Tony Cascarino has 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.
Citing the drab 0-0 draw against Utrecht on Wednesday night, the much maligned football pundit believes Hodgson’s tactics are far too similar to those he implemented at Craven Cottage, and criticises him for turning the footballing institution that is Liverpool into a “bigger-budget Fulham”.
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.”
Cascarino is spot on here IMO.
Thoughts?
Last edited by Fowler78; 17/12/10 09:37 PM.