Roy's the right man for Reds

01 July 2010 12:45
TEAMtalk's Dave Tindall, a Liverpool fan of 35 years, believes Roy Hodgson is the right man for the job given the club's current circumstances.[LNB] One of the strengths of Liverpool FC down the years has been appointing good managers and giving them a chance.[LNB]To some clubs - the unsuccessful ones - 12 different managers in the last 12 years isn't unusual. But, as for Liverpool, Roy Hodgson will become just the 12th manager to take the Anfield hot-seat since World War 2.[LNB]And, like the vast majority of that dozen, Hodgson appears to be the best man available given the current circumstances.[LNB]Ah, yes, the 'current circumstances'. Let's be honest they're not great. A limited transfer kitty, no sign of a new stadium, huge debt and a season just gone which saw us finish seventh in the league (for the record we've never finished worse than eighth since getting promoted to the top flight in 1962 - a record of consistency that no-one can touch and some ammunition for future 'best in history' arguments!).[LNB]And then there is the doomsday scenario of Steven Gerard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano all departing before Roy gets to know them.[LNB]However, Liverpool have rebuilt in the past and will do so again - to do that you need a solid manager with a strong CV and a commitment to the club.[LNB]Hodgson would appear to be that man. [LNB]He's done a superb job at Fulham, has strong European credentials - always high on the agenda for a Liverpool boss - and, at a time when there's not much of it about, has a welcome touch of class and dignity. Did we really want Jose Mourinho preening and prancing around Anfield for one season before putting us back to square one by quitting to manage Portugal when the Yanks wouldn't give him any money?[LNB]Hodgson also represents a reaction to the previous manager.[LNB]Former Liverpool full-back Alvaro Arbeloa once said that such was Rafa's controlling of the Reds players from the touchline it felt as if he was being directed around by a joystick.[LNB]Today, ex-Red Danny Murphy (touting for a return maybe?) spoke of Hodgson "giving players responsibility" and that could act like a breath of fresh air to Liverpool's players, who appeared to have had the life sucked out of them in what proved Rafa's final season.[LNB]Whether he can attract the big names is something of a moot point - Liverpool can't afford them anyway - but there is still plenty of talent in this Liverpool squad and Hodgson has the man-management skills and experience to get the best out of them.[LNB]Time will tell but, in my view, this is a good day in the proud history of LFC.

Source: Team_Talk