Liverpool’s acting face and spokesperson for the NESV, John W. Henry, has clearly outlined the clubs strategy when it comes to spending and the acquisition of players in the impending January transfer window. There won’t be a flurry of wonton spending or an attempt at a quick fix of the indifferent set of results that Liverpool fans have been subjected to. Faith will be held firmly in Roy Hodgson’s managerial abilities and what the owners perceive as the right character to implement their idiosyncratic philosophy.
This will see a long-term enterprise of increasing the funding of resources for the development of youth and academy players. So January will remain an opportunity to purchase some carefully considered players, but nothing like the touted frenzy of spending that was originally envisaged. Henry states this goal by saying: “We need ‘top four’ young players. They will not produce a quick fix, but our philosophy in football will be based on the long-term. That is what has made Arsenal and Manchester United so strong.”
Henry further goes onto clarify about January transfers by asking: “Can that be successfully done in January? A number of people I have talked with doubt it. Most people seem to think it will be the summer before we can really begin to improve.” So with a more austere approach to funding, and the subdued statements emanating from Henry, Liverpool will have to rely on the majority of the players they now possess. So why then do clubs, such as Liverpool, feel it necessary to emphasize their strategy? Why don’t they keep certain matters private?
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Too much information can be a bad thing, especially when there are questions over its authenticity and truth value. When first assuming control of Liverpool, there was understandable joy at usurping the previous owners, but there was also a belief in a transfer kitty that would allay fans and transform the club come January. This only heightened expectations and set fans up for a fall, as now the transfer policy is one of providing for future needs.
Again Damien Comolli reaffirms these thoughts in saying: “We have only got a few weeks to prepare for the window but we are also looking at the summer. That is the short-term. In the long term, we are looking at what targets for the Academy there are in England and in Europe.” I suppose clubs feel an external pressure from the fans, who wish to be informed of future plans, yet does this help matters or hinder them? It helps people to be informed, but certain matters, such as how many players, are superfluous and can generate more problems than they solve.
When a captain reassures his crew that the storm will pass, it doesn’t make them feel better at that point of time when waves crash against the boat and make them wish they were anywhere else. The same is of Liverpool; the present fans are travelling through choppy waters, uncertain of the immediate. The captain should issue vague and ambiguous statements; for example, ‘we’ll have to wait and see come January’ etc. wouldn’t hurt anyone. It could only serve to impress fans when things are done and if not, then nothing would have changed and there wouldn’t be any real reason to remonstrate.
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