Don't blame Roy Hodgson for 'difficult period', John Henry tells Liverpool FC fans by Richard Buxton. Published Mon 15 Nov 2010 13:14
Liverpool owner John Henry has attempted to take the heat off Roy Hodgson by telling fans that no individual is solely responsible for the club's current on field decline.
Calls for Kenny Dalglish to succeed the current Reds manager rang out from supporters following a dismal performance in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Stoke City, seeing the pressure Hodgson was placed under at the beginning of last month intensify once again.
In an interview with Save LFC, an internet pressure group set up specifically to help in the efforts to oust former owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, Henry described the current slump as a 'very difficult period' but refused to allow the manager or players to take the blame.
New England Sports Ventures (NESV) principal owner cited last weekend's win over Chelsea as cause for optimism that their plans to deliver the winning factor back to Anfield will be a relatively smooth transition of the team can deliver those performances on a regular basis.
He said: "The club has gone through a very difficult period and the period has not ended. We’ve dealt with baseball players and race car drivers at the highest level. LFC also have players at the highest level.
"These players all want the same things. They want to win. It’s up to us to build a winner going forward. It’s up to them to determine to win now. We saw a certain team on the field against Chelsea last week that showed what they can do.
"This club can be better. Blaming the manager or any one particular player is simply wrong. This club needs to play up to their potential every match. If they don’t, they won’t win."
Speculation has mounted in recent weeks over which names and faces will be making their way to the red half of Merseyside in the winter transfer window and who may also leave, but Henry insists that every player he has spoken to insists that they want to remain at the club.
However he has ruled out any plans for any grand rebuilding process in January and instead believes that the summer will allow NESV to begin to shape their Anfield dynasty.
He added: "We have work to do and must invest in this club to improve it on the field. Can that be successfully done in January? A number of people I’ve talked with doubt it.
"Most people seem to think it will be the summer before we can really begin to improve. So the players – all eleven each week – have to be on the same page every match and have to live up to the history and respect this club has engendered – no matter what.
"I’ve met with a number of our players and had private discussions with some of them. I’ve been greatly impressed by them personally. They are all exceptionally bright and they all want to be here.
"We need everyone focused on what needs to be done in the next match facing us and during that match. The club should not have to settle for less. As one insightful player told me, “The spirit of the side needs to be there like a family – as one.”
Liverpool owner John Henry has attempted to take the heat off Roy Hodgson by telling fans that no individual is solely responsible for the club's current on field decline.
Calls for Kenny Dalglish to succeed the current Reds manager rang out from supporters following a dismal performance in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Stoke City, seeing the pressure Hodgson was placed under at the beginning of last month intensify once again.
In an interview with Save LFC, an internet pressure group set up specifically to help in the efforts to oust former owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, Henry described the current slump as a 'very difficult period' but refused to allow the manager or players to take the blame.
New England Sports Ventures (NESV) principal owner cited last weekend's win over Chelsea as cause for optimism that their plans to deliver the winning factor back to Anfield will be a relatively smooth transition of the team can deliver those performances on a regular basis.
He said: "The club has gone through a very difficult period and the period has not ended. We’ve dealt with baseball players and race car drivers at the highest level. LFC also have players at the highest level.
"These players all want the same things. They want to win. It’s up to us to build a winner going forward. It’s up to them to determine to win now. We saw a certain team on the field against Chelsea last week that showed what they can do.
"This club can be better. Blaming the manager or any one particular player is simply wrong. This club needs to play up to their potential every match. If they don’t, they won’t win."
Speculation has mounted in recent weeks over which names and faces will be making their way to the red half of Merseyside in the winter transfer window and who may also leave, but Henry insists that every player he has spoken to insists that they want to remain at the club.
However he has ruled out any plans for any grand rebuilding process in January and instead believes that the summer will allow NESV to begin to shape their Anfield dynasty.
He added: "We have work to do and must invest in this club to improve it on the field. Can that be successfully done in January? A number of people I’ve talked with doubt it.
"Most people seem to think it will be the summer before we can really begin to improve. So the players – all eleven each week – have to be on the same page every match and have to live up to the history and respect this club has engendered – no matter what.
"I’ve met with a number of our players and had private discussions with some of them. I’ve been greatly impressed by them personally. They are all exceptionally bright and they all want to be here.
"We need everyone focused on what needs to be done in the next match facing us and during that match. The club should not have to settle for less. As one insightful player told me, “The spirit of the side needs to be there like a family – as one.”
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