Hodgson was 'unlucky' at Anfield
- Thread starter BBC Sport
- Start date
- Replies 47
- Views 2K
Three months ago, Liverpool FC was in a precarious position, having endured one of our worst starts in fifty-odd years the jury was out on boss, Roy Hodgson and rightly so. Having inherited a side that finished seventh the previous season under Rafael Benitez (which was consideredan underachievement), Hodgson had a team which had slumped and was hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone. A lot will be said about the reign ofRoy Hodgson, many will say the squad left behind by Benitez was poor, others will say he wasn’t given enough time. In my opinion, however, the time he was given was certainly sufficient for him to adapt his strategies and tactics to his Liverpool team. He definitely had quality, with one of the best goalkeepersin World football, Pepe Reina, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, but even the likes of Daniel Agger (who he continuously left off the team sheet), Raul Meireles (who he continuously played out of position) and Dirk Kuyt (who was continuously left to cover for Johnson’s defensive mistakes) were unable to flourish under Roy Hodgson. Why did it all go wrong though?
Roy Hodgson never took over a great side, but he took over a side capable of at least the top 8, by January though, we were deep in the bottom half of the table. Things off the field didn’t help Hodgson; Mascherano’s controversial exit was a big blow for the new man. In the summer,it looked like his main task was to reassure Reina and Torres that Liverpool were going to be a force come the next season and in turn, keep them at the club (he did this pretty well). He then brought in Konchesky, Poulsen, Meirelesand Joe Cole, Meireles and Cole looked like major coups for the club. However as games went by and points were dropped, Liverpool were just poor. We were playing a system which clearly was not working and was clearly never going to. Konchesky was playing badly and the fans were getting on his back, same withPoulsen. Meireles was playing well out of position, which made his purchase seem odd. Hodgson claimed he signed him although he also claimed to not know where Raul played best, his performances were hardly helping the team. Joe Cole has still (going into March) hardly kicked a ball for Liverpool FC, he’s permanently on the treatment table or lacking match fitness and the wages we’re spending on him, seem like a waste. Daniel Agger,arguably our best defender was often left off the team sheet by Hodgson, reportedly because he refused to play the long ball. This came as a shock to Liverpool fans as, since the Shankly days our defenders have played the ball into midfield rather than to opt for the long ball to a target man (which we didn’t even have) or our wingers (which really aren’t out and out wingers).
8th January 2011 and Roy Hodgson’s contract was terminated by Liverpool Football Club. The news was met by relief from Liverpool fans (I, personally celebrated the news). As ridiculous as it soundsa few Liverpool fans were in fear of another Souness sort of era. The day after Kenny Dalglish was given what seemed like a nightmare of a job going into an FA Cup tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The expectation that followed ‘The King’ though was massive. The fans were calling out for a saviour and that is exactly what they saw him as. How would Kenny turn this ‘sinking ship’ around from a laughing stock, to a side capable of challenging for European places?
Kenny was a member of one of the most successful teams ofall time, the Liverpool team of the 1980’s. He certainly never had a bad managerial record either, winning the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers.
9 Jan 2011: Man United A 1 0
12 Jan 2011: Blackpool A 2 1
16 Jan 2011: Everton H 2 2
22 Jan 2011: Wolves A 0 3
26 Jan 2011: Fulham H 1 0
2 Feb 2011: Stoke City H 2 0
6 Feb 2011: Chelsea A 0 1
12 Feb 2011: Wigan H 1 1
17 Feb 2011: Sparta P A 0 0
The results since Kenny has been inserted as manager have seen a massive turnaround. Especially when looking at the games since the derby against Everton. Taking into mind Carragher and Gerrard have both been injured for large parts of Kenny’s reign, it is shocking how quickly and drastically we have improved. Seven games unbeaten would suggest that we spent massive amounts in January; however we actually lost our ‘star player’. Yes we have seemingly replaced him with two young, exciting forwards however one is injured and is yet to play and Luis Suarez hadn’t played for two months and was severely lacking match fitness. So, how on God’s Earth has Kenny Dalglish transformed this Liverpool side in such a short space of time?
When Dalglish joined he voiced his concern about the lack of, well, anything at all in the changing room or even on the training ground. The lack of banter, the lack of any sort of voice, any sort of confidence was the first real reason Kenny sited as a problem. This was surprising with personnel like Reina, Carragher, Gerrard and Kuyt in the squad, four inspirational figures who you would expect to be full voice when Liverpool is in such a predicament. Kenny has seemingly given us that back, a confidence and a belief we can win games. It also seems like the banter and character is back in thedressing room. [http://www.liverpool...has-inspired-us]
Obviously, tactically, again Kenny has totally adjusted us to a pass and move team, who keep it very simple, yet play football which is very pleasing on the eye. Kenny has adjusted formation now and then, to good effect, his tactical approach has been almost spot on since he has taken over.He has reintroduced Agger into the side, moved Johnson to the left, putMeireles in his favoured position and is now relying much less on our wingers.With Suarez well on his way back to full fitness and Andy Carroll back intraining it is looking very promising now for Liverpool and Kenny may well adjust his formation yet again. If he makes the ‘little and large’ partnershipwork it could essentially be deadly for Liverpool.
Kenny Dalglish was no doubt built for Liverpool Football Club and he everyone is now behind him to get the managerial position, full time. NESV have also had an impact. They look keen to spend money on players needed, and are already looking into renovating and possibly expanding Anfield. Most importantly however, they have brought the stability back to Liverpool FC which it is famous for, the behind the scenes work is definitely in full flow. If the right players are brought in, in the summer and we get a good leaguefinish, Liverpool could well be back on their way to the top.
Did that a while ago, and it is more about Dalglish's impact rather than Woy's failures. Some things in it may be relevant though.
Roy Hodgson never took over a great side, but he took over a side capable of at least the top 8, by January though, we were deep in the bottom half of the table. Things off the field didn’t help Hodgson; Mascherano’s controversial exit was a big blow for the new man. In the summer,it looked like his main task was to reassure Reina and Torres that Liverpool were going to be a force come the next season and in turn, keep them at the club (he did this pretty well). He then brought in Konchesky, Poulsen, Meirelesand Joe Cole, Meireles and Cole looked like major coups for the club. However as games went by and points were dropped, Liverpool were just poor. We were playing a system which clearly was not working and was clearly never going to. Konchesky was playing badly and the fans were getting on his back, same withPoulsen. Meireles was playing well out of position, which made his purchase seem odd. Hodgson claimed he signed him although he also claimed to not know where Raul played best, his performances were hardly helping the team. Joe Cole has still (going into March) hardly kicked a ball for Liverpool FC, he’s permanently on the treatment table or lacking match fitness and the wages we’re spending on him, seem like a waste. Daniel Agger,arguably our best defender was often left off the team sheet by Hodgson, reportedly because he refused to play the long ball. This came as a shock to Liverpool fans as, since the Shankly days our defenders have played the ball into midfield rather than to opt for the long ball to a target man (which we didn’t even have) or our wingers (which really aren’t out and out wingers).
8th January 2011 and Roy Hodgson’s contract was terminated by Liverpool Football Club. The news was met by relief from Liverpool fans (I, personally celebrated the news). As ridiculous as it soundsa few Liverpool fans were in fear of another Souness sort of era. The day after Kenny Dalglish was given what seemed like a nightmare of a job going into an FA Cup tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The expectation that followed ‘The King’ though was massive. The fans were calling out for a saviour and that is exactly what they saw him as. How would Kenny turn this ‘sinking ship’ around from a laughing stock, to a side capable of challenging for European places?
Kenny was a member of one of the most successful teams ofall time, the Liverpool team of the 1980’s. He certainly never had a bad managerial record either, winning the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers.
9 Jan 2011: Man United A 1 0
12 Jan 2011: Blackpool A 2 1
16 Jan 2011: Everton H 2 2
22 Jan 2011: Wolves A 0 3
26 Jan 2011: Fulham H 1 0
2 Feb 2011: Stoke City H 2 0
6 Feb 2011: Chelsea A 0 1
12 Feb 2011: Wigan H 1 1
17 Feb 2011: Sparta P A 0 0
The results since Kenny has been inserted as manager have seen a massive turnaround. Especially when looking at the games since the derby against Everton. Taking into mind Carragher and Gerrard have both been injured for large parts of Kenny’s reign, it is shocking how quickly and drastically we have improved. Seven games unbeaten would suggest that we spent massive amounts in January; however we actually lost our ‘star player’. Yes we have seemingly replaced him with two young, exciting forwards however one is injured and is yet to play and Luis Suarez hadn’t played for two months and was severely lacking match fitness. So, how on God’s Earth has Kenny Dalglish transformed this Liverpool side in such a short space of time?
When Dalglish joined he voiced his concern about the lack of, well, anything at all in the changing room or even on the training ground. The lack of banter, the lack of any sort of voice, any sort of confidence was the first real reason Kenny sited as a problem. This was surprising with personnel like Reina, Carragher, Gerrard and Kuyt in the squad, four inspirational figures who you would expect to be full voice when Liverpool is in such a predicament. Kenny has seemingly given us that back, a confidence and a belief we can win games. It also seems like the banter and character is back in thedressing room. [http://www.liverpool...has-inspired-us]
Obviously, tactically, again Kenny has totally adjusted us to a pass and move team, who keep it very simple, yet play football which is very pleasing on the eye. Kenny has adjusted formation now and then, to good effect, his tactical approach has been almost spot on since he has taken over.He has reintroduced Agger into the side, moved Johnson to the left, putMeireles in his favoured position and is now relying much less on our wingers.With Suarez well on his way back to full fitness and Andy Carroll back intraining it is looking very promising now for Liverpool and Kenny may well adjust his formation yet again. If he makes the ‘little and large’ partnershipwork it could essentially be deadly for Liverpool.
Kenny Dalglish was no doubt built for Liverpool Football Club and he everyone is now behind him to get the managerial position, full time. NESV have also had an impact. They look keen to spend money on players needed, and are already looking into renovating and possibly expanding Anfield. Most importantly however, they have brought the stability back to Liverpool FC which it is famous for, the behind the scenes work is definitely in full flow. If the right players are brought in, in the summer and we get a good leaguefinish, Liverpool could well be back on their way to the top.
Did that a while ago, and it is more about Dalglish's impact rather than Woy's failures. Some things in it may be relevant though.
Don't me wrong, it did go horribly wrong for him at Liverpool, and maybe should have adjusted the system. But some of the flak he gets is sometimes a bit harsh. Not many managers could've got as far as Roy did with Fulham in Europe, with the resources he had. So he must have been doing something right surely.
But on the other side (much as it pains me to say it lol) I'm pretty much happy that Liverpool have got themselves sorted out, and are back where they belong and playing football the way we know they can. Just ironic how Liverpool have started playing so much better, we've been playing so much sh****r lol
Just because Hodgson isn't a big club manager doesn't mean he isn't a good manager...it's a different skill set. What he did at Fulham was very impressive, and I don't think many of the 'big club managers' could have done it. As far as his time at Liverpool goes, he was put into a very tough situation (bad owners, unmotivated out of form players who didn't want him there, high expectations, and little support from anyone at the club) and I don't think many people expected him to do well. Kenny is a hero at the club, knows it inside out, is backed by everyone (especially the players), and has better owners. And even then there have been some bad results. So I think people are too harsh on Roy.
Jasonlfc96
formerly asjso
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2009
- Messages
- 926
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 16
I think he did well at Liverpool (6)
cbrown1987
Member
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2009
- Messages
- 73
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
hodgson waas awful,he shud be managing someone like ****** crewe alex aha
Jack Fulham
Member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2008
- Messages
- 6,850
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
Personally, I feel the players never warmed to Roy, they'd had Rafa's way and system drummed into them for 5 or 6 years so they were not receptive to Roy's tactics, training or ideas. When Roy goes to a club, they're usually struggling and more willing to listen to different tactics or training because they know they need to improve. The Liverpool players were obviously disappointed with how the last season went under Rafa but didn't seem interested in changing to a different system because they believe that Rafa's way is the best way. I think it is silly to blame it on things such as poor owners, lack of morale because as long as the players get paid, they shouldn't be interested in what the owners do. Like stated already in thread, the Liverpool team did not have the adequate players to fit into Roy's system or philosophy which wingers and a target man. Roy's unwillingness to change his tactics and system was ultimately why he failed at Liverpool and I believe his sacking was justified.
However, I do not agree with the 'championship standard' and '**** manager' comments made by Liverpool fans during his reign. Roy has displayed in the past that he is a manager of great pedigree and he showed that at many clubs and will do the same at West Brom. Sometimes, it just doesn't work out for a manager.
However, I do not agree with the 'championship standard' and '**** manager' comments made by Liverpool fans during his reign. Roy has displayed in the past that he is a manager of great pedigree and he showed that at many clubs and will do the same at West Brom. Sometimes, it just doesn't work out for a manager.