Liverpool FC Forum

by **SouthCoastShankly** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 6:33 pm

I personally was really reluctant to appoint Hodgson but something got me thinking when reading zarababe's post in another thread, she said -

RESPECT IS EARNT .. and all Liverpool Managers either have it and retain it or lose it and move on !

It got me thinking and wondering whether Hodgson is being offered the same level of respect and patience as Benitez was.

I did some digging. When Liverpool appointed Benitez in 2004 he was left with a team flooded with poor buys and growing discontent by Liverpool supporters who were angry with the mediocrity of the standard of football (see this Hansen interview). Bear in mind also this was when Houllier had just sealed CL football by finishing 4th in the league.

Benitez first season (2004/05) with his new side, he spent £18m in the first transfer window (Alonso 10m, Garcia 6m, Josemi 2m, Nunez Free) and 6m in the second (Morientes 5.5m, Carson 0.75m, Pelligrino Free) totalling 24m.

In his first 12 league games his record was 6 Wins 4 Losses 2 Draws (20 points). 6th in the league. That season we miraculously finished 5th! Even after losing 14 times in total! Our final stats were 17 Wins 14 Losses 2 Draws (+11GD)

So I guess it brings me back to the original question, is Hodgson being offered the same level of respect and patience.

Clearly not. Hypocritically in fact.

The similarities between Hodgson's appointment and Benitez's is stark. Both inherited poor squads, both struggled in their first 12 games. Yet the respect Hodgson is given is appalling from some on here and at Anfield.

Benitez came to Liverpool with a La Liga and a UEFA cup under his belt, spent close to 25 million in his first season, lost 14 times and failed to finish in a CL place. Yet he was given complete support by Liverpool supporters on the priviso it was work in progress, and rightly so.

Isn't it time the hypocrisy stopped and we offer Hodgson the same support that Benitez was offered?

by **maypaxvobiscum** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 6:41 pm

totally agree with everything you have said.

i totally disagree with the comment "respect is earned". by default, respect is given as he is the Liverpool manager and we're supposedly the best fans in the world.

even if respect is not given by default, the disrespect he has endured is not warranted either.

by **metalhead** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 7:05 pm

Agreed, thats what the ''Respektfulz'' group have been saying all along

by **red_guy** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 7:07 pm

Spot on. Definitely. :nod

Any Liverpool manager , past or present deserve respect and support.

by **Emerald Red** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 7:20 pm

Whatever respect Roy had, he's destroyed it all on his own. Is he being treated fairly? Yes.

by **ste123lfc** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 7:28 pm

Thats all well and good, but what if you don't feel that Hodgson is the right person for the job. The problem is, everyone in this country has seen Hodgson at work with Fulham and no disrespect to them, they are a small club. He seems to have that small club mentality, a draw away at Wigan is a good result type of mentality. Well for Liverpool its not.
Benitez got time and respect from the fans because not many had seen him at work and therefore gave him the benefit of the doubt, hoping he would build a team capable of winning the league. As it happens he didn't, but the European cup was not a bad substitute.
I personally feel that Hodgson is not the right man for the job and that he is only a stop gap anyway, but whilst he is manager of our club i will bite my lip and support him.

by **Reg** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 7:34 pm

Relationships are 2 way and transparant.

He's had an appalling start and continues to fail to motivate the lads, show tactical acumen nor convince many of the fans.

Seems he's receiving the level of respect each fan feels he deserves - some more than others.

Respect like love, is not blind, it has to be earned.

I cant wait to finish in the top 4 this season and genuinely thank and respect the manager. Until then, I remain to be convinced.

What more do you want?

by **red_guy** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 7:35 pm

ste123lfc wrote:I personally feel that Hodgson is not the right man for the job and that he is only a stop gap anyway, but whilst he is manager of our club i will bite my lip and support him.

The feeling is mutual.

by **ruskiy playmaker** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 8:03 pm

SouthCoastShankly wrote:I personally was really reluctant to appoint Hodgson but something got me thinking when reading zarababe's post in another thread, she said -

RESPECT IS EARNT .. and all Liverpool Managers either have it and retain it or lose it and move on !

It got me thinking and wondering whether Hodgson is being offered the same level of respect and patience as Benitez was.

I did some digging. When Liverpool appointed Benitez in 2004 he was left with a team flooded with poor buys and growing discontent by Liverpool supporters who were angry with the mediocrity of the standard of football (see this Hansen interview). Bear in mind also this was when Houllier had just sealed CL football by finishing 4th in the league.

Benitez first season (2004/05) with his new side, he spent £18m in the first transfer window (Alonso 10m, Garcia 6m, Josemi 2m, Nunez Free) and 6m in the second (Morientes 5.5m, Carson 0.75m, Pelligrino Free) totalling 24m.

In his first 12 league games his record was 6 Wins 4 Losses 2 Draws (20 points). 6th in the league. That season we miraculously finished 5th! Even after losing 14 times in total! Our final stats were 17 Wins 14 Losses 2 Draws (+11GD)

So I guess it brings me back to the original question, is Hodgson being offered the same level of respect and patience.

Clearly not. Hypocritically in fact.

The similarities between Hodgson's appointment and Benitez's is stark. Both inherited poor squads, both struggled in their first 12 games. Yet the respect Hodgson is given is appalling from some on here and at Anfield.

Benitez came to Liverpool with a La Liga and a UEFA cup under his belt, spent close to 25 million in his first season, lost 14 times and failed to finish in a CL place. Yet he was given complete support by Liverpool supporters on the priviso it was work in progress, and rightly so.

Isn't it time the hypocrisy stopped and we offer Hodgson the same support that Benitez was offered?

He won the damn Champions league that season. Maybe that had something to do with it.

by **ruskiy playmaker** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 8:05 pm

red_guy wrote:Spot on. Definitely. Any Liverpool manager , past or present deserve respect and support.

Respect yes, but they also deserve criticism as well.

by **Benny The Noon** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 8:09 pm

I dont think Hodgson started well with his comments about the fans - and SOS , that put him on the back foot straight away , plus the added awful performances and league position he was definatly having to work his way into the fans hearts and earn the respect . Rafa earnt the respect despite the awful league finish he won big ears which you fail to mention - that immediatly put him into the hearts of the fans , plus actions like walking into a pub full of Liverpool fans to watch the mancs and connect with them . That is the difference - Rafa connected with the fans - Hodgson hasnt got that connection as yet . He has to get the results and start speaking better to the press and be a fan as well as a manager .

Each previous manager earnt Respect - not one of them was given it . Shanks , Bob , Joe , Kenny , Souness , Evans , GH and Rafa all earnt the fans respect - some may of thrown it away but none were given it straight away

by **glenbuck patriot** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 8:17 pm

SouthCoastShankly wrote:I personally was really reluctant to appoint Hodgson but something got me thinking when reading zarababe's post in another thread, she said -

RESPECT IS EARNT .. and all Liverpool Managers either have it and retain it or lose it and move on !

It got me thinking and wondering whether Hodgson is being offered the same level of respect and patience as Benitez was.

I did some digging. When Liverpool appointed Benitez in 2004 he was left with a team flooded with poor buys and growing discontent by Liverpool supporters who were angry with the mediocrity of the standard of football (see this Hansen interview). Bear in mind also this was when Houllier had just sealed CL football by finishing 4th in the league.

Benitez first season (2004/05) with his new side, he spent £18m in the first transfer window (Alonso 10m, Garcia 6m, Josemi 2m, Nunez Free) and 6m in the second (Morientes 5.5m, Carson 0.75m, Pelligrino Free) totalling 24m.

In his first 12 league games his record was 6 Wins 4 Losses 2 Draws (20 points). 6th in the league. That season we miraculously finished 5th! Even after losing 14 times in total! Our final stats were 17 Wins 14 Losses 2 Draws (+11GD)

So I guess it brings me back to the original question, is Hodgson being offered the same level of respect and patience.

Clearly not. Hypocritically in fact.

The similarities between Hodgson's appointment and Benitez's is stark. Both inherited poor squads, both struggled in their first 12 games. Yet the respect Hodgson is given is appalling from some on here and at Anfield.

Benitez came to Liverpool with a La Liga and a UEFA cup under his belt, spent close to 25 million in his first season, lost 14 times and failed to finish in a CL place. Yet he was given complete support by Liverpool supporters on the priviso it was work in progress, and rightly so.

Isn't it time the hypocrisy stopped and we offer Hodgson the same support that Benitez was offered?

I think you'll find that Rafa arrived having won 2 x La Liga, the Uefa Cup and was the incumbent UEFA Manager of the year.

If your taking the whole season into account it was 17,7 & 14, not great BUT & it's a huge one!

The one startling ommission from your fact file for that season is that although we finished fifth we did win the European Cup for the fifth time.

I think you'll find THAT is the reason he was given complete support by the Liverpool Faithful and where your argument falls flat on it's face.

by **Benny The Noon** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 8:19 pm

Bingo GP - its a massive glaring omission from the original post . The CL win and Istanbul and even the run up to the final

by **rocky29** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 8:33 pm

roy will never get the respect no matter what he does im just glad he camei in and steadied the ship because i truly believe another year under rafa we would be at the foot of table with west ham facing relegation.

by **Benny The Noon** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 8:35 pm

rocky29 wrote:roy will never get the respect no matter what he does im just glad he camei in and steadied the ship because i truly believe another year under rafa we would be at the foot of table with west ham facing relegation.

Based on what exactly ?

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Respect - Is hodgson being treated fairly?

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