Negativity doesn't help, fans should support us: Liverpool Manager Roy Hodgson
Liverpool’s troublesome season hit new lows yesterday as they suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of rock bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Stephen Ward scored the solitary goal of the match inflicting the 8th loss of the season on Merseyside Reds that sparked a chorus of boos from the disgruntled home fans at the final whistle.
Following the defeat, Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has urged the club fans to back the club.
"The fans have left angry and that's understandable. We've let them down; I have to hope the fans will become supporters because we need support. We are not deliberately losing games," said the Liverpool manager.
Ward struck the decisive blow on 56 minutes to give Wolves their first away win of the season and more importantly, their first ever win over Liverpool in 27 years. The win lifted Wolves off the foot of the table but has placed immense pressure on an already
under pressure Liverpool manager who just took charge a few months ago following the controversial departure of Rafael Benitez.
As the curtain came down on the year in the Premier League, Liverpool find themselves lying at a dismal 12th position in the league, just three points above the relegation zone. For the first time in 7 years, Everton will head into the New Year
ahead of their Merseyside rivals in the Premier League table.
The fans at Anfield last night were angry with the result and chanted anti-Hodgson slogans. A part of the crowd also demanded Kenny Dalglish to be brought on as the new manager of the club while a banner in the ground read, ‘Welcome Home Rafa'.
Roy Hodgson has not been disheartened by all this as after the match, he said, "I am getting used to it, that is the way it is." Hodgson believes that the negativity directed at him has had an impact on his team also so he has called for more backing from
the terraces.
"We've had to live with that for quite a long time now as ever since I came here the famous Anfield support has not really been there. There were the problems with the owners, then Kenny being so popular and not getting the job and it being given to me."
The pressure on the manager is ever increasing as for the third season in a row, Liverpool look set to be playing in the Europa League. That too if they somehow magically finish in the top six of the league table, a feat that at the moment looks out of reach
for the Reds.
Despite the grim situation, Roy Hodgson is still putting up a brave face. He stated, "It is sad and I don't like hearing those things because I am trying to do the best job I can do. As manager, you take responsibility for that so I have to take that criticism
on the chin as well."
The Liverpool manager demanded the fans to back the club as it is a time when they need all the love and support of their faithful fans.
"You (fans) have seen these players before. They are just not playing like they have done in the past so I think it is time for the fans to really help as well. It is not for lack of trying that we are not winning matches. Maybe we are lacking quality and
lacking confidence - the negativity doesn't help. The players are not getting on the ball for fear of making mistakes."
Whatever be it, Roy Hidgson has to turn things around soon or he will face the sack. He has never been accepted by the club fans as their manager and his reputation will count for nothing if he is shown the door at Anfield.
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