Despite the overwrought, exaggerated doom and gloom of the last couple of months, there are plenty of reasons for Liverpool fans to be positive at the moment.
1. Winning streak?
After an unlucky run of 7 games without a win in all competitions (4 draws and 3 defeats), Liverpool have now won 4 games in a row, with incremental performance improvements along the way.
2. 75% unbeaten
When all is said and done, Liverpool is unbeaten in 15 out of 20 games this season. However the cynics try and twist it, that is a decent record, and a good foundation upon which to build.
3. Fortress Anfield
Liverpool are unbeaten in 9 out 11 home games so far this season, with 7 of those 9 games being wins (which is the same as Benitez managed in his first 20 games)
4. Defensive solidity
Only 2 goals have been conceded in the last 5 games, with clean sheets achieved in 3 of those games.
5. Euro consistency
Liverpool are now unbeaten in 8 competitive European games. Hodgson's detractors will argue that the Europa League is not of a high standard but that's just negativity for the sake of it, and a cheap way to attack the man. It's not Hodgson's fault Liverpool is in the Europa League; you can only play what's put in front of you and the club has done well in Europe this season.
6. Return of the King
Fernando Torres is back in business: 3 goals + 1 assist in the last 3 games, and a noticeable improvement in confidence and overall demeanour. Great news for Liverpool; bad news for defences everywhere.
7. Lucas improving
Lucas Leiva is playing much better under Hodgson than at any time since he joined Liverpool. His excellent performance against Chelsea was the highlight of his LFC career so far (IMO).
8. Champions humbled
The victory against reigning Champions and league leaders Chelsea was well-deserved, with Liverpool producing a superb overall performance. To put the win in context, it's 99 games since Chelsea previously lost by 2 clear goals whilst failing to score.
9. Touching distance
Despite a shaky start to the season, the club is only 5 points of 4th place at the moment, and only 2 away from 5th. Hardly insurmountable.
10. Rivals faltering
According to some fans, Liverpool were supposed to be locked out of top 4 finish this season by Man City and Spurs, both of whom are allegedly better equipped to finish higher up the table. Well, things aren't working out that way; both Man City and Spurs are regularly dropping points and neither team looks like automatic top 4 finishers yet.
11. Injury (non) curse?
Unlike last season, injuries have not yet had an adverse effect on results. Recently, Glen Johnson, Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger have been out injured, but the results have still been positive.
12. Rotation
Hodgson has tried to stick with a winning team where possible and this has meant an end to unnecessary rotation, which can sometimes be counter-productive. When Hodgson *has* rotated it has been sensible, i.e. resting Gerrard and Torres for European games.
13. Young players
Liverpool’s promising young players are getting regular run outs in the team. So far this season we've seen Jonjo Shelvey, Jay Spearing, Martin Kelly, Nathan Eccleston and Dani Pacheco given chances in the first team.
14. Moving up
The next 3 games (Wigan, Stoke + West Ham) are all eminently winnable, and 3 wins would probably take Liverpool into the top four.
15. Spend-SMART
NESV has acknowledged that Liverpool's wasteful transfer policy needs to change, and that can only be a good thing
16. If you don't like it, leave
NESV has made it clear that players who don't want to be at the club can leave. The days of pandering to players could be well be over, and that also is a good thing.
17. Stability
For the first time in a couple of years, Liverpool has stability at every level of the club. New owners; new manager; new ideas; new dawn.
---
No one is denying that mistakes have been made. I'm sure more mistakes will be made at various points, and we can probably expect a few more dodgy performances before the end of the season. Criticism of the manager and players is warranted if performances/results are not up to scratch, and I've never argued otherwise.
However, the opposite is also true: if the club is doing well, that should be acknowledged; success should not be denigrated as an indirect means of attacking Hodgson (which is what one influential LFC site did after the Chelsea victory).
Onwards and upwards!
And before anyone says anything, I posted a similar list of positives about a year ago during Benitez's reign: 18 reasons to be positive about Liverpool. Despite my criticism of Benitez, this shows once again that I always try to be fair.
Jaimie Kanwar
1. Winning streak?
After an unlucky run of 7 games without a win in all competitions (4 draws and 3 defeats), Liverpool have now won 4 games in a row, with incremental performance improvements along the way.
2. 75% unbeaten
When all is said and done, Liverpool is unbeaten in 15 out of 20 games this season. However the cynics try and twist it, that is a decent record, and a good foundation upon which to build.
3. Fortress Anfield
Liverpool are unbeaten in 9 out 11 home games so far this season, with 7 of those 9 games being wins (which is the same as Benitez managed in his first 20 games)
4. Defensive solidity
Only 2 goals have been conceded in the last 5 games, with clean sheets achieved in 3 of those games.
5. Euro consistency
Liverpool are now unbeaten in 8 competitive European games. Hodgson's detractors will argue that the Europa League is not of a high standard but that's just negativity for the sake of it, and a cheap way to attack the man. It's not Hodgson's fault Liverpool is in the Europa League; you can only play what's put in front of you and the club has done well in Europe this season.
6. Return of the King
Fernando Torres is back in business: 3 goals + 1 assist in the last 3 games, and a noticeable improvement in confidence and overall demeanour. Great news for Liverpool; bad news for defences everywhere.
7. Lucas improving
Lucas Leiva is playing much better under Hodgson than at any time since he joined Liverpool. His excellent performance against Chelsea was the highlight of his LFC career so far (IMO).
8. Champions humbled
The victory against reigning Champions and league leaders Chelsea was well-deserved, with Liverpool producing a superb overall performance. To put the win in context, it's 99 games since Chelsea previously lost by 2 clear goals whilst failing to score.
9. Touching distance
Despite a shaky start to the season, the club is only 5 points of 4th place at the moment, and only 2 away from 5th. Hardly insurmountable.
10. Rivals faltering
According to some fans, Liverpool were supposed to be locked out of top 4 finish this season by Man City and Spurs, both of whom are allegedly better equipped to finish higher up the table. Well, things aren't working out that way; both Man City and Spurs are regularly dropping points and neither team looks like automatic top 4 finishers yet.
11. Injury (non) curse?
Unlike last season, injuries have not yet had an adverse effect on results. Recently, Glen Johnson, Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger have been out injured, but the results have still been positive.
12. Rotation
Hodgson has tried to stick with a winning team where possible and this has meant an end to unnecessary rotation, which can sometimes be counter-productive. When Hodgson *has* rotated it has been sensible, i.e. resting Gerrard and Torres for European games.
13. Young players
Liverpool’s promising young players are getting regular run outs in the team. So far this season we've seen Jonjo Shelvey, Jay Spearing, Martin Kelly, Nathan Eccleston and Dani Pacheco given chances in the first team.
14. Moving up
The next 3 games (Wigan, Stoke + West Ham) are all eminently winnable, and 3 wins would probably take Liverpool into the top four.
15. Spend-SMART
NESV has acknowledged that Liverpool's wasteful transfer policy needs to change, and that can only be a good thing
16. If you don't like it, leave
NESV has made it clear that players who don't want to be at the club can leave. The days of pandering to players could be well be over, and that also is a good thing.
17. Stability
For the first time in a couple of years, Liverpool has stability at every level of the club. New owners; new manager; new ideas; new dawn.
---
No one is denying that mistakes have been made. I'm sure more mistakes will be made at various points, and we can probably expect a few more dodgy performances before the end of the season. Criticism of the manager and players is warranted if performances/results are not up to scratch, and I've never argued otherwise.
However, the opposite is also true: if the club is doing well, that should be acknowledged; success should not be denigrated as an indirect means of attacking Hodgson (which is what one influential LFC site did after the Chelsea victory).
Onwards and upwards!
And before anyone says anything, I posted a similar list of positives about a year ago during Benitez's reign: 18 reasons to be positive about Liverpool. Despite my criticism of Benitez, this shows once again that I always try to be fair.
Jaimie Kanwar
Why do you think so many words in the English language have *s around them?
ReplyDeleteGood read. I find it bemusing that the hodgson detractors are stil out there. People were quick to jump ships when we went through a rough patch so I expected ppl to do the same now that were turning things around.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I don't always like your articles, the ones that are based on facts, and not on opinion are usually great.
ReplyDeletebesudes, your writing skills always keep me reading to the last word, unlike any other.
but about this article - I feel the optimism as well, and agree with everything, even though it's an opinion article.
hopefully we will think about this new era similar things. for now, Henry looks like a great and honest owner.
About RH I didn't decide yet, though the style of play during the first half against Chelsea was great to watch. Similar to last season's 6-0 thrashing of Sunderland.
I hope this season will be a successful one, for a change.
Outline the future for Liverpool under Hodgson. It is time to write as per your premise of critical realism. Forget Benitez. Lets talk about the future.
ReplyDeleteThese are the critical questions:
1. Is Hodgson the manager to take us through the first five years of NESV ownership and if so why. If not, who and why?
2. What players should be gotten rid of, which should be kept and which should be brought through over the next two seasons.
3. Which players should be bought?
4. Tactically, how should Liverpool play?
5. What should the ethos of Liverpool as a club be?
These are the questions. The performance against chelsea was an improvement on what has been a woeful season so far. Possession wise we are appaling still. And the second half is as bad as you can play at home with a 2-0 lead and only for pure luck, we could have easily been beaten. Some good performances - Torres, Lucas finally given credit for Mash like performances which anyone who watched him closely would see that he has been doing over the past two seasons, Gerrard still ineffectual in centre midfield, Meireles had a nothing game, Kelly a huge plus and Reina still being told to hoof the ball and give it away.
We got lucky. That wont get us up to fourth.
The question still lingers - Is Hodgson the manager to bring us the EPL title and Champions League? I personally don't think so but we shall see.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt, there were improvements in Liverpool's performance over the last few games but I still have reservations. Although we won, the performances during these games were still patchy. In the 2nd half of the Chelsea game, we were bad to say the least. Had the real Chelsea turned up, we could end up drawing and maybe even be down by a goal.
NESV is building a foundation that gives manager less power. Managers come and go and often have their own preference of staff, players and playing style. Some work, some not but we can be assured that it costs money. Look at Olympique Lyon, they have different managers over the years but the backbone on and off the field are the same and they are still winning.
ReplyDeleteAgain, stability is the key, NESV will not dive in and make revolutionary changes, rather, they will come slowly, starting from understanding the sports, the club and finding ways to fuse the successful experience they have from Red Sox. Appointment of Damien Comolli, is a promising start, we'll see how it goes from there
I cringe and almost had my heart skipping a few beats in the 2nd half. Not sure if it's Woy's instruction but hey, it's Chelsea FFS, defending champions, world class players on every position (on paper - at least), experienced and proven manager, what do they do when they're 2 goals down? of course they won't give us a change but in the end, job well done by us. Gerrard didn't particularly shone in this game but hey, everyone else shouldered the burden as a team! I'd rather see the team carrying the weight then relying on torres or gerrard, it's a team sport
WE played really well for 45 minutes at home against an under strength Chelsea team, can we get it into perspective please. We were shocking 2nd half and only luck and a few brilliant saves stopped us dropping points. Hodgson left it far too late to make the subs, Kuyt, Torres & Lucas were running on empty after 65 minutes due to fantastic performances from the 3 of them yet he left it to the dying minutes to replace them with fresh legs. He just sat there wringing his hands praying for a result instead of ensuring one by bringing fresh legs on.
ReplyDeleteI am still not convinced by Hodgson, he still looks nervous, he still looks out of his depth and in interviews he lacks conviction and prefers to talk about himself rather than the team.
However we did get 3 points and we climbed the table so all is not bad, but if we are meant to be building for the future I still think we need a younger more diverse manager in place now not an ageing dinosaur who will be ready for retirement in a couple of years especially when his mate Fergie jacks it in.
we must get winger and striker for good deffensive
ReplyDeleteskertel , cara, agger and are maestro on deffensive
+ johnson + kelly at right and + kocesky + coentrao on left
deffensive we have
gerrard + lucas are regular
+ spearing ( promoted ) + soto + wilson ( promoted )
at midfield we have
maxi , joe and mirales
+ jonjo + Pacheco + Elestone ( promoted)
at striker we have
Torres + Kuyt + Ngog + jovanovic ( regular )
please get 1 more top striker and rookies like kuyt.
must find striker can run very fast and make goal like suarez.
we have a complete squad and win a tittle.....
sell : aurelio ( free )
babel ( 8 million )
prince aquilani ( 17 million )
degen ( 3 million ) look good with young boys
insua ( 4 million )
nabil ( 1 million )
get from selling player about 32 million + plus 30 million from owner
get coentrao - 12 million
matta - 15 million
rossi - 17 million
2 young player under 21 in 3 million rate
dont worry... we must targert sesson ang young player
Upgrading from brillo-head to a real manager is important at some point, but nowhere near the first priority: increasing the number of top players at LFC. A huge reason to be positive is the hiring of Comolli.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if I had made this list Kelly would have been his own number and not lumped in with the others. At some point continuing to play Johnson at right back will hurt -- remember he cost us both goals in the debacle vs Blackpool -- and the possibility of a consistent starter there without waiting for January is huge. I say keep starting him and see if he passes the trial by fire, and make Glen Johnson our right winger.
.................... jones........................
ReplyDelete.....robinson....wilson......ayala..........
kelly......spearing....jonjo.........insua.
.....elestone.............pacheco...........
.....................ngog........................
new era for 4 more years..........
It's a good article. Apart from the games itself, where three points are continually necessary, the next critical junction point will be the January transfer window. That will highlight if there is cash available to strengthen the squad.
ReplyDeleteRight now, things are looking good because we've just beaten Chelsea. But it will be interesting to see what public sentiment of players like Maxi, Lucas, Meireles, Skrtel and Konchesky will be like if we drop points. I do think we need a genuine strike partner for Torres, and maybe a genuine defensive mid. I like NESV's policy at looking at young players with something to prove. The last thing we should do after getting rid of the debt is reaccumulating it with big price tags that will flounder us in the future. Let's consolidate our finances, and build on it as a long-term project.
18th reason - we've already played united, arsenal, chelsea, city and everton. With easier games to come i see no reason why we cannot be 5 points off first place by the transfer window.. a few shrewd signings alligned with momentum and stevie should be lifting the premier league trophy for us in may
ReplyDeleteuh, lucas played to the end : )
ReplyDeleteright on, power of positive thinking, i agree completely.
ReplyDeleteGuys seriously. We beat the league leaders who have been pretty much firing on all cylinders even when they don't have some of their regulars, these guys are still big names. So we didn't add any more goals. While we won't win the league, the way things are running now 4th place is a strong possibility.
ReplyDeleteEnough with the 'roster and formation suggestions', 'we should buy this and that' or 'fire hodgson, because he sucks'. Be realistic. I will judge Hodgson and the team at the end of the season. Alot of people are taking the media too seriously. The way things are going we are turning into Real Madrid fans.
Maybe you should apply for the vacant CEO position at the club. If you would get 3m for Degen and only have to pay 12m for Coentrao then you must be up for the job. Looking at your second post you may apply for manager, too.
ReplyDeleteAnother good reason to be positive is Dirk Kuyt's first touch for his assist to Torres' first goal. For a change the ball wasn't five yards away from him after said first touch and his second touch wasn't a tackle but a cross. More of the same, please.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Lucas I get the impression that he passes forward more often than he did in the past.
Another good reason to be positive is Dirk Kuyt's first touch for his assist to Torres' first goal. For a change the ball wasn't five yards away from him after said first touch and his second touch wasn't a tackle but a cross. More of the same, please.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Lucas I get the impression that he passes forward more often than he did in the past.
Hear, hear. We must give Roy a season at the very least. I thought we were supposed to be fans revered around the world for their knowledge and understanding of the game, and, importantly, their patience. Let's stop this knee-jerk, media-led, reactionary back biting and get back to supporting our team.
ReplyDeleteHear, hear. We must give Roy a season at the very least. I thought we were supposed to be fans revered around the world for their knowledge and understanding of the game, and, importantly, their patience. Let's stop this knee-jerk, media-led, reactionary back biting and get back to supporting our team.
ReplyDeletePersonally I do not like Roy. But that is my personal issue. John Henry invested £300M in the club, I am sure regardless of my personal view he is intelligent enough to retain or sack Roy. One good thing he did so far is the appointment of comolli, at least we wouldnt be like a lot of bad players as we did under Rafa and Houllier, saying this Comolli also bought Bentley and Bent for spurs, so NO ONE IS ERROR FREE. Amazingly Lucas was listed by most people including Jaimie Kanwar as a wasteful buy, I suppose opinion is changing now after the Chelsea game. I wonder if Aquilani could prove the same, I still think Aquilani can do well for Liverpool if given the chance, he is only 26 and doing well for Juve. 8-)
ReplyDeleteGood, positive peice there Jaimie. While I don't see Hodgson's way as progressive, top flight football, there is no disputing that this recent turn in form gives us cause to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteWe are bound to win some games this year. Hopefully, things bounce right for us, all season. Pepe was immense for us yesterday, and equal parts lucky and brilliant to keep Malouda's point blank blast out of the goal at the begining of the second half. I was also happy that Carra didn't get his next own goal when he somehow managed to cushion a cross that was destined for the back of the net into Reina grasp. We took our chances. They did not.
If we take our chances all year, and our opposition doesn't - we will continue to have cause to celebrate. - Read beteen the lines there.
Probably not.
ReplyDeleteMany of the positive results can be attributed to direct interventions by Torres and Reina, both of whom appear to be on their way out this summer. I don't think I need to point out what the scoreline against Chelsea would have been without them.
If the latest reports are to be believed, Reina's made it clear he doesn't care much for Hodgson. Losing arguably one of the best keepers in the world makes me feel less than positive. Losing arguably one of the best strikers in the world makes me feel even less positive. Don't forget that Reina signed his six-seven year deal while Rafa's side were struggling last year. He wasn't looking to leave despite the poor form. I would attribute that to his faith in Rafa. Hodgson still hasn't earned it - not from Reina, probably not from Torres and definitely not from the Kop.
His ability to attract star players is worth questioning. Frankly, I don't think many continental rising stars will want to play under him. Liverpools two main under-30 players certainly dont seem too impressed - get out clauses and all. Torres/Reina or Hodgson? You know who I want around next year.
finally, john aldrige and you see eye to eye with me, move johnson to right wing, he's ambidextrous, likes to go forward, can shoot, can't really cross but can be trained, above all, he's a liability to the defence!
ReplyDeletei noticed that re lucas too
ReplyDeleteas a regular reader i found this piece extremely well written and straight to the point. i was particularly interested in the 99 game run Chelsea stat, which if anything makes our win on sunday even sweeter. Although i am pleased that we appear to have 'turned the corner', and that the 17 points of interest mentioned in this article are statistically accurate, i feel it is important not to get carried away. taking nothing away from the result on Sunday, realistically it was a game of contrasting halves. 1st half we were straight out of the blocks, 1st to the ball, putting chelsea under pressure, forcing mistakes on their part, taking our opportunities. an excellent half of football, and by far our most impressive this season. but the 2nd half simply wasnt good enough. ok, chelsea are 2 behind, chasing the game and looking to get back into it. but the attacking attractive football that liverpool are renowned for was non existant. we sat back and let chelsea pound us. stats show approx 65% of possession during the entire match was chelsea's. and we were at home! not good enough. and if it wasnt for a very large slice of luck and the fact that drogba had the manflu the 2-0 scoreline would have disappeared very quickly.
ReplyDeletemy point is, if we are capable of producing the kind of football we seen in the first half for 45 mins, why cant we do it for 90 minutes? i was relieved when the final whistle blew, mainly because i sat through the entire 2nd half anxiously biting nails and watching the clock slowly tick down. not the kind of feeling that a liverpool supporter should be feeling.in the end i was happy that we'd won, but it was a kind of luke warm happy feeling due to the manner in which we had went about getting that win.
hopefully the win itself will enspire our squad to work hard for eachother like they showed in the first half of this game, but we need to play like that for the ENTIRE game no matter who the opponent is.
the next 3 games will prove how far we have come. nothing less than 9 points will do.
Quoting from above: '7. <span>Lucas improving -</span> Lucas Leiva is playing much better under Hodgson than at any time since he joined Liverpool. His excellent performance against Chelsea was the highlight of his LFC career so far (IMO).
ReplyDeleteSo I take it he's no longer an 'expensive failure'. Can I ask, Jaimie, after becoming one of the 'positives' at LFC recently, exactly who are the 'expensive failures' that Roy was previously speaking about? Because if we can clearly identify them, objectively & without error, that would be an 18th 'reason to be positive.'
When I mention Lucas, I am trying to be objective. That means putting my personal feelings aside and acknowleding that he has improved.
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't change the fact that I feel that Liverpool can do better in his position. For a team that is serious about challenging for the title in the future, Lucas is not the answer (IMO).
Additionally, under Benitez he often failed to do the business. That hasn't changed. Next season, Lucas should revert to being a squad player, and someone else should be brought in to replace him.
I'll take that as a no, he's not an 'expensive failure'. But who are they then? As I've said, it's easy for Roy to talk about 'expensive failures'; he in fact said 'we have a lot', for which you PRAISED him.
ReplyDeleteI think it would help everyone if we could objectively identify them
Well, I don't think there will be many if any teams who can play against Chelsea the way we did in the first half. It's not as if they are a bunch of mugs. The ball-retention surely could have been better and basically hoofing the ball aimlessly forward is not exactly what we should be asking for, but under given circumstances (e.g. the opposition) it wasn't the worst thing to do with two goals to the good.
ReplyDeleteThe word hypocrite comes to mind here, only two weeks ago jamie wrote this article :
ReplyDeletehttp://www.liverpool-kop.com/2010/10/spot-on-roy-how-liverpool-fc-has-wasted.html
where he clearly stated lucas as a flop in regards to the vast money been wasted at liverpool.
Then two weeks later he looks a totally different player. This is the same jamie kanwar who has slated anyone who has called poulsen or konschecky flops after four months. I see double standards here.
The point I am making here is all fans are fickle to an extent even jamie kanwar. And regarding lucas I have always been a lucas fan and have stated on many forums that he is a good footballer. The only problem is that when he plays alongside mascherano and poulsen he is the one that gets slated.
Not only this season, the last two seasons lucas has been ever improving, he has been a able debutant for mascherano whenever he hasnt played and has been an easy scapegoat for fickle fans and jamie to pick on when things havent gone wrong.
One Ryan Babel springs to mind. To some extend I would say Johnson. He was bought as a defender but can't defend. And he is never worth 18m.
ReplyDeleteYou can see it like this or you could get the impression that Jaimie has the ability to change his opinion if he is proven wrong.
ReplyDeleteanteater - a response to your last couple of posts, (starting with the last one first). 'get the impression that Jaimie has the ability to change his opinion if he is proven wrong.'
ReplyDeleteSo you're saying that he's been proven wrong? I don't see anywhere in his responses that he's saying that he's been wrong. He may have 'edited' his stance somewhat, so he can paint Lucas as a positive part of Hodgson's management - but wrong? Get real!
And before that you say: 'One Ryan Babel springs to mind. To some extend I would say Johnson. He was bought as a defender but can't defend. And he is never worth 18m.'
OK - I reckon Babel could be described as an 'expensive failure', but to some extent Johnson? If we base our view on the list that Jaimie posted, players are described as 'failures'; not 'to some extent'. According to the way Jaimie described them therefore, either they a failure or they are not - he offered no caveats, he simply listed them as failures. Do you understand?
Johnson may well yet prove to be a major success; it simply has to do with the way LFC go about setting up. And as regards what a player is worth, how do you know that? It has nothing to do with the manager; & even if his value could be questioned, it would not prove that he is a failure.
Finally, Jaimie's comment about Roy Hodgson was "Well said, Roy...LFC has wasted £170M on expesive failures"; & in that article, he quoted Roy as saying 'We have got a lot more <span>expensive failures </span>on our list than good players that we have brought in...'; so I think what John S was asking is who are all these 'expensive failures'? We agree that Babel is one, so who are all these others? I would say Hodgson's signings look to be more like ones destined to fail; but we don't get any 'critical realism' on those!
When Lucas partnered Mascherano or Poulsen who are not a forward thinking players he struggled so when partnered with the more mobile Gerard and Meireles, Lucas will be in his element as its his natural role is also going forward. Watch how he plays for Brazil and you Understand him better. 2 defensive midfielders only serve to negate his forward thinking qualities and he is not at his best when asked to defend more..Contrast his first half performance with his second half performance against Chelsea.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were probing and harassing in the first half, Lucas shone but less so in the second half when we reverted to our usual first half performances in recent times. We need to play well for 90 minutes not have a brilliant 2nd half in a fightback or lacklustre second half because we decided to sit back and defend our lead.
Beating the champions and current leaders is a great result whichever way you look at it though.
Oaky - if you're going to paraphrase my opinions then please do so correctly. I don't know whether it is deliberate or not, but you have completely misrepresented what I wrote.
ReplyDeletehe clearly stated lucas as a flop in regards to the vast money been wasted at liverpool.
Then two weeks later he looks a totally different player.
I did not 'clearly state' that Lucas was a 'flop' at all. I argued that under Benitez, he was an expensive failure, which he WAS. This is what I wrote:
For me, an expensive failure is a player who costs the club money in transfer fees, salary etc but has no specific, measurable, consistent positive impact on the team, and/or did not improve the team in any beneficial way.
Under Benitez, what specific, measurable consistent impact did Lucas have? How did the team improve as a result of his continual presence in the starting 11?
This is the same jamie kanwar who has slated anyone who has called poulsen or konschecky flops after four months. I see double standards here.
Please post a snippet from any article or comment where I have 'slated' people for calling Poulsen and Konchesky flops. I have argued that 3-4 months is too early to judge a player's effectiveness. Lucas has been at the club for over 3 years, which is more than enough time to make a judgment on his impact.
3 years vs. 4 months: which is the fairer amount of time in which to judge a player?
I have not been ficle over Lucas at all. I have always been consistent in my view, i.e. okay player; should be a squad player rather than a first-teamer. I will, however, also give him credit when it's deserved, as I did for the Chelsea game. And note that I stated 'Lucas has played better under Hodgson than at any time under Benitez'.
My saying that is just me being objective; it doesn't change the fact that I think Lucas should be a squad player in the long term.
Expensive failures currently at Liverpool:
ReplyDeleteBabel
Johnson (An utter liability in defence, and Liverpool's atrocious form since her arrived is no coincidence)
Aquilani (on loan: still an LFC player: 18m wasted; no impact in first season)
Itandje (Collecting a salary for what exactly)
Degen (2m signing on fee: 2 years of salary, and for what?)
Cavalieri (Cost over 3m; hardly ever plays; paid a salary to train, basically)
I would also put Rodrigues on that list (expensive in terms of signing on fee + Salary, for very little end product).
The point that you don't get is this: Signings like Poulsen and Cole *may* turn out to be expensive failures but you cannot judge that fairly after 4 months.
That is why I am not slamming those players. It's not fair. They need a full season before a proper judgment can be made. There are still 7 months of the season to go; judging these players now is short-sighted, and obviously driven by an agenda to find *anything* at all to hold against Hodgson.
Regarding opinion I wrote 'could' to imply that this is a possibility.
ReplyDeleteFailures, well, I basically post my own opinion and not Jaimies or someone elses. I do understand, thanks, no need to highlight that. Well, I think (my opinion) that we paid way too much for Johnson. If you think he was a bargain so be it. Anyway, I think that the value (or price) for a player does in some way prove that he (or any player) is or is not a failure. Value for money springs to mind. For the rest of your post you should better adress Jaimie and not me. I have nothing to do with the articles he writes. I just read them and post what I think. Hope that's all right for you. I think (again only my opinion) that some of the articles Jaimie wrote are driven by the imbalance of much we can read on other blogs and forums. My experience on those sites is that people tend to see things either black or white. Maybe Jaimie just tries to give the opposite of what the main-stream thinking is to make people think for themselves instead of following the opinion of those who shout loudest. Again only an assumption, a possibility. What I can tell you is that I prefer comming to this site compared to many other LFC-related sites simply for three things. I like the different point of view (even though I don't agree on everything), whenever there is abuse or personal attacks it will be deleated and at least one gets reactions to what he or she writes, even if it doesn't correspond with the opinion of the regulars. In other words, if I ask Jaimie a question he will usually give me an answer. I could tell you sites where the best I can expect for posting an alternative view is ignorance and the worst is abuse.
Expensive failures currently at Liverpool:
ReplyDeleteBabel
Johnson (An utter liability in defence, and Liverpool's atrocious form since her arrived is no coincidence)
Aquilani (on loan: still an LFC player: 18m wasted; no impact in first season)
Itandje (Collecting a salary for what exactly)
Degen (2m signing on fee: 2 years of salary, and for what?)
Cavalieri (Cost over 3m; hardly ever plays; paid a salary to train, basically)
I would also put Rodrigues on that list (expensive in terms of signing on fee + Salary, for very little end product).
The point that you don't get is this: Signings like Poulsen and Konchesky *may* turn out to be expensive failures but you cannot judge that fairly after 4 months. I wasn't a fan of Joe Cole's signing but I'm not going to label him a failure after 4 months. He might do well; things might change during the rest of the season.
That is why I am not slamming those players. It's not fair. They need a full season before a proper judgment can be made. There are still 7 months of the season to go; judging these players now is short-sighted, and obviously driven by an agenda to find *anything* at all to hold against Hodgson.
@James: Expensive failures currently at Liverpool (IMO)
ReplyDeleteBabel
Johnson (An utter liability in defence, and Liverpool's atrocious form since her arrived is no coincidence)
Aquilani (on loan: still an LFC player: 18m wasted; no impact in first season)
Itandje (Collecting a salary for what exactly)
Degen (2m signing on fee: 2 years of salary, and for what?)
Cavalieri (Cost over 3m; hardly ever plays; paid a salary to train, basically)
I would also put Rodrigues on that list (expensive in terms of signing on fee + Salary, for very little end product).
By 'expensive failure', it seems like likely that Hodgson is referring to the total cost of a player (fee, salary, signing on fee), i.e. the cost vs end product.
The point that you don't seem to want to accept it is this: Signings like Poulsen and Konchesky *may* turn out to be expensive failures but you cannot judge that fairly after 4 months. I wasn't a fan of Joe Cole's signing but I'm not going to label him a failure after 4 months. He might do well; things might change during the rest of the season.
That is why I am not slamming those players. It's not fair. They need a full season before a proper judgment can be made. There are still 7 months of the season to go; judging these players now is short-sighted, and obviously driven by an agenda to find *anything* at all to hold against Hodgson.
Agree, Anteater. There seems to be a more direct approach from certain players, including Lucas. Great pass by Kuyt too; inch perfect.
ReplyDeleteI hope Lucas turns out to be a quality Liverpool player for a while. This is a guy whose non-flashy style won him the best player award in Brazil several years ago. And considering the abuse that he's got from the fans over the last couple of seasons, he could've just said 'screw it' and left but he stuck around and has started to put in some impressive displays lately. Respect to the guy.
ReplyDeleteNow we have to see if he can string in some more quality displays and then who knows? A Lucas song sung by the Kop? lol
It's very difficult to take the reply seriously; but I will try. Firstly, I notice some of the names from your original 'failures' list has changed. Why is that?
ReplyDeleteAs regards certain names you've mentioned in your last reply: @James... 'Aquilani'. So what you're saying is that in a season when he's struggled with long-term injuries, adapting to the PL, & coming in to a team struggling for form, he's a failure. Sorry, absolutely cannot agree with that. He was brought with an eye on the future, which is why he cannot have failed as yet. Of course, he is now proving what a class player he is, which itself was implicitly supported by a medical expert, Brukner.
You also mention Rodrigues, even suggesting that he's had very little impact. But for one thing alone, we may have had 1 less victory this season, & possibly even 1 more defeat (as if we couldn't do with all the points we've accrued thus far). And as to whether he's a failure, I notice that Roy doesn't include Jovanovic in his place, not even getting an appearance as a substitute in the last 4 games; so Maxi is definitely having more of an impact than Milan. Clearly Roy doesn't think he's an expensive failure.
As for Glenn Johnson, we clearly haven't seen a return for the huge price he came in at. But I don't think that proves that he is a failure; & I very much doubt that Roy thinks he is. My opinion is that we haven't set ourselves up in the way that we'll get the best out of him; but he's reasonably young & as others have implied, name some better English right-backs. We have to think that's was one of the major attractions when Benitez bought him, for his English quota; & we all know how stupidly-priced English players are - that isn't any manager's fault. So again, I cannot agree that he is definitely a failure.
And when we consider signings by Benitez that are unmitigated successes: Reina, Agger, Arbeloa, Alonso, Mascherano, Benayoun, Kuyt & Torres; as well as getting more out of players that were already at the club when he came, for Hodgson to talk about 'more expensive failures' is complete nonsense.
That leaves 4 players you cite above, including 2 goalkeepers. Then again, I wonder how many back-up goalies signed at PL teams are failures? I think it's a very tenuous argument. Either way, I really don't see that LFC have 'a lot...of expensive failures'; so we shouldn't be congratulating Roy Hodgson for spouting entirely subjective piffle! Just get on with the job you're paid to do, Roy. Then we can assess where our beloved Club is heading.
'Always been consistent in my view'? You earlier listed Lucas as an 'expensive failure'! Hard to see consistency there.
ReplyDeleteBefore I respond fully: what are you on about re the original failures list? Nothing has changed at all. The list is exactly as it was when I first published the article.
ReplyDeleteSeriously...
ReplyDeleteAre you Seriously saying that over the last 6 years we have not made a series of expensive signings that have turned out to be failures...
<span>Jermain Pennant - £6.7m
Fernando Morientes - £6.3m
Robbie Keane - £20m
Alberto Aquilani - £18m
Glen Johnson - £17m
Ryan Babel - £11.5m
Diego Cavalieri - £3.5m
Andrea Dossena - £8m
Albert Riera - £7m
Jan Kromkamp £4.3</span>
How about these players for a start. Are you saying that these signings have had a positive effect for Liverpool Football Club.
How have any of those players made a positive impact for the good of the club?
So these are the players I understood to be listed as expensive failures' in the following thread: http://www.liverpool-kop.com/2010/10/spot-on-roy-how-liverpool-fc-has-wasted.html.(I'm listing those brought in by Benitez):
ReplyDeleteJosemi - £2m
Antonio Nunez - £1.5m
Mark Gonzalez - £1.5m
Jermain Pennant - £6.7m
Fernando Morientes - £6.3m
Robbie Keane - £20m
Alberto Aquilani - £18m
Glen Johnson - £17m
Ryan Babel - £11.5m
Gabriel Palletta - £2m
Lucas Leiva - £6m
Diego Cavalieri - £3.5m
Andrea Dossena - £8m
Albert Riera - £7m
Jan Kromkamp £4.3<span>
</span>
Don't see any mention of Itandje, Degen or Rodrigues there.
Can you be any more pedantic?
ReplyDeleteIn the paragraph directly after the list, I state:
Factor in huge salaries, undeserved bonuses, bloated signing-on fees etc and the figure suddenly becomes much higher. And this list does not include the salaries/signing on fees wasted on ineffective free signings like Fabio Aurelio, Philipp Degen, Andrei Voronin and Joe Cole, OR the money spent on countless young players brought in and then shipped out in double quick time over the years.<span></span>
I didn't out free transfers in the list because they're FREE; i.e. there's no point as the list was compiling monetary figures.
And I missed Itandje out in the original list by accident. Big deal! Same goes for Maxi - he was free too so wouldn't appear in the list.
And just make your points without snide comments like 'I find it hard to take the reply serioulsy' - If that's the case, just do't bother replyin in the first place.
In the paragraph directly after the list, I state:
ReplyDeleteFactor in huge salaries, undeserved bonuses, bloated signing-on fees etc and the figure suddenly becomes much higher. And this list does not include the salaries/signing on fees wasted on ineffective free signings like Fabio Aurelio, Philipp Degen, Andrei Voronin and Joe Cole, OR the money spent on countless young players brought in and then shipped out in double quick time over the years.<span></span>
I didn't put free transfers in the list because they're FREE; i.e. there's no point as the list was compiling monetary figures.
And I missed Itandje out in the original list by accident. Big deal! Same goes for Maxi - he was free too so wouldn't appear in the list.
And just make your points without snide comments like 'I find it hard to take the reply seriously' - If that's the case, just do't bother replying in the first place.
Am I 'seriously saying that over the last 6 years we have not made a series of expensive signings that have turned out to be failures...' No, I'm not.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm seriously questioning is that Roy said that 'we have a lot more expensive failures <span><span>on our list than good players....'. </span></span>And of those players you cite above which are still at the club (in some way or another), I don't agree that they are failures, & as a particularly good example, I would argue that Lucas is most definitely not.
<span>
</span>
OK, I didn't see that you had named those others - my mistake. It does not alter the fact that we do not have 'more expensive failures on our list...' blah blah blah, fed up with quoting him.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing Roy could be doing with statements like that, is trying to take the pressure off himself, & try to pin underperformance on someone else. This very clearly lacks any class.
Lucas joined Liverpool at the age of 20 from Brasil. (Age and time to adapt is SURELY NEED)
ReplyDeleteIt is know that a footballer normally peak around the age of 26-29. Well I have news for you, both Konchesky and Poulsen have pass that age. ( Konchesky needs no introduction to the EPL. He is VERY slow and no amount of time in this world ll make him faster at his age. Poulsen is technically idept. Both situation is VERY different from Lucas whom we know for his technical attributes... I just do not see bunch of 30 yr olds "IMPROVING WITH TIME"
Again there is not much time to wait for bunch of 30 yr olds to get better, It is nornally downhill at that age, They joined Liverpool for one last contract and we are stupid enough to sign them. Why do you think Arsene only gives yearly contract to players over 30 yrs old? DO YOU THINK HE IS STUPID? DO YOU THINK CARLOS WAS STUPID TO LET J.COLE LEAVE FOR FREE? They are privy to a lot more than you ll EVER be privy to in this game. You are surely entitle to your opinion but as far as I am concern, Poulsen ll NEVER be as good as Masherano and I doubt Knochesky ll improve. Joe Cole for Banyoun is a downgrade.. (look at the stats on goals and Assist and losing the ball), You seem to be making a lot of educated guesses and not factual in your analysis.
ReplyDeleteDavid Degen plays for Young boys
ReplyDeleteHis twin brother, Philip Degen (our guy), is with Vfb Stuttgart and has only made 3 appearances this year
Firstly you have talked down on many people who have referred to poulsen and konchesky as flops. I do not need to prove this as the many people that read your articles know this already.
ReplyDeleteBy the way the artice you had wrote was discussing how liverpool have wasted money over the past 10 years under the last three managers.
Well a player which in your eyes has been a waste and a flop for three years. Now apparently 4 months later is a totally different player so its not 3 years vs 4 months its 4 months vs 4 months (simple logic).For me, an expensive failure is a player who costs the club money in transfer fees, salary etc but has no specific, measurable, consistent positive impact on the team, and/or did not improve the team in any beneficial way. By you saying that lucas looks a totally different player after 4 games shows a lack of knowledge and also shows how fickle you are. If your raving about the chelsea performance I would just like to mention lucas performance against man utd two years ago at old trafford. Under Benitez, what specific, measurable consistent impact did Lucas have? How did the team improve as a result of his continual presence in the starting 11?
Well apparently he looks a totally different player who is very consistent after 4 games, which I can clearly see is very objective.Regarding improving the team and impact made by lucas, well its common sense the impact made by lucas was far less when he was competing for first eleven with mascherano. Now hes competing with poulsen his contributions can be seen more clearly. Its amazing how the same fans that use to abuse lucas now call for his name when the see poulsen on the teamsheet.Regarding poulsen and konscheky its amazing how you see the money wasted by other managers but blind out the current manager. The reason the fans call konschecky and poulsens as flops is because they quite clearly see better options within the club and dont understand how 10m was spend when money was already tight.Regarding better options we as fans prefer lucas over poulsen and insua over knonchesky.
For the first time in a while, I agree with most of what you say. I do, however, think that some of your points require some moderation:
ReplyDelete1. Incremental performance improvements...
Blackburn = good, Bolton = OK, Napoli = Incredibly poor, Chelsea = great. In other words, although there has been a general improvement on early season form, it has hardly been incremental. Splitting hairs maybe, but still a valid point.
2. 75% unbeaten in the same as saying 25% beaten, which by big club standards is absolutely SHOCKING. Fortunately, if we can keep the current momentum, this ratio will have improved significantly by the end of the season.
3. Likewise, saying we are unbeaten in 9 of 11 home games is the same as saying beaten in 2 of 11, which again, is shocking. Hopefully, this will improve as well.
7. "The recent improvement of Lucas" that everyone speaks of actually started seasons ago. The man himself gave Man United 4-1 as an example. For me, he had a good season last year as well.
9. You are right, we are close to 4th. Yet RH still manages to say things like this:
"
That's very nice of him to do that and I don't wish to play down our chances, but on the other hand I do think it's unfair to keep asking coaches, especially coaches like myself who have had a bad start to the season and fallen behind, whether they're going to be in the top four because my answer will only possibly set me up for ridicule later on.
I would like to discuss our top-four potential when you get to a certain number of games left and you can really see whether it's a truly viable proposition or not. At the moment, it's all to play for. I certainly wouldn't write us off, that's for sure, but on the other hand being as many as five, six or seven points adrift, that's clearly not where people want to be, so I'll keep my powder dry and you can happily ask me the question with six games to go. " - LFC.tv
SHOCKING...
As I have mentioned before, this is by and large the same group of players that almost one the league two years ago (less Alonso/Masch/Benayoun, add Johnson/Meireles/Cole). We need to get rid of this inferiority complex (and the man who keeps accentuating it) and saying that are players are not good enough. As we saw Sunday, we are as good as anyone given a little luck with injuries and good form.
For the first time in a while, I agree with most of what you say. I do, however, think that some of your points require some moderation:
ReplyDelete1. Incremental performance improvements...
Blackburn = good, Bolton = OK, Napoli = Incredibly poor, Chelsea = great. In other words, although there has been a general improvement on early season form, it has hardly been incremental. Splitting hairs maybe, but still a valid point.
2. 75% unbeaten in the same as saying 25% beaten, which by big club standards is absolutely SHOCKING. Fortunately, if we can keep the current momentum, this ratio will have improved significantly by the end of the season.
3. Likewise, saying we are unbeaten in 9 of 11 home games is the same as saying beaten in 2 of 11, which again, is shocking. Hopefully, this will improve as well.
7. "The recent improvement of Lucas" that everyone speaks of actually started seasons ago. The man himself gave Man United 4-1 as an example. For me, he had a good season last year as well.
9. You are right, we are close to 4th. Yet RH still manages to say things like this:
"
That's very nice of him to do that and I don't wish to play down our chances, but on the other hand I do think it's unfair to keep asking coaches, especially coaches like myself who have had a bad start to the season and fallen behind, whether they're going to be in the top four because my answer will only possibly set me up for ridicule later on.
I would like to discuss our top-four potential when you get to a certain number of games left and you can really see whether it's a truly viable proposition or not. At the moment, it's all to play for. I certainly wouldn't write us off, that's for sure, but on the other hand being as many as five, six or seven points adrift, that's clearly not where people want to be, so I'll keep my powder dry and you can happily ask me the question with six games to go. " - LFC.tv
SHOCKING...
As I have mentioned before, this is by and large the same group of players that almost won the league two years ago (less Alonso/Masch/Benayoun, add Johnson/Meireles/Cole). We need to get rid of this inferiority complex (and the man who keeps accentuating it) and saying that are players are not good enough. As we saw Sunday, we are as good as anyone given a little luck with injuries and good form...<span></span>
When Rafa had won many games thanks to Stevie G & Nando, Rafa was the God, The Genious,...
ReplyDeleteNow Hodgson is an inept, and Stevie & Fernando are saving his job...
How Can You question Roy's Hodgson ability to attract top players before January transfer windoW?????
Useless post..
Does He Prefer to talk about himself?
ReplyDelete"Fernando deserves the headlines" - Roy Hodgson
"Stevie won't never leave the Club" - Roy Hodgson
"Hodgson praises Gerrard for the hattrick" - Roy Hodgson
The "only Roy's faulth" is the refuse to give the same stupid guarantees of Rafa..
I really do not understand the Fans' fury against Raul Meireles & Paul Konchesky.
ReplyDeletePaul maybe will never be regarded as the new Alan Kennedy or Ian Callaghan, but He's undoubtebly a solid performer & a consistent left back with good defensive skills & good defensive movements.
Paul's performances perfectly meets the price tag of the player, and He's far far miles, from a defensive point of view, better than Insua.
I do not understand why some fans nowadays are defending & celebrating a crap like the argentinean: He's slow, very weak on a defensive point of view, very unfair on aerial ability, very unfair from a physycal point of view.
Honestly, I've never seen in all EPL a left back weaker than Insua.
Maybe Paul is not Evra, but He's a good defender & a consistent left back Who are putting more balance in our defence.
Does He make some errors? Oh yes any full back can make wrongs, but If You look at the big picture Paul has given his honest contribute to our winning streak.
Blames against Raul Meireles are so ridicoulous & unfair: He's an outstanding offensive midfield, box to box player, and so many fans around Europe They whould like to see a so gifted player in their Clubs...
Critics against Raul are very unfair..
So Insua is world class, while Raul is crap?
I suspect that Rafa Cultist and not Liverpool supporters are talking on this site just now...
I think it's a bit unfair to label Cavelieri an expensive failure Jaimie, he's a 2nd choice Keeper and all teams need one, a decent one at that. It's not his fault LFC chose to bring in Jones during the summer.
ReplyDelete2nd choice Keepers are always more expensive than any other 2nd string player, it's necessary to obtain a good one who's happy to spend most of the time on the bench - they're arguably never "cheap" if they're any good.
Also I don't think you could call Maxi an expensive failure, he's a good player and a full (current) international for Argentina, whatever his "fee" was he'd arguably fetch more If he was sold IMO.
I'd class an expensive failure as a player who offers little during their tenure and is sold at a significant loss, i.e Keane, Babel (potentially), Morientes, Dossena etc.
Arguably our biggest ever expensive failure was Kewell!
I still think Johnson can prove himself, although he has had a very poor start this season defensively, I also think Aquilani could come back an be successful so IMO the jury is out on him. I do think it's slightly rude to refer to Johnson as a woman by the way!
A LB weaker than Insua? - two words: Djimi Traore.
ReplyDeleteWho's criticised Raul? I think you're confusing him with Poulsen!
Konchesky IS NOT as good as Insua, no way, no how. Sending Insua on loan and paying part of his wage whilst spending £4m on a 30 year old poorer replacement was a riduculous bit of business and a huge error by Hodgson and/or the LFC board.
You should underline some facts...
ReplyDeleteInsua was largely the worst player of LFC last season: slow as opponents easily dribbled him week in week out, largely weak on defensive, unfair on aerial ability, phisically not strong enough.
Insua was for sure the main point of weakness of our Club and I can't believe why Rafa persisted to pick up him in the side..
Insua is terrible, terrible.
Konchesky is a progress.
I think what jamies trying to say is no need to splash out on a second goalkeeper just promote from within use a youngster (and then you wont be paying high wage for a bench warmer).
ReplyDeleteAnd John the only facts jamie likes to pull out are the facts the prove his case. Otherwise he will hang on to statements such as 4 months to early to judge and also bring in statements like looking for reasons against hodgson.
But jamie this is not about hodgson the simple fact which you dont want to answer is this:
Paying 5million for a 30 year old not a regular at juventus and player they wanted to get rid of already? I m sorry he doesnt have to kick a ball that is not good business.
Also paying similar about for konschesky a player looking at facts has been nothing more then a average player playing for average teams all his carear. Once again not good business. Lucas for you is no more then a squad player well its amazing how you consider poulsen and konchesky anything more and for squad players around the age of 30. 10 million seems like money well spent.
I am sorry jamie but you do not seem any better then the so called rafa-brigade. Your as one sided with your views as them and you use words like critical realism (which dont suit you).
It seems to me that you cant be fair with your views and use only the facts that suit you argument.
I know football is fickle and many fans are mindless but trying to be objective about the managerial situation:
ReplyDeleteBenitez - like the team under his management, gave me that marmite feeling, at times i loved him and at times he bemused me.
His transfers were hit and miss - but all in all he attracted some top players and moved many others on at a profit.
He was generally a tactically astute manager, but from what we know a poor man manager.
He came with two spainish titles and a uefa cup pedigree.
Now finishing 7th last season after some questionable purchases gives plenty of reason for wanting him replaced.
I was happy with that but my personal stipulation was only if his replacement was an improvement.
We were nt going to get "the special one" due to the clubs postion overall, but an improvement would have been someone who is tactically astute or a better man manager. If not then an up an coming talent, hungry with new ideas and vigour.
For me, Hodgson does not tick any of the boxes above, he is a steady manager, seems a good man. he seems to be surprised at the media spotlight on him. I have nothing against him, No facts or figures, I just don't "feel" he is the man to take us forward long term.
I have Grave doubts about hodgson's - man mgt/tactics/ability to keep or attract top players.
If the Owners decide to back him and he stays then I hope I am wrong because quite frankly I don't care if I am wrong as long as the Team are successful.
But ask my wife I am always right!!!!!!
Bollocks, Steven Gerrard was the worst player of LFC last season. For the last time, Insua or Johnson being terrible defensively is a massive myth. Our attack and away form sucked balls last season, defensively and at home we were still very good. Even if Konchesky was a hypothetical upgrade on Insua (which I maintain that he isn't, Insua knows how to block a cross, offers more getting forward and both are about equal in the tackle). Insua is 21 and has plenty of development potential in front of him and Konchesky will only get worse.
ReplyDeleteHere's a fact for you: Last season we conceded 35 goals in the league(38 games), this season 15 in 12 games. If we continue at that rate, that's 45 goals in 36 games, a worse defensive record than last season.
Dj, with the tactics is enforcing upon the side and not playing to our best players strengths it's a myth conducted by your's trully here and in the media who have there heads so far up Hodgson's arse there faces are too clouded with shit to see the real light of day in what damage he is doing to players such as Torres.
ReplyDeleteTorres has scored 4 goals and created 1 in the last 4 games. Is that the kind of 'damage' you're talking about.
ReplyDeleteYou and everyone else denigrating Hodgson after 4 MONTHS IN CHARGE are a disgrace. Utterly unreasonable knee-jerkers who make a mockery the wider fanbase.
NO MANAGER of Liverpool should be condemned after 4 months. And even when we win 4 games in a row it's still not good enough for you.
When a manager has been in charge for a number of years it's completely different. They've had theitr time to get thiings right, and sufficient time has passed to form a fair judgment of their progress.
4 months is not enough time, nor is it fair to judge now.
As I said, it's a disgrace.
Torres has scored 4 goals and created 1 in the last 4 games. Is that the kind of 'damage' you're talking about.
ReplyDeleteYou and everyone else denigrating Hodgson after 4 MONTHS IN CHARGE are a disgrace. Utterly unreasonable knee-jerkers who make a mockery of the wider fanbase.
NO MANAGER of Liverpool should be condemned after 4 months. And even when we win 4 games in a row it's still not good enough for you.
When a manager has been in charge for a number of years it's completely different. They've had their time to get thiings right, and sufficient time has passed to form a fair judgment of their progress.
4 months is not enough time, nor is it fair to judge now.
As I said, it's a disgrace.
No, Jamie - you're completely wrong.It's not a disgrace and it IS fair to judge him now. He himself said "judge me after 10 games". He should go asap and the only mockery that is made here is of Liverpool Football Club.The only disgrace worth talking about is you sticking up for him.
ReplyDelete