Much to the chagrin of those hysterically fickle fans calling for Roy Hodgson's head after only 4 months in charge (!), Liverpool won again today. As I've argued all along, things can and will get better for the club, and I still maintain that 4th place is absolutely possible this season.
The crushing negativity hurled at Roy Hodgson this season has been a complete joke. The latest example of this came earlier in the week, when one influential fan site posted an article titled 'End of an Error: Why Roy has to go". It was indicative of the short-sighted, reactionary, knee-jerk thought-process that has poisoned the thinking of fans this season, some of whom have been completely unfair towards Liverpool's manager.
The most ironic thing about the negativity is the double standard: the same fans who are calling for Hodgson's head were rabidly supporting Rafa Benitez at the end of his tenure, arguing that poor performances were not his fault; it was the Ownership/off-field turmoil that was to blame; lack of money being made available for transfers etc. Hodgson has had to work under even harsher conditions (manifest instability; boardroom wars; court cases etc) but has any of that been taken into account by his detractors?! NO.
I have maintained my support for the Hodgson since day one. When Liverpool were in the relegation zone, I said it was no big deal and meant nothing (and it WAS no big deal, and it DID mean nothing). I argued that things would get worse before they got better, and when we lost to Blackpool I still refused to jump on the bandwagon. The the reason is simple: looking at things in a short-term manner is pointless; the bigger picture is what matters, and that means taking a long-term view.
Hodgson is and always has been a transitional manager. He was brought in as an experienced head to guide the club calmly through the troubled waters of the sale process, something Rafa Benitez - with his history of fanning the flames of discontent - could not be trusted to do. That sale process thankfully concluded quite early in the season, but at the time of Hodgson's appointment, no one knew for sure when (or even if) a sale would go through.
Hodgson was not my first choice for the manager's post, and I do not believe he is a long term solution, but for this season, he is definitely the right appointment. It was always going to be difficult to attract one of the world's great managers with the club in limbo over its sale status. That doesn't mean no top manager wanted the job - it is and remains one of the most coveted in football - it's just common sense to wait till any ownership situation is resolved.
As a result of my support for Hodgson, lots of fans (via the comments section/emails) have asked me whether I think Hodgson is 'the right man to bring success back to Liverpool in the long term'. This is a prime example of short-term thinking. It's not a question that needs to be answered because Hodgson is not here for the long term.
As I argued earlier in the season: this year is not about rebuilding, playing sexy football, or mounting a title challenge. It is and always has been about transition and consolidation, and the ONLY target is finishing in the top 4. Cup runs are a welcome distraction but it all comes down to finishing in the top 4, and that MUST be achieved at all costs.
If that means the club stumbles through the season and just scrapes through on the last day of the season then so be it. If it means the club has to win ugly, then that’s the way it has to be. Not that I believe that's the way it will go, but if it does then fans should just accept it.
That's not to say that Hodgson doesn't deserve criticism. The responsibility for poor performance on the pitch lies with Hodgson, the players and anyone connected with the playing side of things. However, I personally believe the worst is over. There will still be poor results and performances along the way but I believe Liverpool has as good a chance as anyone of finishing in the top 4.
It makes me laugh how people were so certain that Man City and Spurs would leave Liverpool in the dust. It's not quite working out that way, is it? City have lost their last two league games, and Spurs have failed to win 3 of their last 5 league games (with two losses along the way). Both teams will continue to lose points as the season progresses, and the opportunity will be there for Liverpool to capitalise.
When all is said and done, despite a dire start to the season, Liverpool are a mere 5 points away from 4th place. 5 points! Hardly insurmountable by any means, and definitely within touching distance. And as long as the club remains within touching distance everything will be fine. Consequently, on the 1st January 2011, Liverpool:
* Must be in the top 4, or within touching distance (i.e. within 3 - 5 points)
* Must have massively improved the style of play/performances
Performances are already improving, and with some astute additions in January, things can and will get better. Next season is when the real forward progress will start to be made.
Having said all that, I believe Hodgson will be replaced in the summer even if we Liverpool do finish 4th. I would have no problem with that. Again, it's about taking a long-term view; Roy Hodgson is one piece of the puzzle, and he has a specific job to do. Once it's done, the club has to move on and appoint an energetic, forward-thinking manager to lead Liverpool into a new era.
In the meantime, Hodgson needs to be supported. It is unacceptable for people to be calling for his head after only 4 months in the job. Such behaviour is making a mockery of our reputation as intelligent, gracious, humble fans.
It's time to stop focusing on the short term issues. Liverpool have lost a series of small battles - and further battles may also be lost - but the war is still there to be won.
And it will be won.
Jaimie Kanwar
The crushing negativity hurled at Roy Hodgson this season has been a complete joke. The latest example of this came earlier in the week, when one influential fan site posted an article titled 'End of an Error: Why Roy has to go". It was indicative of the short-sighted, reactionary, knee-jerk thought-process that has poisoned the thinking of fans this season, some of whom have been completely unfair towards Liverpool's manager.
The most ironic thing about the negativity is the double standard: the same fans who are calling for Hodgson's head were rabidly supporting Rafa Benitez at the end of his tenure, arguing that poor performances were not his fault; it was the Ownership/off-field turmoil that was to blame; lack of money being made available for transfers etc. Hodgson has had to work under even harsher conditions (manifest instability; boardroom wars; court cases etc) but has any of that been taken into account by his detractors?! NO.
I have maintained my support for the Hodgson since day one. When Liverpool were in the relegation zone, I said it was no big deal and meant nothing (and it WAS no big deal, and it DID mean nothing). I argued that things would get worse before they got better, and when we lost to Blackpool I still refused to jump on the bandwagon. The the reason is simple: looking at things in a short-term manner is pointless; the bigger picture is what matters, and that means taking a long-term view.
Hodgson is and always has been a transitional manager. He was brought in as an experienced head to guide the club calmly through the troubled waters of the sale process, something Rafa Benitez - with his history of fanning the flames of discontent - could not be trusted to do. That sale process thankfully concluded quite early in the season, but at the time of Hodgson's appointment, no one knew for sure when (or even if) a sale would go through.
Hodgson was not my first choice for the manager's post, and I do not believe he is a long term solution, but for this season, he is definitely the right appointment. It was always going to be difficult to attract one of the world's great managers with the club in limbo over its sale status. That doesn't mean no top manager wanted the job - it is and remains one of the most coveted in football - it's just common sense to wait till any ownership situation is resolved.
As a result of my support for Hodgson, lots of fans (via the comments section/emails) have asked me whether I think Hodgson is 'the right man to bring success back to Liverpool in the long term'. This is a prime example of short-term thinking. It's not a question that needs to be answered because Hodgson is not here for the long term.
As I argued earlier in the season: this year is not about rebuilding, playing sexy football, or mounting a title challenge. It is and always has been about transition and consolidation, and the ONLY target is finishing in the top 4. Cup runs are a welcome distraction but it all comes down to finishing in the top 4, and that MUST be achieved at all costs.
If that means the club stumbles through the season and just scrapes through on the last day of the season then so be it. If it means the club has to win ugly, then that’s the way it has to be. Not that I believe that's the way it will go, but if it does then fans should just accept it.
That's not to say that Hodgson doesn't deserve criticism. The responsibility for poor performance on the pitch lies with Hodgson, the players and anyone connected with the playing side of things. However, I personally believe the worst is over. There will still be poor results and performances along the way but I believe Liverpool has as good a chance as anyone of finishing in the top 4.
It makes me laugh how people were so certain that Man City and Spurs would leave Liverpool in the dust. It's not quite working out that way, is it? City have lost their last two league games, and Spurs have failed to win 3 of their last 5 league games (with two losses along the way). Both teams will continue to lose points as the season progresses, and the opportunity will be there for Liverpool to capitalise.
When all is said and done, despite a dire start to the season, Liverpool are a mere 5 points away from 4th place. 5 points! Hardly insurmountable by any means, and definitely within touching distance. And as long as the club remains within touching distance everything will be fine. Consequently, on the 1st January 2011, Liverpool:
* Must be in the top 4, or within touching distance (i.e. within 3 - 5 points)
* Must have massively improved the style of play/performances
Performances are already improving, and with some astute additions in January, things can and will get better. Next season is when the real forward progress will start to be made.
Having said all that, I believe Hodgson will be replaced in the summer even if we Liverpool do finish 4th. I would have no problem with that. Again, it's about taking a long-term view; Roy Hodgson is one piece of the puzzle, and he has a specific job to do. Once it's done, the club has to move on and appoint an energetic, forward-thinking manager to lead Liverpool into a new era.
In the meantime, Hodgson needs to be supported. It is unacceptable for people to be calling for his head after only 4 months in the job. Such behaviour is making a mockery of our reputation as intelligent, gracious, humble fans.
It's time to stop focusing on the short term issues. Liverpool have lost a series of small battles - and further battles may also be lost - but the war is still there to be won.
And it will be won.
Jaimie Kanwar
this guy has to be sacked
ReplyDeleteWhile I still support RH, at least until the end of the season, The problem with liverpool is that with 10 games already in the season they are playing worse or almost the same way that they were playing at the end of last season.
ReplyDeleteHow much is Hodgson paying this guy to write such utter tripe? Did he actually watch the game today? Hodgson as usual searching for his one and only brain cell in his chin, worriedly wringing his hands with sammy Lee hiding behind Rafas discarded notebook. We were awful and very lucky to get the points and if we play like this next week it will be a cricket score for Chelsea and Cole has now gone into hiding so he wont be playing next week.
ReplyDeleteThe easiest £500 someone will ever make and it won't be you.
ReplyDeleteHodgson has to go despite being able to string two wins together. Wins won't change the fool he has prooved himself to be in the last few weeks with his tactics and interviews.
Needs to go now before the ship sinks.
ReplyDeleteRoy Hodgson STILL needs to go. Intelligent fans knows £5M for Poulsen is bad, £3M+ for Konscheky is not good and Aquilani to Juve without a chances are NOT smart decisions. We can only judge him on his transfer and team selection. FEEL FREE TO DELETE LIKE YOU DO THOSE THAT DO NOT AGREE WITH YOU !!!
ReplyDeleteHoly Shit,
ReplyDeleteI thought Arsenal fans were whining bitches when we lose a few.
Right, so last season I was being paid by Hicks and Gillett; this season it's Hodgson.
ReplyDeleteYou jst don't get it. It doesn't matter how we win as long as we win.
I see this season as similar to Gerard Houllier's final season - it was a long hard slog full of dire performances, but we still finished 4th, which is all that mattered.
We'll see, won't we.
ReplyDeleteNo, I only delete posts that include derogatory comments/insults. I never delete posts that disagree with me. In any event, you're a prime example of the kind of fickle fan I refer to in my article, condemning players and the manager after only a few months. What will you saif when we finish 4th? Will you still be condeming them?
ReplyDeleteI suspect that thousand of people Who sing "Fields of Anfield Road" today for at least 5 minutes, consider "so-called fans" like you as the real problem of the Club.
ReplyDeleteIt's a time of struggle, and the only important thing is to get three points a build a momentum, and stick together with passion as a true Liverpool's team.
Travelling Kop today showed his opinion today: true Liverpool Fans are behind the men in red, and the man in charge Who will never walk alone because He's the man in change and Liverpool fans will never point the finger against one man in alone.
You are patethic.
Yes You did... You gave a definition of Pro benitez yesterday and I gave a definition of Anti Benitez... almost the same words used by you and It was deleted. 8-)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but I find you very arrogant. Why do you constantly issue posts 'attacking' other Liverpool fans or with very poor sensationalist headlines? Football is a game of opinions, but why do you call other fans 'stupid' if they don't agree with you?
ReplyDeleteWith regards to your arrogance, your note says it all:
<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>"STICK TO THE COMMENT POLICY OR YOUR <span>
COMMENT WILL BE </span></span></span><span><span><span>DELETED</span>
</span></span><span><span>INTELLIGENT, REASONED DEBATE <span>WELCOME</span></span></span><span><span>. </span></span><span><span>
SNIPING IDIOTS </span><span>WILL BE</span></span><span><span><span> BANNED</span>
</span></span><span><span><span><span><span></span>IF YOU DON'T LIKE THIS SITE THEN LEAVE! <span>
AND DON'T COME BACK"</span></span></span></span></span></span><span>
</span></span></span></span></span>
I'm sorry Jamie, but you have no class. Liverpool FC is not just a football club, its a lifetime comittment, for better or worse, in sickness and in health. We're all after the same thing, success for our wonderful club.
You'll probably delete this message but I don't care because today is the last time I visit your site.
I often read your articles and disaggre, but on this one I have to aggre all though I don't think Hodgson has done well so far. Keeping him untill the right long term solution is spotted and available makes sence to me. As much as I'd like to se Roy Hodgson replaced, I'd like to see Liverpool win while he's here, so supporting him makes sence. As much as I'd like to see a new man in charge, the club has a responsibility to make it the right man at the right time. To me that meens a young manager whom fits your desciption: "Once it's done, the club has to move on and appoint an energetic, forward-thinking manager to lead Liverpool into a new era."
ReplyDeleteWho would your bet on this manager be? Di Matteo? Low? Pelligrini? Rijkaard?
Rafa's low points were never as bad as Roy's have been. But yes it's only 4 months in, but he did say judge him after 10 games and after 10 it's meh. I'll give him a D. D students can become B or A students but it takes a lot of time and effort and to be frank we can't wait forever, as mark my words if City or Spurs aren't doing as well as they hoped, they will spend in Jan, and we will be left behind.
ReplyDeleteLook, I'm more than happy for Roy to prove me wrong, in fact I would love it as it means that Liverpool are doing well. Every week I pray for Roy to shut me up, I want him challenge me and my opinions of him. I want Roy to be a success despite being a fan of Benitez, the two aren't mutually exclusive as my loyalties are first and foremost to the club. Up until now Roy has simply not been good enough, this cannot be denied. It's not just the results but also the performances have been bad. Now, he's starting to somewhat turn it around. But wins against Blackburn and Bolton aren't going to get me over excited. Let's see if we can get and good result and PERFORMANCE against Chelsea, then I will feel better about Roy.
I love Kanwar's delusions of influence. His permanent defence of the indefensible makes me laugh. You'd think Purslow himself was writing this garbage. Keep pounding away at your keyboard Kanwar - you never know, one day you just might write something worth thinking about, (doubt it though).
ReplyDeleteJohn - you were banned at the time. You regularly post sniping comments but I always unban you after a while. However, if you continue to post such comments I will ban you permanently. if you don't like this site, don't visit. This is your last chance.
ReplyDeleteYou are surely entitled to your opinion. Poulsen is 30 yrs old and past it. I have seen Konchesky with Fulham. If you want to call me fickle, so be it, As for Hodgson I dont believe he possess the mental capability for a top 4 club. That is my opinion. I have stated an example, Ferguson accused Torres of diving and the man didnt say a word. He should back his players 100% of the time. That is just one example. Fickle is not trying out the likes of Aquilani and Insua before sending them off..
ReplyDeleteHe didn't have to face off against teams as good or with as much spending power as City or Spurs.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, any excuse. I guess Chelsea didn't have Abromvich's money that season, did they? And United, Arsenal et al were all really poor quality teams.
ReplyDeleteJamie,
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your website for a year or so. It needs another point of view. Someone who sees the best in Rafa and the worst in Roy but can still give credit or criticism to both when required.
If I write an article explaining why, will you publish it?
To be honest with you... I could careless. I dont get paid to write on your site, so feel free to do as pleased.
ReplyDeleteHey Morten - thanks for your comments. There are lots of managers out there with the potential to do well for Liverpool, and Pellegrini, Rijkaard et al are among them. I wouldn't put Di Matteo on the list though as he is inexperienced at the highest level.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't get paid either.
ReplyDeletedoubt it
ReplyDeleteI'll defo read it. Jaimie's articles are as Fair and Balanced as FOX NEWS, but he knows what he is doing. Jaimie can be like Bill O'Reilly and you can be like John Stewart.
ReplyDeleteI have praised Benitez/defended in articles many times, and I have criticised Hodgson also (as I have in the above article).
ReplyDeleteI've had guest writers in the past, so please feel free to write the article. If it fits the site's editorial guidelines I'll publish it.
(email me and I'll send you the guidelines: editor@liverpool-kop.com
Cheers, JK
Whataver you think of Benitez it made no sense to get rid of him with the uncertainty around the ownership. Had we been replacing him now then the job would look more attracive and would have had more suitable candadites than Roy.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion Benitez deserved more time: wost case scenario is we would have got rid of him when the new owners came in if he hdan't showed signs of things changing. Will back Roy as long as he's in charge as the manager deserves nothing less but I'm not convinced he can change things based on what we've seen so far.
Actually, John, there have been about 12 or 13 guest writers in the past. They wrote over 50 articles, most of which were opposite of what I think. I actively encouraged disagreement with my views:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.liverpool-kop.com/search/label/guest%20writers
Surley the bigger picture as you call it was not to rabidly attack Rafa as you did and support him and his long term goals for this club of ours, it is you and people like you that helped pile the pressure on one of todays great managers so we could replace him with a nice manf uck you Kanwar
ReplyDeleteOh and what has happened to Pacheco? Doesn't even make the bench, give this kid a go at least 15min. Rodrigo played for Bolton, Macheda is getting min, McChcerran (or whatever his name is) is getting game time for Chelsea, Canales for Real. The boy is an exciting talent, really think he can offer more than Ngog or Jova.
ReplyDeleteJust because you think I'm not 'fair' doesn't make it so. Any opinion I have that conflicts with yours will mean you perceive me as being unfair. And if you want balance, go to the BBC website. Are you balanced in your views? NO. No football fan is, and I am under no obligation to provide balance. I am a fan with an opinion, and I'm not going to pander to the masses just for the sake of balance.
ReplyDeleteJaimie Kanwar is two faced
ReplyDeleteFickle, Rabid, once again you attack Liverpool fans with an opinion that differs too yours the above article is the most two face low down dirty crap I have read in years
ReplyDeleteI think if you read my statements I try to be reasonable. See things from different perspectives. I may differ in views, but I don't call people names or try to ridicule them with insults, otherwise you end up looking like you are ranting and when you rant any good points gets lost in the hullabaloo. I also do not claim to have divine knowledge. Of course I have biased views, I'm human but when someone demands a certain standard of behaviour from his "audience" one must also reciprocate in the appropriate manner.
ReplyDeleteBenitez absolutely had to go. He ran the team into the ground, and his public politicking and antipathy towards the board was out of step with the calm, reasoned approach required during a takeover. And if he was here now, it would only be a matter of time before he started to argue with NESV. There is historical precedent for this stretching all the way back to Benitez's time at Tenerife an Getafe: he has fallen out with the hierarcy at nearly all of his clubs. That could not continue.
ReplyDelete...otherwise you are just shit stirring, creating articles purposely to be antagonistic so you get more hits on your site, feeding your ego if not your wallet. I personally don't think this is the case, but you can see how insulting people can lead to this assumption and thus negating the good points in your articles.
ReplyDeleteYes, you have biased views; so di I. With that in mind, why do you tell me to be balanced if you are not? Double standards, no?
ReplyDeleteI deleted your other post because it just contained pointless derogatory comments.
I do not insult people on this site. I argue my points forcefully. Calling someone part of the Pro-Benitez brigade is not an insult. How can it be? If you are a supporter of Benitez, and defend his actions then you are, as a matter of fact, pro-Benitez, are you not?
It's like someone calling me part of the anti-Benitez brigade. Is that an insult? no. I am not a fan his, and I question his managerial decisions, therefore I can fairly be called anti-Benitez. Makes no difference to me.
That's 3 teams yes? Whereas City and Spurs makes that 5 teams with huge resources to compete with.
ReplyDeleteBTW, did you delete my last post, you know about the insults, as that ain't right jack.
Honestly astonished, how does this guy get so much publicity? Its our fault for replying but I just cant help it. Look at the title of your post... As if we are out of the woods and you have been somehow vindicated because we BARELY beat Blackburn and Bolton. Id be embarrassed had I written that and put it on view for the world to see. Truly staggering. I cant believe you say it doesnt matter how we win as long as we win. Is that the Liverpool way? Was this a "Famous, historical win?" WHat a joke
ReplyDeletehi jamie,
ReplyDeleteAfter staying in the relegation zone for weeks following our worst start to a season in more than 50 years, We are now 12th with 12 points and some one has become sure of top four. I am remember you mocked at Rafa last season when he said we can achieve top 4, and I am sure that if Rafa was the manager now you would have written a blog on us getting relegated.
Dont worry unlike you, I am going to support my club no matter who is the manager. More importantly we would sure reach the top 4, if we sack Roy sooner.
What the.... kenwar you are the worst blogger in history go get a job.
ReplyDeleteThe Liverpool Way has nothing to do with it. Reality has to be faced, and the reality is this season is going to be a long hard slog, and as long as we finish in 4th place, that's ll that matters.
ReplyDeleteThey Rafa Brigade need to either stand down now or go an support Italian football or follow him where ever else he is. This brigade are as harmful to the club now as ever H&G were. Great article Jamie - I could'nt have said better myself
ReplyDelete<p><span><span><span><span>So, this in not derogatory...</span></span></span></span>
ReplyDelete</p><p>
</p><p><span><span><span>Definition of PRO-BENITEZ CULT: Deluded, Scientology-esque minority cabal of rabid, fanatical sycophants who attack, ridicule and denigrate anyone who has the temerity to (legitimately) question the managerial reign of their cherished deity, Rafa Benitez.</span></span></span>
</p><p>
</p><p><span><span><span>This veiled attack on supporters of Rafa shielded in the guise of “humour”. This is what you really think but use humour as a defence. If anyone complains “Oh it's just a joke, you Rafa guys are so sensitive”. You can get away with doing a lot through “humour”. There's countless more examples, i just can't be arsed to go through all your Anti Rafa articles, God there is so many. </span></span></span><span>No, you call people stupid and idiots for expressing a different opinion, this is uncalled for. Worst of all you always lump Rafa supporters under one banner and label us as idiots. You use the excuse of some of the more extreme Rafa sympathisers to have a go at us all. A bit like those who use Muslim extremism to debase Islam. Also, I said I have biased views but I also said I can see from other perspectives. I suppose I leave it up to other people to judge whether I'm biased or not, but I leave the vitriol out of it. </span>
</p><p><span>I am largely Pro Rafa, but you can see in my previous statements I have highlighted some of his failings as well as his good points. Also, my deleted comment...looks like someone's afraid of the truth!</span>
</p>
You know what I will take no pleasure if you are wrong about 4th. I really want you to get that £500, as that would mean Liverpool are 4th. I don't care who gets us there. As I've said the way we are playing and who we have to get amongst, Spurs, Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea and City, I can't see it happening. All have the ability to spend large amounts in Jan if things aren't going right. 6 into 4 doesn't go and at the moment we are in terms of performance not looking like being in that top 4. It's hard to be optimistic cos of the way we are playing but as a Red I always have faith. Whether that faith is to be placed with Roy or someone else we will have to see. We all want Liverpool to succeed, hopefully with 3 points against Chelsea.
ReplyDeleteNo, Torres9: you are misinterpreting my views *again*.
ReplyDeleteThe clue is in the definition itself:
Definition of PRO-BENITEZ CULT: Deluded, Scientology-esque minority cabal of rabid, fanatical sycophants who attack, ridicule and denigrate anyone who has the temerity to (legitimately) question the managerial reign of their cherished deity, Rafa Benitez.
MINORITY. I am referring to a MINORITY of fans, not ALL of Benitez's supporters. While you're faoming at the mouth trying to make out I tar all Benitez fans with same brush you're missing the important distinctions.
There is a difference between being Pro-Benitez and being part of the Pro-Benitez Cult. If you can't see the difference, that's your problem.
And I also see things from different perspectives. You are just plain (and probably deliberately) wrong. There are lots of articles on this site where I have supported Benitez; where I have praised him; where I have put him in a positive light. Wh do you ignore those?
If you're going to argue against my approach, do it accurately or not at all. If you can't interpet simple sentences properly (like the definition above), that's not my problem.
I deleted your last comment because it contained derogatory comments and insults, and you know that.
I'll say this once again: if you have a problem with this site, or me, LEAVE. Stop clogging threads with complaints such as these. If you want to complain further about me/the site, then email me.
Any furthermore posts containing derogatory comments/insults will be deleted.
And if you post stuff that blatantly lies about my approach, or deliberately suggests that I never support/praise Benitez, those posts will be deleted aswell (as it's not true).
Take it or leave it.
Winning 2 games doesn't necessarily mean Roy is good enough, although 6 points from 8 games did mean something was wrong. He's improving, there is no doubt, but I am still puzzled by some of his decisions. For example, on the bench today were Spearing and Shelvey: 2 inexperienced players who play in the same position, who can add absolutely nothing to the game, but would only get a chance if the 3 points have been secured. There was a 0% chance that they would BOTH play, so why not pick only one of them. I cannot believe that these 2 are picked ahead of Dani Pacheco. This would be enough reason to sack Hodgson. It tells you that he is still getting things wrong, and he's been here long enough to know the squad, so time is not an excuse.
ReplyDeleteSorry that I haven't read every single article you've ever done. I'm sure there's a percentage of pro Rafa articles. It just that your articles come via Newsnow and honestly the ones I've read have largely been Anti Rafa. I may not know your entire back catalogue, so I'm not blantantly lying about your approach. If you could send links of you praising Rafa, then I would love to see them and maybe see you in a different light. I just say it as I see. And you are making a bit of of a mistake saying that I cannot interpret simple sentences as I tend to look past simple sentences and have seem some really sensible people on here labelled as "Benitez Cult" when they've actually just been reasonably responding to an attack on Rafa. But controversy breeds interest, and fairplay you get people commenting on your articles. Anywho, the only person who gets me foaming at the mouth is Beyonce, but that's because I'm awestruck. But I do foam with anger when Konchesky, Poulsen or Lucas gives the ball away.
ReplyDeleteFor once i partly agree with you. My only concern is do we have the resources to allow much needed investment by a short term manager in January. I'd much prefer money being spent by someone who will be here long term or there will be another transitional period requiring more money
ReplyDeleteGood points about Shelvey and Spearing. I agree with you, Hodgson is still making mistakes, and I'm sure he he will continue to make mistakes. However, as long as we finish 4th they won't matter. I think he will get more things right than wrong as the season progresses, but we'll see.
ReplyDeleteGet this right...I am/was Pro Rafa, but he's gone which I accept. The reason why people were calling for Roy's head was because we were playing CRAP. Not because of Rafa, but because of drab football. Maybe people were a little impatient, but when you lose at home to Blackpool, you do worry. Hopefully we have turned it around and as I was saying to my Spurs mate a string of results gets us up there. But that is easier said then done. But people should stop seeing it as Rafa vs Roy. The question is, is what is happening on the field good enough for Liverpool and how can we fix it. Is it tactics, formation and attitude which Roy can change or is it the manager himself? So no I'm not aligned to Rafa, I think he did a good job, but my heart and soul is with LFC.
ReplyDeletesack him immediatly
ReplyDeleteI hope Dani Pacheco gets a run out against the old boys.Joke Kewell has been nothing short of disastrous so far.Dani P will run rings around the ol' doffers.
ReplyDeleteRoy Hodgson MUST go! He is not suited to Liverpool. Look at the way he wants Liverpool to play and how he handles things off field. He is a mid table manager. We will loose Torres and Reina and others if he continues to manage Liverpool. The team still looks in dsarray and lacks mobility. Sack ROY!
ReplyDelete7 in 67 = Hodgson's lifetime away record in the PL. Today's win made him better than 1 in 10. We got a break today, that's all. It won't happen against better teams, we'll be chasing a deficit by then.
ReplyDeleteSo what was all the Meireles playing in the hole and RW about? Play him in his natural position from deep/flat and he's a different player. We all saw that 6 or 7 games ago. It took til last game for Hodgson to re-pair Gerrard and Torres...and suddenly Torres scores again!
I wasn't keen on Hodgson, but the day he was appointed I gave him my support, as I would do for any manager at the club. But Hodgson's bland, unadventurous and frankly shallow use of the players is uninspiring.
It's a short period of time in which to judge any manager, yes. But the next few months are crucial. The money when spent must be spent in building a long-term squad with a manager who will be in place for the next 5+ years. The players who we need to acquire must have the confidence in the manager to sign for us. The players whose names are costantly the focus of speculation must similarly be convinced that the man at the helm can lead them to *and*through* title and trophy chases.
I have no confidence that Hodgson is capable, the vast majority of the supporters do not have the confidence, apparently some of the senior players are as dubious.
It may not be fair to Hodgson to part ways. But I don't care about fair, I want my club to win trophies again.
Its easy to say sack the manager but who wants to manage the club? This very moment? Not many, not the kind of manager we are looking for anyway. First and foremost, u can only play as good as the players u have for the most part. The fact is a new manager right now will still have his problems. Lack of wingers, no strikers of quality etc. LFC needs quite a few years of solid progress not to mention a stadium financed in the back ground at the same time. Whether roy gets champs league is another matter, personally i dont see it unless we have high quality additions in jan. But hardly any move during this period. IF Champs league is not achieved then you can say good bye to the few good players we have. As they say, only time will tell :D
ReplyDeleteAll this Rafa talk reminds me of men who can't get over there ex-girlfriends. Stop crying, for crying out loud. Rafa is gone get over it and move on! We were in shambles and now things are starting to look better (from the top) we have a million miles to go but the boat is in the right direction. I find that most supporters don't even realize that it is all about a new stadium or rebuilding heaven, wake up people, like the article says Roy will not be here for the long term and all smart supporters know this. WE NEED TO INCREASE REVENUE BOTTOM LINE or we will be talking about the same things over and over. Our job as supporters is to try and leave this best club in the world better then what we got it at. LFC4LIFE bottom line, get with it or jump on some other teams bandwagon.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that you bring in a manager in the short term is utter nonsense. So just when the players have adjusted to Hodgsons methods, just when he has spent millions on tranfers and just when the dust has settled you sack him and start all over again?
ReplyDeleteAbsolute and utter nonsense!
I agree long term thinking is the way forward, but the sooner we
"appoint an energetic, forward-thinking manager to lead Liverpool into a new era" the better for everyone connected with LFC.If the new manager came in sooner he could assess the squad and spend the money wisely, if Hodgson is allowed to spend millions in January only for the new manager to come in July and want more money to build his own team then all Hodgson has achieved is wasting millions, wasting time and writing this season off for nothing.Yet again Mr Kanwar I think you are wrong in your opinions and wrong to be backing a short term lame duck manager.
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YES!!! WE COMFORTABLY BEAT BOLTON 1 - 0, WHAT A FANTASTIC RESULTS!!! mind you we are 5 points off the top 4 and CHELSEA is coming to town...top 4 in your dreams...HOW BLINDED AND CRITICAL IS THAT, JAIMIE?
ReplyDeleteyou wont finish 4th because your shit and cant beat blackpool
ReplyDeleteWhy do people insist on putting fans in either the Rafa or Roy camp? The simple fact is that Rafa's time was up and Roy had made a shocking start, and if things had continued as they were in the first 8 games, his time would have also been up.
ReplyDeleteCan we not call things as they are, rather than make judgements based solely on who the manager is? I'm certain the majority of Liverpool fans are intelligent enough to realise when the team is in trouble, and don't pretend otherwise because they supported rafa or wanted him out.
Is hodgson here 2 make us 10th or so .....we would have believed him if were in top 8
ReplyDeletethen wat about his targets....wright philips,santa cruz,n'zogbia,brunt,carlton cole,trezequet,forlan, players who r old.benchwarmer or awful.....he will waste money in january,make us 8th or 7th and will say i have proved fans ,media and critics wrong
ReplyDeleteHahaha we're not making the top 4, I'd love it but sorry, not with Roy.
ReplyDeleteBring in a continental footballing mind, a Pellegrini or a Rijkaard, even better Hiddink. Give him the keys to the car and money to spend, someone who'll name Pacheco and Shelvey to every bench and play tactically, none of this provincially poor English stuff. Liverpool are a global club, and when Rafa was here we played global football, the kind that players the world over admired, thats why they came. Look at the way these guys have been playing, do you need them to just come out and say that they don't believe in what they're being told to do? Cause that's exactly what it looks like. The best centerback at the club is being pushed out by a manager who refuses to make more than one substitution a game. I believe that if Cole hadn't come off and Ngog wasn't on to clear up space for Torres against a tired Bolton defense, we would not have won.
Roy simply has to go,he is inept.I was willing to give him a chance but his comments and tactics are simply not the right stuff,best game(Everton) Utd will come for Torres,I am great coach I have managed Inter Milan,we all know he managed Inter blah blah blah,sick of hearing of his so called skills,he is a lightweight and always will be.I expected your blog to support him,then again you did say Rafa was useless,he seems to be doing alright now doesnt he?
ReplyDeleteJamie
ReplyDeleteLiverppol haven't been playing well. They only come alive at the end of matches. It's all too negative. The points are a necessity but this is Liverpool and it is not acceptable to play in a manner that is so ineffective.
I want any Liverpool manager to be a success. I don't think slagging off anything to do with the club publicly is acceptable but 12 points in 10 games? It is shockingly poor.
It's not all Roy's fault, but the playing style is.
I don't accept that the players are so limited that this is all we can muster.
I see no reason why we should be aiming for a season with such low expectations, especially while the other top teams in the league are all in a weakened, transitional phase (barring Chelsea)
ReplyDeleteIt's quite clear that the players will have to achieve in spite of our current manager, rather than because of him, and so our CEILING with Hodgson is around 72 points and 4th place. The right man to take the club forwards short & long term (Riijkaard) is available RIGHT NOW, so Liverpool need to stop wasting time trying to be kind to nice, ole uncle Woy and just start the next phase of our club asap
at least Arsenal have a philosophy of attractive, attacking football and hope in the youth to hold onto when the team is failing. Under Hodgson there is no clear game plan or direction for our club - it;s just a case of 'hope for the best'
ReplyDeletethe sad truth is that Pacheco has begun to stagnate and regress now. Just as happened in recent years with the likes of Plessis, Nemeth, Insua (who should've been exposed to the first team a year earlier when he was on fire in the reserves and Riise was playing like shite) and even Babel, a lack of adequate opportunity being presented when the player was ready, appears to have led to a drop in motivation and the players going bakwards :(
ReplyDeleteany talented young player would be well advised to reject any advances from Liverpool while Hodgson remains in charge, if they have any options of moving to another club of near comparable stature - he has a clear history of rejecting the use of youth when he can work with an 'experienced' player instead, regardless of the performances of the senior player.
ReplyDeleteThis trend can be clearly seen to be continuing during his early tenure at Liverpool also, where no senior player has been dropped despite our attrocious results & performances, barring injury, whereas the reserves were immediately hauled up as soon as they drew with an inferior team. This is another major reason why he has to go before the transfer window opens
The hypocrisy of these articles is simply breathtaking. If Rafa had delivered the kind of signings, performances, and results we have seen so far this year, Mr. Kanwar you would have been baying for his blood. That is neither a pro-Rafa nor anti-Rafa comment; it is just an observation about the inherent bias in your writings. My own opinion, for what that's worth, is that RH is not up to the job. He asked to be judged after 10 games so we should do as he asks. Hopefully, he will be given his papers tomorrow and shown the door, albeit respectfully. My passion is for LFC and its long term interests. I would willingly write-off this season to lay the foundation for a better future.
ReplyDeleteSuch an arrogant little man Jamie.......
ReplyDeleteNo, it is your misunderstanding that is breathtaking . Benitez was in the job for 6 years and the performances from last season were worse than this season at times. He also made far more a 4 nonths; he's had to deal with trocious signings (Dossena; Degen; Josemi; Nunez and many more). Hodgson has been in the job; he's had to deal with the crap, demotivated squad left by Benitez, and endless turmoil off the pitch that has affected the players (it shouldn't do, but it has).
ReplyDeletei wouldn't class a fan as fickle,after witnessing torres been marooned on his own up front game after game & left looking like a broken man most of the time, added to the abysmal performances byWOY'S team so far....
ReplyDeleteHis first away win in 14months- THAT'S why he shouldn't be Liverpool FC manager!
Funny you say it doesn't matter how we win as long as we do, one of your gripes against Rafa was the boring style of play. Anti Rafa agenda, surely not from this site.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I'm still backing Roy
True, but everyone starts out that way.
ReplyDelete"It was indicative of the short-sighted, reactionary, knee-jerk thought-process that has poisoned the thinking of fans this season, some of whom have been completely unfair towards Liverpool's manager."
ReplyDeleteIs this the same Paul Tomkins you used to spam constantly by e-mail trying to get him to promote or generate hits for this site?! My, we are very hypocritical aren't we Jaimie? What's the matter? Did he ignore you? Ah, poor baby!
Envy is an ugly sin Jaimie, haha, what a loser you are!
So just because you used the word MINORITY excludes it from being <span><span><span><span>derogatory? I see we misinterpret your views... Have you ever consider you misinterpretinng our views? Probably not huh?
ReplyDelete</span></span></span></span>
Cry me a river !!!!
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure your praises of Rafa Benitez got him the Inter Milan job... Buy yourself a snack for that.... 8-) We have acknowledge here on your site that Rafa did make some mistakes, what you have failed to acknowledge is he never had the buying power of Man U and Chelsea since in your world, Gross is what is important and not NET spending, I have given you a chance to answer a very simple question about Net and Gross. You were incapable of answering it, I have also asked you why you thought RAFA was offered a 5 yr contract despite his poor management skills, you also fail to answer that. What you are interesting in comparing a 23 yr tenure of Ferguson to Rafa's 6 yrs and analysis of financial statement to back up your reasoning, It is fair enough as long as you can convinced yourself.I personally believe there are more than one factor leading to the decline of Liverpool, but I am also aware that not all of us are capable of looking beyond the Rafa, At the end of the day we all have our views and I am really not here to convince you how good Rafa is or how bad Roy is, You can see that on their resume. Rafa has won the UEFA, FA, CL La liga amongst others, Hopefully Roy can do the same. 8-)
ReplyDeleteQuote from above
ReplyDeleteHodgson is and always has been a transitional manager. He was brought in as an experienced head to guide the club <span>calmly</span> through the troubled waters of the sale process, something Rafa Benitez - with his history of fanning the flames of discontent - could not be trusted to do. That sale process thankfully concluded quite early in the season, but at the time of Hodgson's appointment, no one knew for sure when (or even if) a sale would go through.How do you know this Jamie where is your proof. If it where true then I am certain the club would have turned to Dalglish for the experiance to guide the club through the troubled waters.I am not certain how or why Hodgson was appointed but he was and therefore we need to give him some time to stamp his mark. There has been improvements over the last few weeks but our League position and Fan expectation makes each performance a nervy affair.If I have a criticism of him its the quality of player he has brought in..... I have always thought that whoever the manager is if you are going to buy a player he should be at least as good as if not better than the player he has been brought in to replace.I.E Aurilleo a free but taking up wages is not better than MavingaKonchesky is not as good ( or bad) as Insua !!Meireles is just Aqualani did we need to changePoulsen is just awful possible the worst player to wear Red since Sean Dundee
Read more: http://www.liverpool-kop.com/2010/10/panic-stations-sack-roy-hodgson.html#ixzz141aXOtaX
To be fair writing this article after a nervy last minute win against Bolton could be described by some as being short termist surely it would be better to wait until January (when we will have played Chelsea & Tottenham amongst others) before you can assess whether LFC have really turned the corner. Of course LFC can finish 4th but the question to ask is whether the current team led by Hodegson is capable of doing so? If this were three of four seasons ago I would probably agree with you that LFC have a good chance of coming 4th. However the emergence of Man City and Totenham have made the top 4 into a top 6 with 3 team competing for 4th place. Tottenham and Man City will drop points but so will we (given the way we are playing currently) and so while I don't have a crystal ball LFC finishing top 4 seems a remote possibility.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore if Hodgeson is here for one season only then why would NESV give him any significant money in January to stregnthen? Surely they would want to keep this money until the summer and hand it to the new manager to rebuild. But okay lets take your logic that we will finish 4th: First, why then would the board sack Hodegson just as he's got the team performing well and delivered a CL place? The board would have to pay him off for the remaining two years of his contract as well pay off the new manager's contract (unless he's currently out of work) this would deduct millions from the transfer budget and would seem illogical given that this money could be spent on buying a player who could have a positive effect on the pitch. Second, surely all of this talk of Hodegson being gone in the summer is simply setting him up as a lame duck manager which is hardly motivating to players who are thinking why should I give my best for this guy when he'll be gone in the summer and i'll have to prove myself again to the new guy.
If a long term view is so important, you must surely see that "it doesn't matter how we win as long as we win" is not a sustainable attitude.
ReplyDeleteWe got away with it yesterday. If Davies had hit the target as he does 99 times out of 100 in such situations, we would have still been in 18th, and you would not yet have been able to bask in the glory of "having said it all along".
We played horrible football as we have in every game under RH (except Blackburn and 1 or 2 Europa League games).
I agree that, taking only a single game into account, it does not matter how one wins. However, it is IMPOSSIBLE to win the amount of games that we SHOULD be winning, if we play like we are at the moment.
In other words, it did not matter how we won against Bolton as long as we won. However, if we keep playing like that, we will keep our current win-draw-lose ratio for the rest of the season 3-3-4...
Poulsen is just awful possible the worst player to wear Red since Sean Dundee
ReplyDeleteYou should be ashamed of yourself for having such a blatantly unfair view. Poulsen has played 6 games for Liverpool. 6 games and you are being so over top about him. Unbelievable. And only 2 of those games were defeats. The ignorance of some fans is just amazing.
As far as I am concerned, 4th is nowhere near good enough, although it would be acceptable considering the on and off field chaos so far this season.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, this is basically the same squad (less Masch/Benayoun, add Meireles/Cole) that was supposed to win the league last season and almost did the season before that.
Hodgson needs to go based solely on his ATTITUDE/AMBITIONS. He said after draws against Utrecht, Napoli, Sunderland, Birmingham to name a few that they were good results. He has also repeatedly said that we have played well (case in point: Everton). These are the words of a manager of a small club (e.g. Fulham), not a Liverpool manager. He has no clue about the size of the club by which he is employed!
What are you on about? Stop lying. I have *never* emailed Paul Tomkins about *anything* ever. Show me the proof. It's a complete lie, but what else should I expect from you?
ReplyDeleteThe only contact I've ever had with Tomkins is also the *only* contact we're ever going to have. I left a comment on his old site a few years ago, challenging his view on something (in a polite, non-confrontational manner). He deleted my comment, posted something slagging off me in a personal manner (and my site), and then proceeded to slag me off on twitter, completely unprovoked.
That kind of reaction tells you so much about a person, so from that point on I've had nothing to do with him. I wouldn't have anything to with someone like that in real life, and the same applies online.
Emails to Tomkins? What a load of BS. Prove it.
Jamie I must be a fickel fan I want him gone he is not up to the job of managing liverpool fc if you think watching that rubish against bolton should save his job then my friend you should go and support everton because that performance was rubbish and every game this season has been rubish I grew up watching shankly put teams on the park that played football as it should be played not the crap our current manager put us through so this fickle supporter does not give two f**ks what you think jamie I still want him gone and a proper manager put in to return to playing football in the other sides half not ten men behind the ball
ReplyDeleteJamie are you so deluded to think that players of the calibre of torres , gerrard , reina etc are prepared to just take a year out with no hope of winning anything and then wait perhaps another year for a new man to put his stamp on the team before they finally have a chance of some success. This is , if what you are saying is right , is what is going to happen. And maybe you want to check that crystal ball of yours that is guareteeing 4th this season because it's probably the one rafa was using last seaon!
ReplyDeleteur stupid watch he will get the chop
ReplyDeleteSo it doesnt matter how we win now?? the other day you were saying we are boring and shud copy aresnal. u are a joke
ReplyDeletelast season you were paid by hicks and gillett this season you realise your site can make you a few bob without them, theres no cash in last weeks news, you can now really pretend to be a liverpool supporter.
ReplyDelete"at the time of Hodgson's appointment, no one knew for sure when (or even if) a sale would go through"
ReplyDeleteExcept you, right? FFS Kanwar, you can't even maintain some consistency in your own ramblings.
Wow. I do remeber you last year carrying on how Rafa had to go because we were playing, in your own words "boring football", yet now its a matter of it doesnt matter how we win, as long as we do. You are so full of yourself, and a hypocrite to boot..
ReplyDeleteNo hope of winning anything? What about the Europa League? FA Cup? I haven't suggested that LFC have no hope of winning anything. After a 7th place finish last season, winning the league was realistically out of the question anyway, and Torres and Gerrard will know that.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Pelligrini get the job. He was unlucky not to win La Liga with Real, has a good eye for talent and can work well in a budget.
ReplyDeleteIt's not so much the position that we are at right now. It's the way we've been playing. We were lucky not to lose yesterday, let alone win. Plus the decisions he makes during the games (or doesn't!) Yesterday we had to lose a player through injury for him to make a move. Plus alienating players (Agger) and transfer moves (e.g. Konchesky vs. Insua.) Finally, 3-0 at City would NEVER have happened under Benitez. Hopeless was the word that day.
ReplyDeleteI think it's clear from all of this that Rafa was not let go because of footballing reasons. He was let go because he was a difficult man to manage and he didn't allow things to run smoothly for the board and the owners. The problem I still have with that is that I don't really think Rafa's motives were ever in question, not in my view. I can only see a man who is obsessed with football and only ever did what he thought was best. The board overlooked that and dumped a man who had unquestionable ability as a manager just to have things a bit more peaceful.
ReplyDeleteI think it's quite reasonable of fans to thus look at how things have worked out and ask the board why they have allowed us to suffer such an indignant start to the season simply to have a manager who didn't ruffle so many feathers. Rafa had some difficult times but I don't see a scenario that matches the one we've been through so far. Rafa at his absolute worst was still producing better football than Roy. That the new manager has had a short period of time to work and much to contend with is not entirely relevant. We had a man in charge with a solid record and proven ability and we threw him away for reasons that are yet to be fully explained to the fans.
We had a bad season last year but we had poor periods under Rafa before and always recovered to often be the form team in the league at our best. There is no reason to suggest he could not have turned it around. Now we're left in a position where any notion of fighting for the title is gone and the season has barely hit top gear. Roy is facing a tough battle and, unlike Rafa, he hasn't shown anyone that he's capable of doing this at the top level.
So really what most fans are upset over is that we appear to have lost any ambition with regards actually winning anything. Roy might be trying hard but for all intents and purposes he is a facilitator in this odd plan. He was never going to have this team challenging for honours and I don't see why anyone should be content with the notion of scrapping our way into fourth place.
We can lend our support to this manager but JK you yourself maintain that you never considered Rafa a suitable appointment at LFC. You yourself put forward this platform of "critical realism" but it's as if that only applies when you agree with the actual point of view. Critical realism applies very much to the viewpoint that Roy is not really good enough for LFC. Why should any Liverpool fan not express discontent with Hodgson if they think he's not up to the job?
Sometimes I can only think that your viewpoints on these matters are devised from a perspective of taking some common idea that you see some flaw with and attacking it. I think that perhaps if fans had universally embraced Hodgson and were calling for all-out support you'd simply find an appropriately converse argument and write about that. What people are expressing at the moment is entirely reasonable, perfectly acceptable. It's not different to anything you've ever expressed yourself and yet you still feel the need to attack people's choices as if they somehow offend you.
It's odd, it's combative and I think it's a perfect example of why you don't like football so much any more. You might suggest that it's players, managers, politics and money to blame but the reality is that the only person who truly controls your emotions and reactions is you. You spend so much time picking apart other's views, putting forward argumentative articles and aggressively rejecting different perspectives, it's no wonder you don't like football. You spend so much time complaining about it, it couldn't possibly be any other way.
Why? Seriously, tell us why it's such a terrible thing for a manager to disagree with the board and the owners? No doubt we know what you think of it, you just don't like it which belittles your notion that your view of Benitez is "not personal". What I have a massive problem with is your precious sensitivity to how Rafa is portrayed in the media. On what grounds is it important to have some kind of feel-good factor between manager and board? This is football, competing at the very highest levels. It is intensely demanding, impossibly expecting. What is possibly wrong with having a manager who says odd things, expresses opposing views and sometimes shows his underlying frustrations?
ReplyDeleteIt's up to the board and the club general manager to handle their coach, keep him in line, tell him what to say in media conferences, guide him or, in some cases, just keep him out of the press room. The breakdown in relations, if it was such a dramatic issue in the first place, was the fault of everyone involved, not just Benitez. That you can suggest otherwise with the limited information you have is laughable. But what's most absurd is your absolute assertion that he "had to go". It's rediculous, there's no logic to that at all. He could have easily stayed and simply done his job as manager, something he has never failed to do in his entire career. At no time has Rafa ever showed anything less than complete commitment to the club, making LFC the very best they could be. The only actual problem is this bizarre perceived problem where everyone didn't agree and hold hands. So what?
Im sorry, dont agree. I have loved football, always wanted to play, always wanted to watch it. But somewhere during Houllier i lost the love football, i didnt want to play, i certainly didnt want to watch, benitez carried this on, we have not played attractive football for a long long time, in which time, young football fans will have been lost. A generation of young fans who now support chelsea, man united and even man city instead of Liverpool. Winning to the cost of playing great football is a loss, and i for one, would rather us play with more flair and passion, rather than going out on the pitch to defend and break to nick a goal,then defend to protect it.
ReplyDeleteHaving lived in Liverpool for 7 years, been to Anfield on numerous occasions as a supporter, and speaking to fans on a day-to-day basis, I can assure you that we are under no danger of ever developing a "<span>reputation as intelligent, gracious, humble fans</span>".
ReplyDeleteGreat article though. :)
Jamie why dont you put a poll together and ask how many liverpool fans were 1 pleased in choice of manager 2 is he the manager to win us trophys 3 can he attract top players to our club and then you will see who are the fickel fans and fans who no what there talking about ?
ReplyDeleteWith woy putting all his energies into the league and the team selections he's had for cup games so far , the cups seem more unlikely than forth place at the moment. And 7th last season , no chance this season and prob next if another new man comes will just hasten the top players departures. They want league and european trophies not league cup and europa cup anyway
ReplyDeleteridiculous jamie...do you think liverpool deserve 12 possition....come on man....we have bunch a good player.....this is wrong man...
ReplyDeleteso hitting 4 against united and real madrid was boring for you as was hitting 8 in a cl game - more likely to get hit by chelsea for 4 or 6 under woy boy
ReplyDeletebetter to be inexperienced at a higher level than a serial failure with experience
ReplyDeleteA D student gets 40% - 12 out of 30 hmmmm 40%, against what opposition?
ReplyDeletethis is with a Liverpool squad with two of the best footballers in the world at the only two ends of the pitch that matter (reina,torres) so maybe an N or U, ok, lets be fair, F
How many games have been like that in the last ten years?, far too few, thats what we are capable of, but we play like we dont want to concede first rather than playing like we want to score and win a game. How many big named players around the world come out and say they want to play for liverpool anymore? is it a coincidence that they all want to play for arsenal, chelsea and man united? if we continue to play rubbish football, why could we expect any big named players coming out and saying they want to join liverpool, if messi said it right now it would be a joke.
ReplyDeleteOh no, Jaimie. As much as I love reading your post and supported you as far, I have to disagree with you on this. Roy is by far an average manager and nowhere near the standard of Rafa, Ferguson, Wenger, Mourinho or even Harry Redknapp or Martin O Neill.
ReplyDeleteBy praising him equals to praising El-Hadji Diouf was a really good player for Liverpool. He's not bad but average.
I agree with Hodgson that you dont become a bad manager overnight, but he had forgotten that he was an average manager over the years and these are the results team like Wolves and West Ham will take it as a massive improvement being 12th in the league table. For Liverpool, it is disaster.
Just look at the table. 4th is possible? Yes. But look at all the other teams from 5th all the way down after 10 games. It's pretty even isnt it? Infact Tottenham sitting on 5th place is just 3 points more than liverpool. What does that tell you? The league is getting harder and harder my friend. It's no longer 2003. Teams have evolved.
And you gotta agree that this is an attention seeking post. I know not why you did it but you know best. It's always good to get attention than nothing. LOL. Good job.
ReplyDeleteIn my original message i was trying to say that i didnt agree with the comment about winning at all costs made by Jamie Kanwar, i think Roy Hodgson is not the right man for the liverpool job in any way shape or form, in the interim or otherwise. He has been given a three year contract, not a short terms thing by any standards. He has bought awful players, i was at the blackburn game and saw close hand how bad konchesky is, terrible touch and what appears to be no football brain. We are liverpool fans, we should expect more than this rubbish, i do not think its wrong to expect more, more passion, more drive, more will to win. To accept this drivel as a temporary thing is wrong, and so Hodgson should go asap, and someone with more tactical nouse, more drive and more passion can take us forward.
ReplyDeleteThou speak at right! When is the demo of Anti-Hodgson coming alive? Let's gather the shouts now before 10th place in Premier League becomes a reality for Liverpool.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am very very disturbed with the news that we are linked with Carlton Cole and a load of rubbish or average players after media speculated that 30 millions will be available.
Come on! We pissed away too much money on average mojos just to fill up the squad to look big with the "also have" or "almost there". Time to get the real thing. Like what Ferguson said, Liverpool probably have more money to spend in all total but Rafa didnt spend it wisely. Now the same is gonna happen to this Roy guy who clearly thinks that his average purchases are gonna perform David Copperfield magic turnaround for him.
Stop trying to be in the good books with the Anfield heirarchy....ROY is USELESS get RID OF HIM.....He Has No idea...
ReplyDeleteunder him we are going nowhere...dont let these 2 wins fool you ...We were still the second best team out there against Bolton. We have just been lucky. 2 of our wins have come from games where we have been outplayed. The only win that we can honestly say we deserved was against Blackburn....Enough Said
Your Ignorance to the view everyone else has is amazing....Have you actually been watching the games or do you just like to kiss Roys butt cause it seems no matter how bad he manages...no matter how bad his signings have been .you always defend him.
ReplyDeleteYou make me sick
We are not going to finish 4th with that dunce in charge....get REAL Jaimie
ReplyDeleteBenitez is the best thing that happened to our club in the last 20 years ...so just watch your tongue mr. Its obvious you are anti RAFA.. and no we didnt play as badly as what we have played this year under Rafa.
ReplyDeleteIts just amazing that you can delete comments at a whim that arent to your own liking but we have to put up with the utter crap that you force upon us YNWA
ReplyDeleteYour a dunce just like that other fool that manages our team. Fickle and one eyed
ReplyDeleteI don't care what the majority thinks. This is MY individual opinion. Should I just go along with the crowd just because lots of people think a certain way?! My opinion is different. Deal with it.
ReplyDeleteAs I said, absolute lies. Why don't you tell me the nature of this so-called spamming? What was said? What format did the emails take?
ReplyDeleteYou can't, and you won't because you're a liar. End of story.
If you click on oddschecker then scroll down to odds for top 4 finish,you will find LFC are 7/1 to finish in the top 4,that is a more realistic price of our chances.
ReplyDeletePanic Stations! Jaimie Kanwar still won't air his view on SOS meeting with NESV and fans questions from supporters on RAWK answered by John W. Henry himself.
ReplyDeleteSo Jaimie for the fifth article in a row are you going to give your view on the questions above or completely ignore them like you done so in the last four articles you wrote? Critical realism and blind fandom that you preach about so much on the header of your site. Or is the "xenophobia" that your preached about SOS re: Hicks and Gillett going to be your xenophobia towards your main vocal headlines over the last year at the 2 set of supporters in SOS and RAWK going to get your way in answering what is your view on NESV meeting SOS and answering fans questions from RAWK? Just asking...
Click on oddschecker then prem football scroll down to top 4 finish,you will find we are 7/1 to finish in the top 4,this is a more realistic price.
ReplyDeleteIt should be more than that because our away form and performances need to improve to even get us a top 6 finish over the next 28 games forget about top 4.
ReplyDeleteJamie, I have to admit to being one of those fickle fans, and I secretly wanted us to lose the last two matches because personally don't think Hodgson is the right person – either for the long term or the short term. We are beginning to get points on the board, and are now in mid-table, but remember that we are still closer to the relegation zone (three points) than to the top four (5 points). That may change, and indeed it probably will as the competition proceeds. We play Chelski next, and can't see us getting anything there. The thing that depresses me, and others, is that we should at least be competitive in such games. We weren't against either of the Manc teams. That said, if we are against Chelski I will certainly give credit where it is due. Maybe it is too hasty to expect us to be competing with Chelski, but I don't expect us to beat them every time out, but just show we are not a mid-table team, that we can be hard to beat at least. I agree that every manager needs time to build a team, but if he is not here for any long term, why let him mess the team around. Sure they were on a downward slump last year, but if the concern has been unchecked gross spend, why let him buy some not-that-cheap rubbish. And to loan out admittedly not brilliant but already-here-do-not-need-to-pay-more-money-for-them players like Aquilani is madness. Sure he may be a dud, but he was improving and can't be that much worse than Miereles (although he is maybe not a bad addition). Poulson and Konchesky are old and cost a significant amount, and are poor purchases in ANYBODY'S book. No-one can say that they were worthy purchases – even if decent they are OLD so have no potential resale value and are not part of a long-term plan. No-one can deny that the Greek is a better value purchase than Konchesky. Why not just buy Wilson and then bllod him, if you are cash-strapped??? So even those who support Hodgson have to at least accept that these purchases were not his most sensible moment at LFC.
ReplyDeleteI am not saying Hodgson is a terrible manager, just a mediocre manager. I do not believe that he has brought any stability - either in the quality of our play, or in the management of the team on and off the field. He has NOT consolidated any of the playing staff. As rubbish as the team he inherited may have been, we have a squad that contains some valuable assets. If he is a short term manager, why does he get to spend in that transfer window??? All this does is leave a squad that the new manager may want to change once again - thus messing up our gross spend even more. If Hodgson was a short-term replacement, why not offer him a one-year contract??? It is not unprecedented in the EPL to give such care-taker positions. You could have had a clause saying that he may be given a more permanent role based on performance. And if he wouldn't have left Fulham for a one-year contract – well, heck, its not like he is THAT special that someone at least as mediocre as Hodgson wouldn't have taken the post.
I agree that it is not helpful to berate the manager, and we need to stick by the team. I need to get my head around that fact and start hoping that we win more. But I do hope that Hodgson is not here long term. Fans get angry because they are passionate about football, and want to see their team doing well, or at least playing exciting football. I agree that fans need to be realistic, but its been a tough few years being a Liverpool fan, and I think that it is completely understandable that fans feel upset when Hodgson has a terrible run of form and then blames the players – players who have been around much longer than he has, and who we as fans feel some commitment towards. He would have bought himself far more sympathy had he been a lot less worried [...]
Alan - I don't care about NESV meeting SOS. Why should I? Any prudent owner will meet with groups that have a large membership; it has nothing to do with SOS per se. Why does my view matter anyway? My earlier point about NESV ignoring SOS was to do with them not contacting them during the consultation/sale process, which SOS complained about publicly. I have absolutely no opinion either way of the meting with SOS, or the questions answered on RAWK.
ReplyDeleteMy only concern is that if he strings a few wins together and we end the season around eight or nine, then he will be somehow vindicated and probably given another few years. NESV don't want to splash too much cash, so they are not going to pay off his contract. And even if they did, it is more money wasted. We are stuck with a manager without ambition and owners who have a long-term vision but this may translate into medium term complacency. It may be an unfoundd fear, but I don't want that guy spending money in January. Imagine if his only legacy to a new manager is letting Torres, and Masch leave, and buying a few more Koncheskies!
ReplyDeleteEven if he does do well, I am not satisfied. He is a small-time manager, and thinks getting in the top five or six would be the achievement of his life. That said, Liverpool may be the making of him. But I don't want a plodder as the team manager. I want us to be slick and sopphisticated and play wonderful football against the best in the world. Maybe too soon to ask for that, but I can't see that from Roy "4-4-2" Hodgson in a million years.
ReplyDeleteAre you referring to this SOS statement?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.spiritofshankly.com/news/Spirit-Of-Shankly-Statement-on-LFC-Takeover.html
"t is now time to put our Club back together and the Spirit of Shankly gives a cautious welcome to the Club's new owners NESV and hopes they will not miss the opportunity of an early engagement to start the process of healing our Club. Everyone connected to Liverpool Football Club - the owners, the Board, the manager and the fans needs to be pulling in the same direction in order to bring success back to Liverpool FC - this has been missing for far too long."
That is the only statement I can find in relation to what refer to which in no indicates any public complaint with regard NESV before anyone knew of their involvement in taking over the club.
He even admitted to 4-4-2 in the news recently, saying that he couldn't even practice because he doesn't have enough strikers for 4-4-2 (or something like that). 4-4-2 - for god sakes, the man is just excruciating. You can't play exciting football that way - its just too static, and its typical hoof and run stuff.
ReplyDeleteOr even before that quote:
ReplyDelete"There is an opportunity for the Board and new owners NESV to reverse the disenfranchisement that has been recognised by the Club and to acknowledge that an independent and vibrant supporter base is only good for the Club. The actions of the UK based Board members throughout the court cases cannot be ignored, and their contribution to ridding the club of Hicks and Gillett must be recognised. They have been victims of the lies told by their former employers and the mistakes made by their predecessors, which meant their words could not always be trusted by supporters until they were backed up by actions. We are delighted to see that in this instance their words have been backed by their actions and we commend this."
Your assumption is that you knew more about Pacheco's situation than Hodgson himself when he selected his team. How do you know that Pacheco was 100% fit and available? He may have had a tight hamstring on the morning of the match for all we know. My point is, you should never condemn someone else's decisions unless you know all the information. Your assumption is that Pachecco was fit or able, but we don't have access to the information to prove otherwise.
ReplyDeleteOK maybe I was too generous F it is!
ReplyDeleteSo has Pacheco been injured most of the season? I also see him in sparkling form for the reserves. And I have not heard of any injury newson him. I just hope he gets a run out against Napoli.
ReplyDelete"...I have a £500 bet with someone that Liverpool *will* make 4th place."
ReplyDeleteSo, basically you are *guaranteeing* Liverpool win finish 4th?
Is Jaimie really Rafa Benitez in disguise? :-D
Just Kidding ;)
My god harry redknapp!!!! are you sure mate??? what has he achieved??? 4th place is his biggest achievement... if you are going to comment, commenet with some sense. Seriously who could have liverpool got during the torrid time? do you seriously think any high profile manager would manage liverpool at the time Hodgson joined. Anyways Sacking manager now means rebuilding from the scratch again. the season is already under way and it dosen't make any sense calling for the manager's head. If you are a fan just stick with what's on plate. Wishlist are not always full filled, it takes some maturity and some sense to realise what sort of reality we are in, even thou I'm not a fan of jaimie i aggree with him. peace brother. YNWA
ReplyDeleteVery sensible article. As you know I defend Rafa record on this site regularly. But I also know that Rafa is gone and we must give Roy a chance and support him and the team during this transitional phase. We must be fair to him. Performances haven't been great but results are coming. Performances weren't brilliant under Rafa either last season. It seems to me the whole team is suffering from a lack of confidence. Once we get going we'll see some if the quality the team. Thought Lucas adecelantay too
ReplyDeleteOn a separate note, Roy is not doing himself any favours by critising Rafa and his legacy. He should just get on with it. I see tonight Rafa had felt the need to respond and I don't blame him.
That should read: Lucas played excellently. Obviously my phone couldn't comprehend those words in one sentence and spell checked it for me.
ReplyDeleteKanwar,
ReplyDeleteHodgson will be gone before next season because Liverpool will finish around 9th. Benitez coped with a lot of injuries last year and still finished 7th. Lastly, there were good footballing performances against ManU, Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton and Aston Villa. Benitez kept a respectable home record.
As a Liverpool fan I am just waiting for Hodgson to get sacked. Awful football, rubbish manager and his transfer buys have been rubbish. If he goes before xmas then I will be delighted.
ReplyDeleteWe won't get relegated but we will never challenge anyone at this rate. 10 games and only 3 wins. Roy should hang his head in shame and resign!
You telling me if Benitez was in charge and was bottom 3 he'd still be in a job! Joke!
Jamie
ReplyDeleteLiverpool have been pathetic this season. End of. Anybody who has seen us play can see that for themselves, so why make a case for the manager to stay on? The players body language says it all and the perfomances have followed suit.
Chelsea and Spurs up in the next 2 games. Which probably means ZERO points. Added to the bugger all points we've so far accumulated this season, means that the table will be uncomfortable reading for some time to come. If we loose our next 2 games, will you still stand behind the manager? I hope not, and if you do then you will be in a minority. I think he needs 4 points from the next 2 to earn himself some more time, but realistically its only going to end in tears. Personally I think it obvious, Hodgson absolutely has to go
<span>Liverpool are a mere 5 points away from 4th place</span>
ReplyDeleteafter 10 games... which will translate to 19 pts after 38 games...12 pts after 10 games... translates to 45 pts after 38 games... need extra 19 pts to get 4th... so that's 64 pts were aiming forso we need 52 pts from our remaing 28 games... or 1.85 pts per game... currently 1.2 pts per game.. need to improve by over 50%... getting close to champions form (assuming 2pts per game is champions form) if we lose next game to chelsea we'll require 1.92 pts per game in remaing 27 games to reach 4th place...so long as it don't go over 2 pts per game ... there's still a chance ... me thinks
Nicely put re Rafa fraggs
ReplyDeletepatience is a virtue
ReplyDeleteand 'langauge' like this is nonscence.
before jesus weeps will our 'me generation fans' cowboy the f**k up and support the club
agree in the main with this article
ReplyDeleterh needs a little bit of understanding, fans are ridding emotions at high levels recently
drama off the pitch, dire performances off it.
these emotions are clouding thier judgement
players ned time as do new managers.we where an above average squad b4 this season
and its bleeedin obvious we are barley that now.
many past greats needed time to bed in g macalister,alonso to name just 2.
the most important thing for me is the performances need to improve 2 away clean sheets, and 2 pl wins is a good start.
im sick of the attitude from fans oh no its the rent boys nxt we wont get anything
im taking issue with peoples sheep following mentality and the inability for a lot of fans to think for themselves.
im illustrating the fact our current 'me generation fans, have no idea of loyalty
berrating,riddiculing and anhilation of the club after just a brief period is maddness.
sure emotion runs high and bottom of league is not nice - however as ive said many times the position of lfc is nasty war like senario. on/off the pitch its not good.
this neagativity will hjave some effect on the players/staff : performances all round
booing at the final whistle is ok after uve paid yr money.
the hesteria i see beyond that is riddiculas
in my opinion is deserters should be shot (metaphorically speaking)
cowboy the f==k up - thats the lfc way
Shelvey and spearing are not the same - they played together against Napoli and Shelvey quite clearly plays further up the pitch than Spearing. You cannot criticise RH for including inexperienced players in his squad because you think he should include another different inexperienced player (Pacheco) in his squad!
ReplyDeleteAs much as I didn't agree with the decision to bring in Hodgson and yes at times this season I have screamed for him to get the sack, after I calm down I realise that is is silly to even think about sacking him at such a early stage in the season.
ReplyDeleteMy own opinion is that at this present time I do see not a more capable manager who is available.
People talk about Rijkaard but personal what has he done to earn the praise that he gets?
He was fired from Sparta Rotterdam for getting them relegated, As for his time at Barc.. he won the twice and the CL once in 5 years. Many would say that with the squad he had he should of won more. The he gets fired from Galatasary for an abysmal start, 4 defeats in in 8 weeks and getting knock out of the CL.
Same goes for Martin ONeill, somebody else who has never had experience of being a manager at the highest level.
Again can be said for Manuel Pellergrini, another manager who has won nothing in any major league.
Personally I would give Hodgson until the end of the season to have stability at the club and then in the Summer target a Manager who has had success and who has had experience in managering at the highest level.
We as a set of fans need to group together and show support. We used to be famous for getting behind our managers, can that be said now?
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The last I checked, Pacheco was fit and available, but that doesn't mean he didn't have a niggle on the morning of the match. Who's to know? I agree that the guy needs a run in the first team. He has the raw attributes to be a very good player.
ReplyDeleteRod Hodgeson has come in and has tried to turn us into Fulham. Especially away from home and in the way he tries to use Torres like he did Zamora even though they are completely different players, on different levels. Also when I hear rumours (granted at the moment that's what they are) that we are willing to pay anything between 7-10 million for players like Chris Brunt and Charles N'Zogbia, I start to wonder what Roy Hodgeson is up to. The thing is I won't be surprised by these signings, as he has already recruited such rubbish like Konchesky and the AWFUL Poulsen, who was named as Juventus' worst player of the last 10 years or so. We got rid of the likes of Sissoko, but he got in the team ahead of Poulsen so what does that say about him, when Sissoko was struggling to get a first team spot with Liverpool??. And then Carlton Cole, who is as injury prone as they come, aswell as being as Average as they come. Letting Aquilani go was also a massive mistake. He was coming into his stride with some fantastic performances and with a good pre season under his belt I think he would of made a fantastic player. I like Meireles, but Hodgeson said he was after him for Fulham, so is that what he is really turning us into??? I think this club is too big for him and because we have FINALLY won 2 GAMES in a row, does not hide the fact that this is a nightmare.
ReplyDeleteHave you been to any of the games this season Jamie, actually watched us play? I can't remember us playing this badly, ever.
ReplyDeleteJamie, Sean Dundee who is in my opinion the worst player ever to play for the 1st team made just 3 appearances this was again in my opinion enough. My view of Poulsen is not blatantly unfair he has made 6 appearances and without doubt in my opinion he is awful, the worst player since Dundee to wear a red shirt. This is my opinion which I am entitled to. This opinion does not make me ignorant I am an intelligent well informed person. Your reply however does show your arrogance
ReplyDeleteEven though I haven't quite been impressed by Roy and his style of play, I agree with your article as I am, like you, sick of people and the media constantly being on the "relegation" and "doom" bandwagon. All managers deserve a chance and financial backing, and he did in the end win against Bolton. I genuinely see things picking up and face it, we are only 3 points of the top 4, and if we get something against Chelsea, then the next four games are more than winnable for us and that way, 4th place is still a strong possibility.
ReplyDeleteHey Jaimie dude
ReplyDeletethere's a lot of double standards in your arguments.
One that crops up the most is Rafa's spending vs Wenger and/or SAF.
In the same vein, could we look at successes? Rafa's record to date with all the clubs he has managed vs Uncle Roy ?
La Liga, UEFA Cup, Champs League, FA Cup, vs ......... ??
Be honest for just once: do you really think Roy belongs at Anfield as manager of LFC ?
I am a member of Paul Tomkin's site and, I can assure you, he adores a good debate. You, on the other hand, have deleted several comments and I am ashamed of myself for giving this site the hits.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, Hodgson is not the rite person 4 this. He is a bit of defeatist. He was quote, 'Happy that we got a point out of this game' with Wigan. WHAT FOOTBALL MANAGER SAYS THAT?!! Your team is shaky, and inconsistent, and he can be more than happy with a point. Clearly, he still has that Chelsea hangover. People bounce back. Teams do, it seems after the Chelsea game, everything went south, won, draw and lost. True, 3 games in a week is stupid on so many levels. The players are tired, exhausted, I didn't expect them to lose at Stoke. A draw would've sufficed. Stoke gave a better performance, as they were'nt so spirited in the first two this week, but Liverpool were great. Plus, Hodgson the Hog, used the same starting 11 against Chelsea. Ian Holloway was right to change his men. They were tired. At least he could've changed 5, IDK, maybe put Jovanovic?!! He's great, and do 4-3-3 and put more attacking options, with Kuyt, Babel and Ngog? Can't he think for the greater good of the players?
ReplyDelete<span><span>Hodgson is as much usLFC as a handbrake on a canoe</span></span>
ReplyDeleteHe does defo need to go - we can't keep dropping points to teams like Newcastle and Blackpool - the sooner he goes, the better chance we have of making the CL.
ReplyDeletePaul
Playhouses
Fancy another £500 on LFC for forth spot mate?
ReplyDeleteAnd we are almost near relegation zone again after loosing HOME to the BOTTOM TEAM of the premier league! So still not panicking now?!?!
ReplyDeleteAnd we are BACK to the relegation battle thanks to a HOME defeat to the BOTTOM CLUB of the premier league! No need to panic yet eh?!!!!!????!!
ReplyDeleteSo Jaimie, have you paid up on that £500 bet now?
ReplyDeleteI think lying about donating £500 to a Hillsborough charity... and then refusing to do it when you lose your bet is much more sickening.
ReplyDeleteWhat a disgusting individual you are.