Disconnected, The True Cost of Roy Hodgson

Disconnected. That’s how I feel. Disconnected from our club.

Even during the Hicks and Gillett era I didn’t feel disconnected. Frustrated and angry a lot of the time. But the fight against the pillaging and looting duo brought unity among large sections of the fan base, I felt I was part of something special. Maybe I’m being melodramatic, I know I am still part of something special; but maybe just a little more distant than usual.

I, like many others, pledged my support to Roy in the early days. Not that I believed he was the right man for Liverpool FC, but any manager of our club deserves support. So I put up with the early dour performances and some of the shocking results. I simply cringed, but remained quiet, at some of his press conferences. But then something has changed. As Roy jumped from telling us our squad was too big, no wait… too small; or that the squad didn’t have enough quality to plenty of it, but the players were at fault. I realised something – I feel disconnected.

Could it just be me? Well I went off and searched for reasons to be positive. Some statistics show that things are improving. We are pushing higher up the pitch, we’re creating chances and Results have been improving. None of these statistics make me want to go watch a game though. I’ve even given up the saunter down the pub in preference to just watching the game at home. That could have been down to watching the Newcastle game in a pub full of Geordies, mind.

Maybe the increasing apathy is just my way of dealing with my anger. When I read a headline about how Hodgson will do this, or believes in the other I do sometimes question who the hell he thinks he is. It doesn’t feel like he’s part of the club. He’s your brother who’s only two years older than you, but less mature, yet in charge while the folks are away. Or even worse, the step Dad who’s closer to your Mum than he should be.

I’m ambivalent about Rafa returning, but I really  don’t see it happening. While the fan base seems split 50/50.  The pressure will be intense for him if he returns, but will also be noticeable for any new manager – as I’m pretty sure that comparisons will be made with Benitez rather than Hodgson.  It speaks volumes though that while 50% of fans would welcome Rafa back, polls everywhere show that (at a maximum) only 5% want Hodgson. That is some result for a Liverpool manager so early in his tenure. But he never belonged, did he?

Hodgson was never the right appointment. People supported him out of a sense of duty to the club. A sense of duty which has worn very quickly. Over 95% of fans on a Tomkins Times poll don’t see hope in the way we approach games or the way we play. Is that the cost of Roy Hodgson, hope? If so then, while I have suggested NESV take their time with any appointment, perhaps they may need to take account of the true cost.

I don’t like posts like this. I feel like I’m lacking loyalty or being unfair. I genuinely believe that NESV should be given time to make the right appointment. Hodgson was not their appointment and I’d hate for them to bring in the wrong manager. It’s a crucial decision, which needs to be carefully considered. None of this stops me feeling this way though.

Discon…