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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,552
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,552 |
Why? Two reasons a new manager must be a top manager or have potential to be. That manager would want to know the answer to what is happening to the club generally and that must include the new stadium which is pivotal to the clubs future success and being in Europe’s elite (which is where the big money will be). He will also probably demand over a hundred million or so and that was given out last year. Given the lack of vision JH would be loath to commit such a sum now. So we don’t have those answers now. Also Dalglish has a lot of capital with Liverpool supporters to sack him end of this season would provoke a backlash especially if the new man did not start well. So better to let Dalglish burn himself out next season when it will be obvious to even the most fanatical Dalglish legender that he is not the man. If of course in the event Dalglish does turn it around then from their point of view fine it’s a win win and they will be lauded for sticking with him.
Very good points there, Stan. Hadn't considered things that way before, it's very possible. Much in the same way Hodgson was only appointed by G&H because he would be a yes man and sit back and nod whilst the team was asset-stripped.
*RODGERS *SKRTEL *JONJO
'Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?'
'If there is hope, it lies in the proles'
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,886
Under 23 Player
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Under 23 Player
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,886 |
Good post Stan. Agree with much of it and the consistent push for quality youngsters is a very promising area of the club.
To be fair to FSG on the stadium issue I understand it. The fact is at present there is no real option. Neither A refurb or Stanley Park make sense financially. Perhaps they are looking further afield.
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
George Washington
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8,564
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8,564 |
I have been thinking about Liverpool FC today as I watched the Norwich game which I had taped. This is what I think is going on in John Henry’s head. It’s a total guess of course we get more communications from the leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un than we do out of FSG, so a guess is what it has to be.
The driver is I believe there are as yet no plans or commitment to invest heavily or commit to LFC at this stage particularly with regard to the new stadium or Anfield re-furb. They are pursuing a wait and see approach. They are not happy with the transfer performance or league position and have to be seen to do something. Hence the sacking of Comolli and one of two other people and maybe more to come. It also makes sense to appoint a new director of football to implement the medium term strategy independent of the manager.
But they won’t sack Dalglish not because he is the right manager or they believe in him. They will leave him in charge to start next season.
Why? Two reasons a new manager must be a top manager or have potential to be. That manager would want to know the answer to what is happening to the club generally and that must include the new stadium which is pivotal to the clubs future success and being in Europe’s elite (which is where the big money will be). He will also probably demand over a hundred million or so and that was given out last year. Given the lack of vision JH would be loath to commit such a sum now. So we don’t have those answers now. Also Dalglish has a lot of capital with Liverpool supporters to sack him end of this season would provoke a backlash especially if the new man did not start well. So better to let Dalglish burn himself out next season when it will be obvious to even the most fanatical Dalglish legender that he is not the man. If of course in the event Dalglish does turn it around then from their point of view fine it’s a win win and they will be lauded for sticking with him.
But I believe they believe he will burn out, I do and I am certain the thought has occurred to them they will know more about Dalglish than we do you can be sure of that. I hear they are giving a transfer budget of around £20m (was on ESPN) if so for me this stacks with that strategy which is essentially “lights on only” strategy until they know what they are doing.
That’s my best guess as to what’s going on. It may well be FSG have already conceded we are not going to qualify for the champions league for the next 2 years are just building up the commercial side as best they can. For us fans though if this is true then we are probably going to sit around where we are now for the next 2 to 3 years.
I think is probably the most insightful look at the owners I have heard to date. What you're saying about their approach with Dalglish is more or less what I think at this point as well, though I believe (a bit more than you, I think) that he and the team have underachieved this year. I believe that they are capable of doing better and that they will do better next year. Whether that means top 4 or not, I'm not sure, but I think the assembled team was capable of top 4 football (which we were playing at the start of the season). If we'd put away our penalties and put the ball of the net half the times we struck the woodwork, we'd be in a completely different place. A little more luck, consistency, and composure, and we could have been a top 4 side this year. That said, I think you're more or less right about what FSG will do and what will happen with Dalglish. Next season will be interesting.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,262
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,262 |
end of the day next season is the crunch
If we do well then our patient will be lauded and if we do bad then they should have enough exposure to make the changes
I still believe changes will be made over the summer but what they are i cannot say. The fa cup final is a massive game
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thundyr
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thundyr
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My take on the transfer strategy remains the same: buy young players, keep the wage bill down, nurture them. If they fail we probably get back what we invested, and if they succeed we saved millions. It's the best way to not overcommit funds the way we did last summer - and that means no marquee signings (or at most 1). We're going to do it the hard way, but that's fine because that's what we're used to.
What impresses young players? Being coached by a legend. Since managerial legends are not likely to come to LFC at this point in time we will stick with what we have - ie Dalglish, a player's legend. That is the drawcard we will use to get younger players here, selling the idea that they can become legends by helping the Liverbird rise from the ashes of mid-table and back to European and English glory. It worked for Suarez, and may work for other Uruguayans.
But they're all about the money. Shirt deals, promotions, those terrible Le Bron shoes - it's all about raking in the money off the pitch. They want Liverpool to appear larger than life, and even though Dalglish has not excelled in the league this season, snagging the FA Cup alongside the Carling Cup (a rare cup double) is just the kind of marketing edge they will thrive on. But it is marketing that requires Dalglish.
They may still sack him (especially if they have a fantastic prospect lined up), but if he keeps us 7/8th and gets the second cup he's probably safe for another 12 months even if only to get better shirt deals (something that's become a running joke, but is actually vital to the club in the absence of performance). I know a lot of people want Kenny out of the system rather than "moving upstairs" should he be sacked, but my gut says FSG will exploit his name as long as they can.
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 11
Trialist
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Trialist
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 11 |
"If of course in the event Dalglish does turn it around then from their point of view fine it’s a win win and they will be lauded for sticking with him. "
In a contemplation of scenarios and potential outcomes you only give a paltry and half-hearted sentence to the possibility that Dalglish could turn things around. But this is more than I thought you would give the possibility so I can't complain too much.
I think Henry and FSG are smart, poised, patient, and willing to learn. I don't think they are just going to let Dalglish burn out... I genuinely think that they think they can correct some things from their first couple of transfer windows... and build on the fact that we are at least competing for trophies again. I think they will see the Europa league qualification and the domestic cup runs as 'baby step' progress and will try to build on it. The sacking of Comolli was an indication from them that they didn't get things quite right in the set-up.. and they are willing to learn from their mistakes. This already puts them ahead of the last owners.
I do think you made some important points about the youth policy and the stadium issue. They are obviously into building slowly but surely and not going with the knee-jerk hecklers, preferring to keep the momentum going in areas where there have been improvements. Thus, I think you will see shrewder purchases in this summer's market, some surprising sales to make money, and one or two promotions from the youth squad. I think Dalglish will be urged to learn from his mistakes in the same way that they are willing to... and that will be the only way he can stay on.
For an old stalwart of the game I think you are banking on things being too static from this season to next... and football just doesn't work like that. Man City are here to stay but I think they'll find it harder than they think to bag titles. Man Utd will be a force as long as Fergie is around... and Arsenal and Chelsea will always compete. The other teams are far more fluid and I don't think there will be a consistent power-positioning that will leave us behind. I think we are a handful o transfers away from being a top club... but not as far away as you seem to think we are. If Dalglish is willing to learn there is no reason why he can't have a much better year in the league... if not, he will be replaced in short order. A couple of years ago Pardew was a laughing stock... and how the Geordies whinged and moaned when he was appointed. But he has not repeated his performance from previous seasons but instead seems to have become a decent manager. The same can be said of Redknap, Di Matteo, Roy, and quite a few other coaches. You can't just write Dalglish off and preach that he'll never do any better. Football doesn't stand still.
Lastly, I feel you are short-shrifting LFC for becoming a very good 'cup team.' The league is what we want and has to be our priority... but EVERY other competition comes in cup format so it bodes well that we can compete in crunch games. What we lack is consistency because we do not have a squad that lends itself to consistency. Firstly, half the team was new and we got a lot younger this year. Secondly, our best (and most consistent) players had long spells on the sidelines, which hurt the team. Thirdly, we are missing a couple of key components to match other teams. We lack speed and genuine width, as well as a player like Silva or Modric. Most teams have four strikers in their squad... we have two strikers and two or three that could play up front but are holding squad positions in wide midfield areas. Admittedly our new signings were a bit of a let down... but Downing was a big reason why we won the Carling Cup and Carroll got us to the FA cup final. All is not lost with these players yet... although I concede that one or two may not make the grade and will make way. But this is normal... we did the same with Pennant, Riera and many others in the past. All managers sign players that don't work out... even Fergie!
Anyway, good debate is better than a string of insults so I thank you heartily or your thoughtful approach. Good post TheKopProphet. I enjoyed reading that- positive and constructive.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,262
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,262 |
i do believe that kenny will be part of the club no matter what
Anybody who says he should be booted out and forgotten is not remembering all the good he has done for the club both as a manager and as a player
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