Hodgson - No knee jerk reaction

[red g]

Well for starters not got rid of Rafa. But seeing as tho an awful lots of LFC fans wanted him gone thats, what happened. As for a replacement, Daglish for me, he would of had the support from every LFC fan and would have given more passion and leadership than what Hodgeson is doing now. I can see us losing or drawing on Saturday if so we are into a whole world of **** and we might find that last season was a major success compered to this one. If Hodgeson does not sort himself out and soon we will find ourselves in a relegation battle,and if you think a club of our size would never be in the posistion,just ask Leeds and Newcastle if this can happen.

are you comparing our club to the size of newcastle and leeds???????????

[malg]

we are underdogs against probably 5 other teams. and some of those matches we're going to win apparently...

we're a club destined to finish 10-5th with an outside chance of 4th. Roy is managing expectations towards that.

its disappointing and im alarmed at the start of the season and possible comments on a failed playing style but roy simply has to be given the whole season before he's really judged or anyone callls for his head.
we have to improve tho there is no doubt about that

Do you know what can happen at the end of this season if we give him the whole season to work it out???? Well for starters we would see any world class player go and then we will truly be a new Fulham. A whole season is not a good idea unless things improve over the next 5 games he has to go, no question.

[Kenneth]

Do you know what can happen at the end of this season if we give him the whole season to work it out???? Well for starters we would see any world class player go and then we will truly be a new Fulham. A whole season is not a good idea unless things improve over the next 5 games he has to go, no question.

The same was on the cards when Rafa was here. Changig managers now won't solve anything at all. A new man is not Fflint to get this team in the top four, and I don't think Raa would have personally. We need new owners, a rebuild of much of the squad and a top manager, but there is no point changing managers and not backing them.

[red g]

The same was on the cards when Rafa was here. Changig managers now won't solve anything at all. A new man is not Fflint to get this team in the top four, and I don't think Raa would have personally. We need new owners, a rebuild of much of the squad and a top manager, but there is no point changing managers and not backing them.

Actually if we could get a top manager in, I would hope for a top 4 finish with our current squad. But then no top manager is going to be interested in coming to Liverpool at present anyway.

[Fredo]

The same was on the cards when Rafa was here. Changig managers now won't solve anything at all. A new man is not Fflint to get this team in the top four, and I don't think Raa would have personally. We need new owners, a rebuild of much of the squad and a top manager, but there is no point changing managers and not backing them.

Changing managers in the summer doesn't seem to have been the best decision neither.

[Kenneth]

Changing managers in the summer doesn't seem to have been the best decision neither.

Well that wasn't for football reasons.

[Fredo]

Well that wasn't for football reasons.

The board's circumspection was vociferously loud on that one.

[Shaggy]

Tony Barrett in today's Times

What Roy Hodgson must do next to stave off crisis at Anfield
Adopt a more adventurous tactical approach

No shots on target throughout Wednesday’s abject second-half performance against Northampton Town, a team ranked 69 League places below them, is as damning a statistic as is possible for a club of Liverpool’s grandeur and expectations.

It was not a one-off, either, as in both their previous Barclays Premier League matches, against Manchester United and Birmingham City, Liverpool failed to create any chances of real note from open play. An obvious lack of strength in depth in attack is part of the problem, but Hodgson’s strategy of sitting deep and not pressing play is also contributing to their impotence.

With just four goals scored from their opening five league games — only Wigan Athletic and West Ham United have scored fewer, while Blackpool have struck twice as many — the need for greater urgency going forward is obvious.

Make more positive public pronouncements

Before Liverpool played Manchester City, Hodgson said that he hoped to avoid a 6-0 defeat. It was a tongue-in-cheek, throwaway line after a number of Premier League matches had ended in that scoreline the previous weekend, but it also fitted in with a pattern in which he dampens expectations before and after games.

“My expectations were not that high anyway,” Hodgson said after a goalless draw away to Birmingham. Avoiding a heavy defeat was his aim before a pre-season friendly against Al Hilal, which was postponed because of heavy rain, while Northampton were billed as “formidable” opponents before the Carling Cup third-round tie.

Were Liverpool on a supreme run of form, such pronouncements would not be a problem, but when sixteenth in the Premier League they smack of negativity, particularly at a club whose managers traditionally have an unshakeable belief in their players, in public at least.

Solve the longstanding left-back problem

Different players, same old problem. When Courtney Herbert danced around Danny Wilson to set up Northampton’s second goal it evoked recent painful memories of Paul Konchesky being given a torrid time by Nani and Daniel Agger being taken to the cleaners by Adam Johnson.


The likelihood is that neither Agger nor Wilson is best suited to playing left back, while Konchesky is only in the early stages of his Liverpool career and deserves the chance to find his feet.

The latter needs a consistent run in the side, although the physical frailty of Fábio Aurélio, who was re-signed in the summer despite the longstanding injury concerns that prompted his initial release, makes it difficult for Hodgson to risk Konchesky in anything other than league games. But at least he now knows that his central defenders do not make ideal auxiliary left backs.

Stop showing faith in players who are not good enough

When Liverpool failed to bring in a centre forward in the most recent transfer window, Hodgson insisted it was not a serious problem because he could still call on Ryan Babel, who, according to the Liverpool manager, had “never been given a proper chance” to prove himself in that position.

Babel’s performance against Northampton proved why because he made no impact whatsoever against npower League Two opponents before being substituted to a chorus of boos.

“I failed personally,” Babel said on Twitter yesterday. It was a similar story in the Europa League play-off against Trabzonspor at Anfield, only for the cracks to be papered over when the Holland forward scored. Perseverance is no longer an option.

Give Fernando Torres the support he requires

On and off the pitch, the growing feeling is that Torres is lacking in the support he needs to reaffirm his reputation as one of the world’s most feared strikers. Hodgson had the chance to offer him verbal backing at the weekend when Sir Alex Ferguson accused the forward of cheating, only for the Liverpool manager to fail to offer a defence of his player.

It is a similar story on the pitch, where Torres cuts an increasingly isolated figure, deprived of the kind of backup that comes with a more adventurous attacking approach and which would allow him to play on the shoulder of the last defender, the position in which he thrives the most, more regularly. Torres has scored only once in six appearances for the club this season.

[Fredo]

This is a very interesting analysis by Lars Bohinen. Remember him? He played under Hodgson at Blackburn. I've translated his article from Norwegian, so excuse me if it's not that clear, but you get the gist of his analysis.

Link

The old grandeur struggling. A weak season was crowned with a defeat against Northampton in the League Cup. Northampton are at level four in England! Then RBKs blister against followers of a parenthesis to rain. Admittedly placed Liverpool with a weakened team, but outside the club who are beaten, not the players. And it burns most of the new manager Roy Hodgson. Not good in today's turbulent life in Liverpool football club to have already had to make concessions that Hodgson did today. He had taken the wrong team. With the uncertain ownership situation in Liverpool Hodgson should not make too many blemishes of this kind.

So what is wrong with the rødkledde?

First and foremost, they have not a good enough squad. The central line, to begin with it is too weak and does not correct head type, nor the right skills. Pepe Reina is class and more than good enough. Carragher and Skrtel is no leader types, either through their beet on the field or in the locker room. Gerard is the natural leader of the group and in midfield, but struggling to find the position in the team where he gets all his outstanding qualities. Torres is no leader and no central line player. So it lacks TYPES two joints, and there will be no medals off.

Secondly, the club has done a bad job on the transfer market. Partly because the uncertain ownership situation has not given Liverpool armslag when it comes to investment in new players but also because they have been acquired do not have the required class. Jovanović is not a good enough against an aggressive and get too much inward. Have hardly seen him hit a post so far. Poulsen is too stationary and stereotyped in their games, and it seems as if 80% of his passes going sideways or backwards on the track. Konchesky showed clear defensive weaknesses against United and was involved in two of the goals. Nani is not easy for anyone to hone in, but it seems that Liverpool are a little too much club for him. The uncertainty, he radiated both offensively and defensively tells me that it is not Liverpool Format him. Although Secure and playing Agger seems like a better option for me, also on backplassen. Mereiles is a good player who will need time to find his place, and the fact that the club is struggling on all fronts suggests that we need even more patience than you would normally need. The question is, what is his best position in the layer. Can he even a position where Gerard is placed centrally in midfield? For me he is a box to box player who should play the central midfield.

Many people disagree about what is the ideal combination in midfield and striker position. If Gerard play suspended striker behind Torres? Is Gerard best when he can get right rear facing? Is Gerard best when he has a terrier at his side in midfield, a la Mascherano, where he bekymrigsløst can imagine the great offensive moves? What kind of player needs Torres around him to flourish? What kind of edge gaming server Torres best? And how will Liverpool play total to bring out the best in Gerard and Torres?

First and foremost, you must both be in shape. It is not. It is probably partly due to wear and little training after the World Cup. They want to get in shape gradually, but too late for Liverpool in relation to the series start. The way they appear on is because Liverpool do not have a clearly an offensive game, as they have always had the habit to have. Not many teams have rejoiced a Liverpool when Liverpool have played the game traditionally for many decades has grown. Ballbesittende with good and quick movements in the longitudinal direction, speed kontring games when they have to, rest with the ball and play the opponent frustrated when they have to. The delicious balance between being gjennombruddshissig and to determine the rhythm of the match through superior ball possession.

What remains is only ball possession. No pace, no rhythm, no joy of playing. Under such circumstances can not succeed Gerard and Torres. Liverpool fumbling in the style. Pass on pass without baked appeal or meaning. A wealth of support passing that kills all the momentum and movement in the backroom. It is easy to see the body language of the two aforementioned gentlemen that they do not enjoy the moment. And I'm not sure that it gets better.

The reason for this is Roy Hodgson. I have had him as a coach and he is the best coach I ever had. He sees the situation, stop the game and reproduces the situation so that everybody gets the painting, and it is there that play a lot of learning. This is essentially the defensive structure, but also some offensive movement and interaction. But then there are two aspects of this, he makes it too much, so you do not get any rhythm in the game sequences and the whole is fragmented. It creates frustration among players. AND, he does it too often. Every single day with a lot of coaching gives no room for free games without coaching, and thus fail to attain well-being and creativity. Hodgson is very good at structuring a team defense-wise, but I suspect him of not possess a coherent offensive philosophy. There is no track of his time either in Fulham, Inter or Blackburn. Therefore, gerard and Torres continue to suffer.

I remember that I asked Hodgson after a workout we are not able to play some four to four with no coaching. Whereupon he replied: - "Now, what's the point in That. There's Nothing to learn! Even at this level is the free game, improvisation and creativity, the license to commit mistakes and still play on, a prerequisite for enjoyment and pleasure. This item, I think Hodgson strongly underestimate their eagerness structure and learning. How I know Liverpool's history, and thus expectations of games and results - in combination with Hodgson work, I think the faithful Liverpool Supporter have to wait long for something to enjoy. Hodgson is right man for this club. He is the right man for a club that will defend the results, a club that beats from below, for a club where expectations of creative games, to control the games, not very large. He is right, for Fulham.

So what of the future?

First, ownership situation is clarified. Then two important players in the central line, one in defense and a top. In addition, probably a back and a winger. At least as long as one does not dare bet on the qualities of Ryan Babel, which I think could work well as the right edge. This can only be done in January, and thus it may appear that yet another season Liverpool would only be an exercise in waiting and frustration, right from the start. Then the club get back to his roots and be true to them. That is, the choice of new manager is the alpha and omega. The club must now spend time to find themselves. And when the question is whether Torres and Gerard have time to wait ...

[Fredo]

Mwelwa Manda
RT @karlsentk: "hodgson is not the right man for liverpool. he's the right man for a club that wants to grind their way to results"

Mwelwa Manda
RT @karlsentk: i find bohinen's account a lot more interesting than the uk media version "great appointment cos he's english and a steady hand" http://tmi.me/1FmUR

[red g]

Tony Barrett in today's Times

Before Liverpool played Manchester City, Hodgson said that he hoped to avoid a 6-0 defeat. It was a tongue-in-cheek, throwaway line after a number of Premier League matches had ended in that scoreline the previous weekend, but it also fitted in with a pattern in which he dampens expectations before and after games.

“My expectations were not that high anyway,” Hodgson said after a goalless draw away to Birmingham. Avoiding a heavy defeat was his aim before a pre-season friendly against Al Hilal, which was postponed because of heavy rain, while Northampton were billed as “formidable” opponents before the Carling Cup third-round tie.

.

missed both them.
PAthetic and shocking.

[Arn]

How many believes that Torres and Gerrard will still be here in February if Roy stays?

I don't.

They will probably not be the only ones leaving because of Roy's very negative style of play and lack of ambition. Agger will probably be another one leaving.

If he doesn't change to a more attacking system then he will lose the dressing room very soon. I doubt that Agger is the only one that is unhappy with the negative way we play now.

If Roy continue his negative way then he is finished and he can't blame anyone else than himself.

[Taxi]

Tony Barrett in today's Times

What Roy Hodgson must do next to stave off crisis at Anfield
Adopt a more adventurous tactical approach

No shots on target throughout Wednesday’s abject second-half performance against Northampton Town, a team ranked 69 League places below them, is as damning a statistic as is possible for a club of Liverpool’s grandeur and expectations.

It was not a one-off, either, as in both their previous Barclays Premier League matches, against Manchester United and Birmingham City, Liverpool failed to create any chances of real note from open play. An obvious lack of strength in depth in attack is part of the problem, but Hodgson’s strategy of sitting deep and not pressing play is also contributing to their impotence.

With just four goals scored from their opening five league games — only Wigan Athletic and West Ham United have scored fewer, while Blackpool have struck twice as many — the need for greater urgency going forward is obvious.

Make more positive public pronouncements

Before Liverpool played Manchester City, Hodgson said that he hoped to avoid a 6-0 defeat. It was a tongue-in-cheek, throwaway line after a number of Premier League matches had ended in that scoreline the previous weekend, but it also fitted in with a pattern in which he dampens expectations before and after games.

“My expectations were not that high anyway,” Hodgson said after a goalless draw away to Birmingham. Avoiding a heavy defeat was his aim before a pre-season friendly against Al Hilal, which was postponed because of heavy rain, while Northampton were billed as “formidable” opponents before the Carling Cup third-round tie.

Were Liverpool on a supreme run of form, such pronouncements would not be a problem, but when sixteenth in the Premier League they smack of negativity, particularly at a club whose managers traditionally have an unshakeable belief in their players, in public at least.

Solve the longstanding left-back problem

Different players, same old problem. When Courtney Herbert danced around Danny Wilson to set up Northampton’s second goal it evoked recent painful memories of Paul Konchesky being given a torrid time by Nani and Daniel Agger being taken to the cleaners by Adam Johnson.


The likelihood is that neither Agger nor Wilson is best suited to playing left back, while Konchesky is only in the early stages of his Liverpool career and deserves the chance to find his feet.

The latter needs a consistent run in the side, although the physical frailty of Fábio Aurélio, who was re-signed in the summer despite the longstanding injury concerns that prompted his initial release, makes it difficult for Hodgson to risk Konchesky in anything other than league games. But at least he now knows that his central defenders do not make ideal auxiliary left backs.

Stop showing faith in players who are not good enough

When Liverpool failed to bring in a centre forward in the most recent transfer window, Hodgson insisted it was not a serious problem because he could still call on Ryan Babel, who, according to the Liverpool manager, had “never been given a proper chance” to prove himself in that position.

Babel’s performance against Northampton proved why because he made no impact whatsoever against npower League Two opponents before being substituted to a chorus of boos.

“I failed personally,” Babel said on Twitter yesterday. It was a similar story in the Europa League play-off against Trabzonspor at Anfield, only for the cracks to be papered over when the Holland forward scored. Perseverance is no longer an option.

Give Fernando Torres the support he requires

On and off the pitch, the growing feeling is that Torres is lacking in the support he needs to reaffirm his reputation as one of the world’s most feared strikers. Hodgson had the chance to offer him verbal backing at the weekend when Sir Alex Ferguson accused the forward of cheating, only for the Liverpool manager to fail to offer a defence of his player.

It is a similar story on the pitch, where Torres cuts an increasingly isolated figure, deprived of the kind of backup that comes with a more adventurous attacking approach and which would allow him to play on the shoulder of the last defender, the position in which he thrives the most, more regularly. Torres has scored only once in six appearances for the club this season.

Those comments are a ****ing disgrace from a manager of this great club of ours. They've made me actually feel sick. The man needs to **** off now he has no place here or any other top club.

[Fredo]

Lawrenson's hypocritical comments. You've got to laugh at his analysis of the Agger/Konchesky situation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/9029675.stm?

[Arn]

I have never heard of a team that sits back and don't press the opposition. When you sit back you press the opposition, it's just the way it is.

What is the point sitting back and not press the opposition? The point of the sitting back tactic is to press the opposition so they make mistakes and then use quick counter attacks against them.

It's all very weird.