Ok, I've had enough of the supreme idiot that is Hodgson, so apologies for the long post:
Player power is part & parcel of the modern game and only a strong, highly motivated, ruthless manager can hope to deal with it. That manager also needs wholehearted backing from the club, otherwise they become isolated and ultimately ineffective.
For me Rafa was one of only a small handful of managers in that category (Mouronho, Ferguson, Wenger, Ancelotti, Guardiola to name a few). Rafa, while he had the club's backing kept the team moving forward in his style. When that backing disappeared the lid on Pandora's Box was lifted and the game was up. Without the ability/authority to shift players who become too powerful you're a goner. Shanks did it, Dalglish did it, even Houllier bloody did it. Rafa lost the ability to do it, hence we're in the **** situation we find ourselves.
Unfortunately for me we need 2 things:
1. A proper world class manager, one that understands a big club mentality, where to win is the only driving force, where stature, gravitas & class are as important as fearless mentality on the pitch. Big clubs, especially LFC don't fear clubs, they fear us. We respect them. Roy doesn't even seem to know that the "This is Anfield" sign even exists let alone what it stands for. All managers since Shanks have revered that sign.
2. Give that manager free reign to ditch WHOEVER he wants, period. No and/if/buts. Get rid of and buy who he wants (within NESV's limits of course). Otherwise, forget it and get used to being Blackburn
I've nailed my colours to the mast, I always wanted Rafa to have 1 more season under new owners, fully backed. Didn't happen, that's life, but I've never liked or wanted Roy. He's a small minded manager with very limited ambition. Give Dalglish the reins, & AUTHORITY to discipline ANY player he sees fit until the new manager is appointed.
We need to start being Liverpool Football Club again, NOW!
Player power is part & parcel of the modern game and only a strong, highly motivated, ruthless manager can hope to deal with it. That manager also needs wholehearted backing from the club, otherwise they become isolated and ultimately ineffective.
For me Rafa was one of only a small handful of managers in that category (Mouronho, Ferguson, Wenger, Ancelotti, Guardiola to name a few). Rafa, while he had the club's backing kept the team moving forward in his style. When that backing disappeared the lid on Pandora's Box was lifted and the game was up. Without the ability/authority to shift players who become too powerful you're a goner. Shanks did it, Dalglish did it, even Houllier bloody did it. Rafa lost the ability to do it, hence we're in the **** situation we find ourselves.
Unfortunately for me we need 2 things:
1. A proper world class manager, one that understands a big club mentality, where to win is the only driving force, where stature, gravitas & class are as important as fearless mentality on the pitch. Big clubs, especially LFC don't fear clubs, they fear us. We respect them. Roy doesn't even seem to know that the "This is Anfield" sign even exists let alone what it stands for. All managers since Shanks have revered that sign.
2. Give that manager free reign to ditch WHOEVER he wants, period. No and/if/buts. Get rid of and buy who he wants (within NESV's limits of course). Otherwise, forget it and get used to being Blackburn
I've nailed my colours to the mast, I always wanted Rafa to have 1 more season under new owners, fully backed. Didn't happen, that's life, but I've never liked or wanted Roy. He's a small minded manager with very limited ambition. Give Dalglish the reins, & AUTHORITY to discipline ANY player he sees fit until the new manager is appointed.
We need to start being Liverpool Football Club again, NOW!
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