Dan_FC wrote:
It doesn't always have to take a long time to gel though, does it? We have this myth, amongst others, in the Prem that new signings take months, if not years to work but it doesn't have too. We've seen plenty of players come in and work within a few months. I was discussing your club with a red supporting work colleague yesterday, the rebuilding's started with Suarez and Carroll, it seems the next step will be Dalglish signing up. I know you weren't keen early on but you think he's the man to sign up on a longer contract? The nucleus of the squad is still there, add the signings of Suarez and Carroll and things are as bad as it seems. As you say the process is beginning this summer instead of last but it only puts you a year behind which can easily be made up. You're nailed on for a top 6 finish this season, that in itself is already brighter than how it looked a few months back.
It could be worse too, over the last few years we've been on the verge of breaking the top four on numerous occasions, fifth placed finishes, FA Cup final, Carling Cup semi final and a decent attempt at UEFA Cup and Europa League. That's not a million miles away, we're going backwards at a huge rate and without investement we're in big trouble. Falling behind a lot of clubs, the future doesn't look great.
The rebuilding process can sometimes be quick, but sometimes it can take longer. I'm still not totally clear on these FFP rules, but they will put short some of the quick rebuilding processes we've recently seen. I know some individuals can hit the ground running, but it's not always the case. Take a look at Citeh, they have as strong a team as anyone in the league at the moment, but not all of their signings started like a house on fire. Kolarov was a slow starter, whilst I'm still not 100% sure on him, Yaya Toure was a quick starter, Silva a little mixed, Dzeko will probably be similar to Silva in his settling down, whilst they have other players like Milner who haven't really had the desired effect.
I think, for the short-term future, Kenny is definitely the man we need. He's come in and done what was expected, he's brought normality back to the club, he's put egos in their places and he's restored faith in the stands. I love the man and love everything he stands for, but I still believe the owners have their own hearts set on one of Europe's up-and-coming managers, like Klopp or Villas-Boas. However, due to their success at their current clubs, I don't feel they'd be ready to leave if they're on the verge of taking them into the CL. Kenny ticks all the boxes, and I'd give him a contract right now (not five years like some say, I don't believe any manager should have that long a contract, particularly one working in a structure like ours), but I think the owners will always be thinking of the longer term, whilst I feel they viewed Kenny as a short term appointment, but that could all change.
