‘If you are first you are first. If you are second you are nothing.’ – Bill Shankly
Truer words have never been spoken. At Liverpool Football Club, there is a steep tradition and history of winning. Add to that a fantastic and warm atmosphere of the Kop and its fans, and nothing ever gets bigger than this.
Fact: We are currently the most successful football club in British history – ever. But truth to be told, that pride is under severe threat.
We have a manager nowhere near the calibre to coach a ‘big-name’ club, let alone the most decorated club in the history of British football. We have a manager who has a measly 8 wins in 56 away games. We have a manager who has only a single away success in his previous 27 attempts.
Step forward Roy Hodgson.
He is the man appointed during the darkest of times in the illustrious history of this association, dating back a 118 years. He cannot be faulted. I praise him for his long and dedicated involvement in the exponential development of football around the globe – but clearly, he is out of his depth as a Liverpool Manager. As long as he stays, his reputation tainted, he represents the icon of Liverpool’s drastic decline to mid-table mediocrity.
We just can’t afford that. Manchester United are on our heels!
When he was appointed as Manager in July 2010, I welcomed him to the Club with cautious optimism and hope for the future. I gave faith to the man, support to the man because he wore the Liverbird upon his chest. He was the figurehead of Liverpool Football Club. I showered him with utmost respect, and treated him on equal terms like how every Liverpool Manager should be treated.
But – weeks and months on, Liverpool turned into a laughing stock among rivals’ fans. After our derby defeat to Everton at Goodison, Hodgson claimed: “In my opinion it’s arguably the best game we’ve played since I’ve become the manager of the club.”
Is it? In that game, Liverpool was dire and insipid. That, for Liverpool, is not good enough, Sir.
And till now, 5 months into his wretched regime, each of his actions look more and more desperate. His quotes in the media makes a mockery out of Liverpool FC, which prides in itself its tradition, history and continued success.
When asked whether Torres was better up front alone or whether he was better off with a strike partner, Hodgson replied with a shocking three words. “I don’t know”, he muttered.
Unacceptable. To not even have a general idea of what’s best for the Club is just demoralising and heart-wrenching.
His outbursts on Glen Johnson, Rafa Benitez, don’t aid to his cause either. Criticising a player’s form in public is a definite no-go. It breaks squad harmony. After 35 years in football, 35 years of experience which stood him in good stead and also Winner of the “LMA Manager of the Year” does he not understand that?
Moreover, to lambast Rafa Benitez, who is held in the highest regard by fans, is just another one of those insults to the fans’ faces.
Liverpool is just not the place to wash your dirty linen in public!
His press conferences make me cringe, and hope for the best he suddenly knows how to act ‘The Liverpool Way’.
Never mind the disastrous performances on the pitch, his conduct off it is wide off the mark. It is no wonder that during Villa’s visit to Anfield, the fans embraced the return of Gerard Houllier by chanting his name, and unfurling a banner. Hodgson has never been afforded that luxury.
We are nowhere near where Liverpool ought to be. As we approach the mid-way mark of the season, 22 points doesn’t breed confidence. A solidarity away win in 9 attempts doesn’t breed confidence.
Today, clearly most Liverpool fans don’t welcome him here. For as long as he stays, I doubt he’s going to bring Liverpool success at the highest level. To put it bluntly – I don’t think he is the right man for Liverpool Football Club.
And to end off with a Hodgson quote showing his defeatist mentality and mid-table mindset, it goes….
“For a team that wants to be in the top half (only?) of the table, our away form is not good enough.”
Mr Hodgson, we are a team that wants to win the title – not just finish in the top half. Fact!