Luke Young Going to Liverpool

[Risso]

Wouldn't doubt Hodgson's ability to spot a bargain in the transfer market, put the point was about organizing a defence, which even you must admit MON got right last year?

Yes, but given the resources available to him, you could argue that Hodgson did even better.

[Concrete John]

Wouldn't doubt Hodgson's ability to spot a bargain in the transfer market, put the point was about organizing a defence, which even you must admit MON got right last year?

Yes, but given the resources available to him, you could argue that Hodgson did even better.

On balance, yes you could argue that.  But with the simple issue of organising the players you have into a solid unit, Martin did very well so I don't agree Hodgson's ability to do this should be used as an example of why he's a better manager.

[Eigentor]

The difference between O'Neill and Hodgson is not very big, but Hodgson seems to have more technical expertise, ie is better to organize a team defensively and making them consistently difficult to break down.

I can't see how you can say that given our defensive record last year?

My opinion is that our defensive record last year, which was a vast improvement on the previous two seasons at least, were largely due to better defenders and a more defensive mindset in the team -- not necessarily better organization.

[sfx412]

On balance, yes you could argue that.  But with the simple issue of organising the players you have into a solid unit, Martin did very well so I don't agree Hodgson's ability to do this should be used as an example of why he's a better manager.

Perhaps last year Mon got lucky. Perhaps the more defensive mindset in the team helped, perhaps having spent the money he did on the defence  he needed to' His success with the defensive organisation in previous years wasn't too good and I still remember several poor games defensively, Chelsea springs to mind.

Hodgson made Manager of the Year, others came close and Mon was not one of them. Hodgson is well travelled and respected throughout Europe, Mon@s one call to fame was he did average at Celtic and even Strachan did better on far less spend, I doubt most teams even know of his existence.

Mon was touted as favourite for the Liverpool Job Hodgson has it.
Listen to Hodgson talk football, discuss his knowledge of players world wide and compare that with listening to Mon on similar topics and you'll soon appreciate the better manager, as most sensible people do.

[Concrete John]

My opinion is that our defensive record last year, which was a vast improvement on the previous two seasons at least, were largely due to better defenders and a more defensive mindset in the team -- not necessarily better organization.

I think the two go hand in hand - organisation and ability - to create a solid defense.  I do agree though that team as a whole had a more defensive mindset.

[Dr Butler]

On balance, yes you could argue that.  But with the simple issue of organising the players you have into a solid unit, Martin did very well so I don't agree Hodgson's ability to do this should be used as an example of why he's a better manager.

Perhaps last year Mon got lucky. Perhaps the more defensive mindset in the team helped, perhaps having spent the money he did on the defence  he needed to' His success with the defensive organisation in previous years wasn't too good and I still remember several poor games defensively, Chelsea springs to mind.

Hodgson made Manager of the Year, others came close and Mon was not one of them. Hodgson is well travelled and respected throughout Europe, Mon@s one call to fame was he did average at Celtic and even Strachan did better on far less spend, I doubt most teams even know of his existence.

Mon was touted as favourite for the Liverpool Job Hodgson has it.
Listen to Hodgson talk football, discuss his knowledge of players world wide and compare that with listening to Mon on similar topics and you'll soon appreciate the better manager, as most sensible people do.

Am I missing a point here ?
Hodgson finished below O'Neill in the league in 3(?) seasons on the bounce.
A league cup final and a semi-final appearance for O'Neill last season
Woy got to one final.

I know who I would rather have in charge of my club.

[dave.woodhall]

Am I missing a point here ?
Hodgson finished below O'Neill in the league in 3(?) seasons on the bounce.
A league cup final and a semi-final appearance for O'Neill last season
Woy got to one final.

I know who I would rather have in charge of my club.

With the resources available at both clubs, I know who I'd rather have as well.

[Dr Butler]

is that Fulham or Liverpool Dave ?

[Slaphead]

Hodgson took a team from certain relegation to the UEFA cup final with little spend.

[dave.woodhall]

is that Fulham or Liverpool Dave ?

Fulham, but also all three.

[Eigentor]

Hodgson took a team from certain relegation to the UEFA cup final with little spend.

Sorry for harping on, but this is correct, and he started this by getting their defence organized -- ensuring that the number of goals conceded were radically reduced. I doubt that O'Neill could have done the same -- not to the same extent, at least.

[Dr Butler]

Hodgson took a team from certain relegation to the UEFA cup final with little spend.

O'Neill took  over a team certain for relegation to a series of top 6 finishes and two trips to Wembley in the last 4 seasons.

[Concrete John]

With the resources available at both clubs, I know who I'd rather have as well.

I think you have to say that with everything taken into account, sort of a pounds=points criteria, Hodgson was doing better at Fulham than MON is here.  However, it's not uncommon for managers lower down the gravy train to be unable to emulate that success at bigger clubs.  For instance, using the same criteria Mark Hughes did better at Blackburn than Man City, Pulis did better at WBA than Celtic and there are other examples.

Now, that's not to say Hodgson WILL do the same at Liverpool, but I think we need a bit of the 'wait and see' mentality before deciding.

[dave.woodhall]

Hodgson took a team from certain relegation to the UEFA cup final with little spend.

O'Neill took  over a team certain for relegation to a series of top 6 finishes and two trips to Wembley in the last 4 seasons.

Can we please stop using "two trips to Wembley" as though it's some major achievement? One of them should have been at Old Trafford.

[Risso]

Hodgson took a team from certain relegation to the UEFA cup final with little spend.

O'Neill took  over a team certain for relegation to a series of top 6 finishes and two trips to Wembley in the last 4 seasons.

Can we please stop using "two trips to Wembley" as though it's some major achievement? One of them should have been at Old Trafford.

I've been saying that for months.  The fact that the FA want to fleece fans to pay for the stadium is the only reason semis are at Wembley.  As you say, "A trip to Wembley and one to Old Trafford" doesn't sound quite as good.