Is Roy safe at Liverpool or will he be next on the managerial merry-go-round?

With all the managerial sackings going on, particularly the two at Newcastle and Blackburn, there must be a few other managers half expecting the dreaded invitation for a chat in the boardroom. One of those anxious managers must be Roy Hodgson at Liverpool.

Expectations

With Liverpool on the same points as Newcastle and just one point above Blackburn, their position is hardly better than the other two and the expectations are so much greater.

Hodgson himself believes he is safe and he believes that nobody else could have done a better job so far with the resources at his disposal.

Similar

“Whoever takes my place will be in a similar job with similar players. That will remain the case unless there is a major inflow of cash into the club and the team is going to be changed from one moment to the next”.

Since Hodgson was appointed, the ownership at Liverpool has changed and that change often signifies a change of manager as well. The new owner, John W Henry of NESV, was quoted recently as saying that results so far this season have been unacceptable. Those results have left Liverpool in ninth place, some nine points adrift of a top four place. Despite that, Hodgson says that the owners support him and understand the position he is in.

Clear

“The owners have made it perfectly clear they are in it for the long term and they are going to be patient. They realise it is going to take time. They realise we can’t turn things around overnight and they also realise that the team I am working with is not the team I put together. You don’t turn things around overnight and they are aware of the magnitude of the task but they are very focused on what needs to be done and I am convinced they will help me get it done.”

Eventually, under constant questioning about his future, the normally unflappable Hodgson showed some signs of annoyance.

Confidence

“It doesn’t bother me because I can’t do more than I am doing, I can’t work harder, I can’t work better. I have great confidence in my ability, I don’t think there is any reason not to have. I know the players are working as hard as they can to win matches for Liverpool and therefore me as manager.”

It is not all doom and gloom at Anfield though as Liverpool have secured top place in their Europa League qualifying group and actually made it to the last thirty-two with a game to spare. Their home form is OK as well and the problems are just on the road where they have won only one of six. The worrying thing for Hodgson and Liverpool is that the manager had similar problems at Fulham.

Great

I have got a huge amount of time for Roy Hodgson who is a great football man and, I think, an exceptional manager. I truly hope he is secure in his job and that he gets the chance to show what he can do at such a great club, but I genuinely fear for him.

What do you think? Is Roy safe for the time being or is Mr Henry considering his options?