Friday 30 July 2010

The admirable Hodgson

Roy Hodgson, interviewed after taking charge of his first competitive game at Liverpool, displayed the qualities of articulate intelligence, good grace and composure which, with his excellent record of course, doubtless brought him to Liverpool's mind in the first place.

One of the first things a lot of managers do early in their reign at any new club is have a dig at the tactics, fitness, squad balance or dressing room disharmony bequeathed to them by the previous manager. Roy Hodgson instead chose to credit Benitez with leaving behind a strong and well-balanced squad, and also paid eloquent tribute to Fulham in wishing Mark Hughes well in taking over down there.

For me, Hodgson is a great fit for Liverpool and one of the first people I'd have looked to in their position. I realise that Van Gaal and others' names have been mentioned but Hodgson will, I think, do well there. Certainly better than last season anyway when, in my opinion, the main problem Benitez had was that he'd gone stale at Anfield and a change was needed, rather than any fundamental problem with his abilities as a manager. Apart from his baffling and sedulous selection of Lucas, of course. Hodgson will bring stablity and will get the best out of players that are not in the absolutely highest stratum of quality in Europe, given Liverpool's seeming inability (or unwillingness) to compete with City, Utd, Chelsea etc in spending.

I'm not a Reds fan specifically but believe that the top flight needs a strong Liverpool. They're stitched into the fabric of football history in this country, a fact acknowledged by Joe Cole when he signed for them, and it always feels like there's something wrong with the picture when they're not strong. I trust Hodgson carries the fans' good wishes at Anfield because he's a good manager, a football man in the mould of the old-fashioned Liverpool managers of the bygone eras. I wish him well.

1 comment:

  1. He's done everything right so far, as soon as he arrived there was an air of optimism and excitement about the season.

    I'm really looking forward to seeing how we get on this season because while most people have written us off for the next few years, i get the feeling under Hodgeson we may well be back a bit sooner!

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