Source: Daily_Mail
THE FIRING LINE: Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson on the brink
Never mind the nightmare before Christmas, it's turned into the nightmare after Christmas for Roy Hodgson, whose Liverpool tenure has fallen to its lowest ebb. [LNB]Hodgson could only stand and watch his side crash to defeat against a Wolves side that had the worst away record in the country. He claims he has the backing of the board and the players but as long as the fans remain against him his position looks far from secure.[LNB] Tough times: Roy Hodgson looks on during the 1-0 defeat to Wolves[LNB] Elsewhere ex-Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier is struggling badly at Aston Villa after a fifth defeat in six games. His only defence (and it's a pretty good one) is that he has not had the opportunity to buy and sell players in a transfer window. [LNB]But judging by some of his buys at Liverpool (Bruno Cheyrou, anyone?) January is not necessarily going to improve Villa. [LNB]Each week we bring you our latest chart of the managers under pressure, and those on Easy Street. Here's Sportsmail's sack-race rankings - otherwise known as the Firing Line... [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]1Liverpool- Roy Hodgson Hodgson's spell at Anfield hit a new low after a home defeat to Wolves. The fans have voiced their opinion, with cries for Kenny Dalglish echoing around the ground during the shock loss. UP ONE[LNB][LNB]2West Ham - Avram Grant Just passed the three-game ultimatum given to him with a haul of five points but Grant is not out of the woods yet, with another acid test at home against fellow strugglers Wolves next. DOWN ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB]3Aston Villa - Gerard Houllier Based on the last six games, Villa are the most out of form team in the league. Only one point above the bottom three, Houllier has a big month ahead - if he lasts that long. UP FOUR[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB]4Chelsea- Carlo AncelottiDespite the win against Bolton, the Blues still look in bad shape and Ancelotti still seems far from happy. The Italian does not look to have recovered from the dismissal of Ray Wilkins. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]5Fulham - Mark Hughes An unexpected win at Stoke has given Hughes's position at Craven Cottage an almighty boost. He has financial backing in the transfer window where will need to spend every penny wisely. UP THREE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB][LNB]6Wolves- Mick McCarthyThe chips were down, the pressure was on but out of nowhere McCarthy inspired his Wolves side to their first away win all season and their first at Anfield in 24 years. DOWN ONE[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]7ManCity - Roberto Mancini Despite the 'itchy feet' virus that is going around City's strikers,Mancini is getting the results and City are finally starting to looklike genuine title contenders. Blackpool at home next. DOWN FOUR[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]8 Blackburn- Steve KeanHas the Rovers job until the end of the season but on that basis will have to deliver instant results to hold the position longer. Not easy with players queuing up to exit Ewood Park. NEW ENTRY[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]9Wigan- Roberto Martinez It was a fabulous Christmas for Martinez. His team rose up to the Boxing Day challenge to defeat Wolves and showed spirit with 10 men to snatch a point against Arsenal. DOWN THREE[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]10BirminghamCity - Alex McLeish Just one home defeat in 24 home games after the late heroics against Manchester United. However away form is poor and City are now the only side without three points on the road. DOWN ONE[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]11Newcastle - Alan Pardew The Liverpool victory seems a long time ago now. Two straight defeats will not help build a relationship with the fans, who are still hurting over Chris Hughton's departure. NON-MOVER[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]12WestBromwich - Roberto Di Matteo Three defeats in a row represent an unhappy Christmas for Di Matteo. With the basement clubs all picking up points in the same period, the Italian will have one eye over his shoulder. DOWN TWO[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB] 13Sunderland- Steve BruceBruce suffered a manager's nightmare after seeing his side throw away their unbeaten home record in the 2-0 defeat to Blackpool, despite having 32 attempts at goal. Blackburn next. DOWN ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]14Blackpool - Ian Holloway With five wins on the road this season, the Seasiders boast one of the finest away records in the league. Still sit eighth despite having games in hand on the whole division. UP ONE [LNB][LNB][LNB]15Bolton - Owen Coyle Speaks volumes about where Coyle has taken the Trotters when a defeat at Chelsea sees him rueing a missed opportunity to leapfrog the champions. Wounded Liverpool away next. DOWN TWO[LNB][LNB]16Stoke City - Tony Pulis Just as the Potters start picking up big results on their travels, the home form starts to tail off. Three defeats in their last six games at the Britannia represent a blip for Pulis' side. DOWN TWO[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]17Everton - David Moyes The Toffees are becoming the draw specialists with 10 now for the campaign. Goals are the problem for Moyes and he will be on the lookout for a striker in the transfer window. DOWN ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB]18Tottenham- Harry RedknappDespite some impressive recent results, Redknapp will be overjoyed at finally keeping a clean sheet in the win over Newcastle, Spurs' first since the opening day. Fulham next. DOWN ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]19Arsenal- Arsene Wenger Wenger will be fuming his side blew their chance to go joint top after failing to hold onto the lead at 10-man Wigan. Another test of resolve presents itself at Birmingham next. DOWN ONE [LNB]20Man United - Sir Alex FergusonHis team end 2010 unbeaten and top of the table. Those stats paper over some of the cracks though, with United having won just once away all season. They remain vulnerable. DOWN ONE[LNB] Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson insists he still has the dressing room but admits: Fans haven't supported me since day oneHoullier in trouble as Aston Villa chiefs ponder future of under-fire bossSheffield United on brink of Adams deal after offering to quadruple wagesTHE FIRING LINE: Win or bust! West Ham boss Avram Grant running out of games[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Chris Hughton, Ian Holloway, Steve Bruce, David Moyes, Mark Hughes, Harry Redknapp, Mick McCarthy, Kenny Dalglish, Gerard Houllier, Tony Pulis, Alex McLeish, Roy Hodgson, Roberto Mancini, Owen Coyle, Roberto Martinez Places: Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham
