"Should you be working for the long-term good or trying to get an extra result or two for Roy Hodgson?"

It's rare enough that you find someone with an ego large enough to refer to themselves in the third person but if anyone had doubt the strength of Roy's resolve you need not worry. No one can blame Hodgson for his massive gamble taking charge of one of the biggest clubs in the world, after all he has been trudging around Europe for more than half his life, being "reliable and consistent" and even filling in for his mate at Inter when was required, before that no one had ever heard of him.

The strange thing is even after all the poor football, poorer comments and piss poor player relations I still can't hate the guy. Somehow he has managed to talk his way out of trouble, unfortunately this is what Roy does best, talk. He rarely shakes off a question that can give him an opportunity to share some of the blame around, or call out under performing players who no doubt are already too aware of their lack of form. Recently we have seen a slight change in attitude towards Roy by some sections of the media and even some ex-players, only last week Tony Cascarino lambasted Roy Hodgson’s managerial reign at Anfield, suggesting the under-fire Liverpool boss is failing the club’s rich footballing traditions.

The former Republic of Ireland international claims the results under the ex-Fulham manager have not been good enough, but even more alarmingly for the club’s fans, are the manner in which these poor results have been achieved.

Cascarino told the Times: “Any Liverpool manager has a duty to play with a certain style: fluent, attractive, attacking, passing football.

“Roy Hodgson is not only failing with the results, he's failing in his duty to the club's traditions and to the fans, and that's a pretty serious combination. If you haven't got style, you at least need results.

“The goalless draw against Utrecht in the Europa League on Wednesday confirmed that Hodgson's cautious tactics and conservative attitude have permeated the whole squad: because he picked a second-string team and the football was as unambitious and unexciting as it is when the first XI take to the field.

He continued: “Nine away games, one win and six losses is dreadful. That's relegation form, and even if you could argue that Liverpool no longer have a squad good enough for the top four, they ought to be challenging for the top six.

“It's not a new problem for Hodgson. With Fulham his record was: 2008-09, three away league wins; 2009-10, one away league win. It has to be the manager's tactics.

“Hodgson has quickly turned Liverpool into a bigger-budget Fulham: they go out, away from home, not to lose. They should be going out to win.

“Imagine Manchester United or Arsenal playing such dull football, given their reputation and past success.

“It wouldn't be tolerated. Nor should it be at Anfield even if the club isn't the force it once was.

“That's no excuse for failing to entertain and failing to act like the big team Liverpool still are.

He added: “Hodgson remains inflexible, conservative, old-fashioned.”

Is the tide turning on Hodgson? Since the innocuous comment from John W Henry during the live phone in about how "unacceptable" away form has been some sections of the media are starting to open their eyes to the truth even if his old chums may continue to give him an easy ride and why wouldn't they, if there is a gift horse in football journalism it's Roy Hodgson.

It's no secret that Roy was taken unawares by the recruitment of Comolli and even though many fans are yet to be convinced by Comolli many more are happy that theres less chance we might see a few more players that are of similar standard to Poulson and the Konch. January could be career defining month for Hodgson and it will also show if he has the full support of Comolli and NESV by what sort of signings a made. If there isn't any it may show that NESV don't have full confidence in his ability although that may already be apparent with Comolli's appointment.

The Independant

I will not spend in January for the sake of it, says Hodgson

By Chris Brereton
http://bit.ly/gJsdgP

Roy Hodgson does not expect to be a busy man when the transfer window opens next month. The Liverpool manager has had discussions with Damien Comolli, the clubs' director of football strategy, about strengthening his squad – and there are funds available – but believes there is little value in any mid-season scramble for recruits.

Hodgson takes his side to Blackpool on Boxing Day – weather permitting – and does not expect the team he fields there to alter much over the coming weeks despite the temptation to try and spend his way out of trouble

"I could do that, but that begs the question of when you get a job like this at Liverpool, should you be working for the long-term good or trying to get an extra result or two for Roy Hodgson?" he said. "I'd like to think I am big enough and confident enough to take the long-term view even though it might work against me. I would be very disappointed if I went out in January and spent a lot of money on the wrong players and then, come the summer, we are no better off.

"All we would be doing is adding a few more players who we don't think are good enough to the roster. I can't guarantee it won't happen but it is not my intention."

Hodgson and Comolli are in constant discussions about who are the right people to try and bring in and Hodgson is confident that Liverpool's New England owners will fund his desired choices if the perfect match can be found.

"There's no doubt I and Damien Comolli are pushing the owners to back us if we come up with the right people and I think they probably will," he added. "We are targeting players who clubs don't want to let go even if we offer them good money. I think our supporters need to understand that and they will understand that."



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