striker. Hodgson has really pissed me off since his appointment in terms of his transfers, team selection, handling of media and results. I hope NESV realise soon that he’s not the right guy for the job and bring in someone like Hiddink or Rjikaard before Woy wastes 20 mil on Carlton Cole and Wayne Bridge.
Unfortunately it might be NESV who might be just as inappropriate fro our club!!!