ROY HODGSON

LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE...

BY STEVE LILLIS, FREELANCE SPORTS WRITER AND FULHAM SUPPORTER

THERE are plenty of diehard Liverpool fans whose shoulders sank when Roy Hodgson came in for the Spanish waiter – but they are in for a shock.

No, ‘Woy’ isn’t Bill Shankly or Bob Paisley. And he won’t win so many trophies that even the most dedicated fan will lose count.

But one thing’s for certain when Hodgson leaves – either for England in 2012 or if silly money owners come in – Liverpool will be in a better position than the sorry state your club is in now.

Liverpool might be a big club in name, but in my book 11 league losses (two more than Everton, two less than Stoke City) and a thirdround FA Cup exit to Reading is the sort of stuff mid-table clubs are made of.

Hodgson can hardly do worse and will bring stability at a time when Liverpool are being trampled all over and spat out by rival teams you love to hate. Christ, you are even looking up at two Manc clubs!

You all know what he did at Fulham on the field – after all that is what landed him the Liverpool job.

Off the field speak to any player who was under him at Craven Cottage and they will sing his praises.

He has more eye for detail and precision than a bunch of crooks planning a bank heist for a year and hours will be spent on the training ground getting it right with repetitive drills.

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Fulham players used to laugh because Hodgson’s training regime was so dull – but it brought results