The next 10 games are going to be crucial for Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish. You could even say he was ‘on trial’, given that what everyone thought was the inevitable contract offer hasn’t yet materialised. In recent days, the clubs owners have made it known that they are not prepared to offer Dalglish any extensions just yet. And this, I believe, is a wise choice for two reasons.
Firstly, why when you can see the positive impact his temporary promotion to manager has been having on the squad and the fans, would you suddenly announce that the job is his for good when there is still so much more feel-good factor and positivity to be drawn from the situation. Whether Kenny is to be kept on or not, the only people who should know about this – until summer – are the manager and the owners. If we can go out with a bang, all because the club is riding a wave, then we need to take advantage of that; it can only see our season go out on a high and provide us with a platform to move forward from in the summer.
Secondly, a look at the stats over the past 14 games shows a record that still leaves a little bit to be desired. The improvements (not least of all in the way the team plays) are a massive step in the right direction, compared to the previous manager’s but when you look at them out of that context, they’re hardly what you’d call ‘impressive’: 6 wins; 4 draws and 4 defeats with 16 goals for and 11 against. The important thing is that we’ve won more than we’ve lost, we’ve moved up the table and we’re scoring now with more freedom than previously but you would have to be blind to argue that our last 14 games have been groundbreaking form.
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This IS a work in progress though, so to judge Kenny on those 14 games would be unfair. Likewise, to judge him on those 14 games would be unfair on the owners too; they need to know that they have the right man in charge and that they can see a future with him. We again reached the latter stages of a European competition (falling near the final hurdle) and you have to give credit to both Dalglish and (yes, sadly) Hodgson for that achievement. In some respects, you also have to give Rafa a lot of credit for our European form as well, because it was he who steeled most of the current squad to what is expected to progress in Europe.
If Kenny can guide us through the remaining games this season, and – touch wood – should we reach the end of May with a respectable league finish, then there can be no doubt that he will have earned his stay.
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Sorry. Disagree. Result over 14 games is 2 points per game. That is CL form
C, I think you’ll find its only 1.57 points per game which over 38 games is lucky to be Everton form, maybe Europa if luck goes your way. Another way of looking at it, is 20 points dropped in 14 games. I still think he’s doing a great job but who in there right mind would want a total rebuilding job and only secure a two year contract. (well thats whats being suggested/touted). I think its disrespectful towards Kenny.
I reckon the owners want to keep Kenny’s mind on the job if that is even necessary. Don’t blame him entirely for the loss yesterday. We lack serious depth in our squad. Players like Cole (never wanted him to join us), Jovanovic, Poulsen, Degen, El Zhar, Insua (please, the kid does not have potential. He gets bullied by average wingers)and Konchesky need to be off the wage bill. They provide next to nothing to our squad. Maxi isn’t great either but atleast he remains fit and does contribute somewhat and is versatile. Without Suarez, Gerrard and Meireles, there is next to no creativity in our squad.Buying inexpensive flair players like Krancjar and Marveaux and using them in rotation with our first 11 will do us no harm at all. I hope the management is being proactive and putting together strategies for the summer and next season. Hoping for a big finish to the season. YNWA!!
Sorry but I disagree too – very poor analysis.
The turnaround has been more than a lift from a change of ownership. Firstly, the style of play is far more palatable; secondly, the results are *markedly* better; thirdly, the fans and the players are back on board; fourthly we’re adapting to a new style of play and a new (and changing) frontline.
The Europa League exit was disappointing, yes, but had a few decisions – penalty and a sending off in the first leg, dodgy offside yesterday – we could have got through (and without Gerrard, Suarez, Agger or a recognised left back).
I would also argue that Kenny will be able to attract better players – especially if we don’t qualify for Europe next season.
I like C’s stat: two points per game is better than Arsenal have managed.
pls givingf the 14 match result against mr,KENNY is a wrong one,the problem we’re having now is from BENITEZ to HODGSON but not mr,kenny because benitez have already done a harm to the club before he was sack then ROY was employed and ROY was the wast manager in the history of LFC,and mr,KENNY now took burden upon his sholder and he has been doing a great job which everyone have seen it,so pls the new owners should give mr,KENNY the long term deal so that he can assemble the team of the future for us the fans and to the owners.
god help them if he dont get the job another hodgson drama again
I don’t think Kenny has been brilliant and he’s certainly not above criticism. His substitutions have been usually too late and questionable, his breaking up of the CB partnership to put Carra at RB made no sense, his use of Poulsen when surely he can still here the laughter from Juventus after we payed £5 million for him. The fact he has never dropped Kuyt and rarely Lucas regardless of how bad they play. Sending Konchesky on loan who despite his average displays is at least a specialist LB, a position we have had to constantly put square pegs in and ensured we missed the opportunity to put Johnson at RM. So for all Kenny’s obvious talents he has made some basic errors in his first 14 games. At least he relegated Sammy Lee and brought Clarke in though, that was an excellent move. I, like every other Liverpool fan want Kenny to succeed but he and the team must show continued improvement between now and May for me and probably the owners to be convinced he deserves a longer contract.
try and not to give King Kenny a long term contract, then you will see an empty stadium next season. Have a bit of patience, he will make Liverpool great again, he is the closer to Bill Shankly’s ideology.YNWA
Kenny has come in and turned our fortunes around and the football we’re seeing is much better than under Roy but let’s face it guy, Kenny’s record (6 wins 4 draws 4 defeats) is hardly impressive at all. Yes, we humiliated Manchester United and beat Chelsea away but look at the defeats to bottom half teams Blackpool and West Ham and drawing to Wigan at home, this is not Liverpool standard. In the Europa League, Kenny has been awful to be honest. One goal and one win against rubbish teams like Prague and Braga. The football played in those 4 matches was very poor if you’ve watched them all and to get knocked out by a rubbish and inferior team like Braga is just unacceptable. I have the utmost respect for Kenny but the truth is that the 14 games so far has been fairly average so I think Kenny must do more to convince the owners that he’s the right man for the full-time job.
In regards to tactics and decisions by Kenny, they have been highly questionable. Hoofing the ball from the back directly to Carroll is not the Liverpool way and you could see that it was not effective. Against Braga we had players like Cole, Maxi, Meireles and even the unused Pacheco capable of playing pass and move football but he decides to get Carragher and Skrtel to hoof it to Carroll with the striker getting limited support. The players we had out there (in fact, starting XI all internationals) were more than capable of beating a rubbish Braga.
I also have to agree partially with Mike Arms. We are short of options at full back so I don’t understand Kenny’s decision to loan out Konchesky. I know he’s average but at least he’s a specialist in that position and he would have certainly done better than Wilson, who was played out of position and showed clearly that he’s not ready yet. His decision to leave Pacheco on the bench was also questionable. He played the average-at-best Jay Spearing instead who offers absolutely nothing to the team so how could he possibly be picked ahead of Pacheco who could at least offer some creativity and flair.
Kenny has done much better than Roy but I have to say that I honestly think Roy would have got us past rubbish Braga. He led Fulham to the final last year, overcoming big teams like Hamburg, Juventus ans Shakhtar so I think he’d have no problem dealing with an inferior Braga. He at least knows what to do in Europe and knows European teams much better than Kenny. And at least his Konchesky would have done better than the incompetent Wilson.
i agree with everything Mike Arms and Eric wrote…could’nt have said it better my self.
I don’t know what some of you are on – using any old stick to beat him with. Konchesky was loaned out because he was a disaster and then compounded that with his stupid mother slagging the club and fans off on Facebook. It would have been embarassing to keep him at the club.
Wilson is a good player and didn’t do much wrong. He wasn’t the problem against Braga. Besides, its the Europa League which is a boring, substandard competition. I’m not overly bothered about not being in it.
Carragher was switched to right back because of injuries so again please get your facts straight. Yes results haven’t been astounding but Kenny’s building things very nicely. Add some genuine quality to the squad and we’ll soon be back challenging again. All I can say is, if they don’t extend Kenny’s contract they had better have a genius waiting in the wings.
you seem less interested in liverpool and more interested in looking for talking points.
King Kenny all the way…
The author’s just trying to generate hits to the blog by posting something inflammatory.
Anyone with a set of eyes can see what Dalglish has done since he returned, and to even consider letting him go again would be downright stupidity.