John Thompson: Liverpool FC boss Kenny Dalglish deserves the time and support despite FA Cup final defeatWEMBLEY on FA Cup Final day is no place for losers, they say. But perhaps, just perhaps, it is a place for learners.
If so, Anfield’s student intake of 2011/12 might yet take something valuable from the pain of this defeat, perhaps learn a vital lesson from its anguish and adversity.
And they’ll need to, if they are to help their club realise the ambitions of its desperately disappointed manager, its demanding owners and its impressively faithful – but always expectant – supporters.
Throughout this Jekyll and Hyde season, Dalglish has taken every opportunity he’s had to praise his players; to encourage them, cajole them and signal his appreciation of their efforts.
But when he’s had to, he’s publicly indicated his deep displeasure, too.
Following a ghastly 3-1 reverse at Bolton in January, he harangued them, hung them out to dry.
As recently as last week, he accused some of them of a poor attitude, of lacking commitment in an unheard of defeat at home to Fulham.
On other occasions this term, he has spoken more than once of the need for greater self-belief from some of his stars.
And on Saturday night, as he sat alone behind a long desk facing the terraced, seated media in Wembley’s cinematic press room, he suggested the reason for the Reds’ anonymity for a crucial hour in this crucial game might have been due to nerves.
Attitude. Belief. Commitment, Nervousness.
His harshest critics might add the word ability, suggesting some of the Scot’s signings or fledglings simply don’t have enough of it.
But either way, they are all words which, in their negative form, are anathema to Dalglish, the player, manager and man.
He was in no mood for excuses as he tried to interpret Chelsea’s triumph over his side.
He didn’t seek to blame officials for things or for deciding Andy Carroll’s header hadn’t crossed the line.
Nor did he look for solace in a rousing 30 minute Liverpool blitz which had Chelsea cowering on the ropes, but which came sadly too late.
But like the Liverpool fans who trudged away from Wembley in London’s late spring twilight, he was clearly hurting badly.
Plenty of people out there want Dalglish to fail.
Whether it’s because of the odd caustic or mischievous response he returns to his questioners, his perceived handling of the Luis Suarez/Patrice Evra
affair, or simply the fact that Roy Hodgson is a jolly decent chap and he should be ashamed of himself, it hardly matters.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2012/05/07/john-thompsonI think some people easily forget that our manager will be as disconsolate and inconsolable as any supporter following the FA cup final .
I just believe this will make him even more determined than ever to make his second time as manager a success.
