I've seen so many people on this forum crying out for Kenny to be sacked because of a problem season; and about the same number of people saying that Kenny should stay. Now, putting aside obvious motives such as Kenny is a legend of the club, and nobody is bigger than the club including Kenny; think about why you actually want Kenny out? Too many people nowadays want a manager out because he hasn't done very well - HOWEVER that is not the same as predicting he won't improve next season. The point of getting a new manager is because you feel he will improve the team, everyone wants to see results. However, if you buy a new player, an immediate impact isn't expected and often not desirable for a long term player. It all takes time, and I don't know why anyone expected instant results. Of course, we've had a disappointing season considering our net spend over last year, but... For all those that want Kenny out: Do you want him out because we've had a bad season, or because you think he will repeat the same mistakes next season? Truthfully... For those that want Kenny to stay: Do you want him to stay because he's a legend of the club, or because you genuinely think he will "come good," as it were?
I want him to stay because you cant judge and sack a manager that never put us in danger of relegation,won us our first cup in 6 years,had to bed in new players and his selections dominated the opposition on many occasions and had hard luck/bad finishing to thank for many draws and a few losses. On the minus side i think Downing and Henderson are a waste of a place in the team,we paid far to much over the odds for those two and Carroll(yet because Torres left his departure till the last minute Newcastle had us by the bollocks)but he has deffo improved in the last few months from his early season form. Souness and Evans got 3/4 years in charge and Kenny deserves a chance to prove next season that this season was work in progress.
I want him to stay because we should give managers time. Despite the poor results, our performances are usually good. We have a strong defence and create bucket loads of chances. Some signings worked out, others didn't. But what's the point in removing him anyway? Another 'transition' year where we get more first teamers introduced and asked to play another style of football, and probably another year of the same. Chelsea tried to finally do something propper and get a young manager in long term to build a team and they tired of him fast. They'll do what they've done for 8 years and just keep chucking money, players and manages at it whilst relying on the old players to be stubborn, kick their toys out the pram and play the way they've always done since their beloved Moureen was there. This is not what Liverpool is about. Kenny gets time until the right successor is found. There ARE positives in this season and easily fixable mistakes. A new DoF (who's actually good at their job) will make the world of difference, same as another striker who can score and an attacking coach. Three/four signings with that extra quality in attack and we're back competing for the top 4 again with the style of football we've seen in most of our games this season - I'm certain of it. Arsenal, despite their claims that they'll be fine without RVP, will be ****ed next year. Spurs collapsed lately and will lose half their 'star' players to bigger teams. Chelsea need to win the CL or they're ****ed without throwing another 150mill at it. Newcastle, for the amazing season they've had, aren't really likely to be able to compete in the league AND the CL, plus hold onto their top players - and many believing they're just overachieving this year but will drop back to 6-8th next year. United, despite how cocky they are about "oh, we're still second but you say we're **** LOLOOL what does that make you", yeah, they know they're struggling next year without some massive replacements/signings to bolster their team - especially with the emergence of City. If we keep our best, add a few more, we're good to go for 4th - but anything higher is beyond us atm. Long term project and all. Before all the wums come calling and trying to pick my post apart, I don't give a ****. Worry about your own club
Firstly I don't want Kenny sacked. Some of the football played this season has been the best seen for years and whilst people will keep trotting out that you make your own luck, we have been bloody unlucky, possibly the unluckiest team in the league this season. At one stage we were really looking good for a real top four challenge and competing very well against the other tops sides(bar Spurs). I also think Kenny has been unlucky with the key injuries to Lucas and people will laugh but Adam to an extent because our options in midfield are now almost non existent and we are relying on Spearing and Hendo at a key time in the season and under huge pressure which is unfortunate for us and them. I also think the loss of Aqua and Miereles has really hindered us to some extent, perhaps more so the loss of Miereles because he is the kind of player who could have scored bags of goals in the system we play and because Miereles I think was considered a part of the overall picture. Factor in perhaps that Torres was supposed to play with Suarez and you can see how our shape and system is constantly having to be reviewed or adapted by the changing personnel something the players coming in have been unable to do. However I think the reason some fans want him sacked(and I can understand in a way) is that the fans fears have been realised! Managers will always come under pressure when their decisions are questioned at the time and then are subsequently realised. We all questioned the quality of some of the signings Kenny made and the prices we payed. Yes some were for the future(Hendo and Coates) and some were probably not our first choice (Downing, I believe we wanted Young) but they were questioned and have thus proved to be justified. Again perhaps the likes of Hendo have played far more games than he really should have this season because of the mitigating factors above; I think another key reason Kenny is being questioned is his apparent refusal to pick some of the fringe players and to stick with what we know is largely ineffective and the players other fans call 'his favourites' Another example of a mangaer coming under pressure and being criticised is at my other team Halifax, two promotions in a row and this season we reached the play-offs yet the mangare has come under pressure by some because we got rid of our experienced CB and didn't replace him, all season we have been shaky defensively and conceded heaps of goals from set pieces. Again at the time this decision was questioned and proved to be correct, when this happens you are bound to get flak! Whilst I want to give him more time I can honestly see the reluctance on some's part in wondering if Kenny has learnt from the mistakes this season, perhaps he has because many expected Carra to start the final and thankfully he didn't.
Probably 75% of the teams in the PL aim for a top half finish, even the Geordies were saying at the start of the season that a top half finish would be good. Clutching at straws much? Seriously though, half a season of relegation form and we are still top half and the first half wasn't exactly spectacular either. It's not the first time we have been disappointed and it certainly wont be the last.
