"Once I made the choice who I wanted, Damien went away and did a fantastic job of bringing them in..."
With that statement Kenny Dalglish has accepted full responsibility for Liverpool Football Club, and most significantly the signings made during his tenure. Given their performances this season, that is a huge burden Dalglish has heaped on his own shoulders.
Damien Comolli is a mystery wrapped up in an enigma, covered in marmite. Some people love him for his forays into the European market, some hate him for the eye bulging amounts spent on distinctly average players, but apart from a handful of people at Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool, nobody knows what he actually did.
At Arsenal he was little more than their scout in France. At Spurs he claims credit for bringing in Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon, and Luka Modric, but unsurprisingly makes no mention of the £15million David Bentley, the £16.5million Darren Bent, the £8.2million Didier Zokora or £13.5million Roman Pavlyuchenko. His record at Liverpool is equally inconsistent - Luis Suarez and Luis Enrique have been their stronger performers; Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and most notably Andy Carroll have failed to get anywhere near matching their transfer fees.
All in all, Comolli's year and a half at Liverpool provided Dalglish with the perfect cover, and nobody would have doubted him if the Scot excused the millions splashed out on Carroll et al by blaming Comolli. The 'Director of Football' is a misunderstood title in Britain and Comolli's record hardly shouts value for money. Comolli's departure could have strengthened Dalglish's hand when it comes to funds for the summer.
Of course, it could be argued that Dalglish is actually being very astute, for now, and in time his views will change. At this moment in time, slagging off Comolli would be to slag off the men above Dalglish - John W. Henry and Tom Werner. Comolli was their man, the embodiment of the Moneyball philosophy they wanted to import into football. Insult Comolli, insult Moneyball, insult Henry and Werner, and while Dalglish is an Anfield legend and has the league cup in the trophy room, results in the league and the fall out from the Suarez affair have left relations between board and manager a touch strained. Dalglish would not gain anything by challenging his employers.
With great power comes great responsibility and either through action or inaction over the summer Dalglish will be the sole person to be judged. Liverpool need to show a marked upturn in their performances and results, and if those multi-million pound Brits fail to prove value for money, Dalglish will have to face the music alone.
It's refreshing to see a manager to take responsibility, something which Dalglish has not always done this season, but it may turn out to be a very foolish move. Dalglish's decisions in the summer need to be spot on.
Showing posts with label Liverpool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Liverpool. Show all posts
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Monday, 13 February 2012
Sod the Opposition, Respect the Game
Handshake furore makes grown men look like kids.
Nice to see we have our priorities in order. When racism creeps back into our game, the England manager resigns on a point of principal, the FA acts on a point of principal, and Harry Redknapp shows the ineptitude of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (in one way or another), we all get our knickers in a twist over a handshake or two.
Some say the pre-match ritual of shaking hands with your opponent is redundant. It's meaningless, we wouldn't miss it if it were gone, but these same people agree handshakes should be exchanged after the game. The thought occurs that a handshake, before or after the game, is materially the same. Why can't you respect an opponent before the game as well as after? Only when you've tried to metaphorically (and sometimes literally) kick the shit out of someone can you respect them. Nonsense.
If the handshake is meaningless why do people feel the need to go out of their way to avoid it? Why did the FA feel the need to cancel the pre-match handshake between QPR and Chelsea? Why did some QPR players, Wayne Bridge, Luis Suarez or Rio Ferdinand not shake hands? If it's something that has absolutely no impact on life in any guise, why be a dick about it? Next we won't have players sharing the same tunnel, the same stadium, the same car maker, watch designer, or the same wag.
Personally I think the handshake is important. The pre-match handshake signifies the start of the contest, a sign that while the other team is an opponent they are also a footballer. That as much as player X represents one team, player Y represents the other, and hopefully the game will be played in the right manner and the opponent, whoever they may be, will be treated fairly and with respect (as a footballer, not necessarily as the person they are away from the game).
Just because you shake someone's hand does not mean you condone their actions. Football is not about John Terry or Luis Suarez or Patrice Evra or Bradley Woods-Garness (Sutton Utd player before you ask), the game is much, much bigger. If I was lined up against someone who I personally disliked, I would not avoid shaking their hand, because that says more about me than it does about them. I applaud Patrice Evra for trying to shake Suarez's hand on Saturday because it showed that no matter what someone else did, Evra was not going to let that change who he is. If I had a problem with John Terry I would not want to show he had got to me; in fact I would grip his hand tighter, let him know he was in a fight (then I'd yank his hand towards me, pulling him off balance and making him look a fool).
Professional footballers have a responsibility, a responsibility to the game and the next generation of players who are playing in the schools and the parks across the country. Rather than be dragged down by the lowest denominator on the pitch why don't we try to raise the bar and meet the highest of standards?
Nice to see we have our priorities in order. When racism creeps back into our game, the England manager resigns on a point of principal, the FA acts on a point of principal, and Harry Redknapp shows the ineptitude of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (in one way or another), we all get our knickers in a twist over a handshake or two.
Some say the pre-match ritual of shaking hands with your opponent is redundant. It's meaningless, we wouldn't miss it if it were gone, but these same people agree handshakes should be exchanged after the game. The thought occurs that a handshake, before or after the game, is materially the same. Why can't you respect an opponent before the game as well as after? Only when you've tried to metaphorically (and sometimes literally) kick the shit out of someone can you respect them. Nonsense.
If the handshake is meaningless why do people feel the need to go out of their way to avoid it? Why did the FA feel the need to cancel the pre-match handshake between QPR and Chelsea? Why did some QPR players, Wayne Bridge, Luis Suarez or Rio Ferdinand not shake hands? If it's something that has absolutely no impact on life in any guise, why be a dick about it? Next we won't have players sharing the same tunnel, the same stadium, the same car maker, watch designer, or the same wag.
Personally I think the handshake is important. The pre-match handshake signifies the start of the contest, a sign that while the other team is an opponent they are also a footballer. That as much as player X represents one team, player Y represents the other, and hopefully the game will be played in the right manner and the opponent, whoever they may be, will be treated fairly and with respect (as a footballer, not necessarily as the person they are away from the game).
Just because you shake someone's hand does not mean you condone their actions. Football is not about John Terry or Luis Suarez or Patrice Evra or Bradley Woods-Garness (Sutton Utd player before you ask), the game is much, much bigger. If I was lined up against someone who I personally disliked, I would not avoid shaking their hand, because that says more about me than it does about them. I applaud Patrice Evra for trying to shake Suarez's hand on Saturday because it showed that no matter what someone else did, Evra was not going to let that change who he is. If I had a problem with John Terry I would not want to show he had got to me; in fact I would grip his hand tighter, let him know he was in a fight (then I'd yank his hand towards me, pulling him off balance and making him look a fool).
Professional footballers have a responsibility, a responsibility to the game and the next generation of players who are playing in the schools and the parks across the country. Rather than be dragged down by the lowest denominator on the pitch why don't we try to raise the bar and meet the highest of standards?
Suarez begins the end of his Liverpool career
Countdown begins on Uruguayan's exit from English football
Luis Suarez does not get it. It really is as simple as that. As fine a footballer as he is, the Liverpool number seven does not comprehend the behaviour expected from a professional footballer, especially one in England, and that is why only a year after he made the move to Merseyside the countdown to the end of his Liverpool career has begun.
His racist comment to Patrice Evra at best showed ignorance of English culture. That could and should have been written off as a misunderstanding. Liverpool's defiance was repulsive to common decencies, their unwillingness to accept the punishment and move on a mistake, and Kenny Dalglish's victim playing disgraceful. The Scotman's stance went beyond the kind of partisan attitude that we normally expect from tribal football - it was just plain wrong.
How much Suarez was involved in Dalglish's comments is hard to say. The former Ajax man felt hard done by but whether Suarez compelled his manager to speak out on his behalf or whether it was a misguided attempt from Dalglish to support his man, we cannot know. What we can do is examine Suarez's behaviour since the first Evra incident and it does not flatter the Uruguayan.
Predictably Suarez faced a certain amount of abuse from Fulham fans at the game at Craven Cottage on December 5th. Suarez reacted by showing the finger at the Fulham fans as he departed the pitch. He then escaped the spotlight during his eight game ban, only to return against Tottenham with a kick to Scott Parker's midriff and the kind of histrionics that we come to expect from the South American. And then there was the game against United.
Not shaking Patrice Evra's hand saw any sympathy or understanding for Suarez completely evaporate. There was also a petulant boot into the dugouts after the half time whistle was blown. While Suarez later apologised (apparently under pressure from the club's owners) one has to wonder why Suarez felt Evra was to blame for the eight match ban the Liverpool player received, and why Suarez did not draw a line under the episode from Anfield in November.
I cannot see a way back for Suarez. Clearly he feels no personal responsibility or wrong doing. His apologies have not gone far enough nor to the right people. His initial attempt amounted to the classic non-apology apology ('I'm sorry its your fault you are angry') while his latest admission of guilt has mainly confined itself to the damage he has done to Liverpool FC rather than Patrice Evra.
The lack of respect for the opposition, as shown by the biting of a PSV player while he was playing for Ajax, his constant diving and play acting, complaining and gestures, the joy when Uruguay overcame Ghana after Suarez handballed on the line, and the incidents with Evra, does not look like changing anytime soon. The pressure from players, managers, pundits and fans will only increase, and everything Suarez does will be under the microscope. Suarez is unlikely to change and eventually he will move on. He might blame Liverpool's lack of Champions League football, trophies, cup finals, or the old favourite unworthy wages, but he will move on.
Suarez does not get English football culture and I doubt he ever will. Only when he seals a move away will we start to understand just how uncomfortable he found his time here. The clock is ticking on his time in England and although Suarez may blame everyone but himself, we all know who is to blame.
Luis Suarez does not get it. It really is as simple as that. As fine a footballer as he is, the Liverpool number seven does not comprehend the behaviour expected from a professional footballer, especially one in England, and that is why only a year after he made the move to Merseyside the countdown to the end of his Liverpool career has begun.
His racist comment to Patrice Evra at best showed ignorance of English culture. That could and should have been written off as a misunderstanding. Liverpool's defiance was repulsive to common decencies, their unwillingness to accept the punishment and move on a mistake, and Kenny Dalglish's victim playing disgraceful. The Scotman's stance went beyond the kind of partisan attitude that we normally expect from tribal football - it was just plain wrong.
How much Suarez was involved in Dalglish's comments is hard to say. The former Ajax man felt hard done by but whether Suarez compelled his manager to speak out on his behalf or whether it was a misguided attempt from Dalglish to support his man, we cannot know. What we can do is examine Suarez's behaviour since the first Evra incident and it does not flatter the Uruguayan.
Predictably Suarez faced a certain amount of abuse from Fulham fans at the game at Craven Cottage on December 5th. Suarez reacted by showing the finger at the Fulham fans as he departed the pitch. He then escaped the spotlight during his eight game ban, only to return against Tottenham with a kick to Scott Parker's midriff and the kind of histrionics that we come to expect from the South American. And then there was the game against United.
Not shaking Patrice Evra's hand saw any sympathy or understanding for Suarez completely evaporate. There was also a petulant boot into the dugouts after the half time whistle was blown. While Suarez later apologised (apparently under pressure from the club's owners) one has to wonder why Suarez felt Evra was to blame for the eight match ban the Liverpool player received, and why Suarez did not draw a line under the episode from Anfield in November.
I cannot see a way back for Suarez. Clearly he feels no personal responsibility or wrong doing. His apologies have not gone far enough nor to the right people. His initial attempt amounted to the classic non-apology apology ('I'm sorry its your fault you are angry') while his latest admission of guilt has mainly confined itself to the damage he has done to Liverpool FC rather than Patrice Evra.
The lack of respect for the opposition, as shown by the biting of a PSV player while he was playing for Ajax, his constant diving and play acting, complaining and gestures, the joy when Uruguay overcame Ghana after Suarez handballed on the line, and the incidents with Evra, does not look like changing anytime soon. The pressure from players, managers, pundits and fans will only increase, and everything Suarez does will be under the microscope. Suarez is unlikely to change and eventually he will move on. He might blame Liverpool's lack of Champions League football, trophies, cup finals, or the old favourite unworthy wages, but he will move on.
Suarez does not get English football culture and I doubt he ever will. Only when he seals a move away will we start to understand just how uncomfortable he found his time here. The clock is ticking on his time in England and although Suarez may blame everyone but himself, we all know who is to blame.
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Liverpool style as bad as Dalglish's Rhetoric
Liverpool may have slipped down the table, but it is nothing compared to the slide the club's reputation has taken.
Off the pitch, the club's handling of the Suarez-Evra affair leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Nothing wrong with sticking by your man if you're jumping out of a plane, but for God's sake pull out the parachute! With a trip to Old Trafford at the weekend, it would be naive to think all the talk (and the booing) would die down, but Dalglish stoke the fire once more in his post match press conference after the Tottenham game when he claimed Suarez should never have been suspended.
While that snippet will get the attention, Liverpool fans should be more concerned with the team's style of play. Dalglish claimed his side is creating more chances than anyone else, hence his side's poor chance completion rate. But is the quality of the chances the problem?
All the talk of how to get the best out of Andy Carroll has moved the focus from the team as a whole. They lack penetration down the wings, Suarez is the only player who offers intricacy through the middle, with one or two exceptions there isn't a great deal of pace and the midfield lacks invention.
If we start from the back, the defence looks very solid, Agger and Skrtel have formed a good understanding, save the aberration at Bolton, while Enrique, Johnson and Kelly are good full backs. However, going forward the full backs have yet to stretch teams. Partly this is because teams come to Anfield, sit back and get men behind the ball, but partly this is because of the people in front of them.
Stewart Downing has failed to meet even half his £20million. The England winger has yet to show the performance level expected at Anfield and he has been unable to form meaningful partnerships with his full backs. Dalglish may have to take some responsibility for this as he has switched Downing between the flanks, and changed system and personnel, making the cohesion that Liverpool need in attack hard to create.
Dirk Kuyt on the right wing offers a hard worker and the Dutchman does have a tendency to pop up with a valuable goal of two but he is by no means a winger and will do well to create from that right wing. That would be fine if he created space for Johnson or Kelly to run into but the former Feyenoord man likes to get forward, either crowding out space for an overlapping full back or coming inside into a central position and occupying the centre backs rather than the opposition's left back. Two on one situations on the wings never arise and Liverpool have to resort to crosses from deep. Not a serious problem when Andy Carroll is in your team but if the opposition is sat back knock downs and flick-ons can be easily intercepted and clear opportunities on goal reduced.
Undoubtedly Liverpool have missed Steven Gerrard driving on from midfield. Lucas and Jay Spearing offer the defensive cover but little to nothing going forward. While they can keep things ticking over when Liverpool are in possession you will rarely see a through ball or a run in to the box from either man - its not the role they are asked to fill. Henderson has not yet fulfilled his potential and while he shows endeavour he lacks the maturity or identity to make an impact on the game.
Charlie Adam has an explosive left foot that can deliver pinpoint crosses or blasts from outside the box, but he lacks the agility to run into wide positions or get around and beyond Carroll. He also lacks the technical ability of a top class midfielder, the vision to play through balls or dribbling skills that could see him deployed as an attacking midfielder. Only Gerrard offers a constant goal threat but he is only just coming back from injury and trying to find his feet in this new look team.
And maybe that is the key issue - this is a new team. Downing, Adam, Henderson Enrique and Bellamy joined in the summer, Suarez and Carroll have been there only a year, should we really expect fluid attacking football at this stage? Teams are built from the back, and Liverpool's defence has, for the main part, remained solid. But after the outlays on Suarez, Carroll, Henderson and Downing especially, higher expectations are not unwarranted.
Dalglish has yet to settle on a preferred system, a preferred style, a preferred XI, and it shows. Andy Carroll and his price tag dominates discussion and the players seem too determined to play to Carroll's strength rather than the collective strengths of the team. While Dalglish continues to put his foot in his mouth when it comes to Suarez, the manager needs to improve Liverpool's style on the pitch if he wants to take them back to their former glories.
Off the pitch, the club's handling of the Suarez-Evra affair leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Nothing wrong with sticking by your man if you're jumping out of a plane, but for God's sake pull out the parachute! With a trip to Old Trafford at the weekend, it would be naive to think all the talk (and the booing) would die down, but Dalglish stoke the fire once more in his post match press conference after the Tottenham game when he claimed Suarez should never have been suspended.
While that snippet will get the attention, Liverpool fans should be more concerned with the team's style of play. Dalglish claimed his side is creating more chances than anyone else, hence his side's poor chance completion rate. But is the quality of the chances the problem?
All the talk of how to get the best out of Andy Carroll has moved the focus from the team as a whole. They lack penetration down the wings, Suarez is the only player who offers intricacy through the middle, with one or two exceptions there isn't a great deal of pace and the midfield lacks invention.
If we start from the back, the defence looks very solid, Agger and Skrtel have formed a good understanding, save the aberration at Bolton, while Enrique, Johnson and Kelly are good full backs. However, going forward the full backs have yet to stretch teams. Partly this is because teams come to Anfield, sit back and get men behind the ball, but partly this is because of the people in front of them.
Stewart Downing has failed to meet even half his £20million. The England winger has yet to show the performance level expected at Anfield and he has been unable to form meaningful partnerships with his full backs. Dalglish may have to take some responsibility for this as he has switched Downing between the flanks, and changed system and personnel, making the cohesion that Liverpool need in attack hard to create.
Dirk Kuyt on the right wing offers a hard worker and the Dutchman does have a tendency to pop up with a valuable goal of two but he is by no means a winger and will do well to create from that right wing. That would be fine if he created space for Johnson or Kelly to run into but the former Feyenoord man likes to get forward, either crowding out space for an overlapping full back or coming inside into a central position and occupying the centre backs rather than the opposition's left back. Two on one situations on the wings never arise and Liverpool have to resort to crosses from deep. Not a serious problem when Andy Carroll is in your team but if the opposition is sat back knock downs and flick-ons can be easily intercepted and clear opportunities on goal reduced.
Undoubtedly Liverpool have missed Steven Gerrard driving on from midfield. Lucas and Jay Spearing offer the defensive cover but little to nothing going forward. While they can keep things ticking over when Liverpool are in possession you will rarely see a through ball or a run in to the box from either man - its not the role they are asked to fill. Henderson has not yet fulfilled his potential and while he shows endeavour he lacks the maturity or identity to make an impact on the game.
Charlie Adam has an explosive left foot that can deliver pinpoint crosses or blasts from outside the box, but he lacks the agility to run into wide positions or get around and beyond Carroll. He also lacks the technical ability of a top class midfielder, the vision to play through balls or dribbling skills that could see him deployed as an attacking midfielder. Only Gerrard offers a constant goal threat but he is only just coming back from injury and trying to find his feet in this new look team.
And maybe that is the key issue - this is a new team. Downing, Adam, Henderson Enrique and Bellamy joined in the summer, Suarez and Carroll have been there only a year, should we really expect fluid attacking football at this stage? Teams are built from the back, and Liverpool's defence has, for the main part, remained solid. But after the outlays on Suarez, Carroll, Henderson and Downing especially, higher expectations are not unwarranted.
Dalglish has yet to settle on a preferred system, a preferred style, a preferred XI, and it shows. Andy Carroll and his price tag dominates discussion and the players seem too determined to play to Carroll's strength rather than the collective strengths of the team. While Dalglish continues to put his foot in his mouth when it comes to Suarez, the manager needs to improve Liverpool's style on the pitch if he wants to take them back to their former glories.
Friday, 18 February 2011
The Curious Case of David N'Gog
Liverpool drew 0-0 with Sparta Prague, failing to get a shot on target in the whole game. David N'Gog started upfront and provided yet more questions about how he has found himself to in a team with such history and lofted ambitions.
When Rafa Benitez signed him from PSG the french club did not put up much of a fight, hence the low transfer fee. In 25 games he had scored 3 goals, two of those coming in one game in the French League Cup. At Liverpool he has improved his scoring rate slightly to 19 goals in 89 games.
This season he has scored 8 goals, five coming from the Europa League. His goal in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal was a powerful finish, beating Almunia at the near post, but I cannot fathom why he still gets games for Liverpool.
Quick quick, not bad in front of goal, he offers little as a leading front man (a poor man's Torres, even with the Spaniard in such dire form). He is not strong in the air, not technically proficient on the deck, does not stretch the channels, nor hold off defenders. He looks like he is at 80% all the time.
The fact he is edging towards a century of games for Liverpool is more of an indictment of their striking options over the last few years. Why Benitez selected him ahead of the enigma that is Ryan Babel shows his reign went downhill. Roy Hodgson, with no funds to spend, had to play him and was initially rewarded with goals but the Frenchman has returned to type.
The problem is, after being seduced by Liverpool, it is unlikely that N'Gog will settle for a stint at a team down the Premier League table, or in the Championship. He turned down a move to West Brom in the summer, but that is about his level. He is a Peter Odemwingie, a striker who does well if he gets into double figures for the season, which he has never done in his career.
I'm sure he tries his heart out, and hey, he is better than me, but I never seen what Bentiez has seen in him. If someone offers £5million they should bite their hands off because I do not see N'Gog making it in the Premier League, at least not for a side aiming for the Champions League.
The sooner Andy Carroll gets fit the better!
When Rafa Benitez signed him from PSG the french club did not put up much of a fight, hence the low transfer fee. In 25 games he had scored 3 goals, two of those coming in one game in the French League Cup. At Liverpool he has improved his scoring rate slightly to 19 goals in 89 games.
This season he has scored 8 goals, five coming from the Europa League. His goal in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal was a powerful finish, beating Almunia at the near post, but I cannot fathom why he still gets games for Liverpool.
Quick quick, not bad in front of goal, he offers little as a leading front man (a poor man's Torres, even with the Spaniard in such dire form). He is not strong in the air, not technically proficient on the deck, does not stretch the channels, nor hold off defenders. He looks like he is at 80% all the time.
The fact he is edging towards a century of games for Liverpool is more of an indictment of their striking options over the last few years. Why Benitez selected him ahead of the enigma that is Ryan Babel shows his reign went downhill. Roy Hodgson, with no funds to spend, had to play him and was initially rewarded with goals but the Frenchman has returned to type.
The problem is, after being seduced by Liverpool, it is unlikely that N'Gog will settle for a stint at a team down the Premier League table, or in the Championship. He turned down a move to West Brom in the summer, but that is about his level. He is a Peter Odemwingie, a striker who does well if he gets into double figures for the season, which he has never done in his career.
I'm sure he tries his heart out, and hey, he is better than me, but I never seen what Bentiez has seen in him. If someone offers £5million they should bite their hands off because I do not see N'Gog making it in the Premier League, at least not for a side aiming for the Champions League.
The sooner Andy Carroll gets fit the better!
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Liverpool Fans Need to Calm Down
Now Roy Hodgson appears to be ready to sign a contract to become Liverpool manager, fans of the Anfield club need to adapt their expectations if they want the club to get out of the mess they are now in.
Did Rafa Benitez over-achieve in his six years in charge? A Champions League victory, an FA cup win, as well as another Champions League final appearance and a League Cup final loss, would point to a decent level of success. Finishing runners up in the Premier League in 2009 pointed to a club that, on the field at least, was heading in the right direction. However, failure to qualify for the Champions League in 2010, never mind failing to mount another title challenge, show that question marks still remain over Benitez's tenure.
The most remarkable point may be the Spaniard's own admission that Liverpool still needed half a dozen world class performers. For a new incumbent, this almost comes as standard as the new manager tries to extract the biggest transfer budget from the boardroom. For someone in their sixth year in the job, having spent many, many millions, you have to wonder what they have been playing at. Players like Babel, Lucas, Riera have failed to impress, while an even greater concern could be the lack of talent coming through the academy. While Arsenal poached Fabregas and turned him into a world class playmaker, players like N'gog, El Zhar and Nemeth have failed to offer any hint of potential. Yet Benitez continued with them.
Liverpool need investment, an investment of money AND time. Hodgson is an expert at training ground drilling, running through the same scenarios and plays to get a highly organised outfit. With the special talent of Torres and Gerrard, the loveable Londoner should get more out of the team than Rudderless Rafa, but to expect titles and trophies with the current playing squad is asking far too much.
In the long term, a season or two out of the spotlight may be beneficial. The Americans may be forced to drop their price, especially if RBS decide to exert some pressure. A lower price, new ownership, less pressure, and the boys in Red can start the climb back to glory.
Without the transfer budget to entice a top class manager, the last thing Liverpool needs is to start hiring and firing managers with a narrow, short term view. But if Hodgson is to succeed he needs patience from the fans and the belief of the players. While Roy may not lead them to the holy grail of a Premiership title, he can get the club back on the right track, ready for the next man
Did Rafa Benitez over-achieve in his six years in charge? A Champions League victory, an FA cup win, as well as another Champions League final appearance and a League Cup final loss, would point to a decent level of success. Finishing runners up in the Premier League in 2009 pointed to a club that, on the field at least, was heading in the right direction. However, failure to qualify for the Champions League in 2010, never mind failing to mount another title challenge, show that question marks still remain over Benitez's tenure.
The most remarkable point may be the Spaniard's own admission that Liverpool still needed half a dozen world class performers. For a new incumbent, this almost comes as standard as the new manager tries to extract the biggest transfer budget from the boardroom. For someone in their sixth year in the job, having spent many, many millions, you have to wonder what they have been playing at. Players like Babel, Lucas, Riera have failed to impress, while an even greater concern could be the lack of talent coming through the academy. While Arsenal poached Fabregas and turned him into a world class playmaker, players like N'gog, El Zhar and Nemeth have failed to offer any hint of potential. Yet Benitez continued with them.
Liverpool need investment, an investment of money AND time. Hodgson is an expert at training ground drilling, running through the same scenarios and plays to get a highly organised outfit. With the special talent of Torres and Gerrard, the loveable Londoner should get more out of the team than Rudderless Rafa, but to expect titles and trophies with the current playing squad is asking far too much.
In the long term, a season or two out of the spotlight may be beneficial. The Americans may be forced to drop their price, especially if RBS decide to exert some pressure. A lower price, new ownership, less pressure, and the boys in Red can start the climb back to glory.
Without the transfer budget to entice a top class manager, the last thing Liverpool needs is to start hiring and firing managers with a narrow, short term view. But if Hodgson is to succeed he needs patience from the fans and the belief of the players. While Roy may not lead them to the holy grail of a Premiership title, he can get the club back on the right track, ready for the next man
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