Liverpool FC Forum

by **Redman in wales** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:28 pm

wasn't that what the converstations were like beforeroy came in.

Who was it that wanted robbie keane here?

by **Owzat** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:44 am

bigmick wrote:"At the moment the conversations are...." I swear you couldn't make it up.

Yet someone did.................................. :laugh:

by **Igor Zidane** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:00 am

I like the cut of your Jib roy lad .

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport-n....6896021

Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole boost Liverpool FC - but new investment vital

Jul 21 2010 by Ian Doyle, Daily Post
Joe Cole

Joe Cole

ROY HODGSON believes Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard have helped put the smile back on the faces of Liverpool FC supporters – but admits any gloom will only truly lift once the club’s American owners depart.

On another busy day for the Anfield outfit, skipper Gerrard ended speculation over his future by reaffirming his commitment to the club while Cole underwent a medical in Switzerland before completing his free transfer following his release from Chelsea.

The 28-year-old has agreed a four-year deal to become Hodgson’s first signing since taking over from Rafa Benitez.

News of Cole’s arrival and Gerrard’s decision to stay have been greeted enthusiastically by fans who were fearful of the coming season after months of uncertainty and ongoing financial concerns.

But Hodgson accepts only the departure of co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, who have appointed chairman Martin Broughton to sell the club, will dispel the scepticism of the Anfield faithful.

“What will lift the supporters is if we get new investment,” said the Liverpool manager. “I know supporters are very anxious for that. We can’t ever deny it.

“All the time we are in our current situation in terms of investment, the supporters are going to be sceptical. You can talk until you are blue in the face but it won’t make any difference.

“The owners are not popular with the fans; the fans want new owners, they want new investment. The gloom, if there is any, is never really going to lift until that day comes.

“I’m not going to dupe supporters and say that everything is rosy just because we have signed Joe Cole.”

Hodgson, who will take charge of his first game for Liverpool tonight against Grasshoppers in the Swiss town of Zug, is acutely aware of the financial constraints imposed by the board as Gillett and Hicks look to address the club’s spiralling debt.

But the Liverpool manager believes fans acknowledge the predicament and promised to redouble efforts to improve on last season’s hugely disappointing showing.

“We may have to work for a little bit longer in this situation but I am hoping that the quality of the performances we are going to give with the team we put out will cheer our supporters,” added Hodgson.

“We want to show them our club is very much alive and kicking and who knows? In the future with new investment and a chance to really compete on that front, we’ll be back in our traditional place.

“In the meantime, I can only hope that our supporters have got their feet on the ground and the heads around the situation, as I and the players have.

“We can’t turn back the clock and we can’t magic up a different situation. We work and live in the situation we are in. We will work very hard in that situation.

“Now let’s hope things will change even more for the better in the future. In the meantime, we will use what resources we have and do the best job we can. Knowing Liverpool supporters through the years, the large percentage of them will appreciate that and give us credit for that.”

Hodgson says Gerrard’s decision to remain at Liverpool can ensure the team go into the new season with a competitive edge.

“It’s a great piece of news,” said the manager. “There won’t be anyone in Liverpool who isn’t delighted to hear that.

“I’m really pleased about it because I’ve got great respect for Steven Gerrard.

“He’s a player who I was really looking forward to working with when I came to Liverpool. It seems now with that commitment that this will happen.

“It gives everyone a boost without question. It will be a tough season, with a lot of matches and the disappointment of last season is going to take a while to dissipate, but it is very good that our best player is still going to be playing at this club.

“Hopefully with the signing of Joe Cole – and if we are lucky one or two others, to boost the squad – we will be going into this season’s competition maybe stronger on paper than we were last season.”

Addressing his future, Gerrard said: “I made it clear that I simply needed to concentrate on the World Cup and then have a decent holiday with my family.

“I wanted the chance to meet Roy Hodgson privately and having done so I’m very impressed with his plans for the future of the team.

“I’ve only returned to training today at Melwood, but I can’t wait for the new season to start.”

by **dundreamin** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:07 am

Penguins quit the drugs mate! Hodgsons not a patsy he is the manager. DEAL WITH IT.

by **NANNY RED** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:08 am

Reckon hes making it up meself :;):

by **Dundalk** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:10 am

Everytime he speaks im more impressed with him, he is keeping everyones feet firmly on the ground and is telling it exatly as it is. No pussyfooting around with the owners either saying whats there for everyone to see

by **Scottbot** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:16 am

Great read Igor. It's all a bit academic until a few balls have been kicked but i've been HUGELY impressed with the way Hodgson has carried himself so far. I've found myself nodding to myself everytime I read a quote attributed to him. He's been frank, honest and realistic and I also like the fact he's playing to the underdog tag a bit in this latest soundbite. Being written off and building a bit of a seige mentality can work quite nicely for the players and we go into this season with the pressure off in many ways. Last time around we were all waiting for another title charge and the players no less, but a few of the comments made at the back end of the season gave the impression that that early season expectation and pressure got to a few of them.

by **bigmick** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:44 am

Something that impresses me is the reaction of people like Igor and Redbeergoggles (there are many others but I've had a few and they're the ones which spring to mind) to the new manager. It's fair to say they were unimpressed by his appointment, but they have looked at what he has done since he came, listened to what he has said, and they have taken him on board. Doesn't mean they have accepted him as one of their own, doesn't mean they think he's the second coming, but they have judged him with an open mind. Despite the fact that some of their reactions to his most recent utterings may seem contradictory, they don't give a sh!t about that. They ultimately only give a sh!t about the football club, and they are now prepared to beleive that perhaps, the appointment of Roy may not actually be a bad idea.

I hated the preaching when I was a disbeliever towards the previous manager, but I have to say their acceptance of the changing of the tide, their willingness to get behind a regime that perhaps wasn't their first choice, is better than mine was. Perhaps we really have got the best fans in the World after all.

by **Bad Bob** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:02 am

Scottbot wrote:Great read Igor. It's all a bit academic until a few balls have been kicked but i've been HUGELY impressed with the way Hodgson has carried himself so far. I've found myself nodding to myself everytime I read a quote attributed to him. He's been frank, honest and realistic and I also like the fact he's playing to the underdog tag a bit in this latest soundbite. Being written off and building a bit of a seige mentality can work quite nicely for the players and we go into this season with the pressure off in many ways. Last time around we were all waiting for another title charge and the players no less, but a few of the comments made at the back end of the season gave the impression that that early season expectation and pressure got to a few of them.

Spot on, Scott. Roy's a breath of fresh air every time I hear him or read his remarks. It's very early days yet but the signs are very promising.

by **Owzat** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 7:01 am

Wow, So now we're judging a manager on his spiel and deciding if he is going to be a good or bad manager on what he has said rather than what he has done - nothing on the pitch yet

Doesn't say a lot for people if their opinion is so easily swayed by words and conduct. Not saying it's right or wrong to rate or support Woy, just think there seems way too much praise for what he's said when a ball hasn't yet been kicked in the new season and THAT is the crunch. If we lose the first 10 games but Woy comes across great in interviews, does that mean people will be calling for a contract extension? Let's get the order of importance right and that's what happens ON THE PITCH

by **bigmick** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 8:22 am

Owz we're not "judging the manager on spiel", we're just saying that he's handling himself very well. The true test of course is when we start playing football, but as we haven't actually had a game yet we haven't got an awful lot to go on. As I've said a few times, there'll definately be loads of opportunities for anybody who sees things in a slightly downbeat way to have their day this season. We'll no doubt flirt with administration and a ten point deduction, the owners will show their face and stink the place out despite having zero influence, we'll lose quite a few football matches, Cole and/or Torres will no doubt get injured at some point, we won't win the league and we're quite possibly going to get knocked out of the Europa League Cup early because we have to play kids in the first few matches. Roy will sign a player or two who are sh!t, he'll make the odd selection which baffles us, and on an occasion when we get beat he'll come out with something ridiculous in an aftermatch interview from time to time. He also quite likes Fergie and has done for years, so he'll make a comment which is friendly towards him which will rile us all up. A player will leave and say "the reason I'm leaving is because Roy is a c...".

There'll be plenty of chances for people to put the boot in. It's going to be a roller coaster ride of a season, we all know that. For now though, there is much to be happy about and I'm very happy.

by **Benny The Noon** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 8:29 am

For someone who says they don't want to talk about the previous manager you certainly post a lot of posts with many veiled digs at him in them .

by **Scottbot** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 8:31 am

Owzat wrote:Wow, So now we're judging a manager on his spiel and deciding if he is going to be a good or bad manager on what he has said rather than what he has done - nothing on the pitch yet

Doesn't say a lot for people if their opinion is so easily swayed by words and conduct. Not saying it's right or wrong to rate or support Woy, just think there seems way too much praise for what he's said when a ball hasn't yet been kicked in the new season and THAT is the crunch. If we lose the first 10 games but Woy comes across great in interviews, does that mean people will be calling for a contract extension? Let's get the order of importance right and that's what happens ON THE PITCH

Not at all. I think a lot of fans/posters biggest concern when Hodgson came in was his profile, and more specifically whether it was big enough to keep the Steven Gerrard's and Fernando Torres of this world and whether he could draw players like Joe Cole to the club. We all know the state of the club and the hope for many was simply to keep our best players until new ownership was found. However, none of those fears we had when he came in have been realised (yet). That is why so many have been impressed despite a ball not being kicked.

Plus you can only judge the guy on what has happened so far.

by **bigmick** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 8:37 am

Benny The Noon wrote:For someone who says they don't want to talk about the previous manager you certainly post a lot of posts with many veiled digs at him in them .

I really am baffled by your post. I've re-read my effort a couple of times and there is zero point zero reference to anybody else other than Roy Hodgson in there. I think you are getting paranoid mate.

by **Benny The Noon** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 8:38 am

Yep none of the fears have been realised about good players leaving - there is still two big players yet to commit - I think one will stay and one will go . He has been saying good words in the press and conducting himself well and the comments he has made towards owners are good to see and shows he realises how fans feel about them so on that part Hodgson is doing well - if he can produce results then it will be a good season - we still have yet to see how he does with scouting and buying the more expensive players which will be an acid test then it's getting down to the games and that is where he will be judged - he has made a good start and its positive to see . Here is hoping it continues because as shocking as it may seem to some - I certainly do not want him to fail and i hope my fears and vanquished

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