First of all, let me first say how delighted I am at the return of the King. I remember the day he left like it was yesterday. Bawling my eyes out reading ceefax, with the headline that Kenny quit. Calling my dad at the office to tell him the news. I was 10 years old then and Kenny Dalgish was the only Liverpool manager I had ever known. Not only that, but he was also a father figure to me. I remember feeling safe every time I saw him on TV. I dont know why but I just did.
Today has been 20 years in the making. It could have happened 19 years and a half ago before we hired Souness. It could have happened 17 years ago when Evans took charge. It almost definately should have happened 6 months ago after Rafa's departure. Either way, it's happened. Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish. How good does that sound?
But now the hard work begins. And the hardest thing for me is going to be downplaying expectations.
We're not suddenly going to transform ourselves into the great 88 side, with Babel as Barnes, Kuyt as Beardsley and Skrtel as Hansen. We're not going to win the league and cup double. We're not suddenly going to be in the Champions League. There are severe limitations to our squad, some due to Rafa's mistakes, some due to Hodgson's, and some due to the off the field issues we've had. We're not suddenly going to find we have speedy wingers who can beat their man, or a good backup for Torres, or pace at the back.
The most we can hope for this season, on the pitch, is an improvement of the performances we've seen this season. We've got 2 trophies to win and, if we win tomorrow, we can go far in both of them. But the priority has to be improving the football on the park we've been watching all season. Redressing soome of the mistakes made by Hodgson and yes by Rafa in his last term as well. Improving the away record. Playing the Liverpool Way again. Any success we can get is a bonus.
The most important thing for me is that we have unity again. That we can go into games actually looking forward to them, not wondering what result will hasten Hodgson's exit or prolong his stay. Actually get pissed off at bad results andd annalyzing players performances rather than being semi happy, thinking that surely Roy is gone after that. Unity now until the end of the season, all behind one man and one set of owners, supporting the team the Liverpool Way.
Nor more excuses. We got rid of the Yanks and of Hodgson. Fresh start off the field for us. Let's enjoy the rest of the season, no matter where we end up and let's support the King. But please don't expect any miracles.
YNWA.