Friday, August 6, 2010

Liverpool Heading In The Right Direction Under Hodgson

At the tail end of last season, Liverpool FC looked to be in free fall. Heavily in debt, American owners that nobody liked and a manager who had outstayed his time at the club. Since then, the club has at least three suitors negotiating club purchase, the elder statesman Roy Hodgson became manager, inexpensive but quality signings walked into Anfield and suddenly optimism is high among Liverpool fans.

Joe Cole was perhaps the highest profile free transfer signing of the season. The fact that he chose to join Liverpool boosted the sagging confidence of the players at the club. His experience as a Premier League winner will help a Liverpool squad short on title challenge experience. Cole will undoubtedly be the most important influence on Liverpool's 2010/2011 season.


Cole was brilliant in the Europa League in mid-week for Liverpool as you can see from this footage compilation below. That creative output in the final third provided by Cole was lacking for Liverpool last season, making this signing even more logical. The former Chelsea star have the skills and vision to turn Liverpool into a top four side again.



Successfully keeping Gerrard and Torres at the club can be deemed like having two major signings for Hodgson. Re-signing Fabio Aurelio smacks of desperation but the way he destroyed Manchester United two seasons ago, I'd signed him once more just for that!

Milan Jovanovic is a versatile attacker, able to play as a striker or an attacking midfielder, he will add sharpness and big-game experience to complement Torres and Kuyt. Although a Rafa signing, Roy's excellent man management skills should bring the best out of this big man.

Cultured defender Danny Wilson was surely signed with an eye on the future. The new Alan Hansen definitely has high potential as he had shown while in Rangers colours last season. Soon to be 19 years old, he will be one for the future. The Scottish U-19 captain is being earmarked as a future Scotland captain, following in the footsteps of Hansen.

So who says quality signings cannot be done without money? Liverpool had just pulled off four top signings, spending only £2mil. Roy Hodgson has steadied the ship and whilst the opening match against Arsenal will prove more difficult than Rabotnicki, there is every reason to feel optimistic as a Liverpool fan.

No Liverpool manager since Souness has failed to win a trophy. Roy Hodgson has all the credentials and managerial acumen to keep that trend going. I rate Hodgson with his international management exposure as a European-level manager and already his experience is moving Liverpool in the right direction.

With Christian Poulsen lined up to potentially replace Monster Masch, there will be no lack of bite in the tackles. Poulsen is as hard as Mascherano and the memories of Jan Molby ensures that Liverpool fans will always have a soft spot for Danish midfielders.

After all that unwelcome chaos of last season, the unassuming manner in which the club is conducting itself, from the transfers to the purchase of club is bringing about a wave of positivity. Roy Hodgson is stealthily leading Liverpool out of the hangovers of last season.



1 comment:

Anonymous said...

No manager since Taylor has failed to win a trophy..??

Souness won the FA cup in 92.

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