RazorUK

Gerrard is a great player, no doubt in my mind. I do however think the top 3 in our history is a big shout, we've been blessed with some terribly fine players over the years. I'd personally struggle to name my top 3 players to be honest. I am however glad that Gerrard plays for us.

I don't disagree with you mate, and I won't be jumping to any wild conclusions early on.I do believe Hodgson has taken the job with the aim of improving us, and I am sure it will take time. I just have no optimism going into this season for the first time that I can remember. I don't have that maybe it's our year feeling that I usually get before our dreams are crushed. A couple of good performances would probably do all of us the world of good, and maybe some of the non-believers (like me) would start to believe:D I'm glad you are not adjusting expectations due to the change of manager, others would appear to have. 4th was the minimum expectation for the last manager, and the least we should expect this season is a very good and spirited fight for 4th, and a good shot at the cups, even in this turmoil we should be good enough to take a cup. I do however have a lingering fear that all the crap that goes on behind the scenes has taken it's toll on this squad of players and some of them feel like we do that we are doomed unless we get bought out. Having worked at a place where you knew the end was nigh, it's difficult to come in and give it your best everyday. Regardless what these players are paid, the uncertainty must affect them to some degree.

I think that is a very fair and balanced post. I am however a little more concerned than you are, but it really is far too early to pass judgment on Roy's regime. For me the fact the club is in the midst of so much upheaval I think Roy is the wrong man at the wrong time. If everything off the pitch wasn't so sh!te then maybe I'd feel a little more optimistic about his appointment. I can't help but feel completely underwhelmed, and I fear that maybe some of the players may have similar feelings. If ever there was a time that for me we needed an inspiring managerial appointment it is now. I do however admire his courage and belief in his own abilities in leaving a comfortable position at Fulham to take on this train wreck of a club. It's the first time that I haven't at least been rejuvenated by the new manager, and maybe it's just because I see Roy as a honest good manager, but not one that I thought would be good enough to manage Liverpool. I see him comfortably managing mid-table at the likes of West Ham, Fulham, Everton etc. I think for me he is unfortunately currently a symbol of everything I despise about the current owners, and it feels like we appointed someone to reset expectations of where we should be competing in the league. It feel's like another step on sending this once proud club down towards mid-table obscurity. Like I said, I hope and I pray that I am wrong and that I grow to love Roy as much as I have loved all the prior managers with the sole exception being Souness.

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If that is anywhere near true, that performance from the manager against City is scandalous!

If that is true, then fair play to him. He wanted to go for family reasons and put his money where his mouth is. With the exception of the alleged refusal to play, I've had no problems with Masch and I am thankful he played for us. Just a shame it turned a little sour at the end.

Wooooo woo woo woo We've got the best midfield in the world We've got Xabi Alonso, Momo Sissoko Gerrard and Mascherano

The same manager enquired about both of them!

I feel the same way.

and yet we have the same folks who wanted a change of manager (as 4th was the minimum expectation) telling us that 4th would now be a massive achievement. This with mostly the same players and the same sh** owners. I personally see the appointment of Roy as another step in resetting our expectations. 4th will be an achievement, 7th will be good this time around, next season maybe 10th will be an achievement, easily justified because we lost Torres, Gerrard and Masch.........and on and on until we become Leeds. Never have we appointed a manager with less of a reputation than his predecessor.....This cycle will repeat itself unless we get the right owners. Broughton has a lot on his plate!

Exactly.

Then perhaps we should have gone for fat Sam if that is the standard we are aiming for. I hope Hodgson proves me wrong, but I never thought he was right for us, and nothing has changed that. Nice man, but not a manager that I would have picked in a hundred years to manage us. I said that before he joined, but he's there and he'll get my support until he goes. That doesn't mean I won't criticise if I think he makes mistakes, or praise him if it's warranted

Rafa would never have taken the fulham job...... He's a big manager, not a bottom of the premiership type of manager.

Fair enough. He was disappointing for me because he could have been one of the true greats. I guess that doesn't make him a bad buy, but I wish he had been born with the work ethic of Dirk. He would have been a world beater.

Collymore? Good player on his day, but not a good signing

With the alleged stronger squad 4th should be a minimum requirement, assuming we are not dropping our expectations.

With the amount of injuries that Stevie, Torres and Cole get he would get plenty of games. Not that we are getting him anyway.

Instead of Masch?

The photo of him in the middle of hicks and gillette doesn't help his cause either.

I'd add he is one of the world class players at the club, and if there is anyway to keep him we should.

Poulsen will be here for sure!

Except we don't have a 1st team left back at the moment. I'd agree if there are no further outgoings and a few more players in (2 left backs, center forward and a central midfielder etc) then we are looking better than we did in May. I do however remain sceptical that there will be no further outgoings.

It's possible we will have a better season than last, it's possible we would have had a better season than last with Rafa, it's possible that we would have a better season than last with me as manager (okay probably not likely....but possible!). It's all pointless b******s....We have who we have and we have to deal with it......some of us are okay with it, some of us would rather we have the previous manager ( I fall into this camp). What we really need is to deal with the real problem at the club and keep the pressure on them, once we have new owners then we can be concerned with the manager IMHO. Until they are gone, the manager's role is undermined regardless of who is in the actual role. So good luck Roy, because you will need it with your current bosses!