Source: Team_Talk
Hodgson fears for Fergie friendship
ew Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson thinks he may have placed his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson in jeopardy by moving to Anfield.[LNB] The former Fulham boss is fretting over making a first phone call to the Manchester United chief since being unveiled on Merseyside on Thursday.[LNB]Liverpool and United are arch-rivals and Hodgson fears that it could put a strain on his friendship with Ferguson. [LNB]The Reds boss said: "I know Sir Alex is not really a Liverpool man so I'm a bit concerned about my excellent relationship with him. [LNB]"I hope he forgives me for moving north and, hopefully, we can have a glass of wine together, maybe in secret. [LNB]"I hope that's how he is going to see it but he is one of the people I intend to ring to find out. [LNB]"When I rang the Fulham chairman to say I wished to move to Liverpool, that was one call I had to get out of the way and Alex might be the next one. [LNB]"I must say I've always believed you don't have battles with other managers. [LNB]"Football teams have battles with other football teams, clubs have battles with other clubs and I've never subscribed to that theory that it's me and you. [LNB]"I used to find it quite ridiculous in Italy when they used to compare your record against another manager. It's a nonsense. [LNB]"If you happen to be manager of a club who is fighting for survival against a club which wins the title every year, the chances are that in the battles you've had he's won one and you've won five. That's the way it goes."[LNB]Meanwhile, Hodgson has indicated that he will be prepared to offer fringe players in his inherited squad the chance to impress.[LNB]He said: "Whenever a new manager comes in, players who have been on the periphery start to see it and maybe think, 'this could be my chance, I'll have a go'. [LNB]"You'd be foolish as a manager not to give them that chance."
