Roy Hodgeson
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The reason Fulham ended up out of the top 10 last season, was because our squad size was pushed to it's limit. Our season started mid July or so, and ended mid May. Throughout that season we had Dempsey, Johnson, Zamora, Davies, Konchesky and Murphy all with fairly long term injuries. Moreso Dempsey/Johnson/Zamora and Konchesky. That alone (last season) is 6 of out starting 11. It got to the stage we had 15-16 'fit' players in our whole squad, including some that were just named to fill the quota.
Our away form isn't just under Hodgson, I'm not sure what it is. However after Hodgson's structure and the attacking mind of Hughes we seem to be more positive. Don't forget, Hodgson worked with a very limited budget, and was able to identify players who fit his style, even Fulham fans frowned upon signings like Pantsil, Zamora, Duff, Greening and Etuhu (along with Zamora, probably the most improved) etc and look where we are now. Saying that, a lot of players were getting a bit tired of the same routine in training day in day out, which is just working on structure, it looked a shambles for Fulham for 3-4 months, but from then it was good.
Caporegime
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You need to realise the expectations of the two clubs and their supporters differ massively.
Fulham were fighting relegation when he took over so any progression up the table, no matter how long it took, would've been acceptable.
He took over us after we finished 7th last season and we now find ourselves in 18th. With the squad we have we should be pushing for a Europa League spot and playing considerably better than we currently are. If it takes him the same amount of time to get us playing the way he wants not only will we struggle to make the Europa League we'll also lose some of our best players like Agger and Torres in January.
Fulham were fighting relegation when he took over so any progression up the table, no matter how long it took, would've been acceptable.
He took over us after we finished 7th last season and we now find ourselves in 18th. With the squad we have we should be pushing for a Europa League spot and playing considerably better than we currently are. If it takes him the same amount of time to get us playing the way he wants not only will we struggle to make the Europa League we'll also lose some of our best players like Agger and Torres in January.
An article where the writer gives his opinion that signing Poulsen would be a cheap replacement to Masch is proof that Benitez wanted him, even though he quite literally laughed off reports we were interested in him?
I'd imagine Benitez is still picking the team too? Why else would Poulsen be playing otherwise.
Linked to by who? The article you posted was just some random opinion from a journalist and you seem to be using that as proof that Rafa wanted him
It just seems like another attempt to deflect all blame for the mess we're in from Hodgson back to Rafa.
An article where the writer gives his opinion that signing Poulsen would be a cheap replacement to Masch is proof that Benitez wanted him, even though he quite literally laughed off reports we were interested in him?
I'd imagine Benitez is still picking the team too? Why else would Poulsen be playing otherwise.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/engla...e-in-on-juventus-midfielder-christian-poulsen
http://www.imscouting.com/global-ne...nterested-in-juventus-midfielder-christ/2688/
So no it's not just 1 dodgy site that says you were in for him both of those quote Sky and The Times
Christ just google Poulsen Liverpool and 2009 in the same sentence and you'll get at least another 100 sources that says you were in for him.
They not denying that, they saying when the 1 man (Rafa) who should be asked if he was after Poulsen was interviewed he laughed.
As has been said he was '''rumored''' as a makeweight and because Mescherano was unhappy.
Jesus ****ing Christ. I seem to remember you telling people not to read what you see in the papers and now a few articles without any sort of foundation is proof Benitez wanted Poulsen? We were linked with just about every midfielder in Europe 2 seasons ago, I assume we wanted to sign all of them as they were in the papers after all?
It's really not difficult to understand. When he was specifically asked about the Poulsen link, Benitez laughed at the reporter and made it as clear as day that he had absolutely no interest in him. There is absolutely no quote from anybody at Liverpool expressing any sort of interest in Poulsen until Hodgson was appointed manager.
Hodgson has made it perfectly clear that he wanted to sign Poulsen and as he said himself, he didn't just want him as a replacement for Masch, he wanted him regardless.
edit: It would seem as if Poulsen was being offered to clubs all around Europe by Juve last summer and can anybody remember who was Fulham manager last summer? I only ask as Poulsen's agent confirmed that he rejected a loan move to Fulham:
http://thenationonlineng.net/web2/a...ejects-loan-move-to-Fulham---Agent/Page1.html
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This is getting highly amusing.
Rafa gets ridiculed for underachieving with a squad that most people (media and pundits included) expected to get top four last season. How could Liverpool fail so badly?
Answer = Mismanagement. Rafa gets blamed.
Liverpool sign Hodgson as their manager and everyone proclaims him to be the man who can help the players realise their full potential and challenge at the top again. Hodgson fails to impress, despite inheriting a squad which includes 15 players who represented their countries at the World Cup in the summer, and people immediately look to absolve him of all blame. How can the LMA manager of the year fail so badly with a squad that was good enough the previous season?
Answer = Poor squad. Rafa gets blamed.
Hodgson buys a few players that he believes will strengthen Liverpool but one of them looks out of his depth and earns the tag of the worst signing in recent years. Rafa's no longer at Liverpool so surely Hodgson's to blame?
Answer = Some random journalist linked Poulsen to Liverpool the previous season. Rafa gets blamed.
Rafa gets ridiculed for underachieving with a squad that most people (media and pundits included) expected to get top four last season. How could Liverpool fail so badly?
Answer = Mismanagement. Rafa gets blamed.
Liverpool sign Hodgson as their manager and everyone proclaims him to be the man who can help the players realise their full potential and challenge at the top again. Hodgson fails to impress, despite inheriting a squad which includes 15 players who represented their countries at the World Cup in the summer, and people immediately look to absolve him of all blame. How can the LMA manager of the year fail so badly with a squad that was good enough the previous season?
Answer = Poor squad. Rafa gets blamed.
Hodgson buys a few players that he believes will strengthen Liverpool but one of them looks out of his depth and earns the tag of the worst signing in recent years. Rafa's no longer at Liverpool so surely Hodgson's to blame?
Answer = Some random journalist linked Poulsen to Liverpool the previous season. Rafa gets blamed.
You see this is where your argument fails because just as I've said in the past not to believe what is wrote in then press you've always been very pro 'there's no smoke without fire'
Seems to me that it's fairly simple the club/Rafa sounded out Poulsen last summer, Mascherano didn't leave so nothing came of it and then this summer when it was clear Masherano was going you renewed your interest in him
I find it really quite naive how blinkered you are towards Benitez yet you yourself have admitted that Joe Cole wasn't a Hodgson signing so answer me why it's completely unthinkable that Poulsen wasn't 100% a Hodgson signing either?
It's clear to just about everyone outside of liverpool's fan base that Benitez was a bit of a joke as a manager yet you lot seem to think it's all down to a manager who's been in charge for 2 minutes for your failings on the pitch
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Yep you're right Benitez is blameless, Rafa = god, KRAP etc etc
Caporegime
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Reading isn't your strong point is it
Caporegime
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All hail Mr Football \
/
Caporegime
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I love watching Tom's complete lack of debating ability
There's no point going around in circles.
If you think Rafa has had anything to do with signing Poulsen then fair enough, you're only embarrassing yourself.
Hodgson is undoubtedly under-achieving at Liverpool.
With Torres (surprisingly) out injured, he has the devastating forwardline of The New Thierry Henry, David Ngog, and Ryan "Mr Consistent" Babel at his disposal. Obviously, you need more than a potent strikeforce to win matches, you need a solid foundation in midfield. And thank god the money-grabbing Carlos Kickaballs like Alonso and Mascherano have jumped ship for Spain, paving the way for a devastating base of Lucas and Poulson.
And then at the back, what better way to catch out the opposition than your very own one-man offside trap, Glen Johnson. Who needs Adam Johnson when you've got Glen to run down the wing, cut inside and take a shot with his left foot. Those poor opposition goalkeepers must be getting sick and tired of having to continually plant the ball on the corner of their 6-yard box.
With Torres (surprisingly) out injured, he has the devastating forwardline of The New Thierry Henry, David Ngog, and Ryan "Mr Consistent" Babel at his disposal. Obviously, you need more than a potent strikeforce to win matches, you need a solid foundation in midfield. And thank god the money-grabbing Carlos Kickaballs like Alonso and Mascherano have jumped ship for Spain, paving the way for a devastating base of Lucas and Poulson.
And then at the back, what better way to catch out the opposition than your very own one-man offside trap, Glen Johnson. Who needs Adam Johnson when you've got Glen to run down the wing, cut inside and take a shot with his left foot. Those poor opposition goalkeepers must be getting sick and tired of having to continually plant the ball on the corner of their 6-yard box.
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