Liverpool FC Forum

by **burjennio** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 5:52 pm

parchpea wrote:Clearly Hodgson was not a favoured choice of supporters and to add to his problems he was replacing a manager that had become something of an Anfield icon. Before a balls been kicked hes on rocky ground from the off but then hes the task of restoring confidence in this team and trying to reshape it by means of sell to buy and a limited budget whilst going on bended knee to try and keep our leading lights at the football club. Hodgsons a job and a half on, but to win over supporters needed to hit the ground running immediately which unfortunately has gone the other way in spectacular fashion. I still think he can do a job here but he needs to find solutions fast or the media and support will tear him apart.

Agree 100%. Hes got 5 winnable games coming up including the derby so he has a reasonable chance to, but screw up the next two home games before Everton and the pressure is going to be intense.

by **bigmick** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 5:56 pm

parchpea wrote:Clearly Hodgson was not a favoured choice of supporters and to add to his problems he was replacing a manager that had become something of an Anfield icon. Before a balls been kicked hes on rocky ground from the off but then hes the task of restoring confidence in this team and trying to reshape it by means of sell to buy and a limited budget whilst going on bended knee to try and keep our leading lights at the football club. Hodgsons a job and a half on, but to win over supporters needed to hit the ground running immediately which unfortunately has gone the other way in spectacular fashion. I still think he can do a job here but he needs to find solutions fast or the media and support will tear him apart.

I agree with that too, but I must confess I do wish the supporters of the club could put aside their opinions on his appointment for a day or two and actually give the bloke a chance. It's all very well saying "but I want him to succeed" and "I never said I wanted him sacked", but patrolling forums gleefully putting the boot in whether it's deseved or not is being pounced upon by the media, and is putting the team under more pressure.

How about "look I didn't agree with him getting the job, but I'm prepared to give it until Christmas at least before I comment on whether he's a success or a failure". As I've said a few times, trying to judge a manager after five league matches is absolutely ridiculous.

I gave Rafa three and half seasons before I started getting twitchy, it's fairly bvious that the majority of people aren't prepared to give Roy three and half months. And to think these are the same people who trotted out the "but it took Ferguson seven years to win the Premiership" week after week after week, while calling all and sundry knee-jerkers.

All I would ask is that people give the manager a chance. Stop feeding the frenzy via the forums, stop being "fecking fuming" if the team selection doesn't actually match your preferred one, and lets just see where we end up.

by **LFC2007** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 5:58 pm

I suppose we have two eminently winnable home games now and an opportunity to field near enough our strongest lineup i.e. the one that started at OT, and the opportunity to take the game to the opponent. We can't forever take the approach that to nick a point against 75% of the sides in the division isn't so bad after all, since that won't get us fourth spot. It might get us 7th, it won't get us 4th. Those other sides in the running for fourth would look at these as home bankers and so should we. I'm looking for more than a result but evidence of a change in the nature of our performances. We created next to feck all against West Brom, Birmingham and Northampton Town and it just isn't good enough if we want to finish fourth. Against such sides, we need longer periods of sustained attacking pressure higher up the pitch, that means the defence has to push up and indeed the whole team has press higher up - but everyone has to do it in order for it to work effectively. In terms of personnel, Cole and Merieles make a world of difference to our midfield and they should continue in the positions they played at OT. Though we're short on wingers (any), we do have five really good attackers in Gerrard, Torres, Cole, Meireles and Johnson who in the right setup should flourish. I've gone off Maxi after his recent performances, and I don't rate Jovanovic much at all. I look forward to the return of Kuyt even though his general play isn't particularly conducive to flowing attacking football, all round we'll probably get more from him than we will the other two.

by **bigmick** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:41 pm

LFC2007 wrote:I suppose we have two eminently winnable home games now and an opportunity to field near enough our strongest lineup i.e. the one that started at OT, and the opportunity to take the game to the opponent. We can't forever take the approach that to nick a point against 75% of the sides in the division isn't so bad after all, since that won't get us fourth spot. It might get us 7th, it won't get us 4th. Those other sides in the running for fourth would look at these as home bankers and so should we. I'm looking for more than a result but evidence of a change in the nature of our performances. We created next to feck all against West Brom, Birmingham and Northampton Town and it just isn't good enough if we want to finish fourth. Against such sides, we need longer periods of sustained attacking pressure higher up the pitch, that means the defence has to push up and indeed the whole team has press higher up - but everyone has to do it in order for it to work effectively. In terms of personnel, Cole and Merieles make a world of difference to our midfield and they should continue in the positions they played at OT. Though we're short on wingers (any), we do have five really good attackers in Gerrard, Torres, Cole, Meireles and Johnson who in the right setup should flourish. I've gone off Maxi after his recent performances, and I don't rate Jovanovic much at all. I look forward to the return of Kuyt even though his general play isn't particularly conducive to flowing attacking football, all round we'll probably get more from him than we will the other two.

Good post and welcome back mate. I totally concur with you and others that this pressing the ball higher up is something of a must if we are to flourish. I know Roy is famed for how well his teams keep their shape etc, but Liverpool are famed for pressing the ball all over the pitch. Under Benitez we were unquestionably at our best when we played that way (which infuriatingly we didn't always) and asking players like Kuyt and Gerrard to sit in and wait for the play is like tying a dog to a tree before you throw a bone for him to fetch back.

The very best managers adapt their approach to what they find when they take over, ditching dogma and assessing their situation quickly. Too often in the past we've tried to make the players fit a system rather than the other way around, and Roy must at all costs avoid doing so again. Unlike his predecessor he will definately not get the opportunity to "see the light", he's going to have to switch it on himself and fecking sharpish if he's got any sense.

by **metalhead** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:05 pm

I'm very pleased with what Roy had to say after the game, he did shoulder some responsibility after saying that he picked the team in belief that they would beat a lower league side. Kudos to him for admitting his mistake and saying it as it is with some players (did not name, but we know who they are) are not good enough for Liverpool FC.

by **burjennio** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:27 pm

you know metalhead I was finding his approach refreshing initially but now its getting hard to stomach. We got humiliated last night and Id like to hear him address that in a way fitting - namely by being p*ssed off, kicking a*s and taking names.

by **metalhead** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:28 pm

burjennio wrote:you know metalhead I was finding his approach refreshing initially but now its getting hard to stomach. We got humiliated last night and Id like to hear him address that in a way fitting - namely by being p*ssed off, kicking a*s and taking names.

Its a good thing he actually admit he was wrong!!

by **zarababe** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:34 pm

Last noght Roy dissed the teaM AND SAID THEY DID NOT REPAY HIS FAITH IN THEM... I think he will hae learnt from his mistakes and I believe the team will come together and start doing better in the league - he seserves his chance nd hasn't has long with the players, but I hope this will be a truning point.

This week Roy has learnt abou the two faces of Fergie and the weakness of the reserves.. I hop he can now move on !

by **Fauxy** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:37 pm

zarababe wrote:Last noght Roy dissed the teaM AND SAID THEY DID NOT REPAY HIS FAITH IN THEM... I think he will hae learnt from his mistakes and I believe the team will come together and start doing better in the league - he seserves his chance nd hasn't has long with the players, but I hope this will be a truning point.

This week Roy has learnt abou the two faces of Fergie and the weakness of the reserves.. I hop he can now move on !

You p!ssed an all now zara?

Some classy women on these forums

by **Greavesie** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:40 pm

Fauxy wrote:
zarababe wrote:Last noght Roy dissed the teaM AND SAID THEY DID NOT REPAY HIS FAITH IN THEM... I think he will hae learnt from his mistakes and I believe the team will come together and start doing better in the league - he seserves his chance nd hasn't has long with the players, but I hope this will be a truning point.

This week Roy has learnt abou the two faces of Fergie and the weakness of the reserves.. I hop he can now move on !

You p!ssed an all now zara?

Some classy women on these forums

I had a few last night and I managed to post without anyone suspecting a thing

by **zarababe** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:40 pm

Fauxy wrote:
zarababe wrote:Last noght Roy dissed the teaM AND SAID THEY DID NOT REPAY HIS FAITH IN THEM... I think he will hae learnt from his mistakes and I believe the team will come together and start doing better in the league - he seserves his chance nd hasn't has long with the players, but I hope this will be a truning point.

This week Roy has learnt abou the two faces of Fergie and the weakness of the reserves.. I hop he can now move on !

You p!ssed an all now zara?

Some classy women on these forums

by **NANNY RED** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:53 pm

Ben Patrick wrote:I dont think there is any excuse on last nights result.
Roy gets to see these players every day in training and should have a decent enough opinion on most of them by now.
He fielded that team he played those tactics and he chose not to change them or the personel.

Last night was shocking on so many levels.
Its indefensible, and it's something he better learn from.
Hopefully this is his Burnley moment, although to be fair Northampton at home and Burnley away are slightly different propositions.

Totaly Agree with you Ben.

And just to pick up on something that actualy made me laugh from an earlier bit of a post by Mick . you say it was 3 and a half years before you stated getting twitchy about Rafa. Well as you know in the first 3 and a half years we won one champions league , one fa cup , went to another champions league final. and that made you twitchy . I was dead twitchy Mick in them first three years but with exitement ,

by **bigmick** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:00 pm

True we'd won some stuff, but that was when the doubts started to creep in for me. I didn't though say anything until a good while later.

When Rafa got the job, I'd never heard of him. His record was sound fair enough, but I knew very little about him. He came in and instantly mass roated which did us huge damage, I didn't agree with that and was happy to say so, but I still supported him as our manager. I had him in my avatar for about four years.

I'm just pointing out that whoever is the Liverpool manager deserves respect, and deserves a fair crack. I never ever agreed with anyone who abused Rafa (not many did on here in truth) and I certainly never did it myself. people are entitled not to like Roy, not to rate Roy etc, but I do think the position of Liverpool manager deserves respect at least. He has conducted himself like the gentleman he is from day one, not a word has passed his lips in complaint at what he was left, how much money he has or any of that stuff. He is a good man and deserves a chance from the fans, many aren't giving him it as of now.

by **NANNY RED** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:11 pm

No one is saying he is not a good fella , and yes whoever is our manager deserves respect .said the same thing myself time and time again last season, And as you say hes not complained but why should he , He knew what hes was getting into , he knew what he was taking on before he came here , he knew the players who were available to him, he knew the way we played the talent and not so talented players , Hes been in the Prem long enough to understand , he never like you said came from abroad as an unknown quantity by some , He knew everything about what Rafa went through with our owners it was public enough ,
So like you say when will or what will it take for you to get twitchy at Roy .

by **bigmick** » Thu Sep 23, 2010 9:23 pm

NANNY RED wrote:So like you say when will or what will it take for you to get twitchy at Roy .

I'm twitchy already Nan, I'm not going to sit here and talk b0llocks, sit here and deny the sky is blue in order to make my point. Clearly we aren't playing well, and equally clearly if we went through the whole season playing like we are now then we would win feck all and not finish in the top four. I really want us to get back up there, so of course I'm twitchy. I was twitchy when Roy got the job, not like you because I didn't want to get rid of Rafa (I did and I'm absolutely convinced that was the right thing to do however Roy gets on), but because we really NEED Roy to be a success. Just like we really NEED Mereiles to be a success, I'd never heard of the bloke before we signed him but we haven't exactly got lots of cash right now, so 11 mill or whatever he cost is probably equivalent to us signing Torres for 20. It's a huge signing by the manager, and we really could do with it coming off.

If people get their wish (and since I'm being honest others might as well start at some point) and Roy does bomb out, what do they want to do then? Whoever comes in, whichever manager we get has got a hard job on his hands. Whoever it will do the job much better if the fans close ranks behind him and give him a chance. This is the bit I totally don't get about people, give Roy a shot FFS.

Yes we aren't playing well, yes yesterday was a disaster, and yes we are all twitchy. I'll tell you this though, the media are feeding off the forums, hoping we'll become another Newcastle. Not only that, but ironically if Roy fails it will enable them to have another go at Benitez, say he left behind a load of sh!t etc etc.

Others can please themselves, but I'm not buying into it. We have been poor for a long time and it's Roy's job to try and change it. Of course I'm concerned that when push comes to shove he might not be up to it, but he deserves a chance to give it a go. Five league matches is not a chance, it's not even a snapshot. We aren't Newcastle and we don't get rid of managers after a few matches. If we go down that route then we really are fecked.

Liverpool FC Forum

ROY HODGSON - Official Thread

Who is online