Topic: The John W Henry Interview - Part Two

[Caligula_10]

Good stuff, seems like we finally might have us some sensible owners. Didn't fancy Q10 though, I think that the red sox part was a bit uncalled for and no need comparing us with the red sox, even with the greatest of respect.

[Groundskeeper Willie]

Even though Henry didn´t directly criticise Hodgson, there were som things that pointed in his direction.

First quote: The manager has a big role in getting the best out of the players.

Second: The manager must share the ideas of the DoFS (for example) and the transfer policy. Something I can´t see Roy doing.

Third: Ties in with the first one. And we aren´t winning.

  We are always discussing what we can do to improve in various areas – from venues to player performance.  Always.

We have to have everyone from top to bottom on the same page – exactly the same page.

This club needs to play up to their potential every match.  If they don’t, they won’t win.[i]

[Trada]

I'll bet the "insightful player" was Pepe.


Thanks for that all.

Just hope it wasn't Carra.

Anyway joking aside  thanks for asking the questions VDM and some great answers I have a feeling they are the right owners to take us forward.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Super read and some very thoughtful - and thought-provoking answers. Thank you everyone involved.

I'm not remotely concerned about Mr Henry's comment on the manager. If you look at it in context, he's talking about a family - as the "insightful" player described.

No matter how badly someone is doing, he's not going to denigrate them. Player or manager, they will be treated with respect until they leave. That's absolutely right in my opinion. We won't get to know about players transferring or managers leaving until they've left the building. No dirty linen being washed in public - the way we used to be.

[koptician]

Thanks VdM.  Great questions and encouraging answers.  I just hope they're true to their words.  I still remember the lies we were fed by G&H

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

This worried me also I dont expect him to slag Roy off but he is part of the problem and not part of the solution when the fans know something is wrong at Liverpool they speak up, and we have a problem a major one that needs sorting out immediatly and its name is Roy Hodgson !!!

I can't really believe that people are wanting him to come out and criticise the manager.  I presume that some of you are the same people who have been, rightly, criticising Hodgson for having a go at some of his players?  I would wholly support him in removing the manager but until they are ready to do that then they have to give him full support.  Just as we all think that Christian Purlsow should have done with the previous manager.  Anything else undermines the manager and makes his job impossible.  Which is an incredibly stupid thing to do.

However. let's steer away from the manager angle.  Fascinating to see that everyone is convinced that the insightful player is Pepe Reina.  I agree but I wish I knew the actual answer.

[Cribertinokes]

He's extremely articulate and says pretty much everything we want to hear.

I'll remain sceptical until we actually see some results.

[Dr Cornwallis]

I'll bet the "insightful player" was Pepe.

Not necessarily Pepe, but I agree it sounded like a foreign lad who would come up with the 'family' mantra, as is hammered home in places like Spain.  Certainly think it was Pepe or Nando, both of which came through in teams that were big on togetherness.

Still a bit concerned for this season as Mr Henry seems reluctant to address the managerial situation and is not looking to invest in the first team this January.  We may well see a couple of big prospect youngsters being snapped up for the youths and reserve team, but it sounds highly unlikely to impact the first team.
This is a worrying prospect because the likes of Nando are not cup-tied for Champs League football this season and we could well lose players in January to teams in the latter stages of that competition if the players don't get on with our 'system' of play.
I admire and agree with Mr Henry's philosophy, it's common sense and it's based on facts and stats, not on the heart.  Some tough decisions will have to be made but we as fans will have to accept this because FSV aren't going to mess about, they're intending on winning everything they can and they will have no compunction in removing a fan favourite if that player stands in the way of progress.  As supporters we have to accept these decisions and trust in the long-term vision.
But in the meantime, it could get really, really desperate and Mr Henry sounds like he has no expectations for this coming season, not once did he mention CL qualification or winning a trophy, it all seems very much geared towards waiting until the Summer and then blitzing the club from top to bottom.
But the big, big, big issue is the manager who is someone that FSV surely cannot see as a long-term solution, and if that's the case then he should have no say on player movement in the transfer windows.  But, conversely, if he feels undermined then he's not going to be too bothered about doing the rest of his job, because it seems that half the fun of being a manager is looking at new players to implement your ideas.  And this is the problem, we've got an owner with long-term ideas, players with medium term ideas, and a manager with short term ideas.  How on earth are they supposed to see eye-to-eye on things right now?

And one last thing.
Mr Henry went down to the Academy and mentioned Borrell and Segura as important long-term fixtures at the club. 
But no mention of Kenny.  It's really quite hard to figure out what Kenny's role is because I assumed it was youth development, but it seems really quite an odd situation for Mr Henry to remember to mention Segura but not Kenny when discussing youth development.
I hope Kenny's role is to complement Comolli's work, and to turn up on the door of key youth targets and impress the fuck out of their fathers into signing for us.

[shelovesyou]

Thanks to all involved.. Very nice to have this line of communication. Its much appreciated.

[JohnBarnesBigToe]

I’ve been to the academy three times and I’ve met with Jose Segura and Rodolfo Borrell.  They are key people for the future of Liverpool.  They know their work is now a major priority for us.  I’ve made a personal commitment to them.  We intend to give them the resources to build LFC for the future.

Pretty much all I wanted to hear.

[SmithdownAndy]

OK, VDM, I've been won over.

Firstly, thank you once again for putting the questions to NESV, and getting such good answers.

Nothing in the future is certain. We are behind Arsenal, Chelsea, Man u and Man city, that isn't going to turn around is a few months, or a few seasons. It is going to require a vision and that will not be us smply outspending our competitors.

What impresses me is that they know what they don't know- who they employ to bridge that knowkedge/experience gap will determine their and our success.

But as a veteran fan I will say this. Not since the era of Shankly/Robinson/ Smith have I felt that there was not only "a plan" but a plan that looks to safeguard our future.

That's just made my week, cheers!!!

Seriously though what I admire about them the most is they admit they have a lot to learn, he openly admits to not knowing too much about football, but they will put people in place that do.

They're here for the long term, isn't that what we wanted when we fought H & G for so long, a long term owner who would build solid foundations and have us standing on our own 2 feet.

[Endoe]

"They are all exceptionally bright and they all want to be here.  The question they have had, rightfully so, is whether or not the club is going to go in the right direction.  They all want to see that.  I have been very forthright about our philosophy and about what we are going to try to achieve.  Some would prefer a quick fix.  Others prefer to focus on the long-term................difficult for players.."

Great interview. Reading that and in particulaer the paragraph relating to the players worries me, it's not about a quick fix, the squad we had can improve on last season and finish 4th, bring CL football and I bet those 'wanting a quick '
 will be happy to stay. I mentioned it in another threat worrying that UKSV believe this is normal or us - fans calling for heads, turning on each other, calling for managers heads. We as a club have a reputation for giving managers time. John, this is not the normal Liver 'way' you are seeing from us fans. anyway, I digress , we don't need a quick fix, I doubt the players want a quick fix we just need to fix it  quickly.

[xerxes1]

This worried me also I dont expect him to slag Roy off but he is part of the problem and not part of the solution when the fans know something is wrong at Liverpool they speak up, and we have a problem a major one that needs sorting out immediatly and its name is Roy Hodgson !!!

Is it more important than completing Board appointments? More important than a complete Board debating and agreeing what our future stretegy should be - and then signing up to it? More important than understanding what the strengths and weaknesses of the Club REALLY are?

Making a crisis appointment, only to have to make another one after the above had been resolved,would be madness. I am hugely impressed by NESV's thoughtful and considered approach to the long term well being of the Club. Yes they will have to convert intentions into action - but there is time for that.

[Banquo's Ghost]

They're here for the long term, isn't that what we wanted when we fought H & G for so long, a long term owner who would build solid foundations and have us standing on our own 2 feet.

Exactly.

And I love his comment about a "Red Sox Way" echoing our own. He just gets it - dignity, family, winning. All expected, never walking past second best.

[Anwer]

John: ".....If we build the right team on the field, everything off the field will take care of itself"

too f'kn right!!

[tinkertailor]

Ticket prices are going to be hiked, I reckon.

[kneeys]

Great interveiw, that cheered me up on a dreary Monday.

[mulfella]

Couple of points.

Agree is that was likely to be Pepe, guesswork obviously but it does 'fit'.

Interesting comments about January, and policitically quite useful. I think they've to a degree written off this season, and the managers position is obviously up for review, but the structure isn't even there yet to really do it.

January can be quite poor value but holding back is probably the right long term decision even if it means much short term pain.

Good question and response re the Academy, and the wording of the question was superb, the subtext must be clear to them.

[keswick]

If you build it Mr Henry, we will come!!!

[Higgins79]

[quote   As one insightful player told me, “The spirit of the side needs to be there like a family – as one.”[/i]


[/quote]

i wonder who this player is and if they are suggesting that the team spirit isn't there. doesn't sound like something the english lads would say.

[bleedsred1978]

Patience is a virtue we all need a dose of.

Really sounds like they are the real deal and in it for the long haul.

Was interesting to here him say that. " Some players want it straight away".

Could be a period of flux where the players we now have will be making way for a younger batch ready to compete in 3 years time and stay at the top.

I think we the fan base need to get our heads around this fact.

[janmolbyslovechild]

Whilst I agree whole heartedly with Henry's sentiments on building for the future, where does this leave players like Stevie.

I might just be stiring the shit (happy to take that on the chin), but Stevie said on the record that he wants investment now as he is coming to the end of his best playing days - a five year plan wouldn't suit him at all.

Henry mentions on a couple of occasions that 'everyone needs to be singing from the same sheet' - is that a reference to Stevie not agreeing with that approach?

Much kudos to the lads who organised this BTW.

Thats my take too. But at the end of the day no player is bigger than the club, so if it means some players not wanting to wait around for a 5 year plan then so be it.

[shelovesyou]

So far you cant help but be impressed by their efforts to keep the fans informed as much as they can.
I will of course reserve judgement on how good they are for the club, but so far so good.

[Kloofster]

His answer to 14 - moving from the values of Liverpool to talking about Anfield - suggests, perhaps, that we are being lined up for a particular outcome of the ground decision.

All this talk of youth, financial fair play rules, a quiet January suggests the days of marquee signings will never return.  Just marquee departures it seems.

[Em5y]

Still a bit concerned for this season as Mr Henry seems reluctant to address the managerial situation

Eh? Seriously? How long have they been here?

There will be setbacks along the way I'm sure - but have to feel positive after reading that.  'No quick fixes' means we're all going to need to be patient.  One thing I believe is that we will have to unite behind the leadership that the owners are providing - I trust them whilst they are saying and doing all the right things.

I get the feeling that any manager, player, employee or supporter 'not on the same page' will be heartily encouraged to Fuck Off.

[mulfella]

Thats my take too. But at the end of the day no player is bigger than the club, so if it means some players not wanting to wait around for a 5 year plan then so be it.

There was also a  reference to some players wanting a quick fix - something Gerrard specifically referred to in his interview recently.

[Stussy]

They're here for the long term, isn't that what we wanted when we fought H & G for so long, a long term owner who would build solid foundations and have us standing on our own 2 feet.

Yes, it is exactly what we were looking for.

[mulfella]

His answer to 14 - moving from the values of Liverpool to talking about Anfield - suggests, perhaps, that we are being lined up for a particular outcome of the ground decision.

All this talk of youth, financial fair play rules, a quiet January suggests the days of marquee signings will never return.  Just marquee departures it seems.

Probably a topic for another thread, but apart from Torres (certainly in size of fee, though there were some doubts about him), and possibly Masch, I'm not sure we've had many marquee signings for some time now. Possibly since Evan's time.

[Lawnmowerman]

At least there is a line of communication between themselves and ourselves.has that malcolm glazer even been seen at old trafford

[SmithdownAndy]

His answer to 14 - moving from the values of Liverpool to talking about Anfield - suggests, perhaps, that we are being lined up for a particular outcome of the ground decision.

All this talk of youth, financial fair play rules, a quiet January suggests the days of marquee signings will never return.  Just marquee departures it seems.

Is there ever many marquee signings in January though, he's right most of these signings are done in the summer. I'm sure if there's value to be found in January we will make signings, but I'm happy if we're gonna save money in January that can be better used in the summer. After all you don't buy your Xmas presents at Easter do you.

[Breitner]

They're saying all the right things, as you'd expect from an experienced organisation. "Long term" is a great PR phrase and it buys them plenty of time but they got the club for a song and until we see some major investment in the team and stadium I can't trust them.

[bleedsred1978]

Is there ever many marquee signings in January though, he's right most of these signings are done in the summer. I'm sure if there's value to be found in January we will make signings, but I'm happy if we're gonna save money in January that can be better used in the summer. After all you don't buy your Xmas presents at Easter do you.

Might be a tad difficult to attract the very best to the championship.

[bleedsred1978]

They're saying all the right things, as you'd expect from an experienced organisation. "Long term" is a great PR phrase and it buys them plenty of time but they got the club for a song and until we see some major investment in the team and stadium I can't trust them.

FFS they jumped through some hoops to get the club.

We need to get away from short term mate. Short term got us into this mess.

[AirConGipsyRed]

Again, well done RAWK, especially VdM and Smithdown Andy and a special thank you to John Henry. Honesty and dialogue with the fan base is almost unheard of, if not completely unheard of.

My only small tinge of unhappiness (and it is just a small tinge of unhappiness) is that they have re-branded to Fenway Sports Group. It makes me feel we are a subsidiary of a baseball park rather than an important part of a global sports business. I know we are important, but I have a uneasy feeling of being the ugly sister. Ok, maybe not the ugly sister, maybe someone like Danii Minogue.  Lovely as she is, she ain't Kylie.

I also know it's just a name, but I think I preferred NESV.

It is but one small critique in an otherwise very happy read.

[filthy1980]

"The club should not have to settle for less.  As one insightful player told me, “The spirit of the side needs to be there like a family – as one.”

Bet that was Reina.

sounds like a banner to me

[shanklyboy]

Probably a topic for another thread, but apart from Torres (certainly in size of fee, though there were some doubts about him), and possibly Masch, I'm not sure we've had many marquee signings for some time now. Possibly since Evan's time.

Good points.
What we've had in recent years are young players with potential who were signed by an astute manager who then turned them into Marquee players.

Man Utd have also made an art form out of signing decent kids who if they didn't make it there were sold on to help fund their bigger signings.

[Santas crapped on me loo la]

We sent him a list of 23 questions, so far he has answered the first 17, so yes I'm pretty certain there will be a part 3, we have to realise he's a very busy man, but at least he's taking some time to answer questions from the fans in a full and honest fashion.

If you're reading this John thanks for responses.

Absolutely, I imagine this is pretty much unheard of in any sports organisation, I certainly can't think of another one that offers such candidness

[DonkeyWan]

Its something of a relief he has ruled out panic buys in January, At most we will see Roy spunking a few quid to get Zamora in.

[Roy of the rovers]

Seems to be protecting the manager again - is he worried about the compensation? A lot of what's happened IS the manager's fault.

He can't say anything else until he fires him

Also - he's right on the broader point. The players haven't done well either in recent times.

[Twelfth Man]

The some players want a quick fix is a bit worrying, but you can't argue with his answers. A bit ahead of the game here, but if we were to redevelop Anfield, I hope they also look to do the same for Melwood and turn it into a world class training facility given their emphasis on encouraging youth development. Arsenal, Chelsea and United all have excellent facilities that we need at least to match if not better.

Not sure when these answers came through but the bit about not blaming the manager for our current turmoil, is a bit worrying, true the structural problems at Liverpool are long term and pre-date Hodgson, but absolving him of all responsibility of our current sharp decline is worrying.

Well done lads for the interview. John W Henry is a very slick PR man and keeps his cards to his chest, everything measured, promising only what can can be achieved.

The big issue for us the fans in the short term is who will make the decision to replace Hodgson, Comolli? If so (I know I am flying off in tangents now) what type of footballing philosophy is he associated with, which managers are likely to get on his short-list. But of course John W Henry admitting he knows very little about football, so such a question at present is pointless. They really need to get people with football knowledge in because at present apart from Comolli and obviously King Kenny the club feels rudderless in footballing terms, not commercial where I'm sure it will thrive thanks to the existing personnel (Ayre) and their expertise.