Roy Hodgson has had his fair share of criticism in the past as a manager.
He was basically taken apart by the English press after England failed so miserably in the European Championship finals last year in France, after winning all 10 games in qualifying and eventually losing to Iceland.
But Roy has always been a good coach, and we remember how he amazingly saved Fulham from relegation back in 2008.
With 31 games played Fulham had only 21 points and looked certain to be relegated, but they then won five of their last seven games and stayed up finishing with 36 points.
They had a better goal difference than Reading who were relegated in 3rd bottom place.
We fully expect Hodgson to keep Crystal Palace up this season although he has some work to do.
Roy Hodgson – at his press conference
Roy held his press conference yesterday for the game at Newcastle tomorrow, and he was complimentary of both the Newcastle side and the manager:
“At the moment they’ve had a very good start, a deserved start because they play good football, and we have to give exactly the same performance that we did against Chelsea.”
“Rafa Benitez is doing very well. He’s done well to almost save them when he came in as the savior.”
“He stayed with the club and spent a whole season in the Championship honing the team and bringing them up again as Champions into the Premier League and then they’ve had a great start.”
“The fans there love him, the players obviously like and respect him.”
“When you watch the team play you can see it’s a team which has obviously had some work done on it.”
“They know what they are doing the players. For me as a fellow coach I can only say congratulations on a good job of work.”
About three in four fans think we can win this game tomorrow and go to 14 points from our first 9 games.
Comments welcome.
6 comments so far
sparky55
Oct 20, 2017 at 8:34 AM
Comment #1I think it may have taken this long to be seriously considered as a possible target of wealthy suitors because the value of the club is so dependent upon premiership status.
If we had experienced a sh!te start like palace or Leicester for example, I don’t think anyone would be circling above St James right now, but that good solid start and with Rafa at the helm has practically already guaranteed premiership status so everyone wants in because 300 million for a zero debt club is not outrageous by any standards for a 52,000 sell out every week and the SKY money toboot.
I also have a feeling Rafa was aware of what was going on hence his non political stance after being given a transfer budget of tuppence halfpenny.
The ingredients are all there for a very successful club in the future, the only negative in my book being our geography and I sincerely hope we don’t become the club of aging footballers again in the winter of their careers taking a fortune out of the club and giving nowt back.
Rafa has already turned down players who he believes are not the right type of personality or fit with the existing squad, but that’s a bit easier when you’re in our current position, but when you’re pushing up the league and making bigger transfer signings then that’s a little harder to manage…just ask Kev and Sir Bobby!
Jail for Ashley
Oct 20, 2017 at 8:37 AM
Comment #2Sorry Ed but I’ve got no sympathy for him after what he done last year, Brazil wasn’t very good but a young new squad yatter yatter but last year was a disgrace, a complete shambles. Kane on corners a shattered Sterling keep being picked, and what he done after that Iceland defeat bordered on cowardice.
one fine day
Oct 20, 2017 at 8:41 AM
Comment #3SITC,
Hopefully can sort something mate he is here for the fall festival but I am getting a bit past it for those gigs lol
I am down in Melb over Christmas(wife’s family) and staying to watch day three in the ashes
Liam does a side gig on 4 th in Sydney and 5 th in Melbourne so if I can convince a few of the in laws to come and get an education if could be a cracking night.
Meant to ask how was the roses at Wembley ?
Actually I think I know the answer 🙂
Spoof
Oct 20, 2017 at 8:44 AM
Comment #4This take over malarky has caused an argument for me at home, I gave my season ticket up a few years back due to Ashley, I was so disillusioned but I have told my wife that as soon as the new owner is announced I will get my ticket back, she wants the conservatory decorated, tough the ticket comes first.
She suggested a compromise that I get my ticket in the summer, nope, if I wait till the summer it could be to late, theie are thousands who have done and will do the same as me and if you wait till the summer the chances are it could be to late, sorry Mrs Spoof, but the conservatory will have to wait.
yorkymag
Oct 20, 2017 at 8:55 AM
Comment #5Spoof
No sympathy you should have kept it ,like the rest of us
May be a seat in row z level 7 I hear
Ha ha
Only joking
Spoof
Oct 20, 2017 at 9:01 AM
Comment #6York
I sent a message asking about a ticket, the reply was for a ticket behind the goal and it would cost £119.60 now and the same amount in 4 months time.
What is important though is the impact a new owner will have, I won’t be alone in renewing and the stadium will be a sell out, it really is a great feeling to have hope again, anyway I must go as upstart work in an hour.