Spurs V Liverpool Pre-match thread

[Mostar]

Roy will still be in charge come the start of next season.

No ****ing way...

[Craig_H]

In an interesting twist, Comolli has taken Tottenham's principal overseas scout, Steve Hitchen, to Liverpool. "He's nicked him off us," Redknapp said. "Steve was excellent, an English boy who lives in France. We liked him a lot."

[cream]

Looks like there's going to be a raft of French, or France based players coming through the doors these next few seasons...

[chadrtc]

Roy will still be in charge come the start of next season.

I hate to say it, but I think you may be correct. I've seen absolutely nothing to suggest that the new owners are even considering shipping him out.

The best we can hope for is 7th or worse, that should be enough for them to get rid, if he somehow manages a better finish than that then we'll probably be stuck with him for another season... Which will probably trigger me jumping in front of a moving train.

[Vermilion]

Roy Hodgson salutes Pepe Reina as Liverpool FC keeper eyes century at Spurs

Nov 27 2010 by James Pearce, Daily Post

ROY HODGSON has paid tribute to goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who is on the brink of breaking another Liverpool FC record against Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow.

If the Spaniard keeps a clean sheet at White Hart Lane he will become the quickest man to a century of league shut-outs in the club’s history.

Tomorrow will be Reina’s 197th league appearance and he will comfortably beat the record held by Ray Clemence who reached a ton of clean sheets in his 217th game.

“We will do everything we can to help Pepe get it,” Hodgson said.

“Pepe has made some very important saves along the way.

“That record says something about Pepe and it also says something about the team’s defensive record over the years which has been very good.

“Liverpool defended well under Rafa Benitez and were always a difficult team to beat. I’m sure Pepe would be the first to pay credit to that.

“If you are sloppy defensively it makes the task of winning that much more difficult.”

Hodgson has been linked with a number of players this week but insists the Reds’ revival in recent weeks has led to him reassessing the strength of his squad ahead of the January transfer window.

Having picked up 13 points from their last six games, the manager doesn’t believe a major overhaul is required and is prepared to keep faith with the current crop.

“The squad is probably stronger than I realised at certain stages in the early part of the season when we were losing games,” he said.

“Hopefully that will mean we won’t need to do too much in the January transfer window because it might be nice if we can keep all of these players fit and well and add the odd player or two who can help us.

“I have a lot of faith in the players who are playing at the moment because in the last two or three weeks we have put in some good performances.

“When push comes to shove in January none of us know as yet what transfer funds can be made available and we have no idea if there will be any guarantee the people we are watching will be available.

“We are doing a lot of work, covering a lot of matches and looking at a lot of players. We are trying to arm ourselves with information. It is the work in progress which every club has to do.

“I would like to continue with this squad of players until the end of the season because I have no ambitions or desires to move anyone.

“But on the other hand I can’t give a stone certain guarantee that there won’t be players moving in January, and if so we would need to know where to go for their replacements.”

Jamie Carragher will reach another landmark tomorrow when he makes his 450th league appearance.

The defender will continue to captain the side in the absence of Steven Gerrard.

“Jamie is a major figure at the club and has been for a while,” Hodgson said.

“It’s a fantastic achievement and we’re delighted for him. That’s a lot of games and if anyone deserves the accolades it’s him.

“I’d seen him play over the years and knew what a good defender he is. Since I’ve been here he’s been everything I expected him to be.

“He’s a great clubman and trainer and a first class professional.

“He’s so wholehearted, so dedicated and so passionate about the game. That shines through on the field of play.”

Hodgson also rubbished reports that Liverpool could be set to recall midfielder Alberto Aquilani from his loan spell at Italian giants Juventus.

He said: “There is no chance of doing that. It’s quite clear he’s on loan there until the end of the season. We couldn’t bring him back until then.”

Lucas is available after suspension and is expected to replace Christian Poulsen in central midfield.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport-news/liverpool-fc/2010/11/27/roy-hodgson-salutes-pepe-reina-as-liverpool-fc-keeper-eyes-century-at-spurs-55578-27726023/

[DannyMan2006]

Personally I think he'll be here until the end of the season, but I'd be suprised if he were still here at the start of next season.

No ****ing way...

He's got a 3 year contract.

I just can't see him leaving, despite all the internet rumours that have so far proved unfounded.

Think about it. We have been terrible this year, I don't know what else he could do to get the sack. Every comment and sign points to the fact that NESV are happy with him in place.

And worst of all, it seems the fans are beginning to accept him. Not like him, but accept the inevitable that he's going nowhere. Roy and NESV probably think the fans are being won over

[Exiled_red]

I just can't see him leaving, despite all the internet rumours that have so far proved unfounded.

Think about it. We have been terrible this year, I don't know what else he could do to get the sack. Every comment and sign points to the fact that NESV are happy with him in place.

And worst of all, it seems the fans are beginning to accept him. Not like him, but accept the inevitable that he's going nowhere. Roy and NESV probably think the fans are being won over

NESV seem to have long term plans for the club, they are forward thinking and like the approach of buying good young players to build for the long term. This method is at odds with the way Roy seems to work, and personally I think that it will be this rather than results/performances or finishing position that will see him go. I think they would prefer to work with a manager who shares their ideas and could potentially be around for a good number of years. Roy is in his 60's retirement is probably looming in ~2-3years. I don't think it makes sense to have a manager who is likely to retire part way through a project and have to bring a new man in with different ideas.

I think this is partly why we aren't looking to bring in players in January. There's no point in getting rid of him until we have can get someone suitable, and people will be reluctant to leave a job part way through the season.

[Craig_H]

The fact that they're keeping him, is at odds with everything they've said about being 'here to win'.

I'm very dubious about anything they say now.

[Exiled_red]

I suspect they have a new manager lined up or in mind, but won't be able to get him before the summer. That being the case they find it easier to stick with Roy than pay him off, and bring in/promote a caretaker until the end of the season, before appointing the new man.

* At least this is what I'm clinging to

[Mostar]

I just can't see him leaving, despite all the internet rumours that have so far proved unfounded.

Think about it. We have been terrible this year, I don't know what else he could do to get the sack. Every comment and sign points to the fact that NESV are happy with him in place.

And worst of all, it seems the fans are beginning to accept him. Not like him, but accept the inevitable that he's going nowhere. Roy and NESV probably think the fans are being won over

I don't think NESV is happy with the team performance or position on the table but I do think they understand the media game well and at least for time being they have no choice but to show so called support. Timing is a bitch and they are not in position to replace Roy with a manager of their choice until summer unfortunately.

I don't think for a second that they believe Roy is a long term solution and they are constantly reminded by fans via facebook. twitter, e-mails etc how unhappy we're with Roy's appointment. They are not blind, deaf or dumb but the building blocks are not there yet. First CEO needs to be selected and then imo we'll see changes on manager's front.

Of course, the string of bad results can speed things up but atm realistically I personally don't expect any significant changes until summer.

[wiw]

Looks like there's going to be a raft of French, or France based players coming through the doors these next few seasons...

I hold Ged entirely responsible for this, but the prospect of that fills me with utter dread. I liked it when we were Spanish

[Rudo]

I don't think NESV is happy with the team performance or position on the table but I do think they understand the media game well and at least for time being they have no choice but to show so called support. Timing is a bitch and they are not in position to replace Roy with a manager of their choice until summer unfortunately.

I don't think for a second that they believe Roy is a long term solution and they are constantly reminded by fans via facebook. twitter, e-mails etc how unhappy we're with Roy's appointment. They are not blind, deaf or dumb but the building blocks are not there yet. First CEO needs to be selected and then imo we'll see changes on manager's front.

Of course, the string of bad results can speed things up but atm realistically I personally don't expect any significant changes until summer.

Fair enough but surely we can bring in the likes of P.Thompson and Dalglish to manage the team until the summer...get the team organised and fully motivated.

It's not ideal, obv it's not, but i'd sure as hell prefer them than Hodgson. And it would only be temp afterall.

[Reece]

I hold Ged entirely responsible for this, but the prospect of that fills me with utter dread. I liked it when we were Spanish

[Mostar]

Fair enough but surely we can bring in the likes of P.Thompson and Dalglish to manage the team until the summer...get the team organised and fully motivated.

It's not ideal, obv it's not, but i'd sure as hell prefer them than Hodgson. And it would only be temp afterall.

As much as I agree Kenny's appointment at mid-season could not possibly make things worse than they are now I cannot see it happening as long as we are in contention for CL spot.

League has been so poor this year that regardless of all Roy's ****ty tactics, playing players out of position, etc. we are only what 6 points out of 4th spot and I think as long as we are close to CL or Europa League we will not see any manager's movements.

[Ben_Itez]

Nov 27 2010 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ couldn’t find a solution to it and the answer has so far eluded his successor Roy Hodgson.

Home has been where the heart is for Liverpool in 2010 and their travels have brought countless tales of woe.

Their 16 Premier League away games this calendar year have yielded just two wins with last month’s last gasp triumph at Bolton arriving six months after victory at relegated Burnley.

Failures on the road cost the Reds a Champions League spot last season and went a long way to costing Benitez his job.

Since taking over this summer Hodgson has been battling to find a cure. After a wretched start to the campaign the Reds have clicked into gear at Anfield with Blackburn, Chelsea and West Ham impressively dispatched.

But ahead of tomorrow’s trip to White Hart Lane supporters are still waiting to see an away performance to be truly proud of.

The fear is that while Liverpool stamp their authority on games at home, away they’ve lacked the ambition to chase maximum points. Just four goals scored in seven away games is a damning statistic.

Sitting deep and inviting pressure, the Reds have been architects of their own downfall at places like Eastlands, Goodison, Old Trafford and Stoke.



However, Hodgson insists it’s just confidence levels, not the tactics, which need addressing away.

“We don’t change the way we play whether we’re home or away,” he said. “We still try to do the same things when we get the ball away as we do at home.

Of course we dont Roy. Although saying that we do sit awfully deep at home the majority of the time.

“The major problem away basically comes down to goal scoring – we haven’t scored enough away and we haven’t created enough chances.

“On occasions we’ve played too much football in front of the opposing defence, not got the ball behind the defence enough, not got ourselves into crossing positions and not got enough bodies in the box.

“That’s something we work on all the time and are attempting to rectify.

“Defensively, we’ve not done too badly away. We haven’t been leaking goals away but we haven’t scored enough.

“Maybe confidence is a factor and maybe help from the crowd pushes people on at home.

“You have to keep faith in your philosophy. I’m confident our offensive players in the team will give us the goals we need away.” Goals haven’t been a problem for Spurs. They’ve netted 43 times in all competitions this season with 16 in their last six matches.

The one that's served you so well for 35 years and has led to nine away victories in 100 games in England Roy? Good idea

Harry Redknapp’s men rallied from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Arsenal last weekend and then cruised into the last 16 of the Champions League with a 3-0 victory over Werder Bremen in midweek.

In Gareth Bale they have a world class talent but Hodgson insists the Reds can’t afford to just focus on stopping the flying Welshman.

“Gareth is a very good player but I think it’s a bit unfortunate for the rest of the team that so much focus is on one man,” he said.

“I would be the first to congratulate him and express my admiration for him but Tottenham are a lot more than Gareth.

“Harry has a lot of fine players and has fashioned a very good team. He has done an excellent job, bringing in players he really wanted and managing players well that he took over from the previous regime.

“To get into the Champions League and then reach the knockout stage is a great achievement. I’m delighted for Harry.

This annoys me so much when he constantly builds up the opposition. He just talks way, way too much.

“I know we are facing a very good team but I’m confident about my own team at the moment.

“We’re taking a good team down there and it’s going to be a cracking game. Both teams will be trying to win it as we both know the value of the three points.


“That will make for a very entertaining game between two offensive teams and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.”

Yep Roy it'll be really interesting to see who comes out on top....offensive team my arse

Joe Cole could return to the squad tomorrow after recovering from a hamstring injury.

“Joe looks very good but it’s going to be a question of whether the sports science people think he’s got enough minutes in him to risk playing him,” he added.