Prior to victory over Man City the other night, Liverpool had been in a poor run of form, slumping to seventh place in the league after managing only one win in six Premier League games. After such a huge financial outlay on underperforming players, it was inevitable that questions would start to be asked about Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish's position, but Anfield legend Steve Nicol believes that winning the Carling Cup will secure Dalglish's job for another season.
I've already argued several times in various articles that calling for Dalglish's head at this stage is totally ridiculous. However, there are fans out there who've been doing exactly that, and whilst there is (probably) no possibility of Liverpool making a mid-season change (again!), it's interesting to note that ex-players such as Nicol have raised the issue unprompted.
Summarising the City game for ESPN, Nicol made direct (unprompted) reference to Kenny's position, which seems to suggest he privately - or subconsciously - feels that Kenny's job may actually be under threat. He said:
"I think they're going to struggle for that 4th spot, but winning the Carling Cup will be enough for Kenny; I think it's absolutely enough to save Kenny's position".
Why would Nicol make any reference at all to 'saving' Kenny's job if he believed it wasn't under threat? He added:
"The smile on John Henry's face at the final whistle told you everything you need to know. And if they do lose by any chance [against Cardiff], and they won't, I still think he'll be fine as well".
What happens if Liverpool don't win the Carling Cup, and don't finish 4th?
It's great to be in the final but it's dangerous to lose sight of the fact that there is still a huge amount of work to be done in the league. Some people are acting as though the Carling Cup is a world-renowned cup competition with major international prestige, and that getting to the final means Liverpool are the most amazing team on the planet.
The reality is very different, and whilst I hope Liverpool beat Cardiff and add more silverware to the trophy cabinet, I would pass on the cup win if it meant Liverpool secured a 4th place finish.
Who knows, perhaps the club can achieve both...?
Jaimie Kanwar
I've already argued several times in various articles that calling for Dalglish's head at this stage is totally ridiculous. However, there are fans out there who've been doing exactly that, and whilst there is (probably) no possibility of Liverpool making a mid-season change (again!), it's interesting to note that ex-players such as Nicol have raised the issue unprompted.
Summarising the City game for ESPN, Nicol made direct (unprompted) reference to Kenny's position, which seems to suggest he privately - or subconsciously - feels that Kenny's job may actually be under threat. He said:
"I think they're going to struggle for that 4th spot, but winning the Carling Cup will be enough for Kenny; I think it's absolutely enough to save Kenny's position".
Why would Nicol make any reference at all to 'saving' Kenny's job if he believed it wasn't under threat? He added:
"The smile on John Henry's face at the final whistle told you everything you need to know. And if they do lose by any chance [against Cardiff], and they won't, I still think he'll be fine as well".
What happens if Liverpool don't win the Carling Cup, and don't finish 4th?
It's great to be in the final but it's dangerous to lose sight of the fact that there is still a huge amount of work to be done in the league. Some people are acting as though the Carling Cup is a world-renowned cup competition with major international prestige, and that getting to the final means Liverpool are the most amazing team on the planet.
The reality is very different, and whilst I hope Liverpool beat Cardiff and add more silverware to the trophy cabinet, I would pass on the cup win if it meant Liverpool secured a 4th place finish.
Who knows, perhaps the club can achieve both...?
Jaimie Kanwar
jamie, you have such a wonderful mind somethimes but at others you chat some tripe!! kenny needed to save his job, you sound as bad a the press. YNWA
ReplyDeleteIn terms of gaining back our prestige, financial competitiveness and becoming again what LFC should be, winning Carling Cup would be nothing. These's so much work that needs to be done in the league.
ReplyDeleteWith respect, perhaps you should read the article properly. Does Nicol not say that winning the Carling Cup could 'save Kenny's position'. What do you think that means, exactly? I didn't say, he did. I'm just reporting it.
ReplyDeleteI think the Carling Cup this season would be just about enough (and/or the FA cup), should Liverpool fail to achieve Champions League football, but not missing out on both (don't believe that Cardiff will be a walkover, look at what happened to Arsenal last year).
ReplyDeleteI doubt it will be the end of Kenny even if no cup or CL is achieved but after all the money spent I think it will be a massive blow for the owners and may lead to them looking at possible changes.
I have just registered on newsnow simply to make your sensationalist, attention-whore of a blog disappear from my feed. Thank God for personalised media.
ReplyDeleteI fin it really unfair that certain fans where calling for Kennys head to be honest and don't really regard them as supporters. I wonder if they have ever even kicked a ball in anger. I honestly believe our second half to the season will be better and the Bolton result was a catalyst. I think if we beat the mancs and get a nice easy draw in the FA Cup, and then back to back wins in the league, then things will look a lot rosier. I think it would be very very silly of we didn't sign another striker at least in this window, but that's just my humble opinion and it also depends what's out there. The prices rise and top players don't wanna move usually, and if Kenny splashes out silly money then players are put under extra pressure-which is a shame. So he's damned if he does, an damned if he doesn't-unless he can find a bargain or a bit of a wild card.
ReplyDeleteTo give Dalglish the benefit of the doubt we the next few games are pivotal.Beat Man utd, and then Wolves away with Suarez back and suddenly a league cup final,a FA cup run and an outside chance for 4th place looks healthier than,just a league cup final if we happen to lose to Man Utd then slip up away from home to wolves,in other words our whole season will then revolve around a league cup final which will be nothing short of pitiful.
ReplyDeleteand you flippen LOVE it. Admit it.
ReplyDeleteKennys job is NOT at risk. If you think it is youre deluded.
ReplyDeleteJust like Steve Nicol
ReplyDeleteyou have no way of proving that, sir.
ReplyDeletehow can u guys even think about that? kenny has done some marvellous job since coming. no matter what he will be here next season and and be be here until he wants. if kenny didnt come last season we would probably be in the second half of the table right now. everything was upside down when he came and only him, a true liverpool fan could have saved us. if you thought we would have won the league this season or easily be in the top 4, then you are stupid shortminded guy. ALL HAIL TO KING KENNY!
ReplyDeletebtw, you are the first one on the net writing such stupid stuff on the net. havnt read anything as poor as this since a long long time..
ReplyDeleteDon't be stupid.
ReplyDeleteJevon - where in the article did I say that Kenny's job is at risk? I specifically stated that it's ridiculous to call for his head. Nicol implied his job was at risk, not me.
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable! What is it with people and their pathological inability to comprehend the simplest concepts?! I will break it down for you:
ReplyDelete* Steve Nicol implied that Dalglish's job is under threat.
* I did not.
* No one else on this thread has suggested his job is under threat.
PS. I deleted your last comment; if you can't give your views without resorting to childish insults you'll be banned.
Nicol = Quality player for LFC but his managerial ability stretches as far as a MLS team!! All these Bloody so called EX pro's can say what they want and they all want their two penny's worth at the moment!! Doesn't Mean they have a clue what they are on about!!
ReplyDeleteKK is under no pressure whatsoever, Gerrard said as much before the Man City game, Dalglish will last his 3 year contract and his appointment was to progress gradually, year on year.
The miracles he worked end of last season under the shit Hodgson and Benitez left are still remembered by the less fickle fans who expect too much too soon. Can't be arsed debating the new signings over and over but have got too say I haven't seen any mention of Downing's performance wednesday night, gave Micah Richards and Zabaletta torrid time, quality crosses but those who want to persecute the new signings never praise them when it's due!!!
Maybe JK can put a negative spin on KK close to tears after Man City game to the fact he was under so much pressure he knew this would save him!!! Bollocks, he loves LFC to the core and was happy for HIS team and US fans for the chance to visit Wembley and WIN something!!!!
Managers and Players will be judged on what they win and not whether they finish 4th in a league!!!
Liverpool is AN ALWAYS HAS BEEN anbout winning trohies! we should never be aiming for just 4th place! If we stay with the mantra that we only exist to win trophies and not just aim for the champions league the really big pots should be just around the corner!
ReplyDeleteCarling Cup gets the club back into Europe. If nothing else, it means we can finally give some of our youngster a lot more experience. Surely, we are there already, because Cardiff cannot represent England in Europe? That was the case when they got to the FA Cup Final.
ReplyDeleteKenny should be under pressure, to be honest. Too much money was wasted on those players for him not to be.
On a different note, I am disappointed that, despite all the calls for calm from Gerrard and, even, Ferguson, amongst others, Suarez has remained silent, up to this point, and so has Dalglish. Seems it is more important to clear the name of one than it is to try to maintain the reputation and safety of many. And they say that no one is bigger than the club.
Ticked liked by mistake. Don't like in fact utter crap
ReplyDeleteTo win the really big pots you have to finish in the top 4.
ReplyDeleteJaimie, I read the article and saw that you were quoting Stevie Nicol and that YOU didn't say Kenny's job was at threat. There, someone who 'gets' the post.
ReplyDeleteNow, to make my point; with the exception of a few bad performances (Tottenham, Stoke & Bolton) the team have been playing football which is light years better than last season. Sure, there have been some under par performances by some of the new recruits but the other half of the 8 first signings have done ok, yes, Doni hasn't played but (by default) he hasn't underperformed. Bellamy, Suarez & Enrique have been revelations for us this season.
If we win the Carling Cup, we will have won it 8 times, the FA Cup is still a realistic possibility and 4th place can also be achieved. If this is us at the end of the season then it'll be a good haul, considering that just over a year ago, the entire club was circling the drain.
Nicol talks a load of bollacks
ReplyDeleteAs long as Downing plays on the left, not right, than he'll do for now.
ReplyDelete