Is Hodgson the right man for LFC

[destinydude]

I know Tomkins mentioned it in his article, but where the hell has that come from about Pepe being asked to change his style to a more English keeper? If it's true it's appalling, but where has it come from??

It's BS Shaggster. Don't believe it.

[red g]

I know Tomkins mentioned it in his article, but where the hell has that come from about Pepe being asked to change his style to a more English keeper? If it's true it's appalling, but where has it come from??

Not seen it anywhere else. Will be shocking if true

[Ben_Itez]

I know Tomkins mentioned it in his article, but where the hell has that come from about Pepe being asked to change his style to a more English keeper? If it's true it's appalling, but where has it come from??

Un-****ing-believable if true.

Surely not. Anyway how do you become a more British keeper?? Drop clanger after clanger, never come out of your area and be ****e with your distribution?

Regardless of the truth in this quote my dislike of Roy's management style grows by the hour

[Danish_Pastry]

This one is SOOOOO clear - poor Roy!!!!

http://www.thisisanfield.com/2010/10/is-roy-drowning-in-his-own-mediocrity/

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Is Roy drowning in his own mediocrity?
Aaron comments on Roy's tactical and team selections of late, unfortunately there's plenty of negatives to be looked at.

Written by Aaron CutlergravatarcloseAuthor: Aaron Cutler Name: Aaron Cutler
Email: [email protected]
Site: http://www.thisisanfield.com
About: Aaron is an upcoming journalist who began writing for This Is Anfield in 2006. During this period his column has focused on the Reds' fortunes both home and abroad with insightful, analytical and humourous comment. His flair for writing has led to previous employment at LFC TV, Loaded and Zoo magazines, the Southern Daily Echo and Quay Radio. Despite currently studying down south he still frequents his beloved Anfield when possible.See Authors Posts (42) on October 1st, 2010 View Comments

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Roy Hodgson Manager Liverpool 2010/11 Birmingham City V Liverpool (0-0) 12/09/10 The Premier League Photo Robin Parker Fotosports International Photo via Newscom

Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool tenure has failed to ignite. A stuttering start to the season has dispelled any hope of a honeymoon period and instead exposed many of the same old frailties. Nobody expected a quick fix but signs of progress were anticipated, however small.

Sadly, there have been none to speak of. Instead Hodgson has grappled with the side, bumbling from one faux-pas to another. For all his experience, he seems incapable of imposing any real change to a painfully stagnant team. Last night’s turgid draw in Utrecht further evidenced the on-field demise and the manager’s initial shortcomings.

Reds supporters are by no means fickle and this one is no different. We are famed for our unwavering loyalty and stop-short of calling for anyone’s head prematurely. But by the same token, we are clued-up on our football and capable of noting grave tactical errors. Three months into the job, Uncle Roy is making too many of these.

Firstly the overall style of play is mind-numbing. With each game the side is set-up primarily to avoid defeat. Caution underlined Hodgson’s work at Fulham, who excelled in their role as underdogs. The basis for any success was organisation aimed at frustrating the opposition. We witnessed it first hand when they ground-out a stalemate at Anfield last term.

But transcending that approach to Liverpool, who can outclass most opponents, has not worked. Moreover, it is wrong. Players of the calibre of Gerrard, Torres and Cole can spearhead a more offensive style of play. If given license to attack, that trio could inspire victories against most domestic opponents.

As it is, they are shackled – leading to approach work which is laboured, predictable and lacking any zest. There is minimal creativity, and a dearth of chances for Torres to feed upon.
Liverpool's coach Roy Hodgson (R) and assistant Sammy Lee react during their English Premier League soccer match against Sunderland in Liverpool,northern England September 25, 2010.REUTERS/Nigel Roddis (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER IMAGES OF THE DAY) NO ONLINE/INTERNET USAGE WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM THE FOOTBALL DATA CO LTD. FOR LICENCE ENQUIRIES PLEASE TELEPHONE ++44 (0)

Right now it is no exaggeration to say Liverpool are the most boring side in the Premier League – an upsetting statement. As well as the big three, the likes of Spurs, Villa and Man City all hunt victories. We on the other hand hope to grind them out, without limited reward.

Team selection has also proved baffling thus far. If the manager is to proceed with two deep lying central midfielders, one must be capable of springing attacks courtesy of his range of passing. Never should both Lucas and Christian Poulsen be paired in tandem. Both self-proclaimed stoppers, neither has the vision nor quality required to initiate chances. In addition, they sit so deep it leaves an almighty chasm between themselves and the forward four. This simply adds to the lack of service but also pens the defence in all too often. Jamie Carragher could be heard throughout the Utrecht game imploring his team-mates to push-up. Frustratingly though, they were boxed-in as a result of how deep the midfield chose to be.

A permanent change in formation also seems out of the question, as if 4-5-1 is ingrained upon Liverpool forever more. By accident we stumbled across 4-4-2 both last night and at Eastlands, but failed to embrace the alteration. Therefore, brace yourself for a revert to type against Blackpool this Sunday. A fresh approach may be just the tonic and could cajole a side accustomed to the same set-up for three years or more.

Roy also seems to have developed a dose of ‘square peg syndrome‘, symptomatic of all to have occupied the hot seat in recent years. Raul Meireles, despite being somewhat of an unknown quantity, has played his entire career from the centre of the park. Why then has he been pushed out wide since joining the Reds? The Portuguese star resembles Jo Brand in a beauty contest. Evidently flustered when on the ball, he consistently looks inward to retain possession.

Again, such conservatism undermines any forward forays. The same could be said of the opposite flank, where a bewildered Joe Cole has struggled this month. Signed with a view to playing-off the front-man, that theory has been abandoned almost immediately. Like Meireles, he has been tossed out of position, as though he cannot be trusted with a central berth. For all his obvious skill, Cole is right-footed and continually looks inwards also. With risk of morphing into a parrot, this kills any width and overloads the middle.
A Dejected Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole after the final whistle Liverpool 2010/11 Manchester United V Liverpool (3-2) 19/09/10 The Premier League Photo Robin Parker Fotosports International Photo via Newscom

Given the sluggishness of their play, Liverpool are crying-out for wingers. The idea of promoting Glen Johnson to the flank has been divisive but now may be the time to test that option. Admittedly, this contradicts the idea of starting players in their favoured position but if Hodgson is to persist with that logic, at least do it with a shred of purpose.

The bleakest moment of this season up to now was obviously the humbling at the hands of Northampton Town. Though he should not be criticised for blooding youngsters that night; his selection of substitutes proved the ultimate downfall. Of those chosen for bench duty, Nathan Eccleston was the most experienced. That left Hodgson vulnerable from the off, if, as has so often been the case, the ‘reserves’ failed to produce. Would it have hurt to have say Cole on the bench? Torres maybe? The former needed games after a lengthy suspension, while the latter has been searching for form and goals with no avail. Both may have swung the pendulum that wet night.

The result itself also extinguished any real hope of securing silverware this year. The old adage of it only being the League Cup may be bandied about but it represented a trophy, something we are without since 2006. Hodgson should have shown it more respect given that fact.

I also fear elimination could curtail any progress made by Dani Pacheco. In pre-season Hodgson challenged the young Spaniard to break into the first-team but what chance will he have now? The odd cameo is not enough, nor is ninety-minutes played out of position on the right flank. A classy talent could be wasted unless the manager takes a punt in the near future.

To a lesser degree the same could be said of Ryan Babel. An obvious misfit, he has not been given a chance to re-ignite his Anfield career under a new boss – something he may have relished. For all his infuriating weaknesses, Babel does offer something different and potent, which should not be completely ignored at this time.

Press conferences have also produced some strange anecdotes to put it mildly. Propaganda it may be, but when Hodgson masks dire showings against Birmingham and Utrecht by claiming we won valuable points it casts him as in denial. The same could be said of his positive spin on the loss at Old Trafford. In the coach’s eyes that defeat was a close-run thing but the truth is we were outplayed throughout and only Steven Gerrard‘s brilliance spared our blushes.

Hodgson always struck me as an honest guy with a lot of self-respect, not someone who would kid himself and supporters with such blatant tosh.

Then came the criticism of fan protests before the Sunderland game – branding them ‘unhelpful.’ As one of thousands of supporters involved in an ongoing email campaign and general drive to oust the Americans, this angered me somewhat. The very future of our club hangs on a knife-edge and as vigilant fans we are desperately seeking a positive resolution. Dismissive remarks of that ilk are discouraging and hardly helpful. Though retracted in a blaze of backtracking late Saturday the quotes had already been heard.

RH has also conceded he is unsure of where to play the aforementioned Meireles and needs more time with him on the training field. Given the fact this is our marquee summer signing, I find this nonsensical. Homework should have been done and Roy should have had a set role in mind upon his arrival. How can this be explained?

Last week he went as far to say that expectations are too high. I disagree. We are realists. We do not expect to be winning the title this season, perhaps not even challenging but we do expect to be higher than 15th and showcasing a more progressive brand of football.

Overall Hodgson seems to be stuck in a mid-table mindset. His tactics prove as much, as too his ambitions. That begs the question, is this job too big for him?

The above charge sheet is incriminating and suggests the answer to that question is yes. Nevertheless, for all his faults Hodgson still has my backing, for now. He was always walking into a chaotic situation, with an immediate disadvantage of not being Kenny Dalglish.

The club is shrouded in a hurricane of uncertainty and perhaps off-field dramas are impacting on his reign. Nevertheless, without dominating the Premier League we anticipated better. Better tactics, better style, better performances and better results. Time will tell whether the former Fulham man is out of his depth or if he can stabilise the wreckage. One certainty is he must improve, fast.

[Slinky Skills]

Is this the Ben Thornley, former Man. Utd player Lecter?

I used to work with Ben in the North Wales Daily Post, sound lad and a scouser too.

Good footballer too but I think he's stopped playing now because he's done his knee in. Not sure whether he's played for Utd or not though I can try and find out.

He's a big ****er though, good 6ft 3 or thereabouts.

Good article by him.

[Shaggy]

I'm sure it's not the same bloke.

[Arn]

I know Tomkins mentioned it in his article, but where the hell has that come from about Pepe being asked to change his style to a more English keeper? If it's true it's appalling, but where has it come from??

It was Reina himself that said it so I don't believe it's bull****.

For me, I'm working in a slightly different way. It is an English style of goalkeeping coaching.

"With the passing of each day I get used to it and what the manager wants.

[Arn]

The problem isn't really Roy. He is only doing what he always done. Play the team the way he know best.

The problem is that our board just as Rafa said know nothing about football. Our team was built from top to bottom to play a pass and move game with high pressure on the ball. When Rafa then was sacked then the only option should have been to get a manager that play the same way as the club is built.

Roy is almost as far from that as you can get. That means that he must fix a lot of things to get it to work. He must change almost every little detail.

If we would have got Pellegrini for example instead then the team would most probably played much much better from the start because Rafa and Pellegrini play almost the same kind of system. No need to change a lot of things.

It was a stupid and idiotic decision to sign up Roy as our manager. Roy is a good manager but the club isn't built to suit his style of football.

We need to get in a manager that use pass and move football with high pressure as soon as possible because that is the way the club is built from top to bottom.

Right now Roy don't have that much use of our brilliant youngsters because they don't fit into his system. They are not hoof ball players. They are pass and move players.

[red g]

It was Reina himself that said it so I don't believe it's bull****.

missed that.

FFS this is becoming an absolute pisstake !!

[red g]

The problem isn't really Roy. He is only doing what he always done. Play the team the way he know best.

The problem is that our board just as Rafa said know nothing about football. Our team was built from top to bottom to play a pass and move game with high pressure on the ball. When Rafa then was sacked then the only option should have been to get a manager that play the same way as the club is built.

Roy is almost as far from that as you can get. That means that he must fix a lot of things to get it to work. He must change almost every little detail.

If we would have got Pellegrini for example instead then the team would most probably played much much better from the start because Rafa and Pellegrini play almost the same kind of system. No need to change a lot of things.

It was a stupid and idiotic decision to sign up Roy as our manager. Roy is a good manager but the club isn't built to suit his style of football.

We need to get in a manager that use pass and move football with high pressure as soon as possible because that is the way the club is built from top to bottom.

Right now Roy don't have that much use of our brilliant youngsters because they don't fit into his system. They are not hoof ball players. They are pass and move players.

I hope they go back to pellegrini in a month or so, as cant see Roy being here longer than a month.

[Arn]

I hope they go back to pellegrini in a month or so, as cant see Roy being here longer than a month.

Depends if we get a new owner. Then Roy will be sacked without any doubt at all.

I think myself that Pep Guardiola will be our manager after this season. He already said that he want to try the PL and won't stay at Barca that long time. Just a feeling. We are almost his only option in the PL.

If we get a new owner that is.

[Baracus]

where really in a catch 22 with owners and managers, we as fans very rarely call for the managers head in the terraces. It would be an embrassment if we as fans did what newcastle fans did with fat sam years back. We can't voice an opinion and we don't want the current owners to think, its roy's fault where in this situation.

Regarding 'pep' i've always thought he'd manage a team more like arsenal. We can dream that we have a spainsh connection but were slowing losing it. I'm yet to be convinced if he can build a team from nothing as give it a year or two were more than likely to be in a situation where we have no world class keeper, defenders, midfielders, or striker adding to the current we have no decent wingers, full backs, or defensive midfielders

[Lecter]

I know Tomkins mentioned it in his article, but where the hell has that come from about Pepe being asked to change his style to a more English keeper? If it's true it's appalling, but where has it come from??

Its off the official site

Pepe: Have a little patience
2nd Oct 2010 - Latest News

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina has called for patience ahead of this weekend's game against Blackpool.

The 28-year old has insisted that new methods under Roy Hodgson's leadership, means supporters must give the players time under the new regime.

Our No.25 confirmed that the Reds will improve, and then start to climb the Barclays Premier League table.

"When you have so many changes moving in a new direction under a new boss, things don't happen instantly.

"It can take between three and six months before you see improvements.

"Obviously the quicker we adapt and improve as a team the better it will be for everyone," Said the Spain international.

"That doesn't just happen over night. Each of us has to adjust to working in a new way. I'm working in a slightly different way.

"It is an English style of goalkeeping coaching. With the passing of each day I get used to it and what the manager wants.

"It's a shame for all of us. We need to be patient."

[Lecter]

I said the other day that Roy's tactics seemed to be the total anathema of the qualities in our playing staff

He wants us to sit deep, surrender possession but this means you are more susceptible to the opposition crossing the ball/throwing in high balls

To counteract that you have to be dominant in the air - which we are most certainly not

Reina himself will also then have to virtually stay in his 6 yard box and will be under pressure to come for more crosses (which is definitely not his strong point)

Reina is a top class keeper but he prefers his defence to have a higher line than Hodgson is imposing on us. This allows him to have a higher starting position in the penalty box and then act like a sweeper

As I keep saying Hodgsons tactics are TOTALLY bewildering when you look at our playing staff

4-4-2 with Meireles wide right,
Playing your most attacking threat from midfield deeper thereby diminishing that threat
Defence sitting deep and allowing crosses into the box which we clearly struggle to cope with
Hoofing the ball out of the back when you have Torres upfront

[el matador]

I said the other day that Roy's tactics seemed to be the total anathema of the qualities in our playing staff

He wants us to sit deep, surrender possession but this means you are more susceptible to the opposition crossing the ball/throwing in high balls

To counteract that you have to be dominant in the air - which we are most certainly not

Reina himself will also then have to virtually stay in his 6 yard box and will be under pressure to come for more crosses (which is definitely not his strong point)

Reina is a top class keeper but he prefers his defence to have a higher line than Hodgson is imposing on us. This allows him to have a higher starting position in the penalty box and then act like a sweeper

As I keep saying Hodgsons tactics are TOTALLY bewildering when you look at our playing staff

4-4-2 with Meireles wide right,
Playing your most attacking threat from midfield deeper thereby diminishing that threat
Defence sitting deep and allowing crosses into the box which we clearly struggle to cope with
Hoofing the ball out of the back when you have Torres upfront

I totally agree with Lec.

Liverpool just dont have the right type of players to play 442 and at the moment we have players being asked to do stuff that they just dont have the ability to. We dont have pacy wingers or wide players who can beat a man and get the ball into the box, we dont have a target man upfront who can hold up the ball when its played into him and who can link with another striker.

Shaggy touched on this earlier too in that why would you buy a player and then see where he fits in best ? Why dont you just buy a aplayer to do what you want him to do. Its almost like purslow has come up to hodgson and told him we're selling mascherano and replacing him with meireles.

Someone please tell me that purslow hasnt bought this lad and told roy to get on with it. Meireles isnt a right winger / right sided midfield player so why is he out there ?

Personally i believe that because roy cant play his 442 (probably the only system he feels really comfy with), he is confused about which system suits our players best and it shows on the pitch. The players look confused, they''re not enjoying it, our patterns of play look all over the place, we're playing with no real intent nor idea of how to break teams down and things are falling apart quickly. We have senior players looking completely disenfranchised and others like jovanovic threatening to leave anfield.

However, the thing that worries me most is that Jovanovic's outburst has come after only 2 months at anfield. It clearly shows a lack of respect and fear of the manager and that cant be good.