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With some newspapers already reporting that Liverpool are a mere 48 hours away from appointing Roy Hodgson as the club’s new manager, it appears that one of the more interesting domestic football issues of the last month may soon be resolved. Despite his good work with Fulham over the last two and a half years, Hodgson isn’t the unanimous choice for the post amongst Liverpool fans. Perceived in some quarters as an unglamorous and unambitious manager, many Kopites are unenthused by the prospect of Hodgson’s arrival at Anfield.

Club ambassador Kenny Dalglish, the man said to have been refused a return to the Anfield hot-seat by the club’s board, is thought to have wanted the job due to the dearth of ‘better qualified and available candidates’. Does King Kenny have a point?

Given the stature of Liverpool Football Club upon the world and domestic stage, is it unsurprising that the club’s fans (myself included) have been somewhat underwhelmed by the names realistically linked with the vacant managerial post over the last month. Following the last managerial departure at Anfield in the summer of 2004, the club courted the likes of Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez, who were two of Europe’s most coveted tacticians at the time (and still are today it seems). Today, the most likely candidate for the job is a man who recently lead to his side to a 12th-placed finish, a man who can list trophies won in Norway, Sweden and Denmark as some of the biggest managerial achievements of his career. With all due respect to Roy Hodgson, it is slightly disconcerting to see the lack of more distinguished coaches linked with the role.

Unfortunately, the pulling power of Liverpool’s immense global status has been somewhat diminished by the turmoil that currently engulfs the club. The club is suffering from well-documented boardroom and ownership issues, with the knock-on effects meaning that any potential new manager will have to deal with the prospect of star players leaving and paltry financial reserves to invest in new players. To some extent, the position of Liverpool manager at this current point in time may be somewhat of a poisoned chalice; any manager considering the role may be put off by the chance that it may damage their reputation. It is safe to say that this situation has contributed to the fact that more attractive managerial names (such as Guus Hiddink and Frank Rijkaard) have ruled themselves out of the running.

In addition to the fact that the current Anfield situation may be repelling candidates, there may also genuinely be a dearth of ‘qualified’ candidates out there at the moment. Personally I feel that the club were foolish to dismiss Rafael Benitez; the fact that he has been appointed manager of treble winners Inter Milan indicates Benitez’s world-class reputation, and Liverpool look highly unlikely to be able to secure the appointment of a manager with even a remotely similar calibre. Whilst a section of Reds fans were happy to see Benitez’ departure, many felt that despite his poor work last season, there were no better candidates to replace him.

Off the top of my head, there is single no outstanding (and available) manager who I would like to see at Anfield. Whilst I admire the work of Manuel Pellegrini during his time in Spain (and would prefer him to Roy Hodgson), I am still unconvinced by the lack of silverware that he has won during his managing in Europe (Benitez came to Liverpool having won La Liga twice and the UEFA Cup once within a period of three seasons) and whether or not he would be able to successfully adapt to English football.

The appointment of the club’s manager is the most important decision Liverpool will make in a long time, with the decision key to the long-term health and state of the club. Whilst I will get behind whoever is appointed Liverpool manager, I can’t help but feel that King Kenny has a point.

Do you think Roy Hodgson is the right man for the job? Who would you realistically like to see as the next Liverpool manager?

Follow all things Liverpool at www.twitter.com/Liverpool_FFC

Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/zarifrasul

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Click image below to see a gallery of the German babes at the World Cup:

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has no inclination to rush back into the transfer market after completing the signings of Joe Cole, Danny Wilson and Milan Jovanovic recently.

The Reds start their Europa League campaign next week against Rabotnicki but Hodgson has no plans to strengthen his squad before then.

In addition, Albert Reira and Emiliano Insua are on the verge of leaving Anfield while the futures of Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano remain shrouded in doubt.

However, Hodgson told the Reds' official website:"I don't think deadlines are realistic. It takes time to get the people you want and the most important thing is getting the people you want.

"If you can do things quickly then that's great because you have them in but, if it takes time, it takes time.

"It would be nice to have someone in before the deadline but it's pretty unrealistic and I can't see it happening.

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"We need to strengthen at both ends and we need to have some very good young players that are really worth working with for the future, so we can hopefully start producing a few more Gerrards, Carraghers, Owens and Fowlers.

"We need to strengthen at the top end as well and someone like Joe Cole is very important in that respect and I hope he won't be the last one."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

There are few players who could sensitively and eloquently offer their sentiments on England’s troubles at the World Cup, especially without sounding at least slightly condescending. But Xabi Alonso managed to do just that in a lengthy interview with The Sunday Times this weekend. His assessment of the English game is both honest and astute and, with regards to the cultural connotations of English football, he admits an advancement of thinking is required for international success to stand a chance.

“For me it is very important to have players in a team who complement one another. Sometimes the 11 best do not make the best 11. You have to have players with different qualities and, in my opinion, the England team had too many players who can run all day long, who invest a huge physical effort, who attack and defend – ‘box to box’, as they say in England. But the way I understand the game, you also need someone who delivers short passes, even if they seem innocuous at the time. That sort of player has been missing from the England team.”

Alonso was at pains to stress that he didn’t wish to come across as an ‘opportunist’ or being ‘wise after the event’ but his knowledge comes from being a direct factor in Steven Gerrard’s repeated match-winning performances. He reiterated that Gerrard is a ‘great player [who] inspires and leads’ but also that he needs players of different skills around him to play his best. It’s certainly no coincidence that Alonso’s departure has been difficult for Liverpool, as would the departure of any world class player, but the impact has indelibly affected Gerrard’s output. Especially in the 2008/2009 campaign, Liverpool highlighted the growing importance of a trident relationship in midfield (as commented in a previous article) of destroyer-passer-creator (Mascherano-Alonso-Gerrard). One shields, one distributes, one creates – and this is an example, not a perfect model for England to replicate, of players with markedly differing skill sets complementing one another superbly.

I don’t think it is a surprise to note that Owen Hargreaves was widely derided in England prior to the 2006 World Cup for being a player who lacked telling contributions in matches. His worth was underestimated until the competition began and, by the end, he was England’s best performer. There are multiple reasons for this: the international game is more akin to the rest of Europe (Hargreaves had the added experience of honing his abilities at Bayern Munich, where the ‘rhythm’ of the game, as Alonso later alludes to, is starkly contrasting to the English Premier League) and his role of destroying, shielding and simply distributing gained in exposure/acclaim as the competition progressed.

Continue reading on page 2…

When asked why, Alonso had no definitive answer for the English lacking conviction, sharpness and enjoyment in South Africa. But he did share an experience that goes some way in elucidating his point about the ‘rhythm’ of football playing an incalculable role in individual (and in our case, collective also) output:

“Since I joined Real a year ago I’ve been watching a lot of Premier League games and I think to myself, ‘My god, what a rhythm they play at! And I was playing like that too?’ And yet, here’s the funny thing, which I must confess I am unable to explain: during my first months playing in Spain I’d be more tired than I was in England. There might be a clue here as to what happens to the England players in big international games. The rhythm at that level is not like the rhythm in the Premier League and maybe it’s hard for the English players to adapt to…my impression was that they struggled to enjoy the game.”

This is an effect, rather than the cause, of something far more entrenched in the English game. Countless discussions have raged before and after England’s World Cup exit with regards to the emphasis on skill sets at youth development. To succumb to a generalisation, we place too great an emphasis on physical attributes at the youngest level. Subsequently the pace, tempo, and ‘rhythm’ of our football is far quicker than the rest of Europe. But the danger of our long standing affiliation to grit, determination, strength and pace is that technical proficiency degrades and, when separated from the complementary abilities of their club teammates, English players are exposed.

“I remember when I used to go to the Liverpool Academy I would ask the kids there what their virtues were as football players and the first answer they’d give would be ‘tackling’. Now, that can never be a virtue; that’s a resource that you deploy when needed. Your chief virtue can never be the ability to make a good tackle. Now, I’m just giving one example, but you can extrapolate that there are other qualities that should be given greater priority at youth level. For me the notion of ‘game intelligence’ is so important.”

This is certainly the central issue of Alonso’s argument and it all interlinks to the cultural tenets we connote to typically ‘English’ football. Our young players forgo technique and the finer, more cerebral, aspects of football (tactics, understanding how to play with our teammates, composure when faced with decisions on the pitch) and the result is a noticeable dearth of what Alonso calls ‘game intelligence’. Arrigo Sacchi used to say individuals could be great footballers but terrible players and the adage gains in meaning when juxtaposed with Alonso’s sentiments. We can’t teach game intelligence; it can only be nurtured, honed and experienced from youth academies – in a technically focused manner – through to the professional game.

“It basically means how to associate with other players. The rest follows, the physical aspects, the technical aspects. But understanding the game, that is what is most important.”

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Related articles:

Why is 11-a-side dying in England?

Is it too late for English youth?

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Click on image below to see the ITALIAN babes at the World Cup

New Manchester United signing Bebe is hoping to emulate compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo's achievements at Old Trafford.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson snapped up the little-known 20-year-old striker from Vitoria Guimaraes last week for a reported fee of £7million.

Ferguson admitted Bebe is the first player he has signed without either first seeing him in action or watching videos of his performances following interest from Real Madrid and a number of top clubs in Portugal.

However, the player himself has no doubts about his ability to make the grade in the Premier League.

"To come to a team like Manchester United is a dream come true for any player," he declared."The Portuguese factor at Old Trafford was a motivation for me.

"You have very big names like Cristiano Ronaldo who has played here and is a very big player now. Nani and Anderson are still at the club.

"I want to become like them and I will work hard to become a top quality player."

Speaking about the swift transfer deal, Ferguson explained:"You've got to trust your staff at times and our scout in Portugal was adamant we must do something quickly.

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"So were one or two other clubs and that's where you have to make quick decisions in life and I'm not too bad about that. I also spoke to (former assistant and now Portugal coach) Carlos Queiroz about him.

"Sometimes you have to go on an instinct, you look at material. You look at their age and whether they're bringing pace, balance, desire to play and things like that."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

England boss Fabio Capello believes Theo Walcott did not suffer a serious ankle injury during Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Switzerland.

The Arsenal forward was stretchered off in the early stages of the Euro 2012 qualifying victory in Basel after his standing leg was clipped by defender Yves Oehri during the passage of play which led to Wayne Rooney opening the scoring.

Walcott was immediately taken to hospital after suffering what appeared to be a serious injury.

However, he returned to St Jakob Park afterwards where he told Capello the injury was only a "little problem".

"I spoke with Theo and he told me it is not a big problem," said the Italian.

"I said 'two weeks', he said less."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will now be anxiously awaiting the return of the in-form winger.

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Walcott has scored four goals in three domestic appearances for the Gunners at the start of the new season.

Wenger is currently without Nicklas Bendtner and Samir Nasri and learned on Tuesday that Netherlands striker Robin van Persie will be absent with an ankle problem of his own until at least mid-October.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Cesc Fabregas are all international stars who are idolised at their clubs. For these exceptional individuals accolades and praise are additionally forthcoming from the media and football pundits. A quick snapshot of the Premier League would reveal players not equally gifted but similarly admired by their respective fans. Lining up in a trusty 4-4-2 formation, below are eleven important league players who are rarely recipients of wider recognition. Fantasy football managers on a budget take note!

Goalkeeper

Matthew Gilks

If Chelsea’s weekend fixture against Blackpool could have resulted in a cricket score, the inability of the Londoners to add to their first half haul can be attributed to Gilks. The English stopper arrived at Bloomfield Road after being released by Norwich City in 2008. He had to battle for the first place spot initially but has made the position his own. He made a series of tremendous saves away to Newcastle, ranging from athletic punches to blocking shots with his feet.

Defence

Tony Hibbert

Hibbert is a lifelong Blue but has not always been a mainstay in Everton’s back four, often sidelined by the reliable Phil Neville. But given an extended run of games in the side, he displays his ability as a tough, uncompromising tackler who can venture forward.

[divider]

Scott Dann

Birmingham’s success last season was built on the foundations of a stern defensive line-up. The 23-year old was an important part of that robust defence alongside the likes of Roger Johnson and Stephen Carr. He assisted Cameron Jerome’s header and scored an unfortunate own goal at the weekend but is generally calm and comfortable in the air.

Aaron Hughes

Brede Hangeland frequently takes the plaudits in the Fulham defence but his towering presence disguises the consistent, invaluable work of Northern Ireland captain, Hughes. Having played the bulk of his career at Newcastle and experienced a brief stint at Villa Park, he has found his home at Craven Cottage. His composure and quality on the ball means this centre-back can play across the backline and in midfield.

Maynor Figueroa

The 27-year old Honduran left-back had been tipped to team up with his former manager, Steve Bruce at the Stadium of Light. Roberto Martinez has been understandably steadfast in the face of such transfer speculation, indicating his importance to the team. Wigan have leaked goals this season but Figueroa brings exceptional quality from free-kicks. His striking technique was recognised by all after he scored from his own half against Stoke last season.

Head to PAGE 2 for the midfield four…

Midfield

Lee Chung Yong

The South Korean has brought a dash of cosmopolitan air to the Reebok Stadium. He scored against Uruguay and Argentina in South Africa but this would not have astounded Bolton fans who have witnessed the winger’s elegance and skill on the ball. The ‘Blue Dragon’ scored five in 21 appearances last season and set up countless more goals. Bolton’s Player of the Year last season was devilishly effective from the right flank.

Chris Brunt

The Northern Ireland international was West Brom’s joint top scorer last season with 13 Championship goals. He caught the eye, however, in the previous season despite suffering relegation from the PL under Tony Mowbray. He was also top scorer that season with eight goals, improving his tally after moving to the right wing. Owner of a mighty left foot, Brunt has additionally operated in a more central position. Having won promotion to the PL for a second time with the Baggies, he was rewarded with a new contract this summer.

Steed Malbranque

The former Tottenham midfielder was disciplined by Steve Bruce last season after breaking a club curfew before a match at the Emirates. However speculation that the Frenchman could be leaving Wearside was wide of the mark considering his popularity amongst the crowd. He moved from the right to the left flank last term, proving a danger by cutting inside on his stronger foot. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in work rate, determination and technique.

Clint Dempsey

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The attack minded midfielder has acknowledged his vertiginous ascent since joining Fulham in 2007. His goals and assists are attributable to his quick, elusive movement. He has excelled since Fulham’s relegation escape and scored with a sublime chip to earn the Cottagers a 5-4 aggregate victory over Juventus in the Europa League last season. He scored three in five internationally as the USA went to the final of the Confederations Cup in 2009. His single goal at the World Cup was more fortuitous.

Head to PAGE 3 for the deadly front two…

Forwards

Nikola Kalinic

A remarkable goal scoring record for Hadjuk Split led Slaven Bilic to describe Kalinic as, “the future of Croatian football.” That opinion may have seemed overstated after his first season at Ewood Park which brought a return of two goals in 14 PL starts. Since the new year he has appeared more confident, netting five in domestic cup competitions and utilising his height and skill to great effect. He displayed a typical striker’s instinct when he capitalised on Tim Howard’s inexplicable spill earlier this season.

Kevin Doyle

The arrival of Steven Fletcher at Molineaux means the Irish international, Doyle is no longer Wolves’ record signing. The former Reading man scored 13 top flight goals for the Royals in the 2006/07 season. Being one of their most dependable performers there were a host of clubs vying for his signature when the Berkshire club were reluctantly looking to offload the star forward. He was the Player’s Player of the Season at Wolves last term, finishing on nine PL goals. Despite being under 6ft tall, the Irish international is a handful in the air, has strength and can run with the ball. He recently scored with a spectacular left-footed effort for his country against Andorra.

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When Gérard Houllier first arrived on Britain’s shores as joint manager of Liverpool in 1998, he must have taken one look around his squad and thought the future looked very bright indeed. At his disposal were:

A 20-year-old Jamie Carragher A 21-year-old Danny Murphy Probably the best young striking partnership in the world in Michael Owen, 19, and Robbie Fowler, 23 And some 19-year-old who had struggled massively in his fleeting appearances the previous season named Steven Gerrard

Not merely prospects, these players were first team ready, awaiting the call up; looking at how important those players were to Liverpool over the next five years, Aston Villa fans will be hoping Monsieur Houllier has stumbled across another golden generation of players at their club.

The honeymoon period is just about over for Houllier at Villa and as the dust settles he can look around his squad with some confidence knowing that the players the wrong side of 30 will be looking nervously over their shoulder at the baby-faced competition looking to oust them.

Last weekend, Houllier made the interesting call of bringing on the 21-year-old newly declared Irish international Ciaran Clark ahead of the much more senior Carlos Cuéllar when Richard Dunne got injured. Clark has already been given a starting spot in the League Cup by the manager, and a move like this could set a precedent for Houllier’s approach for the rest of the season.

One young player Houllier has been particularly positive towards in the diminutive Barry Bannan. The 5ft 7’ Scotsman will be forever reminded of his size until he makes that big leap into the Villa starting XI, until then all he can do is continue to impress in training and bossing reserve and under 21 matches as he has been doing. When asked about Bannan’s size Houllier responded: “The top level is about skill, intelligence and desire.” The central midfielder has mostly been deployed out wide when venturing into the first team so far, and despite excelling there, he will have his eye on the middle of the Villa Park pitch.

The star of Villa’s current crop is probably the one who is most well known to the rest of league after only a handful of first team games. Marc Albrighton is a breath of fresh air for fans of ‘proper’ English football. He is a winger whose trail of thought is very simple when he receives the ball. Control it. Beat on my man. Cross. His main problems have been decision making and being outthought by more experiences players so far. Better defenders have begun to let him shoot off like a rocket before channelling him down a path to nowhere. However, all the ingredients are there, and it is very likely Albrighton could cement himself in the Villa side this season, such is the unique width he gives the team.

A player you probably heard more about last year than this is Nathan Delfouneso who has almost taken a step back this year which is disappointing for all concerned. A young striker technically superior to Gabby Agbonlahor, Delfouneso has a great habit of scoring when he chances appear, but it is making that impact on games when service is virtually none existent he has to nail down. Injuries and Martin O’Neill’s annoying habit of constantly picking the out of form John Carew/Emile Heskey and subbing them after 70 minuntes for John Carew/Emile Heskey held up Delfouneso last season, but he should get his chance in the cups this year; maybe even sooner if Carew moves on in January. This season could decide if Delfouneso is to follow the path of Agbonlahor, or the mercurial Luke Moore.

An outsider who could make an impact if injuries hit hard is USA international Eric Lichaj. The versatile defender was somewhat surprisingly awarded a new three year contract earlier this year, having not really been a star of the youth setup. Two things to watch out for if you catch him are his hair, and his throw in. Both are very big.

A big criticism of Houllier at Liverpool was that his youth system was a poor one once the players he inherited had progressed to the first team. By not focussing on local recruitment, many merseryside youngsters end up at Everton, since Gerrard, ten (!) years ago, who has made any real impact on the Liverpool 1st XI?

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Villa fans will hope Houllier has learnt his lesson and can build on this impressive set of youngsters, because Villa’s record of brining players through has been better than most. Even though some do not earn their living in Birmingham, they are top level professionals who have made Villa a lot of money and more than justified putting so much work into the academy.

Written By Thomas Kerrigan

David Moyes spoke of his relief after Everton finally ended their winless start to the season with a 2-0 victory at Birmingham City.

The Toffees were bottom of the table after picking up just three points from the first 18 on offer via three draws.

However, an own goal from Roger Johnson in the opening minutes of the second half and a late second from Tim Cahill finally ended their frustrating run of results.

"We thoroughly deserved our victory," claimed Moyes.

"At half-time I was thinking 'here we go again', but we got the own goal – and I said I'd take an own goal or a deflection – so it got us off and running.

"I have to praise the players for how well they passed the ball. They moved it really well and created chances.

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"Birmingham don't lose many here and there was a bit of relief on our part, but anybody who has watched us cannot say we have not played well.

"But we kept another clean sheet away from home again today and they were unbeaten here for a long time, so it was a good result."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Fulham boss Mark Hughes was delighted to have striker Andy Johnson fit and available for selection for the 2-1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion.

The 29-year-old England international had been sidelined since January, but featured as a second-half substitute at The Hawthorns.

Hughes told his club's official website:"Having Andy back is a big positive.

"He has worked extremely hard to get back to fitness and he will be a very important player for us moving forward. All he needs now is games and we will make sure he gets them."

Meanwhile, the Welshman was disappointed by his side's display in the Black Country, with the Cottagers now only outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

Hughes added:"I felt at 1-0 we were good value. We had to make changes in terms of our shape because we had a lot of personnel missing, but we started well.

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"West Brom are a good side. They've played all the so-called top five and taken points off them.

"We were a match for them for decent periods, but goals change games and we didn't ask enough questions in the end."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle has been assured that he does not need to sell any players in the January transfer window.

In-form Swedish striker Johan Elmander and England defender Gary Cahill continue to be linked with moves away from the Reebok Stadium, but Coyle is adamant that he will not lose any key members of his squad.

He told the Bolton News:"None of this fazes me – whatever comes in January will come.

"We want to keep our best players at the football club. There has been a lot of conjecture because of the financial results.

"When all is said and done, that debt that other people seem to want to talk about is owed to one man, our owner.

"I think there is a very small overdraft but it's minimal. It's owed to one man, as it is with lots of other clubs.

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"I have been assured by the chairman and the owner that there's no need for me to sell anyone in January. In fact, quite the opposite, I'm looking to strengthen if I can."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email