Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has our support, insists Joe Cole
Embattled Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson was given the backing of the dressing room from match-winner Joe Cole as speculation about the 63-year-old's future grows by the day.[LNB]Even a much-needed 2-1 win over Bolton - achieved by Cole's injury-time goal - did little to quieten the whispers which say the Englishman is living on borrowed time at Anfield.[LNB]The spectre of Kenny Dalglish, the club's legendary former player and manager and currently employed in an ambassadorial role, looms ever larger over Hodgson's shoulder.[LNB] What have we here then? Hodgson was at Wigan on Sunday, and bumped into Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson[LNB]Owners New England Sports Ventures are considering who is the best man to lead the club forward.Andif, as it seems, Hodgson is not to be that individual and no suitablereplacement can be found quickly, there is the option of bringing inDalglish - the last Liverpool manager to win the title - on ashort-term basis.[LNB]ButCole, who tapped home from close range in added time to snatch threepoints against Wanderers, insists the squad are doing their best toease the pressure on Hodgson.[LNB]'We are all behind the manager. We all want to put this club in the right direction and keep working hard,' he said.[LNB]'Weare out there playing for the shirt and the manager. We have all got tostick together because there is no-one bigger than the club.[LNB] You can count on my support, boss: Joe Cole shakes hands with manager Hodgson after the game[LNB]'I am really happy for everyone at the club; it has been a tough week for everyone - particularly the manager - but we've got the win.[LNB]'It is not just the newspapers, none of us like losing and getting criticised but half the battle of modern day football is dealing with pressure and kicking on.[LNB]'We are pleased for the fans, the owners and the manager but we have all got to stick together and kick on from here, it can't be a false dawn.'[LNB]Hodgson began 2011 on a high note having just three days earlier endured probably his lowest point since taking over in July.[LNB]A home defeat by Wolves was bad enough but his post-match comments, in which he appeared to criticise fans by claiming he had never had 'the famous Anfield support' was the nadir of his six-month reign.[LNB] Crucial moment: Cole scores Liverpool's late winner against Bolton[LNB]It prompted 95 per cent of 10,000 respondents to an online poll to call for him to be sacked, and although the win over Bolton lifted some of the gloom, Hodgson is far from secure.[LNB]But the 63-year-old insists all he can do is concentrate on his job working with the first team.[LNB]'I have been delighted by the support I have been given by the players since I came here,' said the former Fulham boss.[LNB]'I get good weeks and bad weeks. The performances recently at home against West Ham, Aston Villa, Blackburn and Chelsea were very good weeks and people were talking glowingly about the organisation and the way we were playing.[LNB]'Suddenly you lose two games and everything is flipped on its head.[LNB]'There is a very thin dividing line between people saying you are a fantastic coach and people suggesting you are no good at all.[LNB]'The most important thing for me is that the players continue to work hard at their game and continue to believe in your philosophy and I have never had any doubts about that in the six months I've been at the club.'[LNB]Cole's winner was the England international's first league goal since his summer free transfer from Chelsea.[LNB]'It has been a long time coming and has been stop-start with injuries and suspension,' Cole added.[LNB]'I just want to play games now and get in the team. You can only get fit and get your confidence by playing football.'[LNB] 'The owners are behind me': Hodgson buys time thanks to last-gasp winnerCole hits late winner - but is it too late for Hodgson?LIVERPOOL FC
