4 Dec 2010

Pacheco is *so* unhappy at LFC that he signs a new deal? Now I understand!

Am I missing something here? According to Guillem Balague and dozens of Liverpool fan websites who disseminated his story, Dani Pacheco is supposed to be unhappy under Roy Hodgson and desperate to leave anfield. Why then has he just signed a new two year contract? It doesn't compute. Could it be that the whole story (like so many related to Hodgson) was agenda-driven BS without any foundation in fact? (That's a rhetorical question by the way).

In some great news for the club, Pacheco and Martin Kelly have signed two and three year contract extensions respectively, which will keep them at Liverpool until 2014. In Pacheco's case, the extension categorically contradicts the lies and misinformation that have been spread over the last couple of weeks, the gist of which was that Pacheco wanted to leave; Roy Hodgson was alienating him and blah blah blah.

This is the Guillem Balague 'story' that sparked the furore:

Dani Pacheco was told by Roy Hodgson that he would be included in his plans, and the fact that the Spanish youngster has spent three years at Anfield, qualifying him as a `home-grown` talent helped him secure a professional contract at Liverpool. However, after failing to be selected by Hodgson, Pacheco wishes to leave Liverpool.

Anyone with even a rudimentary sense of fairness could see that this 'story' was baseless. However, after reading it, writers on other Liverpool websites could barely contain their glee at being handed another opportunity to blame something on Roy Hodgson. The fact that 'story' *obviously* had no substance or integrity made no difference to them; all that mattered was the continued campaign to discredit the manager.

Once again, this site was the only LFC source looking at things critically, and arguing for fairness. In an article on the issue last week, I argued the following:

There is NO persuasive evidence that Dani Pacheco is unhappy at Liverpool. There are no direct quotes from the player himself and there is nothing to suggest that he is unhappy. As usual, the media has whipped up a storm of misinformation based on inference and conjecture.

Anti-Hodgson fans have jumped all over this as it gives them another weapon with which to attack the manager. All sense of fairness goes out the window in the fanatical zeal to continue the professional and personal denigration of the man.

It's completely out of order, and fans that engage in this type of deliberate and malicious twisting of the truth should be ashamed.


I stand by those words: any fans who jumped on this particular bandwagon (i.e. sheep) should be ashamed.

Anyway - two promising young players have pledged their futures to Liverpool, which is great news. In Pacheco's case, would he do this if he was unhappy?! Of course not. Under Hodgson, young players are getting more of a chance that they ever did under Rafa Benitez.

* Pacheco made 7 appearance in 3 years under Benitez.

* He's already made 6 appearances in the first 3.5 months of this season under Hodgson, with three of them being starts.

* Combined, Pacheco, Nathan Eccleston, Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly managed only 17 appearances for the whole of last season. With only 3.5 months of this season gone, they already have a combined total of 31 appearances.

This is irrefutable proof that Hodgson is giving Liverpool's young players many more chances, and obviously they are going to be happy with that.

Pacheco is clearly happy at LFC; signing a contract extension proves that. But never let the obvious truth get in the way of good old fashioned lie :-)

Jaimie Kanwar


102 comments:

  1. Don't worry Jaimie, I'm sure someone will create a story that claims Pacheco only signed because he's been assured that Hodgson will be fired at the end of the season.  They can't let it drop that easily otherwise it might create the perception that fans simply fall for every bit of media spin thrown out by the papers.  

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  2. Oh for gods sake Jaimie, can't you see that he can see a future without Roy? That, having just played in his "B" team, after being frozen out, that both he and Roy have changed their minds etc?

    You've been told before that you "irrefutable proof" is just nonsense but you fail to take heed. Rafa and his team found him, bought him, trained him, and gave him his chance in the first team squad during the last year of Rafa's reign. So it is 1 RAFA SEASON V 1 ROY SEASON. And yes Roy is picking him more, because he has a youth team policy due to playing rubbish teams in the Europa, not fighting for his life in the Champions League.

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  3. all ino is roy hodgson has until january to get us near the top4 if not in the top4, if not he will be sacked no doubt about that. lets see how we get on now witgh villa at home and newcastle away.

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  4. <p>95% of fans aren't happy with Roy.
    </p><p> 
    </p><p>Of the many players Roy was freezing out, what makes you think that 95% of them were happy with him?
    </p>

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  5. 95% of fans?  Based on what?  about 3000 fans voting in internet polls?!  What a joke.  Please link to the proof that 95% of fans 'aren't happy with Hodgson'. Thanks.

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  6. roy hodgson will never get us as far as rafa benitez got us. 4points of title, 2 champ league finals, winning no5, carling cup final, facup winners, ranked no1 club in europe for approx 2years, sticking up for and backing liverpoolfc against ferguson, the list goes on and on.

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  7. well said Jaimie...their is a definiite agenda against hodgson.  In fact there is a twitter campaign against him with loads of cowardly liverpool contacting John W Henry moaning about the manager. Shocking stuff. 

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  8. <span>well said Jaimie...their is a definiite agenda against hodgson.  In fact there is a twitter campaign against him with loads of cowardly liverpool fans contacting John W Henry moaning about the manager. Shocking stuff.
     <span>


    </span></span>

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  9. Pepe Reina signed a new contract recently and he doesn't sound too happy. Wonder if Pacheco got a pay rise?

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  10. Extending a contract proves *NOTHING*!
    Anderson and Hammill made zero appearnces yet still extended their contracts. They did extremely well on-loan but got kicked out the door anyway.
    I know it was under Benitez but I don't believe this will change under Roy (if he stays long enough to cause more damage with transfers).
    All that a contract extension means is we won't lose them for free or "small change" so I don't think there much need for this kind of article really. In Pacheco's case I think it's more protecting the value of an assest rather than appreciating it.

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  11. Jaimie, there are several polls of between 1,000 and 10,000, one of which is the Liverpool Echo. It doesn't get more reliable than that, that is more than adequate triangulated sample size.

    I suppose Jaimie's survey of 1 says different though........lol!

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  12. i don't know about 95% or him being sacked in jan, but i absolutely hate how he speaks to the media sometimes. you can't deny that. he comes off as weak, and timid. i know this is unfair, but compare him to any of our past great managers. they at least had to stones to stand firm. in his interview about nando being linked with united, he made fair statements.. if we were a middle table team who couldn't attract quality players or retain them, and maybe if united weren't one of our bitter rivals. i could go on, but i won't. check them out yourselves, it's some shameful sh-.

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  13. And yet Jaimie doesn't think that 95% of people are not happy with him..........lol

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  14. Well done Jamie.
    Finger on  the pulse again. Has more inside knowledge than Guillem Balague! This site is all about your ego. Truth hurts?

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  15. Agreed with a few comments here: Contract extensions dont mean that much: Just means the club can command a decent fee in lieu of the player receiving a better wage. I wouldnt read a massive lot into it on its own terms. 

    You do incite decent intelligent debate (by some) Jamie, so I am thankful for that, even if i usually fail to agree with a lot of it. :)

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  16. Wahoo!
    4 censored out of 5. if you are going to have a credible website you should air all views regardless if they agree with you or not.
    Some animals are more equal than others! 1984.

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  17. what a suprise another opportunity for Jaimie to have a go at Benitez and one of his supporters Balague and liverpool fan site.
    I am happy Pacheco has sign a new contract which does not always mean he will stay.
    what is funny if a player makes smallest hint that he may leave at the  endof season, you call them disloyal when last year if a player made similar hint, your headline would be another player is unhappy with Rafa.
    this year if they sign it is due to Hodgson but if they dont , it s not mamager fault. the pattern is shapping up again and your agenda is as usual is not a suprise to me.
    somehow i get a feeling this will be deleted again, but i dot mind. it says more about you  

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  18. It's not about Pacheco, people dont like Hodgson and his way.

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  19. Optimists will say that the contract extension for Pacheco in particular prove that Dani is happy. the cynics will say the extension serves to protect his value in cas he leaves. Who knows really. Now I like Guillem Balague, mainly because for years i secretly thought his name was Dave from Bromley and was jusy winging it as a Spanish journalist :) . However, I do respect his views, but sometimes he does get it wrong just like most bloggers...eh Jaimie!

    My main beef was that Dani was not getting a fair shout in the first team. I've already stated my opinions on this. What it is Jaimie is that obviuosly Balague has a good connection with Spanish players, so sometimes you tend to trust his view on them. Now, I'm intelligent enough not to take his word verbatum and always look for direct quotes from the player himself. I think it was the fact that he wasn't getting a sniff of the first team until recently, and that a talented boy like himself would obviously attract clubs in Spain and elsewhere, you do get that fear that he would go if he isn't a more regular fixture in the first team. 

    Now he has signed hopefully this is a sign that he will stay, but with football you never know.

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  20. That still does not constitute 95% of fans.  Not even close.

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  21. Let's get real here: liverpool are protecting the value of a player who has done  *nothing* of note in his professional career, and who has only made 13 appearances for the club?!  That doesn't make sense.

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  22. Well done for pointing out the apparent contradition the signing of the contract extensions make of the 'news' that Pacheco wanted to leave. If you are unhappy you don't sign a contract extension however much more money you will be paid, as it lessens the chances of you leaving when/if you want to.

    There is a campaign to remove Hodgson as the mangaer for no good reason as I see it. He has come in in a very difficult time, maybe the most difficult time since before Bill Shankly arrived imho, and after a bad start, is starting to turn things around. The guy has got to be given a chance and backed by the fans and not undermined, which is playing into the hands of the media who seem to make trying to destabilse Liverpool a full time job. A very active section of fans (who represent nowhere near 95% of the fans I know btw) have made up their minds that they don't want the manager and will ingore any positives. And I think these young players extending their contracts are positives. They would not do it if they did not respect the manager, and didn't think they would eventually get some time in the first team.

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  23. Out of interest, what has Pacheco done that is of note in his professional career?

    (Is appearing, notable these days?)

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  24. The campaign against Hodgson is unfair, and Jammie's recent character assasination of Pepé is similarly unfair imv. 

    It sticks in my craw that Jammie defends certain players with selective stats and quotes (Hodgson, Pacheco, Poulson) and and then uses selective stats and quotes to diss others (Pepé).

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  25. But I thought our creative players were being 'emasculated'?

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  26. McMahons coaching must be the reason he signed his extension he must think he is a fantastic coach or there is no way he would have stayed if he did not believe in him !!!

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  27. Maybe Pacheco's camp seeded the "unhappy at Anfield" story as they approached contract negotiations? Threatening to walk is a classic and proven ploy. It's risky brinkmanship though as the other side can might say: "ok, off you go then". Anyway, it's sorted.

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  28. This shows your complete inability to see things from another viewpoint. Did I not say it could be that he wants to stay OR they may be protecting his value (in fact it is actually both). I can see the reasons why people may believe in the protecting value argument, but as I've stated that is the more cynical view.

    Also, nothing of note. Have you not heard of potential. So are you trying to tell me he is worth nothing? He may have done "nothing of note" (apart from player of the U19 European Championships) until now, but he may do by the end of this season or next. Signing an extra two years means we won't have to Bosman him if he decided to leave by the end of next season.

    Or, say he's starts to get in the team and begins to play really well. Say a Barca, Real or Valencia come swooping in. Without the protection of an extended contract he could see out the remainder of contract and go for free. This way, we ensure this does not happen.

    Surely you understand that if you sign a young player on a longer contract you are serving the dual purposes of showing the player he has a future, but also safe guarding you against letting him go for free, if it doesn't work out for him in the next couple of seasons.

    Anyway, I personally do not think mit's about protecting value alone as I clearly stated. But as a consequence of extending the contract he offer him a future you aslo protect his value.

    So Jaimie, please don't just single out a few of my points without putting it on context as I did say that it is just as likely that it is an indicator that we have Pacheco in our future plans.

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  29. Totally agree Craig. Obviously its not my place to tell other fans what or what not to do. However, I consider the twitter campaign to be not representive of the traditional values of LFC fans. Furthermore, bearing in mind JH's recent statement of support for RH, and his obviously considered approach to business, I can't see how a few 'please sack RH' tweets are going have any impact whatsoever.

    Some have argued that tweeting JH gives disgruntled fans the opportunity to vent their frustrations. However traditionally LFC fans have been a patient and supportive bunch, and after all the recent turmoil involving H&G, I think its paramount to get behind our new owner, the players, and fundamentally the manager they have stated their unequiviocal support for.  

    If things go horrifically wrong between now and January, fair enough. The owners are shrewd enough to know how to protect their massive investment and I'm sure they will act appropriately. But considering the recent improvements in form and performances, IMO this scenario is unlikey to happen.    

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  30. Oh I see what you mean, that Woy is being pillored for not playing creative players in the first team, but Pacheco has signed a contract extension meaning all those people who criticised Woy are wrong. Think again Rob...at present how many creative players are playing in the First team? Cos Pacheco so far hasn't been one, Aquaman isn't that's for sure, Cole has been injured (not Roy's fault), Stevie G has been in there, Maxi (now we're stretching it a bit)...and...and...no one else.

    Getting a creative non first teamer to sign a contract doesn't prove that people were wrong about us not using creative players. What it may prove, is that Woy is perhaps willing to change this for the future.

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  31. Great article Jaimie. I'm glad you've higlighted the role of prominent sports media figures stoking up the fires of uncertainity, giving agenda driven media outlets and websites more fuel for the fire. The simple truth is that revelations get clicks which in turn sells advertising and makes money.....who cares if the report is unfounded. Its journalism of the very worst kind. 

    The so called respectable 'broadsheets' are just as bad for peddling lies and baseless hyperbole. A well respected journalist, Ian Herbert, wrote a recent article for the Independent website spouting the usual rubbish about Pacheco, and further cementing the damage with blatant lies regarding Ryan Babel and his interactions with Sammy Lee. When I pointed out the potentially libellous claims which he had provided no evidence before, I recieved no response. A further attempt at contact via twitter just lead to me getting blocked.

    This absolute lack of accountabilty and personal professionalism sickens me. It may seem that my remonstrations regarding this matter are unduly excessive. My fundamental concerns however, are based around the thousand of LFC fans who will have read that article, totally believing its credibilty because of the Independent's  reputation. The knock on effect of these fabrications could have potentially damaging for both players concerned.

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  32. Great article Jaimie. I'm glad you've higlighted the role of prominent sports media figures stoking up the fires of uncertainity, giving agenda driven media outlets and websites more fuel for the fire. The simple truth is that revelations get clicks which in turn sells advertising and makes money.....who cares if the report is unfounded. Its journalism of the very worst kind.   
     
    The so called respectable 'broadsheets' are just as bad for peddling lies and baseless hyperbole. A well respected journalist, Ian Herbert, wrote a recent article for the Independent website spouting the usual rubbish about Pacheco, and further cementing the damage with blatant lies regarding Ryan Babel and his interactions with Sammy Lee. When I pointed out the potentially libellous claims which he had provided no evidence before, I recieved no response. A further attempt at contact via twitter just lead to me getting blocked.  
     
    This absolute lack of accountabilty and personal professionalism sickens me. It may seem that my remonstrations regarding this matter are unduly excessive. My fundamental concerns however, are based around the thousand of LFC fans who will have read that article, totally believing its credibilty because of the Independent's  reputation. The knock on effect of these fabrications could have been potentially damaging for both of the players concerned.

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  33. redhed17  Great points...the media is having a field day with LFC this year!

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  34. Great article Jaimie. I'm glad you've higlighted the role of prominent sports media figures stoking up uncertainity, giving agenda driven media outlets and websites more fuel for the fire. The simple truth is that revelations get clicks which in turn sells advertising and makes money.....who cares if the report is unfounded. Its journalism of the very worst kind.     
       
    The so called respectable 'broadsheets' are just as bad for peddling lies and baseless hyperbole. A well respected journalist, Ian Herbert, wrote a recent article for the Independent website spouting the usual rubbish about Pacheco, and further cementing the damage with blatant lies regarding Ryan Babel and his interactions with Sammy Lee. When I pointed out the potentially libellous claims which he had provided no evidence before, I recieved no response. A further attempt at contact via twitter just lead to me getting blocked.    
       
    This absolute lack of accountabilty and personal professionalism sickens me. It may seem that my remonstrations regarding this matter are unduly excessive. My fundamental concerns however, are based around the thousand of LFC fans who will have read that article, totally believing its credibilty because of the Independent's  reputation. The knock on effect of these fabrications could have been potentially damaging for both of the players concerned.

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  35. he signed an extension so LFC will get a better price for him when he's sold. fair play. for his sake, let him go so he can realise his potential. he won't do that under the current lfc regime! go roy, go.

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  36. Great article Jaimie. I'm glad you've higlighted the role of prominent sports media figures stoking up uncertainity, giving agenda driven media outlets and websites more fuel for the fire. The simple truth is that revelations get clicks which in turn sells advertising and makes money.....who cares if the report is unfounded. Its journalism of the very worst kind.       
         
    The so called respectable 'broadsheets' are just as bad for peddling lies and baseless hyperbole. A well respected journalist, Ian Herbert, wrote a recent article for the Independent website spouting the usual rubbish about Pacheco, and further cementing the damage with blatant lies regarding Ryan Babel and his interactions with Sammy Lee. When I pointed out these potentially libellous claims, for which he had provided no evidence for, I recieved no response. A further attempt at contact via twitter just lead to me getting blocked.      
         
    This absolute lack of accountabilty and personal professionalism sickens me. It may seem that my remonstrations regarding this matter are unduly excessive. My fundamental concerns however, are based around the thousand of LFC fans who will have read that article, totally believing its credibilty because of the Independent's  reputation. The knock on effect of these fabrications could have been potentially damaging for both of the players concerned.

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  37. Totally agree Craig. Obviously its not my place to tell other fans what or what not to do. However, I consider the twitter campaign to be not representive of the traditional values of LFC fans. Furthermore, bearing in mind JH's recent statement of support for RH, and his obviously considered approach to business, I can't see how a few 'please sack RH' tweets are going have any impact whatsoever.  
     
    Some have argued that tweeting JH gives disgruntled fans the opportunity to vent their frustrations. Traditionally though, LFC fans have been a patient and supportive bunch. After all the recent turmoil involving H&G, I think its paramount we get behind our new owner, the players, and fundamentally the manager they have stated their unequiviocal support for.    
     
    If things go horrifically wrong between now and January, fair enough. The owners are shrewd enough to know how to protect their massive investment and I'm sure they will act appropriately. But considering the recent improvements in form and performances, IMO this scenario is unlikey to happen.

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  38. Not quite what I was getting at, no.

    'instead of developing his creative strengths, McMahon seems dead-set on forcing Pacheco to learn 'several roles'. Apparently, this will 'benefit him'. More than likely, it will dilute Pacheco's effectiveness and have a detrimental impact on his development. No wonder he allegedly wants to leave.'

    Jaimie Kanwar.

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  39. I can see your point, but you're sort of ignoring the fact that the younger players you mention have been given more chances now that they're older. You argue that Pacheco didn't get many chances under Benitez--which is true, but it's also true that he was 16, 17, 18. Nineteen isn't a huge leap, but he is older now.

    So yeah, more chances, but they've also aged.

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  40. Oh you're having a go at Jaimie... As Officer Barbrady would say...Carry on!

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  41. roy hodgson put the oo oo in poo poo

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  42. Jaimie.... on November 23 you yourself wrote that it was no surprise that Pacheco allegedly wanted to leave because of John McMahon's terrible youth training regime.

    Is that the 'agenda driven BS' you are talking about?

    I'm going to predict that, had Pacheco been sold in the January window, you would have trotted out that Nov 23 article with a crowing: "How I exclusively told you that Pacheco was being driven out of LFC'

    If you go on record arguing both sides of the debate, you are bound to be correct whatever the outcome (and also bound to be incorrect as well, but I am sure you will gloss over that).

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  43. It is not just this year that the media has been having a go at Liverpool, it has been going on for years. As the Premier League has gone on, and we have been further and further away from challenging for titles, the media has been out put the boot in whenever possible. Taking great satisfaction when we have fallen to lower opposition, and grudgingly acknowledging our achievements when we have had them, because Liverpool sell papers and get people watching TV. From Benitez's arrival onwards though it has got nastier and more widespread with now many wild and inaccurate stories on a daily basis. As Sumon says, no one is held to account for the lies and mistruths. If Journalists were paid when they were right and not when they were wrong, many would go hungry. Add to that the many Bloggers who seemingly post whatever pops into their heads without any basis in reality, with again, no accountability, and you can see that anyone can print what they like as long as it brings in readrs/listeners/viewers. :( Their are so many Liverpool fans that not everyone will know who or what to trust, and so the will always be an audience for whatever they put out.

    No doubt Pacheco will be getting more money with his extended contract, but I doubt his advisers were behind the rumours as it could have backfired badly in many ways. They're are the type of games Agents play when they have an established player, not a player who has not even got into the first team.

    If Pacheco wanted out, why would he care that Liverpool would get a better price for him? If he really wanted out, signing the extension to his contract would make him a less attractive buy to potential suiters. Not something you do if you really want out. He may still get sold, god knows we've sold or let go many a young player who has not made it, but I think the contract extensions tell me these young players think they can make it into the team. And good luck to them.

    The younger players may have got older and more experienced and so more likely to be nearer to getting games, but Hodgson has played them, and played them in difficult times and deserves credit for it. Benitez, for all he did right, did not really give youth a chance when we were playing good or bad imho.

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  44. Great points. While Roy might not have been my first choice, I like that chap a lot. His blunt honesty is branded as "timid" behavior by fans who probably expect a Mourinho-esque nonsense talking Manager. Don't even get me started on Benitez's standard "quality" rant in every press conference!

    Anybody with an iota of fairness can see things are improving and the team is starting to gel. Mereiles is very good, Poulsen gets the job done and other than the one mistake against spurs (you could argue Kyrgiakos is to blame also) Konchesky has has a decent start. I am sure Poulsen and Konchesky are stop-gap signings and we'll buy younger players in the next transfer window.

    Under Hodgson Liverpool are playing swift passing football which is certainly a good sight. Lucas and Maxi have improved visibly, the younger players are getting chances and the team itself seems more than just Gerrard and Torres. 4-4-2 is definitely refreshing to see. The game against Spurs was great, if only Maxi and Torres had taken their chances, it'd have been so different now! 

    To conclude, Roy has taken up a difficult job and he is definitely up to it (IMO) and deserves a fair chance till the end of the season at least.

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  45. Hey even a broken clock is right twice a day.

    Who knows what's going on behind the scenes and who knows if Pacheco looked at a few deals and realised that few clubs are prepared to pay that much wages for a largely untested Liverpool starlet. Who knows. However by siding against the opinion of the majority of Liverpool fans (on issues such as the merits of Benitez, Hodgson, Poulsen, Mascherano and lest us not forget previous sympathising for Hicks & Gillett) we know that this blog will achieve some level of noteriety.

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  46. Obviously not. I have never read an article by Jaimie which contained blatant lies, or false quotes with no evidence. 

    I appreciate that not everyone agrees with his views, but this a non profit opinion based website with plenty of opportunity for people to air their views underneath the articles. The abuse that JK sometimes gets is simply uncalled for...eg some immature fellow saying that 99.9% of lfc fans dont like him..brilliant....(applauds sarcastically!)... its people like that whose opinons I don't value. 

    Sorry to rant, but its obvious Jaimie spends a fair amount of time effort researching / writing the articles and reading and responding to comments. Many of the regular readers relish the opportunity for respectfull discussion, but it really annoys me when i read posts by some people who regularly come on and denigrate him.

    Whats even more ridiculous is some of those posters keep coming back! I don't understand..if the site is so intolerable for them why visit it? Personally, I think as LFC fans we've been spoilt with this site....there was one chap yesterday wondering why JK hadn't got back to him regarding a point.... it was 2:30 in the morning!!!

    Whilst I don't always agree with JK's views, I do really appreciate the opportunity he has given to fans to discuss and debate views about LFC in a sophisticated and intelligent manner. I love reading the views and opinons on this site, both Jaimies and those from the many sensible contributers whose analysis I have really grown to respect. The insights provided by Jaimie and many of the regular contributers is often detailed and thought provoking. Thats why I'm on here, and contributing, whenever I can.

    Ok....tirade over....I wasn't in any way having a go you at JM, its just something that I've noticed on the site thats recently start to irk me, and I just felt I had to get it off my chest. The article in question that I was referring too can be found here:

    http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/pacheco-faces-anfield-exit-after-missed-opportunity-2142871.html

    Jaimie, apologies for the off topic nature of the post. No problem if you feel its inappropriate and is maybe better moved or deleted.

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  47. Usually 'knee-jerk' when a player looks like leaving on a cut-price or Bosman.Means nothing really.

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  48. "Without the protection of an extended contract he could see out the remainder of contract and go for free. This way, we ensure this does not happen. "

    An error in your logic here.  An extended contract also has an end date at which time he could leave for free.

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  49. I quite like Hodgsons way of speaking.  It's typically English understatement imv.  While this may come across as "weak" to the more gung-ho amongst the fan base, I don't see it as a bad thing.

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  50. Hodgson is doing a very good job. Period. The "fans" who refuse to support him are a disgrace to the history and traditions of this club. The ought to be ashamed.

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  51. An alleged supporter who do not support all of our players/staff are a disgrace to the history and traditions of this club, that goes for Hodgson, Pepé, indeed any player/staff member of LFC.

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  52. It's representative of the whole supporter base though. So yes, 95% do want him gone.

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  53. Could this be Balague's participation in a Benitez camp contingency to return to Anfield having been ousted from Milan as now seems likely? After all it would be easy to sell to the fans, something like this:

    'Hicks and Gillette starve Rafa of resources then fire him olnly to bring in a doddering, out of his depth coach, before the new owners take decisive action reinstate the homesick Rafa and hand him a generous January transfer budget.'

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  54. Jamie, I think I read on the LFC official website about 2 and 3 year contracts for Dani and Martin respectively. Could you please confirm where you have the info about both contracts being for 2 years from?

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  55. That's the thing about having a popular blog that shows up all the time on Newsnow, it attracts attention. Therefore, people will comment on the articles (especially when the headlines are so thought provoking and grab your attention). An indication of how good an article is can be shown by the number of people who praise or condemn it (sometimes). It's good that Jaimie puts his article up, I recommed him for it. However, as it's on the web and is not a subscription based website, there will be a lot and I mean a lot of comments in varying degrees of quality about his articles. 

    The fact is, that he is writing about Liverpool FC, and thus is always going to garner strong and emotive responses. Sometimes Jaimie does wave the red flag to the bull. I'm not saying he deserves the abuse, but he does regularly delete posts he finds offensive, such as Rob's post which was deleted for some reason.

    Trust me, if Jaimie finds a post that is offensive, HE WILL DELETE!

    There are some points I agree with Jaimie on, but mostly I disagree with most of his conclusions (Not the Pacheco extension and the media obession with Liverpool, which has been disgraceful). It's just that Jaimie sometimes gets a bit overzealous with his traitor rants and such. But when you go against the status quo, you definitely know about it.

    If I see someone writing about Liverpool which i disagree with, I will comment, but I will not resort to name calling and childish attacks.

    As Jaimie has told me often enough, It's his website and he will wrote how he sees fit. That is absolutely cool in my book, just that when you adopt that tone, you will illicit response from the the various range of cretins, the reasoned and the malcontents. It's the cross he has to bear when he fights for the rights of the minority view like a modern day Steve Biko (...or he can just delete the posts).

    The demand for responses at 2.30am are a bit ridiculous!

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  56. So true, Redhed17, best post so far by miles!

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  57. Actually, this is the best post so far :)

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  58. Spot on Jamie, good to see you once again setting the record straight with facts while the agenda driven morons use nothing but speculation and invented stories. 

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  59. Right behind you here Jaimie, don't know what bugs me more, irresponsible media, or the sheep that follow along..
    It seems Pacheco is getting a look in again following his brief hiatus, perhaps the break in action was just what he needed for a sustained push for the first team..hopefully he cuts the mustard this year and beyond..

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  60. As Jammie recently said, "I can think of nothing worse than being thought of as part of any kind of 'majority'.", so I wonder, does he feel bad at being a member of the majority whom have not expressed a view on Hodgson in a poll?

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  61. As Jaimie recently said, "I can think of nothing worse than being thought of as part of any kind of 'majority'.", so I wonder, does he feel bad at being a member of the majority whom have not expressed a view on Hodgson in a poll?

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  62. Are you being ironic, Andy?

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  63. Gullielm Bellague got it wrong. Big deal! He is a journalist and this is not maths/science. Just an opinion formed often through contacts etc. What is the fuss about?

    And to those who say Roy has had a tough job. And 95% are not representative of fans as a whole. The actual figure is probably around 60% another 35% who may or may not change opinion.

    Jamie, have you had a look at the league table lately? Away record with Fulham? Away record with us? Tactical decisions agaist spurs? Such as taking Ngog and replacing him with Aurelio...No?

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  64. I along with many fans hoped old uncle Woy would get the England job so as not to pitch up at our beloved club! However when he got the job he got my full support. Judge me after 10 games he said! Well they have come and gone and he has done absolutely nothing to demonstrate to me that he is anything but a very average manager. For the sake of the club can we all stop attacking each other and work together to get a manager fit to take us forward.

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  65. TrextheRED,

    Since when has it been the Liverpool Way to give a new manager just 10 games?  Answer, it's has never been the Liverpool Way, so for the sake of the Liverpool Way, drop the 10 game bullshit and get behind LFC's manager. OK?

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  66. Without attempting to make Roy hodgson a central issue, Ur argument tha Ro y shold get more than the 24 matches he has been in charge while at the same time dismissing a youth player who has made only 13 appearances seems a bit contradictory.
    From your earlier articles, is it safe to assume you recommend managers being given more time while players shouldn't be given the same level of protection since you contend Pacheco has done nothing in 13 matches while the club is presently 7 points of the top 4 but 4 points of a relegation spot though technically there is still a match in hand till Monday.
    I would stand to be corrected but Pacheco has won a Golden Boot title at a youth tournament and been part of the Liverpool Reserve teams that have done well at their level would seem to suggest he has actually had much more recent success  than most of the present Liverpool senior team members bar the Spanish players who have won the last Euros and World Cup tournaments.
    Critical realism thoug would be if Pacheco has not done wonders for Liverpool, The new managers has also not delivered on what is expected of Liverpool management and one doesnt need 'a sample of Liverpool fans returning a 95% dissatisfaction with the current plight of the team' to realise that.
    These samples results are representative of up to 4000 fans so it does not feel right when one blogger dismisses such results as not amounting to much.
    Since club administrators no longer listen to people on the terraces, like minded fans can only have their opinions heard on the many blogging sites and if 4000 respond to such a poll, that gives it some measure of credibility.
    Jamie is it possible to have a simple like or dislike button on your articles to reflect how the many people who visit but do not submit an opinion feel about your articles
    I believe with the high visitor count on your site, it would reflect a larger cross section of Liverpool fans and therefore give a lot of credibility to any resultant ratings

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  67. <span>you dont make sense ridiculous argument he proved to be one of spains rising stars at the Euro U19 championships previous top performers in the tournament include Fernando Torres clubs in spain know this and would love to sign him up!have you seen his goal against everton in the reserve game sheer class! the kid has hardly started his professional career give the kid a chance i suppose you would prefer to get rid and get carlton cole in instead?</span>

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  68. Spot on Rehed17...The media love to write articles that revel in LFC's percieved fall from grace. ' Where has it all gone wrong?' they ask, gleefully dissecting every possible factor for our so called demise, in endless column inches of profit swelling dross.

    Who cares if its all lies? Ian Herbert from the Independent didnt...he half read a quote out of context, heard a snatch of a rumour on twitter, and bang...another nice fat cheque in the bank for ten minutes work. I don't know if journalists like that get paid a set wage, or per article (would be great if someone could tell me...and if per piece what the going rates might be!) but if he had any credibilty the fee for the article would be donated to the HFSG.

    What happened to the tennants of good journalism, research, critical examination of established facts leading to fair and balanced reporting? It's evident that if you are writing about the flavour of the day, those elements can be conviently omitted! I urge every reader of this website to cast their eye over this Independent 'article' just to see with their own eyes just how pernicious and dangerous the modern media can be. The irony is, there are probably at least fifteen (if not more) regular contributers to this site whose insights and writing would blow this so called piece of professional journalism away.

    Rehed17 is quite right to highlight the potential problem of bloggers. Many of these sites are very positive, offering the averaga fan a chance to join in the debate, to encourage examination and discussion of the facts. But therin lies the problem, some of these blogs have no issue reporting salatious gossip as 'facts'. Scarily enough, a number of bloggers are quite happy to regurgitate the sort tat produced by Mr Herbert and some of his equally less scrupilous collegues....after all it must be right...its in a repected broadsheet!

    The sheer volume of LFC stories that face the average Liverpool fan is incredible. Understandably some may start to lose their ability to critically process this information. I will confess that in the past, I was quick to make judgements on supposed quotes and facts that were later disproved. Quite simply, the more a lie is reproduced, the greater the chance it will be believed.

    The reality is people are so keen to bash RH, they simply are not prepared to be balanced in their analysis of information and their subsequent judgments.  Yes he has made mistakes, but the as a some of the posters ( eg John, RedScoop) below have said, you don't call for someone to be sacked after a handfull of games, especially when there is evident progression. To those who query that, I would offer our excellent run prior the Spurs game, and indeed our significantly improved away performance in that match, as evidence. Both those contributers are both quite right to refer to the history and traditions of the club. Historically supporters of LFC are patient and considered..attributes that unfortunately some seem to have been forgotten.

    The media would love you to believe that RH is struggling with his relationship with key members of the junior team. Another nail in the coffin for Roy, and by definition LFC as well. In actual fact, he has been very positive when it comes to utilising some of our talented youth..Shelvey, Spearing, Wilson, Kelly and now Pacheco and Eccleston all have had chances. Its been good to see him at the reserve games as well. What was especially pleasing was when Roy, who is often derided as an overly cautious manager, [...]

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  69. Agreed John and Red Scoop.

    Whilst I agree that at times it may be appropriate to be constructively critical of a player or manager, calling for a player to be shipped off or a manager to be sacked is something that LFC fans have traditionally not done, and IMO rightly so.

    (Obviously if there was a rogue player who was continually denigrating LFC with their statements and behaviour..fair enough..but realistically how often does that occur)

    You are both quite right to refer to the history and traditions of the club. As I mentioned in my post above, supporters of LFC are reknown for their patient and considered approach....attributes that unfortunately some seem to have been forgotten.  
     

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  70. Definitely agreed with your sentiments John and Red Scoop.  
     
    Whilst I think that at times it may be appropriate to be constructively critical of a player or manager, calling for a player to be shipped off or a manager to be sacked is something that LFC fans have traditionally not done, and IMO rightly so.  
     
    (Obviously if there was a rogue player who was continually denigrating LFC with their statements and behaviour..fair enough..but realistically how often does that occur)  
     
    You are both quite right to refer to the history and traditions of the club. As I mentioned in my post above, supporters of LFC are reknown for their patient and considered approach....attributes that unfortunately some seem to have been forgotten.  

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  71. Definitely agreed with your sentiments John and Red Scoop.    
       
    Whilst I think that at times it may be appropriate to be constructively critical of a player or manager, calling for a player to be shipped off or a manager to be sacked is something that LFC fans have traditionally not done, and IMO rightly so.    
       
    (Obviously if there was a rogue player who was continually denigrating LFC with their statements and behaviour..fair enough..but realistically how often does that occur)    
       
    You are both quite right to refer to the history and traditions of the club. As I mentioned in my post above, supporters of LFC are renown for their patient and considered approach....attributes that unfortunately some seem to have been forgotten. 

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  72. Spot on Rehed17!The media love to write articles that revel in LFC's percieved fall from grace. ' Where has it all gone wrong?' they ask, gleefully dissecting every possible factor for our so called demise, in endless column inches of profit swelling dross.  
     
    Who cares if its all lies? Ian Herbert from the Independent didnt...he half read a quote out of context, heard a snatch of a rumour on twitter, and bang...another nice fat cheque in the bank for ten minutes work. I don't know if journalists like that get paid a set wage, or per article (would be great if someone could tell me...and if per piece what the going rates might be!) but if he had any credibilty the fee for the article would be donated to the HFSG.  
     
    What happened to the tennants of good journalism, research, critical examination of established facts leading to fair and balanced reporting? It's evident that if you are writing about the flavour of the month (in this case, LFC supposedly going doen the pan!), those elements can be conviently omitted! I urge every reader of this website to cast their eye over this Independent 'article' just to see with their own eyes just how pernicious and dangerous the modern media can be. The irony is, there are probably at least fifteen (if not more) regular contributers to this site whose insights and writing would blow this so called piece of professional journalism away.  
     
    Rehed17 is quite right to highlight the potential problem of bloggers. Many of these sites are very positive, offering the average fan a chance to join in the debate, to encourage examination and discussion of the facts. But therin lies the problem, some of these blogs have no issue reporting salatious gossip as 'facts'. Scarily enough, a number of bloggers are quite happy to regurgitate the sort tat produced by Mr Herbert and some of his equally less scrupilous collegues....after all it must be right...it's in a repected broadsheet!  
     
    The sheer volume of daily updated LFC stories that face the average Liverpool fan is incredible. Understandably some may start to lose their ability to critically process this information. I will confess that in the past, I was quick to make judgements on supposed quotes and facts that were later disproved. Quite simply, the more a lie is reproduced, the greater the chance it will be believed.  
     
    The reality is people are so keen to bash RH, they simply are not prepared to be balanced in their analysis of information and their subsequent judgments.  Yes he has made mistakes, but the as a some of the posters ( eg John, RedScoop) below have said, you don't call for someone to be sacked after a handfull of games, especially when there is evident progression. To those who query that, I would offer our excellent run prior the Spurs game, and indeed our significantly improved away performance in that match, as evidence. Both John and RedScoop are right to refer to the history and traditions of the club. Historically supporters of LFC are patient and considered..attributes that unfortunately some supporters seem to have forgotten.  
     
    The media would love you to believe that RH is struggling with his relationship with key members of the junior team. Another nail in the coffin for Roy, and by definition LFC as well. In actual fact, he has been very positive when it comes to utilising some of our talented youth..Shelvey, Spearing, Wilson, Kelly and now Pacheco and Eccleston all have had chances. Its [...]

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  73. jaimie kanwar invented tramps

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  74. I'm not going to argue that Roy is the perfect manager to get us back to where we need to be, but there is no way 95% of the fans want him good. I'm from the US, and even George W Bush had approval ratings in the low 20's before he left office. And Roy Hodgson is no George W Bush.

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  75. On a slightly different note, I thought I'd offer my two pennies worth on a topic that seems to pervade all threads. It seems most issues pertaining to LFC at the moment involve Roy Hodgson..I guess thats obvious...he is the manager after all! What is interesting is the vehmance that his position has brought out in some fans. Whilst quite a few posters on this site (myself included) advocate patience and support for RH, a fair proportion of LFC fans I have encountered are adamant that he should be sacked immediately. Now, I'm a firm believer that everyone has a right to their opinions, just as I have a subsequent right to value those opinons accordingly. (Trust me, after his/her ritalin deprived moment of genius, the 'contributer' mentioning tramps in the post above does not rank very highly!) 

    However I am curious as to just how pragmatic those 'sack Roy' points of view are.
    Some salient issues for those who are in favour of Roys dismissal to consider could be:

    *  If we sacked Roy, our potential shortlist of candidates would be severely restricted to those ex managers currently not with a club. (Unless we were prepared to go down the road of tapping up allegations and subsequent heavy compensatory pay outs.) Seeing as Roy Hodgson seems to be an interim solution a better solution for NESV would be to take the time to find a manager who fits into their long term rebuilding plans. In the meantime, as long as RH is manager of the club with the unequivocal backing of the owners and players, it makes sense to support and encourage him, and by definition the club, to succeed.

    *  John Henry's exonerative comments aside, surely RH's position has been secured by his recent improvments. After all it would be difficult to justify sacking a manager who prior to the last game boasted the second best EPL record over the last six games. 

    *  RH has frequently been derided for what some fans percieve as poor management decisons leading to disappointing LFC playing performances. Whilst I myself will admit to frustration at some of the earlier displays this season, the disciplined performance
    against Spurs shows things are undoubtedly getting better. Again, its difficult to talk about sacking a manager who is addressing the critisisms levelled at him. Yes, I'm aware we lost the game, but had Nando or Maxi (not blaming those players..merely wanted to illustrate that we created good chances) converted before or just after half time we would have had a comfortable two goal lead.

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  76. On a slightly different note, I thought I'd offer my two pennies worth on a topic that seems to pervade all threads. It seems most issues pertaining to LFC at the moment involve Roy Hodgson..I guess thats obvious...he is the manager after all! What is interesting is the vehmance that his position has brought out in some fans. Whilst quite a few posters on this site (myself included) advocate patience and support for RH, a fair proportion of LFC fans I have encountered are adamant that he should be sacked immediately. Now, I'm a firm believer that everyone has a right to their opinions, just as I have a subsequent right to value those opinons accordingly. (Trust me, after his/her ritalin deprived moment of genius, the 'contributer' mentioning tramps in the post above does not rank very highly!)   
     
    However I am curious as to just how pragmatic those 'sack Roy' points of view are.  
    Some salient issues for those who are in favour of Roys dismissal to consider could be:  
     
    *  If we sacked Roy, our potential shortlist of candidates would be severely restricted to those ex managers currently not with a club. (Unless we were prepared to go down the road of tapping up allegations and subsequent heavy compensatory pay outs.) Seeing as Roy Hodgson seems to be an interim appointment a better solution for NESV would be to take the time to find a manager who fits into their long term rebuilding plans. In the meantime, as long as RH is manager of the club with the unequivocal backing of the owners and players, it makes sense to encourage him, and by definition the club, to succeed.  
     
    *  John Henry's exonerative comments aside, surely RH's position has been secured by his recent improvments. After all it would be difficult to justify sacking a manager who prior to the last game boasted the second best EPL record over the last six games.   
     
    *  RH has frequently been derided for what some fans percieve as poor management decisons leading to disappointing LFC playing performances. Whilst I myself will admit to frustration at some of the earlier displays this season, the disciplined performance  
    against Spurs shows things are undoubtedly getting better. Again, its difficult to talk about sacking a manager who is addressing the critisisms levelled at him. Yes, I'm aware we lost the game, but had Nando or Maxi (not blaming those players..merely wanted to illustrate that we created good chances) converted before or just after half time we would have had a comfortable two goal lead.

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  77. sumon,

    Regarding your parting words, "supporters of LFC are renown for their patient and considered approach....attributes that unfortunately some seem to have been forgotten. "

    Having deployed Occam's Razor on the above conundrum, I have concluded that those who have "forgotten" are no longer "supporters of LFC".  Simples :)

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  78. Wise words Sumon, you're probabily nearer my age than those teanage "we want it NOW!" boys that appear spouting anti-Hodgson musings.  Age instills wisdom, Rome was not built in a day, and I doubt if Shankly got 10 games or'oot.

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  79. Cheers John, Thanks for the support!  I love that quote..age instills wisdom! I will mention that to some of my whippersnapper mates that were calling me old man and teasing me abt my dodgy knees the other day! 

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  80. That being the truth, it will be harder to sell.

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  81. 90%+ want him gone in several different Polls, with some showing that only 4-5% are willing to give him to the end of the season. Quite honestly the fact that you don't give any significance to anything above 15% of fans wanting him gone is just plain hilarious!!!!!!!!

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  82. In fairness to Hodgson the performances have improved of recent and his representation of the club has also improved. However I believe that this is in no small part due to the pressures put upon him by Liverpool fans. When Roy first came to the club he tried to manage the pressure by lower expectations to near zero. We weren't expected to beat Birmingham, Blackpool let alone Man U. 19 year old players got the blame for unacceptable lower league cup defeats. Star players were not defended in deference to rival managers. Players were publicly criticised and then had their international futures brought into question by their own club manager. Possibly worst of all our star players were touted to our biggest rivals as some sort of replacement for Wayne Rooney.

    The one thing that is synonymous with Liverpool FC and the city of Liverpool is pride. We can have bad periods, bad players, bad managers, but the club and the city is proud. That is the Spirit of Shankly in a nutshell. What Roy seemed to be doing is rapidly eroding that sense of pride and lowering us to a Fulhamesque level of glory. The tactics can improve, the players can improve, hell the stadium can improve, but the level of pride MUST stay at the top. That must not diminish. Maybe the one reason why Rafa earned and still has the support of many Liverpool fans, despite his well documented foibles, was because he is essentially a very proud man and we identify with that. No level of stats and figures can detach us from the sense of pride that goes arm in arm with supporting Liverpool. Almost overnight Roy set about destroying that with a plethora of ill-advised comments and substandard signings. Only a small club manager would act as though the signing of Joe Cole was the second coming.

    I think that it is a similar dynamic to the Hicks & Gillett debacle (supported by some not too far away from us). If you cannot do the work to make us feel proud of our club you will have to go. If you cannot understand the alignment with this club and a sense of pride you will have to go. Hicks & Gillett never understood that and Hodgson has shown signs of this already. On the flipside, men like Houllier and Benitez, despite the terrible football that they presented us at the ends of their reigns, will always be heroes to me.

    My other fear with Hodgson was his amateuristic forays into the transfer market (perhaps fuelled by his lack of pride for the club, rather than Benitez's ill-judgement). Buying the likes of Konchesky and Poulsen (two average players at the tail end of their usefulness) and then the protracted bids for Carlton Cole show a manager who doesn't really know where Liverpool want to be. Even with a lack of money we expect Liverpool managers to go for players with a future. However, now that this job of identifying players has been largely taken off his hands my trepidation of him as a manager has somewhat lessened. He will now be a coach, responsible for performances on the pitch. He won't be allowed to use his 'judgement' to bring in players that leave us as an upmarket Fulham. He may actually do well if his remit is to simply coach and get the best out of the players he has. As long as Comolli can source the brightest young talent across Europe and indeed the world then maybe Hodgson won't be that bad. I still don't believe that he has ever shown the tactical ability to be a winner at the top level, but neither does Avram Grant and he almost won the Champions League. A collection of good, young and hungry players who are well-drilled can be successful. If we take away the aspects of management that involve the acquisition of 'good', 'young' and 'hungry' players then maybe keeping Roy in a [...]

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  83. Ah those pesky mongoose...not content with being all over our TV screen advertising car insurance, now they're flogging books on Amazon, and posting on LFC websites! What has the world come too! :-P

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  84. Desy, A very well presented post point. I don't agree with all the points you raised, but I do agree that with Comolli having more control over aqcuisitions, RH can focus on coaching, which if we at look at recent performances, is a postive move.

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  85. Desy, A really well written and presented post whic I enjoyed reading. I don't agree with all the points you raised, but I do appreciate with Comolli having more control over aqcuisitions, RH can focus on coaching, which if we at look at recent performances, is a postive move.

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  86. Cheers for the response Edd. After todays comfortable performance, it seems that the faith shown in RH by NESV appears to be paying off. Still a long way to go, but we are definitely going in the right direction!

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  87. Desy, I agree with sumon in that it's a well written and well presented post, even if I don't agree with all of it.

    Pride comes before a fall.  I'm more comfortable with a smug grin on my face after the fact than have to battle shedenfreud after the fact.  I prefer quiet British understament than gung-ho American bravado.  It seems you prefer the latter, we can agree to disagree on which is the Spirit of Shankley.

    I think Hodgson has been honest and I think those that still think we are as powerful a team on the pitch as we were in the 70's & 80's are delutional.  Hodgson has instilled a sense of where we actually are in reality as opposed to the more gung-ho supporters whom highlight an idealized utopia as a reality that is [lets be honest here] not the current reality.

    With regards to transfer policy made & mooted, you highlight the errors made and I don't disagree much on current for, however, you should also highlight the positives.  Miereles has been a fantastic signing imv, yet he does not get a mention from you.  I think this lack of mention of the good and the highlighting of the bad does not do you justice - I think you could be better than that.

    The transitional nature of LFC means we cannot always sign the players the fans would like to see, sometimes we have to make do with what we can get.  Hodgson brough Koncho in because he knew him - you buy what you know.  Poulsen similarly, he's not the best, he's a squad player.  These players did not cost much, compared with the likes of Meireles.  Cole was thought to be a great signing by many fans, he's let those fans down thus far.  During Hodgsons' short reign, many young players have signed extensions to their contracts - this is another positive which you fail to mention (which is why I am rebalancing this with my own post on this matter).

    In short, he had a very shaky start but seems to be improving in leaps and bounds.  The club, I'm sure you agree, went through unprecidented times during his short reign, much of it out of his control. Out of a tepid frying pan (Fulham) and into a raging fire (LFC) is how I would describe it.  He's made mistakes, he's made good calls. 

    More balance required from the extremists on both sides of for for-Hodgson & against-Hogdson cams is required imnsho :-D

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  88. John, Totally agree, I think the last line of your post sums up the situation perfectly.... a balanced appraisal of the facts is what is needed!

    Whilst most would agree that Roy is certainly not beyond critiiscism, the reality is, under his management LFC's performances and form have improved. Thats an undisputable fact.

    Unfortunately the poor performances and occasional press gaffes from earlier in the season did cast doubts in the minds of many fans. Those concerns from supporters were understandable, especially after last years disappointment, and in the midst of the ongoing ownership turmoil.

    However there is a difference between worrying about your clubs performances, and calling for the managers head. Whilst every supporter has the right to make their own decisions, I would urge the fans who are still actively campaigning for RH's dismissal to look at the context of his appointment and the active improvement he has has demonstrated. I would defy any manager not to find it difficult to motivate a dissenchanted squad, filled with doubts over LFC's long term future ownership and investment. As John mentioned, Roy has made some good decisions, and some not so good. But the the crux of the matter is...things are getting better...and quickly! 

    The manager was always going to face an uphill battle getting some of the fans back on his side after the disasterous start. And the press gaffes certainly didn't help. No matter how well meaning his critiscism of GJ was, it shouldn't have been aired publically. Concerns like this should always be highlighted on the training ground not in the public domain. You can get away with mistakes like that at Fulham. Liverpool FC is another matter entirely, especially when you are talking about the countries first choice RB! To borrow John's excellent analogy, out of the tepid frying pan and into a raging fire!
    It's obviously been a steep learning curve for Roy. Balancing the pressures of managing one the world's most famous football clubs has to one of the most exciting but challenging jobs around. Media and ownership troubles aside, it took him a while to work out how he wanted the team to play. And yes, initially there were problems, Torres isolated, lack of width etc. However the last few games have started to show RH's personal stamp on the team. Personally I'm glad to see him experiment with two up top, against many teams that can be really effective, as we saw yesterday with devastating effect. Sure there are still problems that need to be addressed. Against Villa, our ball retention was poor at times, and we definitely lost tempo in the 2nd half. Perhaps we missed an opportunity for a morale boosting goal fest and more importantly a chance to improve our disappointing GD. That said, the ease with which we dispatched a team that finished above us last season, without three of our key players, is definitely something to smile about !

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  89. "<span>The victory lifts Liverpool up to 8th in the Premier League table, ten points off top spot, but three points closer to the top than this stage of last season."</span>
    <span>http://www.thisisanfield.com/2010/12/kuyt-impressed-with-makeshift-liverpool-fc-strikeforce/</span>
    <span></span>
    <span></span>
    <span>Squeeze me.  3 points better than under Rafa - lol, eat that anti-Hodgson numpties! :-D </span>

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  90. :-D :-D :-D  Lots of smiles from me Sumon :-D :-D :-D

    I'm a happy Red Man and really looking forward to our December fixtures.

    I'm now going to quote a guy Jaimie described recently as "More veiled threats, divisive disloyalty + naked self-interest from PEPE REINA"(you need to retract that fella or you'll be forever a "The Sun"/"Alex Beam" imv)  Our current captain, Pepé, sgot it right when he said [1], <span>"After those next four games [<span>Newcastle, Fulham, Blackpool, Wolves</span>], we can start talking about where the team is going to aim.".</span>
    <span></span>
    <span>I'm looking forward to all of those.  Newcastle's owner has just gone loony-Toons and sacked their manager so hopefully their team will be at sixes and sevens; Fulham we should have some inside knowledge of <chuckle>; Blackpool will be one hell of a grudge match after what they did to us on our home soil - REVENGE WILL BE REQUIRED; Wolves, well, they're Wolves, chuckle.</chuckle></span>
    <span></span>
    <span>12/12 does not look impossible and would propell us up the table something rotten! :-D </span>
    <span></span>
    <span>We'll have Gerard and Torres back, Duracell will hopefully get a recharge (he seemed AWOL yesterday compared to his usual high standards), and our other players will be improving with each passing game - FANTASTIC!!</span>
    <span></span>
    <span>The Futures bright, the future's RED.</span>
    <span></span>
    <span>As Pepé said in that interview, "<span>We are 10 points adrift of the leaders (Arsenal) but it is just some space".  The team needs to focus on each game, each half, each pass.  If they do, the points deficit will look after itself.</span></span>
    <span><span></span></span>
    <span><span>This time next year Rodders, we're going to be .......... CHAMPIONS!!  :-D </span></span>


    [1] - http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6560594,00.html

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  91. John agreed...I honestly don't know how anyone could justify sacking Roy now.

    Pepe has it spot on..lets focus on the small things and we will start to climb up the table. To be fair he's correct...its already happening! Admittedly, I was critical with PR regarding an interview he did prior to the Spurs game. It wasn't with what he said because I don't believe that he would seek to be intentially devisive, but more the timing. However, on reflection I feel his comments were bourne out of frustration and a desperate desire for LFC to succeed. The guy is a proven winner and consumate professional who along with SG and JC is a natural leader on the pitch.

    Glad that you have pointed out the next four fixtures. Although I feel for Newcastle fans and Chris Hughton who has done a tremendous job at Newcastle, Ashley has actually done us a great favour..what better time to make the trip up to St James.

    That was the one game that concerned me, as you say, looking at the other three games 12 out of 12 definitely looks feasible. If I was RH I'd be wanting a minimum 9/10 points out of those four games. Tottenham have got a tough game against an under pressure Chelsea on Sunday after a demanding away game in the CL. they have struggled after midweek excursions, and Chelsea are pretty desperate for points to keep up their title defence. Potentially this weekend could represent a great chance to start to put some real pressure on Spurs. With Man City, despite their wealth of talent, I feel their lack of team spirit (check the recent pics of the Balotelli vs Boetang fight for evidence) will be their undoing. I know its dangerous to pontificate too much, but I simply cannot wait for 5:30 on Saturday, and thats a great feeling to have! I hope other LFC fans are feeling as optimistic and excited as we are!  

    Your optimism is contagious... I hope other Reds who have read your post feel suitably optimstic because the futures bright..the futures red!

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  92. John I totally agree. I honestly don't know how anyone could justify sacking Roy now.  
     
    Pepe has it spot on..lets focus on the small things and we will start to climb up the table. To be fair he's correct...its already happening! Admittedly, I was critical with PR regarding an interview he did prior to the Spurs game. It wasn't with what he said because I don't believe that he would seek to be intentially devisive, but more the timing. However, on reflection I feel his comments were bourne out of frustration and a desperate desire for LFC to succeed. The guy is a proven winner and consumate professional who along with SG and JC is a natural leader on the pitch.  
     
    Glad that you have pointed out the next four fixtures. Although I feel for Newcastle fans and Chris Hughton who has done a tremendous job at Newcastle, Ashley has actually done us a great favour..what better time to make the trip up to St James.  
     
    That was the one game that concerned me, as you say, looking at the other three games 12 out of 12 definitely looks feasible. If I was RH I'd be wanting a minimum 9/10 points out of those four games. Tottenham have got a tough game against an under pressure Chelsea on Sunday after a demanding away game in the CL. As we know, they have struggled after midweek excursions, and Chelsea are pretty desperate for points to keep up their title defence. Potentially this weekend could represent a great chance to start to put some real pressure on Spurs. Looking at Man City, despite their wealth of talent, I feel their lack of team spirit (check the recent pics of the Balotelli vs Boetang fight for evidence) will be their undoing. I know its dangerous to excessively pontificate , but I simply cannot wait for 5:30 on Saturday, and thats a great feeling to have! I hope other LFC fans are feeling as optimistic and excited as we are!    
     

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  93. soumon,

    I am still riled at that article Jammie wrote. Selective quotes of that interview were used to liable Pepé imv, completely missing out parts of the interview which did not fit the articles agenda (such as Pepé saying we should get 100% behind Hodgson).  That article was not fair nor balances, and it shames it's writter imv.

    Comments such as those from senior players & management direction at others within the club serve as a kick up the arse. It seems to have worked with Johnson, indeed the rest of the team as well.

    I too feel for Newcastle fans, but as with Gerard H', I'll stop feeling for them for 90 odd minutes and schedenfreudenly hope they're at sixes and sevens :)

    Not wishing to wish my life away, I too am chomping at the bit for Saturday, 17.30 :)

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  94. From an interview with Guillem Balague from http://www.thisisanfield.com/2010/12/pacheco-delighted-with-new-deal-but-loan-is-an-option/:

    <span>

    Speaking to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, Pacheco said “I’m delighted to have signed a new deal. I’m being sincere when I say that I see my future here, I’d like it to be so.”

    Clearly though, his lack of involvement in the first team is a frustration for the player “In order to get some playing time, and if it suits the club, the best thing would be for me to go out on loan.”

    “I had talks with Damien Comolli when signing a new contract and he told me that young players like myself and Martin Kelly are central to his vision for the club.”

    “I’m training well and Roy Hodgson is happy with me; he’s seen what I can do in the Europa League. However, we will have to see how things stand in January and if the club are in agreement, then a loan move might be best for everyone.”

    </span>
    <span><span>Is it me or does it seem like Comolli had more to do with Pacheco staying than anyone else?Also, the fact that Guillem first broke the story that Pacheco wanted to leave and now gets an exclusive interview once he's signed the contract, may show that he may have been right but a chat with Comolli has convinced Pacheco that his long-term future lies at Liverpool. Maybe by implication, more long term than Roy's.
    </span></span>

    <span><span></span></span>
    <span><span>In any case this just shows why I'm more confident about Liverpool's future with Comolli in place. Essentially the big decisions will be steered by Comolli and not Roy. Roy will be a glorified coach and will not be able to flood Liverpool with substandard Scandinavian players mediocre England rejects like Carlton Cole.</span></span>

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  95. I see what you're saying John and Sumon, but I think there's a very thick line between saying that we're going to win the league because we turned over the Villa and saying that we had our best performance of the season after losing 2-0 to our local rivals. Or saying that our biggest rivals could well come and snap up our star striker. Or fumbling around and calling the supporters marching to save our club's dignity 'a disturbance'. Or saying that we don't expect to come to Birmingham and get a result. Or saying Blackpool were expected to turn us over at home. There's a big difference between bravado and pride. I'm not asking for bravado. None of us are. We've had 4 years of empty promises already. 

    An example of this is the Tottenham result. Before the game Hodgson played us down to a point that I believe the team did not expect to get a result. So instead of going into the last few minutes defending a point, we went into the last few minutes holding onto a point we didn't believe we were worthy of before the match. At that point players are psychologically out of their comfort zone and that's when panic sets in. When a side believes that they areworthy of a result they tend to stay calm and concentrate on not making a mistake. It's the reason why so many lesser sides can defend resolutely against Man U for 89mins and flunk to a miskick or a rash foul in the box.

    So much of a football match is played in the mind. Without proud Liverpool fans sing YNWA at halftime in Istanbul, without that proud history for the players to refer to, we would have spent the second half trying to keep the score down. My belief, based on Roy's comments and demeanour as Liverpool manager over the last few months suggest to me that he would have looked at Kaka, Crespo, Inzaghi and Cafu, and then looked at Smicer, Biscan, Traore and Baros and said to himself "right, let's keep the score down lads, this might get embarrassing".

    That's the difference, not a set of almost indistinguishable mediocre statistics and perceived internal politics.

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  96. To answer re: Hodgson's signings, let us not forget that he originally played Meireles on the right and in the hole stating that he wasn't sure of his best position. Me thinks that signing was based on scouting department records.

    Then we look at Poulsen. £4.5M for a 30 year old who was pilloried by his own fans at Juve. A midfielder that couldn't get into the side due to the prescence of a player who we actually sold off because he couldn't get into our side two years ago. I also hear that rising star French midfielder, Blaise Matuidi (23 years old) may be available at £7M http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/transfer-gossip/blaise-matuidi-could-follow-damien-comolli-to-anfield. Kind of puts the Poulsen deal into perspective no? Actually let's remember that we sent Aquilani the other way and by all accounts he's been a revelation so far this season.

    Then you look at Konchesky. A defender who is on the downside of what is a somwhat undistinguished career. However as a stopgap I suppose it's acceptable. However he shouldn't be seen as a long term option.

    With Joe Cole, should have been a decent signing. However a more indepth, professional look at Joe Cole would have found that he is injury prone, rarely trusted to carry a top team, and lacks confidence. As such jettisoning Aquilani for him (apparently Aquilani was too good to be on the bench???) seems like another shortsighted move in the transfer market.

    In short, my problem with Benitez was a bunch of 3rd class signings insteading of focusing on better, younger players. I admit he, like Benitez, was somewhat hamstrung in the market so I'm not going to destroy him for it. But the news that he was that close to splashing £12M on Carlton Cole surely must fill you with some trepidation?

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  97. myself and my boy met pacheco the other day and he said he just wants to play for liverpool but is going on loan until we have a new manager,honest truth what the lad said.

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