AT 36 years old I have seen my fair share of Liverpool managers, says STUART WRIGHT: Dalglish in the mid 80’s was the first I was truly aware of and he didn’t really need much assessment. Some however have done, though I pride myself on being able to say that I’ve been open minded and backed them all to begin with. The rest was up to them. Never has a man fallen so swiftly and deservedly as Roy Hodgson. Never has a man fallen so frustratingly as Graeme Souness. Rafa Benitez didn’t fall as so much as he was pushed – by the Keysian (that’s Richard) agenda and our own fifth columnists. The point being that when the time came for The Hodge and Souey, I was happy for the club to pull the trigger (in the case of the former I was bloody ecstatic). We can only ask that a manager gets a fair run, with all facts taken into consideration. All facts – not selected ones to substantiate an argument.
All we can try to do is show balance. Balance based on knowledge of the game and knowledge of the man who is at the helm of our football club. The birth of Sky Sports News has compounded the need for soundbites and a narrative for our managers to fit into, as if they were part of some pre-determined plot where every character seamlessly fits; an easily categorised model for success or failure. Social media now provides the perfect platform for hysteria if a manger wanders from his designated path.
Which leads us on to Brendan Rodgers – a man who many seem to have made their mind up on. At least Benitez polarised opinion. You either got him and loved him or you didn’t and did not. There was little in-between. For Brendan many seem to have decided he’s not worthy and of the rest many seem to be unsure. Or maybe it’s just that the angry folk shout the loudest. I find myself in the latter unsure category though at the positive end of this spectrum.
It’s easy to be negative. For 99% of managers, all roads lead to the sack – eventually; the denouement is almost always failure in the end. Those who chose to back Benitez against the public tide no doubt recall it was exhausting. Every match a battle ground. Every goal an opportunity to turn on your own fans who you knew were celebrating through gritted teeth. Eventually the tide overcame us and him. By that point it was probably for the best.
Being positive in that kind of climate was hard and it could become as tough around Rodgers. I want to be positive. I want my fellow supporters to be positive too. Positive support isn’t supposed to be easy – it’s a test for fans, players and the manger. “Walk on through the wind. Walk on through the rain.” It’s just even harder when the people who are supposed to be walking with you just leg it instead. Thirty eight league games are in front of us. We should try and be positive, surely. So why are so many of the ‘most knowledgeable fans in the game’ so quick to leg it on Brendan Rodgers? Lets take a look at the accused and the allegations that lie before him.
i. “He’s spent lots of money and we are no further on.”
Under his tenure Brendan has spent money but even a cursory analysis of the situation brings greater balance to the argument. When Brendan took over in 2012, Liverpool had just finished eighth. Eighth. This means there were seven better teams than Liverpool that year. If somehow over the following three years these seven teams had suffered the imposition of a transfer embargo whilst we had been spending proficiently, then yes we may be reasonable in our expectation of a title by this point. But this has not been the case and many of these teams have also spent an exorbitant amount of money. While Brendan’s spend has allowed him to compete, it has not been enough to overcome. I’m not even going to begin to discuss net spend. Despite this, in his second year Brendan led us to second in the league. Second. Second to one of the richest clubs ever seen in this or any other sport. It wasn’t all down to Suarez, we’d just finished eighth in 2012 with Suarez in the team.
Surely we’re collectively beyond the idea that any team recruits constantly brilliantly while trying to win silverware? Beyond the idea that when you have to take gambles, as Liverpool do, to close gaps, they will always work? It isn’t going to happen.
ii. “He’s tactically inept.”
Whilst I agree that chopping and changing tactics every week in 2014/15 in desperate search of a winning combination did nobody any favours, the flexibility and innovative approach to team shape in 2013/14 saw us seamlessly interchange between a 433, 4123 and 442 diamond, making us a nightmare for opposing mangers to predict and an even bigger one for defenders to try and mark our fluid attack. His rich array of options upfront now with the additions of Firmino and Benteke could be a blessing or a curse if he confuses the players with too many systems. But aren’t these the problems a manager wants?
Again it is over to Brendan to demonstrate that he can arrange the pieces of this tactical jigsaw in a manner which engenders significant progress. If not then those in the ‘unsure’ category will quickly leg it too – me included.
iii. “He won’t buy a defensive midfielder.”
To be honest I too have scratched my head at this one. But this is a tactical and stylistic choice that he has earned the right to make as manager. He’ll stand or fall by such a choice but at least he’s backing himself. A manager that backs himself is one I can begin to get behind rather than one who flip-flops to the whims of the crowd. The fact is that he has a DM at the club in Lucas, an intelligent if not dynamic player, who Brendan feels can do the job when called upon; negating the need thus far for a significant portion of the kitty to be spent in this area. I may not always agree with this but I understand the rational behind the decision. Managers whose decisions I disagree with are fine (I’ve been proved wrong too many times) but managers whose thought processes I struggle to understand quickly lose my trust. In any case we didn’t do too bad in 2013/14 without a traditional holding midfielder.
iv. “Picking Lovren over Sakho.”
Sorry Brendan, you’re on your own here. See my previous point about understanding decisions and sort it out. Please.
v. “He’s a fraud and bluffed his way into the job. What had he won before he got here?”
Here is a brief synopsis of Brendan’s career path for those who need it…
A professional footballer who’s career was painfully cut short (both physically and emotionally) by the age of 20, he committed himself to learning his trade as a coach. Whilst rising through the coaching ranks to Reading Academy Director, he took himself abroad to study the coaching techniques of other cultures. His reputation led to an approach by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, who he impressed enough to be promoted from youth coach to reserve team manager within 2 years at the age of 33. Now I may not like the self appointed ‘Special One’ but I’m pretty sure he knows his onions in football coaching matters. Moving forward a few years (and a couple of jobs) he was approached by Roberto Mancini to be his assistant at Manchester City before taking the Swansea manger position instead. After leading Swansea to promotion in his first year, I witnessed Brendan Rodgers’ Swansea team come to Anfield and give us a footballing lesson. We couldn’t get a kick – and we weren’t the only team to be schooled by Swansea that year. People noticed, heads were turned and Swansea’s Brendan became our Brendan. His brief tenures at Watford and Reading were inconsistent as he cut his managerial teeth but this is not unusual for young managers, particularly on the continent – see Rafa pre-Valencia for example. To answer the “What had he won before he got here?” question, I’ll ask a couple more. How many teams outside the top 5 have won a major trophy in the last 5-10 years? Not many. So how does a manager earn the right to manage a top 5 team if he can only do so by winning trophies the top 5 win?
Ultimately this is the career path of a man who has worked hard at this trade, demonstrated aptitude and application, risen through the ranks, taken his knocks and learned from them, reaching a position it is hard to say he has not earned in some degree. On route he received references and job offers from men who have won multiple European cups and league titles between them. A year ago he publicly rejected any potential advances from Manchester City, a job where he could earn more money and have a greater platform for success. He did so out of desire to succeed at Liverpool Football Club.
vi. “He talks too much.”
So do I. So do you, probably. The man backs himself and mostly I’m fine with it; sometimes I’m not. How relevant is it, really, to what happens on the pitch?
Regardless of all this, last year was poor. Really poor. Brendan needs to prove it was a blip rather than the true trajectory of his tenure. However for too many it seems Brendan’s narrative has already been written. For them we are merely witnessing the managerial death roll in the months that lie ahead. It’ll be more important that they were right about Rodgers all along than the state of our season. Seriously, where’s the fun in that? All right lads yeah, nice one – well done. Well I reject this mindset. I rebuff the sound bites and I refute the inevitability of the conclusion. Football is an unfair game and we need a manager who backs himself to take the risks needed to break the shackles of expectation. Isn’t this exactly what happened in 2013/14? Do it again Brendan. It’s August – a time to dream. A time to focus on 38 games. Maybe by November the dream will have died for another year and I’ll have joined those who want the manager’s head on a stick outside the Main Stand. Or maybe it’ll just be another storm for Brendan to walk through. For now lads, let’s walk with him eh…
@stuwright78
Pics: David Rawcliffe-Propaganda Photo
Absolutely cracking read mate!
Sack Rodgers NOW,he is a charlatan !!!
Why don’t you either get behind the manager instead of constantly moaning, Hope you do OK with your O-levels next year.
Probably because the manager has proved he is clueless. Inept. In backing him the owners just proved they are focused on profit, not results. Because the only reason Rodgers is here is because he is cheap and happy to play average signings. Not everyone is Brain washed or believes supporting a football means becoming a sheep.
Get a grip. If one of Van Gaal, Ancelloti, Mourino, Capello or Guardiola had been available when FSG took over and FSG had been prepared to pay them and support their squad development plans (big if) then which of them would have come to Liverpool?? Answer – none. FSG could only get a manager with potential – and Rodgers was as good as any available at the time – and look to support him for an extended period to turn the club around and get it on a growth track to a better future. 2013-14 showed that with the right players, tactics, luck and SUPPORT FROM THE TRUE LIVERPOOL FANS this FSG plan can work. Get on board or go and support Man U, we need positive fans not whiners.
Got as far as your second sentence and stopped reading because you’re talking shite. LVG was coming to Liverpool as a DOF but Rodgers refused to work under one.
What a very good article.
Great article. I think the guy should at least be given a chance. Writing him off before a ball has been kicked does no one any favours. If things don’t pan out, then fair enough
Really good article.
Much better than the John Barnes article I read earlier which was basically an advert for an Indian American betting company (yet another).
I’m behind Rodgers, for now, but if constantly picks Lovren over Sakho my patience may run out very quickly.
I am fan of Sakho but I thought Lovren had a good game against Stoke.
I think Sakho is great, but he gets injured on a regular basis.
We all know that good defences are made up of a collective, and having a guy in for 3, out for 2 does not help build up an understanding. It’s a nuaced argument, but Rodgers has usually had Sakho as his favoured centre back alongside Skrtel unless injured or returning from injury.
Finally a very objective and honest appraisal of BR, the manager… Well written piece… Here’s hoping for a very successful season. For starters lets devour Stoke!!!
Spot on. I was one of those who wanted him out after the last game of the season, but the owners have backed him and I’m right behind him going into the new season. But I fear for him if we’re not challenging for top 4 at Xmas. Let’s all give him the chance. If all you’re gonna do is moan then, as the boys said on Friday, just stay away or keep it shut.
It’s all supporting Liverpool FC is now. Constantly giving a championship manager a chance, and giving money over to increase profits Proof how far the club has regressed under FSG.
You really are battering a contant drum of bullsh1t aren’t you?
Any chance of some balance to your argument or are you just going to keep bashing the saem drum forever?
Have you got anything, ANYTHING positive to say?
TBH my mind is on revenge today. I don’t care who he picks as long as they give it everything.
As for BR, I’ll comment again in November.
Spot on, mate. We’ve seen what Rodgers is capable of when he’s got good strikers, if Benteke and Firminho click and Sturridge can get himself fit then anything is possible. C’MON REDS!
Benitez was pushed?!! Lol he finished 7th in his last season and went Four years without a trophy, please just move on for Gods sake.
Your football knowledge is embarrassing, Souness stepped down himself, he wasn’t sacked he had the good grace to fall on his sword unlike Evans Houllier Benitez or Rodgers.
Benitez has achieved more in Football than Rodgers ever will. There is no comparison to be had between the two. None. Your answer lacks respect and class. Rodgers has earned neither. OK N fact, by sacking his assistants for his failure, he has shown he lacks any class.
His last season nice bit of reductionism there – forgetting quite a bit are we not – consistent progression in the CL -FA Cup in 2006 – oh and winning the sodding thing in 2005!
Brilliant piece. I’m all in with BR this year. He deserves at least that.
On to the title…
YNWA
Rodgers is worse than Hodgson. Rodgers isn’t even a manager. The man is a mouthpiece. And as the club tries hard to restrict any voices bar FSGs, and tries to turn every aspect of the club into a money stream, real Football is dying, leaving just branded clubs to play for those who can afford to watch it. Modern Football? No thanks.
So why waste your time posting comments if you’re not interested in ‘modern football’? No one else needs to read what is clearly nonsense anyway
Because last time I looked , we lived in free country where freedom of speech and thought were allowed. Are you related to Hitler?
Carr71 right
Worse than Hodgson? No one could come close to being worse than Hodgson, tactically or what he said to the media. “Sir Alex is a good friend of mine…”, anyone associated with Liverpool who calls Ferguson “Sir Alex” is just asking for the sack.
In today’s world, how can anyone “restrict any voices bar FSG’s”? As proven by your post, anyone with an opinion, no matter how thought through it is can get their voices out there to be heard.
Great article, perfectly sums up where I am with Rodgers. Plenty to prove this season but I’m right behind him and the team
At least this thread hasn’t degenerated into a bunch of 15 year old kids slagging off ‘Brodge’ or whatever the fuck it is they call him. Grow up and support your fucking team
Good for you mate. Bravo! Proper “Alpha male” macho stuff that. I am inspired. When Dalglish said “Football was about opinions”, what he really meant to say was ” Football is about Nicks opinion, anyone else who dissents is a fucking child ”
Are you on a retainer for FSG?
Inspired responses mate. You state you’re not interested in modern football, I ask so why waste your time posting, and that makes me a relative of a leading contender for most evil twat ever? Magnificent. Yes your opinion is valid and perfectly up to you to share, but if you’re not interested, why bother?
And secondly, I’m alpha male because I’m pleased the thread hasn’t descended into a school-yard slanging match and name calling? Which it now seems to have done btw (yep, I’m a Hitler relation). And of course I’m on a retainer when I state Rodgers has loads to prove, but I’m actually going to back the team and see how it goes. Nice logic
Great result by the way. But I guess you’re gutted as the manager isn’t getting sacked this week now. Enjoy the season. Oh yeah, I forgot, you’re not interested
See-forth, please go support some other club. You aren’t wanted or needed at Liverpool FC.
The irony. Article talks about being balanced and completely skips his time at Watford and Reading.
Fair and balanced. Like Fox News. Shameful.
Anyone who says they hate modern football needs to watch the Bangalore Kop singing the Kolo song!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw2_o9txT9g
Padraig, Reddo and See-forth please can you take your despair elsewhere?
There are so many sites where you can peddle your melancholy but this isn’t one of them.
We did alright today. Not great but the defence looked okay. Shit even Liven looked okay.
The bench looked tasty.
And then we do what the boring top 4 teams do playing a tricky away fixture. We play ok – solid at the back – and then an individual does something very special…
Where is the dispair in pointing out the clear hypocrisy in the article?
Even those who still think Rodgers is Shanks reincarnated would blush at the suggestion this piece is balanced.
Stick to the issue in hand and leave the personal attacks alone, that way you might not appear to be an ignorant dickhead who can’t bare to read an opinion he doesn’t agree with without telling those people to fuck off elsewhere.
Padraig (or whoever you really are) I’m a big fan of your work – do you post on any other forums?
There’s one thing confusing me:
Is it ok or not ok to not bother reading an opinion I don’t agree with and then verbally abuse the poster?
Padraig
10 August 2015 at 10:57 am
“Got as far as your second sentence and stopped reading because you’re talking shite”
Padraig
10 August 2015 at 11:03 am
“…that way you might not appear to be an ignorant dickhead who can’t bare to read an opinion he doesn’t agree with without telling those people to fuck off elsewhere.”
The lad was merely making the point that plenty of managers have early failures – such as Rafa – before going on to succeed. Why is that hypocritical? Why the vitriol?
Personally when I was jumping up and down at Stoke yesterday I really could not care who the manager is – the same this afternoon – Like a lot on here I am ambivalent about the manager but whilst he is in the job I will generally support him – About 5 mins before PC scored I would have subbed him – its just opinions!
If I was responsible for dishing out P45s at LFC in May, Brendan Rodgers would have been in the post. However, by June my rage had subsided somewhat. From what we can gather, rather than being sacked, it appears, he explained to his employers during his annual appraisal the reasons, the department he was managing had not met its KPI’s. When asked, what it was his employer could do to help him see that his department performed efficiently, he told them. Surprisingly, his line manager agreed to give him the what he needed to ensure that the organisation performed as well as its leading competitors. His employers have obviously considered other options to giving him the support he has requested, but, decided that the disruption that another recruitment process would cause would be counterproductive. Look he is here for at least another season, probably, unless things go drastically wrong. It’s not like he has disrespected the club or its fans. He is our manager, we are not Blackburn, Newcastle or Aston Villa. No one is asking you to be sheep and just support him no matter what. You may not think that your negative opinions don’t make any difference to results on the pitch. But they do have an impact on consumer confidence. Some of those consumers actually turn up at head office to purchase the product in person. How well do you think the manager of Tescos would perform if every Saturday afternoon 44,000 people turned up to shout fuck off you gobshite?
Your last sentence is by far the funniest thing I’ve ever read on this site. Spat my beer out. Bravo! And good points too!
Great comment Jason.
Great article. I’m ambivalent about the manager, but I don’t get the BR hate. How does it help? I get angry about certain decisions, of course, and frustrated about others. But there’s also a lot of positives.
This article was spot on. A true reflection of YNWA. Thank you!
Decent, reasonable and respectful fans — the true Liverpool supporters — are realising that these vile hate speakers have a disease, a pathology that we aren’t interested in being exposed to or catching. Their vitriole poisons, divides, and undermines our club and the LFC family and what it stands for. I hope all decent fans will see the damage these people are doing and face them down, drive them off as some have tried to do here. Are we going to let these hate speakers control the dialogue, or are we going to speak up for the real values our club stands for? I know what my choice is and whose company I choose to keep.