I agree with flames on this point. The arguements on here relate to a choice between accepting that its the fault of the players or it's the fault of the manager. Obviously the two are linked. On todays performance, there were hardly any pluses. We lost nearly every 50 50 ball going now that is a sign of a team in severe trouble (it's a mersey derby that has never been a problem before) The only thing I can point to is there are a lot of players in that squad who don't want to be there or who want to be there but don't want to put in the effort. The manager must identify those players speak to them threaten them or make them see what they are doing wrong. Now we don't know if hodgson has tried this or not. Either way when the majority of players have this attitude it is for the manager to take ultimate responsibity. In fact, it's too late. Noone wants to play for Roy. There may be players who are uncertain for their futures there is obvously fear of a mass clear out. The players that many people have already identified as being of poor quality may well have realised this and think that their time is up, and therefor don't go in for a challenge. Miereles was for me our best player and one of the few non British players who put in an effort. Everyone else could have done better. Cole did his best (out of position as usual). PErsonally for me, bringing on a striker after 70 minutes is a scandal. But my point is that
there is something wrong tactically and mentally within the spirt of the team and I think the mental aspect perhaps the most important is the fault of hodgson, who has immediately tried to lower expectations, not in an altruistic sense to protect his players but in a selfish sense as I believe that he cannot handle a squad of stars and I think they don't respect him as manager
Excellent logic and reason I suspect.
I just wish I could think straight enough to actually agree with you, but I'm too bloody agitated at the moment.
My lunch has just been launched.
