Since the Everton game the calls for Roy Hodgson to be replaced have become quite fierce. The majority of managers taking up the post at the beginning of a season either have a ‘honeymoon period’ where for the first month or so they get results that keep the pressure off or like Roy you get a series of indifferent results that can add to the pressure. On most occasions the focus on the manager is kept low key. Unfortunately for Roy he took on the Liverpool manager’s role.
Over the last 10 years or so the London media have continually sniped at Liverpool (I must admit that Roy has had a pretty easy ride from the media up until now) so whoever took the job would have to deliver a series of positive results just to keep a float. A fixture list including Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd and a local derby with the first month or so certainly hasn’t helped.
Rafa was often criticised for restraining his emotions when Liverpool scored, this had a double effect as he kept his emotions equally in check when things weren’t going well. He mainly concentrated on the game and his players. The only time he let his guard down he got ripped to pieces. The way I see the problem with Roy is that his body language while watching from the sidelines and giving press interviews hardly instils confidence, not only with the players but also the fans. Staring down at his shoes, the nervous stroking of his ear and nose. Drumming and holding his mouth. Notably against an under strength and woeful West Ham jumping up and punching the air with the 3rd goal.
We have been raised on strong managers who were totally convinced in their own ability. Personally, although a nice enough guy, I raised both eyebrows when Roy was appointed. He’d done a decent enough job at Fulham but I felt the Liverpool role was a big step. People could argue that his ambition deserved his shot at a ‘big’ club. But the people affected most by these appointments ‘the Fans’ cannot afford to wait for personal ambitions to be realised especially if the potential achiever of those ambitions looks less than totally convinced of his ability.
I’d love nothing better than for Roy to prove my perception wrong and goes on to have a sterling season. I just hope he can convince himself that he can.
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