Nando - Hodgsons Fall Guy

Flight · December 31, 2010

I'm starting a new thread on this because it's such blatent propaganda and contains such specific details that it can only be a leak from the club, in which case we are going to hear more about it.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/hodgson-left-to-fight-for-future-as-owners-doubts-grow-2172428.html

Hodgson is a popular figure within Anfield and there is a feeling among some that he is too candid and articulate for his own good at times. Nothing the manager said in his questioning of the supporters was factually inaccurate there has, indeed, been little fans' support for him and his language on Wednesday night was not intemperate. But by calling for better support he has rendered his relationship with supporters an even more dislocated one. There is also a feeling perfectly justified from some quarters at Anfield that Fernando Torres has escaped scot-free from the wrath of fans, while Hodgson has taken all the abuse.

Hodgson believes one of the reasons why smaller teams are regularly beating larger ones in this Premier League season is that the days of journeymen teams are over and that every side has at least one elite potential match-winner, from Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia to Wolves' Matt Jarvis.

With each side capable of achieving a decent level, Hodgson reasons, delivery from that star player is more often the difference between success and failure. Torres is one of the star men for Liverpool and, despite playing in every League game bar one this season and enjoying a contract way beyond that of Jamie Carragher, he does not look interested. It has not been lost on some that Torres' only star performance was in the first half against Chelsea, the side to which he would welcome a move.

Privately, Hodgson believes the Spaniard's problems are physical and psychological, but Liverpool have stored up trouble by making the player bigger than the club, whose former managing director Christian Purslow was desperate to keep the striker as part of the process of making the club attractive to buyers. The informal understanding reached before Henry's New England Sports Ventures group took over was that Torres would be permitted to leave at the end of this season if Liverpool had failed to qualify for the Champions League and a £50m offer came in.

Now, the 26-year-old seems to be beyond the manager's control. Tactically, Hodgson's style, with Pepe Reina punting long balls in the direction of Torres when he needs the ball played to his feet, is often less suited to him, but that does not account for his poor season.

Torres the terrible

After some great years at Liverpool, 2010 has seen the striker struggle for form and fitness, looking increasingly unsettled.

March Penalty spot disruption goes unpunished. After heading Liverpool ahead at Old Trafford, Torres then kicked the spot before a Wayne Rooney penalty. Torres went unpunished by the FA.

April Hauled off at St Andrew's Withdrawn after 65 minutes of a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City, prompting a bemused reaction from Steven Gerrard.

June/July Limited role in World Cup glory Torres was clearly unfit at the World Cup in South Africa. He started four of Spain's seven matches, but was substituted in all of them and only once lasted beyond 58 minutes. Scored no goals.

September Accused by Ferguson Sir Alex Ferguson said that Torres made "an absolute meal" of a foul by John O'Shea in Liverpool's 3-2 defeat to United. "There is no doubt he tried" to get O'Shea sent off.

November Scores against Chelsea and Wigan Both goals are his in a 2-0 win over Chelsea at Anfield. Then strikes his fifth goal of the season at the JJB and has not scored for Liverpool since. Seen turning his back and looking uninterested as Jermain Defoe missed a penalty in the 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane.

Edited December 31, 2010 by Flight

_00_deathscar · December 31, 2010

This post is not viewable to guests.