I never wanted Rafa to go even though at least 50% of the support did ,maybe some players did and obviously those in power did. When it came to appointing a replacement I honestly didn't give a damn as we as a club and fans had a bigger fight on our hands.What did surprise me was the optimism among some with the appointment of Hodgson who was never on my radar but when I investigated further and heard his early interviews it became too apparent that he was not the man for the job! The obvious way out of the mess was the temporary appointment of Kenny and in my eyes the shrewd appointment of Steve Clark.The ship that Roy was supposed to steady was now steadied. The owners were now faced with a dilemma of sorts ie keep the fan's idol or follow their original plan of appointing a new up and coming coach. With Kenny uniting the fans and indeed recording some decent results while restoring some passion there was always going to be one winner. I have stated before that I never saw Kenny as a Messiah and quite obviously he didn't see himself as a miracle worker either. What sweet young thing could we have brought in eg.Villas-Boas was mooted at one time..nuff said.Even the greats like Ancellotti or Capello have been found wanting at times. So,we revamped the squad and cleared out the 'deadwood',and the future looked bright.There were actually those among the fanbase who thought we could win the PL,but then all fans are optimists and in the recent past we were expected to win both the PL and the CL. The more realistic target is a top 4 spot,but even that is proving very difficult. We have bought the wrong players,wrong tactics,wrong substitutions ,have no passion etc. etc.Don't get me wrong if you didn't discuss those points you wouldn't be getting involved in the full experience of being a supporter. I don't want to portray myself as a Superfan,but my expectations may be slightly lower than a lot of fans which doesn't mean I don't get as frustrated as the rest or any less hurt by the barbs of other club's fans. It is my philosophy that I get behind the manager and team 100%,and anything less could have a detrimental effect. So when I hear booing or see 'fans'leaving early it concerns me.I think also the reputation Anfield/Kop has is a bit false at times--I've seen plenty of away fans show more passion than us. Personally I will carry on as before--I will give my support to the manager and the team--they owe me nothing!!
Who said the original plan was to appoint an up and coming manager? Players were booed under Rafa also. Chelsea net spend since last January is £120m, yet there only 3 points ahead of us, what does that say about AVB?
1.Recent interview with JH. 2Indeed,some people think because you have bought a ticket it gives you the right to vent your frustrations--not in my book. 3Yes,that was the point I was making..there are no miracle workers.
I'm not saying your wrong and I'm here to be corrected but I doubt Henry said that, if he did it was a bloody stupid thing to do. Bar Spurs and Swansea we shoulda won every game this season with great ease, only bad finishing and individual mistakes cost us, there's nothing you can do from the dugout to rectify that during the game, no matter who you are.
I'm pretty sure the manager commentis right. Think the origianl idea was to give Hodgson the season whilst assessing candidates but it became quickly apparent that we simply couldnt wait that long.
I haven't the time to dig out the interview but it was said..maybe not an up and coming but a young manager with pedigree.That was always the plan,not a 60 something which makes sense to some degree,but then there are exceptions to the rule. I meant to add without sounding pessimistic but the next 3 games are a big ask and if we fail I can read the headlines already. Trust me I am singing from the same hymnsheet.
Was thinking this the other day,i added Stoke away to the list too,may have had a draw.I don't like using the ladyluck term but it's deserted us in several games and that's a fact,Dalglish's teams are going out on the offensive creating countless chances which is half the battle but their not ending up in the net down to several reasons and that's the unfortunate thing.What do we change to make a difference? i don't know but it wont take much as if were not going to continue to create then were not going to score. Looking at the league table the form guide of everyone's last 6 games has us in 4th i think,a lot won't have noticed that but it still has us ahead of the mancs and Chelsea on recent form pointwise but the overall table does tell a different story. Top 4 now is a big ask but if we get ladyluck on our side i'm confident we'll be top 4 by Christmas and the job is to cement it. Current odds for top 4 finish 1/5 Chelsea 1/1 Spurs 7/5 Arsenal 2/1 Liverpool
Not being smart but there are alot of improvements from 12 months ago. Even against swansea we hit the bar from 3 yards out and this was early in the game everyone knows what an early goal can do for the team We have out played everyone apart from spurs and I think it will take time for it all to come together since aggar came back in we have sropped giving away silly goals and with a bit of good luck (which we haven't had in years)we could be fighting for 3rd spot
Are we seriously questioning one of the greatest managers we've ever had because we've drawn a few games at home, we have the 3rd best defensive record in the prem, all we need is fans with patience and it will happen.
I'm in the category of those that think we'll win the league every year (Roy's season apart), that week that comes every year (usually in September or October) when you realize you're fooling yourself has been and gone (Stoke away was mine). The real job is getting top 4 and I'd still make us favorites to get it. Spurs are in great form right now but they have had Ledley King available for the last 6 or 7 games, as sure as night follows day that will come to an end soon enough and so will their good form. Arsenal have papered over the cracks imo and soon will come crashing back down to earth. Chelsea could honestly go either way. Form wise we've been the most consistent of those sides and soon enough we'll have the results to match them.
Liverpool owner John W Henry admits a long-term deal for Kenny Dalglish was not in their thoughts when first appointing him last season. When he met Dalglish, the American immediately realised he was the perfect man for the job — even though his initial plan was for a younger boss. Henry revealed: "We didn't feel pressured. "I had been talking with Kenny about philosophy and initially he was brought aboard just for the rest of the season. "But it became obvious he was the right man to lead the club. "Kenny is certainly charismatic and beloved by the fans. I wasn't convinced when we arrived that he should be back managing and I wanted things to work with the manager we inherited. "But the fans knew much more than I did."
if we don't finish top 4 we won't be far off it, and if we do miss out the worst thing that could happen would be to bring in another manager in the summer. there are reasons we laugh at chelsea and newcastle
While it is ridiculous to boo and call for a change, it is equally ridiculously not be allowed question from questionable decisions on and off the pitch, the reality should. and does, lie in the middle.
One thing bugging myself is our change in style of play , we were flying under Kenny , thought we would have used Fulham away as the blue print and just added better players and kept with the fluid formation . Watching us play 442 is for me just frustrating . Yes Kenny knows best and with time it will work out but thought last season we were fablous to watch and Kenny had set a blue print for the club going forward. We had Raul and Maxi getting ahead of Suarez with Kuyt supporting , now all 3 are gone/benched and replaced by Downing Carroll and Henderson and it's just not working at present and seems to myself the reason 442 is favored . Buy players IMO to suit the system .
I`m only new to this site but concerns me that some people are questioning KD after 11 league games. He didnt need to come back in as manager last year but he could see how far we had fallen and wanted to restore the club to it`s proper position, which for Kenny is top of the league which is a huge challenge now and many people would say it is a romantic dream. I dont see it that way but it won`t happen overnight, but what is clear to see if the massive improvements the team have made since the return of Kenny. We are back to 'pass and move' and for that alone we should be grateful compared to bile that was played at time under firstly Houllier and than Rafa. Now I really liked Rafa but like Barcelona and Man U we have a style of football that should never be messed around with I was upset on Saturday with the result but talking abount the honeymoon period been over is in my opinion insane. Kenny deserves the same amount of time that was given to both Houllier and Rafa. For god sake even Man City have stuck with Mancini and I know the money has played the biggest part in them going from no hopers to title challengers but it also helps to stay with the same manager and let him do his job. I want the club back in CL that helps attract talent, but if we dont make it this season any fan calling for Kenny to go should hang their heads in shame.
very good post. like you say about city it took years of spending big for them to finally click. wont stop the press scuttering on about kenny spending over 100 million any chance they get, conveniently ignoring the 70 milion or whatever it was we recouped from torres babel meireles and ngog
In my heart of hearts i knew it would happen as soon as a few games didn't go as planned. It's a sad state of affairs in all honesty when a man who has given so much to the club and city is now being questioned after 11 games of his first season back in charge. I know it's a small minority but it's there all the same.
This not spending huge amounts is just a myth , we are the 3rd biggest gross and net spenders since 1992 and it's the same if you take it from 2003 Both markers out spent by City and Chelsea. Kenny is the right man for the job and were lucky to have him and it will take time. But to say we haven't spent big is a myth , last 3 years we have suffered but over all we have spent big .