Ciggy wrote:
let's try a thought experiment and have a go at looking at some of his comments in a different light. lets be completely objective and see if we can find anything which may be true in them.
In answer to a journalist from Norway questioning the supply to Torres: 'Are you from Denmark?' Hodgson asked (he considers the Danish press too negative). 'No, Norway,' replied the visitor. 'Ah, two countries I never want to work in again,' he said.
is it wrong that he doesn't want to work in places he's had a bad experience in?
After signing Merieles - "We don't know his best position" Well why did you buy him?
maybe he meant that he wants to have a better look at him within our set up rather than have any preconceived ideas?
Questioner - 'Is Torres better off playing as a lone striker or with someone alongside him?' Hodgson : 'I don't know'
again, maybe he wanted to have a look himself at how torres played as a lone striker or as one of a pair within his own tactical ideas.
Talking about the potential protest against the then owners, Hicks and Gillett before Sunderland: "When you've got a group of people protesting at the games, it doesn't help."
if the actions of the protesters are taking away his and the players focus then, no, it doesn't help
August 24th - "Hopefully in the next 36 games we can take some points"
hopefully we can. sounds like the typical englishman's downplayed response to me, and just the kind of thing i can imagine redknapp saying (for example)
In regards Liverpool's worst start for 56 years: "I couldn't give a monkey's whether we're 17th or 18th"
when you are so far down the league then maybe it doesn't matter, and all your focus should be on getting back up towards the top
After the protests against the owners for the Sunderland game: "those people aren't making my job any easier"
no, of course they're not. and they are people aren't they? or do all members of SOS (including myself) have to addressed as 'right honorable' or something?
On his special relationship with our nemesis Alex Ferguson: “I know Mr Ferguson is not really a Liverpool man,” said Hodgson, “so I’m a bit concerned about my excellent relationship with him. “I sincerely hope he forgives me for moving north and hopefully we can have a glass of wine together, maybe in secret."
curse the man for not dropping old friendships like a hot potato the second he becomes LFC manager.
When questioned on the way to get the best out of a Liverpool team full of different types of players to Fulham: "What do you mean do my methods translate? They have translated from Halmsteds to Malmo to Orebo to Neuchatel Xamax to the Swiss national team." Wowzer
i'm sure he'd be the first to admit that these aren't exactly highest echelon clubs, but he has a valid point in that he's had to adapt a number of times. and within the framework available has often enjoyed some success.
On Liverpool conceding goals - "It is a problem we are letting in goals but with the offensive line-up we have that is going to be a risk." - Liverpool have managed just 7 goals in the league thus far, 15 less than the same stage last season
yes, we've more often than not played more offensive and used 4-4-2, even away from home. if the strikers had been a bit better at putting the ball in the net we'd have scored a few more.
After the draw against Sunderland: "They were formidable opposition" Just like Northamptom Town hey Roy?
sunderland played a good game, did they not?
On Liverpools poor form: "I think we are a good side, it's just we keep losing" as well as "We all know a magic wand solution doesn’t exist."
he's right. we are a good side.
Scapegoating the team he picked for Northampton and essentially telling players that they are deemed not good enough: "We had a very bad result on Wednesday night but it should not affect the 11 players who are going to start the game on Saturday because they weren't part of the game." The A Team.
pragmatically speaking he's right again. the confidence of the players who didn't play will not be affected by the loss. what's not to understand?
On the 3-1 defeat to Newcastle For a team that wants to finish in the top half of the table this is not good enough Top half finish
yes, maybe he should have said bottom half. last time i looked the european places and especially the champions league were all in the top half of the table.
now, i'm not defending roy to the hilt. i think he has shortcomings and i don't for a moment believe he should be a long term appointment for a club with our ambitions. i don't either for a second believe that he is anywhere near the footballing and PR disaster that so many people make him out to be. there are even positives that he has brought to the club that some people are completely incapable (or even more tragically unwilling) to see.
i've left out some of the comments because i think that some of them were indeed ill-advised - not embarrassing as the popular claim goes. what is embarrassing and disappointing though, is the constant and petty sniping and carping at a man that is trying to do his best in difficult circumstances. most of us know he is not the right man to really take us forward, so the non-stop nitpicking comes across as nothing more than petty and childish.
