[quote author=localny link=topic=41882.msg1174925#msg1174925 date=1284590625]
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed he is set to rotate his squad for Thursday night's Europa League clash with Steaua Bucharest.
Hodgson, 63, is set to commit a juggling act with his players as he keeps one eye on Sunday's meeting with Manchester United and looks to get their Europa League off to a winning start. Star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres could be rested, while Fabio Aurelio and Dirk Kuyt are definitely out with injury.
Speaking at a press conference, the ex-Fulham supremo confirmed he planned to hand run outs to his fringe players.
"I shall make changes to the team for the game against Steaua. There's no question of that - it's something I've planned all along," Hodgson was quoted as saying by the club's official website.
"I don't think there is any point of having a squad of 25 players, many of whom are internationals, and then just trying to play the same 11 every game.
"It's going to be important to keep everybody on board and it's also important for me to get to know players better. I learn a lot from games and I learn a lot about the players because I've not had an awful lot of time working with some of them who were at the World Cup.
"I shall be using these games in the Europa League and the Carling Cup to try and get a better knowledge of the players to make certain as time goes on that I have no doubts about what our best 11 is."
He added: "We've still got to wait for Dirk Kuyt and Fabio Aurelio, but luckily so far we're not picking up injuries, so I've got quite a big squad to choose from," the boss added.
"It's up to me to try and choose a team tomorrow that will firstly win the game and secondly possibly give some of the players that are going to be needed to play against Manchester United a well-deserved break.
"If I do change the team in some ways tomorrow, I want the players to go out there and perform against top-class opposition. It's no good me watching them play against poor opposition because that might fool me into think they're better than they are."
Hodgson also took time out to defend under fire striker Fernando Torres. The Spaniard put in an under-par performance in the 0-0 draw with Birmingham City, but his coach moved to ease any fears about his state of mind.
"I'm afraid criticism is something he will have to learn to live with," he stated.
"We bear strong expectations at this club and everyone is interested in us. We fill newspapers and fill air time. Everything that happens at the club is put under a microscope and that includes player performances.
"Fernando Torres has no problems with that. He's an excellent player and is very much committed and focused on this season. It's very wrong for people to read into his state of mind from watching 90 minutes of football.
"I think you'd have to be some wonder psychologist to do that.
"I can't watch a player and tell you what state of mind he is in."
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Well if this is senility, keep it coming.
As to the original question.
We won't know if the owners are being used as an excuse for underachievement until the end of the season , when we will have to look at what we have, or have not, achieved, and if it is the latter then see if they are used as an excuse, and if it is it would not be unreasonable.
What the owners , and therefore our situation, is being used for currently is to bring a sense of reality to matters.
We were left with a squad with big holes in it, despite it's size. Some of that was due to lack of funds over the last couple of seasons and some of it due to poor signings
Chelsea, Arsenal and United, despite them not spending fortunes, still have stronger squads. (Although United somehow do look weaker)
City have spent like twats. Spurs still remain a threat. We have not had the requisite funds to strengthen sufficiently to catch up and say that we are in with a realistic shout of a top four place, although of course it could happen.
regards
