New Expectations

[Elm0]

Obviously everyone is elated with todays news, both on the leaving of Roy and the person chosen to replace him, Dalglish. Whilst this is obviously a happy time for all of us, I think it will be incredibly wise to take a moment to consider our new expectations for the season, and what we can realistically acheive.

 

One concerning thing I have read multiple times in my short visit this morning is people talking about heading straight back to the top - this wont be happening quickly. Dalglish is here to essentially do what Hodgson was brought in to do. To steady the ship, encourage an attractive brand of football, motivate players to play above themselves and make the club attractive to a new long term manager. I think the last point is key, and coupled with the squad as it is, should form the foundation of our expactations for the season. That is, we should not be expecting a complete turn around this season and see ourselves winning every game. That is just unrealistic and will lead to heartbreak.

 

So what do I expect from the team led by Dalglish this season? Firstly, and I hate using this word as I feel it undervalues a lot of things, we need to see more fight from the players. I want to see more motivated players on that pitch every week. Too many times in the past few months have we seen players dandering around looking uninterested. It was undoubtedly said at the time that this attitude was unacceptable, and I believe changes to this area will breed a level of confidence into the team that will allow them to play a better style of football.

 

That leads me very appropriately onto my next expectation - the style of football. Whatever you think of our players and the squad, be it that they underperformed, that they are lazy, that they overperformed in previous seasons and now we expect too much etc, we DO possess the correct players to play an efficient attacking game, which was more than often negated by the tactics of Mr Roy. Personally, I would like to see a more progressive approach to games. Admittedly, I am tempering my wants here - I do not want to be unrealistic and claim I want and feel we can be playing like Barcelona every week, because that isnt acheivable. What I do want to see is the necessaries implented well. A solid defence, and efficient attacking system that plays to the strengths of the squad. Relating this back I feel this is a must with regards to making the club attractive to a potential long term manager.

 

Finally, I think it is prudent to touch upon the concerns of persons who believe that Dalglish's reputation could turn bad if things go awry. The man is held in extremely high regard, and rightly so, for his previous spells as player and manager. Unfortunately, as with nearly everything, the higher you are the easier it is to fall. That said, the only thing that can knock the reputation of Dalglish, amongst the more sound minded individuals anyway (the media always have agendas and will say what they like to sell papers etc), is unrealistic starting expectations. If the club and the fans expect Dalglish to rocket up the table and be the new Messiah of the club, then yes, his reputation will be tarnished because such expectations are ridiculous. If however we consider the reasoning for installing Dalglish in this role, and construct more reasonable expectations based around these reasons, then he will find it very hard indeed to do anything but a good job that Liverpool fans will be able to back upon as the beginning of the restructuring of the club.

 

Overall, its pretty clear that any expectations have to reasonable and tally well with what we've seen before. There is no point at all expecting this to be a quick fix and I really do feel that the most important feature of the next 6 months should be to make the club seem as attractive as possible to any potential long term managers who have an eye on the club. To summarise, I feel that it will be important to see:

 

1) A better squad spirit

2) A better style of football

3) Better league form, particularly away from home

4) As a final finish in the league I feel around 6th8th place is still acheievable, and that UEFA cup football may just be within our grasp.

[Owen1978]

im just expecting better team spirit, better football and not to get relegated!

 

Thats it

[Benzo-13]

Dublin beckons!!

 

Edited January 8, 2011 by Benzo-13

[Jarg Armani]

Less lies in press conferences.

[Cam]

Less chin-rubbing.

 

Though if Kenny's going to watch from the tunnel steps then I'm sure there'll be a fair bit of chin-holding.

 

There's a very fine difference though.

[Ed the Wool]

The dream? Top 4 and a cup double.

 

The head? Uefa place and good cup runs.

 

Anything is possible now. Anything.

[aka Dus]

The players to do what they are told without grumbling, briefing or labouring under the impression that they have more clout than the man telling them what they are to do.

 

The fans to support the man and the team unconditionally.

 

The two things to result in a synergy that restores the potential of this good but imperfect squad.

[smithdown]

We will win more games than we lose, we'll score more than we concede, and the atmosphere at grounds will be boss.

 

Any spares?

[The walters step over]

If the players are played in their correct positions and are allowed more freedom to interchange when needed during the match then I could see us playing some half decent stuff. We're not going to qualify for the CL but I could see us doing enough in the league to finish 6th.

 

This doesn't apply to the game tomorrow, as I think it'll be too early, but it is going to be intersting to see what position Gerrard takes up in the coming weeks and perhaps more so what role Carragher plays. I could definately see Carra being used more as a left back with Agger starting CB whenever fit.

 

I know that I'm going against the grain on this but I just hope people are realistic in their expectations. We are in desperate need of a top class manager in the summer and trying to put pressure on Henry to "sign him up" when we win a game won't do anyone any favours because we need any prospective candidates to know that they won't be having mass chants for the club legend to return if they lose two in a row.

[RP]

Personal opinion - Steven Gerrard has 'got away' with it for a couple of years, thinking he knows best etc. This was allowed to happen because the support was split over Rafa and then increasingly anti-Hodgson,

 

Now he is no longer the main man, it will be interesting to see if he concentrates on delivering his very best for Liverpool FC week in and week out. I expect that he will, it'll be interesting to see.

[Cam]

I think it's a combination of Gerrard and Carragher. And I think it's Carragher that drags Gerrard along with him.

 

They both need slapping into place.

[Sion]

No reason why we can't smash the Europa League to pieces. Its full of s***.

[The walters step over]

Personal opinion - Steven Gerrard has 'got away' with it for a couple of years, thinking he knows best etc. This was allowed to happen because the support was split over Rafa and then increasingly anti-Hodgson,

 

Now he is no longer the main man, it will be interesting to see if he concentrates on delivering his very best for Liverpool FC week in and week out. I expect that he will, it'll be interesting to see.

 

It's natural to believe that you know best isn't it, especially when you have most of the nations sports writers agreeing with you on things like your best position. I honestly don't think that Gerrard has tried to be malicious or put himself before the team but maybe he has been guilty of buying into the "if Gerrard plays well, Liverpool win" line a bit too much. I'd also disagree with anyone that says Gerrard should be sold - I still think that if he gets his head round the position he could be a monster centre back in a couple of years time.

[Flight]

Personal opinion - Steven Gerrard has 'got away' with it for a couple of years, thinking he knows best etc. This was allowed to happen because the support was split over Rafa and then increasingly anti-Hodgson,

 

Now he is no longer the main man, it will be interesting to see if he concentrates on delivering his very best for Liverpool FC week in and week out. I expect that he will, it'll be interesting to see.

 

 

 

Nail on head.

 

I've said more than once, Stevie is emotionally insecure and needs to be playing to win someones approval. Kenny is such a man.

 

Kenny will know exactly how much discipline or freedom to give Stevie and he'll present it in such a way that Stevie will be totally on board with him.

 

I agree with RP - we'll see the best of Stevie again, in short order.

[aka Dus]

Personal opinion - Steven Gerrard has 'got away' with it for a couple of years, thinking he knows best etc. This was allowed to happen because the support was split over Rafa and then increasingly anti-Hodgson,

 

Now he is no longer the main man, it will be interesting to see if he concentrates on delivering his very best for Liverpool FC week in and week out. I expect that he will, it'll be interesting to see.

 

Would love to be a fly on the wall for the first team meeting.

 

Penny for Carra's thoughts too. His real thoughts.

[badtodabone]

better team spirit ,playing to our strengths, making the fans dream again . uefa place and a good cup run

[smithdown]

I've actually considered what might happen if we win every game. That's good. That's what I'm used to. I know we won't but I can think about it without feeling like a nob'ed.

[aka Dus]

Imaging Kenny lifting the Uefa Cup in Dublin in May. 50,000 lads travelled over from Liverpool, another 50,000 Irish fans, all going absolutely baloobas.

[Cooldude]

A Liverpool manager who knows how to act and speak like a Liverpool manager (And knows that better than anyone alive, too)

 

No more bs from Gerrard and Carra, a manager EVERYONE knows they can't mess with

 

That's more than ample for me... what's more interesting is if Kenny exceeds expectation and does extremely well in the league, and the players love him. Would you give him another year or some form of rolling contract or not. Will think about it when it does happen.

[Falconhoof]

Imaging Kenny lifting the Uefa Cup in Dublin in May. 50,000 lads travelled over from Liverpool, another 50,000 Irish fans, all going absolutely baloobas.

 

God, don't even talk about it. You'll have me crying with joy

[John am Rhein]

60 points is a reasonable target, IMO and should see us about 6th or 7th place

 

Apart from that it's all about setting a basis for significant improvement next season

[Swan Red]

My only expectation is that the manager of LFC shares the same aspirations and ambitions

[JohnA]

Imaging Kenny lifting the Uefa Cup in Dublin in May. 50,000 lads travelled over from Liverpool, another 50,000 Irish fans, all going absolutely baloobas.

Only holds 55,000 afaik

[aka Dus]

Only holds 55,000 afaik

 

Heh heh, you weren't in Dortmund or Athens or Istanbul then. As many outside than inside, and they had just as good a time.

Edited January 8, 2011 by aka Dus

[DonRafa]

We now have a manager of LFC who is once again worthy of that title - that will do me.