It wasn’t winning that cup, it was the way the squad clearly put their feet up after doing so.
We were not remotely at the required standard for any period in the season, even before that final. We might have ended the season with a poor run of results, but it had very little bearing on our position in the table because we spent the entire season on the outside of the CL places looking in unrealistically. Kenny inherited a side he almost immediately got playing good football and winning games. He then got to put his stamp on it and it went backwards, depressingly so.
2 Likes
I mind Chelsea won it, and did an open bus celebration through London!
Second half of 2012 was such a disappointment after what was some really good looking football that we had played up to that point.
To me it clearly showed Kenny’s football brain was still in great working order but I can’t understand why our league form was relegation level after Christmas. We were far better than that.
Lucas’ injury. I think people forget how genuinely good he was before his acl injuries because of how much of a meme it became for him to get silly bookings once his legs went. He lost a couple of yards of pace that he couldn’t afford to because he was never quick to begin with. Him and Agger the biggest what ifs of the 2000s for me. They could’ve been legends without the injuries, as is they’re fan favourites from a barren era.
He was arguably the best dm in the league, even in the three seasons he only managed half a season because of massive injuries he lead the league in successful tackles and ratio of successful tackles, and was critical to our play. Prior to the injuries he had become imperious in the middle of the pitch. Got his first major injury away at Chelsea in the league cup and then our football fell away, as did his. Especially with Jay Spearing filling in the gap - nothing against the lad living his dream but a damning indictment on the quality of that squad that he played as much as he did.
10 Likes
The team wasn’t at the level we’d expect, but even so. Whatever form we did have completely disappeared after winning the league cup.
Yeah I agree. Before that, we had a poor run in terms of results, but I remember hitting us a record number of times the frame of the goal and we always looked good for a win. Especially Suarez was unlucky as hell during that first part of the season. Then, after the final, our form went down the gutter for whatever reason.
When remembering Kenny’s legacy for us though, we should not only remember what went wrong, but also his moves for Suarez, and especially Hendo. The lad had a difficult spell initially, but what a great transfer that proved to be in the long term!
5 Likes
If I remember correctly, weren’t we looking at Suarez before Kenny returned?
Yeah, Rafa had him earmarked when he was still in charge I think, but there’s no way that Hodgson would have attracted him to the club if he had been staying put, or would have been interested in the first place. Kenny and Comolly immediately went back to all things Rafa had implemented, and also to his transfer targets, and that saved the Suarez deal for us imo.
Hendo on the other hand is 100% Kenny’s transfer.
2 Likes
Although, probably not with midfield in mind. He was bought to play on the right and cross the ball onto Carroll’s noggin.
3 Likes
Yeah he was a winger in his Sunderland days. So it’s fair to assume that at least in the short term, he was thinking of using him that way. But what he brought to us in terms of personality and fighting spirit has been awesome, it was the perfect transfer in the long term.
3 Likes
Hendo was also Comolli, we can say that all those transfers were a combination, but led by Comolli. How much in percentage that is impossible for us to know. We can only go by reports, quotes, etc.
Hendo at Sunderland was a CM, but could play here and there, either more offensive or on the right side of a midfield (not really acting as a winger).
Right side of Kenny’s narrow midfield was still part of midfield, although it was clear to see that Kenny didn’t play Hendo in his best position. But Hendo even in his first season I remember had some quality games centrally, like against United at home in the FA Cup, Everton away in the league if I remember correctly, etc.
I always thought Kenny wanted to replicate the Houghton vs Barnes dynamic in that 4-4-2, Hendo tucking inside/making runs more from the right like Houghton did and then Downing (I know, terrible idea, right?) doing the Barnes creative/crossing stuff from the left.
6 Likes
So arsenal have an outbreak now, the irony. If we get to play them with a strong squad on Thursday and they’re decimated the fume will be unreal😂
3 Likes
I can’t wait to hear what Hoddle and Mills have to say then.
2 Likes
Klopp confirmed that Trent is the only one who really catched Covid.
All the others were false positives but it took two more testing rounds to confirm that.
2 Likes
So, Trent (COVID), Thiago (injury), and Salah, Mane, and Keita (AFCON) are the ones definitely out?
If we can train uninterruptedly, all the players will be sharp.
Getting excited again.
2 Likes
Well Elliott as well, not sure what’s up with Origi?
Haven’t counted Elliott and Nat since they were long-term absentees. Origi was training before the COVID fiasco.
1 Like
Evidently something there then considering he would have at least made the bench today you’d think.
Anyhow sounds like we should have a good team going into this next period.
Where? I was only guessing in his thread… Makes sense that we wouldn’t risk him if Alexander-Arnold has COVID.