At least, at last, some positivity is returning to the board after months of bitching and back biting.
Does it not feel so much better?
There is still a way to go, but the outlook is so much rosier.
I have to say from the day Rafa walked I have been much chipper about things, and turning out the way I was hoping, and I am really pleased that other things have happened that are influencing others.
Imagine what we will feel like if the right deal is struck on new owners, and imagine how sick the rest of the premier league are going to feel when it does happen.
The shite that has been spouted about us and Joe Cole from other fans is almost laughable.
Maddocks is even upbeat about things.................
Cole's signed, Gerrard's staying, now for Torres
Published 23:00 20/07/10 By David Maddock
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Recommend
Steven-Gerrard-cropped
As Roy Hodgson strode out onto the pitch at Liverpool's Swiss mountain training camp yesterday, there was a noticeable spring in his step.
It could have been the rarified air of course, which has a documented medicinal effect, but it was more likely the events of the last 48 hours, which seem to have so lifted morale both inside and outside the camp of the Anfield club.
Joe Cole's arrival as a surprise but welcome addition to the Reds' star roster was swiftly followed by news that every true Liverpool fan will treasure... that skipper Steven Gerrard is looking forward to next season with renewed vigour.
No wonder Hodgson was chirpy yesterday. When he accepted the job he knew that he faced two immediate challenges that would test even the canniest of managers. First, in keeping his big name players; second, in attracting more to a club that had been described as a sinking ship by one of its own players.
Cole's arrival has shown that the new boss has the persuasive powers to attract the very best of British talent, because there won't be a bigger signing of a home grown player this summer.
He has quickly followed that up by also agreeing a deal to sign young Rangers centre half Danny Wilson, a player with rich promise who typifies the sort of rising British star Liverpool are now keen to attract to their club.
But his talks with Gerrard are perhaps even more significant. His avowed intention on day one was to keep his captain and use the effect such important news would have on the rest of his squad as a motivational tool.
With Gerrard confirming yesterday his desire to play alongside Cole, and revealing his role in persuading the England star to move north, it is not hard to envisage a Liverpool side that can be transformed next season from the team that limped so embarrassingly into seventh place last time.
With perhaps the world's best goalkeeper, two England defenders and a top class Danish international making up the back line, the signing of a quality left back will make Liverpool a strong defensive unit.
In midfield, there is Gerrard and Cole, along with the youthful promise of Shelvey plus the improving Lucas, and two top level performers on the world stage in Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez, plus new signing Milan Jovanovic.
So Hodgson has the spine of a team that - with perhaps two or three more decent additions - looks decidedly more interesting than last season's pale shadow of one... providing there is a focal point in attack.
That means Fernando Torres, of course, but the spring in Hodgson's step yesterday suggested that he feels the events of the last 48 hours can go a long way to persuading the Spanish striker to stay.
His comments, after listening to Gerrard committing his own future to the club, suggested as much.
"It will be a tough season, with a lot of matches and the disappointment of last season is going to take a while to dissipate, but it is very good that our best player is still going to be playing at this club," Hodgson said.
"Hopefully with the signing of Joe Cole - and if we are lucky one or two others, to boost the squad - we will be going into this season's competition, maybe stronger on paper than we were last season."
Gerrard too, was in positive mood as he spoke of the impact a signing like Cole can have on the club. ""I've told him what a great club this is and I'm sure Joe's the sort of exciting talent our fans will love to see," he admitted.
He is probably the creative player Torres will love to see as well, and while no one at Anfield is getting too complacent just yet, there is a growing feeling that they can resist any Chelsea attempts to prise their star striker away.
Despite recent comments from their manager Carlo Ancelotti, there is no doubt the London club still covet Torres, do they have the financial will to make the sort of bid that will persuade Liverpool to sell? Unlikely.
The, admitted cautious, feeling is that he will return at the end of July ready to commit his future to the club just as Gerrard did on his first day back yesterday.
Which leaves only Javier Mascherano to decide his future, and given his antics in recent weeks, perhaps the Merseyside club would be well shot of him, especially if they can negotiate a fee with Inter Milan that allows the signing of a quality replacement.
Indeed, there could well be money left over to add to that accrued from the sale of players like Albert Riera and possibly Ryan Babel to add a couple more star names to the squad.
Torres has already been told his plans, and as Gerrard said yesterday, they have been impressive so far. If there are a couple more signings like Cole, and a couple of decent squad players to add depth, then as Hodgson said, they may yet go into next season with some optimism.
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Joe-Cole-s-signed-Steven-Gerrard-s-staying-now-Liverpool-boss-Roy-Hodgson-s-next-mission-is-to-convince-Fernando-Torres-to-stay-article532457.html#ixzz0uGiIXtyH
Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here
Does it not feel so much better?
There is still a way to go, but the outlook is so much rosier.
I have to say from the day Rafa walked I have been much chipper about things, and turning out the way I was hoping, and I am really pleased that other things have happened that are influencing others.
Imagine what we will feel like if the right deal is struck on new owners, and imagine how sick the rest of the premier league are going to feel when it does happen.
The shite that has been spouted about us and Joe Cole from other fans is almost laughable.
Maddocks is even upbeat about things.................
Cole's signed, Gerrard's staying, now for Torres
Published 23:00 20/07/10 By David Maddock
*
*
Recommend
Steven-Gerrard-cropped
As Roy Hodgson strode out onto the pitch at Liverpool's Swiss mountain training camp yesterday, there was a noticeable spring in his step.
It could have been the rarified air of course, which has a documented medicinal effect, but it was more likely the events of the last 48 hours, which seem to have so lifted morale both inside and outside the camp of the Anfield club.
Joe Cole's arrival as a surprise but welcome addition to the Reds' star roster was swiftly followed by news that every true Liverpool fan will treasure... that skipper Steven Gerrard is looking forward to next season with renewed vigour.
No wonder Hodgson was chirpy yesterday. When he accepted the job he knew that he faced two immediate challenges that would test even the canniest of managers. First, in keeping his big name players; second, in attracting more to a club that had been described as a sinking ship by one of its own players.
Cole's arrival has shown that the new boss has the persuasive powers to attract the very best of British talent, because there won't be a bigger signing of a home grown player this summer.
He has quickly followed that up by also agreeing a deal to sign young Rangers centre half Danny Wilson, a player with rich promise who typifies the sort of rising British star Liverpool are now keen to attract to their club.
But his talks with Gerrard are perhaps even more significant. His avowed intention on day one was to keep his captain and use the effect such important news would have on the rest of his squad as a motivational tool.
With Gerrard confirming yesterday his desire to play alongside Cole, and revealing his role in persuading the England star to move north, it is not hard to envisage a Liverpool side that can be transformed next season from the team that limped so embarrassingly into seventh place last time.
With perhaps the world's best goalkeeper, two England defenders and a top class Danish international making up the back line, the signing of a quality left back will make Liverpool a strong defensive unit.
In midfield, there is Gerrard and Cole, along with the youthful promise of Shelvey plus the improving Lucas, and two top level performers on the world stage in Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez, plus new signing Milan Jovanovic.
So Hodgson has the spine of a team that - with perhaps two or three more decent additions - looks decidedly more interesting than last season's pale shadow of one... providing there is a focal point in attack.
That means Fernando Torres, of course, but the spring in Hodgson's step yesterday suggested that he feels the events of the last 48 hours can go a long way to persuading the Spanish striker to stay.
His comments, after listening to Gerrard committing his own future to the club, suggested as much.
"It will be a tough season, with a lot of matches and the disappointment of last season is going to take a while to dissipate, but it is very good that our best player is still going to be playing at this club," Hodgson said.
"Hopefully with the signing of Joe Cole - and if we are lucky one or two others, to boost the squad - we will be going into this season's competition, maybe stronger on paper than we were last season."
Gerrard too, was in positive mood as he spoke of the impact a signing like Cole can have on the club. ""I've told him what a great club this is and I'm sure Joe's the sort of exciting talent our fans will love to see," he admitted.
He is probably the creative player Torres will love to see as well, and while no one at Anfield is getting too complacent just yet, there is a growing feeling that they can resist any Chelsea attempts to prise their star striker away.
Despite recent comments from their manager Carlo Ancelotti, there is no doubt the London club still covet Torres, do they have the financial will to make the sort of bid that will persuade Liverpool to sell? Unlikely.
The, admitted cautious, feeling is that he will return at the end of July ready to commit his future to the club just as Gerrard did on his first day back yesterday.
Which leaves only Javier Mascherano to decide his future, and given his antics in recent weeks, perhaps the Merseyside club would be well shot of him, especially if they can negotiate a fee with Inter Milan that allows the signing of a quality replacement.
Indeed, there could well be money left over to add to that accrued from the sale of players like Albert Riera and possibly Ryan Babel to add a couple more star names to the squad.
Torres has already been told his plans, and as Gerrard said yesterday, they have been impressive so far. If there are a couple more signings like Cole, and a couple of decent squad players to add depth, then as Hodgson said, they may yet go into next season with some optimism.
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Joe-Cole-s-signed-Steven-Gerrard-s-staying-now-Liverpool-boss-Roy-Hodgson-s-next-mission-is-to-convince-Fernando-Torres-to-stay-article532457.html#ixzz0uGiIXtyH
Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here
