EPL, England, Europe, Features, Ian John, Leagues, Regions POSTS

Is Hodgson solely to blame for the Liverpool debacle?

Published by Ian John on January 7, 2011

A quick glance of any of sports pages of any of the tabloids and broadsheets in the UK this past week and you will have found one story recurring frequently in the pages, that of Roy Hodgson’s seemingly imminent departure from Anfield after Liverpool enduring their worst start to a season in nearly 50 years.

So far, Liverpool fans have been quick to vent their spleen at the former Fulham manager, blaming him for a range of inept performances including home defeats to Blackpool and Wolves and a succession of abysmal away performances that have seen Liverpool plummet to just four points above the Premier League relegation zone. It is not just the fans voicing their disapproval on the ‘net and phone ins either. There have been vocal demonstrations against Hodgson by Liverpool fans at games of late, something unheard of at Anfield, and even former players have been moved by the clubs plight to suggest that Hodgson’s days are numbered.

So in view of all that, here is why Roy Hodgson not only does not deserve all the flak he is getting, but why other people at Liverpool football club need to take a long hard look in the mirror.

Firstly, Hodgson’s appointment came via the former Liverpool board. He is, and remains, a Hicks & Gillette appointment, regardless of how accurate or inaccurate that portrayal may be. Therefore, in many fans eyes, he is the last remaining link to the disastrous spell under the American duo. That plays against Hodgson from the start.

Secondly, Hodgson inherited a hugely overstaffed squad. Sadly, the squad was stuffed with players who were nowhere near the ability required to make a realistic challenge for the Champions League or Premier League dominance. Furthermore, with the club in financial meltdown, any deals Hodgson had to make were made with the understanding that he needed to make severe cuts to the squad. Add into the fact that Liverpool’s major summer signing, Joe Cole, was not a Hodgson signing and that the manager had no real funds or even the space to sign the players he wanted, it was always looking likely to be a recipe for disaster.

In addition, the view many fans held of Hodgson taking the job from under the nose of Kenny Dalglish, a true Anfield icon, also went against him. As did his perceived friendship with Sir Alex Ferguson. The fact he signed Paul Konchesky also went down like a lead balloon when Konchesky, a cockney, said some ill-advised things about Liverpool. The ex-Fulham defenders lack of subsequent form has just counted against him still further.

If we analyse the real problems at Anfield, fans will find that Hodgson is not to blame for a great many of them. It is not Hodgson’s fault the club still lack any vision for a new ground, or the finances to compete at the highest level. It was not his fault the club has been embroiled in an unsettling and costly off the field courtroom saga since the start of the season. It is not his fault that he inherited a squad with nearly 70 professionals, 50-60 of which were not of the ability the club has come to expect. It is not Hodgson’s fault the board elected to choose him as manager over Kenny Dalglish, it is not Hodgson’s fault that Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have been injured for long periods, that Joe Cole was suspended in his first game, that Fernando Torres has spent almost every game this season sulking and looking disinterested in attack, or that Glen Johnson still shows no aptitude to defend. It is not Hodgson’s choice that the defence is not good enough and the attack threadbare because he has not had the chance to mould the squad as he would like to.

That said, Hodgson could and should have done better with the squad he had. Tactically, the team have looked woeful at times and that is the fault of the manager, but do you not think he is working on that with his backroom team?

What were Liverpool fans expecting? Hodgson to come in and take the Benitez inherited squad roaring into 1st place and the Champions League at the first attempt? Since when in the past 20 years has that happened with any manager? I agree fans should be seeing better performances from the team, more commitment from players, but is that always Hodgson’s fault? The attitude of some Liverpool players this season, including some of their biggest names, has been nothing short of disgraceful at times. It almost seems that Hodgson is being made the scapegoat for all the clubs ills.

It is grossly unfair. Certainly Hodgson hasn’t got Liverpool performing anywhere near like they would hope to be. That is his fault. But if fans are thinking that every ill at the club is the fault of the manager then they are going to be in for a very long wait. Liverpool could appoint Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Brian Clough, Herbert Chapman, Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley as manager and together they would not be able to get the club out of the mess they are in now.

So no, Roy isn’t to blame for every ill at the club. That won’t save his job, but Liverpool fans should not expect a new manager to come in and suddenly transform the club. That will only start when the new owners begin their promised level of investment.

And not for the first time, that doesn’t seem to be too forthcoming at Liverpool FC under their new American owners.

Image Courtesy of ***LFC_Logo *** on Photobucket.com

Readers Rating: