Hodgson: I was so unlucky

[Neil Young]

I'm going to sinbin you just for lulz soon. I very nearly just did it right then but I want time to play some poker at some point this morning. In fact I might make just it a daily thing, a different (real) mod decides each morning whether you'll be banned, sinbinned or allowed on the site that day.

Good idea. Can I go first?

You bald b*st*rd.

We aren't disputing Nigel's 'legendary status' here, just that he talks bollocks all the time.

[Reece]

You bald b*st*rd.

I was going to choose the "allow you on the site for the day" option. But now you've just insulted me I will have to rethink.

Tomorrow is the first day of the new community scheme so I'll inform you of my decision ~8am.

[danperkins]

But that is pretty much the point. Cole expressed his desire to impress not via trying tricks or to play killer balls but needlessly flying in to a meaningless challenge. That is part of how we teach our kids to play football. After that game there was an interview with a Spanish player or commentator where they pointed out that you are much less likely to see that there as no one thinks of it as impressive. It's a difference in culture.

I think that the culture extends to the way we train young players. The thinking that physicality and winning are important in youth football is what has produced the problems we see.

Carra isn't a particularly malicious player but the sort of daft tackles he and Rafael were guilty of are much more common in English football than when you watch Spanish or European competitions for example. The more times players fly in recklessly the more chance there is of one connecting and someone getting injured.

All fair points mate, as regards Cole it was more of a rush of blood to the head, very rarely would you ever see him doing anything like that.

Technically the spanish league is the best in the world IMO, but the premier league is fair quicker and the tougher. Its the pace and tempo that makes the league what it is, with when you factor the aggression (which i quite like in moderation) it makes the league so exciting. But i think the down side of this is tackling at high tempo & speeds can be dangerous.

Their are plenty dirty foreign players too, sure some of the more technically gifted players in the world are from South American same as some of the dirtiest players in the world are from South American over the years, and have you ever seen some of the things that go on over there, its mental. Most recently a ref in Argentina sent off 36 players for a mass brawl. IMO its swings and roundabouts, i do agree that the coaching is way way off in Britain than abroad and when you take out all the foriegn talent in the premier league, it is a distinctly average league.

[dww]

All fair points mate, as regards Cole it was more of a rush of blood to the head, very rarely would you ever see him doing anything like that.

Technically the spanish league is the best in the world IMO, but the premier league is fair quicker and the tougher. Its the pace and tempo that makes the league what it is, with when you factor the aggression (which i quite like in moderation) it makes the league so exciting. But i think the down side of this is tackling at high tempo & speeds can be dangerous.

Their are plenty dirty foreign players too, sure some of the more technically gifted players in the world are from South American, and have you ever seen some of the things that go on over there, its mental. Most recently a ref in Argentina sent off 36 players for a mass brawl. IMO its swings and roundabouts, i do agree that the coaching is way way off in Britain than abroad and when you take out all the foriegn talent in the premier league, it is a distinctly average league.

An interesting point about South America. I can't really comment generally as I don't watch any of their games. A brawl is however clearly a different aspect of the problem to what happens in the course of a game regarding the likes of tackling though.

The speed of the PL is certainly a factor and perhaps it is a feedback thing between that and the acceptance of/desire to fly into tackles.

I'm not saying that being dirty is limited to English players, or players in the English league even, just that it seems that there is a wider culture that accepts and often glorifies hard and even dangerous tackles.

[Fredo]

He talks bollox depending on what side of the coin your opinion is on i suppose. Seems to me that many of the people that supported Rafa right to the bitter end, have issues with Carra, as he was apparently a loud voice against Rafa, some more so than others of course i.e. You and Arn, just kidding....... but seriously i'm not ;D

I have no probs with the guy, has done his talking on the pitch for such a long time now, coming to the end of it now but a great pro and one of LFC's finest. Different strokes for different folks

What side of which coin? There's no two way to interpret what he said and it's got nothing to do with supporting Rafa, it just grates me no end when people make sweeping generalisation such as this. I have no problems with Carragher as a footballer, he's been a great servant to this club.

Maybe it's because I'm a foreigner myself and have travelled and lived in different countries that I don't see things the way your insular view allows you to.

[danperkins]

An interesting point about South America. I can't really comment generally as I don't watch any of their games. A brawl is however clearly a different aspect of the problem to what happens in the course of a game regarding the likes of tackling though.

The speed of the PL is certainly a factor and perhaps it is a feedback thing between that and the acceptance of/desire to fly into tackles.

I'm not saying that being dirty is limited to English players, or players in the English league even, just that it seems that there is a wider culture that accepts and often glorifies hard and even dangerous tackles.

I think your right, and although i would never condone tackles like Carra's on Nani, we do love when a hard tackle goes in, i think many see it as a sign of commitment,desire,passion etc I think i would count myself as one of those as well to be honest. But i suppose the likes of Vidic, Puyol, Ayala, Passerella, Scirea, Baresi, Sami, Cannavaro, Bergomi, Desailly, Thuram, Brehme etc all world class foriegn defenders, but also known for the tough and no nonsense approach, maybe we just breed them a wee bit clumsier over here

As for South America, tackling,kicking,fighting etc is rife over there in Brazil and Argentina in which some of the greatest ever players have come from. They have an elegant side and a fiery/tough side to them IMO. Its a strange mix.

[BG1973]

i dont agree with anyone who thinks Rafa has done no wrong and made no mistakes and i dont agree with anyone who thinks carra and stevie were squeaky clean and 100% professional with their performances. but what i do insist on is that rafa is backed as the man in charge with ALL players giving their all in line with his instructions. This is the very minimum for me and I feel very aggrieved that Rafa didnt get it. His achievements given the circumstances were fantastic.

I agree with you in theory but in order for that to happen Rafa has to do his part too. If his persona caused issues within the camp (and we have heard many players cite this) then he needs to address that.

I loved Rafa and still do. Whatever went on I hope he learnt from it so he comes back an even better manager.

[RedReet]

I agree with you in theory but in order for that to happen Rafa has to do his part too. If his persona caused issues within the camp (and we have heard many players cite this) then he needs to address that.

I loved Rafa and still do. Whatever went on I hope he learnt from it so he comes back an even better manager.

I think he will after having this break and that doesn't bode well for us if he wants to work in England.

[barnes10]

I agree with you in theory but in order for that to happen Rafa has to do his part too. If his persona caused issues within the camp (and we have heard many players cite this) then he needs to address that.

I loved Rafa and still do. Whatever went on I hope he learnt from it so he comes back an even better manager.

[barnes10]

I think he will after having this break and that doesn't bode well for us if he wants to work in England.

what if he replaces fergie...?

[RedReet]

what if he replaces fergie...?

No chance he'd take the United job (I hope), but I'm pretty sure he'll be a resounding sucess wherever he ends up.

He's probably looking at the quality of the league this year and thinking to himself 'if only...'.

[Reece]

what if he replaces fergie...?

Then infiltration would be complete

[RedReet]

Then infiltration would be complete

Ha ha, I honestly still have my doubts about the Hodgson appointment and his performance. In few weeks he’s already got West ****ing Brom playing better football than us and got an away win under his belt.

[Danoner Forrest]

The other thing Hodgson should be strung up for is the PFK deal. I was gutted to see Dalle Valle scoring on loan for Bournemouth the other day. Him and Buchtmann, 2 of what I considered to be our brightest youngsters sold for next to nothing plus £4mm for PFK. He should be sent to prison for that alone.

Doddering old face rubbing deep defending big jowled *******.

[Spionkop69]

He wasn't unlucky. He knew the situation when he took the job and he wasn't up to it. It's that simple.

At last, some form of sanity in the thread.

Better than all the conspiracy theoryists that think Gerrard and Carra masterminded the fake moon landings to get Rafa sacked.